[He's standing in the middle of a living room, not one of the common areas in the God Houses. Despite being pretty spacious, it's equally empty. Maybe even recognizable for anyone who's been here a while and seen some of the Guardian posts of the past.]

Here again, huh? Alice are you still here? [Yeah, talking to both Alices.] Ellie, Hibiki, Ritsuka? Doctor?

Looks like the gods didn't want to get rid of me so they brought me back to help. That means that 'G' Ice Rink is in business again and I'll find some way to make it useful in the war effort. Maybe it can be a shelter for anyone whose homes aren't safe or something.

[Jamie flops on the couch.]

What's been happening since I left?

[He's sitting in the middle of the ice rink in a circle of tiny ice figurines. Really Jamie's trying not to cry but it's clear that he's utterly devastated. One hand is pressed to the ice and from it rises a small slightly vague but clearly visible sculpture of Jack Frost.]

Jack Frost, winter spirit, Guardian of Fun has gone home to be with his friends the Tooth Fairy and the Sandman and to look after all of the children of Earth. I know he had a lot of friends here so I thought everyone should know. We're gonna keep the ice rink open for business and everything will mostly be the same, except I'm gonna take over the skating lessons he was doing. And if anyone wants to look into getting a job here you should talk to North, you know, Santa Claus. He's doing the hiring.

[Jamie looks over his shoulder at all of the drawings the children have made here over the months the ice rink opened up.]

If anyone wants to leave a message for the Guardians or someone you've lost, you can write it on the walls here.

Private to Alice the younger

Do you want the book we made for Jack for Christmas?

Had better working scrap than this.

[It's muttered as the video comes on, and the long faced woman might look a tad familiar to people, considering who she's related by blood to. The wild black hair, prominent nose and green ringed gold glare certainly lends a hand in it. She both looks and sounds annoyed.]

Since I have been led to believe that this is likely the easiest way to be heard by… those here, I will address the mass of you. I warn you now that I will not appreciate foolish answers or jests. Power or not I am still Mother Nature and I see no reason to act as if I am not.

First of all, what in the name of Cygnus is truly going on? Being kidnapped for something as trite as "spreading emotion and cheer" is ludicrous, and I shall not be participating in a war of any sort no matter how urgent it seems. One is enough for anyone to participate in.

[There's a pause, as if she is considering something for a long moment.]

Also, if anyone recognizes the name Pitchiner, knows who Tsar Lunaoff is then I would request to speak with you at your convenience.

You know, if I was a god, I'd really be a lot more picky when it came to the selection process.  I mean, really, as productive as talking about wedding cakes, unscrambling word puzzles, and making lists is, I think I'd be better off reeling in bunch of trained monkeys.  They be more productive and generally more pleasant to be around.  

No offense.

But I guess instead, these gods are going to settle for mutant children and unruly teenagers.  

Good luck making use of that for your relief efforts.  Maybe the flooding was punishment for the lack of total competency in this place.

Also.  I have an important question.  Do the gods here take human sacrifices?  That might help with the supply shortage problem.  Also the annoying surplus of orphans.

[When the video kicks on, Athelstan is in the middle of scrambling backward, his fingers closing around the axe in his belt. The hovering touchscreen, of course, follows him back and he instinctively slashes out at the hologram as it chases him through the room.

Through sheer dumb luck, he manages to hit the button that halts the screen's movement so it stops advancing on him, and after a few moments of sitting on the floor, staring in terror at the bright screen that seemed to appear out of nowhere, Athelstan pulls himself up on his elbows and takes a deep breath.]

Deus meus.

[The Latin is deliberate, and it takes him a few more moments to actually calm down and approach the recording screen again.]

This is... used to communicate? [It's an interesting enough contraption, and his brows furrow a little, reaching out a tentative hand to touch the hologram, head tilted as it makes the screen flicker before him.] With no ink or parchment... fascinating. You others with this ring, you can hear my voice through this? As if I were next to you?

[He grasps the concept quickly enough, it seems, and pokes a little more at the screen, widening and shortening it in turn.]

I... I am Athelstan, a follower of your god Odin. I did not expect to find Valhalla so soon into my days- [or at all, really...] -but as I am here now, I suppose I must offer myself to the service of the gods. If anyone can help me... the magic of Asgard is something I have never experienced before. I am unfamiliar with many things in this land. As a matter of fact, I-

[Aaand he manages to shut the recording off in mid-sentence. Go figure.

Help?]

