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

[reloves]

Ahh.. That's a difficult situation. [ Especially since she's been there before - Minako is definitely the type who likes cheering other people up. But it feels kind of ironic that she's running into someone with that problem exactly while she's feeling bad as well. ]

Sometimes it's just impossible to console someone like that though. You just have to wait until the pieces of their heart slowly melt back together again.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

That sounds like it might take a long time. [He sighs. People have been saying patience a lot today. It sounds like Shen Wei is going to be sad for a very long time.]

[reloves]

[ It probably will be a long time. And that long time will suck. Minako sure knows all about it.

But despite her own mood being pretty terrible today - and the past few days, really - she can't just sit there and let someone else be bummed, regardless of her own circumstances. So she stands up. ]

Wait here for a second.

[ She disappears into a different part of the meeting hall, and when she returns, it seems like she's already found the snacks table they were setting up, since she's got a plate with few pieces of sushi with her. Minako just unceremoniously puts it on his lap. ]

Here. You were starting to look pretty bummed too. [ And he did say fish cheers him up! ]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

[Da Qing was surprised when she rushed off but he waited, he had nothing better to do after all. When she returns with fish his mouth dropped open. This was for him?

She was the best person in the entire heavens. He grinned at her and fell on the fish happily. It did indeed cheer him up, very much so.]

I can't believe you did this for me, you are such a good friend.

[Do you even know his name? It doesn't matter, they are friends now. You have a friend for life Minako.]

[reloves]

[ Minako's cat owner skills strike again!

At the very least the way he reacts is.. well, kind of endearing. And it does make Minako's own heart feel a little bit lighter to know she at least managed to do something good today. Seems like she at least cheered someone up. ]

We're good friends now? [ She doesn't even sound like she's rejecting that idea. Minako is also quick to declare someone a friend, so it doesn't bother her in the slightest. It's more just a weak form of amusement, and she smiles slightly as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. ]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Anyone who would just go and bring fish to cheer me up is clearly a friend worth having. [So yes. They are good friends.]

I'm Da Qing, by the way.

[reloves]

I'm Minako, nice to meet you.

[ Even though it's not under the best circumstances. She always hates it whenever someone first meets her when she's in a rather mopey mood and not at her energetic best..

Little does she know this is not the first time they've spoken, but.. sshh. ]

And it's no big deal, really. It just sounds like you're having a tough time, so someone should do something nice for you.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Nice to meet you too. [He's not going to go into how they technically have already spoken. It's too much explaining to do and there's fish to eat.] Well it's very kind of you! If you are ever feeling glum I'll do the same for you! What food cheers you up? Chocolate?

[reloves]

What food..? [ The question seems to momentarily surprise her. It feels like such an easy way to cheer up, just by eating a certain kind of food, but.. it sure seems to work for him right now, huh? At least somewhat. ]

Ah, I don't know. [ But the way she feels right now feels much too heavy to be solved with food. She smiles a bit though, pretending nothing's up. ] Rather than food, maybe something like romantic movies would be better for me..?

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Romantic movies... [They would really cheer her up huh? Da Qing is not completely unaware that something is up with Minako. He doesn't know her well and this is the first time they have met in person but... She seems a little sad.] Would you like to go and watch a movie now?

[reloves]

[ Aw, that offer seems somewhat sweet. She isn't sure if he's just suggesting it since she just brought it up or whether he's trying to do the same thing she did for him since he actually noticed she was sad.. but either way, it's a sweet gesture.

A sweet gesture that Minako doesn't super feel in the mood for, but the sweetness means there's no way she could be rude about turning it down. ]

Hmm.. Maybe right now isn't the best time. [ She tries to give him a small smile, even though it seems kind of weak. ] There's something I'm.. kind of focused on right now.

[ Yes, she's trying real hard to not imply she's sad in any verbal way. ]

But once that thing is over, I wouldn't mind watching some movie together.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Right! [He pointed at her with a grin.] Once you have time we will go and see a movie.

[He owes her after all.] What are you focused on, I could help if more hands would make quicker work.

[On the one hand Da Qing will go out of his way to avoid work at all times. But on the other hand she gave him fish, he can help her out.]

[reloves]

[ She laughs, although it's so light that it's mostly just breath. ]

I don't think it's something that's easy to help with in that sort of way. [ Especially since there are already quite a lot of people who offered to help her with the chores - and even accepting that had already been pretty difficult with how Minako is. ]

Thanks for offering though. It's super sweet.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Well if you ever do need any help just tell me. [He finishes the last of the fish and smiles up at her.] Or if you just want cheering up.

[reloves]

Don't worry, I will.

[ .. Maybe. But sshh, she doesn't have to add that part out loud, right? She doesn't want to shoot him down with her dumb pride while he's being so nice. ]

I should probably get going for now though. I'll see you again some other time, alright?

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Alright! Thanks for the fish again. I'll see you again.

[He gives her a little wave. He would make sure to check up on her soon, just to make sure she is as alright as she claims to be.]