May Training

[brynwieldr]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: May 23rd 2017
Where: Odin’s Temple
Summary: Training and informational sessions for newly arrived gods and shinki; bonding opportunities for all other gods and shinki

Gods and shinki who arrive at the meeting hall are, for once, not led to the back for an introduction to their new roles. They’re instead rounded up and shown the way to Odin’s Temple, where "Odin" is waiting for them. Hopefully the sight of a twenty-something in loose pants and a t-shirt isn’t too shocking compared to the formally dressed old gods.

Basic Information

Unlike previous introductions, Leo has all the newcomers meet in the front room. There’s chairs and a sofa and ottomans for anyone who wants to sit, and they’ve brought in a dais of sorts for Leo and Kairi to stand on.

"Welcome to Heaven, or the Far Shore as some of the older gods call it. I am Leo de Borel, formerly a prince of the Kingdom of Nohr and currently the god Odin. This is my shinki, Kairi. The old gods have asked me to host training this time, but before we do that, you should know what you’re getting into. Some of this information is not my own, but was gathered by my husband, Aymeric de Borel. Unfortunately he's currently down with a sleeping sickness and couldn't join us today."

Leo then launches into basic rundown of Heaven and how things work here--the gods answer prayers, the shinki assist them, ayakashi are the monsters they fight and are generally the main thing causing the people on the Near Shore grief, and a brief summary of the greatly diminished cult--and asks for the gods and the shinki to follow either him or Kairi, depending on which they are. He’ll help anyone who’s not sure which they are figure it out, and then he and Kairi take their groups outside where Leo has set up some training grounds.

God Information

As they head outside, Leo explains a god’s role a bit more in depth to any newcomers and will answer questions should anyone else ask them. Once they get outside and most of the important questions are answered, Leo hands out pamphlets he had made that summarize most of the important information shared today, with an emphasis on not telling a shinki about their past no matter what, and tells them that today is mostly going to be about them figuring out their powers and perhaps finding a shinki or two they work well with, should they not already have one. If they have any other questions, they’re welcome to come find him and ask.

Shinki Information

All of the shinki, no matter how recently they arrived, are treated to a parallel speech by Kairi, but it’s with a bit of passion focusing on god-shinki bonds and what they could be, which she hopes applies to brand new shinki as well as shinki who are only as "new" as she is. She cites a shinki’s ability to help their god/dess with prayers in more ways than as a vessel, for one thing, and that temple structures will vary with the gods themselves. Some become families, for instance - here she looks to both Raichi and D2 - and deep friendships that can last beyond any struggle you can imagine - she looks at Lance and Dust. She explains how there was a time when just being attached to the same pantheon as your god meant that another temple might help you, and some of the new gods may still feel that way. Her point remains that if there’s a specific sort of bond you’re looking for, that god might be out there waiting for them, and she encourages them to ask an older shinki for advice if they’re uncomfortable in their current temple setup. "No one will understand better than your fellow shinki," she insists with a smile.

Speech over, she offers pamphlets to those who might not have received one previously and directs any shinki still struggling with spellwork to where Leo has arranged for a few of Amateratsu’s shinki to teach them how to cast a borderline. More experienced shinki are welcome to assist, but once you think you’ve got it the shinki are welcome to join the gods in the training grounds. Kairi tells the newbies the same thing Leo told the gods: their main goal for today is to get in some practice and maybe find a god they work well with.

Physical Training and Pair Ups

It’s a simple set up this month, since Leo’s yard isn’t really built for this sort of thing, but the basic set up is what you’d expect; there’s dummies for more solo practice, a sparring circle for some one-on-one training, and food laid out for anyone who gets hungry. (And if anyone asks who did the cooking or otherwise thanks Leo, he will direct them to Yoon because he did all the cooking, except for the pizzas. Praise him.)

Once everyone is more or less at the training area, Leo asks everyone to hold a moment so he can explain one last thing.

“The Heavens have asked that my shinki and I do our best to pair unpartnered gods and shinki up, be they new or old, in hopes of making stronger, more lasting bonds. If you meet someone you think you might work well with in the long term, please let either Kairi or I know and we’ll make a note of it.”

