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CHAPTER TWO:
THE SHAKESPEAREAN SPHERE

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WHEN asked about where she'd like to travel first, Iris knew immediately she wanted to see another planet.

She always loved space — it's why she went into astronomy and astrophysics in the first place. Growing up, Sebastian would tell her about the stories behind the stars, while Griffith explained the physics behind them.

Iris learned that Sebastian picked her middle name, Andromeda, based upon his favorite constellation. He always said she'd live up to it — be the brightest star the galaxy had ever seen.

And when the Doctor offered her all of space and time for her first adventure, she knew that she had to travel the stars. Intergalactic travel wouldn't be humanly possible in her lifetime, but with the Doctor, she could experience it.

What else could she possibly ask for?

"I've got just the place," he pulled a lever down and glanced at her. "First adventure requires something you'll remember. You have plenty of things to come, Holloway, but this'll always be the first."

"Are we going to a planet where the only form of travel is slides?" Iris asked excitedly.

The Doctor smiled softly at the console before he cleared his throat, face growing stern again. "One day, Holloway, just be patient."

"I'm not very good at that," Iris explained, shrugging off her messenger bag and leaving it on the console. She had a feeling she'd lose it if she brought it with her. "I fidget a lot and get really antsy if things take too long. In Supernatural, Crowley makes Hell standing in line and the end of the line is just the beginning again and, gosh, I could never do that. Literally, my worst nightmare."

The Doctor passed by her with a snort. "Is everything a pop-culture reference to you?"

"Yes," Iris answered immediately, following him to the doors. "Wait, is this outfit, okay?" She asked, pointing to it. "We're not going to like some Amish-based world, right? I mean, it would be interesting to see how they've evolved as a society in a planet based solely on the foundations of Amish culture. And it would be cool to see what the technological advancements are after what humans in my modern society would view as dated or underdeveloped, but I just want to fit in. You'll fit in anywhere. You're an old white man."

The Doctor scowled at her. "You look fine," he looked her up and down briefly. "Skirt's a bit short though."

"I like this one," Iris pouted a bit, looking down at her little black skirt. "It looks great with these tights."

"You have a hole in your tights, Holloway."

Iris scowled up at him, glancing down to the small hole just above where her socks ended under her boots. "It's hardly noticeable."

"I noticed."

"You probably have like alien double vision," she countered. "Or invisible eyes on the top or sides of your head."

The Doctor's head tilted a fraction. "Invisible eyes? That's what you think?"

"Maybe," Iris shrugged. "I'm assuming you're an alien unless you're a time traveler from incredibly far in the future, but even then, I don't think that's very plausible."

"Time Lords are the next lesson," the Doctor grabbed a jacket off an umbrella stand. "Here, you'll get cold."

Iris took the black leather jacket from him. "This is nice," she observed, looking it over before shrugging it over her shoulders. "Where's it from?"

He eyed her for a moment, a strange look in his gaze, before he tore it from her and opened the door. "TARDIS wardrobe," he answered shortly. "You look like a punk," he rolled his eyes. "Come on, Holloway."

"Okie dokie," Iris followed him outside, opening her mouth to ask something else before she looked around and immediately forgot her original question.

They were on a foreign planet.

She knew he was being genuine in his previous lessons that afternoon but seeing it for herself was indescribable.

Iris could hardly take it all in at a first glance. Colors overwhelmed her vision. Her feet pointed out to a metallic street that captured the shape of cobblestone, and sleek buildings crammed together shimmering under a silvered sun.

People paced up and down the path, bustling into the buildings in what appeared to be almost Steampunk in nature. Lots of cybercentric limbs and Victorian clothing, machine robots roaming around and haggling at stores.

The Doctor looked down at her awe with a soft expression. Iris didn't catch the smile on his face, gaze following a man with robotic legs and bright purple hair walking past them, her mouth dropped open in sheer surprise.

"Welcome to The Shakespearean Sphere," the Doctor explained. "Originally created by historians in an effort to modernize the ancient relics discovered on Earth. Shakespeare is one of the few authors that transcends time and space and evolution. I've been to the far reaches of the universe and he's always relevant. This planet is dedicated to his work. It's a combination of the future and the past on a planet with three habitable continents, seventeen major countries, ten different regions, and currently," he held up a finger, "it's a high of 33 degrees," he then added, "Fahrenheit, I know you hate Celsius."

Iris snapped her eyes to the Doctor's, a wide grin on her face. "Seriously?" She asked in excitement.

