September Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: January 22nd, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore / slopes of a recently erupting volcano
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 at least one unrecognized god who the Heavens believe to be attacking them, and another recent incursion by an unrecognized god ended in his defeat and the extinguishing of the volcano he had caused to erupt. 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

There are stacks of informational pamphlets sitting out on tables around the dojo. There aren't very many of the white-robed shinki around, but the few who are present will willingly answer any questions or instruct newcomers in the use of the borderline. They accompany their answers, or their 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 who appears upset and visibly distracted is keeping an eye on the training dummies, and will intervene if anyone tries to destroy one. He is wearing a slightly battered nametag that reads HELLO, MY NAME IS SABIMEI. (Sabimei is an expert in shinki magic and will assist characters who need help with spells or who want to learn a new spell. If you want a thread with him or have any questions about handwaving something, please comment on the NPC REQUEST thread below. Characters who want to begin learning a new spell from him do not have to thread it out, but should comment on the Shinki Spells and Songs page to begin learning the spell.)

Physical Training

There are no special obstacle courses or training areas set up for the newcomers at this welcome session. Instead, the white-robed shinki will invite any gods or shinki who are willing to help with cleanup in the Western District of the Far Shore. A recent volcanic eruption has left heavy ash fall on temple roofs and fallen trees or mud clogging roads. Some of them are singing in chorus to summon small rainstorms or winds to clear away the obstacles; others are just using brooms and ropes to sweep away ash or drag away trees, and help of the magical or physical variety will be appreciated.

Rest and Refreshments

Once it begins to grow dark, everyone helping to clean up the Western District will be brought back to the dojo to rejoin those who chose to remain there. Traditional public baths are available for everyone to wash off the mud, ash and sweat of their hard work and soak comfortably in a warm communal pool afterwards, and a generous banquet has been laid for everyone. The tables are full of beer and sake (or tea and soda for the non-drinkers), plates of sushi and sashimi, deep-fried vegetables and shrimp, and warm soups to counteract the chill of the January weather.

After dinner, a middle-aged woman sets up an open mic. She starts out the evening by turning on her karaoke machine and performing a few jazzy older songs, and turns the mic over from there to a man with very old-fashioned manners who recites a few poems. Anyone who wants to take time at the microphone is welcome, whether they're performing, doing karaoke, telling jokes, or delivering speeches or information.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
• Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Help clean up ash and clear roads
• Enjoy a welcome banquet
• Have fun~

Comments

[galrarm]

[ Ah.

He runs a hand through his hair before he takes a sip of his drink. The stranger's right, and Shiro gives him the smallest smile. It's the kind of sad, wistful smile he's gotten used to giving, recently. ]

You're right. And maybe, somehow, they'll remember.

[ But there's still something troubling him, regardless of the fact that he does feel a fraction better. ]

But I still wish they weren't here. They're young. They had so much ahead of them, so many opportunities back home.

[wildguardian]

Life's cruel. [Here he is, for example, a good-looking and smart guy in the prime of his life, equally deceased. He'll drink to the basic unfairness of life.

The smile he gives Shiro, though, as he sets his cup back down, is wry and deeply sympathetic.]

And too many good people die young.

[But: they're still here. And it's true, what he'd said earlier. Not a lot of people get their dead friends back in any form, remembering or not.]

You've got the chance to make new memories now, if you want to take it.

voltron s6 spoilers up in here

[galrarm]

[ That gives him pause, and Shiro thinks about the fact that... well. He's gone, back home. Pidge had told him as much. He thinks about how it makes him feel, but he feels worse about Keith and Lance's being dead. ]

I'd be a fool to give that up.

[ It's... a second chance. Shiro knows well the pain of losing someone important. But here... here, he has a chance to try again. ]

They've done so much for me. I can't imagine not taking that chance.

[ A sip of his beer, then-- ]

I'm Shiro, by the way.

[wildguardian]

Zhao Yunlan. [Shiro. Shiro-- ah. He breaks into an engaging grin.]

Shiro, as in Takashi Shirogane? -- Roxas was telling me about you earlier today. All good things, I promise.

[galrarm]

[ Ah, well. Shiro returns the smile. ]

Well, I'm glad to hear it. You had me worried there for a moment.

[wildguardian]

Hey, don't worry! [He leans back, eyes crinkling into an expression of wicked amusement, and adds:]

If it wasn't good, I wouldn't tell you.

[He's a very trustworthy man, see. That said, though, he lets the teasing air slip away; Shiro doesn't look like he's in any shape to have the mood lightened.]

I'm a shinki myself. Just got here this morning.

[galrarm]

[ He offers Zhao a chuckle. ]

Welcome, then. I wish it were a warmer welcome, though--I can't imagine it's too pleasant to show up and be expected to clean up volcanic ash.

[wildguardian]

[Zhao laughs in return, easily, and takes another sip of his beer.]

It could be worse. After all that information they dumped on us, I appreciated having something to do while I thought it over.

[Plus, he'd been able to wear himself out; his arms are still sore from shoveling ash, and he's going to sleep well.]