Rapture - The Slow Fall

by Uros Osium

With the truth of Extermination brought to bear the youngest Seraphim makes a choice; if her sister thinks Sinners and the overpopulation in Hell is a danger, then let's solve it. She concocts a plan in record time through desperation and hope. But said plan is mostly good intentions and a wish. And we all know where good intentions lead...

9. Chapter VI (I)

Chapter VI- Part I

Is anyone surprised to see another two parter? No? Good, you are learning. And me? I am UN-learning, because I cannot keep myself fucking contained. But let's ignore the elephant in the room, and it is not my fat ass here. This chapter was meant to be, and is, one with two main scenes.

As promised, this chapter will have Emily meeting Jack's best (and technically only real) friends. By and large this was meant to be a lighthearted chapter with a few silly bits and little else. Though there WAS meant to be a secondary scene, of course, NOT VERY LONG, that detailed Lucifer fucking up as he was going to go behind Charlie's back with a particular plan and then leave it at that; a bit of drama as it were.

Since I altered the original plan (The one I had when I first made this idea, not when I started writing it) as the idea of the story evolved, that scene is now a second part for this chapter and it is motherfuckingly huge. Roughly around 5 times its original size, much more serious and, in a way, convenient. It serves to explain a few decisions I made with things, give more lore and backstory, and make it clear that there'll be more plans working in the background. It also has a mix of an A/N and a rant at the end of that second part.

Also, thanks to a few happenings in Real Life, I will have to delay Ouroboros' update until next month. Why? Reasons - Sister is going away for a month, we have been doing leftover shit for a while and I have fucked up in a few places, so I didn't have all the time I wanted. That is to say: I am going to focus on Ouroboros for next month if something else comes up. If there is no update for Rapture, you know time constrains fucked me up (Plus, since I will not update Ouroboros this month as I wanted, I will try for two chapters, not PARTS, for next. Let's see if I can do it). If Ouroboros' plans are done, then I'll get to Rapture and, HOPEFULLY, have Chapter VII done. No promises tho.

Now that all is done, the gears are turning as always. So I offer you guys this.

*** Into the Story ***

A new day brought many interesting things to most people. For Emily? It brought new feelings.

Tiredness was, surprisingly, what came first.

She had… never really felt tired? She had also never woken up to a messy bed head. The angel had always enjoyed a perfectly well rested and clean morning. Today? Today not only was her hair messy, but her six wings had partially damaged feathers (that, yes, recovered themselves the moment she stretched her wings), her garments, while holy and made by angels, were a total mess and caked in sweat. It was summer, so a normal person would've expected that. Besides, she was now in… Where had Sarah said they were in the U.S? Oh! Michigan, yes. She said that it was not the worst place, but heat would be a thing for sure.

Not that Emily had ever thought getting up to disgust was a thing she'd experience. The young Seraphim was definitely not enthused with this new feeling of being sweaty, uncomfortable and, more to the point.

Pain.

Did you really think broken feathers felt like nothing? Oh, sure, for some creatures it wouldn't. But here is the kicker: Angels aren't most creatures. To them every part of their being, sometimes eves, were inherently tied and permanent to their core. Even cutting a strand of hair, unless done properly, would accrue a good deal of discomfort. Angels, after all, aren't meant to change.

Now, let's be clear: Pain wasn't what angels felt. This had been explained to a certain Princess of Hell not long ago. But there was one clear distinction to make - Angels on Earth DO feel pain.

A simple understanding is easy to come by when you get the basic modus operandy of Heaven's interference with the living. The biggest thing to be aware of? Angels are meant to not be noticed, or at least that was the plan back in the day. While things had changed in one way, they hadn't when it came to many others. As such angels, while not needing food, rest and many other regular pleasures and needs of the flesh, would get hungry, tired and even feel almost a perfect replica of pain or pleasure while on Earth af ter a short period of time. Generally a few hours were enough for their heavenly bodies to 'lose' a part of their blessings and become semi-mortal. Not to the point of being in danger most of the time (much less for stronger angels), but enough so they'd be able to pass for humans with all the bodily functions and limitations that came down with mortality.

Not that they could die. Much like a Sinner, they'd pop back into Heaven if something went awry. They didn't need to die, just get 'hurt' enough and they'd leave. Of course angels were still angels, and if violence was a must, even a Cherub could easily overpower a human in a fair fight (Now, if you got them by surprise…), at least if they were somewhat trained for combat.

But back to Emily's pain.

The wings getting everything back into place was somewhat painful. For an angel with experience it would really be little more than an itch, or a sore muscle. For Emily? It was the first real pain in, well, ever. She cringed and let out a silent, small scream, for she was still more than capable to endure it after all. Her undergarments giving her a massive, uncomfortable wedgie that was rubbing her privates in the most uncomfortable way? NOW that was far worse. It was as if someone had pinched a very sensitive part between her legs, then twisted, hard.

Let me tell you: Angelic nightwear? Beautiful and forever clean, in heaven. On Earth or Hell? The most uncomfortable, over designed bullshit you have ever seen. If you didn't get a rash all over your unmentionables, then you'd be lucky as fuck.

Right now Emily was feeling very unlucky.

"FFFFFFFffiddlestickssssss."

The fact that she had been so close to cursing probably should tell you more than enough.

Now, the feeling was far from pleasant, let me tell you. A normal human would be feeling that for a few minutes, not gonna lie. But anyone somewhat used to pain would get up and walk it off, unless they were a complete pansy. It wouldn't make the one doing it happy at all, after all that kind of feeling is better lived through by NOT going through it, or waiting until it stops, but in a foreign home that wouldn't be very nice at all. Emily? She just used a minuscule amount of power to make the pain go away.

It still told her that she had spent long enough to need to be careful. Also: She needed to get used to a level of sensing things similar to humans when it came to her body.

Such things came with perks though. Yesterday Emily hadn't really been able to enjoy dinner. It hadn't been grand at all, she knew, but it had been new. Now that she was here, now that she was speaking with both the living and Sinners, now that she spent time with Lucifer, Charlie and many more, Emily was HUNGRY for all knowledge she could gain. She was also suddenly tired of the same thing day after day. Ambrosia and other delights sounded good on paper, and they were. But now that she had the chance of tasting and enjoying other food, watching things forbidden in Heaven, and learning of anything Sera found to be beneath them or just plain menial?

Yes, Emily was hungry for so many things. And now? Now she could experience the good AND the bad. It was just fitting for someone willing to go through so much to help. You cannot help what you cannot understand, and living in someone else's shoes, even if it wasn't in full, would indeed help her in the long run. She was sure of it.

… She hoped she was right.

In any case, Emily felt a strange joy on her disgustingly abnormal morning which, for anyone else, would've been simply normal. It meant she was still on Earth, that no one had collected her to pry her away from her attempts at helping and that, yes, she would remain here and do her part for as long as she could. Sarah Mayberry would end up in Heaven and more souls would soon follow!

That is when Emily realized something else that came along with the territory. A 'simulacra' of mortality she may be under, but it did not mean just the sense of taste or regular old nervous impulses and stimuli. It also had other bodily functions, like the need to eat or suffer (not die, at least not for the Seraphim and most regular and powerful angers), and the need to cleanse oneself from what waste the body produced. That was why Emily was sweating after all.

And now she needed to do something else.

"... I need to pee."

Not everything can be positive. And Emily did not particularly enjoy using her knowledge on how to use the bathroom.

At least she 'dressed herself' with a flick of her power before leaving her room, otherwise she would've flashed Jack with what little her night clothes hid her from view. That thought alone made her flush golden while in private, barely having had enough self control to return a 'hello' to the young man.

Was this going to be so awkward when Jack's friends arrived?

*** Green Leaves City - State of Michigan ***

Dom did not like Summer. It was hot, it made him sweat at all times and there were always far too many people around.

Most people would think someone like Dom would love that kind of thing. He had the body for it. The mind? Not so much, no.

Dominic Hardman was a musclebound beast at first glance; a huge, titan of a man, if not to the point of obscenity. Imagine one of the top bodybuilders of the world, then downsize him, just a tiny bit. Dom was almost, almost, two meters tall, his back was huge, his muscles rippling, this not only gave him an absurd psyche, but also sharp features that, thanks to his imposing figure, hadn't been marked by anything other than his own clumsiness, which had left barely a dent in his sculpted body.

