H-Hello.

I--I'm Nagis--Atsuko Maeda the Fourteenth! Um! I just arrived and the city seems in bad shape! I--I want to help as much as I can! So--so if anyone can tell me where the best place is I'll do it.

Mm, but everyone must be sad, too. S-so! Please enjoy my song, AKB0048's song!

. . .

In this vacuum of a land completely changed
We lost our words and stood still
What should we start on first?
Searching for the light
in the midst of despair
If there is a god somewhere,
please break open a new world
from the land once more!

(( She continues her song. The video is the song and dance! She's put the bracelet enough away from her to do both. Watching the video in its entiity isn't necessary as the group has the English transcript available :]))

[A lot of things happen in Asgard, but in the small, sleepy house of Freya - Uzumaki Naruto is attempting to cook.

It's the most ridiculous thing, actually.]

So, I asked the food table thing for the stuff I need t'make pork ramen?

[He turns his bracelet around on his arm, showing the entire population of Asgard the kitchen side in Freya-- On it, there is an assortment of very badly cut vegetables, noodles, and a strange lump of something that looks like it's been drowned in foil...]

So, I'm just gonna cook the meat. The noodles need to go in the frying pan right? But how to they go all... wiggly?

[Whilst he's talking, he quite casually shoves the hunk of pork steak he'd so carefully covered in tin foil into the microwave, throwing the door closed and pressing buttons until he's satisfied.]

The vegetables have to go in water though right?

[There's no video feed, but the audio feed comes on to someone muttering under their breath a little before sighing and addressing the network at large.]

...Right then, here's a question for you lot. Say you arrived here a bit ago, and a small and foul creature immediately took to following you around. And then you did something completely, entirely stupid, such as misplacing your bracelet and going about without it, and you think you may have gotten all pal-like with the smelly little thing during that bout of idiocy, and now it won't go away. Hypothetically speaking, how would you keep it from barking in the middle of the night and what would you, um, feed it?

Hypothetically speaking, of course!

[And then there is the sound of an enthusiastic bark in the background.]

Oh, shut up. No one asked you!

I lost my bracelet, again.

[ Tavros kneads his temples with one hand, checking the date with a little frown. Wow. He really lost his bracelet this time. Groan. ]

I'm pretty sure that, lost me, is even clumsier than regular me. Which is, really saying something. How is everyone? Did I miss, anything interesting? Uhh, and also, welcome to all of the new people, who are here now. I can answer questions, or something, that might pertain to any queries you might have, about this place.

Vriska, he-

Vriska?

What, am I doing this right? Why isn't it... [ A certain someone is trying in vain to filter something to another certain someone. He's been here long enough to know what it all means. ] No, that's...

Oh no. [ A clatter, Tavros gets to his feet. The previous smile is replaced with rapidly growing panic. ] This isn't, happening. This is just a really bad dream, or something, this isn't - a funny joke. [ He shakes his head. Gotta check, gotta... Gotta... ] Fuck.

[ Then he's just mad. He holds onto that as long as he can, trying to focus on how unfair it is so he doesn't start to think about how sad it is. The recording his forgotten, he makes a move to turn it off but doesn't actually do so. The troll just turns and barrels headlong at the door. Which, unfortunately, was not made for one with such a large hornspan. Before he knows it he's stuck, horns wedged uncomfortably in the frame. A pained sound suspiciously like a moo is muffled as he struggles to get free and scrubs his face. Thrashing doesn't help and his expression goes from unspeakable fury to sadness and he shuts the video off at the first sniffle.

A small collection of letters has been left in his care and once he's ruled out all possibility that this is a joke, and gotten free of the frame, he's got something he has to do. ]

[ text ]

vRISKA SERKET HAS GONE HOME,
sHE LEFT SOME LETTERS, fOR PEOPLE HERE,
sO IF YOUR NAME IS, oNE OF THE FOLLOWING,
rIKU, rOXAS, vEN, jOHN, eURI,
rOXY, sOLLUX, jADE, sAMANTHA,
mERLIN, nAKAMA, kARKAT, vANITAS,
dIVA, sAM WINCHESTER, aND,,,
oH, jUST ME,
tHEN YOU CAN CONTACT ME AND, i'LL,
gIVE THEM TO YOU, OR WHATEVER,
bUT, mAYBE NOT RIGHT AWAY,

[He's been keeping to himself for far too long, stalking along and observing can only get one so far, so he finally decides it's time to speak up with his opinions. The first sound to be heard is laughter, dark and seeming just a tad unstable. The voice that follows is quiet at first, just above a whisper.]

Chosen by the gods.

[Another laugh, his voice raises with an angry edge.]

