[ There's a few seconds of awkward silence as Bobby starts the feed and scratches the back of his neck. ]

Uh, hey. Bobby here. It's been a while. And it looks like I missed... a lot. Including the tacky sweater thing. [ Which is probably for the best, at least on that count. ]

Sorry I was gone. Lost my bracelet again. I've been caught up, I think, but lemme know if I'm needed anywhere.

Oh. [ A pause. ] And happy holidays to everyone.

[ the feed only starts because Ame's wrist hit something and turned the bracelet on. You are able to see Ame in the middle of the park, the birds and other animals (dogs and cats) making a lot of noise, some even running off. ]

- the animals...

[ Ame himself seems to be anxious and he has no idea why. His ears drop, before they stand up again, and rotate to the side, moving quick like he is trying to ear something but isn't sure from where it's coming from. He is breathing heavily, eyes wide and whole of his body is tense.

Suddenly he barks (at nothing in particular), but quickly turns his head to look back at the buildings in the city. It's strange, he feels strange and the animals are acting so strange, too. maybe it's because of them he feels like this? But still-

The young wolf 's ears press back. He doesn't like this feeling. ]

[ ooc; Since he is a wolf, Ame can sense something is off but doesn't know it's a natural disaster. ]

[ Ame comes to the video. Aaaand he actually doesn’t look good. He siffes and shakes his head a bit. ]

I was told to ask other people from Heimdall house about our powers. I was told they can be used if I think about it, but nothing happens. I wa- [ and suddenly Ame sneezes, his tail all ruffled up.

Yup, he has a cold. That’s what happens when you sleep outside for almost a month now, even if you are a wolf and have a stronger immune system. ]

Is there a way to get something from home? [ he has seen people with pets and with photographs, before.

he sniffs again and this time wrinkles his wolf nose and finally shuts off the feed]

I think I've finally given up on denial. Or maybe I'm just in denial about that too.

[ dexter is wearing a red football jacket with the runic symbol hagalaz embroidered on the left side of his chest like a cherished team. he just thinks it's an 'h' for hel, which in a way - it is. good thing he doesn't believe in all this mystical mumbo-jumbo. ]

It's getting cold here, and for a native Floridian like myself, if I'm not up to my eyeballs in humidity I start to panic. I think my brain needs to run at at least 90 degrees. [ it's all a lie, he's just joking but in a very flat tone before smiling in a way that's almost unnerving. ] Actually, we Miami-ites prefer the cool sanctum of our air-conditioned bedrooms, so really...

It's a nice change-in-pace. What do you guys think, can I rock it?

[ he does a little spin in the jacket then shrugs. ] So I hear we missed some pretty crazy stuff while we were on that island. At least you all didn't get fruit thrown at you.

[ end. ]

[The audio function abruptly turns on, and captures Gaara speaking in mid-sentence.]

-truly be functional? Violence is not conducive for bonds of this nature. For civilians, even less so, compared to shinobi.

[Even though Gaara is the leader of an entire village there are still things he doesn't understand. Like relationships. Especially relationships.]

In spite of his defection, and their attempts to harm each other after the fact, they have still maintained their ties…

[A brief pause, and then he recounts.] Earlier, you mentioned that they dine together frequently. This activity isn’t exclusively exchanged between couples, correct? Naruto and I have done so as well, but we are not romantically involved.

[There's the sound of shifting as Kakashi puts his hands into his pockets.]

Naruto is not the sort to give up so easily. [Something Gaara knows well.] Especially on another person he has a bond with.

[After not having bonds for most of his life, giving one up is just not something Naruto's willing to do.] I said nothing of them dining together. Merely that Naruto is often found at Sasuke's residence, eating.

[That, he does, although it sounds like they have a great deal of lost time to account for, given the distance between them, back in their world.]

It must be mutual, on some level. If Sasuke placed no value on Naruto’s life, then he would seek his death. Does Sasuke bear an emotional attachment toward him, then?

[That is a more complicated and difficult question. If asked Sasuke might say he didn't. Last time they were together they went at each other like they were going to kill each other. But even then he believes there was still a bond between them.]

If he didn't have one then he wouldn't acknowledge Naruto's existence. [Even when seeking Itachi's death, there was still an emotional attachment - though it was one of hatred.]

Mmm.

[After that noise of agreement, Gaara releases a low grunt as he folds his arms over his chest. He shifts uncomfortably for a moment, before finally getting out the most difficult question on his mind.]

