[Welcome to Jon's face. It's not a particularly happy face. In fact, it looks pretty sour at the moment. He really hates having to use the bracelet, but he has a very important announcement to make.]

This is a message to the gods that have stolen us and brought us here.

[He has no actual knowledge of who the gods are or if they even care about their charges, but as they seem to have more of a hand in the affairs of others than his own gods, he'll see if a direct approach works.]

During the... incident which had your blasted magic working ill against those you gave it to, my brother wound up losing his hand. Due to your ineptitude and this unwanted sorcery, he has a stump where a perfectly fine hand was before. What sort of gods give people powers they don't ask for? It's bad enough you've brought children here, but you seem not to care about the ill effects of your war on those that are hale enough here to fight it.

[The sour look is directed more intensely at the screen now.]

I insist you fix it. I've gone to your temples and asked for this, but as it's seemed to fall on deaf ears, perhaps you need it shouted in your face.

Fix my brother or you'll have me to deal with and Asgard's gods will join him in missing body parts.

[Caw caw, motherfucker.]

[ 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/ . ]

[There's a sigh, a long pause, and the voice that follows sounds half-exhausted, half-irritated.]

I've been here before - but it was so goddamn short I thought it was a dream. Better than some of the other "dreams" I have, I guess. It was a lot warmer then, and there wasn't all this goddamn...ash in the air, but this is definitely the same place.

I didn't even bother to use this thing myself before last time, so I might as well give it a shot now. I'm ... Cross. I'm not really sure what's going on - a war, or something? All this ash because some... forest is on fire? Whatever. I don't need that explained to me - I'll figure it out myself.

Why the hell I'd be brought here again is what I'm actually interested in. Any one else come and gone before? Can't say I remember how the hell I got out.

[To the casual observer, it’s pretty simple. One absolutely gorgeous looking girl, and a super adorable little girl setting up a stall in the aftermath of another harrowing event.

There’s a large barrel, and an array of cloths and oils needed to be able to properly clean up an array of metals. Not that either of them really know what they’re doing.

In reality, although it might not be so obvious - Naruto has gone to great lengths to pull this prank. His hair is red, he’s wearing a dress. Aladdin however, dyed his hair purple, putting on a cute blouse and skirt.

They’ve both spent time addressing a need for makeup to try for something convincing, and for added authenticity, they’ve used one of Aladdin’s runes to change their voices, too. It’s all part of an elaborate plan.

Swords cleaned for free! That’s what the sign says.]

Free sword cleanin’ service! One day only!

We'll make your swords gleam like never before!

For Free!. Y’hear?

This is just a present to all our beloved travelers that are fighting the good fight!

So come on over for a good cleaning!

[ooc: Just so you know, anyone who has their sword cleaned will actually be letting themselves in for a surprise. Aladdin and Naruto will both be applying a rune to any swords that pass their stall. That rune will make it sparkle every time it’s used. =D. It will not activate until the next day~]

[The video coming through at the moment seems to be coming from somewhere in the Freyr welcome hall, going by the colours. Kanji's staying inside in the cool, dammit, where he can get something to drink easily.

However, he's got other reasons to be sweating, right now. How about some nerves? He can't quite believe he's doing this.
Still, if that mirror world'd told him anything, it was a reminder about being true to himself, so... here goes nothing.]

Uh - so, hey, everyone.

We've all been through a whole lot over the past few days. And we could kinda use a break from it… so… Figured I'd do somethin' to cheer folks up. I was doin' a couple already, so...

[In a bit of a rush-] I'm makin' these.

[Kanji reaches down out of camera-shot, and picks up an absolutely adorable knitted plushie. A grey kitten with a flower on its collar, to be precise.]

If anyone wants one... they're gonna be one hundred percent custom designs. Whatever you want, I can make, pretty much. That's hand-make. More complicated ones are gonna cost more and I'm gonna need to spend longer working out the patterns on them, but I can still do just about anything.

So who's up for the cutest crap that this city's ever seen?

