I'm sure everyone's noticed that the gods are playing games again. Thanks to Freyr's post, we don't have to wonder too much about who is responsible. We've still got a lot to learn about what's going on.

Discussion:

1) Do you perceive yourself to be drawn more towards certain people or certain types of people than others?
2) How would you categorise the force of the hugs?
3) Has this case changed how you feel about hugs? (If so, please elaborate.)
4) Has this case changed how you feel about the gods? (If so, please elaborate.)
5. Has this case changed how you feel about your fellow Asgard citizens? (If so, please elaborate.)

Please respond with any information you'd like to share. If you want to respond anonymously or privately that's fine but your honest feedback would be appreciated. Also let me know if you have a question you'd like added.

[Filtered to the Forensic Unit.]

We can't work like this. I'm giving the department time off until this thing is finished. Enjoy.

[ evenin' asgard. how you doin'? okay? that's nice. mako still thinks this is bullshit ok but whatever, that's already been established and probably isn't going to change any time soon. a couple of you might recognise the grumpy runner from day 84!? (if you haven't seen him on runs since then, it's because he's started running at... five am. omfg you lunatic.)

do you know how fucking unnerving it is to know you are on the sixth fucking floor of the house, and then look out the window and find it's actually apparently just the second? APPARENTLY REALLY FUCKING UNNERVING. and that's really freaking weird, so mako can't really do his usual "i am going to sit half out the window and stare at the night like the goddamn batman" thing.

so.

so, he is just hoboing it up on the steps of the back porch like a friggin' hobo, taking up a lot of space and lounging and whatever. seriously, the guy's 6'2", he can take up a lot of space when he wants to. ]

So is it a thing in everyone's worlds to go up to random people and start talking to them when they're busy, or is that just something you've picked up here? [ LMAO GUESS WHO IS KIND OF PISSED ABOUT HIS INTERRUPTED RUNNING TIME OK ] It gets kind of annoying.

[ a tiny, irritated huff, and he runs a hand through his hair mako why is your hair always such a friggin' mess, bro ]

Anyways. I'm looking for a job, since I can't exactly do what I did back home here. Got anything?

[ reaching up to switch off the feed, then pausing. ]

A gym with decent weights and a couple heavy bags would be good too.

[ /FEED ]

No!

[ Aqua sits straight up in bed, in so doing turning her bracelet on. She sits for a moment, breathing heavily, staring around her in open confusion. ]

... Is this ... Asgard? I'm still here? But how? I was just...

[ She looks down at the little bracelet, to see it recording. ]

That's right... I was lost. When I finally found my bracelet again, I was so tired... I must have fallen asleep. Did I dream all of that? How long ... was I gone?

[ A moment's thought, and she swings her legs off her bed. Her eyes are narrowed in thought. In some sadness. ]

I can't believe... The Master... Ven--

[ ... wait, he's --

Aqua springs off her bed, alarm and urgency lending her a sudden adrenaline surge. ]

Ven! Are you there? Can you hear me? Please tell me you're still here!

[A boy stares neutrally into the video feed. He is slightly short for his age, with longish brown hair and serious grey eyes that seem slightly too old for his face. In appearance there is absolutely nothing to suggest that there is anything at all remarkable about him. Yet there is something slightly odd about his reaction. He doesn't seem the slightest bit upset or confused. If he is at all discomfited by his sudden relocation to this strange world and the loss of his powers it does not appear on his face. A pause just slightly too long, and he begins speaking in a pleasant voice.]

Ah, hullo? Is this thing on? Quite a strange little device. The sort of thing my brothers would enjoy taking apart, I should think.

[Will blinks, and smiles a little foolishly.]

But then I’m getting off topic. I've only just arrived here, you see. And I thought it would be terribly rude if I didn't introduce myself. My name is Will Stanton. Are there many people here?

Also, I am looking for a boy. About my age, with white hair and dark glasses. His name is Bran Davies. [There is some strange stress on the name, as if to say that Bran Davies was a very special thing to be indeed.] I rather expect he would have made a point of finding a way to stand out, here.

[ text ]

Has anyone noticed anything strange when they came back from [ 'how to say it?' ] 'going gray'? They told me I still came into work, so at least I didn't get fired, but it's all [ ...he really doesn't want to admit it ] hazy. Even before my bracelet was lost.

I still remember everything important, so I don't need any help. I just wanted to know if it's like that for everyone.

It looks like the city's gotten a little more colorful

[ ...and the sentence just dangles there without any ending punctuation. Someone accidentally hit send on an incomplete draft. And skipped any choice of anonymity as a result. Great. ]

[ action - heimdall & freya ]

( the call is coming from inside the house )

[ ooc: Finally back from hiatus, and playing with Cloud's first curse! Tags will be from minimosey. ...It wasn't an easy age for him. ]

[The feed starts and Ayame can be seen sitting behind a sewing machine. The pale haired man seems subdued for once as he picks up what looks like a sketch-book. A brief glimpse shows a the sketch of a gown. Someone has been very busy. He finally remembers that he turned on his communicator, amber eyes catch the screen.]

