[The image is very staged, as if the teenager had rehearsed and settled himself carefully. He's sitting down, with a notebook on his lap, and he smiles at the screen with his best friendly look. He's dressed very neatly, a sweater vest with a tie visible in the picture. A very plain metal bracelet hangs on his wrist, opposite the one with the communicator bracelet on it.]

Excuse me. This is a little awkward, but I'm afraid I'm in a bit of a strange situation.

[He holds his pen above his notebook, as if he might be about to doodle to help himself think.]

I've heard that I've been here before? I don't remember, so I want to talk to anyone who has had a similar situation, or those who might have known me before. For those of you who don't, my name is Gau, I live at Sigyn House, and I would love to hear anything useful you can tell me about people coming and going this way here.

[He clears his throat, unsure how to end the video, and finally settles for a small bow toward the screen, which if anything looks awkward.]

[ hello, asgard. have one ever-sour werewolf. it looks like someone has been training if the completely ruined punching bag scattered in various pieces on the floor is anything to go by.

derek isn't big on socializing which is probably clear by now, but there's nothing quite like fighting someone alive, which is why he's here today with a request much to his dislike. ]

I think it's time to test out with gift the gods gave me. [ a beat…and he tries for non-threatening with the next part, but most likely fails anyway; ] Anyone feeling up to the challenge?

[ come on, someone take the punching bag's place, please.

with that the feed is turned to private for two entirely different matters. ]

( [ private to scott mccall ] )

( [ private to erica reyes ] )

Ah -- everyone, be really alert! And I mean really, really alert! A dragon flew over the city and he dropped something in Hel -- um, can I get a shot of it please ... thank you!

[It's just like a live broadcast from an unfolding event ... if live broadcasts were made by seven-year-olds and the background crowd was dotted by people without faces. At any rate, enough of the curious bystanders step back to reveal a tarnished metal cannister that has sprung open on impact but otherwise had no other effect and is being given a cautious distance by the crowd.]

The last time a dragon flew over the city, it was to declare war -- and he started a lot of fires too! That was pretty scary, and a lot of people got hurt. This hasn't started a fire, so it's possible it didn't work and the dragon might be back. So please, be very careful today, and let people know immediately if you spot anything strange!

[Walking away from the crowd (and the lingering smoke) Conan adds in a lower tone:]

It's possible that if you're new, this is the first you've heard about the war. Edmund-kun has a summary of events and I wrote up the first dragon visit, so I'll link those in a bit. If you're still worried or have other questions, ask! If I don't answer, I'm sure someone else who has been here longer will!

[Filtered to members of the Forensics Unit:]

No injuries -- luckily -- but it'd be a good idea to get whatever that thing is away from people as soon as we can. I'd like a couple of tarpulins, some crime scene tape and start asking around for a local expert in bomb disposal. I've had a look, but it's not like anything I've seen before.

[Don't question the fact that this kid knows bombs okay.]

[Non-filtered attachments:]
Edmund-kun's compilation.
My guide -- it's a WIP still, I'm sorry!

So the elves of Álfheim have proclaimed their allegiance to the gods of Asgard. [ a deliberate pause; he doubts the same thought (doubt) has occurred to many, but if there's a chance that he can help plant it—. ] I admit, that leaves me wondering as to the allegiances of the other realms; this world is far more than Asgard and Utgard and Thrymheim. [ a touch of wry amusement. he pauses, gaze flickering downwards momentarily — one might assume it's out of thought, but he knows what he wants to say and how, and as such, the pause, the appearance is exactly that: for appearances. ] Svartálfheim, Vanaheim, Nidavellir, Muspelheim—. [ a beat and a shrug. ] If the gods of Asgard are so truly bent on circumventing this war, in defeating the giants before they've a chance to be defeated themselves, I suspect we'll find that they'll be scrambling about between themselves in search of trust and allies. We've already been told that the horrors recently visited upon the city were part of an attack. If emotions are the foundation of Asgard, where we will be placed when the gods seek to right perceived wrongs? When defence and prevention becomes not the preserve of Asgard alone, and offence is considered the only answer left.

[ despite his words, loki looks relatively unconcerned, and it's a prelude to his next point: ]

Aladdin's recent announcement as to the discovery of our ability to use the innate power of Asgard, of Yggdrasil has given me thought, along with [ a slight twitch of his lips. ] the Doctor's query as to how one might travel between the realms and universes. Whilst Odin [ a touch of bitterness ] might seek to portray otherwise, the Æsir aren't the only beings with the power to travel between the two. The magic of Svartálfheim, the access to the doorway between realms may be beyond our reach, but if rune magic is not—. [ a smile and an audible exhale (satisfied). ]

It's perhaps for the best that the Norn are without alliances. Should we not too take inspiration from independence?

