[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

un: braver; video

[identitycrisiscore]

[ For once, Cloud isn't posting to the mingle from his room in the Sutoku apartment complex. Instead, he seems to have found an actual office somewhere. He's in his usual combat threads, and a shiny brand new two-star pin is affixed to the turtleneck collar. In fact... eagle-eyed Sutokus might notice a large slab of iron in the shape of a sword leaning up against the far wall. ]

Good to see some new faces. As Levi introduced us, I'm Cloud. As some of you may have heard, I've been put in charge of making sure everyone's in top shape for any crises to come.

[ And he's finally making good on that, thankfully. He'll open the door to the office, which overlooks a theater stage. ]

There's a building not far from the housing blocks. A theater called the Cloudy Wolf. After hours, Sutoku members can come there, and some of us will help train you up. You'll have to come into the back entrance and show your pin - you can't get in without it. Once inside, me or someone else volunteering can show you the ropes.

We're not running a standing militia, here, but we are expecting people who want to put in the work to be combat-ready be flexible. The Alliance prides adaptability, and that's exactly what this training will be making sure you can be.

That said, if anyone more experienced is looking to volunteer to help train the newer folks up — say the word. The theater has plenty of space.

text | un: ruimune

[hyperfix]

What sort of traffic does the Cloudy Wolf see during opening hours? Do they have a specific sort of genre for performances?



It's very reassuring to know that we can train physically, should we be so inclined. However, I doubt that I'd be an asset in that area, so you'll have to forgive me for focusing on that which I excel at.

text; braver

[identitycrisiscore]

[ He should have known, truthfully, that someone would ask about the actual business side of the business. He'll respond with text in kind. ]

no worries.
to answer your question, it varies.
sutoku entertainment is a lot of live performances.
musical acts, dances, live theater.
the cloudy wolf is meant to showcase up-and-coming talent.
those who don't have the name to get into the bigger establishments.
or those who are learning how to perform there, who need practical experience.
that sort of thing.

[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. :}

video; un: daenthelm

[adversus]

So, soldier boy, you wouldn't mind if this old woman came to help you at Cloudy Wolf, would you? I'm working at the shelter right now, but I have enough spare time to volunteer my services to our good cause.

video;

[identitycrisiscore]

[ Cloud can't help but smile. ]

Well, since you saved me the trouble of going to ask you myself—

[ A joke, obviously. ]

I can't say your expertise would be anything but very welcome, Marie. Only so much I can teach on my own.

[adversus]

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?

voice; un: kou

[nightcalled]

In theory, couldn't someone just steal a pin from someone else and show up?

voice;

[identitycrisiscore]

[ He's more than willing to switch inputs depending on how someone is feeling. So for this, Kou gets voice only. ]

In theory, I guess. But usually when someone loses their pin they're pretty quick to report it.

People have tried it in the past in other factions and it's been pretty hard to fake being a member of another faction on just having a pin.

Why? You expecting to lose yours that quickly?

[nightcalled]

No, not really. Just pointing something out.

That's what we're supposed to do, right? Use our intelligence?

video, un: lockhart

[starshower]

[It's one thing for Tifa to see Cloud making a name for himself in the slums as That Mercenary That Everyone's Talking About with the help of the Neighbourhood Watch. It's a whole other to see... well, this: Cloud Strife being the man of the hour, sitting in an office with a shiny pin stuck to the collar of his shirt. The sword behind him doesn't escape her notice, either. The last time she saw him with one, it wasn't his own, was it?

She smiles through the entire message, politely waiting for him to finish and definitely not hitting the print screen buttons on her phone, nope before a familiar name and a face ringing him up, and it's clear she's stifling the urge to beam with amusement... except she's not doing a very good job.]

... The Cloudy Wolf, huh?

[Wonder who came up with that name.]

It's cute. What exactly can I expect if I visit?

[She'll get to... everything else in a moment.]

video;

[identitycrisiscore]

[ Oh, Tifa's... in Sutoku. Give him a minute, he has to try and compose himself as he looks at her, a feeling of sheepish bemusement overcoming him as he talks. ]

Well... it's only just now opened, so it's not a huge thing... yet. But by the daytime it's a theater that offers courses on dance, music, acting. That sort of thing. There's private rooms for if you need a place to practice, too. A lot of the daytime hires-on are locals wanting to help foster local talent.

