[ spike hasn't made an appearance on the network or much of anywhere public since his return, but here he is. he's outside, wearing a sweater and gloves. it's gotten cold this past week or so. ]

...Well, hey, you lot. Fancy seeing you here. [ there's a shift but then he's doing his best to look unbothered by the entire situation. he's always been awkward about these things, but what is there really left to say. ] Glad to be back, really, thanks for asking.

Tea's as good as ever, and there's always something on cable... I've just been thinking, you know. No smart remarks, I do have the capability and all.

[ he's got to stop rambling. oh boy. he looks right into the feed and nods his head. this is definitive. no turning back; it's been decided and it's over with. ]

We're gonna win. I mean really-- we've got this.

We're gonna win.

That's it. Just thought you should know.

[ the feed flickers on to spike laughing. damn. it's a rare sight these days, but it doesn't seem completely mirthful anyway. ]

Seems like I missed another exciting week. [ he was off-bracelet about 10 days, and he's shaking his head. of course it would be when the city needed him. ] Don't even have a bloody excuse this time, so I may as well throw myself on the mercy of you all.

[ the laughter has stopped and he looks a bit distant for a moment. ] Training in the Arena. I'm doing it, every night. Doesn't matter what your power is or anything, just be there.

I need a snack.

[ and we're done. ]

Hate to be that guy who goes and adds to the list, but... Well. There's no one left to say it but me, is there?

[ he sighs, a dog can be heard barking in the background. ] ...It's Buffy. She's-- you know. [ helpless shrugging, face-scrubbing. he doesn't know what to do now, but it's clear on the feed that he's been crying. ]

Jo Harvelle? She, uh. There's a letter here. So--

I guess that's it.

[ --zoop. then about an hour later the feed comes back. ]

Buff--she. She used to do some training, down at the Arena? Figure, um. I figure I could make myself bloody useful for once and fill that slot.

So if anyone's interested... yeah.

[ and gone. ]

[The feed's silent for a bit of time as Draco thinks things over. He appears to be in his apothecary, staring at something off-screen. A frown appears on his face before he shakes his head.]

I'm not entirely certain what's happening with everyone lately, and if that isn't disturbing enough on its own…but I do have a question someone might be able to answer since the former seems to be as vague as everything else in this city.

[With that, he holds out his left arm, bearing the Dark Mark for everybody to look at.]

What the hell is this, and whose bright idea was it to let me go through with it?

[Then, few hours later, the video continues but this time he's at home and having a staring contest with a German Shepard and a large white dog.]

Also? If anyone is looking to adopt a dog there are two in my apartment that don't belong here. Serious inquiries only.

[ spike has no idea what's gone on the past couple weeks, but he doesn't seem concerned about it. his little gray cat is on his shoulder as he addresses the camera. he grins, other than being really exceptionally well-rested he's just glad to be back around and he's hoping he didn't sleep through anything mega important. ]

So... hey... what did I miss?

[ nope that's it. ]

[Emily is just fiddling with her bracelet given to her upon arrival looking a bit skeptical of the magical aspect of it making it a commonly used communication device here but she figures it is worth a shot to try and see if it even works like she was told. It takes her a moment as she debates on how she should approach the situation but as soon as she does, she tries to herself somewhat presentable before she turn it on to address whoever is listening in.

She looks concerned given the situation while to giving off the impression she is trying to stay calm]

Not sure how I got here at all but it seems like I'm pretty far from The Hamptons now, huh? I'm definitely not dressed for this either— kind of obvious, I know but the last I checked it was still summer for me. [Emily crinkles her nose only to just let out a sigh before she continues]

I have to say that I'm impressed though— this is a rather creative for a mass kidnapping. Or really whatever this is supposed to be. [Though it's obvious from her tone of voice that she isn't buying it completely despite how it is probably commonly accepted knowledge here] I heard a mention or two about gods being involved and honestly even that seems a bit out there. I know people who would be pretty worried about my sudden disappearance so I'm hoping whoever can hear this can help me out.

My name is Emily Thorne, just to get introductions out of the way and if anyone can point me in the direction of someone who is in charge or even a better explanation of this situation? I can pay you back and give you a suitable monetary reward for the your time if you prefer. [Because that typically gets people's attention, right? She has plenty of money she can write up a cheque for anyways for those who would ask something from her in return at least]

[ooc; If you'd rather run into her in person around the time of this post and wandering around, she's also on the intro mingle here along with the link to her permission post included]

[ Oh look, it's the not-'Asgardian'!Asgardian! And he holds his hand up, palm outward in silent greetings. ]

Friends, newcomers - [ ...and Malekith... ] - well met. I shall keep brief: we have faced war. And we have had our dead and our wounded to show for the victory.

