medicative: (response.)
ᴇᴍɪʟʏ ᴅʏᴇʀ ([personal profile] medicative) wrote in [community profile] 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:
  • 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.
kaientai: (042)

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-09-20 07:42 am (UTC)(link)
[ ryouma has enjoyed stepping back a little from things and playing the supportive role for a bit. he's sure emily is a lot more pleasant to listen to, anyway! still, he has a few things to add so he might as well get them out of the way. ]

I have a particular interest in some specific information that we're sure to uncover lookin' for intel on Ringo and Iron Bear, so if ya plan on gettin' out there and diggin' up that kinda thing, come talk t' me.

[ which, speaking of ringo... ]

I know that Ringo is a focus in this, and her safety is important, but remember that's not our only goal. If ya ain't workin' with Emily, there's plenty of other things we could use help with. I'll be stayin' in the city because we'll still have plenty to do here while everyone's busy out there, so I could use some help myself.

Can't say I expected things t' go down exactly like this, but this is the perfect time t' strike! It's like ridin' a wave, so we've gotta seize this opportunity. If we succeed here, the others will think twice about underestimatin' us in the future.

[ because at some point, this became about respect and he's not letting it go until he's satisfied. ]
softshoes: (🌸 02)

[personal profile] softshoes 2022-09-20 07:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Without the authority of rank, and with his personal affection for Dr. Dyer, Mikotoba is loath to make too many waves here-- but negotiations like these are, undeniably, what he is used to. He's seated somewhere in the middle of the crowd, and he waits for a couple other members of the clan to make their own voices heard before he slowly rises to his feet.]

Thank you for organizing this meeting. [says Mikotoba, offering Emily a bow.]

I have two concerns. First, the more pressing of the two: will the members of the Alliance be sufficiently protected from the Iron Bear and his men on this mission, should they-- or any other rival bounty hunters-- resist with force? Do bear in mind that other clans will be acting as well. [He furrows his brows and looks Emily directly in the eyes for this one, as if to ask: do you plan to get yourself killed out there?]

Secondly, will cooperation with Toraguma's men put any strain upon our relationship with the Enma and the Tamamo? Certainly, it will do us good to foster trust with Shuten, but we must consider the potential repercussions. I should hate for Tenkohime to believe we are taking sides.
kaientai: (043)

[personal profile] kaientai 2022-09-20 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ ryouma cuts in here because he has a thought. ]

I shouldn't think it'll strain anything seein' as nothin' about this was ever a joint operation. We were aimin' for this lot anyway, it just so happens our target happens t' be somebody Toraguma-san has history with, so we're just playin' that to our favour by not gettin' involved and lettin' them take out our biggest obstacle.

[ he smiles here, and it's probably not his nicest smile but it's not directed at mikotoba either as much as the topic. ]

We also don't have any specific agreements with the Department of the Enma that we're violating, that I'm aware of. In fact, the less the Department is involved, the better for all of us.
fuckdogramagra: (01)

[personal profile] fuckdogramagra 2022-09-20 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
...I'm not sure if trust with Shuten is even a real, tangible option in the long run. [ He's just as lacking in the authority-or-rank department, but Tama also is lacking in, well, experience and age- so it's tentatively that he speaks up, clearly a little unsure how to talk in this kind of environment. ] Any peace with Shuten is really peace with the lost souls of Shuten, and ideally, with Toraguma himself- but there's been plenty of incidents in the past wherein Toraguma has been...unpredictable and capricious, or otherwise eager to pivot to violence.

[ He can't really go do some big rescue- he could barely save the two people most important to him with the power of time travel, after all -but he can at least mull over the theoretics. ] Conversely- Tenkohime, at least on paper, aligns with many, of course not all, of the morals of the Alliance. She doesn't seem keen to share in this matter or I'm sure we would have heard something, nor do I think it is wise to align that way in this situation, but...I'm also worried at the potential, um, ramifications. Toraguma's 'hot and cold' behavior towards Tenkohime is as unpredictable as the man himself...

