[CLOSED] Pancakes. No really, pancakes.

[larker]

WHO: Castiel and Gabriel. No Lucifers allowed.
WHERE: IHOP, Heropa.
WHEN: 19/04/14 Middle of the night.
WHAT: One archangel buying one ex-angel pancakes.
WARNINGS: Mentions of murders, most likely. Will change if needed. Probably a lot of whinging about Lucifer.



[Gabriel is pretty sure this place is some fucked up version of an afterlife, it is the only explanation. Being dragged to Florida is one thing, being dragged to Florida, powers limited and finding his brother hanging around is the icing on the cake. If it isn't the afterlife then someone's idea of a joke is well off, something Gabriel knows a lot about.

For once the archangel isn't bothering with the jokes, sat at a table in IHOP and idly staring at the menu. The last few days have been fucked up even more than normal. Lucifer's off doing his ritual crap, and Gabriel's already getting cold feet over an agreement. It'd seemed like a good idea at the time to agree to help Lucifer; not only would it mean they were shot of the devil if it worked, but said devil had a hand on his neck at the time. Now? Gabriel isn't sure if it's a good tactic to stay alive, or sheer idiocy. He needs someone to tease, someone who understands who's teasing him. Everyone in Heropa on the network is an atheist, they just don't get some of the things he alludes to.

Castiel had better not be late. For now Gabriel is going to sink large amounts of coffee as he waits for the ex-angel to show his face.]

Comments

[falteringly]

[ He's not late.

It's rather easy not to be considering it's as Gabriel had said--the place is literally across the street from the residence he'd been assigned to stay. And though it's familiar in the sense he must have watched Sam or Dean, at some point, visit inside, beyond that, he really has no idea what to expect. So, he's careful about entering the building and even more so about moving to sit at the table the archangel has placed himself at. There's the familiar smell of coffee, of course, and that immediately has him perking up. He gives him a hard look. ]

Why now? [ The middle of the night. Why here? He probably could have dropped in Castiel's room without bothering to arrange a meeting. ]

[larker]

[At least Cas has that going for him.

The moment Castiel arrives, Gabriel is making coffee motions at the waitress. And when she saunters over with the pot, the archangel manages to convince the woman to leave the pot at the table. It's the middle of the night and less work, she's not going to argue. The hard look and the question gets nothing more than raised eyebrows, Gabriel silently turning Castiel's cup right way round before pouring some coffee. If the now-human is paying attention, he'll notice a scratch on Gabe's arm as his sleeves lift with the movement; a testament to the fact that someone no longer has his healing mojo. Not good.]

Because the planets have aligned in a way that happens once every twenty seven centuries. [Gabriel just shakes his head, pouring himself another coffee. He's going to regret this caffeine intake later.] I was awake and thought I'd see if you were awake. No big deal.

[falteringly]

[ His eyes are drawn to the movement, focusing a moment on the scratch, and it's a detail he stores away for another time, momentarily distracted by the waitress returning to leave him a cup for the coffee Gabriel is already drinking from. Castiel doesn't immediately fill it, instead straightening up a little and placing his hands rather loosely on the tabletop. ]

I'm still... adjusting. [ A glance at his fingers, and he looks at his empty mug instead. ] Sleeping is difficult when there's too much to consider about everything. But why me?

[ Shouldn't he be wasting time with his other brother? Not that Castiel could actually see it occurring, but there is that option. ]

[larker]

Well, drinking coffee isn't going to help you with a non-existent sleeping schedule, but it sure will make you feel better. [With that Gabriel pours Castiel some coffee. This whole place is a nightmare; and that's not just the ihop. Heropa is full of people who're all powered up. Average humans now on par with archangels when it comes to taking names and smiting. Complete nightmare fuel. As much as Gabriel sides with humans, he wouldn't trust them with spud guns if he had the choice.

Castiel would be good to sit with, there wouldn't be too much bullshit. In theory. That and maybe Gabriel was also a tad curious over the fact said angel was now human. A fantastic distraction from the memory of agreeing to help Lucifer out in a moment of madness.]

Alright fine. I chose you because your name was first alphabetically on my list of contacts. Happy now?