Oh! Forgive me! How rude of me to ignore all of you curious spectators.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to share some beautiful news with all of you!

[He stands up and gosh he's probably beaming right now.]

Oh no, I'm not getting married if anyone is wondering. So don't worry, my lovelies. I'm afraid I still have too much love to give and I believe in one true love.

[There's an enigmatic smile but he quickly grins and points behind him.]

My store it's almost open. This place has suffered enough with its lack of style and fashion. I for one will not stand for it!

[One fist is raised in the air. Revolution indeed.]

However I'm only one man. A beautiful man, but only one man and I need your help.

So guess what you lucky people, I'm hiring! I need seamstresses, models, shop attendants and a helper! You get to wear my lovely creations to work.

[Well more like he'll insist that you do that.]

So come and give me all your creativity. Yes, give it to me baby! Together we will create something beautiful.

Oh!

[He taps his chin, a small grin on his face.]

My dear potential models, don't think for a moment you need to be stick thin. Oh no, I don't discriminate. I will love all of your bodies~

Tall, lean, short, curvy, athletic etc! Don't be shy and love yourself and I'll love you. That includes you gentlemen as well.

So yes, come my darlings. Come and help me with this project and of course you'll get paid!

[And with that he throws a kiss at the screen before finally turning it off.]

[When the feed comes on, it was clearly not intentional; the boy on the other end merely seems to be examining the options. Between shocking white hair and skin, a black jacket and a white shirt underneath, only his bronzen eyes give a bit of colour to his appearance. His expression is concentrated but also betrays unrest and nervosity, vulnerability. After a few moments, the video is gone.]

[a few minutes later, an audio post goes up. The voice sounds young, but very collected and cool, arrogant almost, with the typical lilt of a Welsh accent.]

I am Bran Davies and looking for a boy named Will Stanton. He's English. [There's a slight edge to the word, a hint of disdain maybe.] Brown hair, brown eyes. An age wouldn't help much in this place, so I won't add that to the description.

If you have seen him or see him, please tell me. [A short pause, as if something just occurred to him] If he does not know about a "Bran", it would be especially important for us to meet, so do not hesitate because of that.

Also, do there happen to be any farms in this place?

Diolch yn fawr.


[ooc: "Diolch yn fawr." = Welsh for "Thank you". Also: If your character speaks Welsh: "Bran" is Welsh for "raven".]

[After reading her letter and talking with the maid, Nina wastes no time using the bracelet. She still can't believe that she magically arrived in a new world, but she soon overcomes some of her shock.

It takes Nina only a moment to discover how to activate the bracelet and start recording. However, when the screen materializes, her eyes widen in astonishment. Although she's used to technology in her world, nothing is as advanced as this.

There's a brief pause before she speaks. She sounds relatively calm for just arriving, but she still has a somewhat strained and incredulous tone to her voice.]

Hello, my name is Nina. I was told this was another world, no matter how hard I find that to believe.

I still can't believe that this isn't some sort of strange dream... I don't even remember going to sleep. [She seems reflective for a moment, and she glances at something unrecognizable in the distance before her gaze returns to the screen.]

How did we get here? Has anyone tried to leave or left successfully? There must be a way out. [The last sentence is said with absolute determination. She can't stay. She has responsibilities at home, and she finally started her life again from where she's left it.]

And I don't understand what this letter means... "You have been chosen by the gods to bear the honorable task of restoring colour and life"? Everything looks quite colourful to me. Is it a joke?

I would appreciate any information. Thank you.

[OOC: During her conversation with Zack, Nina learned how to use the video function, which she will use in her responses to everyone. :)]

( [Added later:] )

[It's beautiful outside, and Ranka is taking advantage of the new colors as she explores once more. Sitting down on a park bench she smiles as she addresses the camera.]

With the colors back, this place looks very different. I guess I'm not the only one thinking that, right? Ah, anyway I was just wondering if there were people here that wished the color hadn't come back so quickly?

Mm. Not that it's bad we can go home, but I guess it makes me wonder if there is anyone else that feels nervous about returning home for any reason?

[She looks away from the camera and up to the sky, shutting her eyes for a moment. After a second she looks back at the screen and smiles.]

Sorry, you don't have to answer that since it's kind of personal and I don't want to bother anyone with a question like that.

[ Riku's restless. Hanging around the lobby is boring. Staying in his room is boring. He wants out, to at least see his friends, but the fog's ridiculously thick and he knows he'll only get lost.