"Three moons, one sun, days are ten hours long, it's known for advanced technology and historical knowledge. Big tourist planet," he nodded for her to follow him, and she did as told, keeping close to him. "Nine statues of different famous authors, each continent named after a play, cities after other historical novelizations."

"This is the coolest thing ever," Iris squealed, jumping up and down a bit. She grabbed his arm excitedly and he glanced down at her hand, then at her. "Thank you!" She exclaimed, beaming up at him.

"First trip has to be memorable," his gaze flickered between her hand and her face. "Couldn't let anyone else give that to you."

"Aren't you the only person I travel with?" She asked curiously.

The corner of his mouth twitched up. "Spoilers," he said quickly before pulling away from her and gesturing for him to follow again.

Iris walked next to him, eyes darting between people — some of which reminded her of citizens from the Capitol in the Hunger Games — and the towering buildings over them.

"What's that?" Iris asked, grabbing his hand and tugging him to a shop labelled 'LARGESS & OFFERINGS.'

"A shop," the Doctor responded plainly, allowing her to drag him over before he dropped her hand, opening the door for her.

Iris entered the dusty shop which reminded her of something straight out of Diagon Alley, with tall windows and a leaning hood. It was surreal how the buildings were all made of metal, and yet seemed to mimic the Victorian design of the 1800's.

"Hello!" Iris chirped, walking inside as the door dinged above them.

"Closed!" A gruff voice shouted back.

"Oh, sorry," Iris paused in the doorway, back against the Doctor's chest — which made her realize how much taller he was, gosh-darn-it — as she spoke. "It's open, we just presumed we could come in."

"Musn't...allow...entrance!"

Iris frowned at the strain in the gruff voice, something in her gut symbolizing that something was wrong. She walked further inside, the Doctor following close behind her.

"Is everything alright in here?" She called out, looking around.

Her eyes caught on the wooden objects in the room. Littering counters and shelves and the purchasing counter were handmade depictions of Shakespearean characters and animals from his works. They were so unlike the futuristic world outside.

"Fine...yes...fine..."

"I don't think everything's fine," Iris spoke quietly to the Doctor. "Feel's weird."

"Perceptive," the Doctor nodded, looking around himself. His eyes settled on a low-hanging doorframe with intricate carvings and beads hanging from the top. "Iris," he said lowly, pulling out a pair of sunglasses and tapping the side of them as he examined the door.

"What do you see?" Iris walked over to him, tilting her head curiously. "Is this, hang on," she reached her hand out to the beads, curious at the almost shimmering light between them, but he grabbed her hand, stopping her movements.

"Sonic glasses," he explained, glancing around. "Don't touch, this is a holographic projection, touch and it sets off the alarms."

"Holographic projection?" Iris questioned, looking up at him curiously. "Is that not normal in this time period?"

The Doctor hesitated. "Complicated answer. It is, but not with this coding," he tapped his glasses again. "What do you notice about this shop? First thing you realized?"

"It's old," she responded immediately. "I understand the aesthetic of the rest of the world, what you've already explained, but this is dated. Hardly used. Dusty. Wooden objects in a planet full of metal? Why?"

"Exactly," he nodded. "They're known for technological advancements and yet, this shop has displaced that notion entirely. Brings us back: why?"

Iris bit her lip, walking away from the Doctor and looking around with greater detail. "I grew up on Shakespeare," she mused. "We're all named after characters."

"The Tempest," the Doctor recalled, still examining the doorway. "One of the spirits of Prospero," he nodded. "I know."

"Yeah, Seb's from Twelfth Night, Charlie's from As You Like It, and Griff's Henry VIII," she elaborated. "But this is weird," she held up one of the wooden pieces. At first glance, it looked like Caliban, but the longer she stared, the less it appeared that way. "This is wrong. It's...got the wrong feet and I think it's wearing a helmet."

"Iris."

Iris glanced over to the Doctor at the firmness in his voice. Her heart dropped as he slowly backed away from the door.

"I know what's in here and we'll come back, but not yet. Come on," he grabbed the Caliban from her hand and placed it down again, taking her hand instead and tugging her outside quickly.

"What is it?" Iris asked as they left, glancing up at the sign again.

A different feeling settled over her and she squeezed the Doctor's hand.

"I've seen this before," the Doctor responded, dropping her hand as they walked further down the street. "This technology shouldn't be here."

"Why not?" Iris asked. At his hesitation, she rolled her eyes. "Two heads are better than one."

