[ It's not been often lately that any of the gods have seemed outright celebratory on the network, but here you have it now: Thor's face is lit up with a brilliant and almost triumphant grin. ]

Polish your armor and sharpen your swords. We've taken Tyr and his power out of Thiazi's hands, and we know now for sure: she will not stand a chance against us and our dragon friends.

We will leave at sunrise in two days' time, and know this, Travelers - she is afraid, and with good reason. In two days, we march to victory.

[ ooc notes: He'll be hanging around a while if anyone has any questions, but feel free to use this post for ic discussion/planning too! The ooc event post will go up detailing all of the minutia in the morning. Thanks! ]

[People may or may not remember this slightly smiling blond, but either way, he gives a little wave.]

A few things seem to have changed since I was here. Anyone care to fill me in?

[He doesn't quite dare call anyone out in particular just yet, trusting if certain people want to talk to him, they will speak up.]

[Although she's calm and composed, the cold anger in Maribelle's eyes is enough to tip people off; she's genuinely angry. Furious, in fact.

For a few moments, she doesn't speak. Instead, she holds up the note and the pink locks of hair she found, and Yuiko's bracelet.]

I found these in the park, and this. Now, I'm uncertain as to whether or not the natives here did such a thing - a note is easily forged, and not the best evidence - I do know that my dear friend Yuiko has gone missing, and that whomever has done this shall have to deal with me.

If anyone has any information on this, I would be most grateful. I shall care for her reinhare, as well, so there's no need to worry for the poor little thing. As for whomever did such a dastardly thing, I have but one thing to say.

As a good friend of mine would often say in the heat of battle... Pick a god, and pray.

[ The morning of day 505, a message from the gods is broadcast over the network: ]

Greetings, Travelers.

Some of you may know already that there was a breach of the castle barrier. We apprehended an individual using Thiazi's magic to attempt assassination of the Queen, and have confirmed that he is Thiazi's informant inside Asgard. This man has been actively assisting her in making attacks on the city as well as misleading our own intelligence efforts.

[ Heimdall is understandably quite cross at this. He gestures offscreen and the feed shifts from Heimdall to a wider shot of the room, where there is a man being held in place between Thor and Loki, who also look quite cross. ]

His name is Satan and he pleads innocence by corruption -- that all he has done while sabotaging Asgard was Thiazi's influence. While he lives we cannot tell his intent, only that he is indeed the perpetrator.

Since he is one among you, we leave his judgment in your hands. What would you have us do with the traitor?


(( The poll is to be filled out ICly and once per character! This will decide Satan's fate. Please feel free to threadjack at will to discuss the trial! ))

[This message is unfiltered. It's that adorable, smug, irritating face that pretty much everybody in Asgard wants to punch. He hasn't been on the network in a while, but he's also been overworked helping to keep things nice and stable and the magic going properly, and some of his antics have been a little draining.

But he's back, from outer space... or whatever. Aren't you all lucky?

Behind him is a spear of jagged, ugly, blackish ice that people in the north of town have likely seen several times before. The remnants of Thiazi's backlash some time ago remain, despite efforts and study. Finally, folding his arms, he turned towards the feed and spoke. For once? He didn't sound too arrogant.]

Alright, so I know a few of you've been talking about ideas on how to clean the porch up. I think we've done enough window dressing for my tastes. It's high time we dealt with this thing. I'm all for your brilliant ideas. This is exactly what the engineers are supposed to do anyway.

And don't be shy. Just because you're not in my glorious band of misfit idiots doesn't mean you can't help. It's not like anybody wants this health hazard to stick around. So pipe up. I know some of you have been coming up with ideas, but it's time to actually get started, wouldn't you say?

(OOC: Threadjacking is invited in this thread. This is a chance for Engineers to plot/plan and non-engineers to add their own muscle. Several players have voiced interest in bringing down this ice flow and rebuilding the wall/Gate of Fire. I know at least 2-3 who've made attempts. You're all invited. Baldr's just being his usual dick self and kicking things in gear. Ultimately, it's player plots that will bring it down. I'll check with the mods on the 'how')

Before you start complaining, [ said with a Look, because he knows some of you probably already have ], let me set things straight.

This is not a punishment. I've been content to let you guys roam about and track mud through my house like misbehaving toddlers since Day One, and I'd be content to continue doing so until our business is done here. But isn't, and we don't have time to dick around anymore.

