The Initiation Ceremony - (8 year olds)

[The Tenth Doctor]

(This thread follows the Kids Camp thread, which is NOT complete yet)

(starting here --
forum.fanfiction.net/topic/69408/25015900/26/
The events don't have to unfold exactly like this...but this is the general idea)

Several months after their experience at camp, the annual initiation ceremony would take place. This would be the moment that the children would finally look into the untempered schism. Of course, not only was this an exciting experience for the many families who would participate, but it was an experience that was met with much trepidation. There was the possibility that some children would go insane from the experience. It didn't happen every year, but there was always that possibility. It wasn't unheard of.

Tyler, now completely healed of the injuries that he had received while at camp, went for a walk outside. He thought he might be able to meet up with some of his friends. It would only be a few hours before he would need to meet with his group leader to report to the school TARDIS to be taken to the site of the initiation ceremony.

Theta followed closely behind Tyler.

[The Master]

Koschei was excited. He didn't know what, exactly, the initiation ceremony was, but he knew that his father had told him that it would prove that he was fit to be a Time Lord. He couldn't wait!

Full of nervous, excited energy, he had gotten up early to prowl the grounds of the Academy. In the dawn light, he saw to familiar figures. "Nathan! Tyler! Wait up!"

[The Fifth Doctor]

The Initiation Ceremony.

What could it entail?

Yadsh had no idea, it seemed interesting, he was curious to see what it was, so curious, he completely forgot the fact that he was actually going to go through it.

Yet he was still asleep, dreaming about how the next day, but then he awoke, to this day he'd never know why, but never the less, he awoke, and almost considered going back to sleep, he rolled over and looked at the time, Still a few hours, I wonder if anyone else is up...

He dragged himself from the warm comforts of the bed, getting a shiver as soon as he emerged, he changed, and then yawned.

I hope I can find someone else...

Over all the curiosity, he was scared, he had heard the stories of people going insane when they took the initiation ceremony, he didn't want to be one of them.

[The Tenth Doctor]

It wasn't quite the day for the ceremony yet. That would take place tomorrow. However, all the children and their families were expected to travel to the site of the initiation ceremony and make themselves ready for it -- children being prepared by mentally and emotionally for it -- and the adults wanted to ensure that their children looked presentable. After all, the officials and important people on Gallifrey would all be there.

Nathan and Tyler both looked back as their friend Koschei called out to them to wait up. They slowed their pace, waiting for Koschei to catch up.

As soon as he thought that Koschei was in hearing range, Tyler called out, "Are you afraid of what happens tomorrow? Because I'm afraid...what if ....I wonder what it's like."

[The Master]

As soon as he thought that Koschei was in hearing range, Tyler called out, "Are you afraid of what happens tomorrow? Because I'm afraid...what if ....I wonder what it's like."

"It's tomorrow?" Koschei sounded surprised. "I guess I'm just too excited about it. But I'm not scared." He tried to sound like he meant it. "Not really. Not too much, anyway. My dad said it's nothing to worry about."

[The Mentalist]

At the site of the Initiation. (Long post.)

A woman dropped off her son at the gate of the area to the initiation ceremony. Her face was full of joy and pride as she gave him hug goodbye, waving at she went back into their TARDIS. She called out to him.
"You'll be alright sweetheart! Promise! I'll be back to pick you up tomorrow, remember to let the professors know you're here and get your room. Love you!"
The little boy, suitcase clutched in hand, waved back, full of nerves. As it de-materialized, the boy turned away and hastily went inside to the grounds, going over his journey in his mind.

His journey in the small family TARDIS had been quiet, the little boy had been very nervous. His mother had turned to him at one point, trying to break the silence and reach out to her child.
"Sweetie, are you okay back there? Are you nervous?"

He turned his head back to his mother, answering through his normal stutter.
"I-I'm okay... Y-Yeah a little b-bit...What's i-it like d-dad?"

His mother looked to her husband, who drove the small TARDIS. He said nothing, which earned him a nudge from her mother and encouragement to talk. He didn't like talking to his son, he hadn't much time for him. As stern as ever, he spoke.
"It was fine."

His mother sighed, her husband had always been like this. Answering herself, he looked to her boy again.
"I can't tell you exactly what it'll be like for you, honey, but I can say that it was okay for me. Didn't change me and didn't change your father too much, so you should be fine. Just don't be nervous, I'm sure the professors will be there to help you and we'll be there to pick you up after!"

