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jigokulogs2022-09-19 11:38 pm
medicative) wrote in jigokulogs2022-09-19 11:38 pm
(semi-open) blessed thistle.
Who ⬤ Sutoku Alliance members
What ⬤ Coming together to meet and plan
When ⬤ Mid September, after mingle
Where ⬤ Konoha
Content Warnings ⬤ None yet.
[the message that she sends to all their Lost Souls is brief, to the point, requesting their presence at their headquarters at the designated time for a semi-official meeting. that Emily's full of nerves in sending it and arranging these things is not palpable through a text. it's optional, so she hopes it helps.
thus, it is that she's there, waiting at the faction headquarters, dressed in kimono and with a chalkboard - long story - behind her. Ryouma's backing her up, so she assumes people will give a passing thought to what she says. she'll give everyone enough time to arrive - as many as want to come, really - and when she has their attention, then she speaks.]
Thank you, everyone, for taking time out of your schedules to come today. What I have to say will take a moment, so please, hold your questions to the end.
[she's reminded of the meeting that Ryouma had held for the Stars - except this one is on a grander scale, because there was no way around the fact that Iron Bear had shown his hand to them all.]
It is no great secret that soon enough, we will be called upon to head out to the Wastelands in search of the Iron Bear, for his headquarters, for the one himself, and for the young woman he's kidnapped and held hostage. The bounty offered for her return is considerable, and I won't pretend it's not a factor in motivations, but beyond that - her father has ties to us. Does it not then seem apt if we are the ones going forth to bring his daughter back home? Does it not seem like our duty, to look after our own? The strength of the Alliance, from what I see, is built on our choice to band together - our disparate parts, bound by choice, and thereafter looking to each other on the strength of that chosen commitment.
[a breath, and she continues.]
But we will need much, to enact this. And it is nothing any of us can do on our own - so I turn to you all, that you might find some task you can give your assistance to and then contribute to the larger whole.
[hence the chalkboard, which she turns over to reveal a list of concepts, of necessary items that she's drafted.]
Information is both our clan's specialty and the item we need the most of. Where are we going? What are the conditions? What will we need to survive there? What are we expected to face? As much relevant information as we can stand needs to be procured. Supplies and transportation need to be arranged and put together so that we can have a chance of not dying in the desert. Who is going with who, and what that means in terms of travel. I personally will be heading out to the Wastelands, with my goal first and foremost being Miss Ringo's rescue. To that end, I need a specific team willing to concentrate their efforts on that. You will be answering to my direct command. Others may form their own units at their discretion.
[Emily nods, looking over at the gathered bunch.]
There is one significant catch in this, and I know, we're all tired of hearing that. But if you intend to fight the Iron Bear...he is promised to the Shuten Clan so that Toraguma can deal with him as he sees fit.
[and before anyone can get upset for that -]
In exchange, I've been promised that we will be the ones to rescue Miss Ringo. I doubt every Shuten will be held to this, that those willing to act in their own interest or merely unknowing of what has been agreed upon will certainly circumvent this. All of this is to say that if you wish to claim the Iron Bear's head or capture, I will disavow your actions. Publicly, if I must. Be smart, be safe, don't get underfoot, aid where you can - and do not tell me if you wish to pursue him to your own ends.
[so in other words, do what you want, but don't involve her if you're going to counter what she bargained for. in every public way, she must only worry about the kidnapped girl.]
If you decide against this, if it is not something you wish to give anything to, then I invite you to leave at this very moment - and no one should bar your way. Choice, again, is the lynchpin for us. But if you decide for it...then talk amongst yourselves, and come to agreements. Of course, I am here for any direct questions you wish to voice.
Might I remind you all, however, in this endeavor, it would be to our benefit if the other clans didn't have a keen eye into our internal affairs.
[now, from the way she folds her hands, bows her head slightly, it's clear the floor's now open for people to go forth and talk as they please.]
ooc notes:
What ⬤ Coming together to meet and plan
When ⬤ Mid September, after mingle
Where ⬤ Konoha
Content Warnings ⬤ None yet.
