[Eridan addresses the video with a slight frown, running one clawed hand through his hair before he begins to speak.]

After all this excitement wwith the giants an' the attempt to conscript the city into Asgard's military forces, I'vve been thinkin', I knoww it's a dangerous prospect, but bear wwith me.  I'vve been thinkin' about motivvations.

[He pauses then, leaning heavily on one elbow.]

If you had nothin' in your wworld left wwaitin' for you, wwhy wwould you continue to fight just to benefit a bunch a' strangers? Especially ones wwho don't seem to be that grateful. And wwhat about those a' us wwho don't evven havve a wworld left. Please, tell me wwhy I should givve a damn about the rest a' them disappearin'.  An actual compellin' reason because I'm beginnin' to groww bored wwith this selfless "lovve thy neighbor" crap.

[Now for the actual reasoning behind this waxing philosophical. Eridan was lonely, even if he was the one who had driven away his friends. And surely making a scene on the network was the best way to get their attention again, right?]

...Wwho's evven left here, from my univverse? Besides Sol. Because if I evver hear your disgustin' lisp evver again, it'll be too soon.

[Except at this point, even Sollux's company would be welcome. As a reminder that no matter how much Eridan may feel like a stranger in a strange land, there are more of his kind here.]

[Private to Equius]

You got my commission done yet? I'm gettin' tired a' wwaitin'.

[A lot of things happen in Asgard, but in the small, sleepy house of Freya - Uzumaki Naruto is attempting to cook.

It's the most ridiculous thing, actually.]

So, I asked the food table thing for the stuff I need t'make pork ramen?

[He turns his bracelet around on his arm, showing the entire population of Asgard the kitchen side in Freya-- On it, there is an assortment of very badly cut vegetables, noodles, and a strange lump of something that looks like it's been drowned in foil...]

So, I'm just gonna cook the meat. The noodles need to go in the frying pan right? But how to they go all... wiggly?

[Whilst he's talking, he quite casually shoves the hunk of pork steak he'd so carefully covered in tin foil into the microwave, throwing the door closed and pressing buttons until he's satisfied.]

The vegetables have to go in water though right?

[As big and wondrous as Asgard is, Akihiko won’t turn down the chance to explore a new place – maybe even find some additional challenges along the way.

Besides, in all honesty, it will be nice to get away for a while, and try to take his mind off of all the heavy stones weighing down on him.

Akihiko greets the network with a friendly grin, determined to show optimism and encouragement toward others, as usual.] Showcase our talents, huh? So they wanna see if we can win this war without our original powers.

[He lifts a clenched fist just then, in a display of strength and resolve.] Fine with me. Come on, guys! We can take this challenge! Let’s throw out some ideas. What’ve you all got in mind to show ‘em? And this Vanaheim place – have any of you ever been there before?

[He lowers his fist after a moment as his expression softens a bit.] Oh, and for people that wanna stay here, help us take care of things till we get back, okay? [There’s at least one person in mind that he isn’t sure about, as to whether or not he will want to go.] But don’t worry, we’ll convince ‘em for sure!

[ Eugene turns on the communication and the first thing everyone will see...is white. White white white white -- and one big brown bag of opened flour and -- ]

Uh. I promise I'll clean this mess up after I'm done. [ Eugene the White Flour Man says next to the counter, looking very, very, very guilty. From the waist up, he's covered in flour. And the kitchen of Freya's House is not any better. Yes. That is the kitchen. See the outlines of the counters and the sink and the cabinets? Everything is covered in flour.

One can surmise by the larger amounts of flower circling the bag that it was forced open with enough strength that it exploded flour everywhere. Well, at least on the half of the kitchen where Eugene's standing with a bowl and spatula, wearing an apron that says KISS THE COOK over his usual attire.

It is going to take hours to clean up this mess. ]

In my defense, bags of flour shouldn't be that hard to open.

[ He puts the bowl and spatula on the counter. ]

Anyways, anyone with actual baking skills available to help me with a recipe?

[For a holy city, everything sure looks like hell right now.

Akihiko has managed to find his way to the Thor district, thanks to that handy map. But he doesn’t stay put for long, and promptly heads out to start gathering info. He shoots a curious look at the bracelet, remembering what it’s supposed to be used for. No harm in trying it out, right?

To his surprise, it turns on this time, and he reads through the awesome automated introduction message with a somewhat incredulous look on his face.]

What the hell…? Is this shit for real?

[That… sounds a lot goofier than what’s stated in the welcome letter. Do the gods really expect people to take these contents seriously? Anyway, he’s being recorded, so moving on…]

Hey, everyone. Got a few questions for ya.

First off, do any of you need help? It sounds like we missed one hell of a fight. [His tone clearly depicts disappointment in that fact.] So the gods won this match, huh? [Since the city is still standing and all, despite the damages.]

And I saw a few shops on my way over here. Any of those places hiring right now? Something physical would be nice – it can tie in with my training regime.

[No time like the present to get started!]