[ voice ]

[hostage]

Hey - guys. Uh...

[A voice post from Jesse? Not his usual style. It sounds like he's outside and struggling to drag something.]

Can you believe there's like no cabs down by Sector 10? Like at all? What's the deal? Tried calling and they won't even come out this way. It's bananas.

So I just, uh -

[He sucks in sharply and stops moving. There's a thump, presumably as he leans against a wall.]

Any one of you guys a healer? Like a healer, not a doctor. I know, I know, it's gonna be dark soon. I'll pay you if you can just, like, get out here. Fast. Before dark. Please.

Comments

[ofthursday]

No, I can find you.

[And in an instant, he appears at Jesse's side in a quiet rustle of feathers.]

[hostage]

[He should be used to teleporters, but he's on edge right now and the sudden appearance makes him jump back and nearly fall onto the sidewalk. He catches himself against the side of the building, luckily, then straightens back up with a fleeting, embarrassed smile.]

Hey, yo. 'Sup. Uh...

[He's bruised and bleeding from the temple, where someone knocked him out with a pistol earlier, but the uglier wound is his leg. It's still bleeding even though he was stabbed close to two hours ago, just above the knee. He's aware his whole appearance probably needs some explaining, but he doesn't offer anything more than a fistful of cash that has some of his blood drying on it.]

[ofthursday]

[Castiel glances over him once, taking note of the injuries, and though he gives a brief look at the handful of money he just ignores it. Instead, he reaches forward, touching his fingers gently to Jesse's shoulder and extending his grace forward to patch the wounds as if they'd never existed.]

[hostage]

[Jesse's perplexed when the money's ignored, but his expression quickly shifts to wariness as he watches what Castiel's doing... only to dissolve into relief as the pain is suddenly lifted away from his body. He stifles a sigh, turning it into a whispered:]

Jesus Christ.

[ofthursday]

Not exactly.

[Castiel looks satisfied with the healing, and settles into a more casual countenance than before.]

My name is Castiel. You are a friend of Mary's, correct?

[hostage]

Friend...

[Is that the word for it? He shakes himself out of that soothed buzz, standing straight now that he's able.]

Uh, yeah. The name's Jesse.

[ofthursday]

[He nods again, then glances around at the darkening skies.]

Where do you live?

[hostage]

Sector 4. Azura Street.

[ofthursday]

[Without explaining or asking, Castiel reaches out again and with another touch, in a blink they're standing on the street. Castiel folds his incorporeal wings closed, entirely unruffled, though he knows the experience tends to be unsettling for humans.]

[hostage]

[Jesse could've used a little warning. He lets out a strangled noise of surprise and then he just stands there for a second or two, slack-jawed and staring at the suddenly-different surroundings. When he adjusts to the new location and remembers to breathe, he turns his head to look at Castiel.]

Uh... Thanks.

[ofthursday]

Of course.

[Castiel is unfazed by his reaction, and glances around at the street and the buildings for a moment before looking back at Jesse.]

Is there anything more you need assistance with?

[Might as well ask while he's here.]

[hostage]

[Jesse touches the side of his head, maybe to be sure the bruising is really gone and he isn't concussive or hallucinating or anything.]

Nah, I'm good. But, uh...

[He glances down at the cash still clutched in his hand. He's been holding it pretty tightly. His fingers feel stiff.]

You sure you don't want me to pay you or anything? For the trouble. I mean - for the healing thing, and picking me up, and, uh... your discretion. I mean, 'cause, you know, I'd rather Mary didn't hear about all this. I don't want her to worry, you know? She don't need gory details.

[ofthursday]

I have no need for it. This wasn't an inconvenience.

[He'd been doing nothing but playing with the hellhounds and the new cat, after all. This at least gave him something useful to do.

He does tilt his head at the last comments about Mary though.]

Do you truly believe she'll simply stop asking? Your injuries were no worse than what hunters deal with. Details will not bother her, and secrecy will cause her more worry, not less.

[hostage]

I, uh... I don't think hearing about how I got a knife lodged in my knee is gonna make her feel any better. Least... Won't make her happy to know exactly how roughed up I got, so why tell her?

[ofthursday]

I won't do so. But be warned she will likely not accept no information as an answer.

[hostage]

She don't accept a lotta things that are good for her, but gotta try anyway.

[ofthursday]

I suppose so.

However, I am not Mary. What exactly happened?

[A knife in the knee isn't accidental, after all, so Castiel is curious.]

[hostage]

I got stabbed.

[ofthursday]

[A small sigh.]

So I'm aware. By who?

[hostage]

No idea.

[That's a lie.]

[ofthursday]

[Castiel isn't good at reading lies unless he's actively using his powers, but he can tell an unlikely situation.]

Did you not know them, or did you not see them either?

[hostage]

It was fast. Didn't get a good look. Plus, you know, I'm like in shock. So...

[ofthursday]

Of course.

[He doesn't push it farther, instead just giving a small nod and opening his incorporeal wings to leave.]

You should go inside before Darkness falls.

[And with that, he's gone in a rustling noise.]