deercountry | it's such a cold day down here in hell; & it's a ways to heaven

[ Earlier in the month, while Sam is still a monster in the basement and Dean is still Dean and not yet Deanna, he finds himself frequenting the Snake Den on more than one occasion, a thing he normally wouldn't have done under regular circumstances. Forsaking his responsibilities isn't something Dean takes lightly - with all of the trauma that has been resting on his shoulders lately, he shouldn't be out, enjoying himself. He should be home, trying to figure out what to do about his brother, who the hell has the third charm from his mother's bracelet, how to get it back.

Instead, he's drawn like a moth to flame to the cozy little club, leaving his cares behind in favor of solace. He dons the vest he's given, coupled with black slacks and a long black trench. It makes him feel rather dapper; he hasn't had reason to dress up lately, so this seems a good opportunity to partake.

Once inside, he can be found performing a time or two (or three, depending on how frisky the crowd is) with his guitar, sometimes sitting at the bar with a drink in his hand, or even sprawled out on a pillow just...soaking in the calm. He should maybe feel guilty for it, for leaving his brother a trussed up savage beast in a heavily warded basement, but in the honeyed warmth of the club, all he can feel is a gentle sense of relief, a calmness he hasn't experienced in years. ]

[ Dean -- now known as Deanna, has come to the realization that she used to be a dude.

At least, that's what people keep telling her.

As far as she's concerned, she's always been like this; blond, leggy, a hunter, just like her mama, Mary. Daddy died when she was four and Sammy was a baby, and Mama...well.

If you thought Daddy Winchester was bad, Mary is equally so, if not worse. She was the real brawn in the family; soft and gentle when need be, in intimate moments, but sharp as steel and desperate for revenge when love was stolen from her. If all those years on the road hunting things with her mother taught Deanna anything, it's that damn near anything is possible. Trench seems to be one of those places where she was constantly watching her back, because everytime she turned around, something was nipping at her heels.

She's been through a lot, Deanna, same things as Dean had - endverse, Deerington, the timeline shift, soulless Sam, so hearing people tell her she wasn't Deanna before, she was just Dean isn't all that off the mark. Weirder shit has happened, right?

At any rate, she can be found around town from the Earworm pounding drinks to chilling at the Snake Den to the backyard of her house, where a huge bonfire rages as she burns the remains of the skin she'd found. She's as close to it as heat allows, hands on her hips, a gold ring glinting on her left hand. ]

[Since they'd buried the hatchet and struck a trade deal, Raleigh no longer feels like Peter Rabbit when he crosses onto Dean's property. He's there on a mission, after all. The town might have gone nuts (or lack there of) but it didn't stop any of them from needing to eat.

So here he comes with his weekly egg delivery tucked safely in a small box packed with hay when he catches the scent of smoke and elects to bypass the house for the back yard. He doesn't recognize the woman but she's standing there like she's got business.

Still.. no Winchester to be seen. Hm. Suspect.]

You know Dean's gonna come outta that door with a shotgun any second if you're burning stuff on his land.

[ It's hot enough that she doesn't have her coat on, just an oversized tee and flannel and some jeans that are too big. She glances over her shoulder when he approaches, unflinching, and flashes him a wry smile. ]

Hi, Raleigh. Your herbs and 'stuff' are inside on the table.

[ You know what 'stuff' she means. ]

[Squint. He does. But he isn’t sure if he likes that she knows that. ]

Thanks..

[A beat]

Sorry, who are you?

[ She flips her hair over her shoulder and drops her arms, gesturing to the jeans and flannel. ]

What, you don't recognize me with tits? C'mon, Raleigh. Get with the program.

[Raleigh’s brows pin high on his forehead, looking the woman up and down.]

Oh no way.. you too?

[Is he the last man in Trench or something?

Not that Dean didn’t make a beautiful woman because she was. But oh man. Still, he manages a half laugh and comes a bit closer.]

Alright, show me, what’ve we got.

