[locked to sutoku alliance] video, un: levirage

[fibrillate]

Hello, everyone!

[on the screen is a polite-looking person with messy green hair and purple eyes. they give a wave and smile with their whole face from behind their white-rimmed glasses.]

My name is Leviathan Astrape—Levi, if you'd all like—and let me be the first to welcome you to the Sutoku Alliance! What we do here is a little more up in the air than other factions, but I think that just gives us the freedom to be who we are. If you're not sure what to do next, just keep your ear to the ground and get to know as many people as possible! It really can't hurt in the long term, and it's always better to know more than to know less.

[they don't sound stiff as they're saying it, like they have some practice with public presentations like this, but anyone watching the tracking of their eyes could probably tell that they're reading off cue cards.]

And on that note, we have a few names to know. They'll spend some time introducing themselves, I'm sure, but please keep an eye out for Artemy, Kim, Xingqiu, Yuri, Ydris, Marie, and Cloud. [a pleasant smile as they get to the end of the list.] Please also look out for Emily Dyer, especially if you need any kind of medical assistance or you're interested in helping out there. And our lieutenants within the alliance are Matoba Seiji and, of course, the death-defying Sakamoto Ryouma.

[they gesture in front of them with an open palm towards the person behind the camera.]

You're coming in during exciting times, everyone. We just had a bit of a shake-up at the Tanabata festival. The daughter of an important financial magnate has been kidnapped by an enemy of Toraguma, and though we haven't heard any orders from the Daitengu quite yet, I think we all know how things like this play out.

[and bringing both their hands in front of them, at waist level, they smile and give a polite little bow.]

So please, take this time to get to know your fellow alliance members. [they look towards the camera, then glance at their lapel, where they have a pin with the kanji for sutoku. they laugh like they knew they were forgetting something, and look back up towards everyone else.] And don't forget to pick up your official faction pin from most places within our area if you're interested.

[they wave goodbye, then stand there for a couple seconds. without the feed cutting, they walk forward towards the camera and start talking much more casually.]

Was that okay? Getting those names right was harder than I expected, and I even cut out a lot of the last names. I don't know how you did it the first time.

Hehe, y' know, I wondered about that "death defyin'" part on paper, but hearin' ya say it like that makes it sound pretty heroic! And honestly, I'm pretty sure ya did way better with those names, now that I'm thinkin' about it...

[ anyone who isn't new here will recognise the voice that responds to them from behind the camera, especially with that accent. ryouma is pretty sure he botched a couple names last time, mostly for that same reason. he might be able to fake it and cover it when he's speaking his own language, but when it comes to foreign-sounding words all bets are off. ]

So that was perfect! I think ya gotta real knack for this sorta thing!

[ which... hmmm, take that with a grain of salt because this man long predated show business, but still!! judging by his tone, ryouma is very pleased since all his coaching and cheerleading and cue card holding paid off, in his opinion! sure the rest of the faction will agree... right? ]

((this is a mingle post! feel free to threadjack and get to know everyone within the faction. and thank you again to min for contributing ryouma here!))

Comments

Video | un: Tsukuyomi

[blackabyss]

Is that the training grounds you spoke of? It looks really impressive. You've certainly made good on your promise, Cloud.

[And Fumikage means it! It looks like a good training hall!]

You know already, but allow me to formally offer to help with training any of our newer members.

[reresurrected]

Yes-- my name is Baldr. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[And he gives a slight bow, because it's only polite!]

As for how I fight, I utilize a technique that allows me to draw and strike with the same motion. It's an excellent way to catch enemies off guard-- I find they tend to be more careless when they don't see a blade in your hand.

[worldbent]

This is excellent progress.

Now that testing for the sleeping agent is complete, I will move on to testing the paralyzing agent in the field, as well.

We won't be able to get as much data as quickly for that one, since we don't have the convenient excuse of testing it for medical purposes as well, but if the Wastelands are going to be an active battle, I'm sure there will be enough opportunities.

