wingsandwill | 031 [Video] | Forward-dated to Wednesday afternoon

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031 [Video] | Forward-dated to Wednesday afternoon

[Castiel's been using text for the few and far between comments he's made to the network since the event started, but he simply doesn't care to continue doing so. He looks even more disheveled than usual, but his expression is almost eerily blank in contrast; for those that know him well enough to tell, it's not his usual neutral countenance, or even the way he normally looks when he's upset. His eyes are hollow and he's clearly not doing well in regards to the event, but his voice is steady and as unsettlingly detached as his expression.]

There must be someone with the capability to negate the need for sleep. Whoever can do this, whatever your terms for doing so are, they are acceptable.

[He either doesn't notice or doesn't care how desperate the words sound, and his tone never changes. He doesn't even know if 'awake' is the right term; he might be hallucinating now, and when he's in his world he's 'awake'. He can't tell. As it is, he's either already insane or he becomes so in the future, and even if the city is real, maybe he's already gone over the edge here too.

But he won't know--or at least it won't become a nonissue--until Sunday, if it is an event, and if it stops then. And until then, he can't deal with the dreams, or the visions, or the hallucinations or whatever they are that happen whenever he falls asleep. He will find a way to stay awake, whatever it takes.]

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I've told you about Heaven before, about the consequences that can be incurred for misbehavior.

[She nods.] You have, yes.

Before I fully rebelled, I was caught attempting to pass information to Dean. I had yet to actually tell him anything, so the penalty was not that for rebellion, which is usually death. Instead, it was deemed that I'd simply become influenced, and strayed, and it might be possible to undo.

It's usually referred to 'reprogramming', but the more accurate term is 'brainwashing', I believe. Or simply torture.

The same happened to Anna, in my past and her future, and it drove her insane. In these hallucinations, or dreams, it's said the same has happened to me. The treatment is very similar to the cause.

You're not insane, Cas.

[But there's something cold to her voice. Anger. Anger toward the Animus who make him go through this again.]

So in those dreams they keep torturing you while pretending to be healing you?

Edited 2011-11-28 05:31 (UTC)

Essentially.

[A nod. Yes, that's how they do it. She knows. Arkham's therapists are good at that too. They don't torture her physically, only mentally. Telling her she needs help, that she can't control herself alone.]

What do they tell you?

What they told me before.

That I have lost my way. That I have strayed, or that I need to be reminded of what is real, and what my place is.

What are your dreams like?

They are angels too, right?

[She doesn't look at him either. She takes a sip of tea, trying to persuade herself she's telling him a story she heard and that happened to someone else.]

Back there in my world, in Gotham City, there's a psychiatric hospital called Arkham Asylum. All villains who are considered as legally insane are sent them. That's where I wake up. Usually locked up in a cell, when I'm not strapped on a bed because they say I tried to escape. Again.

Yes.

And you said that things change?

That sucks.

[There's not much else to say, is there? She nods at his question.]

I never actually went to Arkham. I only know how it looks like from the outside. So I figured the Animus wouldn't be able to use my memories and would have to make up this place. And since it's in their nature sometimes get confused, I started wondering if I could find some inconsistencies from one night to the other. And I did. Which means the asylum is fake. Even if it feels very real when I'm there.

That is clever. Though it can only prove it to you, at least there is that much.

Indeed. Because if I'm sure of it and you're able to trust me about it, then you don't need further proof, do you? [She's looking at him as well and her look is calm and even.] There's also the fact that when I'm here, I can explain the dreams: it's an event. When I'm there, I can't explain this place. They say I created it but how could I have created a whole year of daily memories. People with their looks, their names, their stories and abilities. Some of them unheard of in my world. The therapists keep saying that's the sign of insanity but I've never had that much imagination to begin with. [That's one of the reasons why she likes books so much.]

[She pauses a bit before reaching for his hand and squeezing it before pulling away.] And you're real, Cas. I know this for a fact. But you're never there, in the asylum. Real is where the people we wish to protect are. [A small smirk.] There are even two of you in this city now.

