Video; Where's The Laughter in Slaughter?

[ragnarsson]

[When the camera gets turned on, the first thing to note is that Ivar's face is streaked in blood that has only just started to dry in places. Someone's been out worshiping with the natives in a fashion very familiar to a Viking. If y'all hadn't gotten the impression Ivar was a bloodthirsty barbarian from a bygone era, the imagery is definitely reinforced with the dripping red streaks on his face. Also is that some around his lips as well? Has he been drinking the stuff too? Honestly, though, he seems quite pleased by what's been going on even if everyone else might be disturbed by the casual slaughter of the cows. His tone starts off very serious, since worship is important where he's from.]

About time this place started getting some proper worship going. I know most of you all are from soft places-- [The scorn in his tone is obvious.] --but blood sacrifices are always the best when giving due diligence to these gods where I am from. Blood demands blood, especially if you want them to be on your side in battle, or to favor you at all. It's really not all that different then slaughtering animals for food, just with more rituals and rites to it.

[Then he switches back to his usual tone that ranges somewhere between insanity and half-truths end tends to indulge in.]

It's a good thing we finally got the right sort of animals around here. Otherwise, I might have had to resort to sacrificing one of you. [He muses for a moment before laughing.] I'm joking of course! [Beat.] Human sacrifices only work if they're willing participants.

[OOC: This post is for a general discussion, so feel free to have threads amongst all the characters and thread-jacking rather then just talking with Ivar. Do let me know if you do want a specific thread with him! He has rather...strong opinions about this.]

Comments

[demonicbeauty]

I can see how that would get very confusing!

Do you think they're doing that now?

...are you a god in disguise?

[ragnarsson]

I think gods are always a little capricious, being so far above mortal men.

[Ivar never expects the best out of anyone, not even when it comes to the gods. Her words make him laugh.]

Hardly! If I were a god, I wouldn't be a cripple or at least given myself the ability to walk by now.

[demonicbeauty]

[Oh, now this is interesting.]

Forgive my asking, I'm sure it's very rude but...

Why can't you walk?

[ragnarsson]

I was born a cripple, not injured in battle as many believe.

[He says this in a matter-of-fact tone, but with a rigid sort of dignity which suggests Ivar is very sensitive about this subject. He doesn't think she's the type to mock him, not after she interacted with him as a swan, but one can never tell.]

I would've preferred the latter fate, I will say that much.

[demonicbeauty]

You sound a little like a Daruc.

[The ways she says it suggests it's a compliment. Which it is. Not that anyone here seems to know what a Daruc is, a fact that puzzles her to no end.]

I can walk, but I am crippled too. Not by birth or battle, though.

What I mean to say is...I understand.

[ragnarsson]

What is that? Some kind of warrior?

[It certainly sounded like she was complimenting him and he'll take it.

He remembers what she said about losing her wings when he was a swan. He supposes someone who would once able to fly would feel crippled if they were permanently stuck on the ground.]

I believe you can to some extent.

[demonicbeauty]

[Honestly, Ariadne isn't sure how to take that. But, of course, she hasn't figured out the whole swan thing.

So she just files it away, for now.]

At any rate, I think it should be up to the gods, how we honor them. As long as they're here and talking to us.

[ragnarsson]

I suppose asking their opinion would be a good idea, though who knows what they're going to say.

[Some people (or gods) just don't know what's good for them.]

[demonicbeauty]

Well, not knowing is half the fun.

[There's a smile in her voice at that.]

[ragnarsson]

Some might say that. Others say knowledge is power.

[But his voice suggests he's amused as well.]

[demonicbeauty]

Never discount the possibility of both.

Both is good.