[Location: Queens, New York]

Meanwhile, on the other side, Gabriel could be seen descending into a deserted alley.

Her bare feet touched the cracked asphalt as softly as snow. The dim city lights flickered against her golden hair, cascading like molten sunlight that did not belong in this world. Gabriel glanced around with wide, curious eyes, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.

"Ah… this is… New York?" she whispered, voice like chimes carried by wind.

She blinked at a graffiti-covered wall where a crude halo was painted over a cartoon devil. Her head tilted, utterly puzzled. "They… draw wings wrong…"

Her soft, white robes fluttered as she stepped out from the shadows, quickly replaced by a more human-looking outfit — a white sundress and sandals. The light dimmed around her as she suppressed her divinity, though faint traces still shimmered when she moved.

She looked up at the sky between skyscrapers, hands clasped before her chest. "The air is… heavy. And loud. But… warm?" She smiled innocently, as if trying to find beauty in exhaust fumes and car horns.

A stray cat meowed nearby. Gabriel's eyes lit up instantly. "Ah! Little one!"

She crouched down and extended her hand, and to the cat's utter confusion, a faint golden feather materialised between her fingers. "Blessings of light upon—"

The cat hissed, batted her finger, and bolted.

"Ah! Wait! I didn't mean—oh…" Gabriel stood there, crestfallen, pouting softly. "Did I… scare it?"

A human couple passed by the entrance of the alley, and she quickly straightened, mimicking their posture, trying to walk like them. Her attempt at blending in was both flawless and utterly off — too graceful, too pure.

Crossing the street, she marvelled at the blinking red signal light. "It changes colours… to tell people when to walk? That's so kind…" she murmured sincerely.

Then she nearly walked straight into a street performer juggling flaming torches.

"Whoa, miss! Watch your step!" the man barked, stepping back.

Gabriel flinched. "Ah! Sorry! I was… admiring your fire."

He blinked at her tone, then squinted. "You sound like you ain't from around here."

"I… came from above," she said truthfully.

"…Canada?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yes!"

The man shrugged, grinned, and tossed a torch higher. Gabriel clapped her hands, genuinely impressed, her face lighting up with childlike awe.

Soon after, she wandered toward a nearby park. The hum of mortal life surrounded her — laughter, chatter, the distant rhythm of a street drummer. Every sound fascinated her.

"Humans… have so much colour," she whispered, brushing her fingers over a blooming flower pushing through concrete. "Even where light is weak, they bloom…"

A small boy tripped nearby, dropping his ice cream. Gabriel instantly rushed over, kneeling beside him. "Oh dear, are you hurt?"

The boy sniffed. "My ice cream fell…"

Her eyes softened. She cupped her hand, and a faint golden glow shimmered — the melted treat reformed perfectly on the cone. "Here," she said gently.

The boy's eyes went wide. "Wha—?!"

"Shh." She winked playfully. "Don't tell anyone, okay? Miracles like this… are for special moments."

The boy nodded solemnly. "Okay, angel lady."

Her smile froze for half a second. "A-Angel? Oh, no, I'm just… Gabriel."

He ran off, waving. "Thank you, Miss Gabriel!"

She blinked, a hand to her lips. "…I need to practice being subtle."

"Excuse me, miss. Are you lost?" A rough voice laced with subtle lust sounded behind her.

Gabriel turned, startled. A tall man in a leather jacket stood there, hands shoved into his pockets, a cigarette dangling from his lips. His eyes ran over her — not with reverence, but with something baser.

She blinked innocently. "Lost? Oh, no… I was simply walking."

He smirked, stepping closer. "Walking alone in Queens at night? That's not exactly safe for a pretty girl like you."

"Pretty?" Gabriel tilted her head, confused. "Ah… thank you! But I am not fragile. I'm quite durable!" she said brightly.

The man chuckled, mistaking her sincerity for flirtation. "Durable, huh? How about I show you around, angel?"

Her eyes widened. "Oh! You can see that?"

"See what?" He leaned closer, clearly entertained.

Gabriel frowned slightly, pressing a finger to her chin. "Then you must be blessed with good perception."

The man laughed, smoke curling from his lips. "Sure, sweetheart. Whatever you say. You hungry? I know a place—"

"Hungry?" she echoed, blinking rapidly. Then her eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity. "Humans do share meals to bond, yes? That sounds lovely."

He blinked. "You're serious?"

"Very."

He grinned wider, thinking he'd struck gold. "Alright then, c'mon."

Gabriel followed him out of the park, walking with the same serene poise that made even passersby turn to stare. Her aura — faint though she tried to suppress it — shimmered faintly in the air, like sunlight reflecting off water.

"I'm Riddle. Tom Riddle, and you, miss?" The rough man, now Tom, asked with a tilt of his head.

Gabriel blinked at him, her golden lashes fluttering like the wings of a moth. "Gabriel," she said simply, smiling with soft pride. "Just Gabriel."

Tom's brow arched, amused. "Just Gabriel, huh? That's… kinda poetic."

"Is it?" She tilted her head, genuinely pondering. "Names hold power. So… keeping it simple might be safer, yes?"