The motherfucking gods themselves.

[It's silent for a moment, not even the sound of breathing heard before he finally speaks up again, despite the laughter from before he doesn't sound amused.]

What motherfucking blasphemy is this? I ain't all got my know on about what they consider a hero to save the fate of all existence but they sure as a motherfuck shouldn't have chosen me. Cause I don't give a shit or a fuck what happens to these motherfuckers. They can up and motherfucking die.

[Another moment of silence, this one goes on long enough so it's almost as if he's forgotten he had it on at all. But finally there's a rustle of fabric as he adjusts himself into another position on this weird ass human bed and speaks up again.]

Ain't all keen on sticking around any longer, don't got a motherfucking choice though do I? So tell me. Tell me about all this wicked motherfucking shit that goes down here sides from what I've already motherfucking seen. They got any Faygo? Any decent motherfucking entertainment?

[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.)

[ The video comes on, focusing on a tiny fairybull trussed up in festive holiday wear (probably made for a chihuahua) attempting to trot around in custom made sneakers. It's not going terribly well. He keeps kicking up and flapping around and attempting to land again, kicking his feet, and then flying again.

Tavros is trying not to laugh. ]

Well, you didn't like the snow, on your hooves. So, you're going to have to get used to it.

[ That moment of embarrassment captured, he spins the camera back around to face himself. ]

I actually had something to say, but, he started doing that and I thought that, I would share first. [ He grins wide, showing off all those teeth. ] I just wanted to know, how you celebrate this holiday. I understand that there are gifts, and red and white, and also, reds and greens, but how else do you do it?

Not that I, don't already know. But I thought that, it would be nice to hear from, actual humans, and not just stories.

[Guess who's back? Backs again? John is back....and he's clearly very confused, tell a friend. He's seated in front of Thor, reluctant to go in until he know more about just what the hell is going on.]

Okay, obviously I've been missing for a while, but...

[He trails off with a frustrated sigh. He runs a hand through his hair, scanning the street in front of him. Something's different, he knows it.]

Did the war happen while I was gone?

[Draco Malfoy has absolutely no reason to be outside right now. His hands are both still cut up pretty badly, he's fighting off a cold, and to top things off…

…well. He lost Jade Harley. Sort of. Jade sort of lost herself by leaving her bracelet on his bathroom counter. So today Draco's out and flying around the city of Asgard, Jade's bracelet in his pocket and bundled up against the cold. It's only when he's outside of his room that he really notices all of the lights going off in the city, twinkling against the darkness. He stops long enough to examine a few displays of light, raising an eyebrow.

It really must be close to Christmas then. Fantastic. Just one more thing to remind him of things he doesn't want to think about. Christmas reminds him of home, and lights remind him of a certain girl with long blond hair that he can't seem to stop thinking about. Ridiculous. After a few hours of flying back and forth hoping for some sign of Jade, anything that might indicate she's around, he gives up and lands to head into the Great Library if only for a distraction and maybe to pick up a few books to help with his current research for potions.

…and thus he finds himself curled up in a chair fifteen minutes later, trying to warm up and staring at a book in his hands. It's a small book, worn out and old in appearance. It's also a book he most certainly wasn't expecting to find here in Asgard, but then again it made sense. Why wouldn't the gods pull things from their own worlds to entertain them? When he turns on the bracelet's video feed, he's casually flipping through the book, reading and mumbling to himself. He's holding the book gingerly as though it's hard to bend his hands around it, but his eyes are narrowed in concentration.]

Babbity Rabbitty will never not be a strange name, and that's saying something [Flip. Flip. Flip.]

Granted, this shouldn't be a surprise. [And he looks up then, facing the camera.]

Here's a new question for anyone awake, something a bit lighter than the last. [Which he's still pondering on, thank you. His wall of notes may be folded up and in a box under his bed, but he still references them quite a bit.]

With the lights all around the city and with the discovery of this book--[He lifts it up, revealing the title to be the Tales of Beedle the Bard]--do you believe that something as simplistic as a fairy tale can actually have some truth behind it? Or, in other words, what determines if they're made up or if they're based on real people and real events?

And before anyone asks, no, there's no motive behind this question. Just genuine curiosity. [Which as we all know is the biggest lie of them all.]

[Eridan is seated on his bed, the window behind him showing off the festive twinkling lights of the city. The seatroll in question looks anything but festive however, huddled beneath the folds of his cloak, scarf wrapped tight around his throat. He scowls at the video, tugging the cape around his shoulders.]

Fuckin' great, wwe got another neww round a' suckers for the gods to toy wwith. I hope you're settlin' in wwell an' all that hoofbeastshit the humans spout off wwhenevver neww people showw up. You need anything? Don't come to me. Got it?