[the message that she sends to all their Lost Souls is brief, to the point, requesting their presence at their headquarters at the designated time for a semi-official meeting. that Emily's full of nerves in sending it and arranging these things is not palpable through a text. it's optional, so she hopes it helps.
thus, it is that she's there, waiting at the faction headquarters, dressed in kimono and with a chalkboard - long story - behind her. Ryouma's backing her up, so she assumes people will give a passing thought to what she says. she'll give everyone enough time to arrive - as many as want to come, really - and when she has their attention, then she speaks.]
Thank you, everyone, for taking time out of your schedules to come today. What I have to say will take a moment, so please, hold your questions to the end.
[she's reminded of the meeting that Ryouma had held for the Stars - except this one is on a grander scale, because there was no way around the fact that Iron Bear had shown his hand to them all.]
It is no great secret that soon enough, we will be called upon to head out to the Wastelands in search of the Iron Bear, for his headquarters, for the one himself, and for the young woman he's kidnapped and held hostage. The bounty offered for her return is considerable, and I won't pretend it's not a factor in motivations, but beyond that - her father has ties to us. Does it not then seem apt if we are the ones going forth to bring his daughter back home? Does it not seem like our duty, to look after our own? The strength of the Alliance, from what I see, is built on our choice to band together - our disparate parts, bound by choice, and thereafter looking to each other on the strength of that chosen commitment.
[a breath, and she continues.]
But we will need much, to enact this. And it is nothing any of us can do on our own - so I turn to you all, that you might find some task you can give your assistance to and then contribute to the larger whole.
[hence the chalkboard, which she turns over to reveal a list of concepts, of necessary items that she's drafted.]
Information is both our clan's specialty and the item we need the most of. Where are we going? What are the conditions? What will we need to survive there? What are we expected to face? As much relevant information as we can stand needs to be procured. Supplies and transportation need to be arranged and put together so that we can have a chance of not dying in the desert. Who is going with who, and what that means in terms of travel. I personally will be heading out to the Wastelands, with my goal first and foremost being Miss Ringo's rescue. To that end, I need a specific team willing to concentrate their efforts on that. You will be answering to my direct command. Others may form their own units at their discretion.
[Emily nods, looking over at the gathered bunch.]
There is one significant catch in this, and I know, we're all tired of hearing that. But if you intend to fight the Iron Bear...he is promised to the Shuten Clan so that Toraguma can deal with him as he sees fit.
[and before anyone can get upset for that -]
In exchange, I've been promised that we will be the ones to rescue Miss Ringo. I doubt every Shuten will be held to this, that those willing to act in their own interest or merely unknowing of what has been agreed upon will certainly circumvent this. All of this is to say that if you wish to claim the Iron Bear's head or capture, I will disavow your actions. Publicly, if I must. Be smart, be safe, don't get underfoot, aid where you can - and do not tell me if you wish to pursue him to your own ends.
[so in other words, do what you want, but don't involve her if you're going to counter what she bargained for. in every public way, she must only worry about the kidnapped girl.]
If you decide against this, if it is not something you wish to give anything to, then I invite you to leave at this very moment - and no one should bar your way. Choice, again, is the lynchpin for us. But if you decide for it...then talk amongst yourselves, and come to agreements. Of course, I am here for any direct questions you wish to voice.
Might I remind you all, however, in this endeavor, it would be to our benefit if the other clans didn't have a keen eye into our internal affairs.
[now, from the way she folds her hands, bows her head slightly, it's clear the floor's now open for people to go forth and talk as they please.]
ooc notes:
- this meeting is not mandatory for any alliance members! it's just to give a plot based avenue of exploration for anyone interested. i know an ooc element of organization will be needed as well as all of us looking towards october when we'll likely get more info about what the mods have for the big plot happenings - consider this just getting ahead of the curve!
