Video | un: Clara

[spacegirl]

[Clara's sitting at a table in a public area, working on writing something on a worn piece of paper. The bracelet she's using to communicate jostles as she writes, causing things to bump about. Once she finishes what she's writing, she glances over in the direction of the bracelet, smiling.]

My name's Clara Oswald, if we haven't met yet. Which is most of the lot of you, I'm sure, given how new I am 'round here.

[There's a pause, and she fidgets a bit, almost seeming uncomfortable with having to address what she's going to next. Asking for help is always hard when you're a bossy control freak.]

I've got a bit of a favor to ask. I'm looking for books. Jane Austen, to be exact. I wasn't sure if books from Earth are even a thing, or if there's a library here, or a shop...or someone who can somehow acquire a copy of one of her novels. If anyone's able to help, I'd be able to return the favor somehow. The odds of Jane's novels being here are slim, I know, but I need her.

Also -

[She bites at her lip, mostly to hold in laughter.]

I need a judge or two for a very important competition. Any volunteers?

Comments

Video | un: Verity

[burdenoftruth]

That's a good question about the books. I don't have an answer for you, though. I'm pretty new myself.

[Not that she has a lot of interest in fiction, but it would just be nice to know whether or not things like that were available.]

Anyway. What kind of competition are you talking about?

[spacegirl]

A storytelling competition. Someone I've just met has challenged me to one, and I need someone who's not biased to be the judge.

[It's a bit ridiculous, maybe, but it's something light and fun and people need that after the jailbreak.]

[burdenoftruth]

Oh...that sounds interesting.

[She's not sure she'd be particularly suited to judge something like that unless one of the things being judged was factual accuracy, but she can see how it's something people might enjoy.]

What kind of stories?

video | un: dark rescue

[promises_to_keep]

Can't say I've ever read anything by that particular author, so I don't think I can help ya there. I mean, I'll keep an eye out, but I'm not familiar.

[He gives an impish grin then.]

Judging, however, I'm quite good at. I judge the hell out of people, heh.

[spacegirl]

[She smirks a little in response, laughing.]

Why am I not surprised by that? You definitely seem the judging sort. Mind helping me with a storytelling competition, then?

[promises_to_keep]

[He snorts a laugh.]

Hey, now, you shouldn't be so judgmental about my being judgmental!

Storytelling, though, huh? Sounds right up my alley--I do love a good story. Sure, count me in.

video | un: rutherford

[officer]

[ Cullen has no idea who Jane Austin is, but he does love to read. Perhaps if the author can be found and the subject matter interesting, he'll hunt one down himself.

But first, an introduction, since she supplied her name already. ]

Hello, Clara. My name is Cullen. I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with Jane Austin. What subject matter do they cover?

[spacegirl]

[Careful, Cullen. Clara can gush about Jane Austen for hours. Just ask her poor students.]

Oh, Jane's works cover all sorts of things. Romance, comments on society, class systems, strong female leads, witty banter between characters... [She trails off and gives a fond sigh, resting her chin in the palm of her hand.]

If I manage to find a copy of one of her books, I'll be sure to let you borrow it.

[officer]

[ None of that sounds like anything he's ever read. In fact, nothing sounds familiar except that bit about romance and banter. That sounds a bit like the awful books Varric writes that Cassandra loves so much.

Which leads him to only one conclusion, and what a disappointment that is. He doesn't want to read that sort of thing. ]

So it's smutty literature?

( audio ; un: pavus )

[underthings]

I can't say I've heard the name before, but I, too, am seeking a library or to find a purveyor of books. Doing my part in lending a helping hand is just fine, but I'd prefer a good book to while away the evening hours.

[ Along with some wine, but he'll keep that to himself. ]

Should you hear of either place, I would offer sincere gratitude.

[ A beat, then; ] If I may, what sort of competition?

[ He likes being judgmental. This is a great opportunity. ]

[spacegirl]

[Ah, she's found someone who enjoys reading. This is a good thing, maybe she can get him to discuss books with her someday.]

If anyone is able to tell me where I can find a good book or two, you'll be the first I let know.

[There's a slight chuckle there, because she appreciates that she may be able to have someone to talk books with. Assuming they've read anything similar.]

The competition, though, is storytelling. I need someone who's good at listening, and deciding which story told aloud is best.

[underthings]

[ That is a very, very high possibility. Discussion of books is high on his list of likes, even if he doesn't know the same books. ]

Perfect. I must admit I feel a little remiss by not having any.

[ Dorian sighs, all too dramatically. ]

That aside, should you need a judgmental ear, I would be happy to lend one for the project.

video | username; sieglindesullivan

[grunehexe]

I have quite a few tomes here, but I do not know of your "Jane Austen"- what sort of book did they compile?

[She's not really... familiar with novels as a concept so much as... medical texts and orally transmitted tales recorded for posterity.]

[spacegirl]

Jane's a brilliant writer. She had ideas ahead of her time, really.

[There's a smile there, followed by a fond sigh.]

Her stories are a bit on the romantic side, but there's nothing wrong with that.

[grunehexe]

Romantic?

[Like... Books on the nature of the sexes, then? Or love poems? Ballads?]

Is it poetry, then?

text; username: shiki

[satsujinki]

Well, I guess books would be better than 'no television', then.

I have my doubts that there would be any books from Earth around here. Even paper seems like a rough commodity.

[spacegirl]

That's what I had assumed, but with people able to produce some comfort items that seem like they might be from Earth I figured it was worth a shot.

[satsujinki]

Who is able to do this?

[It's a short response, but Shiki isn't much for conversation as it is. It's an interesting realization.]

video | un: amends

[darkbarrage]

What'dyou need a book for?

[ riku's face is the absolute picture of 'eww'. he's actually wearing the circlet that functions as his communicator, finally. ]

I guess I can try to see if I could find one... who knows, maybe somebody left a copy.

[spacegirl]

[His response earns laughter, but she's quick to cover it up with a good stern teacher look.]

Books happen to be gateways to little adventures, you know. And if I'm going to be so far from home -

[She pauses, quirking an eyebrow.]

I should have my favorite book. Don't you think?

Audio | un: dearkafka

[dearkafka]

[The voice is soft, slightly mild.]

I've been looking for a place to find books as well, though... I doubt, if we do find any, they will be books from Earth. They might not even be in a language we can read...

[So far he'd been able to understand others' speech, as well as comprehend various signage and text written by everyone on this network, but that's not something he really understands. But, then again, they were having a network beamed directly into their heads by magic jewelry so maybe it's not best to dwell too much on.]

Regardless, if I find something, I'll let you know.
[A brief pause.] A fan of Austen's? [Not really his type of literature, but he's at least knowledgeable.]

...What sort of competition?

[spacegirl]

That's what I'm afraid of. But I thought it was worth a chance, asking to see if anyone knew. Especially since I am most definitely a fan of Jane's.

[She shrugs, figuring it's a subject that's best dropped. Especially since he's gone and asked a question.]

A...friend and I, we're having a storytelling competition. And I need impartial judges. Are you interested?

video; UN: red streak

[sanicspeed]

How important is very important? If it involves something fun, I might be easily persuaded.

[spacegirl]

Storytelling is always fun!

[She wears a look on her face that's mock offended that he'd ever suggest it wasn't.]

Go on, then. Tell me how I might go about persuading you.

video;

[evenslimmer]

What's so special about Jane Austen, exactly?

[ It's an honest question. It's not asked to be snotty in any way. Some people might say that Scott Summers is too boring to be snotty. But he surely could have found a better way to say it. ]