[Sitting at a small desk in her room at the welcome hall, Claire has tons of paper with her bubbly cursive writing etched all over it. She's found the library and has a small stack of books piled up on the desk as well. She's not usually the studying type, but something's caught her attention today and she needs some help figuring things out.]

I've got a few questions about powers. I know there's guides on the bracelets or whatever, but I want to hear what other people have to say.

[The pencil she's using is tapped against her lip a few times as she thinks over how to word things. And finally, figuring it out, she grins.]

Has anyone here been able to switch to something else that's in their house? Or to the power of another house entirely?

[She glances down at her paper, and writes a quick sentence down upon it.]

And okay, this question is probably pretty personal, but how many of you have different abilities back home? I've heard that a lot of people here do. I was thinking about it, and was curious to figure out if anyone here has had their real powers come back to them? It's kind of important that I figure that part out.

[She acts like she's going to say something more, but then her jaw clamps shut. Seconds later, the video cuts off and Claire waits for responses so she can write them down. ]

Things are a little calmer now.

[Bruce murmurs. He doesn't like to go onto the network, but feels like he has to say this.]

Has anyone got a few minutes to run some things over with me? Resources, defenses, what's actually- got to be done, I guess? Because something gives me the feeling like this is about to get bad again very quickly. I don't know what to do to make the situation feel less helpless.

[It's very, very late at night, but anxiety has him; he isn't sleeping. Maybe it being the very witching hour is part of what erodes his self-consciousness enough for him to add;]

I wish I could go back to plain and simple atheism. I mean, self-control is never easy to maintain, but it's sure a lot harder in the face of... you know. Actual massive cosmic power. We had Yggdrasil back home, but it- it was different. I understood the math of that Yggdrasil. This place is just-

[Cutting off with a laugh at his self-indulgence.]

Anyways. Anyone else up?

[When the video clicks on, Turlough's giving a little smile at the camera. However, he's not looking directly at it--instead, he's looking at...something on the other side of the room.]

After half a year or so living here, I've finally found a good use for this stupid power. Watch!

[The bracelet moves back to see two tiny little birds flying in the air as well as a squirrel on his desk, enjoying a piece of bread with peanut butter on it. However, the birds and squirrels suddenly look towards where Turlough is (off-screen), obviously a sign of body control to anybody who knows the signs.]

Now, let's do this, [he says, more to himself than anything else. Suddenly, the birds fly up near the top of the ceiling, wings flittering around what are obviously spider-webs, knocking them down on the floor. The squirrel climbs up a dresser, then the top of the door, then to the top of a tall lamp, even taller than Turlough--obviously things are set up so that the squirrel could jump to the lamp. The squirrel vanishes in the lamp for a little bit before popping it's little head out--Turlough lets out an aggravated sigh.

Throughout all of this, the birds are beating back spider-webs with their wings. The squirrel climbs back down, out of the lamp, and all three animals line up on the floor, perfectly still. Turlough now moves the bracelet back into view, obviously proud of himself and obviously unaware of the fact that animals cleaning a room is ridiculously Disney.]

You see? The birds get the corners of the ceiling that I can't reach, and the squirrel in theory changes the lightbulbs--I had forgotten how tiny their little paws are, though. Does anybody have a better idea some sort of climbing mammal that can change lightbulbs?

[There's the sound of a crash. Apparently Turlough forgot that when they're not being body-controlled? Squirrels are horrible little fuckers.]

...let me fix that first.

[and off goes the bracelet!]

[ The video comes on and Hermione settles a few pieces of notepaper before she speak. ]

Hello, everyone. I know it's been a long time but I've finally finished writing up all my notes about Asgard and everyone's worlds. I know it doesn't quite cover all the worlds that have been introduced here but it's a start! If you'd like to add anything then, please, let me know as soon as you're able.

[ She smiles, softly, expression bright. She's very proud of herself, really, and more than glad that she's finally able to contribute something solid and real to Asgard. She's finally able to put all her research together and actually show it to her friends and acquaintances and, maybe, actually help them in the long run. ]

It's a digital file, so I think you should all be able to access it using your bracelets. If you have any problems then, please, let me know and I'll do whatever I can to help.

[ LINKED: Hermione's guide and notes on the City of Asgard. ]

Otherwise, how is everyone? Things have been quieter than usual, which I think is a good thing, so I hope that means well for you all. 

