[When the gear turns on you can see the bitty standing in the middle of the snow with an excited grin on his face. ]

Hello everyone! I think some of you might have noticed the odd thing that happened in the sky, a few weeks ago. Don’t worry it wasn’t an omen of the end; it was just part of a project my guild and a few other were working on to woke up the runic magic in the city. I want to thank all guild members and the kind people that helped as prepare for it. The magic is certainly up and running again.

To thank you all, Grimoire’s Sigil will be hosting a big party to celebrate. I’m not just inviting the people who helped; I’m inviting everybody that would like to come. Oh yes, I ask anyone have completed their arrays to demonstrate them at the party. How else can you celebrate a form of magic but to show what it can do.

To give you a taste of what you might see I’m going to show you something I’ve made with runes.

[In his hand is a long wooden stick with runes etched into its side. On the very top is a quartz crystal]

This is a gift to my friend, Regina. [He give it a little wave] It’s a sparkle wand; it does exactly what the name implies and a little bit more. Runes work just like our bracelets all you need normally to do is focus on making it work.

[It only takes him a second to focus on the item. The runes on the side begin to glow, slowly peeling away from the surface. They slowly float upward until and begin circle around the gem. The gem in question begins to glow softly.]

So the runes are active, time for the fun part!

[He waves the wand around in a large arch, this time small colorful sparkles come out. The sparkles landed on the snowy ground and onto of Aladdin.]

This wand makes sparkles of light and harmless to the skin and you can make as many as you like. You can make them any sort of colors you want. At this size it takes about a day for them to fade away or when want them too. The bigger you make them the less time they last. When you make it really big you can do something like this.

[He focus again this time gem glow blindingly, then he makes a sudden rising motion with his wand arm. A huge spark about the size of a watermelon, it shots from the gem straight into the sky before exploding into smaller sparkles. They briefly formed the shape of a cartoony lion face before slowly fall to the ground.]

This wand is just one of the things that can be done using runes, they are thousands of different arrays out there that wildly differ from this one. If you want to see more you have to come to the party.

I’ll be at the guild if you need me, bye!

[the feeds shuts off.]

 I'm very sorry for bothering everyone with this useless questioning, but I was wondering... does this realm of the gods have a time period as it relates to years? I wanted to know what year it was... because depending on what year it is here, we could celebrate the zodiac animal of that year!

Once we find out the year and the animal, I was thinking maybe Ayame's could have a special discount for a little bit! Bring in the new year's animal, and you get a half of discount! If it's the year of the Ram, you could bring in one of these cute sheep, and then you get half off! Or a pig, or a rat, or a dog! And maybe we can make the dresses styled to the animal! I'd love a kimono with little monkey paws on them, I think that would be very cute!

[Awww, this is the happiest he's been in a while. Who wants to ruin it by pointing out several illogical facts? And if you'd like action, he can be seen sweeping outside of Ayame's dress shop.]

[ Regina is pretty quiet when she first makes her broadcast. Her high-pitched voice is hoarser than usual, and in her hands she clutches some crumpled papers. ]

She was gonna make me a dress...

[ A pathetic sniffle. Aside from being upset, Regina also seems to have caught a cold due to the terrible weather. She presents the sketches to the camera for all to see: they show the rough design for a flashy circus costume. ]

These belonged to Sora Naegino! She left them to me because she's gone home. Lots of people are leaving or confused or sad right now, and that's no good. Don't you agree with me? Huh? [ She giggles, although it's a more melancholy, restrained giggle than normal. ]

Though there's a bunch of new guys coming in, so! Hi everyone! [ She smiles sweetly, but then breaks out into a coughing fit. Thankfully, she recovers like a pro. ] Oops, I don't want to make you get sick already! If you need help or a new friend though, just call me.

[ She dials down her cloying cutesyness for the next part. ] I hope Miss Freya is okay. You know, I always liked her. But does this mean that we're going to have to go fight again? I knew we would eventually, but I didn't think it'd be so soon...

