Day 56: Morris Park

[poorexample]

It was disappointing that the sheriff's office had been closed for some reason, but many humans rested on Sunday for what they considered good reason. Castiel himself didn't understand the thought behind it. God may have rested on the seventh day, but that didn't meant that the rest of them were allowed that luxury. He'd certainly never followed

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[no_dont_go]

After leaving the hardware store, a little more somber than she had been upon entering but also more determined, Aigis headed east along Main Street. As she passed by the movie cinema she was reminded of the time she had gone with Minato to see the ninja movie marathon at Iwatodai Port Station. She wasn't sure what movies would be playing at a cinema in a town constructed for the sole purpose of continuing the illusion that Landel's was a proper mental health facility, but she wasn't in the mood for remaining idle anyway. Yes, that's what she considered Doyleton to be, though she had no solid proof it was just a prop. The town just seemed much too artificial to be real. It lacked the life she had come to know from her time spent with the others in Iwatodai

[poorexample]

Upon hearing a female voice at his side, Castiel's immediate reaction was to tense. He still didn't understand why it was that he reacted in such a way to human females, but it wasn't something he could control. Even though he had enjoyed both of the conversations that he'd had with Renamon, she wasn't human, so it didn't count.

However, as he turned to see who had called to him, he realized that this person wasn't entirely human either. Castiel hadn't come across any humans who could shoot bullets from their fingers, at least. He stared at her for a moment, taking in her features now that they were in broad daylight. She appeared human now, but he knew the truth

[no_dont_go]

His words didn't make sense to her at first. In front of the chapel? When had she been anywhere near such a thing? And he mentioned another man. Just describing his height did little to help Aigis visualize the other, but it did jog something in her mind.

A moment of contemplation and it fell into place. The orders to protect an area at all costs. No one was to be allowed through under any circumstances. And two had escaped before she had shut down, but not unscathed. Her eyes widened and her breath returned to her lungs in an involuntary gasp. She had hurt him! This man before her! She had attacked him, and for the institute no less!

Bowing quickly, folded over in proper Japanese style, Aigis squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lip. "I am sorry! I apologize for all I have done to harm you! Please, I-I..."

She couldn't bear to ask forgiveness. She didn't think she deserved it. Not after she had so willingly allowed the institute to drag her away that night.

[poorexample]

While the details he'd given hadn't been much, it seemed that something in what he'd said had been enough to remind her. Castiel watched as the realization fell upon her, that expression so clearly stated that even he could read it. He was taken aback by her reaction, however; particularly the bow. He understood her guilt and her need to apologize, but that didn't make it easier for him to fashion some sort of response

[no_dont_go]

She didn't raise her head when he shuffled back away from her. If he wanted to leave she would not stop him. She could understand his need to move away from someone that had once attacked him

[poorexample]

While Castiel was bothered to hear that she had injured others even more than she had himself and the Doctor, it did make sense. The two of them had cut their losses and made a run for it in the end, which was hardly his most shining moment, but he was no fool. One bullet wound had been bad enough. He could have asked her for details, but even he realized that it wouldn't be helpful information and it would only cause her more pain to explain it

[no_dont_go]

Aigis nodded back. She would expect no warm feelings, and appreciated there being no hard feelings either. "Castiel-san, then. I gladly accept

[poorexample]

It was odd to hear that "-san" tacked on to the end of his name, but Castiel decided it was best to leave it. He didn't understand why a girl like Aigis would be using Japanese polite speech patterns, but there was no reason to question it if that was what made her comfortable

[no_dont_go]

"Very understanding of you," Aigis muttered, nodding again with a sniffle. It truly was kind of him to say, even if it wasn't true. She should have resisted a little. When they came to get her she had just lain there, allowing them to take her away and do whatever it was they had done to put her in such a state as she was that night

[poorexample]

Dark creatures that fed on the willpower of humans -- the first thing that Castiel thought of were the Shtriga, though he couldn't be certain that what Aigis spoke of was the same thing. After all, there were many, many dark creatures, some things even he might not have been aware of. Castiel knew how far the world spanned back, how long these creatures had had the chance to be born and to develop and to fester

[no_dont_go]

Aigis looked up, eyes widening at the strength behind his question. So he believed as well. For the first time since Heat had disappeared, Aigis felt a strange kinship between herself and a fellow patient blossoming. And this time he knew not only of the world's end but understood it to be approaching

[poorexample]

It was close to surreal at this point to be faced with someone who understood what threat they were faced with, and Castiel almost wondered if there was some sort of catch. Aigis seemed equally surprised and exhilarated to have discovered someone else who knew the truth of that was going on, and yet Castiel still had his reservations. This seemed too sudden and too simple

[no_dont_go]

Aigis saw their meeting as a fair share of luck, despite the strain their first encounter had left them under. Everyone else had their own worlds to return to; Carter had his war, Scar had the savannah. She and Castiel shared a world of little time. Together, they understood a swelling end that would soon overtake them if they did not return soon. In this sense, Aigis felt comforted in having found another comrade in arms

[poorexample]

Seeing how she gave no direct response to what he said about Lucifer and the Horsemen, it was difficult to know if she recognized that as part of her Apocalypse or not. Castiel's guess was that she would have somehow reacted to it if she had, which meant that the details didn't match up on both ends. Nonetheless, she understood the urgency, the need to get back that was more than simply escape

[no_dont_go]

"Ah, th-thank you?" Aigis muttered confused, fingers still touching her nose lightly. The words 'bless you' meant nothing to her except they were words said at a temple or shrine. But what did it mean to be blessed, really? She couldn't rightly imagine.

She nodded at his suggestion, struggling to breath through her nose. Something seemed to be causing an obstruction to her airflow, though she could still breathe well enough. She sniffled.

"I will be on my way then." She bowed her head to her new comrade and offered him a parting smile. "I would like to speak again, Castiel-san. Please, feel free to approach me at any time." And with that she took her leave of him, thinking perhaps to find something to warm her from the inside out.