[Rose doesn't tend to use video or voice feeds, but this one is for a special occasion. The video feed clicks on to Rose...simply sitting in her room, a cup of tea in her hand, and nothing more. The bracelet seems to be sitting on a nearby table. There's a tenseness to her, though, a strange, tight-lipped look.

This lasts a few minutes, actually. It's hard to see, but she appears to be gripping the teacup so tightly that her knuckles are turning white.

She takes a long drink from the cup in her hand, draining it entirely, before setting it back down. She casts a look to the clock in her room. Four minutes. Not long now. She turns back to the video, leveling it down again with a gaze.

It's a hard stare. It's an angry one.]

Allow me to extend my gratitude to our ever-benevolent hosts, for their prompt consideration of my request.

I'm sure the purpose of your favor will be duly noted.

[She wants to scream and rage and make the entire city turn in on itself. She could do it. She knows she could. But her Seer's eye showed her such an outburst would be useless. No point in it at all, and it would just make things all the harder for her once she returns.

She will return. She'll be back before the day's over. It's not like she hasn't died before, and with the way her fate is slated, Rose doubts she'll even feel anything.

But the heat and the building pressure still makes her hands shake, and she folds them together even more tightly, eyes never moving from the camera on the video feed.

Five. Four. Three. Two. One.]

( Cut for graphic content )

Shaundi, Kinzie, and Gat.

Gods sure have a fuckin' funny way of deciding who stays and who goes.

Fuck your shit. I'm starting to think with how fickle you shits are, this whole thing's just some made up waste of my damn time.

[Anyone who'd like to encounter the Boss - he is in the Baldr district, looking rather... well, not upset, exactly. Pensive. (He doesn't show grief the way a lot of people do.)]

Yo Midgard, haven't you heard?

The bird is the word.

So hey, everybody tell me about the bird.

[ when the feed clicks on, it's not entirely clear whether it's meant to be video or not, or if, indeed, there was any intent — originally, at least — to broadcast at all. what this means, in other words, is that anyone watching is greeted by a face — a pale, blonde teenager, to be more precise — who is the very image of sullen, coupled with grumpy and a dash of struggles to get a good night's sleep. this doesn't seem to be of particular importance to him, however, as he's mid-sentence: ]

—on't stand for this. [ arrogant and entitled could be added to the list of immediately obvious traits. despite this, however, he does look noticeably unnerved and a touch scared, both of which he's attempting not to show. success on this front, on the other hand, is completely questionable. ] I've no interest in bringing— [ a pause, and his brow furrows into a frown, lips curling in distaste. ] Life or whatever it is that woman said, to this world, or working for so-called gods. I was in the middle of something with actual importance to it.

[ there's another pause, and his expression flickers. it's clear that there's more he wants to say, but for as much as he's gifted with the rather marvellous ability to stick his foot in his mouth, it seems he's aware enough that it's perhaps not entirely wise to say everything on his mind at present.

not that it stops him from continuing.]

Whatever they are, apparently they think it's hilarious to go around messing with magic, giving it to all and sundry. [ there's a slight sneer as he utters the last few words. clearly, if the others here aren't witches and wizards from his world, aren't purebloods, there's absolutely no need for them to have any dealing with any kind of magic. ] And taking—. [ he doesn't get as far as finishing his utterance though, expression reflecting his utter distaste at acknowledging whatever he'd been about to say; it's easier to focus on practically anything and everything else than it is on the fact that he is without his own magic. ] They'll regret this. [ a beat, with the following — practically a muggle — muttered more or less inaudibly and almost certainly more to himself than anyone else. ]

What the fuck is wrong with this place?

[The Boss of the Saints does not sound pleased. For once, though, he isn't... threatening anyone's life or being an asshole.]

So let me get this straight. We're here to save every world because you guys fucked some shit up. So you bring us here, without any sort of warning, without any sort of compensation, to save the entire everyverse or some shit. But you brought a bunch of fuckin' kids here too and some... I don't even know what the fuck.

Are you expecting those of us who know the fuck how to do shit to clean up your messes? Jesus fucking Christ you guys are incompetent. Maybe Kainé had the right idea.

[Sigh.] Anyway, I guess we all have to deal with this shit together for now. God damn, I didn't sign up for this shit. I liked it better when I thought I was high off my ass.

