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@castiel.winchester | ■ ▲ ◌ ▼
As you can see, taking a stance ultimately hurt nothing. But then, I doubt we had much of an influence after all. We never went as boldly forward as I hoped.
But still, I can't say that's why I'm following up.
How did you break heaven?
But still, I can't say that's why I'm following up.
How did you break heaven?
To make it clear that we'll be political players, rather than reactive idealists. Some people seem as if they're ready to make the leap, but won't. I know you're concerned about us being on the same page, but I, personally, don't feel as if I've been consulted for many Displaced actions. Why should I depend upon it now?
[Plus, there is the chaotic element: he wants to see what will happen. To act more than just out of paranoia and see how the world responds. But he won't declare that much.]
Is it a story I'm not meant to ask about?
[Plus, there is the chaotic element: he wants to see what will happen. To act more than just out of paranoia and see how the world responds. But he won't declare that much.]
Is it a story I'm not meant to ask about?
The same page would be ideal, but with the in-fighting, the attempt may hurt more than help at this juncture. We may have to do this in factions.
You can ask. It's just... not my proudest moments.
[ like, his least proud of moments, but cas doesn't mind sharing it. perhaps the story can help someone else, at least as a cautionary tale. alright, kiddies, settle in, it's terrible and sad story time, gather round. now, where to begin... ]
The first time I broke Heaven, it was with free will. We'd parted from fate, changed the grand script, and, naively, arrogantly, I'd thought the work was done there. As it turns out, explaining freedom to angels is a bit like teaching poetry to fish.
They didn't understand it, afraid and confused without orders, purpose. Some stepped in to give it, but only to bring more bloodshed. It sparked a civil war among us, which led to the second time I broke Heaven.
You can ask. It's just... not my proudest moments.
[ like, his least proud of moments, but cas doesn't mind sharing it. perhaps the story can help someone else, at least as a cautionary tale. alright, kiddies, settle in, it's terrible and sad story time, gather round. now, where to begin... ]
The first time I broke Heaven, it was with free will. We'd parted from fate, changed the grand script, and, naively, arrogantly, I'd thought the work was done there. As it turns out, explaining freedom to angels is a bit like teaching poetry to fish.
They didn't understand it, afraid and confused without orders, purpose. Some stepped in to give it, but only to bring more bloodshed. It sparked a civil war among us, which led to the second time I broke Heaven.
"Factions" is an interesting word, especially given the content that follows about civil wars and the like. Of course, factions don't necessarily need to be at odds.
[It's just like him to need to point out the antagonistic thing. He can't help it, even if he's trimmed away much of the bullshit.]
To clarify, is "heaven" more or less defined by its soldiers? Its inhabitants? I don't believe in such a place where I come from, but I can believe it exists somewhere.
[It's just like him to need to point out the antagonistic thing. He can't help it, even if he's trimmed away much of the bullshit.]
To clarify, is "heaven" more or less defined by its soldiers? Its inhabitants? I don't believe in such a place where I come from, but I can believe it exists somewhere.
They don't, but unfortunately, conflict tends to arise between them more often than not. It can be difficult to navigate, but not impossible.
More or less. Each soul perceives Heaven differently. For humans, Heaven is a collection of their brightest, happiest memories. For Angels, we're sourced from it. We power Heaven, like batteries, while our connection to it strengthens our abilities, and we can remodel its appearance to us at will. Currently, the inside of Heaven is a large, primarily white, corporate-seeming interior with long hallways and doors to each humans' personal Heaven.
More or less. Each soul perceives Heaven differently. For humans, Heaven is a collection of their brightest, happiest memories. For Angels, we're sourced from it. We power Heaven, like batteries, while our connection to it strengthens our abilities, and we can remodel its appearance to us at will. Currently, the inside of Heaven is a large, primarily white, corporate-seeming interior with long hallways and doors to each humans' personal Heaven.
Unless you're less transparent about what it is you seek to do.
But I see corporate influence goes everywhere, or perhaps it's heaven's influence in your world? Regardless, an afterlife made up of memories sounds like an afterlife I could do without. I'm guessing that's far from a popular notion around your parts.
But I see corporate influence goes everywhere, or perhaps it's heaven's influence in your world? Regardless, an afterlife made up of memories sounds like an afterlife I could do without. I'm guessing that's far from a popular notion around your parts.
There's a difference between being transparent and leading someone to believe that you're with them. Less drama so long as they don't learn the truth.
And whose design is it? Because I'd do away with that design. Let someone decide what their peace is, rather than having it foisted upon them.
And whose design is it? Because I'd do away with that design. Let someone decide what their peace is, rather than having it foisted upon them.
