Puppets

[Ashildr's home]

(Ashildr is challenging a shadow cast on a skin by candlelight.)

ASHILDR: 

So, we meet again, Fake Odin. 

Valhalla burns around you, your army is destroyed 

and now it is time for you to die! 

(She attacks her model of Odin with a wooden stave. The Doctor stands in the doorway and clears his throat.)

ASHILDR: 

How long have you been there? 

Dr. Disco :

What's that? Is that a puppet? 

Oh, I love puppets! 

ASHILDR: 

I make puppets sometimes, when I'm...

Dr. Disco : 

Frightened? 

ASHILDR: 

When the raiding parties go out, 

I make up stories about their battles... 

Dr. Disco :

...because if you make up 

The Right Story, 

then you think it will Keep Them Safe 

and They'll all Come Home. 

That's okay. 

You're not the first person 

to ever have done that. 

ASHILDR: 

Why are you here?  

Dr. Disco :

I'm looking for something I'm missing. 

What do you think our chances are tomorrow? 

ASHILDR: 

We will be cut down like corn. 

By this time tomorrow, 

every single one of us will be dead. 

Dr. Disco : 

Yeah. 

(He picks up an illuminated bound book and briefly leaves through it.)

Dr. Disco : 

You could go. 

ASHILDR: 

There's nowhere for me except Here. 

This is My Place. 

The Sky, The Hills, The Sea -- The People. 

Is there nowhere like that for you? 

Dr. Disco :

Oh, I like a nice view as much as anyone. 

ASHILDR: 

But?  

Dr. Disco :

Can't wait for the next one. 

ASHILDR: 

I pity you. 

Dr. Disco : 

I will mourn for you. 

I know which I'd prefer. 

ASHILDR: 

You think They're all idiots, don't you? 

Dr. Disco : 

What, you mean The Rest of The Universe? 

Basically, yes, I do. 

ASHILDR: 

But They're Kind and Brave, 

and Strong, and I Love Them. 

Dr. Disco : 

Good. Good. 

But that won't Save You. 

ASHILDR: 

I've always been different. 

All my life I've known that. 

The Girls all thought I was A Boy. 

The Boys all said I was just A Girl. 

My Head is always full of Stories. 

I know I'm Strange. 

Everyone knows I'm strange. 

But here I'm loved. 

You tell me to run to Save My Life. 

I tell you that leaving This Place 

would be Death Itself. 

(Her Father enters.)

EINARR: 

I cannot keep you Safe. 

I Do Not have The strength. 

But I will try to, till the last beat of my heart. 

(The baby cries as Einarr hugs Ashildr.)

EINARR: 

If you seek to mock me in this moment....

Dr. Disco : 

No. No. No, you go ahead and you cry all you like. 

Speaking of crying, is that baby getting closer? 

(Lofty walks through the village carrying the baby.)

Dr. Disco : 

Why has Lofty stolen a baby?

ASHILDR: 

That's His Child. 

Dr. Disco : 

Oh. Where's he taking her? 

ASHILDR: 

The boathouse. 

He takes her to the boathouse when she won't settle. 

She likes the fish. 

Dr. Disco : 

Why would she....? Fire in the water. 

Fire in the water. Fire in the Fire in the water. 

Fire in the water? Fire in the water! 

That's it. That's it. That's what I've been missing. 

Clara, I've found it! 

(He runs out.)

Dr. Disco : 

Clara! Clara!