Chestnut hair, short, messy and impossible to tame. Chocolate eyes, nervous and always focusing on whatever he found important. Short, stubby nose, allergic to pollen, his sneezes could probably break down a wall. No facial hair (Because he utterly hated it and cut it down every time he had the chance) and a general handsome appearance were all on top of the muscular young man. It was a sight to behold in a way; Dominic was always on someone's line of sight no matter what he tried.

Which probably had to do with something like his Pikmin shirt, crocs or those spongebob pants.

… I never said he had good taste.

In general his clothes were all like that: All nerd shit. Similar was his room, full of collectibles, miniatures, games, books, comics and more. He was, unapologetically, a massive honking nerd. Always was, always would be. The mix of his appearance, his clothes, and how silent he was usually made people think something was wrong with him, generally giving him what he wanted: Solitude.

He was an introvert, a solitary person that worked with very few others and preferred to be alone, doing nothing, for as long as he could.

This classed with his other quirk: He hated having things he did not earn. His laziness fought against his desire to prove that, all he had, he had worked for. The only reason Dom was tanned and had a most handsome complexion on top of it all, was the self imposed hour or two he spent every day exercising with Jack at the gym. Gaining strength purely thanks to his condition felt like a cheat, even if he hated being outside or around other people for too long.

His adopted brother, Lucien Doux, was, in many ways, his polar opposite.

At first glance you'd think you were in front of a very delicate woman. Let me tell you: Appearances can be deceiving.

Oh, Lucien was delicate alright. Physically speaking he was close to one meter and a half. Really, he was 1.53, which in feet just barely but it above flat 5. His build was very thin, fiery red hair long as to nearly touch his ass, with a pointy, but delicate nose, feminine features, soft, peach colored skin that burned easily and eyes the color of the sea, topping it off with prominent lips and his face usually carrying a calm smile. You'd be forgiven indeed if you thought you found a petite woman with no chest to her name.

That is until Lucien started speaking.

Don't let anyone lie to you about him though: He sounded pleasant and womanly enough, more than that even! He had this tone of voice that made him sound down to fuck at nearly all times. He even wore feminine clothing, usually cute shirts and skirts, like the schoolgirl uniform he was wearing today. Dresses were also a thing and, much like today, heels were almost mandatory with how much effort he put on learning how to walk with those damn things. He was a damn trap in every sense of the word, but never led anyone on beyond the first encounter and a laugh.

THAT was the thing: Lucien was a massive troll, an asshole and rarely became serious when flirting with someone that didn't know 'his little secret'. After that? He became a dick, and sometimes a vitriolic friend, but he rarely, if ever, lied, was very loyal and, surprisingly, very manly in his way of acting when he wasn't trying to keep up an act. Though usually his understanding of 'manly' boiled down to being up for a fight and banter that included a metric ton of ribbing.

See, Lucien was also extremely aggressive, foul-mouthed, extroverted and had so little patience for people with no sense of humor or thin skin that a feather's weight would crack it. Of course that is to say: Lucien had no patience with people he didn't like. Growing up as a very effeminate boy made things anything but easy, even having Dominic around only made it worse. Considering that, yes, Lucien liked boys AND girls, the ribbing got a lot worse before it got better. Lucien grew up a very thick skin, and he did not appreciate people that could get hurt by, say, confusing them for the opposite sex. It just grinded his gears. Otherwise? He was the most patient guy you could ever find.

That said, Lucien was still a man, and men, in general, tend to be a lot more aggressive than women. Appearance and sturdiness wise, as Lucien's bones were, sadly, very brittle, all thanks to his biological parents' meddling, the more violence prone side of his had a less than usual outlet, and with that I don't mean his sharp tongue. That did not mean Lucien couldn't defend himself. He learned very quickly that a straight up confrontation would get him very hurt very quickly. That is why he became what he is today.

A dancer.

In a sense Lucien's persona was a whole act. His looks were disarming to many, even in a fight. Just enough of a distraction and you had Lucien dancing, jumping and, very quickly, hitting you where it hurts. Not to say anything about the fact that, while he disliked guns, Lucien had learned very early that carrying a weapon around was never a bad idea. Small blades? Usually laughed at when someone had a gun. But if you are agile enough, and have enough reflexes, to outwit and outmaneuver an opponent without enough brain cells to rub together? Then you end up calling someone to pick them up once you are done and the opposite party is still wondering why they are so beat up and how they didn't manage to hit you.

If Dominic hadn't crushed said idiot against the pavement or Jack hadn't smashed their bones inwards.

Let's just say that none of their parents had ever been told about some of the stupidest things they did as teens. Having a friend in the police department made some things pretty easy. And that guy could give Moses Hightower a run for his money too!

Ignoring the local law enforcement. In a way the trio made almost a perfect little party. Dominic was the huge, generally unassuming and shy muscle, while also having the biggest brains around. Jack was the middleman capable of doing things time and time again, no matter the tediousness or repetition, until it got done to near perfection. Lucien, for his part, took position as the face with a charming silver tongue and a bite just as bad, if not worse, than his bark.

Which is why the two bros knew something was wrong the moment Dominic got a call from Jack last night. That is why they weren't exactly taking their time as they walked down the suburban area to visit their friend.

"You are talking less than usual." Lucien began. The soft, womanly voice having a raspy undertone, much like every time he was nervous or agitated. "Care to share?"

"I think he tried to do something stupid." Dominic was quick and to the point. "You heard what mom said. Ulises got to him."

Lucien didn't stop walking, but there was a small stumble. "I don't think Ulises would've said anything that got to Jack, Dom."

"It is not what he could say. It is what Jack has been going through."

Lucien didn't let it show, but he was frowning on the inside.

After Sarah's death Jack had done his best to remain the same, but come on. Who would ever think he didn't need at least some help? The stubborn mule didn't allow anyone in to help, though, his usually nice and generally affable nature superseded by the generally hidden sadness that always had far too easy a time messing with Jack's mind.

To call it frustrating wouldn't even begin to scratch what Lucien felt about the whole ordeal. Sarah didn't deserve to die for what she did, and considering her mental health issues Lucien was sure that the law would've been at least somewhat lenient with her. Add to this the fact that everyone knew her ex husband had been a massive piece of shit before he got the exact reward he deserved for being a cheating piece of shit, and at least the people of the city would've been a bit better to Jack if nothing else. But killing herself? That only added fuel to the flame and a lot of people focused on hating not the still living, but incarcerated Sarah, but on the sole surviving member of Sarah's family (outside of a medical ward) with also known mental issues.

Lucien hadn't had the best start to life ever, and people were assholes to him on the regular (some of the time because he was a bit of a dick, granted), but holy fuck did Jack win the lottery when it came to being an unlucky son of a bitch. AThat he hadn't done anything stupid YET was, much as Lucien wanted to say otherwise, a miracle.

So, in all fairness, Dom had no problem saying what he felt and Lucien wouldn't be able to fire back because both brothers knew the possibility was much greater than 0.

"Besides, I am sure you felt it too." Dom added, knowing full well his brother would just groan in response.

Lucien did, in fact, groan as if done with this beforehand. "Don't you start. I had enough of this yesterday when you barged into my room asking me if I had 'felt that dreary aura fall over the suburbs'." He let out a little snort at the memory. "Dad thought you had gone crazy or something."

"But I felt it." Dom grumbled under his voice. "Something weird happened yesterday."

"The weirdest thing to ever happen with you around is the times you drag me to one of Verosika's concerts." Lucien deadpanned as he made a full stop to face his brother.

For an introvert, and a fan of classical games, specifically turn based RPGs and strategy games, hating on most modern shit, Dom loved Verosika Mayday. Was it her music or the figure? A fair question if you saw the woman. She had a beautiful voice, both singing and just by default, and generally she was fun to be around. Hell, Lucien didn't complain about his brother's escapades because almost every time Verosika had a concert close to Michigan, so once or twice a year at the very least, Lucien got lucky. A LOT.

That didn't mean he would ignore his brother's fixation with this, though. "You always say it is because 'there is something there'. I still don't know if you like the woman or have this silly thing of yours guiding your attention, but I'd prefer if you were interested in a slightly more achievable woman to focus on."

