staircasetotheclouds

2spooky au

[It's weird, being dead.

Or well, weird being dead and not exactly where you were when you died. Then again, wandering the darkness of space for eternity sounded like it'd get really old after awhile, so Oswin's pretty sure she should be grateful whatever this is pulled her in. She still hasn't really figured much out about where she's ended up, besides the fact that it's obviously some sort of ship.

And, of course, that it's not really an it at all, given that the ship's the reason she's here. The feeling of another soul, another being hums in the walls and Oswin feels it in the air itself, if not physically. She won't be feeling a lot physically from now on, seems like.

She hasn't got enough energy to manifest properly, but at least she can move around, try to figure out exactly what's going on here. Is this what happens to people when they die, they just sort of...linger? She won't exactly admit to being scared, but...well. Given that she just died an hour or two ago, she's got plenty of right to be a little rattled.

The room she's found herself in looks like some sort of library, and as Oswin drifts aimlessly among the shelves, she spots a figure nearby, shadowed by the light of a fireplace before it. She might be invisible, but whoever it is will probably feel a drop in temperature as she approaches as best she can, curious as to who she's found.]

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[The Doctor wanders through space and time just like he always has, meandering about and trying to forget all the losses. He spends the most time in his library, his favorite place. He's just reorganizing the shelves when he feels...something. A strangeness about him, another presence. A bit like the TARDIS, but this one not quite so familiar.]

...Hello?

[Oh.

The figure's features come into focus the closer she gets and Oswin blinks in surprise, despite the fact that no one can see it. Definitely not a face she'd forget in a hurry, but...what was the Doctor doing here?

It only takes her mind a moment of work it out, no amount of explosions can quell Oswin Oswald's genius, after all. But, what does the Doctor's ship want with her? She glances briefly over her shoulder towards the ceiling, but the TARDIS' presence simply remains a constant hum in the background.

Well. Okay. If he can't even see her, Oswin doubts he'll hear her if she tries to speak. Looks like there's going to be a load of trial and error for the next few minutes. She drifts a little closer and her presence intensifies, though she's not aware of it doing so.]

[The Doctor shivers and looks about, but there's nothing to be seen.]

Hello?

[Well, whoever it was is getting closer.] I can feel you. What are you doing here, eh?

[Okay. Definitely going to need a bit more than that to actually communicate.

Oswin looks up at the bookshelf and lo and behold, there's a book on computer programming lying there. Right. Time to figure out this ghost thing. Ghosts can usually move stuff, so far as Oswin knows.

She reaches up and gives the book an experimental tap. It doesn't move much, but if someone happened to be paying attention, they'd at least hear the soft sound of it against the wood.]

[The Doctor is, in fact, paying attention. He doesn't see the book move, but he hears the soft sound of the book rocking against the bookshelf. He looks about, notices the book.]

Ah, into computers, are we?

[Success! Even if he can't see if, Oswin smiles brilliantly, though it fades after a moment. Is this how she's going to have to live, metaphorically speaking, moving things around and hoping the Doctor will notice?

...she'll cross that bridge when she gets to it. The important thing now is that he knows who she is. A little more concentration and the book's pages flip open in what appears to be an unseen breeze.

There. That's a bit more noticeable.]

Now you're getting it. [The Doctor smiles.] You're learning.

[Whoever it is doesn't seem to have any negative intentions, not that the TARDIS would let any negative influences in. So he decides to acknowledge and praise this lost spirit.]

[And as Oswin is still very much Oswin, alive or dead, she relishes in the praise. In fact, her presence even gets a little less unnerving and more light. Warm, even.

Now, is there anything in this book that might point him in the right direction...? The pages begin moving again, this time a little more slowly and deliberately. Interacting with the physical world takes energy, but Oswin's a stubborn little thing and she'll keep going as long as she can.]

What is it you're looking for, hm? [He comes a bit closer, studying the book.]

[She's got no idea, really. For a few moments more, she flips through the pages before necessity demands she stop to rest.

Oswin drifts back to the shelf, but all the rest of the books are lined up on it and just taking one out would be difficult to manage, never mind getting it to a table.

There's one that's a little loose on the shelf nearby, an astronomy book with an elaborate star chart on the cover. Perfect. With the last of her energy, Oswin lifts it slightly, letting it drop down with a quiet 'thunk' before retreating to gather her strength.]

[He can see that the spirit is starting to tire, and frowns slightly.] Easy, don't spend all your energy at once.

[The astronomy book falls, and he bends to pick it up, considering it thoughtfully.]

Computers and stars, hm? What are you trying to tell me?

[If he strains, he might just be able to hear her huff. Come on, Doctor, you haven't forgotten her already, have you?

...To be fair, there's probably one thing about their meeting that sticks out just a little more than everything else, but Oswin's not all that willing to go looking for books on Daleks.]

[So maybe he doesn't hear her huff, but he can pick up on her consternation. There's a soft chuckle from him and he takes the astronomy book to his armchair, sitting down.]

Well calm down, it's not exactly easy for us to communicate between...well, whatever it is that separates the living and the d--er...your lot.

[She follows right after him and, though he can't see it, perches on the armrest of his chair. Or rather, hovers over it in a seated position, but who's keeping track?

The Doctor might just feel his shoulder getting colder as Oswin glances over it at the book.]

[The Doctor glances back over his shoulder, giving a small smile.] Hello, you. Give me a sign if you see something.

[It honestly makes her feel so much better, the way he's treating her. Like maybe being dead won't be so bad after all, so long as she can stay on the TARDIS.