[cont. from here.]
Mostly for whoever's probably reading this and thinking I'm gonna be an irresponsible asshole with bombs. I'm not, by the way.
[She's a methodical asshole with bombs. And yes. She's going to make some bombs. If there's monsters, they need bombs.]
Some military training, but no. Not a soldier. Think more on the apocalypse side of things.
Mostly for whoever's probably reading this and thinking I'm gonna be an irresponsible asshole with bombs. I'm not, by the way.
[She's a methodical asshole with bombs. And yes. She's going to make some bombs. If there's monsters, they need bombs.]
Some military training, but no. Not a soldier. Think more on the apocalypse side of things.
Utilizing the ammonium nitrate in fertilizer - resourceful. We have some, should you need it.
[ if she were younger, less clearly capable, if cas hadn't witnessed her expertly handle their scramble in the dreamscape, maybe he'd be more concerned, but castiel's never been terribly precautious either way. sometimes you just gotta slap some emergency bombs together, ok, it's a fact of life. ]
I understand. It's our... seventh apocalypse, in my home universe, I think. Depending on how you're counting. How'd it happen for you?
[ if she were younger, less clearly capable, if cas hadn't witnessed her expertly handle their scramble in the dreamscape, maybe he'd be more concerned, but castiel's never been terribly precautious either way. sometimes you just gotta slap some emergency bombs together, ok, it's a fact of life. ]
I understand. It's our... seventh apocalypse, in my home universe, I think. Depending on how you're counting. How'd it happen for you?
Easiest way I know. I can do smoke bombs too but that's gonna take some cooking. And open space I don't have. Maybe later.
[Allow her just a moment to digest that. Fucksake. Seven. How are people still alive? Humanity's barely hanging on in her world after one, and they're killing each other off.
... and Castiel MIGHT actually know what she's talking about, if she tries to explain. If he knows a lot about plants.]
Seven. Jesus christ.
I mean. Sorry.
[For the "Christ" or the apocalypses, Ellie?]
Do you know what parasitic cordyceps are? The fungus?
[Allow her just a moment to digest that. Fucksake. Seven. How are people still alive? Humanity's barely hanging on in her world after one, and they're killing each other off.
... and Castiel MIGHT actually know what she's talking about, if she tries to explain. If he knows a lot about plants.]
Seven. Jesus christ.
I mean. Sorry.
[For the "Christ" or the apocalypses, Ellie?]
Do you know what parasitic cordyceps are? The fungus?
No need. We've averted the most catastrophic outcomes thus far, but... as a friend would say, 'the hits just keep on coming'.
[ 'most', in their world, at least, which is now, actually, the only world (within their multiverse? metaphysics is weirder now), since they pissed off god and now god doesn't only want off the merry-go-round, but would like to torch said merry-go-round to the ground, and then disintegrate the ground into primordial cosmic dust, too. so. that's where we are.
as for the 'christ' part, he's not bothered. blasphemy bugs him now even less than it did 12 years ago, which wasn't much to begin with. ]
Yes, they primarily infect insects and arthropods, mostly sourced in Asia, sometimes employed in traditional holistic medicines. Aside from the occasional case of mild indigestion, they should be harmless to humans.
[ 'most', in their world, at least, which is now, actually, the only world (within their multiverse? metaphysics is weirder now), since they pissed off god and now god doesn't only want off the merry-go-round, but would like to torch said merry-go-round to the ground, and then disintegrate the ground into primordial cosmic dust, too. so. that's where we are.
as for the 'christ' part, he's not bothered. blasphemy bugs him now even less than it did 12 years ago, which wasn't much to begin with. ]
Yes, they primarily infect insects and arthropods, mostly sourced in Asia, sometimes employed in traditional holistic medicines. Aside from the occasional case of mild indigestion, they should be harmless to humans.
Edited 2020-11-05 18:14 (UTC)
They usually fuckin do.
[Ellie takes a minute to rally, to decide how she wants to explain.]
Ours aren't. They infect humans, hollow them out, take over their brains and make them into killing machines. If they bite you or you breathe enough of the spores, you're gone.
If you leave them alone long enough they grow armor plates and get strong enough to charge through walls or crush your skull with their bare hands.
The outbreak was almost 25 years ago now. It's still going on.
[So, several years before she was born. She grew up with this.]
[Ellie takes a minute to rally, to decide how she wants to explain.]
Ours aren't. They infect humans, hollow them out, take over their brains and make them into killing machines. If they bite you or you breathe enough of the spores, you're gone.
If you leave them alone long enough they grow armor plates and get strong enough to charge through walls or crush your skull with their bare hands.
