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

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Shinki Training

Line!

[Nia has a knack for Borderlines, a real knack, because when you get right down to it, they're just like manipulating ether, really, except you usually leave them around for longer so you've got to be prepared for the concentration that takes. Not really a big deal, not to her, now that she's had a little practice. So today Nia's gonna push her limits.]

[She slashes with one hand, yanking up a Borderline next to her, then twists in place to bring her other arm forward in the same gesture.] Line! [A second one springs up as the first one falls, though this one isn't quite at the angle she intended -- but hey, it'll do in a fight, which is where she'd need this, right?]

[The Borderline falls as she lets them go, and then she sweeps her hands back behind her, then brings both of them forward so her extended fingers meet right before her.] Line! [The call brings up two walls that form a V, protection for her front and sides.]

[Nia holds it, appraises this protection for a second, then lifts her voice to call out in that thick accent of hers.] Hey, someone try and smash these or something. I need to know how much they can take!

Let the Driver Drive (closed to Shizuo)

Look, I just want to help out against those ayakashi things, and I think you're underselling me.

[Having at last managed to pin down Shizuo through stubbornness and not a little luck, Nia faces him with crossed arms and more than a little awkwardness. She's still mad and he knows she's still mad and she knows he knows that, and she doesn't know how to tell him that it's not him she's mad at and have her believe him.]

I can't just stand around and let them threaten people, especially kids, and we're the only ones who can really stop them, right? A god and shinki working together, I mean. So if you'd at least... try it out a little...

[Okay, this is really awkward. Sometimes Nia wishes she was a little less... her. Might make everyone's life a little easier...]

Physical Challenge

[After that... exhausting diversion with her Driver -- err, god -- Nia hasn't got any energy left to fight. Instead, she's purloined a long spear from the training weapons, and is using it to prod a ball tucked into the joint of two support beams.] Ah, there we go. Almost got -- uh-oh.

[The ball pops free with a little more force than she intended, plummeting downwards, and all Nia can do is throw up a hand and look away so she doesn't have to see it clock someone on the head.]

[bartenderizing]

[ It's hard to tell the difference when someone's just mad in general and mad at him. He's rarely on this side of a temper, and when Nia lashes out at him because of it (not seeing that she lashes out at everyone,) it seemed like the most natural solution. However, unlike being at the park, they had time and plenty of chances to get used to things.

Except it kept slipping his mind. He's not used to being responsible for other people. Even Rei, the soulless shinki, there wasn't much to keep an eye out for, and she never asked questions or demanded anything. He didn't even have that kind of experience back in his normal life.

First thing was to get some misunderstandings cleared. ]

I'm not underselling you. You take too many damn things personally.

[ He just lacks a proper amount of confidence in being able to do things. While it's nowhere near as bad as when he was a shinki, this was a field he has absolutely no experience in. He never played video games before.

But he doesn't ignore training. It's weird to get into the practice of something he did when he was a shinki, but he knew it was important. ]

I was never a good pick for being a god. Ah, lemme just set you up for this. Come, Toraki.

[ He says when getting his hand up, ready for the other part of her form. That was the other thing- He wasn't familiar with a shinki vessel coming in two parts. ]

You can't get blighted while in vessel form, but it's possible that using the Rend spell only works on the part that's in my hand. Shit like that is what we need to know before you try and fight ayakashi.

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[The flash of light sweeps over Nia and transforms her, as the Catalyst Scimitar forms out of ether into his hands. Perhaps interesting to note is that the weapon comes into being more slowly than her transformation into vessel form -- because it's contingent on her transformation. A part of her.]

[Expecting it this time, Nia doesn't so much as blink.] Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised. But what I'm saying is, you don't know the half of what I can do for you as a vessel. While you're using the sword, I'm giving you strength and protecting you.

[She's committed to not beng openly angry, even when he's sniping at her in ways that ought to get a rise out of her, so all her general anger and irritation is going into being resolutely determined to get this done.]

Guess it'd be better to have an actual challenge to go against, but then again maybe it's better if you get used to how this'll feel first...

[bartenderizing]

Knowing and getting it is two different things.

[ A whole bunch of stuff went into his head upon that naming, sure, but it doesn't mean he really understands or knows what to expect from it all. There seem to be commands or something in all of it, but that sounded like more strategy was needed than he was actually used to.

At least by this point, Nia had a better understanding that Shizuo was direct and went with the easier method of 'I hit the thing with what's in my hands.' ]

So yeah, it's better that I get used to this thing before challenges. Though I don't really need added strength.

[ Not that he looks it. Even more, Shizuo hasn't exactly been active enough to prove that he had considerably strength or anything of note. ]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Oh yeah? When'd a little extra strength ever see anyone wrong? [Nia grins smugly, thinking for sure he has no idea how much she can help if she can open up a good conduit to him.] Besides, the protecting-you part is going to help even more. Can't get blighted if the ayakashi can't even touch you, right?

Shinki Training

[unlucky7]

[As soon as Nia calls out her request, Ginia gives a lazy smile as she drops a barrier right at the point of Nia's barrier with the intent of breaking the wall with her own. Three borderline slashes also follow up, the attacks swift. With plenty of experience, her attacks are ruthless and strong and there's no mercy behind a single attack.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Whoa! Whoa! That's just a BIT rougher and faster than Nia was prepared for! The sudden onslaught smashed down her walls and sends her stumbling backwards, arms windmilling to keep her balance.]

You don't hold back at all, do you!?

