Topic: Asking for Hoodoo Help

Dean Winchester

Date: 2011-08-28 14:48 EST
Katt and Dean had looked everywhere for Sam, to no avail, and Dean was about at his wits' end and running out of options. He could attempt to summon an angel, but the last time he'd tried that, it hadn't gone so well. And then he remembered Emily. He knew she probably wouldn't be too thrilled to see him again, but despite their differences, he trusted her and had a feeling she might be able to help. It was worth a try anyway. He remembered the way there, quiet most of the way, only explaining to Katt he knew someone who might be able to help, a little lost in the memory of the last time he'd seen Emily. He'd still been with Quinn then and it was then that he'd found out her secret. One he'd kept with him and told no one, not even Sam.

Oh someone was super cranky r us. Course Katt didn't expect to find Sam at the Teas. The marketplace" Maybe. But Dean not finding him' The sour expression just wouldn't leave her face no matter how long they were silent or talked. She was silent for the most part, head bobbing to show she heard, understood, and all that good stuff. Yep. She could bite the head off a ten penny nail right now.

He wasn't really looking forward to seeing Emily again after their last encounter, and he was sure she'd have something to say about the fact that he looked about 18 years old, but he couldn't worry about that now. There were more important things to think about. He remembered the way, down a rugged road that he didn't like taking the Mustang down, though she'd made the trip a few times already. After a while of bumping along, they came to a clearing where he stopped the car and looked over at a ramshackle shack that was set in front of a swamp. It didn't look like much, but he knew from experience not to judge a book by its cover. "That's it," he told Katt, nodding over at the shack. "She probably already knows we're here by now."

And as if on cue, the dimly lit shack suddenly illuminated ten fold. So bright that light spilled from windows, cracks, and crevices of the run down abode. A moment later, the front door opened. It moved so slowly and seemingly with such visible effort that even from the car they could probably imagine the groan that it gave. More flickering light poured out the front door, but no sign of life was visible just yet. The shack and whatever was inside simply sat now. Waiting.

"Geez and I thought the basement was creepy," Katt muttered softly. Once the car had stopped she was pawing at the door, pausing only when she remembered the seat belt. She waited, patiently, for Dean to remove it so she could bolt out of the car and onto sweet land. That is until she saw the light. Well the grip on the door became tight and she looked over as if he held some answer to an unspoken question.

"See what I mean?" he asked, seeing the doors open as if by magic. He turned back to Katt, almost forgetting she had not yet mastered the seatbelt. He made a mental note to teach her Seatbelt 101 as soon as they found out what had happened to Sam. He reached over and unclasped the belt for her. "You don't have to go with me if you don't want to. You could just wait here." He knew the place was a little creepy and he didn't want to scare her.

She snorted and bounced out of the car once the seatbelt was off. "Nahhh! That's okay! Not letting you go in there alone. Who knows what trouble you would cause." She sighed at him. Yep she knew he'd do something! Or something. She was going. That was that. "But you are going first." Sage nod.

"Thanks, you always throw your best friend to the..." he broke off, as he realized what he'd just said and climbed out of the car, a little surprised at his own words.

Her eyes shifted over to him, narrowing darkly. "You know this person. I don't!" The expression melted into a 'duh' expression. His words didn't phase her at all. In fact she smiled a little when she gestured him on to the building.

He pouted a little as he started toward the shack, though he had nothing to pout about. It was his idea to come here, after all. He just hoped he could somehow convince her to help him without having to beg and plead too much. He didn't have to knock on the door, as it was already open, so he just stopped at the threshold and peered inside. "Emily?"

The shack was as it had been every time he had come to see her. A distorted mess of bottles, bowls, boxes, and more lined various shelves that too up just about every inch of wall space. Hanging from the ceiling were bones, feathers, and other objects that no one in their right mind would want to know how the hoodoo woman obtained them. The woman who called herself Emily was sitting at the beat up wooden table to the left, her small mass draped in layers upon layers of tattered fabrics and beat up baubles. At his voice, her head turned sharply. The wooden beads and bits in her dreadlocked hair clattered with the movement, but her booming voice, so strong for someone who appeared so small and young, rang out and drowned the sound. "Dean! Have yah lost all yer damn sense since the last time yah been here" Y'know I ain't one to keep waitin'. Now yah either be comin' inside or be gone wit' ya and yer lil' friend."

Her lips thinned, biting her tongue. She twitched, struggling not to reach out and grab Dean. Drag him off. "Little.." Guess that was her! Biting her bottom lip she glanced up to Dean.

"I see your decorating hasn't improved. Still as homey as ever," he remarked as he stepped into the shack, taking the lead in front of Katt, staying almost protectively close. "Emily, this is Katt."

Her reply to Dean was returned with a growl rumbling in the back of her throat. "I see yah gotten shorter, but yer mouth be jus' as big as ever. Quite tha talent, boy." She rose to her feet then displaying just how miniscule her size really was. But she held herself like a giant. Dark brown eyes became playful as they shifted to Katt. Though it was more like how a lioness might play with her food before devouring it. "Charmed, I be sure." A pretty little smile that was just as frightening was offered.

Her shoulders bounced and she raised a hand to her mouth, knuckles pressing hard against her mouth to silence a laugh. Haa. Oh that tickled her completely. Her hand lowered to her stomach, resting flat as she dipped her head. "A pleasure to meet you Miss Emily." She showed no fear at the moment. If there was any she was politely swallowing it down in means of helping Dean.

