For later reference: Katen is pronounced KAH-ten, similar to "ah-ha!"
"There are four hundred and seventy eight of you here today." The Mentor's voice rang out through the Amphitheatre, and Jayda suddenly felt very small. "The graduating class today contained two hundred and three Upperclassmen."
The arena was dead silent, the murmurs of those in the audience snuffed out like a candle. It was a sober reminder of how many did not make it through the Academy for one reason or another. Ice cold fear trickled down Jayda's spine, and she shut her eyes for a moment. No matter what happened, she would be one of the Upperclassmen in red one day, unravelling her scroll as the End came. She made that promise to herself on that spot, and vowed to see it through.
The Mentor smiled, then, and it transformed her face into something kind and gentle. "Being detained from the Academy is not dishonorable in most circumstances, so do not worry," she continued reassuringly. "The objective is that the pupil be reassigned to a place where they are happier and more productive as an individual."
The Ones let out a collective sigh of relief, attempting smiles. Still, the Mentor went on. "Do not be lulled into a false sense of security, however," she said sternly. "The Academy will be hard, and its teachers are not your friends. You are here to learn." Those words seemed to echo, and Jayda took them to heart. "You are here to be a student, and to be the best student that you can.
"Everyone in this room was a One at some point in this linear timeline. For some of us, that day is closer than others. Above you, lining the walls of this Amphitheatre, you see the generation's next Time Lords." Jayda and the other Ones stared silently, respectfully returning their attention to the Mentor when she spoke again. "One day, this may be you." The Mentor spread her arms. "Please, if everyone may rise."
There was a rustle of the seats as everyone in the Academy stood at once – except, of course, the Ones and the Upperclassmen, who were already standing. "On this day," the Mentor called, and the pupils replied with a resounding echo. "I promise my heart and mind to the Gallifreyan Academy for Time Lords." Again, she waited as the room repeated her words. "My knowledge is for the bettering of my planet, and I will wield my intelligence as a tool." The Novices in the audience shouted this sentence with particular fervor before a hush fell across the room.
The Mentor trained her eyes on the two suns that were, by this time of day, almost directly overhead the Amphitheatre, and whispered, "By any means necessary."
Jayda had been following along with the pledge, and she too, murmured, "By any means necessary."
The students sat.
The Mentor's speech did not last much longer before it came to the most revered – and, in many cases, feared – part of the ceremony of Origins. "By the High Council's power, I lead you to the Untempered Schism."
They would go one at a time, in no particular order. Equality was stressed upon heavily in the Academy, and only the power of the mind mattered. The Gallifreyan Chapters were eliminated – heliotrope and pale blue were the colours of the Eights and the Thirty-Sevens, not the Patrex and the Cerulean chapters. In this secluded patch of mountains, all previously installed social order was eliminated, and only intelligence rose to the top.
Jayda was somewhere around a third of the way down the line, and an eerie calm fell across the Amphitheatre as the first student strode through the door that led to the Schism. After a moment where the entire audience held their breath, the Academy Official who stood at the door signaled the next Novice onwards.
This one wasn't nearly as confident, and nearly fell on their way out of the Amphitheatre. A runner, I'll bet, Jayda thought, then tried not to focus on what her verdict would be. The thought of staring into the unbridled force of Time was nerve wracking, to say the least. The young Gallifreyan recalled the promise that she made to herself, and pushed the fear from her mind.
Novice after Novice swathed in spring green strutted and stumbled, paraded and pranced, swaggered and shuffled across the stretch of floor that would take them to the Untempered Schism. The line shrank, and after quite a few Ones had disappeared through the door, Iliana's red shock of hair appeared at the front of the line.
Jayda grinned, wishing she could call out, but kept herself in line. In that moment she was filled with excitement at the thought of the telepathy classes she would be taking. Soon, Jayda would be able to speak to Iliana without even opening her mouth.
Iliana took to the floor gracefully, her step even and sure. To a stranger, she appeared completely collected, and the Novice's hard set mouth and clear eyes left a mature impression. Jayda knew differently. She caught the tiny quiver in her sister's hands, the microscopic hesitation in Iliana's footsteps, and knew that the other twin was terrified.
Iliana stepped through the door.
