Francis reaches up to take off his glasses and stops with a start when his finger hits the bridge of his nose.
[Francis]: "Well, first of all, what kind of evidence?   Where do we get it, and how do we fake it?"
[Francis]: "Frankly, at the time I thought that the evidence was so utterly flimsy that the only way we were convicted was that the fix was in, as they say."
[Riker]: "We were framed for murder, right? A cop. Forensic evidence. Hell, Francis...I dunno. But we're runnin' outta time.  Maybe, shit...maybe the damn demon set us up. It'd explain why everything went through like a greased pig..."
[Francis]: "That's always been my belief. So... how do we fix the fixer? Our original option was to set a demon to stop a demon; perhaps this time we should try the angelic..."
[Riker]: "Good question. Fake the faker worse than he fixed us up, would be my vote."
Francis clears his throat apologetically.
[Francis]: "Sorry, probably a silly thought. I don't mean to take this lightly."
[Riker]: "But we ain't exactly had good luck with angels, either, man.  An', if you recall...our...condition...might make it a bad idea."
Francis's expression grows more serious.
[Francis]: "If you mean Jophiel, I agree. But what of the one who got us out of there?"
[Francis]: "It's been so long... but didn't you and Benny encounter a different angelic entity? A Watcher?"
[Riker]: "Maybe. But are we gonna burst into flames even coming near her, man?"
[Francis]: "Perhaps she might be persuaded to aid us? Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'll take the risk..."
[Riker]: "I dunno...risky. But then again...she didn't just watch, either. Rules are bein' broken left and right...why the hell not?  It beats the other options. Maybe they won't fry us if we convince 'em we're serving the greater good, huh?"
[Francis]: "Something like that, Mr... Alan. We are, after all, doing just that. We went to prison for life rather than sell our souls to the devil - surely that might count for something? We don't have a great deal of time to fritter away, either..."
[Riker]: "True. Okay, beats setting ourselves up for the rap. How do we do it, man?"
[Francis]: "Where did you meet her last? We're just a couple of days past that, so that would be our place to start..."
[Riker]: "The bar that blew up. I've got some cash...we can take the T, or a cab."
Benny has been quietly observing you for most of your discussion. Now he pipes up.
[Benny]: "She was at the crash site."
Benny sounds distant and flat.
[Francis]: "Er... the crash site, then. Let us go there."
Francis looks at Benny closely and a little anxiously
[Francis]: "Mr. Fitzpatrick, are you all right?"
[Benny]: "And she was at Leo's, but I first saw her at the crash site... she was so beautiful..."
Riker shifts, nervously. "Look, I'm gonna go get the spare piece, guys...I know it won't do much good, but it'll make me feel better..."
Benny stares off into the distance, then seems to wake up a bit.
Riker fiddles with the handgun for a few moments, fidgeting. "You gotta stop doin' that, Benny...it freaks me out. So, th' crash site, or th' bar?"
Benny stares at Riker for a moment. PCN roll please, from both of you.
[Francis]: "Let's start with the crash site."
DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 50 ]
DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 86 ]
[Riker]: "That works..." He keeps fiddling with the piece, adjusting his shoulder holster. Distracted. "It's as good a place as any, an' th' heat'll be less there."
(CM whispered to Francis): There's something gone from Benny's gaze. The sparkle that he once had, that survived the rigours of Hell and his return to Earth has been dimmed by the knowledge of what he has become.
Francis steps around in front of Benny, taking the bigger man's shoulders between his hands and gazing into his face.
Benny looks lost.
[Francis]: "Benny... it's not your fault."
[Riker]: "Francis, man, what're you doin'...?"
Riker looks confused.
Francis waves Riker off.
[Francis]: "Benny, listen to me. We have been given that rarest of gifts - a second chance."
[Benny]: "But that kid..."
Riker sits back, watching. Keeps his hands well away from the pistol.
[Francis]: "It comes with an ugly price. We can only do what we can do. You did not intend him harm; it's not your fault. All we can do is our best. And pray that it is good enough. The sooner we solve this mystery, the sooner we can depart this... this... pseudo-life. But if we succeed, we can save hundreds of thousands of people. If there is indeed a War in Heaven, there must needs be a few casualties."