Good to hear that the flowers were useful. I will see if I can maintain a steady stock- if not, now that you've acquired some, I suppose we could attempt to cultivate more ourselves. It will be much slower, but it's a decent backup plan.

Let's take a look at our current output and run the numbers again. It would be good to know a more longterm picture of what the operating costs will be.

[medicative]

[the bitterness that seeps into her mouth reading that must never be voiced. she holds it back for the sake of others, for Levi's sake, and breathes out slowly.]

I am truly sorry you have had to endure such a place as that. Such values are antithetical to the concept of care.

[she knows that now. ]

[worldbent]

I can give you a budget. How's that?

I'll even give some input on the ice cream flavors, too.

[Absolutely no ulterior motives]

[medicative]

What I can do is give you a physical examination to look for oddities, as well as set you up to be x-rayed and check thereabouts for a bullet or any fragments.

If it eases your mind at all, you are not the first person to be deceased in their realm but alive here. I will not state more for privacy's sake, but you needn't feel alone in these peculiar circumstances.

video; un: peter

[maturedecisions]

[ there's something about her kind aura that sort of attracts peter to her — he's a teen and one that's always thrived on having those important mentor-like connections. it's kind of soothing? in a subconscious sort of way.

the martial arts mention absolutely seals the deal that he'd like to get to know her, but he can't just up and ask about that, either, so he instead files it in the back of his mind for later. he's still not entirely sure the extent to which his powers have been debuffed here (though he's sure it's quite a bit), but he'd still rather not blow his cover as 'normal nerdy teenage boy' so easily.

so, his video pops on in response, smiling back at her and waving, albeit a little awkwardly as one normally does when meeting someone new. ]

Uh, hey, Tifa! I'm Peter. From Queens. [ if that... means anything to her.

though he didn't quite think through what he'd say next and he literally has nothing to offer her oh no. ]

Sorry, I'm new here myself, so there's probably not much I can help you with. [ he scratches behind his neck a little awkwardly with his free hand, taking the moment to stall before he suddenly has an idea. ] —Wait! I guess I could help you look for a bar to work at? I mean, I'm not old enough to drink so I couldn't really go in, probably, but that doesn't mean I can't figure out what a bar looks like, right? [ he waves his hand in some kinda explanatory way. ] Could use it as a way to get to know what else the place has to offer too, so... I mean... That's only if you wanted to! So, uh... yeah.

[ awkward child. ]

[fibrillate]

They are. Just one way in which Hell is somehow better than the world I'm from.
Anyway, I'll schedule something with you soon. Cloud is insisting that I get myself checked out before I volunteer myself for anything risky.
And if history bears out, I may need to spend a few days with a heart monitor.

[kaientai]

Helps with the essentials. We don't have a uniform, but it's good to look respectable.

All I ask is for people t' contribute a little. Ya already know what you're good at, which saves some time! Find that motivates people a helluva lot better than me handin' out assignments.

[dressedtothe]

I usually go by 9S.

[Nine Ess]

You're Deku, right?

[That's what the username indicates, but he's quickly working out the usernames don't always match people's actual names. Weird!]

Normally I connect to a server for any updates and upload my own data so in the event my body is destroyed, I can be redeployed in a new one.

[So like, if he blows himself up, he lives again in a new body. Which is totally something he didn't do before he arrived. Nuh uh.]

[fibrillate]

Haha, well. You might have found one person here who benefits from that kind of advice for reasons that don't involve youkai.
Knowing that mindfulness also helps guard against them is very encouraging, if I'm honest.

Now, I suppose the hard part will be remembering to stay on top of my mindfulness exercises.
(That's a joke.)
(It isn't, really.)

And for the ones who don't necessarily have that kind of method of attack? I mean, I can't imagine positive thinking would have prevented those ghost sharks, exactly...

Text | un: Tsukuyomi

[blackabyss]

If you are offering lessons in ways to combat against youkai, I would be interested in learning from you. Being able to better defend against the youkai would definitely prove useful in the long run.

