001 ^ Day 368 ^ Video

[darkmum]

[A pale, worried face shows up on the screen. The young woman dressed in plain, grey clothes is sitting in her new room in the house of Hel and there’s nothing about it, she’s looking miserable. Close to tears, actually.]

Excuse me? Miss… ah, Miss Hel, madam? Or whoever else is listening? I’m very sorry to bother you and I don’t mean any disrespect, but someone has made a terrible mistake.

[She lowers her eyes and fiddles with the bracelet for a while.] I was told that I’m supposed to help save this world and fight a war, but I know nothing about saving anyone. I’m not even much of a witch and now I’m not a witch at all anymore. I reckon you’ve mistaken me for someone else.

Please, I would like to go back now if you don’t mind. Not that it isn’t flattering, it is! I feel very honoured. But… [She heaves a defeated sigh as she tucks a strand of lank hair behind her ear.] I can’t help you.

Comments

private video.

[flightofdeath]

[The name stares at him like a ghost long dead. Merope Riddle. Hel has brought in Merope Riddle, as though she would be useful in this war, as though she would be somewhat useful. No. The only person Merope is connected to in Asgard is him, and he knows Hel has done this on purpose, to send a message. If it were any other god, he might not be so angry.

This is what prompts him to contact Hel immediately after viewing this, as his first instinct is to try and take this out on the person responsible.

His second instinct is to get her away from further eyes. The easiest way to do that... he switches on the video feed, knowing and hating that she will recognize the face she sees when he does so. He does not try to keep the hate from his eyes.]

Where are you?

[darkmum]

[Oh she recognizes the face. There is no way she couldn't recognize the face that has haunted her ever since it left her. Even the loathing in his eyes only serves to further the illusion. She has tried so hard not to remember him with hate in his eyes, but it's been getting harder with every day that passed.

Merope slaps a bony hand to her mouth to stifle a noise deep in her throat, somewhere between a scream and a sob.]

Tom... My darling, I'm sorry, please forgive me, I didn't want to hurt you! You wouldn't listen... Please don't be upset with me, Tom, I love you!

[ audio ]

[climbingwalls]

I don't think Hel cares very much. I've never been a witch, or a fighter, or saved anyone, and she brought me here too. Either they've made a lot of mistakes, or they don't care if you know how to help, they want you to anyway.

[ audio ]

[darkmum]

Oh... I see.

I suppose I'm used to other people making decisions for me. But I wish she wouldn't have, I would hate being a terrible burden to everyone. Have you learned how to help?

private text

[liquidsky]

[There isn't much Barty truly knows about his Lord, but he has been granted with the knowledge of his full name. And this is just a little thing, something that could easily be a coincidence, but it could also mean something and if it does, Barty doesn't want to risk standing by idle.]

I'm afraid going back isn't that easily arranged, Mrs. Riddle.

Where are you from?

private text

[darkmum]

[What a polite man this Mr Crouch is! It takes Merope a little while to get the text messaging to work as this is her first time with a keyboard of any kind, but someone so pleasant deserves the extra effort.]

I've been taken from London, Mr Crouch, though my hometown is Little Hangleton. You wouldn't have heard of it.

[theshabbiestofmen]

You're--

[The name Riddle sounds horribly familiar, but he can't place it, not yet. Instead Remus smiles, warmly and genuinely.]

I'm a wizard. From your world. I mean, I'm-- just-- you're not alone, Miss, is what I'm trying to say. And I'm sorry, but I don't think there's any real way to go back.

But! The good news is that you've new powers now-- and we're all equal, so I promise, you're going to be quite good at whatever power you're assigned.

[darkmum]

[Merope gapes, a little bit overwhelmed by so much eager friendliness and well, just by everything.

She tries for a small smile, hesitant though it is.] I'm glad to hear I'm not alone, sir. I didn't expect to meet any other wizards here, everything is so odd and foreign! Why, I had never heard of Hel before today.

