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The time capsule stood there in front of her: a white cylinder. Not in any camouflage or adapting to the environment around her, it was like any other TARDIS. Except this wasn’t like any others. It was hers. Hers. Glad that everyone else had left, leaving her in the room alone with the TARDIS and able to take her time, she let her hand lightly caress the side of the machine. Hers.
The whole thing was still surprising and a lot to take in. She had barely managed to make it through the Academy. On multiple occasions, she had feared she had failed but she hadn’t. All that work, all that sacrifice finally paid off. She had made it. Her family would be so proud. She had officially become a Time Lord. The DNA sequencing and finalization of the process had been a bit difficult but it was over. In general, she was a bit overwhelmed. How she had made it this far at all was surprising. Even more so was the fact she had been one of the Time Lords gifted with a TARDIS. That alone was a shocker. Perhaps it was her research abilities. Perhaps they had things they wanted her to do. Maybe she did a lot of work alone and thus it made sense. Whatever the case, the High Council had deemed her worthy of having one of the rare TARDISes. This was perhaps the happiest day of her life.
Being mentally linked to a TARDIS, having a place she can call her own, a place that she can delve into was freeing. She had never been popular in the Academy. One would think after all this time she would have made friends, but she hadn’t. At best, others were kind to her. At worst, hostile and cruel. Not that it mattered. She didn’t care. Not anymore. You kind of got used to being a bit odd after so many years. And though she still had those who secretly mocked or made fun of her, not many dared to her face. It was quickly learned that anyone attempting to prank or do something to her got major retribution. She gave as much as she got and had the patience to sometimes even wait until it resulted in the most damage. She had been accused of having a cruel streak by one of Academy’s heads. Nearly got her kicked out after one stunt. But surprisingly, they hadn’t. She had been given another chance. One that helped her tailor how she handled other people to less…obvious or destructive methods.
The material of the TARDIS was smooth as her fingers ran over it. She laughed a little. She still couldn’t believe it.
Placing her hand on the door, she paused before pushing it open and entering. The gasp echoed slightly even as the lights flickered on and the TARDIS turned on. It was simply beautiful. And hers.
She laughed delighted before quickly covering her mouth. The TARDIS was sentient. And with the link that was established between her and it, made it undoubtedly know what she was thinking. And she didn’t want to offend it.
She let her hands drop a little, her expression more solemn.
“Hello?” She said softly. There was no reply. But then again, she knew that. One could communicate to a TARDIS. TARDISes knew what was said. Shoot, they saw all time and space. Having looked into the Untempered Schism, she couldn’t understand how anything could see all of time and space and handle it. She only looked in it for a short time and that …she didn’t want to think about that.
Pushing that aside and focusing on the now, she took a few steps in. The center of the TARDIS hummed, the rise and fall of the bulb in the cylinder, the lit up panels. She wouldn’t be allowed to travel off planet but the capability was there. There was a warm hum that vibrated through the air, tingling against her skin. Warming her. It almost felt welcoming.
Welcoming. Right. That was amusing. She almost couldn’t remember what that was like.
“I know you can’t like…talk directly,” she continued, her footsteps echoing as she moved further in. “But it is an honor to work with you.” She turned slowly, doing a three-sixty as her gaze moved over the walls, ceiling. Where did one look when talking to a TARDIS? The control center? Maybe. Though, the TARDIS was all around. She doubted that it needed her to look at a certain spot to “see”. Moving to the center, she turned her gaze to the screens and controls. “I’m…” There was a slight hesitation. Her new name was still something she was getting used to. Her hesitation turned to stubbornness and her chin lifted in pride. “I’m Nobody.”
Nobody. Meant as a mockery almost. How many times had someone not known who she was DESPITE the fact she had worked with them or others? The Academy was large but the length of time one spent training and learning, it got very small fairly quickly. Still, she was almost an outcast. A nobody. And that, was really why she chose this name. It was a promise almost. She knew there were several snickers when she declared what she had chosen. Even some of the teachers were dubious about it. She had one try to talk her out of it. But she had stuck to it.
They thought she was no one. They didn’t know who she was. And that was okay. She was a nobody but that wasn’t something to be ashamed of. She took that name as a promise that even a nobody would be important. Maybe not to everyone. Maybe most won’t even care or know she existed. But she was going to do her very best in whatever was thrown her way. She was going to wear the name with pride. In honor of all the nobodies that were overlooked, forgotten, or otherwise passed over.
Stubborn determination flashed through her as she looked up at the center tube.
“Nobody,” she repeated, louder, more confident. “That’s my name.”
The hum fluctuated slightly, almost as a response. No, that would be crazy. But so was the fact that there was a calming aspect being inside the TARDIS. That her newly enhanced cells, skin could feel warm, vibrations. Again, she felt it was almost…welcoming.
Her expression almost slipped as the thought went through her. She almost teared up. She pushed back a sob. She knew it was silly but she honestly felt at home here. And that was something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Her hand moved slightly down to caress the controls; Her touch exceedingly gentle against the roughness of gadgets, knobs, and levers. Her face again lifted and glanced around the wonderful interior of her TARDIS. Hers.
Though, in a way, and it was a silly thought but for a moment she wondered: did the TARDIS belong to her or did she belong to the TARDIS?
Her back now to the console, her palms pressing against it as she leaned back and looked up, she – Nobody – couldn’t help think that idea was delightful.
This was her TARDIS and she was its Time Lord. Together they belonged to each other. Together for now and forever (or for as long as she lived). Entwined and connected. She sighed with contentment. She was …home.