01 ☆ Video

[parallels]

[The video feed flicks on to show a young woman with staring back at it. She's sitting at a desk with a stack of papers and her file. And as soon as she's sure the video is working, she launches into a rapid speech.]

So, I've I'm not the only one who ended up on an unexpected trip to a rather odd version of Florida. The whole "powers" [her disbelief that that sort of thing is rather palpable] is going to take a bit of getting used to. Though I'm still not quite convinced that I have any. [a shrug.]

Anyway, down to business. My name is Clara Oswald and I'm looking for something and someone. The thing is a great blue box. Twice my size. Big enough to step inside. Says "police" on the outside. It's my transportation. And belongs to a friend, the someone. Calls himself "the Doctor" and is probably up to trouble. Your help reuniting us is appreciated. [She gives the camera a little nod in thanks. If she was going to get information and help, politeness would be the way to do it.]

Second point of business is that I've been assigned to be an English teacher at the high school. Fitting as that's my job. So if you're going to be a student of mine in the fall, report in. I'd like to know what you've read in the past and if you're doing any summer reading. Which you should be. As that will be your first assignment in the fall. [She shuffles the papers and adjusts them against the desk.] Unless you're in summer school. Then I suppose I'll be seeing you Monday.

[and the feed flicks off.]

Comments

[video]

[hands4healing]

I might be one of your students later this year, Miss Oswald.

[...reading? Uhhh...do automail magazines count? Not that she's had a chance to read any since she's gotten here.]

And I've met the Doctor. But his TARDIS isn't here.

Oh! I'm Winry Rockbell.

[parallels]

[Interest piqued! She wont even get on the reading.]

Right then Winry.

Any idea where I can find him?

[transuniversal]

You're not the first person to mention a blue box, but I don't think it's here.

[He would have wanted to see it otherwise.]

[parallels]

Yeah?

You've met the Doctor then?

[Hopeful. Very hopeful.]

audio

[powerkicks]

He calls himself a doctor, or he is one?

video;

[parallels]

Well.

Calls himself one. Might be one in some sense but I'd rather not give him the satisfaction.

video;

[shutterbugged]

[The guy on the feed's dressed in some sort of red-and-blue skintight number, which may or may not be weirder than the fact that he appears to be sitting sideways on a brick wall. If Clara's watched a lot of American TV she might recognize the New York City accent -- Queens, to be precise.]

Oh, you're another one of the Doctor's friends. Yeah, he's around here somewhere -- haven't seen him in a few days, but he's not exactly the kind of guy you miss.

[He gives a little wave.] Nice to meet you, Ms. Oswald. I'm Spider-Man.

[parallels]

Just Clara's fine.

[She resists the urge to mouth the word "Spider-Man" back at him but her eyebrows definitely shoot up to her hairline at the whole name and spandex get up.]

Right, Spider-Man.

Any idea where he's gone? I'm not particularly familiar with Florida. And especially not this "Florida".

voice

[paintjobs]

If I tell you where he is, will you take him away?

[parallels]

[Well. There it was. The first person that he'd managed to get on the wrong side of. Damage control time.]

I'll do my best.

What's he done now?

voice

[mmiab]

Take me away? Just when I thought we were getting along!

[ says the most obnoxious housemate available universe-wide ]

voice

[acclimatized]

I thought the same thing when I first came here. About the powers, I mean. Then I crushed a violin without thinking. It might take a while for them to manifest, that's all.

[ anyway... ]

I spoke to the Doctor a few weeks ago.. not sure where he is now though. Sorry.

[parallels]

[her face is clear indication as to what exactly she thinks of developing violin crushing powers. Or any powers, really.]

Here's hoping I'll have the power to bake soufflés and not something ridiculous. [Because that's not ridiculous. And now there's something more important to talk about.]

You did? What did he say? Any idea where he's gone?

video.

[ex_question191]

You're friends with the alien with the hats?

[ that sure is a thing. stiles rubs the back of his neck, a little awkward. ]

Uh, so, books. I've studied Heart of Darkness, and Macbeth. I think we were gonna move into Gatsby, but I hadn't picked it up yet.

[parallels]

It's a really strange point in your life when you have to answer "yes" to that question.

[Sigh. Anyway, she nods appreciatively at the answer and writes those down on her papers before looking back at him. She can definitely appreciate a good student. Or one that makes the effort at least.]

Gatsby's good. Read much of Jules Verne? That's one of my favorites. Always wanted to teach it.

[video]

[yatagarasu]

We get homework already? But it's only July!

[parallels]

Reading shouldn't just be homework. You ought to always be reading. Even once school is over.

text.

[immigrantpunk]

question 1: how do you get anywhere in a blue box

question 2: what if you got kidnapped here before anyone had a chance to assign you summer reading

[parallels]

Don't forget proper capitalization.

1. It's a spaceship.

2. I've got a nice list if you'd like suggestions. :)

1/???

[mmiab]

[ surfin the network surfin surfin riding those communicator waves just signed himself up for a beach BBQ partay that's cool that's gonna be great isn't it what a time to be alive - ]

[mmiab]

[ --? hang on, what's that, that sounds ]

video

[khajidont]

You don't waste any time, do you, Ms. Oswald? We didn't actually get any summer reading... and besides, isn't that kind of a tough job when all the books here are different from your home's?

[It's just an assumption, but he figures it's a safe one. New world, new history, new books!]

[parallels]

Can't let myself get sloppy just because it's summer. Especially when I've suddenly got a whole new class.

[She pauses and cocks her head. The idea of new books is extremely exciting.]

Are the books entirely different?

VOICE/PRIVATE.

[enabeled]

[ Private only for his own personal reasons, that's all. Carry on. ]

Better off convincing yourself sooner rather than later. In my own experience, yet to meet anyone that's been spared the privilege.

[parallels]

[She notices in encryption briefly before replying in a slightly wry tone.]

Maybe I'll have the privilege of a nice power, like the ability to resist hay fever or sense when it's about to rain.

What have you ended up with?

VIDEO.

[soldiarity]

[ He may look too old to be a future student of hers, but the expression Reiner makes might give it away. ]

No summer reading -- what, are we supposed to be? [ His frown is that of someone who has not much experience with reading for pleasure. ] I wouldn't know where to start with that.

[parallels]

[Clara isn't one to judge on what age someone appears to me. Hanging out with the Doctor and having a babyface does that to a girl. Instead she just grins at the expression.]

You ought to read as much as you can. Even if it's comic books or a newspaper. But if you'd like suggestions, I certainly can provide.

video.

[ex_gloves423]

You're pretty young to be a teacher.

[parallels]

Or maybe you've got a stereotype about teachers' ages in your head that you ought to break.

[She's heard it before. She's used to it.]

[worrior]

[ Reading for leisure wasn't always a hobby he had time for but it was great when he did so he does sound chipper than usual. ]

I got here after school was over. Do we have readings just for the summer?

[parallels]

I just got here too, so quite frankly I have no idea.

But any good teacher should have assigned summer reading. Need to keep up the skills.

[Clearly this is her new regime.]

[altercate]

What are you assigning in the fall?

[ asks the dude who will not be in her class but you know, likes to talk about books. ]

/breathes on

[parallels]

I was thinking a bit of Victor Hugo and Oscar Wilde. Maybe Jules Verne if we've got time. But I've heard there's alterations in the timeline which means loads of new books to read.