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

[hellishrabbit]

Hmm. And why should it be nice to meet you?

[ Kamui had a feeling as to why he was being approached, which may be why he's stretching it out longer than necessary. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex blinks at the critical response, but she does go to get him some water, handing it over to him. ]

Maybe slow down this time.

[doodlebuginette]

I haven't really come to train at one of these in months.

[Mainly because she didn't need more training with the yoyo. Though, she supposed any opportunity to practice fencing would be good. Except Dust was off... doing what Dust did when he wasn't with her. She'd seen no need to force him to tag along with her when she'd only really come to drop off croissants and things, and maybe wander a bit.]

I did find a few of those, though~ [By which she meant the colorful balls. Eventually she'd have to poke at hers and see what was in them.]

What about you? [Because it occurred to her that she really didn't know all that much about Hibiki. Snake had mentioned her in passing a couple times, as had Adrien, but that didn't tell her much.]

[reloves]

Well, you're giving me a lot of options here.. [ Said with a playful wink.

Also Minako has no idea how to work modern phones yet, so you know what? She just grabs a pen off one of the nearby tables and starts writing down his number on her hand. No shame in letting anyone see she's already getting one cute guy's number, that's a true accomplishment!!

She even holds him up with a big smile. Totally proud. ]

I'll send you a message once I got it all figured out, then you'll have my number too! And then I'll tell you which name I picked.. It can be a surprise!

[reloves]

[ Natsuru is definitely on to something there. Minako has barely read the pamphlet yet that's been given to her aside from the very first part, so the whole "vessel form" thing throws her off for a moment.

Then again, this is Minako we're talking about. She bounces back quickly, figuring that she can just find out what it is through context. ]

What is it that it's so embarrassing?

[reloves]

[ You're on, little kid. Don't think Minako won't lower herself to a little kid level, because.. well, that's what she does all the time. Like right now. She doesn't even seem ashamed of the idea of someone seeing a grown ass teenager arguing with a kid. ]

Yeah, that's because horses are elegant and beautiful! Just like me...!

[reloves]

[ Yes, teaching is clearly the most important part here. Clearly. Obviously. Why would Minako ever want to spend time together with a handsome guy otherwise, huh? Look at this innocent girl, free of ulterior motives.

(Her eyes are practically sparkling at the thought already.) ]

Then you can start right now! What's the most important thing I should remember? [ And then she adds, just to apparently make it worse-- ] If you tell me, there's no way I'll ever forget!

[reloves]

[ Caring about what happened before she got here? Does he mean her dying? But she doesn't even remember that happening, just that it happened in.. some way. Which she also doesn't remember. Very helpful.

So his statement is mostly just confusing to Minako, and she ends up frowning at him. ]

What's that supposed to mean?

[reloves]

Nope, you're definitely one of those now! It's too late for me to take it back!

[ That's not how someone being a genius works, Minako.. At least it's meant to be a compliment. ]

Have you ever danced before?

[reloves]

[ There's definitely something lecherous about her grin at first when he nods, because.. well, it's Minako. She can't resist. But since there's something so incredibly pure to the way he's going about all of this, the grin softens into a more normal smile after a few moments.

Minako has no memories of love. She knows of the concept, of course, but she doesn't remember whether she has ever been in love herself. But just knowing of love in general by itself makes her glad enough to see someone so full of it. ]

Then.. If you haven't done so yet already, you should definitely let them know, you know.

[reloves]

[ That does it, apparently. His personal space is now gone, considering Minako is just grabbing both of his hands and holding them in hers like they have been best friends for years already. ]

You fight with swords?! Are you saying you're like some incredibly handsome warrior who defends all innocent pretty girls?! [ Now that's a trope she can get into. (Minako can get into pretty much any trope, but sssh.) ]

[revolutionfalcon]

Events. Incidents. People being drawn to this place has been happening for most of a year now. [Shun doesn't hesitate to clarify, at least, especially since he's been one of the people responsible for trying to organise that kind of information in his time here.]

It's quiet today, but that doesn't mean things are peaceful here. There's more problems than just ayakashi to deal with, and it's useful to know the kinds of things you might be dealing with before they hit.

[thirdbeauty]

[It's probably a good thing Natsuru assumes Minako doesn't know much yet.]

The things we turn into when our gods summon us... there's all kinds of different forms we can take. Mine...

[There's a slight pause here, but she pushes through. She's not that embarrassed by it anymore, but it's still awkward to say outright. Especially to a new shinki!]

I'm... kind of a dance outfit Maria-sama wears.

[So, yeah. When she says they've gotten close... that could be taken several ways.]

[reloves]

[ So it's stuff about this place instead. It's not like she didn't expect to hear as much with some of the things Shun already said and some of the lines she did already read from the pamphlet, but.. you know, it's still a huge bummer when you end up in a situation like this and try to be optimistic and some people just have to make it harder.