Benny sucks in a deep shuddering breath, then glances up at Francis. There's a determination that wasn't there a moment before.
[Francis]: "We can grieve for them; honor them... and move on. War, Benny, is Hell."
Riker sinks back into the chair, hands clenching and unclenching. He says nothing, face set like stone.
Benny nods, and pulls himself upright.
[Francis]: "We've broken free of Hell - now let's see if we can stop the war."
[Benny]: "Then we'd better get it right. And Francis? Thank you."
Francis looks uncomfortable and embarrassed. He reaches to fuss with his tie and seems mildly surprised that he's not wearing one.
[Francis]: "Er... no problem. You'd do the same."
[Riker]: "We all would, man. Let's get goin'. Get ourselves off'a the hook."
[Francis]: "Amen, Mr. Riker. Amen."
[CM]: How are you getting there?
[Francis]: The T sounds fine to me. Presuming we don't stink of the grave or anything...
Riker smiles, wryly. "Wasn't a prayin' man before, Francis...but God help us. C'mon, I know a jalopy dealer that'll give us a rig cheap."
[Francis]: "Mr. Riker, if there is a Hell - and we know there is - there must be a Heaven. And God... whatever God is... helps them who help themselves."
[Riker]: "Two sides of the same coin, Francis. God must've known this was gonna happen, right? What kinda God is that, lets that happen?"
[Francis]: "One that gave us free will. Or perhaps Mr. Lovecraft was right, and our gods are but blind, gibbering, mad creatures that pay us no more attention than we pay microbes. I prefer to believe that there is a way.... and a Will."
[Riker]: We're gonna take the T down to a used car dealership and get us some rolling iron.
[Benny]: "It's best if we stay away from people. I'm... I'm feeling hungry again."
Francis shudders.
[Francis]: "An excellent point, my friend."
[Riker]: "Okay, we'll walk down. Ain't that far. An' once we've got wheels..."
[Francis]: "Moving, moving.  I'm an old man, for goodness sake... Oh, wait, no I'm not. Not any more."
Francis picks up his pace.
[Riker]: We go and walk down to the lot, cash in hand.
[CM]: The day outside is glorious. The wide blue sky smiles down on you, and the sun spills light across the world. The birds are singing, and the air is as yet untainted by smog.
Francis develops an unmistakeable bounce in his step.
[CM]: The small dealership (Minuteman Motors) is low key but tidy, with the unmistakable look of a family business.
[Riker]: And an in Riker knows about. Cash and carry. "This is it.  Lemme do the talking." To the polyester suited man on the forecourt,  "You're pretty spry there, Frank."
[Frank]: "Alan? Hey man, good to see you! I heard something about the cops taking you downtown. What was that all about?"
[Riker]: "Headless body on my roof, can you belive it? Fell outta a goddamn plane! They said he was hiding in the wheel well! Say, man...my trucks a wreck...you got any specials this week?"
[Frank]: "Bout time you let me set you up with some new wheels. I've got just the thing. Step this way."
[Riker]: "C'mon, guys...Frank's got some'a the best pre-owned cars in town. Lead on, my man.  Cash okay?"
[Frank]: "Cash? No problemo, my man. Take a look at these."
Frank leads your group to the back of the lot, where a number of vehicles are waiting....
Francis follows at a small distance, trying to look inconspicuous
Riker certainly takes a look. Sturdy and inconspicous are the watchwords of the day.
[Riker]: "Looks good, looks good...which one'a these runs the best?"
[CM]: True to form, Frank's stock is pretty good.
[Riker]: "I'll take the dark blue Ford, man.  What's the damage?"
[Frank]: "Well to be honest, the Ford's a lemon. Stay away from it. The Jeep here is a good runner, and it's sturdy too."
[Riker]: "Hell, Frank, you didn't steer me wrong on the 4x4...I'll take it. Kinda antsy, wanna get rollin' again, y'know?"
Frank gestures at a dark green Jeep Cherokee. There are so many on the road these days it looks like they're compulsory.
[Frank]: "Sure thing man, I understand. Just step into my office and we'll complete the paper work. Tina will be glad to see ya."
[Riker]: "Awright."
[Frank]: "Can I get you fella's anything while you're waiting?"
