Hello? This isn't quite the Oxford I'm used too. My name is Minerva McGonagall.

While I adore the Christmas season, there's one aspect that I'm glad I won't be celebrating. Not here, nor ever again. In past years, I was required to go to a mandatory party on Christmas day. They called it a 'party', but there wasn't much festivity happening. Just my colleagues standing around, gloating and congratulating themselves. Missing the point of the holiday, I think. Since I was the outsider of the group, I had to keep my opinions to myself and pretend to fit in. It was positively horrid!

Simply knowing that I won't have to attend has lifted my spirits.

alright i'm officially restless. turns out retirement does not suit me one bit. in light of the lack of qunari/dragons and/or talking darkspawn to stab i ought to find myself something to do. the problem is that i've no idea how to apply my fairly unique skill set to something proper. so if anyone's got any ideas? i'm all ears.

let it be known though that if my choices are either as muscle for a smuggler gang or part of a criminal organization again i'm taking the life of idleness. nobility's supposed to be all about that, right?

This place isn't too bad. I've spent a lot of time in the library learning what I can about this world. Otherwise I have found myself wondering the grounds with Merlin, watching him fly. He seems to very much prefer being outside which I suppose is understandable for an Owl.

How is everyone settling in?

So I get that my little spider-monkey doesn't need to eat food, it seems like. But what do I do about the fact she seems to like to steal it, anyway?

Food, and shiny things. Lots of stolen shiny things.

Has anyone noticed that people around here like.... stare at us a lot? Like a creepy amount of staring? Just me?

Would anyone have thoughts about the quickest way to get to Belfast?

I'm guessing this isn't the usual initial reaction just based on some understandings of the human condition, but wow, this place is awesome, hi, I'm Island. I was actually born in Oxford but I'm willing to bet my Dr. Pepper supply (that I don't currently have, but that's not the point) that this isn't the same one.

Answers to popular questions before they get asked!
* He's a vulture, his name is Kagiso and I'm sure that's a South African language word -- ZA has eleven national languages and I only speak two of them so it might take me a minute to guess which one -- and there is pretty much nothing not cool about having a giant raptor flying around with you while you are wearing a Raptor Jesus T-shirt.
* Yes, my name really is Island, it's on all of my passports, my parents were supposedly very proud of coming up with it.
* No, I have never actually lived in Oxford, I was just born here, so I don't know my way around even if the map lines up.

Can anyone teach me to fly an airship? I know how to fly some other things that are large and slow and kind of hover-y.

If anyone is willing to allow me to test a theory, I would be immensely grateful. I would say "eternally" but my eternal everything is due elsewhere.

THE BOOKS!

Oh my goodness, the books here are amazing!

This is actually very convenient, since I have an honorary degree from Oxford I never got around to picking up. It's that international shipping, you know. DHL is such a pain in the ass.

Could have sworn there was more Led Zeppelin and less actual zeppelins.

I guess I'm pleased to see that Earth has moved past mud huts and onto primitive airships and semioperative irrigation systems.

It's certainly more than anyone expected from it.

So, hi. I'm Eddie, trapped here in Disney hell with all of you. Talking animals Seriously? The important part is: I'm from Maine, and I know for a fact that it's about to get colder than shit here, so if you want to avoid getting hypothermia, here's how you should prep:

1. Layer, but especially invest in a knitted hat. You lose 80% of your body heat through your head.
2. Turn on a ceiling fan. Hot air rises—it'll distribute warmth around the room.
3. Cold showers can improve blood circulation, just take them sparingly.
4. Do not use alcohol as a substitute. Hot coffee, tea, or soup is better.
5. Thin blankets first, then thicker on top. Same goes for clothes. The density will trap heat in.
6. Stay active. I'm going to start jogging in the mornings, but just moving around in general should help.

I have a crap immune system and basically no blood circulation to speak of, so this is coming from an expert mostly.

Hello, my name is Peggy Carter and I have just arrived in Oxford. I have to say it is not quite the Oxford I remember.

Hello. My name is Aziraphale Mr Fell. This is all very exciting for me. Pity my books can't come with me, but it'll be fun collecting new ones for my library.

@uestion - I was told the gavotte is still in fashion. Does anybody know where people congregate to dance?

(TW: identity issues)

A door that is not a door. A mirror, that isn't. Reflections, that aren't, but rather an extension.

The shape in the glass, is it now both?

Alex would find this something to study. But he is wrong. Earth is still Earth. There is no Coral. Except, perhaps, where there is. A mirror, looking oddly.

oh the maker sure does smile on us all, doesn't he? one minute you're in a big old grey warden fortress, sorting out their problems because andraste knows they can't do it on their own, the next you're being told you're not even home anymore.

at least there's the dog. i'd say he's mabari but apparently he went and corrected me. so. that's a thing.

my name is Hawke and I approve of exactly none of this.