And, you know, the childish side to Minako that hates feeling like she's being nagged at sure doesn't help. ]

Aren't you the one now that's giving advice that wasn't asked for? I was just asking for someone to read the pamphlet together with me so it'd be less boring, not some bad news bearer!

[reloves]

[ Yeah, that is kind of a big deal she didn't know about yet!! Thankfully Minako's not the type to really freak out at those kind of revelations, so she doesn't have to go off on a tangent about that without focusing on Natsuru's very specific situation here.

You know, by making it worse. ]

So she's inside of you?! [ Who even knows if that wording was on purpose or not considering it's Minako. It could be anything. ]

[cuddle_battery]

Why?

[Head tiiilt. Hang on, he has to consider that one for a moment.]

That's a good question. I always like to meet new people, but I never really thought about why before.

[When his answer comes, it starts slow, like he's figuring it out as he goes. But once he's got a good grasp on it his voice picks up in both speed and enthusiasm.]

Maybe because everybody is different? So... when you meet someone new you're always in for lots of surprises. Like maybe they can do something really cool or they have a fun hobby you didn't know about!

[And this guy looks cool so he probably has all kinds of interesting skills and hobbies and stuff.]

So I guess there's lots of reasons why meeting me is nice, just like there's lots of reasons why meeting you is nice. But we just met so we still have to figure those out.

Re: Scavenger hunt~

[cuddle_battery]

Marinette!

[Yumoto runs over excitedly the second he spots her. Normally he would've waved, but he's carrying way too many colorful balls. He ran out of pocket space a while ago.]

Isn't this great? Did you see all the candy and toys and stuff?

[He's been going at this scavenger hunt like a five year old on a sugar buzz.

Actually... he does just about everything like a five year old on a sugar buzz.]

[defensivematrix]

[ What does she "wants"? That's a tough question. She lets it sink and considers it carefully.

The mention of army is kind of worrying, but then what else Alexander did if not conquer the vast part of the known world. It fits that he continues doing so after being deified- still unnecessary bloodshed is something that she thinks should be avoided. That might be part of her job, tampering the ambitions of her god to more modern, acceptable form. A scary thought, but a challenge she would take. ]

I've just awoken here, with nothing but my name on me. Surely you'll understand if I'll refrain from answering your inquiry right now. All I ask is you to give me some time to figure the answer for that question. [ Starting with the diplomacy right of the bat. If the question is so important to him, she cannot give him a half-assed answer. Right now she wants stability, she wants to know the purpose and how to set things in order- but what does she really want, will truly show up once she has some time to settle in and think.

But yes there is a start of a smile on her face, as an acknowledgment of her position, as- technically the second after her god. It means a lot more responsibility, but how could she not be fit for carrying it ]

Just to be clear- Would that make me your "general"?

[towards_okeanos]

Ha! That's the spirit! Let us continue them!

[Iskandar puts away the gladius. He will return it to the weapon rack later, when they're finished. He has no more use for it. For now he'd prefer something better suitable for a true duel. Ginia already shown she's no delicate flower.]

I'm only going to switch to my own sword lest someone think I'm going easy on you. That would be insulting.

[He draws his sword. It's considerably longer than gladius, with more prominent guard and a midrib. It is also visibly more ornate.
He nods.]

I promised I'll show how I was able to strike you. Now I have the advantage of longer reach so try to hit me.

[He may not be smiling now - he's too focused - but he's obviously having fun.]

[unlucky7]

[It's a beautiful sword, though there's time to admire weapons later. Ginia raises her sword and dashes in; she's fast on her feet as he probably expects. She slashes diagonally with her sword, but swipes with her free hand at the same time, drawing a slashing line aimed at his hand.

Remember how she said she could attack with her borderline? Unless he dodges it, there's a razor-thin slash aimed right at his hand. Not strong enough for serious damage - she's holding back since it's a spar - but it'll certainly cut flesh if he doesn't avoid it.]

[spellswords]

[She's no tactical genius like her brother but isn't a slouch either when it comes to quick thinking in combat. Lucky for him that's not a trick she can pull off in succession.

Yet as he predicted she is quickly to instant cast a second spell as a follow up. Out of no where forms stones that she hurls at him with a quick flick of her rapier, crystal still attached to its hilt.

The defensive stance he takes may not help too much against sudden chunks of earth being hurled at him but then perhaps he is stronger than she gives him credit for.]

[purr_ince]

Okay, you can't dis my jokes. That's just totally not cool?

[bass_instincts]

What if I say the only thing funnier than your jokes is how bad they are? [He's just teasing. Mostly.]

[purr_ince]

Yeah. It seems like it would be kind of sad? Really upsetting. I guess I'm lucky that Marinette is the only one I know from home. I'm really glad for that. I can't imagine having my other friends here or my father and not being able to tell anyone anything. I'm glad for both of those things, too. [ He smiles warmly. ] Yes a gift.

[purr_ince]

Huh? Yes of course. Of course I believe in them. [ They weren't the problem here. It was him, how he felt but how does he explain that? He really can't. ]