[ Takane seems to be her usual unperturbed poker-faced self this freezing fine late afternoon, though anyone who really knows her (as best as one can know Takane) might notice that her eyes are darker than usual-- her only sign of sadness for the loss of a close friend. Other than that, once again, she's as cool as a cucumber and dressed warmly. From the looks of things, she's on a stroll outside. ]

The heart's hidden depths
Stir and invoke dormant strength
Unbidden, change comes.

[ and with that little haiku done, her gaze turns steady. ]

I will extend my dearest wish that the day finds the inhabitants well. At the heels of great struggle follow resilience and renewed resolution. As such, it is entirely possible that new discoveries will be chanced upon. For our companions, for ourselves.

Have you not felt that which slumbers within you rouse to greater heights?

[ and if anyone understood that, she's referring to a power upgrade.

Obviously. It seems she would say more, but there's the sound of high-pitched, excited voices nearby, and she turns her head to study the source. After a moment, she smiles. ]

Then, if you would excuse me.

[ and this thing that's so caught her attention? Well.

Simply put, if you're wandering the Freyr District, you will see a very elegant and dignified young lady... jumping rope with a bunch of kids. And faring rather impressively for someone in a long skirt. There's also a tiny pig looking on. Yeah. That's his owner not acting her age. ]

[The feed starts with both Rikku and Gippal in the screen. Well, sort of. Rikku’s trying to get front and center, while Gippal just stands there and stops her]

Gippal, I wanna do it!

I know you do, Rikku. But I let you pick the name of this place.

Fiiiiiiiiine [huff!]

Good girl. [Gippal ruffles her hair before turning back to the camera.]

Hey! [Cue Rikku furiously fixing her hair while Gippal blabs]

I’m here to announce the opening of a new store in the Heimdall distract owned by me and this little lady right here. [Gippal nods his head in Rikku’s direction.]

The store is called Blonde Bombshells We provide a number of services such as the creation, repair and even modifications of different weapons.

[Rikku nods, her hair finally fixed] Yep! We’ve got posters going up, too. [She holds up a poster] We thought now was the perfect time for one, what with the war and the dragons and all that

So if you are in the market for a basic weapon or if you have something special in mind that you’d like to see if we could make, then swing by.

Gippal here’s good with the actual making, and I’m doing most of the mods. We’re not hiring right now, but if we need to hire more people, we’ll let you know! We can do guns, blades, and things to bash people, as well custom stuff, like Gippal said. We’ve got a full list in the shop, so swing by!

[Rikku waves at everyone and Gippal shuts it off.]


[ooc: Green is Rikku and red is Gippal.]

[When the feed starts there are two people visible, Euri and Shu. Euri has a forced look of determination on her face, even though she's fidgeting slightly. She's never used the video option before due to her appearance, so this is uncomfortable. Even moreso considering the subject they're going to be focusing on is one that terrifies her.]

Hey, all you assholes! Listen up! We've got something important we need to tell you all!

[Unlike Euri, Shu looks uncertain. He's over complicating things in his mind and he's second doubting himself. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.]

Assholes? Euri, you should be more polite. You can't go around calling people assholes.

[She does have a point though.]

I apologize for her behavior everyone. [Pause.] Um...I would appreciate it if you all took the time to listen to us speak.

There's something dangerous out there that I think you all deserve to be aware of.

[Euri rolls her eyes and hisses back quietly.]

They won't listen if we don't get their attention!

[Then she raises her voice.]

Yeah! There's a vampire out there named Diva who's been attacking people! [She nudges Shu in the side expectantly.]

That doesn't mean we should be rude about it.

[He thinks he's the last person people would listen to. At least Euri is here to bail him out.]

I know it sounds a little scary and sudden, but what Euri is saying is true. I was one of her victims.

[As proof, he'll show the injuries he received from Diva that night. They're bite marks located around his neck. Gross.]

I'd like it if all of you took the time to consider what we're saying. Really think about it.

[Good boy, Shu. Having evidence really helps their claim.]

Not just that! If you see her, kill her! At this rate she's going to kill someone.

