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

[spellswords]

[She lifts her head first at the sensation and then to register the voice. Her gaze darts quickly in his direction. She's instantly wary by his appearance alone and slowly straightens in her seat.]

... I will be fine. [She knows it's obvious she isn't handling any of this that well. She doesn't want to also shine a spotlight on it, so to speak.]

Do you want something? Surely you aren't skulking over there just to inquire about my feelings.

[abgrund]

[ Ain blinks for a moment or two, as his mind deciphers her statement. She speaks fast, snappish. ]

You look sad.

[ It's evident, isn't it? While his voice is quiet, it's also soft.

He could ask several things. What is it that ails her? Is she like the others? Is she an elf? Many questions. But they all tumble through his fingers, scatter like leaves in the wind. ]

[spellswords]

I'm not. [Her tone is stiff. She crosses her arms tightly across her chest.]

I just... [Ugh. This is just all so stressful and everyone seems to be acting so calm about it.

She sighs.] It's all a bit much to take in. Did you not feel overwhelmed listening to all that?

[abgrund]

[ She says she's not sad. But her face looks a tinge of it... ]

It makes me tired.

[ This he admits. Existing itself makes him tired, but he's not about to push that on an elf (?) who will probably not understand how he perceives things in this place. ]

Maybe, think about it one part at a time...

[ She seems to have problems just accepting everything, but that's more of a reflection on Ain's own passivity. ]

[spellswords]

[Tired, he says... Honestly that sounds reasonable too. She certainly feels a level of mental weariness when she thinks too hard about it.]

... Right. [He has a point as she is definitely attempting to take it all in at once. Approach it as you always have your studies, she tells herself. One point at a time. Unfortunately that does nothing to quell the overall unrest but... it's a place to start.]

It's just... I have only ever known gods to be blights upon the world and meant to be slain to protect it. To come here only to be told I am that very thing... [She trails off. Yeah. Too much to take in.]

[abgrund]

[ He watches her with his one visible eye, a slight tinge of curiosity touching the curve of his brows. Gods as blights... curious. Somehow, he feels that it's a strange concept, but what backing it could have is now something lost to time. ]

Think a different name? Gods here are not really the same as others... more like spirits. A name as a job, a category.

[ Ain waves his hand a little, as if to gesture at the myriads of names that could arise; but his cloak sleeve falls a little away from his hand, revealing that the black colour of his fingers is not a glove but actual skin, and that... three inches beyond his wrist is nothing at all.

Empty space. He's not bothered by it, though. ]

[spellswords]

[He strikes her as a strange individual in all ways so she isn't terribly surprised by the oddity of his physical appearance. What is he, she wonders. Certainly no race or being she knows of.

She looks a little uncertain, watching him warily.] I'd thought the shinki more like spirits from the description. Everything I am told about my situation sounds like gods and naught much else. [Since shinki are dead and all... which is also unpleasant to think about. What if someone she knew showed up as a shinki?]

Which one are you?

[abgrund]

[ There's technically a third answer to her question, but he's been adamant about Not thinking of his past memory despite somehow getting it back, so he'll answer it conventionally. ]

I am a shinki....

[ Perhaps, it explains the blankness of his stare. ]

What do you think 'gods' are?

[ Maybe their worlds had different definitions. ]

[spellswords]

[Perhaps. If she has met another she hadn't known it so as far as she knows he is the first she's spoken to. But surely they aren't all like this, she decides.

Her expression grows troubled.]

It is not what they are but in what manner they come to exist. We arrive here as gods summoned by the prayers of people. Where I am from gods summoned in that manner are called primals and... they are beings that wreck destruction on the land and its people. They can even temper individuals to command and the only release is death. [She closes her eyes. It's clearly not the same here. She knows that but...]

They are called in desperation and vengeance. Once one so powerful was summoned forth that it very nearly destroyed an entire piece of the world. So you will understand my uneasiness with the similarities.

[abgrund]

[ He listens with a slight tilt of his head from side to side, a rhythmic motion reminiscent of the tick of a clock's pendulum. ]

I see...

[ The word trails off into what might have been a sigh. ]

Do you like helping people?