[[ooc: intro is backdated just a bit to before the flood! :o]]

Now that Spring is here, almost. I thought I'd remind all the boys and girls of Asgard that I run a little survival group known as the Scouts after school. No popcorn or cookies, but hey, we have pocketknives. [ this is a totally legit bribe for small children, right? ] Plus we get to go camping. [ okay he might be a monster at heart but he seriously hates camping. hopefully they can kill some small animals or something before he loses it completely. ]

Speaking of... [ this is not related at all!! ] This is going to sound odd, but it is my job back home to worry about these sorts of things. I found a room? Spattered with-- [ should he say blood spatter in the same post as boys and girl scouts? he just doesn't know. ] Biomatter. [ because that's better. ]

No one that you know is... severely injured, are they? [ it was a lot of blood, okay. ]

So, yeah. Sign up with me, Dexter, or let Headmaster Snape know you're interested. In the Scouts. [ not blood, though that would also be relevant to his interests. tell him in private!! ] We start on Monday.

[ he gives a little salute at the screen, though it's clearly the nice-guy salute and not any sort of military gesture with how limp it is, followed by a bright smile. ]

[He doesn't want to talk to anyone. He doesn't want to see anyone at the moment either. His brother is gone, his other best friend is gone... Soubi is gone. While he knows he'll see Youji again when he gets home... however long... But Soubi and Seimei? He doesn't know. Like so much in his life, he doesn't know if he'll see them again.]

How often do people return after they leave? Is there... some sort of rate of possibility?

[Because if he can have it in numbers, have it in some sort of concrete fact, he can rationalize it better. He can handle the possibility of percentage about seeing his brother again. At home he has no idea when he might see Seimei again, but here, here couldn't there just be something... concrete?

He knew there wasn't. He knew that it was as unpredictable as anything else.

He was just in denial, it was something he was good at.]

Okay, time to lighten the mood.

[Because after all this shit that's happened, she needs to smile. She needs something, anything, to take her mind off all of this and for a second, remember that being alive is good, and right.

And maybe to remember a simpler time.]

I've got this book of puns, right? Well, back in the day, it kinda used to be my thing. And I figure you guys could use this. Or groan, whatever.

Here goes.

A clown held the door open for me the other day.
I thought it was a nice jester.

The butcher backed up into the meat grinder.
He got a little behind in his work.

Yesterday I accidentally swallowed some food coloring.
The doctor says I'm okay, but I feel like I've dyed a little inside.

Pffft.

The man who survived mustard gas and pepper spray is now a seasoned veteran.

[That one actually makes her laugh out loud.]

[Action]

[As the sun sets on Asgard for the second day of madness, there is a cry of supreme exertion from above the city. Anyone who looks towards it can see a figure clearly in the darkness of the night. For a a single, brilliant moment the shadows of evening, the stars in the sky and the moon are overshadowed and the light that emanates from him is almost like the morning sun. It glitters where he half stands, half floats just above the unseen barrier that guards the palace.

His hands reach out and tendrils of golden dust begin to float out from his bright and shining body. They criss-cross and tangle, fraying through all of the city, leading and connecting every part of the Holy City to his floating form. There is a resounding shout of exertion at the end of the minute and every golden light pulls taut. The travelers in all corners of the city can feel their very beings tug, yanking at them and pulling on their cores. And then, there is silence. The golden light winks out and the figure can be seen falling to the castle below in the light of the rising moon.

But, as he falls, everything in the city is at peace once more.]

[Video]

[The video feed comes on about an hour later. In the intervening time, there's been no explanations, no answers, no word from the palace. Baldr comes onto the feed, reclined on a couch, dressed well and making an effort not to look like he might have just seriously over-extended himself. Nope, just a normal day for the god. Everything's fine.

He turns towards the feed and gives everyone a smug, self-satisfied look, the sneer filling his arrogant features.]

You're welcome. Now would you lot please clean our city up? You're the ones who made a mess.

[Clementine looks more than a little disoriented. Her features seem less round and childish, thinned a little given the apparent time she appears to have spent back home when she looks to the bracelet almost wearily after glancing to her arm. She never meant to have to end up doing what she did. Hadn't wanted to, but if it was a chance of her survival, she was getting more used to doing whatever it might take. Still, she is evidently recognizable, still wearing her precious 'D' hat her father gave her. Her arm, shirt and face are splattered with blood, reminiscent of when she initially arrived in Asgard months ago.]

