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

B

[nopixiedust]

[Sorry, spacing out? Let what looks like a pre-adolescent child come up and clap her hands together loudly near Tsubasa's head.]

[Well. As far as she can reach up there, anyway. Height is not something that Wendy gets to enjoy.]

Hey! Are you alright?

[beyondtheblade]

[The clap makes Tsubasa jolt upright, before she looks down, blinking in confusion.

There sure are a lot of children here.

As before, she's not judging.]

I am... fine?

[That's definitely not true.]

I am merely trying to get my head around things, here.

[nopixiedust]

That sounds like a lie.

[Yeah, let her just call that out right here and now. Still, if that's the problem...]

Then, what exactly is giving you so much trouble? I've been around for a few months, now, so I can probably help.

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa raises an eyebrow, but doesn't flash any anger. Still, she must be bold to be making such accusations of a perfect stranger.]

...I am merely trying to understand this, really. It's a lot to absorb, and... there are things which required my attention back home.

[She frowns.] It requires some reflection, but I am certain I will be able to do my part, regardless.

[nopixiedust]

['Bold' is certainly a word to describe Wendy. She doesn't seem entirely convinced, but whatever. If that's what she wants to say, then whatever.]

You're not the only one, at least, who has things back home. But if that's how you feel, then you don't really have a 'part' at all, if you don't want to.

[beyondtheblade]

Do not misunderstand me.

[She sets her rake aside and straightens up, her tone even.] I expect my feeling is shared by many. I would not mean to say mine is more important. But some quiet reflection can do one a lot of good.

[For her sometimes, to a life saving degree.]

If my role will protect anyone, or I can use it as such, I will do so unquestioningly. I will very much do my 'part,' in that case.

[nopixiedust]

Oh no. [That's sure a reaction to a pretty noble statement, and Wendy places her hand to her cheek.] You're a heroic type, aren't you?

[Heroic types can be so stressful. Shun is a good example, although he'd probably argue about it. Well, she supposes it's time for her to give some advice whether it's wanted or not.]

Well, if you're going to be like that, at least watch out for yourself, alright? Only take as many prayers as you can handle, and leave some people to deal with their lives all by themselves if that's what it comes down to. A lot of weird stuff happens here, too, so make sure to get plenty of sleep and eat right, got it?

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa hadn't been entirely certain what to make of this individual, so that response is a little surprising.]

A... heroic type? [A beat.] I guess you could describe it as such, but that is normally my duty anyhow.

[Because it's not like anyone in this world really knows what she's about back home, obfuscating that in favor of her idol persona isn't necessarily going to help anything in this place.

The first advice has her staring on blankly for a moment before smiling lightly.]

Ah... I've learned that letting yourself be too absorbed in such tasks and not living your life can be detrimental, anyhow. It doesn't surprise me the same would ring true here - but I appreciate the concern.

[She almost sounds like a Mom.

Not that Tsubasa has a lot of experience with those.]

[nopixiedust]

[Don't worry, Tsubasa. Wendy will shove in more than enough mothering to make up for whatever has gone on in your life. For now, she flicks some long stray strands of her own hair back over her shoulder.]

If you're certain. You'll have a lot of people worrying about your if you're not careful. [Oh, right, maybe she should ask something kind of important.] Are you a god or a shinki, by the way? I mean, you'll have someone fussing after you regardless, but...

[beyondtheblade]

[She nods a little.] Mm, I am certain enough of that. I know some people here, and many others have been fairly kind so far.

[Though she's on the lookout for the opposite. She's aware enough that she practically expects it somewhere.]

Ah, right... I keep forgetting to elaborate there.

My name - my real - name is Tsubasa. But they told me I was the god, Susanoo. [She frowns slightly.] Those words still feel strange on my tongue.

[nopixiedust]

Oh, so you have people you know here! That's good. At least that's something to help steady you. A lot of others don't get that.

