Fallen (Completed)

Chapter 21

~Hana~

I walk over to my closet and see a white dress. I take it off the hanger and feel the silky fabric with my fingertips. It seems so elegant, and expensive. It was nice, but Why white? It's not like this is a wedding or anything. I go into the bathroom and try it on.
I look in the mirror. It's a perfect fit, as if it was custom made for my size. It hugs my body and flows loosely at my waist. It goes down to my ankles. It's pure white, with no jewels or sequins of any kind.  What I did notice, though, was that it went down in a V-shape at the back, exposing my scars, which Is not my style of dress. I also would have chose a light blue or peachy colour instead of white. I look through the drawer under the sink and find a makeup kit. I'm not good with makeup, so i just add a hint of lipgloss and mascara. I brush my hair and put it in a braid. I sneak one last glance at myself before leaving the room. Since I don't have a watch, or phone, I don't know what time it is. Actually, I haven't heard anyone talk about time at all. Is there time in heaven?
I shake my head. There's no point in thinking about that. I'm more worried about that I'm going to say. I get onto the elevator and go to the main level. I'm walking outside when I realize I don't even know where to go. I look around. Everyone seems busy. I don't want to interrupt anything.
Then I see a girl around my age walking by. "Hey! Can you help me?" I call. She turns around and looks over at me. She has strawberry blond hair that goes down to her neck. Her wings seem small, like Angie's. Except white.
"Hello! Who are you?"
I'm Hana," I say.
"Hana? That's a weird name. No offence! My name is Faida. So what did you need help with?" Faida asked.
"Well, there's this cerimony-"
"Oh! For Magdalena? I can't wait to go! I already know what I'm going to wear. I hope I get a chance to meet her. What about you?"
"Yeah... So, where is the ceremony being held?" I didn't exactly want to tell her that I was the Magdalena she was talking about.
"oh, well, all the Angels will gather over there near the front of the Fortress," she pointed to a large area in front of the building I just came out of.
"Where does...Magdalena go?"
"I dunno, but I'd assume she would be up there with the high council," she pointed her hand up and to a balcony on the fortress. It was about two floors high up.
"Okay thanks-" I was about to leave when Faida caught my arm. "Hey, why are your wings folded up?"
"Um..."
"Oh my goodness, did you get them all wet? I hate when that happens! They look terrible and they are all heavy. And right before you are going to meet Evangeline's daughter? Embarrassing!" I smiled and nodded. "I should go..." I backed away slowly and turned around, hoping she doesn't notice that I don't have any wings at all.

I'm not sure how to get to the balcony, so I just walk back into the fortress and go up to the second floor. I get to a hallway and look around. I try to remember which side the balcony should be on. I turn to the left and go to the last door in the isle. I knock.
"Hello?" A voice asked.
"Hi, I'm looking for-"
"Oh that's Lena's voice, let her in!" I think that was Evangeline. I open the door and see the four high council members, and Raziel. They are sitting at a table. As I walk in I see two clear doors that must lead to the balcony.
"Your just in time," Raziel gets up and walks over to me.
"You look pretty in that dress," he said.
"thanks,"
The Angels rise from their seats, and head over to the glass doors. "Come, Magdalena, the ceremony is starting," one if the high council members tell me.
"I don't know what to do," I whisper to Raziel once the others are on the balcony.
"You will do fine," he assures me as I open the doors. I walk out onto what looks like a stage With a golden railing outlining the edges.
As I walk out farther I look below the balcony and gasp. There's what looks like thousands of angels surrounding us. A wave of stage fright hits me and I back up.
I stand near the edge of the balcony and watch Evangeline step forward and put her hands on the railing.
"Greetings, everyone, we are gathered here for a very special reason," she begins. "Someone important has returned to us. Let me welcome my daughter, Magdalena!" The Angels below start applauding. Raziel nudges me with his arm. "Your supposed to walk up beside her," he whispers.
"Oh!" I walk quickly over to Evangeline, and in front of the crowd.
"Hello," I say awkwardly.
"Magdalena, you may speak." I look over at Evangeline. Say what?
"Um, I am still Evangeline's daughter, but I'm also someone else. For about 8 years I have been known as Hana, that was the name I grew up to, and I would like to keep it. So, I ask that my name is Hana Rayes."
It's silent for a moment. I get afraid that I said something wrong. I search the crowd until I see the girl I met earlier. She smiles.
I think she said something, but I was too far away to hear. Then some of the Angels around her started talking, and eventually I could hear a faint cheer, getting louder and louder. Hana! Hana! Hana!
They were cheering for me? A voice behind me yells "silence!!"
And everyone is silent. I turn around and the angel whom I think is named Lailah is standing.
"The high council accepts her request. Hana it is." She sits back down and I thank her before turning back.
"Okay, Hana, tell everyone what happened to you when you disappeared."
I take a deep breath and tell them my story, leaving out anything that had to do with Damen. Once I finished, i move my hair and I turned fully to show everyone my back. My wingless pale back. I hear a few gasps from the audience.
"Hana may be diffrent, but she is still one of us, and will be treated the same. Starting tomorrow, she will go to Celestial school. Her job hasn't been established yet. Also, she is going to still be the match of Raziel.
"Now, Hana will be welcomed back to heaven by each of the high council."
Evangeline tilts her head toward the four chairs behind us. She walks over to the last one and sits down. I walk over to the first angel. He smiles at me. "I, Gabriel, welcome you back to your home. I bless you with the gifts of knowledge and understanding. May you live peacefully under the influence of light. Amen."
"Thank you," I say. I walk over to the next chair.
"I, Lailah, am glad you have returned, and bless you with the gifts of Piety and Wisdom. May you find your path and choose wisely. Amen."
I thank her and move on.
"I, Raphael, hope that you stay loyal and faithful to heaven, and distribute to out community. I gift you with Wonder and Awe, and Counsel. Amen."
Lastly, is Evangeline. She smiles at me. "I, Evangeline, your mother, wish for you to grow and one day take my place as the fourth high council member. I bless you with the gift of courage. May you always find the courage to do what Is right. Amen." I say my
Last thanks and walk back to the center of the balcony.
"Now, Hana has the opportunity to mingle with her fellow Angels, and everyone can celebrate!" Evangeline exclaims. The Angels irrupt in a series of cheers and applause.

All I want to do is go back to my room, but instead, I make my way down  to meet everyone.