WE'RE ON A MISSION FROM GOD (CRUISE, Michael)

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

(OOC This takes place Episode 2.16)

Mari felt the tension building in the room as she paced and wondered what to do with all the information crawling around in her brain. She had to share it with someone she trusted implicetly and could look to for advice. She looked at her cell phone and exhaled. She didn't want to visit Cruise because she didn't want to cramp his style but she'd called him and he'd agreed to come by. Diana was out and so was Trent and she had it on good authority they would be busy most of the day so she could discuss what she knew without too much worry of being overheard.

She paced in her coral dress and checked her reflection in the mirror. She had to get things organized but she also wanted Cruise to take her seriously. Looking frumpy would make him laugh off anything she had to say. Not that she ever looked bad, she just didn't look like she was always serious. Today she was deadly serious. She had to make sure he understood what was happening. She didn't know what his reaction might be but she hoped he wouldn't laugh at her. She loved him but some days he made her feel like a graceless clod. He had more confidence than most people.

[Michael]

Michael was squat on a ledge, kneeling on the front of his feet as he looked over the city. Any ordinary human would have fallen, but his angelic grace prevented such a thing as gravity from being a problem for him. Already, he had seen the conflict that was between Reginald, Mari and Samael. They now knew the truth about Samael, and as such, Mari was terrified at the destructive nature of her brother. Michael could have intervened. He had his chance, but it was not yet time. Mari had to know the truth, as the Almighty commanded. She had to know exactly who Samael was, and why she was chosen for this task. The only being that could reach out to Samael's mortal soul would have been her and only her.

Now that she knew, Michael honed in on his mark that he had placed upon her outer right shoulder. As long as she had it on her body, he knew where she was and how she felt. And now, she was in need of Michael's aid for something greater. As Michael felt her calling, he all but vanished from the ledge and appeared in Mari's room, silently standing behind her.

“Hello Mari.” He said in the same tone as before, when they first met, “I see that you understand the truth of things now.”

He knew that she was probably uneasy about this new revelation, that she had another brother, and that it was he, not her, that was the 13th child of Reginald. It all made sense now, and the Prophecy was all the more clearer to her now as well. “Your calling me here is a good thing. I understand that you will need my assistance in helping your friend come to understand what is going on?”

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Nearly jumping out of her skin she turned to regard the rumpled Seraphim behind her. "You need a warning sound like trumpets when you're coming to visit people." she chuckled good naturedly, "And a wardrobe change. Gotta say the reporter/detective look hasn't been in style since the last time you were on earth on 1942." she murmured softly as she brushed her hair out of her eyes, "I see why I was chosen." she nodded quietly as she folded her hands behind her.

When he remarked about Cruise she nodded, "My cousin on my mom's side is a bit of a playboy. He's not the most responsible person on the planet and its going to take more than my words to show him the truth of what I tell him. He'd probably chalk it up to the medicine I took when the doctor fixed my hands. He'll see it all as a hallucination brought on by percoset or something. Either that or a complete mental break due to suppressed trauma from Santa Clause." she gestured to a seat, "Sit back and relax. Are you thirsty?" She asked him as she made her way over to a mini fridge, "I've got Milk and juice. I can brew some coffee or tea if you like." she said as she looked at her selection, kneeling lightly in front of the mini fridge as she looked back at him. Her rooms were extensive and the house, while not as ostentatious as Reginald's still had class and taste in its styling.

Pausing a moment she grabbed the bottle she kept water in for when she traveled. Its purple metal echoing as she tapped it. The floral design was pretty and it had a dent on the bottom from when one of her cats knocked it on the floor but it was still good for keeping things cold.

[Michael]

“I...apologize if I startled you.” He said softly, his eyes to the floor for a moment before looking back up towards her, “It has been a long while since I have been on Earth, and I am still not used to making my presence known before hand.” Michael looked towards the mark that he had left upon Mari's body, and although she did not know it, he added a new ability over it, to allow Mari to know when he arrives. Such was the ability of a Seraphim. Michael looked at his clothing and tilted his head to the side. “It was a gift from a young man, who was a prophet of the Lord. The Nazis were after him, and when I laid waste upon them, he offered me these clothes. He said that people would be more thankful if I wore clothes...”

