[This filmed by someone else, as Sif sits at a table in a bar in the seedier part of the City, surrounded by a crowd of people chanting. Before her, sits and angry looking, muscled man. Claw, Claw, Claw, chants the crowd; cheers the crowd. Non-pulsed, Sif raises her arm and sets her elbow on the table. The burly man does the same. They lock hands.

Claw, Claw, Claw.

Sif remains unimpressed. Someone whistles. The Claw's face grows redder by the minute. Sif yawns.

Someone brings her a large pint of beer. She smiles at the NPC, takes her glass, drinks it; her arm never budging. And then, as she sets the glass down gingerly, she slams the Claw's hand to the table's surface, the crowd silenced. With a smug grin, she holds her free hand out; the Claw pays up. Sif stands.]

Men. Ladies. Our friend Claw has lost with honour, and in his honour, we shall drink. Ale for everyone!

[The silence is broken by cheers. Sif, Sif, Sif, is the new song. Smiling, Sif walks over to whomever is holding her device. Unfortunately, her face is out of sight, expression unreadable, when she takes the recording device back. Her tone, however, is strangely soft. Subdued.] That will be enough of that.

[ooc; Maybe all those drunk texts made Sif miss drinking; or maybe now that she's the only Aesir left, she felt the need to drown her confused feelings in beer and feasting. FEEL FREE to have your character be present in the bar, FEEL FREE to action thread this as you wish. Just keep in mind she's the Asgard version of a wild party animal, apparently...]

For the love of Merlin, stop yapping about which House has the most wit and the most cunning, we've already covered that in the Sorting Ceremony months ago. In Quidditch, you show your worth through actions, not through words.

Not that there's a lot of action you can take after being knocked off the broom by a Bludger. You know how it is, the prouder they are, the easier they get taken out.

And besides. The saying goes 'there is no victory without risk'. It's not 'there is no victory until I tell my enemies I'm going to beat them and then laugh in their faces'.

[ooc; EVERYONE AND THEIR GRANDMA'S TALKING QUIDDITCH and you think that Gryffindor's Beater wouldn't do the same? 7th year, total babe, carry on.]

[There's a nice little view of Sif's bedroom, Sif's bed, and the angry face glaring into the device recording everything, bare-skinned as far as the frame can see. Wait, whaaaaat?]

Loki - what have you done?

[ooc; GRAB BAG! Three guesses who body-switched, and the first two don't really count.]

[Could it be that she actually looks in good spirits (for a change)? Is there a certain colour to Sif's cheeks, a certain spring in her step? Nnnnot really. She focuses the camera on herself (so good at this shit) before speaking.]

In Asgard, we welcome fall with feasts like this one. Only we do not make our guests pay for the food.

[You couldn't let that go, Sif, you just couldn't.] Do you fare better, people of the City? Are your spirits lifted, or is the sentiment of distrust still present within you, no matter how much these new leaders of ours might ply us with sweets and drinks? [Hey, speaking of - she focuses the camera on a large pumpkin.]

Loki, I have found this for you. It might be poisoned. [A beat.] I suppose you will have to find out.

Lady Korra. Though you seemed a pleasant young woman, I must tell you that my affections are no longer the same. Apologies. It seems that we were placed under a curse, once again.

[There's a small pause.] Your friend, the white bear - she was...interesting. [Awesome.] There is still game for her, if you will have it.

And these new forces controlling the City - how long until they, too, make us call them Deities? Nothing feels different.

[As the meteor showers begin to terrorize those on the streets, up pops a very useful video (not useful at all), courtesy of your friendly Aesir (super friendly!).]

It seems the timing to leave the forest could not have been more fortunate. [Yeah, see, Thor? She's got good ideas, so let's put that pout away.] I take it we truly have landed in the middle of a rebellion. Where do your loyalties lie, in this case?

[A pause.] And -

How does one communicate privately on these devices, if the need arises?

[The device records two very happy and fairly large dogs sitting and panting up at the screen, muzzles open and tongues out, tails waggling. The labrador's tail thumbs like a drum, while the corgi seems so happy he's three seconds away from peeing on the street he's on.

Finally, the angle shifts - messily - before focusing on Sif's face.]

