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

[kagenonadeshiko]

I don't think it's particularly common but some choose to go that route for various reasons. Sometimes shinki are assigned to gods with limited or no previous fighting experience. Other times they simply don't get along with their partners or wish to have a little more security in the form of extra names. The more names a shinki has, the more protection they have from another's spell since all the names must be called for it to work.

[There's always possibility of a god suddenly vanishing overnight and leaving the shinki vulnerable and alone but Ayumu's a bit hesitant to spring that on Maria right away. It'd wound up having a detrimental impact on her ability to bond with Hakkai, instilling a fear of losing her god early on.]

The native gods and shinki to this place tend to frown upon it though. The new arrivals tend to be a little more openminded. In my case, I don't think it's fair for a god to choose and have more than one shinki when shinki aren't allowed that independence or freedom.

[declamando]

[It does make sense when put like that, to Maria's mind. She had wondered about what would happen if a god and their shinki didn't get along, and though asking them to remove the name seems to be an option, perhaps some would still want to try to make it work while also finding another person more suited to them. She hadn't heard of the protective element, either, and she's definitely noting that.]

I see...it makes more sense to me now. Thank you. [She bows her head slightly this time in a gesture of thanks, since it seems like it's a fairly complicated matter, and something that would vary a lot from person to person.] I'm not sure if I'd make the same decision myself, but if I ever do, I'll be sure to let you know first.

[Hopefully, though, it means she won't have to worry too much about the impression she makes on Ayumu's other shinki, if they all understand each other like this.]

[dredefulchilde]

Mistress?

[A young boy wanders up to the two adults, looking for Ayumu. He ignores Maria for right now.]

Are you coming to the seaside? The shinki said--

[He finally seems to see Maria and the cute little kid routine ends abruptly. Both his face and voice grow colder and more aloof.]

Who might you be?

[kagenonadeshiko]

[And with a swift, instinctive deftness that might come as a surprise to those more familiar with her social awkwardness, Ayumu moves to intervene, reaching out to rest a gentle, reassuring hand on Joscelin's shoulder.]

Joscelin, I'd like you to meet Maria-san. She'll be staying at the temple and working with us from now on, 'kay? She's been assigned to work with me, just as you were assigned to Nari-san. She's new here, you see.

[Her mind works quickly. What's the best way to minimize potential conflict here?]

If you wanna go to the seaside, we could all go together. I think I overheard someone mention they were giving out bentos. If it's fine with you two, we could make a picnic of it and all get better acquainted.

[She casts Maria a hasty apologetic glance at the sudden shift of direction in proceedings.]

[declamando]

[Ah, that's certainly a reception. Maria's reaction is subtle, but her expression does become that little bit less open as she nods politely to Joscelin. She may not be overly fond of the attitude, but it's far too early to start being impolite to her fellow shinki, especially only on the basis of a first impression.]

It's as she said. I hope we can work well alongside each other, but to that end, I think making a picnic of that trip would be a fine idea. [She gives a sidelong smile to Ayumu - she understands the quick change is in pursuit of keeping harmony, so she's happy to go with it. She'll just have to find the time to train herself around it.]

Is it alright with you? [That's to Joscelin, even if she's not sure how the attempt at politeness will be received.]

[dredefulchilde]

[A new shinki. Joscelin’s eyes go wide and he reaches for Ayumu’s hand, feeling suddenly territorial. He isn’t, by nature, a touchy-feely person, and he’s never affectionate in public. Still, he’s playing the overly attached child quite well today.

Damn them. Damn Heaven for suddenly altering the only relationship in this new and confusing existence that feels remotely safe. The boy can’t help but glare at Maria.]

Nice to meet you.

[Said through gritted teeth.

Suddenly the potential for a seaside excursion feels like a torturous chore instead of a semi-pleasant diversion, but Joscelin doesn’t want to offend Ayumu so he nods at her suggestion..]

Fine.

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Ayumu flashes Maria a quick, grateful smile for going along, giving Joscelin's hand a reassuring squeeze. Even without the god-shinki bond, she can pick up that he's unhappy with this development. He's willing to go along on the picnic, at least, and that's a positive sign. As a woman who'd been an only child herself until about eight or so, she can certainly understand how difficult it can be to suddenly adjust to sharing with others.]

Great. Let's get going, then. I think I heard something about fireworks after, too. It might be nice to stay for those, too.

[She won't push it though, if the air's too strained or force anyone to stay longer than they can truly bear. But it's crucial that she be welcoming and inclusive of both from the start, she thinks, to minimize future friction.]

But I think there might still be a bit of a wait before we can go.

[What to do until then?]

You'd mentioned that you felt comfortable in a dojo, Maria. Have you had a chance to spar or test your limits there yet?

