January Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: March 24th, 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 (God or Shinki), the name of the god they will represent (Gods) or the god they will serve (Shinki), and directions to the temple that will be their new home, regardless of role. During these initial meetings for Gods, paper and pens are provided as an unsubtle suggestion to take notes on the information they're given. For Shinki, there are stacks of informational pamphlets sitting out on a table inside the room, and which new shinki are offered as they are leaving the Meeting Hall.

Gods and Shinki alike are cordially invited to a training session beginning in early afternoon - several hours later - after they've had the chance to return to their homes, meet their new partners, and have their questions answered.

This time, it is implied that the Training Session will have a different purpose, so it is highly encouraged for ALL new gods and shinki to attend, no matter how long they have been in the Far Shore.



Divine Service

New gods are assigned a time to meet with an attendant in white robes with a chrysanthemum on their robes bearing a notepad. Gods can request a changed time slot, but they are not given an option to avoid the appointment entirely. Unless they are bullied into allowing multiple gods in one interview session, they insist on one god per time slot. All meetings take place in private rooms similar to those for New God and New Shinki meetings.

The interview consists of questioning the God's commitment to serving the needs of their followers, the Far Shore, and in turn Amaterasu herself. There is the matter of "A God's Actions Are Always Just" and The Gods' Greatest Secret as well, to see if the God believes these are true and important. Do they espouse these opinions to other Gods? Will they respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore? (If prodded, the attendant will admit that they are in fact an Old God, despite wearing clothing similar to Amaterasu's shinki. They will claim it an honor to do a favor for Amaterasu during her preparations.)

The second round of questions are about their shinki. What vessel forms do they take, in order starting with Exemplar? How do you use them in combat? What sort of opponents have you faced with your shinki in vessel form - human, ayakashi, or other? Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead? For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together?

They insist that all questions are answered. Afterwards, the God is dismissed.

(An OOC breakdown for you characters IC answers to the God Interview...)
On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being low and 10 being high, what is your commitment to serving the needs of...<blockquote><b>1. Your followers?</b> ## <b>2. The Far Shore?</b> ## <b>3. Amaterasu herself?</b> ##</blockquote><b>4. Do you believe that A God's Actions Are Always Just?</b> ... <b>5. Do you protect The Gods' Greatest Secret?</b> ... <b>6. Do other Gods know your opinions on the above matters?</b> ... <b>7. Will you respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore?</b> ... <b>8. What vessel forms do your shinki take, in order starting with Exemplar?</b> ... <b>9. How do you use them in combat?</b> ... <b>10. What sort of opponents have you faced <i>with your shinki in vessel form</i> - human, ayakashi, or other?</b> ... <b>11. Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead?</b> ... <b>12. For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together?</b> ...

Tempering the Vessel

Shinki are assigned time slots to meet with the white-robed shinki as well. While their sessions are shorter, the conversations are similar, and likewise held in private meeting rooms.

What is your vessel form? How many battles have you been in while in vessel form and what were your opponents? Do you have any opponents you would resist fighting alongside your God and fellow temple shinki? What have you done to increase your resilience while in vessel form? If you have other shinki at your temple, how often have you fought alongside them in vessel form? What spells do you know? Do you have any plans to further that training?

The shinki are then dismissed after all questions are answered.

(An OOC breakdown for you characters IC answers to the Shinki Interview...)
<b>1. What is your vessel form?</b> ... <b>2. How many battles have you been in <i>while in vessel form</i> and what were your opponents?</b> ... <b>3. Do you have any opponents you would resist fighting alongside your God and fellow temple shinki?</b> ... <b>4. What have you done to increase your resilience while in vessel form?</b> ... <b>5. If you have other shinki at your temple, how often have you fought alongside them in vessel form?</b> ... <b>6. What spells do you know?</b> ... <b>7. Do you have any plans to further that training?</b> ...

Shinki Training

A well-appointed dojo has been prepared for newcomers to practice their physical or magical arts. There are five or six white-robed shinki present, who will willingly answer any questions or instruct newcomers in the use of the borderline. They accompany their answers, or their lessons, with an explanation of what is expected of a shinki and the importance of teamwork with other shinki and with gods.

