[The feed turns on to a blink.] I think I have it.

Ah--Hello, my name's Saki Watanabe. I recently arrived here in Asgard to House Sigyn. [Wow, this sounds super formal. She looks almost sheepish as she just decides to sit back with a sigh.]

This whole place is just weird. The electricity, people, vehicles. In Kamisu our only method of transportation is boats; I don't even know what to call some of these things. [She laughs to herself.] I'm guessing I'm not the only one who's had a culture shock.

[She mellows after a moment, tucking a strand of hair behind her air. She's still dirty from the search for her friends and more than a little uneasy, but she's trying to tuck it away for the important things right now. Which is what leads her to a question.]

How long do people stay here?

[No that's not quite what she wanted to ask either so she lets out a breath.] It was sort of implied, with a war-- but are many people really capable of hurting each other here? [Not indirectly. Through means like faker cats and trickery, but not helping and harming. It was a foreign concept to the girl in all.]

Sorry, that must be a little weird. Huh? So what do you guys do now that you're here?

What do you do for work when you need extra money?

[He asks quietly but confidently, without pause. Today he isn't as cheerful at the last time he made a post. He's still worn out, but somehow he looks even more exhausted than he did before. He's scruffy, and there's something about him that seems haunted and hollowed-out despite the mild-mannered calm in his voice.

He's pulling his coat on as he talks, and heading out from his room into the hall.]

What's given freely is good, but it doesn't count for luxuries, so--

[Once in the hall he stops, looking confused. He turns around to look at his door: number 307 in Sigyn's Welcome Hall.]

...It moved.

[ Yuri's finally successfully turned on the feed! Behind him, a dog is taking up the majority of his bed, sleeping. ]

I'll be quick, because from the looks of it, the 'I get nothing going on' gets old quick. If someone can forward me a guide, I'll read it over in my own time. I'll only shake someone down for a full rundown if I really have to.

What I really need is a sword. Where to get one, if I need one made, who can make it, and the IOU's that come after that. I'm pretty sure I can wrangle out the right amont of money-- [ Legally, or illegally. A sword is important enough to break rules. ] -- for anyone who can supply.

[ There's a bit of a sigh, and following; ]

I'm Yuri Lowell. If there's anyone who knows that name, I need to talk to you ASAP. [ Even if it's not a friendly face. ]

[Normally when a person connects to Asgard's network, they greet villagers with a view of their face. However, this particular new Traveller is busy showing the city…snow. In particular, the fresh snow and frost that graced the city just two days prior to his arrival. Lots of snow, because this particular new Traveller just tried to fly and promptly fell into the snow instead. There's a frustrated sound from Jack Frost as he stands up, bracelet turning to face the snow again. Good thing nobody saw that. He's not really thinking about whether anyone can hear or see him though. The whole "being seen and believed in" thing? Still sort of hit and miss with this guy, and he's working under the assumption that most people still can't. However he's very much visible to anyone looking. They'll see a white-haired boy covered in snow and walking through the city like it's no big deal. Oh yeah, and without shoes. He's still not showing his face to the bracelet for the network to see, but he's soon speaking up to talk his way through the situation.]

Uh huh. So the fate of all existence rests within my hands. Thaaat sounds kind of familiar. [Speaking of hands, one of his hands soon appears as he bends down while walking, scooping up some snow to form a snowball.]

What I want to know is who beat me to it. [That snowball starts getting tossed up and down.] Because this? This isn't my work. [The snowball stops getting tossed and he brings it up, presumably, to his mouth to try and work some magic on it. No such luck though. He immediately stops in his path, giving the snowball a curious look.

Okay, well, how about we make it snow? …no luck? What about fros--okay, no luck there either.]

You gotta be kidding me. I mean I get it, I have a new power. [In fact, he's going to test the strength of his new power, using his mind to create snowballs without his hand and allow them to float and hover around him.] …which is kind of cool, I guess. I get that supposedly old powers won't work, but how am I supposed to be a Guardian if I can't even make the snow come?

[Aw well…even if he can't make new snow, there's no sense wasting the snowball that's in his hand. So what's Jack going to do? He's going to take a look around…and that snowball's suddenly getting launched…who knows where. If another traveller's nearby, it might just hit them. Totally on accident. Really. Oh come on, he's still working under the assumption that most people can't see him. Someone missed the memo that when they say everything's been stripped, they mean everything. So assuming that there's no harm done here, he'll just start to walk off with his telekinetically-created snowballs drifting behind him like baby ducks following their mother.]

[ 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 video begins with a shot of an upper hallway in Sigyn Welcome Hall. There are a few mutters as the user gets the screen the way he wants it, and the view is momentarily turned to catch his face. He’s 30-something, but despite his rather cheerful expression there’s a worn, almost haggard look to him that makes him seem older.]

Is it always this well-decorated or is this city really holding celebrations during a war? Either way, it’s a mixed blessing to have family here.

[He makes a sound somewhere between a sigh and a laugh, and turns the video to show the door of room 302. Without knocking, he opens it to reveal Archer seated on the bed, coffee mug in one hand, book in the other. He turns to shoot a glare at the door when it opens, and when he sees Kiritsugu with the camera on, he holds his book up to shield himself then sighs.]

What are you doing?

It’s only proper to introduce ourselves, Shirou.

[8| The exasperation is palpable. He’d prefer not to be called that, but it’s too late now. He begins to argue, then stops.]

The point of that being...?

[Kiritsugu’s voice is amused and patient -- the sort of voice a teacher uses to explain rules to a child.]

Because it’s good to be polite to your neighbors.

Then tell the nice people your name.

[There’s a gentle laugh in response, and Kiritsugu turns the camera back to himself for a moment.]