[The allfather is looking pretty solemn when he addresses the network. He's seated at a desk with the backdrop of bookshelves -- very National Address-like, with his hands folded on the surface of the desk. He's not happy about having to make this statement, but he figures a little damage control is necessary, so here you go.]

I'm sure all of you noticed our little visitor the other night. First of all, we thank you for your efforts in defending the city and its populace. Repairs are underway, but they'll take a few days to complete, so pardon the dust.

More importantly, we're sure you're all wondering what this "war" is about. My colleagues have assured me that a fair payment for your work would be some information, so here's a rundown. I won't repeat it, so pay attention the first time.

This world is called Yggdrasil. It's divided into several countries, most of which are of no consequence to you right now. The important ones are Muspellheim, which is ruled by the fire giant king Surt, and Thrymheim, ruled by queen Thiazi of the frost giants. The closed gates in the city lead to those two places. The third gate leads to Utgard, which is neutral territory as of right now.

The war that was "declared" to you all is one that's really been going on for all of eternity. Prophecies foretell that the world will grow sick, and when it does the forces of fire and frost will battle those of the gods in a war called Ragnarok. At the end, both will be destroyed, and the world will be reborn into a new form.

Now I'm sure you're all going to hear that and complain that it has nothing to do with you, so you can hold your tongues on that until I've finished. The reason it has something to do with you is that Yggdrasil is the world above all worlds. It's connected to every single world any one of you Travellers has come from, and when it's "reset", yours will be too. Everything you've ever done, everyone you know, and everything you've ever fought for will cease to exist. A very lucky few will be chosen to survive and rebuild their worlds, but they may not be you or anyone you care about. And that's why you need to keep doing what you've been doing, and preparing for combat in the meantime.

The way this city looks is the sickness. It's begun to spread to other regions, and you are the only gamble left. If we can reverse the symptoms here, we can tilt the balance so that the battle will be won, and nothing will need to be remade.

If you have useful questions, you can ask, but I won't be comforting you or answering any demands. Your situation is as dire as ours. That's all.

Attention, soldiers! Cutie Librarian Strategist Mami is here to support you. Worry not! ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

Our opponent today: the fierce fire dragon! Here is all the information you'll need!

-Dragon Type
-May be weak against ice, water, or both
-Has wings, may be weak against projectile weapons
-Has scales, may be weak against piercing weapons
-Recommended battle party members: Dragoons, Clerics, Archers/Rangers, Knights
-Likely has high stamina/magic stamina; bring plenty of healing potions
-May be weak against other dragon skills
-May revert to human or have a second form

[And, look! The video is switching to Mami, who looks very serious for once. It's also clear she's outside, since...fires...dragon...yup. She salutes the camera.]

Mami won't be much help in the battle, but she's here for all of your support needs! Good luck, team! Everyone, fight!

[And the video feed cuts out.]

[ panty's video feed turns on without much ceremony but with the way she's smirking, the viewer can immediately tell she's up to no good. ]

Hey fuckers, guess what? Panty Anarchy's in the house now so the party can really get started. I just got one request from the lot of you idiots, so listen up. It's fuckin' important.

( cut for NSFW discussions )

( ooc | ... i... am so sorry. )

—does this thing even- oh, there. That must mean it's working.

[A youth with a very serious face has appeared on the video feed. Look at those eyes, they're so deep, aren't they?]

This is not the afterlife I expected. I thought... I thought there may not have even been one for me. The Shade lied. Gods and goddesses, what is this place? What kind of madness have I been pulled into now?

[A small bit of hesitation. It's a long shot, but if he's supposed to be dead, then maybe the others...?]

Emil? Weiss? Are you guys here? ...Kainé... [No, she's supposed to be alive, unless that damned Shade really did lie about it all.] Do those names sound familiar to any of you people?

[The video feed opens up to reveal the Boss in what... appears to be somewhere in house Baldr.]

Right. Listen up, just because we're in some weird-ass city doesn't mean that shit's changing.

[The Boss is looking fairly serious now as he looks into the camera.] Apparently some of you guys haven't heard of the 3rd Street Saints. Well listen up, you chucklefucks, because we got an understanding to come to.

We are a fucking enterprise and we're going to own this city. Got a problem with it, you can take your concerns to Johnny. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to hear that you don't like it. Really sympathetic guy. Good listener.