Dom frowned but said nothing. This wasn't a fight, or even calling him out, he knew. Lucien was just worried about him.

"Look, I don't want to badger you with this. I am just stressed too, okay? I DO want to know what is going on with Jack, and having you talking about this strange feeling is not helping. I don't want to be a dick, it is just how it is." Which, fair. Dom would admit the topic wasn't going to help much, other than to unnerve Lucien. But Lucien was not a bad brother, so he offered a clear out. "So how about we go see how he is doing, punch some common sense into him to not give us a call and just fuck off without explaining what is going on?"

That made Dom smile. Not that they were going to hit their friend, but Lucien did his best to always get his friends to break a smile or bark a laugh. It didn't always work, and Lucien was a crude son of a gun that sometimes made situations worse, but he had a big heart.

Dom was about to start moving when that feeling got to him again. His smile almost evaporated as his eyes darted around.

It was close.

There was a few people around; joggers, mothers with their children, a few people enjoying the sun on their porches or backyards. Most of them Dom recognized from sight alone if nothing else, and a good many of them threw him dirty looks. Being associated with Jack did have its negatives after all, not that the trio gave a fuck before or after Sarah's event. But, more importantly, none of them were making Dom's hair stand on end.

At least until he saw a young goth woman walking their way.

Lucien didn't allow Dom to stay put; he grabbed his brother's hand and forced Dominic to keep moving. But this did not deter Dom and his laser guided curiosity that was trying to determine this 'feeling' he was being assaulted with. It was similar to the first time he heard Verosika's music, but different. Even in person Verosika had given off 'something', while the woman he saw had a different 'ring' to what Dominic could feel.

The woman was not that unusual. Green Leaves City was usually called one of the most boring cities in Michigan for a good reason; it wasn't too big, it didn't have the greatest and most diverse forms of entertainment, and the most influential and interesting attraction, if you want to call it that, was its massive suburban area and beautiful, lonely houses all over the forested area as well as the few small lakes. There was a reason why, if ever mentioned, Green Leaves was usually just called 'G.L City', because it barely ever left a mark.

Still, for as boring and 'common' as the city was, the girl Dominic saw wouldn't call much attention to her. Well, over at the city proper at least. Here? Usually she'd be the focus of many eyes if Dom himself wasn't more of an attention grabbing fixture. Though he was that in every picture he was in, if only because his sense of fashion was the closest to nonexistent you could ever get.

But what could he say about this woman? Well, for one she had that side shaved hairdo (gray colored by the way) that the trio had gotten oh so tired of seeing in modern games and movies, to the point of making Lucien, still walking at his side, sneer in disgust. Not the woman's fault, Dom knew, but there were some things so overused these days that they just pissed you off by proxy. The rest of her attire? As expected; black lipstick, choker, a good number of piercings on her ears, tattered grey, off-the-shoulder crop-top is held up at the neckline by a series of criss cross spaghetti-straps that form an inverted pentagram with an equally tattered pair of shorts to go with it. Black thigh-high socks and high-top sneakers, plus fingerlings gloves, also black, of course, completed the picture.

Oh, and red eyes. Probably contacts. But since the 'feeling' got stronger the closer they got, like what happened when he got closer to Verosika for her signature that one time, Dom wasn't fully sure what to make of it. The eyes are the windows to the soul, some'd say.

Other than that, the woman didn't seem to give a shit about anything as she watched something on her phone.

Dom couldn't help but overhear what the goth chick was listening too. Either her wireless headphones were out of battery and she hadn't noticed, she had deactivated them, or she just had them on to make it look like she wasn't paying attention to anything and anyone, all of those options could work and give her a quick rebuttal to any question he tried to make as an opening to get her attention. Dom was socially inept, not stupid after all.

Still, he knew she was watching something he knew of. The short video was one he had seen before, with Jack and his brother, as he heard Fortunate Son, Apocalypse Now.

Then, the 'Lorax' spoke.

"I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees, and for some fucking reason, they are speaking Vietmanese."

The goth chick let out a guffaw as Dom and Lucien passed by her.

Lucien was trying to hold his laughter in while Dominic looking cross eyed for a second. That wasn't what he had expected of the goth, but then again, there was something strange there and he wasn't going to get involved in whatever it could be.

Had either of them looked back they would've noticed the woman turning her head and sniffing the air with curiosity. Sure, she was anything but inconspicuous, but since no one gave a shit about her, most of the locals going their own way or leering at the duo walking away, she used the inherent uncaring nature of the locals to make sure she wasn't mistaken. Indeed, she managed to get a wiff of something curious. This made her pause her entertainment and get back to recording the place, she had walked far enough from her last spot after all.

The two brothers just kept walking, ignoring the fact that a disguised hellborn had taken notice of them for later.

"Fuck was that about?" Not that Lucien ignored his brother's laser guided focus. "You don't stare at women. Or at all."

"I just… got that feeling again." Dom replied lamely. It was surprising how chastised he looked.

Lucien just let out a sigh as he patted his brother's back. "Don't worry big guy. Just focus on Jack right now, okay? Nothing else should matter now."

Unfortunately for everyone involved, now that they were very close to Jack's house, Dom did just that.

Because the previous feeling grew tenfold, then a hundred times. Dominic felt about to hurl, it was THAT intense.

"Hey!" Lucien noticed this only after Dominic had stopped for a few steps. He found Dom basically kneeling a house away from Jack's place. "What is wrong, big guy?"

Dom, for his part, was unable to talk. This had never hit him so hard. The hardest ever had been during one of the most hectic concerts with Verosika, and that had been a mix of his social anxiety and 'whatever' Verosika did to make him feel what he did. It had been a day where, instead of going to face the pop star again, as he had done for years now, since he was a teen, he spent most of the concert hurling somewhere. It was so bad that Verosika herself came to see if he was okay.

Dom would be lying if he said he hadn't felt touched that day. Verosika was not his hero or most favorite artist, not even close. Dom was there out of curiosity and all… But he'd be a lying sack of shit if he said he hadn't, over the years, developed a bit of a crush. And that Verosika remembered him well enough to ask if he was alright, by name?

Perhaps the posters of the woman in his room appeared just after that day. Perhaps after that he began seeing the woman in a much different light. Again, perhaps.

He would admit to nothing.

Having Lucien helping him to his feet before he lost his breakfast was nowhere near as satisfying. More so because Dom was now looking at Jack's home with fear quickly filling his mind and clear on his face. He didn't even get to say a thing to Lucien.

"You… are not alright." Lucien spoke with his own worry clear. "What is going on?"

"Th-."

Dom didn't get to say much, mostly because he forced the vile down instead of trying to explain. A sensible option, sure, but it didn't exactly do what Dominic wanted it to.

"Let's get you to Jack, right now."

Because Lucien just pulled him closer to the house. The feeling got worse as he was dragged away, his strength all but lost with his brother having to sustain a massive wall of muscle with what meager strength he possessed.

Things got much worse before they got any better, and Dom had to hold his breakfast down with every ounce of will in his poor, deprived soul. Lucien hit the bell, they waited, they heard steps and, as the feeling got worse, Dominic could see 'things'. It was as if his vision was warping, bending in ways he couldn't say, as colors began to turn more vibrant and lively and his perception of reality got, for a lack of a better word, 'fucky'. Dominic would've been far more eloquent, fastidious as he could be with proper terminology, borderline autistic sometimes, more so in the projects the trio tended to tackle. But right now? 'Blergh' would probably have been the perfect fit for a first word after his stomach did another somersault.

When a petite, olive skinned girl with light blonde hair and deep blue eyes opened the door, Dom thought that his feeling had been something else. The moment he blinked and saw a grey skinned, white haired, six winged young woman instead of the previous visage?

Dominic's consciousness finally faded. Better that than puking. It made a better first impression at least.

*** G.L City - Mayberry Residence - Emily ***

"Oh my goodness!"

Emily felt the young mortal give up before he did. She had never really seen a 'sensitive' before. You know, psychics and the like. Or perhaps proper mages with supernatural abilities, not just senses. Humans had lost much of that through history and, once they arrived in Heaven, or likely Hell, those 'mundane' powers left in place of something greater. But the knowledge of when something was wrong, and why, came natural to the chosen ones of the Lord. A handy little thing, or so Emily would say.

