(Untitled)

[arch_messenger]

Michael sits at a table in the bar without food or drink. He's flipping through a rather large and ancient bible.

On the table is a red pen. He intends to use it.

Anyone nearby will hear Michael's laugh on occasion. Quite a few sound rather suspiciously like a snort.

The red pen gets used to circle or underline, though--it should be noted--never to

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[ushouldcwhatic]

That red pen was a familiar sight to anybody who's ever been in the teaching industry, or anybody who had seen the result of the marks from such pens on their papers.

So a man sitting nearby glanced over, and remarked, "Grading something?"

[arch_messenger]

Michael looks over, eyebrows raised.

He shifts the bible so that the man can see the cover.

He doesn't say not exactly. But somehow the message gets across.

[ushouldcwhatic]

Of course John recognized it. His mother believed it in more. He didn't. He was a man of science, not of faith. Even with his abilities, he just felt it was something science didn't quite have all the answers. But will. Eventually.

"Sorry, saw the red pen. Thought maybe you were a teacher as well."

[arch_messenger]

"Do you often use a red pen in ancient bibles?" Pause. Single laugh. "Do you often use a bible as a teaching tool?"

Michael can remove red pen any time he likes.

Michael neglects to remember that a lot of people do--in fact--use bibles to make a point. Or maybe he knows more about modern society than he sometimes seems to.

[ushouldcwhatic]

"Nope, but been tempted to on the former. The latter, again, no, but I know people who have, and still do."

[arch_messenger]

An easy smile.

“Why?”

[ushouldcwhatic]

"Why? Why do I think it could use some editing, or why people still use it to teach? I just think people shouldn't put so much stock in something that can't be proven. Belief's not always enough."

[arch_messenger]

“Very little can be proven, John.” Somehow, Michael got his name.

“And belief is all that’s needed in the case of moral guidelines. Although the bible is more than that; that’s the main thing that it brings for those that believe in it.”

Spoken like someone who knows from experience.

[ushouldcwhatic]

John frowned at that, he was known nowadays. But only if he was from his world.

"Have we met?"

[arch_messenger]

“We have now, but no. This is our first meeting.”

“I’m known as Michael.” He extends his hand to be shaken.

“And, please, forgive the invasion,” said as he touches his temple briefly.

[ushouldcwhatic]

John weakly asked as he went to shake his hand, "Yours or mine?"

His eyes briefly went distant, and he finally staggered a little. And he thought the things he got from that holy artifact were strange...

[arch_messenger]

...but such things are never as strange as an extension of the subject of the very word holy. Or perhaps, the strangest thing of all is that it feels quite the opposite of strange, it feels right.

messenger. Heaven. scales. redeem before passing. consternating the devil and his minions. patron of the Chosen People. guardian of the Church. supreme enemy of Satan and Fallen Angels. function is to open the gates of justice to the just.

These are ideas, not images, appearing in the mind in a flash and then gone, leaving only a faint imprint. They are visible because they aren't private.

"Both really," Michael says, cutting the flow of information.

[ushouldcwhatic]

It would be too much even for his dead zone to comprehend them as visions truly. Too much for his very human brain.

John was a man of science, but what he picked up clearly rattled him.

Thinking of his mother's words, Reverend Purdy's, how they seem to think his ability as a great gift from God. He never thought of it that way. Faith wasn't for him. Though he was trying to stop Armageddon from coming.

He took a few breaths, and sat down hard again.

"That shouldn't be possible," he finally said.

[arch_messenger]

"Why not?"

[ushouldcwhatic]

"I believe in what I can see." But how to explain what he just saw? John couldn't.

[arch_messenger]

"Ah. Well. Being closed minded is as bad as being gullible you should know."

Michael's almost tempted to release his wings. But he won't unless he thinks it'll be worth it.

"Is there a reason you've taken on the 'I'll believe it when I see it' attitude? Or is it just one you chose out of the bin of possible life philosophies?"