[ The video starts with the sound of a whipcrack, coming from a young woman who is obviously wielding a whip. There's a hint of annoyance on her face, but not enough to make a normal individual decide that it's a proper time to use a whip. She stretches it over her head, making the leather snap. Then she rolls the whip on her hands with ease before placing it to her side.

If you're starting to get that feeling that you're faced with someone who whips things just because she can, trust that feeling. You're probably right. ]

While I do remember saying that I would go wherever I'm needed, it seems that I wasn't clear enough for the fools who run this failure of a fantasy novel plot. I will go wherever I'm needed provided that I give my prior consent. Gods or not, they're clearly guilty of kidnapping.

[ And as easily as she snapped and put away her whip, she starts to smile. ]

But I suppose I do owe you people an introduction, since it seems like we're all stuck here for the meantime. I am Franziska von Karma, the prodigy prosecutor. I've been told that, despite it's logical impossibility, we might come from different worlds. Should one of you not know what a prosecutor is, I suggest that you educate yourselves in the local library. The lack of color shouldn't hinder your ability to read, unless you're the type of person who requires the aid of silly, colorful illustrations.

I would ask for your names and occupations, but it's only polite to introduce yourselves after being introduced to, isn't it? And it seems like it's customary here to end your first transmission with an inane question on topics such as "look at my inability to read a map and find things for myself" and chicken... nuggets. [ It's clear that she finds the latter topic very strange.] So I ask you this, people of Asgard:

Suppose that you find a box of cake left under the rain. What will you do?


[ Baldr people, she might have whipped a small dent onto one of the kitchen tables. It took a lot of hits. She's not sorry.

Meanwhile, I apologize for asking about cake in the rain. ]

[ When the recording begins, there's only sound. It seems that Shinon is tapping on the little gem in the bracelet, eyeing it over. He's already looked around a bit, searched for his airheaded partner with no luck. It's just really not his day. ] ... Tch. Bet this is worth enough for a night on the town. Maybe even more. [ If he could be seen, he wouldn't look very impressed, regardless.]

This is a waste of time. I don't show any allegience to any gods. [And he doesn't plan on it either, unless they suddenly decide to show him some favors once in a while.] Sounds like I'm not even getting paid for this.

I'm out of here. Gatrie, if you're around, don't get friendly. I'd rather take orders from Ike over this.
[ Another unseen look of disdain and then it ends. ]

[Enma stares at the bracelet for a good, long while. He looks uncertain, tense, nervous, like he's trying to muster up the will to say something but hasn't come up with much yet. You wouldn't be able to tell from the way he absently fidgets with the cuffs of his jacket and picks at a bandage on the back of his hand, but he's been doing a lot of thinking lately. He's been here for three weeks, knows he needs to get home, knows he has things to do, and he can't shake the feeling of complete helplessness. He hates it. Can't bear it, and underneath all the nervous energy is frustration and anger that just needs a bit more agitation before it boils over.

He wants to ask if anyone's gone home yet, or has thought of a way to leave, or has figured out more about what the gods want from them, but instead all he manages to say is:]

Wonder if they'll let us leave if we just paint the walls for them....

[It takes a short moment for him to get the sense that what he just said was insufferably dumb, and he nervously claps one hand over his face, slaps at his bracelet, and switches the feed off]

[The video feeds opens to a very unfocused Cody, trying his best to get some training in. Clad only in a sweat-soaked tanktop and shorts, his fists repeatedly smash into the base of a street post that he's wrapped in rope. His blows are erratic, though, far more than they should be.]

...I knew it. Figured that was the case...

[He turns to the holo-display, clearly not happy with recent developments.]

I realized something was wrong with my body after sayin' hello to a few of the other house-mates in Thor. Now I know for sure that something's off. I'm stronger than I should be. My body ain't reactin' the same way as it used to.

[Cody holds up his manacles, now broken in the center of the chain. Seems Cody wasn't listening when the maid told him about the powers.]

And these are pointless, too. Snapped 'em by accident the other day. Now all they're good for is scrap metal. Used to take a hell of a lot more effort than that.

[A small sigh comes from his lips as he looks at his palms, flexing his fingers a few times.]

I don't like it. Fightin' ain't fun if it's too easy. Somebody here has to know what's goin' on. I can't be the only guy this is happenin' to.

[When the video feed turns on, Mami is holding a handheld gaming device next to her face, one her fellow idols would recognize from her home. It shows "Last of the Fantasies 8" on the screen, with a completion percentage of 100 and a playtime of seventeen hours.]

Ufufu...once again, Mami defeats the evil wizard! In record time, too! Ami's record never stood a chance! This is her third time beating it since she arrived! Hmhmhm...it was definitely worth skipping work for! They won't be too mad, right?

[Mami holds her arm out away from her, revealing that she's wearing a waitress's outfit. She's modified it so that it's cuter, more akin to maid cosplay. Her skirt is shorter, and it's now sleeveless.]