Riker shoots Francis a grimace; well, here's a good start on planting evidence. Turns back to Frank. "Naw, naw, man. Unless the guys need t'use th' restroom or somethin'..."
Frank leads Riker into the office, where money is exchanged and documents are signed. Franks "assistant" Tina giggles and waves like a sixteen year old at Riker, though she has to be in her early thirties.
(CM whispered to Riker): You get a significant discount, mainly because you also know Frank's wife and haven't told her about Tina yet...
[Riker]: "Hey, Tina.  Lookin' good as ever...Frank said you could set me up with the paperwork for that Cherokee?"
[Tina]: "Anything for you handsome. Can I set you up with...anything else?"
Tina flutters her false eyelashes with determination
Riker grins a little, forgetting.  "I'm on a hot case right now, big money.  You gonna be free in a week?"
[Tina]: "Let me check my diary." She blinks. "Yeah, I think I can squeeze you in." She giggles flirtaciously.
Francis clears his throat uneasily. "Mr. Riker, the time?"
[Riker]: "Sweets for th' sweet. Slide that paperwork over to me, toots, so I can get rollin'. Th' sooner th' better, right?"
Tina shuffles out the necessary paperwork while Frank counts the money.
Riker looks at Francis, grin slipping a bit. "I'm on it, chief."
Riker gets to filling out the paperwork, making damn sure it's legible, but not accurate. Hey, if you've gotta plant evidence..."Thanks, toots. You're a doll."
[Tina]: "So're you." She reaches for your hand.
Riker straightens up, abruptly. "Awwwww, shit...bad cheesburger, doll...gotta go...bathroom open?" The pale green coloring on his face is quite genuine.
Francis's eyes widen in alarm, too late, and he grabs for Riker. "We really must be going, Mr. Riker."
Tina looks concerned.
[Tina]: "Sure the bathroom's open. Alan? Honey? Are you alright?"
Riker waves his hands. "Goddamned greasy spoon food..." He books it for the bathroom.
Francis heads outside to wait by the car, dragging Benny with him
Riker bolts, slams the door.  Retches.
[Riker]: <HURRRRAAAACCCHHHH>
(Riker whispered to CM): And he really is sick, too.  Damn your hide.
Tina knocks on the door. "Alan? Are you okay hon?"
[Riker]: "It's th' heat an' that goddamned burger...an' I think I've gotta bug, Tina. You don't wanna get too close, y'know?  Don't wantcha gettin' sick..."
Riker splashes cold water on his face. "Fight it down, fight it down."
[CM]: WPR roll, Mr Riker
DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 38 ]
[CM]: Eventually the churning subsides...
[Riker]: "Fight it down."
Francis gets worried after a few minutes of watching the office and approaches it tentatively.
Francis looks in, and when he doesn't see a pile of clothes with dust, opens the door.
Riker emerges from the restroom, a few minutes later, looking like, well, death warmed over.  "Tina, sweetie, could I have th' keys, please? I gotta get rollin', an' I don't want t'make you or Frank sick with whatever it is I've got. Goddamned Ebola or somethin'..."  He manages a wan smile.
[Francis]: "Mr. Riker?  We really need to go..."
Tina fumbles in the draws for the keys, her face a mask of concern. Frank stands behind her, equally concerned.
[Tina]: "Here you are Alan. Are you sure you should be driving?"
[Riker]: "I'm comin', I'm comin'...Hey, thanks, guys.  I'm gonna finish out the day, then fall down at home.  Gimme a call, awright?"
[Francis]: "I'll drive him, Miss.  Don't be concerned. I told you not to eat the third cheeseburger, Mr. Riker. But do you ever listen to me?"
[Frank]: "You look after yourself Alan, okay?" He sticks his hand out to grasp yours.
[CM]: DEX roll Riker.
Riker staggers towards the door, sickness only partially feigned.  "Fuckin' germs..."
DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 7 ]
Frank looks slightly put out as you deftly avoid his grasp, but at least he's alive.
Francis puts a hand solicitously under Riker's elbow. "Come along, now, Mr. Riker, or we'll be late to our appointment. I'll see he gets plenty of fluids and rest, just as soon as we're done."
[Riker]: "Goddamn...hey, thanks, guys...all six'a you. Jesus, all blurry an' shit..."
