asgardeventide | oo2 || Video

[When the feed starts, Athelstan is in his room, with one of Will's dogs stretched warmly across his lap. Athelstan rubs his fingers against her ears as he looks over the projection from his bracelet- right, recording.]

...'this is the end'. The tree has been- is being?- destroyed. I am not a commander of men, nor am I any sort of leader, but times are dire and I... [His lips press together firmly as he nudges the dog off of his lap- she makes a soft, indignant noise before skittering out of his room.]

Where I come from, the men worshiped these gods. This tree was their world, holding up everything they held dear. We must fight to keep it standing, we must- I can show you how these gods must be worshiped, I can tell stories of their exploits and wit, if that would give you cause to fight for them.

[There's a short pause, as Athelstan lets out a breath, contemplating his next words.] Even if you cannot fight, you must pray. All of your gods have guided men through their trials for hundreds of years- longer, in some of your worlds. They would not abandon us now.

[The words are encouraging, but his voice is hollow, preaching a message he's not sure if he can believe in.]

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On occasion, but only out of habit. Most of the time I never thought they existed, but - well, if they have any interest in guiding my life I'm sure it'll happen whether I ask for it or not.

[He's silent a moment, thinking over the reasons he thinks other people pray.]

It's not something I take any comfort from. But I guess people take their comforts where they can find them.

They do.

[Athelstan purses his lips at that, drawing his legs up on the bed he's sitting on.]

I've found that many people after my time have lost their faith. I don't know why. [A pause, and then-] Why would you pray to gods that you do not believe in?

I think... What I do isn't praying so much as calling on them at certain times, as I was taught to do when I was a boy. That sort of thing has a way of sticking.

Does it worry you that so many here fail to worship your gods? I didn't think these were the type who insisted on that, but I guess during war we all have to lower our standards.

[Is that merely a statement or a very, very dry joke? Well, this is Roland, so even in his own mind the answer to that is something like: ...?]

I suppose you're right. [It sticks, in ways that has Athelstan waking from nightmares and still clutching at his throat where his cross used to be. There's much to be said for familiarity and comfort, he supposes.]

I don't know the answer to your question. I am- concerned, yes. But as you said, the gods don't seem to care how many times their temples are visited. Perhaps there are more pressing things on their minds.

[He shrugs, a little sadly.]

The lack of faith doesn't anger me, as it would some from my world. The gods of the Northmen are new to most of the travelers here, and their ways are both foreign and more brutal than some of the religions I once knew. Adjustment takes time- unfortunately, I believe that it's time we don't have.

The gods of the Northmen? Do you call them so? I've seen little brutality from them, but that may be saved for those who worship.

[He doesn't sound at all worried about this. If it doesn't disrupt the purpose of this city - and clearly, it doesn't - whatever form that brutality might take is really none of his concern.]

People in these times call them Vikings. [Athelstan smiles a little to himself at the implication- not exactly the right word, but he supposes it's better than Those Guys In The North That Everyone Is Afraid Of.]

And I- I have taken their gods for my own, but it was not always so. They are brutal and passionate, and I had thought their gods would be equally so, but it seems that things are far more... political here than I had thought.

[Roland is first interested - even having never truly worshiped, himself, he's aware of the strength of emotion that's involved when men change their chosen god, and that sort of emotion tends to make for one hell of a story. Then the man continues, and that interest mixes with a trickle of amused sympathy.]

That ever is the way, isn't it? Legends come real often come with some disappointing bit of truth no one ever saw fit to mention. Especially when it comes to governing.

[When he speaks next, it's with the tone of one who's made a decision.]

Mr... Athelstan, if I buy you a drink some time I'd share with you all the disappointments of politics. I think all of us could use a drink right now, if you're willing to bear the company.

[He tilts his head at the offer, but finds himself pleased at it even so. For all that Roland is a stranger, he seems kind enough, and Athelstan is always open to making new allies here. You never know when it'll come in handy.]

If you like. I don't currently have a job, so most of my time is open- and I'm always amenable to good company.

There's a place in Freyr I've been to a few times. I'll send you the directions this evening or the next, whichever suits.

((ooc: we could handwave that or play it, whichever you like - I'm sure they'll have plenty to talk about the day after this, since I think that's the day Odin makes his announcement.))

Alright. I can be there tomorrow.

[[ooc: I'd love to log it out if you're not too busy! I can set it up if you like c:]]

Then so will I.

((ooc: I'm not too busy! However you would like to set it up works for me. PM me if you need me to set it up instead, I don't mind doing it.))

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