[ This is interrupted by the most adorable/ridiculous/adoradiculous sneeze ever: ]

Pah...pah-CHOOey! [ And the feed is turned off. ]

[This time, the bracelet will flicker on regardless of what you're doing. It's an important announcement, though Loki's sitting cross-legged on the top of his desk as if it's nothing big.]

Hey, kids. You might want to sit down, 'cause today we've got major news for you.

We're going to have Story Time With Uncle Loki, how great! Pay close attention, because this is your chance to make a big decision. You've been insisting on having input for a long time now, so we're giving you a chance. Try not to fuck it up.

( cut for length: MAJOR PLOT INFO IN HERE GUYS )

[He loosens his shoulders after that, suddenly all casual smiles.]

So. Will you save him, destroy her, or do nothing? This time it's up to you.

[ This was far too abnormal for Sakura to understand. She's been wandering about for the past few days, trying to get a grasp on the situation. Just when things were looking up, something like this happened. Bring color to a world? How could she when her own was bleaker than Asgard, and the only person who painted it is nowhere to be found? Not to mention that the critters inside her had stopped wiggling around and consuming her energy, which was something that Sakura could never imagine happening. ]

[ Her dazed expression quickly turns timid once she attempts to speak. Although, it was more apprehensive than shy. ]

I'm very... confused. W-Would it be too much trouble for someone to explain [ A pause. ] everything?

Good morning!

[ There is quite a bit of pause in line breaks. ]

...Well?

[ It's been days after this incident, but Alisa is still having some trouble with it... ]

filtered away from Kuroneko, The Fallen Saint of Seiyou

Good day, Asgard. I have another problem that I cannot solve without your help. I have been challenged to write a story and I accepted with little hesitation, but the truth is, I have never written a story since my creation! It was not a skill that was deemed necessary at the time. Only now do I realize its importance...

So, I would like to ask the following: how does one write a story, particularly one that involves fighting? What are its elements, and how must I implement them? Lastly, what makes a story "good"?

Thank you very much for your time.

[The feed starts off with a blue-eyed lion cub wearing a silly lion grin. There is snow in his mane and all over his furry little body. For someone who's usually human, Sora is rather unperturbed about being an animal.]

This is great! This snow is perfect for snowmen and snowball fights. Hmm...

[He paws at the snow and gathers a clump perfectly sized for his paws. Packing it into a ball proves more difficult. Disappointed, he drops his almost-snowball.]

I guess I need hands... Hey, someone should come out and help me make a snowman! We'll make the biggest snowman anyone's ever seen.

[Sora shakes off snow and sneezes, then looks thoughtfully at the bracelet.]

But since it's cold and snowing, does that mean it's close to Christmas? Does this world have Christmas? I hope Santa knows I'm here. I've been really good this year, too...

[ After having been absent from the network as a whole since her (re)arrival, it’s a surprise that Ririchiyo is even communicating at this time but, unlike before, there’s something off about her broadcast; in ways, it’s almost as though she was in a world of her own or even possibly remembering a past memory. Really, it was anyone’s guess on what was going through her mind right now. After the date of December 19th had passed, she couldn’t help but feel she forgot an important day... a celebration of some kind for someone precious to her...

But she didn’t know anyone where that date had any importance. Yet, somehow, she had realised something slightly different about her SS agent but she had decided not to interrogate him about such a small thing. Without her even realising it, she had knocked her bracelet on a tabletop and thus it began recording her in her half-dazed state that gradually grew into a more panicked state as she hugged herself. ]

What was that horrible dream...? Even now, I still remember it so vividly that it terrifies me. I can’t help but get this feeling where I’m forgetting something extremely important, but... what is it? I’m scared. I’m so scared. Miketsukami-kun... “that” Miketsukami-kun... and the Miketsukami-kun of now... is he... no longer here? [ At this point, her voice grows increasingly more distressed. ] It’s different. Something is different. Is it me, or is it...? I’ve tried to remember, but I can’t. Is there anything for “me” to remember? Am I the “me” everyone wants back? Or not?