The outbreak was almost 25 years ago now. It's still going on.
[So, several years before she was born. She grew up with this.]
Dean, he... often sounds more caustic than he's feeling in actuality. [ it's the times when he's quiet in his anger that you really need to worry. ] A warm reception may be asking too much, but I don't believe you're beyond reconciliation.
Dean's what some would call 'an acquired taste'.
Dean's what some would call 'an acquired taste'.
[ well that's absolutely fucking horrifying, and it takes castiel a few minutes to imagine, process, and reply. what a world of tragedy to come from. ]
Survival has been your entire life. I'm so sorry, Ellie. It sounds truly harrowing.
[ the conversation shows "castiel.winchester is typing..." for a few minutes, as he's pulled in a variety of different directions, before settling on this. ]
You know, once all this is over, if we can, I know my world may not be much better in terms of security, but you're welcome to return with us.
[ bringing anyone into the fight against chuck is probably hugely irresponsible of him, but cas hates the idea of letting this girl return to that hell alone. ]
Survival has been your entire life. I'm so sorry, Ellie. It sounds truly harrowing.
[ the conversation shows "castiel.winchester is typing..." for a few minutes, as he's pulled in a variety of different directions, before settling on this. ]
You know, once all this is over, if we can, I know my world may not be much better in terms of security, but you're welcome to return with us.
[ bringing anyone into the fight against chuck is probably hugely irresponsible of him, but cas hates the idea of letting this girl return to that hell alone. ]
Edited 2020-11-08 06:45 (UTC)
It's fine. Just never really knew anything different. Aside from the stories, I mean.
[It means she has something to offer out here. It means she was able to help him, to get him out of whatever was happening in that dream without freezing up. It meant she could hold her own, and she plans to keep doing it here. She doesn't have to feel helpless.
... she figures that Castiel is going to say something wise and insightful and inspirational, and it might even be comforting. In her limited experience he's been surprisingly good at that. But what he actually says comes out of left field and knocks her breathless.
And she can't in good conscience take it. Ellie sits for a long time with the words on the screen, floating in the VR in front of her eyes, letting them burn into her brain.
"You aren't alone here. When we leave - and we will leave - we go together. Understand?"]
You actually meant what you said in the dream.
[It means she has something to offer out here. It means she was able to help him, to get him out of whatever was happening in that dream without freezing up. It meant she could hold her own, and she plans to keep doing it here. She doesn't have to feel helpless.
... she figures that Castiel is going to say something wise and insightful and inspirational, and it might even be comforting. In her limited experience he's been surprisingly good at that. But what he actually says comes out of left field and knocks her breathless.
And she can't in good conscience take it. Ellie sits for a long time with the words on the screen, floating in the VR in front of her eyes, letting them burn into her brain.
"You aren't alone here. When we leave - and we will leave - we go together. Understand?"]
You actually meant what you said in the dream.
[ 'it's fine', she says, and a mirthless chuckle falls from cas, that simple phrase having become so much of a red flag for not actually that fine over the years. but that's what humans do - they say they're fine, they repeat it, over and over, until they believe it. cas doesn't call her on it, but he'll keep it in mind. ]
You've never seen civilization as it's intended before New Amsterdam, have you?
[ a world ravaged by plague and monsters, society must be a decimated thing, with simple joys like going to a shopping center, seeing a movie, visiting a full park on a sunny day, impossible. if that's the world ellie was born into, already dismantled by catastrophe, humanity poisoned by the desperation survival breeds, there must be so much of the world, of living in it, she's missed out on.
it takes him a second to think back on what he'd said in the dream exactly, and when cas recalls it, he's smiling softly into the middle distance in his living room. that sentiment - no one left behind, we fight together - is something he learned on earth, from the winchesters, and there's a small pride in him for finding it's soaked in and become so easily part of him, enough he can share it with someone that needs it, like ellie. ]
I did. I still do.
You've never seen civilization as it's intended before New Amsterdam, have you?
[ a world ravaged by plague and monsters, society must be a decimated thing, with simple joys like going to a shopping center, seeing a movie, visiting a full park on a sunny day, impossible. if that's the world ellie was born into, already dismantled by catastrophe, humanity poisoned by the desperation survival breeds, there must be so much of the world, of living in it, she's missed out on.
it takes him a second to think back on what he'd said in the dream exactly, and when cas recalls it, he's smiling softly into the middle distance in his living room. that sentiment - no one left behind, we fight together - is something he learned on earth, from the winchesters, and there's a small pride in him for finding it's soaked in and become so easily part of him, enough he can share it with someone that needs it, like ellie. ]
I did. I still do.
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