Today was the day. Today she would receive her first assignment, and begin her (hopefully) long career as an Angel. She couldn't hide her excitement and nervousness. She'd waited forever and a day for this opportunity, and now it'd finally come!
"Angel Third Class Saffron!" The booming voice called down from on high.
"Y-Yes sir!" Saffron replied, her face flushing. She stood at attention, trying her best to hide her nervousness.
"Step into the light." The voice commanded.
Saffron felt herself shaking as she stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight in front of her as instructed. She stopped in the center of the circle of light, uncertain of what to do next, until the voice spoke again.
"Are you prepared for your first assignment as an Angel? Are you prepared to watch after the soul of your charge, to silently guide and protect them as is necessary?" The voice asked.
Saffron bowed clumsily, her purple hair tumbling into her face and eyes. She had to stifle a cough as a few of the hairs made their way into her throat.
"Yes Sir! I will look after them with everything I have!" She said.
"Excellent. I am sure you will do an excellent job. For this first task, you are being assigned a senior Angel to shadow you, and provide both guidance and support as you learn the ropes. Please learn to rely on them. They are present solely for your benefit. Do you understand?" The voice asked.
"Yes sir! I will be grateful for the help!" Saffron said with a nod. She had not known she would have someone else helping her for her first. The fact that a more experienced Angel would be accompanying her for her first mission made her feel a lot more confident and relaxed.
"Angel First Class Nutmeg! Please step forward!" The voice said.
Out of the shadows to Saffron's right, another Angel stepped into the light next to her. Saffron didn't know her personally, but recognized her from around the campus of Heavensgate Academy where all new Angels were trained. Was she a senior student, or one of the teachers? Saffron couldn't tell. She looked the same age as Saffron, with warm pinkish hair and an equally warm face. She stood in calm attention next to her, her posture perfect, and her face serene.
She looked like the poster child of what Saffron had always imagined a proper Angel should look like. It made Saffron feel more than a little insecure by comparison standing next to her.
"Angel Nutmeg, are you prepared to accept the responsibility of looking after Angel Third Class Saffron, to help her learn and develop the skills necessary to watch over and guide the souls of the world below? To ensure that your joint charge will receive the greatest assistance and support they can receive within the laws of our charter?" The voice asked.
Nutmeg smiled and bowed gracefully, her well-manicured pink hair sweeping down around her in a gentle flowing wave.
"Yes sir. I shall do everything to the greatest of my ability!" She said. Her voice was soft and clear, and reminded Saffron of the sound of rain on a warm spring day. Nutmeg straightened, and then turned to Saffron. She smiled warmly.
"I look forward to working together!" She said,
Saffron smiled back sheepishly.
"Me too... Please take good care of me, okay?" She said, blushing.
The voice spoke again, and the two of them turned their attention back to where it came from.
"The ward you are being assigned to is a young girl named Su Anxi. This is to be her first year of secondary school. Her father's company transferred him to a new city, and tomorrow will be her first day of school at a new school, in a new city. She is alone, and nervous. We have reason to believe her experience this year will determine the path her soul takes for the rest of her life. It is your responsibility to ensure the year she has is a good one. Not perfect, but one that she will be able to move forward from in a positive manner, and have fond memories of later in life. Do you understand your assignment?" The voice asked.
Nutmeg bowed again, and Saffron, seeing this, immediately followed suit.
"Yes sir! We understand!" They said together in unison.
"Good. Enjoy your last night in Heaven, Angel Third Class Saffron. This will be the last you have here for a full human year. And good luck to you both. May Heaven's light be ever-present among you!" The voice said.
And with that, the voice, spotlight, and shadows faded, leaving the two of them standing alone in the grand auditorium of Heavensgate Academy.