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. (Shinki characters who are interested in learning more about the borderlines or want to learn new shinki spells or songs may approach any of the training shinki for advice or instruction. Please remember to comment on the Shinki Spells page when your character begins to learn a new spell, excluding the borderline.)

Physical Training

While each month the Far Shore attendants try to adapt the physical training to the Near Shore's weather and holidays, the weather is fair and any festive impulses have been subdued. This time, Physical Training encourages pitting a God with one or all of their Shinki against another God with one or all of their Shinki. This is touted as a benefit to the Shinki, so the white-robed shinki make clear that certain Shinki need this training more than others. For example, the ones who answered their Interview questions saying they hadn't spent much time in their vessel form, or fought in many battles, or hadn't fought with their fellow Shinki much - if at all.

There are Old Gods (NPCs - not run by a mod) who can be targeted as opponents, allowing the temple residents to gel as one fighting unit. (OOC: So that your multi-person thread can be limited to as few players as possible, if you choose.)

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. Moreso than other Training Sessions, there is a wide array of international alcoholic options this time. If you've heard of it and you can get drunk by imbibing it, it's probably here in a bottle or glass. Guests can help themselves, settle in, chat, and make new friends.

The Old Gods in particular will begin to regale the crowd at the end of the afternoon with War Stories from the ages past, speaking of their great deeds they performed as prayers for their followers, miracles to convert the unbelieving, powerful ayakashi they fought, and other amazing feats, especially if they involved a shinki at their side - who it was and the form they took. After many Old Gods have spoken, they turn to the New Gods as if in challenge to tell better stories, mocking words exchanged that imply the New Gods could not possibly have done anything so impressive in their short time in the Far Shore.

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
• Answer Interview Questions
• Tell the truth - if you dare - or lie through your teeth... if you dare
• Tell War Stories
• Have fun~

Comments

[kokuyoyo]

A - Training

Chikusa, even for those who don't know him, is a fairly regular sight at these gatherings, with his height and everchanging beanie selection making him stand out a little bit. (Among the human residents, at least.) Sometimes, he's an active participant, and harasses new shinki with borderlines to get them used to the attack. Others, he just sits around and watches while waiting for the free food to come out. Either way, he's a constant, and has been ever since these gatherings started.

Today, however.... The teenager is notably absent, not even seen slumping into or out of the interview room for the appointment he's supposed to be attending.

What is around is a peculiar sight: that of a large snowy white owl with brilliant blue eyes and what appears to be a collar wrapped around its throat. Those with good eye sight or who get close enough will be able to tell that the collar has a small video camera attached, and you can bet it's rolling. Anyone a little more familiar with Chikusa might realize that bird is a companion of his, amongst the rest of the small zoo that is apparently hosted at Temple Lie Tieguai. His name is Mukurou- a joke of a name mixing the words for "owl" and "corpse"- and boy does he get around.

Those who are dutifully (to some degree) going to their interviews might find the owl perched high up, staring down at them with avian apathy. He doesn't watch after everyone, being a busy bird with places to be, but gods and shinki alike might spot him.

Shinki who are practicing their borderlines and physical combat are also due to see the pale bird, balancing on weapon racks or lingering near those who are new to magic at all. He has no shame in curiously approaching anyone, hopping along the floor... and equally no shame in pecking at the sole watcher shinki's ankles, which has him being chased off. He inevitably finds his way back in, however.

Yet it's the combat between gods and their shinki against others of the same that really seems to have his attention. For those who are watching, they'll find the owl perched nearby with a gaze just as attentive. A few 'lucky' people might even have the bird shamelessly fluttering down to land on their shoulders. At least he's not the hugest of owls.

Yet no matter where he is... the owl always seems to be in sight distance of one Ken Joshima, who's also attending the training event today, and makes sure to leave once it seems like the blond is on the move.

B - Food

The real reason any shitteen, or their animal companions, attend a gathering hosted by Heaven? Free food. Continuing the habit of possessing negative shame, Mukurou flutters onto tables to peruse what's available to him... which is literally anything on display, no matter if a plate is in front of someone else.

