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

Questions?

[godsoffortune]

Host Temple Signups for Training

[godsoffortune]

Please rank your preferences, 1st-3rd place, for May, June, or July hosting.

Nagi Rokuya | OPEN

[kokonaprince]

Shinki Training

[Nagi has somehow managed to get a hold of a blank name tag and has drawn MANY stars all over it, as well as adding his own name.

HELLO, MY NAME IS NAGI ROKUYA is plastered on his chest. This way, he doesn't have to go about introducing himself properly as he approaches the nearest other shinki.]

Oh! What kind of weapon is this??

[It doesn't matter what kind of weapon it is. He will gesture expansively at it. He doesn't know it. Or doesn't know it well enough to pretend he knows it. That's just how this goes.]

Physical Training

[Anyone who happens to be in the seiza practice at the same time as Nagi will witness him lasting an entire twenty seconds before he slumps over dramatically, lying on the ground and taking up as much space as his lanky body can.]

Oooh, BREAK. Break time... ohhhh...

[Please either get him out or get him to properly do the exercise, ohmygod.]

Rest and Refreshments

[The music is something that Nagi looks especially delighted about. He is holding onto a cup of juice with both hands and swaying along as everyone else sings. For some reason, he doesn't seem inclined to join in right now. But he is so enraptured by the singing that he might bump someone, but easy to sneak up on, or whatever else you'd like! He's susceptible to anything at the moment.]

Hibiki Shikyoin ♔ OTA

[priforprince]

[ God Training ]

So the administration finally accepts its own uselessness.

[ Hibiki snorts. It's unclear whether she meant for Fuujin to hear that or not, but she sure doesn't look too choked up about the prospect he might. ]



Well, an expression of trust from the Little Shining Princess will never go amiss. For her sake, I'll set an example before which all inferior propositions shrivel into abandonment!

[ hibiki

no ]

[ Physical Training ]

[ Hibiki is sitting dead center in the middle of this room, her seiza flawless. There is a small pyramid of finished teacups off to the side of her, and as she sits in stillness with even her hands in the preferred position, the attending shinki brings her another cup of tea. This time they've even included some seasonally-appropriate wagashi, appreciative of a master at work.

Hibiki's eyes open upon being approached, and she bestows the shinki with a smile. ]



Thank you. Like a sunbeam evaporating the dew of despair, this activity's stillness cleanses my heart.

[ The shinki keeps it together while serving Hibiki, but upon passing you, has to hide their face in their hands with a blushy giggle. What an amazing guest!

But their own reward was no less than they deserved. For Shikyoin Hibiki has finally discovered a training activity worthy of her participation:

the art of prettily doing absolutely nothing. ]

[ R...est....? ]



Hrgh!

[ THERE IS A LOUD CRASH!

Hibiki has dropped her teacup right next to you after the shinki doing singing practice failed to hit the right note in a particularly spectacular fashion! And the resulting mess has splashed all over your clothes.

What's more, she doesn't look even the least bit apologetic. It's kind of hard to, when clutching one's head and twitching. ]

[priforprince]

TOGETHER WITH HIBIKI, THE ULTIMATE CONCERT INTRO LOG!

I'd be able to host any month, but preferences are:

1) May
2) July
3) June

(seriously, though, give other people the slots they want over me; i'm flexible)

shinki training

[dredefulchilde]

...It's a knife.

[Given that Joscelin was partially responsible for the utter destruction of the training dummies, he's keeping a somewhat lower profile this week. So instead of causing the chaos he would like to, he's focusing instead on playing around with a butterfly knife as he watches the new arrivals straggle in. It's only centuries of practice (that he doesn't remember) that keeps him from dropping the knife and injuring himself when he's suddenly accosted by a grinning idiot.]

You must be new.

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Shinki Training

[Da Qing is at the training. He figured he needed to get out of the temple, where he had been holed up in for far too long. He had been worried about leaving Shen Wei as well but it seemed his god had rallied himself enough to want to come to training.

So he was here, though he was seriously considering going into the god training to check on Shen Wei. He had never seen anything like it before, his god who was usually precise and controlled was walking around like he had lost a part of himself.

Da Qing missed Yunlan too but...

