clara "why are you booing me i'm right" oswald (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
makemeasong) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
eastbound2022-11-03 05:55 pm
makemeasong) wrote in eastbound2022-11-03 05:55 pm
audio { un: hide-and-seek }
[ Clara isn't sure how long it is before she feels capable of having a conversation, one where she's able to coherently explain her interaction with the Child. She's been sitting with her thoughts, turning over every level in her mind, all the things she saw and felt. By the time the Doctor had found her on Level Three, she'd already been through enough to hide in a dark room, uncharacteristically unsure of what to do. They'd wound up getting to the top of the tower together, he'd seen her through the sickness, but he'd gone back for others. That had left her alone to talk with the Child when he appeared without a sound by her side. Now, it's time to share what she's learned.
She may be feeling up to conversation, but not enough for video, and after this, only enough to text. When she begins, her voice is already hoarse, rough around the edges. ]
Right, jumping straight to it this time 'round. I had an interesting conversation with the Child. The kid in the fox mask. He said some things I'm sharing so we can talk them out or whatever we need to do. This may be a coincidence since I dunno know what the tower was or wasn't manipulating at that point, but anytime he stood with his umbrella over me, I felt better, less like I was sick. I also still have it, the umbrella. He left it.
[ She'd tried to give it back to him, and he'd let her have it without saying anything about it. ]
Alright, I'll get to it because we're all exhausted. The conversation started when he told me I 'wouldn't like what I see' and followed that hit up with 'seeing the undead isn't the same as knowing what's happening.' I guess he knows about the dragon eyes and what they do. I asked him who could help us know what we need to understand the rest, but his only suggestion was to ask his parents. He mentioned his father knows everything. Lots of kids think that, though.
Third fact of fun: fox-face told me his father could help anyone except me. And I dunno if he meant me specifically or all of us? Because he finished that bit up by saying he—as in himself—'made things sick' but didn't mean to and he's sorry. The kid also referred to a 'him' and 'he' a lot. Mentioned if 'he' were here, 'he' would know why we were sick. I'm assuming the father is the same 'him,' but it was never clear. Could be two totally separate beings.
[ But here's where things get even more interesting. ]
Next, kid says he was in Serthica after a ship dropped him off to play with the dragons. He seemed pretty excited about the idea that said dragons were big enough to eat 'him.' Still dunno if that's different from dad.
[ Now for the real dick move: ]
The Child said he was playing with me, with us. I think I guilted him into admitting we're his toys, just playthings. The dollhouse built just for him with us as the living dolls. Then he was gone. Not before saying he was glad to have us as toys.
[ Clara rubs a hand over her face, sighing audibly. ]
Other fine details include: he doesn't know how to keep us from getting sick, he doesn't understand why we get sick or how to stop us from dying (so he claims), and he blamed me or...us, I guess, for coming to a place where the sickness is. He insisted he was a good kid who only came to play with dragons.
[ By the time she's done, she's satisfied she hasn't missed anything — hopes so at least. ]
That's all I know. Or at least it's all I can remember. Was a long day, but I don't have to tell you lot that. Hopefully, this helps with something.
She may be feeling up to conversation, but not enough for video, and after this, only enough to text. When she begins, her voice is already hoarse, rough around the edges. ]
Right, jumping straight to it this time 'round. I had an interesting conversation with the Child. The kid in the fox mask. He said some things I'm sharing so we can talk them out or whatever we need to do. This may be a coincidence since I dunno know what the tower was or wasn't manipulating at that point, but anytime he stood with his umbrella over me, I felt better, less like I was sick. I also still have it, the umbrella. He left it.
[ She'd tried to give it back to him, and he'd let her have it without saying anything about it. ]
Alright, I'll get to it because we're all exhausted. The conversation started when he told me I 'wouldn't like what I see' and followed that hit up with 'seeing the undead isn't the same as knowing what's happening.' I guess he knows about the dragon eyes and what they do. I asked him who could help us know what we need to understand the rest, but his only suggestion was to ask his parents. He mentioned his father knows everything. Lots of kids think that, though.
Third fact of fun: fox-face told me his father could help anyone except me. And I dunno if he meant me specifically or all of us? Because he finished that bit up by saying he—as in himself—'made things sick' but didn't mean to and he's sorry. The kid also referred to a 'him' and 'he' a lot. Mentioned if 'he' were here, 'he' would know why we were sick. I'm assuming the father is the same 'him,' but it was never clear. Could be two totally separate beings.
[ But here's where things get even more interesting. ]
Next, kid says he was in Serthica after a ship dropped him off to play with the dragons. He seemed pretty excited about the idea that said dragons were big enough to eat 'him.' Still dunno if that's different from dad.
