Micheal felt utterly defeated as he knelt there before the pulpit. No, broken was probably the more accurate description of his state of mind in that moment. However, Neviah's hand upon his face had a strangely calming effect on the tears that flowed down his cheeks. He listened to her words intently, trying to glean some sort of sense out of what was happening. Was he going mad? He realized that was a possibility considering his history of mental issues, but she was so real. Of course schizophrenics probably thought their delusions were flesh and blood also, so what proof did that really offer in the end?<br/><br/>There were certain things she said though that gave him pause. The way she spoke of the Almighty was chief among them. She talked as though she knew Him, but there was a separation from him as if she were not one of his chosen. Had he been mistaken about who and what she was the entire time? Was she not an angel who had acted as his guardian for the entirety of his meager life? For whatever sort of answers she gave him it seemed as though three more questions rose up to replace the ones she set aside. When she stood and offered her hand to him though he took it without hesitation. He needed to know more about her, about his reason for being, and about the greater truth of which she spoke so urgently.<br/><br/>"I don't know who, or even what you are Neviah," he began slowly, "but you have watched over me for years now and I need to know why." He wiped away the tears with his free hand, once more reveling in the warmth of her touch. It was an odd thing really, to want to be so close with her. Of course he had never even kissed a girl since the most memorable moments of his existence seemed to be not dying from one mishap or another. Could he really have feelings for a being such as the one that stood before him? He realized that his thoughts were getting sidetracked so he shook his head slightly to concentrate on the issue at hand.<br/><br/>Looking around at their surroundings he saw that they were alone save for one of the alter boys named Joseph who had come from the back to set up for the day's mass. "Is everything alright Father," the young man asked as he observed the priest and his acquaintance.<br/><br/>"Yes Joseph, we are fine," Micheal lied regretfully. "There will be no mass today though, I have a matter that requires my attention elsewhere. If you could please inform the parishioners that I am not feeling well today and that they are more than welcome to stay for silent contemplation I would appreciate it."<br/><br/>"Of course Father..." The alter boy gave Micheal a strange look before returning to his duties.<br/><br/>Heaven only knew what sort of thoughts were running through the boy's impressionable mind as he walked away, but at the moment the priest could not concern himself with the potential rumors that would surely be whispered among his flock. Neviah had offered him answers, as cryptic as they were, and he needed to know just how he was expected to serve his people. Turning back to his companion Micheal looked down at the hand that held his briefly before meeting her beautiful gaze once more. Given the chance, he knew that he could become lost in those eyes forever, but now was not the time for such flights of fancy. Blinking away the remaining tears that had welled up he stepped closer to her. "You claim that I am to serve God and my people, but what does that mean exactly? Do I not serve them as I am now?"<br/><br/>The front doors opened as a single man walked in and sat himself among the back row of the pews. Mass would be soon and if the priest did not leave soon he would find himself not only telling falsehoods to a young servant of the church, but to the multitude of his flock, many of which had supported him since Father Matthews's untimely demise. "Come with me Neviah, my rectory is out back and we can speak more privately there about whatever fate you seem to think I have." If only he knew just what those words meant to the woman at his side as he led her through the rear of the church and to the little house that sat behind it.