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

[kokuyoyo]

I'm... pretty sure no one has a nose like Ken's.

[It is, perhaps, just a little bit of a boast. Chikusa and Ken might harass each other almost as much as they make out, but he is his partner, in the end. He won't let anyone be better than his partner at what strengths the blond does have.]

The wireless cameras... might be a problem if Fuujin or his shinki find them. Unless we make up a lie, like they were part of the training...? But that would work best if they were focused on spots we know have the hidden objects...

[reformedsinner]

Certainly not better. As for the cameras... hmm.

Well, it sounds like you're suggesting a scavenger hunt instead of asking our trainees to find things. If we had to set something like that up in advance, it could get us into all kinds of places. Why focus on just Fuujin?

[Why not bug -- oh, say -- Suijin and Raijin too? Or the Meeting Hall. He spreads his hands with an innocent smile.]

Especially since I'm sure we couldn't easily fit everyone in our temple.

[kokuyoyo]

But if Heaven is told in advance... That would make it more difficult, I think.

[Unless they're thinking of different things being set up in advance.]

Ah... How bothersome. Although at least you wouldn't have to worry about paying for it all. It feels like all the money I used... has already been filled up again.

[That's probably not entirely true, considering how him and Minako bought out a high class restaurant, aquarium tickets, things to the amusement park... Still, they're all clearly too rich right now. They have to spend more to get back into their weird state of poverty and lawlessness that they're used to.]

[reformedsinner]

[Much more. Hakkai's frugal habits clash uncomfortably with their current high income. He raises his eyebrows thoughtfully.] Yes, it has, hasn't it? I hear that Joscelin wants to start making money, so I thought I'd offer him a salary for helping me with ayakashi slaying. Since you and Ken have access to the household funds, but he doesn't live with us, it seemed fair....

[kokuyoyo]

...You mean I have access to the household funds.

[Do they really want to trust Ken with that access? Do they really? Ken can barely read sometimes, although admittedly Chikusa has to say that's less to do with ability and more to do with desire. His temperament doesn't do well with most things that involve sitting still and using his brain.]

[This includes math. Chikusa fears for their bookkeeping.]

[reformedsinner]

Ken knows where we keep the spare cash, doesn't he?

[He can probably track it down by scent even if he didn't know. The jars Hakkai keeps stuffed full of tightly rolled bills and spare change in the top of the kitchen cupboards aren't even hidden, really.]

I'd say that counts.

[kokuyoyo]

[Chikusa's eyes narrow just enough of a fraction to be noticeable.]

Didn't you say I could only use it if I filled out everything properly first...?

[This is completely unfair. Ken will never do that. Then again, Ken will probably resort more to petty theft, just like Chikusa does, if there's something he really wants. Or, well. Bother Chikusa to handle it for him.]

[this is the worst]

[reformedsinner]

Don't you think it would be good practice for Ken to learn to count money properly?

[He can at least fill out the amounts he's taking. It's educational.

And Chikusa can probably help him if he can't handle that on his own.]

[kokuyoyo]

With our own money...?

[They may be horrifically and filthy rich in ways that none of them really know how to deal with, but Chikusa, well. In some ways, he's much like Hakkai in his own frugality, and the idea of being careless with money rankles him without him really thinking too hard on his own reaction.]

[Still, after a second, he gives a small huff.]

...Are you going to be the one to teach him...?