Jayda kept her mind carefully blank as she approached the front of the line, and soon there were a mere five Novices ahead of her. Four. Jayda took a step forward. Three. Another step. Two. This boy had had long legs, so Jayda needed to take two steps to fill his place. One. Her hearts were racing wildly. Another step.
My turn.
The door, engraved with Gallifreyan, glowed even from a distance, and soon the signal was given that cleared Jayda for entrance. Even in her fear, a smile came over her face. Why should she be the same?
It was a common occurrence for a One to run from the Schism, but Jayda had never heard any stories of anyone running towards it. She put one foot in front of the other and decided to do just that. Breaking into a jog, Jayda heard quiet murmurs behind her. She picked up the pace, and soon the door was opening for her. This wasn't scary at all, not anymore –
The moment Jayda stepped through the door, golden light flooded every pore of her body. It seeped under her arms and through her robe, entwining itself in her hair, and wrapped the entirety of time and space around her waist.
And then it sang.
The song was soft at first, and Jayda hardly noticed it. She was too entranced by the Vortex itself, the way it swayed with her movements and pulsed with the rhythm of her hearts. Slowly, though, she became aware of the music, growing in volume, its melody far lovelier than anything Jayda had ever heard. Suddenly it turned into a solid, tangible thing, a bright ball of harmonious cacophony, and Jayda stretched out her hand to receive it.
The music burst when her finger touched its surface with a wail, and the sound turned anguished. The Vortex's colours changed around her, swirling with black and singing of despair. Jayda's eyes widened with horror at the pure emotion packed into the Schism, and it dawned on her that it was alive.
Twin tears fell from Jayda's cheeks, and dissolved into the light of the Untempered Schism.
The Vortex prodded into her mind, now, and Jayda gave herself freely to the music. The golden light wasn't solely golden anymore – greens, blues, purples, and reds of every shade integrated themselves flawlessly with the wispy substance. The Schism sought entry into Jayda's brain, somehow, and it delved into her as a living, breathing creature –
Then the light burst out of Jayda, and she collapsed.
Jayda awoke on the stones of the Academy floor, and when she did, her eyes glowed gold. It faded too quickly for anyone to notice, and an Academy Official bustled over. "Hello, dear. Routine procedure, I'm afraid. Name and date of birth."
"Jaydaliônelikibesanėa Osmi," Jayda replied with a long sigh. "I go by Jayda Kenin. Born in the year RE4370.2, on the third day of the fifth suns cycle."
The Official nodded. "And what do you remember of your time with the Schism?"
It was beautiful, Jayda wanted to say. It was everything you could ever imagine, and for a moment, I understood the Universe. "It sang to me."
The Official's expression turned a bit worried, and their lips tightened. "What did it make you feel, love?"
Jayda's cheeks grew hot. "You think I've gone mad, don't you?" she asked, trying to keep the accusatory note from her voice. The Official did not confirm or deny, and Jayda stood and jutted out her chin proudly. "If that's what you're looking for, I'm not. Don't worry."
The Official clucked their tongue. "Well, you're certainly a perceptive one, dearie," they noted, pulling a rectangle out of their pocket and making a mark on it. "Seems Pyrdonian."
"That's because I am," Jayda returned snappishly, catching the negative connotation that accompanied the name of her chapter. "You're rather perceptive, yourself."
They chuckled, but did not seem offended. "Impudent, too. I'm a Pyrdon myself." Jayda relaxed, and soon the Official held up the paper they'd appeared to be writing on. "Tell me what this says."
Jayda's brow furrowed as she looked from the paper to the Official and back again, wondering if it was a trick. Finally, she swallowed, and said, "Nothing."
The Official grinned. "Very good. Low level psychic field. You were most likely Inspired, but I'll leave your category blank." They shook their head and muttered, "If everyone could just Run, it'd make my job so much easier." Jayda couldn't help but smile.
"Anyway, dear," the Official went on, "I'll have to send you down this hallway –" they pointed, "-as I have other things to get to. I'm always in charge of the unconscious ones and I never know why…" The Official sighed. "I'm the Mediator, if you wanted to know. If you need me at any time during your stay here, ring the service staff and ask for the one who makes a ruddy mess of everything."
Jayda laughed for the first time since she'd arrived at the Academy. "I'm sure it's not that bad."
