Blackout, House 11

[tryingitall]

Who: Balthazar, Rat and Open!
What: Lights are out. They should build a pillowfort and tell scary stories, right?
When: Day 101
Where: House 11, with possible visits around town by Balthazar, should anyone want that.


All right, so the blackout is, in itself, not terribly alarming. Inconvenient, yes, but provided the weather stays tolerably warm and nothing horrible comes out of the woods to kill them, it's just annoying.

At least in the short term. In the long term, water will need to be boiled and distilled, food storage will have to be tweaked, etc. Balthazar's hoping it won't come to that. Right now, it seems best to treat this as temporary.

On the second day after the lights go out, he's taken the initiative to snag some supplies from the store and junkpiles around town and created a couple makeshift light sources: three candles and an oil lamp in an empty wine bottle. The dim glow is visible from outside the house, a small circle of golden flames. Combine it with a little of the moonshine he's gotten from Ellen and it's almost festive, in a rustic sort of way.

Comments

[tryingitall]

The trouble with drinking songs is it's hard to remember the lyrics if you've only ever heard them when you've had a few. The only one I can reliably remember is the one with the chorus that goes: Fuck you, I'm drunk; fuck you, I'm drunk/Pour my beer down the drain, I've got more in the trunk.

[And on that note, he reaches for a bottle of moonshine.]

[hung_garian]

That's what karaoke machines are for. But if you can't remember the words to 99 Bottles of Beer without a sheet of lyrics I'm afraid there's no hope for you.

[Personally he's quite fond of 'traditional' drinking songs, especially sea shanties like Fiddler's Green - he's not got much of a strong connection to their primarily Irish background, but with the Vikings playing such a significant part in his history, the material's close enough. Besides, he tends to be rather a maudlin drunk and that type of music is brilliant for indulging it without getting too emotional.]

Watch out for the moonshine, though. If you end up with your throat burned up don't come crying to me. [Needless to say, he doesn't trust Ellen as far as he could throw her. He doesn't trust most people who're friends with the Winchesters, really.]

[tryingitall]

If you can sing it on the bus on the way to summer camp, love, it doesn't count as a drinking song any more. [He shakes his head, smiling.] But if you've got one to teach, I'm all ears.

[The warning makes him frown slightly, though.] Is this about the incident with Meg? I don't think I'm in any danger from Ellen.

[hung_garian]

I think you underestimate just how educated the kids of today are, kiddo. There's ten year olds running around singing 'Hips Don't Lie' and.... whatever that song about booty is, though admittedly they may be thinking of pirate booty. As in... treasure, not Johnny Depp's ass, which I guess might be considered a treasure, but-- probably not the kind ten year olds are interested in.

[What was he saying?

Oh yeah. Drinking songs.]

Drinking songs or otherwise, I think over the years I've accumulated quite the database of knowledge. I suppose I could bear to teach you a little, if you're prepared to be a good student.

[Which may entail wearing a schoolgirl outfit... but probably won't, though it might get him extra credit.]

Yes, it's about Meg. I take it you're aware of what Ellen did to her-- whether you think you're in danger or not, I wouldn't trust her. Not unless you're one hundred percent sure.

[Ellen cares about Dean and Dean cares about Castiel and Castiel cares about Balthazar, so perhaps he's safe. Safer than Meg, in any case, given that Balthazar isn't responsible for Ellen or Jo's death-- but nonetheless, he's hesitant to risk Balthazar's wellbeing on as precarious an assumption as that.]

[tryingitall]

Honestly, I just want to learn whatever I can while I have the chance. [Meaning, he wants to soak in as much attention and knowledge from the two archangels present in Kore, for as long as the opportunity is there. Because if and when he returns home, that chance is gone forever.] So, sure. Impart your wisdom unto me.

[No schoolgirl outfit, though. He doesn't look good in knee socks.]

I feel somewhat responsible, actually, although I'm not sure I want to tell Meg that. [He shakes his head, irritated at himself.] Ellen asked me if I thought alcohol could be made with holy water, and like an idiot I answered honestly. It should have occurred to me that there's no reason to use holy water here just now other than Meg.

[To be fair, Ellen had already had the idea, and probably would have gone through with it anyway.]

[hung_garian]

Well, young Padawan, gather round - I have a lot of wisdom to share. It might take some time, so... make sure you're sitting comfortably, kids.

[Just... not right now. He's busy with his candy.]

I think the person who's responsible is the one who spiked her drink. Not you. [Not that he cares much about whose fault it was, really. He and Meg don't get along too well - though admittedly Gabriel doesn't get along too well with many people anyway.] Besides, she's fine now - more or less. You figure you're safe to drink that, then?

[He can't think how Ellen could put anything that'd hurt Balthazar in the alcohol, but if there is a risk, he's far from eager to take it.]

[tryingitall]

I did say 'somewhat'. [He smiles wryly. It's not his job to defend Meg from anyone who has a legitimate beef with demons, even if he does rather like her style. Anyway, he figures she's primarily Castiel's problem, for good or ill.]

