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]

[ He knows the rules but he doesn't care for them. He was the kind of person who feels that rules and laws only worked if they made sence. The ones that the Old Gods had in place were understandable, but they were not them and they had a different world view.

It doesn't help that Shen Wei was the authority where he came from - the only reason why he never took the throne was because he saw no benefit to it.

(And it would slow his hunt for Zhao Yunlan if he had been tied and buried under such a weight. Shen Wei was selfish when it came to his love.) ]

I don't always attend. I find them tedious as well as pointless, especially given my dislike for some of the politics being played. I rather spend time doing something a lot more productive. Weaving garlands, perhaps?

[ He's trying to joke even though he knew he wasn't that good at it. ]

[hypomeneo]

Picked up lei making in Hawaii? That sounds a hell of a lot more fun than some of the jousting here. I have no patience for them myself.

[It's alright, he's running with it. He can't say where his loathing for the politics of Heaven comes from aside from the obvious, but the Old Gods rub him the wrong way. Much does - there's too many similarities in the situation to his past life in so many aspects for him to ever find peace with how things are.

And then there's his overall morality.

The eyes are beginning to leave his back. He wonders if it's going to become an issue with Amaterasu's shinki later. Waver finds he can't care. He can always plead ignorance.]

I'm only here for the dojo this time. There's not many training spaces as well appointed as this one, I find.

[And as he's trying to scrape together some martial skill...]

[cloakedinruins]

It was that or learn how to hula, and I'm not fond of something that close to me. Not that either one is considered worthy of glory, but I really wonder if any of them have stood in the middle of battle, hip deep in the blood of those dying for that glory.

[ Let's just continue the joking, just a little here. It's easier on his heart to joke than to dwell. Not that he could keep with it having remembered with some discuss the tales the old gods had told a few weeks ago.

And in his misery he was outting himself here, something that he tries not to do. But it's fine. He didn't have a cover to maintain these days. ]

There is one in my temple, and it's always open for anyone to use. I can even teach if need be.