[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

[sacrilegiousact]

I've been getting that a lot lately.

[Akira's smile is audible in his own tone, like it's a private joke.]

I'm game. Just tell me when and where.

Lmao it's cool

[peacewithouttyranny]

[Though Soundwave gave him the time to regain composure, it's also for him to figure out what to say when someone is genuinely freaking out and being amazed at him. He still doesn't know how to act or say to this, aside from appreciating that it wasn't hostility at least.]

It's... Fine.

[He waves a hand dismissively on camera- movements notably life-like than robotic.]

I can assure you that I am not a "cool robot suit". What you see is my naturally Forged body.

[slippin]

[ Get a load of this guy, Jimmy's smile says, splitting the difference between incredulous and appreciative. The visor garners a bit of scrutiny, but any questions are brushed aside in favor of: ]

Hey, hey. Excuse me. [ He spreads his hands, raises his eyebrows. Minor correction. ] Co-legends.

[ After a second his good humor falters—the smile crumples, his gaze strays past the screen. It hits him then and there: what should have been. He'd assumed Kim was tapped for Enma because it was the lawyer faction. There was no denying that was where she belonged.

Nope. One in four odds, and yet.

The recovery's fast, if not seamless. His enthusiasm's dimmed, though his curiosity's real enough. ] All the prosecutors I know are sad bastards. [ They are when they're interacting with you, Jimmy. ] So what gives?

[beenwaitinglong]

Ha...! Touché. [If he's gonna go slinging the phrase around so lightly, it's nice that he's at least willing to share it.] Co-legends it is.

[The nice thing about the visor is it hides any trace of expression beyond that smooth, solid smile. If he notices the sudden drop in the man's demeanor, he doesn't give any indication of it.]

A lawyer should keep smiling no matter how bad it gets. Wearing a 100-watt smile while your guts are tied up in knots is the mark of a true professional. That's one of my rules.

[Not to say that Godot is, in fact, an incredibly sad bastard under that glowing grin. (He is though.)]

Apparently, the powers that be foresaw a little legal mischief down here in the Alliance.

[beariot]

Well as someone who's had their struggles with both of those things, I can see how some guidance might seem appealing.

[beariot]

Please try to eat something besides convenience store ramen...

As for the Kappa, I'm pretty sure they can be. You may even find them willing to work with someone who knows their way around machines, like you do.

[vogelfrei]

Oh, I've seen worse - both on the humble streets and in positions that nominally hold quite a lot of prestige. Large organizations do have a habit of collapsing from the inside once they have grown complacent in their own functionality.

[ But then, with a smirk: ] Though I'll reserve my true judgment on the discipline part for a later date.

[vogelfrei]

This is far more interesting an afterlife than I had expected, so I don't feel a need to complain about my situation. Initially I had assumed everyone here would be in the same boat, but learning that isn't the case has only fascinated me further.

I will be quite relieved once I have gone through your examinations and can start living in my healed body to the fullest.

[fibrillate]

[was? as a kid? they keep those thoughts to themself.]

Oh, so was I, actually. It took being thrust into a situation like this one to really help me come out of my shell, and now here I am, introducing myself to my entire alliance.

[heartsnatcher]

I see! Well, even some people who have perfect vision like to use glasses as a fashion accessory, right? I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to keep wearing them!

But does that mean you can use magic? Magic that could fix someone's eyesight sounds really strong.

video, un: naito

[heartsnatcher]

Um, it's nice to meet you! I'm Naito Fuuga, and I'm also a student from Japan and brand new here, but more importantly!

I'd love to hear about your investigations! I worked as a private detective back home, so I'm really interested!

[He's so excited.]

peter is so cute 😭

[starshower]

[Her smile turns sympathetic.]

I know. It is hard, being in a new place and all.

[Shiva knows she wants to get up and do everything all at once, but she knows doing that will only lead to more trouble than it's worth. There are a lot of problems in this city, and sooner or later, if she isn't careful, it'll find her. Or worse, him.]

This isn't the first time it's happened... being uprooted all of a sudden, but I think the key is to take it slow, you know? I wish I had someone tell me that back then.

[starshower]

["Swole"...? Remind Tifa to ask Aerith or Cloud about that one later, because she has no idea what it means and is just politely nodding along to it.

