[Steve's voice sounds clear and well rehearsed as he speaks into his bracelet, as if he had actually planned the speech before hand to avoid stumbling on his words. Which...he'll never admit to.]

This may sound strange, but I was wondering if anyone is at all skilled in sewing. I have something that needs patching up, but the damage is more than I'm able to fix myself. I would really appreciate it if someone would help me out. I'm willing to pay for the work, of course.

[This is a task he's been putting off, but as things move closer and closer to total warfare, he figures now is as good a time as any to have his uniform patched up.]

...If anyone has any tips on getting out blood stains, that would help a lot as well.

[Katie sounds... equal parts embarrassed and irritated. She's been postponing this for a bit, but after everything Syhon did, she knows she pretty much has to. There's no way he'll apologize for what he did.]

So, uhm. You know that demon that possessed me? He took over my body. I don't know why, but I think it was another curse. I can't remember anything.

I'm really sorry if I - I mean, if he did anything to hurt you. He was pretending to be me the whole time just so he could get me in trouble.

[And it just reminded her of how comfortable she's been with him in his head, thinking he was totally harmless. Looks like you can never be too safe around here.]

Please don't hate me.

We are going to war, and people are going to die. Do they always come back?

Does one always become a ghost? In that case, how long does one stay that way?

[ She really did not enjoy that particular experience. ]

War's comin'. [It's a steadfast tone she uses, jaw hard and eyes piercing.] I can feel it in the air. I've fought me whole life, and war is something I know.

[She sits back, dropping an axe on a pile of them. It's crude, but usable. Ygritte picks up a spearhead, intent on sharpening it.]

I know it's hard for some here, t'kill. All raised in comfortable castles, I s'pose. I don't know none o' these prophecies or gods or even the likes o' most here. I don't have much t'be fightin' for, but what's mine is mine here, and some people back home should be livin'.

So for those who need'em, I've weapons enough. I plan to take put one in the belly o' every giant I see, and I know giants. This is no Wall, this is no Castle Black and them Crows, but this is as much my home as were above the Wall ever was.

[She points the spear's tip at the locket.]

I'm ready t'fight.

ooc: so ugh, this is in honor of last night's episode. Spoilers are likely.

Well, well, hello there. [There's a blindingly bright and charming smile aimed at the bracelet and it looks almost as if he's trying to flirt with it. Which he is, to be fair. Take it all in, ladies and gentlemen, that's Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile you're now looking at. You lucky people. Seriously though, guys, one at a time please. We don't need another disaster.] Isn't this place a peculiar thing? Not in a bad way, of course, I have to say I'm rather impressed. It's got a certain quaint muggle-ish charm to it.

And really, it's so kind of you to invite me here for a stay but while I do appreciate your dedication and desire for my company, I can't say I'm eager to remain. It's not you, really! It's me. Like I said before, it's a rather lovely little oddity, this 'Azgard'. I just have other places to be. I'm sure you understand?

[It's all said in a light tone, trying to stay kind and flattering, though with a strange hint of sympathy. In fact, it kind of sounds like Gilderoy is attempting to gently break up with Asgard. But then, to be fair, one is reminded of a sad desperate ex that won't let him go -- he's sure he dated a girl a little like Asgard way back when actually. She tried to lock him in her house once...

Mock if you will, the similarities are all there. Thought at least she never tried to drown him in a biblical storm.]

Sometimes, we must all take different paths in life. And while I have loved my time here, I feel it's now time to move on. Lots to do, plenty to see. But I'm sure I can do something for you all before I leave. Perhaps sign your guest book? If you have one. I know that'd be a treat for the fans.

[He assumes he has fans here. He has them everywhere else, why not in a strange world of Norse Gods? If it doesn't then, well, that will have to change before he goes. Living in a world without Gilderoy Lockhart? You poor underprivileged people. How do you function?]

I do feel bad for not being able to assist in the war but without my wand, I'm afraid there's little I can do for you anyway. Maybe if you'd allow me to leave and return later by my own accord, I'd be a better asset. Just something to keep in mind, hmm? Yes. Good.

[It hadn't taken her that long to figure out the bracelet, she had made a few comments here and there but now that she had, she had prepared for it, as she prepared for everything. First, of course, was looking the part. Beautiful always, in control. She didn't let it show that everything going on truly bothered her, well, perhaps not the euphoria induced sleepiness that came with using her power. She was sure there were just as many bothered by it when it came to being here. She couldn't let it show, however. Instead, she offered a cool and easy smile.]

My... but you all certainly are such an interesting sort.

