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

[myblueskies]

Oh! That's okay! [He crouched down so he was as small as the little girl.] Hello Toyo-chan! I'm Romeo! Does your knee hurt?

[He looked up at the lady and nodded.] I can ask someone! The one's in the white robes work for this temple!

[kagenonadeshiko]

Thank you.

[Ayumu smiles at the boy, grateful, then turns her gaze back to the little girl's knee. Toyo flinches just a little bit when Ayumu presses a little too close or hard around the area but doesn't really cry out or say anything.]

I think she'll be just fine but we're gonna need some disinfectant, antibiotic cream, and bandages for both her knee and her hand. After that, she'll need to stay off it for a little while just to be safe.

[Maybe Ayumu's being a little overprotective but maternal instincts are what they are, especially with such a young child in need of care. She turns back to the boy.]

Could you meet us over there once you have everything?

[Ayumu points to a section of grass safely away from the obstacle course.]

[myblueskies]

Disinfectant, ani-botic cream and bandages. [He nodded, he's not sure what the first two are truthfully but he's sure one of the adult shinki will if he repeats the words to them!

He grins at Toyo again before running off. It didn't take him long to find a white robed shinki who gave him a box and told him that everything he needed was inside it! He ran back over to where Toyo and her god were sat on the grass.]

I got it miss!

[kagenonadeshiko]

[To be fair, Ayumu didn't know what the creams were until she'd started researching and stocking things for the school clinic. In the end, she'd stepped aside in favor of Sakura's greater healing expertise but in the end, she had learned a few new things.

Once the boy returns with the first aid kit, Ayumu opens up and starts rummaging through it for what she needs, flashing him a grateful grin. First, she starts out with a disinfectant wipe, unwrapping it quickly, and holding it up a moment in front of Toyo's face so she can see it.]

Now Toyo-chan, I'm gonna have to clean your scrapes and this might sting a little bit. If it hurts, I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to do it, 'kay? But once it's all done, that'll be it. It'll be all over and then maybe we can find another game to play for a little while.

[While the little girl remains silent, she does flinch and squirm a little as the wipe comes in contact with the wound. Once it's cleaned out, Ayumu takes out the ointment, squeezing some out onto a swab, and starts applying it.

Wile she's doing this, she glances over to her young helper.]

Could you get one of the big bandages out and unwrap it for me, please? I'm almost done here with the knee.

[myblueskies]

[Romeo smiled reassuringly at Toyo and watched as the god opened the first aid kit and started tending to Toyo's knee. He watched really carefully, so that he could help in the future if anyone got hurt!

The goddess wiped the cut and put some cream on it and it did look like it hurt a little bit but Toyo was really brave. He nodded at the instructions.]

Yes miss! [It doesn't take him long to find one of the big bandages and he took it out, unwrapping it carefully.] Are you going to put it all around Toyo's leg?

[kagenonadeshiko]

Thank you. Yes, I am.

[Once Ayumu's done treating the scrape, she grabs a large band-aid from the kit and carefully places it over the cut.]

She hit her knee pretty hard. That bandage you're holding will keep the swelling down down while it heals.

[Ayumu smiles warmly at her shinki, who's still sitting very calmly throughout it all. While for the most part, Toyo's smile remains one of soulless blankness, it does widen just a fraction under the attention.

Once he hands the bandage over, Ayumu will begin wrapping it around the little girl's knee.]

[myblueskies]

The swelling? [Romeo peered at the knee and watched really carefully as the god wrapped Toyo's knee up with the bandage.]

You're really brave Toyo!

[Oh! That gives him an idea.] I'll be right back miss!

[And off he dashes, he returns a few moments later with a napkin full of mochi.] These will make you feel better, Toyo!

[kagenonadeshiko]

[By the time her helper returns, Ayumu's finished wrapping the knee and moved on to the hand. She's in the process of cleaning it out when he shows up with the mochi. Ayumu glances over, surprised, but also clearly very pleased.]

How nice of you! Thank you very much. Say thank you to him, Toyo-chan.

[Toyo does just that, piping up in a clear tone like a bell, as Ayumu continues her ministration.]

Why don't you take one while I'm finishing up here, 'kay? I'm almost done.

[And then maybe all three of them can properly relax a bit and make introductions. No more obstacle course for either her or Toyo today. Ayumu's nerves simply can't take another spill like that.

Thankfully, Toyo seems content to snatch one of the mochi off the napkin and starts munching on it.]

Did you get some for yourself, too?

[That's directed to her young assistant.]

[myblueskies]

You're welcome Toyo-chan! [He watched as she took the mochi and the lady continued helping her knee. He wondered if Elfnein had any books about helping people when they got hurt, he thinks it would be a really good thing to learn!]

I'm okay miss I ate lots already! [There are a lot of mochi on that napkin though.] If Toyo-chan is a shinki then she will be really hungry! But I'm sure she will share with you, won't you Toyo-chan!

