Raven's IC contact (Adstringendum)

[feel_nevermore]

Hi. This is Raven.

If you've really got something important to say, just drop your message here.

If not... please avoid wasting both your time and mine. Beep!

Comments

[Video] | Backdated to about 7PM

[ofthursday]

[She gets the only video message from him when he returns.]

Hello, Raven.

[Video]

[feel_nevermore]

[Raven's lying on her bed when her PCD starts beeping. She feels physically and mentally exhausted and she almost doesn't pick up her phone. But eventually she does. And almost drops her PCD as she discovers Castiel's face.]

...Cas? You're...

[Her hands is shaking a bit.]

Where are you?

[It's as if she needed to make sure he was here for real.]

[Video]

[ofthursday]

[He gives a small nod of greeting.]

I've returned. I'm at the Temple.

[It's definitely still him, if with a bit longer hair and actually looking healthier than he has in a long time.]

[Video]

[feel_nevermore]

[Yes, he is. And he remembers. He wouldn't have called her if he didn't. Raven keeps silent for the longest time.]

I'd like to see you...

[But no. She's being childish.]

Whenever you'll have time.

[Video]

[ofthursday]

[He appreciates that she gives him the opportunity to decide when they meet up, rather than asking him to do so now, though...]

I have time, Raven.

[He knew she'd want to meet with him, and he wants to see her too.]

[Video]

[feel_nevermore]

[It shows in the way he says that that he wants to see her too. That brings a small smile to her lips.]

Wanna come to my place, then?

[Video]

[ofthursday]

[He gives a small nod.]

Alright.

[And a few minutes later, Castiel will arrive in a soft flutter of wings.]

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

[Raven is waiting for him, leaning against her open front door. When he appears in front of her, she doesn't move. She just offers a small nod in greeting and the ghost of a smile.]

Hey.

[She looks paler than usual if such thing is even possible given her natural complexion. The previous days have left her physically and mentally exhausted. Castiel's return is the first good thing that's happened to her in a week.]

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

[He gives a small nod back in greeting, though he notices right away that she doesn't look well.]

Has something happened?

[He wants to reach out and just heal her, but he isn't sure he should. Somehow he doubts she'll appreciate it if he doesn't ask first.]

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

[Can he heal heartaches? If not, it's unlikely he can actually do anything to heal her.]

You left, then Killua, then Harry.

[She says that in her usual monotone. Then she moves to close the distance between them and clutches his trenchcoat. She doesn't hug him but she leans a bit against him.]

But you're back. So how was it back home?

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

[Alas no, but he can cure exhaustion and insomnia from people up late with them. He lets her cling to his coat, unbothered, but unless she actually hugs him he won't move to return the gesture. Losing three friends in such short succession must be difficult for her, but if she wants to move on, he answers her question.]

Peaceful, for a time.

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

[Move on, yes. What other choice does she have anyway? She wouldn't have minded a little bit of comfort, though. But she knows it's not Castiel's way to hug people spontaneously. She lets go of his coat and walks back into her house.]

Why don't you tell me about it while I make us some tea?

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

[He drifts after her quietly, not disagreeing with her suggestion, but not immediately beginning to explain either. He takes his usual seat on the arm of the couch, though, quiet for several moments before he finally begins.]

I am alive, again.

[Obviously, but this is the fourth time. It's getting somewhat ridiculous by now, and it feels like God is just toying with him.]

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

[Raven takes advantage of his moments of quiet to retrieve the tea set and the boiling water from the kitchen. She sets everything onto the coffee table and starts preparing the tea, quietly.]

You're one of the most resilient people I've ever met.

[With Slade. But in Castiel's case, she's grateful.]

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

[Castiel doesn't smile at that, but he does give a small nod. Returning from death four times at home and six here, surviving having his grace torn out, and everything else he's been through certainly qualifies him as resilient. He just sometimes wishes he weren't as much so.]

It simply seems impossible for me to remain dead. I suppose my Father doesn't want me to, for whatever reason.

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

Well if it's your Father's doing, then maybe he's not as bad as some of your brothers seem to think.

[A pause.] And I'm grateful for it.

[She leaves it to him to help himself with the tea if he so wishes and sips at her own mug.] What else?

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

Appreciated, though I'm not not certain of my Father's motives.

[But that people care he's alive is nice, even if he's pretty sure his Father is just playing with him now.

He doesn't pick up his own tea just yet, though he does consider it briefly before looking up at her question.]

I am married.

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

[And excuse her while she's choking on her tea.] You're... married? [Angel can marry?]

Well, um, congratulations are in order then, I guess. I don't suppose I know your wife, right?

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

[He watches her reaction with a mix of concern and faint amusement, but shakes his head at the question.]

You don't. Her name is Daphne.

[And then, seemingly as though he's just remembered, he pulls a wallet from a pocket. It's such an oddly human thing, but he's gotten so used to it, and he pulls out a small picture to hand to Raven.]

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

Daphne. [Raven takes the picture and looks at it for a moment before handing it back to Castiel.] She looks like a very sweet person. How did you two meet?

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

[He takes it back, putting it away with an intense pang of sadness as he remembers it's the last he'll see of Daphne, but he shifts his attention to Raven's question.]

I was... I didn't remember anything. She found me by the river, after I was returned.

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

[When she senses that pang of sadness, Raven instinctively cups his cheek in her palm.] You alright?

You suffered from amnesia? So she found you and took you back to her place? Smart one.

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

I'm fine. [It's a lie, and he doesn't expect her to believe it, but it's more an indicator he doesn't want to talk about it than meant to be deceptive.]

Yes, essentially. I dislike hospitals and didn't want to go to one, so she brought me to her home instead. I didn't want to remember what had happened, but I didn't know why.

[It had been strange. Some part of him had been curious, just a little, but there had been the heavy sense of dread that warned him he wouldn't like what he found out. His new little life, quiet and peaceful with a home and a wife and being able to help people was all he'd needed and really wanted.]

[Offline]

[feel_nevermore]

If you say so. [Her usual way to say she knows it's a lie but she won't pry. And she pulled her hand away. Some part of her is afraid her friend is shutting her off. But another part of her reminds her he's come to see her and it soothes her a bit.]

I know how much you dislike hospitals and clinics, yes. And I think I can guess why you didn't want to remember your angel life.

...So how was it? Your new human life?

[Offline]

[ofthursday]

[It's not just Raven; he can't tell anyone about this, or about his plans to do it here. He'll be stopped, and he can't afford that.]

It was quiet. Peaceful. When we discovered I had the ability to heal, I began to do so for those who needed it; it was believed to a miracle of God. A woman whose cancer I healed said that I must've been an angel.

[He'd taken the compliment at the time, but never gave the slightest consideration it might've been true.]