[Doctor Gabriel]

“Bon matin,” Mr. Kite’s warm and relaxed voice announced his approach to the elderly man he’d noticed when nearing the church. He smiled cheerfully at the stranger, holding his body open, relaxed, and vulnerable partially to let him know he meant no harm, but mostly because they were both unable to so much as smack each other until the opening curtain.

He was much more himself today, relaxed, friendly, and less inclined to murder bystanders. That was partially thanks to the carefully calculated mixture of illicit and prescription (though none of the bottles had his name on them) substances in his system. That and the fact that he’d spent the night before emptying all five bottles of wine he’d strewn about the garage.

But mainly, it was because he hadn’t seen Berserker since yesterday. If she was around, she’d given him the kindness of a shut mouth and as far as he was concerned, that was worth at least a new year's or mardigra level celebration.

So it was a perfectly peaceful and well meaning man that approached in a golden coat, lined with hidden razors, needles, and knives, that asked, “Can I get in on some of that chocolate or was that offer just for...”

He looked up toward the direction the man had been offering. There was no one there.

"...God?"