[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

[hyperfix]

...True. I can't disparage myself just because I have someone who might finally understand me; that would be unfair to you, wouldn't it?

[A pause. He starts digging around in his hoodie, before presenting a little pink orb to the camera. His Son, Bong Water! With the press of a heart-shaped button on its belly, its tiny little face lights up, and a tiny little propeller starts whirring away atop its head.]

Did you get to bring anything of yours here? I had this on me, so it came all the way to Hell. A rudimentary, basic drone, but still an asset to my performances.

[Said as Bong Water flies around his head jauntily, without any apparent controller or method of operation in sight.] Not that I expect this to impress you, but I'm curious about whether you have something from home all the same.

im begging you to tell me that name is canon

[semilethal]

[it's not fascinating, but it is cute and still gives donnie a pang of envy when he thinks about S.H.E.L.D.O.N. all alone back home, without him, probably running amok and getting into trouble. his boy. his son.]

Nnnot really, no. What tech I do still have on me seems like it might've been tampered with. I can't access half the functions on my computer and my goggles don't even sync up anymore.

it COULD be, but sadly, it is not yet. maybe i should let him crowdsource names :'}

[hyperfix]

[Their children...At least Nenerobo has Nene to keep her company, and that was always the plan, but Rui's entire garage lab is full of automatons and blueprints full of potential, waiting for a spark of life.

Ah well.

This place has its potential too, and that's what matters. Even if he clicks his tongue at Donnie's tech being all fucky-wucky here. NO LUCK...]

We'll both have to start from scratch, so it seems. That's alright! We've done so before, right? And in a new world like this...We'll find things we never could at home. Surely they have hobby shops in Sutoku territory, so we can get finer tools to at least try and get a move on.

Maybe we should have a race. See who gets a rudimentary lab off the ground first. It'd be good motivation.

[semilethal]

[that's...true, maybe even more than rui knows. two years ago donnie had to start from scratch in fact, and he built the escape pods as a result. which saved (most of) their lives.]

They do say desperation breeds innovation. What kind of wager did you want to make? Bragging rights, or something a little more tangible?

[hyperfix]

Exactly. As for what's at stake...I can't really pretend that I have much of anything to offer, apart from what I can physically do.

So, if bragging rights don't sweeten it enough, then perhaps the loser has to help the winner at his set-up for a week. Assistance only, as though we're the Igor to the other's Frankenstein.

[He smiles, shrugs theatrically.] Either that, or a week's worth of snacks. That's all I can do.

[semilethal]

Oooh, Igor. I like it, I very much like. [not totally humiliating, but still annoying enough in that a week spent as igor would mean a week less spent on one's own projects.] Obviously we'll need some defined parameters for what a rudimentary lab entails. Basic chemical, obviously. Novice robotics station, soldering and the like. Metallurgy? Maybe too much for a starter set.

[hyperfix]

Right? Every scientist needs his own Igor, at least for a little while. And we'd learn more about each other, so it's beneficial in the end.

[That's a very good point, however. Rui taps his knuckle against his chin, lips twisting in thought.] True...Considering what's on the line, my initial thought of a simple secure space with workbenches and tools might be a little too basic. Include all of that, but definitely soldering and metallurgy equipment, since we have that in common. Perhaps at least the look of our own space, our own specialties? And balloons don't count for me, since they're far too easy to obtain. I'm thinking a roll of plotter paper, while we're at it.

Also, a mini-fridge.

Just in case we get thirsty on the job.

[semilethal]

But of course. A mini-fridge is essential. [Donnie rubs his own chin briefly, which must be a sign of genius considering they both did it.] All right, I accept your terms! May the most resourceful man win.

[hyperfix]

A pleasure doing business with you, Donatello. Not that I intend on being a sore loser, but it certainly won't be a steamroll victory, fufu~