Though catching raw beef like Dominic was not exactly pleasant. Emily could easily lift him… usually. If she was right and he was 'one of those', then her feeling as weak as a normal human woman of her 'age' and stature would come naturally. And since she doubted she had found someone with proper means to otherwise weaken an angel of any kind, then she was pretty sure this was the case.

"Hold him steady." Lucien told Emily, and the poor Seraphim did, or tried to, as the pair dragged him into the house. "Fuck, this is going to look super bad. We already had so many eyes on us and now this."

Emily grimaced as they got into the house and she closed the door. She could see more than a few pairs of eyes landing on her. All she could do was smile a very unconvincing smile and wave before she helped drag Dominic into the house and close the door.

Welp. That was going to be a fun talk later. Probably her first meeting with the police too!

NEAT!

Jack was less enthused.

"The fuck is this!?" He called from the entrance to the dining room. His head was poking out in case someone had barged in. It was clear he would've preferred it to seeing Emily there. "Emily! The fuck are you doing opening the door?!"

By the way; him reacting that way did not stop from coming over and lending a hand. He just had his priorities straight.

"If anyone sees you they are going to flip!" Jack all but hissed as he took Emily's spot to help Lucien lift his brother. "And how is it that Dom is weighing you down? I thought you were, like, super strong or something."

Emily let out an indignant huff as she recovered from the sudden exertion, taking a step back to follow the duo carrying their passed out last member of the trio into the dinning room and onto the sofa. Granted that Jack was right; at any other point Emily would've lifted Dominic with one hand. But seeing as she was now under different rules, and Dominc seemed to have a gift that basically rendered her and any other supernatural entity little more than 'mortal' (In abilities, not what they were in the end), the young Seraphim could do more than just frown.

"I'll tell you when he wakes up. It shouldn't take long." Emily said at last as Jack and Lucien looked over Dom. "I think he just got his first dose of pure magic. He is at least sensitive to that."

Lucien was quick to give Emily a quick once over after she said that, but his attention quickly returned to his brother as he spoke. "So, Jack. You called us here to meet your girlfriend and tell us she was nuts too?"

"I am not his girlfriend!"

"She is not my girlfriend!"

Either comedic effect or something else was afoot, because the duo shared a look and a very clear blush. For Emily it had to do with this morning's near fiasco, for Jack it was more to do with yesterday's fuckup and Lucien being the one to say this.

Lucien didn't care, he just laughed. His brother seemed fine, despite the obvious scare. Dom was just passed out, and he was already blinking his eyes, though he looked unfocused. So a bit of levity wouldn't be amiss.

Emily just tried not to keep the blush going for too long. She calmed a bit and let the burn of her cheeks dissipate before she spoke again. "Jack, look. I have spent enough time here, a few changes took place. No one should be able to 'see me' so long as they aren't magically gifted in some way."

Jack turned to her with an inquisitive look. "Angel bullshit?"

"Angelic perks." Emily corrected with a big and bright smile. "Other than my dress everyone should see me as a normal human girl."

"The fuck are you two talking about?" Lucien huffed, clearly done with what he perceived as pure bullshit. "I get that Dominic looks fine and all, but he just fainted out there! This could be more serious than we think!"

"I told you: He is fine." Emily tried to placate the young, effeminate man. "When he wakes up he'll be confused, but that is it. A few answers will get him back to form, I swear."

That he didn't look the part didn't mean he wouldn't try to cut her head off in a fit of rage, more so when it came to someone important to Lucien. True that Lucien couldn't do anything to her, but Emily was not interested in making him feel worse, or have the friends form a spat if violence became a thing. Yelling and anger were not exactly conductive for a nice first impression.

"Look, I don't-."

Whatever Lucien was going to say died in his throat as Dominic groaned and sat up. He was still looking the closest thing to 'tripping balls' with his expression and eyes dancing everywhere as if he had turned into a chameleon or something. It was scary how fast those wandering orbs focused on Emily, even the little Seraphim had to grimace, almost taking a step back, when Dominic's neck let out a snapping sound the moment he zeroed on her.

Luckily he didn't do anything bad to himself, but the sound made everyone recoil. Dominic? He seemed fine.

"What are you?"

Curious, but fine.

That curiosity more or less got hit by a freight train the moment Sarah entered the picture, a lit cigarette in hand.

"A Seraphim, here to bail me out."

Emily would've smiled a bit if that statement wasn't as loaded.

Sarah had one of her more casual, earthly outfits, instead of the more raggedy and in your face ones from Hell. Not surprising, considering she hadn't exactly brought her wardrobe over and, when asked, she said she'd go back to clear a few things with the landlord and little else. Costume changes weren't exactly on her mind, though looking a lot like the day she died seemed to bring a bit of morbid satisfaction out of the woman. Emily wasn't about to judge here.

The ones about to say something were Lucien and his brother. Lucien himself took a step back, falling on his ass, luckily on the sofa, while Dom blinked a few times before speaking out.

"Auntie Sarah?"

Huh? Emily didn't think that'd be the first thing Dominic would say. In fact she didn't know the kind of relationship the group had.

That wonder left her when Sarah began to chuckle. A very happy laugh in fact, adding to yesterday's gentle and happy air that still permeated the house.

"It has been years since I last heard you call me 'aunt' that way." Sarah let out a giggle, a carefree laugh Emily knew she hadn't had in a long while. "I missed that."

As Sarah took a drag of her smoke Emily could hear Jack let out a grunt. It was clear the young man didn't like his mom smoking. But what can you do? Vices gained in Hell, Emily had found out, were far stronger than those on Earth. Most of the stuff in Hell was made so fighting your vices took a lot of will. You were meant to have to work to become a better person. The fact that smoking wouldn't do Sarah any harm, and only offer benefits, now made that desire to fight even lesser than it was in life.

That was the smallest step towards redemption, or perhaps the hardest. Vices that did not hurt her, or anyone around her if she took enough care, would be far less important than bigger problems. They would still be hurdles, but Emily wasn't in a rush to nitpick at Sarah for the smallest thing. That would only make things harder.

Jack was not of the same mind.

"Where did you find the smokes?" Jack sighed as he turned away from his friends. "I know you haven't gone back for a pack."

Sarah let out a sigh as well as a stream of smoke. "You and I know very well that that asshole ex of mine smoked behind my back. One of the many things the fucker did." She let out an angry snort. "Well, the police took my gun and the chainsaw we had in the garage, I mean, fair. I killed someone with that. But they took nothing else. Heck, they, and I bet you, did a bang up job cleaning my room. But no one cleared a single thing from that piece of shit." Sarah was cheeky enough to pull a pack from a pocket on her skirt. "I have a few of these in stock. Almost two years old, but they still work. Less potent than in Hell, though."

"Yeah, no shit." Jack deadpanned, and while his reaction clearly made Sarah frown for a second, she was still fairly happy. Emily considered that a win, more so after Jack urged her to come over. "Come on, mom, come here. Let the guys take a better look."

Sarah didn't seem to have any complaints with that. She only took a second to get an ashtray from somewhere, then walked casually into the room, tail going from side to side as she smiled broadly at the two young men she hadn't seen in a long time.

It was clear Lucien was freaked out while Dom was curious as he finally regained his bearings and stopped lying on the sofa, instead sitting properly.

"Aunt Sarah." Dom began. It was tentative, Emily could feel, as if the young man was afraid to dispel whatever had Sarah in his presence. "Are you really here?"

"I'd like to say it is as real as my beating heart." Sarah chuckled as she allowed some ash into the tray before taking another drag. "But my heart doesn't exactly beat anymore."

Lucien found his voice to ask. "What the fuck?" Not the most descriptive question, but it would work.

Emily found her chance here. "Okay, so let me explain…"

It took roughly two hours to make things make sense with the newcomers. Part of it was curiosity, part of it was general information they needed to know, and a good chunk were things that hadn't been shared with Jack because they fell in the 'non essential' category. Those were left for last.

"So, this big lug here." Jack pointed at Dom. "Is, what, 'Force Sensitive'?"

"You better be referring to the original trilogy or I am going to flip on you." Dominic stated flatly.

"Of course I do!" Jack even seemed indignant at the mere mention of any other possibility. "But nerd shit aside: What is he?"