But it does seem some of you know how to have a good time. You laugh in death's face by living harder, by consuming life like locusts. Why, your doldrums they just... [She pouted.] I'm sure some of you realize just how silly you're being. A good time, yes! That's exactly what everyone needs and these sigils are simply lovely in helping with that.

However, are you all telling me this is the first time anyone has done this? Well, if this is the first time, what is it you all do for fun when you aren't helping the gods and running from floods, not that I would call the last part fun? Or are you always planning battles? [She's a lover, not a fighter so she couldn't really care about the fighting part.]

Well then darlings [Her easy smile is back once more.] I hope there are some interesting answers among you.

[ 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. ]

[She doesn't sound particularly happy, but it's not like things have been going smoothly around here.]

I want t'know the stories o' this land. I know there's a war, and I've been fightin' me whole life. We have giants, too, where I'm from, but they're on our side, cast out o' the south and cursed to build that Wall o' theirs.

But these giants here? [She knows there's two sides to every story, and for as much as she hopes some of her people make it south, what Stannis has told her, she doubts it.] If there be constant attacks, I want to know what these giants think o' us, what did these gods do?

Did they steal their land?

[Not that she's entirely sympathizing with them, because she's been affected several times by what has happened.]

What about the giants? Do they have a king? Gods? What's their stories?

See a buried bit of rubble, and you'll try to dig it out.

Try to dig it out, and you'll get your hand stuck in a crevice. Get your hand stuck in a crevice, and you'll drop your pretty jewels. Drop one small ring of metal, and you'll find yourself vanished for a week. Disappear for but a week, and the whole bloody place goes to ice and shit. 

A lot of people ask about the gods when they get here and they keep talking about them after, too. It made me think. We don't have any gods where I'm from, but we have a government.

Mr. Odin is the one who keeps things running here, so he's kind of like the President Snow of Asgard. [Rue frowns.] Except...nicer. Some people in Panem like the government, some people don't. Some people here like the gods, and some people don't. [It's a match! Kind of.] I kind of realized I don't really know a lot about the governments in everybody else's world, and now I'm really, really curious. So, now I'm asking!

What are the governments in your worlds like?

Oh, and one more thing! [She holds up a few glass decorations.] I'm experimenting with colors and shapes right now, so I have some extras I can give away. If nobody wants them, I'm gonna use them to decorate our cafe.

[Actually, that isn't a bad idea, now that she's said it.] Ummm never mind, I'm gonna to put some up anyway. But you can still come and get one! I'll be at the Safehouse in Freya district!

[For once, Loras looks quite pleased with himself. Despite the battles, the troubles going around with food shortages, supply issues, he seems optimistic.

Which, frankly, considering his normal demeanor at times, is probably a surprise. Still, he gives a smile, and a nod of his curly head to his wrist device.]

As some of you know, my King and [What is the word people use here?] partner, Renly Baratheon has been in Asgard for some time. Considering our...situation at home, and how society feels about us, we've decided to make the most of our stay here, and get married.

[He raises his chin, slightly, which is always a sign he's steeling himself, using his arrogance as a shield.]

I'm not about to let supply shortages, or some bloody war stop my wedding. [He doesn't care who he has to kill, he's getting married, damn it.] We haven't set a date, buy frankly, with everything going on here as of late, I suppose it should be sooner, rather than later.

You are all invited, of course; people always say good small events [It will have to be small, despite Renly's love of grand parties] help provide some relief during war.

[He's about to turn off his device, but feels the need to add--]

Oh and if a Stannis Baratheon shows up with no teeth tomorrow, you'll know that this is the reason.

[ The Doctor's taking a day off, so he's at home when he makes this video. More exactly, in the workshop of Thor 103, so there's a great deal of clutter behind him but if people pay attention they might make out that most of it seem to be toys, both complete and not.

He hardly ever takes full days off, but today he has a mission, and it's very important. Also very awesome, if you ask him, so he smiles at the camera and waves enthusiastically. ]

Hello, Travellers!

I've been making things. More specifically, I've been making toys. More toys than Alice and Clem can use, and they're sort of starting to pile up. So I figured I'd give some away. I was thinking I'd make a stall for it on the street, but I'll let you lot get first dibs because I love you so much.

[ He winks, and fiddles with the screen so he can turn it in another direction. There's a train track on the floor, along with a toy train chugging along. Beside the train tracks are loads of cars, planes, helicopters and animals, some made of wood and some metal or plastic. There's also a few Frisbees, blocks with carvings of letters or numbers or symbols to build with and, speaking of building, he has plenty of buildings and vehicles that are half built, with the pieces to finish. Do it yourself, and all that.

Then the screen comes back to him, and he holds out a rat made from fabric. ]

Also some things that could double as pet toys.

