staircasetotheclouds | because we always need more fairytale aus

[Fairy tales are...really not what Oswin does. Her realm's the one of technology and computers, things she can physically touch and explain logically. Sure, she's definitely a dreamer, but her dreams are things she can do, not impossible or unattainable, and you can get she knows what she's going to do to get them. She's got no time to waste on magic and silly things that won't help her out.

But, there is one that makes her take pause sometimes, whenever she hears it repeated.

A man, older than time itself and yet young in his appearance, a man who hadn't grown old even as thousands and thousands of year passed. People said that he spirited people away at night, but never to harm them, only to take them to a magical world where they would stay with him for as long as they pleased, exploring and adventuring. But, they always left in the end and even when she was young and hearing the story for the first time, that always struck a rather melancholy chord with Oswin.

And now, for some reason, she finds herself thinking about it again, that story she hasn't properly heard in years. Perched in the windowsill in her nightgown and looking out at the countless stars in the sky she one day hopes to see much closer, Oswin lets her mind wander back to it for some reason or another.

Probably because part of her wishes it was real and there was some magic man ready to whisk her off to a place that's as far from here as possible. But, no. She's got to do things the old-fashioned way and that's that. No matter how much she wants to change that, there's not a lot of getting past it.

If only there was.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

mrcool

[He raises an eyebrow at Idris, but she shakes her head and says something in her bell language. The Doctor looks back at Oswin.]

She says your apology wasn't sincere enough.

From:

makingsouffles

[Huff.]

What does she want from me, then?

From:

mrcool

A more sincere apology, obviously. And for you to stop being so difficult.

[He laughs.] Sort of funny, coming from her...

From:

makingsouffles

Difficult? [She scowls.] You're the one that's not telling me what the hell's going on!

From:

mrcool

[SIGH, and he mutters something that sounds distinctly like 'humans'.]

Idris, could you get the door please?

[The little fairy gives him a look and rolls her eyes, but then she's up in the air again, gathering something that looks like silvery sand in her palms. She lets out a breath, sending the glittery stuff sparkling across the room. The world seems to shift and blur at the edges at that spot until a single blue door appears.]

Go on. See what's out there.

From:

makingsouffles

[For a moment, all Oswin can do is stare as the door shimmers into existence. A door. In the middle of her flat. For a moment, she entertains the idea of reaching out and touching it to see just if it's real, but no. Not yet.

Instead, she turns around to face him.] You're supposed to fly. That's what all the stories say, yeah? [Obviously undeniable proof that this is a trick.]

From:

mrcool

[He blinks at her in surprise.]

As luck should have it, I forgot my fizzy lifting drinks today, so no, I don't...I don't fly. Idris does.

From:

makingsouffles

[That's almost a little disappointing, really, but Oswin keeps that very much to herself. It's not him, someone's obviously playing a joke on her. They'll pop out any minute now, one of her friends or maybe Nina, and have a laugh over all of this.]

Just a door, then. [Cue skeptical eyeing. Well, maybe if she opens it, all of this will be over quicker.] Doesn't look all that magical to me. [Apart from the fact that it just appeared out of thin air. Or a really clear holographic projector.]

From:

mrcool

[The Doctor sighs.] Open the door and you'll see.

From:

makingsouffles

Fine. [Oswin huffs, unfolding her arms and heading over to the door. Cautiously, she reaches out, pressing a hand to the blue wood and very nearly jerking it back in surprise when she actually feels it under her hand.

Well. Definitely solid, then. She won't admit it, but something stirs in her chest just then.

With one last glance back at the man behind her, Oswin grasps the door handle and pushes it open.]

From:

mrcool

[He watches her expectantly, just waiting. There's a grin at her jolt of surprise, and Idris lands on his shoulder, sitting down and leaning against his neck. She looks terribly amused too.

Outside the door is literally a whole new world. There's lush greenery, a jungle, filled with birds and plants and all sorts of things that can't be found on Earth.]

From:

makingsouffles

I've got no idea what you think's going to be on the other si-

[Oswin cuts off right as she gets a good look at what is on the other side of the door. For a moment, she just stares, silhouetted in the doorway and still holding onto the handle.

Slowly, she releases her grip, stepping forward into the world beyond the doorway without any hesitation or fear. This is Oswin, after all, even if she's been trying to fiercely deny all of this.

Exhaling softly, she gazes around in wonder at the lush jungle around her, trying to just take it all in.]

From:

mrcool

[He smiles and follows after her, leaning against the doorway.]

Welcome to Neverland. Or so I like to call it. Time sort of stands still here.

From:

makingsouffles

[She turns around to face the Doctor, staring at him and Idris with new eyes.]

...You're real. [Her voice is little more than a breath.]

From:

mrcool

Well obviously. [He grins.] Now, are you coming with me?

From:

makingsouffles

...why me? [For all Oswin brags about her own genius, it's just...weird. To be picked out of millions of other people that Doctor could've found.] Why d'you want to take me along, out of everyone else?

From:

mrcool

[He holds a hand out to her, smiling softly.] Guess we'll have to figure that out together, won't we?

From:

makingsouffles

[Briefly, Oswin hesitates but, really, how many opportunities like this is she going to get? Besides, she's nothing if not adventurous.

With a small smirk, she takes his hand.] Shouldn't be too difficult.

From:

mrcool

'Atta girl. [The Doctor grins.] Mind you close the door behind you. We don't want to have any uninvited guests.

From:

makingsouffles

[She shuts the door behind the two of them, hurrying a few steps to catch up.]

So..so, this is another universe, yeah? Pocket one, maybe? [It can't just be a fantasy realm, there's got to be some explanation.]

From:

mrcool

Yes, and no. [He shrugs.] Neverland is more...the gateway between dimensions and universes. Since Idris is from here, she has the ability to open up pathways. It's just easiest for your mind to process it as a literal door.