bakerstreet | ʙᴏᴛʜ ɪɴ ʜᴇʟʟ

ʙᴏᴛʜ ɪɴ ʜᴇʟʟ

Of all the places in this world, there's nowhere worse you could be than where you are now. You're in hell - metaphorically or literally - and laying down and just dying seems more and more like the valid action to take. But you can't go any lower and death could be a no escape. There's only one thing keeping you from being a jaded, broken husk: you've fallen in love with someone who shares this fate. It's a love so different than the norm, that only those who've known this desolation can fathom. Perhaps they give you hope, they're an innocent worth keeping safe, they showed you unexpected kindness, or they're simply something to cling to. No matter what, you'll protect them and you wouldn't dream of leaving this place without them. They will leave, though...

...even if you don't.

☣ ＣＯＭＭＥＮＴ．ＩＮＦＯ．ＰＲＥＦＥＲＥＮＣＥＳ．
☣ ＲＥＰＬＹＴＯＯＴＨＥＲＳ．
☣ ＴＨＲＥＡＤ.

ＣＡＰＴＵＲＥＤ → For a crime you committed or not, you're in a prison.
ＶＡＬＵＥ → Something about you is worth quite a deal to the wrong person.
ＳＣＩＥＮＴＩＦＩＣ → You're nothing but an experiment, a lab rat.
ＰＥＲＳＥＣＵＴＥＤ → Your mistreatment is not because of what you've done. It's for who you are.
ＦＲＥＡＫＳＨＯＷ → All of your oddities are on display for the amusement of others.
ＦＯＲＣＥ → You have to do horrible things, though not of your own will or design.
ＲＡＣＫ → There's not just isolation or imprisonment on your plate - there's physical torture as well.
ＢＲＩＭＳＴＯＮＥ → "Hell" is no hyperbole; you're in the fiery pit itself.
ＷＩＬＤＣＡＲＤ

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True, but a a large part of that is due to your interference. And we're not certain, are we, who's intervening on your behalf? I'd rather not chance it further in your case, or at all in mine. I don't think I'm important enough to resurrect.

[Unless he could be resurrected for the sake of his skill in back massage. Cas seems to be responding remarkably well to it so far. Pushing his luck, Balthazar presses the pad of his thumb against the sweet spot where wings would join the body, if they were solid. He's pretending not to notice the dropped feathers.]

I'm afraid I don't have anything concrete in mind as far as getting their attention. I have several good arguments why they should be interested in our cause. But I think someone dying may be the only way to get Atropos' attention...

Oh, I'm sure I could make several good arguments as to why you're important enough to resurrect.

[Although most of those reasons are personal, and one or two may or may not be related to Balthazar's skill as a masseur. There's a quiet appreciative groan from Cas as his thumb finds just the right spot.]

You're right, though - it's better not to risk it. Eventually whoever's responsible is going to stop bringing me back.

[He falls silent, considering their options. None of them seem very attractive.]

Well... Given how gentle the guards are, there's probably already enough death around us.

[That little noise sends a shiver down Balthazar's spine. Under other circumstances, it would definitely be enough cause for him to push his luck, maybe even try to steal a kiss...but this isn't the ideal time or place, even he can recognize that.

He won't forget that spot, though.

He gives a little sigh and nuzzles Castiel's hair, then refocuses on the matter at hand, still kneading between his wings.] Well, you know how I like to collect spells. I thought some insurance against Fate sneaking up on me might be appropriate after the Titanic incident.

I can't summon any of the Moirai, but I can make the golden threads light up around a living human. If any of our demon friends is in a meatsuit that's still alive, they'll light up like a Christmas tree, and we can yank on the tinsel until someone takes notice.

[Castiel rounds his shoulders, stretching out stiff muscles that are already starting to loosen up under Balthazar's fingers. He's still contemplating the risks they're taking, but without any other alternatives, it still seems better than waiting.]

