[Hey, Asgard. Have a Stiles popping up on the screen, grinning a bit wider than usual.]

Okay, normally I'm not all cute kittens and cuddly fluffy things or talking baby talk to animals, because that's kind of dumb -- except when Rachel does it and then it's oddly endearing.

[He looks like he's actually trying to rationalize why that's a thing for a second, but it's only a second before he's back to paying attention to the screen again.]

Anyway, yeah, well, fluffy advocate or not, I figured there might be some people who'd find this amusing and maybe a little entertaining.

[The screen shifts, showing the center of what is Stiles' bedroom. There's a wolf cub sitting there, looking up at him with its little tail wagging. The screen shifts a little to show the bed, Hale sitting there looking up at him as well, giving a tiny chirp. After about three seconds, Stiles yells, "KAMIKAZEE!" and Hale screeches, jumping from the bed onto the cub -- who happens to be jumping for the dragon at the same time.

There's a tussle of fur and scales, wings flapping and yips, growls, chirps, and squawks sounding before the cub stands, pinning the dragon down by his wings and tipping her head up, giving a tiny little baby howl in victory before flopping down on top of her defeated foe.

A wing curled over the cub and they both just sort of cuddled up, little huffs and sounds leaving them like they were having some kind of private conversation.

The screen went back to Stiles.]

Okay, I'm secure in my masculinity and all that, but come on... how adorable was that?

[ so! Alfheim. that happened. Rachel's still pretty tired from it all, mostly because she had to flex her power's abilities more than she ever had to since she got here. so she'd gone comatose for a little bit, figuratively speaking, landing face-first on Stiles' bed ( ... not like that! which is the point of this anon transmission, but we'll get to that ) and not getting up until she was sure she couldn't physically sleep anymore.

which just left her spending a lot of time with Stiles.

which is such a- it's really, really great. it's the greatest. Stiles is pretty much the greatest! and considering everything the city just went through, she almost feels bad making a whole post about this. but she's torn, okay. her best friend from home isn't here, and Stiles is her best friend here, so she can't really ask him, so.

here's this- ]

Hello, fellow Travellers!

I hope everyone is doing well.

I have a question! Well, a request for advice, more accurately.

Let's say, back home, you were in a position of power. Minor, minor power. More like you were gifted with an ability that nobody else had. It made you valuable! But that power, and those abilities, were a gift, one that you had to make a promise to a very powerful person before being presented with said gifts, even if you were the only person qualified to receive them. A willing sacrifice! To prove that you were worthy of the gifts. And if you broke that promise, the gifts would be taken away. And you would probably be cursed, somehow, but you haven't put much thought into it because that's seriously scary. Anyway.

Part of that promise was that you swore you would never- [ have sex. lose your virginity. do anything that could possibly spoil your 'maidenhood' ] -eat chocolate covered strawberries. Ever. Now, at the time, you never actually ate a chocolate covered strawberry before. So making the promise seemed pretty simple. You could handle resisting that temptation, of all things. No big deal!

But then you show up here, and you're stripped of your powers and responsibility, and all of a sudden you're presented with, you guessed it, chocolate covered strawberries. And not just the cheap, over-processed fake kind you see on the shelves around Valentine's Day, I mean freshly grown, freshly dipped, homemade chocolate covered strawberries. They're the real deal. [ "They are being offered to you by a really, really cute guy" ..backspacebackspacebackspace let's not be TOO OBVIOUS, Dare ] Juicy and sweet and perfect. Someone is here and they're offering you strawberries and you find yourself, for the first time, seriously considering taking a bite of that forbidden fruit.

My question is - do you break your promise here, knowing that the person you made the promise to might never find out? Do you take the risk of them finding out, somehow, once you return back home, even though you don't even technically have those abilities here so the promise might not count? Or do you hold true to your promise and resist all things chocolatey and strawberry-y, because you gave your word and that's all that matters?

Help!




[ ooc: all replies from Rachel will be anon unless stated otherwiiiise ]

[Haymitch is gone.

Effie has looked all about the city, having stayed out of the battle with Alfheim, poked around his old room in the Loki welcome hall, and asked a few natives about what it means when names just simply aren't there in the registry. It takes some doing (and some brief panic that she needs to force down, where it resides in a nice little ball directly underneath her ribcage), but Effie Trinket knows nothing more than to approach upsetting news with a smile.

