CHAPTER SUMMARY: It is the day of the traditional Otherstide celebration and Koschei has plans of his own, which may change things forever.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: A song I'd recommend for this chapter, at least when it comes to the dance scene, is "All I Need" by Within Temptation. Hope you enjoy!

Running Away from Gallifrey

Chapter 5: Otherstide

"He didn't show up."

"He is probably late again," said two students to one another, finding it hilariously tragic that Mortimus was up to his usual tricks, leaving Missy waiting on him after recital time in preparation for the traditional Otherstide dance.

"Didn't he ask her out desperately to be his date to the dance because everyone else rejected him?"

One of the students chuckled. "Can you blame them? He's always been like this. It's her problem now."

"But she's like from the House of Dvora…you know —- 'the House of the Devouring Hounds' , as they call it. Shouldn't it be above her to do such a lowly thing, especially dealing with his nonsense? Her family owns the Prydonian Academy, after all. She could just expel him for damaging her precious reputation."

The other gossiping student rolled their eyes. "Please, little miss goody two shoes? I've heard the only reason she's taking Military classes and thinking of pursuing a career in the Chancellery Guard is because she's struggling to hold power herself in her family because of…well— you know…"

"What?"

"The Morbius incident."

One girl gasped. "That's right, it happened in her house long ago. Didn't some member lose their mind going mad, wanting to spread military conquest throughout the galaxy and get exiled?"

"Yeah, that's the one." They snickered.

"Should we be concerned that she might follow in his footsteps?"

"No worry, she won't get far. Compared to the rest of her family, she's weak."

Missy shot a look at the students who continued to walk by, hoping she could burn a hole into their backs for speaking of her in such a way. It always bothered her when someone brought up the Morbius ordeal. She feared losing her mind and being weak.

Resting her face in her hands, she let out a sigh, realizing Koschei was right. Mortimus wasn't a dependable person. He didn't really care about the Deca meetings, his classes, the ball, and most especially, Missy herself. It was the reason he couldn't hold down a date for long.

And now, with the Otherstide ball starting in less than an hour, she had nothing left to help her with the public humiliation and wrath she would receive from her family when they realized how she had been stood up. An heir to the house of Dvora had a reputation to uphold after all.

Twiddling with her thumbs and feeling nauseous from panic, she thought over her options. There was no way she could ask Theta to step in as an escort to the ball. Despite not being on the best of terms with each other still, he had made it a priority to avoid anything to do with Otherstide altogether. And she couldn't very well ask any of the other guys in the Deca. Most already had their dates… except for Koschei .

Missy sighed, shaking her head. No, he was probably still mad with her over their talk on the roof a couple days ago, and with every reason to be. She was a complete idiot for turning him down and continuing to remain by Mortimus' side, even though he could care less.

"You look terrible," Ushas declared bluntly, walking up behind her. She was already ready, wearing a fancy dress, much to her friend's shock.

"You're going to the ball?" asked Missy with disbelief.

"It's not like we have a choice," she scoffed. "Magnus is escorting me. His family and mine are good friends."

"Lucky."

Noticing Missy looking away sadly, Ushas crossed her arms, knowing exactly what was on her mind. She sighed. "I know what your problem is. You've made a deal with an idiot and now you're realizing you're stuck in it. But that isn't your biggest problem…" Missy looked up at her. "It's the fact you're in love with a person you can't be with, like a pair of star-crossed lovers, all because your families hate each other's gut. Only difference is you aren't doing anything to be with each other!"

Missy just gawked at her, mouth wide open. She really didn't know what to say.

At that moment, Millennia came walking in. She was still wearing her regular robes, but holding her blue dress to her shoulder. "Hello you two!" she chirped. "Missy, why aren't you even ready yet? The ball starts in an hour!"

The Dvora girl groaned, resting her head on the table in defeat.

"What's wrong with her?" asked Millennia.

"Mortimus hasn't shown up again."

She sighed, understanding it perfectly now. "Oh great."

Koschei gave himself one final lookover in the mirror, adjusting his tunic carefully. He was now properly dressed for Otherstide. Even if he didn't have an escort, or if Theta wasn't attending, he was going to try to make the most of it.

