[When the video kicks on, Athelstan is in the middle of scrambling backward, his fingers closing around the axe in his belt. The hovering touchscreen, of course, follows him back and he instinctively slashes out at the hologram as it chases him through the room.

Through sheer dumb luck, he manages to hit the button that halts the screen's movement so it stops advancing on him, and after a few moments of sitting on the floor, staring in terror at the bright screen that seemed to appear out of nowhere, Athelstan pulls himself up on his elbows and takes a deep breath.]

Deus meus.

[The Latin is deliberate, and it takes him a few more moments to actually calm down and approach the recording screen again.]

This is... used to communicate? [It's an interesting enough contraption, and his brows furrow a little, reaching out a tentative hand to touch the hologram, head tilted as it makes the screen flicker before him.] With no ink or parchment... fascinating. You others with this ring, you can hear my voice through this? As if I were next to you?

[He grasps the concept quickly enough, it seems, and pokes a little more at the screen, widening and shortening it in turn.]

I... I am Athelstan, a follower of your god Odin. I did not expect to find Valhalla so soon into my days- [or at all, really...] -but as I am here now, I suppose I must offer myself to the service of the gods. If anyone can help me... the magic of Asgard is something I have never experienced before. I am unfamiliar with many things in this land. As a matter of fact, I-

[Aaand he manages to shut the recording off in mid-sentence. Go figure.

Help?]

[[ooc: intro is backdated just a bit to before the flood! :o]]

[For once, especially more recently, Clementine actually seems. Happy. There's a smile at her lips as she turns the bracelet on, giving a small wave to her audience. There's a pause and soft giggle as Midnight (her cat) comes to join them, seating herself on Clementine's lap.]

Hey Asgard. I just figured while I'm teaching Lee how to use these, I'd introduce him. He's...a friend that helped me a lot back home. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned him to at least most of you by now.

[Which is an understatement, she's talked a lot about him, especially when she was younger, prior to returning to Asgard a couple of years older. And she knows it. It's almost teasing, looking over to Lee and shifting her bracelet to show him so he can say hi.]

Come on, say hi, Lee! It's like a phone but with video. So they can see you and hear you!

Technology working again. 'Didn't think I'd be seeing that for a while. [Even if it is technology he's never seen before.

Lee is smiling, too - he's lost his left arm, which is still taking some getting used to, but he's with Clementine, and he's alive, there are no dead people trying to eat them... So, he's okay; he's good. His remaining hand rests on Clementine's shoulder as he addresses the video.]

Oh, uh. Yeah, hey; I'm Lee. Me and Clem - we looked out for each other, back home. 'Kept each other safe from the walkers - though Clem's probably told a lot of you about those things. It seems safer here than it was there, at least.


Yeah. The bracelets are pretty amazing. Just one more reason why you shouldn't take it off. Or you'll be like them. Those....grey people.

[But gosh she is just. So happy in spite of her confliction and guilt over Lee showing up. She can't help but smile back to him when she feels his hand at her shoulder. The expression might falter for a second, at the reminder of his lost arm again, but it's controlled, quickly locked down.]

Right. It is a lot safer here. Even in the war, I guess. Walkers haven't been an issue at all, even if Hel can bring people back if they die. It's...complicated. But Lee helped me a lot. So I wanted to teach him to use the bracelets and say hi to everyone, so he can meet my friends.

Grey people? [He gives Clementine a curious glance, still smiling. He'll have to ask about that properly later. As well as a shit ton of other things, honestly.]


Right, of course. Any friend of Clem here is a friend of mine. And it looks like I'll be here for the long run too now, so, uh.

[He's not quite as good at this as Clementine seems to be, so other than that, he only waves at the screen kind of awkwardly.]

Yeah, there's still some of all this I need to explain to him. But I just wanted to introduce him to everyone. So! Ellie, Doctor, Alice....everyone! Come say hi and meet him.

[ooc: Red is Lee, black is Clem.]

Hey, um. So Stiles Stilinski is kind of --comatose right now? Which is apparently a thing that happens here, but I don't know how long he's going to be out, so. I guess I just wanted to put the word out, in case anybody was trying to reach him. He's okay, just sleeping.