[unlucky7]

[Oops. Sorry about that. Ginia sheepishly rubs the back of her neck and waves a hand in apology. Look, it's been one of those days. Take two?]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

That was my fault for not being prepared... I'm stronger than this, y'know. Much, much stronger.

[No more joking around. Nia slashes a line in front of her, bringing up another solid wall. This time, though, she adopts an odd posture -- bringing one hand up, fingers spread, with the other behind it like support, as if she's going to push back against whatever assault comes her way.]

Again. All-out. I'm not going to let it go so easily this time.

[unlucky7]

[Nothing strange about the pose if it works. Ginia stretches as she waits for Nia to reset, dropping another swift salvo of attacks. This time she doesn't stop after the initial three slashes, keeping a steady chain of attacks going.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Maybe it's the new stance that helps her focus, or maybe it's just that she's taking it seriously now, but Nia keeps her Borderline up against the blows with iron determination. This is past just ether manipulation now; she's doing exactly what she does to create a barrier, except this is backed up by magic or whatever the whole shinki deal is. ]

[unlucky7]

[Ginia varies her attacks; longer slashes, shorter slashes, dropping a barrier into Nia's to try to break it or force Nia to move. After a minute, Ginia eases up, nodding her approval and smiling.]

Not bad. Want to try defending against another kind of attack?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Heh, bring it on. These Borderlines are supposed to stop anything, right? [One heck of a defense. They're just a little slow to come up, the way she sees it -- not like the barriers she's familiar with, which pop up soon as she needs them to. The gesture and invocation's a bit much.] I'm feeling good about this.

[unlucky7]

Quick question. What's the name you use to get called into your vessel form?

[What? Nothing suspicious about that question. Just a simple inquiry, that's all.]

[sassywelshcatgirl]

It's Tora--wait, hold on, is there a secret backdoor where these things go down if someone says your name or something?!

[The question's too out-of-nowhere for Nia not to get suspicious of it.]

Physical Challenge

[darkestbefore]

Look out!

[ It's the falling object that had caught Yona's attention more than the action that had caused it, and it's sheer instinct that has her reaching out as she does. A rush of determination and Nia might feel the faintest rumble under her feet before...

Nothing. No crashing ball. No cry of injury.

....Mostly because now there is large fist made out of what looks to be rock hovering in midair, having caught the ball before it could crash into anyone.

The red-headed goddess still hurries in that direction to make sure she'd gotten there in time. ]

Are you alright? You're not hurt, are you?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Nia cracks one eye and glances back over when she doesn't hear the ball bean anyone.]

Wow. Would you look at that.

[Quite the display, and Nia's both impressed and baffled at the sheer overkill. The ball wasn't really heavy enough to hurt anyone, was it? It just had candy and stuff inside! Right?]

I'm fine... That's a heck of a talent you've got.

[darkestbefore]

[ Since she hadn't really been taking part in the Scavenger Hunt, Yona wasn't really sure what had been going on, beyond an object falling for someone's head.

As she arrives beside Nia, finding everyone in the vicinity unharmed, she looks relieved. And a little sheepish.

The hand hovering in the air lowers, and opens its fingers as Yona opens her own fist, exposing the ball it had caught. Yona takes it to offer to Nia with a hint of a self-conscious smile. ]

I might have overreacted a bit, but I had just entered to see something falling and... well. Is this yours? I hope I didn't damage it any.

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Nia makes a mental note to never get on this girl's bad side... or at least, be really prepared if she does. If that's how she handles a fallen object, what does she do when someone actually attacks?]

[And then she's trying to offer over the prize, and all Nia can do is stare at it before she cracks a sheepish little smile.]

It's actually yours. Trick was to find the balls and open them up for a prize, and, well, you got it.

[darkestbefore]

[ Yona blinks at the girl and then the ball she holds before offering the other girl a quiet laugh. ]

Ahh, it was a game then? I didn't realize. And as I wasn't competing, I still think it should be yours. Here. You found the ball and loosened it from its hiding place, after all, did you not?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

A challenge, I guess. Something for those of us to do who aren't wailing on some dummy... or a practice target. [Zing, unspecified people who are sparring.

Nia accepts the ball with that insistence, then pops it open to reveal a bag of lemon drops.]

Huh. Wasn't what I was expecting... Care to try one?

[darkestbefore]

It's a different sort of skill they're helping to train, perhaps. [ Yona agrees with a smile, because while sparring with the dummies can be productive, there is more to this place than just fighting.

When the girl offers her one of the candies, she looks pleased, offering her a shy smile as she reaches out to accept one. ]

Thank you! That's kind of you. I'm Yona, by the way. Have you been here long?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Nia. [She lets Yona help herself, then grabs one of the drops to pop it in her mouth before she tucks the rest away.] Couple weeks. Didn't see you around when they decided all the new people should get swept off to some ridiculous park, but that was -- whoa, these are actually really sour. [One eye twitches shut as the flavor start to really hit, but she's sure not complaining.]

[darkestbefore]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Nia. And oh! Yes, I was there, but I was under strict instructions from my shinki to not overdo it and take it easy. [ She laughs slightly, looking a little sheepish. ] I might have worried them overmuch recently.

[ Having popped one of the candies in her mouth as well, she pauses as the flavor sinks in, wincing slightly. ] My goodness. What are these?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

If you don't know, I'm sure not going to. [The talk of shinki and worrying them and all that has Nia a little on edge, much like a cat that got petted the wrong way.] Didn't think gods took orders from shinki...