[ And now, he turns slightly more somber. ]

I do not ask whether you fight for this land or its people, for your pleasure or your lives alone. Whatever your reasons, we do not die here. In this, I think, we all agree. Yet...

[ He has the grace to look sheepish. ]

...apologies, but many of you walk as if targets. You know nothing of battle, and the gifts given to you in this land do not serve. The meager war crafts would be of help to you: shield bearing, the handling of sword and hammer. I do not speak of great ability, but enough that you can bide yourselves the time to run.

[ Firmer, now. ]

So: those who wish to learn, give say of what weapon might suit you. Those who know of battle and wish to teach it, name your skill and offer service. And those who once held sorcery alike to the one gained here, volunteer counsel of how to improve it.

For my part, I wield the hammer. I lack in patience, but do not scold unfairly. What knowledge I have is yours to take.

[ Is the part where he riles half of Asgard done with? OH THANK EVERYTHING, time to offend the other half. ]

Past every man's care, we can seek to defend the city. Who here runs inventory? Have we cannons? Rams? Horses? If anyone wishes to learn, or organize legions - you have my aid in this. There lies opportunity. Another is with our fellows, the grey ones. A frail-bearded man wrote that we do not give them thought or time. Perhaps he is wise, and there is more to be done in alliance.

[ And then he stares at the camera for a long moment of rather stupid blinking, before dissolving into laughter, because - ]

That... was not brief.


[ ooc: woah, tl;dr. iiif you'd like to get involved, just have your character volunteer to teach their faito skills, and I'll have Thor send some/all of the characters who want to pick up said skills their way o/ . ]

[ spike is bustling around his kitchen, tea and toast in the making. he pulls a slice out of the toaster and starts smearing jam on. ]

It's been a little while, you lot. Or, well, guess I saw most of you on the train home. But now there's new folks and old folks coming back and the like. Par for the beginning of the month, or whatever frame of time it is they use here.

[ now starting in on the second and a thoughtful look crosses over his features. ] I would say this place gets less agonizing the longer I'm here, but I think I know better than to jynx it by now...

[ the kettle goes off, startling him into spinning too quick and knocking the toast off the counter - jam side down. ] Oh come on!

Bloody hell. Where was I? Oh, yeah.

Sober two days, you bunch of bastards. Hope you're happy.

[ the feed is about to go out but a few muffled words make it through as he's cleaning up the jam: ] How did hair get in this? Ugh. Crooks.

[ - and zamo. ]

Oi, [Comes the booming voice of one redhead, trying to understand this thing on her wrist. For a moment she shakes her wrist before looking back down.]

You lot, if y'can see me. [She's just looking down scornfully. Wildlings don't even understand Southern technology and you want to throw this at her.]

I have a few choice words for your gods, but first. Jon Snow, if y'be here, you best reply to me here. Don't think I've forgot about you, just 'cuz I've wound up here. You know nothing. [She has some hope that if these gods could choose her, he'd be here, too. Then the Crows wouldn't matter (not that they did to begin with). But neither would the Wall nor her people.]

You other lot, not bein' Jon Snow, I'd ask the same as I did them girls I talked to. What keeps you from goin' outside the city? Where I'm from we do as we please, the Free Folk. No god cares 'bout what we do as men. Or women. Why fight their war? I fought my own war because some Southern king decided years ago he'd put my people behind some great wall. I decided to be a spearwife to lodge me own spear up every Crow whose crossed into our land's ass. [That didn't exactly happen, but semantics.]

It was my lands though. If y'can't fight for what's yours, maybe you never deserved it. Don't need no named god tellin' me that.

[ at first all that comes into view is a bottle of single malt scotch, unopened. then an ashtray, nowhere near as untouched. slowly spike's hands and then his face enter into the picture too and he looks haggard; tired, and far too human. he had known this day would come, because in the end he always ended up alone. but it was always different when it actually happened, and somehow the abandonment itself was never any less painful. ]

I told myself I'd say something profound, quote some Churchill or something... [ did wes even like churchill? it wasn't like he knew. ] But how do you mourn a ghost? How do you mourn a ghost again even?

