[ LOCKED TO SUTOKU ALLIANCE ] video; un: rider

[kaientai]

[ it takes ryouma a little bit to get around to this, but eventually(!!) he appears, filming a video from what appears to be... outside a fancy-looking starbucks? well, they're everywhere, after all! even in hell! maybe they're also paying him for the product placement? in any case, it's a nice day, and he's outside with his iced coffee and with sunglasses on you can't tell how tired he might be! coffee and a cigarette is the meal of champions when you have a lot of stress in your life. ]

Hello, everyone! I thought it'd be a good time to welcome in all our newest Alliance Lost Souls!

[ yes, he's waving! ]

I'm Sakamoto Ryouma — but just Ryouma is fine! — and a lot of people around here know I'm a Lieutenant and a main point of contact for any business with the Alliance. If you need anything, you can always come to me, and I'll at least try and help you find what you're looking for.

That being said, you've got plenty of good people around here you can look to also! The rest of you aren't off the hook~!

My newest co-Lieutenant is Matoba Seiji. [ so feel free to bother him now too, haha! ] Emily Dyer will be acting as my second, and if you don't already know where the clinic is, you should familiarise yourself and help out a little!

You can also find your other seniors — Kim Kitsuragi, Yuri Leclerc, Xingqiu, Artemy Burakh, Cloud Strife, and Ydris — if you need anything!

[ enjoy the new responsibility?? this is also live video and not text, so there is a strong possibility that ryouma has butchered several of these names in his accent. the good news is that he also holds up a list of the names written out because he knows himself.

now that that's out of the way, he can move along to some useful information before he wraps this thing up. his coffee's melting, and he's sitting when he probably has three other places he could be... ]

You represent the Sutoku Alliance now, so keep that in mind! We don't really have much of a dress code or anything, but you should still get one of these pins, so people know what crew you're with.

[ he taps the pin on his jacket with the kanji for sutoku. aren't you relieved that the naval uniform isn't standard-issue attire? now everyone knows why he's rated four stars for COOLER HAT on EMBER. ]

We have 'em at Konoha and at plenty of other places, too, so just ask!

We're gonna have a get-together officially soon enough, but this is a good opportunity to get to know each other ahead of time! My advice to all of you is to learn as much as possible about this place and the people who live here, your fellow Lost Souls in the other factions included! Find something that interests you and dig right in! Always be paying attention because it's all in what you know.

[ so go be nosy and get the good gossip!! ]

I'm excited to say there will be a lotta interesting things going on around here soon enough, so I'll be counting on you all to do your best! You have a week to settle in and get comfortable before we'll be putting you to work, so don't hesitate to reach out if you need something in the meantime, got it?

I think that should do it for now. Have fun!

[ ooc: this is an open post for sutoku so FEEL FREE TO THREADJACK TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT! ]

Comments

text; un: laoshu

[worsening]

( he listens carefully. at first, he's hesitant to join the fray, but yang supposes he ought to be useful in this type of situation. )

Call me Yang. I’m a ranking member of the triads back home. ( for the sake of teamwork, yang cuts to the chase. not that he feels he needs to hide it for the sake of his reputation, but... he does understand the importance of information. ) As for my talents… I’ll leave that to your imagination.

( he’ll go into detail if anyone’s curious, either about what a triad is or his talents. )

I’ll carry out any task assigned to me. What interests me the most are efforts to expand our group’s influence. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.

text; un: matoba

[worldbent]

[Matoba is aware of what the triads are. That sort of skillset took time and trust to be put to use, but there was always a starting point...]

There will be uses for your talents, I assure you.

As for the Alliance's areas of interest, our clan's main areas of focus are trade and retail, communications, and property. You will find that those are rather large umbrellas and there are a number of smaller types of businesses which we have a bit of involvement in.

For starters, if you are interested in learning the details of what we control and how, perhaps consider working your way in one of those businesses. Many Alliance clans are still struggling to clean things up after last month; I am sure they will appreciate the hard work of an eager new face.

[worsening]

I’m glad.

Trade, retail, communications and property. That does give me some room to work with. I’ll try my hand at a few jobs. See what sticks.

[ There is something vaguely hilarious about transitioning to being a “businessman.” It’s not one of his main strengths, but there’s a time and place for everything. ]

The more the merrier. Of course. [ This brings him to his other question. ] Though, after all that turmoil… where do we stand compared to the other factions?

[worldbent]

Do not feel as though you must find something suited to you right away. Plainly speaking, you are free to operate how you wish so long as it doesn't get in the way of any other clan business or causing problems with other clans or civilians. That is only common sense, but what I mean is that your upkeep is up to you; you are expected to take care of your own needs beyond a basic stipend, but you aren't expected to draw in a certain prize for the clan on the monthly, not if you don't choose to.

[It certainly wouldn't hurt one's standing, though. The blunt question at the end amuses Matoba somewhat, mostly the thought of Ryouma reading it. (He'll play nice, okay--)]

That, I'm afraid I cannot tell you details on at this juncture. But I assure you that you will hear more on that quite soon.

Who knows? Perhaps you will hear something interesting if you ask around?

[worsening]

How through of you. Don’t worry. If there’s a need, I’ll adapt to the customs here. [ On the same side of that coin: if there isn’t a need, he won’t. ] I’m used to working to make ends meet.

You avoided the question. A shame. And, I already asked around. Got nothing useful. These creatures… these yokai don’t seem to like me. I wonder why. [ insert a weighty /s here ]

[worldbent]

If I were not thorough, then there would be no point to answering at all. If you want my personal opinion, sometimes it is justifiable to operate in a way that will ruffle a few feathers.