And that’s the last you’ll hear from Leo officially, unless you have questions.

Battle Tactics

Or maybe not. For those of you with a partner or who are just interested in learning new techniques, Leo’s arranged for something a little unique this month.

Perhaps you and your partner aren’t really fighting optimally, no matter what you do, or are just getting outmatched by some of the more intelligent ayakashi and have to resort to brute forcing your way through them. Leo has offered to spar against those who want to work on their teamwork (with or without his own shinki) or otherwise observe a fight so he can offer advice afterwards on how you might improve your teamwork.

If you don’t have a partner or are just interested in something not physical (which Leo totally gets), Leo’s also set up a few things inside. There’s a couple of chess sets out (always a good option) as well as, oddly, a few video games. Leo found a game that allowed him to set up simulated large scale battles if you want to try your hand at that sort of thing, as well as games to encourage cooperation between a god and their shinki. This includes a game where up to four people are trying to run a restaurant and one game that has one person reading from a manual and the other trying to defuse a bomb.

Have fun!

In Summary:

• Be baffled by this millennial looking god
• Attend the information meeting
• Train
• Eat, meet people, maybe find a partner
• Play video games
• Have fun~

Comments

Leo | The Host

[brynwieldr]

[Honestly, Leo can be found pretty much everywhere today. It is his temple, after all.]

Pair Ups

[Leo honestly has no interest in staying outside if he can help it (the sun's getting to that point where he's worried he's going to start getting a sunburn) but he's hosting so he'll deal. He just may chose to deal by camping out in one of his lawn chairs with a parasol up. Just in case.

Of course, he's only there if he doesn't see anyone who might need his help. Otherwise he walks around the training grounds, keeping an eye out for anyone who looks like they may be struggling. You're free to approach him directly, of course!

Or maybe he spots you and comes over.]

If you want something a little more solid and random, you could spar against my magic.

Tactics

[Yeah, Leo's not gonna lie: he set this bit up entirely as a self-indulgent something. There is more to fighting well together than just beating people up, after all, and he's always been more a fan of magic and tactics than brute force.

So come and play him at chess! Or have him resist the urge to smirk at your failure to beat his battles. Or beat his battles and have him go up to the screen all confused because how?

Or laugh at him as he fails the damn cooking game time after time. Take your pick.]

Wildcard

[Ask Leo questions! Harass him about introducing himself as a de Borel! Get into trouble going places he told you not to, dammit!]

tactics

[shogis]

[ hifumi is so much more into shogi, but chess is quite similar, and it's not like she hasn't played it before. when she sees leo near one of the chess sets, hifumi approaches and gives him a small smile.

unassuming, right? ]

Hello. [ a small bow. ] Um...would you care for a match?

Pair ups

[swordofzero]

Suzaku hadn't known Leo was a prince, it seems the heavens are full of gods who were once royalty, worrying perhaps for the lands they left behind that would no be without their rulers.

Suzaku had come to training as he often did. Leo and Kairi had done a good job of setting all of this. Suzaku was practicing against of the training dummies when Leo asked if he would like to spar.

"That would be interesting sir."

A spar against magic.

Pair Ups

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Spar against your magic, huh?

[Edge isn't quite certain how one can do that -- especially since holding back magic from doing harm is a lot harder than stopping a sword. Flames and lightning don't have flats to strike with, after all! But he's curious, and has Borderlines to stop the worst from getting through...]

Sure, I'm in! How's this work?

tactics!

[kagenonadeshiko]

[As interesting as all of this, Ayumu's mostly here to pay respects to the host. He'd been a valuably ally to her commander once, after all. She'd always meant to get to know Leo better but something just seemed to always come up. Now that she has another chance, Ayumu intends to do just that.

She approaches him in the section devoted to tactical games, watching all of the proceedings with great interest. Ayumu had played go matches against Hijikata on occasion, enjoying the opportunity to test her wits against one of the best tactical minds she's ever own. As for how she fared - well, that's a secret between the kunoichi and her commander.

Ayumu looks cheerful and relaxed enough, giving Leo the same friendly smile she used to give the fighting men back home.]

