July Training

[unlucky7]

Who: Everyone
What: Information and Training
When: June 22nd, 2017
Where: Ebisu’s temple, Nagashima Resort on the Near Shore
Summary: A chance for gods and shinki to put their skills to the test… at a water park?



The morning of training, a mass message is sent out to everyone on the contact list.

Training will be conducted on the Near Shore today. Please meet at Ebisu's temple for an overview and directions.

Please see the following list for what to bring.

The list of what to bring is a short one: a container to carry blessed water, sunscreen, a swimsuit and towel, a bag for an outing, comfortable shoes and clothes for moving in... the list sounds like something suited for a to a beach or an amusement park.

(Spoilers: It is.)

A map with directions to Ebisu’s temple is also included.



Introductions

Everyone is led to a large conference room in the temple. There's a long table set up with food and drinks: assorted rice balls, bread, pastries, simple assorted bento boxes, tea, coffee, water, fresh juice. There is also a table with shinki pamphlets and maps to the area if anyone wants one. There are chairs set up facing a projection screen.

Once it seems like there are no further arrivals and everyone has had a chance to mingle and get any refreshments they want, some of Ebisu's shinki encourage people to find a seat. The lights dim slightly as Ginia, dressed in a sharp black suit with a dark green tie, steps in front to address the crowd in sign language, another shinki interpreting for her.

"Thank you all for gathering. Today's training format will have a different approach. As we all know, ayakashi are a common problem on the Near Shore. While reports of larger ayakashi have dwindled, small and some medium-sized ayakashi remain. They are drawn to areas with a high population of humans and where negativity or strife can brew.

Everyone, today we're putting our skills to the test and hunting ayakashi. "

Ginia pulls a remote from her pocket and displays a map of a sprawling entertainment complex with an amusement park, onsen resort, water park, shopping center, and hotels on the screen.

"This is Nagashima Resort, one of the most popular vacation and entertainment destinations in Japan. With an amusement park, shopping centers, a water park, botanical garden, and onsen resort, it's a destination for all ages year-round. Because of that, it’s ripe for ayakashi causing trouble.

"The first part of training is reaching the amusement park. You'll teleport to the Near Shore to one of Ebisu's shrines. From there, four paths in increasing difficulty are marked out with ribbons and flags: white, yellow, red, and orange. If you wish to bypass the course entirely, you're welcome to reach the location through public transportation or other means, the choice is yours.

"Once at the site, you'll want to keep an eye out for ayakashi. Flushing them out with borderlines and blessed water is an option, as is seeking out areas problems might occur. Keep in mind the large number of children around means our actions will be noticed, so take a subtle approach or pull the fight to where it won’t be noticed. Also please keep property damage to a minimum.

"After you've had your fill of hunting ayakashi, please enjoy the location's facilities. Full admission and ride vouchers will be provided for everyone as well as a stipend for food and souvenirs."

Ginia grins and gives a thumbs up.

"Do your best and have fun!"

God and Shinki Training

With no new arrivals, gods and shinki are encouraged to work with their temple or other temples to figure out strategies. Or make plans for how to spend the day, there’s no judgment at all. Ebisu, Tsubasa, and Chris are around to provide support and information for gods. Any shinki that want last minute borderline practice or a refresher on light moving can talk to Ginia or Ebisu's shinki.

Physical Training

Beginning at the entrance of Ebisu's shrine, the four routes are clearly laid out. All four take advantage of the lightness all shinki and gods can tap into to jump higher and longer distances and stand on just about anything. The easiest route, white, is a longer route that’s more street-level, but requires using some leaps across the road or use of lamp posts to cut across areas.

Yellow is entirely crossed with lamp posts and electrical poles can be managed without ever touching the ground. It's a pretty direct route and easy for someone focused on lightness the entire time.

Red moves higher, mixing up lamp posts and signs to bound off, as well as a few rooftop runs. It requires a few tricky jumps that can be easier with borderline bridges or teleporting, but still entirely possible with the right planning. Like the yellow route, traversing means never touching the ground until reaching the entertainment complex.