Everyone, please be careful. This isn't something you should joke about.

We're talking about innocent lives here. Diva is far from innocent. That's all we need to say. Excuse us.

[The feed turns off.]


[ooc: the red font is euri and the green font is shu o/]

[ The feed opens on the main network, its colours seemingly in higher contrast than usual as the setting comes to view.

At the corner of the screen, is Johan. He is sitting down on a bench in the Loki District, with a pile of books beside him. However, his presence is devoid of any command -- there is nothing about it, right now, that would make anybody truly want to focus on his image. Instead, the main focus of the video seemsto be the eleven faceless children sitting in front of him. They are resting their chins against their palms, and every now and then, tiling their heads thoughtfully. One can even hear the sounds of whispers or laughter come out of them, though they seem to not possess clear mouths. ]

This one might be more familiar to you all. It's called, "The Girl with the Green Ribbon."

[ His voice lifts gently in inquiry around them. ] Are you all ready? Are you ready for the story?

[ The children nod! Johan opens the book, while one of the children -- perhaps it is a girl, it is hard to tell, scoots in closer beside him. ]

A long, long ... [ He pauses, smiling over at the girl. ] Long time ago, there was a little girl, who wore a green ribbon around her neck.

[ The child puts a hand to their neck in response. ]

One day, she went to school, and met a boy. The boy sat behind her in class, and the ribbon had caught his attention.

"Why?" The boy asked, curiously. "Why do you always seem to wear that... ribbon, that green ribbon... around your neck?"

She promised that someday she'd tell him.

When they grew a bit older, as teenagers, the boy asked the girl on a date. She was very happy to accept this date, but that night, on their date, he asked again: "Why? Why do you wear that green ribbon around your neck?"

"It's not important," She insisted. But he persisted. He asked once again, and so she told him that if they married one day, she would tell him.

And so the boy and the girl fell in love. [ Some of the kids make a few "eww" sounds, though the child beside Johan scoots in even closer, trying to get a glimpse of the picture book. ]

On the night of their wedding, the boy who had grown into a man asked once again. She replied that she would tell him if they were to have kids. So they had children, and again he asked: "Why? Why do you wear that green ribbon around your neck?"

She said: "Please, if you love me...you will stop asking me, for now. It is not important. I will tell you one day."

The man unhappily accepted this. The two grew old together, and one day, the wife was told by a Doctor that she had grown sick, and was about to die. While laying in bed, near death, her old husband asked once again: "Please, please. Please tell me, wife. Please tell me why you wear that ribbon around your neck?"

In a weak voice, she whispered: "I will tell you. Take the bow off."

When he pulled the bow loose, her head fell off.


[ A couple of the children laugh, while some remain expressionless, seemingly emotionless in response, but taking it in nonetheless. Johan glances directly at the video feed, then back at the children. ]

Now. I want you to tell me. What did that story mean?

[ A dream-like voice comes over the feed, a soft hum starting it off. ] This is very curious. I don't remember falling asleep, but since my shoes have taken off somewhere without me, I assume that is what has happened. Perhaps they have left with that woman's face, though I'm not sure what she would do with them.

[ She sighs. ] But that isn't all that is missing here. Having all the color stolen is quite dreadful. This is much too grand a scheme for Nargles.

I wonder if the Blibbering Humdingers had anything to do with it. But as I haven't been able to find one, I'm not sure how much help I will be able to give you in getting your color back. Or retrieving that nice lady's face. Theft is not very nice, in either case. But I would like to take a crack at it.

[ A distant, almost airy laugh. ] I would very much like to meet one.

[ the feed switches on with a familiar grumpy face. he isn't looking at the screen directly; rather, he seems to be staring at something on his lap - his hands, which is now decorated with the bracelet once again. after a quiet moment, he finally speaks. ]

... I cannot say this comes as a surprise.

[ he releases a soft sigh, closing his eyes. ]

My return had been expected. It is logical that I must return here to finish what I have started. If there is a task - or, tasks, rather - I must complete in order to return home, I shall do just that. However, if the Gods in charge can see this, I only ask that you do not send me back home only to bring me back - it is a waste of both of our time.