Michael looked at his clothing one more time and then closed his eyes as his clothing morphed into the first pair of clothes that he saw someone wear on the streets. “Is this better?” He asked, despite being highly unsure of what the creature that was drawn upon the modern age tunic was called.

As Mari went to explain the circumstances of her cousin to him, Michael smiled and knew that he could reach out to the man. “I will tell him that I am the Herald of the Almighty and Right Hand of the one, true God. That should convince him. I cannot lie, so that should be more than enough proof.” Even though in truth, that would probably make Michael seem far crazier in this man's eyes than Mari would, but there were other ways to convince the man as well. Michael sat down at her request, and as she asked if he needed anything to drink, he smiled and said, “Your hospitality is generous, Mari, but it is fine. As an angel, I do not need to rely on liquids or foods to survive. Regardless, your generosity is greatly appreciated and I thank you for asking.”

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"Its alright. I imagine all of this is rather new to you." she said honestly as he looked at the ground a moment. "And yes, wearing clothes is a must in society. They kind of frown on nakedness. Its just not something you see a lot of from the sane people of the world." this had to be the most surreal conversation she had ever had.

She took a drink of water and looked over at his change of clothes and tried not to spit take, "Okay, that's fine for bumming around but Marvin the martian isn't going to make my cousin take you seriously. At best he'll think you're a gamer nerd at worst...some guy I've got a crush on. Try something a little more....formal. Not high formal but business like without the rumpled look." she advised as she looked at him.

"While that works for me and I'm pretty open minded I think Cruise is going to need a little more convincing of your divine nature. Show him the wings and he'll probably believe you. Just telling him you're an angel is likely going to get him handing you a 20 and escorting you to a psychiatric ward." When he said he did not need to eat or drink she closed the fridge. "Well if you ever need a crash course in the 21st century let me know. We'll go shopping." She wondered how she was going to explain this all. It wasn't every day you took an angel shopping or even socializing. She could feel a headache forming and she massaged her temples gently. Taking a bigger swig of water she waited for Cruise to arrive. It might take him a while to untangle himself from whomever he picked up where he worked. At least that was what she thought he did most of the time not knowing of his extra curricular super guardian gig.

[Cruise Joseph Webster]

Shut the fuck up! Standing just out front of Mari's, someone chose a perfect time to drive like an idiot. As they hooned past, his ears popped slightly. Hangover's seemed to make everying surround sound right. Then the cops chased after them, blaring the sirens like their was no tomorrow and Cruise looked to the cop car, and gave him the bird as it drove off. He was in a very 'I am tired and crappy and don't give a shit mood'. He was seriously lucky he didn't get pulled up for intoxication since the amount of sleep he had got in the past twenty-four hours was around like three. But Mari needed him, and setting his mind to something besides sex and beer was probably a good thing. She was of course cryptic - classic Mari but he came anyway. How couldn't he? So turning from the distant cop car, he walked towards the house. Meeting this Diana chick at been at the bottom of today's wish list, so hopefully - no. But we will see what happens.

Getting to the front door, he wasn't going to knock because - hey, he was born on a farm! Closed doors were like smoke to him, you just had to wave past it. So he did, swinging the door open. If this whatever it was required kicking ass, he so didn't want to today. He had met a guy, three girls and a cougar in the past night, and he was worn out and sore. Regrets; only that ms feline made this cat feel like he was at movie world. Friggin' terrifying. Walking in, he managed to be able to read the house. He wasn't exactly loving light at the moment so he kept his shades on his face, but read the house. Mari was here; predictably, but having thoughts. Like for one, who was wearing a Marvin the martian? Who was hungry? A playboy! So true, but still he traced the noise to a room and walked on in. The door swinging open, he leant on the doorway as he unenthusiastically looked inside. It was Mari - and a guy. Oh Hot Damn!