Hello. This is a lovely gathering you've put together. I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Hopefully, he'll be back on his feet before long.

[She glances curiously to whatever game Leo happens to be seated at. After all, she's not familiar with either chess or any of the video games being played.]

What's this game called? How's it played?

tactics

[trustheart]

[Chris is always hearing about how she needs to think ahead of herself in battle, and to her credit, she's been taking efforts to work on that ever since the Illuminati incident back in her world. So she figures she might as well take this opportunity.]

Hey there. Congrats again on the wedding, Mister de Borel. I was wondering if Luger and I could match ourselves up against you. Figured we could learn something.

[Said shinki gives a quiet wave from his place at her side.]

Kairi | OTA | Co-Host

[pure_radiantics]

Basic/Shinki Information

[ If you want to grab Kairi for a question between Leo's introduction and Kairi's speech, while they're moving through the temple, after Kairi's speech, or as they're heading out to the temple yard, by all means! It's her new home, so she's definitely capable of walking and talking at the same time. ]

Physical Training

[ Kairi assumes that she's taking the lead on this bit. Leo's offer to watch people practice is a great one, but for the more individualized portions, well... that's not really going to be their temple's priority, but it doesn't mean she wants to completely ignore it as an option either. ]

Anyone want to jog around the temple together? Or - raise your hand if you're looking for a sparring partner! I'll help you pair up before we go jogging!

Pair Ups

[ As she said earlier, she's open for being approached by any shinki who would like advice on how to get along better with their god, or who might need a new partner entirely - god or shinki.

In particular, she'll be looking for any gods who don't have shinki at all right now. Her bro needs a good, solid recommendation for a new god after all! She loves Raichi to bits, but boy does he have terrible luck. ]

Battle Tactics

[ She hovers around those playing the games... because she really does want to play them. But she already did, after all! Enough to test them out before recommending them to Leo. Her first temple loved video games, so she'd got her start back then. While Leo focuses on the Tactical side of things, Kairi's just trying to focus on everyone enjoying themselves - or at least getting a solid start! ]

Hey there! Do you need any tips or instructions on how this game is played?

[ Maybe you're someone who she knows isn't even familiar with video games at all! ]

... Maybe I can play a practice round with you, if you'd like? To get the button patterns down?

Physical training

[disregardeddagger]

Kairi's whole... Everything annoyed Nesir. Her cheer, her friendliness her speech on friendship. But it seemed she was in charge here, at least of the shinki, she seemed to know a lot and was the one who wrote the pamphlet. Probably a good person to know.

"I'll jog with you."

People with information were worth knowing. People in posotions of power were worth getting to know. Information was key. All these things came to her though how she knew it and why was beyond her.

Battle Tactics

[mithrarin]

[Kairi gets a real smile as she approaches. That little part in her speech had been nice, and helped put away the sting of 'working with your god' and all those things he'd never done in... almost a year now. But at her question, his smile turns a bit impish.]

No offense, but I'll destroy you if you try to play against me.

Basic/Shinki Information

[unlucky7]

[If Kairi doesn't mind reading signing on the move, Ginia doesn't mind holding a conversation. She wants to clear some things with the other shinki anyway.]

Nice speech. How does it feel, leading training like this?

Nesir | OTA

[disregardeddagger]

Basic Information

Nesir stands silently during the introduction, still taking everything in. It's been a very strange hour, waking up dead in this strange place and being brought to this temple. The man on the dias in front of them doesn't look very godly, but nothing actually comes to mind about what 'godly' looks like.

She pays attention during the lecture though the frown remains on her face. Gods, shinki, ayakashi, sleeping sickness. Information happens quickly and Nesir takes it all in as best she can, discipline ingrained in her forcing her focus rather than her eyes and mind wandering.

She was dressed in leather armour, the dagger she had arrived holding was in her belt now. Her hair was technically in a braid, though it was such a mess the ribbon was merely a formality at this point, not holding her hair in check at all. Her right hand, which her eyes did go back to every so often, was missing to of it's fingers.

Nesir has no idea what any of that means about herself. Everything is blank except her names.

