9th Spark || [Video]

[dragonspeak]

[You'd think Merlin would have gotten over the stage fright after all the announcements he's made before this, but no such luck. There's still a moment of nervous fidgeting before he clears his throat and gets straight to the point.]

Everyone's all right, yeah? After...the darkness. [He falters, paling just a bit, then forces himself to continue.] Turns out that was an attack on the city from the giants. A lot of us have been training, working on our powers for something like this, but we were still unprepared. [A soft, mirthless chuckle.] Really unprepared.

I thought we could try something--you know, in case we're caught off guard again. We've all just been talking to people we already know in the Teacher's Council meetings, or working with Travelers who have powers we're interested in. We're not going to have that sort of luxury when we're actually under attack. I know, I should've realised it earlier [especially with the number of battles he's followed Arthur into] but we have to work with what we've got around us. That's why...well, why don't we pair ourselves up blindly and come up with a useful way to combine our powers? Then we could share our ideas in that practice log I set up a while ago, so the information's available to everyone in the city. Or we could just talk about it during the next meeting. That way, we have a better idea of how to work with any of the powers, in case our usual allies aren't around.

[Merlin smiles at his audience rather hopefully.] If anyone wants to join up, let me know and I'll see about finding you a partner for this.

Oh right, I was supposed to say something else, wasn't I? You all heard what Odin said about the elves from Alfheim. They're the allies the gods have called on to help us rebuild what was damaged during the darkness' attack. I might have spoken to their queen--well, actually, it was more her talking to me--and she wanted to make sure the gods don't ah... [An embarrassed sort of pause as he rubs at his neck.] leave out things when they mention her. So if you've questions about the elves or anything similar, I suppose I'll...try my best to answer them. Or ask her for you. She did say that was all right.

[Merlin leans back, looking relieved that he's nearing the end of his message.] That's about it. Don't forget the next Teacher's Council meeting will be in a week--newcomers are welcome!--and that the hospital's always open for anyone who's been injured and needs help.


(ooc: If anyone's still interested in participating in the random partner activity, go ahead and sign up here!)

Comments

[Audio]

[occulthymns]

The elves have a queen?? [That is so cool.]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

Yeah, her name's Skuld. [a pause.] She's...actually much more cheerful than the rest of the elves we saw around the machines.

audio;

[happybride]

...I don't know what Odin said. I just arrived here.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

That's all right. [He gives her a quick smile.] I'd be glad to explain anything to newcomers like you.

About Odin--to make it short, there was a large attack on the city not too long ago, which is why the elves are around the city at all. He basically said we don't have a choice in the war. It's fight or be killed. [A slight, disapproving shake of the head.]

If you want to see it yourself, you can find the message right here.

( video )

[predators]

[ l: ]

You believe Odin and listen to some elf queen? [ what the hell is wrong with you. it's no wonder no one has managed to escape with everyone just bending over for these gods and elves and whatever else. ]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[Really, Derek?]

If that's all you got from my message, then I suspect you're not really learning anything useful on your own.

I didn't say I believe Odin, did I?

[video]

[swedge]

The Elf Queen, huh?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[He's sensing you have more to say on this subject.]

What about her?

[Video] /placeholders?

[shutupmaggot]

...What is this "Teacher's Council"?

[He's only really paying attention because you mentioned powers, and he still hasn't really looked much into his. Shadow control sounds like something he just doesn't want to mess with on his own.]

[Video] works for me!

[dragonspeak]

It's a group I started some time ago, meant to help Travelers who want to learn how to use their powers properly. Since we're left on our own for that.

Audio

[samantha_grey]

Thanks for the other day. Hope Ritsu didn't bang you up too badly.

[ahem]

Eve and I are of the view that this may be lunar, centered on the New Moon. I'm keeping track of dates and hoping to get enough backup that, even if someone get sent home we can still lock me in a room to forget me for a day or so. Preferably shackled and without easy access to my bracelet, even if it's on me.

That said, I'm still available to help with defense, and... I don't like it, but I'm willing to experiment. We need a better grasp on what these powers can actually do. So, count me in if there's anyone willing to put up with me.

As for the elves... I'm trying to work out trade agreements about herbs, but I'd like to know what sorts of lore on herbs, especially the ones outside of Utgard and Alfheim they might have knowledge of. I'm sort of the practical sort, after all. I might need to do a lot of that myself, though.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

I already said you don't need to thank me, didn't I? You're willing to help with the Council and that's enough for me.

[A moment of silence as he considers the calendar tracking.] Let's hope there is a pattern to it. That would make this much easier for us. Though...locking you in a room might not work if you can still draw people into releasing you with your power.

[He sits up suddenly, reminded by her mention of the elves.] What about those herbs you were thinking about? Have you tried them yet?

[burping]

Elves? [ seriously? how is she still surprised at things? ]

[dragonspeak]

Yeah, elves. [He spares a smile for the princess.] I think, after everything else, this surprises me the least.

video.

[veneficus]

What I am curious to know from Her Grace, the Queen of Elves [ there is some poison laced in these honeyed words, indeed ] is if she is willing to affirm the gracious words of Odin that she had declared her allegiance for this upcoming war and what form will this allegiance take.

