October Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: February 6th, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore (and optionally, the 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 are five or six white-robed shinki present, who 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. Both Sabimei and his animated straw training dummies are absent from this training session, but standard, inanimate straw targets have been lined up outside, and a few rings are laid out on the frozen ground for friendly sparring matches. (Shinki characters who are interested in learning more about the borderlines or want to learn new shinki spells or songs may approach any of the training shinki for advice or instruction. Please remember to comment on the Shinki Spells page when your character begins to learn a new spell, excluding the borderline.)

Physical Training

There is still clean-up left to work on from the volcano's eruption. Two tengu (one of whom characters might recognize as the hot springs' proprietor) have volunteered to help transport any gods or shinki who are willing to help clear trees, dig or wash away ash on roads and roofs, and repair damage to occupied temples. The abandoned temples that were damaged by the earthquake and volcano are being left to decay, although anyone who's curious about them could take the offer of a free ride to explore some of those abandoned and damaged buildings as well. Some might contain old books or mementos of the long-vanished owners; others have nothing left inside but dust, mold, and curious spirits.

Back at the training ground, characters who aren't helping clean up the Western district have the option of playing sparring games to test their reflexes. The white-robed shinki are organizing them into pairs in the marked circles and explaining the rules: each participant is given 10 seconds on offense to score a hit with any weapon of their choice, from bare hands to sparring weaponry to shinki magic, while their partner is only allowed to dodge or defend. After five rounds, the person with more points gets to declare a penalty for their partner: drawing on their face with a marker, ordering them to do something silly or embarrassing, making them fetch tea... it's up to the winner!

Rest and Refreshments

After the gods' training lecture is finished, a few of the white-robed shinki bustle back in to set up craft tables and a buffet area. This time, the theme seems to be a sweet English tea: little cakes, scones, jams, cookies, tiny finger sandwiches and a vast array of chocolates are available, as well as many different teapots, with hot water dispensers and loose tea available to let everyone brew to their own tastes as they venture in to rest or talk to their new partners.

Over on the craft tables, there's all kinds of art and craft supplies available, from construction paper to calligraphy brushes, glitter to gouache. Signs on the tables encourage gods and shinki to show their appreciation for each other with a valentine letter or card. It's a bonding exercise! There is a lot of glitter. And glue. Hopefully, no one's wearing their nice clothes.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
• Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Explore damaged temples or practice sparring
• Enjoy a tea and make some valentines
• Have fun~

Comments

[cloakedinruins]

No, it wasn't really given that Shen Wei has spent over a millennia thinking about him. Zhao Yunlan had left his mark on Shen Wei to the point that he would never see anyone else the same way. Was he aware what he did to Shen Wei when they first met? Maybe near the end when they stood in the cosmic nothingness of the Lamp he did realize, but by then it was far too late.

He wasn't sure about the etiquette between shinki and gods in the Far Shore, so he erred towards the side of politeness. He was still learning and he suspected that he will trip over his feet as he adjusts to this life after. Amusingly, he was probably suited to picking up matters quickly, once he settled in.

But then his thoughts fled at the simple question, his mild smile falling as his eyes narrowed. He hastily brought his hand up to cover the expression by pretending to adjust his glasses, but he knew it might have been too late. Shinki by all reports came to this place without their memories so she couldn't have known him from Dragon City, so she must have met him here. With that being the case, he needed to know just how much could he say given the circumstances.

He dropped his hand and looked at her directly, his eyes cold and expression a blank mask as he responded. "How do you know him?"

[unlucky7]

And there's the tell. A sigh escapes Ginia, though she can't decide if she's relieved or worried. Shen Wei is far from the only god around to know a shinki, but it can't be any easier each time. The affection and closeness is clear and Ginia wishes she hadn't been witness to that because now it's so much more clearer.

At least gods can know. Ginia's phone taps against her chin as she decides what to say, finally setting her plate down and taking a seat.

"We're coworkers." Absolutely true and the easiest way to explain how they know each other. "There was an incident about a week ago where people were sharing dreams. I accidentally walked into one of his. It was a party. You were there, among others."

