001 ][ video ( day 340 )

[truesight]

[ well this is. weird. and Rachel has some heavy experiences with weird, weird is practically her best friend. so the fact that she looks a tiny bit confused when the transmission starts, the fact that she's sort of wincing in that 'hey, I'm the new kid in class, sorry if I start glowing and rambling on about things that make no sense' way she's adopted since she gained her abilities, is saying something. she can't really be here, she knows she has things to do back home, the Oracle doesn't exactly get a vacation, not when Percy and Annabeth are in Tartarus which sort of botches the whole Prophecy of Seven thing, and HER BEST FRIENDS ARE IN TARTARUS so it's all very stressful and worrisome-- rightright, she can't be here.

but she's already got the 411, already talked to her maid and watched the little Intro to Asgard video, kinda-sorta figured out her bracelet. not that she's tecno-challenged ( she had a flip phone back home, okay ) but she doesn't want to mess anything up here. if this is some kind of test, some weird game the Gods felt like putting her through even though she's as mortal as mortal can be, she's going to do it right.

even if she has a really bad feeling that this has nothing to do with Apollo's terrible sense of humor. ]

So. Hi. [ here's a quick wave ( are there scribbles on her palm? yes ), a nod, and a You-Betcha-This-is-at-Least-50%-Forced grin ] My name's Rachel Dare, I'm a Gemini, and I'll draw a very flattering portrait of the first person that volunteers to explain the situation here, completely free of charge. [ a beat] Like, an explaination from someone that isn't a "God", please. [ SHE'S NOT ON THE BEST TERMS WITH THE GODS FROM HER WORLD RIGHT NOW that's obvious ]

Because look, I can handle being dropped into an unfamiliar place and find my way from A to B just fine, since I did grow up in New York, but if I'm going to be living here? I'd really appreciate a little mortal- [ or demigod, but she doesn't actually.. know that there are any demigods here. hn. she won't let herself hope for that. ] confirmation on what I've heard about this place, and for someone to point me in the direction of the best place to get strong coffee, as soon as possible. Oh, oh, and ability- Do I seriously have a superpower? Is that- did I get that right?

But anyway. [ ahem! ] Hey, Apollo, if you can hear me? [ she's squinting at the camera now, not maliciously, but in a 'challenge accepted' way. SHE'S GOT THIS. ] I've totally got this under control. [ nodnod, oracle out, then she reaches to shut off the feed ]

Comments

[video]

[unrestrained]

[wow. It has been a while since he saw her. A long while.]

So about that flattering picture. What if you're not so mortal? Uh, normally.

[He tries, managing an uneasy grin.] I think I'd know if Apollo was here. [He's not exactly quiet.] Did you get Loki's picture book?

[video]

[truesight]

Percy-!

[ ... were you expecting actual words after that? because she's just kind of sputtering and sort of flailing, like she feels like she needs to spring into action here or she'll lose contact with him, something ]

[video]

[unrestrained]

[No, he wasn't, really. But he can pretend to be normal. For five seconds. He's also trying to lighten the mood as he gives a half way.]

Kidnapping 101 should be a lesson for any camper. [Attempts?]

[voice]

[unnaturallygreen]

I'll pass on the portrait, thanks. As far as I've managed to find out, we're here to fight a war against Frost Giants and keep the worlds from collapsing on top of that. I don't know about the coffee, I haven't been here for long enough to find one.

And yes, you did get it right. It's a trade-off--if you already had some power before you came here, you lose it and get something else. What you get depends on what house you ended up.

[voice]

[truesight]

So that's all true? Really?

[ she did listen to all the intros, it's just a matter of- actually believing it all. and then there's that last part..

no more nightmares.

she doesn't know how she feels about that yet. ]

Freyr. I live in Freyr house now, and the woman told me I had an ability called "drawing life". That's not like- necromancy, is it?

[voice]

[unnaturallygreen]

Yes, it's all true.

And as for drawing life--no, from what I've been able to learn, whatever you draw on paper can come to life, if you will it to. There are three levels to each power, though, so you might not be able to do much with it at first.

[hunteresse]

[...

That certainly is an odd way of saying 'hello'.

Although one could say she had learned a whole lot more than she had before about her.]

Apollo isn't here.

[truesight]

[ she almost wants to make some remark about 'surprise surprise' because none of the Gods seem to be around anymore, do they? but. right. she's also resisting the urge to call her by her full name just to be all MYSTERIOUS but she'll be a normal kid about introducing herself. eventually. ]

Probably for the best, since our lives are apparently being dictated by a new set of Gods here. [ still trying to... brain that. ]

[hunteresse]

Maybe. Who knows how it would work out.

[If they would have their powers striped away as well...]

