Day 1: Year C - 009.

...

Chenille surveyed the crowd walking indoors and aided elderly folk with their belongings.

As the people silently removed their heavy winter pelt boots, soothing singing could be heard from the small Chapel. Michealstopholis' beautiful yet sombre singing voice made its presence, though it did not sway the apathetic people.

Despite the gloomy atmosphere, the Priestess merrily played along with his singing on her undersized piano, reminiscing about her Mother’s elegant piano skills. She did not glance toward the bored faces of the crowd, only toward the statues of the Goddess of Life and Death, twins who had saved Grand Island so long ago.

‘I remember it now... The day of my graduation when my peers and I turned eighteen on New Year's Day. Mother Dearest played a Heavenly ballad for us, as we marched toward the Temple of Obsidian wearing our white gowns for the first time. Oh, how I yearn to relive such a fleeting experience... Yet why do I feel incredibly uneasy, as if I am to be lectured?’

As the final temple attendees stepped in, Billiam shut the door, appearing smug in his white medic uniform and matching lace cap.

Zanna halted her piano playing and allowed Mikey to finish his last hymn. As the midday sun rays hit the tiny glass window, the Priestess halted her tune, turned on her wooden radio, and elegantly smiled.

“Welcome back to the home of our Goddesses! Everyone on Verde Street is gathered here or is listening to my voice on station 444 if they cannot make the sermon. Today is a wonderful winter afternoon, a testament that our Goddesses smile upon us on even the coldest days..." Zanna nodded as the people folded their hands in prayer, "We must all find warmth during the months when Death walks closer to our realm than expected. As Scripture 11 states..."

The people closed their eyes and began reciting in unison:

"Finding shelter within family, friends and neighbours keeps our society alive."

"...We are meant to feed one another, harmonize in prayers, attend to our wise grandmothers, and tend to our delicate grandfathers to keep our communities healthy and sacred... Now, harken to my words as I retell the first Scripture written by our cherished Goddesses, as is tradition for the first day of the week..."

From the outside, Chenille kept a close ear to the door but looked toward the outside.

"Long ago, our kind on this Island lived as immortal and immoral demons. We greedily coveted everything we had for granted, and our Island was riddled with pollution, natural disasters, and spilled blood over meaningless wars. However, that cruel lifestyle changed 1009 years ago, as told by our well-maintained scriptures. Death and Life descended from the Winter Constellation, which we see every New Year's Eve. They bore witness to our violent Island, and rather than decimating such a hopeless land, the Goddesses displayed compassion and reshaped our devilish forms into repenting, mortals. Those who refused to repent continue to live as immortal, evil, magic-less demons who lurk within the deep oceans. During the middle of every winter season, we are meant to observe and appreciate the concept of give and take. Life and Death itself..."

Zanna closed the scripture and returned to playing her wooden piano. The audience stood on command as Mikey gently sang along to the melody by Zanna’s piano.

“At the Helm, The Head Priest is our first in command. Followed by the Priestesses who are second in command, the Guards and Medics are third in command, and finally the people.”

“Hail to our Goddesses,”

The crowd articulated with monotone voices as part of the prayer session.

“And may they bless you with wondrous family lives and a peaceful death when the right time rears its head... Onto Scripture Six, hear my words as I retell how the Royal family came to be,”

The people remained silent and kneeled on command.

“A year after the demons who refused to repent had escaped to our cold, ocean waters which surround our Island, the Goddess of Death had gotten lonely ruling over humans on our Island. She had decided to court the male mortal archer, Olive, a repenting human who played a major role in vanquishing demons. He and she wed under a Golden Peachtree and eventually birthed the first Head Priestess of our Island, Astra of the Earth. Her magic is the reason why our Islands bear delicious fruits, as she was truly a talented agriculturalist. May we remember Head Priestess Astra’s legacy, even during the months where a majority of plants die off...”

Michealstopholis stood up and raised his hands, commanding the people to stand once more. He opened his mouth once more and sang a short solo hymn;

“Golden Peach trees of old have transformed into our modern Shining Peaches. A lesson that loves itself is timeless, like the fruits cultivated by Head Priestess Astra. Praise be to the Goddesses,”

“Hail to our Goddesses and repent.” The people coldly replied, their expressions dulled and apathetic.

