How many people celebrate Christmas here? Or Hanukkah? and on that note, is anyone doing anything on the 25th?

[Private to Peter, much later]
hey. can I ask you some questions about something? a medical something.

[Action for Jesse]

[She shows up at his apartment without sending notice. Partly because she wasn't sure she was going to go there at all. Claire feels a little awkward after the masquerade but they do have something they need to do. Although she remembers how freaked out he got when she asked if he wanted to see her ability, she thinks she's doing him a favor in helping him figure out how and if the anti-powers setting on his gun will work or not. It's also selfish, too. The idea of being able to feel normal for a little bit is massively appealing to her. Plus, there are certain people Sylar she's considering using it on if worse comes to worse.

Knocking a little timidly at the door, she hopes he's home. She also hopes this isn't going to be too weird.]

[It seems to be a theme that whenever Thor makes a post he's covered in some kind of grime. At least this time it just looks like dirt and whatever other foresty debris he's picked up after hours spent hunting in the Borderlands.

He's picked up a few more technological skills as well. There's nary a sign of a thumb in the camera, and he picture is centered and focused on Thor's thoughtful expression.]

On Earth it was once customary for people to celebrate the Yule at the midwinter Solstice. They would bring sacrifices to the Gods in the hopes we would hasten the spring and see their children safe through the long winter nights.

[He wipes a hand across his brow, and as the camera shifts it can be seen that there are a few rather large beasts stacked on the ground behind him. The spoils of a hunt well hunted, it seems.]

Few now remember this custom, let alone take part in it's rituals. But there are other festivals which have not yet been forgotten, and most are a reminder that the cold of winter will not last; that the days will grow long and warm and safe once more.

[A pause, and Thor allows a wry smile past his serious expression.] Though 'safe' may be a great deal to hope for on this world.

Whatever festivals you celebrate, whatever Gods you do or do not pray to; I invite you to share this Yule with my brothers and I. We shall provide as best a feast we can with what we have, and you may bring what you wish to contribute towards it.

Good food is made better with company, after all.

[When the video comes on it's showing Ten's face, and he's looking amused. And somewhat disturbed. It's a strange amalgamation, but he's managing it.]

You know, when they said I'd be sharing an apartment with a "night elf half-demon" brimming with energy, I thought it would be hilarious. I mean not everyone can say that they live with a "night elf half-demon" brimming with energy.

Sounds like a good book title. I should write it.

And I won't deny it's going to be interesting. Makes for great research even if I can't seem to pin that fellow down. I have, however, found one downside.

[Ten turns the device around so the feed now shows the floor of his apartment. And from the door all the way out of the room is a trail of footprints. Not only are they large and shaped like hooves, but they're burning with bright green fire.]

Yeaaaaah. Uh. I do hope that this isn't tied in with the mysterious disappearance of the couch. I needed that couch. To sit on.

[And, like any good Doctor, the feed ends with Ten attempting to prod said flames with one finger. Just because he can.]

Good day, everyone! [she offers the feed a smile] My name is Rosalyn Cross & I am a priest of the church of Prontera in Rune-Midgard. I am very skilled in healing magic so if you're ever injured in any way, shape, or form please feel free to see me. I'll be more than happy to patch you up!

[suddenly she bends down for a quick moment before lifting up what looks to be a smiling pink blob] This is my good friend Solomon. He would like to help out in any way as well!

[she sets Solomon down on her lap & then looks back tothe feed]

If it's not too much to ask, can someone point me out to the nearest library? I'd like to know as much about this place & its history as I can so I can be of more help. Thank you so very much! I hope we can be friends!

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.

[There's a fellow in a suit that's just a bit too tight for him sitting before you. Yes, all of you. Anyone not on a call or otherwise preoccupied with the audio-visual portion of their tablet gets to say hello to a peculiar-looking individual dressed in an aubergine collared shirt and bearing an intensely grey-blue stare. Sherlock lifts a pale hand in greeting, waggling his fingers awkwardly (that's what people do to say hello, right?) He gazes down at the camera. By the background behind him, the man's sitting somewhere up on one of the tallest buildings in the city.]

My name is Sherlock Holmes. I've been listening to your chatter. 

It seems the general consensus is that the war we have all had foisted upon us is a losing battle. 

[His soft baritone carries a received pronunciation accent to anyone who's English and listening, or otherwise observant. By his state of dress and the other phone he's playing with, he's from around 2010 or so give or take a few years. He folds his hands in his lap and leans forward.]

I say, no, but if you continue on in the manner you have been, you are very likely destined for failure. I've done the math, but I'm told it bores people. 

[A file is pushed forward to all of the tablets in Exsilium in message form.]

Get back to me if you're interested in going home instead of wallowing about feeling sorry for yourselves, attending masquerades and sitting in awkward sympathy banquets. 
( An innocuous text file. )

[Looking annoyed and more than a little irritated, Claire’s pacing in her room with her communicator, the video focused on her face from a lower angle.] Usually when you’re drafted to fight a war, it’s at least in the right century.

