June Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: December 7th
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



Gods and shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are, should they allow it, guided to the rear of the Meeting Hall, where a traditionally styled dojo and training ground have been made available for the day. The gods and shinki are free to take their time during this day to learn about the details of their new life from Amaterasu's shinki or from the many veteran new god and shinki volunteers.

Once they've had a chance to have things explained, they'll have the chance to relax and enjoy an afternoon party.




Meeting Hall

God Training

Newly arrived gods are escorted into a much nicer room than the warehouse where the last set of new gods got their informational speech. It's a smaller meeting room, with tatami floors and a small dais at the front of the room where the speaker stands. A minor deity is giving the speech, and none of the white-robed shinki enter.

The speaker delivers her welcome speech with the intonation of someone who's practiced it many times. Newly arrived gods are encouraged to discuss the information with each other and ask questions of more experienced gods, as well as instructed to guide their new shinki appropriately. They are allowed to remain in the room as long as they wish, should they want to discuss questions with each other or with more experienced gods who are here to help out.

Shinki Training

Various shinki in the white-and-gold of Amaterasu's hosuehold are stationed around the dojo, passing out informational pamphlets that have been freshly printed. They will be happy to answer any questions or instruct the newcomers in the use of the borderline. They also accompany their answers, or lessons, with an explanation of what is expected of a shinki and the importance of teamwork with other shinki and with gods. Shinki are encouraged to work together to practice what they've learned and discuss their perspectives.

The dojo is back to its old, fully functional self; a set of motionless straw targets line one wall, to be used by people practicing with any of the weapons spread out on tables or hanging in racks on the walls. Outside, six animated straw targets wait in an area marked off with red ribbons and warning signs. Anyone entering the marked area may find themselves in combat with one (or more) of the magical training dummies. Those who leave the marked area, though, won't be chased.

Physical Training

Beyond the dojo, a scavenger hunt has been set up throughout the grounds of the Meeting Hall. Brightly colored plastic balls are hidden in shrubbery, tucked into support beams, floating among reeds in the ponds, and lurking in even cleverer hiding places. When a god or shinki gets their hand on one of them, they will burst open to reveal a hidden prize, such as candy, small toys, or accessories. How many can you find?

As well as the scavenger hunt, the white-robed shinki are engaging in more serious physical training and will be happy to let new gods or shinki join them. Sparring matches with practice weapons from the dojo, jogging laps around the hall, sit-ups, push-ups... or, for the younger shinki, competing to see who's the fastest to climb a tree.

Rest and Refreshments

Midafternoon, once the last of the scavenger-hunt prizes have been found, the white-robed shinki will turn their hands to clearing away the training equipment and laying out a lovely buffet table. Bright lanterns are hung from the trees, and a few shinki even take up a station on one side of the training area and begin playing shamisen, koto, wooden flute and drum. Although their instruments are traditional, their music selection ranges from some very classic Japanese tunes to others that sound surprisingly modern. The koto player can really rock!

Old and new gods and shinki alike are welcome to circulate, socialize with their friends, partake of the buffet food and enjoy the music. There's even room for those who feel inspired to dance, and plenty of privacy offered by the extensive garden for those who would rather retreat with their new partners to have a serious conversation.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
• Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Get in some training
• Relax at a party
• Have fun~

Comments

[priforprince]

Well spotted.

[ Hibiki lifts a hand, snaps her fingers. A crown of golden laurels appears, glittering, in her hair. ] My title is Apollo. Preek god of the sun and performance.

[ This puniverse calls it "Greek", but Hibiki knows better. She didn't grow up in Prance only to not know her Europaran geography! ]

We gods are responsible for guiding the mortals of the Near Shore.

[dredefulchilde]

"Hmm, I'm sure." Joss has stopped laughing, but there's a distinct smirk on his face. He crouches down on his heels, looking up at the other boy.

"What's it feel like, being a rodent?"

