One Particular Night In Venice Part 2

"Reverend Mist" the stately woman says in greeting.

From pier side emerges a most odd figure. Humanlike with exaggerated features. Most notably an elongated chin and smile that climbs his cheekbones. Oh yeah, and he has wings. Delilah presses into the reverend as a child hiding behind a parent.

"Hi Norris" Reverend greets the new arrival in word, his look is locked on the pier's regal guardian. "Hi Gabby" this time his gaze match the words direction.

Norris grumbles "Lady Garbriella you disrespec.."

"Lady Gabriella" Reverend speaks over Norris with resonance.

The Lady smiles, glances at the overwhelmed Delilah. "Hi dearest, is it coming back to you yet?" The words, warmer than the healing jacket, open a memory floodgate. Images crash from all directions. Parties and performances, all sorts of costumes. Music of every kind. Images of fires and accidents, some injured, some dead. People of all kinds finding love and acceptance when it was nowhere else to be found. Some finding happiness and purpose. Many losing their minds. Her asking for help. Her being given a task. Permission to stay comes at high cost. The cost was her mind. The overwhelm turns to energy, and she devours it. She gently removes the coat revealing skin and hair full of life. She is bouncy and playfully flings Reverend's coat across his shoulder.

"My lady." the fully reanimated Saint Delilah says dripping with reverence while offering a bow. Reverend offers a hand, Delilah accepts. Mist creeps up through the pier as Delilah's tattered clothes turn into a vintage evening party dress. Full and radiant. White with hints of beach sand at the edges. Elegant and in time with Reverends attire.

Norris and Lady Gabriella give crooked smiles knowing the clothing is antiquated albeit fabulous. The lady offers Delilah her hand. She accepts as she passes off the pier onto solid ground. As Reverend steps forward Norris bares teeth and Gabby rises a halting hand.

Reverend pauses and gives a sheepish smirk. "Permission to pass my lady", formalites add flavor.

"Permission denied." she said her eyes forming a scowl.

Reverend returns a look of puzzled inquisition.

Gabriella raises her eyebrows in the universal "do not make me say it" expression.

Reverend steps towards her and Norris again squares up and bares teeth.

Gabriella and Reverend exchange "really" and "yes really" without saying a word.

Reverend breaks the silence "My Lady"

"No" with no hesitation.

"Gabriella".

"No" this is not a request.

"Gabby".

She returns a fierce gaze and Norris growls audibly.

"Growl at me again Norris and I will eat you" the voice is wet and booming.

"Not from the pier you won't" he says through a clenched smile.

Gabriella interjects "Reverend, I grow impatient"

He stands in defiant silence.

She tilts her head, and the entire pier rumbles.

"Seriously?" he asks already knowing the answer.

A half smile is all she offers.

Realizing this is going to happen, he decides clarity would be of value. "What exactly are you wanting from me?"

The entire pier rumbles so hard the lights flicker and pieces can be heard falling to the sea. Clarity received.

"Is this really necessary?" knowing that, that back there, that was the line he can never resist tiptoeing over.

The light at the far end of the pier disappears. Crashing follows as the lights farthest out are disappearing faster and faster. The rumble grows as the pier is collapsing into the ocean, the only measure granted by the lights disappearing into the sea fog. The disappearing lights are getting closer and closer as the Reverend takes a dramatic yet childish deep deep breath, braces, and finally...

"I am sorry Gabriella"

As fast as the words are spoken the noise stops, the fog clears, and the pier is as it was before Reverend's stubborn defiance almost bought him a sea nap.

With his eyes, he asks Gabriella "was that really necessary?".

With her smile she lets him know... it was.

He puts his jacket on in a calm and most dignified manner, tilting his hat as to appear unbothered.

She holds out her hand palm up. He realizes it is just time he is wasting. He removes and hands her a bracelet of alternating black and green stones. Into her pocket it goes, and she finally returns a smile. Her smile puts his to shame. Just one more pause to leave no question as to who holds the power.

"Permission granted"