[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

[afflatusexarch]

[ Hmmm discretion. When phrased as such, G'raha actually has a better understanding of how one should proceed. He is more than capable, when he puts his mind to it. ]

I see. Thank you, for putting it rather plainly.

[ Or at least in a way that G'raha can process and accept it. ]

G'raha Tia is my name and I am new, yes. Varying factions vying for power and an advantage is, unfortunately, something I am familiar with. As far as where my skills lie... Technically speaking, I am a historian. A scholar. My expertise lies in an ancient civilization and occasionally aetherology. Like many where I am from, I also practice healing and destructive magicks and am rather handy with a blade.

[ Oh... And he helped to build and maintain an entire culture/city. But that's not really relevant, right? ]

[aceslow]

Nice to meet you, Mr. Tia. My name is Kim Kitsuragi. [ The very Kim that had been mentioned in the list of people of interest, in fact. ]

I'm one of the people who has been here long enough to get a lay of the land, as it were. And it sounds like you've got quite a few accomplishments underneath your belt. [ He considers that rather detailed resume. ]

We could always use more healers especially. We've got plenty of people who can fight, but few who can help patch them up after they return. Though -- what's aetherology, exactly?

[afflatusexarch]

Ah... [ "Mr." Oof. To explain that's not a surname, really. ] G'raha is perfectly acceptable. "Tia" is less a name and more a station? Status, perhaps. I suppose that part of it isn't truly important.

[ Now where he had sounded confident before? There's an awkward chuckle now. ]

I would appreciate any advice given, in truth. My accomplishments are rather standard for someone where I come from [ Not 100% true ] so your experience here will be invaluable. Whatever you wish to impart, I will gladly accept.

[ But now there's a mistake that's been made. Allowing G'raha to come out and talk? Oof. Nerding out? Good chance that will happen. ]

As for aetherology, it is the study of aether. Rather, the study of the flow of energy of our star. Life energy, as I mentioned to another individual.

[aceslow]

Ah -- different language conventions. My apologies. G'raha it is.

[ He is curious about what sort of rank 'Tia' denotes, but that's for a different time, perhaps. ]

The place I'm from has no such thing as life energy, or at least not phrased in that way. But I've spoken to others from places with -- supranatural sources of power, I suppose I would call them. [ It sounds like what Aerith had mentioned, in fact. ] Is this energy something that could be harnessed in your world?

[afflatusexarch]

No need for apologies. Such differences are only going to be the standard, correct?

[ Therefore there's really no need to get upset or anything like that. Though he is tapping at his chin now. Supernatural... Well G'raha wouldn't call it that. The existence of aether isn't something that anyone questions. ]

I would say that it exists, for life itself requires energy. What it likely is not is something that can be "harnessed" or considered "tangible." Though most of the Spoken races are able to "harness" aether, yes. Usually in the form of magic.