entranceway | ｏｎｅ：ｖｉｄｅｏ

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[ figuring out how to use the device isn't the hard part, no, it's swallowing the fact that either purgatory changed on him in what could only be described as seriously trippy as shit way, or he's in yet another new dimension. so have dean, wonderland, covered in dirt and grime from head to toe. it doesn't take squinting to notice the obvious splashes of blood either, though all of it's dried as if he hasn't changed his clothes in a while...

in his hand is a massive weapon; axe-like in shape, with a blade made of something unrecognizable but decidedly dangerous. ]

Alright, listen up. This is how it's gonna go; whoever thought this-- [ he gestures vaguely around with the tip of his weapon. ] -- was a great idea? Hand up now. You and I are gonna have a couple words, and how pretty they end up bein' depends entirely on you. [ a threat is laced in every single word. ]

Or I can always just start demandin' answers-- [ you know the violent way. purgatory kinda rubs off on you after a while. ] -- 'cause you know what? I don't have time for this. Not today. [ not when one minute benny had been going on about something or another and now the vampire isn't anywhere to be seen and his search for cas is interrupted.

which leads him to adding, after a pause; ]

Cas, if you're here for some messed up reason, lem'me know. Same for you, Benny.

[ end feed. ]

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[Time. Well, that's something that they have an abundance of here, and so he can grant that request without much trouble. Castiel nods, a silent agreement.

Though that doesn't mean he'll simply leave Dean alone now. He may not believe that he's him or completely trust him yet, but the best way to change his mind is by continued interaction.

And there's still plenty to cover.]

I can only assume you've talked to many of the other people here by now. Are there any questions you've yet to have answered about this place?

[There's a lot to learn, and some of it might not occur to Dean. Castiel glances toward the mansion standing before them.]

We can move inside if you'd prefer.

[ it's odd to be able to ask for time, when just... a little while ago it had all been a race. a race to find cas, a race to get out of purgatory, to escape the enemy. maybe this place is no different, but for now dean needs the space to breathe, the time to. just for a little bit. he's... adaptable, sure, but the demand still comes easily. ]

Many is an understatement, man. Is there anyone here who doesn't know me?

[ and he goes for the overstatement. but the amount of unfamiliar faces expecting him to know them is alarming. ]

And yeah, I got a question; whose pulling the strings here? I mean, really?

[ a question he's already asked and received the same answer to, over and over again, but dean has to try with cas. he doesn't seem intent on going inside either, not if the way he steps closer, weapon gripped tighter. ]

Just tell me which way to go and I'll gank the sucker right now.

[They hardly ever have time. There's usually some more important goal to focus on, something that allows both of them to shove aside anything that might be between them, an argument or some unresolved issue, and forget it ever happened.

It's not so easy to do that here, and maybe that's why things between them had become so confusing prior to Dean's disappearance. Castiel remembers in perfect detail their sparring match and how Dean had reacted when their bodies moved too close together, with Dean pinned up against the wall. He'd practically fled the scene.]

You were very well known. You ran the resistance, so you were a familiar face to most. [Come to think of it, if they're going to be speaking about that, it's for the best that they remain outside.]

The Queen of Hearts and the Red Queen behave as if they're the rulers of this place, but most believe that there's some higher force that's responsible. Who or what is a mystery, however.

[This isn't as simple as finding someone and stabbing them with the right kind of blade. If it had been, they wouldn't be here anymore.]

[ dean sighs at that, the sound strained. ]

Resistance, huh? Sweet. [ except he has no idea what that really is, not besides a few good guesses related to the name. but running something like that-- leading people? there's no time for that, he can't take the responsibility. not when he just... wants to leave.

but it's becoming clear, slowly, that leaving really might not be an option. but he peers at cas then, casting aside the idea of him being some kind of... resistance member for the time. ]

What makes you think that?

[ that there's a bigger power at play instead of just the two queens, or whatever. that's the thing they have to strike, somehow. ]

[Dean's bound to find out more about it soon enough. Castiel doesn't necessarily except him to lead the resistance again, but he's going to end up involved, seeing how so many of his own friends and family are already a part of it.

They can touch on that later, however. For now, he's still focused on the basics.]