Look. I need to get back home. I know that everyone's probably saying the same thing. But the entire world was about to change, and I'm needed there. You can't just take people against their will like this. I don't care about your war, I need to be fighting my own.

[A sigh. She lifts the camera for a clearer view of her face.] In the meantime, I guess I should say.. My name is Claire Bennet. And I guess while I'm here I could use a little training.


[Action, Open!]

( Insert clever line or cool lyrics here. )

[ This video post, which provides a lovely view of a horned head, covered by a blindfold, sneering off center from the camera. Fucker doesn’t even know where the recorder is, but he knows he hit something, and there was a voice that told him that it was recording. ]

Such hubris I find myself surrounded by. To think that they could cage someone for their own purposes is hardly what I would expect from those who wish to truly command an army. There is little incentive to be found by swearing fealty, is there not? [ A hiss through his teeth, even though he's not looking at the screen, the sharp impression of teeth is left through the hiss, showing what looks more like fangs. ]

I have heard of such paltry efforts in the past, but even the most banal of buffoons must realize how truly prideful they must be to capture me amongst themselves. If there ever were a force for punishment, I believe they may find that the teeth that nips at their heels belongs to me, and I will not rest until I am returned to my rightful place!

[ And he pauses, letting that settle, before finally: ] And as such, I believe one must introduce himself. Loathe as I am to merely follow instructions, you should know the face of whom you shall follow against our captors, and you shall follow Lord Illidan Stormrage, ruler of the Outlands.

Make no mistake, I will not sit idly by while forced into servitude.

_{( This feed should probably open with a trumpeted fanfare, but, alas, it does not. Instead, it shows two women standing side-by-side, looking down at the device that the younger one—Crystal—is holding. Her face is half-amused, half-annoyed. Beside her is a slightly taller woman who is unmistakably related to her—Medusa. She just looks regal. Also probably annoyed. After a moment, Crystal starts talking. )}

I was brought here with a friend of mine, but he seems to have wandered off. I’m not worried—he does that a lot of the time, and it’s hard to keep him in one place. But if you do see a large dog approaching you, don’t worry. Lockjaw is quite tame. He does have a way of going from one place to the next very quickly, though, so if you don’t want to be taken along you shouldn’t get too close—

_{( She motions as though to continue, but Medusa gestures for the tablet and Crystal hands it over. )}

Lockjaw is the least of our worries. _{( GOSH CRYSTAL. Medusa has a lot of hair, and it moves ominously as she speaks. )} I am Queen Medusalith of the Inhumans and the Kree - my sister is Princess Crystalia. If there exists some form of authority here I demand an audience to arrange transport home. We cannot linger here, not when there are more important matters in our own universe.

_{( THAT'S RIGHT EARTH, YOU ARE SO COMPLETELY NOT IMPORTANT NO ONE CARES. )}

Sister. _{( There’s not warning in that so much as exasperation; haven’t we talked about this, Medusa? Some of us want to help, here. But she sighs, and as she does a small gust of wind fluffs her hair around her face. This is clearly not a conversation she’s going to have in public. )}

If you do encounter Lockjaw, please let us know. We will come fetch him from you.

_{( With that, the message cuts. Orange is Crystal, Red is Medusa. If you'd like to have you character encounter a giant, teleporting bulldog, feel free! That is also an option here. )}

[ Hello fellow Initiative abductees members. Please pay close attention to the scowling God on your screen.

Or as much attention as you can pay while a thumb is over the camera. Everything is currently a nice shade of pink.]


Hail and well-met. I am Thor, of Asgardia.

I would speak with the leaders of this Initiative regarding my untimely abduction.

[ The voice rolls, deep like thunder, promising that unfavourable events will follow for whoever is responsible for this if they aren't put in contact with him. He's been fighting mutated animals since he arrived three days ago, so don't hold it against him. ]

I seek also a bathhouse.

[ ACTION - feel free to encounter him around the Hold, still covered in the blood of his enemies and seeking somewhere to get clean. Personal bathrooms aren't a thing in Asgardia. ]

[Loki is slouched against a rock, with a bright cloth in his lap. He seems to be getting the hang of the communicator, because at least this time it looks like the video feed is on purpose.]

When last I spoke on this device, it was in great anger. So blinded was I by my rage that I could neither see nor think clearly.

And for this I....

[There is a long pause.]

...apologize...

I was stolen from my home while my people were on the brink of a great disaster. I could not bear being taken here against my will.

But my quarrel lies not with any of you, and 'twas wrong for me to lash out as I did.

Still, I think it is best I took my leave of the Hold. I do not belong there.

[He reaches up and touches his shoulder, as if nursing a wound. It's a calculated movement on his part.]

If I only I could...ah...

[He looks up, green eyes sliding across the sky as an expression of genuine fear and bewilderment clouds his features and he clutches the cloth against his breast like a security blanket]

Ah...oh.

Uh oh....