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

[defensivematrix]

A: Shinki Training

[ "Happy to answer any questions," they said, informational pamphlets they said. Satya finds them still very lacking, a bare-bones, it is impossible that such little training can prepare them - any of them - for the responsibility of the role.

She patiently waits until the end of lectures and then can be found interrogat-- questioning any available shinki around. As her impatience grows, the responsiveness of the person she talks with wanes, and soon she's left with no one to talk to-

-aside from you! Yeah, sorry, this elegant woman with a metal arm is now moving in your direction. ]

Do you happen to have a moment to spare? I wasn't expecting the established shinki to be so- [ fragile ] -short of time. I still have a few questions regarding my new position.


B: Physical Training

[ Satya is not taking part in the scavenger hunt, but she is observing it from a distance with a slight puzzlement on her face. Are they truly expecting them to run into a pond and be rewarded with candy? That doesn't make much sense for a serious day as today unless- ]

This 'training' makes me wonder... Are most of the shinki expected to be children? [ The training is literally child's play, and there is a lot of youth around. And while it's impossible to say how many of them are gods and how many of them are shinki, those roles hardly seem to fit such young people. ] How ominous.

[ Or rather, sad. Is mortality rate among youths so high? That's unfortunate, surely something must be done about it. ]


C: Rest and Refreshments

[ She did not expect to stay on the training grounds so long, but here she is. Occupying one of the chairs, on the side conveniently away from any crowds. For now, she focuses on enjoying the music and sipping warm tea.

Should someone join her, she will thoughtfully give it a go at conversation starting. ]

Their repertoire is varied, but they seem to know exactly where their roots are. [ It's a praise- she enjoys both the classical songs, and the more modern interpretation and use of those instruments. ]

A

[unlucky7]

[Ginia's taken to stalking the shinki training area for new faces and people to practice borderlines and spells with. Which has only turned out slightly successful; with her aggressive training style, many of Amaterasu's shinki have taken to fleeing.

But helping out with questions is as good as any. Ginia doesn't recognize the person talking to her - because she'd definitely remember someone that pretty - but nods and gestures for her to go on.]

[defensivematrix]

[ Wow, someone so attentive and willing to help. Yeah, Satya is on a roll. She gives a soft smile of thanks but wastes no time and starts the barrage of questions ]

How does exactly the "moral compass" works? If everything gods do is "righteous and just" how their shinki fulfill their role as a moral guardian?

[ Of course, only Exemplar has to worry about it- but look at her, could she be anything than someone's Exemplar? ]

I am concerned that someone strongly convinced of their own infallibility might not be inclined to listen. [ A beat ] What are we allowed to do to make them listen?

[ This is a lot of words for her, yes, she is aware of that. And she's absolutely content to fall silent now, listening to answer that will make these doubts go away. ]

[unlucky7]

[Oh, those weren't the kind of questions Ginia was expecting. Questions about combat and ayakashi and borderlines are all easy, but morals? Ginia frowns slightly and rocks on her feet as she pulls out her phone.]

Gods can feel the negative emotions of their shinki, a stinging. And if we do things under a guilty conscious, we can blight our god.

[The message plays from Ginia's phone even as she figures out her next words. Because that might be true for the old gods, but for the ones brought here, they aren't so old to have forgotten what it mean to live.]

But it's an imperfect system. A shinki might not feel guilt over something another might consider morally wrong. Or a god might choose to act without their shinki's knowledge. We can't tell how they feel.

[defensivematrix]

[ Satya listens intensely giving Ginia as much time as she needs to properly tell her thoughts. Only when she's sure her part is over, she speaks ]

There is no universal moral system in the world, so it does a good job reflecting that. I'd say the imperfect part is that blight is much more dangerous for a shinki, so it's unlikely one would do something they consider wrong, unless--

[ She pauses, her hand raising to her face, as the cold fingers tap the edge of her jaw, she looks on the side considering the sudden realization that just hit her. If it's worth voicing- she decides it might. ]

-unless it's an order from their god. They have to follow it, but the resulting blight tells the god it was wrong... yes. I suppose this might work.

[ It's still terribly inefficient ]

[unlucky7]

Since a shinki can kill a god through blight, one would assume the god's need for self-preservation might steer them away.

[At least one would hope. Given there was a god naming shinki without their consent a few months ago, blight might not be a deterrent for everyone.]

I would also hope talking things out with their god would help. Short of that working, there's always physical violence.

[Ginia offers a rueful smile and a small wave of her hand before she resumes typing.]

Sorry, I'm not the best about this. I'm the newest at my temple and my god is pretty easy-going. If anyone's directing him, it's my exemplar.

[defensivematrix]

Your insight is welcome. Even as the newest addition to your temple, you still have much more experience than me, miss--

[ Ah yes the basic social decorum. Introductions. Satya shakes his head and her hand travels to her forehead in a combination of mild embarrassment and frustration. Which she throws away with a flick of her wrist. ]

Where are my manners, I have not introduced myself properly, I'm- [ She hesitates briefly before choosing the name that rings more true to her ] Satya. Satya Vaswani.

B

[thevanguard]

[ Yata had actually been heading for the sparring area himself, but he overhears the woman's comment - whether it had been spoken to herself or whoever happened to be in hearing. Since that happened to be him, he paused and glanced over at the Hunt which had caught her eye. ]

A lot of them are. Kids or teens, anyway. Then again, a bunch of the gods are, too. Not everyone, though. Sometimes they do special things meant to be easier and less challenging for the shinki who just get here, since sometimes the first day is pretty overwhelming. I guess they think a game with other shinki will help.

