[ The morning of day 505, a message from the gods is broadcast over the network: ]

Greetings, Travelers.

Some of you may know already that there was a breach of the castle barrier. We apprehended an individual using Thiazi's magic to attempt assassination of the Queen, and have confirmed that he is Thiazi's informant inside Asgard. This man has been actively assisting her in making attacks on the city as well as misleading our own intelligence efforts.

[ Heimdall is understandably quite cross at this. He gestures offscreen and the feed shifts from Heimdall to a wider shot of the room, where there is a man being held in place between Thor and Loki, who also look quite cross. ]

His name is Satan and he pleads innocence by corruption -- that all he has done while sabotaging Asgard was Thiazi's influence. While he lives we cannot tell his intent, only that he is indeed the perpetrator.

Since he is one among you, we leave his judgment in your hands. What would you have us do with the traitor?


(( The poll is to be filled out ICly and once per character! This will decide Satan's fate. Please feel free to threadjack at will to discuss the trial! ))

[ When the video opens up, Jade just pushes a cute if crudely made doll toward the camera. It has a shock of messy black hair and folded bits of white that seem to represent ears. She's grinning from ear to ear (just like the doll is!) as she pulls it back. ]

Did anyone else get a doll at their door? I got this and, um, some flowers and some cards that were really, really cute.

[ It was, apparently, enough to lighten her mood pretty considerably. ]

Anyway! I need to stop hoarding so many guns, because I had a million and then Roxy left me a million, and two million guns is just way too many for one girl to have. If you need a weapon and can promise me that you won't shoot yourself in the face, please let me know!

Alternatively: if you need help figuring out how to not shoot yourself in the face, I am also the girl to see about that.

[PRIVATE to Sophie:]

So, um, hehe. About Osiris.

[ it has been a while since Kaworu showed his face and made a post, hasn't it? This time around he is at the park. His really pale skin is red from the sun - probably burnt, too, because Kaworu is like an albino - and it's obvious he is feeling the heat, but he is sitting under a tree in the shade ]

Hello. [ have a gentle smile, everyone! ] I hope everyone is alright, even though recent events show us it is getting more dangerous. Even so, there is still much to see and learn in this world. Only recently I've found there are small fans to place inside houses to refresh the place. [ yeah he didn't know about that sort of fans )8 ] Even after so long here, there is much for me to learn.

I suppose it makes me curious: what is the most fascinating thing you have seen in this world?

I do have another question. [ but of course. And it'll be a bit more personal ] After the war has ended and if the Gods and the travelers win, would you wish to stay in this world, or would you rather return? And why?

[Action; Gefion Park]

[It's a rare day off, which means Hibiki can be found sitting on a bench watching her animals at play! She really doesn't have enough time to spend with them, so she's happy to see that they seem to be enjoying the outdoors on this sunny day.

Happy, and a little... tired, actually.

By the time people come across her, she may well have just nodded off in her seat, her form slumped slightly to the side as she rests. The sheep, hummingbird, gusk and Cyndaquil currently running/scampering/flying around don't seem to have noticed, but there is a small hamster on her shoulder now nibbling on a bit of her hair.

...Someone may want to wake the poor girl up.]

[Video]

[And later, a video call! She is clearly pretty uncomfortable, her hands twisting and fidgeting in front of her.]

I... I didn't really want to ask about it before. I thought I could take care of it, but there's so much going on...

[Deep breath, Hibiki. It's okay to ask for help, remember? With a short gulp, she continues.]

I... have a lot of pets. But I can't take care of them as much as they need it. I work with the medical team and the suppliers. I just--

[Her expression falls as she falters.]

...I can't take care of them by myself anymore.

[As loathe as she is to admit it. Even at home, she had managed to take care of Shii-chan even while juggling her work, but here...

It seems she's bitten off more than she can chew.]

I don't know what to do with them... I have a sheep, a hummingbird, a gusk, a Cyndaquil, and a hamster. They're all really great, and they're well behaved, s-so...

I don't want to have to get rid of them... but I want to make sure they get cared for. What should I do...?

