(Cirrus POV)

The big day had arrived. The sky dawned a brilliant light blue. The clouds fluffy and the brightest of white. Most of the kingdom’s people and the media gathered in the castle courtyard in support of our coronation. Heartfelt cheers rang as I walked alongside my Prince Raine, facing our parents and community thus beginning the ceremony. We’d vow to unite our kingdom in harmony...to guide and safe keep our people. To increase the welfare and happiness within our kingdom.

With these vows, we’d bow for our heads to accept their pre-ordained crowns. The royal court would give us their blessings and the crowd would cheer. Confetti would fly as the center would be filled with excitement and unbridled joy. I’d then look into Raine’s sea foam green eyes and everything would slow down. The scene around us would blur and in that moment I’d squeeze his hands, leaning in closer and closer for a sweet kiss.

But now...I’m left standing here. Left in a cold chill while I wait. Where is he? He should’ve been back by now.

——

Raine on the other hand had came up with a sly excuse to make a quick exit.

“Can I have a moment alone. The atmosphere— I’m feeling lightheaded and faint.”

They paused the ceremony and two guards escorted him to a quiet gazebo far away enough to where the crowd could barely be heard. He sat on the bench and cupped his face in his hands. He sighed, “Can you two please give me some space.”

As the guards walked towards the front entrance of the gazebo chatting, Raine quickly slipped out the opposing entrance. The cloudy area where the gazebo gave him some cover to escape. He hurriedly jogged to the meeting spot. He tussled his hair covering his eyes, unbuttoned his jacket and untucked his shirt. Hopefully by making himself more unkempt any straggling townspeople (who weren’t being nosy sneaking a peek at the at the ceremony) would fail to recognize him.

The sun began to set as he arrived upon his newfound cloud courier friends.

“Let’s get going.”

------------------

THE DEPARTURE 

The sun began to set and the trio had made it to their destination—the facility right on the outskirts within the kingdom. Thank goodness it was after hours and no one was around but a few maintenance workers. Avian used his passkey to gain entrance. The facility was a decent size. There were many conveyor belts all labeled w/ a destination. Avian and Sno asked Raine to wait in the cart while they prepared a temporary cloud vehicle. “Temporary” because once the vehicles reached their destination they’d dissipate into thin air. Sometimes, things go awry where the vehicle accidentally dissipates before it reaches its destination, often causing MIA packages. This is normally what they use to ship parcels to other facilities in far away kingdoms and towns. Both height and weight were taken into consideration so a mid-size one should suit the Prince for his needs.

Raine awaited in the cart anxiously. He didn’t want to continuously press them on time since they were kind enough to help him, but he couldn’t help but think that the news had gotten out and royal guards were already on his trail. Or worse, his father. Raine became lost in thought, “What if i get down there and don’t even find Alto? What if I get caught and don’t even make it down there? And I’m subject to staying here, mostly lonely, married off young to the only one I’ve been able to really interact with/known for years, until I’m old and grey getting stressed out to the point of illness from all the royal duties and headaches and can possibly be balding young within a few years like the endless stories my father has told and what even is marriage and ruling i—.“

Raine peeked over the cart and asked, “Are you two finished yet?”

“Not yet,” Avian replied. He continued finalizing everything in the system while Sno went over to the Prince to keep him company.

“So are you sure you really want to go through with this?” Sno asked. “This seems like the point of no return, especially with how strict the kingdom is regarding rules to be royalty.”

While he responded, sly Sno slipped a small tracking device in his handkerchief pocket. She playfully straightened his handkerchief to show that was her intention. Avian finished up everything and called the two over. Raine was still talking as Sno helped him out of the cart and they both walked over to the vehicle on the belt. Raine ready to hop in was stopped by Avian.

“Well we’ve never shipped a person before so, I want to give you this as a precaution,” Avian said as he strapped a parachute on Raine. “Now I think you can hop in.”

Raine got settled as Avian and Sno strapped him in. They gave him a word of caution about the temporary vehicle.

“This vehicle is not Iike official royal transportation. The stability of the vehicle can be subject to atmospheric shifts but, it should be able to last you until you reach the ground. If the vehicle begins to fall apart and dissipate, make sure you’re ready to pull that lever on your parachute. (Also we are not liable for any injury and/or death but I’m pretty sure you won’t even be able to comeback and sue us if that did happen...)”

Sno echoed what she asked earlier, “With this information, do you wish to continue?”

There was no changing his mind. Raine gave the go ahead. Avian handed him a clipboard with two rectangular sheets of paper and asked Raine to sign them. Basically, the papers were “get out of jail free cards” for both the couriers in the event the royal guards finally found them out.

“Thank you your highness, we were happy to be of service,” Avian said as he was handed back the clipboard. He started the vehicle and made sure the coordinates were set. It began to hover towards the prompted exit. The facility was perfect because it had routes which bypassed the kingdom gates.

Raine bid adieu to his friends as the vehicle swept him away. Now that the prince was on his way to unknown territory, the couriers had reservations on what they just did. Avian went to the the computer to erase any history of the vehicle created to house Raine. Sno secretly kept the tracking device on her not telling Avian a thing.

“At least you’re not completely off the grid.” She thought to herself.

“It won’t be soon before long when the princess realizes he’s gone and the aftermath ensues.”