Shinki Information

She listens to the, far too cheerful, girl as she spoke of bonds and friendship. She fought the urge to roll her eyes but took a pamphlet when one was offered and found a space away from the crowd to read it, back against a wall.

It's a lot of information, she's a weapon. That's... Fine. She can cast spells and do something called a borderline. She assumes a phone is the weird thing she was handed on arrival.

She gets that out now and studies it, turning it every which way, trying to see if it will pry open. She startles slightly as the screen switches on but quickly recovers. What? What is it?

Physical Training

Physical training was definitely more familiar ground than weird light slabs it turns out. She finds one of the training dummies and begins. She quickly figures out that she knows what she is doing. Fighting comes naturally to her, even if she has no idea how or why she knows such things.

Dummies are one thing but a true test of skill is against others so she approaches the sparing ring, watching the others for a moment, judging their threat.

Eventually she might approach someone. "Looking for a partner?"

Battle Tactics

Chess she understands. At least she gets the basic gist after watching a game. You move the pieces, kill your opponents pieces and try and capture their queen. A game of tactics. She watches for a while and though she doesn't volunteer herself for a game, she wouldn't be averse to trying if anyone asked her to play.

The video games however are a whole different thing. What? Moving images on glass, people controlling figures using other boxes with buttons. The figures are moving fast and she spends a moment just staring at the screen in confusion.

Shinki information

[eluci]

If Nesir thinks that Leo doesn't look much like a god should look, then she might not find her own god very 'godly' either. If she doesn't, it's more than fine with him, since he doesn't look much like royalty either much of the time, and doesn't really like being a god.

As it is, he's wandered in to this training session looking like he might be ready for combat--at least from the waist down, with cargo shorts, boots...and a bright green t-shirt. He's not a mingle-type person usually, so he makes a beeline for Nesir as soon as he spots her. He doesn't know who she is, but he's seen her death and knows pretty well what that means by now.

"Never seen a phone before?"

His tone is more teasing than mocking, but he's definitely poking fun at her in some fashion.

battle tactics!

[kagenonadeshiko]

The god hosting training exercises today had been an ally of Ayumu's commander. When she'd heard that he was to be hosting, she'd come to pay her respects. Of course, she'd also been curious to see who might show up.

Sure enough, she spots a woman she's never seen. Despite that there's a familiar look to her, it's clear from her armor and the dagger tucked into her belt that she's a fighter of some sort. When a person has lived in close proximity with warriors as long as Ayumu as, the differences between them

But even more familiar than that, in a much more personal way, is her obvious bewilderment at the video games being played. Ayumu has certainly come a long way since the first time she set eyes on a holographic display at Sheryl's temple and wondered if it was magic. So she approaches the woman, speaking in a casual, friendly tone.

"Somehow the screen reads the information they're putting in with those." She pauses, pointing to one of the controllers. "I've never been able to understand how it works either."

Perhaps this might come as a surprise, considering Ayumu's wearing the same modern clothes as everyone else. Right now, she's dressed in a pair of denim jeans, a short-sleeved tee, athletic shoes, with her hair pulled back into a ponytail.

[shinki information]

[trustheart]

[If Leo isn't looking like much of a god to Nesir, the halfpint with long white hair who's introducing herself to her now probably wouldn't look like much of one either. But she sees Nesir standing there, looking lost, trying to process all this, and Chris can't really leave her alone like that.]

Hey there. I'm Yukine Chris, or the goddess Ishtar here I guess. You holding up okay? Need any questions answered?

[myblueskies]

Shinki Training

This was really fun! Romeo had been excited to hear that the training this week was somewhere different! It was nice of mister Leo to let everyone come to his temple to learn things! He listened to Kairi's speech and though he had heard very similar things before it was nice to see Kairi talking to everyone and helping them!

He bounces around looking for anyone who seems new, confused or he just doesn't know. He has some bags that he and Garry had made, to help new people and make them feel welcome!

He's also looking for people to practice with. "Hi! Do you know spells? Can I practice bind on you?"

If he knows someone and their shinki names and is absolutely certain they won't get mad they might get a sneak attack Bind spell coming at them from this tiny shinki.