[ not that Gods have limited time. Kanbei, on the other hand, does. ]

To the current residents... if you intend to request for the method of which had brought me home, save your breath. I have no such knowledge.

[ aand feed clicks off. ]

[Have a pretty upbeat seven-year-old, Asgard. The video feed has barely opened before Conan's started his exposition -- and does he have a lot to get through.]

Ne ... the dragon was pretty scary, huh? But a lot of people have been talking about getting ready for the next time something like that happens, so I've been thinking too! At my school we have earthquake drills and fire drills to make sure we're ready for an emergency. It makes them seem less scary because you know that if something bad happens, you'll be where you're supposed to be! So, I think we should pick places -- like the healing station at Folkvang and Heimdall, the park and also the hospital, for people to evacuate to in an emergency!

Also, Seth-niichan and I want to make emergency kits! This is supplies you keep ready so that in an emergency you can just grab them and get out of there! Things like first-aid supplies, food and water, warm blankets, rain gear ... Anyway, we want to make enough for everyone who wants them, so we'll need help!

Ayumi-neechan and Rarity-neechan ... I hear you're really good at drawing things! Well, I know Ayumi-neechan's good but I haven't met Rarity-neechan yet ... We could do with your help! Also anyone else at Freyr who can draw things, or anyone else with a job who has access to supplies we might need -- material, canned food, energy bars, flashlights, batteries, maybe candles ... Ah, I'm sure all of you have some really good ideas too! I want to hear them!

So if you'd like to help, please let me or Seth-niichan know! If you've got a better idea about evacuations and stuff like that, Merlin-san's been thinking pretty hard about it too! I can let him know your suggestions. Also, let me know if you want an emergency kit! Thank you!

[Looks like someone's in the kitchen! Hello again Asgard.]

Hypothetically speaking, if one were to attempt to toast a sandwich and it caught fire--[pause. He sniffs indignantly.]--suppose we won't get into that.

[Around him a small stream of smoke begins to thicken, growing considerably.]

If anyone is interested in a bit of good cooking I've decided, in my graciousness, to contribute to this little cause of ours. [As he speaks, standing near the stove, the smoke increases dramatically and England's shirt bursts into flame at the hem.

He doesn't seem to notice.] If you join me, you're more than welcome to ah, bring something of your own--it's only polite!

[At this point, the food he's already cooked begins to catch flame, which is probably a mixed blessing, because it seems to just add fuel to the fire. It's right around this time that England notices everything in front of him, including his clothes, is igniting like dry cheap Christmas trees being put on sale next to a pile of fireworks.

Yeah, like that, except not as pretty but possibly just as entertaining.

The shock hits him slowly like an awful, silent crescendo heralding disaster capped by a backwards leap and a shout; thus effectively ending the transmission.]



[ooc: yup. ACTION FOR HEL'S KITCHEN. All replies over the network will be given after the fire's been put out. Nothing too serious, unless someone tries to salvage what he's cooked. Bed soon so tags will be had in the morning! <3]

[Blip. And the video is live! ... This sure is a pretty noisy recording, but the pink-haired boy in the foreground raises his voice so he's easily heard anyway.

(It doesn't really help, though, that the louder he speaks, the louder the pile of crowns, necklaces, and... bats? he's wearing gets.)]

God! Heeey, God! I thought I'd send you a greeting, since you must be pretty happy with yourself right now. And I gotta say, I'm pretty impressed! I never knew you had so may backups. The dragon was pretty cool, too.

... But it's still cheating at the end of the day, you know. [Slight frown.] Not only that, but I have to go through this round as an almost-human with a lame power... I guess it's fun in its own way, but you could have warned us.

Anyway, what's up with these conditions? I don't mind a war, but isn't it against the treaty to bring all the worlds into it? It's your funeral, I guess, but you really might have a little trouble on your hands.

[A clap ends that little portion of the message, his face relaxing from its semi-thoughtful expression.

It also pans out.

Dear Thor: your kitchen? Is now entirely filled with pigs. No wonder it was so noisy-- It kind of looks like half of Freyr's herd might be here, actually. The advantage(?) to the power of SPEED.]

