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

[cloakedinruins]

It must feel like more than a year, considering.

[ People leaving and then coming back... would they still remember their time before or would they always repeat their first few days here again? What would that feel like, seeing them again and realizing that they don't remember? Shen Wei stared at the green lollipop for a moment, lips pressed tightly together as he tries to picture going back to that again. To see someone familiar and watch the politeness in their eyes and none of the friendliness of their past together.

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, he stuck the lollipop in his mouth, his eyebrows scrunching. ]

Huh, melon.

[reformedsinner]

I've had longer. But it does sometimes feel very lonely.

[There are cups and a few party-sized hot tea carafes on the table; Hakkai pours himself a cup, and glances over at the other man, eyebrows lifting.]

Would you like any tea? It's green, it will go with melon.

[cloakedinruins]

It always is lonely, when the familiar fades away.

[ The forced slumber in the dirt was one thing, but Shen Wei knew long nights and days so very well. His clumsiness with electronics was only in part because of his ability; most of it was his unwillingness to let go of a simpler times. ]

Ah, yes, thank you.

[reformedsinner]

And when so few of the people we grow close to stay in the Heavens for more than a few months, for that matter.

[He fills the other cup and hands it to Shen Wei, wrapping both hands around his own as if for warmth. It's not cold, but still.]

[cloakedinruins]

...That as well.

[ What was time to an immortal? Or someone close enough to be immortal, though Shen Wei often wondered if he didn't tamper with his own essence, if he would have survived everything his twin threw at him. But the choices then would have too terrible to accept.

He bowed slightly as he accepted the cup, feeling the warmth from the porcelain as his fingers curled around it. Removing the Lollipop, he took a sip of tea and remembered that awkward first night with Zhao Yunlan pressing for more details from 'Old Brother Black' while Shen Wei tried to avoid the questions until he gave up and just kissed him.

His fingers trembled. ]

It doesn't get easier in living or in death.

[reformedsinner]

Losing your loved ones?

No, it never does. Although, of course, if you survive it, it's possible to find other reasons to go on.

[His tone is perfectly mild and conversational, despite the words. He's holding his teacup cradled in both hands. He's still not drinking from it, only looking down at the pale liquid with a gaze focused somewhere very far away.]

[cloakedinruins]

I know.

[ He sighed softly, and looked down at his hands, watching the rippling tea in his cup. All the years, all the centuries felt like they were settling across his shoulders, pressing down trying to choke him. ]

I've seen cities crumble, nations fall. I've grown tired.

[ Shen Wei knew he was here after dying. He was suppose to meet Zhao Yunlan in the flames of the Lantern. He had put his burdens down finally but this place brought him back without the courtesy of any true goal save to answer the prayers of those that followed his assigned name.

But.

There was Da Qing. And Yeye. What would happen to them if he left? ]

But I agree; I need to figure out what I should do while I wait.

[reformedsinner]

[Ah, Hakkai thinks, considering the other man: another ancient. He's not sure if it's reassuring or deeply depressing that a man old enough to have outlived cities and nations can still be so brokenhearted over losing a loved one.

He doubts he'd be able to maintain the capacity for such caring. He has had so few people he's allowed close, and it feels like each loss has left him with less and less of a heart to care with.

Centuries? No, he won't last centuries. Decades feel insurmountable enough.

He quirks a faint smile at Shen Wei and takes a sip of his tea.]

All any of us can do, I suppose, is keep moving forward. Do you have other friends here?

[cloakedinruins]

[ It was a little strange he supposes, but Zhao Yunlan had been the only person that Shen Wei cared for enough to wish to spend forever with. Even when he had just been Kunlun, and Shen Wei had thought to live a normal lifetime, it had only been him. Maybe it was some weird glitch in his mind? Or maybe he just felt too outside to fully trust anyone else. In the end there had only been one person.

Maybe it was easier to let go others in his life. They were so short lived human and Dixian alike. Those few that lived long lives were still younger than him and still lived only shortly. He felt for them, but it was never like this. ]

A few, yes. My shinki has been trying to amuse me; I suppose I've made him upset these past few days.

[reformedsinner]

[Gently, into his tea, Hakkai murmurs:]

I suspect he's worried about you.

[Which could be described, from a certain viewpoint, as Shen Wei making him upset, but there is an important difference.

The difference is, as he's learned, that people who are worried get quite angry when apologized to for their trouble.]

Does it help to get out to an event like this, for you?

[cloakedinruins]

I wish I could tell him that he has seen me at my worst, at one point.

[ The perils of them coming from the same world and being around the same age. Da Qing had seen Shen Wei lost before, even if he didn't remember as to why. But now all he could do is try to keep Shen Wei from not crumbling. ]

I find it a little relaxing, even if I don't engage much. I'm not the most social of people.

[reformedsinner]

It's not always good to be able to say, "It's been worse."

[Hakkai's tone, for a moment, is one of absolute fellow-feeling. He shrugs, a little, and breezes onward.]

-- although sometimes it does reassure others. I'm glad the company is helping to relax you.

Don't let yourself spend too much time with your thoughts.

[cloakedinruins]

Mm.

[ A slight hum of agreement and he frowns at his now cold cup of tea. It wasn't good, not the time when he realized that his own brother had become twisted by his life and his powers. That Kunlun knew he was going to disappear on him when the Four Hollows activated. When he realized that to stop his brother from destroying Yunlan he had to destroy his own health.

Shen Wei got up to refresh his cup, blowing softly on the tea and watching the fragments of leaves swirl across the surface. ]

I try not to, but I find that I need to organize them before I can take my next step.

[reformedsinner]

Yes, of course. [Hakkai's teacup, half-empty, is just as cold, the warmth leached away into his own hands, but he doesn't bother to refill it. He watches Shen Wei watch the leaves, instead, and, after a moment, offers:]

But they don't make good company at a time like this.

[It's immensely hypocritical, of course, but if Hakkai can't take his own advice, at least he can give it to others.]

[cloakedinruins]

That is half the reason why I am here.

[ The other half being that fat cat's yowling that he needed to get out and see some sunlight. Being a Dixingren, Shen Wei didn't need sunlight as much as a human, but he knew what the cat meant and understood he was trying to get Shen Wei to go outside. It just took him a few days to actually give in to the request. ]

I've never been the life of a party in any case.

[reformedsinner]

Ah ha ha, we do have that in common! Although, in fact--

[If Shen Wei's here for a distraction, then perhaps they shouldn't talk too much about his losses, should they? And Hakkai isn't in any mood to discuss his own. Instead, deliberately, he relaxes and tilts his head a little to the side.]

-- if you don't mind, you're an educator, aren't you? I may have volunteered to introduce our new arrivals one of these weeks. Do you have any ideas?

Other than not serving them cup ramen, that is.