Victoria blushes with the end of the song, enjoying herself.  She had spent too much time buried in her mixing and such, and getting back out was fun.  Frankly, and she hated to admit it, Zander was fun.

She follows him to the table and just barely hears the end of the conversation.  She frowns.  "Did I miss something?  Everyone looks so very serious.  Except Zander."

It was hard to take Zander seriously.  Saskia had known Zander for as long a Mei has and knew that while he was... 'forward' at times, it was harmless... mostly.

"Saskia seems to have a stalker issue... though it appears it isn't Zander so i'm uncertain who else she might have as a stalker?"

Hearing the serious tone Kris under her breath sings a tune as well to try and lighten the mood.

"I see the stalker in your face."
"The secrets of your skin."
"I keep the wisdom that you need."
"The password that you want."
"I feel the stalker in your mind."
"The fire in your veins."
"No hope to be released."

And gives a smile thinking of the song and how likely it might not exist in this world or a lot of the songs stored in her brain.  She then realizes that it might be in poor taste.  "Sorry it is what jumped in my head."

Saskia is quiet... perhaps too quiet consider she brought up the topic of the current conversation.




Saskia strikes the table with a loud thump that draws attention from about everyone.  Saskia was looking at the fist she struck, which was trembling from... emotion?  anger?  too much coffee?

Saskia had a bit of a 'deer-in-the-headlights' look; she found herself standing at the table.  The chair behind her had been pushed back, tumbling on it side with a scrape and a thud.  Her eyes darted furtively from side to side scanning her friends and then the looks from the other patrons in the common room.  She couldn't bring herself to apologize for killing the more playful mood that was developing, but the mortified and troubled expression on her soft, Irish features immediately showed how conflicted she was.

Lizzy hissed and retreated away from Saskia, hiding behind Clotilde's arm.

Her hands were trembling heavily and Saskia found that she had trouble quelling the tremors.  Saskia swallowed hard and tried hard to center herself, her face flushed red from the sudden outburst and her hands were forced down onto the table on either side of her bowl of stew.  She was fairly certain that the words, "Shut up!" had escaped her burgundy lips, uttered by her (and yet not by her).

Her green eyes were downcast as she tried to take in deep breaths, gulping down the air violently enough cause her lanky frame to shudder with each breath.

Her heart was still racing; undeterred by her efforts to slow it.  "That... that was Vǫlundr." Saskia noted hoping that she'd approximated the moniker correctly, "He's the one that is following me ..."  The beads of sweat on her face were starting to form, her forehead glistening with the sheen of perspiration.

She swallowed hard, "He's not a man... not exactly." and the vision of the shambling mockery of misshapen humanoid flesh flashed before her mind's eye unbidden.  "He's a spook or a twisted fey.  Or something.  He called himself a ... an Einja... Einherjar."   She'd nearly choked on the word, even as she searched for it.  Tears well up from her eyes as her voice cracked slightly, "He says I need to help him prevent the End of Days.  He says that I need to find someone named Skuld."  And her red hair bobbed with shudders and sobs, as more visions of burning long halls and demonic hordes led by giants with flaming swords stabbed at her vision.

"And..." her brow furrowed, "and I am looking for someone else named..." she fought to remember the second name, "Heska. I need to find Heska."

Her tear-stained eyes were raised pleading to her gathered friends, her shoulders slumped slightly.  As if exhausted from a massive exertion or adrenaline high.  A quiet whisper escaped her quivering lips, Saskia croaked, "Help me... Please, help me."

Victoria's eyes widen, and she wishes she had some of her study books from home.  "You were speaking Norsk, the Nordic language.  And it was not you.  Whomever it was, they were most cross with our... 'childish pratlling.  Those names sound Nordic as well."

She reached out a hand to grasp Saskia's own, moving to kneel in front of her.  "I will help you.  Tell me what you see.  Sometimes visions come with such things.  And if they are frightening, the fright eases with the sharing of those visions."

A complete change from her earlier ramblings, Victoria sounds both serious and suddenly as if she knows of what she speaks.

