[ There are some people in the world who really shouldn't be given any sort of technology or utensil without first receiving some hands-on instruction. Well, even more than is standard upon arrival. Peter Pettigrew, unfortunately, is one of them. The video jolts and even falls to the floor before it rights itself, but upside down. ]

Hn. Owls really would just be easier.

[ It rattles again, and really, wearing a bracelet should not be so difficult. ][ A sigh. ]

Merlin, this is -- well. I... I was just wondering if maybe anyone played chess? I... I don't know.

Something to do, maybe? Besides... well, this thing.

[ He gestures to the bracelet, which only serves to make the video fuzzy and flicker out. Sorry, he's never been very good at introductions, and certainly no good at making many friends. ]

If your powers or anyone else’s backfired on you in the past week, go get yourself looked at by a professional. Even if you feel fine. Energy zapping and deconstructive injury could’ve left lasting effects, and you don’t want to wait until the next crisis to figure out if they have. Don’t be a martyr—be smart.

( he’s very huffy, as he says all of this. as if he doesn’t expect most people to take his advice, but knows he has to say it, anyway. in any case, he pauses briefly, before continuing. )

Now that shit’s calmed down a bit, I have a few questions. Answer if you want, don’t bother telling me why you don’t want to if that’s the case.

First is this—what year was it, before you got here, in your homeworld or universe?

( he has a suspicion about most of the answers he’ll get, but it’s worth knowing if anyone at all is from his end of the time stream. )

Second is more of a request. I’ve tried out three pubs in this place and none of them are worth writing home about. Recommend me a good one and I’ll be grateful.

( he doesn’t sound inclined to gratitude. )

I can’t see any active benefit to these powers, but if there’s something they’ve helped you with when nothing else would’ve, I’d like to hear about that, too.

…oh. And if anyone out there’s from Freya’s house, I have a particular question for you. Nothing serious, but I’d appreciate the time.

( he clears his throat, a little awkward. and then the post ends. )

[The thing is, Annie's done this more than once. Waking up and knowing, somehow, that he's gone. It hasn't gotten any easier, but there are no hysterics when she turns on her bracelet. No tears, no raging at the unfairness of it all, only a weary sort of resignation.]

Finnick Odair is... I don't think he's here anymore. I can't find him anywhere, and he isn't in the contact list, so. I thought those who knew him should be told.

[It's early in the morning, Asgard. The feed starts with a young woman, clearly older, though there is something familiar about her, looking for all the world unamused. She is pinning up her hair.]

I do see Asgard hasn't changed too drastically in its notions of abducting someone without much notice, lady or otherwise.

[She finally finishes the task of her hair, mumbling something about "not even in proper attire" though some of it is a little too softly muttered to understand.]

Regardless, 15 years, I dare say, is a good deal to let someone away only to have insist upon their return, to the same house, I see. I would have nearly forgotten this place with another year, I'm sure.

[She quirks a brow. She's remembering bits and pieces, and is surprised, if internally, at the fact that she's apparently in her "old room." She's not even sure who is and isn't here anymore. Dragons, mayhaps, never age, so Marigold resting his head in her lap is not as much of indicator as she would like.]

Well then, I suppose, what have I missed, Asgard? If there is indeed something to have been missed. I recall Asgard's relationship with Time has always been something questionable.



[OOC: SO! Alice has been cursed to believe she was sent home for 15 years and brought back to Asgard as a now 22 year old. In actuality, she's just been aged up and hasn't left Asgard at all, she is in fact, mentally 22 though.]

[ Hello from the clinic! AKA, not a very exciting background but, hey. One can't have everything. Deal with it. ]

Good day ... Travellers. This is a bit belated but is everyone holding up all right? After the battle.

Anyway. I'm John Watson, and I run the Yakuzen Clinic, [ he probably pronounces that terribly lbr, ] in the Heimdall district, so you're free to come by if you've ever got any health issues. There's also the hospital in Sigyn, if you'd prefer that. And I've got some job offers!

We've pretty much got doctors covered, but none with ... magical Healing abilities, so if you've got that and no job we could use that. Otherwise we need secretaries, and a cleaner.

[ A pause, and he looks to the side, licks his lower lip as he tries to remember what else he intended to say. ]

To anyone new, welcome to Asgard! You sort of got thrown right into the fray there. So, if you haven't figured that bit out yet, the war is pretty real. You can think it can't be the end of all worlds as much as you like, but the war is definitely ... happening. No one's going to force you to get involved, but if you like, there are a few things you could look into.

First, there's the Citadel that teaches people how to fight, basically. With swords, or hand to hand, or guns, whatever. There's also the Guard. I ... think that's still around? If you'd like to get involved in anything more organised to protect the city. Both of those are run by Arthur Pendragon. For the powers we've gained, there's the Teacher's Council. Pretty explanatory title. And for something more supportive, there's the Medic Corps. Both of those are run by Merlin. Lastly, there's ... a guild ... to learn runes. Rune magic. Called Grimiore's Sigil. Run by Aladdin. So there's also that option.