[ And a blanch. ] The Enma...seems...ineffective, or absent at best, so I can't even wonder at his potential. [ he is trying to be a big boy but he just really can't stand the enma- ]
sacrilegiousact: (n9iMAB0)

[personal profile] sacrilegiousact 2022-09-20 08:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Akira crosses his arms, he's quiet for most of the meeting, listening rather intently to the points others make and only occasionally offering his own thoughts, keen to keep his head down.

However, there is one point he does feel he needs to speak up about, and when he does, his voice is clear and firm, like despite how quiet and young he is, he is used to taking command when necessary.]


I have one major concern.

Our priority is to rescue Ringo-san unharmed, that I can agree with. But what bothers me is Ringo-san's father announced a reward for Iron Bear's head extremely publicly, and not once did her ever mention a reward for his daughter's return.

If she is being held hostage, Kaberou's actions are the fastest and easiest way to get her killed or otherwise hurt. So, either he knows more about the situation than he's saying, or he didn't think this through at all. [Or he doesn't care, which probably isn't fair, but Akira's faith in rich influential public figures is next to zero.] If he's one of ours, we should be able to get more details before rushing in.
Edited 2022-09-20 08:36 (UTC)
fuckdogramagra: (07)

[personal profile] fuckdogramagra 2022-09-20 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
I guess in theory it could just be a grief-stricken parent behaving irrationally... [ Tama's been fiddling with his dozens of phone charms for most of the meeting now, at this point to prove he's not texting. ] ...for what it's worth, I don't trust him either. Something about this situation is strange, especially that he didn't go directly to Daitengu with this.

[ He really...really wishes he hadn't been so drunk during the abduction. All of his researching doesn't mean much if he isn't present to record things as they happen. ] It must be something to do with Iron Bear himself. That's all I can think of, personally- the only thing that would have someone acting this way is fear, be it for their own skin or some other reason.
sacrilegiousact: (1LzR0bF)

[personal profile] sacrilegiousact 2022-09-20 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, there was that, admittedly.

[It doesn't seem to appease his concerns at all, but he does seem a little more unsure how to continue.]

It's odd, though, isn't it? The rest of the broadcast was about taking down Iron Bear, almost like he thinks that by killing or capturing Iron Bear, that would bring him his daughter back. The bounty he put up is for Iron Bear, not Ringo-san's safe return. He never clarified whether she had to be unharmed or not, just said she had to be returned.

[Which could mean he doesn't care, he knows she's safe, or he knows she's... well... He's not entirely cynical about this.]

How much do we know about his relationship with his daughter, or his pre-existing relationship with Iron Bear?
sacrilegiousact: (XhZoQez)

[personal profile] sacrilegiousact 2022-09-20 09:30 am (UTC)(link)
[Akira nods, thoughtful. He's glad he's not alone in distrusting that old man!]

It feels a bit like this whole thing is handcrafted to cause a stir, doesn't it?

Makes me worried it might be a trap.
fuckdogramagra: (01)

[personal profile] fuckdogramagra 2022-09-20 10:50 am (UTC)(link)
[ A trap...certainly not something Tama had imagined, but it's not like he really has a normal perspective on families or parenting. Then again, who even did in this hell? ]

For all he's told us, it does seem like we're at least being used in some way. To avoid letting his connections come to light, then plead to a crowd as he did...I said before on the network, but you could simply buy the best with the money he's offering as reward. All a bounty would do is throw bodies on the pyre.
shikanoinheizou: (097)

[personal profile] shikanoinheizou 2022-09-20 11:37 am (UTC)(link)
[For all intents and purposes, Heizou appears something of a wallflower in this meeting. The young detective flits around the edges of the room and between small groups, hovering but never quite joining in, his brow faintly furrowed as he jots down scribbled notes in a leather-bound notebook tucked into his hand.

