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

[galrarm]

"Dessert and strangely colored animals are always a great combination."

He lets out a low, quiet laugh. Years ago, hearing something like that would've drawn incredulity, probably. Now, after all he's seen... nothing seems impossible.

"It sounds like one of your fondest. I can't blame you--the impact of an act of kindness from a stranger in a new place should never be underestimated."

[unlucky7]

This way sure has a way of rearranging the notion of what's normal and real. Hibiki, so larger than life, full of grandeur and confidence, no wonder Ginia was drawn to her on that day as she waited for her god to find her.

"It's definitely up there. There aren't too many people from my first day around still."

A few are physically gone from the world, others still around but connections long frayed as they drift apart. It's a bittersweet in that regard.

"I suppose I needed a lot of kindness in the start. Maybe still do. I don't think I had a lot of that in life."

Ginia signs the statement as a vague, general guess, but she knows the truth from the handful of memories she has. There's no place for kindness in an assassin.

[galrarm]

Shiro can sympathize. There are a handful of people that he thinks of often, who are no longer here. He's glad that Pyrrha, Keith, and Lance--and Ginia--aren't in that group. But if they were to leave... it'd leave a hell of a hole in his heart. He knows they can't really stop it... so he makes the most of his time with them. It's the only thing he can do.

He nods, and her words shift his thoughts in a different direction.

"Some of us need a little more than others. Reminds me of my best friend--he hadn't seen a lot of kindness until we'd met." He wonders where Keith would be, had Shiro not met him that day and extended a hand to him. "I hope you've found more since then. Going through life--or afterlife--without any kindness is lonely. I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

[unlucky7]

"I found a family. I have a boyfriend." Ginia wonders if she deserves any of it. She can't tell Kimi about her memories without harming him, but what would Ebisu think? Chris? Tsubasa? Ginia doesn't think they'd abandon her outright, but fear is part of the reason why she hasn't said anything about her newest memories.

Not that she even knows where to begin with it. She's still processing everything she learned herself.

"I know Chris and Tsubasa have friends to go back to and things to do. I'll miss them if they go, but I understand. But Ebisu and the Mi clan were already here. I want to stay with them."

[galrarm]

It strikes him how many people--at least from what he can tell--have found family here. Love, too. Friends that would do anything for each other. Gods and shinki who work seamlessly, who complement each other well. It's funny how things sort of just fall into place, but it's comforting all the same.

"It makes everything easier, doesn't it?" He isn't sure what he'd do without Keith, Pyrrha, and Lance. Shiro knows he's strong and capable, but they make him more so. Without them, he wouldn't be the god he is today. "If any of my shinki left... It'd be hard. But that's why we make the best of the time we have with them, right?"

[unlucky7]

"Easier in some ways, harder in others."

The fear of losing the ones she loves, disappointing them, getting hurt again... but aren't these the things anyone faces? Weakness isn't a bad thing, failure is natural, and with people willing to understand and let her grow at her own pace, she's thriving.

"But you're right, the time and memories are valuable." Even if things hurt right now, she can appreciate everyone she's met in some way.

"Have you met Ebisu or any of his shinki?"

[galrarm]

"At the end of the day, we can look on memories even when we're apart from the people we love."

Memories had been the only thing to keep his mind clear when he'd been inside the Black Lion. Without them--without thinking about his friends and the things they'd done, Shiro's fairly sure he would've gone completely mad. He wishes he could thank Keith and Lance for keeping him grounded, but-- just the thought of it fills him with dread. He won't endanger them like that.

At her question, he shakes his head. "I don't think so. I probably should have, by now."

[unlucky7]

There's a side-to-side wiggle of her hand and a shrug. Ebisu and his temple do interact with them more regularly than the other old gods, but no one has to meet anyone around either. Ginia knows she's biased toward her temple, but also she wouldn't support them if they weren't good people.

Maybe some of the best around.

"They're hard to miss if you see them. Ebisu is a child usually flanked by two men in black suits and dark green ties." Sometimes she's suited too, though today she's in more casual workout clothes. "If one of them has glasses and a goatee, that's my boyfriend, Kimi."

[galrarm]

"I'll keep an eye out for them." He smiles a little. "I'd like to hear about them, though, from someone who knows them well and cares about them."

Shiro values her input and her thoughts. Ginia's been helpful, after all, all this time. And he really wishes there was something more he could do for her. He knows it's likely not necessary, but... Shiro isn't the type to just take and not give back.