Even still, despite her initial confusion, she beams at the prospect.]

I could help with that. Used to do some training with others back home on my own.

[Granted, they were the elders of the village, but she could apply the same things anywhere.]

As for the name, I have no idea. Not even sure where the wolf came from. I thought it might've been something to do with what he's been up to here.

[nightcalled]

Yeah! And here I am, uh, joining the alliance.

[fibrillate]

I guess there's probably more typical ways to make friends than being forcibly assigned them... but at least you're willing to make the most of it. I think you'll do well here.

[nightcalled]

Thanks, I guess.

[ He shrugs. ]

I figure that's what I signed up for, you know?

[playfoul]

[ Kou looks on the younger side of the new recruits... Yuri finds it unfortunate they're dragging even kids into this mess. ]

You won't be looking at a sweet price— [ He doesn't have contacts everywhere in the market. ] —but I may be able to point you to a store. Is there something you need?

[playfoul]

Give me a few days to get everything together. Then why don't we make use of the shiny new training grounds at the Cloudy Wolf?

[adversus]

[Oh no, how does she go about this? Not that teaching Totoko weapons was a bad thing, but...]

Let's see how you throw a punch before we move onto weapons, Totoko. I'm sure... We can arm you with a knife or something when the time comes.

[A knife should be okay. ... Right?]

[adversus]

Thanks, doc! Appreciate it. For now, I'll come see you soon so I can do an annual check up, and make sure I'm healthy and fit. (๑´• .̫ •ू`๑)

[adversus]

You look like you know your stuff, so color me excited.

[There's that spark in her eyes that Tifa can clearly see. Always a tinge of excitement to find a new exercise partner.]

I'll definitely have to bug the soldier boy about the name... Maybe we can tease him together, hehe.

[nightcalled]

Not yet, just wanted to know if I could come to you if I needed something.

[ AKA keeping his options open. ]

And honestly, even with the way this place works, I'm not sure I need a weapon.

[hyperfix]

[True. At least the psychological warfare is limited to his friends...It could always be worse.]

Of course! I'm not about to ask you to reveal every proprietary detail and risk someone with lesser morals making inferior copies on your hard work. Any information you're willing to share will be something new to me, and I love seeing things made from a different perspective. What design aspects do you prioritise compared to my own creations? What is your signature, the common thread that marks it as yours?

For what it's worth, I doubt that our areas of expertise are at all similar anyway. Although I dabble in robotics, it's purely to enhance my troupe's performances.

oh my god i didn't realise this was so long HE TALKS SO MUCH...SORRY

[hyperfix]

[C'mon, 9S. You're probably more human that Rui is, it's fine! Rui's just a shitty little man piloting a brightly coloured meat suit to dance around and talk way too much about robots. Not a real person, probably.]

It really is, isn't it? Though-- admittedly, earlier models also had very obvious flaws, when you think about it. Skin that was cold, relatively inflexible, obviously separate layers of silicone and latex. Eyes that lacked light and depth. Mannerisms that weren't quite fluid, hair that was poorly made, parts made only to give the appearance of organic material, not serve as actual body parts.

You'd likely think them quite clumsy, or maybe horrifying. And intelligence is still somewhat in its infancy, at least where I'm from...

[We don't know how he achieved basic sentience in his android, but also, why does she have functions like 'how to make sushi' anyway. Poor Nenerobo...Chock full of useless bullshit, just because Rui thought it'd be useful or funny.

His expression warms up, less manic and more affectionate, when he thinks about her. Obviously the favourite child.] ...I made her to assist a dear friend perform onstage, without having to confront her stage fright before she was ready. At first, Nenerobo was merely an extension of the human operator, a puppet of sorts, but as Nene herself grew more confident, Nenerobo served a far better purpose as a fellow performer and companion.

She also has security measures, and can partake in conversations with simple phrases of her own making. As long as she brings Nene comfort and finds her own happiness in her existence, then I'm pleased.

...Can I ask what you were initially made for, or is that insensitive? I assume that you've found your own purpose by existing as a being with free will, of course. But to create such a perfect being...I'm curious as to the thought process behind it, if you know.

[maturedecisions]

[ well that's convenient. ]

Oh— yeah, sure! Sounds easy enough. I'll get back to you if I find any info.

[ this is going better than expected?? ]