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

[dredefulchilde]

[There’s that familiar moment of panic, of betrayal. Ayumu has another child shinki—is he being replaced? Joscelin’s insides twist alarmingly.

But, no, Ayumu is smiling at him. So reassuringly. She seems so happy and at ease, quite unlike before. Would she be this natural if she meant to abandon him?]

Mistress, I...

[The small interloper suddenly hugs him around the middle, looking up at him with a broad smile that doesn’t quite make it into her eyes. “Niichan,” she says in a small voice. “J-Josu...Jass..Joss-niichan.” There’s something so wonderfully charming about the way she can’t pronounce his name.

Oh no. Is he falling under her spell? She’s a soulless, but she’s also so bloody cute.]

N-nice to meet you, Toyo...chan.

[kagenonadeshiko]

[There is something a bit enchanting about the girl, Ayumu's found. Maybe it's that mysterious quality all soulless shinki seem to have or maybe it's just that this one happens to have the body of an adorable five-year-old girl and Ayumu has a well-known soft spot for cuteness and children. Either way, she's already developing a bit of an attachment for the child. After all, Ayumu always hoped to have children of her own someday. Things might not be happening in any sort of ideal order and under unusual circumstances with equally unusual children but it's happening and well.... it's hard for Ayumu not to just enjoy the opportunity for what it is.

Ayumu's smile widens when Toyo barrels forward to hug Joss with pretty much the same fervor she'd been clinging onto her. The girl doesn't speak at all, instead just silently hugging Joss.]

I told her a little about you earlier and instructed her to think of you as her big brother. I hope you don't mind.

[Those judging from the rather charmed expression on Joss's face, Ayumu doesn't suspect he will. It's honestly a genuine relief. She'd never replace Joss on purpose but he is a nora and it can't hurt to have a little extra help. Besides, not many of the new gods seem to be prepared to work with or care for child shinki and Ayumu's had quite a bit of experience throughout her time here. Children can be a little difficult for others to work with and it seems like others aren't quite sure what to make of soulless shinki, in general. In her own mind, at least, Ayumu's a little better equipped to handle circumstances like this.]

[dredefulchilde]

She took that rather literally, didn’t she?

[Toyo’s got a surprisingly firm grip for such a small, elfen miss, which complicates things when Joss tries to extricate her from around his midsection. He does his best to look put-upon, but he’s betrayed by the tenderness in his eyes as he looks at her.]

Bit of an odd day, this. When I woke up this morning, I hadn’t planned on suddenly acquiring a little sister. Oof! Toyo, kindly lay off my kidneys. Your joints are appallingly pointy. I don’t exactly need kidneys in Heaven, but I’d like to keep them intact, all the same.

[With a struggle, he turns toward Ayumu.]

You said I didn’t need to share. Does that mean we’ve got a home again? When can I move back in?

[kagenonadeshiko]

Soon. I need to visit the place first and make sure everything's in order. It might take me a couple of weeks to get everything sorted out.

[Ayumu sighs a little in that careworn way adults do when mulling over financial matters.]

I'm sure I've lost a lot of my followers since I've been gone. And that means a loss of offerings and revenue. I know that the Heavens will help cover costs for an assigned shinki but I'm not sure what they would say about a nora. I'm sure everything will be fine once I've had time to start working again but...

[With most children, Ayumu wouldn't be this open about such concerns, insisting that they not worry so much about grown-up things like this. But she knows that Joss isn't the average child and capable of understanding certain matters others might not.]

And I'll need to speak with Hakkai and work out arrangements with him, too, of course.

[Ayumu's completely in the dark about the state of that particular relationship, after all. With how sensitive Hakkai can be and losing both Goku and Gojyo during her absence, she's a little unsure of what to expect. The man can be so hard for her to read and predict sometimes.]

But you can still come over to visit like you did before! And stay the night while all of this is being worked out. You still have a place with me, dear. That hasn't changed. I just need a little more time first, that's all. Like when I first named you.

[Ayumu reaches over to ruffle Joss's hair but leaves Toyo just where she is for now. It'll be good for Joss to have a younger sibling, she thinks. As for the other matter, she'd followed through on her promise to name him before.]