And that's not all of it either. So! Come on by and have a look. Thor 103. I'm here all day.

[ He reaches to turn it off, but stops. ]

Oh, and I can take requests! And I also repair toys, as long as they're not ruined beyond recognition, or possibly even in that case. I don't know. Never tried it, actually. I'd be willing to give it a go.

Or you could always just come by for tea and biscuits and company. I don't mind either way.

[ And finally he turns the recording off. ]

[ hello asgard! as surprising as it might be, when the video chimes in kate is not in her office. no, she actually seems to be outside, and there are distant sounds of the battle raging in the distance. more immediately around her, though, are the yells of travellers and natives alike rushing about, absolute chaos stirring around them. behind kate is what looks like the remains of a section of the wall that used to surround asgard, that used to keep them safe. those who are familiar with that part of the city, might recognize the district she's in as sigyn. ]

The battle's getting worse, and the damage is getting closer to the walls. I know there's been a lot of Travellers who have already come out to help put the fires out but-

[ there's an explosion, and the feed shakes as kate ducks down from the falling rocks that explode out over her head. as the dust settles, whoever's watch the video might see the vaguest hint of green up behind the video feed. sigyn's spell, desperately trying to hang on. the network can probably hear kate yelling, trying to direct people away from the wall, to regroup. she comes back onto the feed a moment later. ]

We're trying to cut off the weaker points. Sigyn, Loki and Hel are the most vulnerable. Anyone who can should head there. The Guard has already taken to trying to keep this all together, you can find someone there if you want to help. [ the video is bouncing now as kate is trying to get further into the city, directing people while she goes. this isn't an army, isn't a battle. this is trying to keep a city together, trying to keep people safe. ]

If those walls go down, if that spell falls, we're done. We're taking all the help we can get.

[ another explosion, and kate's cutting the feed, yelling at someone else off-screen. ]


TEXT FILTERED TO: FORENSICS UNIT

If any of you decide to help, come find me. I'm in Sigyn. You're not required to be here but find me if you do.

[With the fighting giants just outside the city, the school burning down, the funeral showing the sheer number of those lost. She is holding the vorpal sword she created not so long ago in her lap.]

His majesty, King Arthur, was teaching me how to use the vorpal sword to protect myself. But now that he's gone, I'm without a good teacher.

Would someone please be so kind to teach me how to use a sword?

[ The feed opens on the face of a rather pretty young woman. ] Good day, fellow Travelers. If you do not mind, I have a few inquiries to make, if you do not mind.

First, I must ask about the work available here. [ It seems rather unfair to her after being dragged here and forced to help with this war, the gods will not give them whatever they desire to make them happy. She suspects the inability to leave Asgard is why people aren't vocal about this injustice. Better to just accept it, and not waste your breath. ] What jobs are available? Are certain experiences required in order to get one? [ She can't think that most of her skills would be needed here, but her nervousness doesn't show. ]

Second, I would like to practice my power, to be prepared in case of- certain events. [ Her eyes flick down at the ground at the moment. ] I have the healing power, and have not done much [read: anything] with it. Help would be much appreciated.

[ A final smile, and then the feed clicks off. ]

[ There are some people in the world who really shouldn't be given any sort of technology or utensil without first receiving some hands-on instruction. Well, even more than is standard upon arrival. Peter Pettigrew, unfortunately, is one of them. The video jolts and even falls to the floor before it rights itself, but upside down. ]

Hn. Owls really would just be easier.

[ It rattles again, and really, wearing a bracelet should not be so difficult. ][ A sigh. ]

Merlin, this is -- well. I... I was just wondering if maybe anyone played chess? I... I don't know.

Something to do, maybe? Besides... well, this thing.

[ He gestures to the bracelet, which only serves to make the video fuzzy and flicker out. Sorry, he's never been very good at introductions, and certainly no good at making many friends. ]

[ A video feed turns on, and all the network is greeted with the sight of one Renly and Stannis Baratheon, both looking somewhat flushed. It is clear by their surroundings that they have been drinking.

(However, perhaps the fact that Stannis Baratheon has been drinking, and with his younger brother no less, is enough to strike horror into the hearts of those that know them.) ]

And now we must raise a toast to the king, should we not, brother?

[ Renly lifts his glass - wine, compared to Stannis’ clearer scotch - and looks a little smug as he tilts it forward, eyeing the camera with far too much glee. ]

Of course, little brother.

[ Stannis laughs, bitter and mirthless. He almost knows full well that his is a horrible idea, but still… it almost feels good to finally say exactly what is on his mind regarding his king. ]

( cw for way too much cursing )

(( black is stannis and gold is renly.))