But, even if you don't want to get involved, just ... stay safe. Be cautious. Doctor's orders.

[ He's about to send the post, but catches himself, and raises a finger high enough for it to be visible on screen as he puts on an exaggerated stern expression. ]

And I am not the official announcer for these things, by the way. I just figured I might as well do it all in one go.

[ And he relaxes. ]

Oh, and, I suppose people might actually be interested in this. I have ... been keeping a journal, of things that have happened while I've been here. I suppose, if anyone would like, you're welcome to read it.

Aaaand, that's it. I think.

[ He rubs a finger slowly over his temple. ]

Yeah, it is.

So. Have a good day.

[ With a wave and a skew smile, he finally sends it. ]

[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.]

[Right. Remus wrinkles his nose, looking slightly put out, as he regards the camera.]

I, er, happened to get some particular novels for Christmas that I don't want. If anyone's interested, by all means, they're free. Er-- they're, ah, romance novels.

[Quite graphic ones, too.]

Of the, um, supernatural variety. So. Help yourselves! I'm over in Thor's district now; we're the house with all the red paint.

[It's prudent to use voice and not video when you're not 100% on what you're dealing with. The War Doctor has found his way to the Heimdall lodgings, now it's time to play with the device.]

I suppose this is the point where I'm meant to ask where I am. And I doubt it's the first time you've heard that one. So good time of day to you Asguardians. By this point you probably have some welcome parties set up, so feel free to let them send their information to me on these devices. It would be prudent and helpful of course. I already know where I am, but it never hurts to hear a different point of view on it.

That or you could leave me to just wander around. Wouldn't be the first time. Or the last.

I guess it's obligatory to ask where the exit is? It's not stated on the map I was given. I don't really have time to be doing this in a place I'm not needed in.

[Severus turns on the video feed, adjusts the angle a little - he's in one of the rooms in The Great Library - and clasps his hands together in front of him on the table. He has meticulously prepared himself for this announcement, right down to a list of points that he's written out that he wants to address. The list is laid out in front of him on the desk. It occurs to him to make the video filtered from the Dark Lord's prying eyes; he is not, however, addressing anything of a personal nature, and he knows the Dark Lord would find out the details of the school regardless.]

As some of you may recall, I made an announcement not too long ago concerning a proposal to establish a structured education system for the youth of Asgard. Due to… certain recent events [and by "certain events", he means being visited by the Gentlemen, not that he has any interest in discussing that matter], I experienced some setbacks in terms of organising things in a timely manner, hence the delay in my getting back to you all. However. A number of people expressed interest as a result of my last announcement and so I've decided to pursue with my proposal. The details I've worked out thus far are as followed:

[He pauses to glance down at the list. Just as he does so, a tall emu idly plods past behind him. It stops just short of disappearing from the video's field of vision; it cranes it long neck to preen its downy feathers.]

( Cut for length: in which Snape talks about the school itself )

( In which Snape talks about needing teachers )

( In which Snape talks about donations to help fund the school )

[[OOC:
1. This is the ooc info post about the school! Please leave your character's name if they want to be a student at the school!
2. The ooc post I made about the school in which you can ask questions!
3. Unless specifically requested, all teacher interviews and peer observations will be handwaved, as I simply won't have time to role-play all of them; unless you want to consider your interaction with Snape in this post to be the interview, of course! More information on this here!
4. …I think that's everything. c:
5. OH. Unless threads are marked as private, or unless someone specifically says they don't want to be threadjacked, feel free to threadjack in this post!!]]

[ so, texting still isn't Lily's favorite way of communicating to the public masses- she's still getting used to it, and she's sure there would be nothing more embarrassing than releasing a string of typos onto the network. so. this message is very carefully being typed!! not too slowly, but she rereads it twice over before sending this first bit out. SO IMPORTANT. ]

While I am usually an advocate of researching and learning new things on my own time, in light of recent events, I've decided there's really no reason why I should feel shy about the few questions I've had as of late regarding the use of runic magic in the city. Memorizing patterns hasn’t been a problem, the basic principles behind this particular kind of magic is something I've been studying for a few years now, back home, but there are some differences in the magic here that I would love to have cleared up, if there is anyone here that might know:

1: For runes used in combat ( both offensive and defensive runes ), is there a way to avoid using a "weapon" to activate said runes? Something non-contact, perhaps, that could still transfer the power of the runes onto the intended target.

