The morning prayer proceeded as I was accustomed to, though it was more difficult to initially fall into the rise and sway of prayer, all I could think about was Lael not following me through the front doors, me leaving him behind on the steps.

For five years Lael and I had prayed together, and for 5 years we shared everything and never had any major disagreement. 5 years and all had been as steady and unchanging as the prayers in The Church.

The week of my ascension was 'not' the time for such an argument.

I tried to fall into the moves of my prayer forcing my breath to continue into steady motion with my body, not allowing the irritation, anger or concern I felt to show or affect my daily motion.

When the repeated movements draw to a close, and the last harmonious tones of our voices echo an antient song, I reasoned that I am at peace with myself once again.

The hymns, the movement of prayer. It was as if in doing so I was cleansed. The power of prayer and the beauty it enlightened with me and my fellow Angels was of no deceit, a magic all of its own that only could be a result from the grace of God.

In unison, I and the other attending Angels animated from our demure posturing to move onto our following tasks.

I spied those around me, feeling lost without routine. At this time I generally would follow Lael to his training, accompanying him to the halls before I would continue onto my own lessons.

But lessons were no longer on my schedule, the white smooth curved walls of the school would no longer need to retain me. After midday prayer I would venture to the Firmament for lecturing and guiding the Sisters on their own paths to Ascension.

Until then, I had an unnaturally long period of free time.

It was almost as if I were a Principality, with how much freedom I currently owned.

I stayed in the hall of prayer as Angels mulled around me, eyeing the painted transept, reinforced with glittering golden metals, the slowly emptying hall leaving behind shining white floors with veins of color between massive tiles. The stretching windows allowed for the early morning light to pour in emphasizing the vibrance to all the beautiful colors.

Finally I brought myself to movement, my feet more so than any conscious thought leading me to the furthest corner of the hall, where stairs lay in massive stacks, parting at the second level like wide arms splayed to give way to an open walkway encircling the entirety of the prayer hall filled with murals of artwork, statues, and some various rooms and exits to the outdoors.

I had been to the second level before, at times my lessons would call me to be lead in prayer with others among the marble statues and paintings of mother and child, of characters with stories I had never been told.

Being absorbed in prayer left no time to allow for observation to these paintings, which I now regarded with barely contained interest.

The painting lay on the marble itself, flush with the smooth walls and ceilings, I saw scenes of grandeur that I could only imagine the tales. Of men and women praying to the greatness of God. Of death and destruction, of battles that may echo those I read many a time in the scriptures, and some I couldn't place.

I paused, looking to a particular painting that caught my eye as I round the farthest side from the landing.

Three angels, their faces solemn, weapons in hand with wings and no swaths of color all were facing a small round ball, another behind them. I tilted my head, confused. There was something about that sphere, the blue and green patches, the strange mist that surrounded it.

I shook my head, realizing I had spent quite some time observing every trace of this painting. Of the strange ball and the three angels features.

Lost in Holy Waters lull, I reasoned I needed to go outside for fresh air.

I concluded to remain in The Church. Not only was I free until the midday prayer, but I felt comforted by the walls. I looked to the virgin mother as I made my way to one of the arched doorways on the second floor, my face nearly level with the child she held in her arms.

Once leaving the church a slight breeze pulled at my layers of white, the orange sash around my hips dancing color.

The skies were always a lighter green, here, than when viewed on earth. That was something I yearned for down on the seemingly never ending sands below. The vibrant shamrock green of the skies from Earth. When in heaven the skies seemed only a pale olive, never deviating beyond that. There where few clouds that gave a grey green pull to the sky, the sun shifting from its lime color on earth to the celadon green of heaven.

I lean against an ivory banister overlooking the white roof tops of the city I would exist in for only 7 more days. The white buildings shone clear against the suns light, the only color the only green foliage of plants that spilled over white buildings and flags of color from each of the apartments that housed the four middle class angels. This was the last week I would enter the house of Virtue. The last week to feel this breeze, see the comforting green skies. 7 days and-

I close my eyes, allowing a cleansing breath to enter me.

Lael had gotten to me. Or perhaps, todays change of routine had. Or even the announcement at the end of yesterdays prayer was what unnerved me, declaring my name among the chosen.

This was normal, I reasoned. I tried to remember the times prior to my past 2 Ascensions and tried to convince myself this was no different. To recall how other Angels had acted their last week among us.