They have been following me around for days now. I know I was once in this place, but hold no memory of it. Those who do remember - were they...mine? [Because it can't be because she smells, not since there's a river in which to bathe or the NPC fanboy's house (as a last resort).]

[ooc; Thor the labrador and Fandral the corgi have sniffed their old mistress out and followed her around for a day now. Loki the cat probably don't give a shit.]

[So, Sif has had the device figured out for a while now, but she's been too busy being stubbornly independent and also camping out in the forest with Thor because rent, what is that; Aesir don't pay rent. But she's had about enough after almost a week of hunting and fishing and sleeping on grass. She's a lady, too.

So, she uses the device to broadcast to whomever gets the message - everyone, as it turns out.]

My greetings, people of this strange land. I am the Lady Sif, of Asgard.

[From somewhere behind her, further into the forest, come the sounds of a serious struggle, a fight between beast and man. She continues nonpulsed.]

Though the forest here offers plenty of sustenance, there comes a time when sleeping under the stars is less reminiscent of youth's days long past, and more closely resembling an unnecessary sacrifice.

[She's making an effort to ignore the sounds of wrestling behind them, still.] I would be grateful for any information on what one needs to do for a warm bed and a warm meal in this place. There is no need to specify the rest - I know that you call this the City, a helpful mortal told me, just as he told me there was no way out. [A beat; she almost looks displeased there, but she's walked it off.]

If we must linger here until we find our exit, then I would not have us do it in the wild. We are civilized. [A wild roar interrupts, follows by laughter. Sif sighs.] Now excuse me, for I must go and finish off dinner.

[ooc; If you've guessed that it's Thor wrestling a bear somewhere, it's because he is. He is wrestling the bear, for salmon. (Permisson from player, et all.) Anyway - give some Aesir a loving home, City? (Loki need not apply.)]

[Because texting is for losers with time, that's why.] I take it there is a pattern to theses curses? I would have believed the City was trying to increase the number of animals in its preposterous cages, were they not the kind to disappear so soon after midnight.

Can someone offer some insight? [If there's anything else she wants to say, it gets interrupted by a raven perching itself on her shoulder. Its beak open, and out comes Sif's voice:]

My hunting skills could keep us fed for a lifetime.

[Her expression thunderous, she swats the bird away.] Off with you.

[ooc; She still stands by it. :| You're missing out on a catch, City.]

I have learnt that noise, such as music, can dim the sound of ticking. Unfortunately, the songs I am familiar with are not available on the cee dee disk, so I am left with the collection previous inhabitants of this apartment listened to.

[A pause. She looks very...displeased. Which is never a good thing.] Also unfortunate, but I can no longer listen to any of them, for Loki has taken to yowling to their songs. I am inclined to agree with him. [Here, she rolls her eyes.] One can only expect that woman finds someone like you, whoever that person is, eventually, and ceases with her tragic moaning.

Are all modern songs of heartbreak? Some enlightenment is appreciated.

[ooc; BOOM, Loki.]

In lieu of the visitors returning to the City, I shall make it known that the apartment I inhabit shall easily suit all those from Asgard. I know you are here - and should like to hear from you again.

[A pause. Her eyes narrow.] And you - I know you are here, you are always here in these days. Whatever you may think you can wreck in two days, I shall return it tenfold. Behave, or it will be my sword and my shield who educate you. And they do have backup.

[ooc; Even if Sif only is waving to Aesir right now, I personally encourage ALL THE THINGS except for doubles. Please.]

I shall have to replace many of these so-called appliances now. Do toasters tend to attack their owners often in this place?

I have heard this month tends to be one of the most difficult ones in the City, curse-wise. Any additional information will be appreciated. Also appreciated is an explanation for this Halloween day.

filtered to Steve Rogers;

Given the events in Bruce Banner's laboratory yesterday, I believe a defensive strategy for any curse is in order. And I would like to discuss the sceptre Loki left behind with you.

[A short clip, unintentional; a brave NPC seems to think Sif is his designated partner for the tango, so he catches her on her way home from a stroll. Starting position is as far as he goes.]

Refrain. [Afterwards, the device seemingly falls to the ground; the sounds of a struggle follow, albeit a pacific one, and then hurried steps: someone running away. The feed turns off.]

