December Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: March 8, 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 midafternoon, once 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, which are spreading out even further with the onset of Spring. Strangely, there are many fewer flowering trees than might be expected.

Shinki Training

A well-appointed dojo has been prepared for newcomers to practice the 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 what look like old clothes and sheets rescued from the rag pile and hung from trees or stuffed with straw to serve as targets. Some of the children are trapping their straw-stuffed targets by dancing in circles around them, hands held as they sing the Kagome song; others are using cutting borderlines to bring sheets fluttering down.

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 interact with one of them or if you have any questions about handwaving an interaction.

Physical Training

The cherry blossoms that had begun to bloom across the Meeting Hall grounds seem to have experienced a mysterious mishap. Buds and half-opened blossoms alike have rained down from the branches, carpeting the fresh spring grass below with soggy brown and black rot. Several gardener shinki, with their sleeves tied back and sensible heavy aprons to protect their white uniforms, are raking up the fallen blossoms and trying to coax the trees back to health with powders and straw wraps to protect the trees' trunks from nightly chill. They need help: climb the trees and sprinkle the knots along the branches with invigorating powders to encourage fresh buds, or help the gardeners hold the straw in place around the tree trunks while it's wrapped with cloth, or just help rake up the dead flowers.

Besides the cherry problems, the gardens are beautiful and just beginning to burst into spring bloom. Tulips, crocuses and daffodils are sprouting everywhere, and once the borderline game is done, the child shinki are quickly organizing a garden-wide game of hide-and-go-seek. Find the best hiding spot you can, and make a break for home base as soon as you're sure the seeker is too far away to catch you! But don't run into anyone on the way.

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. A fresh springtime menu is available: lightly flower-scented teas, plum wine, and a variety of little savory or sweet snacks to nibble on while waiting for dinner. Dinner turns out to be okonomiyaki: bowls with mixed batter and a plate full of tasty add-ins are brought out, and griddles at the center of the table heated to let every guest set out their own favorite add-ins, pour batter over, and make a savory pancake. It's a little tricky to flip with the tiny spatulas provided, but it should only take a few pancake disasters to get the hang of it, probably!

After eating, a few doves will flutter into the room, dropping off scrolls to certain people, and the frazzled-looking adult shinki from the earlier training session dashes to the front of the room to try to keep everyone occupied. He's reading from a handful of printouts with corporate icebreaker ideas: pin a secret card to the back of everyone's shirt and ask whoever you meet for clues to figure out what it says! Fill out a bingo card with different skills or experiences your fellow gods and shinki have! Figure out how to stack every piece of furniture in the room onto just one table... play a game where you're only allowed to reply with questions... switch tables every five minutes and see how well you can get to know the other person there before your five minutes are up. Wait, isn't that speed dating? He seems to be running out of ideas.

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 some icebreakers
• Have fun~

Comments

[trustheart]

... It's kind of a long story, but I've been here longer than a day.

[She hadn't left for London... then that means, this Tsubasa is...]

Okay, I hope this makes sense. But. I was here before. Before everything in Val Verde, I was brought here for a few days... and then I woke up back home without any memory of it. I lived through everything, and then when I went to bed after Hibiki's party... bam, back here.

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa isn't stupid. Just dense about certain things. Still, quantum theory is a little beyond her depth. Or most anyone they know, save their enemies and Elfnein.

She puts a finger to her forehead and thinks for a moment, processing that, before giving a slight nod.]

So... in spite of our arrival, we both come from the same time.

[Another beat, and she blinks.] Just how long have you been here, then? [And another thought hits her, concern rising. If Chris was here, was she here alone? Tsubasa being stuck here seemingly by herself was a daunting enough consideration. But given everything Chris had been through... Her next question snaps out quickly.] Are you alright?

[trustheart]

Yeah... but I think we might be the same "versions" of each other, if that makes sense? I mean, this stuff doesn't always add up 1:1, and time definitely passes however it feels like back home.

[She has to stop and think about the next answer.]

Since I woke up back here? Four days. The first time I was here, I was here for twelve days. When I woke up after being back, only a night had passed.

[This talk about different versions reminds Chris of something she has to tell Tsubasa... but not now. She doesn't want to overwhelm her.]

... And I'm fine, senpai. You don't need to worry about me.

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa rubs her forehead, and thinks another moment. But... only a moment. She lowers her hand and smiles.] I... see, then. That's fine. This whole situation is extremely strange, but... I believe what you're saying makes sense. It actually sets my mind at ease quite a bit that I have someone like you here with me, Yukine.

[She shakes her head at that last reply, though.]

I may not need to worry about anyone, but... You are my friend, so I will do so anyway.

