003 ☆ Video

[parallels]

[Clara is staring at a cup in front of her. Her brows furrowed in a sort of confused determination. All around her are post-it notes that say different things like "the king" "my father" "kingdom, "Doctor" and so on.]

So I think I've gone mad. Lots of people have started going mad lately. Like an epidemic.

[She gently takes the cup and slowly rotates it in her hands.]

I've got to be careful. I think this is poisoned. The cleric is trying to poison the king and he's been like a father to me. Watched over me since I was young and was the one who encouraged me to become a knight. I've got to protect him.

But-

[She frowns more deeply, like she's unsure of the thoughts running in her head.]

But I know that the only time I've ever been knighted was on a planet called Ekard. And it was by a queen. I'd traveled through time and space to get there with my friend. The Doctor was his name. He's also an alien.

[A beat. She stares deeper into her own reflection into the cup before back at the camera.]

So I think I'm mad because the memories about being a knight conflict with mad memories about traveling in space. And aren't you supposed to be sane to recognize what's madness and what isn't it? Isn't that the idea behind a Catch-22

If any of you have an idea if I'm a mad lady knight or a mad space traveling girl, I'd appreciate the clarification. Or if you have any other possible suggestions. Might as well get them all out on the table.

Comments

video;

[girlwithout]

Did you try checking your old posts and stuff? They might tell you something.

[parallels]

They did mention a man called the Doctor. It even said what he looked like. But I honestly can't properly remember what he looks like. And it said here that I'm a teacher. Which I'm quite sure isn't right at all.

voice;

[welcome]

[spoken in the gentlest, most ingratiating tone possible.]

I can't tell you what you are. But, if it's any comfort, it hardly matters.

[parallels]

Can't quite imagine what's more important than knowing who you are.

[welcome]

Who can really say who they are? Who can really know? Not me! And, apparently, not you, either!

[parallels]

I'd like to think most people have some idea of who they are. At least in the literal sense. We don't have to get metaphysical here.

[welcome]

But the metaphysical is the literal. You're only what you perceive, after all, and we all tend to be notoriously unreliable narrators.

[parallels]

Don't think that not being sure if I'm a knight, or some kind of space girl, or even a teacher is just a bit too unreliable to be normal? I mean that's getting back into madness.

[acclimatized]

See, that was the problem I had. I was so sure the memories about space were real and everyone was lying to my face. I can't say for sure what's true or not, but I've never heard you talk about your knighthood before today. You know... if that helps.

[parallels]

Maybe I just never found it worth mentioning.

Seems a bit like bragging even.

[askedtobe]

I think you can still recognize madness and know you might not be all there.

[parallels]

Tell that to Vonnegut.

Though you're right, I suppose. Sometimes people can tell they're slipping into madness. Though in my case, some of the madness must be true... right?

[askedtobe]

Think he had his own ideas on the whole thing.

But I don't think that means your... madness must be true. Could be a lot of things.

[parallels]

They're rather grand literary ideas at least.

...Any ideas?

[askedtobe]

I don't know. This place could have something to do with it? Maybe you're having visions?

video;

[friendshiprocks]

Wait, you're a knight? That's pretty cool. [ Hime Shirayuki: gets the important things out of the conversation ]

[parallels]

I am.

I've served my king since I was a child.

[She doesn't know if it's real. But it certainly makes her feel pride.]

[friendshiprocks]

That's pretty cool. Our kingdom doesn't really have knights, so it's neat to see others. What's it like being a knight?

[parallels]

It's brilliant but difficult. I've got to protect my king. Someone's endangering his life and I'm the only one who's noticed.

From which kingdom do you hail?

[friendshiprocks]

Oh, I'm from the Blue Sky Kingdom. [ and then she does a little curtsey, time for proper introductions. ] I am Himelda, Window Cure Queen of the Blue Sky, princess of the Blue Sky Kingdom. It's nice to meet you!

[shutterbugged]

Not that you couldn't rock it Joan of Arc style (minus the burning at the stake, preferably), but I can confirm both the space travel -- since you told me about it -- and the Doctor -- since I've met him. He's not the kind of guy you forget easily.

[parallels]

[FROWNING. DEEP FROWNING.]

But I've must have been a knight. Or something. I know that I've been a knight. Or I feel like I know that I was.

[shutterbugged]

Okay, then here's a question for you. So you don't remember which way is up, but do you remember when you stopped being able to tell?

[parallels]

...

[She reaches up and runs a hand through her hair. Clearly, the question perplexes her and that is not good.]

At least since this morning. I can't seem to remember anything before that in this place.

Great. More madness.

[shutterbugged]

Don't get yourself down. Whatever this is, we'll figure it out. And even if you are nuts, you're still one of the sanest people here.

Are you sure that's all you remember? I can tell you have been here since mid-September at the very least.