[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]

Thanks. [As though the crack was made in sincerity, and accompanied by a smirk.

He takes a sip, mostly to give him a moment to remember the movie.] Heh. Haven't seen a fleet quite like that around yet, but maybe the ol' Daitengu keeps it hidden.

[But as for the youkai, Godot has at least paid enough attention to that.]

We've got the Kappa, the Tengu-- the nose and eyebrow guys-- other miscellaneous hellbeasts of all shapes and sizes... [No wonder the lawyers have ended up here.] And quite an assortment of [he visibly grimaces] the youths.

[slippin]

[ He goes off somewhere. Stops performing, for all of five seconds, and lets the unreal reality he's in bleed into memory: the movie on late-night cable, volume way down and the best lines bleeped out, but enthralling in spite of all that. Bring on the secret taxi fleet.

(And never you mind how Escape from New York ends. Anyway, there's a sequel!)

Then he's back, listening and catching the flicker of that 100-watt smile. ] Yeah. [ Simple, and a little rough. It wouldn't be so jarring—well, he tells himself it wouldn't—if they weren't practically begging to be useful. To be used. ] Teenagers and their dumb mistakes. [ Rhetorically, spreading his hands and injecting some nonchalant bluster into his voice: ] What're you gonna do?

[beenwaitinglong]

Leave them to it, I suppose. [He's no babysitter. And there's just no stopping the recklessness of youth.] Though I suppose, age and wisdom call us to be the tempering voices of reason... in a pinch.

In the meantime, I'm looking to snag a copy of the local codes. To my surprise, L.A. and Hell are not in the same jurisdiction. [Say, what was the sequel to Escape from New York again...?]

I'll hang on to the books when I'm done, if you'd like to take a look. [They might be large print, but hey.]

[slippin]

[ If he thinks about this too long or too hard he's gonna...something. Tear a muscle in his conscience. So he keeps it light, wagging a finger at the screen. ] The distinction between legal, guidance, and camp counselor is subtle, but important.

[ As for the offer. ] That's— [ A quick, quizzical glance off-screen. Blink and you'll miss it, for those disposed to blinking. With some lingering surprise, Jimmy lands on: ] Generous. [ He should probably offer to go fifty-fifty but he literally can't afford it, and Kim's office has to have an entire floor stuffed with untouched legal tomes. ] Even taking coffee stains into consideration.

I was thinking I'd see how close I can get to whatever passes for a jail. [ A beat. ] Staying on this side of the bars. If you wanna, if you're in the mood for some real fun.

[beenwaitinglong]

Ha...! [Oh, this one's quick. How entertaining.] I like that. I'm adding it to my rules.

[Now, he was thinking more like... getting them from a library, and possibly sneaking into a copy room somewhere at some point-- if not just asking the Daitengu's people to get it for him. After all, that coffee's not gonna pay for itself and he's not going to be much help if he doesn't know the Enma's laws (is there a bar exam down here? God, he hopes not.)

But actually... the "real fun" sounds intriguing.]

You know what? Yeah. I'd like to see that. Along with the "courtroom," if possible. Nobody's mentioned a coliseum-style trial by combat, but best to make sure.

[slippin]

[ The line of his mouth relaxes incrementally; he clicks his tongue. ] They never do. That and killing everyone the minute they turn thirty.

If we go early, we can make use of our most valuable resource. [ He gestures toward Godot's mug. ] I'll chip in.


[ ooc: If you're down to play this out, I can hit up the FAQ for info! ]

[beenwaitinglong]

If that's the case down here, there's gonna be a real dip in the population.

[He wasn't expecting a field trip out of this, but hey... There's been a lot of unexpected developments recently.

Cracking a somewhat slyer smile (not that anyone can tell,) he lifts the mug to acknowledge the offer.] You take yours black, Mr. Goodman? I'll pack an extra thermos. [One for Saul, and three for him.]

(ooc: Heck yeah, I'm down if you are!)