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Toyo looks to the boy, uncertain of how to respond until she sees her goddess give a tiny nod after which the little girl nods as well. Stuffing one mochi in her mouth, Toyo reaches for another and shoves it toward Ayumu's mouth.

Clearly a little flustered by sudden appearance of a pastry in her face, Ayumu pauses in her task just long enough to take a small bite of it and she smooths a bandaid across Toyo's scraped palm.

Once Ayumu's done chewing and swallowing, she sits back on her heels, wiping off her hands before taking the mochi properly from Toyo.]

Thank you. Both of you. How about we just find a nice quiet spot to snack and relax, hmm?

[She gives the boy another grateful smile.]

I'm sorry. I don't believe I caught your name! I'm Ayumu and as you now know, this is Toyo-chan. You're right about her being a shinki. She's my newest - assigned to me just today, as a matter of fact.

[myblueskies]

[Romeo watched them with a small smile, it seemed Toyo really liked Ayumu, they would make a good team!]

How about over there!

[He pointed a little further away to an area in some shade, there weren't many people over there as it was a little bit away from the activities.]

Miss Ayumu? You're back?

[kagenonadeshiko]

...Yes?

[Ayumu blinks a little bit in surprise. Has she met this young man before? She wracks her brain, trying to place him but given how bizarre her memory has been since after coming back from her ablution and all the things she's had to mentally process before and after disappearance, it's entirely possible that a meeting had gotten lost in the shuffle.]

Have we met before?

[It's not like her to forget a name and a face, though. Quite to the contrary, in fact.]

And over there's fine.

[It looks like a nice shady spot and it's close that it shouldn't strain Toyo's knee too much to walk there. Ayumu straightens up and starts gently guiding Toyo toward the spot as she begins strolling toward it, careful not to leave the little girl behind.]

[myblueskies]

No miss. [Romeo shook his head even as he began moving over to the other area, going slow so that Toyo could keep up!]

I never met you before but Joss missed you a lot!

[Speaking of Joss!] Has he seen you yet?

[kagenonadeshiko]

Yes, he has. I've been trying to spend time with him whenever I can the past couple of weeks.

[It was hardly a problem or a chore though. With her inabilty to name shinki in the strange state she'd been in and the lack of a temple, arranging daily get-togethers had been the best she could do.]

I know he missed me and I'm very happy that I can be with him again. I never wanted to make him sad but sometimes people go away whether we like it or not.

[When they reach the spot, Ayumu will sit down beneath the tree, patting the grass beside her to encourage both children to sit down.]

[myblueskies]

[He hadn't said but then again Romeo hadn't seen Joss much at all the last few weeks, he hadn't come to the book party. Maybe this was why, if he was spending lots of time with miss Ayumu. Romeo was glad, he knew how much Joss had missed her.

He sat down beside her and grinned at Toyo.]

I'm glad you're back now miss! Joss must be very happy. [People going away was a bad thing... But Ayumu is back!]

Where did you go?

[kagenonadeshiko]

I don't know. Sometimes people just disappear. I don't understand why it happens or where I go. But it's happened before in the past.

[The disappearances wouldn't eat at Ayumu so much if she came back with some inkling of what became of her during her absences. And this one grates in particular, considering what she'd told Joss about providing shinki with a happy, stable home to live in shortly before it. Honestly, Ayumu had done her best to make sure he and Maria would be safe if something happened but...]

I don't want it to happen anymore though. I don't wanna put Joss through anymore pain like that again.

[She might not be able to provide as much as other gods but a childhood, unconditional love, and a safe place to call home are things she can give. Or at least, do her best to give.]

But thank you. It's good to be back with my family again.

[myblueskies]

You don't know, miss? [He frowned, she couldn't remember? That was a bit scary, here was someone who had come back and yet even she didn't know what happened to all the friends who had disappeared from the heavens.

He was glad she was back though and glad she wanted Joss to be happy and not in pain. That meant she was a really good god for him!]

I'm glad you get to be back with your family too, miss Ayumu! I hope you get to stay here for a long time!

sorry for the delay! I've been ill the past couple of weeks. wanna wrap this one up?

[kagenonadeshiko]

Thanks.

[After becoming part of a real one, family had become the most precious thing in the world to her, whether they wear Shinsengumi blues or not. She absently watches Toyo eat. With her relationship with Hakkai and Chikusa in shambles, all she has left are her shinki and Ken. She'll do better this time.]

I hope to be here to stay, too. I know Joss wants us to live under the same roof for good. And I want that for us, too.

[A fond, almost dreamy smile before she speaks.]

I should let you get back to your training though. You've been such a big help to us already.

no worries, wrap is good!

[myblueskies]

I hope you all get to do that miss! I think Joss would like that a lot!

[And anything that made Joss happy would be good! It would be nice for Joss to have more people around him! Mister Hakkai was a good god, Romeo was sure of it, but Joss seemed like someone who needed lots of friends!]

I will see you soon miss, Toyo-chan! I hope your knee feels better soon!

[There is lots of training left to do!]