[The name attached to this post is "Naoto Shirogane", but Naoto's is definitely not the only face to greet the camera as it switches on, let alone the one initially taking up most of the picture - although "greet" implies some sort of presence and purposefulness, both of which seem to be lacking in the taller young man currently looking over at somebody just out of frame.]

- sense, doesn't it? We don't know if anyone's going to believe a bunch of high-schoolers even if we're all saying the same thing, but a detective's another story. So...

[He looks down at the bracelet, brow furrowing a little, pointer finger at the ready, and... does a pretty dramatic double take.]

Huh? It started recording already?

Whether we're believed or not isn't our concern. We can simply give out the information we have and nothing else. [Those who choose to listen to it or not... that's up to them.

( OOC cut for an extremely professional PSA about the mirror world )

Oh, and if anyone's seen... Eh, never mind. [Before anyone can correct him, he reaches down and switches Naoto's recording off.]

[ooc: replies and possibly threadjacks may be from any combination of Yosuke, Kanji, Rise and Naoto!]

[Behold, Asgard! This time, Jack's video isn't being recorded on a roof - it's inside of the Guardian's apartment above the ice rink. He is sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, metal staff lying across his lap, but he isn't the one doing the recording. Judging by the snickering coming from behind the screen, Jamie is their cameraman today.]

You know, for a bunch of people who got dragged to a new world by a bunch of Norse gods, were given new powers, asked to fight ice giants-- [He's counting with his fingers as he speaks.] --and get cursed more often than not, you guys sure are waaaay too skeptical for your own good.

[Sandy, looking somewhat sleepy, is perched on the arm of the couch, his sketchpad open in his lap. He lazily sketches things that aren't visible from the camera, looking as though he's only halfway listening with vague amusement to the spirit next to him. Tooth is sitting on the back of the couch, between them, her wings fluttering slightly. She looks rather amused at the whole thing. ]

Jack, that's not fair, just because some things are real doesn't mean they're going to believe anything they hear.

[Jack, being the mature spirit he is, just... pouts at her a little bit.] Do they have to flip out though? I'm started to get offended! [He turns to the camera again, sounding completely serious about this. Mark the calendar, folks.] Soooo, PSA time, everyone. All the stories you've heard when you were kids? Real. Every single of us - we exist. Get over it already.

( ooc cut for OMG WHEN DID THIS GET SO LONG )

[ Crickets do awkward night gigs, babies exercise vocals on planes, long nails make sweet, passionate love with blackboards — and Thor inflicts horror on the ears by repeatedly smashing his bracelet with a large metal object. At some point, presumably because the hammer-of-doom-meets-hapless-accessory action gets very old, very fast, Mjölnir is set aside to reveal its mumbling owner. ]

...the field-drummer does better work.

[ Louder now: ]

To all who hear: shed weapons where you have taken them, lower flags where they've been raised. Call back your armies and free your captives. I carry the word of Asgard's king.

[ A pause, then slowly... ]

There is no war - no threat - no enemy. You have known lies and sorcery. Asgard is at peace.

[ And just in case you missed it: another lovely BAM to mark the hammer-bracelet romance. ]

You have the sworn say of Thor, son to Odin and bound arm to Mjölnir: Asgard is at peace.

How's everyone feeling?

[Pyro is covered in blood: mostly on his hands and up his arms, but there are sprays of it across his shirt and pants as well. Hard to say if it's someone else's or his, given his ability, but there are no tears or holes in his clothing. He wears a false smile, which drops as quickly as it appeared.]

Some of you got exactly what you deserved, and you know damn well who you are. But once the water's clean, there won't be any more trouble for now. The spy's done. [His hands flex and clench, as though he's still got some punching he'd like to do.] You're fucking welcome.

Guys? Anything you wanna add?