This was his drink, too rich for my blood, but then again I'm not a Wyndam-Price.

[ spike swallowed and turned away before slowly pouring a shot and raising it up for a fallen friend. ] To Wesley.

[Wesley’s face suddenly appears. He’s frustrated and tired despite a night of sleep (which was really just a night of tossing and turning). There are words and thoughts that need to be expressed but it’s hard to form all of that into something coherent especially when there’s a blond someone in his space.]

Spike. You’re suppose to be helping not rummaging through my cupboards.

Helping with what, exactly? [ the ex-vampire shot a look over his shoulder at the ex-ghost, one eyebrow climbing up into his hairline. ]

Explain...explain that place.

[As much as he doesn’t want to think about it, Wesley knows he should inform the people here about where the missing are and the troubles they were possibly facing]

If you’re not-- Fine, just don’t make a mess.

[He takes a moment to put whatever Spike was doing out of his head]

The people who have recently vanished are in fact in, well, possibly another dimension mirroring this one.

[ spike pokes his head out from the cupboard, a packet of tea in his hand marking him victorious. ] You lot ever see Wizard of Oz?

[Welp, the frowning is back]

Wizar- Are you- No, no, nevermind. I think I understand what he’s saying. The world we visited was grey and very hostile to those of us who had suddenly showed up. It also lacked a networking ability and people once again spoke their native language, which, for those not from modern Earth, made things even more difficult.

...Which doesn’t really matter now that we’re back, right? [ his gaze flicked to wes and then back to the feed, seemingly underwhelmed by the whole thing. ]

But others are still there and unless…

[His face heats up at the memory of the things he revealed to Fred]

Another thing is that we were under some compulsion to reveal things to people that we had kept private.

[Compulsion because like hell he had willingly told her the truth]

And our true natures were revealed.

Oh, right, that. You want milk in yours, Wes? [ spike was trying his best to stay casual, pouring himself a cup of tea and avoiding the other man’s bracelet as best he could. ]

[He nods but keeps frowning]

In truth I don’t know how we were brought back here; it’s all a bit blurry, but know that people are trapped in that place and it’s very likely they will stay there unless something drastic is done.

Or if they all die. [ he takes a sip of too-hot tea. ]

[Wesley just stares at the man. This is why Spike shouldn't be allowed to talk to people





[Wesley and Spike. Talk to one or both!]

So. Those Gentlemen sure made things. Interesting? Can't say I'm not glad to be able to talk again. Even if half the time me opening my mouth ends up pissing someone off back home.

But really, I was wondering...this place has a library in...Odin, wasn't it? Or I could--frak it. I don't suppose 'Harbinger' means anything to any of you? Or, I don't know, Angels or. Whatever.

[Because she is still frustrating herself worrying about things back home and that apple both did and did not help things at all. Wondering if her death and coming back means she is a Cylon. They still don't know the Final Five, after all. Or perhaps that wasn't quite it. Hence her considering the angel thing. Kara purses her lips before shaking her head and muttering.]

Gods, I don't even know why I'm--this is stupid.

[And there she ends the feed.]

[Things were really crazy during the last week. Fortunately for him, he wasn't hurt by those strange Gentlemen. He's now gonna make sure his friends are ok.]

Whoa, that was hell back there. I mean, a few days ago, with those weird guys around. I heard some people died... Is that true?

Also, does anyone know if this was another attack from the Frost Queen? Or was it something else? Anyway, seems this place is more dangerous than I first thought...

[ filtered to Beth Greene ]

Beth? Are you ok? I hope you didn't get hurt... Please, let me know you're fine and when I can see you. I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you.

[ The feed opens up as video, to begin with. Of course, neither Buffy nor Giles can actually speak. The whole city is affected by this. But, luckily for the city, this is something these two Sunnydale natives have seen, dealt with, and destroyed before. Buffy already has an incredibly impatient and exasperated sort of worry written all over her face, lines therefrom aging her far beyond what her actual age is.

Giles is focused, all business-- he’s fumbling with a pen and paper, frowning, eyes away from the camera. When he looks up, he’s scrawled a message with a poorly-drawn monster very seriously drawn in beside it.

THESE MONSTERS ARE CALLED THE GENTLEMEN

Buffy’s shoulders rise and fall similar to a sigh, and she taps Giles on the shoulder before yoinking the pen away from him and scribbling something else.

