2nd Message ☆ Video ☆ Open to courts

[parallels]

[The locket feed switches out to show Clara out in the fields around Caer Glaem. Her face is dirty and smeared with dirt and sweat. Her hair is pulled back in a messy ponytail and she stands with a shovel, surrounded by piles of dirt. There is also a pile of delicately picked tulips set to the side. Clearly, she's been putting her best foot forward when it comes to the requests from the court.

She licks her lips before starting, as if she's trying to follow what she's rehearsed in her mind.]

So Clara Oswald, here. Nice to meet anyone I haven't spoken to before. Phones and lockets that act like phones aren't really my thing. [Well that was a poor intro. She sighs a little and moves it along.]

I've been collecting the flowers on the graves to bring back to Caer Glaem. I figured it might be a bit of a nice thing to brighten up the crypts and to honor all of these people. Every time, we visited my mum's grave we'd always bring flowers. But none of these people have anyone to bring them flowers. No one even knows who they are. Figured that maybe that's something we could do. It's not about war, it's just about doing what's proper. That at least, I can get behind, threat of an evil spirit or not.

If you'd like some flowers let me know, I'm going to bring them back to the city. Maybe we can arrange them into something? Can't say that's my specialty but I'm sure there's someone out there who can.

...And then, second part of what I wanted to broadcast. It's a bit of a new direction. More cheerful one though.

[She shifts the camera down to show a little winged dog that is currently chewing on a bone next to her.]

Right so.

I've never owned a pet before. Not even a gold fish. Most I ever had was was one of those little keychain toys when I was ten.

But I got this one as a boon and he's a bit well. A handful. As puppies and children tend to be. In desperate times, my resources are books or my own cleverness; and cleverness has no bearing on puppy logic and I can't imagine there's "Simarg Cub Training 101" in the library, I'm running a bit dry here.

[The pup barks and flies up to lick her face. She laughs, a little more honestly than usual, and pats his head.]

Basically, pet owner advice is desperately needed. I'm sure I can spin whatever you can give me into something useful for this little one.

Comments

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[starspangled]

Hermione's got a pup like that. I bet she could give you some advice.

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[parallels]

Brilliant. I'll have to go swallow my pride and ask her directly.

[She snorts a little. At least she has enough of a sense of humor to realize it's ridiculous to have pride over this, right? She'll give herself credit there.]

We can do flying puppy play dates or something like that.

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[starspangled]

She seems like the helpful type. I bet it'd make her happy.

[See? You'd be doing her a favor.]

Got a name for him yet?

[parallels]

Got to love a helpful type. Or at least when you need help, then you love them.

[Clearly, Clara has some experience with this. She looks down at the pup, who wags his little tail in response.]

I dunno, I was thinking maybe... Patrasche. [a beat.] From the novel, Dog of Flanders. Loved that book growing up. But it's a little esoteric. And so blatantly paints me as an English teacher. It's a bit like stamping it to your forehead.

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[brainiest]

[ She saw you, Steve-- ]

I do have one just like yours - Padfoot!

[ And there's a yip from behind her as a charcoal coloured dog appears over Hermione's shoulder. ]

I'd be happy to help.

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[parallels]

I have to thank you for replying and sparing my ego the struggle of figuring out how to ask you without sounding ridiculous.

[Her lips quirk and her eyebrows raise before breaking into a grin at the little pup.]

Padfoot. Now that's a proper name.

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[brainiest]

Of course, it's no bother at all.

[ She smiles, pulling Padfoot closer and scratching at his ears. ]

He's named for a friend of mine. Just as excitable.

[parallels]

A friend from home?

[She looks at her little one and laughs a bit.]

Unfortunately, I'm lacking in friends that lend themselves to good pet names.

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[playmakings]

I know how to make them into a crown.

[ Her voice is soft. Shy, like she's unsure if it'll help. She's wary, but the dog made her comment. Plus, the other's accent is really cute and she's pretty. No harm in asking, right? ]

Do you think they'd like that?

[parallels]

I think that'd be lovely.

[Clara smiles kindly and laughs a little under her breath. Not at the other girl, but more of a sad laugh in the face of situation.]

