2nd revision; video

[oxbridgethegap]

[Hello again, Asgard! Instead of looking irritable as he did previously, Charles actually has a pleased smile on his face. He's much more relaxed this time around, too.]

It seems that approaching the gods might actually work. Though Freyr was predictably stubborn regarding our original abilities, I must have talked him around eventually, seeing as my telepathy is in working condition again.

Now, Loki mentioned the gods becoming more accessible in the future, so I would suggest--

[It's right then that Charles abruptly cuts off, eyes widening. As the silence stretches on, his other hand lifts, hovering over his chest uncertainly. Though his eyes are still on the screen, they're unfocused, his expression just a bit dazed. That will be the last image of Charles Asgard has for a bit of time.

Without warning, there's an explosion of red. Most of it passes through the hologram, leaving the screen clear except for a few splotches where blood had splattered onto Charles' orange gem. So swift is the death, that the body left in its wake sways in the chair, as if confused by the sudden loss of weight above. It slumps back against the blood-stained chair, a dark red stain in the usually immaculate clothes spreading quickly from where Charles' neck should be.

Aside from the steady drip drip drip of the thick, warm liquid finding its way into puddles all around the small living space, the room is eerie silent. Then, the screen flickers, and the video ends.]

[About an hour later, Charles is miraculously in front of the screen again, pale and shaken, but otherwise fine. He clears his throat, fingers pressing clumsily against his neck--it's an assurance that he is very much in one piece now.]

It would appear that I owe someone an apology. Skeptical as I was before that our abilities are incompatible with this world, the gods spoke truly. That much I believe now, though a slightly less painful way of confirming this would have been appreciated.

[Charles rubs at his temples gingerly.] I don't suppose anyone knows where I could find sticks of incense in this city? Strong ones, preferably.

Comments

[reaction / text]

[holmes_fanatic]

['Freyr was predictably stubborn regarding our original abilities'

Conan's got the worst feeling from those words. He opens the feed, intending to try and warn Charles, but instead --

All he can do is be witness to the worst kind of betrayal.

It's not even much comfort to see the Charles' message some time later.]

There's a shop near the cemetery in hell that has incense and flowers.

Do you really believe that?

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

Is there? I'll have to stop by and purchase some later. [He catches a whiff of blood in that moment and grimaces.] Perhaps it would be best if I purchased them now.

Do I believe what?

video;

[holmes_fanatic]

That it was your powers, not an action of the gods.

video;

[capriciously]

That makes... [pause. counting.] Three of you, I think. [he looks oddly pleased.]

Too bad I didn't see this first-hand, like the other one... But I have a question! Did you grow your head back on?

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

Three? [Taken aback by the news--someone hasn't been paying as close of an attention to the network as he should have been.] You mean others have experienced the same?

[Charles pauses.] And, no, I do not believe I did. When I...died [he grimaces] I was in my room. I somehow woke in the circular room again some time after that, and my clothes were completely clean. As was my room.

[Well, he can still smell blood, but in the state he's in, he's not entirely certain if that's real or his imagination.]

video;

[capriciously]

Yep! I've really only seen one first-hand, though. It went everywhere! [he... really looks like he enjoyed watching heads exploding.

and now he looks a little disappointed.] You didn't, huh. Tsk. What a let down.

video

[highstakesgame]

What a fast turn-around time! How splendid!

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

[This certainly wasn't the reaction he was expecting.]

I'm beginning to think I might be missing something important. Have I been so preoccupied that I didn't notice this becoming something common?

video;

[highstakesgame]

I've only seen one other here!

But I usually wait until everyone is dead to reset all the pieces.

[video]

[disasterrific]

[Rikku caught just the last bit of the first feed, and she is beyond relieved to see Charles alive]

Oh, geez, don't do that, Charles!

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

I assure you, Rikku, I would have preferred sparing myself of the experience if I had the choice.

video;

[disasterrific]

The gods sure know how to warn people, huh...a-anyway, there's a store near my apartment that sells candles and incense and stuff. Want me to get you some?

video;

[sebasher]

[This guy actually looks quite bemused about what he just witnessed, and responds in the calmest of voices when Charles returns with his second message.]

You may want to try to convince me again that approaching the gods works, chum. But I'd say you've literally blown away any chance of that. [You see what he did there? You see his pun? Do you see it?]

1/2

[oxbridgethegap]

[Lay off, he's exhausted and still in shock, all right?]

If you had paid any attention to what I just said, you would know that was before I--

[Charles finally looks up, freezing up instantly.]

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

[...and stares.

That face. But--how?]

Erik?

text;

[biifurcatiion]

great, iit2 an epiidemiic of craniial explo2iion2.
you really got your power2 back?

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

So I hear. Assuming you've already spoken to travelers who were in a similar situation, you should know that I did have my "powers" back for a short while.

voice.

[bloodyperky]

[ ... seeing it again didn't make it any better. if anything else, it's just as sickening this time around. however, this also proves to him, without a doubt, that the dead do rise in this world. it makes him think. ]

I remember there was a shop in Hel-- though I've never set foot inside, really.

You might also need a quick trip to the dry cleaner's.

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

Near the cemetery, yes? Thank you--I appreciate it.

[Charles looks down, examining his appearance critically.] I would have believed so, as well, but it seems I have no need for it at the moment.

[He tilts the bracelet at an angle to show his now-clean clothes.]

[video]

[damnidjits]

[Bobby curses loudly when he witnesses yet another person explode. Fucking gods couldn't make a point without killing people. When Charles appears on screen again, he sighs in relief. He knows that those killed in this world do come back, but that doesn't make the deaths easier.]

You don't owe an apology to those dicks.

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

Perhaps not. They certainly owe us an apology, if they truly are the ones behind these deaths.

[video] /late to the party

[suppressthedark]

[fdsjkhfjd yeah he just watched all of that. Oh god. Even though he'd already seen it happen with Rose, it doesn't mean it's easy to watch.

When charles comes back, he shakes his head.]

Don't apologize to them for this.

[Spoken with barely contained anger.]

video; /even later, sorry!

[oxbridgethegap]

[His expression tightens before he nods in agreement.] It does seem pointless, doesn't it?

But, whether any apologies are owed or not, it appears they were not lying. Asking for our powers to be returned would only result in something similar, I'm guessing.

[Of course, like Conan had already pointed out, the whole thing might have been orchestrated.]

video;

[digophelia]

[Not the best thing to see when you're already traumatized. Alice sinks into a dazed stare as she watches this, without moving. Wide green eyes fixated.]

But you-

[It's the only words she can get out, shaking and trembling after seeing that.]

video;

[oxbridgethegap]

[The broadcast must have affected her negatively, that much Charles can see. He feels a surge of remorse that briefly overshadows his own ire and pain.]

I'm sorry you had to see that.


(ooc: sorry this is so late!)