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

[spacegirl]

Hey, wait.

[She almost feels bad for making him squirm a bit. She definitely hadn't meant to do that.]

Everyone reads. Or enjoys stories, anyway. What sort do you like?

[officer]

[ Is this a trick? It might be. He eyes her image warily, but he can't find it in himself to lie. ]

I'm not certain anymore. As a boy, I enjoyed tales of knights and dragons and magic. Now... [ He's lived those tales and they're nothing like the bards claim. ] I haven't had much time in recent years to read for leisure. The last book I read was one of Antivan poetry.

[ Tentatively; ] What sort do you prefer? Aside from this Jane Austin, I mean.

[spacegirl]

Oh, I love almost any kind of story. Especially ones that have to do with traveling and adventure. Stories about time travel and alien planets are always exciting.

[Her smile is more warm now, the sort of happiness that someone has when they talk about things they truly love and enjoy talking about with others. She's less teasing and more animated, her hands gesturing as she speaks.]

Robin Hood's one of my favorite stories. I met him once, you know. He's even more heroic and amazing in person.

[officer]

[ All right, this is evidently a safe topic. He no longer detects teasing and slowly relaxes. ]

Though I've not experienced it myself, colleagues of mine have traveled through time. [ His brow furrows as he frowns slightly. ] And one acquaintance claims to have traveled to other worlds.

[ Of course, so has he now. Things he never thought he'd have in common wit Morrigan... ]

Who is Robin Hood? I'm afraid I've never heard his name before.

[spacegirl]

[Oh, he doesn't know who Robin Hood in. Clara finds someplace to settle in, because she's about to spend a lot of energy on gushing.]

Robin Hood's a hero of sorts. He steals from the rich to give to the poor. Lives in Sherwood Forest with his band of merry men. And I didn't know this until recently, but he loves laughter. And he's incredibly romantic, when he's not busy telling horrible jokes and laughing in the face of danger.

[And there's a dreamy sigh, because Robin Hood is definitely one of her childhood heroes turned adult hero. He ranks pretty high up there, along with the Doctor.]

[officer]

[ Hearing the way she describes this man makes Cullen smile. Her enthusiasm reminds him of Cassandra and her love of romantic heroes. He can only hope the tales of this Robin Hood are better told than the tripe Varric writes. ]

It's a pity my friend isn't here. I believe she would find this man as fascinating as the Champion of Kirkwall. In fact, he sounds a bit like him. His jokes are quite terrible as well, and he's spent much of his life helping the downtrodden and desperate.

[ An idea strikes. ]

Are there books about Robin Hood? Perhaps I can acquire one for Cassandra.