- there is a handwaved header below, for those who want to simply drop off whatever information/opportunities/questions their character has and not engage in an ic thread about it. feel free to utilize this as you wish.
- everyone is free to respond/threadjack/etc. emily is far from the only person with knowledge on these affairs, and she's hoping to generate discussion about them to see what else can be dug up.
no subject
[The shadowy Lieutenant has been watching most of the meeting in quiet, allowing the newer and younger souls to take charge and observing the deductions that they would arrive at on their own.]
[But this time, Matoba speaks up, stepping forward towards Akira.]
I have done some investigating with Sub-Lieutenant Fushiguro-san on evidence that was left behind by the attackers that night in the casino, and cross-referenced it with evidence that remains from the attack on the city roughly three months ago.
The result is that there is reason to believe the Iron Bear and Haniyasu-no-kami are involved with one another in some capacity. It isn't conclusive enough evidence to confirm that they are directly in cahoots, but...
If this is a trap, and those corrupted gods still have their sights set on this city, then what better way than to rid it of some of us pesky Lost Souls that chased them out in the first place?
no subject
[Hmmmm.
This would all be so much easier if it was just an elopement scandal. Right now it's looking like a cult or a coup or both.]
The Haniyasu-no-kami... Don't think I've heard much about them besides the basics.
no subject
[Matoba just doesn't know where the other shoe will drop from. He simply feels certain that it will. The Alliance, for all their eyes and ears, still haven't been able to scrounge up a single hint as to how an attack will come, or what the crippling arrow will be.]
[He takes a moment to look at this boy, as if evaluating him.]
Familiar with Shinto deities at all? They are ancient kami, children of Izanami. A twin pair, like many of the primordial gods of the beginning of time, born from her suffering during the birth of Kagutsuchi. They are gods of the earth and silt.
A few months ago they began to send their servants here in the form of haniwa figurines to infiltrate this city and fill it with their malice. Then they came, engulfing the city in darkness and sealing the Enma in his tower. They were forced to retreat by a combined force of this city's clans, but only just.
just a quick addition
no subject
[He nods, thoughtful.]
I'm familiar with the deities. [Hasn't met them personally, but... well.] But they tend to be a bit different in person.
[And then given what Kim Kitsuragi said about Iron Bear's crew...]
...Do you think Iron Bear and his followers are servants of Haniyasu, then? Since they're apparently pretty cult-like.
no subject
[Matoba smiles, gesturing towards Tama.] Having viewed that footage, I would not doubt that the Haniyasu are certainly still waiting for a chance to strike again. Eliminating every scrap of a powerful kami like that is no simple feat, and no one in the tower at the time was prepared for that manner of spell.
Of course, I wouldn't think they were working alone. [He inclines his head in agreement.] We can't prove it for certain, but as for me, I am operating that theory, yes.
...Well, let me correct one thing. I don't think the Iron Bear is following the Haniyasu, specifically. I think it's more correct to say that they may all serve the same master.
1/2
2/2
[It's simpler when the head is the part you're introduced to first.]
...I mean, both, I guess. But not drastically so, just... weirder.
lmao,
no subject
It's still only a personal theory, and there are only some circumstantial coincidences to support it. But. Are you familiar with the details of Kamiumi, by any chance?
[This isn't P4, but bear with him--] The legend which details the birth of the primeval gods, including the Haniyasu.
no subject
Gods of earth, clay, and pottery?
[She had heard it in passing, with them having to do with the curses throughout Jigokucho, but beyond that, she needs to catch up, clearly.]
... Do we know what else this world's version of haniyasu are capable of? If you're saying this Iron Bear is involved with them, have they carved out a way to make the Wastes hospitable? Or perhaps not at all?
no subject
Yes, that's correct. Interestingly enough, you may recall- that this city is situated upon a river delta of the Sanzu. [He grins.] Perhaps it's related? Perhaps not.
