oo3 || text -> video

[thralls]

thhhheeeeeeeeeggoddeads

thejskgimacaaneedabcascaeane

[There's a pause, before Athelstan finally switches over to video. His breath is coming in shuddery gasps, and he's obviously... not well. There are bruises and lacerations scattered across what's visible of his face, healing black eyes, small cuts draped across his forehead. There's not much to see from the chin down though, as the rest of him is covered in an old monk robe, vastly different from the patchwork leathers he had been known to wear before.

Frankly, he looks a bit like hell, but he keeps the video feed pointed toward his torso and face, his arms and legs decidedly out of the picture.]

-I'm sorry, [he manages to breathe softly, before refocusing and forcing a slight smile.] My writing seems to have suffered in my absence.

[There's another pause, before-]

The gods found me again and took me, but they neglected the crook I had been using. I- [He winces, disliking to ask, but...] -I need assistance to get back to my home. I can't... walk without it.

[Which is embarrassing enough. He opens his mouth then, as if to say something more, but he thinks better of it before long and shuts off the video- revealing a heavily bandaged hand, for just a split moment before the feed cuts off.]

Comments

[video]

[hollowchild]

Athelstan? Where are you?

[her voice is soft and too calm, the sort of tone that gets stretched over fear so as not to alarm the person being spoken to. behind her, the background shifts as she slips on her shoes.]

[video]

[thralls]

The faceless people.

[He can see her face. He knows her. Recognition is muted though, and comes to his eyes a moment later than it should.]

There are steps in front of their hall. [Which, as he sort of manages to angle the video a little, becomes apparent that he's sitting on. So that's good, at least.]

video

[bythewaves]

Athelstan? [ here's another worried face ]

You're injured. Where are you?

video

[thralls]

I am injured.

[He repeats slowly, his eyes lowered slightly, before he nods.]

...I know you.

video;

[neversurrender]

[Steve isn't exactly a stranger to offering assistance to people he doesn't know. And this man definitely looks like he could use some help. A hint of concern flickers across his face as he replies.]

I can come help you, but I need you to tell me where you are.

video;

[thralls]

I've been here before.

[That's important. It wasn't a dream, and Athelstan wants this stranger to know that. His brows furrow for a moment as he glances around himself though, before nodding.]

The welcome hall. They brought me back.

[video]

[proudofwhatiam]

[For you, Athelstan, video. Which features an unabashedly concerned woman frowning at the screen.]

What happened?

[video]

[thralls]

[How kind of you, especially considering that he sort of has to reciprocate in kind.]

...Evelyn. [See, he remembers things. Some things. Though really, a like minded person such as her is difficult to forget. The question, however, makes him shrug a little, his eyes downcast.]

Much has happened. The gods here, they sent me back to my world... for a time.

[text; private]

[snowstormed]

[Athelstan looks like hell, and doesn't he sympathize with him right now--he's been down this road before, left Asgard and come back a time later, looking and feeling like hell. The bandaged hand probably isn't helping matters any.]

where are you?

[video; private]

[thralls]

You are- Bucky, yes?

[He has to squint to read the text, but he vaguely remembers the name.]

I know you.

video

[itistolaugh]

Geez Louise! You look like hell! Where'd they drop you at? I'll come get you.

video

[thralls]

[Even though he sort of feels like hell, Athelstan has to let him smile just a bit at that.]

My friend brought me back to my home. But- the offer is kind, thank you.

video;

[afrozendance]

[ She doesn't remember seeing this man before, but that's not what matters the most.] You need healing... I can give it to you, sir. Where are you?

video;

[thralls]

Sophia took me to my home.

[And indeed, from the background of the video, he's indoors and seemingly doing a little better now that there's something a little more comfortable to sit on.]

You have the gifts of Sigyn?

video.

[skjaldmaerin]

[ athelstan's disappearance had been more than a simple complication. lagertha hadn't realized just how much of the city of asgard she had yet to understand until she woke up one day and athelstan just hadn't been there. it had sent her into a fury, a panic, and then she had settled into some kind of acceptance after hearing this was expected, normal. the gods worked in mysterious ways, and if they had sent athelstan back to kattegat, back to their world, she would accept that.

but she sees the video and that rage returns, gets her moving, grabbing her weapon, heading out before she remembers she needs to know how. where. she's practiced using the bracelet since athelstan left, so it only takes her a few seconds to respond, jaw tight. ]

Are you safe? [ because whatever happened to him could be there, could still be a threat. ] Athelstan, where can I find you?

video.

[thralls]

[Of all the faces he sees here, Lagertha's is one of the ones that brings him the most relief. Athelstan looks toward her, his eyes widening slightly, but- but of course she was here in Asgard. He remembers seeing here here, even though he has not seen her in four long years.

The timelines are still jumbled in his mind, along with everything else he's been through, and it gives him the unique sensation of feeling as if he's seen her yesterday, and missing her as if he has not looked at her in a thousand moments.]

I am at my home now, [he manages, tucking his hands under his sleeves.] In Odin's district. Do you remember?

[Video]

[5thchild]

I can aid you if you allow me to, Athelstan . [ since he has healing power ]

[Video]

[thralls]

[It takes him a moment to recognize the face, but when he does he feels humbled, almost ashamed of his need. Of course Kaworu would be the one to offer.]

...you have the healing power. I'd forgotten.

Video

[samantha_grey]

Has someone found and helped you already? [She was going to go that route instead of asking directly to help. There were likely a lot already moving in.]

Video

[thralls]

[He nods quietly, and indeed, the scenery around him has changed to that of his own bedroom in Odin.]

Sophia helped me to get home. I am more comfortable now, thank you.

[private text]

[liquidsky]

I believe I know where you live. Tell me where you are and I can meet you.

[privae permavideo]

[thralls]

I don't know you.

[The paranoia is unlike him, but not... entirely unjustified right now, considering the circumstances.]

How do you know where I live?

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

You look like you could use a healing hand.

[Video]

[thralls]

I'm afraid that at this point, I could use several.

[To be quite honest, anyway.]

video;

[digophelia]

Mister Athelstan? Where are you?

video;

[thralls]

My friend helped me home. That is where I am now.

[Though he's still not entirely okay, being comfortable in his own home is a little better.]

voice;

[infomodder]

Someone's coming already, right? Someone's got you?

[No text but no video; he's not really trusting the way he looks at the moment.]

voice;

[thralls]

[He can do voice. It should have been something he'd considered earlier, to tell the truth.]

Sophia has... helped me back home, yes.