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

[brynwieldr]

Then I'll go first.

[And he'll move a pawn, because that's about all you can do at first and he's not going to be hyperagressive.]

Thank you for coming, by the way.

[kagenonadeshiko]

You're welcome. I'd heard that you were hosting and wished to say hello.

[Ayumu studies the board a long moment herself before moving a pawn of her own forward one space. While she can be extremely aggressive in games she's intimately familiar with, she tends ease into new ones a little more cautiously.]

I was also curious about what kind of training one of Toshi's allies here might come up with. What you have prepared is very interesting. Practical and useful. The attention to tactics and strategy is very wise. Many don't understand or appreciate their value until they already need them.

[brynwieldr]

Oh, don't get me started. I could go for hours about how utterly asinine it is that Heaven never offered anything more than physical training.

[Someone has Opinions about this.]

[kagenonadeshiko]

Please do. I'm interested in your thoughts.

[Clearly, Toshi had seen something remarkable in Leo to consider him an ally. As the woman who used to quietly keep tabs on his own men for him on a regular basis, she's a better authority than most on what her commander looks for in his people.]

Some of the training exercises are useful, such as training to search and spot ayakashi, but I found most of them a little lacking myself.

[Maybe she'll try hosting a session herself someday. There's plenty of abandoned temples and even the occasional live ayakashi in the Western District that could be useful for training purposes.]

[brynwieldr]

It's just...yes, we should learn to fight and use our new powers, but brute force only solves so much! It's no wonder the cult got as problematic as it is, when the gods here don't want us to use our brains.

[kagenonadeshiko]

I agree. Brute force can be useful enough, but I think it's applied best to enclosed spaces or overwhelming numbers. Coordinating smaller squads to chase down leads and perform reconnaissance would be far more efficient. Or at the very least, train groups in guerrilla tactics so they have some idea of what to do in the field.

[Ayumu sighs. Training newcomers in skills and tactics that might actually be useful had been part of her intention behind the ninjutsu class she'd chatted with Edge about before she'd... left.]

I feel that many of those they send out to perform tasks for them are woefully unprepared for conditions out in the field.

[brynwieldr]

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't want us to be prepared. I can't be bothered to remember his name, but one of the old gods has never made a secret of his hatred for us.

[kagenonadeshiko]

That'd be Fuujin, I'm sure. Unless there's another uppity god who despises us all now.

[Ayumu's managed to steer clear of the fellow herself but she's heard a couple of stories about that one.]

I think it'd be better for us to newcomers to focus on our own interests, concerns,and leave the old guard to theirs. If they don't have to oversee us and we don't have to work for them as their underlings, it'd be an ideal scenario for many of us, I think.

[In Ayumu's mind, the newcomers and the old guard are separate groups of people with their own culture, beliefs, and interests. What it would it take for the new gods to start their own pantheon here on the Far Shore? She wonders.]

As it is, I try to stay out of the Heavens' squabbles as much as I can. Unless it harms me or my own, I care little for what they do.

[brynwieldr]

Gods, it's nice to find someone who agrees with me on this sort of thing.

[Other than Aymeric, who because he is Aymeric gets involved anyway.]

None of us are happy about this situation, so stop trying to force us to adhere to your way of doing things.

[kagenonadeshiko]

It is refreshing to find someone as smart and like-minded about important issues like yourself, Leo-san.

[Ayumu's starting to get an inkling of what Toshi saw in this young man. She smiles.]

Forcing compliance tends not to work too well. If anything, it just makes the people angry and resentful. Gather enough people like that in one place and it's only a matter of time before someone gets it in their head to start a revolt against those in positions of power.

[Not that Ayumu's seriously considered rebelling against Heaven herself. She'd much rather carve out a safe, secure place of her own to call home than fight over resources with someone else if she doesn't have.

The Far Shore's a big place, after all.]

[brynwieldr]

Basically. How long have we been here, and we're just now being allowed to host our own training sessions?

[kagenonadeshiko]

Well, I suppose the option's always been there. I recall a young lady hosting a ninjutsu training course once. And I've spoken of similar such projects with others here in the past.

[But then again, Ayumu Yamazaki tends to do what she wants, when she wants, more often than not. She's never been terribly concerned about stepping on Heaven's toes. If she feels something more is needed and has the resources to do it herself, she'd rather apologize than ask permission.]

Even so, it'd be best for the other newcomers to just let us take care of our own. I'd think that those of us who've been their position ourselves would be better able to understand what they need to get by here.

[brynwieldr]

Exactly--oh, check.

[Not mate, but still.]

We know what they need to know and don't expect them to just shrug and get on with the business of being a god. We'll also use their damn names, not the god titles.