[declamando]

[Maria offers a smile back, though it's one that's more an expression of formality than anything. It's quite clear Joscelin isn't pleased with her presence here, and though it's not a nice feeling to be so obviously resented, she's not planning to be cowed by a territorial child either.

Since he doesn't seem to want to hear more from her, though, she turns her attention back to Ayumu with a shake of the head.] Not just yet. I'd just been reading through the pamphlets they were handing out to try and get a better grasp on things, and then you came. I'd appreciate the opportunity, though, if there's time.

[And if it'll help things for her to go and do something else so Ayumu and Joscelin can have more time to adjust before the picnic.]

[dredefulchilde]

[The smile on Joscelin’s face is at once completely, transparently fake, calculated, and cloyingly sweet.]

I’ll spar with her, Mistress.

[He may not yet be trained up to Ayumu’s exacting standards, but he knows that he’s strong and fast and virtually indestructible, and so does she. Maria seems to be a bit of a fighter, but how strong can she be, really?]

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Oh, dear.

Of course, she knows Joss is capable. He's strong, fast, bloodthirsty - much more than his diminutive body would suggest to a stranger. And Maria's level of skill and experience are completely unknown, not just to Ayumu but herself as well. Maybe she's projecting too much and being overprotective but there's a flash of genuine alarm and concern in her expression before Ayumu shakes her head, her smile growing uncertain.

She's been a commanding officer before but it was always within the structure of an organization and in the end, she, too, had been a subordinate subject to discipline and guidance from her own superiors. It's a bit different being the one at the top of the chain of the chain command because she sure doesn't consider herself part of Heaven's pre-existing hierarchy.]

I don't know if that's a good idea right now, Joscelin. I think we should give Maria-san a little more time to figure a few things out before you spar with her, 'kay? But of course, it's up to her.

[She looks at Maria with a thoughtful expression. Ayumu will need to assess her and see what she's capable of at some point. And Joss will be due for a progress check soon to see how his training's coming along.]

If you don't wanna spar with him, it's fine. But if you do, he might surprise you. Joscelin's a very tough opponent for his size.

[There's a sharp edge of caution in her tone, as if Ayumu's speaking of a serious potential threat and not a child who looks like he can't be any older than ten. If Maria does choose to spar, she's staying right where she is to supervise and stop the match before any serious injuries can occur.]

[declamando]

[Maria isn't stupid, and she can tell what a face like that means even before Ayumu warns her. With a slight smile of her own, she raises a hand as if to imply she doesn't want to offend.]

If you're as skilled as she says, then it would be an insult to give you less than my best. And I can't give my best until I've figured out what it is I can do, unfortunately.

[Beyond that, she's not even familiar with what style or weapons she might prefer. Even past the intentionally polite extraction of herself from the situation, it's a troubling idea to her to try and fight someone properly without even the remotest idea of where to start until she's already in the fight.]

Perhaps another time, but I think today it might be best to take advantage of the resources here to make sure I know what I work best with.

[Normally Maria wouldn't want to engage in a fight with someone that young, but Ayumu's tone does imply he's a valid threat, so there must be something else to him. And that, for whatever reason, puts Maria a bit more at ease when it comes to the idea of a fight, even if it's not happening today.]

[dredefulchilde]

A~ah, too bad. I wanted to play.

[The angelic smile returns and inwardly, Joscelin is feeling thoroughly chuffed. Not only does Ayumu recognize how deadly he has the potential to be, Maria seems to be fairly quick on the uptake too. It's nice to be taken seriously, for once. He doesn't like being dismissed on account of his size.

He grins up at Maria.]

Maybe later, then. Do you have any idea what you might want to specialize in? When I first got here I knew I could fight, even if I wasn't aware of specifics.

[kagenonadeshiko]

[She's certainly aware and Joss's deceptive appearance will certainly be useful in the future. As will his vessel form being a concealable weapon. Yes, Joss's potential in a fight isn't lost on Ayumu at all.

Her impression of Maria is improving as well. She appears to be a woman who can handle herself well through perception and paying attention to present events. Exactly how Ayumu will use Maria will take time and thought but regardless of her vessel form, she seems like she'll be useful to keep around.

Ayumu falls back into the role of social lurker with a smile as she often does when more than one person is speaking. There'll be time to speak more with Maria in private later on so long as she's her shinki.]

[declamando]

[Maria considers that question briefly. It's hard to say when she has no knowledge of what she can really do, but she does definitely feel like she wants to train, so she supposes it depends on what she's drawn to.]

I feel like I might try plain fistfighting first. If nothing else, it should tell me what my general skill level is with combat when weapons are taken out of the picture. Besides that...well, bladed weapons are easier to carry than most things, so I think it'd be worth seeing what I can do with a sword.

[By "easier to carry" she mostly means "easier to conceal", honestly, but the difference is going to be moot in any situation outside of the Heavens, most likely.] Do you specialise in anything in particular yourself?