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

[justclaws]

[He is used to it now.

[Yes, it probably was too much to hope that missive he had sent to the Gods of this world - the one in which he had stated, he believed quite categorically, that he did not want or need another shinki - had had the desired effect. Every time, he compares it to the tug that he feels from his brothers' presences, the intensity of the sensations that swept over him and dragged him under when first he laid eyes on the Princess: every time it comes up lacking, an inferior, a - what was the term? - mass-produced version of something his own world had done first and better. Very well. Here we go again.

[A young man, this time. Dark hair, determined eyes, training (in the absence, Kija presumes, of a name) with a staff. He watches for a time, wondering once again what the protocol is in these situations; he decides that continuing to watch would be impolite. He steps forward. He wonders if he should be looking welcoming or businesslike.]

Excuse me. I believe we need to talk.

[swordofzero]

[He's been training for hours, training was a good distraction. He had a lot to think about. Even though he had known strange things happened here knowing a thing and witnessing a thing were very different. He wasn't sure what to think about Adrien suddenly waking up a god. Just as he still wasn't sure what to feel about Lady Grell's disappearance or about the fact he would be assigned another god. Probably today if people were to be believed.

He is moving through movements with the staff when he realised someone was watching him. He stopped just as the man spoke and brought his staff up so he was holding it against him, but not in a threatening way. His posture is very much like that of a solider.]

Hello. Can I help you?

[justclaws]

I hope you can.

[How else is he supposed to put it?

[It never gets easier, that is another charge to add to the extensive list of grievances Kija has about this whole business. He never knows how best to break it to another man that he is supposed to give up his humanity to fight for him. Perhaps there genuinely is no good way.]

My name is Hakuryuu Kija. I believe that we are to be partners.

[He sighs. Adds, because it never gets easier, because he sees no reason not to:]

I am sorry.

[swordofzero]

[This was his god then? Since arriving in the heavens over a month ago Suzaku had met a lot of people, but he had not met this god before. Suzaku smiled at him though it faded a little at the apology. Why was he apologising?

It confuses him and he blinks, not sure what to say or do. Why the apology? Was he apologising for the fact he was his god, or was he about to inform Suzaku he wasn't needed? Did that happen? Suzaku saw no reason why not. After all gods were humans who had been brought here, many might not wish to be partnered with a person they had never met before. Just because the heavens told them to.] Pleased to meet you Hakuryuu Kija. [A pause at the name, because the expectations of politeness and honorifics fluctuated so much between gods that it was confusing to say the least.

I'm Kururugi Suzaku. [He probably already knew that. But it felt rude not to introduce himself. He gave a shallow bow, still uncertain.]