Greetings, Asgard.

[Listen up. Castle is actually on the network for something serious this time around.]

For those of you whom I haven't met yet, I'm Richard Castle - consulting detective and murder mystery writer. In fact, my books are available here in the library if you'd like to check them out, which I obviously highly encourage.

[Just because it's serious doesn't mean that he can't throw in a little bit of promotion.]

Anyway, as a writer, one of the things I've always wanted to accomplish, beyond entertaining people, is to help people through the art of writing. Recently I was approached with an opportunity to do such a thing.

Alison Argent [because he believes in giving the young lady credit] had the idea of starting a type of therapy group here where people would be able to journal about their experiences in Asgard, either as narratives or fictional stories. I know that many of us have been through a lot here in Asgard. It isn't always the... safest place to be.

[His eyes cloud for a moment as he thinks not so much of what he's been through but what Kate has been through. She's sacrificed so much of herself for this place, more even than what he feels is necessary, because that's the type of person that she is. Castle knows that a lot of the people here have a similar hero complex.]

Writing can be a very effective form of therapy. Are there people here that would be interested in a group like this? You can message me anonymously or privately if that makes you feel more comfortable. I'm also looking for someone with a background in psychology or medicine to help me run the group. I do want it to be legit, you know. [A smile. He had someone, a very nice young psychologist named Dr. Bloom, but she seems to have unfortunately disappeared from the directory.]

Alternatively, if you're looking for writing but not necessarily the therapy part, I'll be offering classes in creative writing at Severus Snape's school as soon as... the building gets sorted out. [Because yeah, lots of charred wood in there right now.]

And if you're unsure of what kind of teacher I would make, seriously, go check out the books.

[ The video comes on and Hermione settles a few pieces of notepaper before she speak. ]

Hello, everyone. I know it's been a long time but I've finally finished writing up all my notes about Asgard and everyone's worlds. I know it doesn't quite cover all the worlds that have been introduced here but it's a start! If you'd like to add anything then, please, let me know as soon as you're able.

[ She smiles, softly, expression bright. She's very proud of herself, really, and more than glad that she's finally able to contribute something solid and real to Asgard. She's finally able to put all her research together and actually show it to her friends and acquaintances and, maybe, actually help them in the long run. ]

It's a digital file, so I think you should all be able to access it using your bracelets. If you have any problems then, please, let me know and I'll do whatever I can to help.

[ LINKED: Hermione's guide and notes on the City of Asgard. ]

Otherwise, how is everyone? Things have been quieter than usual, which I think is a good thing, so I hope that means well for you all. 

[ She pauses, pursing her lips, before she shakes her head and sighs just before the feed turns off. ]

[There's gotta be a better way to do this. There's just got to be. However he realizes that he's running out of time, especially with the appearance of certain people in the city of Asgard.

He doesn't bother to show his face. Instead he's setting up a text…somehow that seems much, much safer.]

Party's over, I'm afraid. Back to business.

Quick question for the masses:

A.) Would you consider yourself useful here?
B.) Why so? Or, I suppose, why not?
C.) Serious responses only.

[He's fully anticipating not-serious responses, but at least it gives him a bigger pool to work with.]

Additionally, you may very well know that Euridice Taverna's left the city which means that I'm short one business partner. I'm not precisely looking for a new partner, but perhaps a few new hires.

Serious inquiries only.

[Don't bother on wondering what's wrong with the bracelets today, travelers, because there's actually nothing wrong with them. The image is upside down because Jack is the one lying down like that, skinny legs resting on the back of the couch, his head almost touching the floor and making his hair spike in more directions than usual.

His question for the network sounds rather mundane and boring, especially for someone like Jack, but there's a grin on his face that shows there's more to it than it looks. Remember: never trust a prankster.]

Soooo. Pets are popular around here, right? Then tell me, what do you do when hair starts getting everywhere? [He pokes one of the cushions on the couch with his staff, and it's obvious he's exaggerating his story a little.] Extra points if it's rabbit fur you have tips for. Though I kinda doubt it because what I'm always seeing in the network is...

