[Prior's last nerve sizzles and chars out at the look Richie turns on him. As if he hasn't just run the same gamut of emotion listening to the stories of animated dummies stalking the streets of a small town. Crazy, and just crazy enough to be true at the same time.

But Angels? Prior knows it's different. Bring God into anything and there's a whole new world of neon-blue eyeshadowed, televangelistic crazy to take into account. Too many people are credulous for a rational mind not to question.

Well, if Prior still does, why not.

He rubs a hand up against the back of his neck and casts a frazzled smile across at Richie, letting the thought of truth fly away on gossamer wings in favor of wry humor.]

You could at least have put that the other way round. Still, who would, in a place like this.

[In a city with a giant statue that used to be .... something standing guard over them, and heaven reached by teleporter, and paradise thoroughly lost.

Sniffing through some betraying remaining traces of tears, Prior reaches out to brush his thumb against the outer flick of Richie's eyelashes where something wet still gleams.]

Don't fret, I'll get mine taken off in time. Don't begrudge me one more day with a little extra strength.