Video | un: Tsukuyomi

[blackabyss]

[Hello Tifa, don't mind the very bird-ike face looking back at you from the screen.]

You are a friend of Cloud's? I see. It is nice to meet you, Tifa-san. I am Fumikage Tokoyami. While I may not be formally trained in martial arts, I know my way around combat and would be happy to spar with you, should you need.

Video | un: Tsukuyomi

[blackabyss]

It is nice to see a fellow student from Japan. A pleasure to meet you, Kurusu-san. I am Fumikage Tokoyami.

[Don't mind his bird-headed appearance.]

It sounds like you have a wide variety of skills at your disposal. I have a feeling you will find it easy to fit in somewhere here.

[worldbent]

Excellent. I am happy to hear there is a good amount of enthusiasm to learn new skills among our crowd- you never know when they will come in handy, hm?

I will be holding these exercises alongside Strife-san's training sessions, so be sure to come around to the Cloudy Wolf in the evenings when they begin. There should be a schedule available at clan offices shortly.

By the way, since you are using that name, you must know that Tsukuyomi-no-mikoto is an archer, right? Legends say he is an unpredictable kami with a poor temper who is not always on the side of man, unlike his sister.

Are you an admirer of his?

[worldbent]

That's right. It is a good practice regardless of the spiritual effects.

For those that cannot defend themselves, I'm afraid my techniques cannot be taught without some spiritual prowess. But in the absence of power, there is our strength in support. Please do not hesitate to ever contact me if a youkai has given you trouble. My services as an exorcist are always available, regardless of our alignment or my additional responsibilities as a Lieutenant.

Ah, I do provide general protective charms at a small cost, should you ever wish to come by the Tengu Temple and visit, on most weekdays from midmorning to afternoon. They will protect you from many effects of malice or misfortune caused by a youkai's attentions. [Look, Sutoku is the clan of business, he's gotta plug.]

[socute]

Uh... well, there's nothing wrong with it, it's just a mouthful.

[recluserose]

The fact that everything is actually very new to me would have been an obstacle even with my magic.
When you're in a new world, you need to make sure you understand the system you're working against.
Even with all my power, these faction leaders or the very make of this world could counter it.

That said, I would have figured out a way eventually.

[She's kind of stupidly stubborn like that. But that's what kept her alive.]

[recluserose]

Maybe the Tamamo members would have a better idea of relationships?
Or at least aspects of it.
Successful ones may be a different matter entirely.

[fibrillate]

Always be plugging, hm? :)
I appreciate the information, though. I may not have much money to go around, but if none of these work and I end up needing extra spiritual defense, I know who I'll go to.
I have more than enough physical training lined up, but as you effectively said, I doubt I'll have much luck punching a ghost.

I have to say, I'm a little curious how you're able to juggle these responsibilities with those that being such a high-ranking member confers.
I've put some thought into seeing if I can become a ranked member of the Alliance, but it's always seemed like it's adding a fair amount to one's plate just to rank up once.

video | un; steinbeck

[recluserose]

[Why are there so many kids, god. Amelia turns her video on for him because it seems impersonal to address a young person just through text.]

Hello, Peter. Sounds like you're eager to help out where you can.

[She is too, but...]

Based on the information I gathered, wherever the kidnapee is, it's outside of the city limits. And outside, all I've heard is bad news.

[worldbent]

At the end of the day, I too am a businessman.

The charms are quite reasonably priced, if I do say so myself. Were this my homeland, I would be charging quite a bit more for such services.

As for responsibilities, I am the head of my own clan back home, so I suppose I am simply used to it. Granted, I have an excellent assistant in Strife-san, just as I have an excellent assistant back home. But juggling responsibilities is something you grow into when you know you are going to inherit the family business. You learn by watching, then doing.

[nightcalled]

Sounds good! Thank you!

[nightcalled]

I honestly don't mean to make anyone look bad. I'm just being honest.

[nightcalled]

Maybe, but I want to be a vampire.

[ Rather matter-of-fact, isn't he? ]

Holding me back from being a vampire? Or in general?