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

[declamando]

So, mostly anything that needs you to catch attention. [It does make sense, and Maria thinks on that until the suggestion of going to her god's shrine makes her give a slight laugh.]

I think I may have to leave that for another day or two while I settle in. I didn't realise they had firearms training here, though...even if I'm not sure enough I know anything about it to try it by myself.

[It's a little bit hard to tell what you're familiar with as a shinki until you use it, it seems, but Maria wonders about the risk inherent to that with something like a gun.]

[unlucky7]

Airsoft and paintball mostly. I get why, safety, noise concerns. [Ginia's lips flatten and there's a small resigned shrug accompanying the message. At least the weapons have the right weight and feel, but it's still not quite the same. However, with firearms generally frowned upon and the largest case use being if a shinki has a firearm-based vessel form, Ginia wonders if the addition of firearms at training is a more recent thing.]

Archery is far more popular. Easier to get arrows, less conspicuous. Bladed weapons are by far the most popular weapon for people to carry, even if weapons don't do much against ayakashi.

[But as her history has already shown, there are always more to fight than ayakashi.]

[declamando]

It would be a lot safer than having actual guns... [Maria doesn't feel entirely uncomfortable with the prospect of handling a gun, but she does think it wouldn't be a particularly good idea to have real ones in this context. Even blanks can kill under the right circumstances.

She does look a little surprised at the mention that archery is more popular, though.] I can understand why bladed weapons would be more popular, but I would've thought it'd be much harder to disguise a bow and quiver. Most blades could at least be concealed under clothing or something similar.

[unlucky7]

Archery is a very popular sport and culturally significant in Japan, to the point where students carrying archery equipment on the train is hardly an unusual sight.

[But even then, most don't set out with gear for a long-range fight, and the best archer she knows can summon weapons at will. Though the weapon training in some way seems more geared at gods and fighting with a vessel form.]

Have you met your god and found out your vessel form yet?

[declamando]

I suppose if that's the case... [Maria has a fair amount of knowledge that's coming up as they talk about Japan, but it seems a cultural point like that was beyond her. It's not something she can wonder too much about the significance of, though.

In any case, she nods in answer to Ginia's question.] I've met her, yes, but not found out my vessel form. There was a little bit of trouble about the other shinki in the temple before we had the chance.

[It hadn't seemed wise to intrude on Ayumu's time for too long, considering Joscelin's attitude towards her.]

[unlucky7]

[A multi-shinki temple. In the recent months, it seems a bit more common than single shinki temples. It's probably better that way, unless the shinki can't get along.]

Who is your god, if you don't mind me asking?

[It's also at this moment Ginia realizes she hasn't reintroduced herself. Her cheeks redden at the oversight, quickly adding on:]

And I'm Ginia. Shinki to Caster, the god Cú Chulainn.

[declamando]

Ayumu Yamazaki, or Vesta. [Maria doesn't consider it a rude question, though she can possibly see how it might be a problem if someone had a controversial or unpopular god.

As for Ginia's own introduction, Maria nods politely.] I don't believe I've met them yet, but I'll remember if I do. I'm Maria Cadenzavna Eve. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[unlucky7]

[Ayumu. Ginia's eyes widen slightly and her lips press together, but her expression levels. There's no ill-will toward Ayumu, but her impression is still somewhat marred by the events of the ablution.]

I've met her, though I don't know her well. I think you'll be in good hands.

[That much is certain.]

Caster leaves an impression. No doubt you'll meet him at some point.

[Especially since they were in the same pantheon. Especially since Maria is attractive.]

It's nice to meet you as well.

[Should she say they'd met before? The new pamphlets say it's safe to mention it and she trusts Kairi's words, but it's not like she knew Maria well either. Maybe it's best heard from a friend.]

[declamando]

I think so as well. And I'll keep an eye out for him. [Ayumu seems like a thoughtful enough god to Maria at this point, so she's happy to give her the benefit of the doubt. And the more people she can work with here, the better, so she's not going to overlook the possibility of meeting someone else's god.

For now, though, she rubs a hand through her hair and glances back to the punching bag.] I think it might be about time for me to move on to something else. I know I can fistfight now, at least.

[unlucky7]

Tall, blue mullet. He's going to flirt with you but he'll back off if you tell him to.

[Does that give off the wrong impression for Caster or is it exactly how first meetings go? Considering how her first meeting with him began with flirting and segued into a spar who knows. It sure turned out all right though.]

Going to check out the weapon racks or see what else is going on? Haven't seen what they're offering for food today, but it's always been good.

[declamando]

[That's...not the most reassuring prospect, but Maria is at least grateful for the warning, and gives a slight smile almost as if it sounded like a challenge.] I'll make sure of that, then.

[She's not one to allow too much flirtation outside of her own terms, it seems. As for the question of what she's doing, she gestures towards the weapon racks.]

I heard there was some kind of beach trip element to the day, but my god gave me some time to sort myself out before we're all heading that way, so I'm going to use it.

[unlucky7]

[A beach trip seems a little cold if it's anywhere nearby, but maybe the shinki are taking them somewhere warmer. It'd be nice to check out the beach, but with other plans to handle that day, alas, she'll have to pass.]

I won't take up any more of your time then. Hope you can figure a few more things out. Feel free to say hi if you see me around.

[declamando]

[Maria nods and waves a farewell as she half-turns towards the weapon racks.] I will. It was nice talking to you, so hopefully we see each other again soon.

[With that, she'll start to depart towards the practice weapons.]