[ yes, Lily is asking for suggestions of some kind of non-violent... weapon. don't you judge her. she and James are actually trying to come up with a rune to make that possible already, but, hey. if somebody’s got it now, she’d like to know

speaking of james. if anyone notices a subtle change in type from here on it, it’s because a certain husband has appeared and has noticed just how long it takes his wife to type on these bracelet things. it’s still coming from the bracelet of ‘lily potter’, but she’s no longer the one typing. thank merlin.]

2) would anyone be interested in practicing rune combat? at hogwarts (the school where we learned how to use magic back home) we had a duelling club, which was essentially a place we could meet and learn different strategies and tactics. it gave us a chance for some kind of experience outside of books and essays (though some people here preferred that. how? I have no bloody idea)


also, I do hope you lot will forgive lils here about the weapon bit. she’s not too keen on the idea, since we didn’t need much more than our wands back home. the fact they’re all but useless here is harder for her to deal with than the rest of us. we’re not all that stubborn about the idea.

she’s brilliant with her pen, but not so much the sword. [ get it? get it? he’s so clever. ] if anyone’s interested, the dueling would most likely happen when there aren’t creatures after our hearts. just for safety purposes. and for the whole not being able to talk bit. drop us a line if you know anything.

[ because someone needs to go and tease a certain someone about not being able to type, little miss perfect can’t even figure out a keyboard ]

( Snape gets visited by the Gentlemen. WARNING FOR GORE. )

---

Severus Snape is dead.

[Voldemort had arrived at Hel House with the intention of not leaving until Snape, the traitor, had suffered. The all-encompassing silence... It had been like a sign to him, a sign that he could strike and no one would be the wiser. Sound certainly still existed, but screams... Those pesky vocal, guttural sounds that escape when the body experiences pain... Without a means to silence through magic, they would prove an obstacle. And yet, with voices lost, a chance arose and he did not intend to waste it. What he didn't expect to find, however, was the deed already done, was the man mangled and the corpse's heart hollowed out.

Which is exactly the sight that greets anyone who deems to watch the video attached to this post. It lasts about thirty seconds, as Voldemort allows the camera to take in the scene of the crime, but most importantly: the body. It only takes in the scene, and does not show any footage of Voldemort himself, but rather Snape and his room.

The first thing anyone would notice is the lighting. Even in the daylight, the room is dark and while the bracelet has adjusted to the lighting, the closed curtains keep it from being fully illuminated. Plants hang from the ceiling, in various states of drying and curing, a fair number of them. Books line shelves among jars of insects. Voldemort has not touched anything, has only arrived and filmed it upon entering.]

[Now that she was no longer living in the Hel House herself Leeloo had to make the trip from Thor there, still wrought with worry about her inability to speak. Always calculated and cold, she thought that Snape might have some answers or maybe a plan that could help matters. He was blunt to the point of hurtful and while most would find that unsettling Leeloo took it as a sign of respect as that was how she’d always been with others that she’d been close to, the Modoshawans especially.

She isn’t expecting to find his door slightly ajar, the crack between the jamb and the hallway not so much as casting a strip of light over the carpet. With the dead quiet she knows something has to be wrong. It would be unlike him to leave it unlocked let alone open. She pushes through, if he was there she’d take his foul mood for what it was. It might even be easier to deal with since the tongue lashing wouldn’t be present.

There’s a gasp of breath that gets knocked out of her at what she sees. Severus, with his chest cavity surgically opened and his heart missing and a young man looming over him with his recording device.

She jumps to conclusions. Grabbing a book off the nearest shelf to hurl at the boy’s head.]

[Thud is the last thing the video feed hears, because the next moment he’s switched it off.]

( just a little scene set-up. ( warning: descriptions of graphic violence ) )

[ it takes her a while ( too long ) before she thinks to use her bracelet to contact someone. it's. what does she even say? how can she be expected to talk to anyone right now? dread and fury and nine million other negative emotions that all revolve around James Potter was murdered and I wasn't here and I couldn't save him make her feel impossibly useless, like she's not even really there. this can't be real. this can't be happening. she holds down the SOS button and squints against the light of the screen that pops up, ducks her head to hide her face from the view of the camera because this isn't- she's been screaming and crying, she doesn't want to be on camera.

the view behind her is of one of that first bloody message on the wall, and at the bottom edge of the screen the entry-point of some of those vines can be seen, but she doesn't think much of it. she doesn't care.

there are a few seconds of silence before she finally speaks-]

I need to- [ she needs to talk, not whisper. she needs to blink through the blur and ignore the urge to scream again and do something. warn people. ] -I need to report a- a break in. A murder. [ she breaks off with a sob, the sound of a breath being forced out between clenched teeth. she can't do this. her hand rubs over her face until she's sure she isn't about to completely lose it again. ] My husband, James Potter, has been killed and he- he's gone, his body is gone. He was just here, I saw him. I know he was here! How is that possible?! Why would- Where is he!? [ who would do this?! she's crying again because it's either that or she focuses on her anger, lashes out and expresses her need to find out who did this and- and what? she's not a killer. but there's something inside of her right now that is seriously considering it. it just makes her cry harder. but she doesn't sound hopeless, she just sounds like this is her last option. get help. ] I'm in Freya House. Please, if anyone could tell me what to do- I don't know what to do-

