NPC Post - A House Divided

[asgardsstrength]

[ Thor’s face is oddly pale and contemplative when the video begins. He is seated on the edge of his bed, turning a mirror in his hand. Light from the fireplace glints from both it and the ornamental suit of chainmail that he has donned. ]

We have three choices, and we’re running out of time. [ His eyes cut up to the bracelet’s camera, voice low and expression solemn. ] If we break the mirrors - every one - it should kill everyone still inside it, and let Hel recover their souls. The deaths won’t be pretty ones. Or, failing that, we can wait for Thiazi and Surt to finish fighting it out, and hope things end up fixed on their own.

[ He spins the mirror one last time, before halting it abruptly in his own hand. ]

Or I could go inside and try to bring them out, which is a stupid, dangerous plan and one that could very well kill me. But we don’t have time, do you understand? We don’t have time for any of this, so we have to make a decision now! [ Thor’s lip curls now, expression darkening into one of disgust. ] None of these are good options. We’ve been trying since the ice bitch came to the city to figure out how -

[ He cuts himself off with a growl, leaning back and setting his shoulders. ]

Just tell me what you want, Travellers, because I can’t stand any more of this damn waiting.

[ The feed ends there, and then turns back on abruptly a few minutes later. From the looks of things, quite unintentionally so, as Odin has since appeared in the room and does not look pleased - not that he ever really looks pleased. ]

We’ll find another way, this isn’t safe and you know that. There’s no guarantee we can get any of you out alive.

[ Thor glances at the bracelet on his desk. He seems to know that it’s broadcasting again, and he flashes a humorless smile at it before looking back to Odin. ]

I’m sorry, Father. [ His tone is terse, but it’s clear he isn’t. ] But the Travellers have spoken, and you know how Freyr is always going on about listening to them more--

[ His expression falls, twists into something almost apologetic, before he smashes the mirror on the shoulder of his armor and disappears into the Mirror-verse without further word. ]

[ Odin raises his hand to shield himself from the pull of the spell, and by the time he lowers it, Thor is gone. His eyes hold their usual cool demeanor for just long enough to register what’s happened before he throws Thor’s desk across the room, crushing the bracelet and effectively ending the feed. ]

[ OOC NOTES: This is the very late final NPC post, kickstarting the resolution to A House Divided. Characters can either respond to the first part of the post to discuss their options or to the second part of the post that reflects the results of the poll here. A log for the resolution is up here. Characters can respond either to Odin, or to Thor in the few minutes between the videos. Please let us know if you have any questions, and thank you so much for bearing with us through this one! ]

Comments

video; to the first part of course

[iin2ufferable]

No. Those are all shitty options, where the fuck is option number four where nobody is probably going to die?

video;

[asgardsstrength]

Remember that bit about how we're at war?

video;

[iin2ufferable]

Remember that part where I didn't give two shits and this is crap?

Video

[2cool4guardian]

Why are you even thinking about it? If there's a chance, take it! Get in there already!

Video

[asgardsstrength]

It's not that easy, I can't just blindly charge-

[ He cuts himself off and frowns. WOW the first and only time Thor will ever say anything like that. ]

Video

[2cool4guardian]

[He groans. It would be more offensive if he didn't look like shit. the fighting has taken a toll on him.]

You choose NOW of all moments to think things through?

Video

[asgardsfangs]

No. It should be me.

Video

[asgardsstrength]

The place is filled with giants, too. You'd be torn apart in seconds.

[asgardsfangs]

I can handle giants.

You're the heir, you've got a district to care for.

[Video]

[beforethewar]

[Wow, Thor. Eight has a whole new level of respect for you now. He doesn't trust it to work, but he has to give grudging respect that you want to try.]

I don't think anyone should expect good choices at this point. Every war has it's moments where every choice is a bad one. We just have to choose the least terrible idea.

[He hates what he's about to say. He really does, but as they said, there are no good choices here.]

It won't be pretty, but it...might be the least terrible outcome if we break the mirrors. You said yourself your plan might not work, and if it doesn't, it could just make things worse. There are fates worse than death, after all.

Letting Thiazi and Surt wear themselves out on each other will take too long and lead to worse casualties, I think. I'm not even sure that option is worth contemplating.

