because we always need more fairytale aus

[makingsouffles]

[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.]

Comments

[mrcool]

[The Doctor laughs, a little surprised.]

You don't even know where you're going!

[He runs along beside her, giving her a tug in a different direction.]

[makingsouffles]

More fun that way! [She follows in the direction she's pulled, his hand still held fast in hers.]

[mrcool]

You aren't even wearing shoes. [Not that it seems to bother her much.]

[makingsouffles]

...Really?

[Oh, right. She's still in her nightgown too. Oops.

Oswin shrugs, smirking.] There something wrong with that?

[mrcool]

Nope. [He grins and slows to a walk.]

Alright, try to be a little quieter from here.

[makingsouffles]

Why? [She lowers her voice, following him. Hope you like that question, Doctor, because it's one of Oswin's favorites.]

[mrcool]

Because I said.

[Because if the mermaids know the Doctor is here, he may not leave unscathed.]

[makingsouffles]

[That's a terrible answer, Doctor. Oswin frowns, but quiets anyway, silently going wherever he leads her.]

[mrcool]

[He crouches down in the bushes.] You go ahead. The lagoon's right on the other side.

[makingsouffles]

How come you're not going? [Oswin studies him curiously. He'd wanted to show it to her, so why was he hanging back here while she goes ahead?]

[mrcool]

It's...well...it's cooler to see on your own.

[makingsouffles]

...If you say so. [She casts him another glance before pushing the foliage aside and stepping out towards the lagoon.]

[mrcool]

[He stays back, grateful that it seems like the mermaids haven't noticed him. They certainly will poke their heads out when Oswin approaches though.]

[makingsouffles]

Oh..

[Oswin stares out at the water, a smile starting to grow on her lips. Well. That's definitely not what she expected. She tilts her head slightly, watching the mermaids approach.] ...Hello.

[mrcool]

[The mermaids are beautiful, nude but graceful. The Doctor smiles faintly and watches from a distance.]

[makingsouffles]

[After a moment or two, Oswin settles down on an outcrop of rocks to simply watch, careful not to get to close. There's got to be some reason the Doctor's not following her, right?]

[mrcool]

[He's just hoping she won't call him over. The mermaids swim closer to the shore, stretching arms out towards her. One opens its mouth to reveal needle thin, razor sharp teeth.]

[makingsouffles]

[Whoa there. Oswin starts back with a little sound of surprise, quickly getting to her feet and backing away from the shoreline.]

Doctor! [Whoops. Looks like his name slipped out. Sorry, Doctor.]

[mrcool]

[Oh, no. He sighs and reluctantly gets to his feet, peeking out from his bush and hoping the mermaids won't see him. Nope, too late, they're already screeching at him.]

They won't hurt you. Probably.

[makingsouffles]

[She cringes faintly at the screeching, heading over to his side.]

Can't get us here anyway, yeah? [Oswin gives him a tentative grin, slipping her hand back into his. It's so weirdly natural, stuff like that. Like she'd been doing it her whole life.]

[mrcool]

Well...hopefully.

[He gives her a broad smile.] Told you that you'd like them, didn't I?

[makingsouffles]

Doesn't look like the feeling's mutual.

[She bumps her shoulder against his playfully, smirking.] Can't imagine why.

[mrcool]

They can smell me on you. [He gives her a sheepish sort of smile.] They're a bit...well...jealous.

[And as he glances to the side, perhaps Oswin will catch a glimpse of the dark red scar on his neck.]

[makingsouffles]

Seriously? [She has to laugh at that, amusement shining in her eyes.] M'pretty sure they haven't got much to worry about. [Oswin's got Nina at home, after all, and she's really not too keen on getting anywhere near the mermaids.

Her smile fades as she looks up.] ...What's that on your neck?

[mrcool]

Hm?

[Oh...seriously? Why does everyone have to point that out? The Doctor blushes furiously.]

Thaaat...is nothing. [He covers the spot with a hand.]