…How does one determine if he is worthy of receiving love? Whether or not he is capable of pursuing this particular type of bond?

[It isn't very often Euri uses the video function, but this happens to be a Very Important Event that she feels she needs to broadcast. The camera isn't directed towards herself though, it's turn around to reveal the green grass and trees of Gefion Park.

And one very large black dog. Seriously, this thing is bigger than a wolf. The red eyes aren't doing him any favours, either. Nor is the scythe in his jaws that is clearly made is stark white bones.

Euri understandably sounds a little uneasy when she finally speaks.]

So those apples are pretty strange, huh? I ate a couple of them, thinking they were normal. The first was odd but nothing harmful, just some hallucinations. I actually thought I had eaten some mushrooms at first and just forgot!

[There's a little awkward laugh, before she continues.]

But the next one, well....

[Dog lets out a loud woof before dropping the bone scythe at her feet. Reluctantly, she'll pick it up with both hands and fling it as hard as possible. Dog spins around and tears after it, woofing some more.

Why yes, this is the weirdest game of fetch ever.]

I guess since Dog likes it I can't just get rid of it. Oh! Which reminds me! I taught him a new trick!

[And when the large wolfish hound returns, scythe in tow, Euri's voice turns authoritative as she commands for him to shake. He'll drop the scythe and lift a paw up for her to take with her hand.]

It's so cute!

[Severus is still trying to figure out the bracelet on his wrist. An orange apple in one hand while he studies the bracelet - he'd come across the tree of bizarre orange apples just outside his bedroom window; he'd been most dubious about the phrase Fruit Of Chance inscribed in the tree's trunk but hunger had driven him to pluck an apple from the tree - he takes a crunchy bite and idly pokes the bracelet with his pinkie as he starts to chew.

And suddenly, he spits the bite of apple out of his mouth. He does so with a sound of repulsion, followed by a hitched gag. It tastes like rotten fish! Never in his life has he ever tasted something so disgusting. Not even that rotten egg flavoured Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Bean he ate in Sixth Year tasted as bad as this does.]

Blasted--!

[What he doesn't realise is that when he poked his bracelet, he accidentally switched the audio on. So, everyone who happens to be tuning in right now will hear Severus coughing and grunting in disgust.]

[When Euri speaks up her voice is squeaky and uncertain. Even though she's using voice it's obvious she's fidgeting.] H - hey! So, uh, I know I've been seeing things lately. Completely not-real-things, but....

Those aren't Reapers wandering around the city, right? Because those things are stuck back home, but those awful scythe-wielding ghosts really resemble them. [She lets out a shaky laugh.] If I didn't know better I'd say they were actually Reapers! But they can't be, because those things don't exist here in Asgard. They only exist back home where Necromancers can summon them and wipe out whole villages and - and...

I was just seeing things. Right?

Everyone near the castle needs to get away from there now. Warn as many people as you can, but be careful if you try to break up the ice. [He holds up a hand so people can see the odd-looking skin and blisters already starting to form on his fingers.] Just touching it will hurt you.

I know we haven't had a chance to organise ourselves yet, but if anyone wants to help care for the injured with me, now would be a good time to start up the Medic Corps again. Anyone is welcome, not just those with the Healing power--it doesn't look like the ice is going to be stopped easily, and we'll need all the hands we can get.

[Now he bites his lip, looking back at the frozen castle. It's dark out, but there are panicked natives running past him in the background.]

I think--there's a chance we might need to set up a safe area elsewhere in the city, maybe the Folkvang House or the Arena. The hospital's close to the castle, and I don't know if we're going to stop the ice in time, as fast as it's spreading. If anyone needs medical supplies, I have some extra packs to give out. The rest is for anyone working near the ice.

[Merlin takes in a breath and clutches at the satchel hanging over his shoulder.] One more thing. I need some people with Drawing Life--and people who know how to use machines. Leonardo's made something that can create steam. If we can get the machines put together, we can use them to melt the ice, but Leonardo isn't answering his bracelet...I think we'll have to figure things out without him.

[A crash nearby makes Merlin jolt, and he anxiously turns back to the screen after a second.]

Got to go--I'll be near the hospital if you need to find me!

[The video ends there.]

[He had heavily debated on if he wanted to turn on the video feed, all things considered. His head was still pretty foggy and he was struggling to grasp the fact that he had disappeared for ten full days.

No, correction. He'd blown himself up on camera and then disappeared for ten full days. Urgh. How embarrassing.