Who in the world am I!?

[ With that outburst, the broadcast ends suddenly. ]

[ He's settled quite comfortably in the corner of one of the city's cozy taverns, broadcasting a little smugly. Melting snow is still crusted on his hat and collar, but his clear glass tankard is already half empty. ]

I've heard more whining about the lights than anything else. 'The travelers will like them,' I heard. 'They're festive,' they said. Tchh. You'd think that most of you were blood sworn against having a little fun downtime between battles in a war.

[ And Thor signs off with a salute of his mug. ]

[A video broadcast will begin to record. The very first image everyone on their bracelets will notice is an empty apartment. An empty couch, to be more exact. It will not be long until a pair of gloved hands will move the device, to better align it on the table, and once he was done, then the owner of the gloved hands will reveal himself as he takes his seat in the middle of the couch. Many people will notice the man as Soushi Miketsukami.

At first, the individual will not speak, he will simply sit up striaght an offer the transmission a kind, gentle smile. Yet, the current atmosphere did not feel as carefree as his current expression was showing, it felt serious. His gaze, alone, will show mix emotions, and only those who understand him might be able to recognize those emotions as either serious, concern, loneliness, and even fear. It won't be long he lowers his head in greetings.]

Good evening, Asgard. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again. It has been a while. [Raising his head, he will smile.] To those who do not recognize me, my name is Soushi Miketsukami. I am a Secret Service Agent, who serves under my master, Ririchiyo Shirakiin. Welcome to Asgard. [Another formal bow. Now that he got the brief introduce out of the way, he will raise his head, directing his gaze towards the camera.] I am certain a few will recognize her name, or have met her before. This broadcast is dedicated to those who have met her in this world before her recent disappearance.

[As he spoke those words, his earlier servitude smile will weaken, but will not show.]

We need to have a short discussion. It is an important matter regarding my master. If any of you care for her well-being, please listen to my humble message.
( IMPORTANT TL;DR MESSAGE CONCERNING RIRICHIYO SHIRAKIIN! )

[ It has been a while, a long while since she had shown her face on the network. Mainly because she had nothing to speak about. Today she is in the library, a stack of books near her elbow while she is quite lost in the writings of Machiavelli. ]

Better to be feared than love, if one cannot be both.

[ A crooked little grin as moves to sit up. ]

If there is one book in this library the Nine must have read. I am not inclined to name them Gods. Such had been a mistake to begin with.

[ Gods create and destroy. These Gods have not created anything as much as she's concerned and even destruction comes from the outside and not from them. ]

Eight, now. Unless Freya shall succeed in her mission, wherever she might be. Perhaps that shall be the first creation truly seen here.

[ to create life from nothing. Lord knows where Freyr is. ]

And yet while their kin is searching for he whom she lost, the others celebrate, if to judge by the pretty lights.

[ a smile. ]

I hope this finds you well, Asgard. A last question if I may - I have read Lord Machiavelli's words yet I will have your own.

Do you believe lies bear a color? Black, grey. Some would say, white.

[ she inclines her head, a farewell greeting. ]

Perhaps a walk in the city would do. The lights are pretty.

[ She will be found in the library, for those who wish to find her. For now. It is time for some filters. ]

(  Princess Mithian  )

(  Mordred  )

( introspection/set-up )

[ ANONYMOUS TEXT ]

What do you think it means to grow up?


[ Sometime later, audio: ]

( Locked to Sollux )

Hey. We should talk!


( Locked to Sam Winchester )

You around?

In my own opinion, the kidnapping scenario is rather cliché and, if I’m to be honest, only someone who is running low on ideas would decide to use such a repetitive concept. While I’m flattered you thought I was someone who suited your criteria, I’m in no way interested in what it is you wish for me to do for your world so with that said, I would appreciate it if you would return me to from whence I came and we can part as nothing more than strangers passing by the street.