And I wish I had the answer to that. Really. But I'd like to think so. Bring a bit of brightness to their final resting place.

[playmakings]

[ She seems almost relieved it'll work, and so she nods and tries her best to smile. ]

Do you want me to teach you?

[parallels]

Sure.

I'd love to learn. I've never really been much for flowers. Usually I'm allergic but Fairyland is kinder to my allergies than the real world.

[Plus something to do with her hands sounds great.]

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[boutant]

Aw, what a cutie!

[ wiggling her fingers at the simarg yes she is

Er- oh right, there were questions. ]

I like the flowers idea. I'd just be careful with picking other flowers, since the dryads might be attached to them.

[parallels]

He's a good boy.

[And the compliment is a cue for the pup to try to jump up on her shoulder in order to get a better look at the locket. She sputters and shoves him down as her expression darkens.]

It's never simple in this place, is it? Even just to pick a flower.

[boutant]

Does he have a name yet?

[ sdlkghsd silly pup ]

Unfortunately, no. I mean, I think they tend to stick with trees? But I'm not- certain.

[parallels]

Not quite. I've been sort of calling him Patrasche. But it's a bit of a depressing reference so I don't know that's proper.

[And he's back up again. But this time he's more gently about settling against her shoulder and she lets him stay.]

...I'll look out for them. Last thing I need is to have a cross nymph after me.

private video

[bythewaves]

[ Maglor is travelling with Javik, only bothering to scroll through the network occasionally, but he smiles to see the pup ]

With wings even? Ai, he will be a handful. I have little aid to offer, only to say that you have to be firm but never cruel. Twas Celegorm who had the deft hand with beasts - all I can manage are horses. [ but then, Celegorm cheats ]

And I think that the flowers are a lovely touch - each one has a meaning, did you know? I hope you find hands to help you in your work.

[parallels]

Maglor. Glad you decided to respond.

[She strokes the pup's ears and he yips a few times before running around her feet, doing little jumps where he glides for a few feet. ] I find horses a handful so I'm probably going to be in loads of trouble when it comes to this one.

[She pulls her feet away so the pup can't eat her shoe laces.]

I've heard that but I've never really been into that sort of thing. It's mostly-[She waves a hand.] romantic bullocks.

[bythewaves]

[ He smiles to watch the pup play ]

I am sure you will do well - think of him as a young child eh? He needs a firm hand, to know where his boundaries are, and lots of love. You are probably already his world - all he will wish for is to please you! It was why Celegorm identified and loved them so much, I think. They are very simple beast, and so utterly true.

[ a chuckle ] Ah, but it can be used in other ways as well! Passing messages, for example!

video; shh i am right on time

[bolincredible]

Ahh, every pet's a handful at some point. You know, I think it's a good sign! It means they've got a real zest for life! And who doesn't want to have a zest for life, am I right? [ Also, puppies are really cute and you should forgive them for everything.

... oh, wait. Advice. ]

But yeah, I've got Pabu all kinds of trained! So I could totally try to help you out, if you think fire-ferret advice can translate to... simarg-rearing?

[parallels]

...Well, considering I know nothing about fire-ferrets or simargs, I think I'll take any advice that's given to me.

[She grins at him.]

Zest for life?

[bolincredible]

Yep. Zest. [ It's a great thing, okay. ] Okay, so I definitely recommend keeping a lot of food around! Treats do you huge favors. And maybe some leading by example. That's how I got Pabu doing handstands, at least. You know, he's a very visual learner.

[ i'm sorry clara there's no excuse for him ]

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[wroughtsteel]

In my lands flowers too grow over the graves, though not so many. Only the one kind, to be true.

[ She smiles softly. ]

It's a kind gesture, I think... and proper that we do that if we can. So I will try to as well, from here on out.

[parallels]

Even if we aren't sure about this war, the dead deserve some respect. Like you said, it's only proper to do something about it.

[She sighs softly and looks over the flowers.]

Hopefully it means something.

[wroughtsteel]

It means something to us, at the very least. And I think flowers upon a grave are meant for the dead beneath them, whether someone put them there or they came to be on their own. Much like the flowers you would bring to your mother.