002 ☄ video

[freewill]

[Compared to some, Castiel had managed to hold out for a while before one of the roots had gotten to him. It's only on the third day that he's caught by surprise, that his angel blade isn't enough to fight off one of the plants when it comes creeping forward.

Now he's in the exact same shape as the rest of the mansion, though Castiel's shared a body with someone else before. It's not the same, seeing how Jimmy (and any other vessels he's taken) had been more or less unconscious the entire time. This Mirror, on the other hand...

On top of being a part of him, it also becomes clear what part of his life it's meant to signify when the presence in his mind introduces itself as Emmanuel and starts asking question after question. Castiel's managed to ignore the buzz in his head, though, and eventually his Mirror had quieted down, but now he has an idea of what everyone else is dealing with.

Which also means that he's now capable of being of some help, beyond simply trying to keep the roots under control. That's a losing battle no matter which way he looks at it.]

[So Castiel does something rare and records a message of himself on his phone, broadcasting it to the rest of the mansion. His expression is as flat as always, but there might be a hint of grimness to it for anyone who knows him well enough to pick up the subtle differences.]

I haven't had much interaction with the Mirrors myself, but I've heard enough to understand how dangerous they can be. I think I may be able to offer some assistance.

[His gaze drops down to his hand.]

This is untested for the moment, but it's possible I can disable its consciousness in your mind, to give... if nothing else, a small reprieve. If you're able to arrest control for long enough, you can contact me and I'll offer whatever help that I can.

[The feed shakes and tilts as he moves to turn it off, but then he pauses, remembering something. His face appears again, though slightly closer than before, and off-center.] For those who don't know me, my name is Castiel.

Comments

[freewill]

[The fact that Adam's able to make a leap in logic that goes that far is impressive when it comes to his cognition, and that in itself is a relief. Then again, Castiel can only imagine that it would be the first thing Adam's mind would jump to, considering what he's been through.

It's not quite the same as possession, but it's close enough that it must be tearing open wounds that are still fresh, widening them and placing salt inside.

Castiel's quiet for a few seconds before nodding slowly.]

Yes. Many somethings. My own Mirror is also sharing my body with me, and that seems to be the case with most of the others.

[Which means that Adam's not alone in this. It's hardly that much of a consolation, but it's something. At least he doesn't need to feel like he's been specifically targeted this way.]

If you can you should try to fight, whenever it becomes conscious again. [Castiel isn't sure that Adam has the strength for that, but he'd like to think that his tenacity would do him some good in this situation.]

[halfwinchester]

_{[It's something, all right. He has a ticking time bomb waiting to go off inside him, and apparently so does everyone else.]}

An angel possessing a guy gets possessed by a monster? _{[He laughs in his throat, a hollow sound.]} You guys don't quit, do you?

_{[Adam wants out. Of this body just anybody seems to want to crawl into, of this cosmic joke of a life. With a tight smile pulling at the corners of his mouth, he steps back toward the door, keeping Castiel in his sights as he does so. Maybe the angel's not the biggest threat around right now, maybe he is, but in the end it doesn't really seem to matter. If the very plants are out to get them, then there's not much difference between one pitfall and another, is there?]}

I need to go.

_{[He's got something inside him again and Hell is just around the corner. He's ready to run. There's no winning here.]}

[freewill]

[It is a ridiculous concept, especially with the way that Adam's phrasing it, but what he doesn't know is that Jimmy hasn't been around for some time now. That's not a detail that Castiel plans on sharing, either. He doubts it would help anything.

Besides, Adam is ready to bolt now, and Castiel has no reason to stop him. He should have a good couple of hours without his Mirror, which is about the best that Castiel can offer him at this point. He's informed now, too, so maybe he'll have a better chance at fighting the Mirror off when it regains consciousness.

Castiel didn't expect any thanks. All he does is nod, standing still in the empty room as he waits for Adam to take his leave.]

[halfwinchester]

<sub>[He walks backward all the way out the door, taking measured steps. Backing away from the angel doesn't bring with it solace; he's got something just as bad as an angel, if not worse, riding in the passenger seat and he feels without needing to be told that it can grab the wheel at any opportunity.

Adam swallows, but he can't think to say anything so he just turns and starts down the hall, slip-sliding through the mess.]</sub>