I'm sure this isn't what you intended to use such a spell for.

[Balthazar might be a little... unconventional in his methods at times, but it's hard not to give him credit for his resourcefulness and forethought. It's certainly going to go a long way in saving their lives, no doubt.]

What do you need for the spell?

No...but I like to hoard things in case they come in handy later. Wouldn't be the first time that benefited you. [The grin is audible in his voice. He's still pleased with himself over having Lot's Salt available at the right time and place.] Just call me your personal magpie, hm?

[Coming up to the end of what he can do to ease Castiel, as far as massage, he leans in and kisses the top of his head, then straightens, sobering.] Blood. We'll need blood, from one of our vessels. I'll just borrow one of these feathers you've dropped. And we'll need a demon, of course. That may be the tricky part.

We could scream for attention, but we might get more of them running in here than we can handle. Ideas?

No, it's certainly not the first time, and I'm sure it won't be the last either. Not at this rate, anyway. Just don't start keeping count, all right?

[He smiles as Balthazar kisses the top of his head, but takes the cue and also straightens up. Blood, feathers... Sounds easy enough. Trying to draw in one single demon might be more complicated though.]

Tell them... Hmm. [He tilts his head for a moment, thinking.] Tell them I've decided to tell one of them where some of the rest of the angels who were loyal to me may still be hiding. But I'll only speak to one of them. That should get their attention.

I can't keep count? Does that mean I can't have a scrapbook, either? [Smiling, Balthazar disentangles himself and rises. His knees and hips pop quietly as his body stretches and unkinks, but if it hurts, he makes no sign.]

Tell the demons that Castiel wants to give them information? That could work. Try...try acting more worn down than you are. It will make it more believable.

[He advances toward the cell door; the chain linking their Graces won't let him go too far, but he can manage a few paces. Leaning against the slit of a window they have, he listens a moment, then hisses quietly.]

Ssst! Demon! We want to talk. Who's in charge?

[There's a pause as whatever demon he's addressed processes this, then a response:] What makes you think we want to talk to you? You're as good as dead anyway.

Mmm. But there's still fighting going on out there, because we haven't been executed yet. Now, tell me you're convinced Raphael will keep his bargain with Hell. [There's a notably uncertain silence, and after a moment he goes on.] Yes, that's what I thought. Bring us a crossroads demon; Castiel is ready to make a deal.

No, no scrapbooks either. [He's a bit more attentitve at the cracking of Balthazar's joints, but not seeing any signs of pain, lets it go as just another sign that they both need to get out of there.]

A little more worn down. All right.

[He stays seated on the floor, and pulls one knee up to rest his arm on it, slouching forward. He lets his shoulders sag and his head drop so he can just see Balthazar out of his peripheral vision. He listens quietly to the conversation before lifting his head to look at the small window.]

Hurry up, before I change my mind.

[There's a nerve-wracking pause where it looks like the demon just might call their bluff. Balthazar, to his credit, stands his ground focusing a narrow stare through the window-slit, and after the space of several breaths, the demon answers:]

Fine. But if you're playing games, I will personally tear off your wings and make you eat them.

[Balthazar's eyebrows twitch, but all he says is:] No worries. Just get someone in here.

--Oh, but make sure they come alone. Everyone else stays down the hall out of earshot. We don't want someone playing games with us and ruining the deal. Understood?

[There's no answer, but the distinctive sound of a demon smoking out for travel tells them their request has been heard. Balthazar lets out a soft sigh and turns back to Castiel.] Promise me no heroics if this doesn't work, all right?

[He stays still, waiting quietly for the demon to make his decision. For a moment, it doesn't look like he's going to buy it, and Castiel starts trying to figure out an alternative way to get them alone with one of their captors.

He lets it go, though, as soon as the demon answers and it's clear he's at least mostly fallen for their ruse. He tenses slightly as the threat is issued, but lets it slide. It won't matter, after all, as long as they're successful.

