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]

Nesir pulled her phone out as well and pressed the button that made it light up, that was as far as she had figured out so far. It didn't look identical to Ginia's, Ginia's had more circle pictures on it but it was easy to copy the movements to find contacts. Indeed there was a list of names and moving her finger down the screen... sent it whizzing all the way to the bottom of the list. She scowled before switching it over so she was holding it in her right hand, using her index finger on her left gave her a bit more control and she was able to slowly move the list up again until she found Ginia's name.

"So I can write a message down and it will speak it to whoever I wish?"

It must be magic, it seems in many ways stranger than the borderlines Ginia had shown her. She pressed Ginia's name and found the keyboard picture. The letters are small and she frowns as she tries to type.

Hhjellio

It doesn't speak. Her frown grows.

[unlucky7]

There's a tiny buzz on Ginia's phone as the message appears below Ginia's message. Ginia huffs lightly, understanding what she's asking about. She opens up the text-to-speech program and shows Nesir; there's another box to type in and a few other icons.

"I use this program since I can't talk. Most people find it faster than reading messages themselves. If you want to talk to people through the phone, there's a way to do that too."

Ginia types up the message and presses play; a bar runs over the words as each word is read out loud, stopping automatically when it reaches the end.

Returning to the contact page, Ginia opens up Nesir's name and points at the icon shaped like a phone receiver with the words "call" underneath. She presses it and Nesir's phone begins to ring. Ginia leans over and points at the green button, gesturing to swipe it left to accept the call, taking a few feet back to give them space once the call is accepted. She holds the phone up and mimes talking before indicating at Nesir to give it a try.

[disregardeddagger]

Somehow she had managed to make the words go from her screen to Ginia's. Good. She looks at Ginia's phone again and reads the words even as they are played outloud.

She nods as Ginia shows her the other button and does not jump when her phone begins to make a shrill noise. She does as Ginia shows her, moving her finger across the screen again and holding the phone to her ear.

"So this allows you to speak with others even if you are not near them?" Useful communication device. "Thank you Ginia, you have been very helpful."

[unlucky7]

Ginia smiles and gives a thumbs up as she hears Nesir's voice more clearly through the phone. She whistles a few low notes in return so the other shinki can hear what it's like talking through a phone. Ending the call, Ginia comes back to Nesir's side.

"No problem, glad to help out. We need to watch out for each other around here."

It's one of the strengths of the new generation. For all the varied backgrounds and slight disagreements, when it comes down it, they know how to work together.

[disregardeddagger]

[The whistling comes through the phone as well as through the air between them. It's strange but Nesir nods. She can see the use in these phones.

She wrinkles her nose a little at Ginia's words, very similar to Kairi's earlier. But unlike the latter Ginia has proven herself to be competent and helpful so she nods.]

I will bare that in mind.

[unlucky7]

Ginia may not be as cherry and upbeat as Kairi is, but there's a streak of optimism and need for teamwork that runs through her too. Though perhaps it comes from a more pessimistic place too. This place has its fair share of problems and building a strong network of allies means if, when, shit goes down, there are people to count on. It's also a good way of keeping an eye on people too and knowing their strengths and weaknesses too.

"Good luck out there. Here's hoping things work out with your god."

[disregardeddagger]

Thank you. I am sure I will see you again.

[For now there is plenty more to try and learn about this place and she should probably try and find Noctis again, she doubts he will leave her here but she should keep track of him none-the-less. She nods at Ginia and sets off back into the training area.]