"Believe me, sugar, it is," the Mediator deadpanned, patting Jayda on the back. "Most times I don't even tell people who I am. You're special. Can't have a hundred fifty Tots running around after me, can I?" The Mediator waved their hand. "Pardon my ramblin'. I've got the others to deal with, and they won't be half as clever as you."
Jayda flushed with pleasure at the compliment. "You hardly even know me –"
"Yep, but I know you're clever, love. Now scoot along before the ceremony goes on without you." The Mediator winked. "Roommate assignments are always fun. I had a great one."
Jayda's smile widened. "I'm excited," she admitted, preparing to go on.
"Yes, of course you are!" The Mediator's exasperation was good-natured. "Now, off you pop, dear!"
So Jayda did, running off down the hallway and taking pleasure in the way her shoes squeaked against the freshly polished floors. Soon, the group of light green robes came into view, and Jayda found her way to Theta and Koschei, her cheeks flushed with pleasure. Theta looked mildly embarrassed, while Koschei was pale and shaking. They clearly did not share her good mood.
"Are you two alright?" Jayda whispered, and one look from Theta shut her up. "Alright. I won't ask." She was worried about her new friends, though, and moments later asked again.
"It was crying," Koschei murmured, causing Theta's head to swing around towards him. He hadn't said a word since he'd come out of the Schism. "I looked into the Vortex, and it was crying."
Theta looked down and shuffled his feet. "I… didn't get too far, actually," he admitted, blushing. "I ran to the exit almost the moment I got in."
Jayda glanced upwards, biting her lip as she tried to recall the sound of the Vortex's song. "It played me music," she said softly. "Well, no – it sang. And it was beautiful."
Koschei had just opened his mouth to say something when there was a sharp clap from the front of the hall. A Time Lord stepped in to address the group, his hair neatly trimmed against glowing brown skin.
"Not all of you are here yet, but do not worry," he began, able to keep the Novices under control without raising his voice. "From this moment until next year, you are One A." There were murmurs of dissent from the children. "It is a simple way to categorise your dormitory rooms," the Time Lord explained to soothe them. "I will read your roommate, and both of you will come to the front of the hall. After you are introduced, you will stand in line as a pair. When the process is complete, a transport vehicle will take you to your new homes."
The Time Lord smiled. "However, this will be the only time a shuttle will provide your transportation. You must find another method or sleep outside." Slight protest rose from the group. "You may call me the Undertaker."
The Ones quieted instantly.
The Undertaker produced the list from inside his coat pocket and began to read. "Hafim Gir and Minell Pax." The pair went through the proceedings, and the next names were called. Slowly, Jayda tuned out until – "Iliana Osmi, Birtela Xcic."
Jayda's heart sank. So they were to be separated after all. She had hoped desperately, after being put by chance in group One A with her sister, that the powers that be would keep them together after all. Instead, it seemed that those very forces were determined to rip them apart.
The next set of roommates that caught Jayda's attention was, "Koschei, Theta Sigma," and she bitterly noted that of course they had each other while she was alone. She wouldn't be alone for much longer, though, and had hardly began to tune out when her name was called.
"Jayda Osmi, Katen Nixim."
Jayda wormed her way through the pack and smoothed down her robe as she came to face her new roommate. The girl was a few centimetres taller than Jayda, and her face was round and pudgy. Katen – because that's the only person she could be – was soft all over, and had the same warm brown skin as the Undertaker. There was a crucial difference, though, and that was that Katen had rings of light colour around her eyes and mouth, as well as splotches of beige that looked like the suns' kisses on her cheek, and arms. Jayda would later learn that it was called vitiligo, but for now, she just knew that it was beautiful.
The girls shook hands. "I'm Katen," said Katen.
"Jayda."
"Nice to meet you."
Jayda smiled. "Likewise."
They took their place in line, and Jayda could see Theta and Koschei ahead of them. Jayda asked Katen if she knew them, and Katen said no. To that, Jayda grinned. "I'll have to introduce you, then," she promised.
"I'd like that."
"You don't snore, do you?"
Katen contemplated it. "I don't think so. What about you?"
"Girls in the back!" the Undertaker barked, and Jayda and Katen glanced at each other with guilt and pleasure. "Quiet!"
Seconds later, the two began to giggle. "I think we'll tolerate each other just fine."
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