As I write this down [OPEN]

[ofthursday]

Who: Castiel, OPEN
What: Arriving in Tokyodisa~
When: July 20th, around noon
Where: The hotel lobby
Rating: Probably PG at most


Once the sky had gone dark once again Castiel had picked a random direction and re-entered the forest, unsure of where he was and which way to go... And then suddenly he was somewhere completely different. He looked around rapidly, confused, turning in place a few times; the room was completely unfamiliar and his first thought was that Metatron had transported him somewhere, but he was alone.

The room was quiet, clean and inviting but at the same time cold and impartial, and oddly he could see daylight through the window; it had been the middle of the night last he was aware. He took a minute or two to explore the room, all nerves on edge and just waiting for someone or something to appear and break the supposed tranquility, but it never came.

Once he'd figured out that he was truly alone and there was nothing overtly dangerous in the room, his next concern was whether he could get out; when he tried the door and it opened without issue it was something of a surprise, as he'd expected to be locked in. It was, at least, a welcome surprise that he wasn't. Stepping out into the hallway, he glanced back at the door to take note of which one it was, and the sight of his name on the door was also unexpected and slightly disconcerting. He obviously hadn't ended up there on accident, and he needed to figure out how and why he had, and he set off cautiously down the hall.

It became apparent quickly enough that he was in a hotel, and that set him a little more at ease, because at least hotels were something familiar to him. Still, it was surreal in a way--the entire day had been--and he wasn't quite processing everything yet, moving on autopilot, nothing having quite sunk in just yet. As Castiel wandered into the lobby his steps slowed, cautious and on edge once again while he looked for someone who might be able to tell him something about where he was.

Figuring that out was the first step to getting somewhere else.

Comments

[heloise]

The man isn't the first mute she has met though he is certainly the first who seem to have only realized it. For a time, she thought the Castle terribly cruel for what it took from her, yet there are still others even less fortunate. The thought brings no comfort.

She chuckles and tries to play along, turn it into a game because then it wouldn't be so sad. "A game of charade? If I guess all the words correctly, I would have your name as reward."

[ofthursday]

It takes a moment for him to register her words because he's lost in thought, going over in his head everything that had happened, and he realized he hadn't tried to speak since before Metatron had cut his throat--but that still shouldn't have rendered him mute. The other angel had healed him, and that should've repaired everything, but he hadn't had reason to talk until just now. He has no idea when he had actually lost his voice. Maybe it's temporary; maybe it's shock or he's simply sick or something. Humans are incredibly delicate, after all.

But he pulls himself from his thoughts to actually focus on Lucrezia, head tilting to the side slightly at her comment. He's heard of charades but doesn't know the rules, and he's not particularly interested in playing a game at the moment. So instead he hesitates a moment before making a scribbling motion like he's writing in the air, obviously wanting something to actually do so with.

[heloise]

Her smile hardly falters even as he seems not to understand her words, but then she understands how shocking it felt to suddenly find oneself in an entirely alien place filled with strangers. She has felt that twice, and there were people holding her hand to bring her back to somewhere safe. She could give it forward, but not without a little mischief thrown in.

The scribbling gesture is met with a disapproving pout, but perhaps better not to push it too far when he seems so frazzled. She goes to walk toward the receptionist, making similar gestures for a notepad and a pen.

"Here, if you would rather cheat."

[ofthursday]

Castiel is too serious even without being a bit shellshocked to really react to her pouting and teasing, instead just giving her a small nod of gratitude as she procures the items. He glances at her briefly before looking down at the paper and hesitating a moment, then beginning to write.

Where are we?

[heloise]

Lucrezia looks at the writing on the paper for a long while, as if she doesn't comprehend the words or perhaps she is loathe to answer. She still prefers her games and not this straightforward questioning. There is more room to slink away when things are not so black and white, but she will make do.

