[ A light has gone out in this young Empress, and she no longer cares to hide it. The temptation to just give up has been real, but she is still here, and she is still willing to fight.

For Leto, as always.

He's not in the city anymore, but perhaps he can still come back, and even if he can't... she must fight to protect their world, and the future he wants to build.

This gives her strength, but no joy. She is once more the immeasurably sad woman that came to this city. ]

I find myself struggling with the decision of which group to assign myself to in the coming war effort. What does Asgard need more from me?

I fight very well, as some of you know. I also... see things others might not, in terms of details, minute clues and the connections between them. I often see things people would like to hide. My mind can occupy itself with several tasks at once.

I could most likely do some good in any group, but I cannot seem to make a firm decision on where I might be needed most, and so I turn to my fellow travelers in the hope that discussion might reveal to me the best course of action.

In closing, I offer words that have guided me through life and that I suspect will once more become quite relevant as we move forward.

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

ooc: This is actually me trying to figure out in which group to put Ghanima for real so any input is appreciated, I hope the forward-dating is ok

ooc: This post is made from my phone because I'm bored on a train, older tags will be returned to I swear <3 I have not forgotten them.

[ It has been a while since anyone's seen Ghanima other than perhaps as a momentary glimpse here and there.

Nothing appears to be particularly wrong with her now, but those who know her will most likely note the conspicuous detail that she is alone on screen. Not that it has to mean anything, but she and her brother were more or less joined at the hip and he is nowhere to be seen. ]

I am still alive and still here. I know there are those that might have started to wonder.

[ She knows she should most likely say more, but no words come to mind and so she simply ends the message there. ]

[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.]

[When Skuld appears on Asgard's network, she is the picture of regal composure - perfectly groomed and solemn of face, a far cry from the dirty, soot-covered refugee that arrived the day before. Only when she speaks can some of the frayed edges be noted, but never to the point of hysteria; she is still a queen, and this is a royal duty.]

Travellers of Asgard. For those whom I did not have the pleasure of meeting on my last occasion to visit this city, my name is Skuld, and I am ruler of the elven kingdom of Alfheim. While it pleases me to speak with all of you again, I must regretfully inform you that it is on a very dire matter indeed.

[She glances down at her hands, ensuring that they are still steady where she's folded them in her lap, then back up again with iron determination.]

( Cut for Skuld's loquaciousness. TL;DR: things are, in fact, hitting the fan in elfland. )

[And indeed, her speech is done. The gods will be backing her on matters relating to Asgard, which will likely be the most pressing concerns for those that live here, but she will take any questions about Alfheim directly. And of course, it will likely be her who tries to soothe those angered by this speech.]

[The light in the room is muted and warm, but still bright enough that you get a clear view. You can see a fair slice of the room, in fact, but the obvious focus appears to be the man kneeling in front of a woman, both seemingly unaware of the camera. The angle is such that his face is relatively visible to any viewer, while hers is somewhat hidden behind her hair, although those familiar with her might recognize Ghanima’s tanned skin and sun-bleached hair, or the crysknife in her hand.]

[Fai, his eyepatch a little bit ascew so a hint of a scar is sometimes visible when he moves, has his good eye shut as the video feed starts, but soon opens it to reveal a slit pupil, a yellow sclera. He smiles a little bit tautly, as if both amused and feeling some strain.]

At your leisure, my lady. I think I’ve got myself under reasonable control. [A hint of a joke there, but rather dark.]

( OOC cut for blood drinking )

[ 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. ]

ooc: Just want to apologize for kind of dropping the ball all over the place in this game lately but my life has gotten insanely busy and I may have to drop some older stuff. There are threads I definitely intend to continue but I'm afraid the pace might be pretty glacial and if you get an ancient tag from me that you don't want to reply to I understand that perfectly. Now, on with the show!

[ Ghanima appears to be her usual calm and collected self, facial expression as enigmatically unreadable as ever. What she chooses to speak to the network about, however, might at least to some hint that she isn't entirely as comfortable in her own skin today as she seems. ]

The apples that give visions, I would like to ask those of you who have tasted them if you believe that what you see is an actual possible future?

[ Not the future because while Ghanima is no stranger to inevitability, she still believes that the future can change. In this case especially considering the fact that they are apparently fighting for the continued existence of all universes here. ]

I am also curious if there are any here who have entered into arranged marriages or similar agreements, if you feel as if that is something you would be comfortable with discussing.

[ And with a slight nod, she ends the video. ]

[Anders stumbles out of the Gladsheim Palace and carefully sits on the ground before falling for the millionth time that day. It hurts when it happens so, no. He fumbles with the bracelet until the video screens appears in front of him.]

It's a fucking joke, right ? This can't be Asgard... [Because, yep, the idea he has of Asgard is far less boring and way more... godly than that. It's already not very fun to be a God so if he and his brothers have to rule over such a place, Axl better murder him immediatly.] Those Gods... Don't think I like their sense of humour very much. What happens if we refuse to help them, they kill us ?

[Anders chuckles but there is no happiness in his laugh. He just feels tired and shitty. Very shitty. He touches his neck, the blood on his skin and clothes now dry.]

Anyway... That Loki House ? I miiiight need help to get there... And damn, I could do with a drink too.

[He's about to end the feed when a last thought pops into his mind.] Hey... Please... Tell me they don't have an Idun... I'm fucking tired of Idun.

