August Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: January 6th, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore / the Ryukyu Islands
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 more experienced god and shinki volunteers.




Meeting Hall

God Training

Newly arrived gods are escorted into a small meeting room, with tatami floors and a stage 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. Paper and pens are provided to all the attendees as an unsubtle suggestion to take notes on the information they're given.

The speaker delivers her welcome speech in the monotone of someone who's practiced it far too often. Hopefully no one's feeling sleepy! She adds that gods should be cautious of anyone on the Near Shore who might ask to use their shrines to visit the Heavens, and should instruct their shinki to be cautious as well. There is an unrecognized god who the Heavens believe to be attacking them. 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. Each of the shinki is wearing a brightly-colored sticky name tag reading HELLO, MY NAME IS ________, and all of their names appear to end with the syllable "mei."

A variety of weapons are available in the dojo for shinki and their gods to practice with, and a row of straw targets are set up along one wall. Outside, in an area carefully roped off with red ribbons, are six animated training dummies, also made of straw and dressed in plain cotton jackets and trousers. They will immediately engage anyone who enters the area marked with the ribbon, but will not pursue opponents outside it. A white-robed shinki nearby keeps a sharp eye on the animated dummies, and will intervene if anyone tries to destroy one. The white-robed shinki appears to be a particular expert in magic, and will occasionally offer to help out anyone who's practicing a spell more challenging than the Borderline, especially if they look quite lost. His nametag reads HELLO, MY NAME IS SABIMEI. (To interact with Sabimei, please comment on the "NPC REQUEST" thread below! If you prefer, you may also handwave his assistance or advice with your character learning spells.)

Physical Training

Two of the white-robed shinki, whose nametags mark them as Toumei and Kimei, are standing off to one side of the training area near a pair of large, curtained tents. They each have an enormous wicker basket full of clean, folded beach towels, and a rack of what appear to be wetsuits and swimsuits in a variety of styles and sizes. Once suited and toweled, new and veteran residents of the Heavens alike will be handed a pretty white-and-gold cockade that can be pinned to their suit or tied around their wrist by its ribbons, and either Toumei or Kimei will escort them to a beautiful, but rocky, Near Shore beach. Tropical plants, palm trees and high grasses surround the area, and although the sounds of cars are audible from a road not too far away, the only sign of human presence on this beach is an ancient, rotting fishing boat pulled up well past the high tide mark.

It's quite chilly, with a brisk sea breeze, but there's room to run up and down the beach, a net set up for beach volleyball, younger shinki building sand castles, and showers for the brave souls who venture into the water. The surf is impressive today, so swimmers will get the chance for some serious exercise. There's also the chance to climb through the wreck of the old fishing boat; inside, piles of old seaweed and drifting sand host curious crabs, and a curious explorer could even find treasure... although nothing more valuable than large seashells, old one-yen or five-yen coins, and bits of weathered sea glass.

Rest and Refreshments

When sunset comes -- early, at this time of year -- the shinki bring giant picnic-sized bento boxes with five or seven layers of carefully packed foods, and pile wood for bonfires that leap with flames edged blue-green from the salt. The bento boxes contain a wide variety of traditional foods, many in the style of traditional New Year's dishes: sweet potato and chestnut, slivered carrot and burdock, whole fish, toasted mochi, sliced lotus root and more. A fireworks display starts over the ocean once full night falls, fountains and bursts in every color imaginable, some so ornate that it's hard to believe they're not helped along by a touch of magic. The display lasts half an hour.

After the last fireworks, the shinki will guide everyone back to the Meeting Hall to return to their homes. The wind is getting chillier, and gods or shinki who stay too much past the firework display will notice the tiny, creeping forms of glowing ayakashi no larger than a fist, looking like little jellyfish on land. They don't seem hostile; instead, they're fixated on the boat, and will climb on it and settle onto the rigging and wood of the boat, chirping quietly to themselves and snuggling in so that the whole boat seems to glow with an unearthly blue-white light. They can be fought and defeated, but if attacked, will fight back: and be careful! Those jellyfish tentacles spread blight instead of stinging, and they're longer than they look.

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 at a beach (isn't it winter?!)
• Relax and watch the fireworks
• Have fun~

Comments

[replicatedform]

► Shinki Training
Part 1: This isn't a musical
[Compared to most of the shinki here, Yamanbagiri is doing a different training. He's... singing?

He seems to be practising a song spell, trying to get the musical tone and beat right. Yamanbagiri does have a nice voice, however, but he doesn't have any musical training to an expert's (or the fanatic) ear.

Sometimes, he would pause with a frown, before trying again. Why is he singing here? Well, with the white robed shinki around, he could always ask them for advice if he need them.]

Part 2
[Or perhaps, they get to see Yamanbagiri getting zapped by lightning spells from Sabimei when he try to practice the song spell. It's not a very powerful shock, but each time he didn't ward it off properly hits his pride rather hard.

After several attempts, Yamanbagiri forces himself to step and step away for a break. All while muttering to himself.]