Eyes bright, chins up, smiles on.

She turns on her feed with that same bright smile, wearing a pale yellow dress this fine day, with a matching wig and pretty little dewdrop butterflies in her hair. She adjusts her camera quickly once she realizes it's a little off-center before speaking, with her odd Capitol accent (the over-enunciation, the emphasis on every other word) ringing in loud and clear.]

Well then! Now that everyone is settled and the city has returned to some level of normalcy given the state of things and that horrendous battle talk -- I suppose I'd like to make a brief announcement concerning some excellent ideas regarding my future here within Asgard.

[Wait for it.]

We are all tasked with maintaining the life of this city during our stay here, which is a worthy task -- and I would like very much to assist to the best of my ability, which is why I have been examining the idea of opening a business tailored to fashion. My own unique ability gifted to me from these gods seems to be absolutely perfect for this sort of thing -- and what better way to color a city than to add color? So I would like to entertain a few individuals with the same gift as I -- drawing things and having them brought to life, preferably with the fashion savvy in order to start our own little design boutique.

[This is a very proud moment for her, but really a large amount of distraction from the bigger issue at hand -- and that bright sunny smile falters slightly and Effie draws in a slight breath, because it really is her responsibility to inform the population. Not that many would care that Haymitch is gone, he's a rather horrendous individual, but he is also one of Effie's few true friends. If you could call him that.]

And, ah. Well.

[Suddenly, Effie feels slightly awkward, but she pulls herself together instantly.]

I believe Haymitch Abernathy has returned to Panem, to those that knew him for however brief a time he was here. I'm -- sorry.

[She pauses, quiet for a few moments, before Effie summons a smile again.]

But thank you for listening, and please let me know, fellow fashion aficionados!

[And she shuts off her video feed, before sending a text to Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark.]

( [Filtered to Katniss and Peeta // Private // Unhackable )

[The feed opens in a Sigyn park, before it pans up. The bracelet appears to be Souji's, and Ellie is sitting close by on a bench, wearing a strange plant-like clothing. Sandy is using her as a pillow. There is a No Voldemort / Tom Riddle allowed sign painted next to everything.

Souji waves as the screen, with a half-grin, looking much more serious than usual. Despite the preparations, he's not usually the one doing the first introductions in a group, Yosuke usually did. There's so much to speak about too...]

Hello. [That's a good way to start right?] My name is Souji Seta. This is Ellie-kun and Sandy-san... [He points to them and pans the view a little before returning to him.] ...we're from house Sigyn.

( The message in full (Public to everyone BUT You-Know-Who, get your lackeys to find this for you. )

( Private to the Sigyn House (both Growth and Healers) )

[OOC Note; Just to be sure, this post happens after it is decided to go and help out.]

[ Now folks, there's nothing to be alarmed about. Showing up on the feed is a skeleton. But, it is a skeleton that, from the neck up, can be seen wearing what looks like a pin-stripe suit and elaborate bat bow tie. His jaw is stretched out into a big grin as he waves a bony hand to those who may be watching. ]

Greetings, one and all! For those of you that I have not had the horrifying pleasure to meet, allow me to introduce myself! My name is Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, and I come from a terrifying little place known as HalloweenTown. And yes, I am, indeed, a skeleton! A real one at that! [ Because this has been brought into question many times. ]

My reasons for addressing everyone is that due to certain... well, the fact that I am a walking and talking skeleton, I seem to find it very difficult finding a job of sorts. Seeing as my usual duties I tend to at home are not required here, I wanted to offer up my skills to those in need!

[ Yes, take a moment to let that settle: a skeleton looking for employment.

... Moving on. ]

I'm very good at telling scary stories and frightening others, those happen to be my specialty. After all, one isn't a citizen of a town dedicated to the most horrendous night of the year for nothing. [ He chuckles at that before his eye sockets widen, remembering something. ] Oh! And I enjoy singing and performing songs too! Not to mention I get along well with monsters and ghouls, as well as dogs.

[ He continues to grin, not fully aware that this entire video is probably confusing a lot of people for one, if not multiple, reasons. ]

But if anyone could help me, I would be horrifically grateful.

