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

[priforprince]

My staff. [ Now, time to enter the final scene. Hibiki’s play becomes more aggressive. ] Is there some issue?

[ Maa-ybe she also wants tea! A second goat shows up with some for Nesir, which should give her the chance to examine it more closely. Maa-ster has been having a bad day, but she’s maa-ll right for now. The goats wish to express their maa-titude. ]

[disregardeddagger]

[Her staff? Well they had brought her tea after all. She had goat servants.

One of whom was approaching her, Nesir blinked at the tea before picking up the cup.] Thank you. [She's unsure of whether to thank Hibiki or the goat, whilst it's here she looks at it closer. Purple. Are those wheels? Not alive then. But able to move and seemingly follow instructions. What strange creatures.]

No issue. Many things are new to me today.

[priforprince]

I see.

[ Hibiki will permit Nesir an appropriate span of time for tea sipping and appreciation, in her infinite graciousness, before: ] It’s your move.

[ The goats decide to stick around to waa-tch the game. Who is winning? They are ignoraa-mi. ]

[disregardeddagger]

[She sipped the tea, it's not bad. It's warm and slightly sweet, though it could definitely stand to be sweeter.

And it's her turn. She set the cup down and looked at the board before moving her bishop, closer again to Hibiki's king.]

[priforprince]

Hmmm....

[ She, too, senses the final battle approaches. Hibiki advances with her own plan. If this goes as anticipated, Hibiki will still be able to checkmate Nesir before the opposite occurs.... ]

You lived a somewhat notable life.

[ Hibiki’s relationship to the gods’ greatest secret is complicated. Things she knows for sure, like how others died and the people there they’d cared about, do fill her with a nameless terror and revulsion. But teasing out the abilities amnesia has hidden from their bearers, via guesswork and goading?

Hibiki needs a new hobby. ]

[disregardeddagger]

[Suspicious eyes flicker over to Hibiki. Did she know? Did gods know things about shinki that shinki themselves didn't know?

Noctis hadn't seemed to know anything about her, not even her name. But he had known she was his.

How had he known that?] I wouldn't know. [She moves a piece, trying to keep her cool. That was the other flip side of this, Hibiki could be trying to throw her off her game.

If so Nesir was flattered, if she was posing a good enough challenge for such tactics.]

I just know I come from a world without phones, but it definitely had daggers.

[priforprince]

An eclectic first discovery.

[ But - about what one can expect from a training session, if one otherwise competently run. Two moves till Hibiki’s grand coup.... ]

Well, such is the nature of a welcome mat thrown where a red carpet would have better served.

[ Does Hibiki resent not being the first host? Preposterous! Her session shall be all the more glorious for lesser festivities having provided the opening act!

THAT IS IN NO WAY THE THINKING OF A PROFESSIONAL LIAR. ]

[disregardeddagger]

A red carpet?

[An eyebrow raise, she's a little confused. But she understands that Hibiki is trying to claim that the welcome here is... not the best.

Nesir hasn't found it bad, not that she has anything to compare it to but it has been informative.]

[priforprince]

You’ll understand in a subsequent case.

[ And if it isn’t a soon subsequent case, she’ll simply steal the training log. Such is, doubtlessly, possible for one such as she.

One move remains to victory. ]

[disregardeddagger]

I will. [She doesn't sound too certain but at the same time it isn't a question. She's not sure what Hibiki means but it seems like a futile exercise in questioning her further.

She frowns at the board before moving again, trying to move her king out of the danger that is coming from all sides.]

[priforprince]

Oh?

[ Hibiki smirks. ] Is that the limits of your ability?

[ The better question is: did Nesir really misplay, or did she make a good move and Hibiki is messing with her? How strong are the odds? ]

[disregardeddagger]

[Nesir frowned, had she made a mistake? She looked at the board. It was a legal move. She was sure of it. She wouldn't check the book. That would make her look week. She knows it's fine. Was it the best move though?]

I assume once a move is made it cannot be undone.

[So wise or not it is done.]

[priforprince]

[ Hibiki sighs. ] Indeed.

[ She pushes her next piece forward. Nesir had played well, avoiding one dangerous situation....but had landed in another. ] Check and mate.

[ So, not bluffing earlier, but now announcing her win in English. Hibiki’s jerkometer is breaking about even, right now. ]

[disregardeddagger]

[What... Was that even... Whatever language they were speaking before? Nesir doesn't understand the words and she frowns as she looks up at Hibiki and then at the board.

Luckily, if it can be called so, the situation becomes apparent as she looks for her next move. Her king is in danger and there is no way out. He is surrounded and no matter where she moves him he will be caught.]

You won.

[priforprince]

That’s the term’s meaning, yes.

[ But with an exhalation, Hibiki rallies from her pedantry. ] You proved more diverting than expected. I’ll await further surprises from you.

[ Not a contradiction. One can await a surprise without knowing its contents, therefore preserving said surprise. ]

[disregardeddagger]

Check and mate. [Hopefully Hibiki doesn't mind truly horrifically butchered English. But Nesir repeats the words as carefully as she can.

Hibiki's words were... Well Nesir is going to assume they are a compliment and nod at her with a smile.]

I thank you for teaching me.

[priforprince]

As a manner of passing time, it sufficed.

[ Hibiki indicates the chess book. ] I’ll grant that to you.

[ She picks up her cup for some....victortea. ] Your remaining at your current level would bore me, after all.

[disregardeddagger]

[She was giving her the book? Confusion and suspicion rear themselves in Nesir's mind before Hibiki talks again. Right. That made sense, she would want Nesir to improve before playing again, the motive was sound. Nesir nodded.]

Thank you, I will endeavour to be an even better opponent next time.

[priforprince]

That suffices.

[ A goat with a grabber arrives to help reset the chessboard. ] You may take your leave.

[disregardeddagger]

[Nesir gave another polite nod and a side eye to the fake goat that was resetting the chess board. She picked up the book and left, on to find what other strange activities counted as training here.]

[priforprince]

[ If she counted this as strange, wait till she sees the next training.

But even Hibiki has not yet discovered the honor she shall be bestowed, so she lets her goat do its thing and sips her tea. One semi-competent person. Acceptable.

It was worth bothering to come in person. ]