He laughed lightly, taking a drag from his cigarette. "You talk weird, you know that?"

Gabriel blinked. "Do I?"

"Yeah. But in a cute way."

She smiled faintly, not quite sure whether to take that as praise. "Thank you, Tom Riddle."

He froze for a second, looking at her oddly. "…You always say people's full names like that?"

"It feels respectful," she said earnestly. "Don't mortals appreciate that?"

"Mortals? You from some cult or something?" Tom distanced himself unconsciously, although he was doing all this to ensnare this clueless girl into his bed; he wasn't into psychos.

Gabriel blinked, utterly unbothered by the shift in his tone. "Cult? Oh, no. I'm simply… visiting."

"Visiting," he echoed with a smirk, leaning back. "From where again?"

Her lips curved into a serene smile. "From a higher place."

Tom chuckled. "Yeah, sure. Heaven, right?"

To his surprise, Gabriel nodded softly. "Exactly."

He blinked, caught between amusement and disbelief. "You really stay in character, huh?"

"Character?" she asked, tilting her head. "You mean… like pretending?"

"Yeah," he said, exhaling smoke. "You're doing great at it. Must be one hell of a cosplayer."

"Cos… player?" she murmured, tasting the unfamiliar term. Then she brightened. "Ah! Yes, I suppose I do play as myself."

Tom laughed, shaking his head. "You're something else, lady."

The two strolled down the sidewalk, neon reflections painting the wet asphalt around them. Gabriel's eyes darted everywhere — to the glowing shop signs, the scent of coffee drifting from a café, a street artist sketching portraits beneath a flickering lamppost. Her gaze lingered on everything, wonder etched in every movement.

"You like this city?" Tom asked after a moment.

"It's loud," she said softly, "but… alive. Every sound, every light, every scent… it's overflowing with stories."

He smirked. "You really talk like an angel, you know that?"

She looked at him, expression unchanging. "That's because I am one."

Tom blinked, then laughed again, unable to help himself. "You're adorable. Alright, angel — how about we grab something to... drink?"

He tested her by saying 'drinks', to see if she reacted violently or not.

Gabriel tilted her head, pondering the word. "Drink… yes. Sharing beverages can be a kind gesture between people, yes?" Her tone was soft, naive, as if discovering an entirely new concept.

Tom hid his growing smirk as he led to a suspiciously well-hidden bar with a narrow neon-lit entrance tucked between two dilapidated buildings. "This way," he said, slipping inside. The interior was dim, smoky, and smelled sharply of alcohol, but Gabriel's wide eyes only reflected fascination.

"Oh… it's… very warm inside," she whispered, tilting her head as she took in the low-hanging lights, the polished wood, and the laughter that rolled like distant thunder. Her fingers brushed over the edge of a high stool as if testing its texture.

"Boss!" Tom shouted at the bartender standing far ahead, tending to some drunk punks while polishing a glass. "My 'special' Vodka on the counter for my lady friend, for me a bottle of usual Gin."

The bartender glanced up lazily, eyebrows raised. "Special for who now?" he muttered, voice rough but practiced.

"Right here," Tom said, gesturing toward Gabriel with a grin that was all teeth and mischief. "She's my guest tonight. Make it something… memorable."

Gabriel's gaze flitted over the bottles lined up like sentinels behind the bar, each label unfamiliar. Her small hands clasped together instinctively. "Memorable… yes. A drink that brings happiness… perhaps?" she murmured, as if thinking aloud. "But… I do not know what happiness tastes like."

Tom chuckled lowly. "Oh, sweetheart… you're gonna learn." He winked at her, then turned to the bartender. "Make it golden, something flashy, yeah? And keep her away from the strong stuff — she looks… delicate." His grin held just enough false charm to mask the malice under the leather jacket.

Gabriel tilted her head, absorbing every detail. "Delicate? Ah… I see. Protective gestures are kind, yes." She smiled faintly, her voice gentle. "But I am not fragile. I am durable." Her eyes met Tom's briefly, unwavering, luminous.

The bartender sighed, shaking his head, then set to work. He poured, shook, and garnished, sliding a shimmering golden drink across the counter with a flourish. The liquid caught the low light, dancing like liquid sunlight. Gabriel's eyes widened in awe.

"Oh… it glows," she whispered, reaching out a trembling hand. "Light… in a cup…" Her fingertips hovered above the rim, reluctant to touch it yet captivated.

Tom leaned in, his voice low, teasing. "Go on, try it, angel. You might like it." His grin stretched just a little too far, his intentions thinly veiled.

Gabriel's lips parted in innocent curiosity. "Yes… trying new things is… enlightening." She lifted the glass carefully, her gaze lingering on the warm glow as if trying to understand its essence before bringing it to her lips.

Tom watched, his smirk tightening. "That's it… just a sip." His tone carried both encouragement and subtle challenge. "Nothing dangerous… for now."

As the golden liquid touched her tongue, her eyes widened slightly. The taste was unfamiliar, sweet with a faint warmth, a strange thrill blooming in her chest. "Ah… it is… pleasant," she whispered. "Like sunlight melting ice…" Her expression was pure wonder, untainted by suspicion or fear.