That only made me remember Siren.

I clasp shamefully shaking hands together, closed my eyes and gave silent prayer wishing for God to grant me the strength to do this. To allow this of me. To forgive my deception.

"Ayira! I knew I would find you here!"

I blinked, pulled from my revere by the familiar voice.

Rising slightly from where I had ended hunched over clasped hands, I turned my head to peer over my shoulder.

Burning blond red hair untamed entered my vision first. Falak's skin was a pale pink color, eyes clear shining blue. She was taller than myself, holding curves and a smiling mouth that would make many envious.

Her kindness normally abated any ill feelings.

"Oh?" I raised a brow as she neared me, dubious.

"Of course," she bounded over, her yellow sash tied across her right shoulder," It is just like you to spend your free time in prayer. Though out here, I admit, I was surprised."

I mentally berated myself. I should have remained in the hall, to be content in the nave with prayer until the midday gathering.

The moves I made had to be especially careful, I reminded myself, trying to discreetly wipe sweating palms on my forearms when crossing them to lean onto the overlooking rail still watching my friend.

She came to stand next to me, and I discreetly watched her.

Tall, strong, stunning. 

Falak could be anything she put her mind to, I was certain. Even a Seraphim, which I wasn't certian how the extremely few were chosen for that Ascention, but I knew if she had wished it Falak would have became one. 

But the yellow of her sash marked her as a Principality. 

I had never seen one Ascend to a position above that, everyone of them carefree and seemingly content to continue their role.

"I am proud of you," she finally spoke. My stomach coiled. Would this be the only topic this week? Of my attempt at Ascension?

Would Lael be the only one to voice how I could end up merely a sacrifice? My mind wouldn't silence the fact, even though the plan was not to make it that far.

At my continued silence, I found I couldn't respond and only pursed my lips gazing in the distance, I felt her hip bump mine and I blinked up to her soft smile.

"You ever race on the A'Antwanii when on Earth?"

I blinked, jarred by the topic change. 

Falak had not been born of Earth as I had. She had forever been in the streets of Heaven. Being a Principality she of course made more frequent visits to earth than I did as a Virtue, so surely she must have witnessed A'Antwanii races.

"I wasn't allowed to race," I replied, confused at the topic.

Races could lead to gambling, and to pride. As a child molded for Ascension since birth, I most strictly was ensured not to participate in anything of the kind.

But the large yellow mammals were now starkly in my minds eye.

Large black eyes, feathered with thick black lashes, towering at times taller than even the tallest man, with front arms double in joint, back legs single jointed with large back paws, the front talons dexterous to assist with pulling up their bodies up the slippery Aquasaguaro trunks so as to reach their breathtaking flowers as they unfurled from their black balls to opening white petals that signaled the sweet nectar for the A'Antwanii to sample even some of the highest blossoms.

Suddenly a bit of me twisted at the vague memories in the sands of Earth, of the lilac hills cresting the horizon, kissed by a scarlet sky. Such color, and even though the sparce flora, and at times the terrifying creatures that encouraged the Sheep to keep to the towns Angels had raised for them, only leaving during daylight hours for water and herding the large gentle giants that Falak spoke of. It had been a welcome fear, I thought to myself, when the brilliant colors of the hills and animals graced you at every waking moment. 

Now I felt I hadn't appreciated it enough, having spent 5 years in Heaven, and before that nearly double that with the sisters. The past few as a Virtue I had been allowed to Earth for Ascensions-but it had been too brief, and always in the middle of the tan colored towns. I tried hard to remember the last time I had seen a bird, or even an A'Antwanii, and struggled to appreciate the times I had been immersed among them.

In Heaven, there were only Angels. 

"I suppose that is to be expected," pulled again from my deep thought, I looked to her. She rested her cheek on her hand, as she smiled softly down to me. Falak was always a bit difficult to follow- lecturing was rarely that gifted to the Principalities.

I just looked to her and she continued," It would be impious," I could only nod at the voiced obviousness. I had Ascended, and I doubted I would have with A'Antwanii racing," but I feel there is a part of you, if it was not so unseemly an act, that would shine if you could."

I tilted my head to her, frowning in confusion. What could she even mean?

Something was on her mind, something heavy I realized, and I bit the inside of my cheek in worry that she, too, would try to convince me otherwise from the path I had chosen.