[ loki moves as if to end the feed but stops suddenly, a look of thought briefly passing across his features. ] —Arya, Caterina, the Pevensie siblings: I intend on travelling as soon as circumstances allow. If you wish to be kept abreast, do let me know.

( ooc: anyone else wanting to get involved with loki's schemes (one + two) can ofc still do so! it's never too late x( )

[The fact that Odin is seated at a broad desk, hands folded in front of him, should clue in that this is a "formal" post. He doesn't come out much, so he expects everyone will pay attention. He addresses the camera with calm confidence, and speaks with little emotion.]

With the recent chaos, I'm sure you're all looking for some answers. This is what we have for you. Pay close attention, because I won't repeat it for the slow crowd.

If you hadn't already picked up on it, we are at war. Ragnarok is a prophecy made when this world, which we call Yggdrasil, was born. One day, the Giants and the Gods will fight, and the destruction will ruin the world. It will be frozen, and thawed to grow anew. This doesn't just affect us. All of your worlds are children of this one, and they'll all have to start over from nothing as well. No exceptions, no "buts" or "whys".

Some of you don't believe this. That's fine. You're still here, so you can just be concerned with your immediate safety. We've managed to source that last disaster to Muspellheim and the Fire Giants. If you don't want it to keep happening until you're all dead, you'll step up and prepare for a real battle. Thanks to your efforts, you have a whole city of reasonable people to make an army to back you, and we actually have a chance of not being destroyed.

Now, you're probably also confused about the recent arrivals. They are an army from Alfheim, and they've come to declare their allegiance for the coming war. They'll be helping us rebuild what was destroyed in the city, so you'd do well not to hinder them or harass them.

You can have whatever opinions about us that you want. You can disbelieve and whine all you want. But at the end of the day, it's your asses you're saving, so it'd be wiser to quit bitching about being uncomfortable and start working together to make sure you're not dead. Make sure you have a home to go back to when it's over.

I'm not going to stick around and argue with the lot of you, either. Maybe some of my colleagues enjoy chatting ethics with you, but I don't. So consider this all you're getting unless they're kind enough to step in. You know what you need to know. It's do or die. That's it.

Greetings, Asgard.

[His expression is pinched and withdrawn, quite a change from the easy going bloke most are likely accustomed to. Despite this, he continues addressing Asgard calmly. He has spent long enough over thinking things in his room since the Darkness subsided.]

I offer my condolences to those affected, and if there is any way I can be of help, even if you consider it insignificant, please do not hesitate to ask.

[The thought that people may request ridiculous or asinine things doesn’t even cross his mind. ]

In light of what has recently transpired, I wish to offer my services to those who would like to learn to protect themselves. I specialise in swordplay, though I can offer other means of defence as well. The Citadel, where I am also employed, can offer teachers with a great range of specialties, if you are looking for something in particular.

For those who think they do not have the means to afford lessons, please contact me. I am certain something can be arranged.

[He swallows before continuing, determinedly looking straight at the bracelet recording.]

I must also apologise for [He nearly falters, sickened by the possibilities of what could have happened while he was Taken. Of what those missing days meant, of promises he failed to uphold.] anything that I may have done in the past few days.

[There is a quiet click as he turns off the feed.]

[ Since the Darkness event happened Scott has been thinking a lot about bringing those close to him together, having them all in one place instead of scattered throughout the city.

So now he's appearing on video with the most uneven jawline you've ever seen, wanting answers. ]

These places we're given to live in... can we move out of them and live somewhere else? Not that there's anything wrong with them... [ But he'll sleep better at night knowing those important to him are nearby instead of halfway across the city. ]

( locked to Stiles and Allison )

Sorry if Derek has offended anyone by the way... You might know him as the guy with the really grumpy face? Don't take it personally, he's like that with everyone.

[ ...Oops, he forgot to lock that part from Derek. ]

[Nakama looks pale and very poorly rested. There's no getting around it. Her hair is down and messy, and there are gigantic bags under her eyes. When she speaks, her voice is hoarse, as if she might have been crying.]

Um... Claudia is gone... she must have disappeared while everything was dark. I'm sorry to everyone she was close with - I didn't know her really well, but she was always kind to me, and I'll miss her.

But - this probably means that Rose Blush will close, right? And I was just wondering if anyone would consider setting up a similar business? [She looks uncomfortable talking about this on the network, but it's too important to let her old issues scare her away.] It's... really important, and someone should be there to do it. I know it's not for everyone, but if someone would do it, I'd help you however I could.

Oh, and if you don't know what Rose Blush is - or was - don't worry. This is only really for the people who knew about it. [No awkward questions from youngsters, she hopes.]

