[Hermione doesn't like to spend much time outside, in the streets, surrounded by Merlin knows who. But she has made a recent trip - in the name of research. Therefore, she is now sitting in the common area - one of them anyway - of Odin's House. Books are spread in a semi-circle around her and she looks, well, stressed is a good way to put it.]

There is no logical reasoning. [Her opinion of the gods is falling. Like a stone dropped from heaven. She had retained some hope just because they are gods, but no more.] The legends on each of them are vague at best and downright horrific at worst. If I were looking at this from an unbiased point of view, I would say that's unsurprising. But knowing that they're here and able to toy with us on a whim changes my perspective greatly.

[She carefully marks her place in one of the books.]

I am really not fond of games. They usually turn ugly and dangerous, especially when you mix competitive deities and, more or less, helpless mortals.

[Rubbing her temples, she closes her eyes.]

Does anyone have something for a headache?

[The masked face is not the only thing appearing on the video feed - Tali is sitting in what some may recognise as the dining room of Odin's Welcome Hall, and in her other hand is a glass of orange juice. She's had long enough time here and experience that what she's going to treat as a holographic interface is easy enough to work with naturally by now.]

Well, I've been here for a couple of days now and.... I don't know, I guess I'm past the denial stage, and I should just introduce myself - [She decides at the last possible moment not to include 'Admiral', and pauses for a split-second.] Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. Call me Tali. I'm in the Odin house, not that I know much about what that means to me yet.

I mean, I'm still not convinced this isn't some kind of simulation, or I've been indoctrinated, or... although, if we've been harvested for some kind of Reaper experiment, it's a lot more benign than I would expect - less horrifying liquidisation for genetic material and more... gods and... magic and 'honourable tasks', and I still don't get how I'm supposed to-- [She cuts off. Rambling. Nervous habit. She lets out a breath and changes the subject rather awkwardly.]

I guess I'm still dealing with the denial. Anyway, I wanted to ask something. I've never eaten human food before, and this juice hasn't killed me yet. [She holds up the glass.] What would you recommend I start with? [And despite that she's still not sure it won't kill her, she sounds almost as excited as nervous. Probably partly because she's been subsisting on water and orange juice since she got here.]

[ The prince is looking far better for wear than his last public appearance. In fact, he looks far more composed than usual. Firm, but warm, the way he was during the last invasion. The leader and the knight; Arthur's eyes smile for him. ]

Greetings, Asgardians. For those of you that may yet be unacquainted, I am Prince Arthur Pendragon of Camelot, and I've been a reluctant resident for near a month and a half now. In that time, I've witnessed a full-scale attack of ice-fae, unforeseen and unpredictable stabbings, and repeated accounts of Travelers subjected to the whimsy of the realm's "gods" and their sorcery.

[ He pauses. The word is not said with as much disdain as it may have been at the beginning of his stay here, but his reproach of the curses is fairly blatant. Don't mention his own or he'll run you through without hesitation. ]

As a result of these and many other similar instances, it's become apparent to not only myself and those closest to me but undoubtedly some of you lot as well that there's a near dire need for self-defense in these troubled times. We cannot rely on the mercy of gods that care not for our well being beyond the restoration of their lands. It is up to us to defend ourselves, and I would personally see every one of you safely home before this city stakes undue claim to your lives. 

Which is why, at long last through the combined efforts of myself and Arthur Kirkland, I am very proud to announce the official opening of the Citadel - a training school for the various artes of combat. More information on the school can be found attached, as well as the application form for interested students. Feel free to address any questions you may have here, and I will do my utmost to see them answered.

Stay safe, Asgard. Stay strong, and we will show these gods a strength of which they could not have fathomed.

( failed filter to guinevere; )

[ ooc; important for those that had planned on being an instructor!! alright, so. This is Faith jumping back on the RP train! It's been awhile and I fell waywayway off the tracks, so those of you that had expressed interest in being instructors for the Citadel, would you mind terribly giving me a poke either here or on the official Citadel page? That way I can add you to the Instructor roster. You guys don't have to come up with an actual course schedule the way I did unless you want to. Besides that, ehm. Have fun? Thank you guys for bearing with me. /sob ]