Orange is the most physical of the courses, requiring precise jumps or teleports along rooftops, vertical wall jumps, and a few blind drops or teleports downward to get to the next section. A shinki who can make bridges with their borderline can test their skills with bridging some of the larger jumps, while a god can test out flying in tighter areas or teleporting.

Race other people, help out someone struggling on a route, or skip this portion entirely, the choice is yours.

Ayakashi Attacks

While there are no large ayakashi to fight on top of a roller coaster, the amount of ayakashi around is still plentiful. Crying children, stressed parents, dates going poorly, there are plenty of reasons for negativity to brew and ayakashi to latch onto or encourage the behavior. Common are small ayakashi; tick ayakashi irritating people, coin purse ayakashi making people spend more, bird ayakashi enhancing bad moods, all sorts causing minor mishap. Medium ayakashi, such as slender shadows unnerving children or ayakashi latching onto mirrors and showing one’s worst self, are less common but still lurking about.

Rend them and keep the day lively and fun for everyone, but don’t get caught by any children in the area. If you do, better come up with a story fast. Some kinds are as persistent as ayakashi when it comes to getting an answer.

Rest and Refreshments

Before leaving Ebisu's temple, everyone is given vouchers to exchange for tickets for the parks and 10,000 yen in spending money. There’s plenty to do at Nagashima Spa Land. The water park with its multiple slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and swimming pools is the perfect way to beat the heat and the main attraction. However, for those who want to stay drier, there's also a full amusement park with rides for all ages and excitement levels. From merry-go-rounds to haunted houses, a giant ferris wheel to thrilling roller coasters, the 40 rides across the park should be the trick

For those who want something a little more relaxing, there's a botanical garden to stroll through with beautiful illuminations at night. There is also a large onsen resort with multiple pools for a nice long soak. There’s also a large shopping center nearby and plenty of food options across the entertainment complex.

In Summary:

• Try racing against others through the city
  
• Put the skills you’ve learned to the test against ayakashi
  
• Enjoy a day at a water/amusement/spa park
  
• Have fun~

Comments

[hypomeneo]

Waver puffs up like a cat, hair floofed out and everything, but begins to deflate as the poor runner begins frantically bowing and apologizing to everyone in the vicinity. Totally didn't mean to cause a commotion. So embarrassed! Oh that soda's everywhere, even...!!

Waver tosses his hair as he shakes off his irritation. Okay, it was an accident and he's going to be better than immediately cranky about it. Let it go.

"It's fine. No harm done." Okay, maybe a little scolding for this kid. "Just no more running. Don't want to see you slipping and bloody breaking something."

That said, he turns to Iskandar as they head towards the showers.

"Hopefully some lockers. Or I'm going to have to put up a Bounded Field to stop some arse from walking off with our stuff."

[towards_okeanos]

The showers have lockers. Why wouldn't they? In fact, there's a whole wall of them just opposite to the showers. Each locker with a keyhole, a coin slot and small display showing how much of the prepaid time is left on the locker. All the vacant lockers have their keys sticking out of the keyholes.
There is even a helpful instruction on how to operate the whole system. All explained in text and pictures.
A hundred yen coin gives you a locker for an hour, two hundred three hours and five hundred full day until 8 am on the next morning.

Iskandar grins.

"See? You need not worry."

He looks at Waver with a slightly mischievous grin.

"Would you like to take a shower before we go for the slides?"

[hypomeneo]

Waver sighs in relief. He's been in a few places that have been a little... lacking in all the proper amenities. He's seen things. He's experienced... frustrations.

But no... nice and normal and completely modern.

He's already starting to strip after fishing some yen out of his pocket, and his eye slides over and...

Completely incorrigible. And I can't help loving it.

"Just a shower?"

Mischief as he unzips his bag to get out his bathing suit, before continuing to tease his poor fiance by giving a mild strip show modestly undress.

[towards_okeanos]

Iskandar laughs.

Oh, come on, Waver. You know him. What kind of silly question that is?

