The House of Incarnations

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After regenerating, Thirteen opens her eyes, finding herself amidst the grandeur of a vast library, with books scattered and plush couches invitingly placed near intricate wooden shelves. Her confusion mounts as she takes in her surroundings. Suddenly, she comes face to face with a wide-eyed Eleventh Doctor.

He rings a bell triumphantly, teasingly calling out, "Told you I'd win, Sandshoes." The Tenth Doctor, David, responds with a grumble, "No need to rub it in my face."

The Eleventh Doctor chuckles, "He's a sore loser!" Thirteen, still bewildered, asks, "Who are you exactly?"

The Eleventh Doctor, now identified as Matt, explains, "Right. So I'm your previous incarnation, you already know that. Basically, Thirteen, we don't call each other by numbers, hey, we don't do that here. So I'm Matt, and Sandshoes over here is David."

Thirteen's confusion deepens as she tries to grasp the situation. Matt continues, "What is this place?"

David interjects, "The mind... Basically, this is the place where the previous incarnations go. The House of Incarnations."

Matt adds, "I thought it was called the House of Carnations."

David quips, "What is this, a flower shop?" Their banter lightens the mood, but Thirteen is left with more questions than answers as she begins to comprehend the enigmatic nature of the House of Incarnations.

David nods in agreement. "Each regeneration brings about a new Doctor, but the previous incarnations continue to exist within the confines of this place. It's like a repository of our past selves, where our memories and essence reside." Thirteen absorbs this information, realizing the profound implications of what it means to be a Time Lord. The concept of continuity beyond individual regenerations opens up new possibilities and challenges for her to explore.

As the conversation unfolded, Thirteen's uncertainty about choosing a name became apparent. Matt, sensing her dilemma, sought to empower her in the decision-making process.

"Right, what will be your name?" Matt inquired, his expression encouraging.

Thirteen hesitated, feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the decision. "Aren't you supposed to give it to me?" she questioned, her tone tinged with uncertainty.

Matt shook his head gently. "No, you pick," he insisted, a reassuring smile playing on his lips.

"I can't pick!!" Thirteen exclaimed, her frustration evident in her voice.

Seeing her distress, Matt proposed a solution. "Let's ask Chris and Paul for the wheel of names, shall we?" he suggested, his eyes bright with enthusiasm.

Without hesitation, David sprang into action, striding purposefully towards the hallway to summon their companions. "Chris! Paul! The Wheel!!" he called out, his voice echoing through the corridors of the mansion.

As they awaited the arrival of Chris and Paul with the Wheel of Names, Thirteen's mind raced with anticipation, eager to discover what name fate would bestow upon her.

"Nice to meet you, Thirteen," Chris greeted with a nod, his tone carrying the weight of his previous incarnations. "I'm Chris, number 9, and this is Paul, number 8."

Paul's observation about Thirteen's gender drew a subtle arch of her eyebrow, a flicker of amusement dancing in her eyes. "She's... a woman," Paul remarked, his tone tinged with surprise.

Thirteen's gaze drifted towards the Wheel of Names, her expression thoughtful as she took in the predominantly male options before her. Matt, sensing her hesitation, intervened with characteristic ease. "No problem," he assured, clapping his hands together with a flourish.

As the sound reverberated through the room, a shimmering energy enveloped the wheel, causing the names to morph and change before their eyes. Thirteen watched in fascination as the options expanded, now including a diverse selection of both male and female names.

With a sense of relief, Thirteen turned back to her companions, gratitude evident in her smile. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice tinged with appreciation for their understanding and support.

"Spin the wheel," Matt urged Thirteen, his excitement palpable as he watched her approach the ornate contraption. Thirteen took a deep breath, her fingers grazing the smooth surface before giving it a decisive spin. With a soft whirring sound, the wheel spun gracefully before gradually coming to a stop.

Thirteen closed her eyes momentarily, anticipation coursing through her veins. When she opened them, her gaze fell upon the name that had been chosen for her: Jodie. A smile spread across her face as she took in the significance of the moment.

Matt, ever considerate, offered her an out. "You know, you can... change it if you don't like it," he suggested, his tone gentle and supportive.

But Thirteen shook her head, her decision firm. "It's perfect," she affirmed, her voice filled with quiet resolve.

With a flourish, Matt retrieved a piece of paper and a pen, swiftly jotting down the chosen name. With a mischievous grin, he affixed it to Thirteen's clothing, officially marking her transition to Jodie.

"Welcome to the family, Jodie!" Matt declared, his voice brimming with warmth and camaraderie. Thirteen, now Jodie, felt a swell of pride and belonging as she embraced her new identity among her fellow Time Lords.