Francis guides Riker out to the Jeep and climbs in the driver's seat, holding out a hand for the keys. "Bravo, Mr. Riker.  That was an academy award performance."
[Riker]: "Francis, man..." He climbs into the seat. "I really was feelin' sick." Over go the keys. "I shit you not. Let's roll."
Francis starts the car and heads out onto the street. "Where to, Mr. Riker? Gods... I've always hated driving in Boston..."
[Riker]: "Thataway."
Benny gives directions to the crash site.
Francis drives like a little old lady.
[Riker]: "Goddamn ,man, give her some gas. She ain't a virgin."
Francis mutters something under his breath that sounds suspiciously like "I am", but he speeds up... a tiny bit.
[Riker]: "Haveta fix that, Francis. You're a good Joe...hate to see you go t'waste like that..."
Francis shoots Riker a startled, embarrassed look, as if he doesn't realize he'd vocalized.
Riker grins.
[CM]: The crash site is the Happy Valley Municipal Golf Course, near Tomlin Swamp and Dungeon Rock. It's about an hours drive out from the heart of Boston. Thankfully the worst of the rush hour traffic is over, though the sheer bloodymindedness of New England drivers is enough to make the drive...interesting.
[Francis]: Riker.
[Riker]: Ok, I'm driving. Rmmmm....Whoonk-whoonk.
DICE for CM: (1d4) = [ 1 ]
[CM]: Make a Driving Roll, Mr Riker.
Francis clutches the "jesus strap" with white knuckles but never utters a word of criticism.
DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 5 ]
Benny makes the occasional "keeeeerist" noise beneath his breath.
[CM]: You arrive at the Golf Club intact and feeling pretty good. Riker proves himself to be an excellent driver. The parking lot of the club and the surrounding lawn is scarred with tire marks, though the TV vans have now departed once the maximum amount of human tragedy had been milked from the story. The emergency services are still present, and the course itself has been taped off by the police. A flatbed truck holds several of the larger pieces of wreckage ready to be shipped to a hanger for storage and investigation.
[Riker]: "Scary, ennit? Our boy Jophiel at work, maybe."
Francis looks equal parts horrified and awed - he hadn't been out here before. "So... where did you meet her?"
[Riker]: "Wait for nightfall. We can chat it up until then. And we're not busting the integrity of the scene yet."
[Francis]: "Can we afford to waste that much time?"
Benny points past the clubhouse to the course itself. "She was out there. Watching us."
[Francis]: "Let's go out there, Benny. Where you saw her..."
Riker steps out of the Cherokee, looking around. Rescue workers, numbed by shock, atrocity, should be easy to slip past. Hard truth, cold truth...but still the truth.
[CM]: The course is still busy with florescent jacketed workers digging chunks of wreckage out of the ground. Clearly, the sixteenth hole is going to be quiet for some time to come. An ambulance stands idly by, though by this time the majority of the bodies must have been found.
[Riker]: "Guys, let's just sniff around the edges. Jesus god, I don't wanna shake anyone's hand..."
Francis nods grimly.
[CM]: A police cruiser sits near the steps to the club, the radio sqwauking to itself...
Benny follows you, deep in thought.
[Francis]: "We avoid the police, yes?"
[Riker]: "Aw, shit...well...look on the upside..." He keeps to the shadows, as best he can. "They bust us, we've got the perfect alibi..."
[Francis]: "We can hardly free ourselves if we're in jail, Mr..."
Francis shakes his head with a wry smile. "Listen to me - I sound like a madman."
[CM]: There are gaps in the row of shrubs that define the edge of the green, where workers have trampled them flat. Near the ambulance, rows of black body bags lie on the grass, just in case...
Riker gets an idea - he grabs a body bag and slings it over his shoulder and indicates the others do the same.
Francis picks one up as well, with a puzzled look on his face
Benny grabs a bag as well, and follows Riker's lead.
[Riker]: "Camouflage," Riker explains. "That, an' it keeps people from gettin' a good look at us. Benny, show us where you first saw her, man."
[Francis]: "Ah! I'm so very glad you're with us."
Benny takes the lead, walking across the green, past clusters of workers, until he reaches a small copse at the top of a hill. Then he turns and stares out over the site.
[Benny]: "She was here."