"Today it has brought us to Tokyo, Japan," she smiles too, proud of herself for pronouncing the names so well despite them being foreign to her tongue. She has had practice. "I was told it means east capital. Kyo, for capital."

[ofthursday]

Tokyo is a surprising answer but at least it's somewhere he recognizes, and it's on Earth. Those are better options than it could've been and Castiel gives a short nod, just a little encouraged by the answer, because it's something he could actually work with.

But something she said catches his attention.

It?

What is the 'it' that brought them there?

[heloise]

"The Castle."

She gestures around her, to everything that surrounds them now. The Castle is indeed everything; the hotel, the city, the language she speaks now. As much as many of the residents despise it, there is no escape.

"Now, before any more questions, you must tell me your name."

[ofthursday]

Castiel looks around at her gesturing, but he doesn't quite get what she's indicating. Still, she gave an answer at least, and he hesitates a moment before deciding to give one of his own.

Castiel. Yours?

[heloise]

"Lucrezia Borgia."

She notes that he has given her no surname, but that isn't the first. Either he has none or he has his secrets. Or that isn't his name at all. "Castiel. If you were ever hungry or ever in need, you no longer will be. Unless your need is freedom."

[ofthursday]

He nods once in acknowledgement of her name, then tilts his head slightly to the side at the rest of her words.

What do you mean?

And of course, his need is freedom, but it's one he hasn't had a lot of recently so he can put up with limitations for the moment. He has more pressing concerns, like being newly mortal, so that part about hunger might be incredibly relevant soon enough.

[heloise]

"Not here, but--"

She fishes in her pocket for the credit card that the castle had conveniently left in her hotel room. "See? The castle always provides. And once this all returns to normal, you could ask for a pen, a note or perhaps even a white elephant, by simply asking. But you cannot wish for freedom."

[ofthursday]

Well, that was an issue, but at least the basics would be easier. The last thing he needed while learning to eat and sleep and be human is to not have food or a bed or anything else.

He could figure out how to get out once he was a little more stable, though he was still intent on gathering some information.

What happens if you attempt to leave?

[heloise]

"Nothing," she turns her gaze toward the exit, considering whether it would be fun to leave it at that cryptic answer. Or if she should be kind today.

"You will never find your way. It is best to stay and wait."

[ofthursday]

Castiel's expression shifts a little, looking some odd combination of unimpressed and uncertain. But his next note seems more the former.

I have heard that before.

[heloise]

"And you will hear it a thousand times more."

As many times as he would argue against it, that is. There are those who have been here for years and years, many of them most wise and exceedingly powerful. She has since settled for making a life here instead, for as long as this will last.

[ofthursday]

He doesn't bother to argue--it's a lot more difficult when he can't talk--and settles on just frowning a bit. Still, she's given him a lot to think about, and he offers another note.

The information is appreciated.

[heloise]

She takes the note this time, holding it up as if it's a currency, and the smile on her face is light and mischievous despite her words.

"How will you thank me?"

[ofthursday]

Castiel's pretty sure she's teasing, but he doesn't know her well enough at all to be certain; he's still not great at reading people other than those he's closest to.

What do you want?

He isn't necessarily going to give it to her, but he's curious.

[heloise]

Lucrezia shakes her head. She doesn't know him well enough to guess his uses, but a friend is a friend, in the end.

"That is for you to choose for me."

[ofthursday]

I have little to offer.

Particularly now; he had no powers, few skills that would likely be of any use, only a little money. He isn't particularly good at seeing anything else that might be of value, especially in himself.

[heloise]

"Not the obvious things," like money or those other dull things she can easily ask from the castle. She moves to step away, to continue on her way to the city for another day of shopping.

"Consider it a boon then, until the inspiration strikes you."

[ofthursday]

Castiel's head tilts to the side slightly as he considers that, and gives as small nod as she turns to leave. No need to say anything else, and he won't keep her from her shopping; he does repay debts, and he'll remember in the future if she needs anything.