[One of these days, Samantha meant to do one of these addresses somewhere outside of her lab. But, at this point, it had become a security blanket. Part of her was just used to doing something with her hands, and right then she was going over a series of notes she'd acquired from Sophie. A beaker was bubbling, and there was something dark green in it. In the background a stone humanoid shape could be seen.]

Some of you know Draco and Castiel aren't with us anymore. Since they and Euri disappeared, Asclepius is still open, though I'm going to leave to Sophie any announcements she's got on how things will be running over there. But, in the meantime, Pinch of Sage is going to be one of the only potions shops in town. There's still apothecaries among the natives... but at the same time I seem to have inherited several new recipes. Sleeping draughts are still pretty popular, go fig. If you used to buy something from one of those shops, I can probably make it now, but stocks are getting limited. I've rebuilt my greenhouse two times since I got here, and I've had it reinforced, so I can grow a few of the magical herbs, but my stock from Utgard's almost dry, so I can only make what I can grow or get from Alfheim.

[She snorted a little sardonic laugh at that. A link was put into the updated potions list available at Pinch. Just below them are the Prices.]

Oh... and since we're all getting back on our feet from having this place remind us how close we are to the final battles... take what the Doctor says to heart. [Her eyes hardened and she frowned.] This isn't over until you're dead. I'll keep brewing this crap to help you guys until the bitter end, and I'm not one to give up even when I should. I am going to stand over that cold-hearted witch's ashes and laugh before they ship us home. Mark my words.

Good morning, Asgard.

[ It's a joke, see? Because he's been asleep for fifty days, just recently woken to dreams of the Mother burning and the whispers of the inevitable end. Odin's a clever one, pale and worn as he looks in his customary sharp suit. ]

It's a relief, if not a surprise, to see most of my city still standing. You've done well beside my son, and for that, you have my gratitude.

[ Such a proud Allpapa. But that's as lighthearted as this address gets. Buckle in, kiddos. ]

But I'm not here to waste time with formalities today. No more beating around the bush. No jokes, no tricks, no clever riddles. No more bullshit.

This is the end. I heard Her whispers while I slept, and I have Seen it as you all did last night. You shouldn't need me to tell you that this is a reality anymore. This is the end.

You have a choice. You weren't brought here to be our soldiers and fight as our army, but we can't afford to keep Asgard half in the battlefield and half behind closed doors for your comfort anymore. Still, we promised that we would never force your hand, so - a choice.

We don't have enough control over the spell that binds you here to pick and choose for this, it's all or nothing. If you want to stay and fight this war, we'll start the process of gearing this kingdom for its true purpose. But if you want to leave, to go home and be with what's left of your homes for whatever time remains, we'll shut the doors and see what the Fates decide for us.

[ A pause, as he considers. ]

I don't have a rousing speech for you. It's not my thing; you can talk to my colleagues if you need a group hug. But - I will say one thing.

We accepted the title of "god" not because we are all-seeing, all-powerful beings. You already know that we aren't. It's just a word given value by those that speak it, as is the nature of language. This is called the "Holy City" because it was created as a refuge for the lost beings that would've been left to die outside our walls. We are called "gods" because our citizens believe in us as their higher power for protection and guidance where otherwise there is none.

We're children of faith. And where Ragnarok has been set in stone since the beginning of time, we've pushed back against it because we have faith. You are the byproduct of that; we did the impossible to fight inevitability, and you are the proof of that. Which is to say -

[ An amused, tired shrug. ]

- who knows what the Hell we can do next?

[ Just before signing off, he'll add one more thing with a ping to Jo Harvelle and The Fourth Doctor in specific. ]

I want to speak with those of you that left the city recently. You know who you are.

[ OOC NOTES: Yay, Odin's awake again! This is the IC conclusion to May's events, and the IC discussion that will bring us into Arc 5. As was already decided in December via player poll, the city will be militarising to amount a counterattack against the Giants. This post is to discuss all that! The OOC rundown of what happens next is over here. Feel free to ask questions and let us know if you'd like a specific god to pop into any of your threads, as we'll all be hanging about! ]

Got a question for those of you who've been here a while. Is it uncommon to get pulled back to your own world, get dragged back here to Asgard, and find yourself under a different god than you had before?

[And is it so abnormal for it to be a really, really big shift? No, not going there. There's more to this than a question, and he won't be surprised if it gets ignored in favor of...everything else. In fact, he's banking on what he has to say being more alluring than anything else.]

Seems a lot of us have been disappearing. For those keeping a list, go ahead and add the name of Barty Crouch Junior. I know plenty here had mixed feelings about him. [What an understatement.] If you didn't before, you might now. Shortly before I tried to get a hold of him and realized he wasn't with us anymore, he told me bluntly he started that fire we had not too long ago. Used a mirror to give it a slow burn so by the time it really caught on, he had an alibi. [That might sting a little more if Will hadn't...well, had worse.] Add "Harry Saxon" to that list, too. Seems he had some issues of his own before I got here.

[He'd add another name to that list, but he can't even bring himself to type the letters in that order. Or say it out loud. So it goes ignored for now as he essentially says "fuck everything tbh" because really, the people involved deserve some closure, and like hell if he's going to waste what energy he has contact everyone individually. That's too much effort for someone in his current state.]


[ooc. there will be hannibal season 2 spoilers in the comments, so head's up!]