You're right.

Even were this not real, I wonder if I would prefer to stay here rather than reality.

Of course I am. [She smirks slightly again, in a mock smug manner. She knows Castiel is not a hundred percent convinced but it should be enough to keep him on the sane side for the rest of the event.]

We're only staying here until we find the way to get out of here with our memories intact, Cas.

[Her look is serious. Stay focused on the objective, Cas. That's the key. Then She pulls him by the hand to have him sit down next to her on the couch and she offers a small smile.] You're not insane. But I have to ask you to refrain from making offers over the network like you did today. Because that was plain stupid. And Snape is far from being the worst person you could have stumbled across. [It could have been Tom. Or the Master.] Promise?

Edited 2011-12-01 17:19 (UTC)

Yes. I know.

I'm aware. I was not thinking. I will not do such a thing again.

[She gives him a side glance.] That much was obvious. And I had never seen that guy you talked with before but he made it to my black list on his first try. [She knows he can't make promises for when he's not himself but she hopes that'll make him try harder at least.] Good.

[Raven stiffles a yawn, stirs in an attempt at making herself more comfortable and finally leans slightly against his shoulder.] Stay with me a bit? [She looks exhausted. Her voice is soft and almost pleading. Just as when a child asks you to stay because if you go, the monster hidden under the bed might come out.]

Neither have I. Of course.

This will all be over in a few days.

[She would have liked him to wrap his arm around her but then again, she didn't really expect him to. And she won't ask. But she still finds some comfort in his words and she nods.] Time always seems to go slower when you're looking forward to something.

[This is the moment Shadow, the white and grey kitten, chooses to enter the living room. He eyes Castiel curiously before approaching them to nuzzle Raven's leg, purring. Raven's eyes were already half closed but she turns her head to look down at her cat.] Hey. Feeling lonely? Where's Aurora?

It is a psychological effect created by the way memory is stored.

What is it's name?

Really now? The whole process through which our brains store memories is kinda fascinating, isn't it? [Raven's a nerd and your bedtime stories are the best ones by her standards, Cas.]

[Shadows mewls softly answering his Master's question.] Sleeping on my bed, huh? [Another mewl before he jumps onto the couch and then onto Raven's lap. Raven turns toward Castiel.] Shadow. [And then she looks back at the kitten.] Shadow, this is Castiel. He's a nice guy but sometimes he uses cat's blood to draw sigils so you might want to be careful around him. [She smirks a bit as she says the last part. Shadow, of course, only reads her expression and understands that the human sitting next to her can be trusted. So he comes a little closes to Castiel and sniffs his coat.]

Yes. The more attention one is paying, or the closer focused they are, the more memory is created. As perception of time is based on memory, it seems longer; this is why time appears to slow in a dangerous situation. Hello.

That makes sense. It sounds pretty logical that our brains would function that way.

[Hey, she liked that joke. She might have been one of the rare ones who did. Doesn't mean she can't tease you about it. Especially since you're alone here.

Shadow looks up at him, sniffs his fingers and mewls in greeting.] How's your kitten, by the way? You should bring her with you some time.

She dislikes this event. But in the future, yes.

Probably because she can tell you dislike it too.

[Shadow's purring now, nudging Castiel's hand, visibly delighted by the attention he's getting. Raven smiles a bit. Her cat is more social than she'll ever be. Only with people Raven has approved of beforehand, though. He usually stays away from strangers.]

Good. [She's leaning a bit more heavily against Castiel, the cat still on Raven's lap though his front paws are resting against the former angel's legs. Raven summons her cup of tea to her and takes a sip. This is real, she's sure of it. Because she couldn't have imagined a peaceful moment like this one.]

[[ooc: Those three make me want to sketch this scene like you can't even. XD]]

Perhaps.

031 [Video] | Forward-dated to Wednesday afternoon

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