November Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: February 21st, 2017
Where: Outside the Meeting Hall, the Far Shore
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki



Gods and shinki arriving at heaven's meeting hall are brought into small one-on-one meeting rooms as they appear, with a white-robed shinki offering them an explanation of their current role, the name of the god they will represent or the god they will serve, and directions to the temple that will be their new home.

They are cordially invited to a training session beginning in early afternoon, after they've had the chance to return to their homes, meet their new partners, and have their questions answered.



Morning/On the Road

New gods and shinki are being packed off to their new temples for the morning to settle in and meet their partners -- this is also a good time to visit with new neighbors or explore the area! What does your new temple look like? Are you headed straight there, or taking the scenic route to get a better sense of your new surroundings? The Western District is still scarred from the aftereffects of a recent volcanic eruption and earthquake, with fissures in some of the roads and burn scars in the wild landscape. The volcanic ash, though, seems to be serving as fertilizer for vast swaths of unfamiliar and colorful wildflowers that line the roads despite the fact that the weather is late-February chilly.

Shinki Training

A well-appointed dojo has been prepared for newcomers to practice their physical or magical arts. Outside, there are two impromptu target practice areas: one is for long-range weapons, with targets set up against hay bales at the other side of a wide, grassy area and a line drawn for the weapons' wielders to stand behind. The other is for borderlines, and a number of young children wearing short coats marked with Amaterasu's golden chrysanthemum on white are dashing around practicing their own borderlines against scary paper masks tied onto bushes or other haybales. The game seems to require a cutting borderline that will cut the mask without damaging the gardeners' hard work on the bushes.

Inside the dojo, there's room for several pairs to spar, and weapons are set up all along one wall, everything from polearms to rifles, chakrams to broadswords. They're all meant for practice, with edges dulled or padded to avoid any accidental deaths, but sparring partners will still have to be careful to avoid injury. Although there are many fewer white-robed shinki here than usual, except for the children, there is one adult shinki keeping an eye on things inside the dojo and one keeping an eye on things in the yard. They are willing to answer questions, help with borderlines or teach shinki new spells on request. Comment to the NPC REQUEST form to request a thread with one of them or if you have questions about handwaving an interaction.

Physical Training

The last vestiges of winter have melted away from most of the Heavens, but one section of the Meeting Hall grounds appears not to have gotten the message. Snow is piled waist or even shoulder high, the trees and bushes show no sign of fresh leaves, and an ornamental pool is frozen as hard as a rock, with the drifting shadows of koi barely visible under the thick ice. It's the perfect opportunity to play in the snow, and many of the shinki children are already taking advantage of it, sliding on the ice or throwing snowballs.

For those who brave the heavy snow, they may discover an an old woman in the center of the frozen area. She's wearing heavy white makeup and a straw coat, and humming cheerfully as she pounds rice into mochi. Anyone who finds her will be offered freshly made mochi and a cup of warm sake to fortify them for the snowball fights!

Rest and Refreshments

Gods and shinki who are finished with their training can step into a large room in the Meeting Hall that has been set up with comfortable cushions and low tables. Tea, liquor and a wide variety of savory dishes are available, with the drinks already set out on the tables and the savory dishes set up in chafing dishes on a buffet table along one wall. Guests can help themselves, settle in, chat, and make new friends. There's even a dessert table, well-stocked with plenty of chocolate, most of which seems to be mysteriously heart-shaped.

After eating, there are a variety of board and card games available for guests to play. From classic games like shogi, go and mahjong to more modern ones like Trivial Pursuit or Pictionary -- or Cards Against Humanity -- there's something for everyone.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
• Veteran new gods and shinki are welcome to volunteer showing the ropes
• Practice sparring or shinki magic
• Enjoy a buffet dinner and party games
• Have fun~

Comments

Physical Training

[holygrailed]

[Ruler isn't the only one sliding around on the ice with the aid of shinki children. Irisviel is also getting tugged along, though there's also an ease at which she slides along on and maintains her balance at. Of course, when children are your guide, it means you're subject to their whims and as they pull her along, they almost collide into Ruler and the children she's with.]

Sorry! Oh!

[Irisviel double-takes as she looks at the new-identical twin of Avenger, losing her footing into the process and thumping to the ice.]

[faithstaynight]

[It's hard to tell if the children do this on purpose, with how many accidents and near-collisions there have been so far today, but honestly... Ruler can't complain. The children seem to be having fun, and so do the others taking a break from training, so there's no harm in it, right?

... Well okay, multiple falls make for some pretty sore spots after a while, but that's bearable. And after the first few times, it's a little easier to keep your footing! so while Ruler stumbles and scrambles a little, she manages to avoid falling.]

Ah--! It's- It's okay, really!

[... It's probably a strange sight for Irisviel. Where Avenger was all frowning and grumbling, Ruler laughs, a bit of a sheepish smile crossing her face.]

This is all a bit new to me, so I'm having a little trouble adjusting!

[holygrailed]

[Ow... With the help of the children, Irisviel manages to get back onto her feet, rubbing her backside. No doubt there'll be bruises at the end of the day. She smiles sheepishly at Ruler, still trying to process what she's seeing.

The fact is clearly identical to Avenger, though there's a warmth and joy surrounding her, reflected in the bright tone of her skin and hair. Twins?]

This is all new to me too. Did you arrive today as well?

[faithstaynight]

Today.... so much has happened, it doesn't really feel like it's been less than a day.

[Even just the walk to Zelda's temple had been quite an adventure, with all the people she'd met, and her chat with the princess she's now dedicated to serving. And the training and other new introductions during the training session...]

But yes, I'm a new arrival as well. I hope you've been adjusting well?

[holygrailed]

[Irisviel smiles at the young shinki and thanks them, assuring them she'll be fine and there's no need to wait around. They slide off on the ice, arms flailing to regain their balance as they threaten to topple. She watches them go, listening to Ruler's words.]

Yes, I've been adjusting well. People here are so kind and helpful. There's been so much and yet there is still time in the day. I can barely wait to see what tomorrow brings and the day after.

Have you met your god already?

[faithstaynight]

Tomorrow, the day after... once we're all settled in, I bet things will be even better.

[She thinks back to her new home, the temple that feels less like a place of worship and more like a comfortable home, with Minako's things all strewn about. As much as a part of her thrives at the idea of something more proper, it's also nice, knowing that there are other people around who are just as comfortable with Zelda and her place as Ruler feels already.]

I have yes. She seems very kind. [Her smile doesn't fade one bit, instead shifting to something a bit softer.] She didn't need to, but she gave me a choice of whether or not I wished to serve her when I first arrived at her temple. I'd like to hope that it's a sign of good things to come, if we got off on the right foot so early on.

[holygrailed]

That is a kind offer to make.

[It is a positive sign of the kind of person Ruler is serving, though Irisviel thinks nothing of not having a similar offer her way. She is here to serve her god and happy to do so, he is fair in his way.]

I truly hope the two of you are happy together. I've met so many here that get along, it's nice to see.

Oh! [Irisviel giggles, realizing she's forgotten to introduce herself in her shock.] My name is Irisviel von Einzbern, it's nice to meet you.