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

[kokuyoyo]

It's true. Usually, he tends to keep things pretty quiet on his own front. Unlike some people on the BBS, he doesn't like to share every little bit of what's going on in his life.

But if it's Sanada, he... guesses it's fine. It's frustrating, not saying any of this. Especially with Ayumu gone. She used to listen to him, once. Now, without her... He's not sure who else to grumble about all of this, besides Ken, and it's different when it's his partner. They both have to live with it.

Digging through his bento, he sighs. "It'd be fine, otherwise, if not for that one guy... I know that much. So it's annoying that he keeps getting in the way... At least your temple doesn't have that problem..."

[goingbananas]

“Hey, you never know.” He shrugs. “I haven’t found a new place yet.” Else he would’ve invited Chikusa over, because he has that much faith that his future god would be kindly disposed toward visitors upon their shinki’s immediate arrival.

“But you’re welcome to hang out when I do find it.” He figures there’s no harm in it, in any case. Chikusa isn’t exactly rowdy or unpleasant. He’s pretty sure no one could actually even hate the guy.

“I dunno if I can relate, but at least I can feed you while you’re there. How’s that?”

[kokuyoyo]

"You don't have a god yet...?" Stuffing some seafood in his mouth, Chikusa blinks at him. That's a rather dangerous position to be in, honestly. Even he wouldn't go through with it himself, although he has a dog to protect.

"You should hurry... Where are you even staying?"

[goingbananas]

Shrugging, “Here, I guess.” Waiting till his new god comes to pick him up like a puppy at a kennel, heh. Not that he minds it.

“Guess whoever’s now in charge of me will come around. Least I can do is hang out with you in the meantime.”

[kokuyoyo]

"Ah." So it's like that. Well, that's a little better than the alternative. "That's fine then... If they don't show up, let me know."

He can find someone, surely, to shove Sanada onto. Maybe not their own household, but...

[goingbananas]

“Aww, you’re really the nicest guy, you know that, Chikusa?” He’s touched; he really is. It’s nice to be remembered after having been gone so long, and by a guy who’s not very open with his affections to begin with, no less! Geez, Chikusa!

[kokuyoyo]

"I'm an asshole, actually." Please let him just correct you right there, buddy. Chikusa shoves some more food into his mouth, as if that will help him. "This is just something I'd do for a few people." You know. People he vaguely likes.

I think we can wrap this up?

[goingbananas]

“Well, I don’t think I’m wrong.” Grinning, “So you’re just gonna have to deal with that.”

sounds good to me

[kokuyoyo]

"I forgot you could be a pain..." Still, besides his huff, Chikusa doesn't seem to really think that. He still stays, settled and comfortable, going through his bento.

Some people aren't too bad even when they're pains, after all.