[unlucky7]

There is a lot Ginia could say about them. Six months isn't a long time, but the content of their character has been clear since the start. They're a temple with deep secrets and she's sure there are more she doesn't know and may never know unless she absolutely has to. The ones she does know she'll guard carefully because she won't see them hurt again. Not for unjust reasons.

"They're all good people. The kind of people that believe in a better world and are taking the steps to ensure that happens. Ebisu loves humans. That's what exists at his core and it'll never change."

It's the solid conviction of a god who wanted nothing more than to understand ayakashi and control them so they couldn't hurt humans. Who realized he could only do so much and he had to do more. And for that he was willing to die again and again in pursuit of his goal.

"Ebisu says all his shinki are the best, that they can do no wrong and are all good people. I didn't join his temple under the best circumstances." Her expression clouds a little. It hurts far less than it did, she's learned from her mistakes, but it'll take time for all the hurt and sting of embarrassment to fully fade. "They didn't care. They made sure I was comfortable and took care of me and made sure I was never lonely while still giving me space. Where I saw failure in everything I did, they saw potential for what I could do."

[galrarm]

"It sounds like a great place."

It really does. It's a good thing, that Ebisu loves humans. Not everyone out there does--Shiro's seen that himself, but... this place is really unique. So many people coming together, working to help the people who need it most. Sometimes, you don't need to know someone for a long time to know the type of person they are. He's glad Ginia's found a home in a great place.

Shiro hopes that his own shinki think of him as fondly as Ginia does of her god.

He watches her, and he smiles gently.

"It sounds a lot like unconditional love. For a lot of people, whether they know it or not, they need that kind of support, especially in the darkest times." It can make a world of difference. "That's what family does. They saw something amazing in you, and wanted to lift you up so you could reach it."

[unlucky7]

Love is a scary concept for one so unfamiliar with it. Especially for someone used to all things coming with a catch; nothing is free and all things must be balanced in some way. Unconditional love given freely is then terrifying, but Shiro's words are absolutely correct for her current life. They hold her accountable for her mistakes but give her the space to learn from them. She's better because of them and it's easier seeing what they see in her.

Would that change if she could reveal the truth of what she knows?

"I don't think I understood what family was before them. Or love. Any kind of love." Is that sad to admit? Ginia's fingers twist together as her gaze falls away briefly. "But I think I'm figuring it out. Familial and friend love at least."

Ginia pauses, fingers tapping together.

"Have you ever loved anyone? Romantically?"

[galrarm]

"I'm glad you are. Small steps are just as fine as big ones, and if you haven't had it before, it's only natural it'll take time to really understand."

There's no judgment in his voice as he says it. He understands that some people aren't used to certain things. Love, unconditional support, warm things like that. And it's sad... but for some, unavoidable. It's something he wishes he could change, but some things can't, unfortunately.

He pauses. He should have expected the conversation to turn to him and his experiences with love, but it's still difficult. Shiro takes in a breath. Admittedly, he no longer has those feelings for Adam, but-- it still stings. He wishes they could have had more closure, but...

"Yeah," Shiro finally says. "Years ago. It... ended up not working out. But we really loved each other."

[unlucky7]

What happened? Isn't that usually the question that comes to mind? But Ginia knows it's not her business either. It seems like a touchy subject anyway.

"Sorry to hear it didn't work out." Her head ducks down as she finishes another macaron, wondering if it's better to turn things back to her to give him a break or if that's rude. Well, she's going to keep signing so time to find out.

"How did you know you were in love? I... keep asking everyone because I guess I'm trying to figure that out myself. About Kimi."

[galrarm]

He's glad she didn't ask, honestly. Shiro isn't the type to open up easily, and though he likes Ginia, it's the type of thing he'd talk about only with Pyrrha, or Keith or Lance. And, really, he's thankful for the shift away from more unpleasant things.

"It is what it is." To the condolences. Her question, though... That makes him stop and think. As he does, he eats another macaron. Lemon lavender, this time.

"I knew when I imagined spending my life with him. It just felt... right. Like everything would've been more complete."

[unlucky7]

"Like you're home?" Zhao's words on the beach come to mind; she misses him a lot these days. If there anyone she wished was still around, it was him. It'd be nice having another shinki adult to talk to. Her temple is great most days, but not with anything to do with memories.

"A friend once told me being in love felt like that."