Post by Cassiel on Apr 8, 2016 6:19:16 GMT
CASTIEL--
The week from Hell.
He'd heard a human say the phrase once, and it stuck with him. It really seemed fitting for this past couple of weeks, or so. Meg. Anna. Jo. All of them, suddenly back from the dead, or back from what he'd believed was death.
Death himself paying Castiel a visit, to tell him how admired and respected he was by a being so powerful sometimes even Cas could only barely grasp it. Then, Death just casually remaking him into the newest archangel. Balance. The ongoing struggle to deal with his new power, something that still overwhelmed him. And then Death coming back, later, to warn Cas, and to give him a message to deliver to the Winchesters.
Gabriel seeking him out. Gabriel broken and lost, something that had shocked Castiel into giving him trust and the offer of shelter, should he want it. A brother once beloved, and now maybe a chance at that relationship again. But.. Lucifer meeting with Gabriel; Gabriel telling him of it. And, again, being forced to acknowledge that he might have to work with Lucifer. No matter how much that make his chest ache with a very human terror.
Then there was Ben Braeden. He'd done what was asked of him there – by Sam and by Ben himself – and restored the boy's memories, despite fears that it would break him. But, he was very much Dean's son, and Cas knew now his stubbornness would see him through. As for the rest of what had been asked of him? Well, he'd do whatever he could there, too, and willingly. He had only to wait for word from Sam, or Ben, and he would do whatever was required of him. He owed that to Ben, and to Lisa.
And Meg...which was just so complicated. Castiel loved her, he...couldn't deny it. But now, he was watching her waste away, thanks to the cambion child she carried inside her. And not even the power granted him by Death seemed able to do more than slow the process of the baby eating away at her very essence as it grew – faster than a human child, he'd learned, and so much stronger. He loved her, and he was losing her, and not all of his power could change that fact.
With all of this, here he was, sitting once more in Kelley's, in his usual place. Cas was staring out the window, watching the traffic pass by on the highway as he let the thoughts of the recent past wash over him. For reasons even he didn't understand, he found it easier to think here, away from everything.
Oh, of course he felt Nan's eyes on him, off and on. He knew she was watching him. There was something comforting about that, knowing that she was watching him, and watching out for him. It amused him, as well. She was, well, so very human; frail and weak in the ways humans were. Yet, here she was, worrying over him, watching over him, the embodiment of everything an angel should be, in human form.
His eyes drifted from absently watching the traffic to finally meet with hers across the room. Times like this, he wondered why she even put up with him. But he was grateful for it.
MACKENZIE CRAWFORD--
Mac had only had a few incidents lately. A few headaches. No more blood as of yet. But... it was like Emma was trying to be a bit more careful with her newfound friend. She, had been keeping up with Chris. And really it was time to bring another round of groceries up to him. Nan had asked her how things had gone the first time around, and as she had explained, great. He... had been so very nice to her. A bit quiet, but nice. Nan had rather eyed her a bit. But made sure that she was keeping her busy here too. And she had been doing so well.
She was cleaning up the other tables, not right next to Castiel, but she was just humming softly as Nan called her over to pick up some coffee and Castiel's favorite pie to bring over to him.
Apparently, Mac was the mistress of pies. She had now brought Chris, Raleigh, and Castiel pie. That’s how friends are made ladies and gentleman. Pies.
She was quiet as she came up, he seemed lost in thought, and she didn't want to disturb him, but as she drew closer Emma actually made a hmm noise. She remembered Castiel. Having seen him with the boys once upon an age ago. -Not right now, Emma. I don't want to drop stuff.- She whispered to the girl in her head. She smiled softly to Castiel as she came up to him. "Hi... Nan thought that you would would like a treat... Can I get you something else?" She asked as she tilted her head some. -Yes you can get him something else. Look at that face. Come on Mac... indulge me!- Mac was quietly shushing Emma as she was starting to get a little more fiesty in her head. Good LORD. If this was how it was going to be every time Emma wanted something she was going to have to start... grounding her... or something.
Hopefully Chris found that book. Maybe that would give her some pointers on how to deal with the dead. Or... spirits. Or ghosts. Or... something. She didn't even know.
CASTIEL--
When Cas's eyes met Nan's, she rose a brow in silent question. Did he finally want something, he knew she was asking. He shrugged, then nodded. He might as well, since he did understand that it was standard practice to not linger in businesses like this without making purchases. Besides, it was Nan...which would mean Nan's coffee, and probably pie. He might not need it, but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy it. Immensely so, since the remaking and learning that he could taste the flavours as humans did, instead of just as the collection of individual molecules.
Okay, there were some things about being an archangel instead of a seraph that were a delight. Food might be one of those things.
