[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

[hyperfix]

Do you really think that I'd be capable of successful violence?

[maturedecisions]

[ he's attentive in how he listens, looking downward and keeping quiet, like he's soaking in the information she's giving and visualizing things in his head. he nods a little in response, too, subconsciously. ]

Yeah, makes sense. Wasteland, inhospitable — definitely a good place to hide a kidnapping victim. No one'll go out there easily.

[ smart. but he's also smart. and more importantly, obnoxiously tenacious. ]

Soooo, if someone were to show up equipped with whatever they needed, it'd be fair game? [ wait. ] Just, uh, thinking about how I can help get others equipped, is all.

[ nailed it. ]

[hyperfix]

I'll keep it in mind, for the future.

If I locate any suitable scrap or tool suppliers, I'll let you know. I'm fond of making drones and androids, myself, but I'm curious about what you plan on making with polycarbonate. It would be nice to have someone of a similar mindset, for once.

[hyperfix]

The youkai themselves don't really concern me; here, they're simply people with their quirks and abilities that I may lack, aren't they? For better and worse.

But it's a novelty, nonetheless! And good sweets are worth hard work.

[medicative]

I am not responsible for that, it's all due to more established healers than me, and that Toraguma saw to it that he received excellent care as well.

He works very hard for everyone's sake. It's a relieving thought that others want to make sure he doesn't crumble in the process. As tired as it may sound, we really are stronger together.

[hyperfix]

There's no need to hide beneficial information from each other, especially when half of us don't know our way around the city just yet. Such things are vital, aren't they?

And yes, as much as I can claim to have any profession. I worked at a large amusement park prior, directing stage shows for my troupe. However...


I do miss having my tools and laboratory, so I'll have to adapt all over again.

[Rui You Literally Make Robots In Your Parents' Garage. It's Not That Deep.]

[recluserose]

[And without missing a beat:]

If you're planning to go, you might as well just say so, young man.

[She's a high school teacher ok, she's done this song and dance Peter!]

I doubt there's anyone who would stop you, but I believe the senior officers here would at least advise against it. Or pair up with someone who's regained their powers.

[maturedecisions]

[ that absolutely flusters him. he totally thought he was being smooth and lowkey about it. dammit, peter. ]

No! Uh, no way! [ awkward laugh. ] I wouldn't even know where to start with that, y'know? Just... a normal kid here. [ which right now isn't honestly much of a lie.

but the last thing she says? that's important. ]

Wait a sec, what do you mean, "regained their powers"?

[hyperfix]

That sounds absolutely divine. I enjoy all three of the outlined kinds of performances, though I'd prefer to work with a troupe for the first two...But that can be solved easily enough.


Would I be able to get the address, or is it easily located just by asking about? Either way, I'll be there quite often, so hopefully I get to thank you in person as well as by text. :}

[recluserose]

Lieutenant Matoba has been most helpful in informing me about how the system works.

[Amelia readjust her glasses, looking grim.]

Work hard for the sake of the clan, prove yourself in some manner and the Daitengu will reward you. It's not as if the officers gained their rank overnight I'd imagine.

[semilethal]

Oh, absoLUTEly, I'm willing. I'll even sub my usual fees with the exchange of information! [omg omg omg omg new materials new data to use to make MORE EVEN COOLER stuff]

[maturedecisions]

Oh. Ooooh. You meant, like, their ranks, right? [ not, like... super powers. he got his hopes up and from how she responded, he's assuming those hopes were dashed. ]

So, work hard, gain ranks. Got it. And those ranks come with... some kinda ability to survive out there?

[ he's actually totally misinterpreting this, but also a tiny bit of that misinterpretation is due to the fact that he's trying really hard not to make his powers a known thing to anyone, and also that he can't imagine everyone here could have super abilities. that was kind of a rarity in his world, even if they all tended to cluster together a lot. ]

[recluserose]

Well, yes there's that. But the ability regains is more of my interest, not necessarily rank.

[Normally, she'd be cautious, more cryptic of her own nature. After all, Amelia was part of the mysteries of her world and she would keep it hidden.

Now though?]

I'm wondering how much of my magic will be returned, is all.

[look, they're all in hell ok, there are other secrets that are more important]

voice;

[semilethal]

Just this arena where sometimes-kidnapped, sometimes-not individuals of martial prowess are forced to battle to their crowd-pleasingly timely demise. But it's probably not here. No worries. [no like, still some worries donnie]

Just that there seems to be a real emphasis in learning how to fight with uh, y'know. Weapons. Specifically swords and things. Usually if someone wanted to just defend themselves they'd get a gun.

he is loyal to his brand, at least

[semilethal]

[donnie's not really one for vain hopes. statistically speaking, it's got to be leonardo, especially if he 'looks a lot like you.' mikey is just too smol(tm), and raphael- well raph looks like raph and nobody else. still. maybe this is one of those 'all turtles look alike' kind of humans.]