[It's almost like a plea. These animals - each one reminds her of people she can no longer see. To give them away just doesn't seem right. But neglecting them hardly seems proper, either.]

So here's a question. How many of you've- No, I'm not going to start with that.

[ It's too depressing, and he'd rather try and stay as upbeat as he can. ]

What've you got waiting for you back home?

[ Oh, he knows sometimes there's no getting around the difficult things, and that's not his point. He doesn't believe in sugarcoating anything.

And now that he's said this, he's just realized he's been a bit one-note with his transmissions, since both of them have had to do with their homes. ]

It's just that I've been thinking, it puts this war we're supposed to be fighting into perspective. Thinking about the people and places I want to keep safe does that for me.

[ Alright, maybe he'll get laughed off the network for saying what's on his mind, and really, he's okay with that. He just had to put his thoughts somewhere, so he did. ]

Good morning, Asgard.

[ It's a joke, see? Because he's been asleep for fifty days, just recently woken to dreams of the Mother burning and the whispers of the inevitable end. Odin's a clever one, pale and worn as he looks in his customary sharp suit. ]

It's a relief, if not a surprise, to see most of my city still standing. You've done well beside my son, and for that, you have my gratitude.

[ Such a proud Allpapa. But that's as lighthearted as this address gets. Buckle in, kiddos. ]

But I'm not here to waste time with formalities today. No more beating around the bush. No jokes, no tricks, no clever riddles. No more bullshit.

This is the end. I heard Her whispers while I slept, and I have Seen it as you all did last night. You shouldn't need me to tell you that this is a reality anymore. This is the end.

You have a choice. You weren't brought here to be our soldiers and fight as our army, but we can't afford to keep Asgard half in the battlefield and half behind closed doors for your comfort anymore. Still, we promised that we would never force your hand, so - a choice.

We don't have enough control over the spell that binds you here to pick and choose for this, it's all or nothing. If you want to stay and fight this war, we'll start the process of gearing this kingdom for its true purpose. But if you want to leave, to go home and be with what's left of your homes for whatever time remains, we'll shut the doors and see what the Fates decide for us.

[ A pause, as he considers. ]

I don't have a rousing speech for you. It's not my thing; you can talk to my colleagues if you need a group hug. But - I will say one thing.

We accepted the title of "god" not because we are all-seeing, all-powerful beings. You already know that we aren't. It's just a word given value by those that speak it, as is the nature of language. This is called the "Holy City" because it was created as a refuge for the lost beings that would've been left to die outside our walls. We are called "gods" because our citizens believe in us as their higher power for protection and guidance where otherwise there is none.

We're children of faith. And where Ragnarok has been set in stone since the beginning of time, we've pushed back against it because we have faith. You are the byproduct of that; we did the impossible to fight inevitability, and you are the proof of that. Which is to say -

[ An amused, tired shrug. ]

- who knows what the Hell we can do next?

[ Just before signing off, he'll add one more thing with a ping to Jo Harvelle and The Fourth Doctor in specific. ]

I want to speak with those of you that left the city recently. You know who you are.

[ OOC NOTES: Yay, Odin's awake again! This is the IC conclusion to May's events, and the IC discussion that will bring us into Arc 5. As was already decided in December via player poll, the city will be militarising to amount a counterattack against the Giants. This post is to discuss all that! The OOC rundown of what happens next is over here. Feel free to ask questions and let us know if you'd like a specific god to pop into any of your threads, as we'll all be hanging about! ]

[Video]

[Ah, such a beautiful day to have off! Which means that the natural place for a growing child like her would be...

...Indoors?]

Hello everybody! Over the past few days a lot of people have asked me about Runic Magic, so I thought... Since I have the day off, if anyone would like to come learn the basics, I can teach them! I'll take breaks around lunch and dinner, but I'll come right back once I finish, so please feel free to come at any time if you are interested in learning!

[--And something seems to occur to her right then.]

We've gotten a lot of new people, haven't we...? If you don't know what Runic Magic is, it's a different type of magic from the powers the gods give you. Instead of drawing from the gods, it draws from the world itself. It can be used for all kinds of things, like conjuring bread or making your clothes invisible... things like that! And we're discovering more and more spells every day! Anyone can learn it, so if you'd like to give it a try, just come visit!

