abraxaslogs | ( catch-all) the definite article, you might say

Oh, yes, I've watched many stars disappear and reappear and be born and die. The universe is always growing and expanding, twisting and turning. It's bigger and more beautiful and terrible than you might ever imagine and I've only just scratched the surface.

[ As the Doctor speaks, he's often moving and fidgeting with his hands, unable to ever really be completely still at any given moment. ]

Bit delayed from the exploring though now, as you might imagine.

[ Being trapped here as they are. Yet, in spite of the Doctor's loathing for their present circumstances — the lack of free will in being here — there's a purpose in their presence here and he'll do his best to help.

His attention, though, is now diverted when the other man pulls out the mirror, and the Doctor now returns to sit on the bench closer to him, attempting to observe the mirror more clearly. ]

Oh, that's a clever thing! I traveled the stars in my ship, the TARDIS. She took me anywhere I wanted to go. Well, very rarely where I actually wanted to go, but where I needed to go more often than not.

[ But the projection is capturing his attention more than anything else right now and he focuses back on it, studying the details. ]

You must have a favorite constellation here, then. Or home. Both! Do tell. And tell me more about this navigation device of yours.

[ If he'd thought before those answers were fascinating, this all but doubles down on them being so. The universe was mostly a concept out of his reach before arriving, what with the astronomers he knew of having their own limits that could've been surpassed with some of the technology available here. But the stars - they've always been something he's appreciated and something steadying, so to hear of how they're forever changing just out of their sight? Adds a little extra appreciation of them.

Claude cracks a smile that's something closer to genuine at the mention of a delay. Yes, that much he understands - as does the restlessness displayed since it's so often the cause of being awake late at night, like right now. ]

I suppose you've already been to the academies studying the stars here? If not, you should go there immediately when they're open. As for this, [ with a tilt of the mirror in his hand, ] I'm actually not sure how much I can tell you about it, and not just because I'd like to be delightfully secretive to be difficult. This is really is just a mirror as it looks like, but the part where the stars come in here is something I didn't have until arriving. An ability of some kind, it almost seems.

[ Even as he shifts his gaze to the makeshift device in his hand, Claude tilts it obligingly to have the projection update to a different section of the night sky based on the movement. ]

I've always attributed it to something from the Singularity since it seems to be in charge of so much here, but honestly - who knows where it came from? It's fitting though since I spent a lot of time studying the stars when I was a child and they've never lost their magic for me. Most of the constellations at home come with stories attached to them that've been passed down through generations. My favorite one is The Archer, where it's said each night he fires an arrow across the horizon. Where it lands is somewhere yet to be discovered, but fortune waits for those who find it.

[ And with a grin Claude adds, ] I've not yet found a constellation which means the same here, but my guess is there's something like it if the similarities our worlds all share despite the differences are anything to go by.

[ He's been devouring all facets of this place that he can, though oftentimes when he visits museums or academies of science, he's not-so-secretly visiting just to tell them how wrong they are. Although admittedly, that's not as easy to do here. ]

You're allowed if you were - a few secrets now and again keep a bit of mystery in life. [ Said with a lopsided smile of his own. Perhaps because the Doctor keeps many secrets of his own. Though, he never much likes too many secrets being kept from him, naturally. Do as he says, not as he does and all that. ]

You can always make your own stories! Studying the stars as you have been, I'm sure you've got loads to tell! Did you ever dream of seeing them up close? The stars. Close enough to touch.

[ That's the sort of response that has Claude's interest sharpening - something not uncommon, but what with how this whole conversation's gone? He wasn't sure there was even room for it to happen further. The smile which slips over his face might be a little closer to something knowing then, a sign that's a sentiment shared when it comes to secrets and mystery. Something he has plenty of himself and intentionally so, but it also makes him wonder if they share the sentiment for what else is behind them.

Something to contemplate later on - they can both keep some of those secrets for now when what follows is every bit as intriguing. ]

Truthfully, I wasn't aware you could be among the stars until coming here. Not any more than as a passing fancy of a daydream, which I suppose answers your question. But the actual act of traveling through them is technology far beyond where I was from, so most of my time was spent making up stories when I decided the ones out there didn't fit the constellations.

Such as, [ with another tilt of the mirror in his hands to bring a different constellation into focus, ] this one is supposedly one of the elder gods whose name escapes me, not that the Free Cities has much about them in the libraries here. If you ask me it looks a bit more like a dragon roosting so I've decided this one's taking a particularly long nap after eating some giant feast. The sort of thing we can all aspire to, really.

Dream anything you want about the stars! Dream big and it's even bigger than you could imagine, more of the impossible made possible, more fantastical. You could see it all, we could together. I'll owe you a trip some day! And I always keep my promises.

[ That's not entirely true, unfortunately; the more authentic truth, perhaps, is that he always means to keep his promises. That's only another secret amongst many. ]

Slumbering Dragon, that's your constellation. And there you are, all the makings of a brilliant and relatable story about it! The feasting part, absolutely. That's me all over. I'll leave the sleeping to everyone else, though. You humans tend to need more of it.