"Actually, no."

He's already fished out his swim trunks out of his own bag but he's not getting changed yet. A bit too occupied with watching his gorgeous fiance taking his clothes off. It would be an understatement to say that he's greatly enjoying the ...uhm... modestly undressing part Waver does.

[hypomeneo]

Pants come off and are tossed playfully at Iskandar as Waver works his boxers off his hips. Then he stands nude, hand on his hip clutching his swim trunks, as he lets Iskandar admire the view.

Men come and go around them, not noticing either of them, however their luck stats are likely to take a roll once they get into the showers if any spiritually sensitive folk come in.

"... we're in public~" Because those showers are communal. "But... I suppose since nobody will notice us..."

[towards_okeanos]

Iskandar catches the flying article of clothing with grace of a trained warrior. He was in the middle of taking his own shirt off so that’s just reflex. Both of those go into the locker along with the rest of his own clothes.

“All I planned was to wash your hair after that soda incident...”

He stops taking in the view. Utterly captivated. That’s no doubt a lot to admire. He closes whatever distance there was between them.

“But if you insist” An arm goes around Waver’s waist pulling him towards his king until their hips meet. Iskandar leans down to leave an impatient kiss on Waver’s neck just below the jawline.
“I can do” and another one a bit lower “so” and another “much” and another “more”...

[hypomeneo]

"I insist."

Someone is just as horny as you, Iskandar, and wearing at Waver's sense of shame has consequences. As in him actually taking the first step in a less than private setting (yet more private than that first beach in Hawaii) because of the belief they won't be seen by mortals.

... a... erm... mistaken belief, as RNG says, because one of the more spiritually sensitive folk have walked in as Iskandar's attacking Waver's neck and sees Waver's eyes flare in sudden arousal and his arms wrap around Iskandar, one reaching for...

The man's jaw drops. What the actual fuck.

"OI! OI! OI!

YOU TWO GET A ROOM! NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THAT!"

And then he bolts, horrified, and the door slams on his way out as Waver locks in place in horror.

[towards_okeanos]

Those foreigners and their loose morals!

Iskandar knew that one day even his legendary luck would run out. He just didn't expect it to be today. Still, any other day would be just as bad. And they even weren't doing anything too ... explicit.

Now his chances to get as much as a kiss from Waver in public are thoroughly ruined. All the hard work he did to make his lover relax a bit. Eh... what a shame.

What's wrong with people in modern times that they can't handle the sight of others in love. How can they keep with really distasteful stuff on TV or the Internet - some of which Iskandar tries not to remember... he knew that human creativity is endless but still... - but displays of true passion in real life? That bothers them. What must have happened to make them so utterly and completely broken? Because this is beyond his comprehension.

He lets out a sigh. They may as well go for those slides now. Just let him check that damned locker and really wash Waver's hair this time. Because if it stays like it is, Waver would have all the wasps and bees from the area on his head in minutes.

"Come, love, let's get that sugar out of your hair."

[hypomeneo]

Waver's beet red and hastily yanking on his swim trunks. Oh... oh shit. They saw them. They'll forget hopefully soon enough - except for the spiritually sensitive one - otherwise Waver would be worried they might have resort security on their arses or other trouble soon enough.

"Fuck. It really got in it, didn't it?"

Still. Uh yes. Shower. Shower would be good. HIS HAIR! Get that shit out. Oh... fuck, get it out before he's chased by every stinging insect in the park.

"I'll grab the shampoo." Because water will not be enough, especially as the shower isn't going to be a hot one. He snatches the bottle and glares down any judging looks that are left before marching into the shower with a huff. He's not sorry.

[towards_okeanos]

There's not much else Iskandar can do other than slip into his own swim trunks and make sure the locker is securely closed and paid for.

"Yes, I'm afraid it did."

He says that even if Waver is already gone for the showers.

Nobody even noticed the murder glares Waver was throwing around. Other people seem to be a little perplexed with all that commotion. Not exactly comprehending what it was all about. Fortunately, finding no reasonable explanation they just ignore it and go back to their business.

