DISCLAIMER: I own nothing of Dr Who

(Previously the prologue)

Hally stood, breathing slowly, inside the vast underpass leading out into the arena, her classmates and their guardian escorts chattering happily around her. She couldn't help but notice the pit in her stomach was growing larger and larger with each step forward she took along the line. Most of the class had been extremely excited for this day, the naming ceremony, a true milestone in each Time Lord life witnessed by family and friends at the academy. She tried to drown out the excited whisperings and instead looked down at her hands, frustrated to find them shaking slightly. She didn't want to be nervous, she certainly didn't want to accept that what she felt was fear, however, the prospect of walking out into the arena without an escort and without any real idea of what she was about to say was finally dawning on her. She really had tried to think for days on end for a name that felt right, after all, she would be stuck with it for the rest of her life, so it had to be perfect, however, as usual, Hally had let time get away from her and had instead spent her time focused on menial things; irritating the teachers and hiding as many of Persca's belongings as possible.

She wished more than anything to be lying alongside the ornate hand mirror that she'd hidden that morning, underneath the corner floorboard of the boy's dormitory. Hally scowled and huffed quietly.

Don't be so pathetic, get your ass out there and just make a choice!

She nodded to herself, lifting her chin up slightly and stepping forward as another student stepped out with their guardian to begin the ceremony. Hally would be damned if she let them see weakness today. She'd never needed her parents before and she certainly didn't need them now. Hally nervously bit the inside of her lip as frustration flared inside her.

It was quickly replaced with dread as she realised that she'd somehow reached the front of the line. From where Hally was stood she could see Henrik up ahead, he was writing his chosen name on a small piece of parchment. A short, severe-looking woman, whom Hally assumed to be Henrik's mother, took the parchment and as was custom, bowed and handed the name to the overseeing Chancellor.

"I name thee before me, child of Gallifrey, Urshan!" The boy bowed his head, the Chancellor touching his forehead lightly, "You are bound by the duty of the Time Lords, by Rassilon, the Matrix and the sacred rules of time."

Henrik, now Urshan muttered something inaudible, nodding his head. Hally looked up at the elder holding the line, he looked down at her with a stern glance and she was almost sure she heard him tut under his breath. As Urshan walked towards the exit of the arena, the crow-like old man waved his hand, ushering her forward impatiently.

Blood pounded through her ears painfully, she was almost sure that she was going to be sick as bile rose in her throat. Hally forced her feet to move, squinting as she stepped into the brightly lit arena. The walk felt far too long and the arena all too silent as she tried to keep her eyes firmly set on the round alter ahead. Instead, she tried to fill her mind with a hurricane of useless thoughts, anything to distract her.

Temporal mechanics! Yes, that always sends me right off!

Hally started to recite the previous night's lesson, one of the few the Master had actually spent some time teaching her what he was supposed to be teaching her. He'd spent at least 50 minutes explaining the pros and cons of string theory. Hally smiled slightly to herself, remembering how frustrated he'd grown when, after he'd finished, she'd stared blankly back at him in confusion. He'd strained his jaw in annoyance before calling her at least five different variations of stupid. However, all she'd really been able to concentrate on was what a good jawline he had, strong. She could remember feeling the heat rolling off his body as he grew more frustrated. All she'd wanted to do was reach out and tou-

No! Nope! That is not helping!

Hally shook her head, heat rising on her cheeks. Hally was now painfully aware of everyone watching as she took a step up onto the platform next to the alter. The Chancellor was a rather short man, his face was round and currently very pink. Hally grimaced slightly, feeling a droplet of sweat run slowly down her back, the burning heat from the sun getting trapped underneath her stupidly heavy ceremonial robes.

The Chancellor scrunched up his face and Hally realised she'd been staring at him motionless for the past few seconds, she muttered a quick apology before taking a piece of parchment and pen from the alter. The pen hovered over the paper as Hally bit her lip slightly. She'd expected that at this moment some sort of epiphany would come to her, that she'd suddenly just know what to write.