[He sneers, motioning towards the window and the gorgeous winter scene outside.]

An' these lights are somethin'  else. All fuckin' festivve like 12th Perigree's Evve. I'm sure they're "magical" an' "breathtakin'" an' all that trite sentiment.

[He holds up a hand in protest.]

But. More importantly, wwhy isn't anyone talkin' about this fuckin' cold. Howw long is this goin' to last? A perigree? Longer? Is this normal for this wworld or some kind a' damn curse? Wwouldn't surprise me if it wwere.

[As the fins would suggest, guess who's just a touch coldblooded.]

[The first text John sends will be arriving mid-morning.]

so it's been getting really cold outside.
well maybe not really cold.
but cold enough to notice!
which means winter and the holiday season should be coming around soon, right?

so asgard, my question to you is: what holidays do you celebrate around this time? or do you choose not to celebrate at all?

[The second follows a few moments later.]

oh, i guess i forgot to ask in my last text there. does anyone know where i could possibly obtain a job? i think i've sat on my rear end for far too long.

[ 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.

[ tavros has a hell of a grin on his face. extra hell, given those spooky white eyes. everything is coming out so perfect. war aside, but that's actually not new. ]

Wow, I guess it's been a while since I actually, talked to anyone over this. As, I lost my shiny braclet somewhere, and then, found it again, except a lot of time had passed and, I remembered home. More of home such as unpleasant things, and, not so unpleasant things. Things that are, surprisingly pleasant, actually. Like my matesprit. Which, means girlfriend, for those of you who are not culturally aware.

[ So maybe he just kind of wants to brag a bit. He seems to falter for an actual topic to talk about. ]

I know that we are not going anywhere, except for the people who leave. But, I would actually like to say, that I missed all of you. When I remembered, to miss everyone. I hope that we are here for a while, and not sent home suddenly, so I just wanted to say that.

[The feed comes on to show Roxy, brushing past a mass of overgrown plants and stopping once she is in a clear enough space.]

Heads up, I found Jade and Sollux, a few people had asked me about her at least, so check in with me.

[There's a short pause]

Actually, anyone that's friends with me come check in here, don't make me drag my exhausted ass around this place looking for you all.

Thanks.

[ A video feed flicks on, taking in two trolls standing around in apparent confusion. These two formerly lost souls have just recovered their bracelets after being out for apparently some time. And not only that, but both of them? Just received a fresh batch of memories from back home. ]

Wait, what the hell? I was just about to beat some sense into that Peixes wannabe! Talk about anticlimactic. What gives? .... Tavros?

I still sort of, don't really see, what it was that you two were fighting about. And, also, I'm here.

Of course you don't! Why am I not surprised. It was about supremacy, doofus! What a lame time to get dragged away. I was totally going to win! It was obvious to everyone. Except her, I guess. Anyway, hey! [ ADDRESSING THE BRACELET NOW AND IGNORING TAVROS ] How long have we been out? What's going on?

Okay, whatever. I know that you can, even if I don't really get it, and you have my support, on that, even if you don't need it and, I will not actually be fighting. [ He's moving away from the bracelet, muttering to himself ] The precious... got away with the precious... Who does he even think that he is, that, stupid jerk...

[ Has her attention dragged back to him by his utter ridiculousness; have a look that is a mix between odd and deadpan ] Tavros, what are you muttering to yourself now? Mutter mumble bluh. You basically haven't stopped doing that since John showed up. I'm starting to think you are hiding something!

I'm not hiding anything, at all. I can't hide things from you. [ There is equal parts sarcasm and fondness in that ] I was just saying, that, it's nice to be the only one of me here, again.

After the army of ghost clones? I can actually agree with that! That got kind of out of hand. Sort of like the more of us there were, the more inane it got! [ She starts critically eying the section of city they are in. (Well, eying as much as someone with dead white ghost eyes can.) It seems to be in something of a state of disrepair. ] Hey, Tavros! Let's shut up about that for a second. I think something's going on here. [ She grins at him, in her spidery way, with maybe a hint of fondness of her own. ] You know the plan, right?

Of course I know, the plan. [ He grins back, eerie white eyes bright, which drops from his face once he gets a look around. ] How long were, we even away for? I don't remember, any of this.

[ That just makes her grin wider. good friend best wingtroll ] No idea! Let's go find out.

Okay. But, let's just be careful? Since, I'm pretty sure, you don't have your powers. And, also, I don't have a weapon.

[ Yeah, she's already walking away. LESS TALK MORE ROCK TOREADORK ]

(ooc; we will both be replying to this post! expect threadjacking.)