I had a question for the rest of you, too! [Waves a hand at a mid-sized pig. Yes, that is a butcher knife he's holding.]

Which part of the pig is the bacon, anyway?

[There's one thing for sure, the network sure has been... quieter lately. Maybe Rider was taking his time to explore. Or maybe he actually calmed down.]

[Wait, no, that's impossible.]

[As evidenced by the jovial and infectious laughter that first greets the video. Rider is sitting somewhat seriously, since this is an important query (for him).]

Ha, all this talk of war, it's refreshing! Well, perhaps not refreshing for most of you, but I certainly have been restless without some sort of battle ahead of us! The prospect of a great war, that is what I have been waiting to hear!

[He claps his hands together, loudly. Though everything Rider does is generally. loud.]

So, I have a proposition for all of you, my friends! This is certainly not a battle won alone, if we are to face the likes of great dragons and other divine beasts, so we should ally ourselves together. We must form an army! Of course, there is no better to lead it than I, Alexander III of Macedon. If you should ally yourselves with me and take arms, I will do my best to reward you for your efforts. [He laughs] Indeed, perhaps after being a denizen of my army in this case, you shall find it too great to leave!

[This all sounds extremely arrogant, but... Rider is very self-assured that people will be volunteering left and right to help out. It's how his mind works.]

I wish to hear of your skills, whether they be ones granted here or skills you possessed in your homelands, but I will turn away none from my army. [a grin] We are all in this together, after all!

((OOC and Update: If your character would be interested, please comment here so I can keep track ooc!))

[ Minato has been sick. So has Minako.

Each of them have been holed up in their rooms, doors locked to contain the plague, which oddly enough they'd both caught at about the same time right before the dragon attacked. (They really are the same in a lot of ways, aren't they?)

To any worried friends, they're perfectly fine now, if a little green and pale. In fact, it looks like they've both woken up from a very restful nap. Minato had plowed his way over to Minako's room in Freya House in order to break the news to everyone that they're both feeling a bit better now, and to ask if they'd missed anything during their solitary confinement...

But instead of making a post to the network, they'd ended up talking a bit and falling asleep on each other. Like you do, when you're two mildly narcoleptic Arisatos.

Anyway, it's time now for the great reveal. ]

Hey. [ Minato gives a tired wave and rubs one eye tiredly. His voice is a little deeper and rougher, as if he's recovering from a very bad cold. And he is. ] What did we miss these past few days...?

I skimmed a bit, but it's still dizzying to try and catch up on that much stuff. [ Minako isn't really sounding all that much better. Though she's trying to keep her normal, chipper tone (and succeeding to some extent)... but her voice is hoarse. Before she can continue to say anything, she winces a bit, putting a hand to her chest and letting out a painful sounding cough. It's unpleasant for her, and probably unpleasant for others to have to see. But once she stops, she offers up another smile, attempting to continue on as if nothing had happened. ] It seems like it was busy -- we're sorry if we worried anyone! I think we're both okay enough now, though.

[ Her gaze shoots to Minato and she clears her throat. She's not sure if he has much else to say, and she looks as if she's ready to pick up his slack if there's nothing else to be said. Not that she thinks there's even much else to say. ]

Right. [ Minato winced a bit when Minako let out that painful sounding cough and reached over to rub her back soothingly. It's still there, just hanging out. ] Sorry for the trouble.

[ With that, the post ends. ]

[At first it looks like the video might be an accident, given how he never really looks at the screen. But as he starts speaking it's pretty clear that this is deliberate.]

Though these gods have attempted to deceive us once, if their words are true this time, then there is no other choice than to fight this war for them. I care not for their incompetence, but I can not let this miserable world end my own.

So how many of you intend to fight? Your reasons are not of importance, only your decision.