The Red Queen rules this side, and the Queen of Hearts the mirror side. They're supposedly sisters, and the Red Queen was held captive for some time. Most of their conflict seems internal -- fights among themselves, with us caught in the crossfire. Neither of them has taken the credit for bringing us here, and there's been implications that there's someone above them.

[It all adds up to there being more to all of this, though it remains a mystery. Castiel shrugs, not all that pleased that he doesn't have more information to report.]

They show themselves from time to time. Then you can question them for yourself.

[ dean keeps getting the same answers, yet none of them please him. none of what is being said makes anything any better, or more acceptable and the frustration he's been feeling since he first showed up, only some hours ago, is bordering on spilling over.

but he won't lose it. not on cas. ]

They won't know what hit 'em.

[ and there's a threat he very much plans on living up to. ]

I mean, someone's at least managed to hurt them before, right? Even a little.

[ they have a weakness, right? ]

Not that I know of, but I haven't seen much of them since I arrived here. That was six months ago.

[The fact that they've barely shown their faces in half a year's time doesn't given much confidence that Dean will be able to track down either of the Queens and actually harm them.

Not that it's going to stop him from trying. Castiel wouldn't even bother trying to talk him out of it.

Though this brings up a very pertinent topic, one that Dean should be made aware of as soon as possible. Castiel lets his arms fall to hang at his sides and glances away for a moment, as if studying the lines of trees at the far end of Wonderland.]

There's also a future we're trying to prevent here. A you from five years in the future arrived, along with some others, to offer a warning.

[ six months. dean falls quiet at that. an enemy he hasn't seen in six months, but still has this sort of power -- to take them here, hold them here, erase their memories -- it's incredible, and like nothing he's really heard of before. for a moment dean feels the weight of the situation again, how it presses down on his shoulders and tries to stifle him. but he shakes it off, forces himself to keep a determined spirit; he'll track them down and gank them both.

even if it kills him.

it's what cas says about a future that has dean's brow knitting together. immediately, he thinks about his trip to the year 2014 thanks to zachariah, of the mess he'd witnessed there, but that's different-- this is different, right? ]

What the hell're you talking about? What kinda future?

[ and what kind of warning. ]

[Castiel might have compared it to Dean's experience, had he been aware of it. Instead, he simply has to report the facts as he knows them. Thankfully, he's thorough enough that he did plenty of questioning and investigating during the time when the future visitors were here.]

There's no guarantee that it's going to happen, but we've been preparing for it just in case. There is a creature called the jabberwocky. You may know if it from the Lewis Carroll novels.

[Castiel gives Dean a sidelong glance. Dean reads more than he lets on, but Castiel doesn't know if that extends to children's books. He himself had read up on all of the Alice in Wonderland stories after arriving here.]

Supposedly, it's set to appear some time in the future and cause irreparable damage to Wonderland. If it's allowed to consume the vorpal shield, a special item native to this place, it will become completely invulnerable, even to something like me.

[Dean should be well aware of how serious that is.]

We need to either obtain the one sword that can kill it, or prevent it from devouring that shield. Then it will at least be a manageable danger.

[As for the fact that Castiel dies in this supposed future? He's not going to mention that, because it isn't going to happen this time around. Now that he knows what's coming, he'll also be aware of what to avoid.]

[ jabberwocky. sure, dean's heard of that before, but until this moment he could have sworn wonderland alone isn't real, let alone some beast-monster thing. which... of course makes little sense considering his job, but there's really only so many things dean wants to believe are real anymore.

but this is cas -- a fact he's slowly accepting -- and he wouldn't lie, right? not about this. not here.

he has to believe that, or nothing will come of this. ]

Have you seen it? Has anyone?

[ other than those who had come from the future, or was it pulling the same disappearing act as the queens? ]

And what about the sword? Don't tell me it's some King Arthur bullshit with the stone and everything.

[The fact that Dean is actively asking question instead of denying things or frantically searching for an exit is a sign that this is all beginning to sink in. Good. The faster that he accepts what's going on here, the better.

Castiel realizes it isn't that easy, and he's been through the frustrating process of having strangers approach you with the claim that they know you already, but eventually the truth has to settle, as impossible as it may seem.]

I saw it, but only an image of it. When those from the future were here, there were also these projections of scenes from that future. Naturally, the jabberwocky featured in many of them.

[He'd also watched his own death, but once again, that's something he's keeping to himself. It won't happen this time around, and Dean hardly needs the added stress.]