Castiel gets up as soon as the demon smokes up, scooping up the dropped feathers on the floor, and keeps his voice down.]

If this doesn't work, they will likely be angry enough with the attempt that I won't be able to protect you. [That's not actually a promise he won't try, just an acknowledgement that the attempt might not make any difference.]

We better make sure the spell is ready. We'll have to act quickly before the crossroads demon realizes that there's something more happening and raises the alarm.

That's not a promise at all. [Balthazar gives him a look, saying as clearly as words that he knows what Castiel's trying to pull and is not fooled. Of course, he also knows they have very limited time, and there's a lot to be said for the idea of setting up the spell in full before their quarry arrives. He drops to his knees next to Cas, and helps scoop feathers together.]

I've got more blood to spare; you've been shedding too much of yours.

[Angel quills are sharp; he takes a moment to seek out a vein on his vessel's arm and jabs into it sharply. The bleed is sluggish, but sufficient for their purposes, and he's quick to start sketching sigils on the cleanest part of the floor.] Will you keep watch, love? This won't take long.

It won't matter whether I promise or not as long as we're successful. [Castiel has no intention of making any promises he's likely to break, and he knows he would have a very hard time not protecting Balthazar.

He doesn't argue when Balthazar decides to use his own blood for the spell. It feels too petty to do so when they're pressed for time. He gets back to his feet, watching the progress on the sigils before moving to the door, keeping an eye out for any sign of the demons returning while still occasionally glancing back in Balthazar's direction.]

Yes, I'll keep watch. How is this spell going to work?

Edited 2015-06-03 02:40 (UTC)

You're getting cleverer, Cassi. I approve. [Cas gets a warm smile for his mix of prevarication and stubbornness. It's far more endearing than it has any right to be. But then, Balthazar finds a good two-thirds of what Castiel does endearing, and the remaining third is forgivable.]

We're going to need to pounce and cover the demon's mouth well so they don't escape or scream. They don't really have to be in the circle, but withing a few feet of the boundaries will help.

I think it will be best if you pin them down and let me do the incantation. If I recall right, it creates a mist that highlights the thread of life for an individual person. When the threads appear--if we're fortunate enough to catch a demon in a living meatsuit--I'll grab a hold of them.

I'm hoping that much interference will be enough to bring at least one of the Moirai down to tell us off. Then, we talk fast and hope for the best.

Plan B, though, if our crossroads demon has a dead vessel...I suppose we're left with either hostage negotiations or bribing it. Do you have any bribes available?

[This is one of the ways Castiel proves that, despite his belief to the contrary, he does indeed show favouritism to Balthazar. There is no other being on Earth or in Heaven he would ever allow to call him Cassi without strong protest. He returns the smile with one of his own.] Well, I have had a rather good example to learn from.

[The smile fades as he listens to the plan, nodding. There's far too many ifs. If the demon's vessel is alive. If the Moirai show up. If they even agree to help. Then if they don't, it's if someone decides that a crossroads demon's life is more valuable than keeping them imprisoned, or if they can find something valuable enough to trade. Still, though, desperate times.]

Well, neither one of us have a soul to sell. I suppose we could offer it information - where it can hide once Raphael turns on them. It may not be open to negotiation once we've grabbed it, though.

[Balthazar is, somewhere in the back of his mind, aware that he's special in that way. The number of people who get away with teasing Cas the way he does is small, too, come to think of it, if not exclusive to Balthazar.]

That may be the only time in the history of the universe anyone has called me a good example. [He smirks, finishing off the sigils rapidly.]

It's a shame Plan B can't be one of our vessels. That would make the whole thing simpler, but I think the soul of mine has flown since Raphael brought us in to face the music. Rather liked him.

All we have is information. Favors. Money. I have some accounts on the planet, but I doubt a demon would be interested.