However, his unconscious tapping of four on the desk told him otherwise. It was starting to get on his nerves lately, driving him to insanity. It was only getting worse and he wished it would somehow stop.

She's the only one who can make it calm down.

His thoughts started to drift off to the Dvora girl who had unexpectedly taken control of his heart and mind, making him feel like he was losing it even more. All he wanted, more than anything besides finally taking control of his own life, was her too. His fists curled tightly, remembering their talk on the roof.

They had kissed. He had finally confessed his feelings for her, and he thought she felt the same. But yet, she refused him for Mortimus. She said it was wrong that they had kissed. She didn't even fight against it. It was all eating away at him like acid, leaving a bitter, burning taste in his mouth. He had been trying for days to show the worst in Mortimus and make her see the error of her ways, but Koschei didn't even have to lift a finger or say a word. The fool did it all himself. It was convenient.

The Oakdown heir started to head out of his room and into the living room of the shared dorm he had with Theta, who was currently laying on the couch, without a care in the world for what was happening today, reading a book. He finally glanced up, noticing his friend.

"Of course you're going to the dance," Theta commented, "Try not to step on anyone's feet while you're there. Your parents might get you for that."

"Haha, very funny." Koschei shot him a deadpan look.

Lately, he could feel himself slipping. He was starting to lose himself, feeling a darkness within him trying to claw its way out. This wasn't how he wanted to be. He wanted everything to go back to normal again with him, Missy and Theta. Before Mortimus. Before the drumming. Before the divide that was not only starting to happen with Theta and Missy, but him and Theta as well.

The Lungbarrow boy shrugged. "I'm just saying, you wouldn't want to let them down, right?" This caused Koschei to growl. "It was a sarcastic comment, Kos. Jeez, are you going to be this grumpy the whole dance?"

"Well, not all of us can be as fortunate as you are, choosing to avoid your responsibilities when you want to and telling your family to get lost without consequence. Some of us actually DO care about our position and making a name for ourselves." pointed out Koschei, narrowing his eyes.

There was a slight sadness in Theta's eyes, noticing the divide starting between him and Koschei. It hurt, but he tried his best to ignore it. His friend was just going through a lot lately, that was all. "I know you're hurt over what happened with Missy, but taking it out on me isn't going to change things."

"I'm fine!"

Theta looked his friend dead in the eyes. "Sure. Whatever you say. Then why aren't you two on speaking terms either? Care to explain that, hmmm?"

It wasn't that they weren't on speaking terms. No, that was wrong. It was the fact that everytime they walked into the same room and saw each other, they were reminded of the kiss and what had happened, causing both of them to be at a loss for words. He was hurt and angry over what had happened, and she just wanted to get through Otherstide, and the rest of the Academy, in one piece without being tempted by her feelings for him.

Not to mention, invoking the anger of their families if they ever heard word of their children getting together. It would only bring their political wars with each other into more turmoil, bringing a checkmate to each house as neither would be able to venture higher in the food chain if they got together.

Koschei sighed with frustration, "It's none of your business. Why do you care anyway? It's not like you're exactly on speaking terms with her either, or have you forgotten?"

"I still stand by what I said."

He scoffed. "What else is new?" Not wanting to waste another second, Koschei began to head out the door. "Now, if you excuse me, I have somewhere important to be."

"Koschei, wait." Theta said, stopping him.

He sighed with annoyance. "What is it now?"

Theta was silent for a few before responding, "You know she won't admit it, but she's going to need your help. He's going to do what he always does and no one will be there to rescue her when it happens."

He raised an eyebrow at his friend. "And so? Why does it have to be me?"

"Because you're the only one she wants," Theta pointed out, "And because I know you've already made up your mind to get her back, no matter what. That's why."

A brief exchange of knowing smiles were shared between the boys before Koschei closed the door, going to do exactly what he set out to do.

Missy had finally gotten ready, glancing at herself in the mirror with nervous anticipation. This was going to be terrible. She fidgeted around in her red dress uncomfortably, trying to calm herself down, but also prepare herself for the train wreck that was about to happen. She had to put on that cold, unbreakable Dvora gaze, showing how nothing ever affected her.

