June Training

[priforprince]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: June 7th, 2017
Where: Apollo's Temple, The Far Shore
Summary: FIRST-CLASS ENTERTAINME---er, training for extant gods and shinki



Determining which temple to visit for today's training is not difficult. For one thing, Apollo's Temple is setting off fireworks periodically to entice newcomers through its high, Hibiki-statue-flanked doors. For another, anyone leaving their own temples will find themselves immediately confronted with an adorable purple goat robot wearing sunglasses and a bow tie. The goat has a silver platform suspended above it, atop which has been set a single purple rose and a brief note:

I shall be maa-ttending you today. Follow me.

Said goat will continue to follow your character until they give in and do as the note suggests. In fact, even once they do, the goat shall accompany them for the duration of today's log, seeing to their every need. Ask the goat to fetch something, and it shall be fetched. Ask the goat for directions within Hibiki's castle - "Where is the god training?", "Isn't there an amusement park in here?" - and guidance shall be provided maa-ccordingly.

It seems, today, everyone will receive a full Celebrity Maa-xperience.



Introductions

Incidentally, Hibiki's temple does indeed contain an amusement park. Everyone shall be directed there first, to enjoy the roller coasters, spinny teacups, and merry-go-round to their hearts' content until all the TVs in the area switch on at once. (Should your character not be positioned by one of the many televisions scattered throughout the area, have no fear. Your maa-ttendant has just rolled away and come back with one.)

"CelePara Prince Hour!"

Hibiki's face appears on the screen. She's a decent amount of space back from the screen, for once, and seated upon her throne. There's a brilliant sun motif on the wall behind her - or is it a crown? It's both, perhaps.

"Everyone, it's been a while. Shikyoin Hibiki here. Have your hearts been astonished by the peerless excellence I've delivered to you today?"

The maa-ttendants all nod. Which is hard for robots without neck joints to do, so they rock in place on their wheeled platforms instead. Clatter, clatter. Hibiki, for her part, nods back as if she's witnessed this occurrance.

"Splendid. The three characteristics of divinity are - Majestic. Unparalleled. And...Possessing great love." A smirk. "It's as if the position exists just for me. But those of you tasked with a duty you're currently incapable of fulfilling need not despair. I've arranged a variety of beneficial exercises for gods and shinki alike. Engaging in them is best, so we can create it."

She raises an arm, as if showing everyone ascending from her beneficial guidance. "Together with me - the ultimate puniverse!"

The TVs switch off. Those closest to gods display, on a map, where the god training is. Those closest to shinki display the shinki training. All indicate the physical training and the refreshments. The refreshments seem to be.....outside? With a time marked for dinner?

Pay that no mind. It's probably fine.

God Training

Hibiki isn't at the god training, either, which is taking place in a banquet hall. And which appears to be, ah....a swanky tea party. With a sign indicating there's a sauna next door. She does, however, appear on a large TV a bevy of spygoats push into position once any new gods have entered the room. Behold!

"So-called gods, glad you could make it. Yours is the tremendous task of assisting me, the God of Fortune Apollo, to bring radiance to the scrap-heap puniverse known as the Near Shore. As satisfying your followers with anything less than a Top-Class showing is insufficient, I'll give this chance to steep in a celebrity atmosphere to you. The chosen deities require no throat-drying or sweat-inducing hardship. Open the new celeb world."

And, with that, the tea party begins. Those not wishing to enjoy the top-class light sweets or delicious first flush teas may rid themselves of their average-person cares in Hibiki's special detoxing sauna. Those seeking an example to follow may take in a movie (in a theater featuring opulent reclining seats) starring Shikyoin Hibiki, or enjoy that the Shikyoin Hibiki History Exhibit has returned for a limited time only to this wing of the temple. Learn all about her many accomplishments, and be inspired!

If you're looking for Hibiki, however.....Well. Your maa-ttendant is willing to show you the way, especially if you're a shinki or a god seeking suggestions for a matchup. But there are two obstacles to reaching her. First, you have to successfully kick a soccer ball past a spygoat goalie. Second, you have to read from a college history textbook provided by a spygoat in a pasteboard hat - and get all the kanji right.