Hi again, I guess? I'm not sure how long it has been here, but back home it was....about a couple of years. I haven't missed anything too major, have I? The bracelet is still the same colour, the gem I mean, so. I guess I'm still in Sigyn and all. I lost my bag, back home. I don't have any supplies or my pistol. I know some people have or can draw weapons. I'd appreciate the help. I mean, unless the pistol I had before is still here.

Oh. And I'm....sorry if I worried anyone. It's...it's good to be back.

I hope things seem to have calmed down a bit now at least. And it looks like we have new arrivals again. Welcome to Asgard, I guess? I'm Clementine. It's....not so bad once you get used to things here. Better food and beds than back home at least. And no walkers.

[Yup. After the chaos back home, it's the simple things that Clementine is grateful for, really. But there's something to her voice, an edge and tiredness betraying her otherwise cheerful attempt at a welcome. It's evident the kid has not been sleeping well lately, especially to those that know her.]

Um, I wanted to ask, has anybody else been getting weird drawings lately? [The next is quieter, clearly not focused to the bracelet as Clementine turns to talk to her kitten.] Midnight, it's okay. I'll feed you in a minute, okay?

[She holds up some drawings that a certain grey skinned, thin new arrival has been leaving for her as examples. They are all pretty....creepy. Especially for a kid her age. I've been finding them at our home and I'm not sure who is doing them but it....kind of creepy. So I was wondering if anyone else was getting them too?

[And here is where Midnight will come over and headbutt her shoulder and meow, clearly wanting attention and food.] Okay, okay, I'm coming....

Thanks, if you can help.

[And with that, the bracelet is turned off, Clementine going to distract herself by focusing on her kitten.]

[ooc: Yup, this is actually the result of her meeting Pitch. He kind of followed her home without her realizing and has been sending her nightmare fuel drawings as a result of being one of the few kids around that he could mess with. Not that Clementine herself is aware of that. An example would be here of the things Pitch has been leaving.]

[Hello there, Asgard. Clara normally avoids using the network, just because she doesn't think it really works with making her not feel awkward and weird, but she's decided to break her rule of not using it all that often in order to get a message out there, and also ask a couple of things.

Unsure of how to just jump into talking, she reaches up to tuck hair behind her ear, awkwardly waving and smiling as she does so.]

Right, so, first off -

[There's a pause, and she hesitates, bringing her hand up toward her mouth so she can bite at her pinkie.]

Figure I ought to let anyone that heard I was gone know I'm back.

[Another pause, and her eyes shift off to the left. Then the right. Awkward.]

Obviously.

[Another pause, and she chuckles a bit, just because she really needs to get better at talking over these things.]

Also, had a bit of a question for the lot of you. I could use a distraction or two, and was wondering if any of the adults out there might be interested in English language or literature lessons? Free of charge, of course, just something fun to pass the time in between nearly being killed.

[Her smile becomes more warm now, and her talking more at ease, her mannerisms much more animated as she eases into subjects she enjoys talking about.]

And on that incredibly studious note, I'm also looking for someone who might be able to help me with my growth power. I've been to the library here and there looking for any information I can find on plants, and always seem to find things too broad to be of much use. Any help anyone can provide will be repaid one way or another.

[And not sure what else there is to say or how to end this, she brings a hand up to give a little salute as a sign off, and cuts things there.]

[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?

[Seimei had actually slipped away from most of the activity. One might have seen this strange guy with cat ears and a tail, just like Ritsuka and his friends, roaming about the city. But he was busy chatting up the greyest locals, bugging them in various ways and with apparently intent curiosity. He was quite persistent, in fact, and showed no interest in the network! At least, it seemed that way...]

It's too bad there's no internet! It's so strange to not have the world's collective knowledge and curiosity at your fingertips. At least there's some video games that function well enough without the internet, even if I miss MMORPGs. Are there other video game fans? I'd love someone to play against - I need a good challenge. Hah, and those of you who are from worlds without video games... you should play them. They're good for you! They increase your brain's plasticity, or put more simply, they make you smarter.

[He's been skimming through the help wanted signs to decide where to get himself a little job. He'd like to buy himself some games, after all, and get at least one game that he can play with Ritsuka. Speaking of his little brother,]

Also, if anyone is a friend of Ritsuka's, I'd like to get to know them. I want to thank you personally for spending time with him while I wasn't.