[ she sounds ( and kind of looks, but she's trying not to ) so damn unhappy, very un-Rachely, though she's definitely going to try and pass it off as just being tired, if anybody asks ]

Jade - I can pick up his shifts at work, in case he stays asleep for a while. Or if anybody wants to pick up an extra shift at the Highwind, let me know. I'm okay with whatever.

[ she stops to chew at her lip for a second, trying to figure out if she has anything else to add, but. nope. there's a chirp on her end of the feed, which is followed by Hale nudging his face against her hand, and that breaks her out of her train of thought ]

Um, yeah.

I guess that's it, so. See ya.

[ click ]

[It's rare Bunny uses the network, even rarer for him to use it to speak to the people of Asgard in their entirety. He's just not a fan of technology. But now, more than ever, he knows everyone here needs an injection of what he gives out best: hope. And so, the video screen fills with his furry face. Behind him, are what look to be the starts of a project of some kind. Paints, paintbrushes, and pans of something bubble away.]

Right, now we've got ourselves a break in our regularly scheduled madness, I'm going to take the chance to talk to you all about something important that's coming up, next handful of days, I reckon, unless my timing's off: Easter.

[He gestures to his fuzzy self.] For those that haven't met me yet, g'day. I'm the Easter Bunny. I know some of you haven't got Easter where you come from, but I promise I won't have that stop you if you want to get involved, everyone's welcome to this. For those of you that don't know what it is, it's simple.

[He holds up a little painted egg] This is an Easter Egg. On Easter morning, I hide these all over the place. Then it's your job to find them. You can eat 'em, too, they're chocolate. Nothing like the ones I can create back home, but I'll make sure they're still worth it. It's more fun than you can shake a stick at, and it'll bring you all some much needed hope, too.

[He grins, seemingly triumphant; though over what it's hard to tell.] Any questions?

[ There's a boy looking a little tired, as though a boy his age stayed up past his bed time.

But he also looks distinctly annoyed, but it is so minute it's hard to tell. ]

Did anyone got any presents today? 'Cause I just did.

[ Never mind that his present is less to be desired. You can see it behind him, on his bed.

Why can't he be given a toy car or something. That would be better than a reminder of an attempted attack on Jesse's life. ]

The video comes on and for once Naruto at least looks prepared for it. Still, he takes a moment before piping up.

"So, I got this job right? At this place called Stride. It's an awesome bar type thing. We sell drinks and stuff. I guess everyone needs cheerin' up or whatever after... everything. You should go-- you know, if you're not old. You're old if you're like, eighteen? Right Roxy?"

Whether he's referring to Odin, or the trip to Ginnungagap and what happened back in Asgard during it. It's all the same, really, and in much the same way as he intends to swing the mood away from morbid obsession over the state of Asgard at the moment - the topic takes a swift turn, too.

"Oh yeah, and all you lot that were goin' on about me an' Sasuke can shut up-- 'cause I've got a girlfriend. Just ask Sakura herself."

That grin is one of pride. Whether it's for himself because he actually managed to get a 'yes' to the ultimate question, or for Sakura-- because she's obviously the best girlfriend anyone could have, right?

[ooc: and I made a log.]

[Don't bother on wondering what's wrong with the bracelets today, travelers, because there's actually nothing wrong with them. The image is upside down because Jack is the one lying down like that, skinny legs resting on the back of the couch, his head almost touching the floor and making his hair spike in more directions than usual.

His question for the network sounds rather mundane and boring, especially for someone like Jack, but there's a grin on his face that shows there's more to it than it looks. Remember: never trust a prankster.]

Soooo. Pets are popular around here, right? Then tell me, what do you do when hair starts getting everywhere? [He pokes one of the cushions on the couch with his staff, and it's obvious he's exaggerating his story a little.] Extra points if it's rabbit fur you have tips for. Though I kinda doubt it because what I'm always seeing in the network is...

[His eyes widen.]

...dogs.

[And so does his grin. There's "mischief" written all over his expression. At times like this, Jack manages to look like the annoying teenager he died as.]

Geez, there's really have a huge amount of dogs around, isn't it? Do you guys think maybe I could borrow them from you? Rent them? Just for a day. It's for a little... experiment.