So I really need a job. [ Sam's made some money busking around the city but it's not enough to pay for rent to share a place with Satan, aka Santana Lopez. ]

I have experience back home working at Dairy Queen and I was also an erotic entertainer. [ A stripper in other words. He pauses thoughtfully. ] Not at Dairy Queen. I probably would have got thrown out if I stripped there. The stripping was somewhere else. But I don't really want to go back to doing that. [ He's not that desperate for money. Not anymore. ]

Anyway, I'm a hard worker and I like to sing... Actually, if someone could hire me to sing all day, that'd be awesome. Maybe like a singing waiter or something?

I also make art! Out of macaroni. Y'know, the pasta. Here's one I did of one of the gods.

[ Sam presents a portrait of Thor but made out pasta. Picture something like this but with Thor's face. ]

If anyone's interested in hiring me, let me know. [ And with Sam done listing his, uh, unique hobbies, he's about to end the video when he gets distracted by something in his lap. ] Blaine, did you just poop on me? Gross, dude.

[ Don't worry, Blaine isn't a person--well, he is, but Sam's talking to his new pet, Blaine the hamster, who's wearing a tiny bowtie. The footage ends on Blaine. ]

[And in case Asgard wasn't sick of all the Christmas sweaters, the feed clicks back on to a slightly familiar sight - the Guardians' apartment above the ice rink. The place looks like it's seen better days - papers scattered and craft supplies littering the area in some direction or another. The Guardians themselves are sitting around their couch. Jack, in true monkey fashion as always, is somehow balancing himself on the back of the couch. A large man dressed in red is sitting in the center of the seats - looking oddly proud of himself as he fiddles with the screen some more. He's also sporting a nice shoulder decoration - a certain tiny Sandy sleeping away without any sign of moving at all. At the man's side, Jamie is sitting with his brand new sweater and bouncing a little on his seat with his one-eyed stuffed rabbit. A lady's voice (Tooth's) can be heard in the distance of the other room - chattering on to herself about something involving spreadsheets or another. The man finally quits moving the damn thing and turns to Jack and Sandy's direction.] You see! No problems! I can set up videos without help!

[Jack arches an eyebrow, trying to play the "not impressed" card, but he's obviously amused. Let's see how long it takes him to spam North with emoticons in the future... right now it's time to get all Guardian up.] I'll tell the kids to draw you a gold star later. Can we get this going? There's snow outside waiting to be thrown at people's faces.

[Jamie looks over at the visible Guardians with excitement. He tugs on North's sleeve urgently.] Tell them! Tell them!

Bah! Snow will wait for few more minutes! This is great news! [North chuckles a bit and pats Jamie on the head before finally focusing on the screen in front of him. The jolly old man is containing his excitement about as bad as Jamie at this point.] We are celebrating Christmas at Asgard this year!! [Wait wait. Hold it North. How about actually explaining first?]

[Jack glares at North. Did he just seriously say snow can wait? This is a sin. A tragedy. And he's ready to tell him exactly what an offense that was, but Jamie jumps in before he can even open his mouth. Literally, he jumps in by jumping up to stand on the couch.] It's not just Christmas! We're going to celebrate all of the winter holidays!

But! Christmas comes first. [Yes, North can't help adding that it. They all may have decided to celebrate all the winter holidays but nothing is stopping the man from being absurdly proud of his own. Still Jamie's outburst finally reminds North why they're here so he's straightening up in his seat (Sandy may have rolled a little at the movement). Guardian time ladies and gentlemen.] Explanations are in order. We have all been stranded here for some time - some more than others. However!

( NOT AN IC CUT FOR CHRISTMAS INFORMATION )

—I didn't ask for this.

[ This being the horrific holiday jumper - hat and all - that he's wearing that's causing him to miss his aviator jacket terribly. It was an easier time, with that. ]

I look like an idiot. This is something Percy or Leo would wear. Probably as a joke, but still!

[ He's miserably tugging on the teddy bear, hoping by some miracle that it would fall off in his hands and that would mean that the whole thing would fall apart. Nico sometimes has a tendency to hope for too much, however, and all he does is cause a small tent in the jumper until he lets go and it flops back against him. ]

... Oh gods. My dad would kill me if he saw me wearing this. I haven't even been here long and this is what happens— Is this a normal thing? Stupid surprises that make me want to punch someone?

