[031] [audio]

[to_rebel]

[It's with fumbling hands that Castiel turns on the tablet. No video; he has enough presence of mind not to put the statue -- the mockery he's managed to look in the face -- on a camera, just in case.]

I can't--

[The tablet drops from nerveless fingers and clatters to the ground. Castiel's voice seems far away, distracted.] I may need help.

[The

Comments

[Video]

[inforapound]

Castiel?

[He's worried enough to, at least for the moment, burn away the bitterness.]

Where are you?

[Audio]

[to_rebel]

[No video for you, Balthazar, for a couple of reasons -- not the least of which that he simply can't reach the tablet.]

I looked. [Which was a very, very stupid thing to do apparently. Distractedly:] Field. West of the city.

[Audio]

[inforapound]

Hell. Don't move. I'll be right there.

[not!Audio]

[to_rebel]

[Moving is too difficult. He'll be right here, staring a statue in the eye.]

[Action]

[inforapound]

[Cas, that is so not the right way to turn back into a proper angel.

The sound of Balthazar's wings comes at a few seconds delay, and for once the anger he radiates is directed entirely at the whatever-it-is that has apparently ensnared his brother.]

Oh, Castiel. What did you do?

[Action]

[to_rebel]

[He figured that out, thanks. As for what he did, he got mad at an angel statue and looked at it. Who wouldn't?]

Don't look. [It's filling his mind's eye, all he can see or sense, and the last thing he wants or needs is the both of them staring at it.]

[Action]

[inforapound]

I'm not. [It's not quite true; the thing's eerie enough that he can't not keep tabs out of the corner of his vision, but most of his attention is focused on Castiel.

He claps a hand on his brother's shoulder, too tight to be comfortable.]

Are your hunters liable to be at their bar this time of the day?

[Action]

[to_rebel]

[The tension that greets Balthazar's grip is not completely because of the statue (that's not a statue, apparently.) Not that long ago, he had the impression that Balthazar would gladly kill him before Castiel could turn on him.

... Not that Castiel found much to argue with that logic, at the moment.

His voice is a little quiet.] Most likely.

[Action]

[inforapound]

[He still might, some day. But Castiel has to be alive for him to do that. At least that's what he tells himself.]

Good.

[He takes wing, jerking the both of them away from the - thing, whatever it is. It's not the smoothest flight, but at least it's short. The Roadhouse isn't that far away.]

[Action]

[to_rebel]

[Castiel finally understands Dean's reluctance to fly. He pulls away from Balthazar and brings his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. The noise he makes is low and frustrated.]

Still there.

[Action]

[inforapound]

[Balthazar swears, harsh and quiet.]

Is it there , or did it put something there?

[He's oddly reluctant to go looking himself; dragging Castiel off was a risk in and of itself, without knowing what might have resulted from it.]

[Action]

[to_rebel]

It put something there. I can still see it. [Still see it, and it's still there, trying to direct his thoughts. He's less than pleased.]