He stopped moving and she followed suit, following his gaze around.

"What do you notice?" He asked her carefully. "Anything peculiar?"

Iris frowned, looking around them. At first glance, people didn't appear to be doing anything out of the ordinary, but after a good thirty seconds, she noticed a gap in the passerby's.

Not a single person entered the shop they'd just vacated.

In fact, a wide girth of space separated everyone from entering.

And that wasn't all.

Most people were dressed in dark clothing, averting their eyes from the door. At first glance, the streets were bustling, but upon further inspection, they were hurried. Rushed.

"No one's happy to be on this street," Iris observed. "And no one is entering that shop."

"Why?" The Doctor asked.

"They're scared," Iris concluded, looking up at the Doctor. "But what of?"

"That's what we're going to find out," he smiled down at her, the glasses on his face making him appear more eager somehow. She couldn't see his eyes, but it felt as though she could see the giddiness in them.

Iris had known the Doctor all of one day and she already understood he craved adventure, adrenaline, excitement.

She loved it.

"Theories?" Iris raised an eyebrow.

"In process," he answered, digging into his pocket. "Take this," he handed her a metal chain with a key on it. "Once you put it on, only you can take it off. It's yours, for the TARDIS. Anything happens, she'll keep you safe."

Iris nodded, taking the necklace and putting it over her neck, tucking the key below her shirt next to the crystal she wore. "Thanks," she smiled up at him. "Do you have a key?"

"Don't need one," he shook his head, eyebrows coming up from under his glasses.

"Your eyebrows are massive," Iris pointed out. "Like angry caterpillars."

"Shut up," he scoffed.

"Split up?" Iris suggested, taking initiative.

The Doctor did a double take, head moving back a fraction. "Your first adventure, you sure?"

Iris shrugged. "I'll be fine," she nodded. "Anything happens, I'll just run."

A grin toyed at his lips. "I've missed you, Iris Holloway."

"Feels so weird when you say stuff like that," she narrowed her eyes. "Like you're seeing through me into the person you remember me as that I haven't become yet."

"You'll get there," he softened a bit. "But don't think I'm trying to relive anything. I'm thrilled to be all of your firsts."

"That sounds vaguely dirty," she frowned. "I'm not a virgin, you know," she gave him finger-guns. "Mike Davis," she explained. "Seventeen, junior year. So stoned I can't remember it."

"Don't brag about that," he chastised, frowning. "You were too young."

"Well, how young were you?"

"Splitting up," the Doctor turned his attention down the street. "You learn more about people's transgressions with the shop, I'll look into the science. Meet back here in twenty."

He didn't say anything else before rushing off. Iris watched him go for a second, noting how much taller he was than most of the crowd, his hands flexing around the ends of his long sweater, looking around determinedly with his glasses.

He was kind of cute.

"That's a weird thought, don't think that," she muttered before turning and sharply entering another shop.

Iris observed the customers of the next shop, noting how they were bustling together, murmuring in low voices. Some glanced her way suspiciously.

Curious.

The Doctor mentioned it was a tourist planet — so why were people unsure about a tourist?

"Excuse me," Iris smiled kindly at the person behind the counter. "Can I ask you a few questions? I'm a journalist doing a piece on popular shops in this region," she pulled a lie out of the air. "Are you available now?"

The woman behind the counter widened her eyes in surprise, standing straighter. Iris felt a bit bad about lying to her, she seemed excited about the story. The woman brushed back her dark hair and revealed a chunk of her face which was entirely metal.

Iris tried to mask her surprise, but she wasn't sure if she managed it entirely.

Luckily, the woman didn't say anything about it and adjusted her dress top, calling for another worker to manage the counter. The woman led Iris into another room where they could get a bit of quiet. It had three tables, an aquarium, and a strange cylinder that looked like a combined refrigerator and vending machine.

"Perfect," Iris smiled politely, sitting across from the woman. She wished then that she'd brought her messenger bag with her. She could really use the notebook and pens right now. If only to make the story more believable, but also to take notes to recollect on. "Can we start with your name and occupation in relation to the job?"

"Are you recording me?" The woman asked hopefully.

"Yes," Iris answered immediately, clearing her throat. "A chip, recording device. Is that okay?"

"Does it capture video?"

Iris hesitated. "If you'd like it to?" She answered, the statement coming out more as a question than anything else.

"Please," the woman beamed. "I'm trying to get into the High City, this would be a fantastic review."