[And a good chunk of those other people are shinki like herself, where they wouldn't be able to recognize anyone from their life if they tried. It sucks, but that's how it works. Wendy doesn't really dwell on it much. As far as she's concerned, it's just mostly a hypothetical.]

At any rate, you'll want to get used to hearing that title a lot if you start dealing with the old gods. Which, if you're really a hero type, you'll probably get stuck with dealing an awful lot.

[beyondtheblade]

I do, and I've gotten that sense. I am quite thankful for what I have, if nothing else.

[She is well aware of the Shinki issue, as well, but she's not going to focus in on it. She's met several that seem fairly comfortable with it, but she still feels a bit like she's walking on eggshells with regards to that. Perhaps it's just something she has to grow used to.]

The hero type...

[She muses.] I... suppose. So I guess I should just prepare myself, in advance.

[nopixiedust]

It'll definitely help you in the future, if nothing else. Although I guess I can help you out a little there, too.

[It's not that she's meant all of the gods, but, well... She's heard some things. So why not spread the knowledge around? There's no point in simply keeping it to her head.]

Amaterasu is the head god, and she's a little kid too. I guess when old gods die, they just reincarnate? [She thinks that's in line with what she's heard.] She's not bad, not really, but she's really stubborn about some things, so have fun dealing with that.

Meanwhile, I haven't met Fuujin, but apparently he's a stubborn idiot. Even more fun!

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa raises an eyebrow. The name Amaterasu in conjunction with her own "god" name bothers her, but she's trying not to dwell on that heard.]

I sense... a theme.

The old gods are all very stubborn, I take it?

[nopixiedust]

They're basically old and rich, which means they're idiots by default.

[so yes]

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa makes a sudden grunting sound, brow furrowing.]

Believe me, I ... know the type.

Well, at least I know what I am dealing with, then.

[nopixiedust]

You're welcome.

[Wendy smiles a little.]

But a lot of the gods and shinki like you and me aren't too bad. At most, you might find certain people annoying to deal with. [She's not saying Hibiki or Shun, but, you know.] People are pretty helpful around here, so that's something good.

That means no shame in asking for help, alright?

[beyondtheblade]

Hm. I admit I am not always used to asking for assistance, but... I have learned over time that it is necessary. So I will certainly keep it in mind.

[She will inevitably have encounters with those very two, so. You know.]

So no, there is not. It sets my mind somewhat at ease, at least.

[nopixiedust]

You better, because we have enough troublesome people around here as it is.

[Again: Hibiki. Shun. She hears that Hakkai guy is a pain in the ass? Whatever. Rocking on her heels, Wendy considers everything.]

Have you met your shinki yet? Sometimes that can help as well.

[beyondtheblade]

This sort of situation seems to attract troublesome people. My apologies, in advance.

[It's said in good humor, but there is something about fighting monsters that attracts fairly crazy sorts.]

I have, and she seems to have a good head on her shoulders. So... that will help me, I think.

[nopixiedust]

Good! The key to a temple is being open and honest alongside a partner you work well with. As long as the two of you can do that, then everything will be alright.

[Utterly casually, she smacks the nearest leg to her. S... Sorry about that.]

The rest of this place is utterly bizarre and confusing, and so things might interfere on that end... but the important base part is purely between two people. Right?

[beyondtheblade]

Open and honest... heh. There was a time I'd have a lot of trouble with that... Luckily it is not that me which is here, or else I would be lost.

[She blinks a bit, perplexed at the action. But rolls onward.]

I think so, yes. I am well acquainted with having to resonate with others... In a way, this is no different.

[nopixiedust]

...That sounds like some really weird and confusion nonsense in one sentence, but it's none of my business, so I'm not going to ask.

[She'll just stay in her lane, thank you.]

Anyway, take care of yourself, alright? And your shinki.

[beyondtheblade]

[She smiles dumbly, because it made perfect sense to her.

But it really shouldn't to a normal person.

Tsubasa isn't normal.

You're better off not asking, Wendy.

She gives a slight nod and a bow.]

But of course, thank you very much for your insight.