He snorted at Emily's remark and glared at both the women. "Are we done with the pleasantries? We didn't come here for tea." Thankfully, he didn't mention the roofie she'd put in his tea the last time he was there. He was trying to be civil, but he was losing his patience.

She nodded her head a Katt. "I be likin' her. She laughs at me humor." Her gaze shifted back to Dean. "Not yet sure if I be lettin' you stay or not. You and yer habit of raisin' yer voice in my house when it be you darkenin' mah doorstep when yah be needin' the hand of hoodoo guidin' yah right."

She reached out to Dean at his comment. Softly her hand slid against the crook of his elbow. "Dean." Nope that wasn't at all motherly. She stepped closer while her hand removed itself from his elbow. Craning her head to one side she glanced at the woman then Dean.

He opened his mouth, a retort at the ready, breaking off when he heard Katt's voice beside him and felt her touch his arm, thinking better of it. Being rude wasn't going to get him what he wanted. He shuffled his feet a little awkwardly and frowned, having a feeling she already knew why he was there anyway but having to swallow a little pride and tell her. "I need your help."

"Ah, look at yah now. Yah found yerself a smart one, Dean." Chocolate eyes then rolled at his admission. "Boy, yah don't got tah be Emily tah know that." She moved around the wooden table pulling out two chairs in a silent invitation to sit for each of them. She then moved back around to her chair, sinking down into it with a fluid motion. Her legs folded, bare feet visible beneath the mass of fabrics. "Tell Emily what?s got yer insides lookin' so blue."

Dean Winchester

Date: 2011-08-28 14:49 EST
As many times as she was called stupid it was nice to hear someone say she was smart. She smiled a touch and nudged Dean softly to the chairs. She murmured low. "Try saying please and thank you." Politeness! It helps! Nudge nudging him along she finally left his side to take place next to the chair that wasn't close to Emily. Nope. That honor was for Dean!

There was no point in hiding the fact that he was upset. She was smart enough to know that, but she might not know why. He tossed Katt a slightly annoyed look as she tried to play mother and lowered himself into the chair closest Emily, turning toward her with a worried frown. There was no point in beating around the bush. "It's my brother, Sam. He's....he's disappeared." He pulled a crumpled piece of paper on which Sam had scribbled a note telling Dean he was going home and handed it to Emily. "I need to know he's okay." Or not, as the case might be.

Her eyes lit up at the story and she leaned towards him, working the note out of his hands so that she could look it over herself. "So sad. So vury sad." She clucked her tongue. Fingertips were dragged along the letters of the note, following the curves of Sam's handwriting here and there. "Most of tha time though, boy, when people be dissapearin'?" She lifted her gaze from the note back to Dean. And she didn't look amused anymore. "They don't be leavin' notes. Yah be wastin' mah time."

"He's worried about his brother.." She finally spoke up, her eyes tilting to Emily. "Sam is important to him..Please if you can help, Dean..." She was doing the pleading for him and it extended even to her emerald eyes. "Please Miss Emily...If you can do anything at all I am sure Dean would appreciate it."

He got the feeling she was poking fun at him and he flushed angrily, but once again Katt stepped in, preventing him from spouting off. Her politeness was almost as irritating at times as Sam's. He clenched his jaw before finally adding, "Please."

Her eyes narrowed even more, shifting sharply to Katt as she pleaded on behalf of Dean. Emily leaned over the table towards the girl, looking for a moment as if she might say something to her. But instead she simply inhaled the air in front of her in a few short quick bursts. She seemed to ponder her findings of this odd act, then her attention was back on Dean. "Yah learned tah say please since yah been 'way." She gave a roll of her shoulders. "Doesn't mean I got anythin' fer ya. Somethin' like that ain't jus' for anyone who comes a'knockin' on Emily's door."

It was amazing how she was able to sit with her hands in her lap and not fidget when Emily leaned over. She stared at the woman with a small, polite smile that only wavered a bit when the woman looked like she was about to say something. She felt like she was being read, which in itself was a bit disturbing. No telling what chaos a person would read from her and there was plenty of it there. She couldn't lie to the want to sigh out and relax when the woman's attention left her. Phew!

He narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw, knowing everyone had a price, and Emily was no exception. He'd bargained with a demon. How bad could it be to bargain with a hoodoo woman' "What's it gonna cost me?" he asked, meeting her gaze.

He knew her too well. Not nearly as well as she knew him, but it was impressive all the same. Now with her toothy smile cutting across thick lips she seemed to be doing her best impression of the little crocodile. How cheerfully she seems to grin, how neatly spread her claws. And welcomes little fishes in, with gently smiling jaws. "It be costin' yah one act....of inaction." Her head tilted aside, dreadlocks pouring to one side. "I be holdin' yah to it and collectin' when I be seein' fit. someday, when I tell yah to stand down. Yah listen on yer life." She gave an innocent shrug.

She frowned almost instantly and she glanced over to Dean. Why couldn't she burden the cost' It was her fault anyways...Her hands shifted, clenching tightly and shoving into her lap. Looking away she glanced around to the surroundings, biting her tongue to the point it was a surprise she didn't taste blood.

