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

NPC REQUEST

[godsoffortune]

Comment here if you would like to thread with an NPC shinki or have any questions about handwaving an interaction with one of them!

GODS' INTERVIEW ANSWERS

[godsoffortune]

SHINKI INTERVIEW ANSWERS

[godsoffortune]

OTA

[medicinemaster]

A. Divine Service

[It is all very confusing and deeply upsetting to Yaone. One moment she had been on the road with Dokugakuji and three members of the Sanzo party as they searched for the lost members of their group and the next, she was simply somewhere else that she did not recognize, alone. Her mind had been weighed down heavily with troubles concerning her lord and whether or not she and Dokugakuji would be able to return him to himself.

Under normal circumstances, Yaone might have able to muster up more of a calm, agreeable facade to fool a stranger into thinking she wasn't upset or disturbed by what was happening but instead she'd sat silently through the white-robed shinki's lecture about gods, shinki, and her new role here as He Xiangu, unable to feign even the slightest bit of caring in what they were telling her to do. The pencil and paper was an unsubtle message and Yaone's response was equally unsubtle - she didn't touch them even once.

At that point, the white-robed lecturer, perhaps frustrated by Yaone's continued disinterest in anything he had to say, excused himself with a promise to come back for an interview before stepping out of the small room. To her credit, Yaone waited for a little while before bolting from the room out into the hallway beyond. In her haste to leave, she wasn't really watching where she was going and collides head on with another of Amaterasu's people.

Anyone rounding the corner just then might stumble across a rather ominous scene - a white-robed shinki seemingly reaching for the wrist of a strangely dressed but beautiful young woman with pointed ears and long black hair pulled back into a split ponytail. To most residents of the Far Shore, she's a new arrival but to a handful from her own world, she's a very familiar face. And right now, that face is clearly distraught as she attempts to get away.]

Please let me go. I cannot help you. There is someone I must find.

[If she's here, surely that means those she'd been travelling with must be here as well. Or at the very least, Dokugakuji. He would not leave her behind, not unless their lord needed him more. Of that much, Yaone is certain.]

B. Physical Training

[This might be Yaone's first day in the Heavens but she's already suspicious of them. That they would apply such pressure to a newcomer and immediately make inquiries into her allegiances doesn't sit well with her. She's done enough information gathering for her lord to have developed some reconnaissance instincts of her own, even if it's not exactly her specialization. Between that interview and this exercise, it almost seems as if they're scouting or recruiting for an armed conflict.

Without a shinki, Yaone can't participate so instead she observes from the sidelines, her expression darkened and thoughtful. After a while, she heads over to inspect the polearms section of the weapon racks, looking through them rather intently as she searches for something specific. Apparently not finding what she's looking for, Yaone calls out softly to a passerby.]

Um. Please excuse me but would you happen to know where the short spears are kept?

C. Rest and Refreshment

[It is imperative that Yaone understand more about about the factions and apparent confict she has found herself dropped into the middle of. The presence of so many alcoholic beverages being served does not go unnoticed nor does the implication of why that might be go unnoticed. After all that Yaone has seen and experienced on her first day, she's come to the conclusion that this reported training session is not what it seems and the primary goal of all of this is to scout for information on those in attendance.

Is this Amaterasu figure spying on an opposing faction? Is there a hidden faction spying on her and her people? Her lack of knowledge and experience with this place are unsettling, enough that Yaone immediately goes about doing a little information gathering of her own.

Yaone sits on a cushion at one of the tables, listening rather curiously to one of the old gods ramble on about what she assumes is his glory days. From afar, Yaone seems relatively at ease but if one pays close enough attention, they might notice that she isn't eating or drinking anything that's put down in front of her.

That doesn't appear to be dissuade her present company, however, who keeps trying to nudge a cup of sake toward her. After a couple of attempts of this, Yaone finally makes a move to leave the table.]

I apologize but I must leave now. Please enjoy the rest of your day and I shall speak with you again once I am settled.

[Yaone bows deeply to the old gods, continuing to retreat as she does so. When she stops and straightens up, it's directly in someone else's path.]

