Jerika crossed one leg over the other, settling comfortably into her seat. A quiet breath escaped her lips as she leaned back, allowing herself to sink into the familiar atmosphere of The Solmus Diner.
For once, there was nowhere she needed to be. No immediate responsibilities demanding her attention, no pressing matters waiting to be addressed.
At least, not for the next few minutes.
Across from her sat Camilia, a coworker who had joined her for breakfast. By her own admission, Camilia was a 'grown woman'. With her blonde bob and glasses, she certainly looked the part at first glance.
Her behavior, however, often told a different story.
Jerika closed her eyes and took another leisurely sip of coffee, making no effort to watch as Camilia proceeded to drown her pancakes in what could only be described as an immature amount of syrup.
"Look at Miss Fancy..."
Jerika cracked one eye open, glancing over the rim of her cup.
Camilia was looking at her with a smug, decidedly bratty sneer, apparently quite pleased with herself.
"Are we making a nice little syrup puddle?" Jerika asked, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth before she took another sip.
"Oh, shut up," Camilia muttered, stabbing her fork into the pancakes. "It's syrup. It goes on pancakes. I like syrup."
"I can tell."
"You're so annoying."
"And yet, here you are, having breakfast with me."
"Unfortunately."
Jerika let out a quiet chuckle, setting her cup down.
It was nice, actually. Sitting somewhere comfortable, enjoying a decent breakfast and exchanging meaningless remarks.
She hadn't realized how much she'd missed something so ordinary.
Her mind, of course, wasn't entirely cooperative. There were still things to worry about. Cael was away on his mission, and she wasn't entirely sure what to make of him.
Then there were Zerin and Dex...
Her expression softened for the briefest moment.
Those two had a few advantages over most, despite their considerable talent for making her worry. Their training alone had already placed them in a rather unusual position, but Zerin was becoming a matter of particular interest.
His Aspect, it seemed, was beginning to attract attention from the privileged circles scattered throughout the Southern Territory. Not merely the usual recognition afforded to promising young Awakened, either. There were people of considerable influence taking notice, the sort whose interests also probably exist elsewhere...
Jerika had to settle with what she had now... a coffee, breakfast, and a particularly shameless syrup enthusiast to contend with.
And hope that no more attention is drawn.
Camilia opened her mouth, undoubtedly preparing another retort, but the words never came.
A voice from the television mounted above the diner rose above the familiar clatter of dishes and the low hum of conversation.
"—and tomorrow's forecast calls for light snowfall in the morning, followed by periods of heavy rain throughout the day as a cold front moves in from the south."
Camilia groaned at the news anchor's cheerful delivery.
"Ugh. It's the middle of summer, for crying out loud. We're in the Southern Hemisphere, and this is what we get?" She shook her head, stuffing a piece of pancake into her mouth. "The weather's been so strange this year."
Jerika hummed absently, her attention drifting toward the television.
Something about the report caught her interest.
"Antarctica..."
The word slipped from her lips almost unconsciously.
Her gaze settled on the weather radar as it appeared on-screen. A sprawling mass of cold air was gathering over the southernmost continent, stretching northward toward South America.
She frowned slightly.
She'd heard reports about the situation down there. Nothing particularly conclusive, but enough to suggest that things weren't quite as ordinary as the news outlets were making them out to be.
"Antarctica?" Camilia repeated, glancing up from her plate.
"Yeah." Jerika leaned forward slightly. "I've heard things have been getting worse down there."
"Worse how?"
Before Jerika could elaborate, the television abruptly flickered.
The weather map disappeared, replaced by a black screen.
For a moment, nothing happened. A faint electronic hum emanated from the speakers, while the usual clatter of cutlery and conversations continued throughout the diner.
Then the screen flickered again.
A news desk appeared, accompanied by a bold red banner stretching across the bottom.
URGENT NEWS.