[cloakedinruins]

Shen Wei had long ago accepted the fact that he would always put Yunlan first. It had been something they argued about; Yunlan protesting that he can handle dangerous situations while Shen Wei wanting to wrap his up in cotton because humans were so delicate. He hoped that Zhao Yunlan lived a full life, but he knew him too well. He probably did something stupidly heroic in the end.

"Ah, I see."

He reached up and pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed as he thought about it. There was no telling what the dream showed her, but if it was a party, well, it was less likely he had been there as the Black Cloak Envoy. Zhao Yunlan would be himself, and if it was the New Year's party, then Yunlan would have already been calling him all sorts of embarrassing things.

Sighing, he took a seat, sliding his glasses off and setting them on top of the one painting.

"I'm not too sure how much you would have learned from a dream of his, but yes. It is a painting of him."

[unlucky7]

"There was a woman that was half snake and two people that were ghosts?" Also a cat. That alone was enough to show Zhao's life was already some degree of different, but normal differs in every world. She judges not. It's not the point she wants to make either. Her fingers lace over her phone and she stares at the screen for a bit.

"Before the dream ended, he asked me to remember everyone for him. He gave me a list of names, yours included. I thought I should tell you since you're a god."

Vaguely, Ginia remembers someone telling her she's too trusting. Maybe. Or maybe too honorable. Who knows.

[cloakedinruins]

"Zhu Hong is a member of the Snake Tribe, and the ghosts are actually energy people - Gelan's and Sang Zan's flesh was absorbed by their energy when they came into contact with one of the Hallows."

She knew their names and was told a little about them. Not too much, but he thinks that Zhao Yunlan would have only mentioned what really mattered about them if he was telling her to remember them. She wouldn't know about his other identity then since it wasn't that important to Yunlan. No, what had been important to him was that Shen Wei loved him.

He chuckled fondly, one hand hovering over the picture before he dropped it back into his lap, turning to look at Ginia fully.

"He was the Chief of the Special Investigations Department in Dragon City, and his job was to deal with unusual crimes. I worked with them in the role of consultant and sometimes historian. You probably have guessed what other kind of relationship I had with him during that time."

[unlucky7]

The last thing Ginia expected was for Shen Wei to be so forthcoming with information. She remembers everything he tells her because gathering knowledge for later is what she does and remembering things for Zhao's sake is what she owes him, but it's a surprise and she quickly waves a hand and shakes her head.

"You don't need to tell me so much. The less I know the safer it is for everyone." She's still a shinki after all. There's already too much she's hiding from multiple people for their own safety (and after the dreams, no doubt people are hiding things from her).

"I'm not going to pretend I know him or you well at all, but Zhao's decent. I like him. If there's anything I can do for either of you, let me know."

[cloakedinruins]

"I know. I was only clarifying the snippets you spoke to me about. I won't say anything more."

Other worlds probably had politics as convoluted as his world, but he wasn't sure. He wasn't going to talk about how much of it was a balance and how it only twisted and nearly destroyed the people he had tried to protect. The only thing that mattered was that Zhao Yunlan dreamed of a moment in time when they were happy.

"He is a good man. The only thing I want for him is to be happy, as much as he could be happy here."

[unlucky7]

From what Ginia's knows, Zhao is a pretty decent person. Shen Wei's words are also nice, sentimental, and they twist at her heart a little because they're words she's said too often too recently as a shield for her own feelings.

"And what about you? You deserve some happiness too."

It's easier giving advice to others than following it herself.

[cloakedinruins]

They were a shield, and one he has been carrying for a very long time. It didn't matter that he was hurt so long as Zhao Yunlan was safe. It didn't matter if the world saw him as a ruthless monster so long Yunlan was safe. It didn't matter so long as he could see a smile on Yunlan's face and know he would not feel pain.

"My happiness..?" He looked at the painting, remembering the careless and rough man sitting under the night sky, the same careless and rough man sprawling across the couch as he placed his head in Shen Wei's lap.