[trustheart]

[Chris... actually looks flustered at that. She blushes, and can't make eye contact with Tsubasa.]

G-Geez! You're still the same old busy body, huh?! I guess I'll let you off the hook for it, this time...

[She frowns next, and continues.]

Senpai, speaking of... "other versions", there's something I need to tell you.

[beyondtheblade]

[On most other people, the expression that then crosses Tsubasa's face would seem smug.

Okay, it probably seems a little like that, regardless. Still, she smiles all the same.]

If it is just us here, then you may just have to put up with that more than usual, I'm afraid. I'm not exactly much good on my own, if you'll recall.

[A blink at the shift in her expression.]

So... something is not "alright," then.

[trustheart]

[At any other moment, Chris would continue their banter, but now? Now she's going to concentrate on the bad news.]

You're right. But... it has less to do with me and more to do with someone who's here already. It's... it's another version of Maria.

But.

She's a shinki.

[beyondtheblade]

A... shinki?

[Tsubasa frowns heavily and looks down. She's certainly been informed and asked more than a fair share of questions to the shinki who greeted her when she woke up. She understands what that means, which also means--]

The Maria that's here... died, then.

[Which she knows, for certain, can't be the case back home. She'd just seen her. But it still twists her stomach. She sets her rake aside and sighs.]

I... see. Thank you, Yukine.

[trustheart]

... Yeah.

[There's a lot of complicated emotions running through Chris's head right now, that she's not fully sure how to process. But. She'd also experienced them already, and lived with them for a bit.]

You're welcome. I just didn't want you to find out on your own, without any warning, like I did.

[beyondtheblade]

[She sighs. This is a lot to observe, but something Chris says piques her attention. She tries to set that aside for a moment.]

Without warning...

[Her frown deepens.] Yukine. You're certain everything has been fine for you, here?

[trustheart]

... I've had my troubles same as everyone, senpai, but trust me. That wasn't anywhere close to be the worst one.

[She looked directly at her, trying to convey her resolve.] I won't lie, it's been gnawing at me a bit. But I also ran into her without being prepared. It's not wrong to want you to avoid having to do that, right? Especially considering how close you and Maria are...

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa shakes her head and takes a step forward.]

I'm not talking about just that, Yukine. When you brush my questioning off with "you don't need to worry about me" and the like, that's only going to make me question you more. I would like to think you realize that by now.

[Tsubasa can be dense, but again, she's not dumb - and when it comes to Hibiki and Chris, she's more than a little perceptive on their personalities.

She gives her a very stern look.] What else has happened?

[trustheart]

[Chris stood there, dumbfounded. Truth be told, she wasn't lying when she said she was handling the Maria thing. But... something else had happened, hadn't it? That she hadn't mentioned at all.

The fact that she had no plans to bring it up would be telling enough.

After a moment, Chris let out a heavy sigh.]

There was. One other thing. I... I saw a vision of a woman you used to know.

Amou Kanade.

[beyondtheblade]

[Chris should know what Tsubasa herself has learned - between the two of them and Tachibana Hibiki, their little trio has a very hard time hiding things from one another when they're immediately relevant.

Still... she's not quite expecting that.]

Kanade...?

[Confusion sweeps over her face.] What do you mean, a vision?

[trustheart]

I mean as in, "she wasn't really there". There were these dolls that showed up after the hinamtsuri festival, and one of them looked like her. I have no idea why it did, or what it was even doing there. My friend Irisviel thinks they might have been sent to us as part of a scheme by this cult that's causing trouble. [She shook her head.] Problem is, when I touched it, I started seeing and hearing Kanade in my head. Not the real Kanade. I never met her, but everything you've told me about her tells me she would never do or say what this one did. She... she started condemning me, for everything I did while working for Finé. [Chris looks down, her face growing paler and her expression as the words came forth. Tears bead out the corners of her eyes as something she's held back for well over a year finally comes out.] If I had to guess, it was really just my own guilt coming out through all that. But not all of it was untrue. She said... I was responsible for her losing her life. A-and that's true, isn't it? I was the one whose song activated Solomon's Cane... I'm the reason you lost your best friend...

[beyondtheblade]

[Ah. There it is.

She stands there listening for a moment, wind lightly rustling the blossoms beneath her feet. She lets Chris get it all out, and then gently reaches out to place one hand on her shoulder.]

Yukine.

No. I could never let you take the blame for that. If I did, then I would not be able to move forward myself.

[She narrows her eyes.] Do not forget: It was my song which unleashed Finé in the first place. Finé manipulated you and hurt you, and so many other people. I know what you feel because I have to carry that every day. Everything she did happened because of my song.

