![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
usedtopray) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
hauntedsandbox2018-07-25 11:20 pm
(no subject)
Although Claire had, grudgingly, given up the Grigori sword when she'd first arrived, and even though she had eventually stopped sulking about it and even quit looking for ways to bring it up in conversation, she had never stopped thinking about the weapon. For while she did understand why Castiel had taken it from her, and while it was true she hadn't needed it to date, in her mind the sword was still very much hers. It had felt that way since the moment she'd stabbed the original owner with it and the feeling that she was missing something, a piece of her, had never quite gone away after it had been placed out of her reach.
Chewing absently on her lower lip, she cast a quick look around the room. She'd asked Adam for somewhere that she and Castiel could practice without any interruptions. Somewhere that they couldn't break anything or would draw any unwanted attention. The kid had more than delivered on her request, she had to admit.
The building was on the edge of town, near a rock quarry. On the outside, it looked just as abandoned and run down as any old factory might. On the inside, however, it was absolutely pristine, with no signs of anything industrial whatsoever. The floor was padded, as were the walls. It almost resembled a gymnasium of sorts, but far more sparse. The potential to add more areas, though - a corner with a punching bag, and maybe some targets for knife throwing practice - well, Claire could almost picture it.
With a shake of her head, she returned to attention to the here and now. The idea was a fun one to consider but not now. No, right now, they had to prepare for whatever was brewing on the horizon, which meant she needed to take this seriously and really focus on learning how to use her sword without cutting off her own foot or something.
That is, if Castiel ever showed up. It wasn't like him to be late. Claire glanced at her watch then sighed. Ok, so maybe he wasn't late. Maybe she was a little early. By almost an hour. In her defense, she really was anxious to get started.
"Right," she muttered as she began pulling her hair up into a ponytail, "well, might as well stretch out a bit while I wait. Nobody likes pulled muscles."
no subject
That was one thing that could be said about Adam's reality. At least it was mostly cut and dried. If it was described a certain way, that was usually the way it actually happened to be. Apparently this reality's version of the Almighty was a pretty literal one.
Next, the boy turned his attention to Jimmy. "And I offered t'send Claire back, when I first told her what was goin' on. She said no. I'm not gonna do it 'gainst her will and, like Castiel said, it won't matter if'n I did. I mean, it'd keep her safe from stuff here, but this is gonna happen."
He hated saying it, and made sure not to say it with absolute conviction just in case that's what God was waiting for in order to actually bring it to fruition. But he knew, in his gut, that it really was going to happen. The question was if they'd be prepared in time.
Sensing his Master's upset, Dog immediately padded to his side and nuzzled at his leg. Absently, the boy petted the mutt behind the ears while looking at the rest of the group as a whole. "We've also got the Them. Brian, Wensleydale, and Pepper might just be normal kids for the most part, but they were the ones who stopped the Horsepersons th'last time and they'll have my back no matter what. Plus we've got Anathema - she's not the greatest witch but she tries, and Newt. He's mostly just a regular human but he'll do what's right when it counts." Adam paused, considering the allies he'd had last time.
"That's mostly it, really," he finally, grudgingly, admitted. "Unless I drag some more folks here myself, that is."
There was silence for a heartbeat before Claire finally broke it with a question that Adam had to admit he never would have considered himself.
no subject
Claire looked from her dad, to Castiel, then back to Adam. "I mean, I know you stopped the ones from here, last time, but God's going to have to bring in, or create, or whatever, some new ones if He's going to follow the plan, right? The Apocalypse here equals Antichrist and Horsemen. You're supposed to lead them. So, when they come calling this time around, why not just lead them on the side of humanity?"
She knew she sounded a little insane. Mostly that was due to the idea forming as she was speaking. However, the more Claire thought about it, the more she realized she might be on to something. A glance at Adam told her that he was also considering what she was saying so she kept the thought going.
"Like, make it so War can cause the demons and angels to fight among themselves. Will it so they'll affect Above and Below, and aid humans, instead of the other way around. Stuff like that."
Then, without missing a beat, her attention snapped to her dad. "And dad, I love you more than anything, and I know you don't condone violence, and I get it. I do. But you have to learn how to fight. Maybe not swords like me, but something. Please."
no subject
"That... sounds like it might work. Actually." It was a lot like Rei had explained managing the House. It had its own agenda, and it was going to see that shit went down, but there were sometimes ways to see that when it did, it was on your own terms. "If we can't control what happens, we could still have a shot at shaping how it happens." He paused, then scratched at the back of his neck. Maybe getting a little ahead of himself there. "Not... that I know how things work here, entirely."
He agreed completely with the suggestion that he needed a way to defend himself. "No, I understand completely. I'm pretty useless in a fight." He knew how to flee, barricade and wait for help. That was about it. "I don't know what to try to learn, is the only thing." He looked over at Adam. "I guess it depends on the kind of attacks we'd be expecting?"
no subject
"We had help from Death, in our world. He resented being conscripted to Lucifer's service. Wanted his autonomy restored. Dean negotiated an alliance over deep dish pizza. It would be to our advantage not to assume blind--or at least not unconditional--loyalty to The Plan in the key players here."
He couldn't help but appreciate Adam's comment. "Attached as I am to the sword of Michael in my world, I have to admit relief at not having to argue with yours."
no subject
"Well," he said slowly, "Death is the only Horseperson that we didn't put an end to, that day. He told me I couldn't. I begged t'differ. He 'cided t'leave before I could prove it." He stood up once again, the frown lines he wore fading and a determined look taking front and center. "Way I see it, 'less he wants t'go round two, and I don't much think he does, he might just come 'round."
