Heaven's Shadow

Chapter 16 | Bruised

Yun didn't find Remigius that day. 

He was forced to ride a night airship to the City District with Headmaster Angelo, Pastor Dolion, and a group of church members. He didn't get a wink of sleep. The bed was stiff and his worries were high. He lay awake, forced to listen to the hum of the airship propellers. By the time fatigue hit him, dawn had already peeked and a church member alerted him of their landing.

All he could do was slump through getting ready for the morning. A folded set of clothes now sat on the bed when he finished with the bathroom. A three-piece suit. They appeared like the formal attire Angelo normally wore, though white and not tawny like his. Moreover, the tails of the blazer hung long to the back of his knees with gold embroidery lining the edges.

Was he getting married? Yun chuckled to himself, pinning the matching gold brooch to his breast pocket. Decked out in white, it made him think of his dad's wedding photo framed in their kitchen. Change a few elements of the outfit and he would look like his dad as a groom.

He wondered how his dad was taking all the sudden news. Sonya had been right about the Spell twins. Their tenacity landed them an article on Yun's newly established Ivion in a manner of an hour, leaving the public in excited disarray. He barely exchanged a word with Sonnet after their scuffle, instead dragged by the church members to embark on a tour of the Heavens. His dad argued about the tour, wanting Yun to return to the academy. Pastor Dolion got his way, dragging the Headmaster to appease—albeit, barely—his dad. 

'The Chosen must grace everyone in Heaven with his presence.' It was what Pastor Dolion said. He just needed to stand next to the Pastor and look pretty while the church gave all the speeches and celebrations. Seven districts; Yun was sure that it would get stale.

"Are you prepared to go?" Angelo asked him when they all sat for breakfast. 

Yun poked his crepes around his plate. "Sure." 

"It'll be four districts today and three tomorrow. We're even starting with your district, the Suburbs."

Pastor Dolion, who hadn't eaten a piece of his food, coughed. "Do not fret. With Dominic here, it will surely go quickly."

"You humour me, sir," Angelo replied. 

"Knowing you for as long as I have gives me reassurance," he said, "you have not yet failed me."

"You as well."

Pastor Dolion smiled at the words. 

"How has a man like you yet to find yourself a nice woman yet," he continued. "You would make a great husband."

"That is a title I would be honoured to have," he said, piercing a piece of a cut-up plum with his fork. "Would you like some plum, sir?"

"That would be lovely." 

"Mn."

After breakfast, they headed out. Yun trailed behind them, eased by the thought of seeing familiar grounds. The district centre bustled with people. Upon their arrival, cheers flooded the streets, and GOP members escorted them to a stage normally used for small theatre productions performed by young children. 

Living in the Suburb District his whole life, he wasn't sure what to make of all the attention. He recognized the faces of shopowners and families from his childhood. They never took much notice of him before.

Yun rubbed his eyes. He tried to make out the people in the far back, but it was only a blur. Had he gone blind? His dad must be right about needing an eye checkup. 

Pastor Dolion began talking. Yun tried—he really did—to pay attention, but his thoughts wandered and the Pastor's voice droned in the background. His eyes wandered, taking in the nostalgia.