Tom chuckled darkly, taking a sip of his own drink, the sharp alcohol burning down his throat. He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "See? Nothing to worry about. Just a taste… but you'll remember it." His gaze lingered, calculating.

Gabriel tilted her head innocently, smiling faintly. "Yes… I will remember. Sharing moments… even small ones… is meaningful." She glanced around the bar, noting the laughter, the clinking glasses, the faint shadows playing along the walls. "Even in dark places… There is light."

Tom's eyes narrowed slightly at her words, a flicker of annoyance passing through the amusement on his face. "You really are something else, Gabriel. Too… pure for this city." He drained his glass and set it down with a soft thud, leaning back. "But… I like it. Makes things… interesting."

Gabriel neared the glass to her lips and sniffed with the innocence of a child discovering a flower for the first time. "It smells… warm. And… happy?" she murmured, her voice soft, almost to herself.

Tom's grin tightened, a subtle edge creeping into it. "Happy, huh? That's one way to put it." He watched her intently, noting how her wide eyes reflected the bar's dim lights, shimmering like a fragile halo.

She swirled the golden drink in the glass, watching the liquid catch the glow of a flickering bulb above. "So… humans capture light like this… in cups… to share…?" she asked curiously. "It is… ingenious."

Tom leaned forward, tone casual but laced with malice, "Yeah… you could say that. Humans… we like to bottle things up. Fun, power, even pain… some folks call it experience."

Gabriel blinked slowly, tilting her head. "Pain… experience… I see… So… drinking it can give… a feeling of… understanding?"

Tom smirked, taking the bait of her naïve curiosity. "Exactly… It opens doors… lets you feel things you've never felt before. And for someone like you… it might be… enlightening."

She raised the glass to her lips again, gently tasting it, savouring the unfamiliar warmth as if trying to absorb more than just flavour. "Ah… yes… I feel… a little… braver." Her lips curved into a soft, contemplative smile, utterly unaware of the danger in his intent.

Tom's eyes darkened slightly at her words, a spark of irritation passing through the amusement. "Braver, huh? That's good… that's real good." He leaned even closer, lowering his voice further, "Maybe… I can help you feel even braver, angel."

Gabriel's head tilted, curiosity pure and untamed. "Help me… how? To… understand bravery?"

Tom's smirk twisted into a more dangerous smile. "Exactly… but… it takes trust. And… a little… guidance." He reached out a hand, resting it lightly near hers on the counter, the warmth of human flesh radiating subtly.

She looked at him with her unshakable innocence, golden eyes wide. "Guidance… yes… I trust… you, Tom Riddle."

"Then have some more!" With a subtle gesture to the bartender, a brand new glass filled with golden liquid slid across the counter toward Gabriel. Its surface shimmered like captured sunlight, the faint aroma carrying sweetness mixed with something sharp, almost daring. Gabriel's eyes widened as she noticed it.

"Oh… another… blessing?" she whispered, reaching carefully. Her fingers brushed the rim, and a soft golden light flickered briefly where her touch met the drink. "It… hums… with warmth…"

Tom's lips curved into a smirk, his eyes narrowing subtly as he leaned closer. "Yeah… that's the one. Just for you, angel. A little stronger… to make the night memorable."

Gabriel tilted her head slightly, considering. "Stronger… yes… strength… is important… to endure…" Her voice was calm, thoughtful, almost philosophical. She lifted the glass slowly, inspecting the liquid as though weighing its essence, not its taste. "If it teaches me… endurance… then it is… welcome."

Tom's smirk deepened, a trace of impatience mixing with amusement. "That's the spirit. Now… one sip, and let's see how brave you really are."

She nodded solemnly, closing her eyes briefly as if bracing herself. Then, with careful deliberation, she brought the glass to her lips. The warmth of the drink rolled over her tongue, spreading through her chest like a tiny sun. Her golden eyes fluttered open, shimmering with a soft glow of awe.

"Ah… it burns… but… pleasantly," she murmured. "Like… stepping into sunlight after rain… and feeling… alive…"

Tom's smirk tightened, sensing the intoxicating mix of naivety and wonder. "Alive… yeah, that's one way to put it." He leaned back, watching her intently, a predator masking amusement with charm. "See? Nothing to worry about… just a taste… and now, you're braver, aren't you?"

Gabriel's lips curved into a serene smile. "Yes… braver… and… thankful. Sharing this… strengthens bonds… yes?" Her gaze met his without hesitation, her trust absolute and untouched by suspicion.

"Then let's go, I've a place I'd like you to see."

Tom flicked a glance at the bartender, snatching the keys with a casual swagger. "Alright, angel… follow me. Got a spot that's… special." His tone was smooth, almost hypnotic, but under it was the faintest edge of malice, barely noticeable to anyone not paying close attention.

Gabriel tilted her head, her golden eyes tracking every subtle movement. "Special… places are… delightful," she said softly. "I enjoy discovering them."

Tom smirked, pocketing the keys. "Good. You'll like this one. Very private… very exclusive." He led her through the narrow alley behind the bar, the neon light fading until only the muted glow of street lamps remained.

***

Stone me, I can take it!

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