"I don't know." Emily admitted. She'd need to check his soul for that, or run a few tests, but she had never really checked what she 'should' do to learn about this. "All I know is that human 'espers' have many variants."

Lucien frowned. "Isn't an 'esper' someone that has psychic abilities?"

"I guess?" Emily shrugged. "It is a way to call people with magic abilities. 'Mage' is more of a human word, though even in Heaven it is used more frequently and, I suppose, I'll have to use it more too, but I'd like if you knew the 'proper' way to say it. I mean, the psychic stuff IS real too, even if far more rare. Some are literally capable of just moving the fabric of reality on a very small scale, like lifting spoons or pennies if they have low ability or practice, while throwing cars could happen in the cases where an affinity for the magic of creation is high enough. Humans cannot really create something 'new' from nothing though, so at best they can bruteforce things if all they have is an affinity to magic."

Dominic was quick to nod. "So to do something else they'd need, what, an affinity to elements?"

"Yeah; any affinity would create a mage of some kind. An affinity for nature could allow you to transform certain elements in the area into plants, perhaps grant you healing powers or even temporarily, or permanently, create life, like making an eagle for a short while or in a permanent fashion." Emily explained as she went through her own memories in her head. "Again: Nothing 'new'. You couldn't, I dunno, make a genie or other magical creature, or 'aliens' and the like. That would fall more into the divine category of things. So to make 'new' things you'd need to be a Seraphim, or an Archangel, or have them giving you a hand."

Dominic nodded, but the next question came from his brother. "And this idiot here has anything like that? Not the super 'holy powers' or whatever you said about creating 'new' stuff. I mean more like making a fireball, for example."

Before Dom could slap his brother over the head, Emily let out a chuckle and shook her head 'no'. "I don't know, really. All I felt was him being 'sensitive', as it were. It may be that he has an affinity of some kind, or it may be that he is just sensitive to magic itself. Whatever the case, humans capable of touching the fabric of reality, of using magic, while alive, are usually frowned on by Heaven." She made a pause, then added. "Unless sanctioned, of course."

Sarah was the one to let out a humm, a frown on her face. "Why? I highly doubt it has to do with witches and warlocks, like in medieval times and all those stunts the church pulled."

"It is mostly because human mages weaken demons and angels alike." Emily explained. "Not to the point that they become 'less' than they are, and demons are affected to a much lesser degree, but if caught unaware you get what happened to me: We become close to human ability. Or, in a more proper way of explaining it: We lose at least part of our gifts and become as capable as we 'should be' if we were in a level playing field."

This caused a small lul in the conversation as the group all thought of different possibilities in their heads.

Sarah, having brought it up first, was the one to ask. "Is this why people were labeled as witches then?"

"Perhaps?" Emily frowned at the thought. "Before humans abandoned magic as readily as they did with the coming of technology, angels made appearances more often. It is… not easy to hurt us, but magic users could easily make an altercation more, as I said, 'level'. Considering most heavenly interventions usually took place when it was necessary to keep humanity alive, opposing magic users would be the biggest hazard. In fact a few interventions failed, which led to wars or genocides, as well as wounded or even dead angels in very, VERY rare occasions."

Lucien was next. "So that is why people with magic or supernatural abilities are always shown fighting other magical creatures more than normal people?" At Emily's questioning look, he went further. "Magical creatures are meant to be strong, so having someone with magic to weaken them makes it easier. I mean, most mages aren't usually depicted as super jacked men and women of action after all."

Emily snickered. Yeah, specially modern depictions of mages: Old, white bearded men and super old, wrinkly hags. Stereotypes, sure, though such figures in the past marked VERY strong magic users.

"Yes. I mean, there is a lot of fantasy there: Most magicians, as I said, are just sensitive. That means that a lot of 'heroes' through history were like Dominic described to us: They could feel magic and, by being close enough, or after touching entities with a lot of magic, they 'ground' the creatures." Emily pointed at herself. "After being grounded? I did not lose my powers, my magic, my immortality. But my body became what it should be, in a way. If Dom wasn't sensitive, then I could've lifted him with a hand and without much effort. As a magic sensitive person? Touching him left me like a, well, 'regular young woman'. If he fell on me, he wouldn't crush me. I would still be an angel after all. But I would be unable to lift him and I'd be pinned."

Dom made a face. Clearly Emily could tell that he didn't appreciate such an idea. "Could I, I dunno, 'deactivate' that effect?"

"Oh, of course! That is what I meant to be 'sanctioned', well, partly." Emily offered a smile as she got up from her own seat. "Let me demonstrate: Do you think I'm a danger?"

Dominic shook his head. "Of course not. Jack says you are a friend."

"Then keep thinking I am friendly, okay? I am going to lift you."

No one managed to ask what she meant by that. Why? Because Emily just DID it.

"WOAH!"

She grabbed Dominic and the massive man was lifted from the sofa without much effort. Emily had warned him, he believed she wouldn't do him harm and while there had been a small flare of weakness on her arms the moment she scared Dom, the man was assured of her good intentions.

Simply put? He was not being magic 'at her' right now. And that is how she explained it after letting Dominic back down.

Dom looked a bit unnerved, but he nodded. "So… if I think someone is not a danger I won't affect them?"

"Now? Yes. It is very easy to keep that effect off, so long as you keep friends and foes clear in your head." Emily nodded. "You can see the world full of color now, right?"

Dom frowned for a second as he looked around. "Yes… Why is everything so colorful? Jack said he went through the same thing."

"Magic just hit you like a freight train." Jack chimed with a smirk. "It was the same when she made sure I didn't croak."

"Speaking of which." Lucien glared at his friend. "What the fuck, Jack?"

"I think I already explained myself there." Jack grimaced at the glare he had leveled his way. "If you want more of that, how about when we go out? You don't need a galaxy sized brain to guess you two were going to have questions."

Sarah let out a playful grunt. "Leaving me behind already?"

"Mom, not to be a dick, but I am pretty sure you want some time to enjoy yourself, alone, now that you have a day away from HELL." And the way he said it made Sarah roll her eyes. Emily asked nothing, but it was obvious Mayberry wasn't going to say Jack was wrong. "The original plan hinged on Emily being able to disguise herself. I was going to ask BEFORE these two showed up, but clearly that isn't needed."

Emily pouted at this. "I said sorry."

"Sure, but it still scared me shitless." Jack pushed a half hearted wave Emily's way. "Anyways, I wanted to know more about this magic stuff."

Emily nodded. She had expected as much. Lucien and Dom had different expressions. Lucien? Oh he was livid, looking at Jack with the grumpiest face he could muster. Dom? The young giant was curious, that was obvious.

"Now, you said that magic users diminish the power of magic creatures." Emily nodded quickly at Jack's question. "Is that effect stronger if you CAN use magic, or if you can't?"

"That is… difficult to say." Emily thought for a second. "I mean, you also have to weigh the number of people that can use magic."

Jack glanced at his friends, then at his mom. At best he got a shrug or a shake of the head. "Explain, please."

"Back before Jesus Christ sacrificed himself? There was one magic sensitive, or magic user, every hundred or so mortals, sometimes one every ten, and those that weren't 'magic' were usually granted a way to 'see' like those that could tap into magic with relative frequency. There was so much magic around that even some creatures were magical! That is how many monsters and the like were born: A snake got too much magic within its body? You could get a monstrous hydra. A large patch of earth became magically charged? Perhaps a golem would be born. Others were creatures from Heaven or Hell that found themselves on Earth thanks to the loads of magic still in the world." Emily began. It was a quick, simplief lesson, sure, but effective. "In those days, if what I know from records and tales from angels that lived back then, then only the people that you'd known as 'heroes' would be able to make me as weak as Dom did: People with just enough connection to magic to, at best, 'see' the world in its full glory."

"Does that mean seeing it like I can now?" Jack volunteered.

Lucien was faster than Emily. "Speaking of. Can I see too?" He asked before Emily had a chance to speak. "It is… weird to see aunt Sarah like that." He pointed at Sarah, who cocked her head in confusion. "It is a bit like seeing a distortion. I don't think I am 'seeing' what the others are. I still see YOU as a normal girl too."

"Oh!" Emily covered her mouth with a hand, mild surprise crossing her features. She had forgotten about that. "I forgot that! Your brother didn't need help, and I had to hit Jack with a lot of magic to heal him. Let me help you too."