I'm not sure I would get too accustomed to being called a good example if I were in your position. [Teasing Balthazar is mostly an attempt to lighten the mood a little. Truthfully, Castiel doesn't feel much like a very good example lately either. His failure to rouse more of their brothers and sisters to their side, his attempts to gain more power to stand against Raphael, and of course, their capture... None of it is terribly encouraging, although it isn't likely to stop him either.

Balthazar's timing is impeccable, as always, and the crossroads demon smokes right into their cell shortly after he finishes the sigils, and says, smirking:] I hear you boys are ready to start singing.

[Castiel's reaction is immediate. He slams bodily into the demon, heaving it face first into the wall closest to the sigils. He presses his forearm into the the back of the demon's neck to pin it while his free hand clamps down over its mouth, while it's taken off guard.

The demon flails briefly, then, recovering, braces its hands on the wall to try to push off and knock Castiel back. He loses a bit of ground, but manages to maintain his grip.]

Yes, well, we're both absolutely terrible angels, so that's all right. [Balthazar takes well to teasing from Cas, or at least he tries to. It only seems fair, since he picks on him mercilessly.

He'd mention as much, except suddenly the energy in the cell shifts, a herald to the demon's arrival. He straightens, ready to help Castiel--except assistance doesn't seem to be needed. He's not that surprised; Cas is a soldier, a garrison captain. He can handle a demon.

Rather than push his luck goading the red-eyed visitor, Balthazar starts in on the enchantment right away, almost whispering it in order to keep from giving away their activities. The power resonates in the red circle, and if Cas is able to turn his focus from the demon for even a moment, he'll see his brother light up in a triumphant smile.

They're in luck. The threads are swimming into view.]

[Castiel gives a bit more ground to the demon as it struggles, re-adjusting the forearm against its neck, and his stance as he shoves it violently back against the wall. With everything they've been through - the torture, watching Balthazar suffer when he's been unable to redirect the guards' attention to himself - he has plenty of pent up anger, and the crossroads demon is a very convenient target.

He glances briefly in Balthazar's direction, encouraged by the triumphant smile. Then the threads start to appear, and he smiles himself. One of the threads is within reach, so he grabs at it, grinding his elbow into the back of the demon's neck, tangling it around his fingers and giving it a pull.

The reaction is immediate. The demon freezes as does any activity outside in the hall, and Atropos appears, glancing back and forth between Castiel and Balthazar furiously. Her voice is shrill as she shouts at them:] Let go of that right now, Castiel! What do you two idiots think you're doing?!

Edited (Just excuse me while I fix my HTML.) 2015-06-07 00:21 (UTC)

[Not only are they in luck, Atropos is being (perhaps unintentionally) very helpful by freezing time around them. Balthazar's smile widens, and he moves to clasp his hand around the thread as well.

He greets her in ancient Greek, but the gesture of respect is probably spoiled by the grin on his face. He looks like a cat that ate a canary. Cas may recognize the expression as similar to the look of boyish amusement after he rendered Raphael's vessel to salt.] Hail, Atropos!

Darling, you look lovely as always. We're going to need some assistance, and since you're here anyway, we were hoping you'd be amenable.

[The Fate's eyes narrow; it looks like she's trying to decide which of the two angels she dislikes more.] After you tried to kill me.

[Balthazar shrugs, affecting an apologetic look.] That was never personal. And we did go to a lot of trouble putting the Titanic back where it was meant to be, all for you.

[Honestly, he still can't figure out how the Winchesters believed he actually time-traveled to prevent a film and a song from being made. Especially after seeing how much effort it takes to do so, even for an angel. Balthazar may be a loose canon, and he can't say he doesn't love the idea, but that's an awful lot of effort to go through. It's particularly a lot of effort to have gone through twice.]

[Castiel releases his hold on the demon once it's frozen in time, but keeps his fingers tangled in the thread surrounding it.

Atropos rolls her eyes in Balthazar's direction, and wastes no time correcting him.] No. You fixed the mess you made with the Titanic because you knew the Winchesters' lives would be forfeit if you didn't.