It's called the vorpal sword, but it may already be lost. It was in the possession of the Duchess, who is among those who are, as far as we know, native to Wonderland. However, a few weeks ago she seemed to have left. No one knows how, or if she took the sword with her, but...

[It's looking bleak, at least in terms of actually being able to kill the jabberwocky whenever it arrives.]

[ of course. ]

Peachy. No really, s'all sounding super swell.

[ a future promising doom, evil monsters, missing swords... it's all looking great, and dean still can't remember the part where he signed up for any of it. but then, when does he ever? it's a lot to swallow, so for a moment he just turns away from cas, a heavy sigh leaving him. ]

If this thing is so dangerous and stuff, why don't the Queens do anything about it? I mean, they gotta know, right? Or do they want this place to hit rock bottom.

[ why do they have to, in short, protect this place against such an impossible enemy. ]

That's a question I'd also like the answer to.

[That ability of Dean's to get to the crux of the matter almost instantly is one of the many traits that Castiel appreciates in him. For all of their differences, there are times when they seem to think very similarly.]

As soon as one of them shows themselves again, I'll be questioning them.

[And if Dean wishes to, he's welcome to do the same. The sooner he gets involved in their efforts here, the better. Castiel's eager to get him back up to speed, to reach a semblance of what they had before he disappeared.]

The Red Queen has the vorpal shield in her possession, so we'll also need to warn her to not let it anywhere near the jabberwocky when it arrives.

[ vorpal sword, vorpal shield.... ]

And what if she doesn't believe you? I mean, not that I know much, but it doesn't sound like our hosts around here are really all that into givin' a crap about how we feel about things.

[ so if this red queen really doesn't know about the jabberwocky business, why would she ever believe any of them about what they have to say? maybe there's more to it, but he's just offering his two cents. ]

I say we take the damn thing from her, if that's important.

[ easier said than done, he's sure, but a hands-on approach has always been more his thing. ]

[It's Dean's nature to resort to the path of least resistance, but Castiel isn't convinced that would work this time around. There's a human idiom, something about honey and vinegar, and he thinks that may apply here.]

She doesn't show herself often, and there's no telling whether she would have the shield on her person when she did. We'd benefit from trying to speak to her first, and then if that doesn't work, we can search for another way.

[He's not used to being the pragmatic one in these situations, but Dean hasn't been here long enough (not even a day, in fact) to know how things work here.]

Either way, we'll need to wait for her to show her face first. For now...

[He glances back to the mansion.] You should pick out a room for yourself. [Should he show Dean his previous room, the one that Castiel's stored all of his belongings in? It's empty now, save for that one dresser, but he's so used to that being Dean's living area.]

[ there are still a hundred questions lingering in his head, all wanting to burst out. but with everything he's learned, all the connections he's slowly making between the variety of info, it's all gonna take some time to sink in, for him to even begin believing what he's being told.

and it's hard, being uncertain whether he can ever trust cas right now. ]

A room, huh? Any pointers on where not to locate or is it cool wherever?

[ since he might as well ask in case there's like...

fucking killer werewolves hiding somewhere. or whatever. ]

[Castiel's mainly relieved that Dean isn't balking at the idea of a room. Settling in is the same as admitting that he's going to be here longer than a day, but maybe that's already started to occur to Dean after all the conversations with Wonderland's various captives.

Castiel crosses his arms, tilts his head to the side.] So long as you aren't in the basement, you should be fine. Before, you were on the fifth floor, which the bar is also located on.

[No surprise as to why he picked it, then.

Castiel takes a careful step toward Dean, testing, and finds his eyes.] I could show you.

Oh, and here I was hopin' to be a basement dweller. Bummer.

[ something lights up promptly at the mention of a bar.... and just as quickly fades when he realizes what cas might be saying. he's stepping away then, looking off at the mansion. ]

What? My old room? I don't think that's gonna happen.

[ maybe that's not what cas meant, but in case it is, dean's snapping the words rather harshly. people are waiting for him to scream surprise, i remember everything but it's just not gonna happen. not today, anyway. the last thing he needs is to invade his other-self's previous room and pretend further they're the same guy.

even if, by every technicality, they are.

it's all a little confusing. ]

[It's not all that surprising that Dean rejects the idea. Castiel shouldn't have held out hope, and if anything, it's a good lesson. Things are not going to be the same as before, at least not for a long while. And even then, Dean's from a different time; he hasn't experienced as much.