One of the women that worked for Nan moved over to pick up whatever Nan had decided he was getting today – and he never found her decisions anything less than perfect, sometimes it amazed him how she was able to do it – and approached his table. He didn't really pay her much mind at first, having allowed himself to drift back into his thoughts. But then, something about her caught his attention, something he couldn't quite figure out. She was....different. But, sensing no danger from her, he merely watched her quietly.
Castiel's lips twisted a bit, into something that he hoped resembled a smile. “No, thank you.” He paused, his gaze flicking over to Nan. Again, she just seemed to know what he was asking silently, and she merely nodded with a smile. “But I could use a bit of company, and someone to share this pie with.” He gestured to the seat across from him as he spoke. There was something about this woman. And he was curious, very much so.
MAC--
Needless to say Mac had been thankful to Nan for everything that she had done for her family before her dad had passed. And even now so incredible to her with letting her work when she could. When she felt up to it.
Besides, Nan knew that if she was busy she would always make time for her, and... god it was like Nan just seemed... to know things. When she had set the things down though for Castiel there had been that genuine quiet smile of Mac's as she was fully expecting him to say no and head her off. That was how it usually went with things. And she could understand it. Sometimes people just wanted some quiet to reflect on things.
And pie.
Mac offered him another smile as he said no thank you, and smiled as he did. She caught that glance to Nan, and she peeked over to Nan too a moment, as she glanced back to Castiel again, as he was continuing on and she didn't want to be rude. "Oh... um..." She looked to the other seat, and then back to Nan who was waving her on to take a seat. It wasn't busy and Mac had been there most of the day today, stubbornly helping when someone else had called out.
She slipped into the seat across from him, as she offered him a little bit of a smile. "I um... I have seen you in before... I'm pretty certain..." She said softly as she peeked over to him. "My... name is Mackenzie... but... my friends call me Mac." To be honest, she had never really been randomly asked to sit with someone that she didn't know... but... there was something about him. Maybe it was the fact that Emma seemed to recognize him.
||Nan is a freaking saint. Really she is. Always has a soft spot for people like him. And. Look at you. I'm so proud of you little one. ||
If Mackenzie could have face palmed and not looked crazy in that moment she would have done just that. -Shhhhh Emma. Shhh.-
Good lord knows. Emma did seem to know her share of people.. Or at least by sight. But at least it wasn't quite the emotional reaction it had been when she had seen Chris. She... was nervous about that. But looking forward to visiting with him again too.
But for now, her eyes had settled back on Castiel, as one of the others brought over a cup of hot chocolate for her, and she glanced to Nan who smiled and winked and headed off content that they were settled for a bit.
"It is almost scary how good she is at that sometimes." She laughed softly shaking her head.
CASTIEL--
Cas couldn't help but be amused by the woman actually checking with Nan before consenting to join him by virtue of sliding into the seat across from him. Then again, he supposed she had no idea what he was, or who he was – not really. It wasn't the sort of thing Nan would go telling just anyone, after all. She was very practiced at keeping secrets.
“I come here from time to time, yes,” he replied with a nod, offering her a gentle smile in return. She was so nervous, and he wanted to be kind to her. There was no reason to be anything else, no matter what might be troubling him. Besides, the best way to figure out what was different about her – and be absolutely certain she wasn't in any way a threat to Nan because of it – was to keep her here, talking, until he could figure it out.
He just watched her for a few moments, the silence stretching out just shy of long enough to be truly uncomfortable. “Mackenzie. Or...Mac? I'm not sure which I should use.” He chuckled, a sound closer to a soft rumble than anything. “I suppose we can wait and see. I'm...Cas.” It was just easier to use his given nickname; it always attracted less attention than his true name. And he was wanting to figure her out, not give her clues to figure him out. There had been far too many people in the past few years that had gained reasons to think angels might be real. And his name...well, it wasn't unknown, especially among those familiar with the Kabbalah.
Cas was about to speak again, make some sort of small talk – he wasn't fond of it, but he was capable of it when it was required – when he caught a faint sound, almost like someone speaking without the words being quite clear. Yet, he knew immediately it wasn't anyone within the establishment. Or...at least, not anyone tangible. His head canted to the side just a bit, regarding Mac. It was her, he was certain, something about her.
Still, he said nothing about the incident, recovering quickly with a smile to Mac as she accepted the cup brought to her. Bless Nan, he thought, meaning it. “She's very skilled at understanding people, and what they need.” It was an honest answer, and something he greatly respected about Nan. It was part of why he valued her advice and opinions, as well. She understood so often not only what he needed to know when sometimes he didn't even know how to ask, but she understood so much about human behaviour and thought, and could explain it to him in ways he could grasp.
“But what about you?” He found that he was genuinely curious about this shy, anxious woman. Even if he was really just trying to keep her talking in hopes of catching more clues to what made her so different.
