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]

And which of those you possess?

[ That's it, that's the second question. That's what you've agreed to Ginia. While she's not sorry she is aware it's extremely and well, invasive question. Years of training tell her that, even if she does not remember them. A brain muscle memory of sort. So she adds much softer. ]

Do not be harsh on yourself, take your time to form the answer.

[unlucky7]

[Asking Ginia to not be harsh on herself is akin to asking her to stop breathing. However, it's a fair question and Ginia turns her words on herself. There is no doubt she follows orders well but is capable of striking out on her own. The continued investigation into the cult has shown that much. A willingness to protect is also deeply ingrained into her system (and in a few days she'll learn how dangerous that instinct is). She would also like to think herself kind; she's answering Satya's questions after all.

But how she judges herself may not represent how others perceive her. Ginia shakes her head, her smile thin.]

I can't answer that question. If I say I possess all those qualities and my actions have shown otherwise, than it also raises into the question the qualities I think a shinki should have. You would be better off asking the others in my temple whether they think I possess such attributes.

[Humbleness. That too is a quality Ginia forgot to mention.]

[defensivematrix]

I might. But truth to be told, this answer satisfies me. I find humbleness to also be an admirable quality.

[ A virtue many would say. Of course, something could also be said about being too humble, or lacking confidence. But the two shouldn't be conflated. Satya can see kindness and willingness to help, so she turns to a quality not displayed right now- or at least so she thinks ]

What would you consider as "acting independently" from your god?

[ Because virtues, and good qualities aside, this part is incredibly intriguing ]

[unlucky7]

Every god has their duties, but they're still one person. Sometimes I handle smaller prayers on behalf of my god or help around his shrine. Acting in his name, but not on his orders. I've also been looking into some recent events, an action made entirely by myself and my exemplar. I also have interests and my own alliances outside of the temple.

[Ginia shrugs lightly, smile a bit smug.]

I do not hide anything from my temple that would hurt them. It also doesn't mean they need to know every aspect of my personal life.

[Especially not when the temple is full of teasing trolls.]

[defensivematrix]

That's a very healthy attitude. I imagine a temple where absolute knowledge and absolute obedience is required, would be an incredibly stressful place to live.

[ But also, a part of her understands that it could get results, at the cost of people involved. Is there something worth this kind of sacrifice? Who knows ]

Your temple benefits greatly from having you. I do respect such creed and will do my best to adapt it to whatever temple becomes my home.

[ Look, Ginia... you just become a senpai ]

[unlucky7]

I'm inclined to say some of the temples of the old gods may be stricter in that way.

[Among the old, discipline and duty seem to run in far stricter circles. Perhaps a necessity considering the number of shinki the old gods have. At an earlier point, Ginia wouldn't have minded such a household. Order, rules, defined borders to follow and remain in.

She's happy where she is now. It's still terrifying at times to make choices on her own, for better or worse, but it's gotten a little easier too.]

Your words are too kind. I hope my answers help, but please, adapt things to your temple as you need. What works in my temple may not work in yours.

[defensivematrix]

I will make sure of it. But thanks to you I get a clearer picture of everything. I am grateful for that.

[ She makes a small nod and puts a stray hair strand beside her ear. The conversation sounds over for now. Someone more sociable would probably let it fall into a small-talk, but she doesn't feel skilled in that matter. ]

I will return to my search. Have a good day, and I do hope to talk to you later, Ginia.