I was so close...!

► Physical Training
Part 1: I have to wear what
[Yamanbagiri haven't even change into the swimsuits. He's just holding the swimming trunks in one hand, while his other one is gripping his cloak tightly.]

... Do I really have to wear them?

[For some reason, the thought of wearing a swimsuit seems to bother him.]

Part 2: He did it anyway
[Somehow, Yamanbagiri find himself wearing the swimming trunk anyway. But he never relent on his cloak. Indeed, the familiar white cloak is still wrapped around his body.

So he's both feeling his cloak's reassuring weight (as light as it is), and how exposed (but still covered enough!) he feels right now.

It's a wonder he manage to come this far to the beach.

Hoping to force himself to forget about it, as hard as it might be, Yamanbagiri quickly goes to explore the beach. Coming across the old fishing boat, his curiosity lead to him checking it out and see what he might find.]

It's probably just wreckage... Oh?

[Did he find something?]

(OOC: Will randomise the ~loot~.)

► Wild Card
[Got your own scenario? Bring it here. Plot with me over PMs or Sonica if you want to hash out something!)

Shinki Training part 2!

[rockthemonkey]

[Goku was just listening to Yamanbagiri's singing, a little confused but enjoying it nevertheless. It looks like fun! This guy doesn't look like he's having fun, but why else would he be singing? Maybe he's just got one of those faces. Or maybe he's trying to improve and getting frustrated. It must be rough!

Then some other shinki starts throwing lightening at him. That's a little harsh. Super cool, but not a nice thing to do. The singing guy doesn't let it stop him from singing though, which is pretty awesome!]

... I thought you sounded pretty good! [Does he think that was Sabimei's way of heckling a performer...]

[replicatedform]

[Yamanbagiri quickly looks over and blinks, before he find himself... blushing?

Sure, he knows he's practising in a public space, but it's really hitting him that people heard him.]

Ah... thanks? Though I don't really think so.

[rockthemonkey]

It was pretty!

[Goku doesn't have the highest standards for music. But Yamanbagiri's voice sounded fine and the song was nice, if a bit confusing, so Goku enjoyed listening.]

That other guy was just bein' a jerk!

[replicatedform]

Eh?

[He blinks for a moment, before he looks a little embarrassed.]

Ah, thanks... but he's not being mean, actually. I asked him to help me practice.

Physical training pt. 1

[killercoat]

[ Akutagawa doesn't really care what everyone else is doing, but he stubbornly holds onto his own coat. He's not willing to withdraw his coat or even join the others in this excuse for "training". He notices Yamanbagiri clutching on to his cloak as well as debating whether he should disrobe.

It's not any of his business, but he can't help by expressing his opinion loud enough for the other to hear.]

...walking around scantily clad? Certainly not, I will remain like this in case someone decides to strike.

[ He's being paranoid, but you couldn't be too careful.]

[replicatedform]

[Yamanbagiri glances over when he hear someone speaking loudly, and see a guy in a coat. He immediately see the other guy is clutching that coat. Ah, someone similiar to him? Maybe.]

That's a good point... our clothes can give us some protection.

[To a point.]

But it'd be strange to not dress up [Or down...] and stand out.

[On one hand, being embarrassed and self-conscious about exposing himself. On the other hand, being self-conscious about standing out anyway.]

[killercoat]

[ Clothes do protect against the elements and even the harshness of the sun, but it's not quite the protection that Akutagawa means. His coat is special in the sense that it protects him, but it can also fight back.

However, there's really no need for him to utilize his garment in such a way. There's no threat here, except the peer pressure to conform. Akutagawa frowns as this man suggests they will stand out if they don't.]

I'm not concerned with standing out or being viewed as weird. I wish to do what comforts me, and that's all.

[ Comfort is wearing his coat on the beach, and if that offends someone, then that's clearly their problem. However, he's not telling this person what to do, but Akutagawa definitely won't be influenced by other people's expectations.]

sorry for the late! rl drains me

[replicatedform]

What comforts you, huh?

[While Yamanbagiri do feel anxious at the idea of wearing less than before. This guy's words make him think about what comforts him the most.

His cloak, shielding him from the gaze of many. On the other hand, his... anxiety, he guess, is a problem.]

In that case, I can keep my cloak on.

[Fortunately, the material is quite light, despite its dirty appearance.]

It's cool

[killercoat]

Good choice.

[ Akutagawa doesn't mean to influence his decision, but he approves of him keeping his cloak on, instead of conforming with others. At least, they would both be comrades in being clothed.]

Your name? My name is Ryunosuke Akutagawa. It's a pleasure.

shinki training part one

[smilingbullet]

[ When Yamanbagiri at some point pauses to catch his breath, D2, who has been listening for a while, speaks up with a fair bit of enthusiasm. ]

Oh, Sensei, you're improving!

[ He may have caught hear of it right when he started. D2 might not be good at singing himself (he's utterly terrible) but he does know how to recognize other people's skill. ]