video;

[artifacetious]

[ The feed opens on a redheaded girl with goggles resting on top of her head. She looks a little nervous and starts out speaking just slightly faster than your average conversation. ]

'Sup, Asgard!

Name's Claudia, I'm semi-new here and I'm looking for a workspace. I invent stuff, repair stuff, improve stuff, your usual genius tinkerer deal. Thing is, working out of a Welcome Hall room just isn't cutting it. I require space and grounded electrical outlets.

[ Deep breath. Slow down. Smile! ]

To head off the inevitable inquiry: I am broke. Nada moolah. Rent will have be paid in the form of nifty doodads -- we're a little low tech here but I can work it -- and maybe light cleaning, just until I get a job.

Leads on the job front would also be greatly appreciated!

...that is all.

[ And she's out! ]

Comments

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

Odin is one. He's the leader and he doesn't have much patience for us Travelers. Baldr...and probably Fenrir.

The others are all right. Freyr, Loki, and Sigyn are the easiest to talk to.

[And they actually care about us.]

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

How about Freya?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

That's one's a bit trickier. She's all right now that they've revived Freyr, but she might still be recovering.

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

I don't know this story.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

Right. This happened a long time before you got here.

[Merlin glances off to the side contemplatively.]

There was an attack on the city months ago, by the Frost Queen and the Fire King. We were losing pretty badly, but Freyr bought us some more time by sacrificing himself.

They're twins, Freyr and Freya. When she lost her brother, she took it too hard and left the city to find a way to bring him back. The gods finally did it just before you all got here, actually. That's what the festival was for.

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

[ Claudia listens quietly, remembering what a mess she was at the thought of losing her brother. Not even her twin. She shakes her head. ]

Good reason for a party... guess all the crashers kinda ruined your fun, huh?

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

Nah. [His smile is bright and reassuring.]

I thought it made things more interesting. [His smile turns sad.] Got to see a few of my good friends, too. What's so terrible about that?

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

I guess just that you had to say goodbye so quickly?

And most of us were pretty cranky. En masse cranky, totally understandable given the circumstances but not really conducive to partying.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

At least we had time to say goodbye. Usually the gods send people home without warning.

[Since he's getting a little mopey now, it's probably time to change the subject.]

Anyway, if you arrived with that bunch, that means your power's still new, right?

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

Yeah... I don't think I'm going to be using it much.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[This doesn't surprise him as much as it would've months ago, as many times as he's heard this spoken.]

Is it the power or the magic that bothers you?

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

Neither bothers me, it just doesn't seem like one that's really useful. Energy transfer?

I mean, in theory it would be great to suck the energy from an enemy and give it to a comrade! But when you have to kiss everybody involved it just doesn't seem safe. "Please hold off on the shanking so I can make with the smoochies" is an invite to pain.

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[Merlin laughs at her expression.]

I've been hearing that a lot lately. Most Travelers in Freya's house seem to have trouble figuring out how to use their power without all the ...awkwardness.

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

Well yeah. Because running around kissing strangers is inherently awkward!

[ She does seem a bit put out at the laughing, Merlin. ]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

If it helps, it doesn't need to be on the lips.

[Sorry, sorry. He'll stop laughing now.]

You'll just have to find a friend to help you practice until you get the first power boost.

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

[ It only helps a little, and her expression falls a bit as she realizes.... she has no friends. She's never been particularly good at making friends. Actually, she sort of sucks at it. ]

[Video]

[dragonspeak]

[He notices her expression and it makes his laughter fade into concern instead.]

What's wrong?

Re: [Video]

[artifacetious]

[ Nothing's wrong! Nothing! See? She perks back up immediately and shrugs. ]

There's a severe friend shortage going on, that's all. New kid, far from home, yadda yadda.