Let's play this game (Gabriel)

[ASTRID NIGHT]

PORTLAND, OREGON

Something was off, that much was obvious. Astrid’s defenses were on high and she continued her search of the broken down motel with an air of caution. This was a routine hunt, the type of thing she did weekly and still she couldn’t shake the feeling. The setting was typical, she was in a rundown hotel that had seen better days and outside she could hear the rain falling in a rapid progression and she felt like she had stepped into some sort of bad horror film. The lights were flickering and she could have sworn she had seen something move out of the corner of her eye. Astrid slowed her steps, opening herself up and trying to pick up on any sort of feeling or emotion running through the building and she came up with nothing. Her senses were sharp enough that she could sense something, but she couldn’t place exactly what it was.

Astrid glanced around the room once more before heading up a set of stairs that protested and creaked underneath her feet. When she reached the top of the stairs she was momentarily disoriented because she found herself in what appeared to be some representation of a fun house. The only thing she could see around her was her own reflection and she had to feel her way around. This was not what she expected during a routine hunt. Whatever she was dealing with she was entirely unprepared for.

At first she turned to leave back from where she came from, but when she turned the door was gone and replaced by another mirror. Astrid let out a frustrated huff and did the only logical thing she could think of, which was to make her way through whatever maze had been set up. She was growing increasingly aggravated after continuing for what felt like hours and still coming up with no exit. Astrid rested her back against one of the mirrors and let out a surprised gasp as she found herself tumbling right through it and out the other side and her eyes snapped shut as she hit the floor.

Once she was able to actually open her eyes she couldn’t see much, but she could see enough to realize that she was trapped in a room with no doors and no windows. This was not how her day was supposed to go.

[GABRIEL]

Gabriel was minding his own business for the most part, dishing out just desserts like always. It still amused him, the look on their faces when a figment of their imagination or one of their wildest dreams came true, punishing the yahoos for their sins; especially when they thought they were in the all clear, escaping the so-called watchful eye of law enforcement. Most of the time he made use of the various urban legends to get back at the sons of bitches, though he also brought pop culture into play—which was a blast. Of course, he didn't kill anyone in cold blood, he let them live depending on the crime they committed, other times he smote their asses until there was literally nothing left to bury; he was primarily forgiving. Humans made mistakes day in and day out. The archangel didn't expect them to change their way of life overnight. Therefore, he took it upon himself to guide the bad into the light and weed out the ugly, because a part of him still felt obligated to follow his duties even if he had left Heaven centuries ago. It also gave him a purpose aside from stuffing his face full of candy and banging the chicks. Well, at least he was doing good in the world and that appeased him, however, there was always someone who tried to intervene, wanting to play the hero. Why did they have to pry? He wasn't the one they should be hunting after all.

In all actuality, he was helping them out more than they knew. Then again, humans weren't the smartest of God's creations either. He had years upon years under his belt and even though he may act like a complete bitch once in a while, he was wiser than man in more ways than one; though, he would admit, that occasionally they were wiser than him. It was understandable considering they were made in the image of the Lord. Supposedly, their Father was wiser than anyone in the universe. Gabriel just wondered on occasion why He had left so suddenly during such desperate times. Did he not give a rat’s ass about them anymore? Were they not good enough? He doubted he would ever know the answer to either of those questions, but His departure still stung; a wound that would never heal. Although, Gabriel couldn't blame Him; he had abandoned his brothers and sisters too. Perhaps, He could not watch the fighting, His children ripping each other apart like animals on a daily basis. Gabriel was unable to bear it, how could a Father? All the same, it was a pretty dumbass thing to do. In any case, he knew he took after good ol’ Dad; running away from any problem that got too out of hand. He had no room to judge.

However, he hadn't expected to be tracked down by one of his own siblings; he wasn’t one for surprises. What was the deal with bumping into those winged ass-monkeys lately? Did he have a sign on his head that shone like a beacon through the fog, directing them to him of all people? He hadn't minded Elizabeth, but two angels in one week was kind of unsettling. Was his guard slipping or was it simply coincidence? Whatever the case, he was going to be extra careful from here on out. There was no way in Hell he wanted Michael and the God Squad discovering where he was; that wouldn't be good that was for sure. So, he decided to mess with her a little bit, using some of his Trickster mojo to lead her astray. Perhaps, he was just being a paranoid fruitcake. She was only one of the fallen, not even powerful enough to leave a dent in his bender. He'd chalk it all up to chance; Gabriel would be a wuss if he missed out on an opportunity to screw around with one of his siblings. They were so entertaining to pick on since they were usually oblivious to the way it worked down here; and yes, it was a lot different from Heaven, thank God.

