[Castiel hates war. He hates watching it, hates being involved in it, and the only thing that ever makes it worthwhile is if it's for a cause that warrants it. He's not at all sure that's the case here, even now, and that this won't all come back to haunt them.

But he's trying to ignore all of that, because he's a medic team leader, and he has a job to be doing. Several of them, actually, and right now it's using his actual experience to try to keep people from dying, at least, if not defeating the enemy.]

All of those who are intending to act as medical support should meet at the Arena; it is being used as a central location for those involved in the battle. Even if you lack a healing ability and desire to help, you will be of use. We need as many people as can be gathered.

[He frowns for just a moment, considering his next words, but then lifts his chin slightly and continues.]

Those who can both fight and heal are also needed for positions in the field. This would be inherently dangerous, and small groups should be formed rather than individuals going alone. At least one member of this group should be capable of defending themselves and the others if necessary, but not all need be fighters.

[He'll be the one fulfilling that role for his own group, after all, and he doesn't expect many of those here with healing abilities or skills to also be used to fighting.]

This is also a general announcement that anyone injured can seek healing at the Arena, or find one of the healers in the field. If you are in the field and have an emergency, contact my or John Watson's bracelet, and we will direct someone to your location.

[And a small pause, as he looks like he thinks he should say something else--good luck, a reassurance, something--but he doesn't, and instead gives just a small determined nod before shutting off the connection.]

[When Jimmy comes on screen he looks beaten up and weary from lack of rest and a lot of other neglecting-to-care-for-yourself issues he hasn't addressed thanks to thinking this place doesn't exist.

He just stares for a little while, fixated on how the screen comes up and works and all the options, studying them again and then finally sighs in exasperation.]

Okay, I give.

The longer I stay here the more I realize what people said might be true. That this isn't a dream and there is some reality to it.

I... can't explain how I remember, but I was here before I guess and even though it's not easy to pick through I can sort of get the gist of what life was like.

My name is Jimmy Novak. I live in Sigyn.

I guess now would be a good time to ask if anyone is hiring...

[It's been a long day for Jimmy. He woke up and Claire was missing out of bed, it was stripped of the sheets she'd picked out and he'd scrolled through his contacts and found nothing. She was gone. Like she'd never been there to begin with.

That's when the frantic anxiety of a scared father kicked into gear. He left the house at 7am and tried to find her on the streets, at her work, where her friends might be, even at the Heimdall house. Nothing.

When he stopped by the bank to cash his money for work so he could make his house payment they told him Claire Novak's stuff was there for him. That's when he found the letter.

Reasonably so he doesn't want to be seen. Or heard. His throat is scratchy and his eyes are red rimmed from crying.]

For those that don't know Claire Novak has gone home.

[Added in fifteen minutes later:] So much for second chances.

[Daphne is sitting cross-legged on Castiel's bed, frowning thoughtfully into the holographic video recorder. She thought she had what she wanted to say all worked out, but suddenly, she's at a loss for words. It's kind of hard to absorb that a good chunk of the world you thought you knew isn't really what it seems, but she seems intent to allow that to remain her business, and no one else's.

Besides, she has important things to discuss. Important things.]

Hello.

[It's said a little uncertainly.]

I'm... my name is Daphne, I just got here yesterday morning. I'm in the house of Sigyn, but I'm staying in the -- Odin? district for now. At least, I think that's where I am. I haven't really wrapped my mind around the entire concept yet.

[Bluh bluh the network doesn't care, Daphne. Her cheeks grow a little pink -- public speaking is so not her thing -- before she continues.]

I... have the power of healing. And in my world, I was a nurse, so -- I wanted to know if anyone needed that kind of thing around here. I'd be willing to start as soon as possible. So -- thanks.

[And then, she smiles briefly, before she shuts off the feed.]

( Filtered to Team Free Will // Private // Unhackable] )

[It's been a while since this particular face has been on the network in a video of her own, and she's much more cheerful than she was a couple months ago.

Rue starts the video off with a laugh and a wave at the camera. Behind her are racks of clothing--maybe she's in a store?]

Hi, Asgard, hi! [Now what could possibly make this shy girl so excited? The answer becomes obvious enough when she moves the screen to show another familiar Traveler. Well, familiar if you can see past the really..."eye-catching" outfit he's wearing right now. ]

Peeta asked me about clothing, and I helped him pick something out! [Look, she's so proud of it. Can't you tell?] Isn't it colorful? All the nice flowers got washed away by the water this week. [Here she actually frowns, crossing her arms over chest unhappily.] So maybe we should make the city brighter again by wearing brighter clothes! Wouldn't that be nice?

[This logic totally makes sense, okay, don't question her.

After she finishes talking, Rue quickly loses interest in the video she's sending in favor of better things. The viewers might hear her exclaim "Peeta, let's go look at the shoes!" right before she remembers to turn the bracelet off.]


(ooc: Replies will come from both Peeta and Rue!)