[dredefulchilde]

Joss frowns down at his palms. "Everyone worth talking to? I think that emotional people are bloody irritating." Not that he has much to go on, given that his memories go back all of about two hours at this point, but he has feeling that's the case. "But here I am, acting like a fucking child over a stupid toy." It's not the toy, of course. It's being called out and told that he's an immoral little shit.

"It's stupid."

[thirdbeauty]

Well, yeah, Maria-sama can use me to fight! But it's not using me as a weapon, exactly...

[That's the second time she's used the same word to put off explaining. She's only going to find a way to make it worse for herself if she keeps getting in her own way like that, so she might as well just tell her. After all, she might end up having a similar shinki herself. She might want to know ahead of time what's possible.]

I'm more like... clothes.

[dredefulchilde]

And I'm not doing my best imitation of a galloping horse and getting in the way.

[He can do this all night.[

[purr_ince]

[Adrien hummed heaving a soft sigh.] Well I suppose that would work. I mean you're not wrong. Technically so I suppose it's my duty as the god of cats.

[replicatedform]

[After a blink, he gives her a nod. After all, that's one of the reasons why he come along to these sessions, meeting new people and helping them out.]

If it's possible for me, I wouldn't mind teaching you what I know.

[Pamphlets and lectures are one thing. It's another to get someone's personal experiences and views.]

[doodlebuginette]

I just try to treat people the way I'd want to be treated.

[This had definitely taken a turn. So Marinette is just going to... take that purple lily with a smile.]

Thank you, Hibiki. It's beautiful~

[myblueskies]

"It feels great!" He puts his hands on his hips and looks down at Joss, still a little annoyed at being teased. There was nothing wrong with being a weasel!

"Anyways I like being able to run around, I think being an object would be strange!" He pulled a face but then grinned again, nothing kept Romeo's spirits down for long, not even teasing.

"I wonder what your vessel form will be!"

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar watched the borderline dissolve. Nothing special it is not. He could imagine several uses for it just from top of his head. It cannot work effectively as a shield as it's not movable but an easily erected cover is still pretty darn useful on its own.]

Anyway! If you ever want to practice some sword fighting visit me. I have temple here so come in any time.
And bring your exemplar be he willing. I would gladly meet the one who taught you.

Now! Are you ready for another round? I can show how I was able to strike you even if you're a lot smaller target than me.
Or if you have other plans I won't keep you but in truth I would like to hear about those firearms.

[defensivematrix]

[ She needed this moment to gather herself. To regain- maybe not peace of mind but at least a professional demeanor. ]

Quite on the contrary. I do believe you've exceeded my expectations. [ She states simply. Perhaps she allowed herself to be complacent, not expecting an intense surprise that was given to her. Her role is clear, she'll serve as support and a weapon for a protector of mankind- who or how he is should matter less. With this regained confidence she follows his invitation, walking closer and... it's a reflex, really, not something she consciously has to think about. With just flick of wrist she creates for herself a small chair, made of hardlight. Now seated, they can continue the conversation. Questions, huh ]

You are very inspiring and expressive man... [ That doesn't really describe it, but will have to do. So much she had to gather her jaw from the floor. ] A fitting quality for your role. I will help you in your battles and in your struggles, as it is expected of me.

[ A pause, hand reaching to her chin ]

How many shinki do you have?

[ Look, a woman needs to know where exactly she stands in the hierarchy ]

[towards_okeanos]

Interesting.

[Iskandar surveys the collection. There are indeed different types of range weapons. Some he have never seen before. And there are things he not only does not recognize but can't even figure out what they are. At least from a distance. He points at paintball guns.]

What are those strange contraptions?

[defensivematrix]

[ Comfort..? Yes, lives and possibilities lost, it includes her own. ]

On that, it is best not to linger. [ It's gone, it's lost, and maybe they should find some solace in that they not remember. They do not remember who could they left behind. Ah, and there she goes, she lingers. A small shake of head ]

My name is Satya, it is a pleasure to meet you Celty. [ Instead of just extending her hand, he catches other woman's hand in a quick, business-like handshake. ] I saw you in action on the training line earlier, you're ver impressive.