"I am content to Ascend to the Seraphim, if it is what God wishes," I felt as if my mouth was full of cotton balls, my shoulders tense ready for her argument. Had Lael said something to her? Had he asked her to persuade my choice in path?

Falak gave a tittering giggle, and I noted the amusement in her eyes, almost as if she could guess what I was thinking.

"And it is this strength," she laid a soft palm to my cheek, caressing the high cheekbone with her thumb as her blue eyes, such light and clear blue, gazed to me," that I so respect in you. This is why we are friends, no?"

I didn't know what to say to this, and only looked up to her in question.

Her smile cracked into something a bit more playful and she patted my cheek," Well. That and Lael."

This made my own smile emerge, remembering 5 years before when she had been apart of the group of Principalities to greet he and I as new Angels to the streets of Heaven.

Brothers and Sisters are kept separate in the Firmament, where the men are kept I did not know until I became a Virtue. A sphere, split down the middle, one side for the males the other side the females. All their days dedicate to prayer and learning the ways of God, as mine own had been, there was no time for question or wonder.

The week I had been told when I was a Sister that I would Ascend, Siren had told me there would be Brothers joining in my greeting to Heaven, who also would be Angels. And on those first few steps, shaky and clumsy on those shining white streets, I had seen Falaks beauty hovering over my own, greeting me with a gentle smile.

And soon after it had been Lael, who had appeared near me and seeming a bit more steady than myself, that had quickly became infatuated with her.

It was something we still laughed at, at times. His initial infatuation may have simmered over the years, but I guessed that a part of him loved Falak yet. Though perhaps as a true sister more than anything more than what he originally imagined.

At times I had wished Falak had humored him, though she had been clear on her disinterest.

Because if they had ended up intertwined, it would have been easier to process how I felt for Lael. I personally couldn't understand Falaks disinterest- Lael not only was handsome, but with his training first at voiced interests as a lower Angel, and then later as his more recent time as a Power, his body was chiseled, his demeanor kind, and his mind knowledgeable.

Why couldn't Falak have joined with him? Being a Principality the union wouldn't be unlikely. Maybe even encouraged.

"Lael still," I found myself shrugging and she shook her head chuckling.

"What?" I asked and she shook her head again waving her hand.

I frowned, tilting my head before shrugging to reason I wouldn't understand the joke that her silly red head held.

She calmed, leaning her elbows on the ledge leaning her head back to look to the skies. She seemed absorbed to her own thoughts, though I supposed that was the majority of her time spent considering she had so little delegated by her Seraphim.

Finally, she broke the silence.

"Do you dream?"

Her voice was a mere whisper, she had leaned down to my ear to utter the words. I shivered as she did so, confused at the twist in my stomach.

Dream?

I looked up to her, her face close to my own, so that our words would not pass by any than our own ears.

"Dreams are for Sheep," I stated bluntly, but my voice wavered and I am not ashamed to admit my eyes held a bit of fear in them.

Could my one most closest friend, that aside Lael, be one to test me? To lay judgement on me?

I knew the Principalities would help those who Ascended, would guide those who were considered most likely to Ascend in a path that would bring them to the holy streets. But did they, too, help with the judgement on who should pass to Ascension? It would make sense, and was a question of her position I never asked before.

Falak nodded, slowly and deliberately never breaking eye contact from me, even when her wild red hair fell into her face.

"I suppose they are," she eventually said, blinking.

"Who else could they be for?"

She looked to me a long moment again, and she whispered so softly I questioned if I had heard it," Maybe. Maybe it is I who dreamed of you riding the A'Antwanii. Of winning a race. Of-" she cut herself off, shaking her head closing those blue eyes.

I opened my mouth to say something- but she looked to me sharply and I silenced myself even before I could reason.

Didn't Holy Water stop our dreams?

"Come," she stood, suddenly jovial again," the bells will be ringing soon. We can be first in formation. What better way to Ascension?"

She was grinning, like she always was. But I couldn't help but notice it didn't quite reach her eyes.

It wasn't until I followed her to the foyer, descending the wide staircase back to the Hall of prayer, that I even questioned- why would it be me she dreamed of, if she ever dreamed at all?

Settling into formation, behind Falak watching as she moved with a grace I could never possess, I willed the stance of first prayer to ease my heart and mind.

My last week in Heaven, and day one was  proving to be more filled with event and question than any other since my becoming an Angel.