[ She’s hot, she knows it. She sees that once over Raleigh gives her, the subtle shift as he steps closer. She doesn’t shy away, just lifts a brow. ]

I’m not showing you my boobs, Raleigh.

God I hope not. I just wanna see you, Do a twirl.

[Michael's been hanging around the Snake's Den a lot lately as well. He's pretty much always dressed well, especially given his new line of work, but he's been putting in more of an effort for this. Lots of little capes. He's done a few stage magic shows here, so the aesthetic works!

He's probably smiled and nodded at Dean if they made eye contact in the club over the past week. They're friendly! They're co-stars or something! Buuuuut they don't know each other super well, and Michael's almost always in the middle of talking with someone else, so they haven't really gotten the chance to chat. Until tonight, when Michael comes up after one of Dean's performances.]

Hey, man! I didn't know you played guitar!

[ It had been a frantic an unsettling morning as Cas and Dean (sorry, Deanna) discovered their shed skins, their new forms, and blessedly shared memories. Once they'd settled, he and Deanna each went their separate ways. Deanna had friends to check on and monsters to hunt, and Cas... Fuck, that first hit is like waking from a very long, surreal, and stuffy dream.

It's hours (probably?) later when their paths cross again. Cas is lured to the Snake Den like a tripping moth to a rainbow flame, and as wonderful as he feels mingling in a group of likeminded chill individuals, he's delighted to see the silhouette of the woman he woke up beside now leaning on the bar top. The gold lights above glint off the ring on her left hand, and Cas's grin widens. He snakes his way through the crowd and slides up next to her, orders himself a snakebite, and links his fingers as he leans over the bar to wait.

...He waits all of three seconds, anyway, before looking over at Deanna and smiling serenely. ]

Hi. Come here often?

[ Well, dear - watch yo words.

But she will -- twirl around in Dean's clothes. She guesses it makes sense she used to be a guy, cause...well. Her closet is full of guy stuff. ]

New year, new me, apparently.

[ Deanna keeps finding herself there too, in one form or another. It's cozy and warm, the stress lifting from her body more and more every second that she stays. The local talent is good, the liquor is fantastic, and the clientele is top notch.

Madame Generosity had been generous indeed - the dress left for Deanna specifically is gorgeous, blood red with a handy slit up the thigh so she can get to the knife that's strapped there.

She orders something strong, something straight, nothing frilly for her, thanks. Drink in hand she turns when she's addressed, expression lighting up when she sees a very familiar face. ]

I wondered when I'd see you here.

Edited 2022-01-14 17:39 (UTC)

[ It has been a long damn month of this bullshit - hunting Sam's damned horcruxes, piecing together the puzzle, playing friggin' detective, bullying charms out of people, and finally, finally getting the bracelet back together and glowing.

He's tired as hell, man, but it's done. It's completed in his hand, the blue glow of it pulsing gently as it dangles from shaky fingertips. The once full kitchen - Ariadne, Sara, himself and then Cas is emptied with barely a word otherwise, and when Cas blows back in Dean gives him a wry look, fingers closing around the bracelet before holding it out. ]

They're gonna be pissed at you for that.

[ ooc; thread picked up from here for reference! ]

Seems to be going around. You’re taking it well, though.

[ As Castiel slides a large bookcase in front of the front door with the swipe of two fingers, he wonders if shouldn't have sent Dean with them also. ]

If they're still mad after this is all over, then they're still alive, which is more than I can promise for anyone involved here.

[ Of course Dean wouldn't be willing to go on his own. He'd be pissed as well, but he'd be safe. Then again, Dean's presence might be the deciding factor in whether the restoration of his brother's humanity is a success. It's still an option, Castiel tells himself. If shit hits the fan, he can still get Dean out.

Castiel sighs in frustration, but turns to Dean, lifts his chin and takes the proffered bracelet. He doesn't, however, move towards the basement. He just closes his fist around the glowing charm bracelet and looks at Dean. ]

This witch... You trust her?

[ All Castiel knows it that Wanda is very strong, which doesn't reassure him that her presence won't just make things worse. Angels may be powerful, but a human with power to rival a seraph's is infinitely more dangerous. ]

Yeah, true.