She smiled at him and he had to smile back. He gave a nod and went back to the mirror, as it was his way of dealing with the nerves. He looked at his reflection, seeing himself stare back at him.

He put a hand on the window and felt his stomach fall a little. He hadn't told his mom about the dreams he'd had since camp, the maniac he'd dreamed of. In his dreams, he'd seen this man do so much, that he barely understood. He seen him kill with blades, throw people from buildings then jump himself, drown them in water, burn them alive and savour every speck of their blood. He'd then seen more, stranger things. He'd seen him in a white room, with an odd jacket, throwing himself at walls, only to be grabbed and given medication. He'd seen him have holes drilled in his head, in huge metal rods go in, just to muck around with his brain and seen it happen through his eyes too, something he'd found out later to be a trans-orbital lobotomy. He'd seen them all fail, for him to be just as crazy as before, for him to even murder a few of the doctors. He'd seen him-

His eyes widened and he looked at the reflection. Next to him in the TARDIS mirror, was that man, but only in reflection. The reflection snickered at him, laughing at the kid. The adult was coated in red again, his shirt practically soaked in it. There were scars all over his neck and backs of his hands, but the maniacs eyes did not change. They never changed. Those eyes haunted the child. He leaned over to the kid and took out his odd blade, gently putting it on the front of the child's neck. His head was right next to him, eyes staring at him. The blond hair of the man looked as untidy as ever, even his stubble was bad. He went right to the boys ear and whispered to him, telling him something.
"Time to take your place in history kid."

This had to stop, he was even starting to smell the blood. He stank of it, it was disgusting. He couldn't take it much longer so the child screamed, the madman's knife still on his throat. Letting out a physical cry, his mother turned round and his dad swore, hid hands slipped off of the controls. Little Nathaniel covered his mouth and apologized, quickly. That had earned a glare from his father and frosty exit when the TARDIS finally stopped.

The little red-head left the entrance behind, trying to calm himself down. That man- those two men had been so scary. He wasn't sure who he feared most; the murderous reflection or his own father...

As the boy wandered around, trying to find some people he could ask some questions to, his hand went to his mouth. He had a terrible habit of sucking his thumb, that he felt he should have grown out of, which had become an automatic action if he was nervous. Looking around, his blue eyes searched for some kind of company.

He didn't find a professor or fellow student. The child couldn't find anyone and started to panic. It was clear that he didn't want to be here, his pace quickening as he walked forward. He didn't know the place well and was so nervous, he broke out into a run. Tearing across the plain, the little boys white sneakers became covered in mud and dirt, the ends of his trousers getting a little wet from the puddles he ran through. His white t-shirt became creased and his blue jacket ruffled in the wind he created as he ran.

Finally coming across something, he stopped in front of a huge tree and a center of some sorts. There were lights on in the white sterile looking blocked building and the shadows of people crossed the windows. He stared at the moving shapes for a second until looking up into the tree. Up in one of the branches, a little girl about two years younger than him, was snoozing and lying out on the branch. She looked asleep but she was his only help. Clearing his throat, he spoke to her.
"U-u-u-um... E-e-e-excuse me... e-e-e-excuse me..."
His call went unanswered, the girl still sleeping. he watched the little girl, she could have only been six, but she had pretty brown hair. She wore cute clothes too, her purple jumper was sweet and the little jeans she wore were a nice shade of blue. It made her look much more adult, it was just her baby-like face and length that gave her age away. Becoming more nervous, the little red-head boy picked up a stone from the ground with his free hand and tossed it gently at the girl. It hit off of her hand and bounced back to the ground. She stirred and woke up, rubbing her eyes than looking down at him and speaking,
"sowee... 'Xcuse me, but was that you?"
The little boy nodded. She had a nice voice and when he looked, her eyes were a very beautiful color. She smiled.
"Good! I would be sad if it was anyone I knew... You must be one of the older kids here, do you need some help?"
He nodded again, trying not to shy away.
"Okay! Just hang on there, I'll be down in a second! I'm Lily by the way, what's your name?"
The red-head watched Lily climb down the tree, jumping to the ground with a big smile on her face. She wandered over to him, yawning and still a bit sleepy, but cheery none-the-less. When she reached him, the boy spoke quietly.
"My name is Nathaniel... I n-need t-t-to s-s-speak to s-s-someone about s-s-staying here overnight...""
"Nice name! Okay, then I know exactly who you need to speak to! Follow me!"
Now full of energy, Lily grabbed the little red-heads hand and ran with him. They ran back across the field of grass, the red-head being tug along, still very unsure of this girl.

