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

[beyondtheblade]

You seem to know my name... well, before arriving here. They claim I am Susanoo.

[That still feels weird on her tongue. She observes her for a moment, but what comes out next feels instinctive:] I'm afraid I already have an agency.

[A beat, and she frowns.]

Hrm. I suppose that does not help me in this world, does it?

[priforprince]

Susanoo...

[ A god. She's a god. Hibiki digests that, then incorporates it into her smooth smile. One blessed with as much talent as Kazanari Tsubasa was never made to serve instead of reign. ]

Splendid! An assignment perfectly suited to you. The Far Shore improves already.

[ can anything but a mighty revolution be at hand with such portents ]

[beyondtheblade]

[Perfectly suited, huh?]

Is it now...

[She muses idly for a moment, there.]

I appreciate that, though I am curious. You speak of running a talent agency, is that in the world you hail from?

[A god running a talent agency does sound a bit odd, but then so does an idol who battles monsters in power armor.]

itt: i'll take "no really, what IS friendship, alex" for 500

[priforprince]

Of course, I stand at the pinnacle of entertainment there, as well.

[ Of course. There is no need to brag here, we simply state a fact. ]

But CelePara Talent Agency operates out of the Far Shore. Our overwhelmingly splendid shows seek to raise the caliber of radiance in this puniverse.

[ A pause, as if considering something. But of course, there's no need to consider this, at all. ]

Unfortunately, we're one member short.

[ How dare Hime leave. It made Hibiki feel weird for like half a whole day. HALF A WHOLE DAY.

She spent it sitting in her chair holding her own hand and staring at the black king on her chessboard, and she isn't even sure why.... ]

[beyondtheblade]

[THAT makes Tsubasa actually perk up, visibly. Having this duty thrust upon her was bad enough, and she had wondered if she would just not be able to think about her singing the whole while...]

That's... a surprise. Gods can do that sort of thing?

[It's news to her, but a lot of this is. Gears in her head start clicking.] I ... would not wish to make commitments immediately, given I just arrived, but... Hm.

I would guess that if you know my name, you at least know I am a performer myself, I hope.

[She's not even going to dwell on the word "puniverse." Did she mispronounce? Or is it a verbal tic? Well, she's hung around Kirika enough to not be put off by that.]

[priforprince]

I know you possess the ultimate talent. Like the nightingale that sings on the eve of battle, staking everything into your song.

[ Even if your puniverse doesn't much resemble Mad Max: Pury Road after all. Realizing her initial impressions of Maria's puniverse were erroneous had been a blow, but she is dealing. She always deals, you see. Unless something is COMPLETELY intolerable, in which case she declares a revolution against it.

In any case, she kneels, reaches for Tsubasa's hand to kiss it. She can do this, for those she respects. ]

I desire you.

[ Yes, that's the right phrasing. Totally.

It's all right if Tsubasa can't say yes today, but Hibiki wants to be upfront about just how important it is that she join. Why, what other reason could there be for this timing other than the Far Shore delivering her the last piece needed for revolution?

Indeed! There can be no other! ]

[beyondtheblade]

[Well, that's certainly not an inaccurate assessment to a degree, even if even MORE flowery than Tsubasa would consider and--

What is she doing.

Why is she grabbing her hand.

Wh- ah.

Hm.]

...

[Headtilt.

Is she supposed to offer an autograph?]

I will certainly consider it.

[She seems nonplussed by the handkiss, at least.

She's been in Europe! She's seen foreign television!

Still she'll gingerly pull her hand back after a moment. It's saying something for Tsubasa that even she's not quite sure how to take that.]

But perhaps it is something better saved for a later day, I have just arrived in this strange place, and... I will definitely have to do some investigating of what everything here is about.

[priforprince]

But of course.

[ She can wait. Forever. Or until March the twenty-sixth. Whichever comes first.

Hibiki matches Tsubasa's insecurity with the situation by being smoother than really should be humanly possible. And this has nothing to do with being a god! She is always like this. Always.

Anyone asserting otherwise will be correct, but banished from her presence. ]

If an escort is required in the meantime, I'm at your service.

[beyondtheblade]

[It probably says something if Hibiki's... Hibikiness penetrates Tsubasa's dense head enough to note she does find her just a little odd.

Not necessarily in a bad way. Again, she's friends with people like Kirika.

She knows strange people.]

I don't know much about an escort, [what was with that phrasing] I think I can manage fine myself more or less. [Certainly, she doesn't feel like she's in any danger she can't rectify enough for survival.] But the thought is appreciated, and I will get back with you once I have a better... idea of what is going on here.

ego, as far as the eye can see

[priforprince]

[ A lone songstress, wending her way through unfamiliar terrain, alone but with her head held high. Hibiki nods, bows a little. ] I'm looking forward to your reply.

[ Because it's going to be "yes".

She cannot conceive of any other outcome. ]

ego maybe, but she's not WRONG, probably

[beyondtheblade]

[Tsubasa gives a short laugh.

She was certainly flamboyant, but it feels like nothing she can't deal with in the long run.]

Of course, I'll try not to leave you waiting too long.

[Because really, this may have simply fallen into her lap, but if she's going to be stuck here, she's not just going to leave the music she loves behind, either.]

hibiki speaks fluent Metaphor so she might be a good pal for tsubasa

[priforprince]

Au revoir, my Queen.

[ MAY THEY MEET AT THE GATES

OF REVOLUTION! ]

hey, they both need people who speak Metaphor

[beyondtheblade]

[Even for as used to praise from adoring public as Tsubasa is, Hibiki not letting up on that in the slightest is enough for even Tsubasa's dense little head to react, eventually.

She smiles, actually, a bit nervously for once.]

Ah, of course... thank you, once again.

[She gives a small bow before turning to go on her way.

Really, it's not like she has any better options, and ...

Well.

Hibiki just seems a little odd. That's all! She can deal with a little odd.]

like the ocean waves long for the shore

[priforprince]

[ Meanwhile, behind her, Hibiki turns to go on her own way, but now inside her head there's a nonstop loop of this and the world suddenly looks unspeakably beautiful.

Pure....amore love.....!! ]