[Video]

[asgardsstrength]

[ Thor listens to that, still playing with the mirror. When the Doctor is finished, he fixes him with an uncharacteristically level look. ]

I am sick of watching you die.

[Video]

[sexyoldgirl]

[Someone does not look happy with this choice. It doesn't matter that she has Alice back now - her choice would have always been this. To hear him out of all of the Doctors pick this one is upsetting.]

[And that makes her harsh.]

You're going to let them all die? Without even trying to save them? If there's even the slightest chance that it could work, shouldn't we be taking it?

Isn't that how it's supposed to go? You go in with a plan you're not entirely sure will work but you put your hope in it anyway and whether it works or fails, at least you know you did everything you possibly could to help them. Aren't you supposed to fight until there's absolutely no hope left at all?

[Video]

[unbrokenwheel]

[He knows the options but the more he looks at them the more he just thinks of home. Leo likes Thor. He's kinda like Frank but Frank reigns in his father's temper. Thor is well.


Thor.

He scrubs at his face with one hand and flicks on the light on his table.]

Man, for once I wish this was like home. If I had my demigod abilities, I could figure out the mirrors and how they work. [He sounds tired and as frustrated as Thor.]

Sorry. I tried to figure them out but even from the outside it's like staring at blank wall.

[Video]

[asgardsstrength]

It's impossible. It's magic she shouldn't have.

[ His hand flexes on the mirror, and he seems for a moment as if he's about to break it right then. He's never been good with that, with magic, with understanding the intricacies of these things, but it's not from lack of trying recently. ]

If your powers could be restored, Odin would find a way. In the meantime... [ Back to staring at the mirror. ]

video.

[sexyoldgirl]

[Remember the first time they spoke? When she was angry and took it out on the nearest god which unfortunately turned out to be Thor. And then their second time when they got along better because she painted a door blue.]

[There is none of that in her gaze. Now there is nothing but respect.]

If there's even the slightest chance we can save them, then that's what we should be doing. If you die, I will bring you back. But it would be nice if you didn't.

video.

[asgardsstrength]

Yes. I'd rather not die, myself.

[ His smile is terse, expression still conflicted. ]

Really not much a point in asking, is there? I know what the answers are going to be.

[Video] To the second part

[foodshortage]

[ Ah... He can sympathise. ]

If he does die, will there be a chance of bringing him back like we did Freyr?

[Video] For the first part btw"

[okamichild]

Can you be brought back like how it happens with the travelers, if you die?

[Video]

[asgardsstrength]

No.

[ Said quietly, flatly. ]

[becauseichooseto]

I don't want you to die, but needs must, when the devil drives.

[asgardsstrength]

Along the lines of my thoughts, too.

[asgardspride]

You idiot! What do you think you're doing?!?

[Someone might be a little worried and have no clue how to voice it.]

[asgardsstrength]

Taking a vacation, looks like.

[ He spins the mirror around in his fingers, before grinning cheekily at Baldr. ]

text; private to odin;

[discrepant]

[He had heard Thor's earlier resolution in wanting to save the Travelers stuck in the mirror world of the city. Soushi had remain silent over the matter as he had in every other matter because he knew his thoughts were not the most popular way to think. They can be cruel, but he always believed his way of thinking was the reason he has been alive for so long.]

I apologize wholeheartedly for our failure in resolving this issue. We are all weak. It is clear from the way we were not unified during this crisis.

For you to sacrifice one of your children and for Thor-sama to feel the need to save us, you both have my deepest gratitude and respect. I will try to find a better way to serve you both more properly as I feel the most ashamed over the situation.

I would do anything it takes to not allow this situation to happen again. If you simply wish to use me as a way to vent your anger against us, then I would not mind to be used in such a way.

(not actually here except potentially for other gods)

[asgardsloyalty]

[ Heimdall feels that they all knew the Travelers' answer before Thor asked, that this is what was going to happen regardless of the message. What they don't know is whether Thor will be able to make a difference from the inside of the mirror-world... or what will happen if he can't. It's a race against the crumbling illusion the Travelers are trapped in and Thiazi and Surt at once.

He was on his way to Thor's room when the feed resumed, and paused to watch in the hall. At the crashing Heimdall takes a slow breath and turns off his bracelet, heading for Odin. ]