He narrowed his eyes at her again, not trusting her as far as he could throw her, which despite her diminutive size, probably wasn't very far. She reminded him of a Cheshire cat or maybe the cat that swallowed the canary. Either way, he wasn't too pleased with her terms and was more than a little suspicious why she'd ask that particular boon of him. "Does this have anything to do with Quinn?" He sensed Katt's discomfort beside him, but for the moment, his attention was focused on Emily.

Her lips parted in an attempt to look offended, though her features couldn't quite make out the expression. "Why would I be doin' anythin' to mah dear Quinn" She not been tellin' yah how 'er an' I have become such good friends since yah been gone, boy?" A hand came forth from the layers of fabrics and was extended towards him, held steady and unmoving as she continued. "Those be mah terms. Yah want tah know wha' happened to yer brother" Yah be in debt tah stand down on mah word on yer life." The lopsided slash of a smile had returned. "Wha' can it be hurtin', Dean' Yah still owe me one favor I ain't even collect on yet. Don' be actin' like Miss Emily has been doin' yah wrong."

Her eyes shifted long way to Emily then Dean. It didn't surprise her none he was worried about Quinn's safety. Course now she was too. Her lips thinned sharply and she clenched the end of her shirt. It sucked to be so quiet. At the same time she felt so..helpless..

Eyes still narrowed, Dean leaned forward, sliding a hand toward her across the table but not shaking on the deal or agreeing to anything just yet. He got the feeling he was making a deal with the devil again, but he didn't have much choice. It was either that or hop through the portal and hope he did it right or summon an angel and hope they answered his call. Demons were out of the question, and he didn't know or trust anyone else here well enough to ask them for help. "Wipe Quinn's slate clean. You get a favor from me, but not her."

Her hand didn't move, but her expression changed again. She briefly looked impatient. Then she looked irritated that he was trying to twist her deals about on her. "These ain't no crossroads, boy! Yah don't be hagglin' wit' Emily, ya hear" I ain't wheelin' and dealin' wit' Quinn now 'cause she ain't here and her debt be standin' as is." She nodded her head to Katt, but practically black eyes that now danced with rage didn't leave Dean. "Yer lucky I ain't makin' yer lil' frien' pay me a favor as a spectator's fee, ya nit! Now yah can take yer deal or yah can be takin' the door."

"I'll take Quinn's debt if it means you will leave her alone..." She said flatly and lifted her eyes to Emily. She knew Dean wouldn't like it but at the same time made taking his easier" She wasn't sure. "Or his debt."

"No!" he exclaimed, turning to look at Katt, worried now that someone else would dragged into this mess, not realizing she was already part of it by just being there. He turned back to Emily, green eyes flashing, and reached for her hand. "Deal." He wasn't going to trade Katt's safety for Quinn's or vice versa. If there was a way to keep them both out of harm's way, he'd find it, but right now, his main concern was for Sam.

Dean Winchester

Date: 2011-08-28 14:50 EST
Her grin flashed with delight at Katt's offer, but it wasn't because she was a fan of selfless acts. Dean had a sweet spot for thrusting himself in between oncoming trains and anyone he considered a friend. So, his quick reaction to bite the bullet before Katt could was expected and Dean did not disappoint. Emily's boney hand was shoved into his palm and she wrapped her slender fingers around his hand, a firm shake sealing the deal between them. "Then it be done."

"I don't suppose I could ask for a bonus and have you take care of my little teenage hormonal problem," he grumbled as they shook hands to seal the deal.

And the finishing deal was met with one hell sour of a look. Her head tilted away and she murmured quietly. With little warning she pushed herself to stand and started for the door. After all she really wasn't needed and what Emily had to say about Sam was for Dean, not her. Not to mention..super grumpy Katt at Dean.

Her gaze trailed to Katt briefly, but Dean's question had her full attention back on him. She released his hand, pulling her own back as well. "Let's be focusin' on one t'ing a time, boy." She rubbed her hands together and gave a clap. The Cheshire grin, as Dean thought of it, was back. "Let's be findin' us a Sam."

She was feeling all shades of stupid at the moment. Because of her Dean just pretty much jumped into the deal and she knew it. Kicking at the ground she marched her way to the mustang and yes..she kicked the man's wheels. Oh dear gawd! Nauu! Huffing she turned and slumped down, tucking her legs to her chest and waiting in said spot. Boys were so...stupid. Period!

As Emily released his hand, he tilted his gaze toward Katt, distracted by her unexpected departure and not looking too pleased about it. He'd brought her with him and he was responsible for taking her safely home. "Katt?" he called, but she was already out the door. He frowned and turned back to Emily, looking sullen. "If anything happens to her, I'm holding you responsible."

She replied to Dean's statement with a simple shrug. "She ain't tha one yah should be worryin' 'bout right now, boy."

Dean narrowed his eyes as he swung his gaze back to Emily. "What the hell do you mean by that?" Though he sounded annoyed, his voice lacked the rough raspy tone of his adult self.

"Yah think anyone with foul intentions can be comin' anywhere near mah home" It ain't jus' these walls that be pertectin' me." She rose to her feet, moving now along the many shelves that lined said walls. Bottles, small vials, a few bunches of herbs, and even some bones were picked up while she spoke. "'Sides, it's yer sad Sam yah just paid meh to find fer yah. Don't be losin' yer focus, boy."

"I'm not losing my focus and I'm not..." Okay, well, he sort of was a boy, but not really! He watched while she gathered some things from the oddities that lined her shelves. "You know how I got this way?"