AUDIO; PUBLIC

[Not even five minutes later; there's only the silence the interior of a home can offer, and her clipped tone.] I do not dance. Just to make it clear.

Whether I can or cannot is an entirely different matter, but the important detail here is that I choose not to. Your Midgardian dances are strange and the hands of men who have imposed a dance on me thus far get too clammy for my tastes.

If this is a curse, I will await its ending where I do not risk offense. I advise whoever intends to visit to heed my warning.

[The feed ends.]

[ooc; Very unaffected.]

The large hall with the portraits of people who are not in the City, I take it to be trustworthy, correct? I wonder how often people wander inside, just to make sure. Has anyone been able to trick whatever magic makes it work?

private; filtered to the Avengers & allies;

If the paintings do not lie, I am the only one left of my Asgard. That is all.

private; filtered to Serrure;

If you still desire to be trained, answer me this first: how fast can you run?

[There are times when a recording conveys your thoughts much better than a written memo can. And there are times when your lap is full of a very attention-demanding purring being that claims to sense you're disquieted and is trying to help. This is one of those times.

So, Sif has to resort to video, because the cat keeps pawing at her fingers when she attempts to type. And then either of the dogs (the labrador, or the corgi), currently lie at her feet, attempt to lick them better.]

It seems the time has come again for me to say these words. Thor has left the City.

[She pauses, looking down; then almost to herself.] I remember I drank to his victory the first time he managed to escape the City's clutches. This second time...I did not expect it would be more difficult to bear. [She looks up again; expression calm, no matter how difficult it is to bear.] Have your drinks in his honour, if you wish. I will not partake, this time.

[As she reaches for the device, she stops, as if remembering something at the last minute.] Ah, yes. The pets. I believe them and I have reached a satisfiable arrangement, so there will be no aid necessary this time.

[ooc; Thor was dropped, and so Sif mourns.]

[Possibly the most dangerous sight there is. The Goddess of War, armed with water balloons, grinning like a hungry wolf, hiding strategically behind an unidentifiable corner.]

Now this - this is a field I understand best.

[ooc; FEEL FREE TO ACTION! Sif's gonna get you wet. Unf. (????)]

[Hey, City. It's just Sif, Goddess of War here, no biggie. Carry on thinking of magic pens and whatever else you might on this cursed day while she grieves. Insensitive jerks :T.

Video focuses on her face; barks are heard in the background.]

More of you must be aware, but I feel as if it is tradition to announce departures in this City. Thor is no longer here. [Pause.] I expect he has gone to join his family and friends. [Another pause.] Or his Jane Foster. [Who knows; apparently all this talk about Avengers and Thor being part of them - well, she's already reached the conclusion that at some point he goes back to Midgard. Why not also assume he'd get some booty while there]

Whichever it is, mourning him would not be something he would appreciate, so - a drink in his honour, instead. [She lifts a glass of wine; cheers, etc. Drinks. Foreveralone.]

I do wish I did not have to deal with all these dogs, however.

[ooc; As Thor leaves for his canon update, broSif's left with the bitches. Literally.]

This even they are calling Visitor Day, I take it to be a frequent thing?

I do not find it to be such a reason for joy, if the guests come and go, and we remain here nevertheless. Am I alone in feeling like some bauble on display? Come see, come see.

[She shrugs. What can you do.] Alas.

Welcome, I suppose. Try not to destroy what we cannot rebuild. It should only be courteous, after all.

[ooc; Sif is pre-Midgard arrival, and will welcome everyone with open arms! Depending on whether your name starts with an L those arms might wield a sword. Just...saying. (Anything goes.)]

[OH LOOK, SOMEONE IS LOOKING NORMAL AGAIN. Wearing jeans and a shirt and all, how modern of her, too! Yes, Sif does not run around with ribbons and glitter everywhere, how dare you assume it.]

It seems the last two times I made use of this device, it has been due to curses. I have come to realise that it is not such an odd occurence.

However, a question - this ticking. Since Lady Pepper's departure, I have been noticing it gets louder, especially at night. Are the origins of it known? The purpose behind it?

Thank you.