[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

[beenwaitinglong]

I imagine that was someone's reasoning. It's never a bad idea to have a lawyer on deck. Particularly one with experience in Hell.

People are a lot easier to manipulate when they've got no other options, and no means to fight back. That's a bitter truth anywhere you go.

[recluserose]

You're an optimistic and cheerful type of prosecutor I'm assuming?

[It is An Attempt. ]

[beenwaitinglong]

Alas, Ms. Steinbeck, that's an oxymoron if ever I've heard one.

Though I suppose, since I'm not currently a prosecutor, this would be an opportunity to brighten my outlook. It seems we've been recruited by a colorful bunch of friendly characters. And there's plenty of open outlets in that communal kitchen at the residence.

I've already been recommended a cafe, too. Not a bad start to my tenure in the underworld, I'd say.

[recluserose]

The Daitengu does at least sound somewhat magnanimous.
Overall, Jigokucho is a hell of indulgences. We're not short on necessities at least.

I should choose a coffee shop for myself. How do you take your coffee?

[beenwaitinglong]

So far, I like their style. Better than anything I've heard about Old Man Enma.

[That faint sound is a door opening that will never, ever again be closed.]

Blacker than a moonless night, hotter and more bitter than Hell itself.

I'm what you might call an enthusiast. I make my own blends, when and where I can. For now, there's a shop called La Sonnerie somebody mentioned. I'm planning an excursion as soon as possible.

Are you, too, a fan of the beautiful darkness?

[recluserose]

[what the even]

Sometimes.
Otherwise I like it iced or with some oat milk and maple syrup.

[beenwaitinglong]

[/Jazz leifmotif intensifies]

Oh, yes.

Can't imagine it's found here, but there's a Colombian Urcunina I had once that'd be killer with a touch of maple syrup. Anything with sweet notes would especially sing that way.

I intend to get some equipment for the kitchen as soon as possible. We'll see if I can whip up anything similar.

[recluserose]

[????? intensifies for her instead. She's not sure she gets it, but she appreciates the gesture.]

You sound like you could also be a barista.
One that knows how to prosecute.

[beenwaitinglong]

The law is my path, and coffee is my craft. My own particular brand of bitter black magic, you might say. [No, buddy... nobody but you would ever say that.]

Speaking of magic, humor me and let's say they didn't put a damper on yours. What, exactly, can you do with it?

[recluserose]

["A poet too perhaps. A very odd one," she thinks in her head.

Anyway, he's given her a good question. What even IS magic where she's from?]

Well.
Most anything if I put my mind to it and if I can envision the end result.
Different cultures have created derivatives from magic to create subsets of the arts (hedge magic, necromancy, elemental, healing, etc.)
If it contradicts or manipulates reality and you have the energy, experience, and vision, that's magic.

That's just in simple terms of course.

[beenwaitinglong]

Real deal anything goes magic, huh. Sounds handy.

So all this really isn't surprising to you at all, is it? Just another day in the demon city park.

If they hadn't taken your magic, how easy would it be for you to wish yourself out?

[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.]

[sacrilegiousact]

[.......Wow, he's even more of a snob than Sojiro. Akira's not sure whether to be impressed or terrified. He decides to comment. In fact, it's like someone crammed Sojiro and Yusuke into one very bizarre person.]

Well, at least you know what you're talking about.

Can't say your blends would compete with the variety we had at Café Leblanc without a thorough test we don't have available , but it's something.

[beenwaitinglong]

Hey, squirt, did the daycare let out early today or something?

It's a bold move to challenge a man's masterpieces with no evidence.

[sacrilegiousact]

They let me out on parole.

I'm pretty bold in general. No evidence for now, but when the opportunity opens up, then we'll see about a formal challenge.

[beenwaitinglong]

Well, watch the sass and respect your elders or I'll take you back to school.

When it comes to coffee, I will be the one to pass judgment.

[sacrilegiousact]

[God, he can even read that in Sojiro's voice.]

Yes, sir. No sass here.

I should mention the brew I'm challenging with is my guardian's life's work. Not mine. He just passed on the legacy to me. I'm only half the coffee fanatic he is.

Pretty sure I've even heard him use the "blacker than a moonless night" line.

[Not actually. At least not consciously. Maybe in his nightmares.]

[beenwaitinglong]

How touching. The student, armed with his master's greatest weapon, comes to face down the ultimate arbiter in his honor.

[More to the point...]

I have to taste this.

[sacrilegiousact]

That's me.

I'll see about acquiring it from the boss as soon as possible.