D. Wildcard

A

[rockthemonkey]

[ Goku still isn't eager to leave Hakkai's side. Who knows what might happen while he sleeps? But Chikusa is watching him now and Goku trusts him. One of them should be at the Meeting Hall, with everything that's going on these days.

Besides, if people are going to turn up anywhere, it's here. And Goku's list of missing persons keeps growing the longer he's in this world. He needs to be here. Still, it's not the familiar face that catches his attention in the hall- it's the distraught person being dragged off by one of the white-robed shinki. ]

Hey- hey, let her go! [ With everything that's happened lately, Goku is absolutely ready to throw down with one of these guys if they're hassling some poor lady. He quickly pushes himself between her and the shinki. ] What're you-

[Wait. Goku pauses, blinks, and then looks back over his shoulder.] ... Yaone?

One closed prompt, otherwise OTA!

[disciprined]

[Sorry, Hibiki. Your hard-won priace is about to be shattered once more. Do you detect a pristurbance in the Force?]

i. closed to nia


[The last thing Mirei knew, she had been seeing off the guest of honor at The Most Embarrassing Birthday-Stroke-Farewell-Party In the World, if she did say so herself. It had been a good day, even a productive one, but tiring for all that, and she had been looking forward to a good night's sleep. What she had got was the Far Shore, a lecture about the appropriate behavior for a brand new deity, and half a headful of uncomfortable memories that simply didn't seem to want to play nicely with the ones she already had, or settle down into any kind of logical order. It's simply unseempri is what it is.

[She takes diligent note of everything she's told, and tries to put her finger on what it is about her reception today that feels so different from before.

[It doesn't help that, for all Mirei's temple is the same and she's been assigned to fill the role of the same deity, there's a certain something in the air that's starting to worry her. It's as if she, unaccountably, had missed several weeks of school, and walked onto campus in the middle of Principal Ookanda's crackdown on PriPara attendance. There's the same charged feeling in the air, the same electric edge of tension: she feels the loss of Laala painfullpri keenpri. Something's changed, and it bothers her more than she could ever have imagined that she doesn't know what it is. Her calculations, usually so precise, will be thrown off completely until she can control for it - and how can she do that, when she has no idea what the trouble is?]

[All the while, she can feel the tug of connection between a god and their shinki. At least she will be able to do this much in private. So she sits in a chair in her own private Prism Stone, her chin in her hands, and she waits for - for what? For whoever's life she has been handed this time to walk through the door.

[Until then, Mirei will sit quietly. She can always use this time to think.]


ii. physical training


[There's the same feeling in the air at training, a strained formality that simply hadn't been present before. The Old Gods making their presence felt like some kind of supernatural student council. Previously, information and training sessions had the feeling of cultural festival: aimed to impress, but ultimately still entertaining. This feels like exam season went critical. What happened here?

[Mirei knows how to smile through a meeting with an authority figure: the interview does not worry her, though the questions seemed pointed, even probing, and she has good reason to worry about the grade. From the meeting it's straight to the training rounds - though she's far more interested in information gathering than in anything the dojo might provide.]

Do they really plan on questioning everybody? This seems somewhat excessive to me.


iii. rest and refreshments


[Get-togethers were a lot more fun when they weren't being turned into excuses for strangers with inflated opinions of themselves to bloviate about themselves and their achievements. She's deliberately dressed for the pricasion in her brightest and fluffiest coord - Mirei is far better at parties, and at making her opinions felt. And she'd thought the Celepara Prince Hour could get a bit wearing. Honestly, Hibiki somehow making this all about her would almost be preferable right now, though no doubt she'd change her mind when the Brilliant Prince inevitably did.]

Geez, pri~i, what kind of a welcome is this?! Isn't it time someone else took the stage, pri?

[rockthemonkey]

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being low and 10 being high, what is your commitment to serving the needs of...

1. Your followers? "Uh, I dunno, I'm no good at numbers... Three? Wait, no, that's really low! Uh- I guess- I dunno, I like helpin' those guys!"
2. The Far Shore? "I dunno, whatd'ya need? You guys already have a ton of stuff, don't you? Um, five or somethin'... Is that low?"
3. Amaterasu herself? "I thought that was your job. I don't really know, just put five."