Blue mask? That would be Leonardo.

[maturedecisions]

[ okay, now they're finally on the same wavelength with that. oh shit, dude, is he hearing her right? he's actually such a mix of emotions (shocked, relieved, interested) that it shows clearly on his face. he's not able to hide it at all for a moment, before he tries his best to take a breath and regain his composure. he cranes his neck down a little, scratching the back of it out of nervousness and fake coughs. ahem. ]

Your — Your magic? Like — like superpower kinda magic? The kinda stuff people can't normally do, right?

[ he's really just trying to super duper clarify this because he does not want to get his hopes up over nothing but this is sounding so promising he can't help the feeling that's bubbling up. without spider-man, he loses such an important part of his person, and knowing that he can get those powers back and help others is a huge deal to him. he's gotten an insane chunk of information out of this conversation without meaning to. she has no idea how deeply concerned he's been since he got here. ]

[dressedtothe]

[And maybe he'll have the chance to have a look at this Donatello's own inventions. It's just too bad his hacking module is disabled outside of his own maintenance...]

Alright! Hey, do you mind if we meet up?

[Gotta know the guy who's potentially going to be rifling through his parts, after all. Make sure he doesn't do anything weird to him. 9S would know.]

If you send me location data, I'll be there.

[Send him your Google maps address, Donny.]

[semilethal]

[donnie meant his but WOOSH he missed that cue. look, obviously 'guess the species' was the stupid request, not 'can i see your shell so i can accurately guess the species.' obviously.]

What CAN'T you make with polycarbonates? I'm not about to kid myself into thinking I can source military-grade titanium or kevlar in large quantities, but everything uses polycarbonates. Might as well be realistic.

[playfoul]

I suppose it's a sign of trust. From the start, they've let us organize how we want and contribute what we like. We were even left leaderless for a time.

[ It's been an... interesting experience, different from his own time in gangs. ]

I'll keep that in mind if my dealings ever get out of hand. Heh, with your accomplishments, we must seem like a ragtag crew without much discipline.

massive respect to him

[maturedecisions]

Yeah, that's him! We met not too long ago. He was a, uh — he was a cool dude.

[ they actually had a friendship blossoming through broing it up in a bit of a fight with some hooligans. ]

Anyway, it's... nice to meet you! Didn't think I'd run into another one of you. What are the odds, right?

[ eheh... okay now he's feeling mildly awkward maybe this was a weird way to start the conversation with him. ]

[semilethal]

[full same. of all the times for him to be bereft of his lab, his shell extensions, even the full functionality of his wrist computer!!!! hatefulness!!!!!!!]

Oh sure, sure sure sure.

[donnie is at least not so excited that he doesn't just throw his living location up here for the world to see, and instead drops a pin for the electronics strip mall he'd gone canvassing for employment earlier.] Meet me here, we can iron out the details.

that's all he asks for along with admiration and maybe some mild worship

[semilethal]

Yes, the novelty must be astonishing. [POUTING. he wants his big and/or baby brother...but also does not want them here. ugh this place SUUUUUUUUCKS]

...did you need something?

[playfoul]

Well, aren't you just glowing with pride.

[ Have some confidence, pal. ]

Right. You mentioned being good at going unnoticed. Believe it or not, that's a valuable skill right there.

ok maybe not all of that

[maturedecisions]

[ okay... now he definitely feels awkward, as his smile totally falters and he feels kind of like he made a small mistake. ]

—Sorry. About that. [ the whole making it a novelty thing. dammit, peter. get better at interacting with the turtles.

boy is he floundering awkwardly now. ] I just, uh... wanted to say hi. And to... let me know if you get any leads on the polycarbonate?

[ he may not specifically need that right now, but considering his penchant for engineering and science, it'd be good to figure out where to get various things. especially if he's going to be able to make more web fluid — didn't exactly arrive here with much of it. it's tough not having access to a school science lab. ]

[hyperfix]

[Look, when you're a War Criminal like Rui, perpetually offending or freaking people out just by existing and using your words at them is something that's to be expected. Safer to apologise and move the fuck along, really.



and also please tell him more about your nerdy shit bro]

Of course! That's the point, isn't it? Although I don't expect you to limit yourself, I was wondering if you had a certain area that you preferred to create within, that's all.

Though you could likely find lower-quality kevlar, at least. Don't they have armouries in the city? I feel as though I keep hearing advertisements with this kidnapping/bounty business, and you could at least salvage a little bit. Even if you're martially inclined (from the sounds of it at least), I'd be very interested to see what you end up creating with such materials.