[She muses about that for a moment and then for a moment longer about whether other wizards are truly a good thing. But this man seems kind.] I don't think I could be any good with the magic I have been given, but... [She trails off helplessly, loathe to argue.]

[becauseichooseto]

Well, I can't help you and send you home, as much as I would like, but you shouldn't be made to feel useless either.

The natives would appreciate a kind word as much as fighting hand and support is as much as a part of fighting a war as anything else.

[darkmum]

Well, I suppose... I think I could handle a kind word? I'm not very good at making friends or being social, but I don't think I have often been unkind. All I'm good at is taking care of the house and potionmaking, really, but I can take good care of others.

[sheloves]

[ Ah, Ril can't not respond. So, there she is in the video, her hair a little mussed and a broom in hand since she's just gone over the floor again.]

It takes some getting used to, but honest, only the gods seem to be able to send you back again. The best I can do is offer you very good tea, if you like. [She may look tired, but she'll come across the city if need be.] And possibly some sweets or a sandwich at the least. I can't make it all better, but I do suppose I can help.

[Ril gives the woman a bright smile to show she really does mean it.]

[darkmum]

Oh! [Truly, so much kindness from strangers is more than Merope knows how to deal with. She stares at the woman for a little while, taking in the broom and wondering, but then deciding not to ask quite yet.]

I think I would like to have a nice cup of tea with you... and sweets, too. It's been so long since I have had any biscuits or... Chocolate. [She sighs wistfully.] I haven't had chocolate since before... Your kindness is helping already. You don't come across many kind people when you are down on your luck.

video - private.

[brainiest]

Ms. Riddle?

[ Hermione had learned bits and pieces here and there from Harry, enough to know that it is incredibly important that she contacts this woman and makes sure that she stays as far away from Voldemort as possible. Looking back at the replies shows she's already too late, but she can try to be - well, a friend.

A support system for a hurt, broken young woman. ]

It's very nice to meet you, my name is Hermione Granger. I think you'd be very helpful otherwise the Gods wouldn't have brought you here - and given you a new power for you to test out. I'm from the same world as you, actually, if you'd like to talk about that?

video - private.

[darkmum]

[Too late indeed, with Voldemort already on the way to meet her, but she is nevertheless quite eager to make friends in the meantime. People have never before been so eager to make friends with her, after all.

A hesitant smile lights up Merope's plain face.] I think I would like someone to talk to, Miss Granger.

[She clears her throat. Good manners, Merope, try small talk like Tom taught you to.] It's very nice to meet you, too. I didn't think there would be so many wizards and witches here. Are you from England, too? I met a charming gentleman from London already and a gentleman... Oh, I didn't ask him yet where he is from.

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

[ Merope Riddle... A witch. From their world?

Riddle...

Relative of Voldemort, then? Likely. Not a certainty, but still that's... interesting. ]

You're not likely to get a response. And anyway, you only get brought here if you're noticeable somehow. I wouldn't be so quick to say you can't help.

[Video]

[darkmum]

[Merope blinks as she is greeted by yet another new face. So many strangers... It's really getting a bit overwhelming.]

That's what everyone has been telling me. They said I could help by showing people kindness and caring for them though I can't fight. [She shrugs her shoulders slightly.] I think I could do that. I will try, I wouldn't want to anger your gods after they brought me to a place where everyone is so much nicer than anywhere I have ever been and reunited me with my husband, too.

video;

[companioning]

[Inara's eyebrows draw together in concern and she shakes her head. The poor thing. Really, what were the gods thinking bringing such a delicate woman to a place like this? When she does start speaking, her tone is soft and soothing.]

I'm truly sorry to say that they don't much care what we think about being brought here.

[Her head tilts a little to the side.]

Are you all right?

video;

[darkmum]

[Merope gapes, a little bit taken aback by well, everything about Inara. She is so terribly impressive, such beauty and grace, the calming voice...]

The people in this city have been very kind to me. They told me I could be of help though I'm not much of a witch.