Unlike his complete disinterest when it came to the Alliance's 'junk sorting' venture, he hasn't come here just to be idle for ten minutes before deciding that it isn't somewhere he wants to be.

Well aware of being completely new here, without the weight of his reputation from home and with no one to lend support to his significant claims when it comes to his abilities, he's keeping more to himself than he usually does in more one-on-one situations and simply listening, piecing together bits of information from each point in the room that he stops to linger at and each snatch of coversation that he overhears.
]

A delicate situation, to be sure... [Heizou murmurs to himself as he scratches the top of his cheekbone with the end of his pen. His notes are chaos to anyone but himself - a spiderweb of thoughts sprawled across both pages, linked together with messy lines and question marks - and he stands a little off to one side as he mulls things over.] There's certainly something more going on here...

[But what? The task Ryouma had set him comes back to mind - I also need t' find the people under him. His second, mostly - and Heizou gives a small shake of his head. The web of agreements and alliances isn't of any concern to him, but he does realise that he can't really strike out on his own with this.]

No, no... it's not enough. Not yet.
fibrillate: (we can't can't recall the feelings)

[personal profile] fibrillate 2022-09-20 03:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Ringo-chan doesn't like him.

[they speak up quite simply, jumping in as soon as they find an opportunity to share their information. but not too much of it—not yet.]

He wants her to lead the business when she's of the right age, but she can't abide by the way that he operates. For all we know, this kidnapping could be the greatest relief of her life so far... and either way, I doubt she'll want to go back to her father once we do rescue her.
sacrilegiousact: (tumblr_inline_phjfij7H4F1vi1y34_100)

[personal profile] sacrilegiousact 2022-09-20 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
That's what I've heard.

Sending so many bounty hunters after him would only be a remotely sane thing to do if he had reason to believe his daughter was safe. Like if she went willingly and he wanted people to go drag her back. [Still not the smartest plan, but it's not grossly incompetent in that case, just shitty.]

...I wasn't at the festival, though, so I don't know if that's even possible.
sacrilegiousact: (pic#15944367)

[personal profile] sacrilegiousact 2022-09-20 03:57 pm (UTC)(link)
[Not quite what he meant. Ringo's father clearly cares about her, whether as an asset or as a daughter, Akira's not sure it matters. He doesn't have much faith in a lot of parents either, especially ones like this.]

Yep, exactly.

And even if he's trying to cover something up... bounty hunters would just add more uncertainties. It seems... bizarre to make it all into a race.
Edited 2022-09-20 16:01 (UTC)
fibrillate: (did you look like me)

[personal profile] fibrillate 2022-09-20 04:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I had drinks with her and got to know her a little bit. I don't think that she orchestrated this whole thing herself, but I agree that her father probably has reason to believe she's safe.

[it would be interesting if ringo-chan had taken all of this on her own shoulders just to get out of her father's claws. it's not the craziest idea in the world.]

The assassins under the charge of the Iron Bear grabbed her from the side of the stage, and that's all that anyone really saw of it. I don't think it was meant to be the biggest spectacle of the night—one of them shouted "we know who you are" at Toraguma. [as their last words.] So it's possible that Kaberou knows more about Toraguma than he's sharing, too, if this is the reaction he's having to the entire thing.

[that's something else that they haven't spent a lot of time considering: that this is all a shadow play from a financial magnate trying to jockey for even more power. or maybe they're overcomplicating it.]
recluserose: (I saw it on your dashboard)

handwaved; amelia steinbeck

[personal profile] recluserose 2022-09-20 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
  • During this meeting, Amelia is diligently taking notes like a scribe, first in her pen and paper notebook and she will also transcribe a copy on her phone's note app. If anyone asks for them, she'll forward it privately to the Sutoku members.

  • Since she is without her magic, she will not venture out into the Wastelands, but will take note of who's going and who's staying behind.