He's technically practising borderlines, though for the most part he is sat gloomily, thinking of something he can do to help.] It's not like I can just take him fish, it won't cheer him up...

Around the Training

[Right. There had to be something he could do to help. Da Qing knows quite a lot of people now, some people at least. One of them was bound to know how to deal with sad humans. Da Qing had tried every trick in his book but as loathe as he was to admit it... This could not be solved by a cat alone.

And so if you know him or not you are likely to be approached in the gaps between different training sessions.]

Do you know anything about love?

[Research. He would find out what he had to do to make Shen Wei stop being so... Lost. It has been a long time already, how long did humans even stay sad for?]

[hypomeneo]

I might.

[Said with no small amount of irritation as Waver limps from the dojo. He's... well, he's been thrown around a lot today to practice taking falls without injury and recovering quickly back to his feet and it... sucked. He fights with magic and learning physical combat skills is a trial and a half. He's had to start at square one with conditioning and the basics.

Thankfully Servants naturally heal fast, so...]

They're going to raise a stink about any bloody mud on your paws if you follow me into the hall, though. Fair warning.

[Waver, however, doesn't give a hoot beyond what is demanded by hospitality.]

around the training

[priforprince]

Were you not at my performance?

[ A dismissive sniff. The love of which Hibiki is an expert happens to be the pure amore variety, but she is SO INCREDIBLY AN EXPERT in that particular strain that all must clearly associate her name with the very concept.

Note: she has not yet tried to presume why Da Qing is leading with that question. Merely noted doubt existed as to her authority, and decided this merited judginess over tea.

As one does. ]

And to think cats are supposedly nature's Celebrities.....

[reformedsinner]

Physical Training

[Hakkai is lingering by the side of the obstacle course, a small smile ticking at the corner of his mouth as he watches the participants.]

Do you suppose the gardeners have gotten tired of us?

[It's not that he'd blame them. After all, he isn't volunteering to host training yet. It's too much of a mess, and, of course, he has a few things he's concerned about first. This doesn't seem to be stopping him from taking time out for sarcasm.]

Gralat Berlurik | OTA

[snowywolf]

God Training
[ It's hardly impressive, the information that they're given in the small room, and the "gracious offer" that they are then given in the next room. Although Gralat - who's had to change out of bloodstained padded uniform and had to dress his wounds before being dragged to this place; this, right after being mauled by a beast? It's ridiculous - had been attentive to the whispers he had heard before Fuujin had arrived, was not so interested that he will instantly dig around for further information.

He's more annoyed that he's been ripped from the battlefield and is expected to show loyalty to some random people that hold no bearing on Ellvaldes' position or situation.

His expression may be more-or-less neutral, there is certainly a hint of unimpressed distaste in it, and it's directed toward Fuujins receding back and the door he leaves through. ]

What dog shit.. Who has time for such frivolities...

Training
[ So they actually do know how to do useful things... Though clearly not in an efficient way. What is this? Are they playing at being nannies to toddlers?

There is a shinki hovering near him, seemingly conflicted between trying to make Gralat participate, or letting him be. Gralat glares (glances, but, where's the difference?) at the poor soulless man, unamused by his hesitance. Then he looks back at the gathered persons, continuing to assess their abilities and attitudes. ]

I have no intention of participating in a show-of-skills for a cause that is of no import to me, nor will be of any gain. You do as you like, if you believe that you need the practice.

[ After a few moments, the shinki wanders off, while sending uncertain glances toward his god, to join the ones practicing their borderlines.

Gralat, meanwhile, remains on the sidelines, glaring (really just watching) at other people, not caring if he meets a gaze or huffs, unimpressed, as he looks away again.

Hopefully you're not insulted by something so little. ]

R&R, Rajio Taisou, Seiza
[ Look, he's not going to participate in these stupid things. He's going to even look just a smidge incredulous. Because seriously, what the hell is all this shit? They sure have a lot of free time on their hands, despite supposedly being at war. Such decadence is what he loathes about nobility. (Well, one of the things.)

He'll be annoyed with the abundance of food, as well. He may even be overhead muttering to himself- he almost sounds a little bitter. ]

This place sure is rich, despite claiming to be at war.