She spoke as they went, the girl trying to engage in some kind of conversation.
"You must be here for the initiation ceremony tomorrow, wow! I'm not old enough to take part yet. I'm just here to help out my mommy, she's one of the doctors! She works in that building that was behind that tree, but she's really busy right now, so she won't come and play with me. Say, once you're done with getting registered, would you come and play with me? I know you're an older kid, but you seem nice..."
The red-head wasn't so sure about the answer, he was too busy trying to decipher her words. after a couple of second of though, she lead the boy to another building. She stopped outside of it, speaking to the guard. Letting them through, the little girl spoke to him again.
"If you just go to that receptionist there, her name is Lauranathyam, she'll get you registered... you don't have to come and play with me after-wards, if you have things to do, because you're in the ceremony tomorrow-"
Nathaniel interrupted.
"I-I-I'll come a-a-a-nd p-p-play with y-you, o-o-once I-I-I'm done h-here... I-I don't w-want to t-t-think about the ceremony... I want t-t-to play m-more.... b-before I h-h-have to grow up tomor-r-row-w..."

The little girl, Lily, smiled and the boy went toward the desk. leaning up to the desk, he started to speak to the receptionist as best he could. As he did, some more people came into the room, probably another few kids for tomorrow's ceremony.

(OOC: And queue any other little Time Lord children. ;D (

[The Tenth Doctor]

It was Theta who responded to Koschei's question, opening his mouth before his brother could. "Yeah....it's tomorrow. My dad said that it's not really a problem either, but I don't know....I've heard that some people go insane....I hope not."

________
Tylerhathan had already dropped his boys off at the spot in which some of the children would be going to the initiation ceremony. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to take them to the site personally, having been given the task by Emmehujidat to clean up the grounds where the ceremony would take place.

The grounds were quiet at this time, but Tylerhathan knew that that wouldn't last long. Once children and parents and others arrived, the place would be buzzing with activity. As he was trimming several of the bushes in the area, the sight of a red headed boy caught his attention.

Noting that the boy looked scared, he moved in the child's direction. "Hello there," he said, trying to sound friendly. "Are you to participate in the ceremony tomorrow?"

[Patience]

This what one of the highlights for any Time Lord - or Lady. At least that was something that her parents had told her time and time again. Rhea sometimes wondered if this was what she really wanted, but in the end, she usually decided that her parents had to know best - they were supposedly important people, after all. So she went along with what they told her to do. That would get her where she was supposed to be.

And soon, she would be standing in front of the Untempered Schism. The name itself was foreboding enough to anyone, even an eight-year-old. Just a child... and yet, there Rhea was, ready for the event of a Time Lord's initiation.

Rhea's parents were able to make it away from their daily duties for this important day for their daughter. Well, that is, tomorrow. The day before, as it were, included preparation and travel to the site. Her parents' presence did little to reassure her, however, and instead, Rhea didn't feel much better until she saw two familiar figures up ahead. While her parents busied themselves by talking to some of the others parents that were already there, Rhea rushed ahead to meet up with Nathan and Koschei. "Hey!" she called, giving a little wave as she met up with them. "How are you two?"

[Gwen Cooper | The Rani]

Ieshanavaretta was excited for the initiation ceremony and at the same time she was scared, not that she'd admit to something like that. The horror stories of what people saw looking into the Untempered Schism in which, drove them to the point of insanity, madness, and even to run. Run far, far away, and never stop running. She didn't want to think of it that way though, for there was much to do, and not every single Time Lord or Lady had gone mad. Some had, but many others had not. A brief discussion with her mother and father left her somewhat reassured although it hadn't truly done a single thing. The initiation would be in the following day, and her parents had made certain to have at least three days off. One to spend time together, one for travelling, and one for the initiation ceremony itself. Being the only daughter of the two was something special. Her cousins were already at the academy or already graduated from the Academy.

The little girl, later to be known as the Rani, could hardly contain her excitement though she tried her hardest. The entire trip felt as if it were an eternity longer then it really was, while she knew it didn't take her long at all to travel to the camp site, it felt like it had taken hundreds of years. She knew that she would not be the laughing focus of her family, nor would she do any worse then absolute excellence, as was expected of her by her parents. The aspect of knowing finally what it was to be like excited her more then it made her anxious. With her involvement with society, she knew that she'd be able to advance.