[ there's a few seconds of breathing at first, slightly laboured but distinctly amused, as if the owner is torn between laughing and not, and whilst the feed is set to video, there's little discernible — a slight glint of gold and silver reflecting the light from the bracelet, but for the present, that's it. ]

Is this how the gods of Asgard protect their loyal subjects — by sitting idly by and watching as they kill and are killed? [ momentary silence interrupted only by the sound of movement and deliberate sliding of metal — daggers, perhaps — against the surface of a table. ] Ravens—. [ the remark is muttered half to himself, somewhat bitter and in the tone of one who is enjoying a private joke, although it's followed by a more audible, explanatory and sardonic: ] Odin watches.

[ the sound of movement again, and a quiet huff (not quite a laugh) before loki comes into view. he's pale, as ever, but he doesn't look to be overly bothered by the situation as a whole, nor does he seem to be injured. his lips quirk briefly, and he leans slightly closer to the bracelet, the barest hint of a smile playing across his features. ] If there are still a foolish few who would place their faith in those who would not lift a hand in protection of their realm, I do wish you luck for if this is any indicator, the realm will fall and all who stand not against them but with them, will also fall where they stand. What hope have you against giants if you cannot hold these pitiful creatures?

[ he leans back away from the bracelet, fingers hovering over the feed for several moments. after something resembling consideration, he adds: ] —At least morning is only a few hours away.

[Good morning Asgard. Have another teenager.

After settling down from what can only be described as an inquisition of the maid. (Poor robotgirlthing) Stiles tries to attempt looking at this positively. No school, no werewolves, no freaky lizard people, no drag queens.

And to top it off, he has super cool powers now! That don't come with a laundry list of side-effects like a time of the month or something. He should be ecstatic, elated, overjoyed and all other synonyms to go with happy.

But he's not. He can only worry about his dad, about Scott, and Lydia. He did ask the maid about it and was, of course, told that he didn't have to worry. Time stood still for his world apparently. Well whoopdido. That wasn't going to help him from making his first assault on the sense of Asgard in a fit of nervousness.]

Must be pretty pressed for people if you're recruiting teenagers, guys. [Yuk yuk.]

Not that I'm complaining - [Yes he is.] - the benefit package is pretty sweet. At last I will never have to suffer a warm soda...


The whole grayscale thing is kind of creepy though, not gonna lie. But it's not as bad as...other certain. Things. Uh.

Sooo what do you guys do for fun? Besides wait for an impending war, I mean. [Isn't he a charmer folks?]

(ooc: canon point is during the game in 2x11.)

[ One guess if Derek Hale is happy with this new predicament he's found himself in. Sure, his life sucks on a regular basis but never before has he felt so utterly…stripped of something very vital to him.

And for once it's not his shirt. ]

What have you done to me- [ It's whispered yet demanding snarl, voice a poisonous threat that promises bodily harm to these so-called gods because yup, he thinks he's chatting with them right now. He doesn't feel right, doesn't feel right at all, not when the wolf in him has been subdued and quietened in a way he's never experienced before. And he thought being poisoned and used in some kind of messed up ritual had been bad. ]

I don't want your fake god's power, I want myself restored. [ He would be a lot more convincing with the snarly-gnarly angry wolf-face but alas you'll just have to deal with the glare. ] You can forget about cooperation otherwise.

[The feed flickers on and--hey, look, it's Mary Campbell. I mean, it looks like Mary, but can we really be so sure on a day like this? Clearly not, because this person is sporting a very unMary-like expression: that same distressed expression that Rory William often wears.

Yeah, it's Rory. And you may catch him looking down and getting briefly distracted by this body's chest. I'm sorry. He's a nice guy, but he's a guy all the same.]

Oh. [Yeah, pal. Nice job getting caught there. You can be flustered now.] Uh...Mary...? I think we might possibly have just a small problem?

[He begins to wring his hands, but immediately stops. It's not his body. He's not going to chance giving Mary arthritis, nope. So instead, he just sits there, awkwardly staring at the camera.]

I've been through a lot of things. Wibbly-wobbly things, I think the Doctor would call them if he were here. And honestly, I am really surprised that this isn't one that's happened before.

Uh, it's Rory by the way. I imagine Mary looks like me if you're trying to find her. Like I normally do, I mean. I'm normally a bloke.

[ A loud, short, and sudden shriek breaks the opening silence. She was kneeling at the lip of a tub when she made the mistake of glancing in the mirror because now her neck aches (she slept in the goddamn bath) and she is in Diva's body.

