When We Were in the Clouds

Chapter 1: The Beginning

All characters & plots are credited to Becca Fitzpatrick. Major shoutout to ITea88 for her excellent storytelling in Patch's Pov.

Dabrianda hurried toward the Center of Heaven, a meeting place for all angels to convene. It was also adjacent to the Board, the area that displayed organized tasks pertaining to all the collective responsibilities the Angels must adhere to. At the Board, Dabrianda found her task listed under Angels of Death. She grabbed her assignment and read the first name off the list: Katharine Lowry. An unexpected shiver warped through Dabrianda. 'But what could become of her that affects me so?' Dabrianda pondered, followed by an intense overtaking. A gasp, Dabrianda's eyes roll backward as her vision is overcome with glimpses into the future. Though not just any future, but one projecting Katharine's demise. A tense conflict, betrayal, and the white heat of a blade are played rapidly through the premonition. Just as it appeared, it quickly vanishes, and the whites of Dabrianda's eyes shift back to icy blues.

Premonition comes with the same ease as breathing for her, one of the various gifts bestowed by Him. As an Angel of Death, she has connected the link between Earth and Heaven for many, almost as well as slightly older fellow member Nehemiah. However, this vision of Katharine Lowry comes with a chill she fails to move past. 'But why?'

At the Center, Dabrianda gathers herself and her ragged breath. Not one to be late for a gathering, the distraction of the previous vision uncharacteristically left her confused & tardy. She quickly finds her breath and seeks the usual group of acquaintances. Hopefully, she may steal a glance at the Archangel whom she was introduced to at the last gathering. Her considerably tall height and long, golden blonde hair accompany her refined wings. Wings that hold the same elegance as her persona. She finds Lucianna at the rightmost edge of the group of Angels anticipating the start of the meeting. Lucianna turns towards Dabrianda with a smile.

"Hello, Lucia, care to share the stretch of a grin on your face?" Dabrianda asks mockingly.

Lucia arches an eyebrow, "As if you could not find it within yourself to smile; everyone is highly anticipating the upcoming Dance of the Summer Equinox. And it is with my great assumption that someone may have a lucky companion already determined." she says with a twinkle in her eye.

Lucia has the ability of the Knowing, a group of Angels that can foresee viable futures in the grand scheme of fate. Prophetess, as humans call it.

"Lucia, I would not make such bold assumptions, he may not even attend." Dabrianda sighs.

The companion in question is one Jev Cipriano, an Archangel tasked with observing human activity from his viewing glass in Heaven. The two have only exchanged glances a handful of times, with the first private conversation occurring after crossing paths in the Meadow of Artemisia. His eyes were deep as Midnight and his dark hair curled at the shoulders. Young and ambitious, Dabrianda could not steer clear of the Angel with a glint of mischievousness in his eyes, even if she wanted to.

"There's no reason logical enough to deny his interest in you, one that I can attest is mutual for you, Dabria," Lucia chuckles as Dabria groans and shakes her head while crossing her arms.

"Lucia, you are ever too distracted with romance. I need you to put aside thoughts of partnerships and prepare for the meeting that will begin shortly." Dabria states with an air of finality over her friend's pestering.

"I do not believe you should knock it out of the realm of possibility quite yet," Lucia says with a tilt in her voice as her eyes raise slightly above Dabria's head.

"What..." Dabria slowly turns around, back facing the podium of the Center. Her icy blues meet deep eyes of coal.

"Lovely seeing your presence at the Center, Dabrianda. However, a stroll through the Meadow of Artemesia is substantially less dreary, would you not agree?" Jev snickers as though he's sharing a secret joke, which he might as well be.

They stand several inches apart; a distance Dabria finds herself difficult to maintain. Magnets of opposites they are, she cannot deny the pull. She can, however, preserve her dignity.

"I am sure hoping you do not mean to abandon your duties in the participation of this Center meeting because that would be of great...disrespect," Dabria spoke with the intention of professionalism, but her voice quavered when noticing what Jev was holding out to her.

An herb, classified as Artemesia Vulgaris, with hints of yellow and gold on its leaves that rise on a long stem.

"Of course, I knew I would not have been convincing enough. So, I brought the Meadow to you." He remarks with a knowing look. He laces the plant with the front strands of hair surrounding her face and holds it up behind her ear, giving him a chance to trace her cheek with the back of his hand.

"I... Thank you, Jev." Her appreciation of the plant and its properties but also the kindness of Jev's gesture was heard in her tone.

Ding. The meeting of the Center has commenced.

They both shared smiles and adjusted themselves to face the podium, Dabria's smile taking a little longer to fade.

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Author's Note:

Let me know what you guys think! And please check out ITea88's Eternal on FF as the inspiration for this story.