Wandering through the quieter halls of the museum, Dove ducked under a rope reading employees only and entered a room bathed in soothing blue light. The Oceanic exhibit was one of her favourite places to linger, the lighting meant to mimic an underwater realm with the soft sounds of water and wildlife calls filling the air. A creature meant to soar through the air, Dove didn’t do well with wet water. But this? This she could do. 

The room slanted down the further in she went - an attempt to show how the light and animals changed the deeper one went into the water. Murals of different fish were painted along the walls, paper mache whales hung from the ceiling, and along the floor were recreations of plant life, mollusks, and invertebrates. 

Her favourite section though was the deep sea, with angler fish that appeared to be a normal light from one side and a fierce predator from the other. So caught up in the exhibit, Dove failed to register the steps echoing through the room until they stopped. Whirling around, she cracked a wry smile to hide her racing heart. “Y’know, I’m pretty sure I had to pass by a sign that said employees only - a very bold move to break the law with so many people around.”

Dove watched with her best spy skills (read: limited) as the Christian Lee moved through the party. Not that it was unexpected to see a politician at a gala like this but she never thought she’d ever get to meet him. There were few people she’d seen growing up that had powers similar to hers, powers that you couldn’t hide no matter what you did because their physicality was part of the power. 

Even if he was as unstable and disturbed as the media said (which she heavily doubted), Dove couldn’t help but feel a kinship to him, though they had never met. Some might call it hero worship but really, Dove was just looking for any type of connection with someone who understood what it was like to have no refuge from judgement. 

It was to be a night of bravery, she decided. Moving across the room, wings tucked tight against her back to avoid bumping into anyone, she waited patiently until he had finished his conversation before announcing herself with, “Hi! I’m Dove and it’s so great to meet you.”

“Did you know that the artist allegedly used his own blood to paint in the browns?” Dove casually dropped the comment to the person next to her. It was one of her favourite fun facts to share on tours and also, probably true? At least, true enough that people took a second or third glance at the brush strokes, squinting as if they’d be able to view the microscopic dried cells smeared across the canvas. 

“At least, they think it was his blood. All they’ve ever been able to confirm is that it isn’t paint.” She waggled her eyebrows dramatically, as if they weren’t in a prestigious museum but rather around a warm campfire sharing ghost stories.

A second glass of champagne clutched in her hand, Dove stared down at a lone figure near the gardens. The balcony she was on wasn’t that far up, but as she stared at her brother, it felt like she was miles away. This was it. She’d caught glances of him in past meetings but every time she had worked up the courage to approach him, someone always seemed to step in front of her. Maybe it was fate’s way of telling her he didn’t want to see her. Either way, Dove had to be sure. 

Heart racing, the stem of her glass began to strain under the increasing pressure of her grip. Before it could shatter, she downed the remaining liquid and hopped the railing, her wings catching her just before she hit the ground with a quiet whoosh. 

Maybe a tad dramatic of an entrance, Dove thought with a wince. Still, there was no running now. “Hey Cottie,” she called out softly, all the anticipation and anxiety choking back her voice. If he didn’t remember her, surely he’d remember that name, right?  Clearing her throat, she tried again. “Long time no see.”

“Oh wow - I didn’t realise there were cars in the museum,” Dove teased as she moved closer to Nate. So used to seeing him in his work coveralls, she gave an appreciative all-over glance. It was strange to see him without any dark smudges and cleaner hands. Her baby Lila, a beat-up yellow beetle, was a constant visitor to the shop Nate worked at. Repairs were expensive and Dove was getting them done in piecemeal, when she could afford them. “How’d you swing a ticket to this party?”

Apparently [ DOVE BEAUMONT ] has been spotted sneaking around Halcyon Island after dark. The [ 25 ] year old normally resides in the [ THE EAST ] but the exact details are murky. It seems their alliance to the [ GRID ] has drawn them out of hiding, just in time for the annual meeting of the Faction leaders. Be cautious if you see them around, because whilst they are [ HOPEFUL ], they are also [ REBELLIOUS ]. Rumor has it that they currently work as [ MUSEUM TOUR GUIDE ] and that they have the power of [ FLIGHT ].