[ Okay. Time for me to face facts. This isn't a dream. Well, it might be some sort of magic shared coma dream--maybe Rena finally clonked me too hard; it'd explain Satoshi running around.

... ... ...No, that is pretty stupid.

Well. Time to make a first impression. ]

PEOPLE OF ASGARD, LISTEN! FELLOW MEMBERS OF HEIMDALL, LEND ME YOUR EARS!

I am here to introduce myself! It's only customary for us all stuck together in this place to come to know one another, so I will with this hand take center stage for the time I am entitled to!

[ At this point he stands atop his bed, stands straight, and POINTS with fervor at nothing. ]

This figure before you--this man standing before you!--is none other than--

[ He LEAPS from the bed and lands on the ground, spins, and POINTS with even more fervor at an equal amount of nothing. ]

--the one-and-only Keiichi!

[ Pause.

Then he laughs, falling back onto the bed.

Haha, that'd be pretty cool! But an over-the-top introduction like that isn't my style, so I'll go with something normal, even if it was fun to play out. Good thing I don't have a roommate! Now, I'll just get this thing working and give a toned down--

Wait. Is...This doesn't mean--

He leans in very, very, very closely to the translucent screen. ]

( SUSPENSEFUL CUT )

I’ve been hearing a bit lately about how people don’t want to fight in the war because it’s not ours to fight and not only do I understand that, but I don’t blame anyone for feeling that way. But as long as we’re here, isn’t it better to fight than to stand aside and watch this place fall down around us? [ Fighting may not usually be his thing, but circumstances being what they are… ] As long as we’re here, and as long as it threatens us and our loved ones, doesn’t that make it our fight too? We just have to stop thinking of it as fighting for them, and think of it as protecting ourselves and each other.

[ Not that he supports the war and fighting by any means, but he'll do what he has to ]

[For the first seconds of the video, it's simply Nezumi looking towards the camera with an almost serene expression. And then, his eyes close and he recalls Sonnet 147, written by Shakespeare, and begins to recite it. His melodic, practiced voice never stutters or stumbles over a single word or syllable. He speaks with deep emotion, as if speaking from the very depths of his soul. The words flow like a gentle river, strong and unyielding.]

My love is as a fever longing still,
For that which longer nurseth the disease;
Feeding on that which doth preserve the ill,
The uncertain sickly appetite to please.
My reason, the physician to my love,
Angry that his prescriptions are not kept,
Hath left me, and I desperate now approve
Desire is death, which physic did except.
Past cure I am, now Reason is past care,
And frantic-mad with evermore unrest;
My thoughts and my discourse as madmen's are,
At random from the truth vainly expressed;
For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright,
Who art as black as hell, as dark as night.

[As the last word is spoken, he pauses to allow the sound and meaning to fully sink in to the listener, and then he gives the audience his winning smile. He sounds confident and very sure of himself as he speaks.]

If you would like to hear more, please visit the Draupnir theatre in Freyr district. Readings like this will be given by me every day starting at noon. And believe me, I look much better in person than through a transmitting device.

Thank you.

[Click.]

[ for a minute there is nothing, and then you are given the view of a girl, though young, with a particularly regal bearing. she regards the view ahead of her with shrewd, violet eyes. at a glance she is nothing more than a especially lovely young woman, silver hair and strangely colored eyes glinting under the sun.

in her lap there is a brightly colored green dragon, no larger than a small dog, curled in her lap as if to bask under the bright sun. it's slightly larger brother curls around both shoulders of the woman in question, black as night with eyes as bright and red as hot coals. puffs of smoke escape from their nostrils.

when she speaks her voice is deliberate, measured and strong:]

I am told we are to fight a war, Asgard. We are given pretty words and baubles, magic.

[ those pale brows wrinkle ]

Yet among your 'army' I see children. I met a young girl when I first arrived, a man who had his own lands to account for. Do you think pretty words are enough to buy loyalty? If so I should like to learn your trade, for there are many and more besides that I would rally to my side in my own lands.

I see some of your gods, I see how they act playing as if it were a game and we nothing but common toys for their leisure. I did not imagine war to be so simple as that.

[ her jaw clenches subtly, a ripple of muscle against her smooth cheek. ]

To them I would ask: Where is my third dragon? His scales are white, I would not think him so difficult to find. I would direct this question and more to the people trapped alongside me. I care little if you are gods or not, you do not take what is mine without recieving justice for it.

[ she takes a quiet breath, and her face smoothes, and there is an undeniably gentler expression there, in mouth and eyes. ]

To those who share my plight, I would ask you instead, if you have seen him. He is no smaller than this green one here, and more precious to me than all I own. Should you know where he is, I will repay you, I swear it.