[Jack might just be vanishing very quickly off the screen, as if something very large has just grabbed him by his skinny ankles and hoisted him skywards. A gruff Aussie accent identifies the culprit of aforementioned Jacknabbing.]

NO! I don't want no bloody dingos running about the place. They're unhygienic. [And this has nothing to do with the fact he's petrified of them, nope.]

Hey! What are you-- [A snort.] Awww, it's our dear kangaroo jealous? Don't worry, Cottontail, your fur will forever be the only one in our--

[Jack can't finish because he's suddenly being shaken, and the feed ends... but not without showing a giant furry creature doing the shaking first.

Another normal day in the Guardians' home, yup.]

[Despite the exhaustion, she manages to drag herself to her home again, warning people against her all the way. After evicting her confused animals from her room and locking the door and windows tight, she curls up on the ground in a weary heap, her whole body shaking from exertion and terror.

Terror not at the events around her, but rather... at the horrific act she committed herself.

It takes a long time, but somehow, after much backspacing and corrections, she manages to type out a semi-coherent message.]

I killed Hamelsan

My power is going out of control and i thin i made my hamster sick but if i let them get close itll just get worse

Im in my room now but someone please take care of my animals there all in the hallway and they want in but i can t let them i dont wan t the mto die too

Im sorry

Im sorry

Im so sorry

 [ He's dressed simply, after the foreign fashion of thick sweaters. Two books rest beneath his elbow, forgotten: A Concise History of Firearms, and The Basic Theories of Mendel and Morgan.

The Lannisters have never lacked for wealth, nor has Jaime ever found his trade uncertain. By rights, this ought to wound his dignity, but rights don't buy oats and hay. ]

A clever archer once told me that horses should be understood for a man's ambition. 

All men love horses. The rich lord stables herds of champing destriers, the farm child but a single prized pony. There are horses great and horses small, but each eats, and eats, and eats in all. A man too attached to any finds his fortune soon spent, and naught but shit and trampled earth for the trouble.

Droll, if missing the principal purpose of a horse. At any rate, it is the hunger of my palfrey, and not that of my pride which concerns me now. 

As droning about here seems the way of things: I seek a posting, with any who lack for the able and willing.

I've no bloody idea what a 'resume' is, but I know the care of arms, armor, beasts of war -- and aye, can read, write, and sum. I've a strong back and stronger stomach; long hours trouble me not. 

[ He waves his stump idly. ]

I have ruled out juggling.

[It's early in the morning, Asgard. The feed starts with a young woman, clearly older, though there is something familiar about her, looking for all the world unamused. She is pinning up her hair.]

I do see Asgard hasn't changed too drastically in its notions of abducting someone without much notice, lady or otherwise.

[She finally finishes the task of her hair, mumbling something about "not even in proper attire" though some of it is a little too softly muttered to understand.]

Regardless, 15 years, I dare say, is a good deal to let someone away only to have insist upon their return, to the same house, I see. I would have nearly forgotten this place with another year, I'm sure.

[She quirks a brow. She's remembering bits and pieces, and is surprised, if internally, at the fact that she's apparently in her "old room." She's not even sure who is and isn't here anymore. Dragons, mayhaps, never age, so Marigold resting his head in her lap is not as much of indicator as she would like.]

Well then, I suppose, what have I missed, Asgard? If there is indeed something to have been missed. I recall Asgard's relationship with Time has always been something questionable.



[OOC: SO! Alice has been cursed to believe she was sent home for 15 years and brought back to Asgard as a now 22 year old. In actuality, she's just been aged up and hasn't left Asgard at all, she is in fact, mentally 22 though.]

[And in case Asgard wasn't sick of all the Christmas sweaters, the feed clicks back on to a slightly familiar sight - the Guardians' apartment above the ice rink. The place looks like it's seen better days - papers scattered and craft supplies littering the area in some direction or another. The Guardians themselves are sitting around their couch. Jack, in true monkey fashion as always, is somehow balancing himself on the back of the couch. A large man dressed in red is sitting in the center of the seats - looking oddly proud of himself as he fiddles with the screen some more. He's also sporting a nice shoulder decoration - a certain tiny Sandy sleeping away without any sign of moving at all. At the man's side, Jamie is sitting with his brand new sweater and bouncing a little on his seat with his one-eyed stuffed rabbit. A lady's voice (Tooth's) can be heard in the distance of the other room - chattering on to herself about something involving spreadsheets or another. The man finally quits moving the damn thing and turns to Jack and Sandy's direction.] You see! No problems! I can set up videos without help!