4. Do you believe that A God's Actions Are Always Just? "No, that's dumb."
5. Do you protect The Gods' Greatest Secret? "... I'm not supposed t'talk about it, right? Isn't this dangerous?"
6. Do other Gods know your opinions on the above matters? "Yeah, I think so. S'just makes sense."
7. Will you respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore? "I already did that a couple times, I think. I don't need her tellin' me to do stuff, I can figure it out on my own."

8. What vessel forms do your shinki take, in order starting with Exemplar? [After a long, awkward period of um's and er's...] "Ishi's a sword. Hokuto and Ayu're both gone now. Can I go now? I'm hungry."
9. How do you use them in combat? "I stab stuff, it's easy. Seriously, I'm really hungry!'
10. What sort of opponents have you faced with your shinki in vessel form - human, ayakashi, or other? "Just ayakashi, I guess. Why would I need their help with anyone else? Ugh, I thought you guys had food at all these things! "
11. Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead? "Not really, they're already strong..."
12. For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together? "I've never done that. Are we done yet? This is boring."

MAYBE THE CLOSED PROMPT IDK

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Nia doesn't take long to show up.]

[This is going to be a disaster. She's sure of it. But if things hold true, if her shinki form remains the same as it has for every other god, then maybe she has a chance of getting through it without hurting the people she cares about. And if not... Well, she'll think of something. She's made plans and contingencies and all.]

[So in strides Nia, flanked by her pair of Blades for extra effect. And -- okay, it's a young girl. That isn't quite what she expected, but Nia holds steady, regarding her with as much calm as she can muster.]

So you're who they've matched me to, huh?

[timeforpink]

1. What is your vessel form? A wristwatch. [ She looks a little unhappy about that, but also resigned. ]

2. How many battles have you been in while in vessel form and what were your opponents? Just one. We were fighting an ayakashi. Why, are there gods and shinki fighting anything else?

3. Do you have any opponents you would resist fighting alongside your God and fellow temple shinki? I thought we were only supposed to fight ayakashi...

4. What have you done to increase your resilience while in vessel form? I train every day, physical and borderline practice.

5. If you have other shinki at your temple, how often have you fought alongside them in vessel form? thread pending Once.

6. What spells do you know? Just borderline for now.

7. Do you have any plans to further that training? Absolutely. The more I know, the better I can help my god fight ayakashi and protect people on the Near Shore from the danger they can't see.

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki is very nearly late for her slot. She is late starting because she brings along with her a full throne pushed by spygoats - it's unlikely the seating in this interview will be suitable. An additional goat robot brings up the rear, rolling e x t r e m e l y s l o w l y so as not to upset the cup of hot tea balanced on the tea table it's got attached to itself.

Once the chair is settled in at the Perfect Angle and the tea table has arrived at the Perfect Distance for graceful access to tea, the interview with the Far Shore's third most popular new god is permitted to begin. ]

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being low and 10 being high, what is your commitment to serving the needs of...

1. Your followers? Quantitative assessments are useless. Of course, a wholehearted commitment to one's fans is an entertainer's trademark.
2. The Far Shore? When it benefits me.
3. Amaterasu herself? The Little Shining Princess has only delight to await from me. Here.

[ The interview is now interrupted for Hibiki to deliver tickets to her movie to the shinki, with the explanation that somehow she doubted whether Amaterasu had received the first set. There are enough tickets for everyone at the temple. If Hibiki's interviewer is female, she'll have her ticket tucked into her robes just over her heart by Hibiki personally, while Hibiki places a finger under her chin.

After that, the interview continues. ]

4. Do you believe that A God's Actions Are Always Just? When they're worthy of divinity. Correct the faulty summoning system if you're concerned.
5. Do you protect The Gods' Greatest Secret? I suppose.
6. Do other Gods know your opinions on the above matters? How well the rabble informs itself has no bearing on me.
7. Will you respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore? I'll defend those things that matter to me. Declaring war before my revolution would be premature, however. Save it for the 28th.