[ the feed ends there, because she's a mess, she's coming apart and she can't pretend to be able to handle this in any capacity right now. her eyes move from that spot on the wall where James' body hung, over to the window again. the space between all those vines and that open window. more bloody writing, the lines that scare her more than the threat against her own life.

you were meant to stay dead.
the dark lord will always get what he wants. ]

[Isaac is broadcasting from inside of a pretty wrecked looking place. The shelves around him are still in some form of disarray, water damage is soaked into the walls, and there are various animal cages laying on the ground with different sorts of pets in them- sluggish lizards in one, sneezy rats in another... all in all, the sight is kind of depressing, even if there are obvious attempts to clean it up.

He sighs.]

Right. I was hoping to not have to do this, but I think that the animals will get sick if we keep them here for much longer. Can you guys foster some of these while we're getting the store rebuilt? We can give you all the stuff you need to take care of 'em.

Oh. And- we're broke. Like, really broke. [Having over a week of no income, plus repairs, plus having to use product to keep the animals alive will do that to you.]

So... [Isaac sighs.] There are those apple things that give you money, right? Would anyone be willing to share some?

Hello again. I've been giving a bit of advice out to people who need help with dealing with lost ones. I've never used it myself, actually, but it doesn't seem like a bad idea. When we got here, me and my friends, we were astonished we couldn't speak to anyone from back home. Back home, you just send an owl, you see, and you can usually find anyone you're looking for. Well, here, that isn't really possible, especially if someone's gone.

[Harry pauses to carefully consider his words. He doesn't want to sound like someone who's experienced a lot of loss, which makes this harder. His parents, Sirius, they'll wonder why he's so used to this, so he decides to leave that part out. If anyone wishes to know, he'll tell them somewhere else—or just hope that his parents aren't so involved that they'll listen to every conversation he has. They haven't given him that impression, anyway.]

My point is—I've recommended that people write letters. They might find their way to where they belong sooner or later. Luna liked the idea, and I've been considering taking it up myself. And that's just to tell people from home things.

So ... yeah. It might help. But sorry for all your losses.

[Harry feels like that's enough.]

There is one more thing. I contacted a number of people about training. Merlin, Lancer ... others. But then the battle happened and my parents showed up, and, er, most of the meetings were meant to take place during that battle, which obviously, they just couldn't. Since the bracelets have still been acting up, I've been holding off on contacting anyone again, but if you received a message from me, I'm still very much interested. I'd make it easier and contact you directly, but I'm not counting on the messages making it to you just yet.

Right, that's all.

[ ahahaha okay, so, Lily's a Muggleborn, right. which means she should probably be alright at handling Muggle technology? only she's from the 70s, and they sure as hell didn't have holographic video screens popping up out of bracelets back then, so even after she watches Loki's ..special guide, she's still left looking a little bewildered. still, she figured out how to play the videos on the main screen, and how to post her own, only she has.. no clue where to go from there. so. ]

Hullo!

[ she sounds cheerful, confused, and damn proud of herself for figuring out how to get this to broadcast. WELL DONE, ME. now, time to kick up some of that bravery in the face of the unknown and get on with it. ]

My name is Lily, and I suppose that, in light of why we've all been brought here, I just wanted to introduce myself straight off. [ yeah she has no idea some people have already been here for a while, oops ] Er, only, just curious - is there some sort of telephone directory I could take a look at? It's entirely possible I've arrived here on my own, but I was- [ apparating ] -going somewhere with someone, before I got here, so I was rather hoping he found his way here too. If so, I'd like to get in touch with him, or with anyone I might already know, and this seems to be the easiest way, only I don't.. completely know how to use this bracelet properly yet. So. Right. I'm sure you see my predicament. [ she's really really really hoping that her husband is here too :c and she's a little nervous he might not be, that nobody she knows from home is and she's been taken here without being able to say goodbye first, hence the rambling ] Either way, I'm still getting settled in, so to speak, but I'll do my best to help out, where I can. [ EVEN WITHOUT HER MAGIC, SOB. ] Luckily- [ Lily stop this really is as corny as you think it will sound ] - I'm all about breaking the ice with new mates, so I'm sure that won't be too difficult.

[ get it, cause Loki's guide said that talking to people and making friends makes your God-given abilities stro-- okay nevermind there's no saving that cornball moment at all ]

Right! Ta, then. And thank you for any help with the technology in advance.