[Video]

[bonnypiperlad]

Aye, well, I know where there's a tea shop, but I've not asked if they have coffee too.

[Maybe it's not the most important thing out of all she's said to focus on right now, but she did ask. And it beats asking what she means by 'I'm a Gemini' - which he'd considered doing for a moment.]

Or ye could maybe see if there's any in the kitchen. Usually there's basic things like that in the Welcome Houses, although I'll not promise there's any coffee there that's all that strong. I'd reckon there's someplace around here that has it, though.

[Video]

[truesight]

-- Tea works. Caffeinated tea?

[ nono, it's important, it's definitely important. ]

And okay, so, we just- we live in these houses now? No rent, no grocery shopping? We get full accomodations if we help them fight the Grey, or- whatever it is.

[Video]

[bonnypiperlad]

[He looks slightly puzzled over the word 'caffeinated', too, but shrugs it off after a moment.]

Oh aye, I'd say ye should be able to find that no problem. And as long as ye want to stay in the Welcome House itself, you'll not have to pay for either of those things. If ye decide to move out, that's a different story.

[The full accommodations only extend so far, unfortunately. He hesitates for a moment, however, before going on, because it's not just the Grey that's the problem here, and there's a large part of him that hates have to tell her otherwise.]

Not exactly. Don't get me wrong, they're very grateful we're helping with the sickness, but it's not the only thing we've got to fight here.

[becauseichooseto]

...Gemini?

[He knows what it is, but star signs aren't even taken seriously by quacks. Friendly first, Brax, scoff later, thank you.]

Looks like we're going to be housemates, Ms. Dare.

[truesight]

Are we? That's exciting.

[ and a little strange, but she's not going to think too much about it. she's used to being at either her private boarding school, or camp half-blood, surrounded by teenagers. and then there's this guy. okay, more things to get used to. ]

Anything interesting going on in ol' Freyr house?

[becauseichooseto]

Oh, new arrivals, like you and I.

[Are we not interesting enough?]

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

You do seriously have a superpower. What's that, then?

[Video]

[truesight]

Drawing life, she said. Any idea what that means?

[ wow sir your enthusiasm is infectious ]

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

[ He's good at that. ]

Oh, that's a brilliant one! It means you can make something you draw come to life.

[video]

[ghostcalls]

Rachel?

[ well THAT was unexpected. nico's squinting at the screen like he's not sure it's really her or, more likely, its some kind of trick- but then she starts talking.

yep. sounds like rachel. ]

...Is coffee really that high on your priority list? [ he sounds grumpy, but he's relieved to see a familiar face. really! plus, he doesn't exactly have an answer for her other questions. ]

[video]

[truesight]

Yup. Hello, Nico. [ she'd never actually admit to it, but she does worry about Nico on some level. well, maybe not worry, but she has a soft spot for him, mostly because she knows, kind of, what it's like to have this ability that's a little bit horrifying and that sometimes that's all people see when they look at her, and-

well anyway. she gives him a smile, and a shrug ]

The only way I can handle new and exciting things with any sense of dignity is with a healthy amount of caffeine in my system.

[video] wow sorry for the delete i was so not done

[ghostcalls]

Seems like you're taking it pretty well to me. [ it's pretty unclear whether this is sincerity or sarcasm. maybe both. ] But I don't know if "new and exciting" are the right words for it. That might be the lack of caffeine talking.

[ she's one of the only people that actually smiles when they see him, and that's more than a little odd for him but it's hard to reciprocate when he has more questions. ] You think Apollo's the one who sent you here?

video;

[asthehero]

And what's Apollo got to do with this? [Hello, Rachel Dare. He doesn't really know you, but you probably sure know him. He's also wondering if he should really know her since she's talking about gods he's actually familiar with. Give him a minute to think it all over.]

video;

[truesight]

He's the only God that has any reason to mess with me, so, I just figured...

[ ....wait.........hey, didn't i smack you in the eye with my hairbrush a while back?

nah. that shouldn't be the first thing she asks hi- ]

-- Didn't I throw a hairbrush at your face a while back?

[ or it can be. ]

[divinewisdom]

Rachel!

[ She looks relieved and pleased to see her; they haven't spoken since she set out on the Argo II, really. It's nice to see someone familiar, even if it's here in Asgard. ]

If you haven't already gotten enough of an explanation, I can help.

[truesight]

Hey, Annabeth. [ she's reallyreallyreallyreallyreally glad to see Annabeth, that's obvious by the way her face kind of screws up first ( like it did when Percy showed up on her screen ) and then melds into a bright smile ( like it did when Percy showed up on her screen ) ]

I feel thoroughly informed, it's the believing it part I'm still falling behind on.