[ Mildly piqued by the incompetence of both the interviewers and their questions, Hibiki holds up the proceedings until she has drank, and savored, half a cup of tea. At her own pace. ]

8. What vessel forms do your shinki take, in order starting with Exemplar? Are you only just doing a census now? No wonder the Far Shore's in such a state. [ A DEEP SIGH, WHEN SHE SEES THIS IS INSUFFICIENT. ] Wendy is a top. That waste of his own potential who wouldn't be homeless if you could hold onto the decent gods is a sword.
9. How do you use them in combat? I owe no answers to an administration that can't even keep track of its populace.
10. What sort of opponents have you faced with your shinki in vessel form - human, ayakashi, or other? Those that sufficiently inconvenience me. Next.
11. Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead? There will be no need. Do read your invitation.
12. For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together? This interview grows tiresome. We're leaving.

[ The whole entourage summarily gets into position and pushes the chair and tea table out of the door behind Hibiki. Who pauses in the doorway, looking over her shoulder, as the goats wait for her. ]

If you truly wish to see the Far Shore healed of all ills, don't miss my show.

[ And then - HIBIKI, OUT. ]

[medicinemaster]

[Now that is a face that Yaone hadn't expected to see, especially considering he'd been missing just as her lord had been. Her surprise and puzzlement are clear as day but that doesn't stop her from stepping further away from the shinki and consequently further behind Goku. On another day, under different circumstances, she'd have an excellent vantage point for sticking a knife in his back but right now, she's more concerned about the enemy she doesn't know and can't predict.]

Mister Goku. It is good to see that you are well.

[There's genuine relief in her voice as she regards the white-robed shinki warily.]

Um. Do you happen to know what is going on?

[disciprined]

[... and maybe if she asks around she'll be able to find out a bit mo-- oh.

[Footsteps on the pavement, a shadow on the glass: the sound of the door swinging open. Mirei slips down from her stool, she brushes at her skirts, to straighten them. Schools a smile onto her face.

[She didn't know what she was expecting, hadn't even tried to guess: simply too many variables here for that to be even remotely productive. Another girl, by the look of it, who looked to be about two or three years her senior - though she is also just as obviously not wholly human, so she could be almost any age at all. A warrior, too, if the appearance is anything to go by. It hardly seems right that she is supposed to be the weapon, where Mirei herself is the wielder. Will she ever understand this world and its ways?]

I guess I must be! It's a pleasure to meet you, though I can't say I care for the circumstances, pri.

[Her smile broadens, sunshine on poppies: it's a smile she doesn't feel, but what kind of an idol has to mean it to smile?]

Oh, I'm Mirei Minami, pri! They say I'm the incarnation of Nemesis. I guess we never ran into each other last time I was here, pri?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

[Whoa, okay. Lot to unpackage there. Like the 'pri' thing. Isn't mixing that into sentences Hibiki's deal? And this kid's bubbly and bright, which is... okay, she doesn't know what to think.]

Uh. Yeah. [And now she's feeling way out of place, with her low rough accented voice and thoroughly unimpressive appearance.] I'm Nia. Though I guess you know that already, huh?

[rockthemonkey]

[ Goku should probably be better about turning his back on people who are at least technically his enemy. Unlike some people, he doesn't have a friend watching over him with a shotgun to defend him. But either Yaone is classier than Dokugakuji or she's just off her game, because Goku continues to go unstabbed. Today. ]

Uh, good to see ya too. When'd you get here?

[The shinki clears his throat awkwardly and Goku turns back to frown at him. "Huit... zilopochi-sama, I'm afraid I still need to ask He Xiangu-sama some questions-"]

You don't gotta call us that, both our real names are way easier. Hey, lemme talk to her first, okay? You guys suck at explaining anyway.

[Classic Sanzo Party diplomacy.]

[disciprined]

I'm afraid I don't know much more than that, pri! But I'd be really glad to know more. If we're going to be working together then we might as well get to know one another, pri!

[That's a much better way to put it than shinki. Mirei doesn't want a weapon if she can have a teammate, and a friend would be much better than both.]

Do you have anywhere to stay, pri? I don't want to drag you up here if there's somewhere you'd like to be better, but there's lots of room here if you need it. It's much bigger in here than it looks, pri!

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Not really? [Can't stay with Votelli, not effectively, and -- well, Nia blushes slightly, looking away and trying to sound a little sharp to cover for her embarrassment.] Might spend some time away to visit... you were here before, d'you know Goku?