Should someone stop this bird before he makes his way over to the tables for the old gods...?

B

[hypomeneo]

[No, not at all. Waver's busy trying to keep Iskandar from trouble, so rock on bird friend! You're helping a pal out!

Or at least providing a distraction that Waver can use. Thanks!]

[kokuyoyo]

[Cool, cool, thanks, Waver, for doing nothing. No, really. While one of the old gods is boasting, keeping the attention of his shinki, Mukurou surveys the small amount of height from floor to table. Really, it's fortunate for all douchebag small animals that traditional Japanese furniture lends towards being low. It takes only the slightest of flapping to get up onto it, the sound of which is hidden by the loudness of boasting.]

[He manages to eat someone's mochi, wrap a claw around a stick of dango, and is in the process of sticking his face into someone's sake glass when he's finally caught, and the table briefly erupts into an uproar as they try to catch it or chase it away. There doesn't appear to be an unified plan on which, honestly.]

[However, Mukurou has dealt with a lot worse than this, even before becoming Chikusa's. As soon as he's spotted, he immediately takes off, still with the dango and now with the glass of sake in his beak. And where he lands?]

[At Waver's table. Of course. Hey, buddy, guess who has dango and sake and is giving the mistaken impression of who he belongs to?]

[hypomeneo]

[THE B+ LUCK STAT IS A LIE.

... Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, Iskandar, Satya. We have company.

Waver tilts his head as he takes in the video camera around Mukurou's neck, even as his mana reserves churn as it continues to purify Dark Precure's energy. Mukurou, my dear bird, have you ever mana drained someone (or rather their attacks) and had your lunch sit wrong? Yeah. It's the worst.

But you're pretty. And... packing?]

Hey. Who does the bird belong to?

[...

That's when Waver hears it. Outrage.

... Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey, Iskandar, Satya. We have company.

Waver frowns as the offended party (ies?) storm towards him and everyone else currently present at the table. Oh lovely. Does this mean he gets his wish?]

My pardon, is this your pet?

[towards_okeanos]

[Iskandar has seen many strange things in his life but a bird with a glass of sake is new.
Apparently, the thieving bird has caused enough of a commotion on the other side of the room and now there are three guys - some minor old gods from the look of them, never seen them before - after it clearly interested in getting their justice.

From a bird...
For stealing a glass of sake...
As if there weren't a whole lot more of it around.

Not his bird but now Iskandar is amused and they don't look very threatening. Too short for that.]

And what if it is?

[Hello, birdie. Know any other party tricks? That camera of yours look pretty interesting.]

[kokuyoyo]

[Everyone is very welcome for this fun new unique life experience. Mukurou will take payment in the form of staying right where he is. Perhaps other, regular animals would be stiff and alarmed, threatening, at all the ruckus coming right towards them. Mukurou, however, is very clearly not a regular animal. His reaction makes this even more obvious than it was, as he puts down the sake bottle and raises up his claw so that he can tear off a bit of dango with his beak. All the while, his stare remains perfectly unimpressed with the crowd that is after him.]

[But birds aren't very expressive creatures. Maybe that's just a problem with his face.]

[Still, things are going in a much different direction than the bird apparently thought. Thus, he has no issue with shamelessly shuffling a little bit more in Iskandar's direction.]

[This is totally fine, right]

[hypomeneo]

[Totally fine...

Meanwhile Waver just stares at Mukurou with wide eyes as Discerning Eye begins to break down what he's seeing and his Caster senses are pinged. That's sure one weird... magical mana bird?!? No, really, the mana signature is very unique and the way the bird is constructed is... strange. He's having a lot of trouble breaking down this magic. Maybe with more time? But look there, there's an out of place snarl in the construction. Weird again. Should that be there? Looks like different... linked in code... almost.

But it's very cute in its own way as it pisses off the old gods by not giving a fuck as it mocks them by eating the spoils of war in front of them, and shuffling towards Iskandar as if for pets. Waver has conflicted feelings about this. One they need no trouble, two rock on bird friend, rock on, and continue giving those gods the middle finger and Waver should reward the bird for this, and three, if there is a fight, how does he make those old gods choke on their own actions?]