[Riker]: "Shit, man...uh...call her name or something. Voodoo ain't my gig..."
Francis looks around, not knowing what he should be looking for, but hoping to find something... anything...
Benny looks at Riker. "What do you want me to do? Have her paged? This is more Francis's field."
Francis starts and looks alarmed.
[Francis]: "Mine? Hardly..."
[Riker]: "Scratch a damn cross in the ground...Francis, man, help us out here..."
(CM whispered to Francis): Occult lore roll please.
(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 76 ]
(CM whispered to Francis): Good enough... Angels have a sigil, a symbol of their name that is in many ways an actual part of them. Inscribing Uriel's sigil would alert her to your presence. Unfortunatly summoning an Angel is like sticking your tongue on Uranium...
[Francis]: <musing> "Not a cross... perhaps a circle, but certainly not a pentagram..."
Francis walks in a circle, studying the ground and frowning at it as if expecting it to provide answers
[Riker]: "Right up pentagram's pagan, right? Upside down is the bad one...uhhh..." He looks around, frowning. "Man, if she'd just show...hell, the need is great enough..."
[Francis]: "Correct, Mr. Riker... If Uriel tests men's souls, surely ours have been tested and tried sorely." His eyes light up. "Aha!"
[Riker]: "So, how do we get her attention?  I mean, shedding blood's right out...do we just sit here until our need calls her, or...?"
Francis picks up a stick and begins to scratch a symbol on the ground. It is neither a circle nor a pentagram, but some odd sort of script.
Francis is murmuring to himself under his breath in some odd sounding language.
(Francis whispered to CM): Latin, boss, naming the angelic pantheon and begging Uriel's attention.
(CM whispered to Francis): WPR Roll
(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 81 ]
[Riker]: "Enochian.  Divine names, right?"
(CM whispered to Francis): Riker screwed your concentration.
Francis stiffens abruptly, glaring at Riker.
[Francis]: "Mr. Riker, if you please.  This requires as much concentration as... as... shooting someone. I would be grateful if you would remain silent. And no, it was Latin."
Riker shrugs. It's all Greek to him.
Francis rubs out what he's scratched and starts over again, in a different spot.
(CM whispered to Francis): Make another roll...
(To CM) DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 94 ]
(CM whispered to Francis): It just doesn't seem to be happening for you. Maybe it's the light, or the hunger that is beginning to coil inside you, but you simply can't focus...
Francis throws the stick on the ground in something that looks very much like a fit of pique.
[Francis]: "Damn, damn, damn!"
[Riker]: "Chill, Francis, man...just be cool, right?"
[CM]: The branch immediatley ignites, flaring into flame in the same way the Nepharite did at the warehouse.
[Francis]: "We've failed the test once, Mr. Riker, and it was my fault. I'll be damned if I'll be responsible for us failing again!"
Francis gives a choked sound somewhere between a laugh and a sob.  "Damned. That's exactly what we are. Damned."
[CM]: PCN roll everybody.
DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 2 ]
DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 37 ]
[CM]: Around Francis, in a circle almost 15 feet across, the grass has died...
Riker grits his teeth. "Not yet, man. I am not gonna let this place go into the shithole...an' neither're you. Second chances, remember?"
[CM]: The branch is still burning merrily.
Francis goes over and stamps on the branch, pouring all his frustration into putting out the fire before it draws attention to them.
[Riker]: "Francis, man, calm down...tell me why this's goin' down like this.  Small words, slowly...I'm not stupid, but this isn't my gig."
[Francis]: "To... call Uriel's attention to us... requires sending out a beacon. That symbol is her sigil. I'd hoped to draw her attention with it... but it's like trying to use a flashlight with no battery."
[Riker]: "An' th' grass?"
Francis looks down at the ground, face full of despair...and shame.
[Francis]: "I'm... hungry. I... can't focus. My knowledge of these things is purely theoretical. I never... I never tried to USE it before. I must be doing it wrong... or perhaps I'm too... starved... to draw on my own strength."
Riker grimaces. "Shit on me...ok, idea. Use me or Benny.  Preferrably me."
Francis shakes his head firmly, stubbornly. "I don't want to kill anyone, any more than you did."
[Benny]: "It won't work. We've been around each other all day. We're like a life-force vacuum, drawing energy towards us. We don't have any ourselves."
