[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

video; un: g'raha

[afflatusexarch]

"I think we all know how things like this play out."

For those of us that have just arrived, that would not be the case. If anything, I find it a bit more disconcerting that there is this rather laid-back approach to someone being kidnapped right in the open. Is there truly aught to be done, save for keeping an ear and an eye on alert?

[ This seems to really be the more pressing issue rather than everyone introducing themselves??? ]

text | un: yharaskrik

[psionicmolotov]

This 'laid-back approach' is only possible because we have little way of resolving the situation at present

Inevitably we will become entangled in it regardless of our own desires

[afflatusexarch]

Little way of resolving, you say...

Do we know that for certain? What steps have been taken already? Again, for those of us that are new would it not be beneficial to explain the situation in full? How are we to know what we should consider out of the ordinary or relevant?

[psionicmolotov]

[ It's a logical next step to ask for more. He can't argue with that! ]

Here is the relevant information

The victim was taken during a festival
The culprit calls himself the Iron Bear and the victim's father allegedly angered him hence the kidnapping
They fled to the wastes outside the city
There has been no way to properly pursue the culprits that I know of

I do not doubt we will receive some orders along those lines in time
Possibly to investigate outside the city
But for now that is the state of things

Is that sufficient

[afflatusexarch]

'Tis a start, if nothing else.

"Allegedly" means that there has not been confirmation either way, thus there is either insufficient evidence to the claim or nothing has been done to seek clarification. That, theoretically, would be a good first step forward as far as information gathering is concerned.

[ He's a scholar. G'raha is going to be... Approaching this like one as well. ]

Knowing what set these actions into motion could potentially create more leads. No matter what our "orders" may end up being, understanding motive is always beneficial. Attempting to understand what our opponent seeks to gain might also help our ability to resolve the situation with a variety of beneficial outcomes.

un: deku

[fullgauntlet]

[He gets the mood, he really does...]

I know it's frustrating. A few of our businesses were impacted by the kidnapping too but we will have to wait for the Enma to solve their part too. Then we can take action, I hope.

[Guess they should be glad that the clans are sort of working together on this? So, yeah. Cheese and crackers for everyone.]

[afflatusexarch]

[ At least G'raha is pausing to give this one some thought. Enma... ]

What of the Enma? You are certain that they are also looking into the matter?

[fullgauntlet]

I think they are. I have a few friends who work with the Enma and I trust them.

[He sighs.]

But I know. I want to do more. If I could go out and help find the kidnapped girl.

[If that didn't cause issues with the Enma...]

[afflatusexarch]

I see. It should be reassuring, to have your friends in areas so that they might keep you informed.

[ Or worrying, if one should think that the factions are meant to be at odds. To be pitted against one's companions... ]

In truth, I've had enough of standing by and being idle.

[ A century's worth, give or take. G'raha doesn't want to be the mere observer. ]

[fullgauntlet]

I understand that feeling.

[Honestly, Izuku doesn't like being idle either. But as members of the Sutoku Alliance...]

I think there are ways we could help. We're known for being good at collecting information. What if we tried to learn more about the relationships between the girl that's been kidnapped and the people who kidnapped her? If there's a motive beyond monetary gain. There has to be people in the area that know more.

Video | un: Tsukuyomi

[blackabyss]

Unfortunately, operating on our own would yield fewer results than if we moved with the backing of our leaders. And since our alliance is technically more of an information-gathering one, there is not much we can do until we have more information.

[Though by the sounds of it, Fumikage isn't too pleased about it either.]

[afflatusexarch]

There are things to be done that do not require direct action. Yet I do not feel as though we are being give much of anything to do or instructions.

[blackabyss]

Then I would suggest doing some information gathering. Any information we can gather will help us in our eventual strike against the Iron Bear.

It will help keep the feeling of restlessness away, at least.

[afflatusexarch]

I assume that there is a list of the individuals that had been present? Or persons of interest that I might be able to "talk" to?

[blackabyss]

There is most likely, but unfortunately the event was open to all clans. Therefore, the number of people and organizations present was fairly large.

If there is anyone to ask for pointers from... you could always ask our high-ranking members. I know that Cloud and Matoba-san are usually involved in any sort of executive action amongst the Lost Souls. If anyone has an idea on when we would be able to move with more decisive action, it would be them.

video | un: kitsuragi

[aceslow]

The way Sutoku operates requires a certain level of discretion. Direct orders will come from on high, but until then, we are trusted to exercise good judgment in attempting to gather as much intel as possible so we know what is actionable.

You're new here. If I were to give you advice, it's to focus first and gaining a lay of the land and becoming abreast of the political situation as it stands. Talk to the people who have lived here their entire lives. Make connections. It's difficult to investigate a city's underground without knowing the culture of those who already live here first. [ He pauses, contemplative. ] Where do your skills lie, generally speaking?

[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?

video; un: kou

[nightcalled]

Sometimes all you can do is wait.

But that's a good point, honestly.

[afflatusexarch]

I... I do realize that. Acknowledge that there are moments where there is no other course but to wait.

[ It just doesn't feel productive! ]

Now I assume you mean the point on new arrivals not knowing much of anything about how the faction conducts itself?

[nightcalled]

That's the one! We've been hired, but we don't get told a lot... so we're sort of in the dark, aren't we?

[afflatusexarch]

While there are some things that might require a certain amount of discretion, I am not certain that this is the best approach for those that are brand new. Not when they are supposed to be aiding in endeavors that they have no prior knowledge regarding.

[nightcalled]

Yeah. If we don't know what we're supposed to do or how we're best able to help out... won't we just get in the way?