As far as what they are capable of, have you heard any experiences from those who were present when the city was under their influence? Endless night, with constant rains of blood. I wouldn't presume that an inherent power of theirs; rather, I would say it is closer to a result of their influence. It was the influence of malice and corruption on a massive scale.
[He makes the quick mental decision not to give the answer he knows to Amelia's last question. Aerith had entrusted him with the flower's words about the green place, but as of now they had no real way of knowing what that cryptic hint had meant. Better to play it close to the chest.]
There's very little information on the residents of the Wastelands... In fact, before the Iron Bear's presence was well known, we were even assured that it was an impossibility. [He smiles unkindly.] Makes you wonder what else we have not been told by this city's ruler, hm?
no subject
Sanzu, Sanzu... Oh, yes. Like another version of the Styx.
[Her pen flies across the pages of her notebook as Matoba gives his explanation. But she does make an important side note:]
"The Lieutenant did not answer my last question."
[Let's put a pin on that. She closes her notebook. She won't be transcribing that to her phone app.]
If we were being told there's nothing out there in the Wastes, then surely it was to keep us tethered to the city then? The only thing to not entirely doubt is the harshness of the outside if only because we were kept from knowing much about it.
no subject
In its waters flow the souls of all the sinners who are serving out their punishments, until they may once again be reborn.
[The cycle of samsara, from one end to the other. Of course, that was a concept somewhat separate from the existence of the old kami, who had lived before it.]
That is the simplest guess, [He agrees.] And sometimes the most obvious answer is the correct one. But I get the feeling that if there is more to it than that, we will find out very soon in pursuing the Iron Bear.
no subject
[Their status as Lost Souls does make them more of a valuable resource to the heads of each faction, enough that they aren't part of the river's flow. It makes enough sense to her for now.
As the speculation continues around them, she glances at Matoba. Their first introduction was over text but he was certainly younger than her, wasn't he? Or it could be just her, but a witch of her nature kind of gets a feeling about these things. But Matoba has that air of a practiced leader, regardless of his age.]
... Lieutenant? If you'll be staying behind in the city, what kind of assistance do you foresee will be needed if some of our members venture off?
no subject
[After all, none of them paid the toll to cross. Or don't remember it, anyway. Who could say what elements of their being spirited away have been forgotten...]
[He is watching the room. There were many new, young members present, and he had high hopes for those- younger than himself, but Matoba never thought of his own age when speaking to others. He had been in this life for a very long time.]
Hm? [He glances back to Amelia.] Ah, you mean the nitty gritty of resource management. I have been working on securing supplies for the trip, along with Lieutenant Sakamoto. He is ensuring that we will have boats available to travel the Sanzu on this expedition. But while that group is off outside of the city, we will need to ensure that no other clans decide to take this opportunity to make a run on one another... To put it plainly, we will need to maintain a stalemate by force, if necessary.
I am expecting tight patrols, and even tighter communication. If any of the other clans are lifting a finger towards one another, we should be ready to intercept and diffuse the situation.
And more importantly... If anything outside is trying to enter this city, we should know about it and be ready to force it back out. [He meets her eyes, his own glinting with cutthroat awareness.] We made that mistake once with the haniwa's clay, and the isonade. Not once more. If this is a diversion in order to weaken our defenses and allow them to get what they're looking for here in this city, I won't let them have an inch.
no subject
But she nods and makes a note. Inside or out, the Alliance is a tentative position.]
I've not much to offer as I am currently, but my eyes and ears, and my silence if need be. Will Konoha be sufficiently guarded enough?
no subject
[Matoba smiles. It was understandable to be eager, but... the makings of someone who was useful to the cause were not just power and talent, but those who had the temperance and the observational skills to make use of those talents.]
[If Amelia was so gifted, she would find herself renewed with her powers once again, he was certain.]
Konoha... [Matoba glances about the hall. The Daitengu's office sat fairly deep into the administrative areas of the building; it was much larger than it seemed from the outside.] The boss will watch over with no issues. This place is not what we should worry about.
We have ... other territory which is more vulnerable. You will learn, eventually.