Physical Training

Romeo is practising with his spear again. He is getting better and he is specifically working on keeping his attention on all his surroundings so he can't be attacked from behind!

When he gets tired of practicing on the dummy he goes to watch the sparing. He's not sure he will be able to fight against all the grown ups yet, but he definitely wants to try.

Battle Tactics

Oh this looks really fun! Romeo is sat at an empty chess board poking the pieces around. He has no idea how to play but it looks like a really good game. He looks around for a friendly face, or just a face really and waves excitedly. "Do you want to play?"

He can also be found at the video games, all of these look tricky but fun and are a good way to practice team work!

Battle Tactics

[21kingpuddings]

[Tamaki is definitely interested in the exciting new things offered up at today's training, and while chess doesn't interest him, like... at all, the video games sure do. And with all of them being co-op games, he'll need to find someone to play with...

A kid hanging around the area should do just fine for a partner.]

Did you want to try one of these?

[mithrarin]

Battle Tactics

[Little surprise, of course, that Dust can be found here. For the moment, he trains on his own. Time in the Far Shore and lots of practice have given him a good knack for using a staff as a weapon, and observers need a keen eye or experience to see the hitches and flaws in his technique as he spins it around, thrusts and parries, then twists to quickly reposition himself.]

[He'd all up for sparring, though, and keeps an eye out for people looking for a chance.]

Tactics Ogre

[Perhaps more surprising is Dust taking up position behind the controller of a video game. The tactics one, of course; he doesn't know the first thing about running a restaurant. While he waits for an opponent, he spends his time taking careful note of the units and actions available to him, moving through menus with a fluency that speaks of SOMEONE having thoroughly introduced him to the medium before...]

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Looking good. Need an opponent?

[Da Qing's not in the best of moods, the last few days have been a little rough for the cat. But he needs to train and had been doing actually training hard rather than just lazing about as had been his want in the past.

But he needs to step it up, Shen Wei might have Yeye but he's different. Da Qing is Shen Wei's shinki and he doesn't have Yunlan anymore. He has to be get stronger!

Playing video games might not be traditional training but after a whole day of running and fighting Da Qing isn't complaining if the god of this temple says this counts.]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

VIDYA GAMES

'Turn it this way!' 'Number 66!' 'Don't touch the red wire!'

[A gaggle of minions read instructions furiously off their screen, while another one desperately struggles to bop it, twist it, shake it, anything that will keep the bomb from exploding. The timer is ticking down, though, pushing them all to frantic mistakes -- and then a sharp buzz as the manipulating minion touches the wrong button, and sets off the alarm.]

[A moment later, the minions all explode as well, leaving behind charred and ashen silhouettes of themselves. Hey, Zetta figures that only real pain will inspire them to learn!]

[But a moment later, they shake it off, then dive back into another game. Whatever they're learning, operant conditioning is clearly not the force teaching them.]

[Nearby, three Prinnies have pooled their creativity and willpower to fire up a restaurant. It isn't doing so well, mostly because said Prinnies cook fishes dishes for every order no matter what the ticket says. But though they grumble about a lack of realism, they press on nonetheless!]

[And at the third game station sits the Overlord himself, a minion at the controls and following his orders. The smug book looks at those who approach, practically daring anyone to take him. Despite his ego, well... he IS an Overlord...]

[myblueskies]

[Romeo spotted all the creatures playing the video game and knew that mister grumpy book Zetta would be nearby. Sure enough he spotted him with another one of his creatures. Romeo grinned at him, a little nervously when he was looked at.

It's not that he's scared, it's just really tricky to talk to him without making him mad and Romeo's not so sure where Elfnein is right now...]

Chikusa Kakimoto - ota

[kokuyoyo]

A - Shinki Info

[What do you know, Heaven really is letting them take the reins on this one. Chikusa quietly marvels at that fact... shortly before Kairi starts speaking, which is around the time he gets a little awkward instead.]

[It's not that he... necessarily disagrees with her. Or even necessarily dislikes Kairi. It's just that this is a little too, uh. Passionate. And heartfelt. For Chikusa to stand through.]