“And may you all have a wonderful rest of your day. Thank you for attending our afternoon sermon, everyone. May the Goddesses of Life and Death bless your essence.” Zanna gracefully curtsied and turned off her radio. The crowd finished their mini prayers, looked up at the statues of their beloved Goddesses, and rushed to leave the Temple.

Once the people vacated to continue their work, Mikey, Chenille and Billiam stood by the entrance, casually hanging out as Zanna remained in the Temple to play her piano.

The Temple Guard, Chenille, attentively stood by the door, chewing on tobacco leaves. Billiam quietly chuckled as he discreetly pocketed loose coins for himself. Lastly, Mikey approached the two, with a book called "Bittersweet Begonia" with a bloody red cover. The young choir boy began to read but caught the attention of Chenille clearing their throat.

The Temple Guard noticed the peculiar novel title, as many books for younger teenagers were high-fantasy based or educational. Anything resembling violence was given to adults and is illegal to read in public, especially in holy establishments such as a Temple.

"That's the new novel you're renting from the library down the other street? What's it about?" Chenille casually asked out of curiosity, gently pulling back their long strands of hair to view the book in a better light.

"Is it about finding precious love and then people stupidly dying over irrational decisions?" Billiam teased with an annoying grin.

"Eugh! Hell no, it's not. It's a provocative novel about finding one's true self without outside influence. It made me cry several times while I was reading the climax of the conflict," Mikey held his book closely with a sombre expression on his tanned face, "...The story is genuinely beautiful, but I want to put it down for now."

"So why'd you bring that book here? You were only reading it for a minute," Billiam snarkily commented, flipping his hair with arrogance.

"Because I a-admire the book a lot, okay?" Mikey poorly countered with a stutter in his voice.

"Stop it, Billiam, you're pushing his buttons for no reason. The kid probably wanted to show off the book 'cause he cares about reading. It's his hobby, after all." Chenille crossed their arms and looked outside the Temple. "But I should ask, how did you get your hands on a banned-for-teens book?"

Mikey flinched as Billiam slowly turned around and childishly giggled.

"Oh, ho! I didn't know you were a little thief-"

"I'm not a swindler like you! I-I had permission to rent the book through the library's knowledge..." Mikey's red face slowly turned from anger to embarrassment. " But. I uh. Did pretend to be someone else to get the book,"

"Establishments usually disable magic when you walk into them. Don't tell me you used a non-magic method like a disguise?" Chenille questioned with moderate concern in their usual steady tone.

"And you're quite tall, but not tall enough like an adult yet. Don't they check for ID, too?" Billiam chuckled.

Mikey realized he said too much and tried to be calm. However, his jittering white hat and sweaty palms certainly did not help his case.

"Well. Uh. The whole event had... a lot of coincidences that happened to benefit me. The librarians that day were older ladies with poor eyesight. I did use a physical disguise. The library was particularly cluttered that day, and I naturally pitched my voice to sound deeper... What can I say? I really wanted that book for myself."

"All that effort for a novel, huh? You're very dedicated, but don't be a fool, Mikey. The Royal Guards usually make an effort to find even the smallest items. You're worth more than that." Chenille quietly reassured the choir boy, holding onto his shoulder in a serious moment.

"Oh, and one more tiny note, Mikey. You're quite lucky returning the book requires putting it in the shoe box outside and nothing more." Billiam grinned, "Return that book tomorrow morning when no one’s watching with a close eye!"

Mikey shakily sighed but nodded in agreement. Though, as he dragged himself back to his room, he couldn't help but feel bitter when he quietly sat on his white-themed bed. Yes, Mikey knew what he did was unethical and should have gotten the book through less deceptive means. However, he wished the conversation had evolved into something akin to an enthusiastic book club. Young Mikey desperately needed a distraction and a way to form a closer bond with the new staff without accidentally feeling awkward.

As Mikey sat on his plain white bed, he curled up the warm blankets and let out a slow and depressed exhale.