[Francis]: "Perhaps it doesn't have to be human.  If I could find an animal..."
Benny picks at the dead grass. A clump comes away in his fingers, sandy earth coming away with it. "This'll never support life again."
Francis covers his face with his hands
[Francis]: "Dear God, help us..."
[Riker]: "I thought'a that when we were at the mall...but there wasn't a pet store. Shit shit shit shit SHIT."
DICE for CM: (1d100) = [ 19 ]
[Uriel]: "Don't despair."
Francis raises his face, hope shining like a beacon from it.
[Francis]: "Uriel..."
Riker looks up, gaping. "Son of a..." No profanity, man. "Uriel.  Just who we were lookin' for. You got no idea how glad we are t'see you..."
Uriel stands by the trees, her face calm, her large dark eyes filled with concern.
[Uriel]: "You called me."
[Francis]: "Blessed Lady... we failed before, and thousands of lives were lost. We need your help if we are not to fail again. We are lost, a ship without a star to guide her. Please, be our star..."
[Uriel]: "You failed before?" She looks puzzled...
[Francis]: "If the world continues down the path it is following today, there will be an Armageddon that neither you nor Satan can imagine."
[Riker]: "We...the real us, the us from now...are in jail. Someone set us up to take a fall. We all died, years from now, went to Hell, and got out. Benny retuned the model of the universe, see, only..."
Uriel holds up a hand. "Wait, there is a better way to explain. Show me. Open your minds..."
Francis drops to his knees, closing his eyes and opening his arms, completely surrendering any defense or barriers
[CM]: WPR rolls please
DICE for Francis: (1d100) = [ 84 ]
DICE for Riker: (1d100) = [ 36 ]
(CM whispered to Riker): You feel Uriel pour into your mind like a spring flood. Her thoughts are clear, orderly, with the beauty and precision of a diamond...
(Riker whispered to CM): Riker jerks, involuntarily, as the images of his recent past flow out - Hell, the escape, the apocalypse...
[CM]: Riker stiffens, and Uriel gasps as something like an electrical current passes between them.
(CM whispered to Riker): You feel her horror at the events unfolding in your memory, and her empathy as you relive your tortures in the pit of Hell...
(Riker whispered to CM): Riker, shakes, inside, comforted only by the fact that this happened...and if things go right, won't happen again...
(CM whispered to Riker): Then you feel her shock as she recognises your guide out from the pit...as herself
Francis opens his eyes, watching with alarm.
(CM whispered to Riker): Then the connection breaks, and you feel a sense of loss that makes you want to weep.
Uriel opens her eyes as tears spill out over her cheeks.
[Riker]: Riker drops to his knees, hands palm down on the dead earth beneath him.
[Uriel]: "My poor children. You have suffered so much, and stayed so true."
[Francis]: "You see what will happen if we fail again..."
[CM]: Suddenly she is all around you, enveloping you all in an embrace even as she stands across from you. Her will comforts and strengthens you...
Riker says, very, very small,  "Aaaah.."
Francis sighs.
[Uriel]: "These events cannot be allowed to happen. I will give you what strength I can."
[Francis]: "You are most gracious... can you give us any clue what we should do."
[Uriel]: "Our enemy is clever, sheilding his presence from divine detection. If he was easily found, the false Jophiel would have tracked him down and destroyed him by now. Only mortal senses will be able to find him. From your memories I sense that this is an old evil, rooted in this place."
[Riker]: "This site?"  He looks up, from his crouch. "Or the city?"
[Uriel]: "This area. Nearby to the city, perhaps to the north."
[Riker]: "Dungeon Rock?"  His mind wheels, trying to place the geography...
[Uriel]: "I cannot provide you with the answers you seek, though I can ease your hunger. Free your past selves, and swiftly. Already the false Jophiel has become aware of your existence."
Francis frowns, trying to remember what he might have read about occult influences in the Boston area.
Riker grits his teeth again.  "You got it, sister.  All we need is a little time. Francis, you said SAVE has a library, right?"
[Francis]: "Of course it does. I know it inside and out. How can we free ourselves? I don't mean to sound ungrateful - I am tremendously appreciative of what you are giving us."
[Uriel]: "Give yourselves up."