"Pook, Ah'm not gunna' watch you' 'ave sex, k!". He smirked as he walked in. With a cute guy and his innocent big cousin, it just seemed too kinky to be real. But she was right, that shirt looked like it should be strapped around a child's forehead then on a dude. He gave him a kind of thumbs up. As a greeting, and to signify "Getting it in DAWG!" But then with his fun little unoptionable power, he heard he thoughts at that second. But not this guys. Looking to him, he stared at him. Clicking in his mind, he tried to read him. He had a slightly puzzeled expression behind the glasses. Oh, yeah he hated this fact. "Yeah - - Ah' can't read h'im. I kinda' hate this r'ght now". He said bluntly as he moved over next to Mari, feeling kinda uncomfortable. Finding someone he can't read like a step-by-step instruction manual should be good, but it just creeps him out intensely.

[Michael]

“Not new, but rather...rusty I suppose.” he explained, “Humans socially evolve quickly, and it is rather difficult, even for myself, to keep up with the social normality of this day and age.” He looked at the clothing once more, and then at the shirt with the drawing named, Marvin upon it. He would change it soon, once Michael thought of a decent pair of clothing to wear in this day and age.

“Perhaps it would be refreshing to be well aware of the surroundings of this day and age,” he said to Mari, looking at his clothing and thinking about what he would wear instead of this, but suddenly, her cousin came through, and spoke of fornication. Michael looked at the young man, and then back at Mari, an empty expression on his face. “I am sorry, but I am not here to fornicate with Mari. I am beyond needs of mortal lusts.” Michael listened and noticed that the young man tried to read him then.

Closing his eyes, Michael focused on a new pair of clothing to wear, and suddenly, his clothing changed once more. Placing his hands in the pockets of his new coat, he looked at the young man and then back at Mari, and back at the young man once more. “Of course you cannot read me, I am a Seraphim. My angelic powers would render most of your abilities incapable of working upon me.” He walked towards the young man, who was clearly hung over, and Michael then extended his hand. “My name is Michael, I am the Herald of the Almighty and Right Hand of the One, True God.” If the young man took his hand, the Seraphim planned to heal him of his hangover as a sign of good will. However, he still remembered what Mari told him, and Michael suddenly extended all six of his angelic wings, pure white, feathered wings that came with fiery bright highlights within the feathers.

“Mari brought you here, because she believes that you can assist in stopping a powerful threat from upsetting the Natural Order of the Universe,” Michael explained, “while I am usually one to simply work with others of my kind, any mortal assistance on earth is greatly appreciated as well.”

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"We can see about acclimating you to the social norms and customs of America." she nodded quietly then turned and blinked at Cruise before flushing, "Now hush you! He's an angel of the Lord you should not say such things." she clucked her tongue at him and proceeded to dig around in the fridge for a bottle of water. She could tell that Cruise was hurting and hugged him, "Here honey. Drink this it will help." she said quietly knowing his head was hurting because she could feel it.

Then Michael gave his identity to Cruise and she looked at her cousin with a slight smirk, "I told you it was important. We're on a mission from God, Cruise. How could I not invite you along? You're just too amazing not to invite. Besides, Michael gives me assignments and I thought that since they tend to be on a wider scale we could get a group together." She patted his arm lightly to soothe him knowing he was unsettled. Glancing at Michael she chuckled, "Well better. I suppose its more down to earth than how you met me." she said with a grin.

She sobered up and looked at Cruise, "We've got a spot of trouble we have to deal with Cruise and its not pleasant. I've been doing a little investigative work about it, but Michael is the best one to explain." She tried her best not to babble in Cruise's head not wanting to add to his misery. "Michael gave me a mark so he can keep an eye out on me in case my investigations or mission for him becomes dangerous." she showed him the tattoo on her right shoulder and smiled. "He's been getting used to earth slowly as I figure out what to do next."

