[Video]

[Lyon offers a polite bow of her head as the video clicks on.]

Hello, everyone.  With all of the celebrations and festivals lately, I've been thinking a little about what I can do to help around Asgard lately too.  I've gotten involved in a lot of things, but I keep coming back to the fact that I haven't practiced much with the power I've been given by Heimdall, and I'd like to do something about that.  I'm a Damage Drain user, so it's hard to find an opportunity to really practice without someone walking away from it with an injury, and I don't really want to hurt someone on purpose just so I can get some more experience with my power.  But I do spend a lot of time training at the Arena, so I was wondering if someone would like to have a practice fight if we could get someone from Sigyn House to come with us to make sure no one walks away with any lasting wounds.  That way, I could get used to using my power, and with healing available we could also train harder and for longer.  So if anyone is interested in combat training, or if you're a healer who would be all right with making sure things are safe while helping me train with my power, please let me know.

[Action; Arena]

[Later in the day, Lyon is back at the Arena, just like she said she would be earlier.  She's currently in one of the training rooms practicing her sword forms, but she'd be happy to stop and talk to anyone who wants to.  And there are a few things she wants to ask some of her more regular training partners too, so she'll be keeping an eye out for anyone she's sparred with previously.]

[Shortly after Loki's post, a text feed pops on the network.]

Hello, fellow travelers. I have a question for you, if you care to answer. Interpret it as you wish, however I will not deny it is inspired by our recent encounter with the one called Loki.

Can you kill a god?

[This time, Loki addresses the network from perched on a bit of the wall around the castle plaza. He's as relaxed as always, though he looks just a tad irritated as well this time. People near the gate between the castle plaza and Loki district should be able to interact in person, but first he has something to say.]

You know guys, I like you. I really do. But sometimes I think you're all a little dumb.

See, we set this network up. We know what's said. For that matter, we can easily find out anything you're up to if we decide to take the time to check on you. But we don't even have to do much ferreting. You're really obvious with your displeasure, and I'm sure if I looked a little deeper I might find out some of you are making plans to do something about it.

Now the boss man, he's not too interested in whatever you're doing. I, on the other hand, thought I'd run through a few things to get you up to speed. If you're going to rebel, you're going to want to do it smart. So here we go.

[He holds up a finger, clearly intending to count visually all the way through.]

One. We're gods. You don't know how to kill gods, do you? So before you start any plans, you might want to be sure you'll actually be able to do anything other than irritate us.

Two. Say you did take us out. You've all been really hostile against the idea of governments. If you're all determined to never have anyone tell you what to do, you're going to have anarchy. What do you expect will happen then? No regulations, no network, no bracelets to keep you from getting sick, no barriers to keep the monsters out, no one to keep up alliances and trade agreements. You'll have a bunch of armies on your doorstep in weeks and no organization to help you deal with them.

Three. Say you beat us and find a way to get sent home. You're all happy - 'cept the ones who're going home to being dead -- and you can forget all about our crap. And then every world in existence gets wiped out and remade and everyone you love dies along with you. You can take a bet that we're lying about this whole thing, but do you really want that kind of risk?

Four. If you can't beat us, no one's stopping you from running off and joining someone else. But out there in the world you're either going to our allies, who'll send you back, or our enemies, who'll either kill you or take you in and let you fight for them. And they're going to let everyone you love die too. That or you end up with my brother, and he doesn't care what you do as long as you entertain him. He'll make you a lord one day and a slave the next, just to see you get angry.

So here's the conclusion. You'd better be thinking of how to deal with all of those things before you start. After that, who knows. Maybe you'll get to take over a whole city and all its naive, loyal subjects...

In the meantime, how about you guys tell me what you'd want us to do if we decided to follow your orders. I'm pretty sure number one is quit messing with you, but if that's it how about you propose some plans for how you'll generate your own emotional energy? What will you guys do yourselves to make sure things get fixed as soon as possible? I'm sure you could get that bleeding heart Freyr to argue for you... but who says the big guy's going to favor the opinion of Hostage #1?

Oh well. Might as well try, hey?

[When Ikaruga appears on the screen, she actually looks sincerely happy about something. It's not smugness or mild amusement, as she's normally inclined. No, she actually looks genuinely pleased about whatever she's about to announce.]

