[align=center]

The word 'intrigued' was a mere understatement when Dove's thoughts wandered to Etherealgate. The creature mentioned was almost a reflection of the angel - granted, the reflection was inverted: a true war between what appeared to be shadows and starlight. The other's appearance gave rise to questions that perplexed Dovedeparture. She appeared (almost) to resemble the enemy, but her personality was not hard edges and sharpened steel. It was something softer, something almost desperate.

Try as she might, she could not explain her feelings. It angered her, that did. She was supposed to be eloquently spoken, easily able to articulate the inner workings of her mind, but the longer she was grounded, the more her ability deteriorated. Her mind was often fuzzy, a result of the vessel she inhabited. And though Celeste helped her work through things from time to time, it was still... difficult. Aggravating.

Etherealgate seemed to be grappling with her own demons. With that, Dovedeparture could relate.

As she moved through the territory, she caught Eth's voice. Curiosity drew her nearer, watching as the serval searched for respite from the intense heat. Dove wished she could sense the sun's warmth on her wings, but all she felt was a never-ending chill.

"Greetings," the guardian angel called out, padding closer to the newcomer. "How is the day treating you?" Her tone was friendly despite. "Are you adjusting to life here?"

[align=center]

[catch me not proofreading bc that's showbiz baby]

Just as Etherealgate was concerned with Dove's wings, Dove was enthralled with Eth's. Not only that, but the lynx was interested in the other's entire being. Where her own wings were like fresh snow, touched with silver moonbeams, Eth's were living shadow and just as fierce. The serval's wings commanded attention, and her overall appearance was much the same: the melanistic creature seemed to be cut from onyx - just as sharp, just as beautiful. More than that, however, the wings Ethereal was host to were actually capable of flight. Dovedeparture tried not to let those dark emotions (anger, jealousy, sadness) pour over her soul, but she was not quite strong enough.

Though Eth fretted over how she presented herself, Dove took no notice. The fallen angel was too wrapped up in her own self-consciousness to recognize another's, especially someone whose body language she was unused to. Before she could fall into another trap her mind had set, the serval's voice drew her out. She felt almost fragile, and like Eth had done a few moments prior, drew her wings inward in hopes of comforting herself.

Removing herself from the emotions that swamped her, she focused on Eth's words. A laugh tumbled out of her mouth as the other female explained things were different here. Oh, how true that was... As the serval continued, Dove did find herself interested in the tale. Growing up in isolation was not necessarily a foreign concept, but then again, Dovedeparture was not sure she had ever really had a childhood. As far as she knew, she had just... existed. Perhaps, she thought, it was because this mortal vessel was incapable of processing such complex ideas. She tried to believe that; she already had enough issues with her identity.

The mention of religion piqued her interest. As an angel, she was a devout follower. She tilted her head minutely to the side, listening. A handmaiden to her God? She supposed that role was not too far removed from her own. Dove found herself desperately needing to question the newcomer, but she held her tongue. It would not be wise.

"Being overwhelmed is certainly understandable," Dove responded with a small dip of her head. "If you have spent most of your time alone, I imagine this must truly be draining." The guardian was used to masses, and though she had enjoyed her time away from it all, it felt nice to return to some normalcy. "Would you like to-"

Before she could finish asking if Eth might like to vent her frustrations or whatever else, the psychopomp-esque being had questions of her own. "Oh!" she murmured in surprise. "Oh, well, I -" she hesitated for a few moments, adding, "it's different." Another light laugh escaped her, and she smiled softly.

"I've never known a place like this," she explained, her smile transforming into something wistful. "It's vastly different from my former home, but in some ways, it's more welcoming than anything I've ever known - strange as that might be." She shrugged. "I do enjoy it here, even if I don't understand these mortals half the time. It's one of the many wonderful things about having Celestialrobbery with me. She understands and helps me work through the complexities.

"Granted, there are other beings with celestial heritages here, but most of them have always lived in the Typhoon. I suppose it will just take some time to get used to it all, hm?" Jade eyes focused on Etherealgate's features. "You've got some sort of spark about you - I knew it from the moment you joined... 'Gatekeeper.' That's what you said. Might I ask for an explanation?"

She grinned, her more mischievous streak slipping through though her words were serious, "If you tell me yours, I'll tell you mine."

[align=center]

She welcomed the way Etherealgate seemed to relax at her words. The tension in the other's shoulders melted, and the look in her eyes softened. Dove found ease blooming inside of herself as well; in this business, it was nice to meet someone like her. It felt... homey.

Just as quickly as the swell of emotion appeared in the dark creature did it leave. A mild sort of apathy replaced it, but Dovedeparture was sure she could sense a hint of wonder in the question asked of her. "You could say that, yes," the ivory wildcat agreed, smile playing on her lips.

As another question was tossed her direction, the guardian paused. Celestialrobbery was her charge - the one she knew best, the one she genuinely cared for, the one she relied on most. Would giving up this 'secret' be alright? And what if it caused harm to come to her fallen star? No, she thought, she could not be that pessimistic. Besides, she reasoned, she had fought back a lot worse to keep Celeste safe.

"Yes," she answered, after perhaps a heartbeat too long. She let the word linger in the space between them. She would allow that much but nothing more. Not yet, anyhow. She barely knew this girl.

Dovedeparture listened as Eth unraveled her life and the reason for her otherworldly aura. She had heard of these beings before, but she was unsure if she had ever met them. Individuals such as this handed out judgement in place of their gods or God. She admired the girl for it, for it was no doubt a difficult task. She had heard they often carry the weight of their decisions with them forever. Looking upon the serval, Dove wondered if Eth's soul was crumbling under the weight of it all. "You're living purgatory, Gatekeeper," the angel murmured, a sort of empathy creeping into her tone. 'How lonely.' She titled her head. "And this job - do you enjoy it? Is it not haunting?"

As quickly as the topic found itself in Eth, the reaper pushed it towards Dove. Dove supposed she didn't mind it. Ethereal, she had surmised, likely lived her life only listening to others speak. "An angel," the creature answered as the softest smile capable spread across her lips. "A guardian angel, to be exact. Celestialrobbery's guardian." The fact was not a challenge, merely a statement. No, Dove had no reason to challenge the other.

Her wings were burning, and she shifted uncomfortably before continuing, "My purpose here is to keep Celeste safe, but more importantly, it's to guide her. Her fate is a long, winding road with too many twists and turns, so it is my duty to walk with her and see her to the end." She purposefully left out the part about being cast from grace. The embarrassment and shame she felt from that was a wound deeper than she knew, and sharing her pain was not something she wanted to do.