[His eyes widen.]

...dogs.

[And so does his grin. There's "mischief" written all over his expression. At times like this, Jack manages to look like the annoying teenager he died as.]

Geez, there's really have a huge amount of dogs around, isn't it? Do you guys think maybe I could borrow them from you? Rent them? Just for a day. It's for a little... experiment.

[Jack might just be vanishing very quickly off the screen, as if something very large has just grabbed him by his skinny ankles and hoisted him skywards. A gruff Aussie accent identifies the culprit of aforementioned Jacknabbing.]

NO! I don't want no bloody dingos running about the place. They're unhygienic. [And this has nothing to do with the fact he's petrified of them, nope.]

Hey! What are you-- [A snort.] Awww, it's our dear kangaroo jealous? Don't worry, Cottontail, your fur will forever be the only one in our--

[Jack can't finish because he's suddenly being shaken, and the feed ends... but not without showing a giant furry creature doing the shaking first.

Another normal day in the Guardians' home, yup.]

[ When you tune into the video, a kid with snow white hair is looking at the camera, greeting you with a happy smile. He may look a little tired, though. He'll probably deny it if you bring it up, though. ] Hello there! I don't think I've made anything onto this network yet. If I haven't met you yet, my name is Allen Walker. [ Allen nods, like his own kind of bow. Not being polite doesn't get you anywhere, does it? ]

I'm afraid I lost something recently. He's a friend of mine!

[ Hopefully there are no cats nearby. ]

He's a golden golem named Timcampy. He's basically a little ball with two big wings and a curly tail! [ That's how someone described to him, anyway. Golem's were kind of a Black Order. Was it still a Black Order thing for him if he wasn't technically there anymore? ]

Usually he just flies to wherever he wants to go once in a while, but I haven't seen him in a day or two and I just want to make sure he's okay...He has a habit of being eaten by cats.

Just wondering! Thanks!

So... Giles is gone. Which means Willow - you know, dog version - and I have this whole house to ourselves.

[ She heaves a sigh. ]

Roommates, anybody?

[ Throughout this video, Milla is fiddling with her bracelet's functions, trying to figure out what it can do. ]

How fascinating. This object doesn't appear to run on mana of any sort from what I can tell, and yet it works much like a spyr--

[ Click. You are suddenly treated to a close-up photo of the bottom of Milla's face. ]

Hm, I wonder what that did.

[ She leans forward to peer into the camera, filling the lens with her blinking eye. ]

In any case, that introductory guide was appalling. I attempted to coerce the woman who greeted me for further information, but she was disappointingly unforthcoming. I'd like to say something bold like "I refuse to be trapped here!" and "No power is greater than Maxwell!" but I suspect that's a frequently voiced sentiment among new Travelers - and, frankly, cliche.

I've never been particularly gifted at introductions, but I'll do my best.

My name is Milla, and I'm the Lord of Spirits. Pleased to meet you.

[ She's so modest about it too. ]

[ BEHOLD, ASGARD. And bear witness to the most impressive and bad-ass specimen to ever grace your networks!! Because it's like a 1.5-foot-tall pumpkin doll muttering to itself here before he actually faces the network properly. ]

That idiot Master...does he really think he can hide from me?? Hoh! We'll see about that!

--Alright, listen up! I, the great Halloween have decided to talk to you fools! Feel honoured, hohoho!

I'm looking for an idiot with white hair! About...this tall-- [ Halloween streeeetches up to a total of like, two feet on tip-toe ] ...Gah, well you get the point! He's got white hair and black clothes, and for sure he'll probably be going to waste our hard-earned money!

You can't hide from me forever!! If you think you'll throw me off by cutting my Mana you've got another thing coming to you, shitty bastard!

[Video]

[Today, Hibiki seems to be spending some time in the Grimoire's Sigil, for those who can recognize the background behind her. In her hands is a green plate with an array that some may remember from the past painted on it.]

