"Ain't you!" Gabriel sang out, grinning smugly. He reached out to whack Skul's arm. "And I'll have you know I learned misdirection from my Daddy, not from you."

Because that was precisely what he'd planned: to lead them on with a theme. Words were so easy to misdirect with. "Think I'm insulted, by the way," he added, "that you actually thought I was that predictable. Know I can be sometimes, but seriously, Skul, that predictable?"

The Archangel scoffed, and if he hadn't still been grinning it might have almost looked indignant. Almost. "Keep guessin', pardner."

~~~

"Aw, you ain't really dealing with us anyways," Dad said comfortably. "Well, not Me. Can't speak for Gabe." For reasons Guild wouldn't be able to understand but Ghastly might, those words only made His smile broaden and the gleam in His eyes strengthen.

Then He sighed, and something in His face turned careworn and sad. He was almost as expressive as Gabe in His own way--less so, on a scale, but somehow more genuine than most other people managed to be. "Can't speak for the others either. Some of his older brothers have been justifiably protective lately, but one might come along just to give him grief. You know how it is with kids." This last He murmured sombrely. "There's some y'just can't teach."

Then He shrugged. "Leastways I'll still be around if he gets here and starts gettin' too outta hand."