AND THEY WANT TO MAKE YOU VERY, VERY DEAD

She’s not sorry for interrupting though she expects she’ll be scolded for it later.

Giles just watches as she writes, impatient behind the glasses, and takes up his paper again: THEY NEED SEVEN HEARTS -- complete with little Valentine’s-cute hearts jotted below the words, to make it really clear.

THEY COME AT NIGHT -- Giles taps these words for emphasis, raising his eyebrows at the camera like he’s trying to hold someone’s attention. This is a warning: nightfall isn’t safe. If his words didn’t make it obvious enough, the emphatic gestures Buffy makes in the background, like pretending to knock on a door, then opening it, then making an ‘x’ over her chest followed by what appears to be the ripping out of her own heart, ought to help.

Giles taps his throat, now, as he holds up the next line: A HUMAN SCREAM CAN KILL THEM Buffy snatches the paper away and scribbles ONLY in front of "a human scream".


THEY STEAL VOICES -- Giles is drawing again, another wonky Gentleman-doodle with a small cube in its hands -- AND LOCK THEM IN A BOX

Buffy, again, impatiently takes the paper and scritches a doodle of a wooden box that looks like what an older music box casing might look like. Or a jewelry box. It’s small, rectangular, and simple. Something not indicative of evil.

FIND IT AND DESTROY IT

Buffy makes a fist and smashes it into the flat of her other palm. Then she takes the paper and pen again and scrawls one last message.]

DO NOT ANSWER THE DOOR FOR ANYONE
DO NOT GO OUT AFTER DARK
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIGHT THEM
ONLY LOOK FOR THE BOX IN THE DAYTIME
AND STAY ALIVE.

[ Then the feed ends. ]

[ the video is dark, but spike's frame can be made out, slumped by his window in thor house, idly puffing on a cigarette. the pinch and burn to his lungs was a new sensation and he wasn't sure if he hated it or if it made him want to smoke more, but either way it doesn't show on his face and nor does he stop. ]

When I would get riled, or scared, my mum always used to tell me a story. A different one, but I was always the star. [ it's said fondly, but with a sadness too old for this plane alone. it was a tone he used a lot in asgard. he blew his smoke out the window and carried on without looking at the feed. ]

And so when it was my turn to do the caring for someone else, I would do that. I would tell her a story where she was a countess; a sorceress; a queen. [ his queen. he hated stirring up these feelings -- it was time to get to the punchline already. ]

I just got to thinking -- after all that mess, or if you're new.

[ spike gives a half-shrug then swings his gaze to meet the video, eyes bright and blue in the dim room. ]

You might could use some cheering up. [ he cuts the feed. ]

So t'save myself a thousand more questions streaming over th'Network, I'm gonna tell you lot what happened in as simple terms as possible.

[ Because hearing it asked over and over is starting to make her ill. ]

Thiazi happened. Somehow, she got her influence over everyone who stayed behind, givin' us nightmares and twisting our minds. The lot of us had these... fugue states, where bad things happened. Just little things. Property damage, mostly.

But there were a few of us-- they got it worse. Like full blown cancer to our spring fever. People were hurt, people died; natives and travelers.

I'm not givin' any names, so don't ask. Anyone who got it that bad's been cleansed of that Frost B-- ...Thiazi's influence.

And I'd eat the apples. They clear up any lingering effects for th'rest of us.

[The feed starts and there's Inara looking concerned, seems to be a normal expression for her in Asgard. It's been a while since she's made an appearance on the network. Being sent home hadn't been something she'd expected.

There's a faint bruise on her cheek, though it's faded to the point that it's almost concealed by her makeup.]

I've only heard what's happened here while many of us were in Vanaheim. [She looks down for a moment, her lips pressing together.] I... I can't even begin to express how sorry I am for what you all who stayed behind went through.

I know it doesn't mean much, but... I would like to once again offer tea or even coffee for any who wish to talk, or if you'd just prefer to sit and not, that's fine as well. I don't get to use much of my training as a Companion here, though listening has always been something we're good at.

[ This message pings across the network several hours after the SOS post following James Potter's murder ( warning: blood/violence ) and Jade's confession for the crime.

It's only a few hours after Odin took Jade for some very humane euthanisation. It's been such a fun day. ]

It wasn't her.

There are more out there.

Find them. Bring them here. One way or another.

[ And that's it. Get to work, chums. ]