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

[fauxcalibur]

Why, thank you!

[He's managed to pick good names every time, it seems, despite how difficult the language can be. He should probably study up on it more, but now isn't exactly the time.

He tucks the phone away in the pocket and lifts his head. The formal speech for naming shinki comes more easily this time and he manages to deliver it from memory, proclaiming Suzaku to be Tokki and Edge to be Hatsuki. With it comes knowledge of their pasts that he resolves to file away and never speak of.

Which is easy enough to do when the distraction of getting to see their vessel forms is imminent.]

[swordofzero]

[This is the third time this has happened, the third time a god has spoken these words and bound a name into Suzaku. He is prepared for it, the rush of energy before he is a weapon in his gods hands.

Suzaku is sat in a chair facing into what is recognisable as a cockpit of some sort of fighting machine to anyone who has such things in their world. There is a masked figure in a black and purple inside the cockpit, Suzaku has him at gunpoint. Suzaku looks determined, grimly determined but there is fear in his eyes.

"You're going to die with me. Do you really want that?" The masked figure is shouting.

Before Suzaku can answer a voice comes over the radio. "Suzaku Kururugi, your death won't be in vain!" Suzaku looks surprised but his gun doesn't waver. "We have the opportunity to kill Zero, the most wanted traitor in our countries history! They will tell tales of your bravery for years to come."

"Shut up!" That's the masked figure again as he slams his fist on the consol. There is shouting in the background, orders from outside. Gunfire. A higher voice shouting, pleading but the words are mostly lost in the chaos.

Suzaku doesn't move, his arm doesn't waver. "A soldier follows order to the last." It's not clear if he is telling the masked figure, Zero, or reminding himself.

"That's nice and easy isn't it?" Zero again, his voice is mocking but he sounds desperate. "Having someone else give the orders? What about you?"

Suzaku looks shocked for a moment but his eyes narrow as he answers. "No! I decided this for myself..." He breaks off as a shadow passes overhead, darkening the cockpit. More gunfire sounds from outside.

Zero has moved, coming closer to Suzaku. "Suzaku, you're going to die!"

Suzaku focuses back on Zero. "That's better than breaking the rules!"

Molten fire comes down like rain obliterating the area that they are in.

When the vision fades from Saber's mind there is a rifle in his hands, different than the guns found on this world.]

Ah, a gun again. I apologise if you are not familiar with them. [Kija had had no idea how to use one and Saber had been a king eight hundred years ago.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[The vision Edge offers is far less detailed, though no less intense: A horde of monsters, some of them appearing mechanical or otherworldly, storming through a line of ninjas offering defense against them. The death, at least is merciful from Edge's perception: a horrid line of pain, and then nothing. He never even saw what killed him.]

[And now he is a cloak hanging from Saber's shoulders, fluttering slightly despite the lack of breeze in here.]

[fauxcalibur]

[Saber is more immediately interested in the gun, lifting it and turning it from side to side to get a better look.]

I've never used one, but I should be able to figure it out! I'm quite good with a crossbow, you know, and this is much simpler.

[He chuckles to himself, clearly amused by the situation.]

Though if I'm to fight with you in this form, I can't rightly call myself "Saber," can I?

[He looks down at Edge.]

Especially with such a fine cloak with which to hide myself. I should call myself an Archer and confuse everyone terribly.

[swordofzero]

Don't Archer's use bows rather than guns?

[He has been meaning to ask why his new god goes by Saber actually, he's met an Archer and a Lancer in his time in the heavens and Saber had mentioned a Lancer in his story of a fight. He wonders now if they all come from the same world where such titles as names were normal.

He can see everywhere like this, he is the gun but he is also out of the gun, seeing everything at once. It's a strange sensation and not one he is used to, his previous gods had never used his vessel form after the initial naming.] Edge is a very fine cloak. [He's not sure his fellow Shinki can hear him, normally only a god could hear their shinki in vessel form but Suzaku wasn't sure if two shinki named by the same god could hear each other.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Sure you can! [Okay, they're mentally talking over each other, as Edge doesn't realize Suzaku is speaking. Not the most convenient situation.] Names are identities and you're still you, so stick with it.

[A cloak, huh? This is probably more overall useful than being a throwing star. Edge wonders if Yukio had never really wanted to go out in battle with him because he felt his power didn't suit.]

[fauxcalibur]

Well, to tell the truth, I've been called "Richard" far longer than I've been called "Saber." I was quite happy to be summoned as a Saber, though, as I'm sure there are other classes I would qualify for.

[He's rambling again.]

So "Saber" and "Richard" are both acceptable names, I think. The King of Conquerors has taken to calling me "Lionheart," which I'm quite happy about as well. As long as no one calls me by the name of my supposed office here, I'll be content.

[swordofzero]

[So he couldn't hear Edge. He guessed that Saber was answering a question or comment Edge had made. He noted the preferred names though, Saber, Richard, Lionheart. He's not surprised that he doesn't like being called by his heaven assigned god name. Suzaku hasn't met anyone who does.]