I'll be in the Grimoire's Sigil headquarters. It's right by the Draupnir Theater in Freyr-sama's district, so you can't miss it!

[Action]

[And as promised, she can be found sitting at a table in the Grimoire's Sigil HQ, a book on Runic Magic spread open as she scribbles some new circles on a paper with plain ink. Nothing magical here - it's all just practice and half-thought up ideas.

...And a couple of cat faces if you actually look, but can you really fault a kid for getting distracted every once in a while during her studies? Either way, the moment she hears someone around she'll look up right away.]

Oh-! Did you come here for lessons?

( the video begins with doctor mccoy, sitting at a desk in his room in sigyn. he looks particularly business-like, hair combed and expression serious, hands folded in front of him. before he speaks, he clears his throat—it’s almost as if he’s still a little uncomfortable to be addressing so many people at once, but that’s the only sign of it. )

Figure it’s best to get this out of the way while we’ve got the time. ( before another disaster or attack happens, he means. ) I like having a frame of reference—makes it easier to deal with people, and treat ‘em too, when you have to. I know we’re all working off the same magical system, here, but it’s better to account for specifics all the same.

That being said, here’s a list. Fill it out if you want, don’t bother telling me why not if you don’t want to. You can be as specific, or as vague, as you want, or leave out questions entirely if they bother you. If it makes you feel better, you can secure it and have my word as a doctor that I’ll keep it confidential.

( attached is this text form: )

name:
age:
species:
location prior to asgard: planet, city, country, realm, etc.
is your world more familiar with magic, technology/science, or both?:
which power did you receive in asgard?:
did you have any skills, powers or abilities that you lost once here?:
are conditions here generally better, worse, or the same as your prior location?:

That’s about all. Not much else to do on a rainy day, is there.

( ooc / a textbox, for convenience: <tt><big><b>name:</b> <b>age:</b> <b>species:</b> <b>location prior to asgard:</b> planet, city, country, realm, etc. <b>is your world more familiar with magic, technology/science, or both?:</b> <b>which power did you receive in asgard?:</b> <b>did you have any skills, powers or abilities that you lost once here?:</b> <b>are conditions here generally better, worse, or the same as your prior location?:</b></tt> )

[Another question. Elsa seems so full of them lately. But given that some had....magic, powers back home as well, she can't help but be cautiously curious. As far as she is aware it is just herself and the trolls back home with any sort of magic. However, her conversation with Regina makes her wonder about others, both here and back home that might have magic. It couldn't hurt to learn more about it. Whether or not she remembers, she still can't help being curious about the idea. Feeling.....well, less alone, in the idea that there are others here who had magic back home. That everyone here has magic of sorts. It makes her somewhat more comfortable in talking about her own at least.]

I'm afraid my questions seem never-ending. Once I have one answered, it only ends up bringing more to mind. But....the important one I am curious about is something I understand if some might not want to talk about. I was wondering about back home. How many here had magic or some sort of power. As far as I know, I was the only one with mine back home. I was just curious about others, and if they have different powers here in Asgard, how they are managing learning a new one like I am.

[Anonymous Video]

[The feed begins, and there isn't a soul in sight. Rather, it appears to be someone's room, but given that there is a bright pink cloth spread over the bedding that certainly doesn't match up with Freya's House colors, it would be difficult to determine anything from that.

However, the bedspread isn't the real eye catcher; in the middle of this is an ancient journal, and it's on these pages that the camera zooms. Much of the text is blacked out, but certain phrases and words do stand out.]

████████████ series of tall mountains and deep canyon near the kingdom of Svartalfheim.

Unfortunately, the Earth Giants no longer exist within that place - or indeed, anywhere in Yggdrasil. ███████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████ the fall of Laufey █████████████████████████████████ the end of the Earth Giants. What choice did we have? █████████████ was unnatural. ██████████████████████████ wrong.

There was no other option. We had to abandon the survivors. ████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████████

[After focusing on this page for a good few minutes - plenty enough time to read through what text is visible - the feed will end only to be followed shortly by...]

