The Dark Matter Sage

Tony couldn't help but grin as he stared at the tiny droplet of water hovering in the air before him. The satisfaction of creating something from atoms was overwhelming. He felt like a god—or at least, a minor deity in training.

Roomie, however, had other plans.

"Success is a beginning, Tony. Let us move to the next step. Fetch a glass."

Tony's grin faltered as he raised an eyebrow. "A glass? What, you want me to pour this into something?"

"No. I want you to fill it," Roomie replied calmly. "Entirely with water you form."

Tony groaned but complied, grabbing a clear glass from the kitchen and setting it on the counter. "This is gonna take forever."

For three days, Tony toiled over the glass. Each droplet felt like a small victory but also an exercise in patience. The process required him to focus deeply, aligning hydrogen and oxygen atoms into a stable bond and releasing them into the glass.

Jay watched him during one of his sessions, leaning on the counter with a skeptical expression. "Are you seriously still on the same glass?"

Tony glared at her playfully. "You try making water molecule by molecule and see how fast you get."

Jay smirked. "I'd probably be done by now."

Tony waved her off. "Yeah, yeah. Go enjoy your non-molecule-made water while I toil away for science."

On the morning of the third day, Tony finally stood triumphantly over the brimming glass of water. He held it up to the light, letting the sunlight refract through it. "Done! Next!"

Roomie's voice came with unsettling promptness. "A gallon jug."

Tony turned to Jay with a helpless look. "He wants me to fill a gallon jug."

Jay burst out laughing. "A gallon? Oh, you're going to be here forever."

The jug sat mockingly on the counter. Tony sighed, rolling up his sleeves. "Alright, let's do this."

The process was faster this time, though still grueling. By the second day, the jug was halfway full, and by the fourth, Tony added the last droplets with a flourish. He turned to Jay with a victorious grin. "Done."

Jay peeked into the jug. "Impressive. Let me guess—next he's gonna have you fill a pool?"

Tony laughed nervously. "Close. It's the bathtub."

The empty porcelain tub stared back at Tony like a daunting opponent. He sat cross-legged on the bathroom floor, shaking his head. "Alright, Roomie. Let's get this over with."

Jay poked her head in, her towel slung over her shoulder. "Wait, you're using this bathtub? Tony, I need to shower."

"You can't shower in a work-in-progress masterpiece," Tony said, waving dramatically at the empty tub.

Jay crossed her arms. "This better not take all day."

It did take all day. At first, the process was slow, with Tony creating water one droplet at a time. But by late afternoon, something clicked. Instead of forming droplets individually, Tony visualized a continuous stream of hydrogen and oxygen aligning perfectly.

The water began pouring out of his hands like a running faucet, rapidly filling the tub. Jay returned just as the last bit of water rippled to the brim.

"Finally!" she said, pulling the drain plug. "Now get out. I need my shower."

Tony mock screamed. "My water!"

Jay rolled her eyes but kissed him on the cheek. "You're lucky I like you."

The next phase of Roomie's training focused on temperature manipulation. Roomie explained that slowing the water molecules would create ice, while speeding them up would generate steam.

Tony started with ice. He hovered his hand over the water, trying to slow the molecules' vibrations. It felt like gripping the reins of a galloping horse, pulling them back to a steady trot. After several failed attempts, a thin sheet of frost finally spread across the surface.

"Yes!" Tony exclaimed, pumping his fist.

Jay peeked into the bathroom again. "You're making ice now? Should I be worried about you turning the tub into a skating rink?"

"Not yet," Tony said, concentrating. But when he tried to expand the ice, it cracked and melted. He groaned in frustration. "This is harder than it looks."

"Patience," Roomie reminded him. "Entropy resists abrupt changes. Precision is key."

Later, Tony moved on to creating steam. Speeding up the molecules was a challenge, like spinning a plate faster and faster without letting it fall. After hours of practice, he managed to create a steady plume of steam rising from the tub.

Roomie introduced one final test: creating fog.

"Fog?" Tony asked, raising an eyebrow. "What's the point of fog?"

"It is a balance," Roomie said. "You must simultaneously create liquid and vapor, maintaining equilibrium between the two states."

Tony found the task both tedious and mesmerizing. He alternated between slowing and speeding up the molecules, generating a fine mist that slowly filled the bathroom. By the time he succeeded, the entire room was shrouded in a soft, swirling fog.

Tony leaned against the sink, an idea forming in his mind. 

Jay arrived home later that evening, setting her bag on the counter. "Tony? You here?"

"In the bathroom!" Tony called.

Jay frowned, walking toward the slightly ajar bathroom door. As she pushed it open, a thick fog rolled out, swirling around her feet. She froze, her eyes wide. "What the—?"

From within the mist, Tony's voice boomed theatrically. "I am the great and powerful Oz! Who dares disturb my domain?"

Jay stopped, turned and walked away, covering her mouth as Tony emerged from the fog, arms spread dramatically. "Bow before the master of water and steam!"

"You're such a dork," Jay said, shaking her head as she turned back towards Tony.

Tony twirled her playfully, the mist swirling around them. "Dork? Try wizard extraordinaire."

Jay laughed harder, leaning into him. "Alright, wizard extraordinaire. Just promise me you'll use your powers for good."

Tony kissed her forehead, grinning. As the fog began to dissipate, Tony felt a new sense of pride. He wasn't just learning to manipulate the elements—he was having fun with it.