Time to try giving them a call. He puts in the number for Sora and then for Kairi, not really noticing that his restless pacing has brought him near the ball pit as he leaves messages for them.

It's the first thing Cloud notices when he rounds the corner. A ball pit and a distracted punk not watching his footing; it's a simple combination. Cloud doesn't even think as one hand impulsively rises to shove Riku off-balance. No harm, no foul; the kid will survive the sea of plastic balls. He'll just be indignant. With that in mind, Cloud squats down at the edge of the ball pit and fishes one out, sure there will be some retaliation when Riku comes back up. (To be honest, he's looking forward to it. With no way to spar in the house, there has to be something to do.)

And Riku delivers on that expectation. As soon as he gets his feet back under him and his head out of the pit, he's swiping the nearest ball and aiming right for the jerk's head, not even aware that his bracelet is now broadcasting the video feed publicly. ] Hey, bird brain! Watch where you're going!

[ Cloud instantly dodges and counterstrikes, thanks to being prepared; though since his head's moving at the same time he throws, the ball goes a little wide. ] 'Bird brain'? I'm not the one who went flying.

[ With a slightly raised eyebrow. Really, Riku, you don't think that was an accident, do you?

Riku's dodged that one by going to the side, although it's unnecessary at this rate. He's gritting his teeth as his footing slips a bit more. Why did it have to be in here!

No matter. Cloud should join him soon with the way Riku's trying to lunge at him. ] Shut up!

[ And Cloud does just that-- because really the point is to (play) fight. Because of that, though he's surprised by how quick Riku goes at him, eyes widening, he doesn't fight it too hard; it only takes a brief struggle for Riku to get him tumbling head over heels into the pit, multicolored balls flying up everywhere with the "splash".

...This place really needs better supervision. With how many balls are being thrown around, it might just turn into an all out war. ]


((Riku. Cloud. Anyone roaming around in Heimdall house is more than welcome to jump on in the Ball War, get hit with a ball, etc.))

[For those who are currently landlocked in the castle as well, they're going to be spotting a hooded female figure pacing around the castle as if looking for something. Or, perhaps, she's more accurately inspecting and observing everything she can. Whatever it is, it doesn't seem like she's in a very cheerful mood while doing it.]

[For those inspecting the network at this hour, however, the same hooded figure is going to show up in what seems to be an accidental video. Judging from her squeak of surprise, it looks like she accidentally activated her bracelet's holographic screen and is now staring at it in what can only be assumed to be surprise.

The staring goes on for a couple of seconds, with her hand coming up to touch the screen as well, before she so eloquently starts to speak.]

I... [A pause, trying to figure out what to say now that she realizes it's recording.] ...Hello. Can someone please tell me more about this place? I'm... I'm not supposed to be here.

[...aaaaand, then she just proceeds to stare awkwardly for another second before shutting this video feed off. Mostly because she's worried sick about what's going to happen if she's here and partly because what is she doing what is going on this is hideous.]

[ Things have really changed since she got here.

She still remembers Keine's words - about trusting the gods who have done them no real ill - and feels very naïve, and wonders what the other is thinking now.

Her face is very grave as she turns on the video to address the whole city. What she's about to say might get her in trouble with their unkind patrons, but she's ceased to care. ]

... it's become clear to me -- and, I think, to many of us -- that the gods of Asgard are not our friends, and they can't be trusted. They're willing to hurt us, bully us, and even kill us just to get what they want, and they'll do it over and over. They said as much to me themselves. In fact ... I hate to say it, but I think we need to consider them our enemies, and plan accordingly.

[ She shuts her eyes for a moment, in deep and troubled thought. But she is calm, and unafraid. She opens them again, and there is steel in every aspect of her. ]

To be honest, I'm not too sure what that means. It's a big task to undertake, and possibly a dangerous one. But I think what we can do is try to be ready for anything. That means working on our powers, on self-defense, and possibly even a warning system. Maybe a designated safe-house for anyone who can't fight. I'm open to ideas.

... thank you for your time.

[ added several minutes later: ]

One last thing. I am aware that saying these things might make me a target for the gods, if they're willing to go that far to punish us. But I wouldn't wish that on anyone else. Please, even if you agree with my belief that they are our enemies - think twice before admitting as much.

( Private to: Sora, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, and Ven )

I'd like to speak to all of you. Soon, and in person. You especially, Ven, Riku. But I expect all of you to come. No buts, and no backing out of it.

[ Is she upset? ... yes. All this death has been too much. ]

Tomorrow, in front of Odin.

[Zack's sitting in his room, and on the desk, close to him are some potted bright yellow flowers. They almost seem to glow with warmth, though there's nothing magic about them. They're exactly what they seem.]