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Check? Hmm. Ayumu continues chatting as she surveys her options on the board.]

They're awfully insistent that we follow their leadership while giving us very little reason or incentive to do so. A strong leader doesn't just mean someone with a firm hand; it also requires empathy and intellect. The Heavens doesn't seem to understand us very well at all.

[Finally, Ayumu moves a bishop piece.]

I don't think Lady Amaterasu has the strength, wisdom, charisma, or experience necessary to effectively govern us. At least, not yet. And after that terrible business with her shinki... I question the competence and motives of the advisors giving her guidance.

[brynwieldr]

She has the charisma of a young girl--she's cute and largely innocent, so it's very hard to hate her or blame her for everything. But a child can't lead, despite what all the faerie tales say. And the less said about her advisors the better, honestly.

[kagenonadeshiko]

A girl her age should never be in the position she's in now. Children should be out learning about the world and enjoying their youth, not doing a job best left to adults.

[For all her criticism of Amaterasu as a leader of the Heavens, she's truly sympathetic to the girl. She's reminded of herself in her own youth in some ways, pushed into adult pressures and responsibility far too young. If the little queen survives to adulthood, will she look back on her childhood and mourn it? Regret past mistakes she'd done in her youth while trying to perform tasks beyond her? No one else should have to suffer like that.]

I wish there was a way to free all of us from this cage - Lady Amaterasu, too.

[brynwieldr]

Agreed. I'm happy that I came here [he twists the ring on his finger absently] but I don't want to stay here. I'm not a god, regardless of what the heavens say.

[kagenonadeshiko]

I don't think a departure's possible for myself. I've died and disappeared here several times yet I still come back to this place somehow.

[Ever since coming back to life as a goddess after her failed ablution as a shinki, her view of herself and this place has changed.]

In my world - the world Okita-san and Hijikata-san came from, too - I'd been dead for five years. They'd all moved on and adapted to living on without me. Even if I did find a way to return to that world, my place in it is long gone.

[A bittersweet smile surfaces. Her return to her own world would only complicate everyone's lives, including her own. And she has child shinki now that she feels responsible for; she won't abandon them.]

The cage I speak of is Heaven's order itself. If this is to be my home for eternity, I'm not gonna settle for second-class citizenship for myself or my people.

[brynwieldr]

Ah, my apologies.

[Obviously she was dead, Leo. Hijikata and Souji were too, remember?]

Agreed. I largely just keep to myself here, but perhaps it's time to change that.

[kagenonadeshiko]

It's the same for me. I don't get out much.

[And more often than not, Ayumu's getting herself into some kind of trouble or another on her own. Quiet, civilian life isn't easy for a woman who was born and raised a spy to maintain for long periods of time. The Wolves of Mibu aren't exactly known for docility and for all her outward domesticity, she's no exception.]

And don't worry about it. I'm used to it by now.

[She waves a hand dismissively. Ayumu's long past the point of viewing her death as a sensitive subject. Experiencing three brutal deaths within a year will do that to a person.]

What I'm not used to, however, is the type of work that's available here. Answering prayers is nice. It's important but it's such a detour from my true profession. And oh, is that check? I think you're in check.

[brynwieldr]

Oh, hm.

[Give him a moment and he's out of check.]

What's your true profession? [Half jokingly:] Ninja?

[kagenonadeshiko]

Yes, actually. For as long as I can remember. At least, before coming here.

[It's not information that Ayumu volunteers easily. Even among the Shinsengumi, only a handful of its high ranking members and Souji knew her as anything more than a simple cook. And most of those who'd known her outside of it simply knew her as a domestic servant. Most people who learn the truth of who and what she is tend to wind up very dead.

However, that's all in the past now.]

My brother and our parents were spies, too. I suppose you could say it's our family's trade.

[Ayumu studies the board for a long moment, pondering her next few moves. Too many in advance will just disrupt her thinking if she's countered. So she'll continue with defensive play a little longer.]

[brynwieldr]

...I was joking, you realize.

[NINJA WHY.]

Then again, I seem to be a magnet for the sneaky spy types. No idea why.

[kagenonadeshiko]

[Ayumu prattles on cheerfully.]

Really? I'd consider it a compliment to your intelligence if I were you. We tend to prefer the company of smart people.

[A beat followed by a light laugh.]

Unless we're using you for information. Dumber, more gullible people who are eager to talk freely about what they know are a much easier target for that.

[She's being... helpful?]

[brynwieldr]

Oh, I know. Check.

[He's probably got her mated in the next couple of moves.]

I was the one who handled the subterfuge in my brother's court most of the time. We just tended to use assassins and spies, which I understand to be similar yet different to ninja. Certainly no assassin I ever used had smoke bombs.