Hearing the music begin, she watched as the girls started to get into a single file line, ready to approach their escorts when they were announced. Downstairs, the room could be heard, filling up with chatter from all the different Great Houses of Gallifrey as everyone began to settle into the great hall, awaiting the festivities.

The first person was announced and Missy tried to calm her racing hearts. This was it. There was no turning back from here. And in no way was she going to run away, even if every fiber of her being was screaming at her right now to do so. It made her think back to how she first felt walking towards the Untempered Schism, awaiting the results of her initiation into the Academy as a novice.

She didn't run away then…and she wouldn't now. There had to be a lesson to learn from this, some sort of inspiration like she got from the Untempered Schism.

And before she had time to realize it, it was now her turn to walk down the staircase and await her fate. "Missyleanadvoralundar of House Dvora, escorted by Mortimus of House Historia." the announcer called.

Taking in a breath, Missy began to walk down, trying to retain a look of perfection. She spotted her parents with their ever dispassionate faces, watching her every move like a hound. She scanned the crowd, but Mortimus was still nowhere to be found. However, someone stepped out from the crowd, past his parents, taking the risk to meet her at the end of the staircase. He held out his arm for her to take, leading the way to the main floor.

"Koschei, what are you doing?" Missy whispered, noticing the appalled looks on their parents faces.

"Do you trust me?" he asked her.

She replied without any hesitation. "Of course I do."

"Then take my hand, just focus on me, and don't let go," he told her.

Finding themselves lining up beside the other couples and escorts, her brown eyes went wide, taking his hands into hers. They were about to perform the traditional Dance of Eternal Time. It was already bad enough that they had created gossip with their parents and others in the room, but if they messed this up, everything as they knew it would be all over.

Missy's eyes remained on Koschei, feeling a sense of different emotions wash over her as she held his hand with hers, their heartbeats coming into sync with one another like a puzzle piece fitting into the place it was meant to be. It was crazy how he was able to just make her feel so…complete.

The room suddenly went quiet before the music for the Dance of Eternal Time began, and with it, everyone started up like a clock moving into motion. It took Missy's breath away, seeing Koschei following the steps as if he had been practicing and already knew them perfectly. He held her tight and secure to him, not struggling or even letting go like Mortimus would have. He was confident in what he was doing and the person he was with. It made her feel safe, content and…loved.

And that was when Missy realized the message she had to learn from all this — the bit of inspiration to take away. Despite pushing him away, Koschei still fought to be here for her. He showed up when Mortimus didn't. He risked the wrath of his parents and hers just to save her because he loved her and, if she was to be honest, it was what she wanted.

Him… it would always be him .

She was madly in love with Koschei of House Oakdown. Probably had been the moment they met. She encouraged him to be himself, while he challenged her to press on. There was a bond between them, drawing them together and making it hard to resist. They were like fire and gasoline, needing to be with one another in order to ignite a spark.

As the steps to the Dance of Eternal Time came to an end, their eyes didn't break contact once. They stared at each other before leaning in for a kiss.

Koschei smirked, hearing gasps from the crowd. "Let's get them talking."

"But—"

He noticed her glancing around nervously and brought a hand to her cheek, "Don't focus on them or what they are going to do. It's going to be okay. We will get through this together. "

She leaned her forehead towards his, finally saying the words she had wanted to tell him, "I want to be with you too, Koschei."

He smiled, feeling the sound in his calm down with her presence. "Nothing can stop us now."

Feeling his hand in hers, she was reassured. They would fight to be with each other no matter what obstacles came their way, even if those challenges happened to be their own families.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Ahhhh, so Koschei and Missy finally confessed, no less in front of their parents like true rebellious Prydonians. Their dance scene and song of choice is inspired by Damon and Elena from The Vampire Diaries because that's exactly what Missy/The Fighter and Koschei/The Master remind me of.

However, will things be smooth sailing from here with their parents and the whole of Time Lord society knowing a Dvora and Oakdown have gotten together? And also, what could be causing the divide between Koschei and Theta as well?

All of this is to be discovered in the next chapter! Please let me know how I did with this chapter. I really appreciate feedback. :)