“...Mother...Why haven’t you written back to me in over eight months?” The choir boy tossed his “borrowed” book into a nearby basket as tears flowed like raindrops from dark grey skies. “I-I feel so lonely without your words of advice. Have you forgotten about me already?”

Five minutes later, Zanna halted her esteemed piano playing and floated towards the front of the Temple for a short break.

"Ah, hello, there! Where is little Mikey? He is usually with you two on his break,"

"Oh, the kid's in his room reading like usual. I guess he wanted to be alone," Chenille covered, not wanting to expose Mikey’s misdeed.

"Ah... I do fear he intentionally declines to associate with anyone at all these days, besides us every now and then. I firmly believe he requires someone his age to relate and gossip with," The Priestess crossed her arms with worry, as Billiam and Chenille paid crucial attention. "... Am I seizing up an extensive amount of his time? Did our choir boy experience a negative occasion we are simply not aware of? Lucian did not inform me anything of our choir boy's past, and Mikey has refused to speak on multiple occasions."

"Lady Zanna, I beg of you to not overthink this... His Excellence, Lucian, is already seizing too much space in your mind. As your newly trusted medic, I would be more than willing to assign him a proper mind doctor once the boy turns sixteen. We do have the proper funds!"

"Since when do we have extra money? Church donations don't count, you know," Chenille commented, their eyebrow raised with skepticism.

"Oh ho! Trust me, you stone-faced Lone Wolf, my savings will fund at least three sessions with a trained professional. That is something at the very least,"

"Three? Hm. That is not a horrendous number... I declare persisting to save our funds to afford as numerous sessions as required. I authorize you two will be trustworthy to keep your word. Empty promises lead to many more, after all," The Priestess sincerely lectured, as her white Priestess gown and crown faintly illuminated under the sunlight.

"We most certainly will, Lady Zanna. A refined, honest gentleman such as myself would never lie to an important figurehead such as a Priestess,"

“I knew I could count on you!" The Priestess gently clasped her hands together and sighed in relief, “In the meantime, I shall proceed writing a thorough letter to the Temple of Obsidian. I tend to have a bad habit of writing reports last minute!”

Zanna turned away with a saddened gaze as she floated to her study and locked the door. Billiam noticed the look but ultimately wanted to mind his business, he only knew the woman for a short amount of time and refused to spend extra free time tending to her needs. Chenille felt more inclined to be supportive but didn’t want to overstep any boundaries. The Guard let out a long sigh and glanced at the sneaky medic with a skeptical gaze of disapproval.

“Hey, Airhead, you better have money saved up that didn’t involve other people’s belongings.” The Temple Guard whispered with concern while keeping a close eye on the door.

“Me? Steal? Oh ho, I just so happened to borrow money from the wallets of more the prosperous artisans of our Street... they'll get it back in due time anyway.”

“Heh, you got a point. Just don't get caught, Airhead. I want to help the poor kid, after all. He's been looking so tired lately.”

“Even during his basic checkups, he refuses to talk to me about his troubles.”

“That's 'cause he knows you're a sly prick with a sharp tongue. The only one who hasn't completely caught on is our Lady...” Chenille suddenly glared at Billiam and grabbed him by his fury collar. “... And you better not disrespect her. She's a genuinely sweet woman who gracefully employed us when we were the ones to walk up to her doorstep.”

"Oh yes, yes. Where would we truly be without the Lady kindly bringing us street rats in a few months back and giving us a proper salary? As much as I rag on the all-white uniforms and the fact we have to pray after every little meal, it's quite comfortable living here...” The medic cleared his throat and grinned, “But one day, she'll find out...”

Chenille huffed and decided to head back outside.

“Don't remind me, Airhead.”

The Temple Guard closed the front door and remained outside, taking in the chilly winter air. Chenille wondered if they should express their concern to the Priestess, but ultimately declined.

‘She’d think of me as weird or annoying for persisting to talk about her emotions. I’m just the Lady’s only Guard at this Temple, not a mind coctor who could give proper advice... Though, a part of me wishes she’d open up first,”