003 ☄ video

[freewill]

[Castiel very rarely makes use of the network, but now he's had some time to evaluate what's taking place here and given the epidemic that's taken over the mansion since yesterday, he's got no choice but to say something.

Is this his fault, or Dean's, or Sam's? There's no way to be certain, but Castiel chooses to take the initiative with issuing an explanation. He would rather the others didn't draw attention to themselves.

He's seated in a room (the room Dean once occupied, which Castiel mainly uses for storage), cross-legged on the floor, with a burger in one hand. The area around him is scattered with wrappers, so it's clear this isn't his first one.]

This event is one that belongs to my world. [He takes a bite of the burger and keeps talking around the food.] We're all being influenced by Famine. He is...

[He pauses, his expression slowly shifting to one of confusion as he stares toward the ceiling, searching for a word that isn't there. He'd felt disoriented early yesterday morning. Something was taken.]

He's a powerful demon that's able to inspire Famine in any creature. This can manifest in a number of different ways. [His is actually rather mundane.]

Anything you may crave, any addiction you may have, it will be pushed to an extreme level. If you suspect that you could become dangerous, I would advise that you have someone restrain you to save you from yourself. [Not that it had worked with Sam the first time around.

Castiel takes another bite of the burger, finishing it off in one go. He doesn't seem to care that he's talking with his mouth full.] If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

[With that, he ends the feed and then sends a text message to Sam Winchester:] Where are you?


[OOC: Action threads are welcome! Castiel can be found at the dining hall, the diner, and his room on the fifth floor.]

Comments

private video »

[algidity]

[ Someone looks a bit unsureeee. Cas, u ok, buddy? An eyebrow hitches up his forehead as he watches. ]

So... Angels like burgers?

[ He doesn't seem much different -- either the event isn't bothering him or the event is bothering him to the point where he's having to pretend like it isn't. ]

private video »

[freewill]

[Having gone through this once before, Castiel isn't all that bothered. He's more concerned about everyone else and how their cravings may affect them. Sam had managed to break free of his restraints and track down Famine, so what might that mean for some of the people here?

Vampires are a greater concern than werewolves in this case, but Castiel still looks Isaac over before giving any kind of response.]

No. But my vessel does. What are you craving, Isaac?

[Unless he's like Dean, too hollowed out to crave anything, but Castiel finds that hard to believe.]

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[justrunsasaloon]

[That's paint on her hands. Red paint, but paint. Don't worry.]

I don't feel any different. He got a brother called War?

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[freewill]

You may not realize you feel different at first. But something has changed.

[Castiel notices the redness on her hands, but he can tell from here it isn't blood. No reason to get too concerned yet.]

He does, yes. War, Pestilence, and Death are his brothers.

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[seekinghome]

::Ed forces himself to take a break from his studies to answer. Have a view of him in the library, although the piles of books are mostly out of view.::

I think that with me, only thing we gotta worry about is if I remember to do pesky things like eat and sleep.

::Which eventually, he's not going to remember to do, meaning that someone will more than likely find him passed out in the library, his body saving him from himself.::

Anyway, Famine. Like one of the Four Horsemen, along with Death and so on?

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[freewill]

[The problem with these cravings is that they're all-consuming, which means that Edward has a point. People may become so engrossed in their vice of choice that they don't take care of themselves.

Whereas his problem is that he can't stop eating for long enough to do anything else. He's already got another burger open when he responds.]

In that case, you should have someone on-hand to remind you to do those things.

[There's that word, Horsemen. Of course, how could he forget.] Death, Pestilence, War, and Famine. Yes, they're the...

[And it's gone again.]

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[grewuphuman]

[Wherever Adam is at right now, it's dark. That much is obvious by the pitch black that surrounds him, save for a singular light coming from his phone. The feed flickers for a second before leveling out, revealing the somewhat hardened features of the normally carefree, smiling boy.

He can't quite put into words what Famine's influence is having over him but he definitely feels it. Unfortunately, Adam's ultimate desire - to protect humanity, to keep it safe from all outside influence - has put him in a rather precarious situation in a place like Wonderland. His tone sounds strained when he speaks.]

He's a Horseperson. And are you and th' Winchesters going t'do somethin' about him or not?

