April Training

[godsoffortune]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: May 8th 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, should they allow it, guided to the rear of the Meeting Hall, where a traditionally styled dojo and training ground have been made available for the day. The gods and shinki are free to take their time during this day to learn about the details of their new life from Amaterasu's shinki or from more experienced god and shinki volunteers.




Meeting Hall

God Training

Newly arrived gods are escorted into a small meeting room, with tatami floors and a stage at the front of the room where the speaker stands. A minor deity is giving the speech, and none of the white-robed shinki enter. Paper and pens are provided to all the attendees as an unsubtle suggestion to take notes on the information they're given. The speaker delivers her welcome speech in the monotone of someone who's practiced it far too often.

Once the speech is over, new gods are joined with the rest of the gods in a larger room, although it still has a raised stage and tatami mats. There are worried whispers that they might be given another questionnaire to fill out as was the case a month and a half ago, while others are wondering if this is an impromptu conclave to follow up on Suijin's findings on behalf of Amaterasu.

Well, after a few minutes, Fuujin arrives - with Kaede close behind him. "I hear you all plan on sticking around, so listen up." He crosses his arms and walks towards the front of the stage. "You want to prove we can trust you so much, you can pull your own weight. This whole time, we've been training you and your shinki. Time to show us what you've learned and just how much effort you're willing to put in off the battlefield. Kaede, explain." Fuujin steps back, and Kaede steps forward.

"What my Lord Fuujin means is that we will begin accepting volunteers for temples of the New Gods to host these training sessions. Training should continue to cater to the needs of God and Shinki alike. Prospective Hosts should contact me, Lord Fuujin, or one of the other Counselors Lady Suijin and Lord Raijin, if they are interested in opening up their temple, so that we might make recommendations based on your planned activities." Kaede bows to the crowd. "Lady Suijin and Our Lady Amaterasu also send their regards in this matter."

Although Fuujin harrumphs a little at that final remark, Kaede steps back. "Alright, that's it! Go on if you've got other business."

Shinki Training

There are stacks of informational pamphlets sitting out on tables around the dojo. There aren't very many of the white-robed shinki around, but the few who are present 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. Shinki are encouraged to work together to practice what they've learned and discuss their perspectives. Each of the shinki is wearing a brightly-colored sticky name tag reading HELLO, MY NAME IS ________, and all of their names appear to end with the syllable "mei."

A variety of weapons are available in the dojo for shinki and their gods to practice with, and a row of straw targets are set up along one wall. Outside, in an area carefully roped off with red ribbons, are six animated training dummies, but they are damaged in a way that doesn't make them terribly useful as targets. A couple of shinki are trying to repair them on the fly without success, all by hand.

Physical Training

Amaterasu's shinki took the time to reassemble Bishamon's obstacle course on these grounds! Climb walls, crawl through mud, jump across randomly spaced stumps, find your way through a maze and collect one of each of five different-colored ribbons being handed out by shinki attendants for completing each section within the allotted time. Every so often, Amaterasu's shinki high-five each other for setting a good example for future training sessions and sound excited about being allowed to participate in trainings instead of managing them all the time.

There's another segment inside the hall though, away from the noisiness outside. There is a place set up to do low-strain stretching exercises called Rajio Taisou. Afterwards, this includes a duration exercise for practicing seiza sitting position. Those who succeed for at least 15 minutes are treated to an immaculately prepared hot drink of traditional green tea, or a similar sort of beverage upon request, then another at 30 minutes, and so forth. Don't worry, the drink cups are the traditional size - slightly smaller than a modern mug.

Rest and Refreshments

While the usual refreshments and snacks are available, for those who are still up for it, Amaterasu's shinki have one more session that everyone can participate in. They'd originally planned for it to be shinki songs only, but say they decided to make it more general singing practice. They'll sing a handful of kindergarten-age songs twice-through each as warm up, and then move on to some popular enka tunes as well. They have light koto accompaniment, a small piano, and a drum.

