O'Father where art thou...

[Rory]

Rory looked surprised that she would ask him, and invite comparison between the two.

"Of course it is," he replied, becoming serious. "Yours, that is. If something were to happen," he began, gesturing, then rubbing his chin as he searched for the words.

"You risk dying while not in a state of grace."

He cocked his head, curious if she'd ever considered the possibility.

[Rory]

"In the simplest terms, the term 'state of grace' means that you are free of any unresolved mortal sin, and will not be barred from the Kingdom of Christ," Rory explained.

It had been a while since he'd struggled in a conversation; he felt as if he was playing poker without having seen his hole cards. She'd spoken of... death... but had not seemed overly concerned with elaborating and penance. Instead, she was here for something else.

He rubbed a hand over his chin, considering the mystery for a few moments more before nodding.

"I'm sorry, I thought your question was rhetorical. In some ways, it can be. Some seek comfort rather than absolution. Some see only the stern face of rules and punishment, and not the loving embrace and forgiveness."

The corner of his mouth twitched in a half smile and he looked up at Daysha.

"Sometimes you want to help people but they won't meet you half way."

[Rory]

Rory's eyes narrowed and his eyes slid away, looking around the nave.

Was Ashton Kutcher going to jump out and tell him he was Punk'd if he went for this?

Or was this woman one of the few that had witnessed... something?

"No greater love has a man than he lay down his life for his friends, this we are told in the Book of John," Rory answered, voice dropping. "The sacrifice is the most potent act, with His sacrifice, every soul was given a chance for redemption. But the Word is clear. Sacrifice does not impart a state of grace. This is why Jesus prayed at Gethsemane."

Rory wanted to vomit, and he looked away again.

Looking back, his voice dropped again, to almost a whisper but with an undertone of urgency.

"This is the official position of the Holy See, which I represent as long as I wear these vestments."

More, he wanted to say, but could not in good conscience; it was up to her to ask the right question now.

[Rory]

The changes were small, but there, when Daysha asked if he was quoting from memory; eyes hardened slightly, and the line of his mouth flattened.

"Let me ask you this, Officer."

It didn't sound like a request.

"When you Miranda-rize someone, do you do it from memory? And if you do, does it make the law less valid? Moreover: do you agree with every law? Maybe -- maybe not. It's not your job to, and whether or not you agree or disagree should have little effect on whether or not you uphold the law and no effect on your answer should someone ask you what the law says."

Taking a breath, he held up a hand to forestall an argument before he continued, "And so we have judges. And so we will be Judged."

For a few moments it seemed he was done, and his features slowly softened again to their original cast.

"Of course I believe in these things, as much as I believe in the Heavenly Host."

Finally, he took the plunge.

"What have you seen?"

He left the rest unasked; what had she done?

[Rory]

Rory unconsciously leaned back as she leaned in; he wasn't used to having someone in his personal space, and so he shied away from the proximity.

"The Word warns us of these things," he replied just as quietly, needing her to understand that he wasn't just agreeing so she would continue. In other circumstances he might point out that even people of faith didn't realize that questioning the agents of darkness was blasphemy by association.

"Are you speaking about... a possession?"

She'd spoken of things that took more than material items, but even as he asked the question he realized he wanted to ask a different one.