[defensivematrix]

[ So indeed they are. One would expect a lot of adult, even people ]

So a socializing event, to counter and relax after all the forced information intake? A break.

[ That makes sense, in some way. Sounds like it would be a good strategy to lecture, then feed, and then maybe let people have some fun, but- they did not think it true like just anyone would participate ]

You seem very young yourself.

[thevanguard]

I'm not young! [ He scowls slightly, because he's not sure if he's more offended to the slight to his age or to his appearance - that was a jab at his height, wasn't it? ] Maybe you're just old.

1/2

[defensivematrix]

[ Look... street fashion, kind of shortish. Could have been a high schooler while still on a growth spurt. Maybe a bit older, but that answer ]

...hmph.

[ SO RUDE ]

2judgingu/2

[defensivematrix]

I was mistaken, truly, assuming maturity when speaking with a child.

[ Spoken from the height of her heels and non-existant authority she's found surprisingly easy to project. Years of being a high climbing corporate drone, even if she does not remember that fact. ]

[thevanguard]

[ His face goes a little red but he scowls up at her in irritation. Actually, in this case, it's probably fortunate she is a girl, because Yata can never actually lose his temper at girls. Well. Except Chinatsu, sometimes, but she didn't count. ]

See? Old. And stuck up. Next you'll be shaking a cane and yelling for people to get off your lawn.

[defensivematrix]

Perhaps one day you will realize that maturity and age don't always come in pair.

[ There's a barely contained annoyance in her voice. But she knows should not stay irritated it is ultimately pointless- ]

B

[badassfreakingoverlord]

Or idiots.

[Zetta, hearing the question, has to offer his bigmouthed opinion. He's not even judging, though -- after all, he employs semi-mindless minions and Prinnies.]

But that's just the planned alternative activity. Most of the guys who want to fight don't need something planned, they just grab a weapon and starting beating up whatever seems appropriate to them.

[defensivematrix]

[ Normally she would inquire what he means by idiots, normally... ]

Ah yes, the weapon training-

[ She says as if she was unfazed by the... talking, floating, book yes? But she's staring, oh she is staring. Until finally she pokes the cover ]

A most curious device to communicate through.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

You try getting your soul stuck in a book and not communicating as it! What do you want, telepathy?!

[Zetta stops mid-snarl, a blank look crossing his face as an oft-forgotten fact resurfaces in the empty void of his mind.]

Wait, I can do that.

[defensivematrix]

[ Soul stuck in a book? So not a communication device, but an actual being? A smallest sort of chuckle escapes her before she manages to stop it. ]

What an... unfortunate condition. [ To her defense she assumes it to be some godly-heavenly temporary shenanigans ] The book part. Telepathy sounds like at least partially useful trade-off.

[ But you know what is the most curious? Can talking book be read? So she's picking at the top edge of cover again, as if to open it- ]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

You know, you're not bad-looking, but maybe you should buy me dinner first?

[He's just saying.]

[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 ]

B

[lookingforhead]

[Celty is someone that Satya may have seen on the training line. The woman was clad as a biker, jumpsuit and helmet evoking a certain motif, but the shadows she was able to manipulate and her favoring crafting them into a scythe for combat practice likely made things a bit more ominous.

Even with death being a subject in play she seemed to be hitting some of the iconography a bit close.

She was standing nearby as the newcomer made her assessment of the scavenger hunt, only offering a brief nod in reply before fishing out her phone. She takes a moment to type something into it before holding it out for the other woman to read.]

I think I heard it has something to do with the potential of the lives they lost. Like someone who is old and at peace wouldn't be as good a Shinki as someone who still has the yearning to make a difference. That and it helps calm the spirits of those who had more
problem deaths.

[She's going to have to ask her god about this just to be sure. But she's pretty sure she remembers what she heard well enough.]

[defensivematrix]

[ These Heavens are very colorful, but somehow- almost not colorful enough. The strange biker with a scythe is so otherworldly that is in a sense a welcome change. It cements the reality that is so far removed to the one that she must have been subconsciously used to.

No memories on one hand, but apparently the muscle memory and habits are still here after death. ]

Oh, again- [ She leans closer to read- yes, Celty isn't the first person who communicates this way that she met today. But two is not yet a pattern, just a coincidence. She reads the message and leans back, her hand traveling to her lips in a thoughtful tick ]

I can see a logic behind this reasoning. Thank you for clarifying this. It's not like every dead has a potential to becoming a shinki, according to this.

[ So are they special in a sense? Chosen by the gods? ]

[lookingforhead]

[There's a somber nod from the helmeted woman before she types up another response.]

I guess it's not much of a comfort to having died, but at least it's nice to know that there's something to give some deaths meaning? Not that we know I guess.

[She still doesn't know very much at all about her own previous life, let alone her passing, but she's happy for the deep feelings and muscle memory she's retained. At least she has a sense of self if not a precise picture.]

I'm Celty, by the way.

[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.

[lookingforhead]

[The handshake catches Celty by surprise, though fortunately it's not the hand that she's using to hold her phone. Still, her response is delayed during the brief span of the contact. She squirms a bit as her mind tries to catch up with what's happening and when her hand is her own again her shoulders are hunched a bit in reaction.]

Ah. Thank you.

It was a little hard to use borderlines but I think I've gotten better with practice.