Prologue- New Family
Paternoster Row 13- 10 years ago
Riley's POV
"Darling, the Doctor is here," Jenny called out. She straightened out her maid uniform. Jenny looks next to her and her wife is beside her in an instant. "Why do you have a young child with you?"Vastra asked. "I have a favor to ask of you, and since I know that you have wanted a child or multiple children for a while I hope you will care for her. She is extremely important in the future but she was dying and that is all I can tell you at the moment," the Doctor explained vaguely. "Vastra , will you take the child upstairs so she can rest?" Clara requested. I then felt cool scaly skin brush up against my feverish soft skin. I started to experience the feeling I was falling so I cuddled in deeper into her body.
For the next few days I woke when I needed to eat. My insides burned like everything even the stuff that made me changed. Whenever I woke the woman the mistress of the house called Jenny was next to me dabbing my forehead trying to get the fever to go away. "Where's my mum?" I asked half-asleep one day. No one answered. "What is your name, love?" Jenny asked. The Doctor had told me to forget my life that I had lived the past 8 years. I thought about what I would like my new name to be. "My name is Riley," I said as I offered my hand to Jenny. She had been my primary caretaker since I had come two weeks ago. "May I thank your mistress for letting you take care of me and taking me under her wing?" I asked. "Of course, but if she wishes to keep 'er veil on let 'er be," Jenny informed me. Then she left.
A few minutes later, a feminine figure completely in black entered. I ignored the scared lump in my throat. "Do you have a surname?" she asked politely. I hadn't thought about a last name. "Smith," I lied. "Do you have any family I can contact?" she questioned. "Only answer with one word," she instructed. "No," I lied. This was fairly normal in my household. "Why are you lying?" she asked quietly. "Doctor," I answered. I saw a smile form from behind her veil. "Test is over for now. My name is Vastra, for now you will call me by Madame Vastra. Do you have any questions for me?" she asked. I relaxed a little and leaned back against the headboard. "Why do I feel different than when I first arrived?" I questioned. "One word only," I instructed. "Transformation," she retorted with a smile. "Why are you hiding behind that veil? You clearly aren't mourning for anyone," I stated. "Silurian," she said. "What?" I gasped. She walked towards me and kneeled in front of me. "Remove it," she ordered. I hesitated as I slowly reached for it. I grabbed the mourning fabric between my thumb and forefinger and delicately moved it up. What I saw was the so beautiful, she wasn't human. Emerald green scales replaced pale skin, vibrant cerulean eyes saw where no normal human eye color. When I touched her face I no longer experienced her cool skin but she let me trace the scales. She didn't flinch when I came in contact her. "Who am I?" I whispered.