[dredefulchilde]

[Joss is not particularly pleased at this news. He has to wait? Wait to go back to living in his own room at his own home with his own goddess? The Temple of Vesta felt more like home in his time living there than either Hakkai or Nari’s temples. Not that they themselves weren’t homey places providing company and comfort and warmth and safety, but something about living with Ayumu had turned their little temple house into a home.]

If it’s money, I can pay. I’ve saved up some cash, and I can always increase my hours at Ebisu’s temple. I’m a better translator than almost anyone they’ve got on staff; i’ll make myself indispensable. I can even go full time if I need to. I’ll quit school; I’m cleverer than even the adults, anyway. I was only going for the maths and science.

[And who needs organic chemistry or advanced calculus anyway, when it’s either that or providing for his family? Ayumu’s just saddled him with a baby sister. He needs to be the man of the household and provide for Toyo and their foster mother.]

I’ll make it work. We’ll do more prayers as well and get your followers back. And then we’ll all be together, under one roof. For good.

[That reminds him, He gingerly shifts Toyo to the side so that her skinny arms are around his hips, and reaches to pull up his shirt. The name Ayumu has given him, the one that had been centered over his belly button, is long gone. He points to it.]

It never came back even though you did. I suppose this means you’ll have to name me again.

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Back under the same roof again, just like a real family. Her life had felt significantly less empty after Joss had entered it somehow. At the time, Ayumu had thought that maybe it'd been because she'd returned from the dead in such an emotionally fragile state. Her head had been stuffed full of so many memories, half of which she couldn't make sense and others had simply been traumatic. Bridges had burned the night of her ablution - some collapsing to points they might not ever be repaired, in spite of attempts to make amends. Ayumu hasn't given up hope for atonement, not entirely, but life goes on despite her losses.

A family, a real family, and a home of her own. Children. Ayumu's wanted them for so long. Maybe she doesn't deserve it after throwing the one she'd had as a shinki away in such destructive fashion but the desire's still there. And even so, she can't allow herself to be selfish.]

I will think it over after I've had a chance to speak with Hakkai, dear. I will tell him that you'd like to move back in with me and ask him about your education, 'kay? If you'd like to pitch in to help with the finances, that'd be wonderful. I just don't want either of us to make a big mistake about your schooling.

[She smiles reassuringly, ruffling his hair once more.]

Indulge me a little on this one, Joss? For my own peace of mind?

[She knows perfectly well just how smart and capable the boy is but it still can't hurt to get a second opinion from someone who's both his current god and an actual schoolteacher.]

And I figured that the name would be gone. I promise that we'll take care of that soon, too. I need you to be patient for just a little bit longer. That's all.

[dredefulchilde]

[Joscelin is somewhat less concerned with his schooling. It's been a way to kill time more than anything else; something to do when he's bored of his books and games and petty larceny over in the Near Shore. But he doesn't argue. Ayumu is his goddess; he'll go along with whatever she decides is best.

He puts on a show of being irritated when she musses his hair--it's longer than it used to be when she was here before, since he hasn't had a haircut in a few weeks--and then rolls his eyes, teasing slightly.]

Yes, Mum.

[It's a bit of a disappointment that she doesn't go and name him on the spot, but he knows that there are other complexities at play. He just wants to go back to how things were before she left, even though he knows that's likely impossible. A reminder of the change is currently wrapped around his middle, doing her level best to hug the life out of him. He peels her off and kneels next to his new little sister.]

Toyo is going to need some proper clothing, isn't she? We should go to the Near Shore tomorrow.

[kagenonadeshiko]

[It's a relief to see Joss taking it as well as can be expected under these circumstances. While it's true that things might not be able to go back to the way they were exactly, that doesn't mean that can't still be good and happy. It might take work and effort but Ayumu's certainly willing to do her best by her new children to make sure their home runs smoothly.]

Yes, we should. I should have a list of affordable stores tomorrow.

[Even with additional help, Ayumu will still have to keep a close eye on the finances and budget carefully for a while until her offerings increase.]

Maybe we could make a fun outing of it. Stop someplace for ice cream or treats while we're out.