[ She pauses, pursing her lips, before she shakes her head and sighs just before the feed turns off. ]

[There's gotta be a better way to do this. There's just got to be. However he realizes that he's running out of time, especially with the appearance of certain people in the city of Asgard.

He doesn't bother to show his face. Instead he's setting up a text…somehow that seems much, much safer.]

Party's over, I'm afraid. Back to business.

Quick question for the masses:

A.) Would you consider yourself useful here?
B.) Why so? Or, I suppose, why not?
C.) Serious responses only.

[He's fully anticipating not-serious responses, but at least it gives him a bigger pool to work with.]

Additionally, you may very well know that Euridice Taverna's left the city which means that I'm short one business partner. I'm not precisely looking for a new partner, but perhaps a few new hires.

Serious inquiries only.

[Is he going to mention anything that happened during the power failures? Definitely not. Not when he could distract himself with something else. Anything else. And his voice now is as cheerful as it's ever been.]

Hey-o, Asgard! Super quick poll time. How many people here would skin me alive if given the chance?

[No reason. Actually, several reasons, but. He follows it with a laugh.]

Not that I'm volunteering... yet. But hypothetically. No consequences, no turnabout, just a good, straightforward flaying of Henrys!

...Or anyone, for that matter. If you could slaughter absolutely anyone here with absolutely no backlash, would you go for it? I mean, it's not like anything you do is gonna follow you back home, so you might as well go wild with it! Doesn't even have to be for any reason, though you can imagine one if you'd like. Maybe you're just curious as to how it feels! --It feels great, by the way.

I've asked before whether anyone had murdering experience, and was kinda surprised at the answer- but I'm wondering if that's changed at all for anyone, just from being here. A lot of folk haven't been in a war before, and I see a lot of people asking or offering lessons in fighting. Which is great and all, but how many have experience in killing? It's a totally different field! And it's kinda the one that counts when it comes down to it.

But getting back to the important question here: skinning of Henry, yes or no? I'll even return the favor, if you want, though I'm a little out of practice. But if anyone wants a gory death for any reason, I'm your guy!

So, was that one hell of a week or what?

[The video shows Mikazuki by the lake, smiling brightly. If that “one hell of a week” had any effect on him, it certainly doesn’t show. He’s in good spirits like always.]

But that’s not what I’m posting for. In the spirit of recent network surveys, I’ve also been wondering about something and I'd love to hear from everyone.

If you had one wish to spend on anything you want, no consequences - what would you ask for?

[He already got his one wish back home and he'd like to know about others.]

Let’s say this war is won for sure and we all get to go home, so don’t ask for that, that’s not interesting. And no wishing for more wishes either. That's even less interesrting.

[ Oh look, it's the not-'Asgardian'!Asgardian! And he holds his hand up, palm outward in silent greetings. ]

Friends, newcomers - [ ...and Malekith... ] - well met. I shall keep brief: we have faced war. And we have had our dead and our wounded to show for the victory.

[ And now, he turns slightly more somber. ]

I do not ask whether you fight for this land or its people, for your pleasure or your lives alone. Whatever your reasons, we do not die here. In this, I think, we all agree. Yet...

[ He has the grace to look sheepish. ]

...apologies, but many of you walk as if targets. You know nothing of battle, and the gifts given to you in this land do not serve. The meager war crafts would be of help to you: shield bearing, the handling of sword and hammer. I do not speak of great ability, but enough that you can bide yourselves the time to run.

[ Firmer, now. ]

So: those who wish to learn, give say of what weapon might suit you. Those who know of battle and wish to teach it, name your skill and offer service. And those who once held sorcery alike to the one gained here, volunteer counsel of how to improve it.

For my part, I wield the hammer. I lack in patience, but do not scold unfairly. What knowledge I have is yours to take.

[ Is the part where he riles half of Asgard done with? OH THANK EVERYTHING, time to offend the other half. ]

Past every man's care, we can seek to defend the city. Who here runs inventory? Have we cannons? Rams? Horses? If anyone wishes to learn, or organize legions - you have my aid in this. There lies opportunity. Another is with our fellows, the grey ones. A frail-bearded man wrote that we do not give them thought or time. Perhaps he is wise, and there is more to be done in alliance.