It shouldn't matter. At the end of the day, it's still Dean, still his friend, and that's what Castiel has to keep telling himself. Dean accepted him when he showed up here without his memories, despite some disappointment at first. Castiel will do the same.

He doesn't like the idea of someone else taking up Dean's old room, so maybe the best thing would be to keep his belongings there. The room won't be his, not exactly, but at least that will stop anyone else from using it.

He lets out a sigh and nods.] In that case, you should find another one. As soon as you claim it as your own, it will... warp to fit your liking.

[Before, it had been identical to Dean's room in the bunker, but seeing how he hasn't even reached that point back home, there's no telling what will happen this time around.]

[ dean watches cas for a moment, carefully as if he's expecting the angel to push the issue. when he doesn't, there's something slightly relieved crossing over dean's face, lasting only a moment. taking up his previous self's room-- it feels like stepping into something private, something he doesn't know anything about.

he doesn't want that. poking his nose into things he doesn't understand might make him curious, might make him care. and dean can't afford that.

the bit about the room warping into his desires is... interesting though. ]

As long as there's a bed in there, don't really need much else. Not like I'm stayin'.

[ come on, cas, argue with him about how there's no exit. do it. ]

[That remark is so typical of Dean, something tailored to get a reaction out of Castiel. He should know better than to take the bait by this point, but...

This time around, he knows in the end it will be Dean who's eating his words.]

You'd be surprised. Sam and I have both been here for months, and it's not for lack of trying that we haven't escaped.

[If Dean thinks he's brought something new to this equation, that he'll be able to succeed where everyone else has failed despite the fact that he's technically already been here...

Well, he's in for a surprise.]

[ dean tosses cas a haughty look, coupled with his best smirk. ]

Well, like in most cases, I'll just have to solve the riddle of the day for you two.

[ big talk, big talk. dean knows he can't get anywhere without sam and cas' help, especially not in a mess like this. but for now, with his everything covered in blood, guts and gore, with purgatory behind him where he'd spent months looking for cas alone, and then with benny, he feels the right to shove cas' words right back in his face, thanks. ]

But, brushin' that crap aside, where's your room at, anyway?

[ maybe he'll pick one close by... or something. ]

[Castiel only shakes his head, half dismay and half amusement. If Dean's making comments like that, it must mean that they've reached some level of familiarity and comfort. Despite everything, the two of them have always been able to make their way back to that. Dean losing his memories won't change that.

When asked of his room, Castiel peers at Dean for a few seconds before shaking his head.] I don't have one... though now I may as well use your old room to store the few material items I've accumulated here.

[It's nothing all that noteworthy -- just a few Christmas gifts that he got a few months ago. It's the first time he's ever owned anything, and with nowhere to put them, Dean had given him a drawer in his dresser to claim as his own.

Now the whole room is Castiel's.]

Once you pick a room, let me know which floor it's on. And the number. [He needs to be able to stalk effectively, after all.]

[ ....uh-huh, right. ]

Do you like, perch up in a tree or something while the rest of the Wonderfreaks sleep the night away?

[ because beofore, back home that is, he could understand cas not sleeping, and being off doing his own thing for those few precious four hours dean sometimes got to clock some snooze time in. but here... well, what do people even do around here?

the easy demands for his floor and number get a scoff. ]

S'a little easy, don'cha think? Your angel creeping skills getting rusty there, buddy.

[ except sure, he'll send the info once he's settled. and... somewhat accepted that maybe his stay in wonderland isn't as brief as he's hoping it to be. ]

I patrol, mainly. Through the forest and the caves.

[Sometimes, if it's a particularly quiet night, he will sit somewhere and essentially stare into space for hours at a time. Castiel can't sleep, there's nothing he can do to change that, and while there are times that he's stopped in to watch Dean sleep, closer to morning, he's done his best to curb that behavior.

The awkwardness between them as of late means he hasn't been doing it at all.

Still, if nothing else, angels are good at waiting.]

If you'd prefer, I can track it down myself. [He shrugs, apparently not too bothered by the concept.] Now, did you have any other questions? [There's a lot to cover, but Dean may have heard plenty of it already.]

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