Ieshana had her hopes, and she was still at the same time nervous. Her parents left her alone for a while and went to the site where the initiation ceremony would actually be. The children however were generally left together. She figured that while she hadn't been one to socialise often with the others at camp, she'd make herself known. There were a few boys and girls that she'd seen around, one of which were what her parents called 'a disgrace to the people of Gallifrey', only half-Gallifreyan from the house of Lungbarrow. Then she recognised another lad as being from the house of Oakdown. Other then that, she had no clue as to whom the other young soon-to-be Time Lords and Ladies were.

Unpleased with that fact, she had to find out, and had to research whom they were, and all about them. Walking up to the group that consisted of the boy from Lungbarrow, and the one called Koschei, if she'd been paying attention during the camp, and a girl named Rhea. It seemed that she was finally coming down from her self-important tower and realising that they would be her classmates, so they had to have a purpose, an understanding, and to have been on par with her. Even with the differences in personality she would be able to get along with them.

Suddenly she felt so much more like a child. Small, insignificant and shy. She wanted to observe them, as if she were a scientist and the others were just some experiment. But, she knew that it wasn't supposed to be like that. She had to be a prime example of what a Time Lady would be like. She had to be strong, confident, and know how to handle situations. Situations in which included being social. Cautiously Ieshana stepped closer to the group, brown eyes trained to them, so she could watch them. "Hello." She finally greeted.

(( I hope this was decent. Eek. ))

[The Tenth Doctor]

Tyler watched as a little girl bounded up to them and spoke with Nathan and Koschei, seemingly ignoring him completely. Tyler sighed, figuring that the other children must not have recognized him without all the casts and the wheelchair. Feeling invisible, he remained silent, just standing there.

________
Nathan, completely missing the fact that Tyler seemed to be feeling left out, smiled happily when he saw his friend Rhea.

"Oh, fine....how are you?"

Nathan continued to smile, "It will be the three of us all over again..."

Tyler continued to stand awkwardly off to the side. Even his own brother had left him out.
____________
When a second female joined their group, both Nathan and Tyler looked at her. "Hello," Nathan greeted her. Tyler simply waved.

[The Master]

"Hey!" Rhea called, giving a little wave as she met up with them. "How are you two?"

"Rhea!" Koschei called back happily. "Hi! I'm doing good. It's... it's nice to see you again."

He wasn't quite sure why, but he was starting to feel a little tongue-tied around Rhea.

---

"Oh, fine....how are you?" Nathan continued to smile, "It will be the three of us all over again..."

"Four of us," Koschei corrected. "Now that your brother's arm's healed up, he should join in as well."

---

"Hello," said a newcomer, a girl. Koschei recognized her from camp, and tried to put a name to her face. His father had said it was important to remember people, and he'd always tried to follow that advice.

"Uhm... Ieshana? Right?" He grinned. "Are you here for the initiation too?"

[Gwen Cooper | The Rani]

It took Ieshana a moment to realise that there were three boys, or more correctly, that the one she'd seen around camp while injured was healed. She waved meagerly back to Tyler and then nodded to Nathan. She noted the other girl in the group, and when Koschei spoke, she smiled politely.

"Uhm... Ieshana? Right?" The boy had grinned, "Are you here for the initiation too?" That question while a bit of an observation seemed rather redundant to her.

"Yes, I am Ieshanavaretta, but my family calls me Ieshana." She responded and then added on, "I am here for the initiation, yes. You're... Koschei, right? And..." She pointed to the twins. "Nathan and Tyler, correct?" Then she glanced to the girl, feeling rather unintelligent when she couldn't place the face to the name. "...And I don't you know your, miss." She murmured a bit embarrassed. She hadn't paid close enough attention apparently during camp.

"Are you lot nervous? They say that some Time Lords and Ladies go absolutely mad." She mused, wondering to herself what percentage did, and it would be an interesting study should she go back and take notes when she were a few years older.