He centered his attention briefly to Jimmy. "As so far as how the fightin' here is gonna go, I can't rightly say," he explained. Blue eyes shone with wisdom past his years. "If'n I guess at it, it might become real and, well, let's just say it's best my 'magination don't take over 'gain." Rocking back on his heels, he slid his hands into the back pockets of his jeans and blew out a harsh puff of air.
"I think basic fightin' and self defense, if'n only t'start," he finally added, almost as an afterthought. "Who knows? Maybe you'll have some kinda hidden talent or somethin'." Suddenly he straightened and clapped his hands together lightly. "Right. So I reckon I'm gonna see if'n I can track down Death. Get him t'swing by and pay me a visit." He said it in an absolutely carefree tone, his smile brilliant as he already began thinking about how he was going to manage everything he'd just said.
no subject
The problem was, she decided, she didn't have enough experience. She'd only just decided to become a hunter, back home, before winding up in the House. She didn't really have any time under her belt. And while she'd stayed in shape since being in her current reality, and had certainly come a long way with swordplay, it was only practice. Pretend. The only way she'd thought it would be needed was if she ever went back home.
Her next thought hit her like a bolt of lightning and she immediately spoke, stopping Adam in his tracks.
"Hold up. Before you go out hunting Death, there's something you should probably do, first." She drew in a deep breath and looked toward first her dad then Castiel, hesitating for a heartbeat. What she was about to say next wasn't something she'd ever wanted to tell either of them. But it was important, and could help in the long run, so her wants took a back burner for the time being and she pressed on.
"A while back, Adam and I were talking. I asked him if he could sort of... look, into our old reality. See if I was even still alive back home." She didn't want to discuss the emotions tied into her request. Or how his answer had helped shape her decision to get serious and focus on learning how to at least use that Grigori sword. "Anyway, the answer is yes, for the record. And I'm hunting there. I'm actually pretty good at it, from what he says. I didn't want specifics. Not then."
With a deep breath, she tacked on, "But now, I think maybe I do. Maybe I should get brought up to speed. If it'll help. Will it?"
Adam considered the question for a moment. He didn't only think about whether what Claire had learned to do, had been taught by seasoned hunters to do, would be of assistance in the coming battle. He also thought about whether he was overstepping some bounds if he did what he'd once so brazenly offered to do with zero thought of consequence. Truth be told, he didn't particularly care. He knew the answer.
He nodded.
no subject
He looked over at Jimmy. "I can teach you some rudimentary lessons of self-defense. Claire is well enough versed in these things to help with that, as well. The loss of my powers in the first round taught me a great deal about improvisation. I would be happy to pass the knowledge on."
Claire's suggestion was unexpected, and it was hard not to think about asking after the Winchesters. Rei. Rachel. Where they had gone, what they were doing. How they were doing. He had formed and re-formed such strong bonds, but that was the past. And unlike Claire's, it was unlikely to help them now.
no subject
He nodded absently to Castiel, trying to imagine himself actually fighting. Improvising weapons. Could you really make a blowtorch with a lighter and hairspray, or was that a Hollywood exaggeration?
He was thrown by the conversation between Adam and Claire, however. "Up to speed? On what you've been doing? Will that really--"
He stopped. It was Adam. He probably could communicate learned skills as well as events, if he was motivated enough.
no subject
Feeling as though a weight had been lifted, if only a little, the boy couldn't help but grin. The expression grew even more when Jimmy finally spoke up. It was obvious the man was trying despite being pretty far out of his comfort zone. It was one of his more endearing qualities.
"Way I see it," Adam finally spoke up, turning his focus to Claire, "You might want t'sit down." He waited patiently for her to do so. While waiting, he thought about how, exactly, he was going to pull off her idea. It was a good idea, of course. He wouldn't be doing it otherwise. But it also was going to be a little tricky. A mixture of words and intentions, coupled with a bit of action that might or might not get him another celestial warning.
Ultimately, though, he knew the risk was worth it. Claire could deal with the emotional backlash, he was sure of that, and he could handle anything else. Besides. Maybe they'd learn something of real use, down the road. The Winchesters were pretty good at saving the world, from what he could tell.
When Claire was finally seated, Adam drew in a breath then got to work. "Way I see it," he continued, "whatever it is that's happened since you were last home, you should know about now, if'n you know 'bout it there. All the stuff you've learned, all the things you've done, the stories you've heard from other hunters, any and all of it. Right now."
And with a slight hand movement that was both intricately complex yet quite simplistic, Adam caused reality to temporarily change.
no subject
Ten seconds later, however, was another story entirely.
It hit Claire like a ton of bricks. One minute she was fine and the next, she felt herself falling backward as though the memories had literally hit her in the face. They hadn't, of course, but her mind was not capable of keeping her muscles working so she could stay upright while simultaneously trying to absorb years worth of knowledge.
Then it was over. Claire laid perfectly still for a few more moments, simply focusing on her breathing. Once she was sure she could manage that much, she reopened her eyes. Finally, she sat back up.
"Okay," she breathed out, "first off." She looked at Adam. "Next time, less trying to melt my brain at once, please. I get time is of the essence but seriously." Then she looked to her father and Castiel. "And I'll share with the class just as soon as I can get my brain to stop throbbing. Promise."
Because seriously. Ow.