[ Look at him, he's so angry. Just so angry. You can almost see the sparks coming off of him; at the very least, he's nearly spitting in conjunction with his lisp. ]

Who took my sweater? I tried to be nice and let whoever stole it bring it back, but it's not here and it's starting to tick me off. If that Santa asshole came into my block and took it while I was sleeping I'm going to be pissed.

Hey, guys, I got a few orders of business for you all.

First, I'm Fiona Gallagher. I'm the new secretary at the Albus Dumbledore Academy. Which I know doesn't sound the most exciting, but it means I'm the person you wanna go to for the little details and stuff. Like if your name's spelled wrong on your transcripts, or if you wanna switch courses? You wanna talk to me.

Also, if you wanna enroll, I can talk you through it. It's not a big thing, I mean, the credits don't exactly transfer. It's mostly for learning stuff if you want to. We've got all kinds of stuff, here, uh- [There's the sound of paper rustling; she's clearly looking over some sort of page:] Astronomy, alche- alchemy? [Whatever that is.] Self-defense, magic history, Egypt... Something about Egypt. Anyway, what I'm saying is, this isn't exactly public school.

And to anybody in the school, if you're a teacher or a student, it'd be great if you could introduce yourself and tell me what classes you're taking or teaching? I've got records, but I wouldn't mind doing a double check.

Anyway, second, anybody wanna haul some big a- [Don't swear!! Official work related network post, remember not to swear] some really big filing cabinets into the academy? I'll need 'em in the actual academy if they're gonna do us any good. Payment is traditional currency, you know, a six pack.

Okay, maybe a twelve pack in this weather.

And third, anybody wanna help teach me some of this magic crrrr-... this magic stuff? I have the plant power. I'll pay you.

[ooc lol i probably should have put this up earlier but this post is totally open to threadjacking if the need strikes o/]

[And in case Asgard wasn't sick of all the Christmas sweaters, the feed clicks back on to a slightly familiar sight - the Guardians' apartment above the ice rink. The place looks like it's seen better days - papers scattered and craft supplies littering the area in some direction or another. The Guardians themselves are sitting around their couch. Jack, in true monkey fashion as always, is somehow balancing himself on the back of the couch. A large man dressed in red is sitting in the center of the seats - looking oddly proud of himself as he fiddles with the screen some more. He's also sporting a nice shoulder decoration - a certain tiny Sandy sleeping away without any sign of moving at all. At the man's side, Jamie is sitting with his brand new sweater and bouncing a little on his seat with his one-eyed stuffed rabbit. A lady's voice (Tooth's) can be heard in the distance of the other room - chattering on to herself about something involving spreadsheets or another. The man finally quits moving the damn thing and turns to Jack and Sandy's direction.] You see! No problems! I can set up videos without help!

[Jack arches an eyebrow, trying to play the "not impressed" card, but he's obviously amused. Let's see how long it takes him to spam North with emoticons in the future... right now it's time to get all Guardian up.] I'll tell the kids to draw you a gold star later. Can we get this going? There's snow outside waiting to be thrown at people's faces.

[Jamie looks over at the visible Guardians with excitement. He tugs on North's sleeve urgently.] Tell them! Tell them!

Bah! Snow will wait for few more minutes! This is great news! [North chuckles a bit and pats Jamie on the head before finally focusing on the screen in front of him. The jolly old man is containing his excitement about as bad as Jamie at this point.] We are celebrating Christmas at Asgard this year!! [Wait wait. Hold it North. How about actually explaining first?]

[Jack glares at North. Did he just seriously say snow can wait? This is a sin. A tragedy. And he's ready to tell him exactly what an offense that was, but Jamie jumps in before he can even open his mouth. Literally, he jumps in by jumping up to stand on the couch.] It's not just Christmas! We're going to celebrate all of the winter holidays!

But! Christmas comes first. [Yes, North can't help adding that it. They all may have decided to celebrate all the winter holidays but nothing is stopping the man from being absurdly proud of his own. Still Jamie's outburst finally reminds North why they're here so he's straightening up in his seat (Sandy may have rolled a little at the movement). Guardian time ladies and gentlemen.] Explanations are in order. We have all been stranded here for some time - some more than others. However!

( NOT AN IC CUT FOR CHRISTMAS INFORMATION )

[The video opens to Severus looking very haggard, pale, almost haunted looking. Like for many people, the past week has been downright horrendous for Severus. The things that unfolded for him in the mirror world have left him unable to sleep; and he's been working overtime, clearing up the mess in the school that was left in the wake of the earthquake.