Your little thief has taken what doesn't belong to him!

[To Waver now after that initial comment was directed at Iskandar. Because of course this is Waver's fault. Not Iskandar's.]

You! You! Why weren't you watching the little vermin for your God?

[Uh huh. They're drunk and Waver's fan begins to flit in a more dangerous fashion because he knows where this leads. Demanding compensation out of Waver's hide. Because it's always the shinki's fault. It's always the shinki that has to pay in these kind of systems.

And if his mood was fire and blood before...]

My lords, I serve my master in the ways he sees fit. If this has offended, my deepest apologies.

[It's very diplomatically and respectfully spoken, in the politest of tones. But it's a clear FUCK YOU nonetheless.]

[towards_okeanos]

[That's some nasty smile you've got there Iskandar.]

Gentlemen.

[Iskandar doesn't even bother to look at them as he speaks. He seems more concerned with his wine glass being empty.]

I did not say the bird was mine. I merely asked a question: what would you do if it was?

[He pauses putting his glass on the table. Obviously, the bird is not his. Whoever had sent it here is probably having some quality popcorn time right now.]

But now you are assaulting my shinki. In my presence. What am I supposed to make of it? Because, you know, [Another pause] we can always take it outside. [He looks up.] If there is something you wish to discuss. I bet the training grounds are pretty empty at this hour.

[Three, drunk court officials versus one, uncharacteristically sober, ancient warrior.]

almost missed this whups

[kokuyoyo]

[Mukurou is not getting pets, which is a clear travesty here. However, he does seem to be getting a show instead, and he snaps his head back to down a whole dumpling, which is no problem at all for an animal that should be eating small rodents. He's very clearly enjoying himself, feathers lazily fluffy while he eats.]

[If its owner has popcorn, it's a debate. The owl, at least, definitely has booze and snacks... minus one, as it finishes off its dango and picks the stick up in its beak only to toss it carelessly across the table towards the gods that it's offended.]

[Deescalation is definitely advised, but it's not coming from the bird.]

[hypomeneo]

[Now the drunk gods are puffing up in offense. Further offense. Bad Life Decisions are definitely right around the corner here as the stick is tossed and steam seems to whistle from their ears. Or that's one of the other gods in the room passing by with their retinue and glancing at this entire... mess.

Nope, don't want to get involved in that. But in way the woman looks at Iskandar is one of... pity. Like she doesn't believe he's going to measure up against three drunk court officials, fellow God or not, God of war or not. Old gods for a reason, you know? Maybe in a few centuries.

She might have missed that big ol' Servant fight where everyone lost their chill at least once. She completely ignores Waver, skipping over his presence like he's another ornament in the room like that lovely scroll hanging on the wall. Because you are, dear. Just a pretty thing. And then she's gone.]

Hoooooh? You seem so sure of yourself. Does our appearance fool you that much? Do you think we're weak?

[One of the old gods puts a restraining hand on that one.]

Funny how you seem to be claiming it anyway. Unless you enjoy having it disgrace your table. This place seems just fine for a... discussion. [Nasty smile meets nasty smile.] Unless such a friendly talk about responsibility is beyond you.

[Go on Iskandar. Start shit in front of the entire room with all its gods and shinki. They dare you.

This is the moment where Waver's hand falls on Iskandar's knee in warning and he hisses softly No.]

As for your shinki, what assault do you mean? We merely asked why he wasn't doing his duty. Such is the right of any God here.

A

[unlucky7]

There's an owl Ginia's seen before. She looks at the bird as it lands on her shoulder, a fight happening inside the ring between two old gods. It's interesting, a bit showy, as if they're trying to entice someone of the new generation to fight them. The camera is also hard to miss.

Ginia pulls out her phone and types up a message, holding it out in front of the camera.

Interviews with Ammy's shinki. Questions about our fighting capabilities, experience, and the spells we know. Training is geared toward sparring with gods and their shinki.