Umm... Hi, everyone! I started getting a little hungry while I was studying runes, so... I thought I'd make some snack plates for everybody to use while they're here.

This one is for melon bread. If you just activate the rune like this, [She holds the plate horizontally again and presses her hand against it,] melon bread will appear!

[And so it does! One warm loaf sits on the plate, waiting.]

There's a red plate that makes cinnamon bread, too. As long as everyone's careful and keeps the plate clean, we should be able to use it for a while without having to reapply the paint. Just, umm... try not to eat off of these plates, okay? That way they can stay clean for everyone to use!

[Hilariously, he started writing this earlier in the day. Ended up falling asleep and all of the other symptoms sort of distracted him from it.]

M'lady Morgana, I found a music box. Doesn't have the song I wanted but if you want to look at it I'll leave it outside Odin. [It plays Mary Had A Little Lamb and looks like it should belong to a little girl. Just...ignore the blood that might be on the corner of it, it's Lavi's.]

Miss Nina, Access, I think it's best if I don't come in for a few days. I think I caught some sort of bug somehow. Sorry.

Anyone have a good cough/sore throat remedy or anything to bring down a fever when one already has chills? Mine aren't working right now.

Allen, Two-spot, don't visit. No one visit.

[Lavi's got himself a case of the Bubonic plague (Black Death) of the non-lethal sorts but he'll still be pretty damn rattled.

Sorry, Ash (mullets), but he might be occupying the bathroom more than you like.]

[[ooc; Forward-dated to 7/17 (aka evening of 296) because I have a work barrage but wanted to get some tags in before I got eaten. For those that want to bother him in person, he's at the catch-all log here.]]

[Video]

[From the very start of the message, it's clear something is wrong. For one thing, people appear to be rushing about in the background; nurses and doctors running to administer aid. And when Hibiki begins to speak...

Well. Not many would expect to hear such a raw voice from the normally sweet, soft-spoken girl.]

Something's weird. A lot of people are getting sick from all over the city, and the symptoms are--

[--Something you will have to wait a moment to hear, as she begins painfully coughing once, twice, three times into her sleeve. Which is... odd, since she is indoors. Was she chilly from the air conditioning?]

--We don't know what's causing it. Everyone's sick in different ways. [Her voice is definitely strained after that small fit. It's immediately obvious that the need to continue coughing is still there, but she's trying to hold it back.}

Everyone, please be careful. We're trying to do the best we can, but...

[And here, it begins anew, her body wracked with each harsh, rasping cough. Eventually the feed sinks to the ground as she falls to her knees, and there is a flurry of sound somewhere nearby - the coo of worried hospital workers rushing to help yet another collapsed individual. With a red, shaking hand (Burns? Rash?) she cuts the feed right there.]

[Action for Sigyn Hospital]

[Characters who go to investigate will be directed to one of the hospital rooms. It's shared with the rest of the sick, but it isn't difficult at all to find Hibiki in her cot, especially with that iconic green cloak hung up neatly by her bedside. The blanket is draped over her so completely that only her head and shoulders peek out from under it, although judging by the shifting here and there she seems to be scratching her arms under all of the sheets. For now at least, the coughing has subsided, but her breaths are still quick and shallow. She doesn't look too good...]

[Asgard has been good to him. It gave him Sasuke for starters, and already things are-- sort of edging back to how he thinks they should be.

Of course, there are a few things bothering him.

What better way to hash them out than to declare his feelings to the entire world?]

So these powers suck? I mean, how Sasuke gets to control people's bodies while I'm like--

[He can't say it. Energy Transfer sucks.]

Yeah, well I wanna have a word with a bunch of people and see how I'm supposed to change 'em. That girl that can heal now - she did it.

AND! [Look, it must be important, he's pointing at the feed there.]

There's gotta be a place that sells ramen around here. Anyone wanna go?

[When the video starts, Six’s face is set in a determined, almost angry expression. As soon as Six notices it’s recording, however, it changes immediately into something a lot more genial and vague. It’s mostly focused on his face, but if anyone’s familiar with the famous outfit, you’ll recognize the multicolored collar of the rainbow monstrosity his wonderfully fashionable coat.]