I would also ask whatever wisdom you might offer to the nature of this place, of currency, trade and other lands--if there are any to be trusted. I am far from my home, as are you all, and the more I learn, the better I can be made to help you and myself in kind. I have no wish to fight any more wars than I must.

[ she strokes the top of the green dragon's head ]

My third question would be if any of you hail from the kingdom of Westeros, or the continent of Essos. You have my thanks for any answers or words given.

[Through quite a bit of trial and error and button pushing, Robin has managed to access the video feed.

He can be seen with a piece of wood in his hands that he is using to create a bow. It looks rather rough, but he is confident enough in his bow-crafting abilities that it will work by the time he has finished with it.

He has only recently arrived in Asgard, but the main question on his mind right now has less to do with wars, the gods, or being taken away from everything he knows. No, he considers this question of extreme importance, and that is why he is addressing the network.]

Tell me, is there an archery range to be found around here?

[Because Robin Hood's skills are too great to be allowed to fall into disuse.]

[ The feed comes on to show Arthur pallid and out of breath, sweat gleaming across his brow - from exertion or pain or possibly both. The beginnings of daylight are creeping across the horizon behind him, which is the only reason he's found time to broadcast this message. They're safe, for now. ]

If there are any that would stand beside me and my men -

[ He winces, pain again, but also for future pain of Buffy and her brash attitude. ]

- the term used loosely in this instance to refer to my allies - if there are any that would stand with us, the assistance would be appreciated and well honoured. Particularly those intent on remaining alive for more than a few hours' time without murdering each other or otherwise finding themselves dead.

[ All the disdain. He's looking at you, Team Free Will. There are no motivational speeches this time around. Arthur is fatigued and possibly bleeding out. He breathes deep; perhaps just something small - ]

Rest now while light is upon us. Tend to your wounds and the wounded, and call upon one of us should you find yourself incapable of either. Perhaps most importantly, do not lose sight of your friends' faces, lest you lose yourself within a darkness greater than the night.

The Sun is always laying in wait for the morn, Asgard. We will see these dark hours through.

[ He closes his eyes, exhales harshly. ]

Oh, and Merlin, if you could happen to find yourself upon me, a dear friend seems to have misplaced a knife in my stomach. I know you've never been on time once in your life, but do put in an effort this time, won't you?

[ ooc; feel free to threadjack around this post, and there is a semi-open log here if you'd like to pop around there! Alternatively, if you'd like to hop around the official event logs Alan-mun put up with us, just give us a heads up and we can try to swing all over the place like the madmen we are. :') ]

I would like someone -- anyone -- to give me a song request.

[No, she's totally serious.]

I do not care how asinine it is or how ridiculously bad the song is. Give it to me and I will sing it, free of charge or favor, in order to make this situation seem a little less horrendous and a little bit brighter.

[There's something of a huffed sigh.]

At this juncture, I would even sing Call Me Maybe so long as it was doing something of use.

[Mary is, as many people today, reviving in the Palace. Some of you may remember seeing her wandering the city last night, Taken and violent and mindless. Now she's inside but sitting next to window, looking stressed and more than a little confused.]

Uh, can someone tell me what happened? What am I doing here, did- did I die?

[She swallows hard, looking nervous, and peeks out of the window.]

The city's still going crazy, isn't it? Can anyone tell me what's going on?

[Uncomfortable pause.]

Um. Can someone near the Palace come cover me? I need to get back to my apartment in Thor, but I don't have my gun. I woke up without it. All I have is a knife.

If anyone could help me- thanks.

[What you see today is a fair maiden wrapped up and looking irritated. Ah, she's new! you must be thinking. After all, new faces appearing on the network looking grumpy are normal in Asgard. It comes with being snatched and told to make things 'colorful'. The room however is a bit familiar-- and the French accent is horribly thick, which is discovered after she has adjusted the camera well enough to not just shoot them ample planes. If you get my drift.]

I do not know where I should be starting...  For once I am what some would call pleasantly speechless.

[She laughs, but it's not quite humored. This feels very wrong, Asgard. Very wrong indeed.]

Well, non. I am not completely speechless, though my thoughts are hardly pleasant. I am not meant to be a woman! I am meant to adore and admire them but be beside them. The entirety of my existence has been in the body of a man, though, as you can clearly see, only my mind seems to be ah. Correct.

Regardez-moi! I ...jiggle. I am France; I am not meant to jiggle!

[France is sincerely second-guessing the idea of sleeping in the nude. It was not a good wake up call. ]

(ooc: I'll be using the journal sanscoq  to thread out for the remainder of the month. Then I'll be nice and make him less ...robust.)