The week from Hell.
He'd heard a human say the phrase once, and it stuck with him. It really seemed fitting for this past couple of weeks, or so. Meg. Anna. Jo. All of them, suddenly back from the dead, or back from what he'd believed was death.
Death himself paying Castiel a visit, to tell him how admired and respected he was by a being so powerful sometimes even Cas could only barely grasp it. Then, Death just casually remaking him into the newest archangel. Balance. The ongoing struggle to deal with his new power, something that still overwhelmed him. And then Death coming back, later, to warn Cas, and to give him a message to deliver to the Winchesters.
Gabriel seeking him out. Gabriel broken and lost, something that had shocked Castiel into giving him trust and the offer of shelter, should he want it. A brother once beloved, and now maybe a chance at that relationship again. But.. Lucifer meeting with Gabriel; Gabriel telling him of it. And, again, being forced to acknowledge that he might have to work with Lucifer. No matter how much that make his chest ache with a very human terror.
Then there was Ben Braeden. He'd done what was asked of him there – by Sam and by Ben himself – and restored the boy's memories, despite fears that it would break him. But, he was very much Dean's son, and Cas knew now his stubbornness would see him through. As for the rest of what had been asked of him? Well, he'd do whatever he could there, too, and willingly. He had only to wait for word from Sam, or Ben, and he would do whatever was required of him. He owed that to Ben, and to Lisa.
And Meg...which was just so complicated. Castiel loved her, he...couldn't deny it. But now, he was watching her waste away, thanks to the cambion child she carried inside her. And not even the power granted him by Death seemed able to do more than slow the process of the baby eating away at her very essence as it grew – faster than a human child, he'd learned, and so much stronger. He loved her, and he was losing her, and not all of his power could change that fact.
With all of this, here he was, sitting once more in Kelley's, in his usual place. Cas was staring out the window, watching the traffic pass by on the highway as he let the thoughts of the recent past wash over him. For reasons even he didn't understand, he found it easier to think here, away from everything.
Oh, of course he felt Nan's eyes on him, off and on. He knew she was watching him. There was something comforting about that, knowing that she was watching him, and watching out for him. It amused him, as well. She was, well, so very human; frail and weak in the ways humans were. Yet, here she was, worrying over him, watching over him, the embodiment of everything an angel should be, in human form.
His eyes drifted from absently watching the traffic to finally meet with hers across the room. Times like this, he wondered why she even put up with him. But he was grateful for it.
MACKENZIE CRAWFORD--
Mac had only had a few incidents lately. A few headaches. No more blood as of yet. But... it was like Emma was trying to be a bit more careful with her newfound friend. She, had been keeping up with Chris. And really it was time to bring another round of groceries up to him. Nan had asked her how things had gone the first time around, and as she had explained, great. He... had been so very nice to her. A bit quiet, but nice. Nan had rather eyed her a bit. But made sure that she was keeping her busy here too. And she had been doing so well.
She was cleaning up the other tables, not right next to Castiel, but she was just humming softly as Nan called her over to pick up some coffee and Castiel's favorite pie to bring over to him.
Apparently, Mac was the mistress of pies. She had now brought Chris, Raleigh, and Castiel pie. That’s how friends are made ladies and gentleman. Pies.
She was quiet as she came up, he seemed lost in thought, and she didn't want to disturb him, but as she drew closer Emma actually made a hmm noise. She remembered Castiel. Having seen him with the boys once upon an age ago. -Not right now, Emma. I don't want to drop stuff.- She whispered to the girl in her head. She smiled softly to Castiel as she came up to him. "Hi... Nan thought that you would would like a treat... Can I get you something else?" She asked as she tilted her head some. -Yes you can get him something else. Look at that face. Come on Mac... indulge me!- Mac was quietly shushing Emma as she was starting to get a little more fiesty in her head. Good LORD. If this was how it was going to be every time Emma wanted something she was going to have to start... grounding her... or something.
Hopefully Chris found that book. Maybe that would give her some pointers on how to deal with the dead. Or... spirits. Or ghosts. Or... something. She didn't even know.
CASTIEL--
When Cas's eyes met Nan's, she rose a brow in silent question. Did he finally want something, he knew she was asking. He shrugged, then nodded. He might as well, since he did understand that it was standard practice to not linger in businesses like this without making purchases. Besides, it was Nan...which would mean Nan's coffee, and probably pie. He might not need it, but that didn't mean he didn't enjoy it. Immensely so, since the remaking and learning that he could taste the flavours as humans did, instead of just as the collection of individual molecules.
Okay, there were some things about being an archangel instead of a seraph that were a delight. Food might be one of those things.