[Jimmy's sitting in a recliner he just bought when he turns on the video option on his bracelet. Under his right arm is a sad looking puppy that's shaking like the air in the house is frigid. It's not. He's just scared of the video display in front of them. It's another dog. Other dogs are terrifying.]

So I need to get Sam here neutered before he starts spraying. Is there anyone out there that'd be willing to help with that?

[He pulls a face while looking at the dog that's trying to climb into his shirt to get away from its terrifying alien clone.] I might also need a dog trainer.

[Hi, Asgard! Mary's face pops up very suddenly.]

Hey, Merlin, Morgana- I'm on my way home, I picked up dinner. See you soon.

[She presses a button on the bracelet, but obviously not the right one, as it keeps playing. The scene changes as she walks outside into... some random-ass part of what appears to be Odin that's most likely utterly unfamiliar to anyone who doesn't actually live there. Mary's humming a tune that she honestly doesn't know, but has been in her head for days. She isn't a stripper, contrary to the video, but she is sporting some pretty rad hot pants and mud on her cowboy boots.

After a few seconds the music overwhelms her- she runs at a streetlight and spins on it with the arm not carrying food, bursting into song. She's a pretty good singer, shockingly.]

What's the time? Well it's gotta be close to midnight!
My body's talking to me, it says time for danger.
[She obviously has no idea she's being recorded, and has started to stop random faceless people and sing with them.]
It says I wanna commit a crime- wanna be the cause of a fight.
I wanna put on a tight skirt and flirt with a stranger.

[Mary goes on like that, singing to the stars as she goes through the streets, running her free hand through her hair in obvious pent-up energy. By the time she gets to Thor, she's reached a sadder, slower part of the song, and has stopped to sing right at a confused-looking gray person.]

In the evening, I've got to roam,
Can't sleep in the city of neon and chrome-
feels too damn much like home when the Spanish babies cry.
So let's find a bar so dark we forget who we are...

[She gets visibly pissed-off suddenly, turning around and whipping the box in her hand at the building across the street, narrowly missing hitting a gray person in the head. Her bracelet goes flying too, hitting some gray person in the eye and just catching her almost screaming the last line.]

Where all the scars from the nevers and maybes DIE!
Let's go-

[Any other day and Jimmy would have done a video feed but he's feeling kind of sheepish and not ready to show his face after going native for a month.

He should've known there would be repercussions.

The only thing on his mind right now is Claire and he's already making the walk over to Heimdall as he's typing.]

I don't know why I thought it'd be a good idea to take the bracelet off.

I should've known it'd end up biting me in the ass.

What'd I miss?

[The scene opens to a rather ridiculous sight, as either Castiel or Jimmy--it’s hard to tell which, as they’re both in the frame--is pondering a somewhat beat up but still functional looking bike. That’s nothing particularly noteworthy, though; what stands out most is that said individual is wearing very improvised knee and elbow pads, made of what looks a combo of small pillows and duct tape.]

I don’t understand why this is a necessary skill.

[The voice gives it away; the perplexed and safeguarded speaker is Castiel, eyeing the bike with some level of suspicion as he directs his comment at his doppelganger.]

Because! [A girl’s voice rings from somewhere off-screen.] You’re finally old enough for a paper route!

[Jimmy busts up at the comment from off screen but calms himself in order to focus on the situation at hand.] Dammit Mary... [He checks the bike and its riggings to make sure it’s good to go. Once he gets in control of himself again he goes back to reassuring Castiel.]

Think of it as a right of passage. You’re protected, thanks to Claire. [He tries to hide his laughter and fails miserably, looking more like a kid that got caught with his hand in the cookie jar than anything else.]

( More bike riding shenanigans beneath You won't regret it. )

color key: light blue = Castiel, dark blue = Jimmy, light pink = Claire, dark pink = Mary Campbell-Winchester

[Well hello, everyone! At about noon, one of your Gods has appeared in front of you again, cheerfully addressing the network from a nicely furnished living room somewhere (the decor matches the castle, perhaps?) Loki is completely chill about this, nowhere near as uptight as Odin was.]

Hey there, Travellers! This is your captain speaking. One of them, anyway. The name's Loki.

Are you having a good time? How about a miserable one? Either way, we hope you're not bored. The whole point is to keep you going, isn't it? The more you laugh and cry, the better the city gets. Have you noticed yet? It's working. Some things are getting pretty colourful by now, so we really have to thank you a little.

Good thing it's a special time anyway. See, it's the first day of Spring, so for our little world of Yggdrasil, it's the beginning of a new year! Welcome to year 416 of the Last Era, everyone!

To celebrate, to get the year off on a good leg, and to thank you, we'll be allowing another little Q&A here. You can ask us whatever you want as long as you follow a few rules.

One, we don't have to answer repeat questions. We might, but if you're all asking us the same thing we aren't going to explain it over and over. That's boring, and I'm sure you're all perfectly intelligent enough to look at the answers we give other people.

Two, we don't have to answer stupid questions. Self-explanatory, right? If you're repeating a stupid question you're breaking two rules, so don't do that. You might end up regretting it.