  • She'll even draft up a list of recommended supplies, where to buy them, and price comparisons; keeping it to Sutoku businesses since you never know if the Tamamo and Shuten will sideeye them unnecessarily.
  • kaientai: (261)

    [personal profile] kaientai 2022-09-21 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
    [ ryouma has been listening to the back and forth here and finally decides to cut in, if only to make things easier where he can. ]

    For what it's worth, I spoke to Kaberou not long after he made the announcement. I figured seein' as the two of us are on Iron Bear's shit list together, he might be willin' to talk to me, but he wasn't lettin' on about anything. [ ryouma shrugs. ] Never mentioned it 'cause there wasn't anything worth mentioning.

    [ as to the shouting, ryouma has his particular perspective. of course, it's to be taken with a grain of salt, considering things look a little different when someone's coming at you with a sword... ]

    Coulda been they were yellin' at me too, seein' as everyone I talked to leadin' up to the thing said if I kept askin' 'bout Iron Bear that's what was gonna happen. I wanted Iron Bear to know about me, so if that's the case, it worked?
    worldbent: (pic#15845038)

    [personal profile] worldbent 2022-09-21 12:28 am (UTC)(link)
    Quite an interesting caveat, isn't it.

    [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?
    worldbent: (pic#15600499)

    matoba - staying inside the city stuff!

    [personal profile] worldbent 2022-09-21 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
    - Matoba is volunteering to stay behind in the city and keep an eye on the safety of things here while other Lieutenants head into the Wastelands.

    - He has a suspicion that this whole kidnapping may in part be a ruse to lure Lost Souls out of the city so that the Haniyasu (or other gods in league with them) can make another attempt to attack the city.

    - For any others who end up remaining in the city, he will be making clear that he expects those forming squads under Cloud's training to start doing patrols- with a particular emphasis on the Alliance's Underground territory.

    - The Wastelanders must have connections here, and they need to start looking to root them out. Anyone who gets info to this effect is urged to report it to superiors ASAP.

    - He also asks that anyone with experience with magic/curses/spiritual abilities keep alert for any traces of out-of-the-ordinary behavior or auras within the city.
    ---

    - and lastly on an OOC note, I'll be on hiatus next month when this plot is likely to go down, so I might not be super available as a heads up!
    peacewithouttyranny: (Default)

    soundwave - wastelands volunteer

    [personal profile] peacewithouttyranny 2022-09-21 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
    - Soundwave volunteers to venture out to the Wastelands. Though he makes it clear that he suspects that this whole kidnapping thing could be a trap to lure Lost Souls out of the city, he still wants to put his effort on rescuing Ringo regardless.

    - He can transform into a car, so he's his own transportation. That said, his vehicle mode is the size of a power wheeler, so he can't give anyone a ride unless they're willing to sit on his roof. Supply wise, he'll procure his own oil rations before the journey.
    lucky_e: (Default)

    Enterprise - handwaved

    [personal profile] lucky_e 2022-09-21 04:18 am (UTC)(link)
    - She'll be dropping off this information. To help give a bit more detail and background for the Iron Bear and Kaberou.

    - Enty is more than open to traveling into the wastelands and will volunteer to do so and join other groups heading out.

    - As of writing this she's regained her skill "Lucky E". And is skilled with a bow.
    lucky_e: (41)

    [personal profile] lucky_e 2022-09-21 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
    I might recommend looking more into the relationship between the Iron Bear and the father. The daughter seems to be more collateral or bait.

    [At least from what she understands and has been able to piece together. Most of this seemed to be more on a personal level thus far. Ringo-chan had simply been a potentially unwitting bystandard.]

    That said, I do agree that we should still use this as an opportunity to further strengthen our base at home and potentially help expand the clan's influence further beyond what it currently is.

    [That... is also something that is more up to the Daitengu to decide. But showing a bit of initiative in those regards wasn't a bad thing.]

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