[ It's the sort of remark that just slips out easily, without much thought. ]

That really is a clever thing you've got there. Have you explored much of the desert here with it?

[ Claude smiles slightly, this one perhaps a little more honest than his usual one for casual geniality, because he can appreciate that sort of sweeping promise. It's the kind he likes to make in broad ways, of something which may or may not come to pass, but - if given the chance? He'd absolutely love to see the stars from another angle.

Something to contemplate another time since immediately following that thought is a delighted laugh at what's created as further backstory to his half-thought out constellation idea. ]

Now that's a title I can get behind, even if I'm more familiar with wyverns than dragons. [ The kind of sentence which might suggest he has some feelings about it (or wyverns in particular as the more positive association), and he's about to expand on that before the remark about humans. There's an infinitesimal pause on his end only because of that paired with dragons as a connection he's made, though he sets it aside for now. ] We'll have to march right over to the nearest academy and demand they put it into their books as fact since it's all but that, as far as I'm concerned.

[ Speaking of concern: much as he doesn't particularly want to put away the mirror and stop the projection, it's probably best to not use too much magic out in the open so he shuts the compact and slips it back into his pocket. There's still the actual stars above to contemplate should they want them. ]

Yes and no is my answer to that. I've been out in the desert plenty but now that you've mentioned it, I can't say I've been out much at night. I really should since Viktor - one of the other Summoned here, brilliant scientist - made some goggles which make it easier in low light. Helpful when there's all sorts of creatures lurking around, but there's not too many near the city's edge. Have you been out there yourself yet?

And I'm not entirely familiar with either, though I know of them. And I want to know more of them. You'll have to pencil me in for another talk soon, entirely about your wyverns. Of course, the most pressing concern is getting your constellation noted down as fact and we absolutely will.

[ As not entirely serious as it is, his tone nevertheless suggests he has all the intention of doing just that. A new friend who's come up with a perfectly lovely little story about the stars. It should be notated somewhere! ]

I haven't gone to the desert yet, more's the pity. I fully intend to, though, very soon. Particularly if there are goggles to aid the journey! One we should absolutely embark on together if you're ever interested in going again, and at night.

Better yet, if you're ever in the Horizon, stop by the giant monastery - [ Hold that thought. There's a lot of buildings in there which look vaguely like monasteries, so that's not the best landmark to use, so how about - ] well, the giant monastery with beings that look vaguely like dragons flying around one of the spires, and you can meet some wyverns there. A handful of them in fact since we've been busy creating them, but flying lessons could go along with that, too.

[ Might as well, since in Claude's mind? There are few things better than wyverns. He'll also allow this comparison to dragons just the once for sake of being able to locate Garreg Mach in the Horizon, but they can cover the rest later.

Since there'll be a later either there or here - he's determined to see to that as he offers a grin at the idea of a desert trip. ]

We'll have to see to it then to make sure you get the full experience in both daylight and otherwise. And it occurs to me I've forgotten my manners - I'm Claude, by the way. It's nice to meet someone else who appreciates the stars so much.

Oh, right, yes! I'm the Doctor, at your service, here to help, lend a hand, laugh at a joke, pep talk you through a bad situation, cheer you on at a football match — oh, probably not the sort of thing you're familiar with, is it? Football matches. Or I can just chat about the stars and tag along in the desert. Very glad to meet you, Claude. Always a fan of anyone who loves the universe out there.

[ His bright, warm smile backs up that he is genuinely glad to meet the other man. ]

I'll be sure to visit your Horizon, too. Promise. Can't pass up the chance to see your wyverns. Beauties, I expect, from what you've already mentioned. Never seen them up close which absolutely must be rectified. And thank you for the invite, I'll be around soon enough.

[ The Doctor - he repeats that to himself, hearing it as the proper noun he's imagining it to be what with all the knowledge of titles and such. The rest of what follows gets a chuckle from him. It's quite the list, but with the enthusiasm in there? Claude doesn't doubt for a second it's genuine. ]

No, I can't say I'm familiar with football matches though I'd certainly be willing to learn if you have time to teach me about them. Something else for the Horizon, perhaps?

[ Might as well take advantage of being able to see everything whenever and as it was intended, after all. That's the beauty of it and the same for being able to see the wyverns. ]

We'll call it a plan then, and if I'm not around when you're there feel free to stop by to see them anyway. But - mind the buckets of meat around since they're easily bribed with snacks if they're a little testy, which is something I can relate to all too well myself.

[ Claude doesn't know it yet, but he's said the magic words.

I'd certainly be willing to learn if you have time to teach me about them.

Magic! Absolute magic! ]

Then it's a particularly specified event occurring in the not-too-distant future, agreed to by both parties with enthusiasm. Commonly referred to as a date. The noun version of the word.

I'll be stopping by and I look forward to it. Very good to meet you, Claude!

( catch-all) the definite article, you might say

no worries at all!

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so sorry for the delay!

no worries at all! <3

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/puts a bow on this to wrap it up <3