Iris' heart twinged with guilt at the admission, suddenly feeling sorry for the woman. A different time period and planet, and yet capitalism seemed to hang over the heads of citizens. Fascinating. She'd have to ask the Doctor more about political evolution in the future.

"Great, so," Iris redirected the woman's attention. "Your name, occupation, and connection to this business?"

"Kasra Jennife," she answered. "Manager of Habit Cyber."

"Great," Iris smiled encouragingly. "And the general popularity of the shop?"

"Seventy percent," Kasra responded, "Although, they've been shutting down the Sphere for tourism lately with all the deaths."

Bingo.

"Can you elaborate on that?" Iris asked innocently. "For additional research from an insider's perspective, of course."

"Sure," Kasra leaned forward, one deep blue metal hand interlocking with a white laced gloved one. Completely symbolic of the Steampunk and Victorian dualities of the planet. "There's rumors about the Impure Ones," she began, drawing Iris' attention in immediately.

Iris was suddenly hit with the realization that she was directly in one of Sebastian's bedtime stories and a burst of excitement rushed through her.

She couldn't wait to tell him about all of this.

"The Governor was murdered a few weeks ago," Kasra gossiped, then rolled her eyes. "They say it was an accident, but he had enough security and people surrounding him that it was anything but."

"Do you have any details with that?" Iris asked, biting her lip in thought.

If the Governor was indeed murdered, that could be a lead. Lots of people wanted politicians dead in her time, what's to say that changed now? What had the Governor done? And who would have the courage to lead a successful assassination attempt? Why?

"Nothing factual," Kasra shook her head. "But a lot of people think it has to do with the pop-up shop down the road a bit."

Bells went off in Iris' mind.

"Largess and Offerings?" Iris recalled.

Kasra grinned. "Yes!" She exclaimed. "I've only been in there once, but it's a weird place. Too quiet and no one's ever met the owner."

"That is strange," Iris nodded. "How popular is it? Have you had customers go in there before and talk to you about it?"

"No one ever comes out," Kasra spoke ominously. "I've had a couple of people here and there who are terrified entering this shop without someone else. If you go in there alone, you don't make it out alive."

"What does it have to do with the Governor?"

Kasra lowered her voice, glancing around. "I can't say much on it," she said softly. "But keep an ear out for the Mechanist."

"Who's the Mechanist?"

"Shh!" Kasra held a metal finger to her ruby red lips. "Don't speak his name."

Her worried eyes darted around the room and she swallowed thickly, standing and adjusting her dress, suddenly looking very nervous.

"Actually, Miss," Kasra gestured to the door. "I-I think you should go. We musn't speak on it further."

Iris frowned but obliged, seeing that she wouldn't get anything else out of Kasra.

"Thank you for your time," she smiled politely and nodded, walking from the room.

Who was the Mechanist and why was Kasra so afraid of only their name?

—

Curiosity found Iris observing the first shop again, looking up to the name.

She knew what Kasra meant now. Something was...wrong. With the shop. Something she couldn't identify. Almost like the shop was observing her.

"You feel it, don't you?" A voice asked in her ear.

Iris jumped, looking back with a glare before a smile overtook her features. The Doctor's chest lightly pressed against her back; his face close to hers from his voice in her ear.

"It's definitely weird," Iris nodded, looking into his sunglases.

"Any leads?"

"Someone called the Mechanist," Iris informed him, "and the Governor's murder a few weeks ago."

"Clever," he nodded.

"What about you?" She asked curiously.

"Technology that shouldn't be here, but it's been manipulated, warped into something else entirely." He pulled his face back from hers. "Ready to venture in?"

"Now?" Iris asked in surprise. "You just jump into things, don't you?"

"I'll take you for a milkshake later if you're good."

"What do you mean if I'm good?" Iris asked. "I'm always good."

"We'll see," He moved around her, hand grazing her back as he moved to stand beside her. "Ready for your first encounter?"

"First encounter with what?" Iris asked, looking up at him.

"The fun is the never knowing."

—

AUTHOR'S NOTE
ahhhhhh hopefully this was okay??? i'm soooooo nervous about writing original stuff gahhh but hopefully this is okay. any ideas on what it is? there were subtle hints but idk if you'll pick up or if they're more obvious than i intended. i also hope it's compelling enough? please drop any criticisms or compliments because i'm soooo nervous about this story! but i do love iris and the doctor they are genuinely my favorite little pairing i've written because of what i have planned UGH okay thanks byeeeee