Catch-all Tunnel Log

[servingmichael]

Who: Raphael and Open
When: Day 121
Where: The tunnels
What: Failing all over the place
Notes: If you want something specific, just let me know.

Stane, some other warning, and then Gabriel had disappeared - Raphael hadn't wasted time in going to Michael and pointing out they needed to go - if it was an escape, then they could retrieve Gabriel.

They just hadn't know the tunnels bore complications.

Comments

[servingmichael]

Raphael had had his own tantrum over Gabriel being missing - part of the forest bore those marks, but ultimately fear over ruled and he'd flown quickly around to count heads before approaching Michael.

Still he hadn't thought about powers now working, so he hadn't taken anything with him that he didn't normally carry. But with Michael having to manhandle Lucifer, Raphael was gathering up the others at the entrance.

"What's that for?" The pillowcase.

[tryingitall]

"Emergencies," he says grimly, holding the makeshift bag close. "Water, and a little food. We'll be all right, but the humans might not."

And he can't make provisions out of thin air the way archangels can. "It's a safe bet someone will want water, at least."

[servingmichael]

"Good planning." He hadn't thought about it - because he could conjure from thin air. He wasn't prepared for the tunnels.

"Likely they will. It depends on how long we are in them." He assumed at least as long as it took to walk to the forest, but they didn't know how long they went on.

[tryingitall]

"I'm afraid I'm not completely confident we'll ever leave them," he admits, but he doesn't seem too reluctant to try anyway. It's not like there's much to stay for in the Cape, with everything falling down around them.

Plus, he broke the couch in his fit of temper.

"If I were good at planning, I'd have had more than one jar. We'll do our best."

[servingmichael]

"We will." Raphael was, if only because he was pretty sure that if they were down here too long, Lucifer would start digging skyward.

"One jar is more than Michael, Lucifer, Zachariah, Samandriel, and I have combined." He'll just point that out. He didn't know what Castiel had, he hadn't asked yet, hadn't run into him yet. Still, thus far, Balthazar was the best prepared.

[tryingitall]

Raphael's approbation is unusual enough that it pulls Balthazar up short. He did something right? Well, how about that. There's a moment where he looks almost confused, but it's broken with a faint smile, a nod, and a grateful look.

"I assume we're all meant to stick together once we get underground?"

[servingmichael]

"We are yes." He's learning - slowly, painfully slowly, that commenting and praising on a job well done is more effective than just coming down hard on mistakes. "Basic scouting and recovery mission, really." Or so he hoped.

[tryingitall]

"Basic?" He's skeptical, but when it comes down to it, he needs the reassurance, so he makes no attempt to question beyond the single word. "All right. Here's hoping it stays simple. This place likes to throw curves our way."

[servingmichael]

"Basic. We'll all be ok. We just have to stick together, ok brother?" He patted Balthazar's arm, trying to reassure him. Angels and the unknown weren't friends, and he wanted everyone to be calm. Especially with it looking like Lucifer was going to be difficult.

[tryingitall]

"I'll make an attempt. We'll be trying to help the mortals make it, too, I hope?" He knows Lucifer would have no interest in that activity, and Michael's interest in it is probably limited. Raphael seems more capable of caring about their vulnerable pets, friends, and other associates.

[servingmichael]

"Yes, although our priorities should be," will be, he means, "each other first." Raphael does care about them, even if it's more distant than what he knows was ordered.

[tryingitall]

Balthazar's not sure what his priorities are at this point. Arguing is useless, though, so he only nods. If he has to slip away later, well...better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.

[servingmichael]

Raphael would argue that not putting their siblings first was what caused all this trouble, it's why he's pushing it now. And perhaps what he needs to do is have an open discussion with his siblings about it, about Chuck's writing, but he can't. It's too big a step. "Good." He patted Balthazar on the back, approving.

[tryingitall]

That's something they might find agreement on. Balthazar's trouble is that some of the humans (and other species) around are starting to feel as much like--or more like--family than his family does.

That's not something one can say to an archangel. Certainly not to Raphael, nor even to Gabriel, who has more basis for getting the concept. It's something he could doubtless talk to Castiel about, but probably what he'd hear in return would just hurt.

So, he'll nod and smile and tread the line a bit longer, until the inevitable crash and burn, which is likely to be ugly whichever way he falls. But for now he has a pat on the back from a big brother, and it's enough to keep going ahead with. He smiles, and steps into the dark.