[So he sure is turning around, but, whups, someone is right in his way. Chikusa pauses, looking the other straight in the eye. And then, regardless if he actually knows them or not- ]

I'm not old. Don't ask me.

[This is a bald faced lie. Chikusa doesn't seem to care.]

B - Physical Training

[Chikusa has a knife he's fiddling with in his hand, and the kind of dead eyed look of someone who wouldn't have any problem rolling a body into a river. So the good news is that he's not going up against anyone, instead watching people spar whether on their own or separately. But he will occasionally speak up to anyone nearby.]

Are you familiar with hand to hand...?

C - Battle Tactics

[Okay, he's not exactly sure what a cooking game has to do with tactics or anything, but...okay Leo, he guesses. Right now he seems to be investigating the demo trailer that's running when a game has been left alone for too long, but he does look curiously over at anyone who comes near as well.]

[There... does seem to be a need for at least two players.]

C

[brynwieldr]

[Leo just happens to be passing by when he sees Chikusa just staring at the demo trailer.]

Interested or baffled?

Wendy - ota

[nopixiedust]

A - Shinki Info

[Wendy supposes that if she had to name a shinki good enough for doing a little intro lesson into the afterlife, Kairi would definitely be high up on the list. So she sits around patiently, having some pamphlets of her own that detail the Shinki Sanctuary. Although she does have to ask...]

I wonder, if there are shinki that died older, if they'd really talk to any of us kids or teenagers who died young but have been here longer?

B - Physical

[Randomly pairing up, huh? She can do that well enough. Besides, since they're all stuck as either gods or dead, well, they'll get to know each other sooner or later, whether they like it or not. So Wendy more than happily bounces over to anyone who's on their own and grins.]

Need someone to spar with?

[Does anyone want to spar what looks like a pre-adolescent girl in twin buns and overalls? Time to find out.]

C - Battle Tactics

[On one hand, Wendy would really genuinely love to check out some of the video games, which already make this an improvement off of Heaven's old training sessions. On the other hand, she once told Hibiki she'd do something, and so...]

[For those showing interest in the chess games, or are already playing, Wendy wanders over, interested.]

How good would you say you are at that?

B

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku trains every day, he's lucky to have Edge as a fellow shinki and therefore constant training partner. But he enjoys these sessions for finding other people to spar with and learn from.

He knows Wendy just as the person who set up the shinki sanctuary. She's young but that means very little here.]

I'm happy to spar. Unarmed or have you got a weapon you wish to practice with?

Garry - ota

[artificialrose]

A - Physical Training

[Garry has to say, it's something of a refreshing change of pace for them to learn and practice at another god's place. Really for the better, he supposes, although he doesn't want to dismiss Heaven's efforts from before. However, well, the new people will be in a position more similar to theirs than the more... traditional gods.]

[Still, he has nothing to really offer during Kairi's speech, so he's glad to be out in the training area with a practice staff. Anyone around will get a bright smile.]

Trying to find someone to practice with, or were you just looking?

[Not everyone who arrives exactly knows how to fight right off the bat. Garry knows that because he was one of those types.]

B- Battle Tactics

[Who authorized these games]

[Garry himself has just finished playing a round of the bomb one... which is probably not the kind of thing you want to subject to a person like him, prone to jumping at shadows and screaming when frightened. He's managed to avoid doing that latter one, but only apparently at the cost of his state of heart. He's facing away from the television as if that will help, one hand at his chest.]

That... is not the most terrifying thing I've ever seen...but oh my goodness. How can something that stressful be accurately called a game!?

B

[brynwieldr]

It's an exercise in trust and communication.

[Here Garry, have a bottle of water from the host.]

Ebisu - ota

[chibisu]

A - General

[Ebisu, needless to say, is extremely interested in seeing how it turns out when one of the newer generation takes over the usual training days. Even though he knows all of it before, he still listens in on when Leo explains everything, that's how interested he is.]

[But more importantly, he drops by people who look like they aren't too busy, trailed after by two shinki- an older gentleman and a younger one- in business suits.]

This is all very interesting, isn't it? Odin-sama is quite steady in his finances, it seems.

[...Yes, that's his first thought, hush.]

