( the video begins with doctor mccoy, sitting at a desk in his room in sigyn. he looks particularly business-like, hair combed and expression serious, hands folded in front of him. before he speaks, he clears his throat—it’s almost as if he’s still a little uncomfortable to be addressing so many people at once, but that’s the only sign of it. )

Figure it’s best to get this out of the way while we’ve got the time. ( before another disaster or attack happens, he means. ) I like having a frame of reference—makes it easier to deal with people, and treat ‘em too, when you have to. I know we’re all working off the same magical system, here, but it’s better to account for specifics all the same.

That being said, here’s a list. Fill it out if you want, don’t bother telling me why not if you don’t want to. You can be as specific, or as vague, as you want, or leave out questions entirely if they bother you. If it makes you feel better, you can secure it and have my word as a doctor that I’ll keep it confidential.

( attached is this text form: )

name:
age:
species:
location prior to asgard: planet, city, country, realm, etc.
is your world more familiar with magic, technology/science, or both?:
which power did you receive in asgard?:
did you have any skills, powers or abilities that you lost once here?:
are conditions here generally better, worse, or the same as your prior location?:

That’s about all. Not much else to do on a rainy day, is there.

( ooc / a textbox, for convenience: <tt><big><b>name:</b> <b>age:</b> <b>species:</b> <b>location prior to asgard:</b> planet, city, country, realm, etc. <b>is your world more familiar with magic, technology/science, or both?:</b> <b>which power did you receive in asgard?:</b> <b>did you have any skills, powers or abilities that you lost once here?:</b> <b>are conditions here generally better, worse, or the same as your prior location?:</b></tt> )

[It's rare Bunny uses the network, even rarer for him to use it to speak to the people of Asgard in their entirety. He's just not a fan of technology. But now, more than ever, he knows everyone here needs an injection of what he gives out best: hope. And so, the video screen fills with his furry face. Behind him, are what look to be the starts of a project of some kind. Paints, paintbrushes, and pans of something bubble away.]

Right, now we've got ourselves a break in our regularly scheduled madness, I'm going to take the chance to talk to you all about something important that's coming up, next handful of days, I reckon, unless my timing's off: Easter.

[He gestures to his fuzzy self.] For those that haven't met me yet, g'day. I'm the Easter Bunny. I know some of you haven't got Easter where you come from, but I promise I won't have that stop you if you want to get involved, everyone's welcome to this. For those of you that don't know what it is, it's simple.

[He holds up a little painted egg] This is an Easter Egg. On Easter morning, I hide these all over the place. Then it's your job to find them. You can eat 'em, too, they're chocolate. Nothing like the ones I can create back home, but I'll make sure they're still worth it. It's more fun than you can shake a stick at, and it'll bring you all some much needed hope, too.

[He grins, seemingly triumphant; though over what it's hard to tell.] Any questions?

[Smiling brighter then the sun is a little magi. He had been fiddling around to prepare to perfect view for everyone to see his new friend. In his excitement he doesn’t notice he has turned on video a little too early. ]

Okay, Assel! I know it has been hard, but you’re finally ready to meet everyone. You know how to move about the city without squishing anyone, you haven’t stolen anything since the first day and you haven’t lost your temper.

[The only response he gets from this Assel is a low grunt, from off to the side. It doesn’t put Aladdin off in the least; he looks pretty pleased with the answer.]

You are definitely ready for this.

[Another grunt this one a little higher in tone. Aladdin couldn’t hold in his excitement at that, it was time to star-- it’s already on…Oops]

Oh…um...Assel, it looks like your big introduction has already started. [There is a slow grumble. ]

Hey everyone, I wanted you all to meet a friend of mine, he was actually my gift from home. I’ve been spending a lot of time making sure to get him settled before hand. He never been around people like this and it’s a lot different from where he’s lived before.

Anyway, enough about that, I’d like to introduce everyone to Assel, the dungeon bear. Assel say hello to everyone. [He turns his view over to the creature; the first thing anyone can see is its feet. Assel but other than that it looks like a fuzzy teddy bear. That is until it reached the face…its oddly cartoony in a disturbing way. It tilts its head slightly; there is glimpse of razor sharp teeth peeking out from its gaping maw.]