I am pleased to announce the upcoming opening of the New Moon school of arts. The classes offered will include literacy, poetry, music, dance, calligraphy, painting and drawing, theatre, swordsmanship, practical economics and business management.

[If it's occurred to her that swordsmanship, practical economics and business management don't really match the rest of the school's curriculum, she gives no indication.]

Students of all ages are welcome. I am also hiring for teachers. Each class will be offered at a beginner, intermediate and advanced level.

[There's a short pause as she decides to put one other offer out there.]

Should anyone be looking for someone to practice the art of the sword with rather than lessons, I am available for that as well.




(ooc: More information is available here, and Ikaruga's IC contact post is here.)

[ he may as well use this damn network for research. ]

If you were to take loyalties to a king, what kind of king would you want them to be? Would you think better if they were harsh or if they were wise? What sort of person would you lend your allegiances too?

[ It's a general topic. he's curious to hear the opinions of people around him. he seems less rigid than when he first arrived. the break from all the battles has done well on him. he's not uneasy and robb speaks with a warm confidence. ]

[The video starts, and no one wants to see the face on the feed. He looks smug, and maybe a little irritated. Nobody has seen Baldr since he had a run-in with every teenager's worst nightmare.]

[Two things can be assumed by this message: He's finally free, and it's obvious he's just done something bad.]

Don't bother getting too upset about so many of your friends disappearing all of a sudden. They're just... on "vacation". [The word is accented by actual air-quotations, and a horribly bratty little smile on his face.]

[He continues in an appropriately terrible, entitled tone of voice.]

Told you guys to stop complaining about the technology. You should learn to listen to those stronger than you.

[ As the video opens, the only thing one can see is silver hair, not very long but pale and beautiful. Then the image moves to reveal a young girl of violet eyes wearing a dress which bears one of her breasts. She looks no older than sixteen and seems puzzled and also, quite angry. ]

There had been a maid representing House Sigyn who told me she had given me all the answers she may give but would not answer my most urgent of questions.

Where are my two other children? I will have words with the supposed gods of this city and with anyone who lingers in it. I am not a child to be tossed about with no words of explanation.

[ as she speaks, though, a black shadow comes to hover near her shoulder. Red eyes and black scales - a dragon; a live, vibrant looking dragon. She places a hand on his body and at once looks more determined. ]

I am the blood of the dragon and dragons are not to be entrapped. I demand to know where are my other two dragons and I want them back.

I will hear answers of how I have been brought here and what exactly is here, as I still fail to understand the concept of a city without magic.


[ ooc; very open to anyone in the Sigyn district! ]

Either you all like singing in public or the gods have an excellent sense of humor.

[If it isn't Jacob, looking ever so amused at all the things he had heard on the network. Really, some of you even have wonderful voices, he's impressed.]

But either way, all of what I've seen has made me curious. Music certainly has a giant influence on most of our lives...but what does it mean to you? Is it something you listen to casually, or has anything spoken to you? Some songs can do everything from making people burst out in tears or dwell on things they thought were over and gone with.

What role does it play in your life, residents of Asgard?

[Rather than a fancy, professional room, this NPC post comes from what appears to be the outdoor stage at Draupnir in Freyr district. The god himself is seated perched on the edge of the empty stage, completely open to the city. He's in good spirits too, and gives a bright smile as he addresses the network.]

That was quite a show you all put on yesterday! A much better way to generate emotion than some others, don't you think?

With that in mind, I'd like to greet all the newcomers to Asgard. I am Freyr, one of those who rules over the city. Though my House is smaller than most, I hope its members don't find it lacking.

And on a final note, I'd like to ask your opinions. How comfortable are you with physical affection?


[As always, we won't be able to get to every one of a large number of replies, so it's nothing personal if your comment isn't responded to! Also, this post is open to action, if your character happens to be in the vicinity!]

[For someone who's just been kidnapped and brought to another world, Ikaruga seems to be taking this all in stride. If anything, the pink haired woman almost looks amused by the situation.]

My, my. Kidnapping a lady? How unseemly.

[There is one thing she's pleased about - her sword is in tact.]

Still, I do owe some small token of my gratitude. Debt shall be repaid for a gift as precious as the stars.

[She looks about ready to turn off the communicator before turning to the camera again with a little bow of her head.]

I am called Ikaruga. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.