[Jack arches an eyebrow, trying to play the "not impressed" card, but he's obviously amused. Let's see how long it takes him to spam North with emoticons in the future... right now it's time to get all Guardian up.] I'll tell the kids to draw you a gold star later. Can we get this going? There's snow outside waiting to be thrown at people's faces.

[Jamie looks over at the visible Guardians with excitement. He tugs on North's sleeve urgently.] Tell them! Tell them!

Bah! Snow will wait for few more minutes! This is great news! [North chuckles a bit and pats Jamie on the head before finally focusing on the screen in front of him. The jolly old man is containing his excitement about as bad as Jamie at this point.] We are celebrating Christmas at Asgard this year!! [Wait wait. Hold it North. How about actually explaining first?]

[Jack glares at North. Did he just seriously say snow can wait? This is a sin. A tragedy. And he's ready to tell him exactly what an offense that was, but Jamie jumps in before he can even open his mouth. Literally, he jumps in by jumping up to stand on the couch.] It's not just Christmas! We're going to celebrate all of the winter holidays!

But! Christmas comes first. [Yes, North can't help adding that it. They all may have decided to celebrate all the winter holidays but nothing is stopping the man from being absurdly proud of his own. Still Jamie's outburst finally reminds North why they're here so he's straightening up in his seat (Sandy may have rolled a little at the movement). Guardian time ladies and gentlemen.] Explanations are in order. We have all been stranded here for some time - some more than others. However!

( NOT AN IC CUT FOR CHRISTMAS INFORMATION )

[ Loki is relaxed across a luxurious couch in a plain black t-shirt. Red and gold flicker across the grin on his face, so it's presumable he's relaxing in front of a fireplace, pleased as punch. ]

Stay warm out there, Travellers.

[ Yep, that's it, that's the post. # mocking u 5ever ]

[ OOC NOTES: Just a reminder that all ugly sweaters will revert to normal sweaters on Day 372, the 15th! This post can be used for general Q&A with the gods as well! ]

[Video opens to a room in Sigyn that hardly seems lived in. By a person, at any rate, if only because there are no less than three dogs and something that is clearly not a dog and no one in their right mind would look at it and think, "that's a dog." They would look at it and think, "that's a wolf, I should probably not try to befriend it because it'll rip me to shreds." But not Will Graham, oh no. The wolf is apparently king of the bed, resting on the pillow (if someone thought, "that is probably the pillow this guy sleeps on and it's covered in fur," then someone would be right). Another dog is currently chewing a bone next to it, and a small, fluffy, orange dog rests just barely in view. But that's not really the focus (apparently, they're just background, even the wolf) here. No. It's a particular dog who seems enthralled with this almost-as-scruffy guy, turning a collar over in his hands like he's never seen one before. That one hand is in a cast is completely ignored, though he's obviously favoring the good one because this guy is completely stable. Really. Legitimately functional in every way possible.

This is Will Graham, and the dog-covered room is totally his design.]

Does anyone here know Jade Harley? [Gemstone Motorcycle. What a name.] I found this dog earlier today, and her name is on the collar. I figured it was hers. [Because no one else could come to that conclusion, clearly he needed to make sure that this one leap in logic was easily understood. A moment passes before he looks behind him, almost like he's forgotten there's other dogs. And a wolf. On his bed. No big deal, right?] I found some others, too, so if they're anybody's, please let me know. They didn't have collars, so. I just brought them back. [It's pretty obvious that he'll keep doing it, too. Can't be stopped.] Thanks in advance.




[ooc. jade's dog and robb stark's direwolf stolen found with permission from the players! if someone wants to get in on "my dog!!!" madness, shoot me a pm and we'll be gravy! just let him keep the tiny dog, the other is up for grabs.]