At first, when it looked like Saskia was going to get uncharacteristically violent, Zander was prepared to play out some arcane sonic sedation, but things settled down quickly enough on their own.  He's glad to see Victoria taking charge of the situation.  Even though Victoria had told him months ago that she was not a prophet, here she was saying seer things again.

"Hey, I know a Skuld up in Eiswasholm.  She's pretty in a strange way with white hair and pink eyes.  Even though she looks ghostly I doubt that's who this norse haunt is looking for.  Skuld's named after one of the norns, the ladies who water Yggdrasil.  Is Heska a norn too?"

That part made sense to Zander.  If there was something wrong with the tree of life that could certainly spell the end of days.  The part that didn't make sense - why come to them with this problem?  Zander's circle of friends, as great as they were, weren't exactly save-the-world-from-end-of-days caliber.  Maybe this was another situation like the charlatans playing ghoul in the graveyard.

Mei frowns slightly, as she contemplates.

"I'm... rather versed... in the supernatural and things of this sort.  I can't say i've ever heard of a Einherjar...", she gives Sara a puzzled look.  While this did sound like some sort of incursion by the Wyrm, it was not one she had heard of.


Mei tilts her head and regards Zander with something of a bit of surprise and respect... as much as you can respect Zander...


"You're rather well versed in Nordic Lore..."

She listened to Saskia speak and the outburst startled her, but it didn't as well, at least not the other half of her. The other half of her understood every word, clear as day.

Vǫlundr she thought to herself. She knew him. That name. The valkyrie never forgot the name of anyone she'd brought to the Golden Halls.

I don't know that she began but was cut off, or at least it sounded like she was cut off, by herself.

Heska wrested control for a moment, Clotilde's memories fading, as they had been for months, only holding on for the love of Saskia, and Heska, to her credit, was not blind to the emotions, and felt for the girl's soul, but she'd already lingered on too long after her death, and her emotions were confusing Heska at this point. The memories lingered, and clouded the Valkyrie's mind at times. It was making it hard for her to assert control over this body that had been provided to her.

An  Einherjar, a fallen warrior brought to the Golden Halls of Valhalla, after a glorious death. Brought by the mighty Valkyries, so they may enjoy the fruits of the afterlife that are due to them after their glorious death in battle. His spirit is restless, for he has a task he needs to complete Heska said.

Clotilde shook her head. Where did that come from> I, I guess I do know what that is she said.

[Language unknown: Omsaro,  Ioospoev, ticni me day for? Tawit osseel ore un ous plulti?] Clotilde spoke in the tongue of the  Einherjar]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:01, Sun 10 Dec 2023.

"Norsk?" the redheaded healer shook her head, "I... I don't know any Norsk."  She seemed adamant, but an undercurrent of doubt, or was it fear, tinged thet statement, "My family, those on the Emerald Isle know no Norsk..."

Yet at Victoria's prompting, Saskia's brow furrowed and her burgundy lips parted.  "I see..." she intoned and then she stiffened, "[Language unknown: Te ard, rut ulrole po becawe set theng omacadrelacepr, ersomepro eenstrdin ie a dipaul Rostnoel thioerati alllinome witch eipr thuconshe it he Etllan Hoarwi.  N ard Saansiek venwh ck cano Sanavewasoun Saekti er laer Veronence Ing wehi comprevor ie."]  Her eyes glazed over, as she continued, [Language unknown: "A beare arrea Notearrom leeiek a alwil Lowi'diseun Rutnceall, proectomeast meuransi m trala wi preom san in anri rilionalte ure Outantome.  Roli di wi pa ev Rehost Ce era aloer Seitev Comallich.  Heai eieen ouesck'etch terch Theticdin sonee oreen wh thonsenose ast ted Esseol ei She!"]

[Language unknown: "Entthaain."] Saskia, who is not Saskia, proclaimed rather deadpan, [Language unknown: "Ticprehis aveectoer ll m alic."]

Saskia trembled and her soft Irish lilt returned briefly. "Death." her trembling lips repeated, then continued, "I see..." a sob escaped from her, "I see the Bright Lady ripped from the sky!  Luna shattered, her shards pulled from the Heavens and cannibalized by the Enemy; consumed by hungry, unclean hands.  Her glow gone... forever ..."  Her shoulders slumped and tears welled from her eyes, a defeated, terrified shadow passing over her pale features.

