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

[reformedsinner]

The sand castle...

[He does remember something about a beach, he thinks. It's something, although the memory was vague. He laughs a little.]

Ah, yes. Of course. I'm not entirely sure if I'd say it's a difficulty.

[He's still not quite sure what happened. It'll be worked out eventually, he supposes.]

[letteropener]

It could have caused you to forget a conversation with me, and yet it isn't a difficulty? Struck to the heart. [She puts a hoof to her chest and bows her head, letting humor smooth away any awkwardness.]

[reformedsinner]

Oh my, of course, that's a tragedy, Miss Celestia.

[He spreads his hands, smile not wavering.]

But as for the rest, I'm not sure. I simply... can't remember the last month or so. Not well, in any case.

I was hoping I could piece together what left me with this problem if someone else recalled.

[letteropener]

That sort of mishap seems... if not common, at least quite possible here in the Far Shore. [Jokes aside, she regards him with a thoughtful frown. He certainly hasn't described a good situation.]

Normally I would offer the help of a spell here, but even though you're a god, I'm not certain this sort of occurrence can be safely tampered with here even so.

[reformedsinner]

It's not as if we haven't all experienced something going wrong with our memories.

-- Do you really have spells that can do things like that?

[He glances up at her with a sharply interested expression.]

[letteropener]

I do. [No more joking in her tone now. Serious questions deserve serious answers.] I know a memory spell, one that can restore memories that have been suppressed or are simply unable to come to the fore. My dear student Twilight Sparkle used that spell in one of Equestria's darkest hours, to restore her friends after they had been corrupted by Discord, the Spirit of Disharmony.

[reformedsinner]

I might be willing to let you try that on me... but not just now, I think. It's not an appropriate place.

[His vague little gesture encompasses the entire Meeting Hall. No, this isn't the right place to bring back suppressed memories; he has the unpleasant feeling that it won't just be his last month's actions that she accesses if she tries.]

[letteropener]

More than that, the Far Shore's effect on memories, at least regarding shinki, is something to think carefully on. I don't wish to cause you any harm.

[She even regrets mentioning a little, in truth.]

[reformedsinner]

I'm not, at least, a shinki anymore.

[He flashes her an easy little smile, and adds a shrug.]

-- And, that being the case, I've risked worse fates for worse reasons. But I'll see if I can come up with a less drastic fix first. Asking around is my first step.

[letteropener]

Any more, yes. I wonder if that leaves any effects, at a time like this. [How often could it possibly come up that anyone has checked, after all>?] Still, I'll do what I can to aid you. I have quite a few resources at my disposal, after all.

[reformedsinner]

Perhaps we're finding out? I can't say, yet. Thank you, regardless, Celestia.

Let me know if you hear anything, and I'll reach out if I need your help trying to unlock any of my memories magically.

[letteropener]

I certainly will. And in the meantime, you will take care of yourself, right?

[Her voice is light and serene as always, but the look she casts him puts far more weight on that very much NOT rhetorical question.]

[reformedsinner]

I have shinki to look after... so I'll have to, won't I?

[His chuckle is in a tone just as light as hers -- but he returns the glance with a slight, acknowledging inclination of his head. It's a shame that there are so many people here who've noticed his careless tendencies. They all seem to worry.]

[letteropener]

[Point a hoof squarely at all the people here who hide behind a mask, including Celestia herself. She's on to him because she sees a little of herself in him.]

And friends who care.