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

[priforprince]

[ This is one of the few situations in which applause does not gratify Hibiki.

She doesn't react much, actually. But her head lowers, and her shoulders tighten. She's doing her best to remain dignified.

It is a struggle...a struggle so great, it prevents her from being able to turn and face its source. ]

[doodlebuginette]

[This was probably not a good sign. Hadn't Adrien mentioned that she was usually a little more... animated than this? But the way she was acting now made it seem like something was genuinely the matter.]

Are you okay?

[priforprince]

[ Tch. Ignoring won't make the concern go away. In that case--!!

Hibiki turns pretty much as soon as she hears Marinette speak, posture returning to normal (while pocketing her candy). There is a faint glittering sound in the air. And the appropriate visual effects. ]

It's nothing at all.

[ Ta-da! She is suddenly fine!! ]

[doodlebuginette]

[That was certainly something.]

Are you sure? It didn't seem like nothing.

[Hibiki was still pretty much a mystery to her, so she couldn't decide if she wanted to believe her or not.]

[priforprince]

Rest assured.

[ IF SHE SPARKLES HARDER, WILL YOU BELIEVE HER

YOU BETTER ]

[doodlebuginette]

[The sparkles were quite impressive, but she wasn't sure she was convinced.]

If you say so~

[priforprince]

Your good nature [ read: willingness to go along with whatever Hibiki insists is reality ] does you credit.

[ Hibiki pulls out a purple lily, kisses it, and offers it to her. ] For making you worry.

[doodlebuginette]

I just try to treat people the way I'd want to be treated.

[This had definitely taken a turn. So Marinette is just going to... take that purple lily with a smile.]

Thank you, Hibiki. It's beautiful~

[priforprince]

May remembering our meeting always make you smile.

[ There. That should completely put the prior issue out of her head! ]

[doodlebuginette]

[Sorry, Hibiki. Adrien's Everything Is Fine act isn't that convincing either. But she'll just smile and take the flower for now, and make a point to come back and check on you later.]

I'm certain it will.

[priforprince]

You're here to train?

[ If Hibiki's bothered to come out here in person, she may as well witness some people about whom she doesn't know much in action. That's the whole point.

With that in mind, giving Marinette a chance to decline that question seems not in Hibiki's best interest. Onwards we go. ]

I'd like to observe that.

[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.]

[priforprince]

[ A hand goes to Hibiki's bangs. ] The drudgery of training is unnecessary for me.

[ She admits this freely. Same with the next bit. ] I'm simply checking up on the opening acts.

[ You know. All those other gods people pray to until they discover they could be praying to Apollo. Gods for people wearing worship training wheels. ]

[doodlebuginette]

Ooh?

[She could understand feeling confident, though, so she didn't think too much of Hibiki's response.]

How's that going for you? [If nothing else, she's glad to see the other god in a better mood than she'd been in before.]

Are you having fun?

[priforprince]

I could be.

[ Hibiki smirks. An opening to lead the scene exactly as she desires it!!

She's got this. ]

If you demonstrated powerful enough abilities.