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.]

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.

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]

[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?

[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?

[spacegirl]

What?

[Her nose wrinkles up as she laughs in disbelief, and she gives a shake of her head.]

No, not at all. Why, is that the sort of book that you're looking for?

[She leans in, as if she's about to share a very important literature secret with him.]

Because I've got a few suggestions for you, if you are.

[officer]

What? [ It's not a squawk of scandalized horror. But it's not exactly not not a squawk of scandalized horror. The flush that creeps across Cullen's cheeks certainly doesn't help. ] Maker's breath, no. That's not necessary.

[ He rubs his hand against his forehead. This is what he gets for opening his big mouth. Damn Varric anyway. ]

Forgive me. I've a friend who loves such things. I thought... [ He shakes his head. ] Please ignore me.

[spacegirl]

[He'll have to forgive her, because she's going to spend a few seconds laughing with great amusement.]

A friend? Right. There's nothing to be embarrassed about, you know. You're free to read whatever you like.

[She takes great delight in teasing men, especially ones that blush.]

( 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. ]

[officer]

[ This is terrible. He's never using this blighted thing to talk to people again. Maybe he just shouldn't talk to people at all.

The laughter just makes him more flustered, which in turn makes the flush deeper. ]

I don't read...

[ With a groan, he just gives up. This is like talking to Leliana whenever she got into a mood. ]

Thank you for the advice.

[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.

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]

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.

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]

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.

[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.

[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.]

[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]

There's several people with things that look like they're from Earth. But if you observe things said when a certain someone asked heroic questions, you might take notice that there's a mention of being able to produce things.

[satsujinki]

Thank you for telling me, but that isn't as helpful as I would have hoped.

Could it be that multiple people can do things like transport items from Earth to here?