Hally could feel his eyes on her, intense as always like he was somehow boring into her soul. She swore inwardly, not knowing how she was going to choose a name. Time Lords chose names that they could aspire to, a name that would signify the person they would strive to become. How could she possibly decide on a name to define the rest of her life when she hadn't the faintest idea who she was or what she wanted to become.

Hally frowned deep in thought, perhaps that was just it. She scribbled quickly on the parchment, aware of the Chancellor huffing restlessly beside her. Awkwardly handing it to him, he cleared his throat.

"I name thee before me, child of Gallifrey, Hally!" She bowed her head slightly and the Chancellor touched her forehead with his thumb, "You are bound by the duty of the Time Lords, by Rassilon, the Matrix and the sacred rules of time." He motioned with his hand towards the exit of the arena, looking at her impatiently.

"That'll do…" she muttered before hopping off the platform. Hally trotted towards the exit, finally looking up at the crowd and almost instantly finding his piercing blue stare. She felt her cheeks burn as his lips curved into a smug smile, she pursed her lips slightly in annoyance before letting them fall into an easy smirk. She gave him a quick wink before ducking under the archway leading back out of the arena and through to the cooler confines of the academy hallways.

The ceremony had ended about an hour ago, the students were all currently congregated in the grand hall of the eastern corridor, still clad in their familial robes, chatting with their extended families and fellow peers. Soft music was coming from the far corner of the room, a small string band playing over the low buzz of conversation. Above them, a golden archway ran up and along the wall, thickening and joining with each corner panel to form a magnificent dome overhead. Intricate grooves and patterns detailed the dome, causing the light flooding in from the large glass windows to dance across the ceiling, throwing small shadows onto those stood below.

Hally watched as Persca, now Trymanna swatted her mother's hand away from her hair for the fourth time, upon seeing Hally watching, she rolled her eyes and started walking towards the long table where Hally was quite happily sat.

"You can't just sit here all alone you know, you're meant to mingle." Persca folded her arms, looking down at her.

Hally groaned softly, "I don't want to mingle, most of our class are idiots." Hally folded her arms back at Persca, mocking her stance.

Persca sat down beside Hally, "Well you can't just sit here for three hours, you're expected to dance even if no one's here for you." She said in the accusatory tone she so often used.

Hally fought the urge to stick out her tongue, "Thank you for your kind words, I certainly feel like dancing now" she rolled her eyes, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"Well…" A smooth voice interrupted from behind Hally, Persca looked up nervously, Hally closed her eyes in exasperation already seeing the infuriating smirk in her mind's eye.

"I suppose if you insist." The Master continued, Hally clenched her jaw and turned around in her seat to glare at him. He had his hand outstretched towards her, his eyebrow raised in a silent command.

She narrowed her eyes at him, not appreciating the game he was playing. "No thank you," Hally replied curtly, turning back to face Persca who was staring at her incredulously.

Hally watched as Persca's faced paled and could only assume the Master was treating her to one of his best glares as she quietly squeaked an excuse and scuttled back to her mother.

"Traitor…"

He chuckled darkly from behind her, "Dance with me."

It wasn't a question.

Hally felt defiance flare inside of her, "I'm a terrible dancer".

"I expected nothing less." He mocked from behind. "Are you really going to disobey a Councillor in front of half of the Gallifreyan council?"

Hally allowed herself to steal a look over towards the high table at the top of the room, most eyes were set on the small crowd of students gathered in the centre, all engrossed in conversations with not a single person dancing. However, a few eyes were curiously flitting over to their direction, she sighed in resignation and the Master moved his outstretched hand into her line of vision. He knew he'd won.

"I'm going to hit you over the head with something heavier than a book for this…" She grumbled, dropping her hand unceremoniously into his. He pulled her up roughly, forcing her to trip over the hem of her robe and land against his chest. He caught her arms and straightened her up, catching her chin with his hand tilting her face up to meet his.