Thiazi's attack wasn't random. It was desperate and sloppy, which means one thing: she knows we're coming for her.

[ He wants to be viciously pleased with the idea of her panicking, but he is nothing close to amused right now. ]

The only way she could know that is if someone on the inside told her. We don't know who, and we don't know how, but we can't afford that kind of liability. These laws are in place to protect you. We can't fight a war on both sides of the wall.

Be vigilant. Look after each other. It's going to be down to you to keep each other safe.

[ A pause, a blink. The ever eternal silent sigh. ]

You have questions. Ask.

[ OOC NOTES: This is the official kickoff for the new martial law! Ask your IC questions here, and let us know if you want any god in specific, as they'll be hanging around this post. The log for weapons registration, rationing, and Red Scare flavoured shenanigans is over here. Let us know if you have any questions! ]

[ There's a new face on the Network today, but he doesn't bother with an introduction. He looks serious, gets right down to business. ]

Hey, I've got a question for everyone.

Where can I find a wheelchair? Preferably a motorized one.

The sooner, the better.

Thanks.

I know the attack by those ice pixie... things and the ice monsters wasn't exactly fun for anyone involved, but it got me thinking on something.

Has anyone re-examined the ice on the bridge? It seems like Thiazi is getting more and more... mentally unstable, maybe that means her powers are too. Maybe that means we can do something about the ice?

I would appreciate anyone's notes on the matter if they went to examine it already. Or maybe we can organize another examination of it?

A warning to anyone new, don't touch it though, it'll cause instant frost bite... or it did when it first happened. I haven't gone to look at it since.

[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.

[It didn't take long for Syhon to see that Katie wasn't going to wake up, and there were no longer any binds holding him back. This must be one of those curses, he supposes - so what's important is that he use this opportunity to the fullest.

Let's play, shall we?]

All this talk about war's starting to bore me. Big time. And since I'm just a kid and honestly don't really give a shit about it, who wants to have some fun?

I'm open to ideas.

[PRIVATE TO SATAN]

Satan. The girl is cursed, and I am free.

What would you have me do?

[ this post is not an easy one, but at some point, with the news of the oncoming war, the frustration takes over and she turns to the network. after a few unsuccessful attempts at just trying to convey what she wanted through text, she gives up and settles for the audio. ]

Everyone keeps talking about the war, like we're just meant to accept fighting in it. [ she sounds tired and a little bitter, leaving a lingering pause between each sentence. ] I can't do that. Not when I can't trust if we're even being told everything.

[ the nightmare, of course, had been pretty compelling, but so were certain other things. ]

I forgot my daughter last month. [ no, that wasn't right. it wasn't as if she'd done so willingly. ] This place made me forget my daughter.

[ and the realization that'd come once she'd regained her memories had made her stomach drop. she's used to worrying about bodily autonomy, but knowing that her mind could be tampered with, while she remained none the wiser, as well is even more unsettling. ]

How am I supposed to know that this promise of keeping my home safe isn't going to be another trick? [ her own or anyone's. ] Show me I'm not being lied to and I'll do whatever needs to be done.

So here's a question. How many of you've- No, I'm not going to start with that.

[ It's too depressing, and he'd rather try and stay as upbeat as he can. ]

What've you got waiting for you back home?

[ Oh, he knows sometimes there's no getting around the difficult things, and that's not his point. He doesn't believe in sugarcoating anything.

And now that he's said this, he's just realized he's been a bit one-note with his transmissions, since both of them have had to do with their homes. ]

It's just that I've been thinking, it puts this war we're supposed to be fighting into perspective. Thinking about the people and places I want to keep safe does that for me.

[ Alright, maybe he'll get laughed off the network for saying what's on his mind, and really, he's okay with that. He just had to put his thoughts somewhere, so he did. ]

[Seimei had made his way to the welcome hall and sat in his room for some time thinking and studying. He didn't like it, having to stay so close to others; going so far as to being forced to share a bathroom with someone else. He had already locked to the door leading to the other from the inside so that it wouldn't open for the poor soul stuck with him.

There was no Neisei, no Soubi, nor were any of his other 'allies' to be found in Asgard. Instead there was a single name that he was able to recognize. First he would need to find someone to finance him, and a few contacts that he would be able to use, there were still a lot of things he needed to know about the gods as well, once he had that then he would be able to plan what to do next.