As you all damn should!

Iskandar is still a bit cranky over the whole incident but the prospect of washing his lover's hair does lighten his mood a little. It's one of the small pleasures of life that he really enjoys.

[hypomeneo]

Iskandar will find Waver under the shower, full blast, with the water thankfully cool after an initial burst of heat to dissolve the sugar clinging to every strand and wash it away. Any other patron is unconsciously drifting away from the god pushing the mass of his hair behind his shoulders to hang down heavily and stick to his back. Perhaps out of a sense that his ire is roused and it won't take much to trigger his sharp tongue if there's any commentary.

"It's not hot. Cool."

He hasn't forgotten that vow and sacrifice to Asclepius. Waver's not bound to it - he enjoys the blessed water baths at Ebisu's temples for more practical and social reasons even if they're hot enough to leave him like a boiled lobster - but he prefers colder showers for reasons of hair care. And attempting to snap awake in the morning after Iskandar's gotten up and dragged his clinging like a koala ass out of bed.

He stoops down to grab the bottle of shampoo he temporarily left on the tiled floor.

"Tap's a little wonky, though, so be careful with it."

[towards_okeanos]

"And you're still breathing fire," Iskandar says as he steps into the shower.

The water indeed is pleasantly cool. Vows or not he doesn't share his lover's fondness of soaking himself in the boiling water preferring a quick, cold shower to clear his mind. His idea of relaxing time is quite different and the local custom of hot springs visits never appealed to him much. The food did but not the springs themselves.

"I'll take that."

He snatches the shampoo bottle from Waver. The procedure is well established with first applying a little of the shampoo on the top of Waver's head, massaging his scalp and only then taking care of the rest of his hair. Iskandar hums quietly as he does it. All his anger for being interrupted earlier dissipates. This is his idea of a truly relaxing time. But there's one thing missing for it to be perfect.

"You don't happen to have a conditioner here, do you?"

μαλάκα! Iskandar doesn't remember packing it and now he feels stupid for not doing so. They really should have brought it with them. This or the argan oil at least.

[hypomeneo]

"I'm a bit miffed over all that." And this water is wet. But Waver relaxes as Iskandar's fingers work their magic, soothing his irritation. A most effective way to calm the savage nerd. "It was none of their business."

S I G H.

He nudges his head a little more into Iskandar's touch just like a cat seeking attention and skritches to a favored spot. He likes that. Shamelessly so.

"There's oil back in the bag with my hairbrush at least. Didn't I...?" He swears he put it one of their bags. Waver knows he bought a fresh bulk batch from the salon supply store; his Temple goes through hair care products nearly as fast as both Temples go through wine. "Don't tell me I left it out."

There's always swiping some from one of the men here, though. It would be appropriate compensation for earlier.

[towards_okeanos]

"A bit, you say." Iskandar's almost done with Waver's hair but he lets himself linger a little longer for the sheer pleasure of it. Then he spots another target for his attention. His lover always gets incredibly tense in his neck and shoulders when he's stressed. It's a pattern Iskandar recognized a while ago. Fortunately, he knows a perfect remedy for that. He'll go and fetch the missing conditioner after he gave Waver a proper massage. The only danger is that he doesn't stop at that, concerned citizens be damned.

Well, he did check his bag but he didn't check Waver's. So there's still hope.

"I'll get that oil in a minute." Just let him finish.

[hypomeneo]

Waver groans appreciatively as Iskandar's fingers travel down from his scalp and begin to work into his neck and shoulders. Oh. Oh that's very nice.

"Mmmmmm. Alright, more than a bit. Point still stands."

Even if by this point, Waver's tone is anything but miffed. The danger is, of course, he won't protest if Iskandar decides to take it farther. The danger also is that he might enjoy the attention a little too much and forget where he is himself. Not as likely after the incident earlier, but still very possible as Iskandar works out all the tension. Waver sighs, pleased, as one stubborn knot is worked out.

"Keep that up and I might just melt to the floor."