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

God Training

[cleansingstrike]

[Agrias already didn't quite know what else to expect. So the sight of this one passing out foodstuffs was, well...]

Ah, my thanks to you for your offering.

[She may as well put something in her stomach, at least.]

[letteropener]

It's my pleasure. I know how rough this day can be on people, both those experiencing new circumstances without warning and everypony who finds themselves swept into some intense activity.

[The cookies are excellent -- if slightly crisp on the bottom, which just proves they're homemade. Celestia is rather proud of the skill she's developed in her time here.]

[cleansingstrike]

[Every... what. Okay, nevermind. Agrias doesn't want to be rude and when they're having an entirely polite conversation with her.]

I've experienced such trying times already before, milady. Many times. Though, I daresay that the circumstances of my arrival here...

'Tis possible that they might be the most trying of all.

[She then takes a bite of the cookie.]

Ah, my thanks to you. You've some clear skill.

[letteropener]

[Smiling at the compliment, Celestia lets it pass without further remark -- since she obviously has important other matters to attend to, such as comforting.]

As unexpected as this may be, I hope you will come to find the Far Shore at least tolerable. I understand well how difficult it can be, to be taken away from all that you had.

[cleansingstrike]

I am but a mere knight milady. All that I had was my sword, my country, and its people.

These lands appear far more peaceful than mine own, and for that I am grateful. There will be... much for me to learn about their customs and ways, foreign to me as they may be.

[letteropener]

It sounds to me as if you had some very valuable things indeed. [A country and its people are no small thing, as knows very well indeed.] But I can assure you that as strange and foreign as this world is to those we've known, the people here are no different than any others you've met, and you will adapt.

[And she has the word of a pony on that. So that should be worth something!]

[cleansingstrike]

It does my heart good to hear you spoke so fondly. A knight serves the people, I would gladly continue to render aid to them.

[She could've done so without the title of God, considering her own feelings on deities.]

Though if I am to speak frankly, 'tis all quite much to take in. I'm to understand that you are one such god as well?

[letteropener]

I am, yes. I've been named Inti here. To be honest, I find it makes almost no difference at all in day-to-day life. [Which she hoped the woman would take as reassurance.] It comes with certain obligations, but since those obligations amount to helping others, it's not so bad at all.

[cleansingstrike]

'Tis reassuring to hear milady speak as such. I too have spent my life in servitude to the people, and I would not have that change for anything.

[She wouldn't have her ideals compromised. Not in Ivalice, not here, and not anywhere else.]

If I'm to recall correctly, mine God's name is Sancus, a deity of Oaths.

[It wasn't too bad, all things consider.]

[letteropener]

Well, you certainly needn't change it... but you'll find yourself with a bit more free time here, I expect. [She isn't certain a knight has such intense demands on her time as a Princess, but still, they must be fairly involved nonetheless.] So perhaps you'll have a chance to relax just a bit.

[cleansingstrike]

What you say rings true, yet I would not want to remain idle for very long.

[Surely that must've been something that Agrias could do to keep herself busy and occupied.]

My charge has been brought to these lands as well, and I would see her well cared for out of harm's way.

[letteropener]

Ah, that does put a slight spin on things. [Perhaps needless to say, Celestia knows nopony here from times before save for her pet, who appeared here not terribly long ago] As your shinki?

[cleansingstrike]

Aye.

[Her expression turns somber, the reality of her situation crashing back into her.]

She is my Queen and I have faithfully served her all these years. To see her reduced to such a state...

[Agrias stops herself momentarily.]

'Tis all wrong. A perversion I would go so far as to say.

[letteropener]

If she is a Queen, and I presume a good one, she has had times of pain and woe, and responsibilities laid heavy upon her. I well understand your grief that she has passed, but at the same time, she has been given an opportunity here as well -- to live a different life, to find happiness in different ways, to be more of who she is and less of who her title might make her.

So do try to focus on the positive, and give her every chance of joy.

[cleansingstrike]

The lady speaks with great wisdom.

[And there continued be an undeniable truth in her words. Here, Ovelia could finally have a new life. One to replace the time that had been wrongfully taken away from her.]

Where I speak to speak as truthfully as you, I would admit that... My Queen's years were full of adversity and pain. Nothing would bring mine heart joy than to see her free from all that she has endured.

I only wish that it was not at the cost of her memories of me, and the time we spent together.

[letteropener]

The memories may be lost from the mind, but they are written on the soul. Shinki remain who they are, and by that virtue, remain who you helped make them with your presence and your friendship. Everything else can be remade. So look to the present and not the past, and take this opportunity to find happiness and joy, and bring the same to her life.

[Celestia is pretty much in her element with a speech like this, delivered from the Princess of the Sun.]

[cleansingstrike]

[Agrias had never once doubted herself or her role in Ovelia's life. Whether it was in this one, or the one that came before. But to hear such words being directed at her specifically, it brought her renewed focus. Their circumstances may have changed, as did their titles, but she was still her Queen's shield.

And her protector.]

I thank you, milady. You've done much to help this knight with your words alone.

Ah, I... don't believe I've yet given you mine name. 'Tis Agrias. Agrias Oaks.

[letteropener]

I am Princess Celestia, here known as Inti as well. It's a pleasure to meet you, Agrias.

[One interesting quirk of Celestia's formality is her general willingness to address all people by their given names -- which stems from pony naming conventions,. But the sentiment and the inclination of her head are no less regal for all that.]

[cleansingstrike]

[A princess? Oh goodness, this changes literally everything.]

Sincerest apologies, Your Highness. 'Twas no intention of mine to address you so casually!

[letteropener]

That's quite all right. I'm not your Princess and not Princess of here, to be certain, and besides, formality is so dull. Please, just call me Celestia, and speak as casually as you like.

[Maybe a bad choice of words, as Celestia nurses the private belief that 'as casually as you like' might not be casual at all.]

[cleansingstrike]

[But Agrias has spent so much of her life following formalities. She can't be expected to drop them all so suddenly!]

Aye, if the lady wishes. 'Tis becoming clear to me that my manner of speaking is uncommon in these lands.

[letteropener]

[A smile twitches Celestia's face, before she takes a few careful steps backwards and lifts her head slightly.]

IN OLDER TIMES, WE DID ADDRESS OUR SUBJECTS THUSLY! BUT 'TIS FALLEN OUT OF FAVOR IN THE LAST THOUSAND YEARS!

[The force of her voice is enough to shake the ground around them and rattle the walls. She drops her head back down, the demonstration of the Royal Canterlot Voice more than sufficient.]

[cleansingstrike]

[Agrias just sort of... stands there, speechless. Surprised, too.

But also largely speechless.]

[letteropener]

[Hiding a giggle deep in her smile, Celestia steps back forward.] So truth be told, it's not an unfamiliar manner of speech to me. Don't worry too much about it.