Awaking in the Light of All the Stars Aligned

It Has Begun

The next month passed slowly for the freshly minted adult, school days dragging by as Tommy counted them down until his first shift at the Agency. Niki was still hesitant but she seemed to warm up to the idea slowly. Tommy had a feeling Eret and Foolish hadn't let the topic go, pitching in their two cents whenever she started to worry. The Council were happy Eret was taking on an apprentice, apparently it had been a few years and they were eager for him to take another. All Ambassadors were expected to train at least a couple over their tenure, plus Eret was notoriously picky with their choice.

Emails were exchanged outlining his contract and his first couple of weeks in the position, Tommy was quick to send them back as they came in. He found he was walking with more of a bounce in his step, excited to learn more about these strange powers he had been born with. He hadn't spent much time around people he liked, most immediately finding the chinks in hisa armor to attack his oddities. Eret and Foolish weren't like that, hell Eret had spoken about the paranormal like it was commonplace. He ached for such simplicity to be his future, to be around those who just got it.

Soon he walked across the stage at graduation, thanking God it was all over as he was handed his diploma. Meeting Niki's crying gaze he gives her the biggest grin he can imagine, finally free of being around those who thought him to be weird. They spent that night watching Princess Bride once more, this time at Tommy's request.

Sure, he might have every scene memorised but watching how much his sister lit up while her favourite film played was worth the hours spent. One more night of a brother and sister enjoying each other's company without the burdens of reality, laughing at the cliche but lovely movie while splitting popcorn with a generous amount of butter.

When the alarm blared on his first day Tommy woke up happy for the first time ever, excited to get to the office where he wasn't an outlier. Niki chuckled watching him stumble out of his room to shower, getting ready for the day herself. Foolish had sent her a list of suggested materials so they had gone shopping last weekend, a brand new notebook and set of pens for him to take notes waiting in his backpack. Adding his headphones to the pile, zipping it shut as he runs a comb through his wet hair. Scoffing at how it sticks up on end he gives up, hoping the open car windows will dry it enough.

Going to the kitchen Niki spent hours in the morning baking in, she greets him with a cinnamon bun. A treat reserved for special mornings, a celebration, she looks proud even as her brow has a slight furrow like it does when she is worried.

"Morning sunshine, suppose I don't have to ask if you are excited for today?" Niki teases, placing the plate down on the breakfast bar between them.

This kitchen felt the most like home to Tommy besides the backyard, hours spent with Niki growing up baking sweet delicious treats. On the side she would bake for some neighbours in exchange for money, enjoying the task immensely she always made too much for just the two of them. Many weekends had been split between gardening tasks and attending to the decadent loaves she would lovingly create.

Tommy digs into the pure sugary dough, humming happily as he looks at his sister. Today she had tied her newly dyed blonde hair into a high ponytail, a black vest over her rose pink shirt. He hoped he was dressed appropriately in his sweater vest and slacks, he felt a bit like a nerd but when Niki bought it she assured him he looked handsome. They made more small chat as Tommy finished his breakfast, Niki packing their lunches together using leftovers from dinner last night.

Soon they are heading to Niki's Chevrolet Malibu, the inside of the car a physical cloud of summer humidity hitting their faces as they open the doors. She leans in to put the keys in the ignition, both opening their windows and letting the car air out some. The air conditioner had broken in her car a few years ago but wasn't worth the money to fix, Tommy was just hoping one day the car would finally give it up. He worried about his sister driving around in a vehicle almost his age, but she was attached to the old thing.