Anyway, don't be too disappointed. The anticipation will just make the answer all the more exciting, right?

[That is absolutely not how it works, they are all Sutokus and they know that satisfying their curiosity trumps all--]

[Though speaking of weighty /s,]

I can't imagine. Wouldn't happen to moonlight as an exorcist, would you?

[worsening]

Can’t argue with that. I don’t see anyone getting far in “hell” by staying on the straight and narrow.

You’re making this so much fun, Matoba. I can barely contain myself.

[ To be fair, Yang is learning something from this conversation. He doesn’t think the direct approach is working. ]

Not an exorcist. Just an asshole. But, I wouldn’t mind knowing how to take these nuisances out.

[worldbent]

I think it also depends on where you consider the line to be.

We do like to have fun around here. Supposedly. [Amongst all of the clan leaders, the Daitengu is certainly the most "Fun Boss", anyway...]

[And hey, Matoba's having fun. At least this guy owns his menace. Relatable.]

Haha, well it isn't exactly the sort of thing I can simply "teach" if one lacks the ability as it is, although I do offer simple defensive charms anyone can make use of.

That said, we humans are in their territory. I hold no love for youkai myself [--that is the understatement of the century--] but discretion in our position is valuable.

[Which is a nice way of saying, 'You're their junior, so put up with it for now if you don't want to get your intestines pulled out by a kappa, newbie.']

[worsening]

Not much of a surprise, with all the drinking and singing the Tengu do at night.

[ He’s gotten some experience of the nightlife around here. ]

So, you're telling me I won’t be able to banish evil and reach enlightenment through rigorous study of Laozi’s teachings?

[ Not that he carried a lot of expectation there. Towards the warning — well. Yang knows he has to get on their good side somehow. His feelings run closer to indifference, with an inherent distrust spurning his thought process. ]

I find the youkai more interesting than humans. However… there’s no guarantee that they won’t turn on us at some point. I’d like to be prepared for that day. You’re selling these charms?

[worldbent]

You should see when the Boss takes the stage.

Now that you mention, there were some practitioners in our ranks that could have told you the answer to that, but it seems their contracts were fulfilled, so perhaps they reached enlightenment first. [Hilarious. One of them was a goddamn zombie, so that's unlikely.]

Unfortunately, my school of practice is Shinto purification, so I couldn't say. My power is inherited.

[Of course, Yang is correct. Matoba won't be foolish enough to disparage their clanmates (and bosses) while acting in official capacity, but everyone who had met him knew that Matoba loathed them.]

[Make it a meeting, then.]

I do. You can even ask your clanmates as a testimonial as to their effectiveness- powerful enough to keep a man from death in the face of the divine Haniyasu-no-kami. Shall we cut a deal? You can find me in the Tengu Temple most working days, but if you'd prefer a more casual setting [Somewhere they can speak a little more freely... hmm.]

How do you feel about sweets, Yang-san?

[worsening]

Figures. They had a natural advantage. [ Not that Matoba lacks this upper hand, but it’s a fun thought. ] On the other hand, it seems I have to study a list of topics that never concerned me before. Youkai. The spiritual realm. Japan.

[ Japan’s too close to China for Yang’s liking, and from a young age, he always aimed to go overseas — away from the rules and direct oversight of the syndicate in the mainland. ]

I’ll be sure to do my research. If what you’re saying is true, then I’d be a fool not to accept.

[ There’s something certainly odd about having a discussion that anyone could read. It’s not a terrible idea, naturally, but… ]

A casual setting’s easier to work with. Less chance that we’d disturb the visitors. Sweets aren’t usually to my taste, but I can make exceptions.

[worldbent]

I would have liked to see the expression on Lan Wangji-san's face when you said that. A shame.

As it happens, there is a brewing effort to compile information on these topics within our own clan, so you might keep an eye out for that. You are far from the only individual who has arrived ill-equipped for handling matters of other side. Of course I can also answer any questions you have about those topics, and there are other individuals who can assist in one or more of those topics, as well. Do not hesitate to use your clanmates as a resource.

[He's sure this guy would not hesitate. Japan certainly wouldn't be a place to escape the Chinese mafia, that was for sure- even in Kyushu (perhaps especially in Kyushu), he was aware of their presence.]

Then, please meet me in front of the BiBi Bubble off of the central Alliance square. It is somewhat close to the temple and the staff are quite friendly with me, now.

[ooc; I can make you a starter in my current closed log for this, if you'd like!]

[kaientai]

Welcome, Yang! It's good to meet you!

Honestly, I could really use someone with your skills! Learning from the people who live the life is always most valuable, in my opinion.

Not to put you on the spot or anything! In return, I'd be happy to fill you in on what's happening around here in more detail, if you like.

[worsening]

Don’t get too excited. I’m not someone who regularly deals with politicians and merchants. [ Yang figures this is the kind of shady business that the Sutoku Alliance specializes in, considering not only their strengths, but the more obvious dealings of the other groups. ] But, I don’t mind answering questions. It’s in my best interest, after all.

Before I take my turn… is there anything you want to know?

[kaientai]

Not to worry! I know my way around the politicians and the merchant-types just fine. For the most part, they have to keep their noses clean and respect the law, but there's not much use for that in a lot of other cases. It's like a different language that I'm not so fluent in just yet.

[ which is why he's so pleased to have several people on the team this time who have traveled in those more shadowy circles. ]

I could probably think of a few things but that's mostly because I like asking questions! I'm sure we'll have plenty of time for those, plus the more you know about what we're doing, the better, right?