HELLO [It look like it can speak as well. Isn’t it the most delightful being? ]

Don’t worry he doesn’t eat people, he just like honey. So if you see him wandering around there is no need to freak out about it, he’s a real softy. [He certainly can’t go berserk here, Aladdin thinks to himself.]

HONEY? [Assel blinks down at the chibi with the mention of it’s favorite food. Aladdin goes over and pats the bear’s leg. ]

I’ll get you some in a second, no worries. [He switches the view to himself.] I have to go get another jug of honey for him. I'll by the guild if you need me.

[As delightful as all the hugging is, Jennifer is not a girl that particularly enjoys sudden physical contact, so she has since escaped to the sanctity of her room. After calming her nerves in peaceful solitude, Jennifer's voice can be heard on the bracelets, should anyone check the network.]

Oh my...um, are these sorts of...

...circumstances...normal here? I...I don't remember anything like this in April...

[Nothing like this, anyway. Fog, and something about a hospital, and wasn't there a party? She wasn't a social sort, and the new environment left her too terrified to go.]


It...it could be worse, I suppose. Um...all the singing seemed really fun.

...You all had lovely voices.

[Not that Jennifer would admit anything if they didn't. After that, though, she seems to realize how awkward she sounds and shuts the feed off with the hurried Sorry!

...Only for it to cut back on several minutes later, just in time for it to catch Jennifer humming the bars to this song, unaware that she's once again being recorded.

Oops.]

[ Live from Asgard's 'Great Library' this evening, a set of bookshelves taking up the majority of the background behind her, is a familiar, serious-looking face-- albeit one that's been lying pretty low outside her job at the hospital for the last little while. Despite the rather close set of the 'camera,' it's fairly obvious where she is... although for some reason she appears to be standing rather than sitting, and keeps glancing off and down at something she must be following some kind of directions off of.

Actually, she... seems to be wrapping her hands, using a long, dark red something, her slim fingers flashing into frame occasionally as she calmly addresses her bracelet- ]

How many of you are familiar with sparring, without the use of weapons?

[ ... Was it mentioned she was in the library during this? Yes? Well, hopefully she isn't bothering anyone too much, then. Eventually, she does take her leave of the place, heading over to where she fits in better instead: the arena, where she can be found frowning and outright attacking some hapless punching bag late into the night.

Perhaps someone forgot to tell her you're supposed to take it easy and primp the day before a party?? ]

You lousy impostor!! Don't even think for a moment that I'll believe any of your cheap lies!! I'll make sure that you regret ever--

[ AND WHY YES HELLO ASGARD! This is the one and only way to start into the day, right? Or into a meeting, whatever. Not that you're actually seeing much, for now this is sound-only.

Actually, to be precise, it's just a long stretch of things crashing against other things and lots of cursing. It does sound vaguely dramatic...and long-winded, someone sure has a lot of stamina.

.....yeah sorry, it's still going on.

....... seems that someone is taking their sweet time. Maybe we should tell a joke to pass--

OH, hey, there's movement! Rustling! The sound gets turned doooown, then up! And hell~o now there are FRECKLES. Okay, okay, there's a face too; dark eyes, white hair, features young and round. Not the kind of person you'd expect to curse like a drunken sailor who lost his last round of cards, huh. ]

I apologise [ yyeeep absolutely not the expected type. At least he has calmed down? Maybe? Possibly. ] it occurred with somewhat of a time-delay but I've been - informed about the nature of this place.

There is one thing I wish to know: is it true that there's no way for us to leave? There are important things I cannot ignore!

[After reading her letter and talking with the maid, Nina wastes no time using the bracelet. She still can't believe that she magically arrived in a new world, but she soon overcomes some of her shock.

It takes Nina only a moment to discover how to activate the bracelet and start recording. However, when the screen materializes, her eyes widen in astonishment. Although she's used to technology in her world, nothing is as advanced as this.