[ Has anybody expressedly said that they're at war? Perhaps not, but that is what he has gathered of the situation no matter what words have been used. ]

Obi | OTA

[yasei]

Rajio Taisou
[ Obi is only parttaking a bit, as is the norm for him. He often ditches completely or only makes a brief appearance- sometimes without even going noticed.

Today, though, something has piqued his interest.

This is new! It looks silly! But that only makes it more interesting, doesn't it? Obi has no problem with making himself appear silly.

Even better if he can drag someone else into it as well. ]

Hey, [ Mister/Miss (little mr/ms, if you're a smol) inserted as appropriate, with name added on if he knows you (unless he calls you something else, but that's so so rare) ] Let's play this game, it looks weird!

Seiza
[ ...is torture! This! Is! Not that Obi hasn't seen people sit this way before but?? What? Is? This? Why would you elect to sit like this when there are much less leg-numbing ways to sit?

Obi lasts a fairly long while despite his misgivings and criticism (he looks slightly pained on and off even) but eventually he just flops onto his back and readjusts himself (hands may have to be used) to rub the million ants out of his legs. ]

Who came up with this unusual and cruel punishment? It's gotta have been some huge sadist.

[smilingbullet]

Post-God Meeting
[ D2 is a shinki and can't actually participate in the Gods Meeting, but that doesn't mean that he isn't going to find out what was talked about. Fuujins attitude is of no surprise, nor is the Heavens' expectations regarding the second gen gods' loyalty. That's as annoying as ever- though as he is prone to do in a public setting, D2 masks his disdain for the Heavens and the old gods.

Instead, as he thoughtfully fiddles with the nametag (HELLO, MY NAME IS D2MEI) held between his fingers, he outwardly focuses on what was expected of the new gods now, and because he knows that particularly one of them will go All Out with this... ]

Hrrmmm... How troublesome... She'll definitely want in on this...

Physical Training
[ The reason why D2 sometimes attends these meetings is for the training. You can't really pick up new spells and he perfected borderline ages ago already, but you can try weapons you're unfamiliar with and sometimes there's an obstacle course arranged. D2 loves obstacle courses, they remind him a bit of boot camp. It's been a long time since he last attended boot camp.

He is so cheerful about dripping with mud, getting to stretch his muscles in ways he doesn't with the various usual ways that he trains with on a daily basis, collecting the same ribbons several times over. He's timing himself with the wristwatch he's wearing, and sometimes he can be seen doing a little whoop by himself. Seems he got a batter time! ]

Physical training

[myblueskies]

[The exercises had been a fun warm up and Romeo had been excited to learn something new! He had never sat like this before but he hadn't thought it would be so complicated! It was very complicated indeed and it had took him a long time before the shinki teaching it had nodded at him, he had finally figured how to put his feet! So now he was now trying his best to sit still long enough to win a cup of green tea!

Sitting still is difficult enough at the best of times, never mind in formal positions and indeed he moves when the man falls over, scrambling over to his side.] Are you okay sir! Are you hurt?

training

[myblueskies]

[Romeo is hard at work, he has three ribbons already and is determined to collect all five! The training today is fun! He is covered in mud but clutching his third, blue, ribbon in his fist proudly!

There are always lots of people at the training days, some he knows, some he doesn't. He doesn't know this man. But he heard him talking to another man who Romeo guessed was his shinki as he went to practice borderlines.

He watched him for a little bit more, wondering why he didn't want to take part! Surely everyone needed practice, especially since Romeo had never seen him before, so he was probably new!

Maybe not but Romeo knew lots of people now!]

Are you alright sir? [After he gets a huff he decides to approach! Because if this god was new then he probably just needed help keeping his spirits up! Romeo often thought it must be scarier here for gods, because they could remember all the friends they had left behind.]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

[Oh. He hadn't expected to find someone so quickly! It seemed like this problem might be easier to fix than Da Qing had feared. He shook his paws slightly.] No mud here. [Mud's almost as bad as water. At least mud often results in water as Shen Wei has similar opinions about him trecking mud through the temple.

He can follow.]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

You perform? [No he was not. He may or may not be aware that she performs in general but honestly she was beneath a cats notice. The only reason he notices her at all is to keep an eye on her goats, someone has to.