She'd better not be stuck in here, though. That, Oswin doesn't want to think about. So, instead, she just watches him turn the pages as her energy returns, playfully turning a few every now and then.]

[He laughs when she turns the pages and glances back at where he knows she must be.]

Must be one of mine, hm? Lots of energy, I like that.

[The lightness in her presence falters. No, Doctor, not really one of yours, not properly. Unless you want to count now, but it's going to be a bit difficult.

Still. The way he's looking at her, he could actually be looking at her. And that makes her feel better. Looking down at the pages, Oswin flips a few more until the book's open to a star chart that crosses several galaxies.]

[He pauses at that, glancing at the page.]

Could you try to show me where you're from? See if you can move my hand.

[Oh, that's easy. Carefully reaching down, Oswin takes the Doctor's hand in her down, moving it so that his index finger rests as close to Earth as she can get it.

To the Doctor, it'll feel like a cool, feather-light touch, but Oswin's delighting in the fact that she can actually feel him, if she concentrates on making her hand solid. She even manages to give his fingers a squeeze before withdrawing.]

[The Doctor chuckles at the touch, smiling as his finger comes to rest on Earth.]

Earth. Let me guess, twenty first century, roughly. Female. Yeah?

[Well, not exactly. Oswin flips the pages to page 41, tapping at the number and hoping the sound will draw his attention to it.

41st century, Doctor. This one's a future girl.]

Forty one, forty one... Ah! That's your century. Brilliant. But I was right, you are a girl, aren't you?

[She's not exactly sure how to confirm that, but another flip of the pages seems to do the trick.

Oh, but he's not getting it. Maybe it's been longer for him since they've met, it only really feels like a few hours to Oswin. She sighs, resting back against the chair as best she can while incorporeal.]

[He sinks back in his chair, deep in thought.]

You're trying to tell me...who you are, yes? Because I know you. We've crossed paths, at the very least, and you've been drawn here by the TARDIS for some reason.

[The Doctor lapses back into thought.] Future Earth girl...hmmm...Did we meet on Earth? It's been ages since I've been to the forty first century.

[There's a long period of silence before the pages start turning again, stopping on another star chart, this one for farther reaches of space than the last. Oswin's not entirely sure where the Asylum was, but this is her best guess.

Her hand merely guides his to the page this time, not pointing out anything specific.]

[He glances down at the charts.] Definitely not Earth then. Oooh, this area of space, more like...

[Once again he's thoughtful. He sits up straighter as the thought hits him, and he stares at the empty space where she should be.]

Oswin Oswald. My souffle girl. It's you, isn't it?

[His souffle girl. She likes that.

She grins, even if he can't see it and reaches out to let her hand rest on his cheek. Contrary to popular belief, it's not an entirely unpleasant feeling, being touched by a ghost. If anything Oswin feels more like a cool gust of wind that just so happens to be hand-shaped than an actual hand someone's plunged into ice water.

Hopefully, that'll suffice as a yes.]

[The Doctor chuckles, glancing down and smiling. He wishes he could have saved her, but that's a pretty normal feeling with him.]

I'm glad to have you around.

[Well, it definitely could be worse, right? At least he's got the chance to make good on his promise now.

Speaking of, Oswin opens the book to a two-page illustration of a starry night sky, hoping there's enough of a questioning air about the question to get her point across. It won't be easy like this, of course, but maybe it doesn't have to stay this way forever?]

[He's sort of lost in thought now, quiet and a little sad but amused.]

Oh...hm? Stars...ah yes. You wanted to travel. Still do, don't you?

[Well, of course. Oswin resists the urge to roll her eyes. Just 'cause she's dead doesn't mean she's suddenly become boring.

She pulls his hand to the page again, resting her own on top of it. That would be a yes.]

Can you even leave the TARDIS? [He's thoughtful, quietly enjoying the feel of her hand on his.]

You'll have to talk to her. Learn what you can. Maybe she can teach you to project yourself a little better.

[Her hand tightens on his a little at the suggestion that she might not be able to leave, but it's at that moment that her strength starts failing. She can only make herself corporeal for so long at present, and it takes so much energy.

Oswin's touch fades away, but the Doctor should still be able to sense her there. She won't be leaving him alone for a long time.]

[He smiles slightly at where he knows she must be.]

Don't strain yourself too much. At least I know who you are now.

[He'll feel his shoulder get a little cooler as Oswin lays her head there, resting up. Maybe it'll get easier, once she's practiced enough, but short spurts of energy are all she can manage for now.

She rustles the pages a little in agreement, not turning them but just letting them move like a soft breeze stirred them. Just to let him know she's still there.]

[He lets out a sigh, wishing he could touch her to reassure her.]

I really am glad to have you here. I could use the company. And the TARDIS could too, I'm sure.

[Maybe once she's manifested properly, Doctor. Don't lose hope, because Oswin sure isn't.

A brief smirk tugs at her lips.] M'not really much company now. [She hasn't tried talking yet, maybe it takes less energy than actually moving things. The Doctor, however, will only hear what would be the faintest of whispers to human ears.]

[He doesn't hear much, just murmurs that don't quite sound like words. But he hears something. Blinking in surprise, he looks around.]

Was that you?

[She beams and the room's entire atmosphere lightens. He can hear her! Maybe not properly yet, but it's a lot better than communicating through the pages of a book.

Still, she hasn't got enough energy to say anything else yet, so instead the book's pages flutter once more in confirmation.]

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2spooky au

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