[Cruise Joseph Webster]

To be honest, he was expecting something a little more awkward then this. But somehow this Michael guy was able to make Cruise sound like a douche-nozzle. They weren't planning to bang, which was ten out of rad for him because walking in on Mari getting her inner skank on was just - urgh to think about. But what the guy said, Cruise just looked at him with risen eyebrows. He was guessing that fornication meant 'sweaty sex' so he took that one, but he was a messenger of God or something. Oh, a religious type. He was amazed this guy wasn't choking on the sin surrounding Cruise with every step as Cruise looked to him, and gave him a nod. "Good t'o know". He said as he then turned towards Mari and gave her a half smile. But it was hard to take things, anything, seriously when your state of mind is as messed up as mac n' cheese. "Ah' am sorr'y, Ah' must 'ave miss'd tha' sign!". He joked as he then took his jacket off, swung it over the counter and leant against the counter rubbing his left temple with his fingers.

With a bottle of cold water in his hand, he should drink it but his back hurt too much. A small cut just bellow the shoulder blade, so he decided to put it against it. It was cold, and kind of chilly but it made it feel a bit better. But he couldn't get a read off of him. He wasn't exactly sure what angel meant because this one must be hiding their halo, but he just clearly stated that his powers stopped his. Intimidating much? He just nodded, before he decided to introduce himself. "Ah'm jus' puttin' out there, that Sera-whatever word, sounds l'ke a date-rape drug. Ah' - Lurve - I't". He chuckled slightly, but then the loud noise hurt his head so he stopped. The angel-dude introduced himself, and it was very 'rightous and stuff so Cruise gave him a smile and walked over to take his hand. "An'd Ah'm Cruise, tha' Seba Mau of tha' Egyptian Bitchy Speed-dialer". He joked but felt his hand.

At first he was kind of freaked out as he pulled off his glasses and looked down at his hand. It was tingling, and he didn't like it. "What are yo'u doin'?". He asked, but then felt it. A surge of energy go through him as he looked to the hand. He felt the wound on his back heal from the night before. His head was clearing like someone stuck a vacuum in their, and he shook his head slightly. He was feeling - awesome. Awake, alert and chilled. Wow, what a rush. He let go as he looked to Michael, trying to smile slightly but kind of amazed really. Um, thanks". He said quietly as he stepped back further, looking to Mari for a second before the slightly serious Cruise came out, and he only had to sit back and listen. A mission from God? Okay, obviously Michael was some kind of angel or something, but it seemed to sereal. Cruise hadn't really grown up around prayer or religion, more or less he didn't believe in god most of his life. But now it was getting thrown down on the table to him. Maybe Adam and Eve weren't just a metaphor anymore, maybe this shit was real. He wasn't snide, or sarcastic or stupid. With arms crossed and his shades up on his head, he looked to Mari as she suggested. A group. What, like a bunch of people working together for - god? Some holy vigilante squad?

"Ah'kay, I get i't. Bu'h how a're we gonna get a group tog'ether? Ah' mean, do you' know of anyone wh'o would be able to cut it?". He asked. It seemed kinda rusty, and vague. Some big evil stomping of LA and they had to stop it. He didn't know how, or why or even what to do, but they had to think this out. Thumbs up to Michael giving him a supernatural no-dos. "An'd even if we ca'n get a group, ca'n we really do this?". He asked Mari. He wasn't doubting her, or Michael, or himself. But what they were talking about wasn't 'Let's kill this vamp'. It was 'let's change our lives forever' and who could they ask to make this compromise. But on a lighter not as Cruise leant his back against the counter with his arms crossed, he then looked to Michael. "Before we do' any'thang, Ah'm taking this one' to tha' mall for some' new digs. Ah' don't give ah shit for objections". He gave Michael a teasing grin, and then got back into the wing of things. If Michael was going to be working with them, he had to get used to Cruise. And Cruise had to admit, it would be fun trying to get Michael into the swing of things, and messing with his head now and again. But this was good; purpose like. Who knows - maybe it is exactly what Cruise needed.

[Michael]

Michael smiled at Cruise after he gave his gratitude for Michael healing him. It was the least Michael could do for the clearly hungover, and possibly-still inebriated man. It was something of a sort of seriousness that Michael needed to make aware of. The last time he had to heal someone of being drunk, it was to convince them to build an Ark. “But to answer your question, I am the first of the Seraphim, the highest of ranking angels in the Heavenly Host. I am a warrior of the Almighty, the everlasting God, and I am here to prevent a half demon from sending the Natural Order into chaos.”

