jigokucho | [locked to sutoku alliance] video, un: levirage

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[locked to sutoku alliance] video, un: levirage

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!))

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Whenever you're free I shall endeavor to be so as well. I'm not surprised Mr. Strife wants everyone in peak health before trying to form a group for rescuing Miss Ringo, considering last time.

[at this point, who doesn't know about his hospital stay...nearly dying will do that.]

[He might be mad about the situation with YoRHa that he's made no mention of, but that doesn't mean 9S can't be smug about their superior android technology.]

And we had to deal with interference from the machine lifeforms.

[So it's actually even more complicated!]

I can't share those blueprints [classified, also he doesn't have them] buuut I can share some data with you if you're willing to help with my maintenance.

[they nod slowly and think of—well, even when they'd first arrived here. pitch dark night, lit only by neon and halogen, where they'd fled an alleyway and grabbed a hard seltzer from the convenience store and just sat in an empty playground talking to friends. there had been a special kind of magic in the air, in those places.]

I think I understand the appeal. Either way, it isn't something I get the chance to do much anymore... or it wasn't, until I met Nazuna and she started explaining it to me the same way you are. It's tempting, isn't it? And if you have someone there with you... that makes it so much better, doesn't it? [another smile.] I can see why you and she would want to do this together.

Oh, are you one of the people responsible for helping him recover, too?
I really do want to thank you for that. I've started looking up to him here for what he was willing to do to help out, and... well, I don't think any of us want to see that kind of thing happen to him again.
It's another reason I'm trying to get myself in fighting shape before we're called in to help. To try to take the burden off his shoulders.

Mmm. We're friends. There's no one else I want to do this whole thing with.

[ Kou sighs softly. ]

So in a way I guess she and I are already kind of used to a place like this. Even if it's different in a lot of ways, too.

[And so it goes...! She tends to give off that impression.]

From what I've heard, it can. Might be helpful to know regardless, you never know when you might need it.

[It's certainly come in quite handy for her in the recent weeks, both here and at home.]

But no, I've never heard of it. What is it?

[Ah, a fellow friend of Cloud's! :D]

It's nice to meet you too, Matoba. I'll be sure to take a look at Konoha later.

[But first...]

Me? Merc? No, but I did get him around when he was looking for work back in Midgar. We turned him into the talk of the town.

[If it were possible for her to be buzzing with any more pride and interest, she would be. It sounds like the kind of place like-minded people could come together, and it just serves as another reminder of Midgar... of Seventh Heaven, and she wears a small, bittersweet smile.]

I'd love to see it for myself, so you'll have to show me around sometime.

[There's a pause, and it's her turn to skate her eyes away, looking just past her phone at something across from her.]

... And I'm guessing you have a lot of those things covered? For teaching, I mean.

[It's okay. They can wave awkwardly together.

She's patient as she lets him work through his (very) long greeting. He reminds her Cloud, a little, though a bit more on the nervous, chatty side than just nervous. If Cloud were the talkative type, she thinks this might be it, so there's something warm about her smile that's bloomed by the time he's finished, and at first, all she can do is giggle.

This is so sweet?!]

I wouldn't be much of a chaperone if I let you walk right into bars, but I wouldn't say no to some company. I don't quite know my way around Sutoku just yet, but two heads are better than one. You could watch my back, make sure I'm not getting into anything shady.

[Though she doubts that she will, but this seems like the kind of place where "you never know" is something that will always linger in the back of her mind.]

[Well, a talking bird??? certainly isn't the strangest thing she's ever seen—hello Red XIII—but it's definitely a start when she first sees him. It doesn't last very long, of course, and she offers a warm smile in greeting.]

Cloud's really been making his way around, hasn't he?

[She's so proud of him...]

But I wouldn't say no to a few sparring partners when the time comes. I'm guessing there's no shortage of places to go for this around here. Seems like there's a lot of us.

[ Cloud's eyebrows shoot up, unable to hide his surprise at Tifa's suggestion. There's a ghost of a smile that flickers past his lips - almost hard for the camera to catch, as he looks back into the camera lens, even as he makes a show of looking off to the side. ]

Well... some of them, sure. But we could always use more. We could always use more people willing to bring their insight.

After all, I doubt anything I could teach them about hand-to-hand combat holds a candle to you. ...Unless you meant you wanted to help with the daytime classes?

[ He was assuming, but, well, maybe Tifa wanted to teach some people to sing. He wouldn't judge. ]

[ ah, she picked up on his eagerness to help. that's good, though he has to keep his real eagerness a secret. there's plenty that normal people can do, though. still, he smiles at her, a courtesy for her responding to him and through video, too, before his smile fades at her last bit she says. ]

Yeah! Not sure what I can do, but if there's anything at all, I'd like to help out.