I haven't killed any of Ellen's immediate family members. Besides, I've already tasted some of the fruits of her labors with no ill effects. [He tilts his head slightly and smiles.]

But I'm touched by your concern. [It sounds slightly sarcastic, but he's actually pleased.]

[hung_garian]

[He snorts.]

I wouldn't say 'concern'. I just don't wanna be the one stuck consoling your friend if you keel over.

[tryingitall]

Which friend? [He's curious, because evidently Gabriel knows more about his doings than he thought he did. And that begs some questions he's unlikely to stick his neck out and ask.]

But I have no plans to keel over, so you can stop being not-concerned.

[hung_garian]

The one who's here. Duh.

[His expression is almost entirely innocent, but the odds of that being accurate are always low with Gabriel.]

[tryingitall]

[Balthazar gives him a long, suspicious look, but he's not going to make waves if Gabriel doesn't.]

Uh-huh. [Pointedly, he takes a healthy swig of moonshine, shrugs, and sets the bottle down with a soft clunk.]

[hung_garian]

[He doesn't bother trying not to look apprehensive. Still, nothing happens, and (smirking as if he'd known it all along) he settles back and drains his wineglass.]

Well, good. Not sure how you'd have coped if you'd made an enemy of the bartender.

[tryingitall]

It would definitely have put a damper on my favorite pastime. D'you want some? It's very strong.

[By which he means it doesn't taste so good. But it's alcohol, and beggars can't be choosers.]

[hung_garian]

[He shakes his head.]

Won't be strong enough. It'd take a hell of a lot more than Ellen's own-brand hooch to have any effect on me, so why not stick with something that doesn't taste like gasoline?

[The same goes for his wine, but he likes the taste, and besides, he thinks it makes him look classy. Or would if he weren't using it to wash down a plate of candy.]

You keep it, kid. And if you do anything morally questionable while under the influence, take photos.

[tryingitall]

Shall I let you know if I find any interesting mushrooms? [Haha, Raphael would love that idea.]

Don't worry, the cameras are always rolling. If I do anything interesting, it won't go unseen.

[hung_garian]

[That gets him a wicked little grin, so conspiratorial that by rights it should be accompanied by a wink and a shady deal in an alley in New York.]

I'd be obliged.

[He takes the 'we' to mean one of Balthazar's human friends. He's aware Raphael and Balthazar have been spending some time together - of course he's aware, that he should not keep track of his siblings in this place is inconceivable - but he hasn't been actually observing. He of all people understands the value of privacy, and as a result, he doesn't fully understand the increasing closeness between his brothers.]

Alas, generous though our hosts have proved themselves, their magnanimity hasn't yet extended to giving me access to their surveillance systems. It's a real shame. From the fragments of stories that pass for gossip around here, it must make for great TV.

[And of course great amateur pornography, but there's no need to lower the tone...]

[tryingitall]

[He wasn't expecting that level of enthusiasm, but in retrospect he probably should have. Gabriel had a nice long time on the planet. He's probably tried illicit substances Balthazar's never even heard of.

Yep, he definitely wants to be Gabriel's student. Pigtails or not. It's a hell of a thing to get any attention from an archangel at all, at least to Balthazar. That he has the opportunity to learn from and play with two here is immensely satisfying.]

I've been wondering about the surveillance systems. Breaking the cameras doesn't work, evidently, but I don't know whether anyone's tried subverting them. [Probably not a topic to chat about too extensively aloud...]

[hung_garian]

Subverting? [He asks very, very casually. He doesn't want an answer - at least, of course, not aloud. And he wouldn't be surprised if their captors had a way of picking up angel radio, too.] I suppose people must have thought about it. Me personally? I'm not too concerned. If they wanna watch me shower, they're welcome to.

[tryingitall]

It's something I talked with that Zatanna about. I don't have any particular plans, but surely someone could confuse the damn things somehow. [Glancing at Gabriel, he can tell this isn't the best moment for this conversation, though, so he just gathers the marshmallows.

He's about to go carry his bounty over to Rat and Chuck, when one last question occurs to him.]

Since when do you shower?

[hung_garian]

Do you know, I imagine one could.

[The apparent disinterest is indicative of him being interested, perversely enough. Not that it matters, and he sits back, apparently satisfied with that being the end of it - for the time being, at least.]

Since there's been cameras everywhere. Seems a waste otherwise, don'tcha think?

[tryingitall]

[Hmmm. He'll be bringing up this topic again, if he can ever think of a way to use the talents they have around. Zatanna claimed to be able to create illusions, and Balthazar's convinced Gabriel could one-up her. The question is whether they can make any more use of the possibility than annoying whoever's watching them.

He laughs and shakes his head at the shower response.]

Ah, I see. Well, don't forget to sing off-key. [He makes to go, then, still grinning. Gabriel may not be comforting, but he's certainly fun.]

[hung_garian]

Excuse you. I have the voice of an angel.

[He grins, and goes back to his candy.]

Enjoy yourselves, kids. And remember to practice safe sex.