001 [video] w/ in-person action opportunity

[erfingi]

[Seventeen mortal days. Seventeen days and he had yet to find a way out of here. So many of his plans seemingly ruined by a group of mortals with more power than they rightfully should have. He had looked and crept around, looking for whatever brought him here, but there were no buildings as conspicuous as the Bi-fröst or any devices as strange as the device to harness the Teseract. In fact, they couldn't have the Teseract, that was safely on Asgard, and there should be no other mystical artifacts like it in the universe.

So, how did he come to be here? After much debate, Loki decided to turn to his fellow prisoners. He did not do so without much thought, what were the chances of any of these having even an infinitesimal amount of knowledge of multi-dimensional, magical physics? He has found an access point for the network, and is sitting as comfortably as possible, when he feels quite ill. In fact, as soon as he turns on the feed, he sneezes... straight into a teacup, splashing brown liquid in his face. Oops, it appears that this god of mischief hasn't been keeping up with the required amount of physical contact]

My apologies. [he manages to get a handkerchief from his pocket and wipe his nose. He has been ill in the past, but his is different, he can feel his powers drain and he feels tired. This is more than the sniffles] What diseases are native to this land? Has anyone made an advance study of them?

[a violent shiver knocks the video askew. You can see the library of building 2 before Loki rights it] If any know what will cure this dreadful cold, I would be grateful to hear your advice.

[he clears his throat, which had gone a little hoarse] Now, for the other reason of this message. I am forced to conclude that this universe is not the universe I am from. Unless one has found whatever device or artifact was used to bring us here.

If any would like to discuss this or offer advice for this cold, I can be found in the library of apartment building two. [never let it said he couldn't play polite]

Comments

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[dragoncrest]

I suppose it is good that you did not wait longer to request help... [She observes him with a hint of concern in her eye. It's clear he isn't familiar with keeping contact with others, and in a place like this where it's essential, that could cause a lot of issues. But she remains where she is. The less she acts like it's a big deal, the better, right?]

Have you been having any other problems, aside from the sickness? I know that it took me some time to become accustomed to the technology here...

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[erfingi]

The technology is similar enough to that of Midgard, though some of it reminds me of... [he doesn't want to say home] where I grew up. [there is only a short pause]

The most pressing issue is how my power seems to rebel against me. [sneezing into a tea cup wasn't the most pleasant experiences]

[dragoncrest]

A symptom of the sickness, unfortunately. I felt the same effects when I first arrived; I wasn't able to use my magic until I'd shaken a few hands. [So if you want to plan any shenanigans, Loki, you better keep up with your hugs.]

If I may ask... [She pauses, wondering about her question. Asking what kind of world he lives in is pretty vague, and hard to answer if you haven't been to others. So maybe she should go with something more specific.] On your world, are there many different races?

[erfingi]

I will endeavor to keep that in mind. [Loki is loathe to touch more than necessary]

No, there is one. The Æsir are the only race that resides on Asgard other than a few Vanir which come diplomatically from nearby Vaniheimr. Their race is very similar to the Æsir genetically and culturally.

[dragoncrest]

[She's sure he'll get used to it eventually, if just for his own health.]

Then it seems your world is similar to most of those I've met, in that. It always seems strange to me, coming from a world of many races, but I suppose Gaia is in the minority.

[Might as well keep the conversation going to keep his mind off the touching thing.] I don't suppose you've met any others here who came from your home?

[erfingi]

I have not met any that come from the same realm as I. But I have met two that come from another realm I have been to. They come from Midgard.

[dragoncrest]

I see... then your people have the ability to travel to different worlds, as well.

It is a foreign concept to me, considering how difficult it is for those of my home to merely leave the continent. [She's attempting to make a joke, but who knows if Loki will take it as one.]

[erfingi]

The Bifrost has allowed such travel for millennia.

Prior to the Bifrost travel off the continent was impossible. [he's not sure if she's serious, but he is... then again, Asgard is a flat world with only one continent]

[dragoncrest]

I see. Perhaps if Gaia is lucky, we'll find something similar. Though I would have to hope we'd settle our internal conflicts beforehand...