[falteringly]

[ He's never had that particular fear when it's come to humans and power. Some, he knows, aren't meant to hold it, and others-- Perhaps Castiel puts too much faith in humanity as a whole, but it's not as if they are without their better qualities. Their hope, their strength, their perseverance. All admirable. He gives the coffee in his cup an almost thoughtful glance before reaching for it; he doesn't bother with putting anything in it to make it sweeter, letting his hands soak up the warmth of it before taking a drink. ]

I like coffee. [ It's one of the few things he's grown fond of. The look he gives Gabriel is a bit obtuse. ] Even if it doesn't help, it doesn't change the fact that I do.

[ At his other comment, however, his mouth thins. Talking to Gabriel is always about cutting through thick corners and diving straight to the heart of the matter. ]

Was there something you wanted to tell me?

[larker]

[Gabriel wrinkles his nose at Castiel's coffee, pointedly putting a few sugars in his own. He got enough dirty looks from his roomie Godot over how he took his coffee, now Castiel was siding with the heathens on it. Sheesh.

And there it is. Straight to the point as usual. Well, Gabriel isn't so keen on getting to the point yet. He purses his lips, suddenly interested in the menu, even picking it up to shake in Castiel's direction. Suddenly everything other than what's important is more interesting than usual.]

You should order something to eat Cas, otherwise they'll kick you out.

[falteringly]

[ There's a frown at the deflection, sighing as he takes a menu and gives it a cursory glance. None of that interests him, and he's not going to allow Gabriel the opportunity to run without explaining himself. It's kind of ironic, he thinks, that he would take after him in so many of the same ways but could still be so different. Perhaps it's what draws them together here, and maybe they could work together now without all the mess of before. It's been years for Castiel, and though less than a blink for an angel, it's still odd sitting across from him in a restaurant, having coffee and about to order pancakes.

Which he does when the waitress returns, glancing at his brother for assistance when need be. This is his domain, after all. With that out of the way, he takes another slow sip of his coffee and finds it much more enjoyable than the first one. ]

Now tell me. [ A short pause, words softening some. ] What's going on?

[ Because there is something. They wouldn't be here like this if it was nothing. ]

[larker]

[It's not too difficult to get Castiel's order sorted- it's pancakes, though Gabriel does make sure the angel gets a side of sausage and bacon ordered too. Those are necessary additions and also good for stalling. And okay, Castiel is the only other being in the world right now that knows Home and isn't completely psychotic.

He also doesn't seem to figure out when to back off, Gabriel obviously mulling something over before adding more sugar to his coffee. He hasn't ordered food, coffee is good enough. Sweet things are merely something to do rather than necessity.]

Oh you mean apart from Lucifer's little murderspree? Cause last time I looked that was big news. Hmm, let me think. The weather is meant to be nice this week, the FTSE went down, oh and there's no Holy Oil in the Holy Land.

[falteringly]

[ It's a decent tactic, but Castiel easily sees through it. He allows Gabriel the control though, wanting him to be honest and as straightforward as possible without the sly motivations that are usually behind everything he does. He watches him sugar his coffee and drinks his own, only stopping short and swallowing hard when he mentions the Holy Land.

There are so many questions that form from what he says. Why did he go there? Is that even allowed here? Too many to focus on, but he settles with: ]

I thought you wanted to remain impartial to Lucifer's presence in this place. [ Unless-- ] What changed?

[ Unconsciously, his gaze drops to where he'd seen the scratch on Gabriel. ]

[larker]

[Gabriel follows Castiel's gaze, automatically moving his arm out of sight under the table. Ugh, it was ridiculous how he had to watch himself now, even a slight scrape was a pain in the ass. If he could find the one who'd taken powers away, Gabriel would throttle the bastard without a second thought. Not that he needs anyone knowing he's vulnerable, it just wouldn't do.]

Oh I did. But then he mentioned going there himself and not finding any, so I thought I'd take a look. Just to make sure he hadn't missed any. [Gabriel shrugs, taking a sip of his coffee. Suddenly, the wall is more interesting than this conversation.] Spent a day in a cell for my sins too.