Her men are an army, as I've gathered. Are they to stay here and help us defend the city during the next attack? Are they going back to Alfheim and will answer the call of Asgard when we are in peril? And if the latter is true, who shall summon them? The Gods or the Travelers? I suppose the urgent question, given that we are in war is what are her intentions once her people are done rebuilding this city, staying or leaving and if the number of elves she had brought with her is the final one or should we expect more forces?

If we are to fight alongside one another, I suppose we must know one another in terms of strengths and weaknesses, of gifts. So that this.... collaboration, if it truly what it is shall prove helpful.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[Whoa, there, Morgana. Someone here's very taken aback by your tone, and his baffled look says it all.]

Er...you don't seem to like her very much.

[...that probably wasn't the smoothest way to ease into the topic, was it.]

[whitelighting]

[ Vaguely confused sounding: ] Teachers council meeting? [ Someone needs a big catch up ] And I've got questions... about the elves. [ And everything else ]

[dragonspeak]

That's right. We have one every two weeks, to practice our powers and discuss them.

[He makes a 'go ahead' gesture.] What did you want to know?

[audio]

[hollowchild]

Ah, are you Edogawa Conan's friend then?

[her manner of speech sounds a bit familiar--not quite from Camelot, but perhaps somewhere not so far away]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

If he mentioned a Merlin, you'd be right. [Grin.] What has he told you?

[Video - private filter.]

[holmes_fanatic]

I'm in, but you knew that already.

[Which is Conan's way of saying 'hey, I'm back and also I'm glad you're no longer dead' in one. Admire his practicality.]

I'd like to know about the betrayal that the Dragon mentioned when he delivered the Fire Giant's Declaration of war. What was agreed upon and how us being here changed that. I'd also like to find out more about Ragnarok itself. With the Fire and Ice Giants so keen to see it happen, it would suggest that they have a way to remake the world in a way of their choosing after the battle. Is that the case?

[Video - private filter.]

[dragonspeak]

Kudo! [Hey, it's okay if you're flippant. Merlin's exuding enough relief for the both of them.] Lose your bracelet, did you?

[Then it's right back to the serious business.] I wonder if it has something to do with the twins, Freya and Freyr. She mentioned growing up with them, and Freyr said he was being kept here against his will. [A shake of his head.] I'll ask her.

[Audio]

[burntviolet]

[ She's not too hot for this idea, and she's not in the greatest mood either, but she's still part of this thing. ]

I'm in, but... pairing up blindly, you say?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

Is it too much? [He knows she's uncomfortable with some things, but...she's been making so many friends here.] Blindly, yeah. We don't always get a choice in who we have around when something happens--and this is just one way to practice working with someone you don't know as well as your friends.

video;

[gymnast]

Do you really think we can rely on the... [ She pauses briefly because this is such a weird thing to say. ] --elves for help of any kind?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

I think we can rely on them to back us up in battle, at the very least. The elves really care about what happens to this world, and they don't want to see it destroyed.

[ video || 1/2 ]

[pratentious]

[ He's just going to

stare

for a moment here. In silent contemplation. Bewilderment.

And then - ]

[ video || 2/2 ]

[pratentious]

What the Hell?

[Text]

[talking_dead]

What do you do at the Teacher's Council meeting?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

The meetings are for discussing and practicing our powers. [A smile.] Newcomers are welcome, even if you only want to have a look around first.

audio;

[onlyserves]

[The SS Agent was not pleased by the news about the Giants being responsible in plaguing Asgard with the Taken and so on. He lost many wonderful allies in the form of natives. Natives, in which, Soushi felt some sort of gratitude towards in allowing him and his master to use their home as a safehouse when she got stabbed during the March of Idles occurance. His expression was full of actual anger, but he was not going to show nor express it. There was no point to.]

The latest attack was truly a wake up call for many of us. All we can do, at the moment, is learn from our mistakes and try to find a solution for them. No matter how well-prepared and coordinated we become, there is no guarantee if we will be able to succeed in the next fight. [The thought was a bit pessismic on his end, but it was the truth. There are no guarantees if they will do better next time. All they can do is study and learn from their mistakes during the past events, so they could use what they learned for the next...whatever it might be. It is hard to tell if he was on the right track to think as such because he was angry at the moment even if his voice held a formal and calm tone.]

I am not fully aware nor familiar with the situation about the Elves and their Queen. Though, I am fully aware of Odin's latest messages to all of us was about them being our allies. If you were given the honor to meet with her Royal Highness, may you please inform us over the information she has offered you? [Pause.] If it is possible, of course. [More specifically.] What did she say to you?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

No, there isn't, but there's no denying we were really unprepared. [A soft sigh.] Even after everything we've been doing.

About the elves...well, that's why I mentioned it. I'd be happy to pass on any information to the rest of the city--actually, that's what the queen wants me to do. Apparently she isn't too fond of Odin's habit of leaving out information, either.

[ video ]

[thoughts]

Did you or didn't you?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

Er. [What kind of question is that?]

Did I do what?

video

[minifridge]

Did she really single you out on purpose?

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

The elf queen!

[ H e h. ]

You don't think it's possible to talk to her personally?