A simple snap of the fingers on her part, a flicker of something, and Lucien found himself blinking a few times. Emily knew this'd be a bit confusing, but she had been preparing this last night. It would be a trick she'd use during the stream. It would… probably be okay.

Hopefully.

Lucien came back from his confusion, or change, depending on who you ask, before Emily could make up her mind. He blinked a few more times and took in the changes that assaulted his vision.

"Holy fuck. It is a living cartoon world." He said, voice almost sounding like he was squealing in delight at the revelation.

Jack and everyone else let out a chuckle at this. Dom was still a bit unsure, but he wasn't complaining. It did bring back the question to Jack's lips. "So would Lucien also have an effect on you now?"

"Not really no." Emily shook her head, still smiling at how Lucien was looking everywhere with newfound wonder. "You and Lucien have been 'granted' this magic, you aren't magic sensitive, or users of it. As for Dom? Back in the day you had to have a VERY faint magic connection to ground a creature like me to these limits. Anyone capable of great magical feats? They'd have to fight with magic as their only weapon, as they'd be too deep into the world of creation to weaken most magical beings. Nowadays?" Emily made a face. This was one thing that had always saddened her. "Nowadays even the most powerful magic user would be far removed from what they would've been in the past. Even if Dom was capable of great magic feats, magic on Earth is almost gone. It still exists, of course; Hell and Heaven still touch the world, but very faintly, so magic will never disappear. But after Jesus Christ, the industrial evolution of humanity and many human made catastrophic events… Instead of one magic user every ten, or a hundred humans, you have one in a million or so. And most of the time they don't even know it is magic they can use. Worse: They tend to be outliers that… don't have the best, or longest, life expectancy."

Dominic nodded, looking at his hands for a moment. "So… could you tell me just how strong of a connection I have? I am curious now."

Emily shook her head. "Sorry, but no. You'd need someone capable, no, a proper expert when wielding magic and knowledgeable on that topic. Being good at doing and good at teaching are two different things." Emily offered an apologetic smile. "I know many things, but mostly out of curiosity and boredom driven study back in Heaven. I would most likely get some things wrong, and that would, at best, just hurt you."

"What about Alastor?" Jack offered as a suggestion, a hand on his chin as he thought it over. He made a bit of a face as he rested against his seat a moment after. "He was a magic user while alive, right?"

Emily hummed and thought. "I think so, yes."

"The possibility aside, that brings me to the other question." Jack crossed his arms, this was apparently a serious thought in his mind. "Wouldn't this magic stuff also mean angels would get weak when a Sinner or a Winner touches them? Apparently all of them can use magic."

Sarah let out a chuckle as she lighted another cigarette. "Dear. I think you missed the point."

Jack groaned. Apparently this was Sarah's 'teacher mode', and Jack was not a fan. "Yes, mom?"

"I am more magic than 'real', in a sense." Sarah took a drag of her cigarette, a sad smile on her face. "I died, Jack. I killed myself. I am here because my soul formed a body and, somehow, I got roped into this little program. Even if I wasn't here, I'd be in Hell, and my body would be 'real' enough to suffer punishment or enjoy rewards, but that is it. Heck, you'd need some magic stuff to be 'real' enough to have children, and you are trapped in the first Ring of Hell when you become a Sinner." She sent a pointed glare to her son. "Sinners aren't like you are now, Jack. Keep that in mind."

Emily didn't want to put it that way, but she nodded. "Miss Mayberry is right, Jack." She said, though calling Sarah 'miss' again made the woman click her tongue. "Sinners and Winners aren't anchored to the world of the living. If Sarah 'died' again here, she'd reform a body again, but back in Hell. Another side effect is that a human soul devoid of a body, like she is, gains a connection to magic as solid as any other inherently magical entity. In return, they also cannot 'anchor' angels or demons and weaken them. In a way that makes most of them weaker to creatures less in tune with the living world."

"I see… I think that is all I was curious about." Jack let out a little huff. "I guess we shouldn't worry about you suddenly going super weak then, eh?"

"Not really, but you never know." Emily offered an insecure smile. "All theologies attract magic users. Having a connection to creation either draws you to mysticism in the form of reverence to God, or one of His many forms, or pushes you the opposite way. Even today most magic users, faint as they may be, will likely align with the local religions or become normal, but reclusive people." And the reason behind her insecurity became clear then. "If anyone would like to cause trouble, we could have one of those rare people drawn into it. As I said: Sanctified magic users or… people that live on the fringe of society as occultists, literal cultists or who knows what."

"But would we really need to worry that much, dear?" Sarah took another drag of her cigarette as everyone turned to her. "What I mean to say is: I may be weak as a Sinner, but I do have my own strengths. Alastor may be here for his own reasons, but he has plenty of magic. There is also Charlie and Lord Lucifer on top of it all." She squished the smoke on the ashtray quickly afterwards. "It wouldn't take much effort to defend ourselves, right? Even you would, if needed."

Emily made a face. "I… would try to help." Though she didn't sound enthused about it. "But you wouldn't do much. Alastor? Perhaps, but not you."

Sarah frowned at that. "I am not sure I am so weak-."

"Sinners and Winners alike would have a very faint connection to everything while on Earth, Sarah. You made that point yourself, for one, only to then ignore this?" Emily decided to make things clear. She didn't want to sound rude, but she was having enough of a hard time thinking about having to use any of her talents to protect her efforts to give everyone a better afterlife. "Alastor is a powerful Sinner, he likely was a powerful mage in life. Winners themselves have stronger souls thanks to Heaven, and even then most would be basically 'stronger' than humans. But you? You are a good soul, Sarah, but power wise I think you'd be like a normal human. Granted, with greater strength and endurance, but any of your powers would be diminished." She pointed at the windows. It was now that Lucien and Dom probably noticed the glass or the border of said windows having some kind of black/green hue on them. "Alastor probably did not intend to, but he used so much power that the spell he casted is still going. That is why I told Jack it was fine for him to leave them open. The effect may still last until night, or longer."

It was clear the moment she finished that Emily had offended Sarah in some form. It wasn't that Sarah was angry, but her frown told Emily that she hadn't heard anything she liked with her explanation done. Emily could understand her here: Sarah's only real contribution would lie in her being able to get redeemed. If there were troubles? She would be as capable as she was in life, perhaps a bit more.

For someone that had lived in Hell for a few years, after what Emily had heard from her, being just 'a normal woman' meant far less than you'd think. Heck, man or woman, being 'normal' down in Hell meant being weak. And there were a lot of weak people in Hell; hellborn or human souls, it didn't matter.

So Sarah being angry at being 'slightly better than before' was not something that caught Emily off guard, but the small Seraphim would admit that it hurt her to push back against Sarah's hopes. Better to be clear early on however. Emily did not want anyone angry here, but she wanted them hurt, or hurting others, even less. Though if hurting was necessary because someone wanted to put a stop to the plan of redemption, then Emily wanted those helping her to be anywhere but the receiving end.

Such dark thoughts… but better be sincere with herself. It would be no good otherwise.

Dominic brought her from such a dark place when he spoke up. "So… In essence a dead soul is magical and not 'earthly', so to speak. Magical entities are very powerful, more so than most humans. But a living soul with any connection to magic will ground a magical creature?"

Emily offered a little smile. "Yes! I mean, we told you: We have a portal to Hell in the house. Magic will come through there. It is probably one of the reasons you had that shock when you met me, not just me being a Seraphim. That alone should have 'awakened' someone with a connection like Dom, if they weren't already able to use magic properly, but the portal adding its own effect just supercharged his senses."

A hand waved in the air before another question was fired. "And people like me; those given magic 'vision' or whatever, won't affect you, right?" Lucien asked to confirm again.

"Basically." Emily was quick to nod. "You'd think humans with NO magical aptitude would be better for weakening anything magical, but that just means they cannot touch another's soul, another's 'true' self. It is the complete opposite and no, I don't know why. Perhaps my sister would know, or any of the Archangels, but I never found out information on that." It was quite the conundrum, but then again, she was knowledgeable about the soul and creation, not an expert. "All anyone can do in your case is make you 'see things as they are'. You are no more magical than the common human of this age."

Jack had been looking pensive for a while now. Emily was about to ask when he mentioned what was on his mind. "We are going to tell this to everyone online too?"