[Anonymous Text]

I received something interesting over the holidays. It's a pity that little battle took up so much time, but now that we have done our part, I thought it would be a good time to bring this up.

It seems the gods haven't been entirely transparent with us, now have they? Based on the other books found in the library, this is most likely referring to someplace called Ginnungagap. You can look it up if you want, but good luck. The gods have blacked out anything important. Or at least... most of what was important.

I can't be the only one curious about this, can I?

[Elphaba's voice is rather calm when she starts, though there is a touch of sarcasm to it. No you people aren't getting to see her sweater yet, it's bad enough that she has to wear it out in public already, she's not broadcasting the damn thing.] To whoever thought it would be a spectacularly great idea to turn all my clothes into horrifyingly eye-searing light-up sweaters the very moment I put them on:

[very sarcastic and rather annoyed] Haha. Very funny. I've always wanted to clash with every single thing I wear.

[There's an audible sigh, then:] I did, however, have something else to do besides complain about what my clothes keep turning into, something I've been putting off for some time now.

I need a job. Something that only requires one arm, since the other is currently broken thanks to that earthquake--other than that, I'm not too picky. [Though some help with the arm would be nice, but she doesn't say that.] I'm not too busy, either, so if you want us to meet, tell me and I'll be there as soon as I can.

[As for the action part, Elphaba can be found--with her arm in a sling and wearing this monstrosity--on her way to the library in Odin. If she stuck out while all in black before, she's bound to be even more noticeable now, and judging by her dark mood, she is all too aware of this.

Make jokes about the walking Lurlinemas Christmas tree at your own peril, folks. Though in this case you'll probably just get some very acidic comments.]

[Video]

Um... Hello!

[That's odd... The room behind her looks a bit different from usual. In fact, the room's overall shape is quite different from the norm. Although there are familiar items in the background, many of them appear to be boxed up, with the exception of a bird cage containing her pet hummingbird and a few beaten plush toys snuggled between her sleeping gusk and Cyndaquil.]

It took a while, but Aladdin-sa-- Umm, Aladdin-kun and I have moved now. We're in the Odin district now! Even after the earthquake, it looks like mostly everything's okay. Only a couple of my things broke, but I can replace them, so it'll be alright.

[Even if that list... included the glass in some of her picture frames as well as her favorite tea set here, aha...]

I'm still unpacking, but... If anyone wants to visit, please do! I'd love to make tea for anyone who wants it!

[And then her expression becomes serious.]



Um... For the people I met in the mirror... I also wanted to apologize. That spell-- it was one my Master taught me, just in case I needed to protect myself. It... It brings out the worst fears of whoever steps into it. So...

[She bows deeply - a near 45 degree from the waist, maintaining that pose for a good while before standing straight again.]

I decided... I'm never going to use magic like that again. Magic is supposed to help people; I don't want to hurt anyone with it ever again. If... If there's anything I can do to make it up to you, please let me know. I'll do my best, whatever it is-!

[All things considered, this is really, really not the right time to be asking this question. A lot of things have happened in the last few days that have left him completely rattled, but if there's one thing Draco Malfoy is good at, it's compartmentalizing.

As such, despite the fact that he has Voldemort on his case, Severus is freaking out and there's the whole other set of issues with himself and Jade and the fact that people from home keep turning up, he's focused on something else entirely.

Loki. The god, not the traveler. On the one hand, he quite likes the trickster god if only because he can appreciate someone being cagey and taunting others. On the other hand, he really hates when it's being used against him. The god has given him a mission, and though he should be worried about other things that is his main focus.

…of course there were some things that were said during their conversation that have left him unsettled. Did he really not know how to have fun in this place anymore?

Honestly. That was just pathetic. It's even more pathetic that he can count his actual friends on both hands. That's…really, really not going to help him in this case. And because it's pathetic to him he's turning on the anonymous text feature for once.]

As I'm sure most of you have realized, this place is quite limiting, not to mention occasionally dangerous. [Here's looking at you, mirror-verse.] However, I've an important question to ask you all.