Even if they aren't real, it's the principle that counts.]

What does being a celebrity have to do with love?

[He grumbles, Yunlan's disappearance has hurt him to. But not as much as Shen Wei and it is his god he is trying to help.]

Re: shinki training

[kokonaprince]

[Nagi's eyes widen and he covers his mouth with both hands, staring in awe.]

Oohhh, what a lovely knife. You move it so fast! Does it always do that?

[Oh wait, the kid asked him a question. Nagi bows deeply.]

Yes~! I just arrived, it's very nice to meet you!

[He... doesn't bother introducing himself... apparently because of the nametag.]

[kokonaprince]

[Rather than assuring this poor boy that he's fine and just lazy, Nagi drapes an arm over his eyes and lets out a dramatic sigh.]

I'm... I'm fine. Don't worry about me! I just need to cool down. Ohhh, it's so much...

[IT'S LITERALLY JUST SITTING, NAGI, CALM DOWN!

You would think he's overworked by his attitude though. Sorry.]

[priforprince]

[ A big, blocky arrow with the words "You perform?" on it strikes Hibiki between the shoulderblades. She chokes on a mouthful of tea, then forces it down. ]

If you'd attended my concert, you'd know the answer!

[ Because she would have sung about it! For four minutes! While sticking her leggy up real high!

PURE!

AMORE LOVE! ]

Re: shinki training

[dredefulchilde]

[Bloody hell. This new arrival is one of those. A friendly buffoon. He doesn't have time for this.]

It's a butterfly knife. They open. They close. It's built into the design. So, yes, they always do that.

[He flips it over his hand, closes it, and slips it back into a jacket pocket. Joscelin dressed quite warmly, despite the pleasant spring day, but he doesn't seem to notice. He snorts.]

Charmed, I'm sure. Er. Nagi. I'm called Joscelin, though most here tend to call me Joss. You may address me as such.

[21kingpuddings]

Shinki Training
[Last time he came to training, it seemed like everything was far more chaotic and harried. Last time he came to training, hardly anyone could give the newcomers a decent explanation on what to do. Last time, he found himself completely unable to make a borderline.

But not this time

Armed with the knowledge of several dozen failed attempts at drawing a proper borderline, his first attempt at the start of the new training days rewards him with one quick, powerful border on his first try.]

Whoa!!

[Incredible...!! So incredible, he's going to turn to whoever is practicing close to him with a big, excited grin.] Hey, did you see that?


Physical Training
[Rajio Taisou and seiza training sound

so boring

so Tamaki's glad there's an alternate option in the obstacle course set up. He doesn't seem to be having much trouble progressing through parts of it. Keeping his balance while jumping from stump to stump is, for instance, particularly simple, though other parts are pretty far out of his wheelhouse.]

Whoa... [Wall climbing, that's kind of daunting...] H-hey, can you show me how to do this? Just so I can figure out how.


R&R
[Aha, the snack table...! This is what he's sure will be his favorite part of these training days, but the music does a solid job of drawing his attention as well. All that running around all day has him pretty worn down, so rather than joining in right away, he's simply enjoying the entertainment for the moment.

It probably doesn't help that he's not actually familiar with the selection of tunes the shinki are going with, but after a few songs, he can't help but wonder...]

Think they'll let anyone sing, even if it's not this?

[Hm...!]


Wildcard
[Got something else in mind to throw my way? Hit me with whatever your heart desires.]

Physical training

[notatyrant]

[A new vision had shook Terra, badly, and now he's trying to look for the owner of said death.

Not too hard to spot considering he's tall, and very dramatically laying down.]

Hi, umm... Nagi?

[There's too many stars to see his name properly. Oh well.]

Need any help?

[yoshinocherry]

Temple Shinju would gladly host a training day! Ideally, my personal preferences for months are:

1. July
2. June
3. May
Though I'd also be happy to relinquish any spot for another enthusiastic volunteer with a larger hosting space to utilize lol

[hypomeneo]

[Waver starts raising a brow, then lowers it, sighing as he walks on. Right. Cats. Cats like to be clean, usually.]

For who are you asking? And why?

... I might not be able to give a very good answer, depending. I can't claim much experience with relationships.