She stiffened again, [Language unknown: "Skuld avehistho t utenusmi itaica, ill man ol m whenisev ndpe'onho.  Ion siermi ith undantave lo ereiveone el peceosng ntelatsiit an, evtasa an and bemi orepreort meai an leleni whie leatut ie esmi larastderive seeen pl wi anno lores Heska.  Vir enul k asho, M t herartkoressnte earis ol, ughtiohis ndro st le eehis u neniwhtees waplomdi t in Ovethuard Wail.  Omeis yinthiate en reti."]

Saskia found herself grinding her teeth.  She shuddered and spoke as she exhaled, "They ... they, Skuld and her sisters, gave themselves completely to undo the the Great Weave, the Tapestry of Everything; so, that we'd have a second chance..."  She seemed stunned and spent, "He says I don't have a choice.  We don't have a choice in the matter."

Her eyes darted towards the blonde fighter, when more Norsk not uttered by her was spoken.

"Clo.." she started, barely able to make out the blonde through her blurred vision.  Then Vǫlundr pushed forward again to answer - but this time he chose a mix of languages, [Language unknown: "Om al esrea u teeen Heska all Skuld.  No evlar al ieec notal Ristacli Er..."] "The Great Lich King and his endless army cannot come to power." her bright green eyes fell upon her friends ending with Zander as Saskia-not-Saskia reiterated, her tone even and barely raised above the din in the common room yet not brooking any reproach even from the blonde guitar-god, "We are tasked with Saving the World."

"Oh thanks, but it's mostly bedtime story and parable stuff.  I don't know how helpful it is in the real world.  Here, I'll give you an example.  I once asked my mother 'Why do call einherjar 'He who fights alone' if they are are always fighting along side valkyries and other einherjar?'  She told me 'Because even when they fight with others they fight alone.'"

Zander shrugs and shakes his head.

"See what I mean?"

Zander recognized the language, but he couldn't understand it.  You might think Zander spoke Norsk, being born there and all, but his parents moved to The Misty Valley early in Zander's life, and they spoke only Common while here.  On his visits back to Eiswasholm, most everyone spoke Common there too.  The old languages were dying out in this new age.  That didn't bother Zander in the least.  It was a huge pain to translate songs.  Let everybody speak Common and be done with it.

Zander lost interest in what was going on pretty quickly once it was Chloe, Saskia, and Victoria babbling incoherently.

He leaned in closer to Sa Mei and said "Hey, if this goes south can you just kick this old einherjar ghost out of Saskia's body?"

He was careful to say it quietly enough that Volunder wouldn't hear, but there was a lot of shouting and raving, so he doubted the ghost was paying Zander any attention anyhow.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Mon 11 Dec 2023.

Victoria was almost talking to herself. "Skuld and her sisters, gave themselves completely to undo the the Great Weave, the Tapestry of Everything; so, that we'd have a second chance."  She looked up.  "Reveaving... The web of life.  They rewove... so we could fix this."

She stood up, releasing Saskia's hand, then started wandering the tables, almost in a daze, tapping her fingers on tables as she passed.  "The web of life, cast as we are born... rewoven... to fight the Lich... an unborn reborn as a terror..."  Her words came out as if she were in a dream, repeating what she heard, reworking it in her head.  "A warrior is restless... the die is cast... we must help...  We must..."

She suddenly turned, and strode over to Saskia, putting her arms around her.  "Where do we go?  We accept this task.  Where do we go?  Where to we fight?  Where?  I, Victoria, Accept this task."

Whatever just happened went well over Kristi's head and in a way that shows that she is not as well verse in this world or of much of anything.  But in the end that is ok to her as with anything she is not unhappy being the under-learned person as there is nowhere to go but up!

So following what she was taught she listens as best she can and learns and even hopes she may understand some of what is being told.  Considering all that has happened she almost hopes a rainbow bridge opens up and she can meet some Asgardians...but in all seriousness that is unlikely.  Sadly though that is about where most of her knowledge of Norse Legends come from and she knows that is no where near the truth.