Or you could force your way through, or raise a fuss until Hibiki emerges, but who'd conceive of that?! Clearly everything will go as Hibiki intends!

Shinki Training

The good news for the shinki in attendance- or any gods who ran away from Hibiki’s tea party to see what else is happening- is that they don’t have to further deal with Hibiki. Or being proper. Instead, everyone’s maa-tendants will guide them to a large indoor space that has been purposefully, uh, repurposed for today. As there are a lot of big extravagant rooms in Hibiki’s castle, it wasn’t very hard to change it into what is essentially the inside of an acrobatic circus. Wendy will already be waiting for everyone to arrive, seated happily on top of some push up bars. “That’s everyone, isn’t it? Alright then!”

Since there are no newcomers as far as Wendy can tell, she gladly skips over “how to shinki” issues and instead offers some quick explanations and instructions to everyone in attendance. People are more than welcome to do the usual borderline practicing, of course, and Wendy will give a quick instruction for those who somehow missed that particular lesson. But that’s the boring way, and she didn’t set up all of this to be boring. In fact, there’s a particular shinki trait that she feels not a lot of people have really utilized: the strange shared trait that they’re all extremely light and can do things like leap ridiculous distances.

So everyone will be encouraged to use the various pieces of equipment that are around. People who are unsure of themselves can use basic things such as monkey bars, low balancing beams, and the other sorts of things that they’ve seen Heaven use in their training sessions such as jumping from stump-like platforms to another. There are even some trampolines for those who want to see how high a shinki can go before their head cracks into the very high ceiling. (And an almost extravagantly large bouncy castle for the kids and kids-at-heart.) But they’re really encouraged to use things that are a little more… high skill. Such as the tightrope extended high above the ground, or the swinging trapeze set. For those who want a bit of a challenge, Wendy even has a route set up where they have to go through just about everything that’s set up in the space… while she has another person practicing throwing borderlines at them to either dodge or deflect. Also the goats might get in the way. Is that part of the training, or is that just how the goats how?

Any random god that comes in will hardly get a blink besides Wendy ushering them in with an off-handed, “Sick of the tea, huh?”

Self-Improvement Training

Those looking for something less...extreme...than Wendy's contribution will find it in Hibiki's gaming arcade, which has been newly restocked with a row of PriPara arcade machines. These machines encourage you to create a customizable character and dress them up, then perform a rhythm game with the character dancing in the background. Successful completion earns you a ticket with more clothes that can be used on your character. It seems that a sense of rhythm improves intuition, which is useful for gods and shinki alike.

Also of use to all: the ability to ad-lib with a partner in an unusual environment! Which is what anyone who ventures into this concert hall will find. It looks like there's an improv contest going on. Grab a partner and be assigned a random scenario. You now have to act out that scenario in hopes of getting perfect 10s from a row of extremely Judge-Looking spygoats (they are wearing berets and glasses, to look Artsy, except for one who got the kind of judge wrong and showed up in a powdered wig instead.)

Now, pick your chosen field of battle! No sparring prompt is required to hone one's competitive urges and divine might.

Rest and Refreshments

Anyone desiring a change of scenery, as well as everyone once the sun begins to set, will be guided out the back of the temple by their maa-ttendant. A splendid dinner table has been set out upon the pirate ship in Hibiki's backyard, and everyone has a place reserved just for them. Why, their favorite drink is already awaiting them in their glass!

Food is available from a variety of sources. For those who prefer self service, a buffet table has been laid out next to one railing, arranged with a variety of high-class, gourmet foods. Filet mignon? Caviar? Lobster? Fugu? Vegetable delicacies? All are available (though none come with instructions - do have fun with the lobster). The maa-tendants are also happy to double as waiters and fetch food, for those who prefer the full service celebrity treatment.