Starting the feed Seimei changes to a bright smile and has a very upbeat tone to his voice.]

It seems there are a lot of things to adjust to here. And it's very nice of them to give us a place to stay, but I was wondering if there was anyone that had a place that might offer a little more privacy. I would prefer somewhere that might be a little quieter and easier to think in.

I would be willing to compensate you for it of course once I am able to find employment.

Also there have been several people who seem to have recognized me, but I'm afraid that there is only one person that I know here. So if you could please introduce yourselves once again it would be helpful.

[Filtered to Ritsuka.]
Ritsuka, I'm here.

Good morning, Asgard.

[ It's a joke, see? Because he's been asleep for fifty days, just recently woken to dreams of the Mother burning and the whispers of the inevitable end. Odin's a clever one, pale and worn as he looks in his customary sharp suit. ]

It's a relief, if not a surprise, to see most of my city still standing. You've done well beside my son, and for that, you have my gratitude.

[ Such a proud Allpapa. But that's as lighthearted as this address gets. Buckle in, kiddos. ]

But I'm not here to waste time with formalities today. No more beating around the bush. No jokes, no tricks, no clever riddles. No more bullshit.

This is the end. I heard Her whispers while I slept, and I have Seen it as you all did last night. You shouldn't need me to tell you that this is a reality anymore. This is the end.

You have a choice. You weren't brought here to be our soldiers and fight as our army, but we can't afford to keep Asgard half in the battlefield and half behind closed doors for your comfort anymore. Still, we promised that we would never force your hand, so - a choice.

We don't have enough control over the spell that binds you here to pick and choose for this, it's all or nothing. If you want to stay and fight this war, we'll start the process of gearing this kingdom for its true purpose. But if you want to leave, to go home and be with what's left of your homes for whatever time remains, we'll shut the doors and see what the Fates decide for us.

[ A pause, as he considers. ]

I don't have a rousing speech for you. It's not my thing; you can talk to my colleagues if you need a group hug. But - I will say one thing.

We accepted the title of "god" not because we are all-seeing, all-powerful beings. You already know that we aren't. It's just a word given value by those that speak it, as is the nature of language. This is called the "Holy City" because it was created as a refuge for the lost beings that would've been left to die outside our walls. We are called "gods" because our citizens believe in us as their higher power for protection and guidance where otherwise there is none.

We're children of faith. And where Ragnarok has been set in stone since the beginning of time, we've pushed back against it because we have faith. You are the byproduct of that; we did the impossible to fight inevitability, and you are the proof of that. Which is to say -

[ An amused, tired shrug. ]

- who knows what the Hell we can do next?

[ Just before signing off, he'll add one more thing with a ping to Jo Harvelle and The Fourth Doctor in specific. ]

I want to speak with those of you that left the city recently. You know who you are.

[ OOC NOTES: Yay, Odin's awake again! This is the IC conclusion to May's events, and the IC discussion that will bring us into Arc 5. As was already decided in December via player poll, the city will be militarising to amount a counterattack against the Giants. This post is to discuss all that! The OOC rundown of what happens next is over here. Feel free to ask questions and let us know if you'd like a specific god to pop into any of your threads, as we'll all be hanging about! ]

How d'you know if you're cursed?

[a pause. She's been hearing voices in her head and she doesn't know why - all she knows is that they're telling her to do bad things. Very, very bad things.

(Someone forgot she's possessed.)]

I think I'm going crazy. I can't sleep, a-and - I'm kinda really scared I might do something.

I can't make it stop.

 [The feed switches on to a boy, supposedly around the age of twelve or thirteen. His face is a sickly grey color to it and very clammy. If one were to look closely he was trying to win a losing battle from shaking too much on camera. ]

Hey, my name's Henry. I-I need some help; It's about my family. [He takes a pause to hang his head amount, obscuring his face from view. God, did he feel naecous but he was trying best not to throw up right then and there. Nobody needed to see that.]

I know why I'm here that lady told me everything and not being able to go home. But I just need to send a message. Just to tell my family I'm okay and I'm safe. We've...we've kinda just went through some trouble and me vanishing might cause a lot of them to worry. I mean, it can't be hard to send just a message home, right?

[He takes another pause with a sharp in take of breath.]

If you could let me know soon that'd be great.