[spellswords]

[An odd question as a follow up but it causes her to pause. Does she like it? For some reason the question is difficult to answer. She supposes that she does even if that isn't always obvious. But liking it or not isn't why she does it.

There's a soft smile when she replies and for the first time she seems less distressed.] To ignore the plight of those one might conceivably save is not wisdom—it is indolence. If it is in my power to assist others in some way than I shall do it.

[Even if she's become like a primal... but then the one who said those words to her did as well to save others, did he not....?]

What prompts you to ask?

[abgrund]

[ She speaks with complex words, but these are things he can understand. He's heard the same sentiment from many people that he's come to know and respect.

So, with a nod: ]

The people here who are given the label of gods, also do the same thing.

[ So she'll... well, get along with them. Might fit in. He's not sure about the latter, since he doesn't have experience. ]

The helping matters more than the label.

[spellswords]

[That wasn't something she'd considered before and his words cause her to look surprised. Summoned here to help... Right, well. In some ways so were primals but then they were often summoned with darkness in the hearts of their summoner. In this case perhaps... they were summoned with a happier purpose in mind.

Rather, it sounds more to think of herself a god summoned in a time of great need like her grandfather had done with the Twelve.

Something about Alisaie's demeanor changes as she ponders his words. She seems less sad that's for sure.]

When you put it that way I am less opposed to the idea although I still do not think they chose the correct person for the job nor do I wish to remain. However since I am here regardless of my own wishes I will do what I am able. [Until such time as she can return home. Whenever that'll be....

But she studies him a bit closer now that her mood has shifted to something a bit more relaxed.]

You're a shinki so then... you can become a weapon, right?

[abgrund]

[ Unsure if they were chosen right or that they were not confident in their own abilities... he's not sure which this lady belongs to. But then again, most people want to go home. Maybe he should say 'that's the spirit', but it feels oddly impolite in face of her fluent language - so he'll settle for a nod.

His single visible eye flicks up to look at her once she poses the question. ]

I can.

[ Ain holds out his left hand, and a second later a large black scythe appears in his grasp. ]

Looks like this...

[spellswords]

[The appearance of that particular weapon startles her. She even kind of leans back a bit. However she looks at it with come curiosity too.]

That wasn't quite what I was expecting but... [She trails off and looks at him. ... Yeah, she isn't sure why she didn't see that coming.] ... It's fitting for you, I suppose. I can't imagine how one would wield it. It seems difficult to learn.

[She's seen them before. They are usually used by some very terrible voidsent that she'd only ever read about. No adventurer would wield one otherwise, certainly.]

Can it do anything?

[abgrund]

[ Of course it's fitting for him. He supposes that despairing aura of his still leaks out somehow, even beneath the cloak that suppresses it. It's just who he is, a mark made indelible. No reason to shy away from it.

In place of an immediate answer, he steps away from her so that there's enough space between them. The scythe spins in his hands as if weightless, carving through the air with a deadly precision accompanied by the whistling of air cut cleanly in half.

Then he puts it away, regains the proximity of conversation once more. ]

I don't like to use it, though.

[ He doesn't have qualms about it personally, but others do, and he's learned about the importance of respecting people. ]

[spellswords]

[That doesn't answer her question as far as she's concerned unless he was implying that it's lighter than it looks. Either way it looks like an impractical weapon to her. Certainly interesting and perhaps one she'd like to try for herself just to see... but still impractical looking. The fact that he doesn't like to use it seems telling.

She shrugs.]

I suppose on that gods and shinki are the same. We do not get to choose what type of god or weapon we become. [Shinki don't choose their weapons or powers anymore than she did. Whatever god she is...]

[abgrund]

[ He thinks back to when he first woke up in this place, and the people he's met. The items they turn into tend to have associations with themselves - his scythe, Roxas' cloak - but they were never really asked. Not that they would remember much, either.

But, he's learned something since then. ]

Yeah.... I think, what matters more is if we try to do our best.

[ Those might seem like empty words, but there's a certain lyricism to it; as if even someone as distant as him could try to imitate such a thing that humans speak of. ]