[defensivematrix]

Can you even eat, with a form like this?

[ Not bad-looking, mister book, she is very confident in her impeccable look- but yeah she gets the hint and takes her hand away. If he's really a book than, ah kind of awkward going around touching strangers ]

[defensivematrix]

[ So a god and three shinki, that's a lot, but there are gods who have more ]

No, not yet. I was told they will find me on their own, but- [ Is that a smirk? You bet it is ] -I am not very fond of pointless waiting.

[ Gotta be proactive and find them herself ]

It's good that you've found a fulfilling environment that facilities growth and fits your ambitions. [ It means it's possible there are other options if the match made by Heaven's won't work out ]

[revolutionfalcon]

If you say so. [Shun doesn't sound like he entirely believes the fact, but then, his initial impression of Suzaku being a bit of a doormat hasn't completely faded. He doesn't strike him as the sort who'd ask for help unless he was absolutely, utterly in need of it.]

[revolutionfalcon]

Not everyone wants bad advice from an outside party. [Shun, being a spectacularly blunt sort of person, figures he might as well just point out the obvious flaw in that defense.

Her way of framing it all in the end gets a slight aside glance from him, in the manner of someone subtly considering something.]

Consider caring about what happened before you got here, because it's going to affect both you and those people you're trying to socialise with before long.

[towards_okeanos]

Expressive? I hear that a lot.

[Contrary to that he goes silent. He looks at the garden but not exactly seeing it. As if he remembered something that wasn't actually all that pleasant.
He let's a tired sigh.]

Look, Satya, what is expected of you is of little importance. Expectations are trivial matters. They come, they go.

[He turns to her.]

What I am interested in is what you want. I need my people to share my dream not just follow orders. Any idiot can lead an army that follows orders. He might even win a few battles providing this army is numerous enough. This is not what I do.
There must be unity of purpose among us if we are to work together. Not of expectations or duty but of will.
You don't have to agree with me on everything. I'm fine with that. But I must know we are looking in the same direction.
I can understand if that's too much to ask.

[Also that chair looks interesting. Iskandar makes a mental note to asks about the specifics later.]

As for your question. You can see I'm severely lacking an army here. So you can consider yourself a start of a one.

[Yes, that means he doesn't have any other shinki. Congratulations, you're the top dog... woman... shinki...secretary... in the hierarchy that doesn't exist yet.]

[letteropener]

Adrien. Do you believe in your friends?

[The subtler approach having worked less well than she might like, Celestia elects to wield the magic of friendship rather more bluntly.]

DON'T DIE MORE!!

[welcome_home]

Meditating?

[ She echoes this with a curious look on her face, absorbing this information thoughtfully. ]

Is it hard?

[welcome_home]

It's hard, when someone you know is a shinki. [ Her tone is serious, and a little sad as she peers up at him. ] Especially when you can't say anything about it. I'm glad you're here as a god now, Adrien. And I'm glad Marinette doesn't have to be sad anymore.

[ Still, she looks a little surprised as she ducks her head under his head-pat. ]

A gift?

[welcome_home]

[ Another quick laugh, although Nanako is quick to shake her head to deny it. ]

I don't think I'm one of those. It just looked like fun!

[welcome_home]

[ She giggles at his surprise. ]

I guess so, yeah. It's something I could do when I became a god. Although it took me a long time to figure out how to make it work. I found it by accident, though. And then I had to practice lots.

[thevanguard]

It's new. And weird? [ Yata casts him a sideways glance, his lips quirking a little. ] Showing up here and being told you belong to a god and everything else that comes along with this gig... it takes some time to wrap your head around.

He does look pretty nice, though. Happy. He smiles a lot, huh?

too late. he's... deeeeeed

[lightninglobster]

[ He gives a nod and a smile, a thoughtful look crossing his face as he gives very serious consideration to her question. ]

It can take a lot of self discipline to do correctly. I find it easy because I've done it [ for a long time, almost religiously, but he doesn't remember that now does he ] before. Like most things, it takes practice and a want to do it in the first place.