Back where I'm from, we don't have this "Ides of March" story I heard some people talking about. Sounds like it's about a leader from some other world.

I sure am grateful to the gods for the history lesson, but I don't care to play games with people's lives and safety. To get loyalty, you have to give it. I'll gladly fight for a good cause, a good leader. If we're supposed to be fighting a war for them, why would they stab their own soldiers? [He laughs. The sound's a little rueful, a little cold, but a moment later, he glances briefly toward the flowers, and then his expression softens.]

That's a rhetorical question. It's not that I don't know that happens all the time, but I don't want to be a part of it. Do the "right" thing, you get a reward, do the other, you get it in the neck. [He's been there.] Are we not feeling enough emotions for them on our own, so they have to stir us up more?

Now look, I like getting presents from home as much as the next guy, but not at the cost of someone else getting hurt. I don't think the people we've left behind, the ones some of us got mementos of, would want that either.

Doesn't sound like the gods are out there listening to us, but if they are, I wish they'd at least explain, whether they're responsible or not. What do the rest of you think about it?

[The Travelers get a good view of Merlin's room when the video starts and--hang on, what's...that? No, your eyes do not deceive you. Where there was only one grumpy owl before, there are now about ten of varying sizes, perched all around the room. A few ruffle their feathers, as if in greeting. Despite the feathery chaos behind him, Merlin seems to be perfectly fine, and isn't paying them any attention at all.]

I think, between the dragon, the ice faeries, and the stabbings, the city's gotten pretty dangerous recently. I don't know how getting hurt by a good friend or family member fits into all this, but the ice faeries weren't that much of a surprise, if you think about what Odin told us. [Here, he picks up a sheet of paper and glances at it before continuing.] There's Muspellheim with the fire king Surt--he's the one who sent the dragon--and there's Thrymheim with the frost queen Thiazi. We didn't get a declaration of war from the queen like with the dragon, but the ice faeries are probably close enough.

Between all that's happened, it looks like everyone's going to be affected. I mean, they weren't exactly choosy about the people they were targeting. You think it'd be a good idea if we built some sort of fort for the people who don't want to fight? People usually go to the hospital for shelter, but we've gotten overwhelmed there nearly every single time something happens. There's just too many of us here now.

[Merlin frowns down at the paper again.] Oh yeah, there's a few of us who would teach newcomers how to use their abilities, in case any of you need it. More people willing to help us with that would be great--just the god's abilities, though. If you want lessons for weapon-use, you'll be wanting to see Arthur Pendragon for that. Or Albion--er...England, I mean. I think they're looking for some help with The Citadel, too.

( Private to Sam Winchester )

( Private to Lucifer )

[Today's Keine is in as much of a rush as before, the pattering of footsteps being rather predominant among any other sounds in the background, alongside that of horrified screams from viewers that might have seen some of the stabbings about the place.]

Everyone! It looks like there might just be another enemy in the city! Assassins, as it might possibly be, with their targets being Travelers in specific! They appear to be able to take the form of someone known only to their targets, so be on a lookout for anyone that might seem amiss somehow, and the glint of steel from their knives.

That said, do either direct any wounded to the Hospital or contact me through this post - I will reach out to you as quickly as I can should you do the latter.

Keep alert, everyone.

[and damn I need more icons of her in the midst of action]

( (lead into voice post): Cloud's reactions to being stabbed have never been entirely normal. )

Tifa!

Tifa, come back. [ With his labored breathing it's too staggered to be an order, sounding more like a desperate plea. ] Tell me what I did. I can't... [ It's not in her to hate any but the most awful people and there's a surge of terror that he's done something, will do something in his future horrible enough to make him that. But it's still not right. She was talking to him normally, smiling, why would she do that if she hated him? And... ] It's not like you to run away. So...please, come back.

( (action--Sigyn, with Vanille) )

Hello – is there someone who can hear me? The woman in the palace... Is what she said – is it true? We were chosen? Brought here for a purpose?

[ She makes a quiet 'mm,' sound, acknowledging and pondering the situation all at once. ]

If that's the case... Is there anyone here who can tell me, have you seen a young girl with a pink ribbon in her hair, named Marlene? She might have had a boy with – [ You can almost hear the slight smile in her voice when she speaks. ] – light brown hair, a bit long, with her. They were with me, not too long ago… Surely, they could have been brought here, too… [ She's concerned, but also very hopeful. It's possible, right? Completely possible.]

I would be grateful for any information you could offer me! I need to find them as soon as I can. [ And then another thought occurs to her. Marlene and Denzel weren't the only members of her family there in the church with them. What if some of the people she knows are already here, and can hear her? ]

Barret? Are you here? [ And, of course... Though he's doing so much better than he was before, she is always concerned for his well being...]

Cloud?