[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

[blackabyss]

It is something that happened when I was a child. It has to do with an ability I have; it just happened to also alter my appearance.

[He doesn't mind talking about it, but he's learned how to give an abridged version.]

However, there are some of the local youkai here who think I am a tengu. I am not disproving their claims, if they ask.

[nightcalled]

Huh. Interesting. What happened to you? If you're willing to share.

[ He laughs. ]

All things considered, that's probably not a terrible idea.

[blackabyss]

Sometimes, it is more advantageous to not prove someone wrong and allow them to believe what they wish, even if it is wrong.

[He's definitely gotten into crowds and gotten information solely because people thought he was a weird-looking tengu. Fumikage isn't about to correct them anytime soon.]

I am willing. In my world, most people develop what is known as a Quirk; a superhuman ability unique to them. It can be anything from creating fire to floating, to mimicking the abilities of a frog. Sometimes, a Quirk will change one's appearance. That's what happened to me; I've looked this way since I was a young child.

[Most children's Quirks manifest by the time they're 4, so Fumikage's appearance has been like this for as long as he can remember.]

[nightcalled]

Huh.

[ He scratches his chin. ]

That's... definitely interesting. Kind of neat. Glad it hasn't been bad for you at all. The idea of waking up with a bird head is still a little strange to think about, though. Is that all your quirk does...? Or can you do other things with it?

[blackabyss]

[There are definitely some Quirks that are more obtrusive than others. In the grand scheme of things, Fumikage is actually one of the lucky ones in terms of his Quirk. At least his odd appearance was manageable and didn't require too many custom adjustments.]

Well, my appearance is more a by-product of my Quirk. My actual Quirk is Dark Shadow.

[And behind him, a shadowy bird-like figure appears, offering a friendly wave.]

Nice to meetcha!

[nightcalled]

...your quirk is a shadow person?

[ Now he's seen a lot of things, so he can accept this without too much shock and amazement, but it's still a strange situation! ]

And, uh, hello.

[blackabyss]

That is correct. Dark Shadow is my Quirk, and it is thanks to possessing him that my appearance has changed accordingly.

[Dark Shadow lets out a little humph.]

I think you look great!

[Fumikage merely hums in acknowledgement, before he continues to speak.]

He may be alarming, but I assure you, Dark Shadow is rather well-behaved, most of the time.

[nightcalled]

First time for everything, huh...

[ He laughs quietly. ]

I'm used to vampires, so... I guess this isn't that different.

[blackabyss]

Vampires?

[That... actually catches Fumikage's attention, and despite his stoic visage he visibly perks up.]

You have vampires in your world?

[nightcalled]

Oh, yeah! I'm friends with one!

[ Kou grins. ]

We might have other creatures like that, but I haven't met them yet if they are around...

[blackabyss]

Truthfully?

[Ho ho..! This has definitely perked Fumikage's interest!!]

Fascinating..! So your world is home to several creatures of the dark. To live among them and forge allegiances with them... you must truly be fortunate..!

[nightcalled]

Well, I'm trying to become a vampire. So I guess it's just natural?

[blackabyss]

Become a vampire??

[Oh dang, this is so cool for a goth kid like Fumikage.]

I have heard such stories in my own world; does it not involve being drained of your lifeblood, or drinking the blood of a vampire? Are the myths true?

[nightcalled]

Uhhh, that's what I thought at first honestly.

[ He scratches his chin. ]

Just getting bit doesn't do it. And getting all your blood drained will just kill you. In order to become a vampire... you have to fall in love with the vampire who bites you. And then you turn.

not here

[nightcalling]

[ STOP TELLING PEOPLE OH MY GOD??? THIS IS SO EMBARRASSING OH MY GOOOOOD ]

1/2

[blackabyss]

Fall in love..?

[Fumikage blinks in confusion, clearly not expecting that answer. It just... goes against pretty much all the stories about vampires he's ever heard. He just sort of stares for a moment, unsure what to say.]

2/2

[blackabyss]

[It's actually Dark Shadow who speaks up before Fumikage, letting out a pleased sound.]

How romantic!!

[The words make Fumikage clear his throat, and he nods once.]

...right. It is a very... romantic notion. I admit I've never heard of such a thing, but I cannot deny your words if they are true.

[nightcalled]

Yeah, it kinda is, isn't it?

[ Kou laughs. ]

Just don't let Nazuna hear you say that. She gets flustered about it...

[blackabyss]

Nazuna... Is that the vampire who agreed to turn you?

[So then he would be in love with this Nazuna person?]

[nightcalled]

Yeah, pretty much. She's a really good friend of mine now.

[blackabyss]

And she is here as well?

[Fumikage hums, crossing his arms.]

I am glad that you are here with her. Having someone here that you know and trust definitely has made things easier, at least in my experience.

[A beat passes. Then...]

If I may ask... what's she like? Vampires do not exist in my world, and I am curious as to how they are like.

[nightcalled]

Oh, Nazuna? She's... energetic. Kinda overwhelming. But I like her a lot.

[ Kou rubs the back of his head. ]

I don't think I can really say what all vampires are like, though. They're... people. Just like us.

So sorry for the delay here!

[blackabyss]

[Energetic and overwhelming? He knows a few people like that. Still, it's interesting to hear, so he nods in understanding.]

I see... so, then they truly are like regular people, then? I have read some stories that paint vampires as monsters, and others that depict them in a more favourable light. Hearing that your friend is still able to retain something of their humanity... it is rather heartwarming to hear.

no worries

[nightcalled]

I mean, yeah. They drink blood... but they seem like people, with worries and everything else. Just like us. So I don't think they're really monsters.

[ And he wants to be one, so. There you go. ]