He first took the time to sift through the messages left on his bracelet, baffled by the sheer amount of information (and slightly amused/unsettled. Davesprite what is wrong with you.) Then he realized there were several responses to his original message before the disaster struck.

…he was fucked, wasn't he? Alas, he knew he couldn't keep hiding so the best method was to be as nonchalant as possible. That meant showing his face whether he wanted to or not.

When the feed flickers on anyone watching will see a boy who looks sort of like he was hit by the Knight Bus. His hair's messy, there are bags under his eyes and there's the slightest hint of a five o'clock shadow on his chin.]

…hey. [Yes, Draco. After all this time, the most you can do is say hey.] Three things.

First of all, how many of you from that large influx of people are still here?

Two, what's the state of my apothecary?

And three, I'm in desperate need of an aspirin.

…oh, and four. If the gods would just allow for a little more freedom in alchemy…[He'll just grumble to himself.] I'm not done tweaking that formula, so I don't want to hear it. We're pretending nothing happened, understand? Just so we're clear.

No. No. NO!

[The video is an absolute blur, but there is definitely destruction happening. The tinkle of broken glass, loud thumps and cracks that sound a lot like furniture being hit with blunt objects - anything you'd associate with a house being utterly totalled from the inside can be heard through the maelstrom.

Then it stills, and one red-faced, absolutely apoplectic Pyro is visible in the middle of his path of destruction.]

You assholes. You stupid fucking assholes. If you were so almighty, we wouldn't be any threat to you, would we? So why the hell take them away? Curse me. Make me think I'm Stryker, I don't care. Just bring them back, and do it now.

[It doesn't matter how many times he's told others that people come back. That's it's random. That they're better off. This is his fucking leader and second-in-command, two of the mutants he admires above all others, and they're both gone. If someone doesn't talk him down soon, he'll be paying off the damages on a burnt-down paid residence for the rest of his time in Asgard.]

((ooc: backtags are coming, but this huge of a drop had to be referenced. also, if any gods want to garnish his wages for the damage or anything, consequences are obviously expected for this.))

[Euri isn't in the greatest of moods. It's been several days since she's even been to her and Draco's shop thanks to being sick, and because Draco's been grey that means all the damage from the break-in has just been sitting there, unattended, for far too long.]

This is awful. Just - ugh! So annoying! And not just because so many of us got sick. Some of us have to pay for the damages done to our shops on top of that!

If I haven't made it clear, Asclepius got hit by that damn spy. Draco's - tied up, and I've been sick, so clean up hasn't even started yet. I'm not sure when the shop will be open again, but it's going to be a few more days at least.

[She huffs in annoyance, not at all prepared to deal with this after being sick.]

This is bullshit! None of this would've happened if we had killed the spy right away. The people who voted to imprison him should be paying to fix all the damage he did, including the profit loss any shops are having to deal with from being closed to clean up. It's only fair, after all!

[Flame burst to life in front of the viewer's screen, his hands cupped together to house the matchstick's light. Touching it to the cigarette in his mouth, clear pleasure was in the sound of that smokey breath that drifted outwards from his lightly parted lips. The Noah couldn't be bothered by the fact he was smoking in a hospital. It was his first vice in days. The view pulled back when his hands did to reveal Tyki dressed in plain hospital white. He didn't have any injuries and the only part of his skin that really looked damaged was the scars that ran down his chest from his slightly opened shirt.]

The unsightly and unattractive faces of those taking care of the sick in this place is rather alarming but god like beggars can't be choosers. Then again, if anyone wants to prove me wrong, I wouldn't mind a pretty face right now. Now before you all go and get your knickers in a twist, I didn't come here willingly. Until my internal injuries clear up further, I'm stuck here.

[That trademark grin that widens pinches the cigarette against his teeth makes it clear he means every word.] Mm, but you know... I'd kill for some decent food or a game of poker right now.

[So… colors will form and overtake the grey if there’s enough social interaction, right? And supposedly, people can also strengthen their abilities…

Keeping that in mind, Gaara activates the bracelet. There’s something he doesn’t understand, anyway. Maybe he can get some answers to satisfy his curiosity.]

Since there is no established judicial system in this world, punishment was exacted by the people that captured him. In this case, killing the perpetrator was the most efficient method for ensuring the safety of the general public. He was a repeat offender, and refused to relent.

Why do so many of you oppose this decision?

How's everyone feeling?