The anchor, a woman with neatly arranged dark hair, straightened the papers in front of her. She paused, drew a measured breath, and looked directly into the camera.
"Good morning. We interrupt our scheduled programming to bring you an important development."
Jerika's attention sharpened.
The anchor continued.
"Families across the Southern Territory have spent months, in some cases years, waiting for news of loved ones who had been drawn into the Dream Realm. Today, we finally have a reason for cautious optimism."
She offered a small, professional smile.
"Authorities have begun confirming the return of Sleepers from the Dream Realm."
Jerika's fingers stopped against the handle of her coffee cup.
"According to preliminary reports, several individuals have successfully made their way back to the waking world. More remarkably, some of those identified had been missing for years, with the earliest confirmed cases dating back nearly seven years."
Camilia lowered her fork.
"Seven years?"
The anchor nodded slightly, as though anticipating the question from the audience.
"Yes. Seven years. While the circumstances surrounding these prolonged absences remain under investigation, officials have confirmed that the individuals in question are alive and have successfully returned through Gateways."
She glanced down at her notes before continuing.
"Medical personnel and government representatives have been dispatched to the affected locations. The returning Sleepers are currently undergoing preliminary evaluations and will be provided with the necessary assistance as they adjust to life in the waking world."
Jerika's expression had changed.
Seven years.
Her thoughts immediately went to the people she knew who were still out there.
The anchor turned another page.
"Officials have also cautioned that these developments should not be mistaken. The Dream Realm remains an extraordinarily dangerous place, and there is currently no indication that everyone who entered will be able to return."
Her expression grew more solemn.
"Some individuals may still be searching for a Gateway. Others may have fallen along the way. Until further information becomes available, families are being urged to remain patient and avoid drawing premature conclusions."
She paused.
"Nevertheless, the recent developments have renewed hopes for thousands of families across the region. Authorities have promised to release further information as the situation develops, including the identities of those who have successfully returned."
The anchor offered a restrained nod.
"To those who continue to wait, we understand that uncertainty can be difficult. And to those who have finally been reunited with their loved ones, we extend our congratulations."
She briefly consulted her notes.
"This is Valentina, reporting from the Southern Territory's premier news station. We'll continue bringing you updates as they become available. Stay safe."
The broadcast transitioned to a series of preliminary reports.
Jerika barely registered any of it.
Her coffee cup came down against its saucer with a distinct clink.
She reached for her communicator.
If Dex and Zerin were among those returning, she needed to know. And Cael, he deserved to hear about it as soon as possible.
After all, he was their teacher. He'd invested considerable time in training both boys, and he'd been just as curious about their development as she was.
Jerika pushed her chair back.
Camilia blinked as she watched her abruptly rise from the table.
"Jerika?"
She gathered her keys, already reaching for her purse.
"Jerika!" Camilia called again, narrowing her eyes as her coworker hurried toward the exit. "You're seriously going to leave me with the bill?"
Jerika stopped just long enough to sigh.
"Right."
She rummaged through her purse, retrieved a card, and tossed it onto the table.
"Here. Give it back to me later. I need to make a call."
Camilia glanced down.
Then she blinked.
Once.
Twice.
A Class-One Government Expense Card?!
Her head snapped up.
"Wait, is this—"
But Jerika was already halfway out the door.
The bell above the entrance chimed as she disappeared into the morning crowd.
Camilia stared for several seconds before slowly lowering her gaze to the card.
Then her attention drifted toward the half-finished pancakes sitting in front of her.
A small, mischievous smile crept across her face.
"...Well, since she's paying."
As if summoned by those words, a waitress approached the table, carrying a pot of fresh coffee.
"Everything alright here, miss? Would you like anything else?"
Camilia immediately straightened in her seat, adjusting her glasses with an air of newfound importance.
"Actually, yes. I'll have another stack of pancakes, please."
"Of course. Anything else?"
Camilia paused thoughtfully.
"Double the syrup."