Once she awoke, he materialized before her, looking down at the angel through devious golden brown eyes. In spite of there being no windows, the room still seemed to radiate light. He thought this little stunt was a pretty lame attempt on his part, but it usually didn't take much to freak out his victims. Gabriel did give her some credit, she was a pretty little thing—that was for sure—and she had balls. Honestly, it surprised him when his mind and body reacted differently than expected. Man, ever since he had met Elizabeth he could not look at another woman the same way. He had speculated if she had somehow fucked with him or something, yet that would be impossible—right? Reigning in his deviating thoughts, he focused on the cute blonde-haired woman, a wave of recognition washing over him—did he know her from somewhere? He couldn’t recall every girl he slept with. "Curiosity killed the cat. Or at least that's what they say; I wouldn't know," he taunted. "You wander into rundown motels often? If I could put in my two cents: that's a very bad idea." The archangel wouldn't hurt her—yet. Not until he figured out who she was—and after he had some fun. Hopefully, she didn't have anger management issues like someone else he knew.

[ASTRID NIGHT]

Astrid stood her ground as the room brightened despite the lack of light source. As far as she was aware there were no lamps and no overhead lights and a lack of space for light to leak through. She was not afraid, but she kept herself on guard. There was a bit of an ache in her lower back where she had hit the floor and she felt foolish knowing she hadn't been able to catch herself before colliding with the ground. Biting her lip she pulled herself up, praying that her face showed no obvious signs of discomfort and again she internally cursed herself for allowing this to happen.

She drew herself up, lifting her chin and straightened herself out, giving herself an appearance that could almost be described as defiant. She would not allow herself to be some damsel in distress. A moment of weakness had gotten her into this situation and she wasn't going to let that trap her here. Astrid let herself observe the man for a moment and tried to look for any signs that she recognized him. There was an immediate sense that she knew him from somewhere, a gut feeling to say the least, but she could not pinpoint it. It was as if it was at the tip of her tongue, but the knowledge was hidden in a place that she could not reach. She continued to examine him, taking in the mischievous glint in his eyes and the smirk on his lips. Whoever she was dealing with, he was trouble, she could tell that much about him. After all he had created this entire scheme, and that alone was enough to let her know that he was a powerful creature. Her nerves flared up and she stopped herself from letting a tremble break through by clenching her fist.

"I'm doing my job. A rundown motel is hardly trouble for me in most cases, but it appears I've been outdone this time."

Astrid stepped forward, readying herself to simply stretch her wings and zap out of there. That was short lived however, because the second she tried she became very aware that the little power she had left after falling was currently being blocked. The nerves intensified and she felt her stomach drop and she unconsciously stepped back just a step, she was unsure of what he was planning to do, but she tried to mentally prepare herself just in case she had to work to defend herself.

"What about you? Do you often make a habit of trapping women inside of rundown motels?"

For a moment she was concerned that perhaps being mouthy with him was not the best course of action to take. For now she was powerless, with only her strength to defend herself and she wanted to avoid hand to hand combat if at all possible. Astrid stepped forward again though, bringing herself a little bit closer to him because despite a lack of confidence, figuring this out was important and she did not want to falter. Astrid pushed her hair back out of her face and locked eyes with his golden brown ones, there was something about him, something so familiar but so foreign. She tilted her head to the side, not breaking eye contact but regarding him seriously.

"What are you?"

To her disappointment her voice came out just above a whisper. She did not like this feeling of being unsure. Astrid had never stumbled, she had never been one to make mistakes and she had never been one to be caught of guard, yet here she was in a door less, windowless room, with a powerful creature that she could not name. Astrid bit her bottom lip again and looked away, risking a glance around the room again to try and figure out if there was any way for her to make a break. Of course, the conclusion was the same one that she had drawn before and she knew there was going to be no easy break. Astrid was trapped in a situation where she was blind-sided and she had no idea how to deal with it.