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

[unlucky7]

[At least they're away from walls. Hopefully the goats aren't blocked by the glasses too.

Ginia's fighting style is "do whatever it takes to win" and as she parries the attack, she has to hold herself back from dropping a borderline wall directly in Hibiki's path. With someone else and under different terms, it's certainly fair, but for this, Ginia decides to play fair. Enjoy this moment and live out some dream of being a dashing fencer like the ones in the visual novels she enjoys.

She follows up with an attack of her own, a fast diagonal slash from hip to shoulder. Take that!]

[priforprince]

Nrgh!

[ Such speed! Hibiki hurries to parry, going up on one leg to try and twist her own blade so that she can move from knocking Ginia’s strike awry to making one of her own. This is an opponent not to be underestimated. She had known that from Ginia’s posture and status as Ebisu’s shinki, but to confirm it her own self...

A competent opponent is a joy! ]

[unlucky7]

{What Ginia lacks in style and training, she balances with speed and aggression. It's telling that her style of fighting is to hit hard and relentlessly, but restrained because she doesn't want to hurt her friend at all. What she can't block, she dodges, sometimes barely as the tip of Hibiki's sword nearly nicks her clothes or skin. It's a thrilling duel, cheered on by the goats surrounding them, more filling in the empty sides.

The majority of the goats cheer on their Maa-ster, but a few quietly cheer on Gini-maa too.]

[priforprince]

[ She’s good. An entire level apart from stage fighting! Hibiki finds her breath coming short and her palm slick against her hilt. If she doesn’t attempt some master stroke soon, she might... ]

You are splendid! [ A practice sword hitting Hibiki’s shouldn’t make an exciting clang sound, but even when pushed to actually exert herself, she is never one to ignore dramatic touches. An auditory illusion is unconsciously provided. ] One of your caliber can surely bring radiance to the Far Shore! So -

[ Her cutglasses begin sliding down the bridge of her nose. Hibiki forces herself to ignore this. ] I’ll have you rescind your statement!

[ With her next great attack! That she is sure to think of soon, and that will not be impeded by the slow continual descent of the cutglasses.... ]

[unlucky7]

[A wood practice sword hitting Hibiki's sword definitely shouldn't clang, but here they are. A tiny, cocky grin forms at Hibiki's compliment. Hibiki doesn't compliment lightly and though it's often wrapped up in prose, it comes with sincerity. She'll take it.

The glasses slide. In a real fight, it'd be the perfect time to strike with her opponent at a disadvantage. But this is a duel and Ginia has her honor. Besides, it wouldn't do for one final, grand blow. The setting is very important too. Ginia backs away, giving Hibiki a few seconds to fixes the glasses before she comes in for one final, dramatic slash.]

[priforprince]

[ A respite? Hibiki blinks. And, instead of taking the hit, charges -

Notices, in the middle of the charge, that there is something

behind Ginia

she had not been able to see before - ]

It can’t b—-

[ In Hibiki’s advantage: she had attacked at an unexpected time. With a splendid thrust intended to gloriously graze her opponent’s shoulder: making a statement by choosing a small target.

To Hibiki’s disadvantage: she’s now staring past her opponent.

Defend your honor, Ginia. ]

[unlucky7]

[The blade grazes her shoulder as intended. Ginia sees Hibiki look past her, but whatever the god is gaping at will have to wait. Turning, Ginia smoothly switches the sword to her left hand - her dominant hand - and returns with a thrust, designed to catch Hibiki's sword and parry it away with a strong twist of her wrist.]

[priforprince]

[ Ginia does one better! A victim of her own distraction (and poor fine motor control, when thus distraught), Hibiki finds herself not just countered but disarmed. The sword, being Hibiki’s and therefore prone to the most dramatic pose possible, embeds itself in the floor.

Hibiki remains staring, newly unimpeded by the cutglasses all but dangling from her nose, at the

ah

wall.

...If nothing else, the duel has certainly proved conclusive. ]

[unlucky7]

 [Triumph! Ginia isn't one to crow or revel in the victory, though as she turns and sees Hibiki staring at the wall that was always there and the instigator of the duel...

Told you so, Hibiki. Ginia keeps any comment to herself as she pulls Hibiki's sword from the ground. There's a pointed look at the wall before she offers the sword back to her friend. Good duel.]