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[freewill]

[Castiel squints, trying to pinpoint where Adam's broadcasting from. But it's an inky darkness that surrounds him, and only parts of his face are lit up by his phone. Curious, but Castiel is quickly distracted by the boy's question.

Horseperson? That's not the exact word he would use, but it fits well enough.]

Famine isn't actually present. I would be able to sense him. It's only his influence that's found its way here. [He shakes his head, takes another sizable bite of his burger.] Like any event, we'll need to wait it out.

Locked

[first_demon]

[She wants to be angry at him. She certainly feels irritation that somehow he might be involved with what happened. He has the answers, so clearly this is his doing. And even if it isn't, she'll blame him nonetheless.

But there is another pull. Another want that she has for him. An itch that has always has been beneath the surface. And his host body does look so delicious. Perhaps she could somehow corrupt him?]

If you wanted us to indulge in all the naughty things, you should have just asked a demon. Or is this your way of having us come to you?

Locked

[freewill]

[Lilith isn't the sort of person Castiel ever wants to see, especially considering their last interaction with each other, where she'd had him wrapped tight around her finger.

His expression is wary and harsh as he replies, and his tone is sharp as a whipcrack.]

This isn't my doing, it's Famine's. As I explained. I didn't ask for Wonderland to reach in and grab this memory.

[Though it could have done much worse.]

[audio]

[thepointisdolphins]

Your Famine is a demon?

[Actually you know what, he's just done. He's not even remotely in the mood to criticize Castiel's world like usual. Everything is just so horrible lately.]

Is there at least any way to...redirect it? Fill the craving with something else?

[He's been drinking nonstop since the event started and it's only slightly working.]

[audio]

[freewill]

[Castiel shakes his head. That word is a poor substitute, but it's the only one he'd been able to come up with.]

No, he's a... [Searching, searching. File not found.] I can't remember the term, this place took it from me. But you should know.

[Crowley's got his own Apocalypse that he dealt with back home, after all.]

There's no way to redirect it. You can try to resist, but for the most part all you can do is indulge it until it wears away.

action in the diner

[eatsyourscience]

[Souji has never really talked to Castiel, but THAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE, because today is the day that Castiel becomes Souji's friend. No matter what. Saying no to friendship is not an option. Period, exclamation point.

Of course, none of that changes the fact that Souji is still just the pleasant side of neutral in terms of demeanor. And also, he works here, so, y'know, have to stay professional.]

Hey. Can I make you something?

[Feel the friendship growing.]

action

[freewill]

[Castiel has seen Souji around, watched him make various announcements on the network, though he usually isn't much of a patron of the diner, seeing how he generally has no need to eat.

That's very much not the case on this particular weekend, though, and so he's grateful for the offer. He's been taking hamburgers from the closets, but something that's handmade might fill the craving better.]

Yes... something with red meat. [He takes a seat and nods his head in greeting.] A cheeseburger, if you can.

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[pottershotter]

Famine? Famine of The Four Horsemen?

[A Muggle might assume that Wizard Society would be entirely secular as a whole, given how certain Muggles like to assume that anything even mildly magical is Satanic in some way. But, that's not really true. James' parents, who both come from old Pureblooded families, are both involved in their local church and so it's something James has grown up with. He's more of a believer than not, but he's admittedly taken things like The Four Horsemen with a grain of salt.

Speaking of salt, James keeps dipping his hands into a bag of crisps. Castiel might notice that he's not actually eating them though. No, James is just licking the salt off of them and tossing them out. It's a terrible waste, but he's not actually hungry anymore and a lack of hunger hasn't ended the craving at all.]

So if that's what this is about, how come only a couple of us have been after food? I would've thought everyone would be trying to stuff themselves with all of the free food here.

[Even James' craving only just barely qualifies as food.]

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[freewill]

[Castiel has never been particularly close to James, but they've spoken a number of times and Castiel considers him a good source of information. He will admit that he's surprised to find that someone like James would be familiar with the lore around the Apocalypse, though it is a rather popular tale.

One that had almost become a reality, and the reminder of that isn't one Castiel appreciates.]

Yes, exactly. [The word registers, but it's gone just as soon as James mentions it.