[kokuyoyo]

The camera would be hard to miss, considering it's right besides her face. Even a tiny camera for small animals is kind of obnoxious at that level of closeness. At least Mukurou seems to be obedient and clever enough for right now; perhaps he's used to this kind of thing even before he was Chikusa's. When Ginia adjusts her phone, Mukurou adjusts himself in turn so that the camera has a good view with minimum feather coverage.

After a couple of minutes, Ginia's phone beeps with a new message.

sounds like a waste of time

[unlucky7]

Ginia looks at the message, the corner of her mouth twitching into a smirk. Precisely, but it's also the waste of time with dangerous implications. Mostly, she feels bad for the new arrivals. What a mess to get caught up in.

Still probably better than exploding corpses on the first day.

Wouldn't be surprised if there's an attack order soon.
Good chance to learn more about the old gods though.
Hey if I pet your owl is he going to bite me?

[kokuyoyo]

At least, it's immediately better than exploding corpses on the first day. Chikusa wonders what it will drag out to be, which he suspects will be considerably more of a pain in the ass than the corpses turned out to be. And the corpses smell pretty damn horrible.

he might he's kind of a prick

From her shoulder, Mukurou makes a sound that arguably belongs more in a rubber squeak toy of some sort than a creature of flesh and bone. Or, well. Something like that, anyway.

Chikusa's next text follow up quick enough.

has anyone outright refused to go along with it yet?

After all, it's pretty apparent that Chikusa isn't going to be showing up today. Not only would he be against going along with it from the start, but he has Hakkai to watch over. Ken will have his own report to give, but Ginia is attentive in a different way, and with a better memory for fine details. It'll be good to get answers from her.

[unlucky7]

Ginia reaches out and strokes Mukurou on the head with a finger, getting two light pets in before the owl snaps at her. Her fingers jerk away in time. Urge to pet animals sated. Back to business.

Not sure. Didn't see them dragging anyone in kicking and screaming.
I stalled for about half an hour to see what they'd do. Once you're in, they really won't let you leave unless you answer or make a big enough scene. Might have dragged it out longer if I didn't have better things to do.
7 questions.
Vessel form, how many battles you've fought in vessel form and what you fought.
Opponents you and/or your temple would resist fighting.
What you've done to increase resilience in vessel form. (Haven't heard anything about this before.)
Other shinki at temple, if you've fought with them.
Spells you know and plans to further training.

[kokuyoyo]

resilience is definitely new. i wonder what i could get out of sabimei if i asked him about it.

After all, the magician is the only elder shinki Chikusa really knows, and the one who seems to have the best idea on what shinki are capable of. Or.... Well... Wait, hold on-

Another message a moment later.

actually i might not get to ask questions now since i visited him to punch him in the face

Chikusa is pretty sure he earned it whether he's truly to be blamed or not, so, frankly, whatever. He suspects he might have to apologize if he wants to even be on speaking terms with the older shinki anymore. In the meanwhile, Mukuro adjusts his position on Ginia's shoulder to better record the fight currently going on.

[unlucky7]

Ginia's sudden snort of laughter might disturb Mukuro a little. Or perhaps that's why he's adjusting. Either way, Ginia shakes her head as she reads the message. Deserved or not, it's an amusing image.

Damn. What did he do?

Because gossip is delicious and she's pretty sure her temple would get a kick out of knowing. Huh, maybe she should see if he's around to see how he looks.

I know some people to ask about resilience. I'll let you know what they say.

[kokuyoyo]

It takes a few minutes for Chikusa to apparently decide to answer that question, which means Ginia will have to deal with an owl just taking up space on her shoulder. At least he keeps the biting to a minimum, so long as Ginia herself doesn't move much.

Eventually -

he encouraged me to take a cursed charm home and stuff happened

A

[junkyarddog]

Ken doesn't miss that Mukurou's trailing him around; he's oblivious to a number of things, but not to personal awareness; not to being watched. Eventually, after his interview - which Mukurou no doubt observes closely - he makes his way directly over to the owl, somewhere between grumpy and pensive. If Mukurou tries to keep his distance, Ken will just keep doggedly pursuing until the owl gives up and lets him come near - at which point Ken crouches down near him, eyeing the bird.