[abgrund]

[ Ain is calm, emotionless. Blank, even. There's a difference between his usual placidity and this kind of placidity; this sort of emptiness. Maybe it's disconcerting, but he doesn't change his behaviour. ]

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being low and 10 being high, what is your commitment to serving the needs of...

1. Your followers? What do you think?
2. The Far Shore? I consider myself responsible.
3. Amaterasu herself? She has yet to gain my respect.

4. Do you believe that A God's Actions Are Always Just? None may claim to be just under the eyes of eternity.
5. Do you protect The Gods' Greatest Secret? What do you think?
6. Do other Gods know your opinions on the above matters? You can ask them for the answer to this question.
7. Will you respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore? My concerns are beyond mortal things.

8. What vessel forms do your shinki take, in order starting with Exemplar? You already have this answer and do not need to ask me.
9. How do you use them in combat? I do not believe in putting them in excessive danger.
10. What sort of opponents have you faced with your shinki in vessel form - human, ayakashi, or other? What do you think?
11. Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead? Surely you have more eyes than I do?
12. For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together? I suppose you don't. What a shame.

[ Ain closes his eyes and utters a hissing, mechanical noise that shouldn't be made by something organic. Then he stands, still holding his cup of coffee as if nothing had happened at all. ]

I think we're done. It seems my eyes do a better job than you.

[disciprined]

Goku, pri? Hm... I'm afraid I don't think we met before, but the name definitely sounds familiar. That would be fine by me though, really! Friends are definitely important, pri!

[She takes a step toward the curtain at the far end of the store, then turns back.]

The temple proper's back this way, pri! Or would you rather wait out here for a bit?

[sassywelshcatgirl]

Well... he's kind of a good friend of mine. [If you get her drift. Right? She's still blushing, so...] I'll come in. Might as well see the place, right?

[This might be awkward, but it's still better than meeting Shizuo. Nia's temper has cooled just a bit since then, lucky for Mirei.]

[medicinemaster]

[Classic Sanzo Party diplomacy is infinitely preferable to whatever approach it is these servants of this Amaterasu have been taking with her so far. At the very least, it's something Yaone knows and right now that counts for much more than platitudes from strangers she doesn't know or have any reason to trust.]

Earlier today.

[She turns to the white robed shinki, chin lifting slightly, and speaking in her usual proper, dignified manner.]

Please allow me speak with Mister Goku first. He is an acquaintance and can put all of this in familiar terms. I will answer your questions later once I understand the situation better.

[Yaone's tone remains perfectly polite and soft but there's a subtle immovability underlying her words. Having spent a fair bit of time seeing how passively resistant Yaone can be when she puts her mind to it, the shinki sighs in apparent defeat.]

[eluci]

[Noctis only shows up to his questioning because he doesn't want anyone to show up and forcefully drag him to anything.]

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being low and 10 being high, what is your commitment to serving the needs of...

1. Your followers? "I'll help them if they need it. I dunno, 9?"
2. The Far Shore? "5. Depends on what they need."
3. Amaterasu herself? "Who?" [And after being told who Amaterasu is:] "Sure, I guess so. Or uhh 6 if you want a number."

4. Do you believe that A God's Actions Are Always Just? "No."
5. Do you protect The Gods' Greatest Secret? [Shrug.] "Yeah."
6. Do other Gods know your opinions on the above matters? "Dunno."
7. Will you respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore? "Depends on the situation."

8. What vessel forms do your shinki take, in order starting with Exemplar? "What, are you keeping track of everyone's household? A bracelet and a polearm." [It's not technically lying if you're just being vague about it.]
9. How do you use them in combat? "Seriously?"
10. What sort of opponents have you faced with your shinki in vessel form - human, ayakashi, or other? "One ayakashi so far."
11. Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead? "No? I don't know. Is this the last question?"
12. For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together? "Last week. Are we done yet or do you need to know what everyone eats for breakfast or something?"

[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...?

[stormaccess]

1. What is your vessel form? ...I don't know.

2. How many battles have you been in while in vessel form and what were your opponents? ...None. But I expect if I ever were to fight anything it would be ayakashi, right?

3. Do you have any opponents you would resist fighting alongside your God and fellow temple shinki? What kind of enemy are you even expecting there to be?