"Mah first guess was yah be doin' somethin' foolish." She set her gathered items down on the table between them then she was on the move again. A large black stone basin, worn smooth on the inside and out but holding enough imperfections to show it was crafted by hand, was also set on the table. The last two items, a jar filled with a murky green liquid and a long thin box made of deep cherry wood, were carried back with her to the table. "Am ah close?"

He was watching her as she moved to and fro, collecting the items she presumably needed to do whatever it was she was planning on doing. Scrying would be his first guess, from the looks of the basin, though he wasn't sure about the rest of the items. "No, I wasn't doing something foolish," he told her, sounding just a little defensive. "I was supposed to take a healing potion and I got it mixed up with one that does this."

A wickedly amused smile cut across her lips at this. It wasn't clear if Emily took some sort of pleasure out of the misfortunes of others or just Dean's. "Not sure who been lyin' tah yah, Dean, but that's what we be callin' ah foolish act." She set to swishing the jar of liquid around before dumping a good amount of it into the basin until it was filled about half way. More items followed along. A sprig of something here, a drop from a vial here.

"Yeah, well..." He was following her every movement, not completely trusting her. "It's supposed to be temporary, but I've been like this for a few days now." He nodded at the basin and its contents. "What is that stuff" It looks like swamp water." And then he realized, it probably was swamp water.

Her amusement was gone again just as quickly and quietly as it had come. "Yah want tah find out?" She slid the jar towards him, some of the contents still remaining. At a closer range he might be able to make out the scent wafting out of the jar. It was impossible to pin but it wasn't pleasant, that much was for sure. "Try it. Tell meh what yah think." Her gaze never left him as she picked up a bone. It was so brittle and dry that she was able to break and grind it with her bare hands letting the dust and debris of it fall into the basin below before the remaining bits were tossed aside onto the floor.

Just out of curiosity, he lifted the jar and took a small whiff of its contents, making a face as he found the smell somewhat familiar, but unpleasant. He pushed the jar away, thankfully not gagging. "No thanks, I think I've done more than my share of swallowing strange potions in the last few days." He watched while she ground the bone in her hand, not wanting to know where it had come from. "I'd hate to be your housekeeper," he remarked, watching her toss the remains on the floor.

"Look at dat. Yah learned somethin' 'bout drinkin' t'ings yah don't know what they are. I'm jus' so proud of yah, boy." She wiped her hands off on the front of her dress, glowering at him. "But yah still got that big mouth of yers. No matter. That'll be makin' this next step much more enjoyable." "I wouldn't want to disappoint you by exhibiting good manners." He leaned back a little while watching her, wondering what she had planned. "What do you want me to do' Call him or something?"

"What I'm doin' fer yah tonight be vury specific. It calls on a vury special bond." She opened the small cherry wood box now. Inside laid a dagger the same length as the box with a slender handle and blade. The handle was made of the same worn wood as the box, but the blade was in impeccable shape and polished to an impressive sheen. She removed the dagger holding it aloft in one hand. The other hand was extended towards him. "Tha bond of blood."

He eyed the dagger, wondering how old it was and whether it was just a dagger or if it had some sort of magical qualities to it. Despite how old it looked, it seemed to be well cared for, and he wondered if it was one of those things that had been handed down through the generations. He glanced from the dagger to her and back, a little wary of a hoodoo woman with a blade, but not terribly surprised. "Why am I not surprised?" He hesitated a moment, not too thrilled about the prospect of blood-letting, especially since it was his own blood.

"'Cause nothin' worth workin' fer ain't gonna cost ya a lil' blood." The fingers on the hand extended towards him crooked and curled in a beckoning manner. "Now, gimmie yer hand."

Dean Winchester

Date: 2011-08-28 14:51 EST
He couldn't argue with that, and it would be well worth the price to know that Sam had made it home safely. He leaned forward finally and held out his hand, having no choice but to trust her. He'd come to her for help, after all. "That an heirloom?"

She was focused on his hand and gathering it up in her own. He might not have been one to flinch and pull back, but it seemed she wasn't taking any chances and she tightened her grip on him to ensure there was no escape. "Mah craft has been passed down fer generations." It was probably the closest Dean had ever gotten to an answer about the woman's past, but she didn't leave much room for him to prod any farther. His hand was positioned above the basin, the tip of the dagger pressed to one side of his palm though no blood was released just yet. Her head was lowered and and she began to speak quietly to herself. Or it seemed she was speaking to herself considering how quick and low the words were falling from her lips. They were such a jumble that they were impossible to be made out.

He tensed his shoulders, preparing for the inevitable pain when the blade sliced into his flesh and drew blood. It wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last. It didn't scare him, but he knew it sting a little. Her answer only confirmed what he already presumed. She probably came from a long line of hoodoo queens, each one more powerful than the one previous. He could only guess how many generations, but he knew only a fool would underestimate her. He remained quiet, lips pressed tightly together as he watched her, trying but unable to make out what it was she was whispering.

Whatever it was she was saying became even harder to understand as the pace in which she said it began to speed up. Her small frame was always so hard to make out beneath the layers of fabrics and mountains of baubles that hung around her neck, but her rib cage began to expand and deflate so much and so rapidly that it could clearly be seen. It was as if she were hyperventilating while still somehow managing to speak. Her head bobbed with the rhythm of her words, but all the movement that came from her didn't shift his hand from above the basin or the blade at all. Not until her volume was lifted, just as her gaze. It was clear now she wasn't speaking any language he would understand. When it seemed like she might start yelling soon her chanting came to a sudden stop and without warning the blade was slid from one side of his palm to the other. Left to right. She then forced his hand closed and turned it, squeezing the blood out into the basin.