[ after having said this, silence finally begins to settle in as she awaits for her departure but, to no surprise, nothing happens. at this, she turns her attention back to the bracelet. well, seems she'll be stuck here for a while longer -- in any case, it's not as though she was desperate to return, but being in a new world wasn't exactly nice either.]

[ The Doctor’s tucked himself into a dark corner.

It’s actually the small hall outside the kitchen and he’s standing behind the door, with the lights off and is that some weird sort of monocle strapped around his head? It definitely is. A spyglass, actually, but customized a bit. And he presses his index finger to his lips, a wicked smile on his face.

Isn’t this what you wanted to wake up to in the early morning? This one hasn’t slept at all, for a decent few days. ]

A few days ago, [ he whispers, ] Rory called me to ask about crumbs on the counter in the kitchen. Because apparently that was very important. But it got me thinking; who left that mess, exactly? I hear the others waking up now, so we’re going to see.

[ Yes. This is very important.

So, with the bracelet, he shuffles to peek around the door into the lit kitchen. ]

[ In the kitchen, a figure that can only be Rory with all that sticking up hair stands with his back to the dark hallway where the Doctor has hidden himself. The sound of a knife scraping across toast can be heard, but becomes slower and slower until it stops all together. Yes, he's fallen asleep while standing up.

The knife clatters noisily from his hand onto the countertop and snaps him back to life again quickly, though. Giving his head a shake, he turns, bleary-eyed and still only half-awake, to pad out of the kitchen with a piece of toast in hand, leaving the rest of the bread (and yes, crumbs!) out on the counter.

Can you really blame him? It's early, and he's absolutely spent from healing the lot of you and your scrapes during the battle. And dealing with the Doctor, but that's another matter entirely. ]

[ That is all he needs. So, he jumps out of his hiding place and-- ]

Aha! It was you!

[ Dramatic pointing and everything. ]

[ Well, good job, Doctor. You've startled him and he's dropped his toast. Another mess to clean up. ]

What? Doctor, it's... [ Early. He just sighs at his ruined toast and rubs his eyes. ] Sorry--remind me what I'm being blamed for?

[ Oh, hush, Rory, it’s easy to make a new one. ]

You’re the one who leaves the crumbs on the counter in the morning.

[ He sounds so triumphant, as if this is the greatest victory of all time or... something, as he gestures at said counter. ]

Shame on you.

[ Rory just stares at him and tries to put the pieces together, clearly not woken up enough by being startled by the Doctor. Then, it finally clicks. ]

You...you've been investigating this?

[ Just so bewildered right now. ]

Why--Okay, look, Doctor, I need to get to work.

[ He raises his eyebrows. ]

Of course I have, you were accusing me! And besides, I get bored. It’s an as good pastime as any. Do you have any other small mysteries that need solving? Aside from whether or not everyone likes toast, which is still impossible.

[ Rory heaves a sigh and stares some more, still looking confused, the poor man. ]

Everyone likes toast. Take a poll.

[ And with that, he brushes right by the Doctor to stumble off to prepare for the day. You'll notice his kitchen mess has still not been cleaned up. ]

[ The Doctor gives an indignant sniff at that, as if he wasn’t the one to scare the daylights out of someone, and calls over his shoulder after Rory. ]

Fine!

[ And then he turns back to the screen. ]

Right, you heard him. Does everyone like toast?

[ Perhaps he'll fix a new toast for Rory. ]

((OOC: The Doctor is blue, Rory is red. They'll both be replying.))

You're all liars, all of you.

[While the words are already jarring, out of place, when spoken with Freya's soft voice, they don't even begin to compare to the rest of the picture. Something is wrong. The goddess, usually so cool and collected in front of the travelers, is nothing like that now. It looks as if she hasn't been sleeping in days, since her twin's death, and her slender frame trembles with emotion.