"Did Kakipi tell you to follow me around, byon?" It's hard to tell if Ken thinks the owl might actually answer, or if he's just wondering aloud.

[kokuyoyo]

Fortunately, there's no need to chase after him too much. Once Ken shows an interest in him and Mukurou has had a moment to peer over the blond with clear caution, the owl allows himself to be reached easily enough. Oh, not that he hops down to Ken or anything. Whatever Mukurou's past, he seems to have inherited an almost haughty demeanor as he settles himself on a low surface.

(Whether this is Glo Xinia's own arrogance still carrying through, or the actual Mukuro's pride, or even some of Chikusa's laziness... It's impossible to say and, ultimately in the end, irrelevant. Mukurou the owl can't tell them anything on the matter, after all.)

Mukurou has plenty of talents, arguably, but speech isn't one of them. All he does is lean forward, nipping at one of Ken's fingers if he can reach it. It's not enough to draw blood. Is that a fond gesture or not? Yet another mystery.

[junkyarddog]

Ken huffs at the owl's nip, but does nothing to discourage it or even pull away; considering what an owl beak can do, it's very gentle. That part definitely isn't from Glo; either the Mukuro or Chikusa influence on the owl no doubt keep it from wanting to do any serious damage to Ken. And it's more than intelligent enough to self-modulate its bites.

"Is Kakipi watching, byon?" Ken stretches out a finger to tap the camera around the owl's neck. "He should've installed a speaker so he could talk back." Because yeah, Ken, a lazy shitteen like Chikusa definitely knows how to fit a two-way speaker onto an owl. That he even managed a portable camera is impressive.

But, of course, Ken's dumb, so he doesn't even know what expectations are feasible or not. To Ken, Chikusa's able to do almost anything short of fly.

[kokuyoyo]

Frankly, the camera was the least troublesome part. As it turns out, there's a blossoming market for people who want to put video cameras on their pets. Usually it's for cats or dogs, and not owls, but it hadn't been that difficult to make some minor adjustments. Chikusa is glad to say he can do that much.

However, speakers had definitely been out of the equation, and Mukurou huffs a little more as if he knows it. (He probably does.) Leaning forward, he tries to shove his head and beak into Ken's pockets. Does he even have his phone right now? Time to find out.

[junkyarddog]

Ken does, in fact, have his phone, at least for the moment. Possibly Chikusa rescued it from Pookie and shoved it on Ken - maybe even foreseeing this eventuality for today. Possibly the cats left it lying around(they would need to leave it to charge occasionally), and either Hakkai put it in their room after finding it or Ken found it himself and absently scooped it up. Ken paid little enough attention, but needless to say, Ken didn't have it on him with the intention of using it today. But here it is, and Mukuro can dig it out with only minor wordless, grumbled complaints from Ken. Ken even shifts so that Mukuro has better access to his pocket, because he rightly gathers that the bird is acting with a specific purpose and he wants to see what it is.

When the phone's out, Ken blinks at it. "You want me to call Kakipi...?" He says this a little dubiously, but picks up his phone and prods at it. It takes a minute or so of solid experimentation and poking through menus before he finds something labeled 'Chikusa' and pushes it. And, blessedly, the phone dials the number that Chikusa almost definitely programmed in, because Ken never bothered to memorize it.

He holds the phone up to his ear. "Kakipi?"

[kokuyoyo]

"Hey..." Sure enough, there's Chikusa's voice, drifting lazily through the phone. Frankly, it is a miracle that Ken's phone stayed in his pocket long enough for it to eventually get used. Chikusa didn't think he would ever actually use it, if he's honest.

"Those people... didn't give you too much trouble, did they?"

[junkyarddog]

"They were annoying, byon!" Ken's voice is strident in his righteous aggravation. "They asked a whole bunch of stupid questions...but I didn't tell 'em anything. I said they could ask Hakkai-sama. Hakkai-sama'll know what to say to 'em if they do."

The implication, of course, is that Ken didn't know what to say to them - or didn't think he did. Ken is probably correct on both counts there. He knows his limits.