[falteringly]

[ He's no master of subtlety, but something about the way Gabriel shifts and moves speaks louder than anything he could have possibly said. He had his grace, but couldn't heal? Castiel considers that particular notion for a while, wondering just how limited he was and thus Lucifer too. Carefully, he takes another sip of his coffee in an effort to seem normal to those working the restaurant. ]

Because it's not there doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Perhaps if we asked Sam to help-- [ Which is immediately overturned by the fact their brother still seeks him in some fashion. ] Are you in trouble, Gabriel?

[ Stop looking at the wall!! And don't lie to him!! ]

[larker]

[The archangel had twisted his ankle once in Heropa. Gabriel had half expected the Rit Zien, Hands of Mercy to come and put him out of his misery. Lucifer could heal, Gabriel knew that much. So if what everyone was alluding to was true, it meant Lucifer didn't have something else to compensate for having the healing.

That or they were just all fucked. The question gets a sharp look, a frown. He is definitely a fan of all these questions, Gabriel hasn't needed to answer shit like this for centuries. The archangel opens his mouth, more than likely to give a scathing reply before pausing, allowing the waitress to put the plates down. Gabriel gives her a forced smile, sipping his coffee and waiting until she's gone.]

No I'm not in trouble. Not really. Mind your own business. And I know it doesn't exist, I was there.

[falteringly]

[ Castiel watches the waitress for a moment, quietly thanking her before allowing his attention to divide between Gabriel and the plate before him. He thinks that one of the least likeable things about being human is his constant need to satisfy his body in whatever way possible, and while food is remarkably enjoyable, it's also a waste of time. He rests his hand around the silverware accompanying the food. ]

It's my business when others come to me asking after you. [ Edgeworth, he thinks, but he isn't going to give names. He's certain Gabriel already knows. ] I know you're used to doing as you please, but it can't be like that here.

[ He leans forward. ] I need you to trust me, and I need to be able to trust you.

[larker]

Great, what an adorable ideal, Castiel. I'll get right on that. Oh wait, I already am. I haven't lied about jack, and as for doing what I please? I sat in a cell in Jerusalem for twenty four hours before sitting on a plane for what felt like forever. I didn't even harass the soldier escort I got too much, so don't preach to me about doing what I please.

[Gabriel scowls, swiping the coffee jug to refill his mug. Considering Lucifer arrived at around the same time he did, Gabriel hasn't had time to do what he wants. Naturally he'll sit around on the couch a lot, flicking through the television, but for the most part he's on his feet. Though if he leaves the country again without saying anything, Gabriel's going to be listed as AWOL. He's been debriefed on that, was told what the hazards were when being detained in the Holy Land. Feels like his wings have been clipped.]

I can trust you to do the good thing. May not always be the right thing, but that's just you. There are no rings here to put Lucifer away, Castiel. No holy oil to keep him contained. What are we supposed to do, sit on him and hope for the best?

[falteringly]

[ It's not so much preaching as it is observing, and while he's inclined to believe him, things will only continue to grow worse if they follow the same path. It had been difficult the first time, and this-- this just seems impossible.

Castiel frowns down at his plate, using his fork to push at the edge of a pancake. He wishes a lot of things, and having the solution to this is one of them. ]

I don't know. [ There's a pause, mouth thinning. ] Is his grace as limited as yours? Perhaps we could work with that.

[ Oh yes. Going to talk about that scratch of yours now, brother. ]

[larker]

[Gabriel is already starting to regret the entire conversation. He could have been back at the apartment, doing very little. If it was up to him, the angel would be abroad looking for more angelic relics, anything to sort the whole clusterfuck out . Unfortunately the government were no longer warning him. If Gabriel sets foot out of the country without letting them know, his powers get dampened. That's the last thing anyone needs.

The mention of grace gets an uncomfortable shuffle, Castiel homing in on an obvious sore spot.]

No idea. And I mean that. I haven't seen Lucifer struggling with anything since we got here. That includes the healing side of things, thanks for asking. [Gabriel can't help but pull a bitter face at Castiel. This place Sucks.]