His voice was soft, wistful, and unbending as time itself as he answered: "My happiness lays in seeing him safe."

[unlucky7]

That Ginia understands. Shinki can live in ignorance of the people around them, unaware fellow gods and shinki may be people from their own life. Family, close friends, loved ones, it's all possible. So she understands why Shen Wei would choose distance and safety. It's very easy turning a shinki into an ayakashi. All it would take is a single slip. So for Zhao's safety, yes, she gets that.

"I won't tell you what to do, but many gods find ways to coexist with shink they know. I understand your desire to keep him safe. But this place is smaller than you think. You might have to interact with him one way or another."

[cloakedinruins]

"i know that," he said, his smile a little brittle as he thought of the last time he tried avoiding Yunlan. The more he avoided, the more matters just forced them together, until he knew about him and invaded his space completely. Would it be the same this time? Shen Wei couldn't say. It wasn't like he expected him to wake up knowing everything about their past lives.

"I think what I would need is some time to figure out how to interact with him. As you said, him knowing too much would destroy him. However, I know Zhao Yunlan enough to know that he will always find a way to show up in front of me."

[unlucky7]

Shinki have no memories, there's nothing that produces a sense of nostalgia, but is there something that draws shinki to certain people anyway? The foolish romantic in Ginia thinks maybe it's the heart remembering where the mind cannot. It's not her business, but the idea of the two finding each other here and making it work feels nice.

"I hope it works out. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but have any questions about this place?"

[cloakedinruins]

"This isn't the first time," he said with a sigh. "I'm sure we will find some kind of middle ground."

Ten thousand years, and even though he knew Yunlan, Yunlan didn't know him, and as much as he tried to keep the man away, Zhao Yunlan knew what he liked and a lot of it was always Shen Wei. Even when there was no reason for him to say that even then.

"Do you know what we do here? Besides answering prayers and handling spirits?"

[unlucky7]

"In terms of duties, we aren't expected to do more than that."

The gods are here to fill their new duties to their followers, the shinki are here to assist their gods. So things go. It's not a fate she asked for, but in terms of a life after death, it isn't bad either.

"However, the amount one wants to put into their duties versus their own interests is up to the individual. I haven't heard of any gods being punished for neglecting to answer prayers."

[cloakedinruins]

"And our dwellings? Are we suppose to live with how they are?"

Because he was sure to not enjoy anything that looked like the Dixing Palace transported to the sunlight world. He had spent a majority of his life avoiding that place and he did not want to stir any bad memories in anyone including himself.

[unlucky7]

"I've been told the temple adjusts according to its god, but there's also nothing stopping you from making your own physical modifications."

The latter is a matter of time, equipment, and manpower though. Ginia considers the temples she's lived in, and how they've all differed from each other. Most of her gods were happy with their temples, though most had been around long enough to settle and perhaps bend the temple to their needs.

"Though there's nothing stopping you from living elsewhere if you wanted to."

[cloakedinruins]

So maybe it will shift to match him than retain the gloomy appearance of the Palace. Even in sunlight, he was sure it would suck the soul to stare at it for too long.

"I hope so; I never cared much for the pompous airs of places like that."

Too much waste when it could have gone to something better, too much weight holding back society, and too much pressure. There was a reason why he had turned down the throne all those ages ago, and little of it had to do with the drain it would have caused him.

"I think that's all the questions I have for now."

[unlucky7]

She can only guess what his temple looks like based on his words. Something grand, maybe extravagant, maybe a bit too personal for his tastes. The temples in the Central District are the largest, but the ones in the outlying districts don't seem entirely bound by size or other restrictions. Caster's temple was already nice enough when it was in the Western District, certainly growing larger when it moved to the northeast. Shen Wei will either have to find a way to shape the temple to his desires, learn to live with it, or move elsewhere.

"May whatever you choose to do work for you."

With no more questions, she won't take any more of his time. Ginia picks up her plate and inclines her head.

"If you need to contact me for any reason, I'm in the contact list."