Emily looked confused for a moment before she answered with an obvious. "Yes? But you sound doubtful. Why wouldn't we?"

"Wouldn't people abuse it?" Emily made an 'o' face. So that was what Jack was worried about? "I mean, I know a lot of people are going to start thinking a lot more before doing something stupid now that Heaven and Hell are going to be widespread knowledge, but…"

That was something Emily hadn't thought about. But… "Maybe?" She was tentative in her answer. Emily didn't want to believe it would happen, but humans were like that. "Some will, I am sure. I don't think much can be done about it." Which displeased her, that was true. "But it won't matter in a few years if all goes well."

"Well, ain't that an interesting revelation." Sarah let out a chuckle at the three young men's confused looks. "If this works I suppose keeping Hell and Heaven separated from Earth wouldn't be in the plans. So things like the portal in my home wouldn't be as unique." Sarah smirked at the young angel. "Things would return to the days when angels and demons alike were more active on Earth."

Realization seemed to struck the trio moments after.

"So that means magic would keep coming through?" Dominic asked, looking towards the attic. Emily had to give him credit: He was looking STRAIGHT at the location where the portal was. Perhaps he was more sensitive than she thought. "People would get to see magicians, real magicians, or 'espers' again? Like in myths and legends, I mean."

"Sure. Not like it would happen in a few days, or weeks, or even months or years. I'd say a hundred or probably more, at least with just this one portal here." Emily nodded along with her explanation. This was one thing she wanted to see. If humans became a bit more sensible, with the knowledge they now had, she expected so many great things! She also had a few fears, but here is hoping. "So, if more are open? If Earth becomes the middle ground? In a few years things SHOULD go back to how they were way back when. By then Dominic, even if he wanted to ground me and had a really faint connection to magic, should be unable to. I think you are far more connected to magic than the usual ancient 'hero', but again, I can't know for sure. All I can say is that, if all goes well, in a few years someone like you shouldn't be a rarity. And with how many humans are out there now? The effect of espers may be even lower, with so many humans having some kind of magic."

Dominic let out a pensive hum as he and his friends began to think about the possibilities and how things would change. It was an interesting, if slightly frightening, possibility.

"Would that also create more of those monsters that you mentioned before?" Lucien asked, a tentative, but still obvious, hint of fear in his voice.

"In time? Probably." Emily wasn't worried though, it would take a LONG time for that to happen. "But it would take a really long time at best, unless someone gets really powerful magic and does bad things to animals. Though, if that were the case, and Heaven and Hell alike were involved, such people would be stopped. No one, demon or angel, is interested in something like ancient titans suddenly roaming Earth."

"Because they could also be used on their own realms?" Lucien asked, this time more inquisitive than afraid.

"Precisely." And Emily saw no reason not to be sincere. "Such things aren't meant to be common, and with how many humans are out there it would be much easier to create monsters nowadays. It would be one of the few things Heaven and Hell would work to prevent."

That said, Emily did her best to retain that smile of hers. Humans having magic always present again was one of her hopes, but it also scared her, and not just a little bit, to think what they'd do. Thinking about a single human creating a small army of, say, hydras, was not exactly a happy thought.

But that was a problem for future Emily. And it would be a problem ONLY if redemption was proven. So she had other things to worry about.

Sarah took everyone by surprise as she got up and stretched, nearly every bone in her body popping with the motion. Being on Earth for this long had done her, as it would any other Sinner, the same for Sarah as it had done for Emily, only in a much more pronounced way.

"Possible monster filled future with a lot of kids flinging spells around like this is Harry Potter aside." The woman took her ashtray and began walking away. "I am going to take Jack's little offer for privacy."

Jack sounded a bit insecure as he let out a soft. "Mom?"

"All of you: Out." Sarah turned around to instruct everyone, hand pointing at the door the moment she made it to the main corridor. "Far too much serious crap today. This was going to be my 'off' day considering the shit we have to deal with tomorrow and probably every day after. So, know what? I am going to take a bubble bath and I want no one here to disturb me."

Emily grimaced and looked abashed as the trio of young men all shared glances. The young Seraph would concede this point: Today was meant to relax and meet Jack's friends. She hadn't thought it would devolve into this kind of talk.

Not like she regretted it, but perhaps she should've been thinking about Sarah. Mayberry was going to be put in a very awkward position soon.

"Fine, mom, you got a point." Jack sighed, got up and got close to his mom. A quick hug and a kiss to the temple after that got Sarah smiling happily at her adopted son. "Two hours is enough?"

"Plenty." Sarah said, a much more calm and happy tone to her voice. "Sorry if I sounded harsh. I just want to relax a bit. I have far too much in my mind to want to think about a future world with magic kids doing stupid stuff and riding dragons. We already got those in Hell."

Lucien propped himself up. "You have dragons in Hell?"

"I said out!"

*** G.L City - Mayberry Residence ***

Sarah did her best to offer a small smile and a wave to the 'kids' before they left. Before they opened the door, of course, she wasn't going to risk it now for no goddamn reason. It was still an ordeal, though. She had wanted to tell Jack to get out since she found what he had managed to keep safe and sound. Things from her old life.

Like the phone she carried well hidden under the pack of cigarettes in her pocket.

It wasn't fancy or anything, and had far too many cutesy little shit added to it from the days her students gifted her things. Looking over a bun sticker and a little rainbow from one of the girls in her old class made Sarah tear up a bit. She fought against it though, and made sure to hold her own as she turned the phone on.

Jack had recovered this, and a few other things, after the police found they didn't need the stuff. Of course the first days, or weeks, Jack had been in limbo, so the phone had lost its charge. After that? Jack had always kept it plugged in. Stupid decision if you were a regular phone user; keeping it charging at all times didn't do the device any favors. Sarah wouldn't complain. At least Jack had kept it in working condition, considering how fragile some of these things were nowadays. He didn't know the key to get it REALLY working after the battery died that first time, but Sarah still remembered.

It was both heartwarming and disheartening to see many of the messages in there. Many condemned her and said a lot of things that, admittedly, were fully deserved. Sarah wouldn't bellite any of her old contacts for calling her a crazy bitch.

I mean, she had turned into one. For a short while, yeah, but she had.

But what got to her was the people that tried to get in touch with her after she died. People that begged this to not be what it was. People that wanted her still around.

One in particular made her throat dry as she decided that she was going to fuck herself over. Perhaps not today, but soon.

So she hit the record button and tried to calm down. She had a message to send.

"Hello, Galileo. I am pretty sure you'll think this is a joke in bad taste, but it isn't. It is me, Sarah. Remember…"

*** G.L City - 'Tar' Bucks ***

Emily squinted at the sign within the coffee shop, the same sign they had outside.

"Why is it called 'Tar' Bucks? I thought this was one of those 'Starbucks'." The young angel said, eyes still glued to the heavily defaced signpost as she waited for an overpriced iced coffee.

The question prompted a few chuckles around the table they were sitting at. Jack had opted to bring her to a place they frequented, and while a Starbucks was neither cheap (for what they offered), nor was it exactly exciting (Heaven had its own version. Get that: Starbucks and McDonalds had copycats in Heaven), the idea wasn't entirely without merit.

The 'Tar' coffee shop was far more relaxed than most others of its kind, and no, it wasn't part of the franchise. It was its own thing, and had been for two generations now. You could see the marks of time here and there. There were very, and I do mean VERY old Arcade machines with the original Metal Slug and Pang on a corner, most of the decor was retro and even the ones working here dressed more like old servers than modern baristas and the like. It was a niche aesthetic that got a lot of regulars, or so Jack had told her.

"Well, the place was always a coffee shop." Jack began as their orders were brought over. "But when the owner left his eldest son in charge after retiring, the idiot almost messed it up. Starbucks came to try and buy, his younger sister kicked him to the curb after making an offer he couldn't resist, and she brought the place back to form. The only thing she changed was the name to poke fun at the franchise and her brother, considering what she almost did to him." His name was called and Jack waved the waiter over. "We were lucky in that regard; this place was where our parents went a lot of the time when they were younger. It'd be a sad thing to see it go. Plus, the people here know us and tolerate our shenanigans."