There's a brief pause before she speaks. She sounds relatively calm for just arriving, but she still has a somewhat strained and incredulous tone to her voice.]

Hello, my name is Nina. I was told this was another world, no matter how hard I find that to believe.

I still can't believe that this isn't some sort of strange dream... I don't even remember going to sleep. [She seems reflective for a moment, and she glances at something unrecognizable in the distance before her gaze returns to the screen.]

How did we get here? Has anyone tried to leave or left successfully? There must be a way out. [The last sentence is said with absolute determination. She can't stay. She has responsibilities at home, and she finally started her life again from where she's left it.]

And I don't understand what this letter means... "You have been chosen by the gods to bear the honorable task of restoring colour and life"? Everything looks quite colourful to me. Is it a joke?

I would appreciate any information. Thank you.

[OOC: During her conversation with Zack, Nina learned how to use the video function, which she will use in her responses to everyone. :)]

( [Added later:] )

[The video feed starts abruptly, showing a young man with a burn scar marring the left side of his face. He bows shallowly, then straightens without breaking eye contact with the camera even once.]

I am Ren Hakuryuu, Third Prince of the Kou Empire. I request an audience with the gods, specifically the patron of Hel house. I thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

[ the video shifts, and comes into focus to a friendly smile. ] It's boring, isn't it? You would think if a person was perfectly gray, they would have something exciting to say about their lives. But they just don't have the vibrancy, the color of life... Well. Any beautiful girl out there understands what I mean. You can't just replace life with grayness. Any gray girl simply can't compare to someone with passion.

Saying everything is boring would be even more boring, but maybe someone out there can spare some company for me? Someone should have some common interests. My name is Kanba, and I'm glad to meet everybody. Don't worry, I don't bite. Or do I? Maybe you'll have to come to find out, but we can be friends. I'm not looking for anything in particular except to waste some time. We can talk about shows that we've slept through, or maybe food we've never cooked.

[ from there, his smile turns slightly darker, and more predatory: ] Ah, I almost forgot to mention. As always, if anyone has seen a girl named Himari, please let me know immediately. I've been looking for her. She is a young girl, extremely friendly, and shouldn't be alone. [ the feed shuts off. ]

( video; )

[The young girl on the feed is currently wearing a concerned expression alongside a tight frown. Morgiana skips the introductions and greetings and gets right to the point.]

I do not know much about this Ragnarok and do not understand how my home is in danger as well. If it is certainly linked to this place, then this could be very worrying.

But he spoke of fighting. [She closes her hand into a fist slowly, seeming almost disappointed.] With my strength as it is, I do not know how this is possible.

My question is, has anyone felt they, and their powers, have grown stronger since they have arrived? Or that it is possible at all?
( Cut for action. )

[Hello network, have a blue eyed boy staring at you for a bit. Aladdin hasn’t figured out how to work his bracelet just yet. Nor was he wearing appropriate clothing for this time of year, the poor dear is going to freeze his butt off. He still smiles cheerfully once he realises its on.]

Hello, it seems that I got dropped off to a far away place again. Hopefully it shouldn’t take too long to get back to Mr. Sinbads place, but do any of you know Alibaba or Mor? I was just with them a few minutes ago. You can’t miss them. Alibaba is a good guy with blond hair and a horn, while Mor is really strong and fast with red hair, [He pauses as looks down and makes grabbing motions at this chest to emphasize his next few words:] but she’s not too comfy.

[Seconds later, the boy notices his flute and his smile turns a bit pensive.]

It’s strange — since I’ve been here I haven’t seen or felt any rukah. My friend Uugo might be stuck for a while if I can’t even feel rukah. If anyone knows why, it would be a big help to tell me right away!

[...]

Oh, and my name is Aladdin.

[Luckily for....most of Asgard, Ramirez expended most of his initial panic harassing a maid impervious to damage, so when he actually sits down and responds to the network he is fairly calm. He's trying hard to keep that impending sense of panic and claustrophobia under control. Because Lord Galcian wouldn't panic in a situation as meager as this. Panic was weakness and Ramirez would rather die than return to Lord Galcian with that kind of disgrace on his shoulders.