[He doesn't sound in the least bit sarcastic. Also the previous sentence was a lie, because yeah, he does. Based on the Boss's tone of voice, whoever Johnny is, the number of fucks he is going to give is approximately zero.]

Now, the way I see it, y'all got three options. You can be cool, like Bayonetta, you can stay the fuck out of our way, or you can find out if this is the afterlife. Your call.

[...after a moment.] And the first fucking person to tell me where we can play some skeeball gets canonized.

[It's a video post, but people are welcome to find him as well and talk to him in person!]

[The video comes on shakily and off-center to a vaguely interested, but mostly pissed Gat shaking the arrival letter expectantly]

Yo, who the fuck do I gotta kill around here to speak to the goddamn management? This is bullshit. Can't believe I'm the first to say it. Not the whole color and life hippy shit either - That's a whole other crock of shit I don't even wanna deal with right now - but this letter. Look.

It says, and I fuckin' quote - "you will be provided blah blah blah ensure your health and happiness." Now, I don't know about you kind folks but I ain't been provided with shit for my health or fuckin happiness.

I'm about sick of freezing my ass off out here, haven't seen a damn beer one, and there ain't no fuckin stripper poles neither. [He says these last two things as if they are just as vital to ones' health and happiness and protection from the cold is. Priorities, man.] How the fuck am I supposed to be happy when I ain't even got the basics?

[ click click click.

click click click.

clickclickclickclickclick -- ]

. . . So it's like a cell phone, huh . . . Wouldn't it just make more sense to just give us a phone instead of jewelery . . . ? I don't get it.

[ he clears his throat, finally realizing that he's broadcasting. ]

O- oh, uh, sorry 'bout that . . . uhh, 'm gonna guess that no one else really knows what's going on but --

Does anyone else feel like something's missing? 'm not really sure how else to explain it ... not th' color, but ... uhh ... inside? Yeah.

[ he's seen that people have gained new powers, so he had to think that maybe he had gotten something too, but the fact that Rokuten-Maoh wasn't there anymore was ... more than a little bit unsettling. He sighs. ]

Just lemme know.

[The Disciple blinks for a moment as the feed begins, then smiles.]

Hello!

[She adjusts the bracelet and then sits back.]

I would have appreciated it if someone had asked before whisking me here! But I suppose I might as well help, since I am already here. It doesn't seem as though my species is very well represented, though. Am I the only one from Alternia here? Not that I mind meeting so many... Humans, of course. [She pauses, as though considering the way this new word sounds.] All of you are very pink!

[ The teenage boy on the screen seems calm enough. He's not panicking or angry or anything. Just thoughtful. When he speaks, his voice is clear but has a soft, quiet tone to it. ]

Talking to people got me thinking. How many people here have saved the world before? Or maybe done something not as dramatic but still very important?

[ There's a pause, as if he's expecting immediate replies. He blinks when there are none. Right, time to continue. ]

It seems like many of us are from different worlds. But some of us are from the same world, but different times. Is there is anyone from Iwatodai or Port Island, Japan? If so, speak up and let me know what the date was when you left, please.

[ He nods once, goes to shut the feed off, then seems to think better of it for a moment. ] My name is Minato Arisato. Nice to meet you all.

[ The smile the video feed catches is more relieved than particularly welcoming. Maybe soon he'd be able to get some answers. ]

[Oh my~ That would be a pair of long legs being shown on the feed first there, Asgard! Which quickly pans out to show this beautiful witch lying on her side in a chair. She's in her room, and she's looking hella amused at all the complaining and whining going on.

Obviously, being dragged places doesn't bother her at all. She's been into Paradiso, space, and all around the world- why should this be any different?]

So, "Travellers~" I wonder how many of you there are here.

[Bayonetta lifts one leg to cross it over the other, pushing up her glasses and giving a wry grin.]

As far as I can tell, some of you poor things haven't ever heard or seen a microwave or a television [Here's looking at you, Boromir], so I'm curious to see where everyone comes from.

Let's start with me, shall we, darlings~? You may call me Bayonetta. I'm a witch, and before you ask- I don't own a broomstick, a cauldron, or a black cat, though I always have found the latter adorable.

[A pause as she waits for responses, placing one hand under her chin in intrigue.]

Come on, then. Do be a dear and answer my question~ It's rather harmless, after all.