"Careful." He smirked, his eyes flashing with a dark warning. "Just follow your Master."

Hally bit back a sharp reply as he placed his hand behind her neck, guiding her forward into the centre of the room, he removed his hand, instead placing it at her waist. Hally felt her cheeks warming as heads turned to see who had started dancing, she could see Persca's pale face and remembered the warning she'd given a few nights before.

"Be careful." She'd said, a deep frown marring her face. "I know you're not good at doing what you're told… but the way he looks at you... like a lion cornering a lamb."

"I'm not a lamb" Hally breathed. She heard the Master's short laugh in front of her as he twisted his hand tighter around her and inconspicuously squeezed her waist.

"Not quite as helpless." He smirked as she flushed and went to pull away. "We'll make you a lioness yet." He held her still, digging his hand into her side as they moved across the floor.

"You're hurting me." She said through gritted teeth.

The Master ignored her and she looked past him. People were still watching as they danced, although with much less interest. Hally noted that a few other students had taken to dancing to her relief. Hally slowly allowed herself to be led by him, if only to avoid falling flat on her face. As she relaxed slightly she felt his grip loosen, she flicked her gaze back up to his dark ocean eyes. They were smiling, a mischievous glint sparkling dangerously.

Hally coughed awkwardly, looking away as she tried to ignore how frantically her hearts were hammering in her chest. He continued to lead her, weaving purposefully through the other pairs.

"I'm not sure these robes are your colour." He murmured after a few minutes, moving his gaze up to her face. Hally frowned and looked down at the varying shades of scarlet that adorned her robes.

"It wasn't like I had a ch…" The Master cut her off, brushing a hair away from her face. His eyes were narrowed.

"You look pale, you haven't been sleeping." If anyone else had said it, it might have been mistaken it for a caring gesture, but the Master's accusatory tone did not go unnoticed and she looked at the floor.

"No- well… I've been trying?" She looked up sheepishly, the Master had schooled his expression, although his eyes burned with anger. Hally stammered slightly, trying to explain. "I was nervous." She bit her lip. "About today."

He regarded her closely, "You don't need the Doctor," he spat and she felt the arm around her waist tense.

"That's not what I meant." She replied coolly. "I didn't know what I was going to choose."

The Master's face suddenly split into a laugh and Hally shot him an unhappy glare, "What's so funny?"

He shook his head, amused. "It took you that long to decide on the name you already have?"

She scowled, irritated by his sudden change in mood. "You're unbelievable."

He laughed, licking his lower lip. "You had so many good options, The Loner, The Abomination, The Smartarse?"

Hally wrenched her hand out of his and smacked him in the chest. "Oh, you're so funny! Mr 'I'm so much smarter than everybody else'." She opened my mouth to continue a spiel of terribly thought out insults when she realised that the Master had backed her into a corner, the cold wall grazing her back lightly.

"Go on…?" He was looking down at her with that infuriating smirk and the words died in her throat.

She was stood, pushed against the wall, with the Master inches from her face. She hated how he was mocking her, how he knew how to push all the right buttons and she hated the fact that all she wanted to do was forget everyone else in the room, wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him.

No! No, No, NO!

She was not going to let him back her into a corner. Not today. Hally curled her hand into a fist and pressed it into his chest. To his surprise, she let out a small burst of energy which knocked him back a few steps before she strode past him as quickly as she could to the large bronze encrusted doors, she slipped through silently before breaking into a run. Hally made it back to the dormitory and shut the door, breathing heavily as she leant back against it.

"Shit." She whispered softly, running a hand through her hair. What if someone had seen?

She shook my head, pushing herself off the door and heading over towards the bed, banishing her thoughts to the back of her mind. She flopped herself down on top of the bed, sighing loudly.

That's tomorrow Hally's problem.