One of the women that worked for Nan moved over to pick up whatever Nan had decided he was getting today – and he never found her decisions anything less than perfect, sometimes it amazed him how she was able to do it – and approached his table. He didn't really pay her much mind at first, having allowed himself to drift back into his thoughts. But then, something about her caught his attention, something he couldn't quite figure out. She was....different. But, sensing no danger from her, he merely watched her quietly.
Castiel's lips twisted a bit, into something that he hoped resembled a smile. “No, thank you.” He paused, his gaze flicking over to Nan. Again, she just seemed to know what he was asking silently, and she merely nodded with a smile. “But I could use a bit of company, and someone to share this pie with.” He gestured to the seat across from him as he spoke. There was something about this woman. And he was curious, very much so.
MAC--
Needless to say Mac had been thankful to Nan for everything that she had done for her family before her dad had passed. And even now so incredible to her with letting her work when she could. When she felt up to it.
Besides, Nan knew that if she was busy she would always make time for her, and... god it was like Nan just seemed... to know things. When she had set the things down though for Castiel there had been that genuine quiet smile of Mac's as she was fully expecting him to say no and head her off. That was how it usually went with things. And she could understand it. Sometimes people just wanted some quiet to reflect on things.
And pie.
Mac offered him another smile as he said no thank you, and smiled as he did. She caught that glance to Nan, and she peeked over to Nan too a moment, as she glanced back to Castiel again, as he was continuing on and she didn't want to be rude. "Oh... um..." She looked to the other seat, and then back to Nan who was waving her on to take a seat. It wasn't busy and Mac had been there most of the day today, stubbornly helping when someone else had called out.
She slipped into the seat across from him, as she offered him a little bit of a smile. "I um... I have seen you in before... I'm pretty certain..." She said softly as she peeked over to him. "My... name is Mackenzie... but... my friends call me Mac." To be honest, she had never really been randomly asked to sit with someone that she didn't know... but... there was something about him. Maybe it was the fact that Emma seemed to recognize him.
||Nan is a freaking saint. Really she is. Always has a soft spot for people like him. And. Look at you. I'm so proud of you little one. ||
If Mackenzie could have face palmed and not looked crazy in that moment she would have done just that. -Shhhhh Emma. Shhh.-
Good lord knows. Emma did seem to know her share of people.. Or at least by sight. But at least it wasn't quite the emotional reaction it had been when she had seen Chris. She... was nervous about that. But looking forward to visiting with him again too.
But for now, her eyes had settled back on Castiel, as one of the others brought over a cup of hot chocolate for her, and she glanced to Nan who smiled and winked and headed off content that they were settled for a bit.
"It is almost scary how good she is at that sometimes." She laughed softly shaking her head.
CASTIEL--
Cas couldn't help but be amused by the woman actually checking with Nan before consenting to join him by virtue of sliding into the seat across from him. Then again, he supposed she had no idea what he was, or who he was – not really. It wasn't the sort of thing Nan would go telling just anyone, after all. She was very practiced at keeping secrets.
“I come here from time to time, yes,” he replied with a nod, offering her a gentle smile in return. She was so nervous, and he wanted to be kind to her. There was no reason to be anything else, no matter what might be troubling him. Besides, the best way to figure out what was different about her – and be absolutely certain she wasn't in any way a threat to Nan because of it – was to keep her here, talking, until he could figure it out.
He just watched her for a few moments, the silence stretching out just shy of long enough to be truly uncomfortable. “Mackenzie. Or...Mac? I'm not sure which I should use.” He chuckled, a sound closer to a soft rumble than anything. “I suppose we can wait and see. I'm...Cas.” It was just easier to use his given nickname; it always attracted less attention than his true name. And he was wanting to figure her out, not give her clues to figure him out. There had been far too many people in the past few years that had gained reasons to think angels might be real. And his name...well, it wasn't unknown, especially among those familiar with the Kabbalah.
Cas was about to speak again, make some sort of small talk – he wasn't fond of it, but he was capable of it when it was required – when he caught a faint sound, almost like someone speaking without the words being quite clear. Yet, he knew immediately it wasn't anyone within the establishment. Or...at least, not anyone tangible. His head canted to the side just a bit, regarding Mac. It was her, he was certain, something about her.
Still, he said nothing about the incident, recovering quickly with a smile to Mac as she accepted the cup brought to her. Bless Nan, he thought, meaning it. “She's very skilled at understanding people, and what they need.” It was an honest answer, and something he greatly respected about Nan. It was part of why he valued her advice and opinions, as well. She understood so often not only what he needed to know when sometimes he didn't even know how to ask, but she understood so much about human behaviour and thought, and could explain it to him in ways he could grasp.
“But what about you?” He found that he was genuinely curious about this shy, anxious woman. Even if he was really just trying to keep her talking in hopes of catching more clues to what made her so different.