Castiel notices the odd way that James is consuming those potato chips and tilts his head in confusion for a moment, but then answers the question.] As I said, it doesn't have to be food that someone craves. It could be sex, it could be affection, it could even be violence. That's why we have to be careful, and everyone needs to be aware of their own desires. [At which point he starts on his next burger.]

text; private;

[ofletters]

[ Sam texted Dean the moment he realized something was wrong. Now that Cas is reaching out, too, he replies quickly, though he needed the prompting to come out with it. ]

My room. I need help

text → action

[freewill]

On my way. Stay where you are.

[Castiel sends the text mainly to keep Sam in place, to keep him grounded, as he tucks a few extra burgers into the pockets of his coat and then flaps his way right into Sam's room. Thankfully, it doesn't look to have been warded.

He takes in Sam's weary expression with a concerned frown, stepping forward to place a hand on his shoulder.] We need to get you restrained.

[And with much more thoroughness than the last time. Sam had managed to undo his handcuffs somehow, so Castiel's going to need to be more creative this time around.]

[video]

[handing]

[Pepper, for one, is acting perfectly normally. She's been busy all morning, having JARVIS monitor the network for things of importance (and muting any distractions), hastily typing up information to include in the expanded Introduction to Wonderland program, printing out test pamphlets, and doing all other manner of work she can find.

Information on the events are still lacking, however. So it's something of a god-send when JARVIS alerts her to Castiel's announcement, where a man actually takes credit for the event in play.]

A demon. Are you saying that Wonderland has actually brought a demon here, for the purpose of this event? [Suddenly the computer doesn't feel adequate enough for recording her thoughts, and Pepper switches to a pen and paper, hastily writing down the important bits of this.]

[video]

[freewill]

[Castiel doesn't know this woman, but that doesn't seem to matter much, given her question. She's here to clarify the information he's handed out, and the whole point of this had been to educate people.

So he doesn't hesitate to answer, shaking his head as he scarfs down yet another bite of hamburger.]

Famine himself isn't here. Wonderland has only borrowed his power to make this event possible. [He quiets for a moment, as if trying to determine if there's anything in that explanation that might confuse a layman.] I would be able to sense if he himself was here.

private video.

[ganking]

Great. If I wanted a trip down memory lane, I'd hit the road.

[ because ain't this a fucking blast from the past. dean's not too happy to see cas munching away on those burgers -- he could seriously punch jimmy novak for ever digging them so much to begin with -- but cas' addiction is hardly the worst one out there.

it's sam who dean's worried about. if this is going on like it had back home, then there's a good chance that his brother's craving something far worse than a greasy patty. ]

...Have you seen Sam?

private video.

[freewill]

[Castiel is aware of the privacy added to this video, even if he doesn't know how to make one of those messages himself. So long as he responds to Dean and doesn't change anything around on his screen, it should be fine. He thinks.

Dean's question doesn't surprise him in the slightest, and Castiel manages to resist taking another bite of burger before he replies.]

I sent him a text message. I'm still awaiting his reply.

[Not a good sign, obviously. There are far too many demons present here, too many temptations, and almost all of them would be happy to see Sam give into his craving.]

Are you feeling anything, Dean? [Or is it like the last time? Is he still hollowed out? Castiel wants to believe that he isn't, that somehow things have changed within Dean since their last run-in with Famine.]

[video]

[jivitadana]

... Is there any way to stop the demon?

[Defeat it or whatnot, though if they didn't have to kill it, that was all the better because killing is not cool. Not that Minato had exactly minded whatever this event was doing to him, but it might not be so great for other people too. He hadn't remembered seeing any demon though like that.]

[video]

[freewill]

[Yet another stranger. Castiel shakes his head as he chews through another bite of hamburger bun and meat.]

Famine himself isn't present. It's only the effect of his power that's here, which means there's no way to turn it off until the event ends.

[Hopefully this event only lasts three days rather than four, though Castiel knows better than to get his hopes up with that.]

[Private Video]

[notmymccalling]

[When the video begins, it's quite obvious Scott is... out in the middle of nowhere. Trees surround him in the background, while he has no actual inkling on where he's going. This was always the best idea.]

Famine? Like--is this the apocalypse? [Dumb question, Scott. Move on. You have an important one to ask.] How do we... stop the cravings? I-I mean, if some of them are dangerous, how would someone get around them and avoid the dangerous ones?

[He wouldn't recognise Cas by face, but he would know his name if it was ever said. Isaac talks. A lot. Especially about people he likes that he's met here.]