In Summary:

• Get all the information you can handle
  
• Discuss with your temple-mates if you'd like to volunteer to host training
  
• Choose your style of physical training: high- or low-impact
  
• Enjoy singing together
• Have fun~

Comments

[thetopofthefoodchain]

You perform? [No he was not. He may or may not be aware that she performs in general but honestly she was beneath a cats notice. The only reason he notices her at all is to keep an eye on her goats, someone has to.

Even if they aren't real, it's the principle that counts.]

What does being a celebrity have to do with love?

[He grumbles, Yunlan's disappearance has hurt him to. But not as much as Shen Wei and it is his god he is trying to help.]

[priforprince]

[ A big, blocky arrow with the words "You perform?" on it strikes Hibiki between the shoulderblades. She chokes on a mouthful of tea, then forces it down. ]

If you'd attended my concert, you'd know the answer!

[ Because she would have sung about it! For four minutes! While sticking her leggy up real high!

PURE!

AMORE LOVE! ]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Well I was busy that night. [Maybe. He has no idea when it even was. He frowned at her before smirking.]

Of course you could tell me now. If I wait until your next concert it will be too late.

[priforprince]

Hmph.

[ Hibiki swirls her tea around in her cup. ]

Well, if it's a matter of some urgency, very well. I'll instruct you thoroughly about my expertise.

[ hibiki he probably doesn't want to know all about the...fact that you know a lot

hibiki

hibi

ki ]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

It is. It's an emergency.

[So much of an emergency he will listen to Hibiki, even her advice will be welcomed. Unless it is useless. But he trusts his own judgement to make sure he doesn't follow her advice if it turns out to be as terrible as much everything else she does.]

[priforprince]

In that case, rest assured. I love more strongly than anyone else in the Far Shore, after all.

[ What a phenomenal resume! Don't you feel better already, Da Qing?

Still, she has a feeling this could take a while. She holds up a hand, and a bunch of goats push her throne over. Why is her throne even here? DO NOT INQUIRE.

The Prince sits, prepared for her audience. ]

You may submit your query.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

How do you even know that? [How is that even measured, honestly? He doesn't feel better at all, especially when a bunch of goats push a throne towards her. Where had that come from?]

Uh. Well have you ever had your heart broken?

[He's been more tactful with the others. But Hibiki doesn't deserve his efforts.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki hasn't even had a chance to sip from this teacup.

But there it goes, falling to the floor.

SMASH!

Does that answer your question? ]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

[He skitters back as tea splashes around them. She dropped her tea? He blinks at her.] Uh... [Was it the question? Or is she just clumsy?]

[priforprince]

What......was that appallingly unRomantic question....?

[ Oh she has one hundred percent had her heart broken. And she was also rather expecting to be able to talk about something else.

Hibiki's fingers are still twitching. So are her eyebrows. In a mixture of belated dread and irritation. ]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

It was about romance. [Heartbreak was a natural part of romance, humans moved on, humans died. Why are humans so fragile?]

But if this conversation is too much for you I can ask elsewhere?

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki misses that question, since she's too busy failing to keep from boiling over like a teakettle. An accusatory finger is thrust in Da Qing's face. ]

DON'T LUMP SUCH DISTRESSING TOPICS UNDER THE GENERAL LABEL OF "ABOUT ROMANCE!"

[thetopofthefoodchain]

[Batting away that finger and a frown. No need to yell angry goat lady!]

I said I could ask someone else, if you're so sensitive!

[priforprince]

My brilliance is wasted on a discussion of anything less than glorious success!

[ The finger raises skyward. ]

I demand to speak to your god!

[thetopofthefoodchain]

He's busy training. [Another step back, an eye roll.] You can speak to him later.

[If he remembers.]

[priforprince]

I am unaccustomed to waiting.

[ Hibiki closes her eyes, certain that this foolproof phrase shall grant her desire. Thwarting Shikyoin Hibiki is beyond a mere creature, even one nominally a celebrity among animals! ]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Later! I promise! [And with that he transforms and dashes off into the crowd, speedy for such a fat cat.

Cat out!]