And her balance is so completely fouled with eleven less pounds of hair that she falls forward immediately upon standing and smashes her brand new nose into the porcelain. ]

...eech. [ But what she does following the initial panic and expletive is a bit more clever, even as it plays more like a strip show taking itself too seriously. She stands, whips Diva's hair around a bit, and after feeling herself up from head to toe (and back again twice), confides in the tap: ] Is this what everyone's head feels like? It's so...cold. And light. And my voice is so hi—

[ Which is about when she notices the renegade bracelet recording. Though instead of freaking out or scrambling to end the message or even reacting at all to any of this weirdness she simply bites a lip. Rapunzel is only good under pressure because she always expects the worst anyway. ] I'm sorry. It seems like I only make recordings when I need something. I mean, I didn't make this one on purpose. But I am going to ask for something while I'm here so it's... sort of leading up to the demand-making part in the end anyway and - well - aha. Okay.

Does... anyone maybe want to find some Y. pestis-free blood for a fourth shopping list scavenger hunt? Maybe? Heh.

[ replies will come from cambiante! ]

[Aerith's been pretty busy ever since arriving, though a bit unsettled by her new surroundings at first. yeah, she might have spent a large chunk of her life on a world that wasn't actually her own, spontaneous world travel wasn't exactly something she has a lot of experience with, either.]

[regardless! sometimes other worlds need more assistance than her own does, and Aerith is more than willing to help out. besides, seeing a bunch of people from different places gathered into one area is pleasantly familiar. no need to worry about breaking the rules about different worlds here.]

[so have a smiling face, Asgard.]

Hello! I have a quick question for everyone – there are a lot of people here from a lot of different places, so I'm hoping there are others here who would know.

Is anybody else familiar with hearts? Not just the organ; I mean more like the hearts that pertain to worlds themselves.

If you do, let me know. I have an idea.

[Guess who is directly not speaking about being a ten year old brat? This guy.]

So how many people have vanished on this camping trip of dickery that Baldr talked about? Anyone want to fill me in on the specifics?


( [Filtered to Team Free Will // Private // Unhackable] )


( [Filtered to Buffy Summers // Private // Unhackable] )

[ perhaps most people are alarmed by the water in the strange place, but Lucy hasn't yet determined that she may not be somewhere exactly safe. Ever optimistic, Lu is playing in the water, the sound of water splashing as the video focuses on her bare feet. She hasn't quite discovered how to use the bracelet, amazed by it. Her shoes are somewhere in the distance. One may or may not be floating away.]

Well, isn't this thing odd? It's very pretty but... but how does it work?

[ there's the sound of the girl sloshing about again before she falls right into the water, the face of one bright eyed Lucy Pevensie coming into view, her hair dripping wet. She looks around once, twice, before fidgeting with the bracelet.]

Isn't there a map somewhere? I think I've gotten quite lost. I should find Peter or Su, maybe but... is there anyone who can help me? Really, a map would do just fine!

[There's only so long Euri can stay cooped up in her room before she starts getting antsy. But she's torn between superstition about large amounts of water and the urge to go wander around outside, maybe even past the gate. She's made short trips, but there was no dilly-dallying with those.

Eventually she makes the decision to go out. It's been a few days with no incidents mentioned over the bracelets, surely the water is nothing to worry about.

About an hour later she's finding herself standing on a bench, eying the water with more suspicion and caution than one would expect. Her tone is no different.]

So....

No one's seen anything in the water, right? No fish or turtles or - anything bigger?

[Namely, something about human-sized but on the fishy side.]

I'm just checking! I know the water isn't that deep, but it can't hurt to be sure.

[And it would be nice to know she's just being paranoid about that dark shape she thought she saw several feet away.]

Uh ... excuse me?

What is ... what is going on here? Why is there water everywhere? This can't be Asgard. I mean, this isn't... [ ... ] If this is Asgard, where is he?

Sorry, I -- I probably should have taken some time to adjust before posting on this network. Or whatever this is. I -- my name is Jane Foster. I'm from Earth, if that means anything to anyone. The United States, 2012. I really -- really want to know what the deal with this place is. Are the ... uh, gods really here? ... is ... it possible to talk to them? [ Very, deeply uncertain. ]

Anyway, uh... I guess I'd like to know who else might be from -- where I'm from. Specifically. Since I sort of get the feeling we're not all from the same planet. Or time. Or even universe. I mean, I'm just an astrophysicist, but -- sorta got this feeling. So... [ How else could she have gotten here but...? The secret she's been seeking. It doesn't just cross spacetime. It can cross universes, too. ]

... does the name "Avengers" ring any bells for anyone? [ Muttered: ] I mean, if anything would do it, that would. They were seriously hard to miss.

[ She's making her slow and vaguely annoyed way from the palace to ... well, she doesn't know where she's going, really. With her pants rolled up to the knee, not that it helps much, and her shoes in hand. The water makes it slow, tiring going, especially for someone who's lost. Help a girl out? ]