 

[ One guess if Derek Hale is happy with this new predicament he's found himself in. Sure, his life sucks on a regular basis but never before has he felt so utterly…stripped of something very vital to him.

And for once it's not his shirt. ]

What have you done to me- [ It's whispered yet demanding snarl, voice a poisonous threat that promises bodily harm to these so-called gods because yup, he thinks he's chatting with them right now. He doesn't feel right, doesn't feel right at all, not when the wolf in him has been subdued and quietened in a way he's never experienced before. And he thought being poisoned and used in some kind of messed up ritual had been bad. ]

I don't want your fake god's power, I want myself restored. [ He would be a lot more convincing with the snarly-gnarly angry wolf-face but alas you'll just have to deal with the glare. ] You can forget about cooperation otherwise.

[As the video flickers on, you can see a lovely, pale woman, poking at the screen as if she's trying to get the thing to work and her eyes widen when she realizes that the device is working. Despite the flush to her cheeks, her expression turns more diplomatic a moment later.] I am Princess Mithian of Nemeth and I would like to speak with whoever has taken me as their prisoner. You have taken my escorts and left me with no defenses, the least you can do is let me seek counsel with you.

[She sounds firm, her voice does not waver, though she is uneasy. It's clear she does not believe what she's been told by creepy!maid lady.] I am expected home. There will be a search party sent out, if I do not return.

[Nanako looks a bit concerned today. Her sunny smile is dampened by the worry in her expression, but she does her best to sound chipper.]

Good afternoon, everyone.

I wanted to say thank you, to those who helped me when I first got here, and... I think I might've grown a bit, since I've come here. Of course, there have been disappointments and some difficult times, but I've also made friends, and I'm a little bit closer to becoming an adult, or so I'd like to think. It's not home, but little by little, I'm starting to adjust. So, thank you all!

[She breaks off, eyes darting away to avoid looking into the camera, fingers reaching down to toy with the hem of her dress, as if anxious.]

As for the purpose of this... Well, I know it isn't any of my business, and I might across as meddling, or dumb, but... If you could hear me out? I admit I haven't been paying very close attention, so I don't know very much about this place, still. But just from what I've heard and seen, it's not as peaceful as back home. There seems to be people who are troubled, people for whom something may be very wrong.

I'm just...a bit worried. Even though I know you may not want me to worry, if there's anything you'd like to say, or someone you might need for company or support, um... I'll try my best! I'll try my best, if anyone needs me! I live in Freya, and you can always contact me with the bracelet.

[She gives a little smile and a half-hearted wave, and the feed ends.]

[ The view is that of a sky, all blue with an occasional cloud. It is silent and you might think that it is an accidental broadcast.

Until the dragon.

The dragon flies through the sky, a dark shape growing more distinct as it draws closer to land onto the windowpane of the welcome hall of Sigyn. Up close one can see the dragon's scales are black as coal and his eyes are the deepest of red.

As the image moves, Daenerys can be seen, leaned against the windowpane, head rested on her elbow. She offers a piece of roasted meat to the dragon who snatches it happily. ]

I wonder what it is that you have seen. Are these skies familiar to you, or are they as foreign as this city? All realms cannot share one sky, I reckon.

[ a pensive hum before she addresses her audience. ]

My people called it shierak qiya, a bleeding star. It was seen during the day as well as the night. Has it showed itself here? It is as red as Drogon's eyes.

[ the feed closes as she presses a finger alone the dragon's spine. ]

[The man in the video seems jovial enough at at a glance, but anyone who looks closer might notice his distrust, not quite masked by his smile. There is relief, too, though whatever he was about to face he would not have been defenceless. He is armed with a recurve bow, and though it isn't loaded there is a quiver full of arrows on his back, and there is a scimitar sheathed by his side.]

It seems today is not such a good day to die after all. People of Asgard, I'd like to thank you once I know my men are as safe as I am. I'm glad at least someone had a better plan than mine.

My name is Robin Hood. I suppose I should feel privileged. It is rare a man of my status is considered an honoured guest, unless he's to be a guest of the cells, or perhaps the noose if it's a bad day.

I won't pretend to understand what is been asked of me here, nor whatever else I have been told of this place. I never thought I would be able to talk in such a way to anyone, and I would consider charm to be more a talent than a power, though a talent I will admit comes more freely to some than to others.

[Robin offers an easy grin, but it doesn't last long. Asgard isn't the only thing on his mind, and it soon changes to a more serious expression. Guarded, but concerned. He takes a breath.]

Lads. If any of you are here and have been shown how to use this, let me know. Some of you may not trust this, I know. I understand. But for the moment we have no choice. We have to regroup. I need to know you're okay.