[ 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

[identitycrisiscore]

Hrm. You too, huh? [ He knows pretty explicitly who Fumikage has to be talking about, here, but he has at least the dignity to not say so directly. ] Don't worry. I'll do my best to take some concerns off the Lieutenant's shoulders.

Don't I know how you feel, though. This place has more to it than Midgar... it's honestly a bit overwhelming.

[blackabyss]

[Hopefully the two of them won't have to drag Izuku back from the brink of nearly falling apart... hopefully.]

Oh? Is that so? What sorts of things are common in your world?

[identitycrisiscore]

It's... different. [ He's trying to figure out the best way to word this. ] The biggest city in the world is ruled entirely by a single corporation. And that city is 300 meters above the surface.

Under that are the slums and shantytowns, where most people who aren't privileged or lucky enough to live in the city proper have to survive poverty, gang violence, and monster attacks - all the while, the whole sky's blocked off from view.

Because Shinra controls everything, it's not quite as... diverse, as things here. Kind of funny, right? That hell would be a step up.

[blackabyss]

Hmm... so, yours is the result of a situation wherein corporate interests overrule the well-being of others.

[There was a saying that capitalism caused more problems than it solved. He crosses his arms, a frown on his face.]

I am aware of such disparities between classes in my own world; the poor and under-privileged being exploited and taken advantage of by the wealthy upper class. Though, I cannot say that we have anything as extreme as you are describing. Still, I understand the difficulties that must be present in your world.

[identitycrisiscore]

[ He half-shrugs to the camera, looking off to the side. ] It is what it is. What it is isn't good, but you do what you have to, in a society like that.

If there's one thing I'm learning, its that power seems to trickle up, no matter where you go. Only thing that stops it is if people work together to stop it.

Guess every society has its own issues, huh?

[blackabyss]

You're not wrong about that. It is a difficult thing to accomplish, even during times of peace.

[He could only imagine the sort of trouble one would get into here if they tried to stop that trickle-up power here, let alone back home.]

Well, if any power were to trickle up while we are here, at least it is going to someone who is reliable, and less seeking of power just for power's sake.

[identitycrisiscore]

We can only hope.

[ Cloud snorts. He sees the compliment for what it is, at least. ]

I'm still just a one-star, though. Even if I wanted to be, I doubt I could get up to Lieutenant Ryouma's rank that fast.

[blackabyss]

Well, one star is still a stepping stone, is it not?

[One star is still a big accomplishment!]

I will have to work hard to get to keep up with your level.

🎀!

[identitycrisiscore]

...Didn't realize I was being looked to as an example to strive for.

[ He tilts his head forward, eyes closed. It was... a weird feeling, what Fumikage was placing on him. Not an unpleasant one, though. He opens his eyes back up. ]

Well, I'll do my best to live up to your expectations, Fumikage. Let's both give it our all.