It's not often he finds himself so helpless and out of his element. The last time something of this magnitude had happened to him was...about seven years ago, when he first saw Arcadia with his own eyes.

He'd rather not think about those times. His own naivete made him sick. Instead, he focuses on addressing the community at large in his usual no-nonsense tone...though there seems to be a rather hoarse, stifled quality to it this time.]

I've no interest in assisting this world, but it appears as though my options are limited for now.

Explain this city. And if--

[Whatever else he was planning to say is cut off by a series of wet, miserable coughs that last up until the feed shuts off. Guess who didn't take kindly to his House snowman asking for a smile.]

[Have your first look at Tear Grants.]

[The video's upside down and way too close to her face. Her brows are furrowed and there's the reflection of her bracelet in her blue eyes. But it rights itself as Tear pulls back and corrects the video, giving a much nicer view of a stern-faced girl with long brown hair. She clears her throat.]

This is Sergeant Tear Grants speaking. I've been given a rundown of the situation thus far. ....It seems for the moment there's no alternative. 

I've been told this device is a means of communication. If possible, I'd like to know who is here, and see what can be done.

[A curt nod, and click off.]

[ The first instinct is always the text. ]

sup ladies and gents and anybody in between
im gonna extend a generous hand here in saying in my everloving wisdom and say
what the actual fuck
pardon my oh so keen sense of language but these things just seem to keep happening dont they
its just another case of i warned you bout the holy city of asgard bro i told you dog
and yknow how badly id like to take this flawless looking letter seriously but
"the laughter and tears of all travellers"
ok so i want whoevers reading this shit to take a step back and picture me this
"the laughter and tears of dave strider"
irony hasnt got a hold down on me this time if i really want to poke my brains out
sounds like the title of one of a boy named egberts horribly bad movies
jesus a perfect scenario for one of those all is fine moments but then bam next thing you got a zombie apocalypse on your hands
i just want to know this isnt leading up to another apocalypse period ok
imma kindly ask you that there be no more surprises

[ Dave stops typing, his mouth twitches just slightly as he realizes that that last line would most likely not come true. He decides to switch to video then. So catch a boy, about 13, sitting in a dimly light room, his head looks blonde, he's got dark shades. There's no way you can see his eyes. He sighs a bit, then gets talking. His voice comes out smoothly, and if you listen hard enough and think about it long enough, you'll feel a rhythm. ]

I guess if I have to preserve this world, if I got to; then travellers with double 'l's, they better prepare -- and that's you guys watching. Y'know things like rapping, music, feeling the beats? Damn sure hope that counts towards all this attempt at restoration. This world will grow strong if people start feeling the liberal arts. Like feeling, feeeeling. One more time, get it; that kind of thing.

Oh, and if you don't know who I am, the name's Dave... Strider. Like I said, the laughter and tears. I just want to assure you that wisdom is my forte and I was a god in my past life. And If you can't prove me wrong... you can't prove me at all.

[ He winks, but you can't tell. No smile to give you the slightest hint. And the feed cuts off. ]

((ooc: opt-out of the text!))

[The feed cuts in on Hanbei, sitting in the library. There are a few books stacked on the table near him and one open in front of him - if you look closely, it's all along the lines of The Way Things Work. Just catching up on a few centuries' worth of scientific and technological development and all that.

But he's just had a thought that's a bit distracting, which clearly means it's time to bother everyone else about it. (That, and making an appearance is an easy way to try and feel out whether anyone else from home has wound up here along with him...)]

You know, I don't know if I'd even say the fact that we're all here in the first place is the most interesting part about all this. Or that people have apparently lost powers.

Have you been paying attention to the language we're using? Talking, writing with, even thinking in. It's a little eerie, isn't it? I shouldn't have to stop and consciously think about it - [he pauses for half a second and switches to Japanese to finish his sentence] - to do this.

[And he switches back to the common language, since he knows not everyone here will have understood the Japanese.]

It's convenient, I'll give them that, but...well.