Mami has been working as a waitress! Won't you all come please visit Mami while she's working? It can get really boring~! She'll even greet you with "Welcome back, master! Mami's been waiting for you!" if you want!

[There's a pause before she remembers something else she wanted to ask.]

Hey, hey, is it too cold for squirt-guns? Mami thinks we should all be out having fun!

[The feed clicks on and a young man with unruly honey brown hair can be seen. He smiles brightly, happy and content before he scratches the back of his head in a boyish manner.]

Yo!

[He waves and the action seems a bit too silly and dramatic.]

I know this might sound weird but can anyone tell me what happened?

[It almost seems like he's embarrassed but he quickly laughs it off. Cerise-colored eyes stare back curiously.]

I can’t say I’m digging all this grey. Where’s all the color? Too monotonous, man.

[He shakes his head, clearly not liking this.]

But yes ladies and gentlemen, who will be nice enough to help a guy out? I don't bite~

[And thus he gives his famous idiot face before the feed cuts off.]

[Hello, Asgard. You didn't think Szayel would lay low forever, did you? Your resident smug asshole pink scientist appears on your wrist communicators today with a little... PSA? Rather tame for him, isn't it?]

Greetings, my fellow Newcomers. I am Szayel Aporro Granz, and I am speaking to you today to offer my services.

[Feel blessed. After all, how often does perfection offer to help you?]

Considering the state of the weather and how fragile human bodies are, I would be more than willing to assist anyone that finds themselves injured and unable to get to the hospital. While I am not specifically a healer, I have some skill with mending broken bones.

[And, you know, maybe taking an organ or two while you're in his care. Nothing you'll miss too terribly.]

Do not hesitate to call should you need it. I will always respond.

[...yep, totally trustworthy guy here. This smile of his is totally and completely sane.]

[Greetings, Asgard! Today we have yet another video feed of Sonic. Those who haven't seen him around may be shocked to find a talking, blue creature using the network. He's certainly gotten quite a few stares since he arrived, and that's probably part of the reason why he looks a little bit miffed.

But no matter!]

Yo, Asgard. Got some mondo important stuff to take care of, so listen up!

First of all, I've noticed that some of you guys have never heard of chili dogs before. You guys are totally missing out! So, just to make things clear...

[He turns the camera towards an old photo, pointing at the little dog.]

This is a dog! And this... [He points the camera at a chili dog on a plate, which he's got on a nearby table. After a few seconds, it's back to him.]

Is a chili dog! No, they aren't made outta dog meat, and no, they're not gross. Heck, they're like the complete opposite of gross! Want proof? Drop by Thor house ASAP, 'cause I'm cookin' up a whole ton. No charge; it's all on me. Could even turn it into a party or somethin'.

[He shrugs. Sonic still wants to throw some kinda party, just to have something to do. Go figure.]

And before I go, I just wanna clear up one last thing. [He points at himself.] I'm not a "thing," a "CG character," a mascot, or anything like that. I'm the coolest hedgehog around-- probably the only one here, and talking's second nature to me, just like running. So if you see me cruisin' around the ol' streets, no, you ain't seeing things.

[video]

[Click. There's a brief silence and then a bit of flickering on the screen as its owner shifts around a bit -- though he's gotten a little more conscious of the 'video' feature and you have some partial view of him rather than the wall or the floor, all you can really see is a mop of blond hair and... a lot of blankets.]

--seems to be becoming colder every day.

... Ah, I think... [There's a small sigh.] I don't understand this bracelet very well (and I don't even know if it is my bracelet), but I hope someone can hear -- or see me.

[Pause. The blanket nest straightens itself a little as Allen considers his words.]

I woke up this morning in a room not my own. I... There had been some changes -- I am not sure if my eyes deceived me, but my first room was not so gray anymore. [He's speaking steadily, but there's anxiousness in his voice.] The serving spirits tell me this is Freya's House, and the jewel on this bracelet is a deep red color rather than the purple of Heimdall.

[Another pause during which the screen goes dark. But after a moment:]

... I don't understand. Did Heimdall cast me out?

Right. So. It looks like more and more people are arriving every day. Have any of you tried using your erm... "gifts" yet? According to the maidservants in the castle, the gifts are the gods' way of helping us...flourish in the city. [A brief pause as he scrunches his nose.] Whatever that means.

I've been having a look 'round the city these past few days, and it looks like the maps are fairly accurate. If anyone's injured, the healer's quarters are pretty close to the castle, so you should, you know, go there if you're bleeding all over the place. [This is spoken with a pointed look. Yes, Castiel, that was directed at you.]

Anyway, that letter we all got when we arrived here? [He holds up his own copy, waving it at the screen.] It says we stay here to "preserve the world from whence you came"--sounds like there might be some consequences if we try to leave this place early, doesn't it?

Oh and Sam, Cas. I think the healers might have some of the herbs you need. Let me know when you see this.