As Cruise spoke his doubts, Michael listened closely before turning to Mari, reading her emotions over this. Michael had yet to explain in full detail, the reason that he was here. “If you wish to clothe me, then that is fine, this is merely an extension of my true form on Earth, and whatever it takes to blend in, in order for me to catch the target in question will be greatly appreciated,” Michael said to Cruise plainly, “however, before even that, you must know what cause you are joining, and exactly how much of a threat on your life it could be.”

Michael took a step towards a window as his wings seemingly disappeared behind his back. Looking out the window, he knew that he had to act fast, and while he always worked alone, Mari's idea of assistance was none the less a good idea. However, there would be more of Michael's kind arriving in the events to come. The longer Samael remained on Earth, the more dangerous he became to the Grand Design. “There is a half demon out there,” he explained, “coincidentally, he is Reginald's 13th child, and Mari's older half brother. His name is Samael, and he was conceived through a ritual between Reginald and a powerful demoness named Lilith. When Samael found out the truth of his origins, he murdered his stepfather, a powerful Lord of Hell, and was exiled to Earth by his mother. He wants to return to Hell to rule over the Fifth Sphere of Hell, which is Anger. However, what he has yet to realize, is that the fact that he is Reginald's 13th child already grants him a vast amount of power, due to the Prophecy that is centered around him. If he were to murder his father, he would lose his mortal soul, and become a full blooded demon, and armed with a power to rival Lucifer's. But there is more to it. The Universe works on a series of principals, and one of them is that nobody of Perdition origin can rival the First of the Fallen in power. If Samael succeeds, his very existence will unsettle the Natural Order of the Universe. Eventually, it will tear the very cosmos apart.”

Michael turned around to face them both again, and sighed. “I cannot allow my Father's will to be undone on this Earth,” he explained, “I have come to Earth many times before to set right the wrong. As with the Flood, Sodom And Gomorrah, Egypt with the Plagues. This is just another upset to the Balance that I must fix. You are free to walk away from this Cruise, but also, you are welcome to join me as well. I will not hold any spite against you if you shall refuse.”

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Mari pulled a chair over and sat down, if for no other reason than because there was a lot to consider yet. She felt the seriousness of the task before her. She had to set this right even if she wasn't responsible for it. It wasn't like anyone else could be expected to do it, but she wanted help. She didn't have the ability to pick up on the whispers of where Samael might be much less keep her father safe. He was becoming unstable and it was obvious by the fact that he abandoned her to Samael to keep his own hide safe. In his saner moments he never would have done such a thing.

She listened to Michael speak and she frowned. This was far graver than she had been led to believe. She supposed it made sense given that he had to let her learn for herself what was going on. But this was Cruise's decision to make and it wasn't for her to push him one way or the other.

"I've got the paperwork started for the Seraphim Foundation, its what will fund my idea. It will legitimately help missing and exploited children. I'll be checking to see it does what the mandates I set down are, but the deeper reason for it will be to fund our organization. Gear and suits, a paycheck for members and medical as well as any other needs that may crop up. I've got a friend who is a healer and you but I was thinking we might look for others that are in the city that could assist us with our plans. I'll be working with the police so that our deeper mission doesn't clash or raise red flags. One of the members of the force is a good werewolf named Darryl Carter. He may be willing to assist us and I am pretty sure his partner Mike Corbett will be happy to check on leads for us but beyond that...Trenton would probably help if I asked I mean he's got his mark on my neck so he's got a vested interest in keeping me out of trouble. I know another werewolf named Zach Cartel who may be willing to help once his curse has settled out. He just got bit last month so he's still new to everything supernatural. Beyond that? We shop around, keep our ear to the ground and see who is able to help. I know the Lovelace family will probably help out. The head of the family is my God Father after all. Beyond that we just keep an eye out. Maybe Michael can help us find folks in need of a purpose too." she passed him the paperwork she was writing up so he could see it.