But, for once in his bleak, miserable life, he also looks rather colourful.

The lights on the jumper are flashing, too; they light up his face in different angles, throwing unflattering shadows here and there, across his abnormally large nose (making his nose look even larger) and across his sunken, tired eyes (making the dark bags under his eyes look even darker). The worst part? He has no idea how to turn the blasted lights off.

To make matters even more irritating, his emu, Steven, has been trying to attack the flashing lights ever since Severus woke up this morning in this ridiculous jumper. In fact, Steven can be seen lurking in the background now, bright eyed, curious, barely able to contain his eagerness to attack the shiny, sparkly things that look like edible insects to him.

Suffice it to say, Severus is not in a good mood. But one might argue that that's no different to how Severus normally is.

However. He is going to pretend that he's not wearing the hideous jumper. He is pretending very, very hard. Complete professionalism here. Nobody had better laugh at him!!1]

Just a quick announcement to say that, as of tomorrow, the school will officially open.

I have written up a school schedule. Teachers and students, please take the time to familiarise yourself with it. Should there be any questions or issues, please direct them to me personally.

[Look at the way the flashing lights keep lighting up his face in all kinds of unflattering angles, though!!]

If you are under the age of 18 and you wish to attend the school but have not registered your details with me, please do so as soon as possible.

[Steven is standing right behind Severus now. He's moving his head twitchily, cocking it down to peer over Severus' shoulder at those lovely flashing lights! Any second now, he's going to attack. Any second now…

Not that Severus is aware of him standing there. Not yet, at least.]

Which brings me to my next point. As a number of people over the age of 18 expressed an interest in undertaking education, I am now working towards catering for mature-aged students as well. If you are over the age of 18 and are interested in enrolling at the school, please leave a message with me and I will get back to you as soon as possible to discuss things with y--

[He's suddenly interrupted by Steven dashing his long neck over his shoulder and furiously attacking one of the lights. Gotta get one of the tasty-looking flashing insects before his master stops him!]

Stop that, you--!

[The bird has a hold of one of the lights. He's pulling and twisting it. He's pulling it so hard that he's tugging the giant red bow right up over Severus' face. And one of the lights is now flashing right up his left nostril.

There's a great deal of (rather frantic) fumbling around before the feed suddenly ends.]

[[ooc; Just a few things!!
• If your character is going to be a teacher at the school, could you please head over here and fill out the form if you haven't already so I can put them on the school roster! ALSO!! Make sure you fill out the interview questions if you haven't already!
• If I've made a mistake on the school roster/schedule thingy, please let me know!! Either send me a PM or message me on plurk!
• If your character would like to be a mature-aged student, please fill this out!
• And of course, if your character is a student under the age of 18, please head over here and fill this out if you haven't already!
• Like the subject heading says: feel free to threadjack! :D
• Lastly! I'm in the middle of packing up my house to move interstate, so just a heads up that my tags might be a bit slow. Blah, sorry! :c If you'd prefer to handwave (as it's a busy time for everyone right now, anyway) that's totally fine with me. Just let me know!]]

-- fucking around, damnit!

[ Yes, Joel is not happy. In fact, he's turning on the bracelet because he isn't happy. It's a video and Joel looks about ready to go out and do something a lot of people might regret, considering he's put the bracelet down and he has a smaller sized shotgun in his hand.

Meanwhile.

Tess is there off to the side. She understands where he's coming from, she said it herself that if anyone fucks with one of theirs--they will wreak havoc. In this case, they're both ready to do just that. It's like Robert all over again only this time Joel's the one out for blood, not her.

Leaning against a low table with her arms crossed over her chest she tilts her head, watching on, noticing the changes in him. Tess is ready to argue with him over the network, argue that they should shit out first like who this guy is, what he's capable of, the damage he could cause in return, but what good will that do? That will just show this bastard Voldemort that they aren't serious. That they're weak.

She can be heard sighing off-camera, rubbing her fingers into her temple as he carries on. ]

I ain't messin' around here. You listen and you listen good.

[ He leans close to the camera, eyes dark and expression hard, hand tightening around the gun. ]

Voldemort, right? Yeah, you listen to me. You come near my girl again and I will give you another goddamn taste. [ Remember how a gun felt, Voldemort? Expect a repeat. ] And I'll keep doin' it until you get the message, you hear? And if that ain't enough of a warning...

[ Joel disappears from view and when he pops up again he might be holding a knife now. Oops? ]

I'll write it on your skin.