[ a pause. ]

What kind of bad news?

[ regardless of that part, that's some pretty useful information for him. the runs-off-to-do-stupid-shit cogs are turning. ]

Mhmm. Mayoi, was it? Your performance was quite unforgettable.

[ Let's just say he didn't expect such a bold performance from such a timid personality. ]

It's fine. Just try not to make a habit of passing out. The streets here aren't the friendliest.

The outside, which is appropriately called the Wasteland, has nothing of value, supposedly. Or at the very least, it's not hospitable whatsoever.

So unless we're well equipped with our abilities or otherwise, you'll have to plan well before jumping into the fray, or at least that's just how I would approach it.

The best around? So there are more rudimentary models that exist...If only one had come here, so that I could bridge any gaps in my own knowledge between your systems and something I might be more familiar with. You're far more advanced than anything I've ever made, after all; only one of my creations exhibits any sort of sentience, and she's certainly not as fluid as you about it.

[All said a little too quickly, with the mania of the truly fascinated aficionado. The 'Sir Rui' bit shakes him out of hit somewhat, however, and he chuckles once more with a wave of his hand.]

You can call me Rui, if you like. Or Kamishiro. Whatever puts you more at ease. You're just as much a person as I am, from what I can tell, so there's no need to force a social distance between us.

As for the uncanny valley...Far, far more basic attempts at making humanoid androids resulted in an instinctive revulsion from humans. Something from our primal days, where we had to be far more wary of threats from that which looked similar, but was not quite the same. If something's close, but still off in some way, it strikes upon the uncanny valley. The answer is either to perfect the sculpt, as it has been with you, or to stylise your creations so that they put people at ease.

You should show me your hat collection sometime.

[Oh no, it's her.]

About those connections... I make a fairly good bodyguard if you need someone to save your ass during your next assassination attempt. I used to work in the military, and spend most of my waking hours protecting kids. Could protect you too, if you find my offer to be... Well, beneficial to you.

Plus, you're kind of cute. I protect cuties.

Fascinating...

Do you hold any sort of classes now? In this place?

[That last skill...]

One of those skills is not like the other...

But pleased to make your acquaintance, Sabo. I'm Amelia and I'm new to all this as well.

Edited 2022-09-13 04:39 (UTC)

[ oh thank goodness the reception is warm. he may have been slightly worried for a moment there. he's not the best at these things. he's either going to go the awkward or the trying to be cool route. speaking of which. ]

Oh! Oh, yeah, I could do that! Totally! [ his eagerness to help others is palpable. ] You walk into a dark alley and I'll be right there to turn you back around! [ heheh... ] You're not... prone to doing that, are you?

[ look he has a tiny baby fraction of his spidey powers and he really wants to be able to protect her but part of him is also kind of worried. trying to be cool and reliable but he's never really able to 100% project that. ]

Of course! I'll help you in anyway that I can, Cloud.

[With that being said, though...]

If you're in the clear with the doctor, maybe we can finally have a little spar, or two at your new place. Really break it in, you know?

Oh! A friend of that soldier boy, are you? It's so nice to meet a friend of his!

[She notes Tifa's name, but hones in on the bartender bit, but also the martial arts bit as well.]

Just so you know, I'll keep note of your bartender skills if I ever need a drink, but I would love to spar, or exercise with you sometime. Especially with Cloud opening up his new place here.

I feel like if you learn how to punch someone, you might actually be able to end up ruling Jigokucho.

[You know.

That's fair, and also makes the deal even funnier.]

You know -- That's fine. Let me know when you're available for lessons, my dear! We'll turn you into the cutest fighter.

[ whoa okay so the thing that immediately catches peter's eye is the whole giant turtle thing. he met a similar looking guy before and he's not opposed to meeting others, considering he had a rather chill time with the dude. so before he responds to anything else, he needs to put that out there. (also befriending giant turtles is rad) ]

Hey, you must be one of his brothers! [ a small pause to run back that horrific introduction, even using his free hand to gesture a kind of rewind action. ] Uh, I mean — hey, I'm Peter. I think I met your brother. He looks a lot like you, just... [ he gestures to the area around his eyes, kind of awkwardly. ] The mask color.

[ honestly it's hard to tell the difference otherwise with how new he is to this friendship. ]

Yes ...it is a very meager version of what my unit can do together, but thank you.

[Mayoi will simply perish from any sort of compliments he is given.]

I will ...I will do my best to not burden the alliance. If I stay out of crowds ... I should be fine.

Oh...

That's better than violence.

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[locked to sutoku alliance] video, un: levirage

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