[ Dean watches Cas move furniture around, shaking his head and quietly muttering showoff as he picks up the liquor bottle from the kitchen table and takes a swig. ]

Wanda? Yes. She's good people. She's the one that spelled Baby for me, so that she doesn't need gas.

[ It's weird to trust a witch, because he's never been a fan of them. Wanda, luckily, doesn't spew bodily fluids and hasn't done anything to break Dean's (specifically) trust. ]

I texted her...she should be here soon. Should we go check on Krampus down there?

Honestly, dude?

Weirder shit has happened to me. This is nothing.

[ Hasn't done anything to break Dean's (specifically) trust yet. Dean's trust isn't especially easy to earn, though, so either this Wanda person is playing the long game, or she really is trustworthy. Anyway, the decision is already made. After what happened last time, Castiel can admit that he needs help, and Wanda, from Dean's description, certainly sounds capable. Cas nods in acceptance.

As they walk towards the stairwell, he glances at Dean with a raised eyebrow. He knows so many of Dean's references, and yet. Here's a new one. Krampus??? Let's just skip it. Castiel's voice drops, softer and reluctant. ]

Dean, if this attempt to heal Sam doesn't work...

[ They could just kill him. They might not even need Wanda for it. Though, the rune burned into Castiel's chest beneath his shirt and the connection to the monster it implies does worry him. He puts it forcibly out of mind. ]

Dude, no. No.

[ Dean's already been down that road before, and he can't do it again. He takes a shaking breath to steady himself, and presses his lips thin. He refuses to think of the alternative, because it simply isn't acceptable to him. He's already dealt with losing Sam twice now, and the last time had been permanent. He can't do that again. ]

It'll work, Cas. It will.

[ It has to. ]

[ Dean's always thought Michael was pretty cool and chill - maybe a little weird, but who in Trench isn't weird? Dean knows for damn sure his whole damn family is strange, so who's he to judge?

He slings the guitar over his shoulder and flashes a smile when he's approached, recognizing him immediately. ]

It's a hidden talent, you know? I don't really advertise it.

[ Dean is pretty shy, actually - especially when it comes to putting himself out there. ]

[ As beautiful as she always is, Deanna is positively radiant when she looks at Cas and smiles to see him. It's more warming than pale blood and strong drinks, and though Cas can't see Deanna's soul at the moment, he feels. And she is, as always, stunning. ]

Sorry that I kept you waiting.

[ Cas had been eager to strip out of his post-apocalyptic trash clothes this morning and into more comfortable duds. He hadn't changed since, and honestly, didn't care. But now, seeing how elegant Deanna looks (and he, uh, takes a moment to lean back and look), he feels a bit underdressed. ]

I couldn't find the right dress to wear. ...But I see you didn't have any problems.

[ The joke lingers, dying to be run on and on, but Cas can't keep his smile from softening, and his voice dropping to sincerity with it. ]

You look beautiful.

I would've let you borrow mine.

[ She leans on the bar, resting her head against her fist as she reaches out to run her fingers down over the fabric of his suit. The light is low, glinting off the beads of her dress, off the jewelry she wears; blood red drop earrings, a bracelet from a very specific paleblood, a gold ring. ]

But this looks nice. You look edible.

[ Castiel's expression remains guarded, but after a few moments, he nods in acceptance. ]

Alright.

[ What else can he do? There's no point arguing with Dean, not about his car, or his music... Not about anything, and especially not about Sam. Voice tight with restraint, he opens the door to the basement and looks down the stairwell, waiting for Dean to lead. ]

Then... let's go see Krampus.

[ Don't look at him; you started this. ]

it's such a cold day down here in hell; & it's a ways to heaven

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𝕤𝕟𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕟

𝕤𝕙𝕖𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕒𝕝 𝕔𝕠𝕚𝕝

𝓑𝓸𝓷𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮

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Snake Den, AU edition

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CLOSED to wanda, cas, dean, and sam;

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