4. What have you done to increase your resilience while in vessel form? Never been in vessel form, so I guess… nothing?

5. If you have other shinki at your temple, how often have you fought alongside them in vessel form? Never.

6. What spells do you know? ...I've been practicing borderline. There are others?

7. Do you have any plans to further that training? ...Yea, I want to learn those spells, I guess. And how to defend myself properly.

[modernmedicine]

On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being low and 10 being high, what is your commitment to serving the needs of...

1. Your followers? 9.5. I believe they come first and foremost.
2. The Far Shore? 9. Peace here leads to peace in both worlds.
3. Amaterasu herself? 8. I am not going to shirk duty.

4. Do you believe that A God's Actions Are Always Just? ...it depends on the action. I don't believe harming people is just, but I do believe helping is.
5. Do you protect The Gods' Greatest Secret? It makes sense, so yes.
6. Do other Gods know your opinions on the above matters? I only just arrived, so I haven't had the chance to discuss this with others.
7. Will you respond to a summons by Amaterasu to defend The Far Shore? Yes, of course.

8. What vessel forms do your shinki take, in order starting with Exemplar? While I haven't made any firm decisions, I can't imagine them taking forms that aren't at least somewhat defensive.
9. How do you use them in combat? With the utmost regard to their safety.
10. What sort of opponents have you faced with your shinki in vessel form - human, ayakashi, or other? None so far.
11. Do you have any plans to personally train your shinki for battle ahead? I suppose there isn't any way around it, so yes.
12. For wielders of multiple shinki, when was the last time you used all of them working together? I haven't had the opportunity.

[puzzlingly]

( arrival; closed to Ravine )

That really useful pamphlet was actually useful, but it was wrong, Atem wasn't nervous about meeting his God or Goddess. While he didn't remember anything but his name, he knew he was dead. The world was vastly divided between those who assured that there was nothing after dying, only darkness, and then, there were those who believed in an afterlife, he was among them. But, this? This is something, else, it is something great, to be able to do something even after one has departed the land of the living. To be able to help even while being dead... That's all he can think about. That, and the fact that he cannot possibly fathom how he could offer a God or a Goddess to help them? It doesn't matter, he'll do it. If he can do it, maybe, he won't find himself alone that way.

He waits outside the Hall, distracted only by the pendant like thing that he just noticed he had been wearing, he doesn't really know what it is or how is it that he's wearing it, the symbols are strange and yet, he can read them. It takes him a moment to remember—a manner of speech—that those are hieroglyphs, and that those symbols are his name. But Atem doesn't have much time to dwell on that, there is something that makes him turn his head. A presence.

There she is, this incredibly tall woman in a leathery coat, wearing shades even if they are in the inside. Atem doesn't need to ask her anything, he simply knows it's her, even though, he's not sure why.

"Hey..." Oh, that's not a way to address a Goddess, is it? But truth to be told, she doesn't inspire that godly aura in any way, imposing as she is, or as she should be. Her choice of clothing doesn't fit one of those celestial figures either, it is all the opposite.

He quite digs it.

( tempering the vessel )

「It had been a little strange, he hadn't been here but for a few hours and they were already making him all these questions. It wasn't hard at all to answer them, however, the white-robed shinki understanding of his circumstances as a new one himself. But the whole meeting does bring his inquisitive mind to work. His shinki form isn't really what one would call a weapon, how is he supposed to help his Goddess when he's just this tiny bird? Of course he needs to train, that's the only option.」

Do they do this often? 「He asks a passerby, once his session is over.」

( rest and refreshments )

「How could he be dead and have every muscle in his body hurt like this? He's going to die again! Not really, no, but he didn't think it'd be a big deal until after hours of training he finally realized he couldn't go on. That didn't come in the pamphlet!

Atem remains half sprawled at one of the low tables, honestly looking a bit more than disinterested in the whole meet and greet, he's tired, he totally over did it on his day one like the newbie he is. Still, he listen to the stories and the heated words challenging the new Gods, and, huh, he didn't know even Gods could be this petty, it's a bit of an eye opener. They shouldn't be judging them so soon.

With effort, he stands from his seat, attempting to take his leave. He's heard enough.」

( ooc: will match format! )