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

[kagenonadeshiko]

It's fine if they're a little big. Anything at all would be a big help. I don't know what the Heavens were thinking. I've lost most of my followers, too.

[Money's going to be a little tight for a while. Even if the Heavens is supposed to assist with clothing, the less that Ayumu has to rely on them for anything, the better. Besides, caring for her shinki is her responsibility. At least, Wendy is a friend and a pretty reliable one at that. The relief in Ayumu's expression is very clear.]

As for shopping, that'd be a big help, too. We're on a tight budget right now but I'd like to get her some nice things, too, when I can.

[Not just clothes but toys, too. Maybe some playground equipment for her yard. Toyo might be a soulless but she's still a child and children deserve fun things in their lives. Besides, it'd be there for Joscelin, Nanako, and other children of the Far Shore to enjoy, too.]

[nopixiedust]

You know, people are starting to wonder how much Heaven actually knows about any of this... That weird cult is still around, and they definitely have much weirder and stronger ties to us, from what I've heard. It's such a nuisance...

[If only they just had to deal with one group of complete idiots, but now their hands are full of them. Well, Wendy guesses that's just life. Gotta put up with it. Although that still has her wondering about just what it means for a god to disappear and their followers to go down...]

[Well, that's above her paygrade. Wendy won't bother thinking about it too much more.]

The good news, then, is that Hibiki is still a god of fortune and, even when she wasn't, she was spending money like there was no tomorrow. I can help you guys out. I mean, it's a more useful spending of money than buying a carriage, right?

[kagenonadeshiko]

I suppose it would be. Thanks for all the help, Wendy-san.

[Ayumu's assumed that her followers simply stopped believing in her and moved on to someone else to worship but it is odd that she could go from having thousands down to practically none. There's something almost sinister about that, really, whenever she thinks about it too much.

Clothes and toys for a child is a much simpler and immediate concern. And thoughts of how to fix that are much more pleasant.]

I'm glad to hear that Hibiki-san's still doing well for herself. Perhaps we could arrange a shopping trip sometime and invite her along.

[She's always liked Hibiki, honestly, and that fondness only grew after hearing all about her from her lovely friend from home.]

I ran into a friend of hers from her world recently, actually. A very sweet and charming young lady by the name of Falulu. She told me something very interesting while she was here. A very special name she calls Hibiki-san.

[Ayumu gives in to a girlish giggle.]

[nopixiedust]

[At least that gets Wendy's attention, and she gives a long and dramatic sigh, one hand to her cheek.]

Aaaaaah, I've heard there was someone from her home that showed up, but I missed my chance to meet her! I just got caught up in all sorts of things, I'm a little jealous.

[Teasing blackmail is best gotten straight from the source.]

But what's that special nickname of hers? You can't leave me on a cliffhanger like that!

[kagenonadeshiko]

Mahou-chan~

[Ayumu drawls it out in her native Osaka accent. It's kind of cute, really. Charming.]

I think it suits her very well, don't you? Hibiki-san's truly the magical sort, isn't she?

[Ayumu giggles but there's nothing derisive or malicious about it. It's simply a sound of pure glee.]

It's shame you missed Falulu-chan. She was quite informative about her dear friend.

[Falulu's presence will be greatly missed for more than one reason.]

[nopixiedust]

Oh, that's adorable.

[Wendy's grin spreads wide over her face. That's such a cute nickname, she almost can't believe that someone managed to get away with giving it to Hibiki.]

Have you had a chance to use it on her yet?