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]

... Oh. You're a newbie. I was too, a little bit ago.

[She lets out a sigh, and falls in step beside her.]

Sorry for giving you a hard time. I can be way too irritable sometimes.

["Sometimes".]

[timeforpink]

Oh yeah? How'd you find it at first?

[ How bizarre will it be the first few times she becomes her god's weapon? ]

It's okay. I miight have been showing off back there.

[ Jen was indeed showing off. ]

[trustheart]

I hated the fact that I'd been brought here against my will, but the people were nice enough.

[She nods.]

Well, if we can both put those things behind us, we should be right as rain, right?

[timeforpink]

Against your will — so you're a god?

[ If she remembers being unwilling... ]

Yeah. [ A firm nod.

Aaand she picks up a little plate from the table, looking at all the tasty-looking foods. She starts with some small pastries and a floral tea that smells so, so good. ]

[trustheart]

Yeah, I'm a god. I didn't really have a say, I just... woke up here a few weeks ago.

[Chris picks up a plate and starts to do the same, making a sandwich, just as she said before.]

[timeforpink]

[ Sipping her tea, Jen hums thoughtfully. ]

I guess I didn't have a choice in where I went when I died either. Assuming there are even other options.

[ The existence of gods and heaven is kind of a moot point here, given... well. Where they are. ]

[trustheart]

You'd think there'd be the implication of an underworld at least, but... yeah.

[Chris finishes making her snack, and moves to sit down.]

You're taking this pretty well, at least.

[timeforpink]

Maybe there's something in the library.

[ She makes a mental note to visit there at some point.

Chris's next comment surprises her a little. ]

So not everyone does? For me it's just... I have a purpose. I get to help people. No matter who I used to be, this is who I am now. That's a good thing, in my book.

[trustheart]

If there is, I didn't see any of it when I was there last. But then, I wasn't really looking for it.

[She shrugged.]

I've met some people who seemed troubled by it, yeah... And. I dunno. If it were me, I can't imagine I wouldn't be upset with not remembering anything.

[timeforpink]

[ Just thinking about what used to be there, the memories of her life, makes Jen feel a little queasy. She shakes her head and focuses on the tea, taking a tiny sip. Better, much better. This is all that matters. ]

I can spent my afterlife being upset that I don't remember my old life, or I can focus on the good I can do as a shinki in the hands of a capable god. It's not a hard choice when I look at it like that.

[ She can't let the past or lack thereof hold her back. On top of just not wanting to wonder because it's terrifying, it seems like a waste of time to bother. ]

It's not like we don't have enough to do here, right?

[trustheart]

... Well, I suppose if that's how you make peace with it, it's not my place to criticize. I just don't think I'd be able to do the same.

[Chris takes a bite out of her sandwhich, before speaking with her mouth full, crumbs falling past her lips.]

So, do you have a god you're working with yet, or not?

[timeforpink]

I guess so. Everyone's different.

[ At least like this, she can help people who need support. New shinki, old shinki... she's glad. Knowing she can be depended on makes her feel proud, good. ]

Yeah. Nyx, Noctis Lucis Caelum. [ They only just met. ] He's good with a sword. I think we'll get along.

[trustheart]

Ah... I think I've talked to him on the network once. Good luck with him.

[She chewed on her food for a while, before continuing.]

If you ever need any help, or anything... look up the goddess Ishtar. I'd be happy to offer my assistance to you both.

[timeforpink]

Should I be worried...?

[ Jen makes note of the name Ishtar. Chris has been friendly so far, keeping the pace with relaxed banter. Jen will reach out if she feels the need to, for sure. ]

[trustheart]

Huh? No, I meant that seriously. He doesn't seem like he'd be a problem for anyone.

tfw tone is lost through text, well done me

[timeforpink]

Oh—got it. Thanks.

[ That's a relief. ]

I should get going. I wanna get to know the temple better.

[ Goodness forbid she be a sleepwalker and wind up somewhere she shouldn't, like... who knows, a bush of thorns. Ouch. ]

[trustheart]

Ah... well, okay then. Take care, alright?

[timeforpink]

I will.

[ Jen gives Chris a smile and heads off. ]