She had his attention, watching her with grave intensity while she got lost in the spell work. Despite his attitude toward her and his obvious distaste for her particular brand of magic, he knew she was powerful and was confident she could help him. He knew, in fact, she could probably help him a lot more than she was, but she seemed to have her own agenda and he didn't want to become indebted to her anymore than he already was. He seemed to fall into an almost hypnotic gaze while he watched her, but he felt the blade slice his palm and he visibly winced, having to force himself not to pull his hand away.

She gave a hiss of glee under her breath while watching his blood drip down into the basin. Then, seemingly when she felt she had enough, she set the dagger down and picked up a small wad of herbs that were still lying on the table. One hand tugged at his fingers to uncurl them, then the other placed the herbs in his hand along the wound. Almost instantaneously there would be a cooling relief that radiated along the slice and she recurled his fingers to keep them in place. In the time it took for her to just complete that small act the basin in front of her had started to bubble lightly, like a pan of water boiling on a stove even though there was no source of heat anywhere near it. She held her hands above the basin and closed her eyes, her breathing calm and collected now. "Now yah think, boy. Yah think about Sam wit' all yer might. Yah call out tah 'im in yer mind like it was gunna be savin' yer life."

"I think you're enjoying this a little too much," he told her, watching while his blood dripped into the basin and then she was administering to the wound, which was throbbing painfully until she placed the herbs in his hand. He closed his hand around the herbs, feeling the cooling relief, and looked from her to the basin, which was bubbly strangely. He frowned when she mentioned Sam's name and he refocused himself on the reason he had come there. "I'm not sure..." He wasn't sure he could do it, but he knew better than to argue with her and broke off, squeezing his eyes shut and concentrating on pulling up a picture of Sam in his mind.

She spoke in a flat tone, working to keep her concentration on the job at hand. "Ain't that be what all yah lost souls be lookin' fer" Enjoyment outta what yer doin' in life?" If she was teasing him or being serious with her query, it wasn't clear and it didn't look like she was going to elaborate. She rocked lightly in her chair, forward and back, a soft hum touching thick lips. Her eyes were still closed and hands lingered above the basin. The bubbling became a little more energetic now, but it appeared the harder the brew bubbled the murkiness seemed to dissipate. But all was not gone yet. "Ya think." Two words, reissuing her demand.

He would have disagreed with her on that, but it wasn't the time for debate and it probably never would be. His life certainly hadn't been about enjoyment - it had been about duty, loyalty, family, doing the right thing. It had been mostly a thankless job, but who was he to complain" Hearing her admonishment, he tried to focus him mind harder, squeezing his eyes shut and propping himself up onto an elbow, leaning his head against a hand, rubbing his temple, working on pulling up an image of Sam in his mind. Images flashing like pictures through his mind, from childhood through adulthood, but it was no good. He drew a frustrated breath, his head starting to ache from the effort. He didn't want to dig too deeply but he knew there was one surefire way to reach out to his brother, as much as he didn't want to go there.

From the look on his face, it wasn't an easy task, trying to resurrect memories he'd rather leave buried, but he didn't have much choice. He let his mind roam back to Hell, when he felt all hope was lost and he was terrified, calling out to Sam in a moment of dire need, all the feelings rushing back almost like he was there, experiencing it all over again. A shrink would call it a flashback. To Dean, it was just a memory. "Sam..." he whispered, his heart heavy with despair, his head aching with the effort. She had said to call to Sam like his life depended on it, and if there had been a time when he'd needed his brother, it was while he was being tortured in Hell.

Her hard expression of concentration began to soften somewhat. His delving might have been a struggle for him, but it was making it easier for her to do her job. The bubbling brew was almost manic now and it was a wonder none of it splattered on them but rather stayed strictly confined to the basin. The green tint and added objects began to fade more, as well as the boiling effect. The brew simmered down into a pale green and then all the way to be absolutely clear. Though it was a marvel because the stone of the bowl could not be seen below the surface. It looked like the black had been replaced by a bright polished silver below the rim of the water. Even the movement of it eased away until it was as motionless and smooth as glass. She opened her eyes and leaned forward, peering down into the basin with her hands still hovering above it. "I knew yah had it in yah, Dean." The fact she didn't call him boy was the closest she would get to a compliment.

Digging into those memories left him feeling worn out, weak and weary and emotionally-drained. He opened his eyes slowly, his face a shade too pale from the strain, and turned his head slowly toward her and the bowl, leaning heavily against his arm now though if he let go, his head might drop from exhaustion. He didn't say a word, only watched, unable to hide the worry from his face, needing to know his brother was safe.

Dean Winchester

Date: 2011-08-28 14:53 EST
The contents of the basin which no longer resembled the odd array of ingredients she had first added into it reflected them both briefly as they leaned in. Then with a seamless ripple starting from the very middle and extending out to the edges, the scene changed and smoothed again. It was dim, only faint objects, shapes, and shadows being able to made out. Then it was lit up like someone flipped a switch. The back of a head could be made out with black and grey wiry hair poking out from beneath a worn baseball cap, the collar of a flannel shirt below that. The man moved forward, though no sound could be heard of his motion. He was stepping farther into what looked to be the living room of a rather run down house. Stacks of books and papers lined every bit of space of the worn out furniture that filled the room. Dust and cobwebs making themselves at home. The man stopped in front of a desk, gesturing as if he were speaking to someone blocked by his body, but no words could be made out. Emily's gaze only flickered towards Dean's face briefly. She didn't want to break concentration, but she was looking for some note of recognition in his features.