[ behold, Lydia Martin. Lydia Martin is super impressed with you, Asgard.

Or, you know, not at all.

Earthquake? Kidnapping? Being held in parallel universes? she got it. she doesn't even seem disheveled. ]

Not that I intend to argue that belonging to House Odin isn't worth some sort of respect in Asgard's hierarchy. Seeing Odin is the ruler of Asgard, top of the godly food chain.

I suppose that if I had to be kidnapped by Norse Gods to fight a war I have a dubious relation to, the silver lining is definitely being in the house of the ruler who is often associated with a relentless search of power and is probably the first one to inspire that saying about knowledge and power which you all know by heart.

[ and if you don't, she judges you. ]

All of that said – a spiral slide in house Odin? Is basically like placing a ball pit in the middle of Oxford Library. It's not an oxymoron, Asgard, make no mistake. It's a Juxtaposition; and not even an impressive one, at that.

[Tony flips on the video feed with a low groan, pinching the bridge of his nose. It's been awhile, Asgard. Who knew a verifiable genius could accidentally leave his bracelet... somewhere for long enough to go gray. This is why Pepper needs to get here ASAP.]

Anyone get the number of that bus or bilge snipe or whatever it was that trashed my workshop.

[Or earthquake.]

So, things I've learned this week. A) Don't lose your bracelet. B) If you do lose your bracelet be prepared to lose at least a month playing house with some of the natives. Not my idea of a vacation so far. I believe I was promised 72 virgins. Or was that another mythic paradise? I get them mixed up. C) I really can't be expected to keep up with that thing at all times. There has to be a back up protocol.

Anyway, you want help repairing the city? Then I'll need a few things:

[He ticks off a list on his fingers.]

A digital watch
A laptop or a cell phone. I'm not picky. As long as Steve Jobs didn't have a hand in its construction.
Welding gear and a soldering station.

...And a rundown of what I've missed while I was AWOL. Preferably over shawarma.

So....is everyone okay? If anyone needs help, I can try? I have drawing life, if anyone needs someone with that, I mean. I'm okay myself, so if people let me know where to go to help out, I can do my best. Even if I can't heal anymore, here in Asgard. I'm assuming the hospital, provided that isn't damaged in the quake.

Also. I am not the only one sort of....um, hearing things, am I? That makes me sound crazy now.

[ so, Rachel's freaked out. really, really freaked out. the network is talking about a mirror universe and she's noticed it, of course she has. people getting sucked into reflective surfaces. it's hard not to notice that! and she's managed to avoid getting caught in the crossfire so far, but only because she's shut herself in her room and hasn't left since the fighting started to get really bad. which, honestly, she hates. she feels useless!

so...

here's this transmission. she sounds panicked and frustrated all at the same time, fun stuff. ]

So, hi. Hello.

I'm still pretty new to the city so this might sound like a dumb question, but is it status quo for giant ..giants to be running around fighting each other here? Does this kind of thing just happen? I get that the people-stealing mirrors is new, but is this what the war is like here? The one we're supposed to be fighting in. Because I can't say I'm a huge fan of hiding out in my room and waiting until it's all over instead of actually helping somehow, but this kind of came out of nowhere and I've had a total of zero hours of training with my abilities, so here I am. Can't we do something? Maybe? What are we supposed to be doing right now?

[ half seriously looking for some answers, half just trying to distract herself from how crazy scary all of this is. yep. ]

[Behold, Asgard! This time, Jack's video isn't being recorded on a roof - it's inside of the Guardian's apartment above the ice rink. He is sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, metal staff lying across his lap, but he isn't the one doing the recording. Judging by the snickering coming from behind the screen, Jamie is their cameraman today.]

You know, for a bunch of people who got dragged to a new world by a bunch of Norse gods, were given new powers, asked to fight ice giants-- [He's counting with his fingers as he speaks.] --and get cursed more often than not, you guys sure are waaaay too skeptical for your own good.

[Sandy, looking somewhat sleepy, is perched on the arm of the couch, his sketchpad open in his lap. He lazily sketches things that aren't visible from the camera, looking as though he's only halfway listening with vague amusement to the spirit next to him. Tooth is sitting on the back of the couch, between them, her wings fluttering slightly. She looks rather amused at the whole thing. ]

Jack, that's not fair, just because some things are real doesn't mean they're going to believe anything they hear.

