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

[reloves]

[ A tiny little guardian angel has clearly arrived...

Minako is totally not aware of how she has completely flattened a bunch of feet already - she's just that caught up in the music and dancing, it's just about the first fun thing she's experienced here. But at least Nanako tugging on her does make her attention snap to the little girl.

A little girl who's being cute and polite! Now that's much better than the little kid who grumped at her earlier. So she just smiles back, immediately squatting down to be on a more even level. ]

Yes, it's great! With all that serious information before, I didn't think they'd have anything like this here. But apparently they still know how to have fun, huh?

[welcome_home]

Yeah!

[ When the older girl turns and crouches down to talk to her, Nanako beams happily, relieved. Looks like everyone was saved. Especially because it looked like Shun-oniichan might be the next one stepped on, and that might not end well for anyone. ]

There's sometimes lots of fun things to do here. Especially because of all the work there is to do, too. But they have lots of parties and festivals and things in between all that. Did you just get here?

[reloves]

[ She nods. ]

Just today, yes. I talked to some people about the whole deal here [ - there's a wide hand gesture which she's probably using to show she means everything - ] but it was getting pretty stuffy. It's so much better to be out here having fun instead, right?

[welcome_home]

Well, it can be! [ Nanako can see the logic in that. ] Especially if it helps everything be less scary when you first arrive. Did it help?

[reloves]

Yeah! It's a lot of fun.

[ Even though she flattened the feet of probably about a dozen of people or so.. But sshh, she's having fun anyway. ]

I wouldn't say it was really scary earlier though.. There's no way something like this would scare me! Don't I look like an awesome, cool, brave girl?

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako blinks up at her a moment before giving a quiet giggle. ]

Well, yeah! And you're really good at dancing, too! But brave people can still be scared sometimes, too. So it's okay if you were.

[reloves]

[ Minako lets out a squeal when Nanako talks about her dancing. See, now these are the sort of kids she just loves! ]

Wow.. Saying that at your age, you seem like you're a super smart kind! A genius!

[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!

[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?

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako just giggles and doesn't argue with her, because she seemed pretty certain about it. But the question gets a quick nod from her. ]

Yeah! [ She's danced all night, after all. ] Although I don't think I've ever done what dance you were just using...

[reloves]

Aha! [ It's like a metaphorical lightbulb lights up above Minako's head - and once Minako has an idea, she's immediately enthusiastic about it. ]

That means you have a unique opportunity right now! You could learn that dance from a true master!

[welcome_home]

[ Her mouth drops open a little in susprise. ]

Is it hard?

[reloves]

Of course not! I can tell with just one look at you that you'll be able to do it easily!

[ And if not, Minako will find a way for her to do it. No way she can leave such a cute kid disappointed. ]

[welcome_home]

[ Nanako beams up at her at this, excited. ]

Really? Then I wanna try!

[reloves]

Alright! [ Fistpump! ]

Do you think you can try to copy me if I show you it? I promise I'll go slow!

[welcome_home]

[ She nods emphatically. ]

I can try!

[reloves]

Okay, just watch me then!

[ And Minako does repeat the dance moves she did just now, but.. well, she's trying to be accomodating here, so she's going in extreme slow-motion now so Nanako can see every bit of it.

Except it makes her look totally ridiculous as she's doing it. There's probably some people giving it weird looks after a bit. ]