[Castiel decides they're probably better off getting straight to the point. He tried polite flattery with Atropos the last time they met and she certainly didn't seem to appreciate the effort.] I suspect this time we have some common ground. I can't imagine you're any happier with Raphael's alliance with Hell than we are. This certainly isn't what I intended to happen after helping the Winchesters stop the Apocalypse.

No, no, that's why he fixed the mess with the Titanic. I don't even like the Winchesters. [This is mostly true.

But Castiel has a point. The quicker they make their case, the better. Enough small talk.] You see, we don't see any reason Fate and Free Will can't coexist in one way or another, but we see a lot of reasons Heaven and Hell shouldn't be in bed together. Speaking metaphorically, you understand. I don't think there's any of that going on literally.

[If there is, he doesn't want to know about it.

Atropos scowls at them both, but speaks slowly, thinking this over:] What's your proposal?

[Balthazar gestures with the hand not holding the golden thread.] All we ask is that you let us out, and give us a chance to make good. We'll break up this alliance Crowley has going with our dear elder brother, and then we can all argue about what comes next. Non-violently.

[Atropos crosses her arms.] Well, I can't deny that this alliance is in defiance of the natural order of the universe. I certainly don't approve of it.

[Castiel nods in agreement. It's a total contradiction to what he had said before about Atropos' services no longer being needed, but they need her now, and he's hoping that giving her her purpose back will be enough to convince her to help them.] Balthazar is right. Help us with this, and we will make things right again. I didn't appreciate before how important your work is to you. I owe you an apology for that. We can certainly find a way to work together, going forward, if that's what you want.

[A faint smile flickers over the Fate's face; it doesn't look like it's born entirely of positive emotion. Balthazar would venture to say, in fact, that it's a slightly mean smile. But it does look like acquiescence.] I think you're kissing up because you're cornered. But you know what? If you stick to your agreements, I'll take it.

[Balthazar lets go of his grip on the golden thread slowly, nodding.] Honestly, you're right on both counts. We're in trouble, but we'll keep to our word. Such as it is. We're not promising to let the Apocalypse go through, but we can play fairer going forward.

[Atropos nods, and offers Balthazar a hand, then Castiel.] Fine. Let's get this over with. You both. Owe. Me.

[Maybe it's the malice in the Fate's smile, or something in the way she says they both owe her, but Castiel hesitates just briefly beforel releasing the golden thread. He glances back at the demon, remembering they really don't have much in the way of other options and nods, taking Atropos' hand.] I don't go back on my word.

[Not usually anyway.

Atropos returns the nod, satisified, and asks:] Well, where do you want to go, then?

[Castiel's answer is immediate. He has a promise to keep after all.] Aldabra Atoll.

[Balthazar does occasionally go back on his word, but in this case he intends to keep it, if for no other reason than that Cas is at stake, too. He reaches his free hand to grip his brother's sleeve for stability, and then laughs.]

Oh, Cas! Yes. I concur.

[Atropos is tempted to ask what they're going on about, but thinks better of it. The sooner she drops them off, the better. So, with a roll of her eyes, she unfreezes the scene around them and abruptly yanks them through space.

It's not like angel-flight. It's more like being dragged at high speed through a spider's web. They can see the golden threads flick around them, lashing across bare wings, tickling vessels' skin. It's a strange, unpleasant sensation, but it's brief.

She deposits them unceremoniously on a sandy beach. It's dawn, and the sky is just lightening from grey-violet to vivid pink around the edges.]

There. [Releasing them both, she dusts off her hands.] You're on your own from here, but I'll be watching you.

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Wow, you can tell I was half asleep when I wrote that last tag

psh! Not a problem. :)

And HTML fail in my last tag. I promise I'll be sensible some day.

No one else is, why should you be?

Ah, there's the catch - I never said what day!

fair enough! ;)

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