[Francis]: "As the murderers? Yes! That WILL work!"
[Riker]: "We're gonna get in there, then, an' find out some history.  An' she's right...we're gonna give ourselves up."  He looks at Uriel.  "Before or after this's done?"
[Uriel]: "That decision is up to you. If it is after you perform your study, have a care to pass that information to your younger selves..."
[Francis]: "Yes, exactly. Regardless of when we do it, we must.. .well... leave a note in a bottle so to speak. So that we will know what is at stake, and what we must do."
[Riker]: "Yeah. Like I said...all we need's a little time. I...the other me...has email. Hell, I've got a key to the office. Tape recorder..."  He stops, once he realizes he's babbling.
[Uriel]: "And now, for your hunger...."
Uriel reaches up to her chest and seems to push her fingers through the material of her blouse. Then with a wrenching motion she pulls herself open, cracking open her ribcage...
[CM]: ...and the LIGHT floods out...
Riker topples back, like it's a physical wave.
Uriel screams, a sound that threatens to crack the sky from side to side...
[Uriel]: "UUUUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"
[Francis]: "Dear God...!"
[CM]: There's a physical pressure as the light slams into you, filling you, consuming you, charging every part of you until you scream for it to stop...
[Riker]: "Ahhhhhhh....!!"
Riker writhes, like a snake with its back broken - trying to either get away, or get that feeling into him...
[CM]: You feel stretched, taut, as if you're ready to burst and be swept away, as if every atom and molecule that makes you up is ready to unwind and evaporate into the quantum foam at the base of reality...
[CM]: And then it stops.
Uriel collapses to the ground, gasping.
Francis stands, rigid, with a look of utter, mindless bliss on his face.
Benny is weeping, wether from joy or loss even he can't say.
Riker crawls forward. "Shit...Uriel...?" Blinking dirt and tears from his eyes. "You okay...?"
[Francis]: "Lady... forgive us..."
[Uriel]: "Forgive you? When Fate and Destiny allowed you to cast yourselves into the Pit for the error of being true to yourselves? No, it is I and my Father who should apologise... My gift should feed your hunger. For a while."
Uriel gasps, her face twisting with pain.
[Riker]: "What's wrong?"
Francis crawls a few steps toward her, concerned.
[Francis]: "Is there anything we can do for you?"
[Uriel]: "There...there is a price to be paid..."
[Riker]: "You gave up part of yourself, right?"  He sits, brushing the dead dirt from hands and pants.
Uriel falls to her knees.
[Uriel]: "M... more than a part..."
Francis scrabbles over to her.
Uriel sucks in a ragged breath...
Riker grits his teeth again, and staggers forward.  "The greater portion...oh, man...you can not croak on us, Uriel...I ain't gonna let it happen."
[CM]: A fine fall of dust slides from her mouth onto the grass...
[Uriel]: "You...have little choice, Alan....The decision has already been made..."
Francis wraps his arms around her, trying to will some of her energy back into her.
Riker stops, for just a moment. "Aw, no! No way, no how!" He's pushing it out, he'll freaking kiss her if he has to.
Uriel looks up at Riker, and smiles weakly.
[Uriel]: "All these millenia watching humans die for the causes they believe in...I never thought I'd get the chance to do so myself..."
[Francis]: "No..."
Uriel coughs, fine white dust spraying into the air.
Francis begins to weep, silently, his tears trickling over her shoulder.
Riker grabs her, gently. "Uh uh. Divine names don't die. C'mon, you can take some of this back...don't make me threaten to kiss you...I've got really bad breath...I've been in Hell, y'know..."  More babbling. Can't stop or he'll start crying, and where'll his Tough Guy image be then, huh?
[Francis]: "Your sacrifice will not be in vain, Bright Lady. I swear."
[Uriel]: "You're a good man Alan, and you Francis and Benny. All... all of you."
[Riker]: Ok, that does it.  He's clinging to her like she's Life itself, and hell with the Tough Guy act, he's bawling like a baby, chest hitching, hot salty tears burning his eyes.
[Uriel]: "Father?"
[CM]: And then she is gone, collapsing into Riker's arms, dissolving away into a coil of light and a fine white ash that is picked up and whirled away by the wind....

Session ends

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