He was chosen because of his fierce, yet rugged tenderness.  While other angels were brute, the Goddess of the Universe apparently felt that Gabriel would be able to lend his aid to a brewing situation occurring on planet earth.  Unfortunately, angels were given assignments of persons when it was the most convenient.   This meant new assignments came as surprises; sometimes, the angel would not even know the contents of his or her new task until the last possible moment.  Gabriel had not been given much from the Goddess, but he learned to trust her wise instinct and decisions.  He had only been given a name, "Luna" and told that Boulder, Colorado would be the venue of his second assignment as Guardian Angel.  His first assignment ended when he carried the soul of the sickly child into the arms of his Protectress; he felt like a failure and he learned that no matter how powerful and strong he was - there was one thing he could not stop:  death, especially if a tired soul wanted it.<br/><br/>Mirnax, Archangel, called Gabriel for a private discussion.  Sitting down in a grove, Mirnax had no problems sitting on the ground -- eye level to his underling.<br/><br/>"Is there anything more you can tell me about my assignment, about Luna?" Gabriel asked.  Mirnax, however, offered no real new tidbit of information except one:  Gabriel would be given the gift of shape shifting between angelic and human form for this particular assignment.  Goddess felt that this would be incredibly important.  Mirnax also went over and reminded him of the usual protocols; it's okay to make it personal, but no romantic stuff, no changing the course of history drastically as the free will and consequences must be retained until the end of the world, and no over manifesting angelic power because it scared humans to no end.  Oh, and no spying on humans when they were performing their intimate behaviors unless of course it was clear their life was in danger.  Then, Mirnax handed over the second seal; when Gabriel broke the second seal, he would be present where he needed to be and his assignment would have begun.  The only goal to his assignment was "bring Luna to the highest level of her potential".  It was a lofty goal and he didn't know why the heavens would privilege him with such task.<br/><br/>"Are you sure you're ready for this, I could ask for an easier assignment for you if you wish" Mirnax egged on; he chose his words carefully.  Gabriel stood up, his wingspan stretched out, his built body radiated love, energy, brilliance, light, inspiration.  He took the seal in his hand, shot a glance of "this assignment will be a breeze" to Mirnax, and quickly, yet deliberately, broke the seal.  Now, he would be transported to the world of men and women.  His body and appearance did not change, but as he flew threw the snowy sky by only the destiny of the seal - he noticed he could go through clouds, buildings, airplanes, forests, and snow and feel nothing.  He looked around and saw very many other angelic beings; though they were aware of each other's presence, this was considered "field" work.  There could be no unnecessary fraternizing; that was what furloughs were for.  He also noticed demons; many demons; demons attached to people.  Demons attached to several men who were harassing Luna.  Harassing Luna!<br/><br/>Well first of all, the recognition kicked in; angels experienced recognition when their assignment started.  Secondly, he realized the ill intent of the men approaching Luna.  He could never understand why human beings often separated sex from love and instead attached it to lust; it was rather destructive.  These men had demons prodding on their shoulders and attached like large ticks on their backs, but Gabriel also knew that men often gave in to the innermost desires and that demons were powerless over them … except to learn what those deviant desires were and draw it out of them.<br/><br/>Gabriel gently moved over to the cat; gently petting it, he tried to calm down any fears the cat might have had while confirming its suspicion of the men.  It was then he noticed; he had not seen it the first time through.  Soul wounds on Luna; very clear, as if they were on the way to healing but not quite completely closed.  Beings (angels included) never really overcame soul wounds, they had to become the very essence of the virtue of a person to be dealt with correctly.  Luna could not see them but only feel them.  Gabriel could see her soul wounds which reacted negatively to the presence of the men.  Should those wounds reopen, Luna could be thrown back into deeper despair then we they first appeared.<br/><br/>The deal had been set; Luna was to meet these men again tonight at the Boulder Café.  But from the looks of it, Gabriel was going to have to protect her from the wounds growing any worse.  It would be a fine line between free will and forced coercion; funny thing, he could not act so much if it was the former, but he would spring into action if it was the latter.  Goddess often times gave her angels free will to make their own decisions, even wrong ones.  And Gabriel had no problems with crossing the line to aid and protect.  He followed Luna home into his apartment, taking up residence at the front door to guard it from any invading demons.  He would check in on her in the apartment, too, from time to time.  He continued to radiate the glowing love and justice she needed.  He did, however, dread the time when she would fulfill her obligation to return the coat.