[Pyro is covered in blood: mostly on his hands and up his arms, but there are sprays of it across his shirt and pants as well. Hard to say if it's someone else's or his, given his ability, but there are no tears or holes in his clothing. He wears a false smile, which drops as quickly as it appeared.]

Some of you got exactly what you deserved, and you know damn well who you are. But once the water's clean, there won't be any more trouble for now. The spy's done. [His hands flex and clench, as though he's still got some punching he'd like to do.] You're fucking welcome.

Guys? Anything you wanna add?

[Altair shakes his head and remains silent, but Thor does have something to add. He looks much in the same way as Pyro, though he doesn't take time by giving false pleasantries or greetings. He's mad and it shows, but there's something else that lingers in the depths of his hard gaze. ]

The threat is, indeed, gone. For now. However, it would be wise to assume this will likely not be the last of such an event. [ He shifts, frowning as he glances off screen for a moment. ] It would be wise to upkeep your guard as it is clear we shall have to take justice into our own hands.

[And with that, Pyro shuts off the feed with a glare. Time for the shitstorm.]

((ooc: this is going to be a huge, beautiful mess. tags could come from Altair, either of the Thors, Pyro, or any number of NPCs who decide to hop on. i'll likely turn off notifications and track any threads i get into for that reason, so if i seem to miss something, please PM me!))

[ On the morning of Day 298, Heimdall addresses the network. ]

Greetings, people of Asgard.

I'm sure all of you are aware by now of the sickness spreading through the city that began two days ago. We have confirmation it is due to a chemical attack on Asgard's water system, so please refrain from drinking or bathing in it until this has been resolved.

A purification rune to cleanse the water is being set up. For this I request your aid, to best most effective we must activate the arrays at several points across the entire city simultaneously in order to reverse the damage done.

[A short pause, before he adds:]

As for the perpetrator, it is none other than the spy who was in our captivity until recently. I ask all of you to remain vigilant, although he is assumed to still be within the city limits, his current whereabouts are unknown.

That is all.

[OOC: The discovery and interception of the spy by three per-determined travellers will be threaded out here.]

[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.]]

[Gaara is left staring at the screen for a full minute after reading this magnificent piece of work. What the hell kind of presentation was that.

This has got to be an elaborate joke. Albeit a completely unfunny one.]

Absurd… You must train your own soldiers for war, rather than steal resources from others.

[Because shinobi don’t steal things from other villages. Nope!

Oh, right. There is a purpose to this message.]

For those of you that are affiliated with Suna, respond immediately.

[That is a command, not a request.]

[The presence of so many people was more than disconcerting, and Draco's just kind of glad to be rid of everyone. Being away from the distractions of various people (including his family at different ages, Merlin's beard), meant he could finally focus on what he was working on prior to their arrival.

It's pretty early in the morning today but Draco has his camera feed turned on his bracelet. He's in his shop working with some materials that are bubbling in the pot in front of him.]

Never again, gods. Never. Again. I can't believe you let such a mistake occur in the first place…not to mention apparently you forgot some of them. [Here's looking at you, Potter. Get out of Asgard. Now.

Oh well. Adding here, mixing there, and there's a loud pop suddenly. Grinning, he takes a small vial and fills it with his latest potion, using an eyedropper to grab some and squeeze a few drops onto a nearby table.

Bam. Victory! The latest explosion potion works! He''ll just turn his attention back to the video feed, not quite noticing that the rest of the pot's bubbling a little too violently.]

In other news, once again I'm completely brilliant in ways most of you aren't. Excellent. Euri, we've another potion to add to our stock. I finally perfected the formula. So, Asgard. We now offer a small line of offensive potions including explosives. Considering that I've figured out this formula we can work further to create stronger, more powerful potions for the next--

[The problem with brewing potions when you're not entirely stable and happy is that they're sure to backfire on you. It's a precise art with very little room for error. This is the case for Draco Malfoy. He's in the middle of his sentence when there's a series of volatile pops, followed by a loud explosion. The only thing visible on screen is a surprised yell and a cloud of smoke, a wave of acidic yellow liquid bursting from the confines of the pot.

When it clears, the camera feed is static and shows a view of the floor. It's assumed that Draco's lifeless body's laying there despite it not being on screen. The feed shuts off five minutes later and he disappears completely. Oops.]

[ooc: not responding to any tags, but feel free to tag amongst yourselves or whatever if you'd like. Draco's dead for a day and upon returning will have lost his bracelet so ICly he's out of touch for a week or two. Also posting a day early because internet outage at my house.]