Mei blinks at the rapid evolution of events.

"All Hallow's Eve has passed...   Is this all some sort of post holiday prank you've arranged to tease me...?", Mei gives Sara a slightly accusatory look, was she in on this too?

"This... this... is all rather outlandish.  You should make your pranks more... believable."

[Mei calls for a disbelieve check, which... is pointless since it's all really happening.]

She clasped both Victoria and Clotilde's hands.  Clenching hard, as if afraid to let go.

"I know..." Saskia could see (and understand) Mei's skepticism, "I know, Mei.  I think that I am going crazy, too.  But, this isn't a joke.  Whatever this Vǫlundr is and whatever it wants.  It's real.  He's real.  Or real enough to cause real problems."

She said nothing about the absolute and vivid dreams that played over and over in her mind, even when awake.  Saskia knew that would just get her committed as a full-on nut job.  Which might ultimately thwart Vǫlundr, but Saskia wasn't certain what that would do to her.  Or if it was even the right thing to do.

"And I don't know how to get rid of him." the red head moaned, sitting back down and cradling her head in her own hands.

"Shut up!" she spat out.  Obviously addressing none of her friends in particular, but rather some other disembodied figure; her eyes focused on a middle distance somewhere beyond Mei and Sara and settled upon an empty space, "I told you.  They don't believe you.  Just like I don't...."  But that last sentence lacked true conviction, instead there was more an unsympathetic resignation.  It was obvious that whatever internal conflict that Saskia might be experiencing, it was weighing heavily upon her.

I believe him came Heska's reply, in the voice of the body that was now hers. I have seen it as well, I know full well what he speaks of. It will be the ruin of us all if we don't find some way to stop it she added.

[Language unknown: E la Fi, Astout, A&#rutticrealin. Fioul olek avetioeve k. Ne butni seos hanana est t ul t hislinfor ieek teat, on ck romentous diall ek na unos acaiol. Ne pree trwain utof thcesi ticwe poce osni ditrut le riut. Al reare si nione ca nape].

It's true, it is you, you've been there. I'm, I'm not ready to go yet Clotilde said, her voice shaking.

Da Jente, I wish there was another way, but the only way to get rid of Vǫlundr, as you put it, is to help him achieve his quest. We were there in the Golden Halls of Valhalla when the fates rewove the threads of time, and that wouldn't have been done if it wasn't necessary. It is your destiny, you and Clotilde, although some give more than others she said, quietly.

"Two vehicles, the two of you.  The old Norsk, calling out."  Victoria reached to take Clotilde's other hand, making a circle of the three.  "I will help, I will go with you.[In broken Norsk: My duty. To you.  To go.]

She swallowed.  In that moment, it was as if wheels were turning in her head, wheels that belied the youth of the Princess.

"To come to this place and time, to take these two.  The Gods and Goddesses, old and new, are speaking.  Mei, this is no prank, it is very real.  And I am am frightened.  Not for me, for my friends.  But..."

She looked at her friends her hands clasped with and it was clear she was speaking to those inside them.  "I am the Princess Victoria.  I will go with you, but you must help us, and help them.  Where do we go?  What do we need?  What can you give us?  What can you give me, to help lead?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:17, Tue 12 Dec 2023.

Mei squints and looks at the three of you not quite buying it.

She's looking around to see if she's the only one with common sense on this one.

Has Zander been slipping Phil's mushrooms into everyone's food or something?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Tue 12 Dec 2023.

Kristi looks in rapt awe because if this is true, which she really thinks it is considering her experience then it is both scary and cool at the same time.  "I believe you.  And if you will let me I will join in whatever it is you need to help.  I mean fate has led me this far and in my mind fate is putting in a big sign to say this is the next path to follow."  She states in her ever so optimistic way almost vibrating with excitement but also realizing someone here is not necessarily having the best of time with it so trying to temper herself...to the best of her ability that is.

Mei shakes her head slightly in disbelief and leans over slightly to Zander and shakes her head and has a whispered conversation with him.