"I think we can do anything with God on our side, Cruise. But then I've also had time to think this over and for me, its a chance to do something for the world that isn't about me. Its a purpose I can believe in. Its a just purpose; its not just for a short term jaunt. It gives my life meaning. I've spent years seeing just how bad humans and demons can be to each other. It would be good to balance the scales at least a little bit." she stated her reasons for her decision but left the final call to him.

[Cruise Joseph Webster]

Sure, this guy knew how to talk himself up as an inspiring bringer of good and all that crap, God and rightousness and the whole shabang, but what had to tell was kind of captivating. Whoever this Samael guy was, he was bad news. And it wasn't the usual demon wanting to kill people thing, he had his agenda. But also a series of events that he could put forwards the possibly ruin the world as they know it. Arms crossed and stairing at Michael, he heard what it was to the world that this guy was stopped. Wings and superior attitude aside, Michael wanted to fix this. For his own reasons, but when you think about it the three of them all had the same desire; to save the world. Sure, Cruise is arrogant, pig-headed, a slut, stuck-up and selfish but he knew he was good at heart. He just didn't like the show it. If he said anything, it would be snide, so he bit his tongue as he looked intensely at the guy before him. Or Angel. Or whatever. Even though he tried to not put pressure on Cruise, he felt it. It was a situation where he was kind of subjected to having to do this. Not like he didn't want to, but to be honest, he liked this world. The people, the drinks, the trucks and the kicking-ass potential. Yeah, he didn't want the world to be spun-apart yet. "Well that's a' gewd thang' than I guess. Coz Ah'm not refusing". He smiled, a smile of respect towards the angel. This - was actually a good plan, but it needed work. Luckily for them, Mari was already on that.

Taking the sheets, he looked at it as Mari explained in detail. Good thing with Mari, she made having to listen to her thoughts redundant because she definitely knew what she was talking about. It was a really good idea, from what Cruise could understand of it. Having the foundation, which as a good thing itself would help finance this operation. Suits, weapons, equipment. It was kind of exciting. Not to mention additional pay. Just because he will be God's little toy soldier doesn't mean he will be giving up on LA Fever, or his social life for one. It was workable, but the issue was still arized on who the hell in their right mind would do this with them. You had Mari; the brains and Cruise; the studly muscle. Not to mention the angel who is crusading this whole thing. But they needed more. There was one person, one light that shone so bright and so dark all at the same time. It sounds cheesy, but he saved him from a troll gang from down town, and he was powerful. And strong. And kinda cute. Their were associates that Mari was listing, like cops and other people, but they needed - agents he guessed. People to do the dirty work, and with an exception of the healer, but he had an idea. But Mari wanted to put her point forward, on why she herself should do it, and why they should follow through on this. After it, his hand fell on her hand as he smiled at her. "Ah' agree". He gave her a grin, and then looked back to them; meaning both of them.

"Ah'm not what you' would cawl - reliable. Ah' don't do any'thang unless their i's some'thang in it fo'r me. Ah' score wi'th people, a'nd partay every n'ght to make thangs' seem normal. Bu'h they aren't. Ah' know ah' h'ave a destiny, or a purpose. To h'elp people, n'd save them fro'm tha' badguys. Bu'h I haven't done it properly. Ah' have put mah'self before others for too l'ong, n'd it's not r'ght. Bu'h this, wha' you are talkin' about, it's real. Ah' might dah', Ah'm not goin' to convince mah'self tha' tha's not true guys, Ah' know it m'ght happen. Buh' let's kick some son'a bitches back to hell bef'ore tha' happens". He gave them a smile as he sat the sheets on the counter and let out a long sigh. Back to business - no more of this sappy bullshit. "Ah' know who we c'an recruit. Ah' read this g'ah at LA Fever a' few n'ghts ago. His name w'as Everette Evans, he i's a witch 'nd more powerful tha'n any'thang Ah' have ever seen bef'ore. Ah' read in h'im tha' his brother dah'd, and was possessed o'r some'thang. Buh', he saved meh' when it p'ut his own lah'fe in tha' balance. Ah' gawt his n'umber i'f Ah' ever need any'thang, buh' we need someone lah'ke that on our team if we a're gonna' get thi's guy". He told them strongly, and determinedly as he looked from Mari to Michael. Ev wasn't just lost from his brother's death, but was just like them. Searching for purpose, and a way to save the world. Ev was their best bet to do this, and Cruise felt strongly about it.