[Private Video]

[freewill]

[Scott may not know Castiel's face, but Castiel knows Scott's. They had only interacted one time, when Scott had stepped in to save Allison from a crazed version of Isaac, the one from the future. He'd thought Allison a trick, an illusion, as the version of her from the future had been long dead.

That had been some time ago, and Castiel had felt the werewolf leave this place and then return, so he isn't surprised when there's no recognition along with the questions.]

... Like the Apocalypse, yes. Though this is only a remnant from my home. [Castiel doesn't expect the End of Days to start taking place here.] There isn't a way to stop them. All you can do is put yourself in a situation where you'll be unable to hurt anyone.

[If Scott's craving are anything like Isaac's, then he may need to do exactly that.] Do you need assistance?

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[fiendfries]

A demon?

[ Give her a moment while she scoffs, ignoring the severity of the situation to be appropriately upset. ]

Last time I checked, Hamburgler, we don't take credit for...those guys.

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[freewill]

[Castiel's well aware that it's not the correct word, but the proper one is escaping him right now.]

Seeing how Lucifer is the one responsible for unleashing them, they may as well be accredited to you.

[Famine and the others are in their own league, with a level of power that most demons couldn't hope to achieve. Nonetheless, they are a facet of the Apocalypse and so Castiel takes no issue with lumping them together.

He wants to order Ruby to stay away from Sam, but that will only tip her off, and so instead he shifts to a different subject.]

Speaking of Lucifer, I can only imagine you've noticed his arrival. [How does Castiel manage to discuss serious topics while stuffing his face with burgers? Who knows.]

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[camebefore]

[If Hannibal had his way, none of this information would have gotten out. But it did. Strange. Lecter didn't feel changed or influenced. Angrier, yes, as if his temper were a vicious dog kept on a fraying rope. It had happened before.]

That type of food is bad for you.

[A small plan is needed for this, to see if there's more to learn.]

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[freewill]

That's not a concern for me.

[If he were human, there's no doubt Castiel would have had some kind of cardiac arrest by now, with all of the grease that he's been ingesting.

But he's already hit the hundreds when it comes to the number of burgers consumed. Kind of gross, but there you have it.]

Usually I don't have any need to eat at all, which gives you an idea of how powerful Famine is.

action

[vates]

[ Kevin gets itchy when he's alone. No, actually, more to the point: Kevin starts feeling like everyone he's ever known isn't going to be there anymore. He needs to check on these people, on his family, before they disappear and leave him alone again. He needs his family around him, and that list starts with Sam and Dean -- and Cas, right? They actually weren't that close, but Dean listed him in his speech and honestly, Kevin is the opposite of choosy.

He knocks on Cas's door. ]

Hey -- Cas, are you -- there? I -- I have a cheeseburger. [ Because you take care of your family, right? ]

action

[freewill]

[Castiel doesn't make use of this room all that often. He tends to only do so when he's in need of something from the closet, which is why he's here now. It hasn't protested his request for burgers so far.

The knock startles him, and his senses make it clear that there's nothing supernatural waiting on the other side of the door. Though there's still that lingering hint of death, something that's confirmed when Kevin's voice sounds.

Castiel moves over to the door and opens it up, letting him inside. The room is almost entirely empty except for a dresser, a desk, and an unused bed. That, and the burgers wrappers everywhere.]

Hello, Kevin.

[anomaliiiiies]

[Jane's nodding, taking notes. She's interested~]

I was wondering. But thank you for telling us. Knowing is always a good thing.

[freewill]

[Castiel always approves of note taking. He isn't certain when this would ever come up here again, but...]

If people are informed, they can at least take some measures to protect themselves and others. [He doesn't think it helps anyone if someone refuses to claim their event.]

[video]

[goesdown]

Dare I ask what, exactly you're craving, feathers?

[ Because Crowley can't quite put his finger on his own cravings, but he can't quite help the compulsion to answer and reach out to Castiel. ]

[video]

[freewill]

Is that a trick question? It should be obvious.

[Burger wrappers, everywhere. Castiel isn't hiding this, there's not much reason to.]

My vessel has a proclivity for red meat. What are you craving?

[Or it's possible demons are unaffected, seeing how they're already sinful, gluttonous beings.]