Locked from Rachel

[The screen blinks on to show Stiles -- looking behind him.]

No... No, Hale. Guard the door. Let me know if Rachel comes back. Guard, Hale. Get mommy.

[There's a few chirps that follow, then Stiles looks back at the screen, the trademark 'I didn't do anything' look on his face. (Scott is probably very familiar with this look. So is his dad.)]

Uh, hey. So...

I have a sort of favor to ask. Or, really, just some advice. I sort of want to, um, do something for Rachel. Like, take her out on a date-date while it's quiet. I don't know how long we'll have before the next batch of shit hits the fan, so I...

[He pauses, looking down and trying not to show that he was thinking back to the incident with the lightning guys.]

I don't want to do anything funerally for her after she-- after that, so I sort of want to just... move past it? Maybe make sure she doesn't think about it any time soon.

[Because both of them waking up from nightmares would just be dumb.]

So yeah. Kind of looking for some tips on places to take her or ideas on things to do that might maybe border on the romantic. I love the Highwind, but taking your girlfriend to the place you both work isn't exactly a 'sweep you off your feet' maneuver. I'd just... I want to do something nice. Ideas would be welcome.

[Well, it's been a while since Percy posted on the network. A little over a month. Part of that was due to being gray... But after waking up after an extra long sleep today he's got a perplexing question.]

So-- Uh... How many people go to sleep and get memories from home? This is the second time now, but--

[He's frowning at his bracelet.]

I'm pretty sure my bracelet was a different shade of purple. I didn't think these things could get dirty. [Or that he got his this dirty, but details. There's a more somber energy about him, now, though as he considers.]

Anyway, there's a lot of new people since I last used the network. I'm Percy and if you haven't used the ball pits and nets in Heimdall you're missing out. The slide's a good way to not have to walk down the steps in the morning, too. [Yes, he did that. |b] I don't know about the rest of the places, but anyone not in Heimdall is missing out.

[---He's not sure what to say. Really. And shrugs.]

Um, yeah. 

[Remembering what one of the gods suggested to him, Akihiko turns to the network to ask for a specific favor…] Hey! I hope everyone’s having fun at the festival! We should hold these more often! There’s gotta be other occasions to celebrate, right?

By the way, does anyone know how to sew? Not just patch things up, but to actually sew clothing pieces together? I’ll pay for your time and all the materials, of course. Whatever ya need. Hit me up if you’re interested!

( [Locked to SEES & Investigation Team] )

[ 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 ]

[ Hello Asgard, it's your favourite space princess making an appearance again. ]

I have come to understand that there is going to be some sort of event happening now that involves us all, or at least those who are willing, dressing up.

[ Is there a hint of almost child-like excitement on her face?

Maaaaaybe.

Someone is letting go of the royal self control just a little today. Shame on you, Asgard, she is trying to be tragically resigned to her sad fate over here! ]

I... haven't really done that much.

[ Putting on disguises to avoid getting murdered isn't the same thing after all. It could be argued that Ghanima is almost always dressing up, putting on the costume of the strong young empress she needs to be, but again that isn't what this is supposed to be about. This is about fun, and it's a kind of fun she isn't particularly experienced with. ]

I may need some help deciding what to dress up as. The place I'm from doesn't exactly provide a wealth of inspiration.

[ At least not when the point here is to be lighthearted and carefree. Arrakis isn't what you'd call a party planet. ]

[The feed will click on, but it's mostly showing a brick wall of an alleyway at the moment. It's moving pretty erratically like Draco's trying to fix something and he's working with his hands. Granted, it's not like he actually knows how to make things work and he has no idea how to use muggle tools, so it's mostly just a lot of banging around until he finally caves to address the city at large.]

Now that that's over...[That is to say, if you want to talk to him about what happened with Thiazi and the corrupted, don't. He's not up for it at the moment save for a few close people.] I might actually need help with something. Only if you understand methods of mechanics.

[Give him a moment to flip the camera to reveal a motorcycle that a friend left to him. Said-motorcycle looks as though someone took a baseball bat to it. It's dented, one of the mirrors is missing and the front wheel is removed from the bike all together, propped up to the side somewhere.] How the hell do I put this back together?

Additionally...[And then he stops. Nah, he's not going to bother mentioning anything about the shop, or about people from home, or anything that's happened in the last few weeks. He's going to stay off of the radar as much as possible in terms of those topics.] Well, never mind. That's it. [And with another bang as he fruitlessly tries to hammer out the dents, the bracelet clicks off. Draco seems to have a talent for ignoring anything he wants to.]

I'm sorry to sound like a bother, but I was wondering if anyone would be interested in teaching me how to make swords and other weapons and armor that requires a blacksmith? At home, my father was a very successful blacksmith, and I was able to learn some from him; however, I have been out of practice, since I have not been around a blacksmith here.

Also, if it is not too much trouble, I would like to learn how to properly use a sword. Being around them my whole life means I do know how to carry one, but I have never been properly trained.