B - Battle Tactics

[For those familiar with the entourage Ebisu regularly has accompanying him, the older shinki, Unmi, would be fairly easy to recognize. A little more difficult is the younger man, although he's not a complete unknown. It's simply that Takami has never accompanied Ebisu to the training sessions for... reasons.]

[Today is a new day, however, and he actually seems a little interested in the proceedings and set up as he follows after his god. Eventually, the trio settle near one of the video games, and there Ebisu is eager to wave anyone who looks free over.]

Are you interested in playing this? It seems to deal with food business! We can accept at least a couple more players.

[Ebisu is definitely playing, of course, and it seems like Takami has been forced to sit down besides him fiddling with a controller. Unmi is hanging back, smiling and content to watch for right now.]

A...ish

[unlucky7]

[As Ebisu and his shinki move about the space, taking in the training session on the new grounds, there's a blue bird following them around. It's a swallow, but strange, this particular species isn't native at all to Japan much less Heaven.

Eventually, the bird flutters over, circles over them once, then swoops down to land on Takami's head.

Ebisu may sense one of his shinki is feeling incredibly giddy and there are three of his shinki nearby.]

[unlucky7]

Shinki Information
[Having involuntarily missed out on the last training, the news their generation is taking over training is of interest and she's definitely not missing out on this one. Kairi is certainly a good choice for leading introductions for the new shinki in terms of cheer and positivity.

Not wanting to step on any toes, Ginia doesn't do the full info table as she would at one of Amaterasu's training sessions. She still has a small card set up with maps of the Near Shore and some guides to local places to shop and eat up as well as two signs: "advanced borderline spell training available on request" and "Looking for part-time work? Ask for more information."]


Physical Training
[At one point, Ginia leaves the table and seemingly leaves the temple grounds. Around that time, a tree swallow also begins to fly around the area. Strange as the bird isn't native to Japan, much less Takamagahara. It flits around, watching people as they train, occasionally landing on the heads or shoulders of people Ginia knows.

When one of the training dummies frees up, the bird can be seen circling around the dummy before diving at it. Before it hits the dummy, it pulls upward, leaving a storm of feathers slamming into dummy as sharp as knives.

Once in awhile, it's not a bunch of feathers but a single feather sword that slams into the wood or ground.]

Shinki Information

[disregardeddagger]

Nesir approached the information stand. If there was anything good she could say about the place she had found herself in it was that they freely gave out information. Not that Nesir thought there wouldn't be secrets, things not told to those who just arrived. But when her base was nothing any information she could get was a good thing.

She approached the information stand, watching the woman cautiously before looking at the guides. The map was useful, the other things... She was a little confused at. But a map she understood.

At least the concept of a map she understood, this one was confusing but she studied it trying to look interested rather than lost. Showing her ignorance could be dangerous.

[battered]

Physical Training
[Guess who is on his Best Behavior today? Why, it's Raichi, naturally (not naturally)! With the intention of allowing room for gods and shinki to find new partnerships along with the standard "forge your bond to be even stronger" fare, there is one shinki in particular doing his best to... Well, really all he can do right now is make himself look like an appealing choice. Without a name, he can't really show off his borderline, and he's not really taken to weapons training or hand-to-hand combat, which leaves him with not a whole lot to do other than Behave Himself.

He will go ahead and try the food, though. Probably with a little less reckless abandon than normal, even if it is incredibly good this time around!]

Battle Tactics
[Chess.........

No thanks.

Video games, maybe. Maybe.
He remembers this kind of thing being a staple as far as 'fun group activity' went in one of his early temples, but since then he hasn't gotten around to playing them much at all. This, this is both nostalgic and tempting!!]

Kaha...! [But! They are two player games at the least! And he is, woefully, only one person. He'll need a partner. Will it be you?] D-... did you want to play?

[thetopofthefoodchain]

Sure Raichi! [Da Qing is in human form today, as superior as cats are it's a bit tricky to use games controllers with no thumbs. Video game designers clearly hate cats.]

Which one do you want to play?

[priforprince]

[ I. Basic Information ]



A pertinent summary, acceptably told.