[a BIG pause]


I am also... [oh god he doesn't want to do this YOU CAN TELL HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO THIS AND HE'S SO ANGRY HE EVEN HAS TO but it's been days so this looks like his only option. he'll say this with the biggest scowl on his face, sounding like he wants to murder someone. which he does.] looking for a man. He is from Hi-no-Moto, claiming to know Tokugawa Ieyasu and spreading vile lies about the Toyotomi clan. Should you meet him, inform me at once and tell him that Ishida Mitsunari will tear the skin from his body and make sure his head leaves his neck in the most gruesome manner possible!

[and the feed ends there, with a death threat.]

( video; )

[The young girl on the feed is currently wearing a concerned expression alongside a tight frown. Morgiana skips the introductions and greetings and gets right to the point.]

I do not know much about this Ragnarok and do not understand how my home is in danger as well. If it is certainly linked to this place, then this could be very worrying.

But he spoke of fighting. [She closes her hand into a fist slowly, seeming almost disappointed.] With my strength as it is, I do not know how this is possible.

My question is, has anyone felt they, and their powers, have grown stronger since they have arrived? Or that it is possible at all?
( Cut for action. )

[A voice post pops up on the feed today. It starts off with silence, then a man begins to speak. No alarm, no hysterics but he is very much new and sounding contemplative. and if you listened closely, possibly the strains of this music]

To my understanding, this is the point in which worlds converge. How interesting that there are places beyond the land of the rising sun, beyond seas and the edges of the earth - beyond where the stars and spherical objects dance there is an unfathomable multitude. I had not entertained this idea previously, but ah. Such is the limits of comprehension.

This is a thought that can drive weaker men to hysterics and confusion, but all is mere opportunity.

Tell me of the worlds you resided in before your emergence here. But only that which is treasured and valued. I have no interest in the mundane. These treasured things may be actual material or that which is metaphysical. I care not for which you choose.

If you are of the land of the rising sun and have been diverged from the midst of your... noble struggle, I look forward to seeing which of you have been seemingly called forth to join me.

[There is a low, somewhat ominous sounding chuckle before the feed ends.]

Yo there, Midgard!

*You are being greeted through the video by a girl who is currently sprawled out across the entirety of one of the couches in the Baldr lounge.*

I'm invincible and living in a house named after a receding hairline!

What's your major malfunction?

[A feed starts up of a young man in a fancy mask sporting a fabulous blue feather on its right, calmly staring at the screen. His elbows are propped up upon a desk of sorts with his fingers interlaced and resting underneath his chin, while there is a pensive expression on his face.]

Hmmm. [He hums it, before quieting once more. Moments pass as he motionlessly stares at the screen. Will he speak or just continue this endeavor? There's another "hm" then he opens his mouth slowly, forming a syllable.]

I suppose I could start off by asking what many before me probably have. But then, I would only receive answers to what I already know and would be wasting time. Since I'm sure everyone would prefer that I don't repeat what would be pointless, I thought perhaps I'd introduce myself, though I already guess not many of you really care. [He pauses for effect, and moves his shoulders ever-so-slightly before continuing.] Regardless, I have one thing I must ask and hope to get an answer to.

I imagine most of you find this to be unacceptable, being brought to this city against your will... like me. So I ask, [A breath,] does this then make this world "ours"? The God's have the ability to bring us here, strip us of any powers, then grant us ones they see fit... it seems. Why not restore this world themselves?

【 ion's frustrated, can you tell by his heavily accented english and the fact that he's clutching a thick, black cloak around him?

he's been trying to work on the bracelet and soon gave up, not realizing that he managed to figure it out anyway. the little lord needs a lot of help. not that he'll admit it. 】

This map is completely useless! Terrans and their complex street system.

【 cue map being thrown on the ground. guess who's lost? 】

Gods, they say? 【 a snort. 】 I've yet to meet gods who seek assistance from mortals by kidnapping them. 【 muttering and then -- 】 The Empire will not stand to have Her children abducted with such underhanded methods and accompanied by such ridiculous reasons by so-called deities.

【 then again, at least these gods didn't have an inquisition squad.

anyway, since he's lost, ion has no choice but to pick up the map again. studying it -- figuring it out. a moment later, it goes flying out of his hand again due to frustration and annoyance. 】

Where in the Empire's name is that House anyway?!