He recognized both the man and the house. They were unmistakable, the man like a second father to him and the house like a home. "Bobby..." he said quietly, more to himself than to her, feeling the ache of homesickness tugging at his heart.

That was all she needed. Her eyelids sank once again and she seemed to fall back into full concentration. It was then that the vision in the basin was adjusted. Their view of the room moved closer to the man, Bobby, but it wasn't quite a flowing zoom. It was more like watching the path of someone creeping along in a slow gait through their own eyes. This feeling was driven home even more when the vision was so close to Bobby's back that he turned and looked straight at them. Was he aware that they had an audience" He stared out of the basin, up at Dean and Emily for a while before something seemed to grab his attention. He shook his head and walked off, speaking as his moved even if they couldn't make out the words. This gave a clear view of who he had been conversing with this whole time.

Sam sat at the desk, looking well if not worried as he watched Bobby wander off. Book upon book was open before him, piled one on top of the other along with a notepad filled with handwriting in front of him. His lips moved now, the entire interaction between the men unfolding before them. Sam sent a glance towards the spot that seemed to rile Bobby up so much. A glance staring right out of the basin. Then with a shake of his head his attention dropped back down to the book open right in front of him.

"Sam..." Dean whispered, leaning forward to peer into the basin, his brother's name catching in his throat, almost willing his brother to see him. "He senses something." He watched them a moment longer, trying to read their lips and figure out what they were talking about, wondering if it was about him. "What is he doing?" He let his arm fall, leaning in even closer. "Are they trying to find me?"

The flesh and blood Emily that was sitting before him didn't respond to Dean's questions. She was so still she didn't even seem to be breathing. But the scope of the vision shifted, actually moving around the desk to linger behind Sam and lean in over his shoulder. The books didn't seem to have much correlation between them. Catching a few passing words here and there, some spoke of demons. Some were of vampires and ghosts. Others spoke of monsters that the average human was lucky to know nothing about. When the vision in the basin made its way down to the notepad that Sam was writing on, there was no mention of Dean. There were names, locations, and dates. Details about deaths and others scattered notes.

"He's working a case," Dean remarked, putting the pieces together and feeling a little disappointed. Balthazar had said that once they returned home, it would be as if they were never gone. He wondered if Sam even remembered being gone, and if not, was Dean himself there somewhere" Had any time passed since their disappearance and their return?

Sam turned in his seat, once again his gaze staring straight out of the basin. Looking right up at Dean with an expression of confusion and searching. Sam hesitated a moment then he pushed himself up out of his chair and took off walking in the direction Bobby had gone with a brief glance behind him. With the room now empty the surface of the basin began to ripple and cloud. It was almost instantaneous, the murky green color and the bits of floating ingredients filling the bowl again. Emily's hands slapped flat against the table in front of her and she inhaled deeply, her eyes fluttering open wildly. She gasped and gulped for air like she had been holding her breath that entire time.

Dean Winchester

Date: 2011-08-28 14:54 EST
"No," Dean muttered, as the vision started to fade and he moved to his feet to lean over the basin. "Get him back!" he told her, obviously upset. "I need him to know I'm all right."

Her head rolled back at his yelling, but she was obviously too exhausted to reply with her usual snappy insult. "It wasn't tha deal, boy." Even the way she spoke was slower and sounded strained, like it was taking her remaining bit of energy. "Yah saw yer brother. Yer Sam. 'Live and well."

The liquid in the bowl was back to murky green and he knew that was all he was going to be able to see. He dropped back into the chair with a heavy sigh and shoved a hand through his hair. He was still staring at the bowl and thinking about his brother, trying to figure out why Sam would go home and leave him there. "Why'd he leave?" He looked over at Emily, unable to hide his feelings from her, knowing there wasn't much point anyway as she knew him better than that.

She straightened in her chair, slowly regaining her energy again. She licked at thick lips, leveling her gaze on Dean. "Sam an' yah are used tah the weird ah the world, Dean. But yah know deep down tha' as much as Sam can keep up wit' yah to a point, that he also wants fer that lil' slice o' home. Not talkin' 'bout a wife er kids, those attempts belong to others. But his place in the world." She shook his head. "RhyDin wasn't fer him. Not now. Not this time aroun' anyway."

As always, her questions only led to more questions, and he needed some answers. No matter how he might feel about Emily personally, she got results and she'd never steered him wrong. At least, not yet. "Why me" Why is it always me?" He wondered why he was always drawn back to this place, as if he had unfinished business or something here.

"That....Dean....be ah whole 'nother deal fer ah'nother day." She rolled her shoulders. The tired Emily was so much calmer, much more relaxed. "But sittin' in tha home of a hoodoo woman askin' why me ain't gonna get ya every answer yer lookin' fer. 'Cause we know yah got plenty. Yah go out. Yah do what yah can. Instead of askin' why me" Yah show them why you."