Oh! Hello there. I’m afraid I’m having a bit of trouble with this blasted device, newfangled… whatever it is, I imagine. [He’s probably lying, but he’s not about to tell what he was really up to.] Now then! Could someone tell me a bit more about what this place really is? [Because there’s no way he believes this really is some kind of Godly abode, or that idiotic little ‘guide’ he found when he was first poking around this thing.] And… mmm. I don’t suppose… is there someone here named Evelyn? She may be going by Doctor Smythe… older lady, fond of cardigans and chocolate. I’d… really appreciate it if someone was able to tell me of her whereabouts. We seem to have become inadvertently separated. [He couldn’t have been pulled here without her, he just… he refuses to even think that he might have.

There’s one more matter he wants to address… and his expression regains some of the sternness it had when he first appeared, though he doesn’t mean for that to happen.] I’d also like to know what happened to my TARDIS. Blue box, fairly large, can’t miss it. Anyone who can tell me anything about it… please do. [And… that seems to be it, as he ends the video almost immediately.]

[Video / Action Freyr District]

Buon pomeriggio, Asgard.

[(Good afternoon)]

I have a small announcement to make, actually... it is very exciting! Maybe I should just show you.

[Leonardo stepped away from the 'camera view screen' and the angle was readjusted to show off a moderately sized building. ]

This is my new workshop! It is in the Freyr district in the area close to the center of town.

I thought I would open it up to accepting apprentices, if there is anyone out there who would like to learn the methods of art. But, there is enough room here that I could also rent out work-spaces if there are artists or craftsmen who would just like a place to work in.

Oh and one more thing! I had some time to work on this...

[The bracelet cam was suddenly moved as Leonardo entered the building. One might catch a glimpse of a newly begun painting of a handsome young man riding an eight-legged horse as he passed by the easel the new piece was situated on.
But the camera fully focused again on a machine. It had wheels, a nozzle at one end, and a copper vessel on the back that had been secured to support water and the steam it would eventually hold.]

When we were discussing ways to fight against Thiazi and her creatures made of ice I thought my designs for the ice melting contest might be modified to make a kind of steam weapon. It has not been tested yet. Since it is dealing with steam I did not want to run the risk of explosion inside the city.

[After he mentioned the possibility that the thing might explode he felt kind of sheepish adding the next part. ]

Would anyone be willing to help me test it?

[ Kaworu shows up to the network with his familiar smile. What isn’t familiar, it’s his plugsuit and the headset (it’s better than showing up naked). He is currently in front of the castle, which means he is back from his canon update. ]

Hello. I have been in Asgard before, but I’m not sure how long it has been since I left. [ or who is around ] I’m still in Sigyn House and I still have my healing power. [ since he can’t grow anything, by exclusion, he gets the Healing ]

[ there is a pause, as he looks around, perhaps trying to figure out where to go. In the end, he heads towards Odin District, turning to the bracelet one last time and smiling brightly ] It’s good to be back.

[ he does like this place, a lot. And with a smile, he finally turns off the video ]

Citizens of Asgard. I come bearing only grave news this day. What I believe to be a spy, lurking in our very midst.

[ The camera pans over to a bound and gagged individual that some may in fact recognize from the tail end of the Utgard excursion. ]

He has aroused the suspicions of many with his peculiar behavior. The natives themselves have been able to confirm he is not one of them, as he has tried claiming.

Presently, he can be found in the custody of myself and Sir Gwaine. I wish to seek the council of everyone before we reach the city proper as it is a matter which undeniably concerns the safety of us all.

But as for myself, I would vote for execution to follow his questioning. I have seen firsthand what may happen with prisoners during war. They conspire to escape and wreak further havoc, squandering mercy and endangering good men.

(ooc: edited in-character to clarify.

don't forget about the poll going on. if you've already voted but your character's opinion has been swayed in this post then simply update your vote!)