What do you do for fun in this place?

Inquiring minds wish to know, etcetera, etcetera.

[Now just let him sit back quietly and judge all of you as he thinks this through.]

Oh. And leave your name and which house you're in. You know. To make sure the answer isn't completely biased.

[Some time later, this list begins to pop up as well:

Odin: 3. Sigyn: 5. Freyr: 4. Loki: 2. Heimdall: 3. Hel: 3. Thor: 1. Baldr: 1]

Hello! My name is Remus Lupin; I've been here for a while, but this is my first time posting here, so, er, hello. I've a few questions, if you don't mind answering:

Firstly, how many of you aren't human originally? Vampires, werewolves, succubi, veela, angels, et cetera. And if you are, how did coming to Asgard change you, in terms of your physiology?

Secondly! How many of you come from worlds that have time travel? And if so, what are their rules regarding changing things around via time? How many of you have met people from your significant past or future?

Obviously, I'll respect everyone's privacy; if you respond privately, I absolutely will not tell anyone what you've written-- which, I know you don't know me, but my word seems to be one of the few things I have left in Asgard.

Thank you very much for your contribution.

[Private to: H. Potter, J. Potter, L. Potter, H. Granger, S. Black, D. Malfoy, A. Dumbledore, and S. Snape:]

As the post implies, my own lycanthropy has been cured; I'm entirely human now. So you all know. Severus, I don't think there's much of a reason to keep me out of teaching at your school any longer. Do you have anyone teaching classic literature?

[To say it's been kind of harrowing for Asgard lately would be an understatement, but for Jane it's a very fitting description, and what is better for shoving your feelings and concern than diving headfirst into a hobby?

At least, that's what Jane thinks. When the feed comes on she's a bit red from the lingering heat, smudged with flour on her nose and cheeks, and her hair sticks to her forehead.]

Hoo...So, um...this may not have been my brightest idea. You know. Given the, um, the weather. And such.

[She turns the bracelet to show a kitchen table covered in various kinds of cake.] But I wanted to make some cake...and I ended up making far too much for even two people to eat. Would anyone like some? You don't even have to come hunting for it, I'll bring it to you if you ask. Though, um...if it's not too much trouble, could I have a little time before I run out? I've finally sat down, and I'd like to stay that way for a bit.

[And then, just before it cuts out,] It's free, by the way! Free cake. I don't imagine anybody would hate that.

Ah- hello.

[ Hey there Asgard, it's that girl that dresses like she's on a period movie speaking. ]

My name is Tessa, Tessa Gray. Miss Gray for those so inclined. [ None, because you're all rude without meaning to. ]

I gave this quite a lot of thought, and I think that while it's surely of minimal importance in the grand scheme of things...if someone could point me towards somewhere I could purchase clothing, I would be much obliged. I have made by with what I had ever since my arrival, but that is just not going to do anymore.

I might even have to give up and wear that which most of you call clothes in your own worlds.

Ehem.

[ She clears her throat YOU HEARD NOTHING. ]

On the same vein, I've been made aware that there are several of us so called Travelers that have a business of some kind. To them I ask if it would be terribly problematic to let me work for you; I can do most simple chores, such as cleaning and ordering, as well as cooking if required. I don't need much money, all in all, but I guess you can only go for long enough without it.

And that was all I wanted to say. Thank you very much.

[A lot of things happen in Asgard, but in the small, sleepy house of Freya - Uzumaki Naruto is attempting to cook.

It's the most ridiculous thing, actually.]

So, I asked the food table thing for the stuff I need t'make pork ramen?

[He turns his bracelet around on his arm, showing the entire population of Asgard the kitchen side in Freya-- On it, there is an assortment of very badly cut vegetables, noodles, and a strange lump of something that looks like it's been drowned in foil...]

So, I'm just gonna cook the meat. The noodles need to go in the frying pan right? But how to they go all... wiggly?

[Whilst he's talking, he quite casually shoves the hunk of pork steak he'd so carefully covered in tin foil into the microwave, throwing the door closed and pressing buttons until he's satisfied.]

The vegetables have to go in water though right?