[OTA]

[roeh]

Who: Everyone!
What: Sparring, training etc
When: All day March 2nd
Where: A fancy pants gym in the far shore
Summary: There's a war going on and it won't be won sitting around twiddling your thumbs. Time to work up a sweat and earn yourself a few bruises and bragging rights in the process.


Turns out the far shore isn't devoid of some of the more earthly facilities enjoyed in life. Not the least of which is a gym. And not just one of those, hot cramps, 24/7 affairs but a whole arena that looks like it might have been plucked out of some classical epic. A real gym for the stars. Or the gods as it were. Upon finding it, it leaves Shepard with just a few ideas and today is the day they come to fruition. A couple days back, guests and residents alike recieve a mass invitation with the time and the place to come spar, train and otherwise get together to work out this situation.

The Main Event;
The largest space is dominated by a number of sparring rings for everyone to take advantage of. And off on the sidelines is ever possible melee weapons one could imagine. It's the perfect time to work on your skills before another wave of ayakashi show up to catch you and your shinki off guard. Some of the rings are even dotted with practice dummies for those pairs that are still figuring out exactly how this god and shinki thing works together. Or perhaps you'd like to pick up some new abilities. You never know when you might be caught off guard with only a bottle opener and a ball of twine to defend yourself. Just grab a partner and have at it.


The Shooting Range;
You didn't think the far shore's most vocal gun advocate would leave this out did you? But it's not just guns that stock the racks at this range. Bows and arrows from all ages as well as a rather impressive collection of throwing knives lay amidst the firearms. You might even find the odd slingshot or two if you really look hard enough. But target practice is target practice which makes this the perfect time to engage in some friendly competition with your neighbor, regardless
of the weapon.


Combat Instruction;
Perhaps some of you come from a world where war is the furthest thing from your mind. Where the worst you have to worry about is whether or not you passed that last exam or when that girl down the street might finally notice you. But to some, your recruitment into the battle against the Ayakashi is just one more stage in the mundane fight that's followed you for most of your life. There's novices and experts alike and this is where both can come together to share their skills. We're all in this together brogamis.


The Water Cooler;
More like a whole corner of the gym that's stocked with not only water, but juice, energy drinks, power bars and all manner of refreshments. There's a pile of clean towels for those of you that really work up a sweat and a bin for you to kindly dispose of them. After a hard day of hitting the gym, it's always nice to relax, unwind, maybe shoot the shit with a few new friends. Or enemies. No one said you had to get along and that was the last bag of chips after all.

Comments

[arealhardnose]

That's good to hear from someone so experienced.

[It's not a lie; it's definitely a comfort to know that everyone here is able to hold their own when the time comes to fight. Though, really, Bishamon is right. Instinct only goes so far. Elsa remembers students who'd had a natural aptitude for the sciences but who needed her and the rest of their teachers to keep them focused and engaged, a task which is not always easy with teenagers.

Here, at least, the stakes are higher, so the motivation to stay on track is easier to find.]

That's why I came here today. I don't want to rely on uncertainty. I suppose it's sort of like dancing, in a way. [She shrugs, giving Bishamon a small, lopsided smile.] Only more likely to result in death or injury.

[dominatriarch]

I couldn't have said it better myself.

[ And that's one off her list. At least not all these newbies are helpless. Even those who weren't combat gods knew how to keep themselves alive... or at least had enough tricks to escape if need be. That was a relief. ]

The only bit of advice I can give is for you to learn to trust your shinki. The more you can, the more effective you can be against ayakashi.

[ She knows the advice wasn't asked for but she finds it to be important to hammer this into the newbies' heads. These gods, after all, may not know about this shinki thing and not imparting that sort of information could draw the line between surviving and reincarnation for them. ]

[arealhardnose]

[A lot of the other gods here have been fighters in some capacity. It's intimidating in some ways, and encouraging in others. Always a challenge, too, and Elsa never backs down from one of those. She's confident she'll re-learn how to fight as her true self.

But as far as her shinki goes, she's... not quite sure yet. With a wry, small, sheepish smile, she shrugs.]

That won't be easy with him staying behind today, but I understand. Even if he isn't training with me today, he didn't fail me in battle. I'm sure we'll work more closely together as time goes on.

[dominatriarch]

Don't make the same mistake I did.

[ There's a small sad smile there. After all, it was quite the mistake and she paid for it. At least these new gods can be taught properly. ]

It's best to talk to your shinki. Listen to them. Hiding everything isn't going to do anyone any favors.

[arealhardnose]

[There's a story there, and Elsa wants to know it, but it doesn't feel like a good time to ask. It might never be, and that'll have to be okay.

Besides, that's good advice, and she intends to take it. If she has to be here, if she's landed this new life, then she's going to excel.]

You're right. Better not to keep secrets. [Hah, yeah... every secret she'd kept last year had hurt her badly when it had come out.] Thank you. I'll talk to him once I get back.

[dominatriarch]

[ And she nods back. Yet another weight off her shoulders. That's one thing she'd rather not have to deal with again. But then there's a thought that crosses her mind. ]

By the way... what would you rather I call you... Menvra or... Elsa, was it?

[ Really, these gods with two names. She'll never wrap her brain around the idea. ]

[arealhardnose]

Yes, that's it. And Elsa would be better. I'm not sure I'll ever get used to Menrva.

[Or, if she does, it'll be from prayers, not from... colleagues, for lack of a better term.]

[dominatriarch]

That's understandable... especially when you aren't used to godhood.

[ She has no room to talk though. She's never known anything else but being a god. ]

Well... I shouldn't keep you from your training.

[arealhardnose]

[Glancing at the sword held comfortably in her hand, Elsa nods.] Right. I'm going to keep at this. Thank you for testing me.

[She dips her head in a half nod, half bow, and heads back to an open ring to practice her forms in.]