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]

[What's not to be impressed about? Leadership requires strength, cunning, knowledge, and responsibility. Ayumu had a front row seat to the strain it'd had on Toshi, maybe not as close as Souji's, but enough to be well aware of how demanding the duties of it could be.

But to lead an entire nation of people? Ayumu can't even imagine how much pressure that would be.

Her expression softens with genuine sympathy. Funny how it makes her look a little younger.]

I'm sure you did the best you could with the hand you were dealt. Leadership isn't easy, not when you care about those within your charge. It's a difficult, complicated job.

[Even if neither of them know the full story behind his kingship, Ayumu's a good enough judge of character to be certain that Edge would've done the best he could by his people.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Hey, Edge can't imagine either! He remembers only one day, a brief period that may or may not be representative. Though from that he does think she's right -- even if his best doesn't include really focusing on the nitty-gritty.]

Right. It's more important to rule well than it is to rule by the book! That's what delegation is for!

[kagenonadeshiko]

I agree. Everyone has their own limits, strengths, and weaknesses. There's no shame in passing along tasks for those better suited to them.

[She glances down at Toyo briefly.]

I prefer to delegate tasks with my shinki. If there are tasks they can do well, I try to leave it to them. I don't like pushing people into molds they don't fit if I can help it.

[Maybe if she'd remembered more about herself and her life, her partnership with Hakkai would've been less of a disaster. That's all in the past, however. All she can do now is focus on the present and future.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Hmn. [Edge folds his arms, eyebrows lowering as he frowns behind his mask.] You say that and now I feel a little guilty about not trying to grow beyond my mold a little more. After all, learning and growing is how we advance in life! Or death. Maybe sometime we should talk hobbies.

[Hey, this is a good angle. Not that he'd initially intended it as one, but how could one fail to charm a lovely lady if one began learning something new with said lovely lady?]

[kagenonadeshiko]

Maybe we should.

[Hobbies are another thing Ayumu's learning how to do properly. Personal growth's been more of a priority for her though, especially after winding up in such a bad way. She has children depending on her now; she can't afford to let them down. She doesn't mind more serious conversation like this; it comes a little more easily to her, given how much of a thinker she tends to be.

(Axel always tried to get to her relax and lighten up more. She's always been too hardworking and serious for her own good.)

She looks to Toyo once more and much to her surprise, finds herself smiling with genuine regret. As nice of a time as she's having talking to Edge right now, she has responsibilities to attend to, too.]

We should get going on our errands though. Talk to you again soon?

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Never a dull moment for ninja! [Nothing he has to do is crucial, and if Ayumu wanted to hang out some more he'd gladly put it all aside to do that. But he can appreciate she's got some important things of her own going on.] I'll catch up with you on that and see when a good time is to treat you girls to a dinner you won't soon forget!

[He waves goodbye to Toyo especially, overeager and energetic in the way that kids usually find funny.]

[kagenonadeshiko]

[He's making a good impression though Ayumu's not getting her hopes too high just yet. It's far too early in the game for that. As for Toyo, she starts giggling again and waves back. One shinki seeming to really like him is a good sign. However, Edge has yet to pass the exemplar test and get Joss's stamp of approval.]

We look forward to it.

[Surprisingly, she actually is. Genuinely.]

Take care of yourself until then.

[Ayumu gives Edge a little wave herself and turns to leave.]