Disclaimer: I do not own any Doctor Who characters or storylines. I only own my OC.
FYI – this fanfic is set in a slightly AU as I will play around with timelines and pre-2005 DW storylines!
The Master strode along the glass armoured corridor, heading out of the northern quarter towards the central hub of the academy. At this time in the afternoon, Mount Cadon was casting an ominous shadow over the walkway shrouding him in darkness.
He'd been fairly pleased with his meeting with Councillor Shay the hour prior, not the most powerful or intelligent man but certainly pliable. The Master continued along the walkway, his dark robe catching his long legs. He passed through two heavy black doors and turned right towards the Academy Research Platform planning on catching Lord Pirce before the day was out. As he was passing the Great Library the Master smiled to himself, the distinctive smell of dusty pages making him pause for a moment to take a look inside.
The library was the finest on Gallifrey and most likely the finest in all the universe. Dark wooden central columns rose up from a white marble floor, spiralling up to a glass open round ceiling. Books lined these columns, the shelves winding up almost as far as you could see. The room itself was also circular, with small archways leading to further rooms and study coves. Academy students, all adorned in their coloured robes sat about the large wooden tables dotted throughout the rooms, hunched over books and specimens.
A small noise to his left broke the Master's contemplation, he turned his head slightly to see the back of a young woman. She was standing on her tiptoes on a table that had been pushed up against one of the tall columns. Her arms were stretched out above her and she was balancing a very large and very heavy looking book between her hands and the slanted shelf. She seemed very aware of her precarious position and was trying, and seemingly failing to push the book back into its rightful place. She looked quickly to her right to see if any of her peers were watching her. The Master smiled slowly to himself as he recognised her instantly. Hally, Theta's youngest daughter. The Master watched her for a few moments, she was a fairly tall young woman with dark brown hair cascading down her back. The Master couldn't quite remember how old she'd be now, perhaps in the 200's? The way her robe was currently stretched across her silhouette showed the Master that she'd certainly grown since the last time he'd laid eyes on her. He smirked to himself, the girl was pretty, however useless she might currently be proving to be in her bookish predicament.
The Master watched as she looked back at the book, seemingly assured that none of her classmates were watching. The Master couldn't comprehend the wave of utter surprise as he witnessed what happened next. Hally was still balanced on her tiptoes, both hands on the book, she was frowning and slowly, concentrating very hard, she lowered herself onto her heels. The book stayed exactly where it was, despite the fact that the young Time Lady was no longer touching it. The Master watched intrigued as she bit her lip and lightly flicked her hand forwards. The book tilted upwards and slotted itself onto the shelf. Hally smiled to herself and hopped off the table, turning quickly expecting to exit the library swiftly, however, she stopped dead in her tracks when she locked eyes with the Master. He couldn't help the small smirk that pulled at his lips as he saw her go very pale, her eyes flickering towards the doors of the library.
"Lord Master." She licked her lips nervously.
The Master almost laughed at the feigned confidence in her voice, instead he smirked knowingly, "Lady Hally."
He delighted at the slight flush that crept up her neck as she forced herself to remain stoic.
"Can I help you?" She replied haughtily.
This time the Master did laugh, "Why my dear, I think you certainly can."
Her jaw clenched, "I'm not sure what you me-" The Master cut her off as he took two strides forward and closed the gap between them, he had swiftly grabbed her lower arm, holding it tightly.
"Now, now, I wouldn't start with a lie if I were you." He whispered roughly, a warning glint in his eye.
She was pulling slightly at his grip on her arm, the Master tightened his hold painfully. For a moment she was still and he felt triumph surge inside him. The girl was easily frightened, she could certainly be used and bent to his will and what a use it could be. He wondered how far the girl's telekinetic powers could reach, he would be sure to test her once she'd submitted.
The Master stepped forward, intent on dragging the girl out of the library when something very hard smacked him in the back of the head. The Master let out a sharp cry of pain and felt her slip her arm out of his grasp. He touched his hand to the back of his head and winced slightly as he felt an angry welt forming. Getting over the initial shock he rounded on who he assumed to be the culprit behind him, frowning at the empty space. A large book lay open on the floor to his left.
"You… little-" He turned back to grab the girl again anger igniting his blood, the never-ending rhythm in his head roared loudly.
Hally was already half-way through the door of the library, she stopped only to look back at the Master. The girl had the nerve to smile innocently back at him.
"My apologies, Lord Master…" She paused, her smile widening mischievously. "You should probably pick that up." She motioned to the open book lying at his feet before quickly slipping through the door, closing it behind her.
The Master's blood was boiling with rage and his head was now throbbing painfully. How dare she, he was the Master. Despite his anger, the Master couldn't help but notice the excited hum that appeared in his lower abdomen at the girl's defiance.
She was feisty. She would be a challenge and he would relish in it.
The Master smirked to himself and the drums quietened to a steady throb as he calculated a plan.