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

[swordofzero]

[It seemed that Hibiki was not going to just ignore him. Suzaku's a little surprised but he supposes too much has happened for him to beneath her notice any more. He's not sure how he feels about that.]

I feel like I should be better at it miss Shikyoin. [So not relaxing at all. Really.]

[priforprince]

The necessary grace required can be acquired one of two ways alone. Hours of devotion to honing one's craft -

[ oh boy ]

- and genius.

[ yep ]

Witnessing my example of the latter may assist you in the former.

[swordofzero]

I see. [He doesn't see but it's probably best to just agree. Hours of practice he can do. Though he would much rather be doing something more active.]

You definitely make it look natural, miss Shikyoin.

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki nods: he's doing well to heed her. ] Sufficient time spent in imitation of me should restore tranquility to your soul.

[ is this hibiki trying to help because he's in a bad mood

or is this hibiki judging him for getting his bad mood all up in her good one

the prince remains a prinigma ]

[swordofzero]

Ah. [What does he even say to that? When she is the main reasons his soul is not tranquil to begin with.

Or maybe that's unfair. It was Suzaku's doing and Suzaku's fault that he's so confused about everything.]

You enjoy this activity then, miss Shikyoin?

[priforprince]

Its refinement suits me.

[ Yes, she's doing fantastically well right now. And she's curious why he isn't, but she's also... ]

Additionally, submersion in stillness is the ideal method of performing a sentence ender detox.

[ ....got very individualized priorities. ]

[swordofzero]

A sentence ender detox? [It's weird enough that it breaks past the general air of uncomfortableness surrounding him.]

You dislike sentence enders? [Now he thinks about it it's a very... Hibiki thing to be annoyed by.]

[priforprince]

Sentence enders are the blight upon the bug munching the rose blossoming from the soil warmed by the sun of the puniverse.

[ So, that bad. ]

Their mere existence is poison.

[swordofzero]

I see. [He doesn't really... But it's Hibiki and he's used to her. It is indeed very much like her that something like that would cause her so much distress.]

Is it something you are exposed to often? [Because Suzaku's not sure he's heard anyone using sentence enders, at all, in the heavens.]

[priforprince]

Even a single exposure is too frequent.

[ Hibiki takes a deep breath, reminds herself the sentence enders are not here. There are no sentence enders. No enders. No enders. ]

Though their rarity is the lone way this Shore resembles Heaven....

[ come back, hibiki

stop hallucinating the palps ]

[swordofzero]

That's fortunate then. [Is... Is Hibiki alright? Is she even here? Suzaku watched her, not wanting to disturb... whatever was happening inside her head. But also a little concerned.]

[priforprince]

[ ...Hm. Satisfied that she does remain in a suitably refined space, yet perturbed it’s not without a discontented ripple, Hibiki reopens her eyes. There’s still something. Something is disrupting the pure tranquility....

Her gaze lands on Suzaku’s expression, at this sense of....something unfinished, but what?....in the air. Ah. That’s less than ideal.

And therefore intolerable. ]

You’ve an uncommon sense of presence today.

[swordofzero]

I apologise miss Shikyoin. [Maybe he should leave? But he is worried about her...]

I was merely wanting to make sure you were alright, I can leave if you wish...

[priforprince]

I’m always in first-class condition.

[ Any time that she is not owes its origins to deleterious outside influences. Sentence enders. Hovering shinki. And such. ] Learning from my example in this way, as well, is best.

[ Is that it, though? Concern for her? There’s this sense of unfinished business between them, but Hibiki has no idea why. ]

[swordofzero]

[There is indeed but Suzaku is doing his best to ignore it. He stands with a frown, trying to ignore the pain in his legs from holding position so long. He probably should go. Before this gets any more awkward than it already is.] I will do my best then, miss Shikyoin.

[priforprince]

An acceptable conclusion.

[ This is so bizarre. She’ll happily put it out of her mind once he’s gone, but what is this sensation?!

Surely it can’t be anything important. ]

[swordofzero]

I will see you soon I'm sure. [And one last nod before he leaves. That had been... strange. He's not even sure why things had been so awkward, why all of a sudden there felt like there was a whole gulf between them full of things that had not been said.

He can guess but... It's not a thing he wants to think about. He heads off to find training that will distract him more thoroughly.]

[priforprince]

[ And Hibiki returns to her Graceful Pastime. What a strange passing fancy that had been.

How fortunate it’d signified nothing at all! ]