Those seeking a more low-key, though no less eclectic, dining experience can find it along the other side of the deck, set up on a nice table with a tablecloth and some flowers for decoration. It seems one of Hibiki's shinki has decided to grace everyone with a bountiful spread! Poke, acai bowls, salad, malasalada, chocolate macademia, strawberry mochi, and manapua are all available, with placards indicating what each dish is and any potential allergens. This entire temple devotes itself to hospitality.

Still missing, however: the host, though there's a throne awaiting her at the head of the table, a cup of tea already in place. Music is also being provided by goats in the corners, who seem to have full stereo systems hooked up where the maa-ttendants have trays. Baroque classical music recordings softly waft over the diners, lending the entire experience a distinctly elegant air.

This aura of peaceful refinement shall remain until everyone who seems inclined to go aboard has done so (the goats do seem to maa-ccomend you board, but it is not enforced - sit this out, if you wish). At that point, all goats will roll up to their gods or shinki, carrying another sign - Please take care. The music dies down. So do the lights.

And beneath everyone, the Starship PriPirates's...rocket engines...rumble to life. And a triumphant peal of laughter, high above everyone - rings out!

In Summary:

• Delight in your precious new robot BFF (maa-ttendants are OK to NPC & adopt!)
  
• Learn absolutely nothing from anybody actually charged with hosting this informational session
  
• Engage in various "training" activities with no ulterior motives behind them whatsoever
  
• Be kidnapped by pirates?????
  
• Have fun~

Comments

B

[unlucky7]

[It's an impressive setup. Ginia regards the course with a low whistle, eager to tackle it as a test of her skills and a way to blow off extra energy. She gives Wendy's innocent suggestion a wary, knowing look.]

The tightrope I'll give a try, but I'm going to pass on the trapeze. I like my joints and limbs as they are.

[nopixiedust]

[Now now, what's that look for? Wendy bats her eyes with all the innocence of someone who shouldn't be trusted.]

Come on, have more confidence in yourself! There's a safety net down below, so you wouldn't get hurt too bad. Aren't you at least a little bit curious?

[unlucky7]

I'm very curious, but I'm also sure all of my gods would be upset if I managed to land poorly and broke a leg.

[Fixing a broken leg or worse is a bit much to put Kimi though.]

Anyone fall yet?

[nopixiedust]

We have a safety net! You'd be fine.

...Besides, we could use someone falling around here. The only person who's dared to take up some of the fancy stuff is Shun. Again. As usual.

[unlucky7]

Wendy, that makes it sound like you've set up the trapeze for failure.

[Don't look forward to people falling???? Even if, in theory, no one should get hurt by focusing on feeling light and drifting down.]

Yeah, that's typical Shun behavior.

Any pointers for the trapeze?

[nopixiedust]

I mean, it would be funny to see some of the looks on certain people's faces... [She's a sadist in a little girl's body, what can she say?] But you don't have to worry about it. I plan on using it now and then myself, even after the goats clean everything up, so of course I'm going to keep myself safe at the very least.

[Have faith in her own self-interest, Ginia.]

I have a few things in mind, honestly... For example, how strong your arms and all that are won't matter as much, honestly.

[unlucky7]

Because we can lighten ourselves and so we aren't fighting against our own weight?

[Though it's not as if Ginia needs to worry about lacking arm strength. Regular pull ups and hauling boxes around the office sure go a long way.]

[nopixiedust]

I mean, sure, that too, if you want. But I think it would be true even if you were a regular person who wasn't dead. I mean, I know a whole lot about this without ever having had to take lessons here in the Far Shore.

[Which is to say that, somehow, she knew a whole lot about various acrobatics when she was alive. Wendy doesn't say that out loud. She knows things are fine among shinki like them, but still. She'd rather not test it.]

It's more the, hmm... Physics of it, I guess? [Wendy doesn't really know anything about physics, but that sounds right.] For example, while you're swinging, you'll naturally end up in a moment of not really weighing anything. You need to understand the timing of moments like that more than anything.

Want me to show you?

[unlucky7]

I'd appreciate a demonstration.