[Altair shakes his head and remains silent, but Thor does have something to add. He looks much in the same way as Pyro, though he doesn't take time by giving false pleasantries or greetings. He's mad and it shows, but there's something else that lingers in the depths of his hard gaze. ]

The threat is, indeed, gone. For now. However, it would be wise to assume this will likely not be the last of such an event. [ He shifts, frowning as he glances off screen for a moment. ] It would be wise to upkeep your guard as it is clear we shall have to take justice into our own hands.

[And with that, Pyro shuts off the feed with a glare. Time for the shitstorm.]

((ooc: this is going to be a huge, beautiful mess. tags could come from Altair, either of the Thors, Pyro, or any number of NPCs who decide to hop on. i'll likely turn off notifications and track any threads i get into for that reason, so if i seem to miss something, please PM me!))

[ This post appears on the evening of Day 290, minutes after the first Visitors begin to arrive. Thor is oddly harried, sharp. ]

This is a mistake, and we're working on fixing it. You lot showing up - surprise! Welcome to the city. Don't wander out of the gates, don't die, and enjoy the party until we can figure out a way to send you home.

You travelers - answer their questions, take care of them, whatever. We'll be setting up lodging in Folkvang -- [ He glances off screen, wrinkles his nose in distaste, and then looks back at the feed. ] -- and in my arena too, I guess, even though - [ pointedly, to off-camera: ] -- it's an arena, it's not meant for disaster lodging!

I'll answer what I can, but I'm busy, so Pyro, try not to get your panties in a twist about me being dodgy again. I've just got better things to do than chit-chat today.

[ Thor sighs, shrugs, and then dryly finishes: ]

Hope you're enjoying the fireworks.



[ OOC: Signaling the start of the festival/visitor's event! Fourth wallers and current players alike feel free to comment in here. Thor won't have time to converse for long, but please treat this as a network mingle post and hijack to your hearts' content!

Also, feel free to make fresh comments on this post for the duration of the event - they just don't have to happen on the evening of Day 290. Here is the party mingle log and visiting character directory. Happy playing, and we hope you enjoy your stay, visitors! ]

I am well aware that these past days have been rather trying for all. Many were injured and even lost.

[Her gaze drops for a moment and then she's looking back up, her hands resting almost primly on her knees.]

I know it is not a lot, but if any are interested, I always have a pot of tea and plenty of cups for those who wish to come and talk. Or if talking is not something you are interested in, some tea and a few moments of silence. I know it is not much, but it is something I can offer.

[One lonesome college student is sloshing her way through the Freya district, jaw pretty much perpetually wide open as she gawks at the otherworldly city she's just landed in. Asgard, huh? That's not terribly unfamiliar, so she's not freaking out as much as she might normally, but she's still pretty jumpy and doesn't really make an effort to conceal that when she dares to operate her bracelet to broadcast a video message.]

Okay, so basically? Kiiind of not really sure what I'm doing here, explanations from kind-of-creepy maids aside. Still kind of working on actually, you know, believing that. But this bracelet thing? Umm...it's pretty cool. Simple, yet fancy. I like it. Can I take it home with me? Maybe I can sell it to Google. This thing is totally right up their alley.

[Right. Stuck in a magic city. She should do something about that.] Anyway...if this is Asgard, can someone direct me towards Thor? He's kind of my buddy. From way back when. Tall, muscle-bound, godly-golden-locks-type guy? You can't miss him, really.

[She pauses to look around again, before looking down at her submerged feet. On top of this being really, really bizarre? She's kind of wet right now. Her shoes are completely squishy. And you know how bad squishy shoes are.]

--Or a dry pair a shoes. Thor or a dry pair of shoes. I'm not really going to be picky right now.

[ You now have one (1) very sour-looking Aesir among you, Asgard. Have fun. ]

How dare they call this Asgard... [ He turns his gaze on the camera- oh. Make that one very sour-looking, handsome Aesir. Handsome or no, though, he is glowering and most displeased. He chuckles, though, as his expression changes, cause he's going to humor you chumps for all of five minutes. Use it well. ]

Well if this is 'Asgard', then where is your king? I wish to speak with the All-Father of this realm.