oo2 || Video

[thralls]

[When the feed starts, Athelstan is in his room, with one of Will's dogs stretched warmly across his lap. Athelstan rubs his fingers against her ears as he looks over the projection from his bracelet- right, recording.]

...'this is the end'. The tree has been- is being?- destroyed. I am not a commander of men, nor am I any sort of leader, but times are dire and I... [His lips press together firmly as he nudges the dog off of his lap- she makes a soft, indignant noise before skittering out of his room.]

Where I come from, the men worshiped these gods. This tree was their world, holding up everything they held dear. We must fight to keep it standing, we must- I can show you how these gods must be worshiped, I can tell stories of their exploits and wit, if that would give you cause to fight for them.

[There's a short pause, as Athelstan lets out a breath, contemplating his next words.] Even if you cannot fight, you must pray. All of your gods have guided men through their trials for hundreds of years- longer, in some of your worlds. They would not abandon us now.

[The words are encouraging, but his voice is hollow, preaching a message he's not sure if he can believe in.]

Comments

video; private

[galvanist]

[ the world's most tentative pause before, ]

We need to talk about what happened to me a few weeks ago--mostly so that if it happens again, you'll know what to do.

video; private

[thralls]

When you told me your name.

[He nods quietly.]

I remember.

[video]

[itistolaugh]

[She doesn't look at all convinced, but at least she's willing.]

Well, it's ... It's better than sitting around waiting, I guess. Where do we start?

[video]

[thralls]

Start?

[Athelstan tilts his head.]

...right. I- who has tied you to this world? [Who's your patron god, he means, but same thing really.]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

I think the gods have been growing weary, if what we saw in the vision is true. The Tree is important to them, and it's...dying.

[He inhales.]

What kind of offerings do they take? If that helps, we should try it, to lend them some strength. I read about them, when I first got here a long time ago, but I suppose hearing this from someone who worshipped these gods before would help, too.

[Video]

[thralls]

There are... several ways. In times of great need in Kattegat, we would have a blót. A... sacrifice to appease the gods.

[Something that he's never been keen on watching, but all the same.]

An animal would be killed, it's blood sprinkled on the places of worship. Then, its meat would be cooked and served at a feast, where you would toast and drink to the health of the gods.

video;

[digophelia]

We don't have much of a choice in the matter, Mr. Athelstan. I don't think prayer is of much use as action.

video;

[thralls]

Then you underestimate the power of a plea.

[He nods mutely.]

I do not think that we should use prayer in place of action, but- as a supplement.

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor looks tired and weary, but the light in his eyes is no longer the despairing madness of those weeks without memory (so easy, the balance of sanity tips, but Maglor has had a long time to pretend at sanity) ]

If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end, as to be worthy of remembrance [ It is a soft murmur, almost to himself, before he addresses Athelstan directly ]

And have you made your peace then, Athelstan? Have you found your Hope?

[thralls]

[Athelstan looks toward Maglor for a short moment, before the question makes him lower his eyes. In truth, he doesn't know what to say- either to the man or in an answer to his question.]

...I know that we must fight. That is all I know.

[Video]

[5thchild]

Have they answered you before?

[Video]

[thralls]

The gods?

[He glances up then, toward his window.]

They walk among us, do they not?

[palebee]

I would be honoured to hear you speak of Odin.

[ Though he doubts there's much connection -- haven't they had pantheons enough within their ranks? -- it can't hurt to try. All myths originate from their own forms of truth; factual, and otherwise.

And hell if a historian wouldn't kill for this kind of first-hand account. ]

[thralls]

[He nods.]

Odin- he is a general, but he is known throughout the lands for his wisdom. It is said that Mímisbrunnr- the sacred well of Mímir, located in the roots of Yggdrasil- contains immeasurable wisdom and knowledge of the world. Odin offered his eye to Mímir in exchange for drinking from this well.

[When he speaks, it's soft, hesitant, reciting from memory rather than from a story he knows by heart. Still, he does his best.]

In another event, he hanged himself from the world tree- for nine days and nine nights, he suspended himself from the branches, spears run through his body, in order to give him the wisdom he needed to hold his power throughout the nine worlds. [Athelstan finally looks back up toward the video and offers Albus a little smile.] Knowledge and wisdom are revered in the culture of the North- though not in the same way that many others see it.

[text]

[proudofwhatiam]

I think I should rather fight than pray, if those must be the options.

How have you been, Athelstan?

[text]

[thralls]

iF that is your wish>>.

I have beenwell. the past weeks were difficult for all of us but IMade several new allies along the way

And yourself?

permanon;

[blackhand]

[Hello, Athelstan. Long time no text.]

I'm not one for praying, but it seems like I'm more inclined to fight.

permanon;

[thralls]

[Oh joy, just what he wanted.]

it seems that manypeople are.

voice

[ka_sera_sera]

I doubt you need to worry about abandonment. These gods have spent too much effort keeping us close to them and keeping us safe to waste all of that by giving up now.

[Well? Do you feel comforted yet? Roland himself's always found pragmatism more encouraging than blind optimism.]

voice

[thralls]

This is true.

[There's a contemplative thoughts.]

What about the gods from your homeland? Do you not pray to them?

text.

[extraordinarie]

[ kate never needed much explanation when it came to a reason to fight for the gods. as much as she might not believe in them as gods, their reason for fighting was her reason. in keeping their city together, she could keep the people in it safe. she would fight for the citizens, before she would worship the gods, but if it is a means to an end she won't complain.

she can't deny that she's curious, though. her norse mythological knowledge isn't as in-depth as she'd like, considering their current location. ]

And you believe that the stories you know are of the same gods that are here?

text.

[thralls]

[That's an interesting question, and Athelstan has to pause when he reads her words, not entirely sure what to say to that.]

I think the stories and gods are different in ways. nO man can be sure of what he prays to. That doesn'"t mean they are differen entities all together

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

Belief. Absolutely. Glad to see you pitching in. Have you been holding up all right?

[Video]

[thralls]

It's been an adjustment.

[He won't lie about that.]

Is this place always so... dire?

permavideo;

[sufferably]

I guess it must be nice, having that kind of conviction.

Though we're here, now, and whether we believe or not isn't really gonna help much.

permavideo;

[thralls]

[Hah. Conviction.]

What do you mean by that? Belief is the cornerstone of all that we do here.