4. The Ceremony.
Chloe's already seated on the stage at a large oval table, next to Simeon. Clapping and cheering start as six Gallifreyan dignitaries enter in full traditional Gallifreyan robes.
Chloe and Simeon rise as they have been told that protocol requires. The six dignitaries greet Chloe personally. She doesn't know any of them, but they all appear to know about her.
The Doctor enters, simply dressed in a suit.
"You've gone back to the old pomp, I see," he says casually, ever the rebel. .
Wilbrahim enters and stands between Chloe and the Doctor. He's aware the Doctor must have said something awry as the nearest dignitaries have turned away from him. . He decides he must just proceed.
"Today, we have an unusual, an important, a prestigious event here on Gallifrey. We are here to induct a newcomer to Gallifrey, to welcome her to Gallifrey and to receive her to become Gallifreyan. We're all aware this hasn't happened for decades for many reasons, not least the restrictions on travel to Gallifrey, but we hope that this will herald a new era where we can come and go more easily, freely, and safely. We are honoured to receive you into our people."
A round of applause goes up.
The Doctor looks across at Chloe who appears not to quite know half of what Wilbrahim is saying. Why is he saying that? she asks herself, What does he mean - New era? She can't ask the Doctor as he's not next to her. She turns to Simeon. He smiles at her. It isn't the moment to ask anything.
Near the back of the room, Alyssa places her head on Meran's shoulder and seems to fall asleep. It's been a trying day for her. All of these places she had assumed didn't exist are popping up for her to see; and she feels as if she's losing her twin sister. It's too much for her to process. Anyway, with sibling rivalry, it isn't her event!
Isn't she selfish?
Could Alyssa possibly be the enemy of the Universe?
Wilbrahim, ever the presenter, becomes more excited. "Now we can have an additional ceremony... Can you all keep a secret?"
Chloe glances across at the Doctor as if to ask What's this about?
The Doctor clearly knows. He's had second thoughts about permitting this further ceremony, but the Gallifreyan Authorities have overruled him; what can he say? His request for all present to sign to keep the secret has been permitted, but has everyone present possibly signed up? How would such a thing possibly work?
"You all obviously can keep secrets as you all signed papers to say so on the way in!" Wilbrahim crescendos towards the end here and laughs. Today he's not just on show, he's brushing the secrecy aside while emphasising it in this closed meeting **.
"We have the very greatest pleasure to present to you a character from our early historical events recorded in our Library... The Girl in the Time Continuum!" A picture of Chloe appears on a screen behind them alongside the picture from their Library records that Gwendolina had been first to spot the resemblance (ref. 29).
The resemblance is striking and a round of applause goes up. Everyone is excited now.
"We showed a film here earlier showing the story of the Girl in the Time Continuum so you're all aware of what's written and what's been prophesied. Today, in this event only, I can reveal to you that Chloe has fulfilled all the prophesies about this. I have full authority to proclaim to you, The Girl in the Time Continuum!"
Wilbrahim stretches out his arm towards Chloe in a gesture to indicate her as the recipient of the title.
Chloe's furious that her identity might be revealed to the universe but holds her anger for now. Fragile peace in parts of the Universe depends on her identity, or the presence of the Girl in the Time Continuum, remaining secret (ref. 31).
It feels rather awkward for Chloe, but the news appears to be out there. How long is her personal identity likely to be kept secret? And what would the consequences be if it wasn't?
But it's the "Girl in the Time Continuum" role that also must be kept secret, not just that it's Chloe.
After the ceremony.
"Time to go to the after-refreshments now," Meran says after the ceremony. Aware that Alyssa's interest lies there.
Others are getting up and milling around. It isn't every day there's someone coming to Gallifrey and being elevated to join them. It hasn't happened for a long time!
"Was that alright for you?" Meran asks carefully. "I think you enjoyed it."
"Yes," Alyssa has to admit. "I suppose I'm just a bit miffed to have by-passed a week of life on Tinsel."
"We could go back so you could spend that week at home," Meran says chuckling, "but I think it might seem a bit odd knowing we've already been to the ceremony while everyone else is busying themselves preparing for it." .
"True," Alyssa says, moving on quickly. "Now, where's the after-refreshments? That's likely to be my highlight!"
Did Alyssa really only want to go for the refreshments? .
At the Party.
"Meran, can we go now?" Alyssa wants to leave the party fairly soon after it started. She's chatted with her sister Chloe, Chloe's boyfriend Simeon, the Doctor, her father Devyon, and Uncle Meran but then there aren't any other people she knows there.
"I think it's due to go on for quite a while," Meran says. "There's Gwendolina over there, we could talk to her?"
Alyssa shakes her head.
"Are you sure you want to go?"
"Quite sure, thank you," Alyssa assures him.
They walk the short distance back to the temporary make-shift shop where the Tardis is parked awaiting their return.
"So, how did we travel here?" Alyssa asks.
"Actually, we both came by Tardis," Meran says, trying to simplify the arrangement. "Chloe parked it as my fitting room and brought me here to be ready for you arriving. Then she re-parked it as your fitting room, then brought you here. Neat?"
"No, annoying!" Alyssa seems antagonised, as if she's been kidnapped and brought against her will.
Meran groans inwardly.
They arrive at the Tardis door which opens to Meran's touch. The changing room behind the Tardis door has been removed and they both walk straight into Crystelle's Tardis.
Alyssa doesn't realise initially and marvels at the aircraft seating. What a large changing room! .
A pre-programmed journey makes a zizzing sound that Alyssa had heard earlier. She's heard it plenty of times before, but never travelled in the Tardis or previously associated it with a Tardis.
Alyssa freezes. "That's the Tardis moving us?"
"Yes," Meran replies.
Alyssa tenses up as if the slightest movement might topple her. She grabs at a nearby handrail and holds on tight.
Meran's amused at her antics. The Tardis ride has been very smooth.
The journey is completely uneventful, leaving her looking a bit silly if you knew what was happening or if you had travelled that way before.
"Have we arrived?" Alyssa asks.
"Yes," Meran says hopefully. He has no idea, but he heard the zizzing sound and it's stopped now, so he expects the journey to be complete.
Alyssa releases her grip on the handrail and advances slowly and carefully towards the Tardis Console, studying it.
"What does this lever do?" she asks.
Meran has seen the Tardis used on a few occasions and knows a little of its operation.
"It's the dematerialisation lever," he says.
"And this keyboard?"
"They use it to tell the Tardis where to go to," Meran says.
Alyssa taps a few buttons casually as Meran watches. He's wishing they would both just step out of the Tardis and resume their playfulness at Alyssa's house.
Alyssa turns to the dematerialisation lever and taps it, then tries to wobble it gently, just to see if it wobbles.
A zizzing sound greets their ears. It's Meran's turn to freeze and gasp. What has Alyssa done?
Nice toy! .