[ And then he stares at the camera for a long moment of rather stupid blinking, before dissolving into laughter, because - ]

That... was not brief.


[ ooc: woah, tl;dr. iiif you'd like to get involved, just have your character volunteer to teach their faito skills, and I'll have Thor send some/all of the characters who want to pick up said skills their way o/ . ]

[hello this is doge

King of them, anyway. Will's not showing his face today, nor is he showing anyone any dogs. There is nothing canine or fluffy about what he has to say, so far be it from him to distract with something canine and fluffy. It's also not the most savory of topics to address, and he probably looks like hell anyway. So text it is, because then he doesn't have to actually get up and shave and get dressed and looked presentable or like he has any business being outside of his room.]

I haven't been here an extraordinarily long time, but there seems to be a pattern with PSAs (Public Service Announcements) that's rather unavoidable to pick up on. Someone of ill repute who has caused a great deal of damage back in their own home gets pulled here where other people from their home have already been taken, and thus the Traveler [Traveller! Traveller! T R A V E L L E R!] population is informed about the life and times of whoever it is that the gods pulled in without thinking about their choice that much. For the safety of the people, so we know who should be avoided and why they should be avoided. Sometimes those people have already proven themselves to be worth as much by their actions in Asgard, sometimes they haven't.

[Does kicking a dog count? Animal abuse is a sign of someone being pretty messed up, but whatever. Will thinks this is all pretty ridiculous and it totally has nothing to do with his own issues back home. It's not at all him projecting in any way because he's had a tabloid "journalist" frequently writing articles on him being an insane serial killer with a bunch of people commenting on it. It totally has nothing to do with that because Will is in his right mind and has taken the time needed to distance himself from that.

Mostly.]

What I'm really concerned about is the lack of communication between us Travelers who already know or have been told all of this and the Natives. I don't see any posters to warn or inform them. I don't see what good it does in the long run if we warn one group but not the other, unless the goal is to create a glaringly obvious "us versus them" mentality or instill the idea that Travelers are the only real people in Asgard. If that's the case, job well done. If it's not, we should fix this. I don't know many of the Natives personally, [That would require talking at length and that is not at all Will's ballgame. And, also, he might turn them grayer than they'd ever been in the first place.] but I don't want their numbers to decrease because we, as a group, decided they didn't matter and left them as easy prey. That actually seems to go against the entire point of warning anyone at all, making it almost completely pointless. Like wrapping a present in front of the person you mean to give it to.

If we're not going to actually act on what we say, we could always just go the next step and turn this network into a gossip rag. We can just start taking pictures and asking who wore the little black dress better, point out two people holding hands and ask for details about their blooming romance, start sharing tips for dieting and gardening, and occasionally spatter it with some graphic imagery of murder to keep things varied.

[Because comparing actual valid warnings against genocidal maniacs to The National Enquirer is the way to make friends. Voldemort and Joffrey are on par with Joan Rivers yammering on about how fat someone looks in their Prada dress. Yes. Definitely. Very well done, A+. Totally not incendiary at all, nope. Definitely not doing it on purpose. Just Will not knowing how to people.

No, no, it's totally on purpose.

doge over and out]

[There's a video that emerges, early in the morning, before the sun even rises. At first, the feed shows nothing but black, but then there's the sound of something heavy dropping to the ground. It takes a moment, but the ambient light of the surroundings finally catches sight of an anonymous Asgardian, grey, bound, and swiftly pressed down by a boot to the chest.]

... Asgard, no matter what incarnation I find you in, you prove as inconsequential and worthless as ever. [There is no rush to his statement, each word is said with weight and purpose, and to say Malekith speaks with distaste - it would be a severe understatement.]

You drag me from the edges of Hel, and for what farce? Giants? Again you prove yourselves too shortsighted to realize what danger lies at your very door. [He reinforces his stance as his captive gives a struggle, and as Malekith continues, the sneer can almost be heard in his voice. And though he has made no point of turning the camera upon himself, and clearly will not be doing so, the name tag associated to this clip announces him, overriding any title he ascribed to himself in conversation during the previous days. He is not Malekith of Svartalfheim nor Malekith the Sorcerer.]

The darkness has come to fall upon your realm, Asgardians, and you have only yourselves to blame.

[This is Malekith the Accursed, and he is calling out any who would stand against him.]