Tailspin Anthology

First Day of Apprenticing

Christian's first day as Theo's apprentice.

"I see you made it, Keir." Sarah's boyfriend spoke as Christian entered the potion shop with a box in his hands as Jacob followed him in.

"Please call me Christian."

"Only if you succeed in helping me level up without slaying you."

Christian blustered making Jacob snort. "Don't make that face." He told him. "You were the one who wanted to become a sorcerer's apprentice's intern."

"Let's get this over with." Theo told them and gestured for them to follow him. They walked behind the counter and headed towards the back of the store.

The back of the store was surrounded by grey brick. There were boxes of empty vials and bottles stacked in one corner. A fridge and cupboard were on the other side. A cauldron sat in the center.

"They're here!" A young girl rushed in with a boy that looked similar to Theo.

"Mom. Dad." Theo blushed in embarrassment.

"Mom? Dad?" Christian incredulity asked.

"Duh." Jacob pointed at Theo. "Look at this pip squeak."

"Hey." Theodore whined.

Theo's mom rushed over and was giving Christian kisses on his cheeks. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"For what?" Christian mumbled out.

Theo's mom pulled away with a smile. "For motivating my baby to pursue the magic arts again."

"Mom." Theo hissed at her.

"Don't take that tone with with us, young man." Theo's dad spoke in a high pitched voice like his son. "We are here to teach you since we've never dealt with an apprentice having an apprentice of their own."

"We don't need teachers, dad."

"Yes you do." His dad told him. "Mainly because you haven't done classes in over a century. Times have changed and magic and spells have updated since then."

Theo sighed. "Alright. Fine." He crossed his arms and pouted like Christian did earlier.

"Ooh!" Theo's mom cheered. "This is so exciting!" She noticed the box Christian was carrying. "What's this?"

Christian looked down bashfully. "A magic kit."

"A human magic kit." Jacob specified. "My brother thought if you could master fake magic, it'll give you enough confidence to do the real stuff."

Theo gawked. "That's the dumbest-"

"What a wonderful idea!" Theo's mom exclaimed.

"Mom."

"Theodore Baltaire." Theo's father spoke.

Theo stomped over and snatched the box from Christian. "Enjoy your victory, Keir." Christian made a deadpan face as Theo's parents wasted no time in opening the magic kit.

Sometime later, "Is this your card?" Theo asked Christian as he presented a black ace play card.

"No."

Theo grinded his teeth. "This is the fifth time you've said that."

"I swear it's not the card I picked." Christian vehemently said. "How about a different trick?"

"Like what?"

"Pulling a rabbit out of a hat would be nice."

Jacob chortled in the corner earning glares from both apprentices.