I’m Kiritsugu Emiya, and this-- [the camera goes back to Archer] is my son. [a beat] ...The timelines are quite a bit off.

[Archer sips his coffee, then sets his book, pages down, on the bed. It’s inevitable now -- he’s stuck speaking to people on this thing. Fine. Be that way. He smiles pleasantly, in a strained sort of way]

You can call me Archer. Charmed, I’m sure.

There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?

[Nevermind that he’s parent-talking at someone the same physical age as him. It just comes naturally. Kiritsugu turns the camera to face him again, and gives a brief nod in place of a bow.]

It’s nice to meet you.

[with all the decorations going up around the city, it seems like everyone is getting into the holiday spirit! ... more or less. these two girls seem to be pretty into it, though, as they enjoy some nice, hot drinks in a cafe somewhere in the Sigyn district. the girl whose bracelet is recording this video stretches as she looks at the recording feed.] Man, this really hits the spot! I’m so glad we found this place, especially with how cold it’s been getting. Don’t you think so, Yukiko?

[the other girl quietly nods as she takes a sip from her mug. surely some seasonal drink — hot cocoa, coffee, or cinnamon tea.] Mhm. This place is really nice, Chie. Thanks for— [and then, she looks over to her friend, only to see her own face reflected back at her.] C-Chie, are you recording me? [She looks to her friend, then back to the camera, giving a wry half smile.] Um, hello..

I just wanted to introduce you to the network! It’s how I made most of the friends I met when I first got here. [with a grin still on her face, she turns her attention from Yukiko to the recording feed.] This is Yukiko Amagi! She’s my best friend from back home, and she’s new here! She’s super nice and friendly, so treat her well, okay? [and then, her voice drops a little... jokingly, of course. right?] Or else.

[the bracelet is then passed to Yukiko, who positions it to where her face is on the screen clearly. she waves a bit.] Um, hello. I’m sorry.. I’m still not completely used to communicating with this.. thing. I guess it shouldn’t be so awkward, it’s just like a cell phone, right? [she smiles.] But don’t worry about me, Chie. I can take care of myself. [a tiny nod, but her face darkens a bit. The duo truly is a fearsome pair..] Anyways, it’s nice to meet everyone in Asgard. I hope we can get along. [after a few moments of silence..] Um, Chie? How do I turn it off?

Oh, here, I got it— [and the bracelet is back to Chie. but before she turns it off, she has one more message for the network...] By the way, the peppermint mocha here is awesome. You guys should definitely try it if you have the chance! We’ll be coming here more often, right? [and with Chie's attention fully returned her bff, off the bracelet goes!]

(ooc: joint post!! Chie and Yukiko will be replying separately.)

Since we have a lot of new people arriving, I thought I would post some information about Asgard and what has happened to us here since the arrival of the first travellers 189 days ago! Long-time Travellers, keep reading! There’s something you haven’t heard about yet too.

Firstly, Castiel-san has updated Sam-san’s list of god-granted abilities and what each ability is and what we know of what it is capable of. You can find it here! While it’s mostly complete, there were some powers that no-one volunteered to help Castiel-san with information about. If you can fill in the gaps, please talk to him! If you want to talk to people with your power or just get advice on using it, then Merlin-san’s Teacher’s Council may be for you! Look out for an announcement from him or contact him directly with questions.

Secondly, what has happened in Asgard. As you can see, a lot of volunteers worked on this! We’re still working on making it as complete as possible, so if you want to help, let me know! I’m especially interested in someone who experienced the battle and someone who served as a healer writing up their impressions of the battle.

And the new-news I promised! There’s been a lot of talk about research lately, or at least the lack of it, so you might be surprised to know that the Forensics Unit at the hospital is attempting to find scientific explanations for the phenomena we encounter in Asgard! We recently concluded a study as to how our god-given powers are activated. Using the hospital’s EEG and MRI machines, we searched for any increase in brain activity while our test subject used their powers. We were unable to detect any difference from normal brain activity. This held true, no matter the power, age, gender or species of Traveller. It took us a while to complete this study, because the Traveller leading it, Charles Xavier-san (not the same Charles Xavier currently in Asgard) was returned, and of course we dealt with numerous attacks on the city in the interim. I’ve attached the full report as a file for anyone interested! We’d especially like to hear from any scientists currently in Asgard who might be interested in joining our department. Although formed in response to suspicious activity, we’ve since widened our outlook to include the examination of anything that will benefit Travellers. If you’re interested, please contact me or Detective Kate Beckett.

Other ways to learn more about our situation include the Teacher’s Council, as I already mentioned, or Grimoire's Sigil – Aladdin-kun is leading research into Asgard’s original Rune Magic. There’s a lot to learn here, and any interested parties are welcome to join in.

If research isn’t for you, consider The Citadel! Arthur-san’s guard teach a variety of weapon-based and non-weapon-based combat. Pendragon-san also offers lectures on War at regular intervals.

If that’s not your thing either, then maybe you’d like to help O’Brien and me with our emergency supply kits! We need volunteers to help us gather supplies then sort them into the kits which are distributed to Welcome Halls and stations all over Asgard. We especially would like volunteers with Drawing Life!

If you’ve got a healing power, then either the Sigyn Hospital or the Yakuzen Clinic Heimdall are good places to get practical experience using your power! You don’t have to talk to anyone at the hospital, just go to reception. And Watson-sensei and Castiel-san have regular first-aid classes at the Yakuzen Clinic.

If I’ve forgotten anything, please let me know! (Koizumi-san, I don’t want to hear you say it.)

((ooc: if I have html/link fail, ooc you want to be in on this but aren't sure how or have a group you want a shout out for, let me know!))