Downtime in Dublin

Dublin is a very pretty place.
I hope I get a chance to wander around a bit. Take in the sights. Let my mind wander. Right now we're staying at a little retreat out by where the Grand Canal feeds into the ocean. Oh, did I mention we're also staying with Claire's dad? Yep, we're being hosted by Manannan Mac Lir. Pretty cool, huh?

Hal's keeping to himself right now. I think Kenny's mad at him. That, and that Yazata bastard did something when he gave a self-righteous speech, as we made our escape, that seems to have effected Hal as well.

I guess I should talk about how we got out of that mess, huh?
Well, long story short, Hal scooped me up and made for the hills as Altair chased us. Then Manannan showed up and pulled our bacon out of the fryer.

Yep.

You know, I saw Dublin Castle in some photos online. I do have a disposable camera that I had in my pocket. Maybe I'll make it a point to check it out, if I get a chance. Though my other camera got left in Germany.. as well as a good section of my clothes.

Oh hell. I'm just trying to avoid writing about what's really going on in my my mind.

You see, the escape from Altair (not the guy from that game) wasn't all that simple. I guess when I smashed that big gem back in Alaska, I... absorbed... the essence of Utgard-Loki. Now I've been corrupted. I'm a potential minion of the Titans.

Is that what drove me to do what I did? I don't think I'm suicidal. I want to live. But... we were way out of our league. This guy was more than capable of destroying the lot of us, but he called me out, specifically. He wanted me. He'd leave everyone alone if I went with him to be "purified by fire". I couldn't put everyone at risk for my own safety. Better that just one of us dies so that the others can live, right?

I was scared, sure, but I just couldn't let this "Kill all the sinners" guy kill them. Not when I could stop it.

Hal and Claire disagreed (Not surprising).

I'm strong, but when Hal get a grip on me, to keep me from leaping down to the foyer, I couldn't get out of it.

I'm feeling pretty depressed. Hal gave me a sanctimonious "Never give up on yourself." line before heading off. He can go fuck himself. The last thing I need is to be preached at. I'm a fucking walking liability now. All because I got fucking stupid and did something I shouldn't have.

I'm also worried about Brynhildr. I gave her a gift before we left for Germany and now... I wonder if I'll never know how she reacted to it. It's eating at my mind that I so greatly admire the Valkyrie, but she might be dead now, for all I know. I'm just glad that Claire isn't the jealous type and more than willing to share.

I'm grateful for Claire. I really am. She's been someone for me to lean on. To be friends with. To be close to when we could all die on the next mission. Next mission. I guess we're on our own now, aren't we? MIST has been taken control of by the Yazata. Why? What could they gain by... controlling... The passes! The network of Touchstones around the world....

I'll have to bring this up to the group, though... fuck... I just want to be alone and sulk, right now.

Dammit, someone's knocking on my door. It's probably Claire...

Backstabbing Bastards

Andrew took off on us.

I'm not sure why. His note said things were happening and he was going to MIST HQ to look for his dad. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt if it weren't for the fact that, not long after he sped off, we got jumped by a hit-squad dressed in MIST gear.

Hal and I focused on disarming them, I think we were thinking on the same wavelength: that this was a case of mistaken identity. My shockwave attack (that I suddenly learned I could do. This becoming a goddess thing is really weird) sent a number of them sprawling. Lexi used her hotness powers (or whatever it was) to make the fight stop.

At least we got to question them, though Claire was very agitated (you'd think that all the girl-sex would take that edge off her personality). They started going on about how we're to be liquidated, an order from the higher-ups, and Bryn is being relieved of her position (through force or decree, I don't know, and it makes me worried). We've been totally set up, but then they started going out about us being under the influence of Utgard-Loki. Specifically, me. The fuck are they on about? More over the group kept dodging the question. What's going on?

Before I could get an explanation of that accusation, some bright glowing asshole flew into the main area and started talking like an avenging angel sent to purge the darkness. In the mood I'm in, I'm not going to put up with this BS. It's an obvious set-up and I feel like cracking some skulls.