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

[disregardeddagger]

The words were heavy, weighted with tradition and meaning. The worry and anger rise but she keeps them from showing on her face, standing very still as he speaks words to bind he to him and give her a name anew.

A flash of light.

“Do no be going down a path I can no be following!” Nesir’s voice cracked with emotion; anger, pain, fear. She was facing another woman, whose face darkened in anger, she stepped forwards, eyes blazing.

“You are my warrior Culbu. You swore an oath. There should be no road that you cannot follow me down.”

Nesir shook her head, “What about our holy oaths? You swore an oath too, Inde. You can no just be...” The woman stepped forwards, hands coming up, beginning to glow slightly with magic.

A heavy knocking was heard, thumping on the outer door. Nesir span around, fear in her eyes before she closed them.

“Go.” Almost a whisper. She did not take her eyes off the door.

“Culbu...” A warning, Inde’s hands were still glowing, she was still frowning and yet Nesir did not turn.

Instead she spoke. “Every breath in my lungs is yours to take and may the gods will it that my last be in defence of you.” Her voice was resolute, her decision made.

“Nesir...” The voice was gentle now, her hands had stopped glowing. She reached out towards Nesir who turned and fell to one knee.

“Lotte...” Nesir took her hand, raised it to her lips. “I’ll hold them off.” Lotte nodded, looking completely shaken for a moment, frozen, eyes filled with pain as Nesir stood and turned back to the door, speaking over her shoulder. “Be going, before it do be being too late.”

Nesir faced down an older man, he was in chainmail and held a sword in his hand. Words are exchanged before his face twisted in anger.

“Move Culbu, I don’t want to fight you.”

“Yet you do be the one at my door with your sword drawn.” She drew her daggers, her balance shifted. The fight that followed was terrible in the way that fights between two people who clearly know each other and their fighting style very well will always be.

“Nesir, stop this. If you know. You know she’s a traitor.”

“I will no be letting you get to her.” Nesir spat, the fight intensified. Nesir twisted out of the way of the sword blows, darting in and out.

“Don’t stand with her Culbu, you will be held accountable.” His words were met with a bitter laugh as Nesir dived towards him once more. The fight raged on.

They skittered away from each other, both taking a moment to breathe. “Nesir. She betrayed us. She betrayed you.”

Nesir looked up at him, eyes sad as she shook her head. “If you were me Kant, wouldn’t you do the same.” A moment and Kant's face went blank, devoid of all emotion. Nesir's did the same and the fight continued.

Eventually Kant got the upper hand, dropping his sword and grappling her, taking her by surprise, throwing her. Nesir cursed as she crumpled into the wall. Kant was there in moments, his fist hit her face, snapping her head back and his knee was planted into her stomach.

“Give in, Nesir.” The emptiness faded from his face replaced from the sadness from earlier. “I don’t want to have to kill you, Little One.” His voice was almost a whisper.

As was Nesir’s as her arm moved, quickly, finding a way through his armour. “I do be having no such qualms.”

She wriggled out from under him, keeping the emptiness up for now. The outer door burst open and a wave of magic hit her, a woman baring down on her in rage.

“Halt!” A man’s voice, heavy with power. The attack stopped as both Nesir and the other woman seemed to freeze in place.

“That will be enough Priestess Elena. There will be time for vengeance later.” More words between the two as Nesir remained frozen in place. Elena rushed to Kant's side.

“Culbu Tiri speak words that only hold truth.” Nesir could move again, she pushed herself off the floor, into a crouch.

“Which god do you serve?”

“The lord of shadows.” It was clear Nesir had no control of the words.

“So you remain loyal. Who is it that Inde serves?”

“I don’t know.”

“Is she loyal to us?”

“No.” Nesir's eyes blaze anger as she glares at the priest.

“Then why do you protect her Culbu? You know where your duty lies.”

“I do. She is my priestess. I serve my god.” Pain that is not physical runs over her features, she glances to where Elena is knelt over Kant, she clenches her jaw.

The man strides over to her and she pushes her way to her feet, to stand facing him. Her jaw set. “Thank you for your loyalty Culbu..”

Elena had stood and strode towards them, eyes blazing. Azari looked at her, a look that seemed to hold meaning Nesir did not understand.

“Nesir Aeser dies this day.”

Pain hits her, from both of them. Something seems to be reaching into her, tearing at her very soul and she screams as pain and loss fill her, blazing white.

And once Noctis comes back from witnessing Nesir's death for the second time that day he is holding a throwing dagger, plain, practical.

Nesir hadn't known what to expect but this vantage point was interesting, she knew instinctively that she was the dagger. She could feel Noctis' hand around her but at the same time it was as if she were floating above him. She could see everywhere at once, a perfect vantage point.

"Oh."

[eluci]

He hates seeing people's deaths, even if they're complete strangers to him. Seeing Nesir's for a second time isn't much better, especially since there's more than a couple flashes; this time there's a fight leading up to the death.

He's focused on trying to ignore her last moments that he doesn't notice that he's gripping the handle of the knife in his hand a little too hard.

Wait.

"Nice, a throwing knife." He flips the knife around in his hand a couple times. "That's a bit more helpful."

[disregardeddagger]

It was a strange sensation of spinning whilst not actually spinning herself as the dagger was flipped about. She was pleased though, that he found it acceptable.

"Do you know how to use it?"

She would hope so, he seems competent enough.

[eluci]

"Of course I do. I'd rather have two, but it's not that big of a deal."

He flips the knife once more, catching it by the blade, before examining it. It's a little too big to put in a pocket, which is probably a good thing, but that arguably makes it better in a fight.

"Return, Nesir."

[disregardeddagger]

Two would be preferable but on the other hand the idea of somehow being split between two weapons... That sounds weird. It's weird enough feeling hands on her even if her vantage point is not one of the dagger itself.

It's a relief when he calls her name and she reappears at his side as a human. It's a relief, it occurs to her that he could just leave her in that form, unable to move. The idea that someone had such power over her was altogether terrifying frankly but she kept her face blank. He had brought her back. Hopefully that would continue.

"That was interesting." Fighting would be no problem, he seemed competent and had been confident enough with the dagger. "Outside of killing these monsters what are my duties?"

Sorry for latetag

[eluci]

Noctis likes his shinki better as people than weapons. Even Moriyo, even though she has about as much personality as her weapon form, she's at least nice. As for their use as humans over weapons...he's not sure. Designating them servants seems weird, and he doesn't really employ them or work alongside them in the right sense to call them coworkers.

"That's about it. Eradicate ayakashi, help with prayers, those are the only things you're obligated to do. You're free to do whatever you want other than that, pretty much."

[disregardeddagger]

"Oh." That's... Not quite what she was expecting. But being free to do whatever she wanted was fine with her.

She's not sure what she likes or what she would do with free time. But she is sure she will figure it out.

"Thank you. I will make sure to be my best at eradicating ayakashi and prayer work." She bowed a small, stylistic bow.