There isn't much I can do in return, but I am a very skilled seamstress, and as a servant, I have other skills, like cooking and cleaning, to repay for any help. [aka She doesn't really have money.]

Thank you so much.

[Alice is beaming proudly as she looks at the bracelet. The more observant will notice a slight scratch on her cheek and nose. Nonetheless, she looks very pleased with herself.]

It took me all day but I did it! I did it I did it! [She's bouncing.]

I made myself a pet! Oh but not any sort of pet! No no, I made Marigold!

Would you all like to meet him? I thought it would be a much nicer topic than the gloomy sorts people have been commenting on. [Because dead people? No, thank you. She has had enough of all of that.]

[The video feeds starts up, showing a girl with electric blue eyes, freckles across her nose and black hair. She's muttering something, as if not aware that the bracelet is now on.]

As if I don’t have enough to do… I still need to talk with Annabeth and let her know what has happened, and rendezvous with Jason… Nor can I reach any of the Hunters…

[So…

But her eyes flicker down, and her brow furrows. She appears determined and annoyed as she gives what can only be described as an evil glare to the thing she is holding, and when she finally speaks, her voice holds her impatience.]

What now? Is this your idea of a joke, Hera? Some sort of revenge? [Mumbling.] You really are a loose cannon. But all this stuff about Norse Gods...

[Her eyes narrow. Then again, it doesn’t really seem like something Hera would do. Doesn’t mean Thalia is going to sing the goddess any praises or even like her any more so than usual- which was zilch.]

Listen. I’m not sure if this is some joke, or if something has happened again… But I need to know where I am and what’s going on. The real story. And for any listening, this is Thalia. Can any other Hunters hear me? I need you to check in as soon as possible.

Gotta say, guys, there sure does seem to be an awful lot of complaining going around lately.

[ Loki looks like shit. There's no polite way of saying it; he's pale and gaunt, there are dark, ugly bruises beneath his eyes and there's a thin sheen of sweat across his skin from exertion. He shouldn't be up, but he'll be damned if he lets Thiazi take him out like this.

He coughs some and wipes a hand across his brow. And he's usually so put together for these posts, too. ]

But all right. Let's pretend the world isn't ending for a second. Come sit with Uncle Loki and tell me all your troubles.

[ OOC NOTES: Here is a generic NPC Q&A post for you, since we haven't had one in awhile! Loki is sick as Hell and pissed off at the Queen of Frost so he won't humour you guys for long, but if you play nice and aren't an asshole, you might get an answer or two out of him before he leaves to pass out. The others will be about too, so feel free to mingle around as you please! ]

[ The feed turns on to Annabeth looking thoughtful this time, rather than enthusiastic. ]

There's a large lack of books in the library about the protection of the city. I was wondering if someone can help me out? I have a few questions...I wasn't entirely certain how to get in contact with the gods to ask them, and it may be a bit presumptuous to want them to answer, anyway. [ She knows from experience. Sometimes gods get upset if you pester them with too many invasive questions. You have to be careful. ]

I guess the ice attack has just been on my mind...it bothers me a little bit. [ A pause. ] I don't think talking about it here is the best idea. But if anyone knows where I can get more information on the city itself, someone to talk to, that'd be g--

[From somewhere in the background there’s a shout--] Hey--! [And then the black tufts of one Percy Jackson’s hair appears as he moves to sit by his girlfriend.] We still have Capture the Flag.

--Right, I almost forgot. [ She repositions the camera so his (dumb) face is also in the picture, and smiles. ] Everyone should sign up for capture the flag. Well...just let us know if you’re interested. It’s going to be a lot of fun. Also, my team is totally going to win.

[That would be a nudge and a roll of his eyes.] If she can last five minutes. She totally missed my last Capture the Flag where we stormed a fort and water cannoned some Romans up the nose.. I think it’ll be the best one yet.

And he missed a lot of things while he was gone, but don’t listen to him. We’re going to have a good time, no matter who wins or loses. [ But the look she gives Percy clearly says she’s expecting to win. ]

[He throws his hands up.] Okay, fine. But I still say you better watch out. [It’s said with the same mischievous, troublemaking grin as per usual before he glances at the screen.] You owe me a movie in a few minutes! [Is he pouting? He probably is but he at least moves to get up and let her finish her message, but he’s more definitely pouting because he’s bored and she promised. She rolls her eyes.]

Fine, fine! Capture the Flag. Respond if you’re interested? We’ll tell you the time and the day, and what team you’re on. It’ll be great. . . and if you have any information about what keeps the city safe from outside threats, let me know.

[ The bracelet just catches the softer tone of her voice as she asks Percy what movie he wants (with, it might be noted, fake lamentations), before the feed cuts. ]

(( green = percy. Let us know if you want to play capture the flag! ))

[Hold on, this is important, you guys. Really important. Alice makes a face; there's something about this. Maybe it's the fact that it has no blinking eyes or a dead stare, but regardless...]