[World traveling? Great. War traveling? Not so much.]

I hope the Æsir have not had much trouble interacting with those of other worlds. It seems as if everyone here gets along well enough.

[erfingi]

There have been many wars in the long history of Asgard. [peaceful, nope, these guys inspired the Vikings]

[dragoncrest]

[Freya sighs; she can't say much better of her own world.] I suppose things such as war are a constant, unfortunate as it is. I am grateful we do not appear to have one here.

[Those snowmen were apparently a one-off thing. She still isn't sure what to make of it.] That is not to say there is no conflict... but there has been no loss of life or major injury, as far as I am aware.

[erfingi]

[it seems rather idealistic, other than the kidnapping thing and getting sick when they don't keep contact with each other. In fact, it seems too peaceful]

Wars are fought in a myriad of ways. A clandestine war could be going on right before our eyes, but, as we are all outsiders, we do not have the ability to see it.

[dragoncrest]

Yes, that could be. With the secrets they are keeping, and the few incidents we've witnessed... it would not be terribly surprising. There must be some reason the city became so desperate as to bring in outsiders.

[She had to wonder. Was there some other force that brought Saeng Seong to its knees? Perhaps she wasn't asking the right people, but there seemed to be little information on the history of the place.]

[erfingi]

Incidents? [yes there is a note of curiosity in Loki's voice as he asks about things that have happened since before he arrived]

[dragoncrest]

[She nods, fully intending to give him the information she has.] Some kind of magic brought the snow to life to attack the people of the city a few months ago. It was the first time I've seen any kind of hostility... and I have heard there was some kind of interference from an unknown person when one of the natives attempted to speak on the network.

[erfingi]

[It takes a lot of effort not immediately blurt out Frost Giants. The Jotun were known for their ice and snow attacks, after all.]

What kind of snow attack? [kind of vague, but he wondered. How the jotun would have done something like this, without the casket he didn't know. No, they were likely not behind this. But now the thought was stuck in his head.]

[dragoncrest]

The snowmen made by people in the city suddenly began to move and attack, some of them becoming quite large in the process. They appeared to be powered by black stones of some sort, though who might have placed them, I cannot say.

[She's merely grateful she was able to discern their weakness before they overwhelmed her and her companions.]

The ones in charge--in particular, the priestess Rhea--say it is a mystery to them as well. I'm not certain they are completely unaware of their origins, though I do believe they were not involved.

[erfingi]

[attacking snow people? Powered by magical stones]

It woudld take a powerful sorcerer to perform such a feat.

[dragoncrest]

[She agrees with a hum, looking thoughtful.] That or a large group. Either way, it shows that this place likely has enemies, as quiet as it seems. The sooner we could find them, perhaps the sooner we might be able to return...

[There's a thought. But she wouldn't know where to begin searching.]

[erfingi]

[the fact that there is such a power shortage indicates there are enemies in the first place]

Whatever brought this city to the state it is in is likely related to the culprit of these attacks. [there is a war going on]

[dragoncrest]

[It seems to her that he is rather confident in that statement despite having been here only a short time. Still, she can't say it's unlikely.]

I would not be surprised. However, if it is true that the events leading to its decayed state are not even in public memory, there is much that we cannot hope to learn without some kind of clue...

[erfingi]

[he cannot know if the cause is in public memory or not, it could be they just omit the truth]

And to be strong enough to seek these clues, we must maintain contact with our fellow abductees.

[dragoncrest]

[She does trust that they're telling the truth to some extent... and there isn't really much to do but be cautious in case they are at the moment.

But she nods in reply, a small smile on her face.]

There are worse circumstances to suffer to keep ourselves fit. [And hopefully with how long they've been sitting next to each other, Loki will be feeling better in no time.]

[erfingi]

[he is feeling better, thankfully, though, he wishes he didn't have to touch people at all]

Indeed. [he could name several situations he has been in that fit with what she has stated]