1/2

[priforprince]

[ .....Ngh. Well, at least there’s poetic justice to the situation. Hibiki sighs, removes her cutglasses - confirms this had caused the error. Accepts the sword, still looking away. ]

2/2

[priforprince]

[ But then offers Ginia a hand, and some eye contact. Why should Shikyoin Hibiki focus on a trivial mixup when a grand discovery has been made? Far better to dwell on that! Yes!

That, and not anything else!! ]

....Well fought. The blight on your honor is rescinded.

[unlucky7]

[Her honor may be restored, but Ginia's not entirely sure the same can be said for Hibiki's dignity. However, she's not going to poke at the sore spot any further. She takes Hibiki's hand in a firm handshake. No harm done in the end. Ginia leans the wood training sword against her leg and takes her phone back out.]

It was fun. Thanks for the practice.

[priforprince]

Your abilities have proven themselves completely irresistible.

[ And now, to phrase Hibiki’s grand plan of offering Ginia an entertainment job equally completely flawlessly! In a manner it can compete even with the work for someone splendid as Ebisu to which she has already committed herself! In a way that makes it the only option for her free time! ]

I want you to offer yourself to me.

[ THAT IS DEFINITELY IT. ]

[unlucky7]

[Hold on. 

What.

While knowing Hibiki's statement isn't meant to be taken in any lewd manner - PriPara has a very G-rated feeling afterall, maybe PG -  it's still a hell of a statement to make. Ginia stares at Hibiki, expression morphing into incredulous confusion.]

Sorry, are you asking me to be your shinki?

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki smirks, then shakes her head. ] This scrap-heap puniverse is devoid of radiance. In its current condition, it’ll never be free of ayakashi, and never truly shine.

[ She meets Ginia’s eyes, one hand on her hip, as sure of herself as if she’d never reached for the stars but touched a ceiling instead - but, for all that, looking a little older. A little wiser. A little more like the animators knew this moment was a money shot. ]

I want to illuminate this world so thoroughly no ayakashi may form or feed. To do that, multiple high-quality performances are necessary.

[ She’s building to a point, and here it is! ] Will you lend your dance to my magnificent goal?

[unlucky7]

[Oh, not a shinki offer then. There's a sense of relief when Ginia realizes that's not what Hibiki is asking of her. It's not that she doesn't want to be Hibiki's shinki, but with three gods already, one a God of Fortune, she knows she can't add a fourth to her list. Especially not another God of Fortune. ]

You want me to join your performance group?

[That comes as more as a surprise. She has to be misunderstanding. Maybe it is an offer to be her shinki after all. Ginia looks a bit owlish as she stops herself from declining outright.]

[priforprince]

Indeed.

[ Hibiki is firm on this (as in, to quote Oscar Prilde, all points).

Firm, but curious. Whence the surprise....? ]

The opportunity should resound - for one whose heart has been dyed in PriPara’s color.

[ Ginia loves PriPara. Not as much as Hibiki, of course, but no one loves PriPara more than Hibiki (also of course). Therefore....

Her hunch won’t fail. ]

[unlucky7]

[There's no denying Ginia loves PriPara. There's no denying after seeing all the performances, it's something Ginia would love to do. But making a character avatar in a game, or doing performances for a small audience that will more than likely forget about her after the fact is so very different than performing on a stage, with other people singing in dancing, to people that can or are more likely to remember.

She can dance well enough. She can't sing. It's never bothered her before, but that simple fact now stops her from accepting.]

I'll have to see what my gods say. I'm pretty busy these days.

[It's not a rejection at least.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki nods. Of course, consulting one’s gods is respectable in a shinki. Even if more may lie beneath the surface, that’s an acceptable reason to make her wait. For what Hibiki considers the inevitable. ]

I’ll await your reply.

[ Hibiki! Looking forward to conversing further! With you! A prize in and of itself! ]

[unlucky7]

[It's partially an excuse, but as Chris and Tsubasa are performers in their own right, as Tsubasa performs with Hibiki too, it seems right to run the idea by them. It's a way to stop the voice in her head trying to talk her out of it. Because for all of her self doubt... wouldn't it be nice?

Feeling suddenly self-conscious and awkward, Ginia smiles and gives an awkward bob of her head. She waves and hurriedly walks off. Pausing, she comes back to retrieve the wood practice sword and put it back on the rack before scampering off for good.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki watches, smirking to herself. Then, she turns to depart.

Not even the chances of encountering an idiot while thus unprotected can damper her current mood. ]