[video; open]

[51stcentury]

[Viewers are greeted by a charmingly dashing white smile, easy and confident without being cocky, shining blue eyes and the face of a 1950's matinee idol. He's dressed in his customary outfit of braces and greatcoat, his very presence commanding your attention]

Hey there, kids. So it's come to my attention that there are some of us a little more used to this whole traveling in space thing, am I right? I mean. There are some of us on here who have literally never even heard of the idea, which. Is charming, really it is. But that means that this whole Tranquility thing has gotta be more than a bit of a shock. So here's where I'm going to be taking a poll.

How many of you are familiar with travel in space? How many of you have heard of it, but never dreamed you'd do it yourself? How many of haven't even dreamed of traveling the stars?

I figure if we cover that much at least, we'll be able to determine how many of us need a bit more explanation than the fact that we seem to be on some sort of large passenger vessel traveling through some undetermined part of some unknown galaxy. Vague, I know, but I haven't exactly found a viewing screen yet, have you? That's where the rest of us come in. Maybe, with your help, we can figure this all out.

[He goes to reach forward to turn off the video feed, before a thought comes to him and he stops, a more mysterious look in his eyes as he does] I don't suppose that any of you are familiar with time travel...?

Comments

[51stcentury]

[O-kay... The Bifrost. Right.]

What...is the Bifrost, exactly? Some kind of technology, or? [He trails off, unsure]

[odinsons]

[ hold on, it gets better. ]

In the simplest of terms it is the Rainbow Bridge that leads in and out of Asgard.

[51stcentury]

"The Rainbow Bridge." [Jack fights not to make any comments about Rainbow Connections or anything like that, and also to keep a straight face. He can tell this is serious business. He can also tell that Thor is a magnificent specimen of a man, one that he'd like to get to know better, and laughing in his face is probably not the best way to do so]

I take it that you're talking about some sort of portal or something. How does it work?

[odinsons]

[ even if he did, thor wouldn't get what he meant by rainbow connection or anything. but it's good he's trying to keep a straight face. laughing wouldn't go over too well. this is super serious biz. ]

In a manner of speaking. Here... [ give him a second. he's gonna rock your world with his godly art skillz. quickly, he does a rough sketch on a scrap of paper and holds it up. p sweet, right???? he points to the "bridge" and into the entrance ] We travel up the bridge and the gatekeeper allows passage to and from. His sword is inserted like a key of sorts, inside, and we are pulled from the Bifrost and [ he points to the triangle exit thingy ] travel on a set path from Asgard to one of the other realms.

[51stcentury]

[Oh god you are so charming even if your art skills are not exactly mastermind]

Travel how? On this set path, that is. Is there some sort of energy involved, or...? [That triangle thingy looks awfully small]

[odinsons]

[ this should be hanging in a museum ok. thor doesn't draw for just anyone. ]

It is sort of a stream of energy, I suppose. Yes. Many can travel at once. [ dw dw. drawing not to scale. it's like a thousand times the size. ]

[51stcentury]

[aww well if jack'd known that maybe he'd've been a little more impressed]

So there's some sort of device the gatekeeper uses to transport whoever he chooses from one point to another as he sees fit?

[odinsons]

[ yeah. well. he should be anyway!!! ]

In a sense. There is a large stand in the middle of the Bifrost. Heimdall's sword is the key to starting the process. [ he's totally explaining all this with hand gestures ] Those who travel are pulled from the exit, travel through the path and soon land at their destination.

[51stcentury]

[Jack's smiling and nodding, not really understanding too much but enjoying Thor's enthusiasm as he describes it anyway]

I take it you mean a real sword, then? You know. All of this is sounding an awful lot like a fairy tale, if you don't mind me saying. [completely sincere about that]

[odinsons]

[ sorry. he's getting into it even though it's making him miss home. ]

Indeed. Very real. [ he smiles a little, offering a shrug ] It is not the first time I have heard that. Mortals no longer believe in such things, even if it is right before their very eyes.

[51stcentury]

[Okay, that catches Jack's attention] 'Mortals'. That's an interesting way of referring to people.

[odinsons]

[ that seems to capture most people's so far. ] Is that not what they are?

[51stcentury]

And you're separating yourself from them, then?

[odinsons]

That is what one does when they cannot claim a descriptor.

[51stcentury]

Oh yeah? What would you classify yourself as then?

[odinsons]

[ said oh-so-matter-of-factly ] A god.

[51stcentury]

...a god. [Sure you are]

[odinsons]

I sense your disbelief, which does not come as a great surprise. Most do not believe anymore.

[51stcentury]

There's no such thing as a god. A powerful being that's got certain advantages over others, yes. But someone to be worshipped?

You're gorgeous, don't get me wrong, and in certain circumstances I would have no problem getting down on my knees for you, but divinity just doesn't exist, plain and simple.

[odinsons]

There is—in fact there are many such things. We are no longer given worship in the same manner as centuries ago, nor is it something we can require, as it were.

[ ......afjskfafHAFSKF OH my god. thor just pauses for a second and then just sort of laughs. ] You do have my thanks for your sentiments. I am certainly not here to strong-arm anyone into believing anything—I have since learned of mortal skepticism from my Father's own tellings and my own personal experiences. All I can simply say is gods do exist.

[51stcentury]

[Jack notes that this reaction is not one of rejection. He'll keep that in his mind for later ;)]

Well whatever you are, I'm not gonna deny that you're standing there talking to me, so anyway. What's your name, big boy?

[odinsons]

[ it's all in good fun, right? certainly jack isn't serious...!!! ]

At least we can agree that I am not a figment of imagination right now. [ right?? right! haha...ha. ] My name is Thor. And what may I call you?

[51stcentury]

[ Oh, but he most certainly is B)]

Captain Jack Harkness. It's a pleasure to meet you.

[odinsons]

[ well..... thor is just going to pretend he's not..... for now. ]

Captain? [ ... ] Of this vessel?

[51stcentury]

[One day you'll realize that he's serious, Thor, and then what will you do...]

No, no. I wish. It's a great ship, but no.

Royal Air Force, actually. 133rd squadron. 'Course, I hung up my flying wings a while ago, moved on to bigger and better things, but they let me keep the stripes.