"Right and as soon as I start getting used to this place, I get yanked back to the other one." He sounded bitter, never being able to really put down roots anywhere or make any real connections, always having to keep moving from one place to another. "I don't know why me." He moved to his feet, getting the feeling he wasn't going to get any more help or answers from her right now and Katt was outside, probably waiting and worrying. He uncurled his hand to discard the herbs she'd placed there.

She lifted her hands, a visible gesture that she didn't have all the answers. Or at least wasn't in the mood to give them out tonight. "Yah ain't tha only one tah get uprooted from the place yah called home. Yah won' be the last, not in this town. An' no plans fer yah are ever really finished 'til yer six feet under. Put up ah good fight 'til then."

"I was six feet under," he corrected her, assuming she already knew that, though he wasn't quite sure. He turned toward the door, but stopped mid-way. "Whose side are you on anyway?"

"Yer walkin' aroun' now. Correct me when yah ain't no more." She was watching him go, assuming he was finished with her for the night. Then his question got an amused smirk to flash across her lips. "Whatev'r side is winnin' at tha moment." As for himself, his reply was completely serious. "I don't like losing. Ever." It wasn't a warning exactly, more just a statement of fact, or maybe he just wanted her to know that he didn't give up that easily. "For what it's worth, thanks."

She wasn't fazed by his statement at all. In fact, it just made her smile split wider. "Then jus' stick wit' Emily and yah'll be fine." She offered a bow of her head then. "Yer welcome, Dean. Until next time yah come a'callin'."

He hoped there wouldn't be a next time, but he had a funny feeling there probably would. Especially, now that he owed her double. It's something he knew she wouldn't forget. He wasn't going to admit it, however. "We'll see." And with that, he stepped out and started on his way back toward the car.

Dean Winchester

Date: 2011-08-28 15:03 EST
It didn't seem like it to Dean, but it was at least an hour before he finally emerged from the shack, a small scowl on his face.

Katt was curled up still, with her back to the car. The way her arms were folded and the way her head was down she could of very well been sleeping just like she was. Not that she did fall asleep. Most of the time she could be very..very patient.

The frown only grew deeper when he saw her crouched there, but he wasn't really in much of a mood for comforting at the moment, not after what had just taken place inside. "Katt?" he called, as he came to a stop near the car.

Her chin rose up and she pushed herself up to stand, arms unfolding to swish hands against her jeans. Without a word she turned and faced the door. As if it would totally open on it's own.

He pulled the door open for her with his right hand, his left clenched tightly at his side. He had nothing to say just yet, but he knew they had to talk.

She slid into the car and tucked herself center so that he could close it and not hit her. She wasn't in the mood to be hit that was for sure.

He pushed the door closed after her, went around to the driver's side, and climbed in, turning to face her. "Are you okay?"

Door closed she leaned into it, not bothering to wait for the seatbelt. She didn't need it. "Peachie keen." Her tone held no tone.

"Liar," he remarked, leaning over to open the glove box and pull out a roll of gauze and some tape. "I shouldn't have brought you here." If she looked, she might catch sight of a few other items in the glove box, among them a pistol.

For once she was actually doing just that. She hated being called a liar though. Her eyes tilted to watch his hand but it was the gauze that had her attention. Her eyes shot to him then the gauze. "What do you need that for?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it." He unwound a little gauze and uncurled his left hand, where a slash had been cut across his palm from left to right, oozing a little blood. He awkwardly started to wind the gauze around his hand.

She gave a throaty growl that was on the very edge of sounding animalistic. The urge to jump out of the car and go ran after Emily was there but what could she do' She was nothing more then...Reaching out she tried to take the gauze from him to help.

He lifted his eyes to dart a glance at her, knowing she probably wasn't too pleased with him right now. "It's not a big deal, Katt. She needed some of my blood."

"Why?" She snapped sharply and he better have a good damn reason. Despite her annoyance she was surprisingly gentle with tending his wound.

He allowed her to help him bind the wound, if she so desired. "She needed my blood to help her find Sam. Blood of my blood or whatever." He watched while she tended the wound. It wasn't horribly deep, just deep enough to bleed freely, a clean straight cut across his palm, obviously made with a blade of some sort.

She taped it carefully into place and lowered her hands. "I guess she was scrying" Blood..tends to find blood.." She offered back the rest of the gauze.

"Yeah, she was." He took the gauze and tape from her and tossed it back into the glove box, then turned to her with a frown. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought you here."

Her eyes tilted to him waiting for him to explain that before she jumped right into what she was tempted to say.

"I put you in danger bringing you here. That was stupid."

"Stupid was agreeing to her terms just because I spoke up. I don't care what happens to me..I don't like you putting yourself in danger. Or that this could come back to bite you or Quinn in the rear." Her hands shoved into her lap and she thumped her side into the door, taking up the lean once again. "If I would of taken the debt then..if something happened you could of helped Quinn. Or her help you."

He allowed her to have her say, brows furrowing while he listened. From the look on his face, it would appear he wasn't in agreement. "Help me with what? Quinn isn't my responsibility anymore. And it's my debt, not yours." He leaned over her and reached for the seatbelt, having a little trouble trying to buckle her in with a bandaged hand.

She swatted his hand to stop him. She was fine without it. "The fact she wanted you to have it should give you some indication that you aren't going to like whatever happens. I came because I wanted to help. Why.." Her fingers curled around his wrist to avoid hurting his hand. Even still her grip was weak at best. "Why..wouldn't you let me do it' Because it was to find Sam' Because it's 'your debt'?"