Three, you're not entitled to answers we aren't ready to give you. If you can't handle hearing "no", we just won't argue with you.

Simple, right? Now for one last thing, here's a couple of questions you can answer for me, if you want to.

How would you like it if we socialized more? Would it make you more or less comfortable?

Also, what's the #1 thing you think this city is lacking?

Ready? Go.


[OOC NOTE: The mods will OOCly be following the gods' IC rules. This means that if your comment gets skipped we aren't mad at you, it's just that we are all people with limited time too. ;)

This is also the post that will trigger the proving a point plot. If your character was chosen (the list is below), they should comment here asking about their powers. If you don't have time to do so, you're welcome to handwave that they asked and it was ignored, but characters who didn't ask won't be punished. If you were chosen and changed your mind about participating at all, it's fine to just not do it (it doesn't have to be an exact 10 that die), but if you want us to find an alternate, PM us asap so we can do so.

Now for the 10 victims, we chose 5 with more mental powers and 5 with more physical, and tried to pull from the biggest variety of canons as possible. The characters chosen to die are as follows:

Dying from physical powers: Buffy Summers, Cheriour, Dante, Rin Okumura, & Ririchiyo Shirakiin

Dying from mental powers: Charles Xavier, Kainé, Rose Lalonde, Shiki Ryougi, & Sweden

Characters chosen can die anywhere from now til March 31. It honestly doesn't matter if it all happens in the next few hours or if they're all at once on March 31, so don't agonize too much over timing. Just have with it. Check the linked plot info for more details! :)]

[Look who's finally on the network. He isn't the most social and became a hermit shortly after his arrival but now with the arrival of his daughter and so much more he's feeling more readily able to address the masses.]

I have a question. [Jimmy pauses and squares his shoulders.] My daughter just arrived, she's twelve, and in eighth grade. I don't see any reason why this place should distract from her education and honestly I'd rather it didn't? [He looks a little unsure as he ends the sentence with a question but continues anyway.] I was wondering if anyone experienced could continue her lessons one on one like an in house tutor. She's in Heimdall and I'm in Sigyn. Wherever you're comfortable.

It wouldn't be long. Maybe two hours a day. She's bright. [He presses his lips into a hard line and shuts his eyes. Still a little ticked off with his circumstances and now even more on edge because his parental instincts have him worrying over Claire, what happened there, and the knowledge that sprouted from their outing after she showed up.] Thanks.

[Sam sounds shaken. But Sam, as Sam always does, keeps it together. Because Sam has to keep it together.

This world is real. His family is real. He is real. And the Cage is just a memory.

Time to get shit done. He has a job to do.]

... someone from my world just got here. His name's Lucifer.

Don't trust a word he says. Don't go near him. He'll manipulate you and twist your words around and even if he's the nicest person in the world, it's all a lie.

[Pause.]

And if he says anything about me, I'd really -- prefer to hear it from the rest of you than hearing it on my own, so please, just -- let me know.

Thanks.

( [Filtered to Dean Winchester, Castiel, Bobby Singer, and Buffy Summers )

Excuse me... [The blond girl's eyes are red as though from crying, but she's keeping relatively composed.]

My name is Claire Novak. I was told that we can't go home, but is there any way to get a message or communication of some sort through? I would like to know... The time and place I was at were a bit life and death and complicated.

Can I at least find out if my mom and dad are all right?

[And tears are rolling down her cheeks again, so she just... turns it off, no need to make everybody watch her crying while she's waiting for an answer.]

Can someone tell me why ice creatures don't melt instantaneously?

[Someone sounds super annoyed.

Because someone just got his ass kicked by an ice fairy and got sat on and has a nasty amount of frostbite on his arm.

Sam Winchester. Defied Lucifer. Got his ass kicked by a fairy.

Fuck his life.]

[No. No. This was the opposite of what he wanted. Jimmy had already spoken to the maid but all it did was coil him tighter. He didn't understand what she meant by any of it and although she as calm and understanding of his predicament he really only felt like she was mocking him with the kindness.

Jimmy didn't make it very far past the Sigyn Welcome Hall, in fact he collapsed not even half way through.

His turns his device on manually without meaning to. He hasn't yet bothered to care enough to figure it out for himself. He'd been clenching it so tightly it had turned on in his palm.

At first all you see is blackness, the inside of his palm, and then when he drops one hand to the floor to bury his face into the other hand you get a view of him from below and off to the side. He's in a suit and tie with a trench coat carefully blanketing his shoulders. The white of his shirt is soaked in still wet blood at his abdomen, although there's no wound beneath.

It sort of looks like he's crying, but he's not. He's just breathing heavily. Trying to gain some control and failing miserably.

When he speaks it's with a snap, like he has no control over the things he's saying at all. It's verbal vomit pouring out of his mouth like sewage from a broken main.]

Dammit Cas!! I told you to take me. Take me.

What part of that didn't you understand?

[He's not much of a beggar but his tone changes dramatically when he gets no response. He knows the angel can hear him. C'mon... Castiel, please she's just a child... she's just- Please.