[ Now for the real dick move: ]
The Child said he was playing with me, with us. I think I guilted him into admitting we're his toys, just playthings. The dollhouse built just for him with us as the living dolls. Then he was gone. Not before saying he was glad to have us as toys.
[ Clara rubs a hand over her face, sighing audibly. ]
Other fine details include: he doesn't know how to keep us from getting sick, he doesn't understand why we get sick or how to stop us from dying (so he claims), and he blamed me or...us, I guess, for coming to a place where the sickness is. He insisted he was a good kid who only came to play with dragons.
[ By the time she's done, she's satisfied she hasn't missed anything — hopes so at least. ]
That's all I know. Or at least it's all I can remember. Was a long day, but I don't have to tell you lot that. Hopefully, this helps with something.
no subject
But we must first look to ourselves, and without knowing how to help him when he so refuses our advice, we would be unwise to ignore other considerations should new opportunities present themselves.
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But if it is only malice, if he does enjoy hurting us—which I don't believe at this point—then I know it'll come down to what's wisest for us all.
[ Sometimes there's only the worst choice. A taste, maybe, of what the Doctor goes on the days he loses. ]
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Who would be capable of containing him? He can appear and vanish at will, and none here know how to combat the sickness, as far as I am aware.
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Do you happen to know of anyone?
[ It'd save her some time if Vanessa did. ]
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But I know what it means for those who carry a shroud which causes only torment. If he is the source, I don't know how he can be cured without also being destroyed. If not that, then changed. You assume for the better.
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[ It grates on her, that more people aren't willing to see something better for the Child than misery. And if they are, not many people are saying it out loud. ]
Just because we don't know how to help doesn't mean there isn't an answer. Or is there someone here who can factually tell me what's happening to him and confirm none of this is reversible? I'd love to talk to that person.
no subject
We can do only so much with what we have been given, and what we do now is no small task. I would caution against belittling the efforts of our people if they are unable or unwilling to extend themselves beyond their limits, especially for an entity they know nothing of beyond the destruction that he has brought about.
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[ She's not all hope and happy endings, she's all too aware that life is unfair and cruel, and sometimes makes no sense. But she is offended that Vanessa thinks that she'd belittle anyone, just because she wants to find someone who can assure her the hardest choice is the only one with no other option.
And she is more exhausted than she ever has been in her life. Her interpretation of things might be off. ]
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Perhaps clarity will reach us when we have had a moment to recover. I haven't given up all hope, despite my caution.
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I'm sorry. And you're right, I need sleep. Probably days of it before I have any right to think about this again.
[ There's a moment of hesitation at her next message; she knows the Doctor is fond of Vanessa, and that means Clara wants to be on the right foot with her, so to speak. Serthica has made it difficult to get to know people the way she's used to but of course, the Doctor has no trouble. He never does.
She shoves out of her mind the secondary thought that his new face might. ]
Are you okay after everything?
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I am remarkably in one piece, though I was not prepared for such terrain. I consider myself lucky to have managed, and only did so through the help of others.
[ Her skirts were all wrong for this mission. Just... Just awful. ]
You're kind to always ask.
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[ Clara really does want the best thing for everyone. And she knows that tower, all of this, the Child made. She hadn't realized when she first addressed everyone. ]
I'm glad you made it out. I think I should suggest to the Doctor he just keeps everyone he cares for right in the same space. He'll wear himself out eventually, looking after all of us individually.
[ She's joking. Sort of. Maybe? ]
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There's a delay in her response. ]
Yes, I'm sure that's what he would wish as well.
What of you, are you all right? After everything?
text; private
No. I was locked in a room that forced me to watch the Doctor die. My mother and closest friend, too. I lost them a long time ago.
text; private
no subject
[ Clara doesn't want to think about it. ]
Thank you for saying that. I would've rather been the one helping.
no subject
[ Hesitation. ]
I have also known the passing of my mother, as well as my closest friend. I would be heartbroken to have their deaths displayed again for the viewing of others.
The curse upon the clocktower was merciless. It's a wonder that we survived.
no subject
I've been so many places with the Doctor, and I've seen people want to hurt others for their own gain, or take over a planet by hurting or killing others, but I've never felt so much darkness from one place.
It's like a concerted effort to kill us off or make us feel like we're crazy. Maybe hate is what fuels Serthica, who knows. I wouldn't put it past whatever's controlling things here.
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I'm going to sleep, before I start sending nonsense. We would all benefit from a few solid hours, I think.
no subject