[ Once again, Hibiki is in the back of the room for the express purpose of judging the speaker at one of these events. She is particularly interested today, since it seems the pristablishment has caught on they're COMPLETELY USELESS and has begun farming out their adprinistrative duties. Hibiki had thus arrived expecting the worst, and yet! And yet! ]

Having idiot cutglasses prepared may prove unnecessary.

[ Hibiki happens, you see, to be in an enormous, stylish, yet thick and opaque-looking set of very snazzy shades today.

Can it be? ]

[ II. Physical Training ]

[ It can indeed. Hibiki's fancy new sunglasses contain facial recognition software in the lenses that scans people's faces and matches them against a database of her doll boxes. Anyone whose doll comes up in the NO, IDIOT, or VULTURE box has their face obscured completely. (This is absolutely how one should make use of being cartoonishly gifted at creating high technology, without question.)

There's just one problem. This isn't Hibiki's home puniverse. And thus it seems that her code...is not functioning quite as intended.

Basically, this is the part where you get to watch Hibiki smack into a wall. And then yell at it. ]

What?! Someone dares bar my way?! Remove yourself!

[ She runs into it again. This...does seem odd, but her cutglasses only obscure idiots, not anything else. The consistency of this obstacle notwithstanding, an idiot, therefore, MUST be in her path! For her work is flawless! ]

Again.....Is there no end to your cheek?! I DEMAND A DUEL!



[ Hibiki winds up and tosses her spare glove. Except Hibiki has a terrible sense of direction. And her lenses have blacked out.

Enjoy a glove to the face! Apparently, it's time to d-d-d-d-d-d-dduel.... ]

[ III. Games ]



Hm. As expected, my victory is complete.

[ The cutglasses are nowhere to be found now. Instead, Hibiki is sitting in her throne, across from a chess set. It is...not one of the chess sets provided. It is Fancier, made of marble. A comfortable chair sits across from her, upon which multiple pillows have been stacked so a spygoat with a grabber may play. Said spygoat has just lost. ]

It seems my staff remains far cry away from passing a Puring test.....You.

[ Yes, you. Person walking by with no interest in chess. ]

My mood remains somewhat sour. I'll have you offer yourself for obliteration.

[ For the grand goal of making Hibiki feel better after - let's not talk about what this is after.

ARE YOU NOT HONORED?! ]

II

[brynwieldr]

[Leo barely dodges the random flying glove as he comes over to see what all this yelling is about.]

You just smacked into a wall. Several times.

[What the actual hells.]

[towards_okeanos]

A. Physical Training

[Iskandar has been missing the training days for enough time already. The fact that the current one is hosted anywhere else but the usual training grounds is even more of a reason to show up. So does the host's identity. He would come if only to show support to one of the new gods.
It's clear that Odin's temple doesn't exactly possess a dedicated training area but they did all that was in their power to provide one for the occasion and Iskandar can't find anything amiss with the setup. It may be modest but it's definitely enough.

Most of the time he's hanging around the sparring circle observing people but he's as ready to get on the sand himself. Especially, that this time he brought his own equipment. A short, training spear and a shield. Not his usual sword. He's way too sleep deprived for a sword. He can beat people with a stick alright. They'll live with a couple of bruises. He just won't be risking using a real weapon... Not in his current state.]

B. Battle tactics.

[When he's not at the sparring circle or mysteriously absent, Iskandar can be found at the chess boards waiting for anyone brave enough to challenge King of Conquerors to battle on the board.]

Ah, chess. My good friend Porus taught me to play a game deceptively similar to this one. Those were good times.

[He smiles to his memories and seems to forget the other person is there but it's only a moment before he looks up to ask.]

Do you like to try?

C. Wildcard.

[Feel free to ask him why he's acting so weird all the time. Like why he's not touching the video games at all. Or basically, anything.]

B

[priforprince]

Matching wits with the King of Conquerors would be an honor.

[ Hibiki is wearing the sort of grin those warriors who revel in their own glory on the battlefield tend to don.

Her goats roll up with her throne, and a marble chessboard where

oh, no

the kings, queens, and knights are all just

tiny marble hibikis..... ]

Would you care to utilize mine?