Author's note: Timeline: ancient Gallifrey, under the rule of the Pythia
Summary: There's a new initiate in the Sisterhood of Karn.
The thing is.
The thing is, it's just so.
So.
Boring!
No, focus. Focus.
Sacred fire, sacred flame, round and round we go. Forever and ever, always and forever, as long as the Flame burns.
They said it was a hundred year honor. You can't eat honor. But the Elixir of Life is worth selling your child for.
As long as she's a psychically gifted child. You can't eat psychic gifts, either.
You can eat cloth, if you try hard enough. But that's against the rules. They have too many rules in the Sisterhood. And too many hats. And too many rules about hats.
The rules say you can't drink the Elixir without permission. They don't say you can't eat the sacred flame. That's because they don't think you can eat fire.
Sacred fire. Sacred flame. Come on, give it a lick. Just a taste.
If your gift is strong enough, you won't get burned. You tame the fire and swallow it, like a little animal that lives inside your stomach. When they catch you, it slithers out onto your tongue and hisses at them!
The sisters are angry. They are frightened. The word in their minds condemns you.
Shanir!