[Jack, being the mature spirit he is, just... pouts at her a little bit.] Do they have to flip out though? I'm started to get offended! [He turns to the camera again, sounding completely serious about this. Mark the calendar, folks.] Soooo, PSA time, everyone. All the stories you've heard when you were kids? Real. Every single of us - we exist. Get over it already.

( ooc cut for OMG WHEN DID THIS GET SO LONG )

[Good morning, Asgard. There's a cheerful warlock wearing a dopey sort of grin on your bracelet screen.]

Since Arthur's already had his time to talk about the Citadel, I guess it's my turn. After what happened with the Gentlemen attacking, and the SOS message a couple days ago, it's not a bad time to remind everyone that the Medic Corps are still around. If you want to help with the war effort but aren't a fighter yourself, we could always use more healers willing to go onto the field and help the wounded. The hospital's a good place to work if being a physician is something you'd like to do, too.

I've just finished packing some more of the medicine kits. [He holds his own kit up to the screen as an example.] If you want one, or if you need to restock yours, just go to the hospital and ask for Merlin.

Right--speaking of the hospital. I've been talking to Jack, and we're going to be redecorating the hospital. Most of the walls and rooms are white, it's hard to believe any patient would recover while looking at something so painfully bare. We could use the help brightening the place up. Paint, portraits, trinkets--anything you've got that you that you want to contribute, I'm sure we'll find some place to put it. Or Jack's little ducklings will if we older folks can't. [Merlin grins, picturing the Guardian surrounded by the native and traveler children.]

Send all of that over to the hospital if you want, or [the half teasing, half sly expression on his face indicates the second option is the better one] you can come and help us decorate in a few days. There's enough of you good at creating and the like that it shouldn't be a problem, right?

[Was that a challenge you just heard? Nah, probably your imagination. Merlin beams, practically radiating cheer and innocence.] Great, so I'll see you all there!

[ Alex is hanging out in Gefion Park, idly tearing at a blade of grass in his hands while he seems a little distant, distracted, half trying to figure out what the hell is the advantage to a horse with eight legs instead of four, and half reflecting. ]

You ever have something that, for a long time, caused you nothing but problems, and screwed up your life at every turn - but then, once it's gone, nothing feels right anymore?

[ Granted in the last month or so, he'd come to embrace his mutation as a core part of himself he'd never part with, but Alex kept thinking of his time in solitary, staring up at the cement ceiling and wishing his power would just fizzle away. Maybe it wouldn't bring the others he'd hurt back to life, but it'd at least stop the incidents - the deaths. He wonders, if he'd been brought from his jail time instead of after Charles found him, if he'd be relieved. It's weird that he'd lost his mutation just when he finally started to get it under control, finally started to actually live with it. Freaking figures.

He blinks for a moment, clears his throat, and moves on from it. There was an actual point he was going to make. ]

Is anyone offering any kinda training for whatever new crap we get here? Doesn't seem that complicated, but I'd rather know what I'm doing than just start trying to bench press couches 'til I find one I can't lift. [ Because if Alex knows anything about new powers it's that control is the first thing you should have. And if it wasn't indicative enough, Strength is the ability he's dealing with here. And also he can totally help you do some interior redecorating if you need some furniture moved.

There's the awkward pause of a person not used to addressing large groups of people having a deer in the headlights moment before Alex clears his throat, remembering there's an important thing he should probably add in. ]

Um. I'm Alex. By the way.

Hi.

[ ...and bye. feed cut. ]

[As the feed switches on, Stiles looks a little more tired than he usually does, though he certainly looks a far cry better than his last video appearance. All his parts are where they're supposed to be and he's not bleeding or showing any internal organs, so, that's a nice change.]

Um, hi. This is sort of a formal apology for anyone who, uh, might have tuned in during my last broadcast. That was completely accidental and...

Well, shit. I'm sorry for anyone who had to see that.

[Never mind that he had to go through that...]

So, my room's kind of barbecued right now. I was wondering if anyone had a couch or something I could crash on until I can get it fixed up. Not for too long, I hope, but I just--

[He just didn't want to have to sleep in a room that smelled like burnt flesh and that had a huge stain from his blood on the carpet.]

I'd appreciate any help.

( Private to Scott )

[ 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 ]