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

[bass_instincts]

[Shin takes a minute, a little surprised, but then shrugs, patting Adrien's shoulder] Wouldn't things be easier if you could just have them both? [He frowns a little,] I mean, as a God does it matter what anyone else thinks? If they'll have you just have both of them.

[purr_ince]

It would be yes. Absolutely. But I don't know if they feel the same way exactly. [ He sighed and shook his head. ] I don't want to push or anything like rush them so... I'm giving them some time.

[bass_instincts]

It doesn't sound like you even got close to messing up.

[He leans aside and in a little again, offering Adrien a sympathetic smile,] So don't act like they already rejected you. You seem like the kind of person that would have friends that wouldn't get too hung up on things like that.

[purr_ince]

I just... I can't help but feel like I did, Shin. [ He rubbed at the back of his neck then sighed. ] I'll try not to? It's just really hard. I take feeling like I messed up rough. I always feel like if -- if something isn't perfect it's not enough. [ It's never enough. 'Good going, Father,' he mused to himself in a bitter mental tone. ]

[bass_instincts]

[Shin gives Adrien a piercing look over the food he's picking at. He puts his fork back down to look Adrien in the eyes.] Yeah, you're not going to go easy on me and do that to yourself. That's bullshit.

[purr_ince]

[ What is that look for? What'd he do? He's not sure. Maybe he shouldn't have told? Heck if he knows, this is why he kept quiet. That and the feeling of 'but you have so much people have it worse, Adrien. Buckup buttercup' that rested in his chest. ] Wait what? I can't help it? I mean it's just.. .it's how everything has always been. [ He's learning but dying and regaining memories was a massive step back in the wrong direction. Because now he hears Gabriel's voice in his head.... ]

[bass_instincts]

Sure you can. Whoever it was that put the thought in your head that you had to always be perfect isn't here. And if they are, they don't have control over you anymore. You're a god. Even if they're another god, they can't do anything to you that you don't let them do now. You don't have the excuse of needing a house or food to let someone control you anymore. So stop thinking you have to be perfect. [He leans against the table, frowning at Adrien,] If you don't ease up on yourself, then I'm going to hold myself to your stupid standards even if you don't want to hold me to them too.

[purr_ince]

That - Those are all very true points. [ They are. Really, they are and Adrien should take them to heart but... His expression turned shocked and he's staring at Shin his eyes wide as cold be his mouth falling open.] Would you really do that? I mean... Why would you do that to yourself? [ That is his life it almost always has been but why would someone do that to themselves if they didn't have to? ]

[bass_instincts]

[Shin wears a soft, smug smile.] We're supposed to be a team, right?

Besides, what's a shinki to do if their God isn't taking care of themselves?

[purr_ince]

Yes of course... [ Are his words really coming back to bite him in the butt? They are. Holy cats! ] Fair enough. I'll try.

[bass_instincts]

Asking for anything more would be asking for perfection.

[purr_ince]

.... You got me there. [He's clearly met his match when it comes to stubborn Shinki.]

[bass_instincts]

[If Adrien was going out on a limb to help Shin like this, he just felt it was natural to return it. They were dependant on each other, after all. Maybe Shin more on Adrien than the other way around, but Adrien's the one that put them on at least relatively even footing.

Shin laughs softly, patting Adrien's shoulder again,] I think you were right. We will make a good team.

[purr_ince]

[Adrien sighed softly. Then he's gesturing with a finger.] I think so to but you're going to have to be patient with me. I've never had a Shinki before even if I've been one. [Then again he's had an entire city depend on him. Just one person couldn't be nearly as bad, right?] Did you figure out what you needed?

[bass_instincts]

[He sighs, a pang of anxiety coming through.] I think it's nicotine. Cigarettes.

[purr_ince]

Oh. Oh. I've never smoked before but I know plenty of people that do. Other models and whatever... So If we can find you a place to get some over where the living are that would be fine. Just like crack your window or do it outside?

[bass_instincts]

[Shin lets out an audible sigh of relief, and the slowly rising grip of anxiety finally loosens it's grip.] I don't know why that had me so on edge.

[purr_ince]

Because you were afraid I'd say no? [Adrien shrugged gently.] But that kinda of stuff is really familiar and common where I'm from.

[bass_instincts]

Probably. I'm glad you're not going to give me a hard time over it. Would it be rude to leave to get some and then come back? [His stomach really does hurt still, and his skin feels overly sensitive, but it's mostly his stomach.]

[purr_ince]

Well, where I'm from it's not that big a deal to smoke cigarettes. I mean it's not my personal choice but - [He shrugs his shoulders.] you do you. Nope. We can go get some for you. No one'll even know we were gone.

[bass_instincts]

[Shin smiles at that, standing. He'd eaten only some of it, feeling too nauseous to actually eat.]

How do you get there, anyway? [So he'd missed a few details at the orientation. No big deal, right?]

[purr_ince]

Oh we teleport! It's pretty simple. As long as there's a temple or altar over there for which ever god you are or you're assigned to - you'll be able to cross. [Adrien is coming to his feet slowly before extending his hand to Shin.] I'll take you over. The first couple of times it's kind of wild and Shinki really shouldn't make he trip solo because of ayakashi.

[bass_instincts]

So shinki without a god can't leave? [He takes Adrien's hand so Adrien could help him. He hadn't really said much about problems of shinki, or how they're made out as subservient yet, but for some reason that restriction bothered him more than having to face a cruel world. Even if there was some basis for it, like travelling between was reliant on a God's power.] How do you do this, then?

[purr_ince]

I didn't say that. I mean I'm sure they can? I mean maybe? I didn't think to ask when I was a Shinki and I got Marinette as my goddess almost immediately after we both decided on it so I never had to worry about it. But honestly it's safer to go with a god... But yes you can use my Shrine or the shrine of another god as long as you have permission from them or their Shinki.

[He's holding tight to Shin's hand] That part is easy! You just will yourself there. But it made me kind of disoriented my first time so we're going together and I'm going to keep hold of you for a first few minutes here, between then there. Now close your eyes and think of people and shops and what you need we'll be there in no time at all.

[bass_instincts]

[Shin didn't dwell on the issues that must cause for unnamed shinki. He hoped he wouldn't have to worry about it himself.

He grips Adrien's hand back, not wanting to risk getting separated or something. If it was disorienting he's sure he'd appreciate the anchor as well.] Convenience store. Got it.

[He closes his eyes, thinking. He couldn't be sure of how easily the image of a convenience store popped to mind, or if it was a real place, or just an amalgamation of the things he expected, but it was easy enough to imagine. It would make sense, he supposed, since his uniform was Japanese too.

But then he realizes a problem and his eyes snap open. The uniform. He'd kept it on all day, and if someone from the Near Shore found it, surely there would be problems, right? But had they already started teleporting before he could bring it up?]