"This... doesn't sound like a ghostly possession to me.  Which is... good.  Ghost... are formidable and i dont think i could have done much.  As it is, perhaps we should take her to Fort McAlistar's shrine to be... looked over and evaluated?"

This... thing... felt infectious.  Having spread from Saskia... to Clotilde... to Victoria... to Kristi...

Was it just she, Zander and Sara of a sane mind at the moment?

"Do... you feel the urge to join them and save the world?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:12, Tue 12 Dec 2023.

Zander smiles at and Mei confidently.

"You know I'll always be there to help my friends."

"Save the world?" he adds.  "Us?  Come on.  It smacks of cults and mind control the way our friends are acting.  If you think taking them to the temple is a good idea, I'm with you.  Shouldn't be too hard.  Chloe practically lives there."

"I just hope we can get some cider and spirits first."

The hubbub they are causing is drawing a lot of attention, but none of that attention is waitresses coming to take Zander's order, so he makes his way around to the side of the table closest to the kitchen, stands on a chair, and waves to the cutest waitress he can spot.

Sara shakes her head. "Problem solving." A simple phrase, that she lets linger for a bit."If they have grown mad, that is a problem that can be dealt with. If they are enchanted or charmed, that is a problem that can be dealt with. If this is a mortal man, that is a problem that can be dealt with. If instead this is a malevolent spirit. infecting and provoking, that is a problem that must be dealt with."

"Heska?" emanated from Saskia's lips.  The word hung there for a moment for with the Nordic inflection, it would have had to have been the redhead's hijacker that broached the question.  Daring to believe that one of the immediate goals was within their grasp.

But then Saskia's huskier lilt intruded, the lapse in concentration or emotion allowing the jostling egos to switch, "It can't be..."  Her green eyes narrowed as her brow furrowed, "How is it possible?  Clotilde is not housing Heska..."

"The next thing we are going to discover is that Kristi is Skuld." Saskia scoffed, "And that Zander's Rod of Sol is essential to defeating the Wyrm who happens to be the current incarnation of the Lich King."  She shook her head as if to dispel cobwebs, obviously conflicted.  For while those things were obviously items she'd fabricated ... there were some things did make sense, if Heska was near.  And Saskia knew it - subconsciously, if not willing to consciously admit it.  Deep down the Truth™ gnawed at her.  She clutched Clo's hand tighter than ever.

"Silence!" the Nordic Einherjar asserted once more - and chastising what he considered is weaker and lesser self, "You know the visions.  And you know that the blonde girl has claimed to see them, too.  It is no coincidence."  Teeth were bared, "It is Fate.  And it cannot be fought."

At the mention of visiting the local shrine, Saskia-who-was-not-Saskia chuffed, "Yes.  Let's talk to your honored elders.  Perhaps they will have more sense than any of you do."  Vǫlundr seemed confident that what they would find was simply the truth as he'd related it.  They wouldn't be able to exorcise him.  No one could, since he wasn't a spirit to cast out.

Victoria frowned.  "I care not who you are, one who speaks from Saskia.  I am a Princess, and you will treat me as such.  If we go, it is under my control, understand, Norsk invader?  My Goddess protects me, and we will see justice, but we are young and not simply vassals for you to conquer.  Understood?"

She slammed her small fist down on the table.  "I command it!"

Yes, this woman's body houses Heska, and to an extent, Clotilde Heska said, the Valkyrie's voice definitely different than Clotildes.

Clotilde fought to stay in the present, but it was a losing battle.

Yes, it explains a lot Clotilde said.

She looked at Saskia and squeezed her hand. I am sorry she said, the tears coming.

Heska rose to the fore again I remember it now. The fates spinning their threads, and I was sent spiralling back as the Golden Halls themselves were consumed in a conflagration. I arrived here in this time, just as this body was breathing it's last breath. Your friend, she died  and the fates sent me back to give this body a second chance, and to give this world a second chance. We must find the Bifrost, since I am without my trusted flying steed, that is the only way she said. Heska looked at Saskia You and her will have to have a final talk before she departs. Her soul wanes here on this plane, she is being called home. I would hope that your friends will give you two the time to say your goodbyes, I will and will not interfere while you do.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Fri 15 Dec 2023.