Video

[alternia_strength]

Believe me. There is space in logistics for non-combatants, human. You needn't concern yourself overmuch with your fighting capacities. You are apparently sufficiently emotional to do as they request.

[Equius, ever helpful at greeting scared newcomers. He also didn't do the Audio thing, so have a yellow-fanged, broken-horned, smelly, sweaty, gray skinned monster that looks like it's growling at you.]

Video

[darkmum]

[You will have to forgive her, but the grey-faced horned monster looks are outranking the reassurances right now.

Merope squeaks, flinching back from the screen before she can catch herself and recall that he isn't actually here.]

What are you? I've never heard of a magical creature that looks like you!

audio;

[discrepant]

[As much as Soushi does not care for the reactions other people offer upon arriving Asgard, he does admit that the other woman did remind him of himself from the way she was speaking as though she was insignificant and of no use to anyone. She was even under the Hel district which housed a certain goddess whom helped him realize he isn't as emotionless or useless as he seemed. Maybe he should repay the favor now.]

Before I am able to offer my services to you, I would like to express my warm welcome to you, Miss. [A beat.] Welcome to Asgard. I do hope you are beginning to feel more comfortable in your new corridors.

[As for the main reason he has decided to speak to her.]

You are no bother as we were all once new. Regretfully, however, you will not be able to go home for the time being. Once you are chosen by a deity, then you will remain in this world until they can no longer do so. [Now to explain.] Your emotions, they will offer help to the city as they have a magical effect. No matter which emotion it is, they are all important and will be used to heal the city from the grey spell. You do not have to fight the war if you do not wish. It isn't required. But your very presence within this city is of importance as I have explained beforehand -- it is being used to heal this very world.

audio;

[darkmum]

I don't... I don't think I could... [She shakes her head. Oh, but she is so very overwhelmed by everything people have been telling her, kind as they have been.] You aren't the first to tell me that I can't go home and a few said I could help, but I don't think I have the right kind of emotions to help heal a world. [Merope winces.] Or anything, to be honest.

[She fiddles with her hands, feeling quite awkward after that confession. She hadn't quite intended on it, not really, but talking to so many people is making her feel all dizzy. It's hard to remember how to be polite and friendly and normal and honest all at once but not too much of any of these.] If they're hoping me to heal anything I think the gods are going to be very disappointed with me. I'm... [She shrugs helplessly. She had welcomed her death.] I'm not very good at being strong, I suppose.

video-

[lookingfordragon]

You can ask as much as you like it won't make a difference...

[Theres a sad smile to that, its followed by a short bow.]

I'm Matsuri Kudo, I've been here more than a year in total.

audio;

[darkmum]

[Merope makes an undignified choking noise.]

A year?! But that's... terribly long. [She winces at her own lack of eloquence and smiles awkwardly.] I'm Merope Riddle.

[video]

[sassgardian]

Come now, my dear, surely you can afford to give yourself more credit than all that.

[He does not remark on being stuck, though he feels the same. But in the few days since his arrival, he knows enough than to think that simply asking to go home would do the trick. (Though he could never forgive himself for walking away now, as it is.)]

[video]

[darkmum]

[Merope squeaks a bit and then she blushes a bit and finally frowns.]

Sir, that's very forward of you! Calling a married woman your "dear."

video »

[recorders]

I doubt she's mistaken you for anyone else. Unless there's another you around at all in your world, I do think she meant you.

[ He frowns for a moment, like he's thinking before he manages what he hopes is a reassuring smile. ]

As for the rest, even if you weren't much of a witch or anyone at home, this is a new start. One that you can use— in fact, if you don't know a thing about saving people, you can learn. It's easier than it looks for the most part.

video »

[darkmum]

[Merope winces, looking pained.] That's the impression I have been getting from what everyone has told me. But I have trouble believing it anyway. Your gods have odd ways of choosing, but then I reckon that regular people couldn't understand how they think.

[She peers at him from underneath her lashes.] Begging your pardon, though, sir, I've found saving people far harder than it looks.