You know... in a way. This mask it's- what is the right word other than "strange"? Perhaps if I was about eleven or twelve years younger, I would have found it unnerving or even, well, mildly terrifying. Why on earth would you wear anything like that? The humor is a bit lost on me, I'm afraid. Although goats and horses can be unnerving in their own right... with their pupils and the like.

Grrr. Grrrr! -- oh my god, not this- woof!

[ The sound is distorted, muffled. The network keeps messing up; if she didn't need it to retain color, she'd probably throw it in the lake. ]

No, kitty, come here, I'm sorry! Oh my god, is this broadcasting, stop it, bracelet-

[ That last sentence echoes, ripples as if she's speaking under water, and magical feedback buzzes loud.

Dead air for a second.

And then the audio cuts back in, mid sound-- ]

Woof! Dammit, grr-

[ And the growling gives way to breathless and loud barking as Jade trees the cat. Dead air again, and the feed finally cuts. ]

[Percy's thought long and hard about what he's going to say. Which is saying something. He's been a leader of two camps, but sometimes he just liked playing it as a regular person. But then he wants to protect and help everyone, so that's where this comes in.]

[And it's with a pause as he opens his mouth before settling that he speaks.]

My name's Percy Jackson. I've been here going on two months now and things are alright here. Great, compared to home, I mean. But this place is a lot like there, too. We have Gods back home, too, just no ones. And Giants. Some really annoying Giants that want to take over the world as traveling salesmen. Don't worry, we stopped him before he could manage to go out and sell his fake Rolex. The world really doesn't need more of them.

I guess you could say since this is kind of my life anyway, so I've kind of gotten used to it. Well, I mean, besides the fact that something's not exploding every day this place is a lot like home. But what I'm getting at is I asked the big guy recently-- What do you do fight the Giants? I kind of figured there was something better to do than just running around when something happened. Not that we won't anyway, winging it's kind of what happens. Anyway, he told me that no one's asked that question.

That's really bad. I know not everyone's fighters and I don't expect them to be. If you don't have to be that's great. There's no way I'd ask anyone to fight if they don't have to. We're suppose to be here to bring color back to the city and we're doing that. But there's a lot of people here who can't even hold a sword. Or any weapon. I know there's the Citadel and that's a great place to start. The guys there seem to know their stuff . But I think we all need to be prepared when something bad happens. I mean it feels like we're just getting lucky. And I know a lot of people don't like the gods, but I think they're doing their best.

Back home there's some things the Gods can't do. Actually, there's a lot of things they can't do. There's things they can't interfere in. Maybe it's not the same way here, but I've always been taught that the Gods need our help, too. And that's why we're here-- You know, despite the Gods saying they weren't the ones to actually bring us here.

I'm not sure what to believe, but I know there's a lot of people here. Some of us are used to it but I think some people had fairly normal lives before being kidnapped. We need to figure out something. It's not just about helping the Gods, it's about helping our friends and returning home. Saving everything is a really big deal.

I know. They might seem like our enemies but our real enemies aren't them. Everyone had good reason to be angry. But we can't let that stop us-- Not if we ever want to get home. And I don't know about you guys, but there's something important waiting for me back there, too. We have to figure out a plan- -anything to help us out.

[And he lets out a breath pauses and shrugs.]

I also think it would be good to have some friendly combat experience. And by that I mean Capture the Flag, no restrictions. There'd be two teams and everyone in the same house will be on the same team. Anything can be used. So, yeah, that means weapons and magic. It's encouraged-- that way people can experience a wide range of fighting skills. But if you try to kill someone that's instant disqualification. If you like maiming people for fun this wouldn't be the game for you.

Um, and it would be a lot of fun. Even if you don't want to help out with anything else, Capture the Flag is a great way to spend an evening. Well, you know, if you're not the person that accidentally runs yourself through with a sword. There's been a few of those.

Oh, and Annabeth? You're totally the Captain of the other team. Leo? Gwen? If you don't come willingly we'll come find you guys. I'm thinking if things don't explode suddenly we can play in the next few days.

...Yeah, um, that's it. Yours in Heimdallian in all that?

[[OOC: For Capture the Flag OOC information can be found HERE! And I'm aiming to have the game on August 18 so yay!]]

Hullo, Asgard. Are we all feeling better?

[ Really, he wants to know. Seems that way, but it never hurts to ask. ]

I'm John Watson, and I run the Yakuzen Clinic in Heimdall. I've been managing almost completely by myself for a while, but I think it's about time I get some assistance. Which means I'm looking for employees. A couple of secretaries first of all, and maybe another doctor or nurse or two. So if you're looking for work and think you're up for doing any of those, give me a call and we'll set up an interview... thing.

And I guess that's it. If anyone needs anything, just ask. But I might not be able to do anything if it's not medical wise.