[Recognize this elf? No? Oops. Though those who frequent the Library in Odin's domain might recall seeing him bent over book after book, scroll after scroll, throughout much of the last few weeks.

Elrond adjusts the image a little until he's satisfied, then tilts his head slightly in wordless greeting to all who might happen to be watching.]

Vedui' il'er, greetings to those of Asgard. Though my greeting you is rather delayed, it is no less earnestly meant. I am Elrond. I wish to extend what skill I have in the healing arts to those who might need them.

[ From all haggard appearance, he's quite hungover. Then again, so's half the city. Jaime slouches, unamused, against the back wall of the stables. Petals tangle in his rumpled hair, and one particularly loud orchid looks to have been actually knotted into place. ]

When we've all recovered, I've two questions. Three, if you feel generous.

Well, aren't you a perfect busybody! [ The orchid snaps, as Jaime casts his eyes skyward, imploring. ] Back in my day, rude little weeds like you didn't just trample all over, making everything their business! Back in my day --

[ Without warning, his hand leaps up to snatch the flower, crumpling around it tight. It wiggles and thrashes in his palm, but Jaime only grips tighter, until at last the struggling quiets. With a wary motion, he slowly lets go. The orchid hangs limp. ]

-- First. Many of us seem to have received a gift. If you will speak of it, I would ask what you received.

My second question is the graver. In your homes, what laws and systems govern men? What actions are crimes, and what measures taken against the criminal?

They ought to call you a criminal! [ Squeaks the orchid, faint and indignant. ] Ruffian! Knave!

Last, will someone help me cut this bloody thing out?

[The video comes on, after Samantha's managed to deal with the faint hangover for the night. She's standing on what looks like the roof of an apartment complex. Considering the condition and size, it's probably the paid housing over in Loki. What is a bit odder, though, is how she's dressed. She appears to be in a para-military uniform of some sort. It's a goretex stealth suit, pretty much commercially available in her world. Stenciled on the black shoulder-pads is a stylized red T symbol. She's checking the gloves and making sure they're snuggly in place, looking out into the streets below.]

It's strange. They say the clothes make the man. My body doesn't remember wearing this, but my mind remembers it. I guess it's because I only saw my last year of life in dreams. [She flexed her fingers before giving the zipper a check.] It feels good, though, to wear it again even if I've only remembered that I earned the blasted thing. Kind of reminds me of a few of the idiots I was working with in those memories. [There was a little smirk there.]

Has anyone else ever felt like a uniform or any clothes really has that much effect on your mood, on the way you think?

[ sam flicks on the feed with a bright grin, waving with his loki bracelet strapped around the bright blue cast on his right arm. there’s a beer in his other hand and - oh! a girlfriend to his left, too. ]

Hey, hey you guys. This place is great. Isn’t this place great, Andi?

[andi just smiles back, waving to the feed as well after she takes a sip from the beer she has in hand as well] Oh yeah this place is awesome - looks like we got here just in time for a party too.

And no… [ he looks at her meaningfully. ] You know. [ then holds out his beer to cheers hers. ]

Sorry, um. This is Andi. And I’m Sam. It’s great to be here, wherever here even is. [ shrugs, it’s a party that’s enough for them. ]

[she just nods at first, knowing right away what sam is referring to as the beer she has clinks against his. since sam already introduced to them both she just goes with it, a smile still on her face] Yeah, see I told you things would work out and wherever this is I guess it doesn’t matter too much either.

I guess you're right. [ he grins lopsidedly and shrugs one shoulder. ] Though... I haven't seen Sock and Ben anywhere.

Okay, I'll bite. Where are we?

[ voip - the feed goes dim. responses with come from sammy and andi both unless otherwise specified. ]

[ There are some people in the world who really shouldn't be given any sort of technology or utensil without first receiving some hands-on instruction. Well, even more than is standard upon arrival. Peter Pettigrew, unfortunately, is one of them. The video jolts and even falls to the floor before it rights itself, but upside down. ]

Hn. Owls really would just be easier.

[ It rattles again, and really, wearing a bracelet should not be so difficult. ][ A sigh. ]

Merlin, this is -- well. I... I was just wondering if maybe anyone played chess? I... I don't know.

Something to do, maybe? Besides... well, this thing.

[ He gestures to the bracelet, which only serves to make the video fuzzy and flicker out. Sorry, he's never been very good at introductions, and certainly no good at making many friends. ]

[Video]

[When Yuusuke appears on the screen, he looks Not Amused. Held carefully, but firmly in his hand is a wriggling white snake with a single line of purple starting at its head and trailing down the part of its neck that is visible. Which is to say... up until the bandage that wraps around it. And yet, it seems remarkably tame considering it has yet to make any movement to bite him.]

Does anyone know how to care for a snake? When I came back to my room, I found her curled up on my bed. She has a habit of... adventuring, so I'll probably need a cage for her.

[He'll make sure it's spacious enough, sure, but no more running away for this reptile. He had enough of that back in his world, thank you very much.]

Also, I guess I might as well ask - anyone get something unusual as their gifts? I've heard we have a lot of people here who have powers where they come from, but who lost those powers when they got here. Did any of you happen to get magical trinkets that still work?

[Not that it's at all relevant to his current situation, of course! He's just curious is all.]