[There's nothing in her known memories that indicate she knows how to move on a trapeze specifically. However, with a known tested good sense of balance, no fear of heights, and strong climbing skills, Ginia wouldn't be surprised if she trained on a trapeze in some way.

Watching someone in person wouldn't point her toward in whether she knows or not, but in case she doesn't, watching someone who knows what she's doing s a good way to learn.]

[nopixiedust]

Then get ready for the show of a lifetime!

[Even if it's only one person, with no one to even hype up her act, or some bright spotlights... Something in Wendy can't help but feel how awkward it all is, even if the words come to her naturally.]

[Turning to the ladder, she immediately hops up and begins to climb with quite a bit of agility that's very clearly well used. Halfway up, she turns to look down at Ginia.]

Oh yeah! Do you want to watch from down there or up here?

[unlucky7]

[Ginia turns up the volume on her phone as she moves toward the ladder.]

I'll join you up there, it'll be easier to see.

[There's no hesitation as Ginia follows Wendy up the ladder, moving fast and smoothly. Up on the platform, she doesn't seem any more phased by the height. Actually, it's nice being so high up.]

[nopixiedust]

[At least it looks like she won't have to wait for Ginia too long, so that's nice. Maybe there really is a career here after all for another trapeze artist. Once they're up there, Wendy begins to change out of some of her clothing. Today it's mostly just been a pair of overalls, but beneath those is a tank top and a pair of shorts. This way it will be even easier to see how she composes herself on the bars.]

If you want to take a video to look over, that would be fine too.

[There are apparently some robo-goats helping to adjust the bars and make it easier for Wendy to reach up. This has apparently been prepared for adjustment ahead of time, just in case.]

Ready?

[unlucky7]

[Video is a good idea for learning from and for entertaining record. Enjoy the moments as they come. It'll be a fun thing to show off to her temple too. Ginia finds a good angle to record from and gives a thumbs up. Let the show begin.]

[nopixiedust]

Stay out of my way~!

[And with that, she gives a hop and swings off into the air.]

[There is something to say about her guesses towards physics. Certainly, her grip on the trapeze bar is important, and she seems to have surprisingly sturdy musculature for someone who looks and often acts like a little girl... But her movements are what really seem to be driving things home. She doesn't hang limply from the bar, instead using her whole body to take advantage of the momentum so that she can push a little further until the tips of her toes can point up towards the ceiling.]

[It's at such peaks that she can really demonstrate what she was trying to explain earlier, where gravity and the force of her swing upwards meet somewhere in the middle. There very clearly is that brief second where Wendy doesn't have to support the weight of her body so much, instead hanging serenely in the air before allowing herself to swing right back.]

[Wendy goes with this a few times, maintaining the same flawless movements, just so that Ginia can get some nice extended shots. Yet after a few times of this, she begins to go a little further, such as suddenly flipping her handhold around in a moment where she's clearly off the bar before grabbing right back on, or flipping onto the opposite bar the robogoats are helping swing in time with her own. All of her tricks are noteworthy in that they're all clearly utilizing that bit of peak weightlessness, taking advantage of it for all sorts of things.]

[The only exceptions would be the tricks where Wendy adjusts her position on the bar itself, at one point heaving herself up while sliding her legs inbetween her arms and almost... upside down, body pointed mostly straight, and grins over to where Ginia is.]

Want to see more? Although I could do a bunch better if I had a partner!

[unlucky7]

[A shinki can only infer things about themselves, but it's so much clearer watching from the outside. Wendy moves with such precise precision that it's deceptively easy and natural. It's a form of confidence not simply because she's confident in herself, but she's done this again and again, in this life and a prior one.

A performer, an acrobat, all obvious statements. With every trick Ginia wants to clap, but she keeps her phone still as she records, giving only the occasional shake of her hand in a silent cheer.

It's remarkably impressive and Ginia feels lucky to have seen it. She applauds as Wendy finishes and addresses her, grinning back before she replies on her phone.]

You really want to put that much trust in me?

[But she's already moving down to the platform, shedding her boots and socks. Wendy is the expert here, trust in her. Ginia makes sure everything is safely to the side.]

What should I do?