Freyr had always been the friendlier, warmer of the two siblings, but that doesn't mean there is no warmth to be found in his sister. No, Freya loves, just as her brother did. She loves fiercely and boldly. She loves enough to fight for those she cares for.

It just never occurred to anyone that this would be a problem.]

I can still save him. [There's a harsh, hysterical quality to her voice that wasn't there before.] And you, with all your beautiful, noble words, will not help me, despite all he has done to spare your lives.

[She bows her head, hair tumbling down her shoulders and hiding her expression from the viewers.]

Stay within your guarded walls then. I will fix this myself.

[As soon as the video ends, all members of Freya's house will feel a strange, disconnected sensation and have difficulties using their powers as she cuts them all off. This will fade within a minute, and the powers will be returned to normal after that.]

[ Regina appears with a smile and a wave as per usual. She was a little shaken up by the battle, but she'll get to that later - for now, there's more pressing issues to attend to. ]

Hey Asgard! What's up? I guess things haven't been so good lately. Let's tidy this place up so Mr Freyr will be proud of us, wherever he is. [ She pauses. She's already getting sad! This can't happen. Better get to the real meat of her broadcast quickly. ]

Anyways, it's kind of a bummer that we're not going home, but at the same time I'll be able to talk to you all for a bit longer! You're my friends, after all! But I was wondering why my friends from home haven't shown up yet. I don't want them to get hurt, but I'd like to introduce them to you all! So next time a bunch of people arrive, I want you to look extra-specially-hard for these guys:

[ And here it comes - Regina winks and shoves a few crudely-drawn sketches right in the camera. No-one can escape them now. ]

( ooc cut for artistic genius )

Okay, that's all for now! Except for one thing. Oops, I forgot. [ She giggles, but (oddly) soon shuts up. ]

What happens after you die? I want to know, once and for all.

[Most people would be happy to be alive and well. Aladdin sadly wasn’t given that luxury, he had gotten somewhat of an information overload. Months of information from back home coming to him not to mention realizing he had been dead for a few days was a lot to handle.

He ended up spending quite a bit of time in his room trying to sort everything. At this point there was a question plaguing from the last thing he remember before he woke up. He sat there for hours before deciding to ask for some help. ]

Hello everyone, I’m sorry if I worried you what happened couldn’t be help.

I have a question for you all. It may not make much sense but please here me out. In unnamed place there are around 300,000 people documented to be living there. In that country everyone is divided into different classes, there are no slaves in this place. [At this point he sighs.] My question is how would it be possible to hide 200,000 of those people?

I know it sounds strange but I need to figure this out.


( Filtered to Hibiki )

( cut for visual representation )

[ Arthur hasn't been gone long. Many of you likely wouldn't have even noticed his absence at all. But he is returned now, just over a year older and with a new crown that he may or may not have stolen from Burger King is far more ornate than a Prince's coronet hanging in his hands. He may not be much older but he certainly looks aged. ]

It would seem this realm has not tired of its want for Kings and Queens.

[ A tight lipped smile. King Arthur of Camelot has just come from the middle of his coronation, and he is hardly amused. ]

I would ask a question of you, Travellers, if you care to answer. How many of you believed you would return home following the battle of Ragnarok, as was promised? How many of you were prepared for it? Wished for it?

[ A pause. ]

Are there any among you that held dread for the prospect, and are glad now to remain in this city for however long you might?

[ He did, once. Now, he is not so sure. He rolls the crown in his hands once, shifts. ]

Or - an easier inquiry, if you are not inclined to answer the other. How many have returned to their native realms, despite the unresolved conflict? Those of you that have made my acquaintance or would call yourselves my friends, I ask that you make known your presence.

[ Another beat, another tense smile. ]

I suppose Asgard is not yet finished with me after all.

( and some action-y things, yay! )