After hours, it's... well. It's a training hall. Hopefully there's enough of us to help get people caught up in how they want to fight. There will be training dummies, areas where you can practice on your own or with everyone else... that sort of thing.

[ He scratches his head as he looks away. ] ...I went through a bit of trouble to make sure it could be the best of both worlds, for people. But thankfully the boss seemed into the idea.

[starshower]

[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.

un: pipes; voice

[vivens]

What kind of combat training are you providing people who aren't as practiced? Or are we just talking about some of the basics here?

voice; un: braver

[identitycrisiscore]

We plan to get everyone who wants to be involved up to a baseline combat competency. Whatever that means for them. For a lot of people, that's going to be CQC, maybe with a knife or something. That sort of thing.

So there will be basic training, yeah. There's enough of us with experience that if you aren't used to combat we can put you all together to work on various drills. And even then, some of us who are more experienced have more experience working solo rather than as a team, so there will be team-oriented exercises so that people can learn how to be flexible in a group.

...That's the general idea, anyway. Does that answer your question?

[vivens]

It certainly does and this is all very well thought out. I wonder if the other factions are as organized or even put that much concern and care into making sure that as many as possible are prepared.

[ shame cloud can't see sabo nod but he can hear him laugh softly. ]

The only question I have left to ask is what kind of qualifications do you require of someone to help out with those who aren't as comfortable handling a simple weapon or defending themselves. I trust there must be some level of quality control.

Video; UN: Paladin

[reresurrected]

I would be happy to volunteer my skills to assist in training if it would be of use. My specialties are swordsmanship and martial arts, though my particular brand of swordsmanship is... not quite the standard, as far as I can tell.

video;

[identitycrisiscore]

[ Cloud shrugs his shoulders. ]

Weapon training of any kind would be useful. I can't exactly say my own swordsmanship is easy to emulate, either.

...Though now you've got me curious. How do you fight? I assume you're one of our new arrivals?

[reresurrected]

Yes-- my name is Baldr. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[And he gives a slight bow, because it's only polite!]

As for how I fight, I utilize a technique that allows me to draw and strike with the same motion. It's an excellent way to catch enemies off guard-- I find they tend to be more careless when they don't see a blade in your hand.

video; un: totokochan

[socute]

Oh wow, it's a full theater...

I do want to learn how to protect myself, but that is still a theater, right? Like, an actual performance theater?

[ She's not angling for anything at all, no siree. ]

video; un: braver

[identitycrisiscore]

[ Thankfully, Totoko, he remains as oblivious as ever to your angling. ]

Yeah, it's still a proper theater. Does all the things you'd expect a theater to do in the daytime. It'll host classes and shows alike.

Doesn't have evening shows, really, not a good market for it, but that means the training grounds can open a little earlier so everyone's not in there until the crack of dawn.

[socute]

Hmm. You know, I do think I might stop by after hours, but it sounds like if you have a theater, you'll need performers, right? You'll need someone cute to draw people in for those shows, and inspire newbies to join classes. Right? ♥

Video | un: Tsukuyomi

[blackabyss]

Is that the training grounds you spoke of? It looks really impressive. You've certainly made good on your promise, Cloud.

[And Fumikage means it! It looks like a good training hall!]

You know already, but allow me to formally offer to help with training any of our newer members.

video, un: braver

[identitycrisiscore]

Of course. You and Izuku are going to be specialists with one of our bigger missions. So call the offer formally accepted.

That's not the only promise I'm making good on, either.

[ He'll grab the phone so that he can position it closer to that slab of iron resting against the far wall. Sharp, heavy, brutal. ]

I think I promised you I'd show you my sword when I got it back, didn't I? Here it is.

video | un: yuri | private

[playfoul]

Clever of you to disguise the training facility as a theater.

[ They've not met, but Yuri's certainly been aware of the faction hero's exploits. Where he's calling from is poorly lit - there's just so much light underground, after all, but Cloud might recognize the face of another ranked member present at Ryouma's gathering a few moons back. ]

I agree we could be in better fighting shape. I'm getting a gang together for faction business of the... hazardous kind, so the training will be welcome. Of course, we'll pay it back in combat power where needed.

Yuri Leclerc, by the way.