[This is another network post from the worst video personality imaginable. Kieran is on one of the fields at the arena, and there's several bags and a large pile of … something..? behind him. It could be easels or barricades or anything like that. He glances off camera for a moment, then speaks, and anyone who knows him will recognize that he's doing his 'I'm totally not scary' thing.]

We just got a big wake up call about powers not working outside the city. Not everyone can do hand to hand or blades but everyone should be able to fight.

I'm giving shooting lessons at the arena. One on one or small groups for now. You pay for your ammo, unless you want to practice resisting body control. Then it's on me.

[He says this as if it's a favor to you rather than the other way around, that he's a body controller looking for people to practice on. Kieran glances offscreen again, and the feed cuts out.

At least he doesn't waste words.]

I am well aware that these past days have been rather trying for all. Many were injured and even lost.

[Her gaze drops for a moment and then she's looking back up, her hands resting almost primly on her knees.]

I know it is not a lot, but if any are interested, I always have a pot of tea and plenty of cups for those who wish to come and talk. Or if talking is not something you are interested in, some tea and a few moments of silence. I know it is not much, but it is something I can offer.

[It's a day after the explosion of Spring and superpower exhibition, and Pyro's just sitting in -

- well, it's a new room. Bigger, more homey than the dorm-style rooms of the God Houses, and his candle number appears to have doubled to compensate. The light is still flickering and uneven, but it's much brighter than it was during his broadcasts from Baldr. Anyhow, those who were there to hear him rant and rave about Freya being spared and Freyr being saved might think he's appeared to shit all over that party, but he's staying quiet on that front for now. (Who knows how many psycho kids one of them might have, after all.)]

Since we're so big on Democracy here, thought I'd put something up to a vote.

Instead of random surges in our powers that have nothing to do with anything, how about the gods put their heads together and see if they can gather up enough strength to make the powers work outside the city? Y'know, where most people are actually being attacked and either dying or coming close to it?

It's just a thought.

[He's still sore about his near-death experience during the weapons expedition, but no one needs to know that! There was the big freakout about the blonde girl not coming back for so long, after all; this could all be about her.

If you don't know Pyro at all, anyway.]

[Octavian sits amidst a sea of scrolls and maps upon his table] 

My mother swore by the patronage of Ares... god of war. My uncle by Apollo...feast and song to please the people... 

[A frown]

I have always thought Athena... wisdom... the more tempting choice but so many have reprimanded me for it. 

[He turns his gaze to the feed]

Then what is it for you? War? Wisdom? Indulgence?

Um! [Maybe it's weird that Rue looks so surprised when the bracelet turns on, since she was the one who turned it on in the first place. But it just turns out she's nervous and not really as ready to start as she'd thought. Oops. Might as well get it over with.]

Everybody's back now. From Thrym--Thrymahigh. [She frowns. That's how you say it, right?]

In District 11, we have songs for a lot of things. There's one we're supposed to sing to welcome a Victor home. They teach it to us really early, but I haven't sang it before because...because... [Well, the other Panem kids would guess right the reason right away. District 11 isn't exactly known for their chances in the Games, and the last District 11 Victors won years before Rue was born.]

I don't want to sing that song right now. [There's a stubborn set to her mouth.] I'm going to sing a new one that I wrote because the fighting here isn't like the fighting in the Games. Asgard has a bunch of Districts like Panem does, but we're all fighting together, not against each other. It's...different. Better.

[Now Rue just looks a little embarrassed at speaking up like this and rushes on to finish.] So...we're going to sing for you now.

[By "we" she means her mockingjays as well, which becomes obvious when she adjusts the bracelet's screen to include the birds perched around her. Rue's singing starts off soft, but gains strength along the way, especially when the mockingjays join in and pick up her tune. As people listen to her sing, her Bardic Influence will kick in and draw up feelings of loss, bittersweet victory, the coziness of returning home to friends and family, and also the relief at loved ones being safe.

She finishes with a beam, pleased that her little performance went without a hitch.]

Welcome back, everybody!

[Daenerys is not happy at the moment. She suddenly found herself away from the Dothraki sea, her Drogon is once more about this size, but she clearly remembers him being larger... Not to mention Viserion and Rhaegal are missing. Her discomfort was not helped when the maid explained her situation, and even less when she was ushered out of the palace where she first arrived.]

Does this magical thing even work? If it does and someone is listening to me, especially Loki and those other gods, I would like to be sent back to Essos immediately. I have my own war to fight, and I will not be delayed by staying here and getting involved in something I have no interest in.

I also let you all know that if someone took my dragons, you shall not be forgiven.

[And since Dany has nothing else to say at the moment, she will turn off the feed.]

[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?

What the hell?? You expect me to believe that load of crap?

[Cordelia's frowning, her hands coming to rest on her hips as she looks around. She's obviously not very happy, no not at all! Her head tips back and oh yes, there will be much yelling.]

Listen here you... You Powers That Be!! You take me back home right now! Is it really so much to want to actually relax and finish painting my nails - [she lifts her hands, showing off how the nails on one hand is actually painted.] - while I watch Sex And the City? Is it?

[She sighs, dropping her hands back down.]

I'm really not in the mood for this for now... Actually I don't think I'd ever be in the mood for this!

Hey! You can't ignore me! Hello?! Angel and Wes need me! I'm vision-girl, remember?...

Well, fine! [Her jaw sets stubbornly and she folds her arms under her chest.]

Fiiiiiiine. I'm not moving then. You want my help? You can freaking ask for it!