Considering everyone working here knew the trio, and how insidiously detailed they wanted their shit, taking a few minutes was never strange with them. But this time? This time they also had Emily, and the little angel was a glutton: She had five different orders that Jack hadn't really minded when it came to paying, because, on top of that, she had asked for a lot of sweets and other food articles. To say that the girl bringing the drinks needed three trips would've been putting it lightly. A less experienced person in her position would've needed twice that and some change.

Emily knew Jack and the others didn't think she could eat that. That doubt disappeared the moment she made a whole croissant banish down her gullet.

Don't worry. She could still taste it.

"What-?" Lucien asked, either in surprise, amazement, wonder or horror. Emily couldn't tell.

"I am hungry." She said simply. "And I can still taste it. I can keep it there and enjoy its flavor for a long time." This Emily added in a very low voice. There weren't that many people around, but a few had seen the croissant just, well, 'disappear', and were looking at her. "Besides, I want to enjoy stuff that isn't from-" She cleared her throat. "-home."

Dom couldn't help a chuckle of his. He had his own coffee AND some food. The man needed to eat far more than most after all. "I didn't think youd, you know, get hungry." He said, making sure no one was eavesdropping.

"I have been here enough, so I get 'normal' urges. I feel tired faster, not that I *GET* tired faster. I also get hungry, thirsty and will feel 'pain' more naturally." Emily said all of this between bites of a small piece of cake that, considering the taste, she managed to enjoy in eh, 'sensible' pieces. Though the faces she was making, she knew, looked obscene. "It is all so we can blend in better."

"But don't you get the best stuff where you come from?" Lucien asked out of curiosity, almost feeling out of place as he drank his own stuff, no food in sight. Even Jack had chosen to eat something.

"We ONLY get the best stuff." For the first time Emily felt like venting about something petty. "Eat the same thing for as long as I have been around and the 'best' becomes the worst. It is the yummiest thing ever, literal ambrosia, which can be made into ANYTHING. But it is a placebo effect, or so I was told. Because ALL of it is ambrosia, not, well, this." Emily savored the last of the cake before eyeing a waffle with molten chocolate on top. "These things? I have tried them back home. But here? They are 'less', sure, but like yesterday's dinner, they feel more 'real' in a way. There are imperfections, there are strange things mixed in that should be bad for me. There are so many little bits of information, of flavors, that a 'perfect' meal does not reflect."

Jack almost snorted into his drink. He managed to contain himself, but not after Emily scarfed that waffle like she needed it or death was going to claim her.

"You are a little glutton." Jack snickered, making Emily gasp.

"I am not!" Though Emily knew: She was fucked.

She could feel the chocolate that landed on her face now running down her 'nose', at least of her disguise. In reality that part of her was missing and she was oh so darn tempted to use her tongue to clean that little bit of warm, sugary, melted treat right away.

Though the shame of doing so was the only thing stopping her. And probably showing Jack and the others just how long and dexterous her tongue was. In effect, as an angel, she could change a few things about herself. Something she did NOT want to demonstrate now.

"Sure you aren't." Jack handed her a napkin. Emily felt such pain at cleaning her face and wasting the food. "But jokes aside. Are you enjoying yourself? Are you comfortable with these two?"

Lucien flipped Jack off. "Don't act like you have known her since forever, bitch. We are no less embarrassing than you."

Emily and Dominic both chuckled at the exchange, but Emily had to admit this was, well, not perfect, but still ideal. "Yes, to both. It is still early and today has been a good day so far. Much better than I thought! I mean, it could've been… a bit iffy. But it hasn't! Hopefully a good sign of things to come."

"Well, there isn't much to see around." Jack began in a bit of a bored tone. It was a lie. Emily could see the young man was very much interested in showing her things.

If nothing else Emily knew this was because she had brought Sarah back to him. Jack probably knew he didn't owe her anything, but Emily would say nothing. The young angel was aware of just how much she had changed Jack's life, in more ways than one, so him trying to 'repay' her by any means was perfectly fine. Telling him not to would be rude, besides, seeing the city, or at least parts of it, would come in handy anyway.

"I am sure you'll show me everything that is worth seeing." Emily chuckled as those words slipped past her lips. It was funny to see Jack blush when she had messed up a few times before.

Domini chimed in with a grin. "Well, for as weird as the day began, it is not going all that bad."

"And we even managed to get through it without any weirdness too." Lucien pointed out. "She didn't even ask about me or anything! That is a welcome first. I mean, Jack did tell her yesterday, they both said that much, but-."

"Of course! Jack made sure that wouldn't happen." Emily spoke, making Jack snap his attention to her. The Seraphim offered him the briefest, most mischievous smile she could. "He already warned me about how big you are under that skirt."

Emily said those words with such an innocent look that it almost disarmed the situation that was about to unfold.

Almost.

"Really." Lucien, however, offered Emily the most sincere and genial smile and gentle voice he could as he asked. "He said, what, exactly?"

"That you pack ten inches under that skirt." Emily didn't miss a beat. Oh, she was fighting back a lot of emotions, but she wanted to prove something. "After watching Aladdin, too. My first movie on Earth, two of the three first living humans I was going to meet, and one of the first things he told me was that you were 'hiding' something as well as the reason not to check it out. He was so worried you'd scare me to death!."

You know how some people evade dying? Some are smart. Some are cunning. Some are strong, tough, lucky or what have you.

Jack?

Jack was on the other side of the table, had finished his drink and food, and had already pulled out his cash before handing it to Dom with a clear 'give me back the change if I survive' look before getting up and leaving the place in a hurry.

Lucien was a perfect 'lady' when getting up and speaking. "Gentlemen." Though his eyes spoke of murder. "I'll bring our dear friend in a moment. We have to… talk, for a second. I promise to bring him mostly intact."

He didn't run. He didn't even speed up. But the moment Lucien exited the shop you could hear the girliest scream coming from Jack.

Much like Jason, Lucien was going to kill a bitch today.

Dom, still enjoying his own drink, did his best to retain a straight face. "You are supposed to be an angel." He said with a straight face, looking at Emily as if trying to see through her.

Emily, however, finally lost her composure, but not in the usual way. She offered the biggest shit eating grin she had ever sported on her face.

"I am an angel." And she said so while drinking a hearty gulp of her coffee. If a certain queen bee saw her she would've said 'mood kindred'. "Not a saint." Her smile only widened. "Besides, I never had 'normal' friends. Isn't this part of the experience? Jack messed with me, so I return the favor. I thought that was basically a tradition."

The two, still seated and trying not to lose it, managed to last ten whole seconds before laughter erupted from the coffee shop. It was almost two whole minutes of that before Jack was brought back, hands on his crotch and chest (likely both mangled), by a very calm looking, but internally irate, Lucien.

The rest of the day, until they returned home, was nice and with far less violence. A visit to the park, a few of the stores the friends liked to go to and, because they couldn't help themselves, the only arcade in Green Leaves; The Labyrinthian Arcade (Named so for its size and the massive four hundred arcade machine collection within). Many tokens were bought that day (as, alas, said machines had to be 'upgraded' with time), and Emily found herself enjoying some good old 8-Bit bloodshed that, unsurprisingly for anyone knowing what turmoil had been going inside of her mind, allowed her to finally release some steam that had been there for who knew how many years.

All in all? A good morning, a good day in general and, as the first day went far better than expected, with both Dom and Lucien taking everything as well as one could hope for, Emily would gladly admit she was happy with how it turned out by the time dinner came over.

It wasn't the first day, not technically, but it was okay. Better than okay. Sure it had a less than ideal start, but Emily was warned now of not expecting every morning to be the usual 'perfect'. Other than that? Golden.

She could only hope things had gone this well for Charlie.

*** Season 2 Episode 9 Little A/N ***

After watching the episode, let me tell you this: No, I am not going to make Martha and Ms Mayberry end up together XD. Just wanted to make it clear. They hate each other's guts, something fierce in this universe in fact, and that is not going to change. Besides, I had possible plans set up for (Sarah) Mayberry in here anyway. Like usual with me and my writing: We'll see how it goes.

This is very much similar to Blitzo not being in deep shit with Stolas AND Verosika, though I may retain the cabal of people hating on his guts and we'll get some of their interactions later on. I mean, it is in character, and he has a cult of people that want to see him fail. Could be good for some comedy or/and drama down the lane.