"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" Gabriel teased gently. He could probably find out, but angels didn't tend to look too deeply into the future. It was for humanity to determine, and there was so much in a state of flux--that was one of the reasons why psychic power tended to be more about impressions than true detailed visions, at least in Gabe's world. Even here, Skul said visions were unreliable.

Gabriel shook his head. "Religion was the first means by why humanity started to really get what my Lord was about, but it's not required, no. Devout Christians can be among the worst of Lucifer's people, while atheists embody all the kindness and love we could wish." He smiled, and it was sad and proud all at once. "Recently my Master and Lucifer had a wager. Joby, the champion my Lord chose, had never heard His name until Lucifer used Christianity to destroy Joby's love of life in just the way you described. Fear and guilt are Lucifer's greatest weapons."

He shrugged and gave Finbar a tiny grin over the rim of his mug. "If you feel you can open some eyes, I'm certainly not going to stop you."

That grin widened and Gabe felt an unexpected thrill of warmth. Back. As if Gabe came from this reality. As if he belonged in this reality. "It's good to be here," he murmured with a slowly growing smile, the sort that was so radiant it could almost light up the room. "I like it. There's interesting people. Good people."