[The Mentalist]

The red-headed little boy, noticed Tylerhathan clipping the hedges around the reception area and heard him speak to him. as the man came forward, he quiet his tone quiet and soft.
"Hello there," he said, trying to sound friendly. "Are you to participate in the ceremony tomorrow?"
The boy, turning away from the receptionist, stuttered as he replied to the gardener. The child was very nervous around new people and it took a lot out of him to find the courage to reply to man.
".....Y-y-yes, I-I-I am...."
Thinking of the worst, the boy speed-ed up and stumbled over his words.
"H-H-have I d-d-done so-ometh-ing wrong?! A-a-m I in t-t-t-trouble?"
Nathaniel bore a worried expression across his small face, starting to fidget with his hands nervously as he slumped down from the reception desk. Not even a day in and he knew he'd already done something wrong...

The little brown haired girl, quickly put up a fight for the older boy, as she wandered over to the desk. She stood her ground against the big scary adult, taking up a spot in front of Nathaniel. Putting one of her small hands on her purple jumper where her waist would soon be, she put her foot forward and pointed at the gardener coming toward them. The six year old had a lot fight in her!
"Listen here Mister! Nathaniel's done nothin' wrong! He's just here to become a big Time Lord, like everyone else! He's made it this far, he's proved he's smart enough and he's gonna play with me once he's done with signing in, so don't you even think about telling him he's in trouble!"
The eight year old looked down at the six year old, shocked by her words and actions. Her stance, her pointing, the anger in her words, he was stunned by what she'd done. She'd known him all of two minutes and yet, she was more than willing to fight for him. Nathaniel hadn't felt so... honored before. He then lowered his head to the floor, staring at his shoes. His mind then thought of something else, falling into that idea. This little girl was fighting his battle for him... He was supposed to be the elder, the stronger and the protector. But instead, he was letting an acquaintance, no, a stranger stand up to him. He didn't feel as good anymore.

Both stood, waiting for response.

[The Tenth Doctor]

Nathan glanced from Koschei to Tyler, "Oh...right....his arm, his leg, and his back are all better now." He smiled at his brother. "Five of us then..."

Tyler frowned, his mind on someone else. He'd met a girl named Kyra who had quickly become a friend. She'd stayed with him while he was treated for his injuries, and had stuck by his side throughout camp. But where was she?

It was then that he heard Koschei including him into the mix, a smile appearing on his face.. "Yeah.....I'm all better now."

As Ieshanavaretta asked the twins if Nathan and Tyler were their names, both nodded. Not everyone knew that they were brothers, let alone twins yet. The boys were not identical, having different colored hair. Tyler's features resembled more closely to his father's than his brother's did. Although neither boy remembered their mother, Nathan looked a lot like her. Since twins only happened through a natural birth, the fact that they were twins would have brought looks of disapproval from adult Time Lords. Indeed, it already had. Their father had explained this fact to them, which is one reason that they weren't telling everyone that they were brothers.

Nathan heard Ieshanavaretta's question and shrugged. "I'm a little scared, but my dad says that there isn't much to worry about. He told me that there's always a defect in the character of the children that go insane."

_________________
Tylerhathan shook his head at the red-headed child. "You haven't done anything wrong. It was just that you looked nervous, and I thought that you would appreciate someone to talk to...."

However, he was cut off by a small child who had stepped up to defend Nathanial. "Child," he began, "I'm not here to accuse him of doing anything wrong. I am simply talking to him."

The confrontation, however, left room for reflection. Were most Time Lords like this, addressing children in such a manner -- only when they wished to correct a child? Having lived a privileged life on Gallifrey for most of his life, he had been completely oblivious to the way that most Time Lord adults viewed children. His demotion in rank had been quite an eye-opening experience for him.

[Patience]

Rhea smiled at her two friends that she had made back on the first day of camp. At least she had those around her that made her feel comfortable in such an unfamiliar situation. She was a little scared, that was for sure. She nodded at Nathan as he greeted her, then gave another little nod towards Koschei as well. The two boys made her feel shy at times, but at others times, she was perfectly fine with her new-found friends.

She glanced towards the other member of their little group, who was apparently Nathan's brother. "Hello," she said, giving him a little wave. "I've heard a little about you, being Nathan's brother and all. Nice to meet you!" Rhea took notice of the other newcomer who called herself Ieshana. She almost seemed as though upset that she didn't know Rhea. Rhea honestly hadn't managed to meet her yet herself. "I'm Celestephemerhea, but everyone calls me Rhea." She nodded in response to Ieshana's question. "I'm nervous too!" she admitted, feeling better for getting that off her chest. "My parents are really excited about me doing this, but I've heard the same, about how some people go crazy." She glanced between the others, almost conspiratorially. "I've heard that some people just run away because they can't handle it."