You have mentioned being summoned a few times, as a Saber. I'm not sure what you mean by that.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Either-or, huh? Okay, Edge could work with that. He considers his situation a moment, assessing how he feels and sees as a shinki of this particular form -- fortunately, meaning he didn't ramble over Suzaku again.]

[fauxcalibur]

Ah! Well, it is quite complicated and I'm not a mage myself, so my explanation is always quite lacking.

[You notice, though, that this never stops him from trying. It seems like there isn't much that he won't ramble on about if given the opportunity.]

In my world, perhaps in others as well, a person who is outstanding in some way will be recorded into the Throne of Heroes. Think of it as, er... [He's still figuring modern technology out, but --] saving a backup file? And then, with the proper ritual a mage can then call that person forth as a Heroic Spirit. A Heroic Spirit in their true form would be far too powerful, of course, so as a way of limiting their power, the mage summons them into a vessel of sorts that limits their capabilities. I was summoned as a Saber, so the greatest of my abilities concern my skill with the blade.

[Actually, he can just fire beams from things, but that's apparently what Sabers do.]

If you ever want a different perspective on the matter, I should take you to talk to Caster. He's quite cross that he wasn't summoned as a Lancer.

[swordofzero]

[A back up copy of a person? That is very strange. But so... he supposes is the fact he is currently a rifle in Saber's hands and able to talk to him and see because he is some sort of floating consciousness.]

I've met Caster. Does being a Caster mean he has lost any ability he had to fight with a lance. [Since... he guessed that would be the skill of a Lancer.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Hey, crazy thought, but maybe we could change back now? This conversation isn't, uh, conversing.

[He's only growing more confused as this talk goes on.]

[fauxcalibur]

Ah! My apologies!

[It's a small matter to return them to their original forms and he does so and then resumes chattering away without even skipping a beat.]

I'm not accustomed to have having shinki in general, let alone two at once.

[He turns to address Edge, since it seems that he's been left out the conversation.]

I was explaining to Suzaku why it is that I'm called "Saber" and then he asked if Caster has lost his ability to fight with a lance. I'm not certain if he has or not, but I would assume he has no Noble Phantasms concerning it.

[He stops himself there and hangs his head a little, looking very sheepish.]

But that's another thing I'd have to explain and I've been doing far too much of that and far too little of anything else.

[At least he's self-aware.]

[swordofzero]

[And all at once he was himself again.] I apologise, I was the one asking so many questions. [He gives a half bow towards Edge, as it seemed he had accidentally left him confused.

He doesn't ask anything further, just stands quietly. Saber's world sounded very interesting, if a little strange.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

We just need to get used to it. In combat we'll only need to change one at a time unless there's a great need for both our powers, since it only takes one of us in vessel form to Rend. That should help a little. [He isn't bothered, shrugging to the both of them.] What else should we be doing right now besides explaining and asking questions, anyway?

[fauxcalibur]

Very true!

[Saber nods in agreement, a little relieved that everyone is taking this so well.]

Though you'll find that I have a tendency to dominate the conversation, so you'll have to make sure you can get a word in even if you have to interrupt me. I assure you that I'm quite used to it.

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku nodded at Edge's words, it was true. For the most part they would only have to be in vessel form one at a time. Not that that would help too much because the one still in human form wouldn't be able to hear the one in vessel form. But it was a slight improvement.

He nodded at Saber as well, though he didn't mind his talkativeness.] It is fine, your words are interesting.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Don't worry there! I won't hesitate to stop you if need be. [Yes, he can already see he has his work cut out for him with these two. But a challenge can be rewarding!] So aside from our amazing shinki forms, what other skills are we all bringing to the table? Me, I'm a ninja.

[fauxcalibur]

A ninja? Really?!

[Saber looks maybe a bit too excited by this new information.]

I didn't know such a thing existed outside of anime and dramas!

[Which he's spent too much time watching.]

[swordofzero]

[He smiled a little at Saber's enthusiasm. He of course had already known that his friend was a ninja, they had met when Edge was practising shuriken in the park after all.

He stayed quiet for now, letting Edge answer their god's questions.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Well, look at me! [Edge spreads his hands, to show off his cloak and mask and weapon-festooned person.] Master of throwing and theft, skilled warrior, ninjutsu at my command? What else could I be?

[fauxcalibur]

A cosplayer!

[He's not wrong, exactly.]

[swordofzero]

Cosplayer? [Suzaku looks towards Edge, to see if that word means anything to his fellow Shinki.

Having no memories was tricky enough without all being from different worlds.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Suzaku speaks for both of them!]

Yeah, it's really hard for me to be that when I have no idea what it is!

[fauxcalibur]

[You asked for it, you guys.]

It's someone who dresses up as characters from anime and video games! And other things as well, I'm sure. I have no idea of the actual scope of it, but find it a truly brilliant new form of art! I've considered trying it out myself, but I lack the skill to make a costume for myself and I wouldn't know who to commission to have one made for me. And then, of course, is the matter of where I would wear it.