[video]

[dusk_and_dawn]

Good day, I am Balder Odinson, brother to Thor and Loki and former King of Asgard.

I have been here but a short time but already I have met those who are not warriors. It seems dangerous to walk these streets unable to defend oneself, so I would be happy to teach any comers the basics. I am a swordsman and can teach hand-to-hand and other forms and weaponry as well as defensive strategies.

For those who can already fight, I invite you to spar with me. I have been fighting the same enemy for too long, and that tends to dull one's abilities.

Comments

[bratworth]

When did you arrive here? [ He remembers a Loki... ]

[dusk_and_dawn]

During the recent attacks.

[bratworth]

[ Oh. So very recently. Then again, Loki isn't a particularly common name... ]

There was a man named Loki here a few months ago who cut off criminal's hands as punishment for stealing. Does this sound like something your brother would do?

[dusk_and_dawn]

That sounds very restrained for him, frankly.

[bratworth]

[ ... Well, then. ]

Meaning what, precisely? That we should be grateful that he did not murder them in retaliation?

[dusk_and_dawn]

Meaning that it would not be uncommon for him to do so. He's highly dangerous.

[bratworth]

Well, in any case, he's not here any more. I just find it strange that across all these different realities, there is some pattern of related people being brought into this war.

[dusk_and_dawn]

Not here? I just spoke with him upon my arrival.

[And stabbed him a bit.]

Perhaps 'twas a different Loki.

[bratworth]

Perhaps. This place does draw people from several different realities. Was this the Loki that you remembered from your own reality?

[dusk_and_dawn]

Yes, although he may be from a different time. It is hard to tell if he's lying or not.

[bratworth]

It's certainly not unheard of. Would there be any major differences that would provide clues as to which part of the timeline he hails from?

[dusk_and_dawn]

He is grown now when he should be young. But given his abilities, that may simply mean he was in disguise.

[bratworth]

He can make himself look older?

[dusk_and_dawn]

In this case, he would have made himself look younger, in order to win our sympathies, presumably.

But he is a shape-shifter and shall look as he likes.

[bratworth]

And do as he likes, I presume. Would you consider him a threat to the order and safety of Exsilium's population?

[dusk_and_dawn]

Of course. He is the God of Chaos.

[bratworth]

[ er, wait... ]

Sorry, did you say 'god'?

[dusk_and_dawn]

That's right. He is also the God of Mischief and of Lies, but it is the Chaos aspect that causes him to topple civilizations.

[bratworth]

[ Toppled... civilizations... ]

You're not making this up? He's actually responsible for the end of civilizations in your reality?

[dusk_and_dawn]

It is his role. His Fate.

We Aesir were long locked into the cycle of Ragnarok, where we would replay the circle of life and of death and rebirth. It was Loki who brought about the end each time. Even now that the cycle has ended, he brought us into ruin yet again ...

[Balder looks aside, biting his lip. He blames Loki for that, but he blames himself as well.]

[bratworth]

[ He's usually good at following people's thoughts to their logical conclusion, but as Edgeworth tries to parse the information this man has given him, he realizes that it makes no sense. His brow furrows. ]

Could you perhaps drop the analogy?

[dusk_and_dawn]

'Tis not an analogy. Loki has literally killed me I know not how many times.

[bratworth]

Then perhaps you'd care to explain to me how you're still standing now.

[dusk_and_dawn]

'Tis a cycle of both death and rebirth.

As well as that, I was told this place returns any it likes to life. Is that not true?

[bratworth]

[ He's heard that, yes, but - he still refuses to believe that it's possible, so: ]

No, it's not.