net.

How like a winter hath my absence been
From thee, the pleasure of the fleeting year!
What freezings have I felt, what dark days seen!
What old December’s bareness every where!
And yet this time removed was summer’s time,
The teeming autumn, big with rich increase,
Bearing the wanton burden of the prime,
Like widow’d wombs after their lords’ decease:
Yet this abundant issue seem’d to me
But hope of orphans and unfather’d fruit;
For summer and his pleasures wait on thee,
And, thou away, the very birds are mute;
Or, if they sing, ’tis with so dull a cheer
That leaves look pale, dreading the winter’s near.

Anyone else having trouble comsuming their ponies?

Arg! This is kinda starring to apple me.

Well, note to self: the apple in that fruit basket? Not a good apple.

So, is there a place I can get a shirt made that says "I went to Vegas and all I got was this corny fruit basket"? Or in this version of Vegas, do they sell them? Someone should. They would make a ton of money.

To the children of my sister Athena, and any other born with Olympian blood. You will make yourself known to me.

[Filtered to Loki (canon)]

I have spoken with your brother Thor, and believe that proper introductions are in order. I am Apollo, Son of Zeus, god of the sun. It is an honor to meet another god within this place, and while the imprisonment is unwelcome, know that you are welcome to join my table whenever you should wish it.

Hi everybody. Hi new people.

[SHIELD: All Units, Avengers]

I guess it's time we all talked about that to do, you know, about the elephant in the room.

Well, that reminded me of when I made a crater out of Sunnydale.

...Why do I suddenly get the feeling I missed something important?

Hel-Hello? Anyone? Vegas? I was in a burning building. I think I di-.

Micah?

I'm beginning to forget what it feels like to be warm. That's a bad thing right?

As you're all aware, on Monday night the New York, New York casino was attacked and the replica of the Statue of Liberty destroyed. Since Delacroix's painting, Libertas has come to represent freedom, justice, brotherhood and equality for all people and every nation. And to destroy a symbol of Liberty is a threat not against America, but against everyone who appreciates, benefits and believes in what she represents.

I want everyone here to know that the Avengers are doing everything that we can to make sure nothing like this happens again and to take care of those responsible for this unnecessary, violent act. But I also know that we can't do it alone, and so I'm asking for your support and co-operation. I know some of you don't know us, I know we might be from a different world or universe, but I can promise you that we are here to help and always will be.

Some of you have gifts and talents that we could use, and I'm sure that protecting people is important to each and every one of you. As it stands right now, while we're here -- we're not being granted the liberties that we deserve. We're being held against our will by something we don't understand. But I won't see any more of them revoked and I won't see the people here terrorized. If any of you think you might be able to, or would like to help. Please come talk to me. Thomas Jefferson once said - "Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you." I know what it's like to want to act, want to do the right thing, and be told you can't or aren't able to so I promise I'll do my best to help you do yours.

[Tony Stark (both), Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanova, Clint Barton, Thor, Jim Rhodes, Jane Foster, Darcy Lewis & Pepper Potts]

I suggested it to Clint, but now I'm bringing it to all of you. If the person responsible is an arrival like us. That means he has access to a lot of the same information that we do, and that means if we're going to organise a base of operations, it ought to be outside of the hotel. Either in the one of the other resorts, or in the city at large. Does anyone have any ideas where we should go? I was thinking maybe we could take over a part of The Boulevard in Paris. There's a lot of storage spaces and connecting hallways behind the Parisian streets that might give us the freedom to move around unseen, and it's close.

Is everyone okay?

I was in my room working when the building just shook because of the explosion! What happened?

Oh my God...

I remember everything. Everything he ever did to me.

I know it's a difficult time of year to be away from the ones that we cherish the most. That in certain ways, their absences might have left the last few days feeling a bit empty; a bit hollow -- not put most of us in mind for the Christmas spirit at all.

But it's always important to remember and be thankful for what we have and do what we can to help others here who are maybe struggling a little bit. It can be Christmas any day, anywhere, and with anyone as long as there is friendship and hope.

[Tony Stark (AU)]

How was yours, Tony?

It is a merry Christmas.

The elves are gone.

I need some help. I'm Secret Santa for Carl Grimes but I have no idea what to get him! Can anyone give me any ideas?