[She sighs.] But... at the same time... I was merely a child. You may have been older then, but you were still young, and being pushed by her.

It is not your fault, Yukine, and I would never blame you for that.

[trustheart]

[She doesn't blame her. Senpai doesn't blame her. Tsubasa doesn't blame her. Chris looks up in astonishment, and her jaw falls open a bit as all she can do is stare.

Tsubasa relating all this to her own experiences surprised her as well. Truth be told, she'd never considered the role Tsubasa played in creating Finé. Because... she was her friend. And they'd all suffered, hadn't they?

Why was Chris always so quick to absolve others while also holding herself accountable at the same time?

Her body moved before she could really think about it seriously, and before Chris knew it, her arms were wrapping around Tsubasa as she pulled her into another hug. There were no words as she rested her face against the taller young woman's shoulder, tears still running down her face. Eventually, a quiet "thank you" slips out.

There'd be no recoiling in fear this time. She wanted Tsubasa to know how much this meant to her.]

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa isn't really what you'd call much of a hugger.

Truth be told, she never really was hugged as a child.

In fact, Hibiki's overly affectionate friendship is probably the most experience she has there. So she's surprised when Chris hugs her again, and her hands feel useless for a moment, before she finally comes to awkwardly hug her back. It's the thought that counts though, right? She finds her eyes watering, but closes them and lets out a breath.]

...you're welcome.

We've all done things, Yukine. [Except Tachibana. She wasn't really responsible for the whole giant monster transformation thing. But Hibiki was the best of them, after all.] The important thing is how we move on from them. Just trust me, like I trust you, and Tachibana, Maria, and everyone else in S.O.N.G..

[trustheart]

[After a moment, Chris pulls away, and nods quietly, bringing up her arm to brush the tears away from her face. She takes a deep breath, before responding quietly.]

I know. In my head at least. I seem to keep having to learn the same lesson over and over... but I'm glad. I'm glad you trust me, senpai.

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa takes a small step back and wipes her eyes, but smiles lightly.]

Well, then I will just have to keep drilling it into your head. If the Commander isn't here to do that, I just have to take up his slack, hm?

[Did... Tsubasa just make a weak attempt at a joke? Will wonders never cease.]

Either way, I'm grateful to have you here. On my own, I'm not exactly of much use, which I think I've proven enough. [The way she says that, it doesn't exactly sound like a self criticism so much as it is a compliment to who she's speaking to.] I need you to watch my back too, you know.

[trustheart]

... Y-yeah, well, as long as you'll grant me the same courtesy, I think we'll be fine.

[Joke or not, it made Chris smile a bit more. So mission accomplished?]

Oh come on, senpai, you have a career and everything. I don't think you need to sell yourself that short. And if you're a god, you probably have a shinki to keep your temple clean.

[Chris smirks. Good natured ribbing is what friends do, right?]

... And I'll watch your back if you watch mine.

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa steps back a tad, but gives a slight shrug.] You've seen first hand what happens when I try to stake out on my own. It's unpleasant.

[Okay, a little morbid.] So, I'm glad to have you here, all the same.

[She flinches just a slight bit at that.] I am ... not inclined to put that burden on anyone's head. [She didn't even realize how bad it was for Ogawa until someone pointed it out to her.] So, I suppose I will just have to learn.

[Or her temple will be flooded with dirty clothes in a month. Whichever comes first.

At the very least, it lets her distract her mind. The subject of what this Maria is here, of what's being asked of them, the Kanade doll, and other things... It's all still there, all still swirling around.

But she's a lot better about masking things, to a degree.]

I'm counting on that.

[trustheart]

[A month? Chris isn't even going to give her three days.]

... I think you'd better rely on your shinki, honestly. Just a little bit.

[At that, she crosses her arms.]

Anyway... don't think too much of those hugs I gave you, alright? They were one time things... and you should appreciate the privilege. I'm not gonna sacrifice my image and let you think they're gonna be a regular thing, got it?

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa actually gives a dissatisfied grunt at that first thing.] I would rather not. I will work alongside someone, but I will not leave my problems to them, nor am I feeling inclined to treat one like a servant.

[Still, she raises her eyebrow. Ah, she shouldn't have expected for Chris to act that soft for too long. It's strangely reassuring. So, she just smirks back at her.]

Well, then. I suppose that I should. I will take it as an honor, Yukine.

[trustheart]

... Yeah, but. You're acting like you can just go from never doing it at all to doing it all on your own. If not your shinki, at least let me help.

[At the second part, Chris's cheeks puffed out as she huffed at Tsubasa.]

You'd better. Only Miku's ever gotten that "honor" before.