[Michael]

Michael listened to what Mari had to say about this group that was to be formed. She truly believed in doing God's work by helping others in need. But did she truly realize that once Michael's mission was complete, he would have to return to Heaven? Granted, Michael loved this world. He loved it, and everyone within it, but Michael's own design was simply to keep the Natural Order in check, and that meant performing only the missions that God commanded of him. Perhaps this was more to the reason that God chose Mari, over others to assist in finding and taking down Samael. As these mortals normally say, “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” Even for a Seraphim, whose very existence was based upon serving his God, while having one wing dipped in the blood those he has smited over the ages.

After Cruise announced that he was with Michael, and his crusade to balance the Natural Order, he nodded respectfully to the young man. “You will be a valuable brother to this cause.” he insisted, “Thank you.”

Michael listened to what Cruise had to say further, and Michael understood Cruise's hedonistic nature. It would not have surprised Michael if Cruise thought that the Seraphim would judge him too. Perhaps someday, his sins would be accounted for, but in all actuality, they were fewer than Cruise, himself would actually believe. Contrary to popular belief, the mortal bible got more wrong than it did right. While Michael wanted to set the wrong things right, the bible was inevitably left alone, because of God commanding it. In the Almighty's very words, “They will get it right in the end.” It was all Michael needed to hear from the Heavenly Father, to trust that humans would one day be fully redeemed from not sin, but ignorance of the true word of God. “Whether anyone dies at Samael's hands, know that salvation has been given to you for assisting in a noble cause.” Michael affirmed to both Cruise and Mari.

Cruise mentioned a man by the name of Everette, someone that Michael had full knowledge of. He was a witch, and member of a coven at the college that the mortals attend. Michael never specifically spoke to Everette, but he knew who the man was. “Seek him out.” Michael said then, but before he could say more, his eyes shot forward, as if someone was talking to him. “I must go.” he said suddenly, “I must receive Revelation, but I will return when the group has been gathered. Be well Mari, Cruise.”

Michael walked towards the window, looking out it before stepping over the ledge and lightly leaping out before his wings expanded and he flew into the night skies, a single feather flying from his wing and back into the room where Mari and Cruise were.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Sitting back, Mari listened to her cousin as he spoke about his need to do something that wasn't about him. She kept her thoughts quiet to let him speak without distraction before she rose gently and hugged him, "Thank you, honey You're the best cousin a girl could have." and she meant it. Even with all his flaws Mari loved CJ because he was real. He felt it, he said it. There was no double standard with him.

Looking at Cruise she nodded, "I trust your judgement, Cos. If you think he'd be a good fit I say go for it. I might see if my friend Claire is willing to lend her abilities to the cause. She's a witch as well but I know witches can augment their power when there is more than one of them in a group. If you can think of anyone else let me know. I know with your gifts you're pretty good at vetting out folks that aren't cut out for things. She looked back at Michael, "We'll do our best to get this set up as soon as possible. I'm sure you'll know about it." she chuckled softly as she waved to him, "We're fine. You've got more important things to do."

After Michael had flown away she let her shoulders relax before she slipped back to a chair and flopped into it. "And I thought that my life was complicated before." she was still recovering from the Battle of the Bands and that awkward feeling that things had changed drastically with Eli's record contract. She just felt the weight of the world on her shoulders and this wasn't accounting for running into Philip. "I just found out Philip came into town, CJ. This is going to make things a bit more...complex." she knew CJ hadn't liked him and he had been one of the reason's Mari had been working on leaving him before she'd gotten drugged and brought back to California. When her cousin spoke, she listened. Being what he was, she knew he wouldn't steer her wrong. She downed her water like it was a lifeline, trying to process everything and not feel overwhelmed with the enormity of it all.