He stopped fussing with the seatbelt if for only a moment, his hand throbbing dully with pain beneath the bandage, eyes meeting hers. "Because maybe you don't care what happens to you, Katt, but I do, that's why." And with that, he pulled his hand away from her grasp and managed to shove the buckle into the slot.

His words rattled her head and she slowly released his wrist. She leaned away, hands curling to her knees which were brought up to her chest. "And I care about you. Placing yourself....no ..diving into danger like you did.." She huddled to the door and murmured whatever else it was.

"Was what? Foolhardy' Reckless?" Not catching what she murmured, he tried to fill in the blanks, guessing what she might think. If she only knew how truly foolhardy and reckless he could be at times. "Don't worry. I'll take care of Emily." He leaned back into his own seat and fastened his own seatbelt, just to prove a point. "Emily is small potatoes compared to some of the things I've been up against." It wasn't Emily that concerned him so much as it was Quinn. If Emily wanted him dead, she'd have killed him long ago. No, there was something else she wanted from him, but he wasn't quite sure what it was yet.

"Stupid.." She grunted at him. "I'm already worried. And I swear if she does anything to hurt you..." Her fingers curled, clenching tightly into her jeans. Her head dipped lower until her cheeks were smooshed between her own knee and the window.

A small smirk appeared on his face, partly amused and partly touched that she cared. It had been a long time since anyone had worried about him, or so he thought. "Don't worry. I'll be fine." "I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve."

She grunted at him. "Did you find anything out..?" He dug around in his jeans pocket for his keys and fitted them into the ignition. "Yeah....Sam's back home, safe and sound." Though it was what he was hoping for, he didn't sound overly thrilled about it.

She muttered something and..dear gawd..Was that a curse word" Did Katt just..mutter...bastard" She tried to keep it low because..well..It was Sam after all.

He caught that and frowned, not wanting her to think Sam was a jerk for leaving him behind, even if he sort of did. "He thinks I'm happy here."

"Why the HELL would he think that"! All you ever talk about is going home." She shifted side to side in the seat as if she was terribly uncomfortable. The words that followed were a quick rush. "And now because he left you are going to leave too."

So, that was it. That was what had her all in a huff. The possibility of him leaving. The fear of abandonment. Well, he understood that all too well. The frown deepened at her words. "I'm not leaving, Katt." He sighed, turning away to lean his head back against the seat, staring out the front window.

It wasn't a fear. It was just ultimately what happened. What always happened. And she wanted to kick something. Hurt something. Do ..something. "Liar." She eventually muttered. The single word sound like it had been strained through both her throat and teeth.

That one word was like a dagger in his heart. If there was one thing he prided himself on it was his honesty. "I don't have much of a life back home," he told her quietly, turning to glance out the side window at nothing in particular. About the only thing he had back home was Sam and Bobby and the Impala. He couldn't even really claim Lisa as belonging to him anymore. The Impala he could replace, but he couldn't replace Bobby or Sam. On the other hand, he couldn't replace Katt or Quinn or anyone else he cared for in Rhydin either. Once again, like before, he felt torn between the two.

"Liar." She snapped it again. "Y-You have family. You have a home. That's..That's why you wanted to go back in the first place. Why you did go back and why you will again. Don't.." Her voice cracked, squeaking pitifully in the last word. Her head dipped lower. "Don't need to lie to me Dean. It's okay." Her legs suddenly uncurled and she leaned in her seat, a hand finding way to his face with a finger pointing into his cheek. "But don't you dare leave like Sam did. You are not allowed to do that to me! At least he left you a note! You didn't even leave me that the first time." As much as she was trying to make play of the poking she couldn't deny how heavy the feeling left her or the fact she had been crying. Still was. She didn't want to make him feel bad or guilty..

He turned to her, eyes flashing, not with anger so much as frustration. Why didn't anyone understand" He hadn't wanted to go home. He'd wanted to stay. "I didn't want to go home. I didn't have a choice." His chest tightened painfully at the accusation. He'd tried to explain, but no one seemed to get it. He turned away again so she wouldn't see the hurt he was feeling, the pained expression on his face. He rubbed at the tightening in his chest, to no avail. "I promised I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye," he said quietly.

She sat back, watching him quietly. "That wasn't what I was told. I was told you wanted to go back..You told me you wanted to go back.." Now she was simply confused. When he said those words she shoved his shoulder softly to get his attention. He knew how she felt about promises. "I..I'm going to hold you to those words.."

He turned back to her, the guilt he was feeling like a heavy weight on his chest and shoulders. "You want to know what happened?" Not even Quinn knew all of it, just part of it.

"You don't have to tell me." She smiled meekly and she slumped back into her seat. "A-And..I am sorry.." Her eyes drifted down then away from him. It was slow but she returned to the huddled position just like before. "I am being selfish.."

"It's okay to be selfish sometimes." He turned the key in the ignition and shifted into drive, pulling the Mustang into the street, unsure now if he should tell her or not. It wouldn't make any difference if he did, other than explaining and proving that he wasn't a liar. "Not for me. I don't...I don't have the right to be selfish. And if I am.." Something bad always went bad. Her eyes drooped a bit.

"I didn't lie to you, Katt." It seemed important to him that she understand that.

"It's fine that you wanted to go back. It was your home. Your brother was there." Her eyes closed. "Family is important.."

"Right," he muttered blandly, neither seeming to agree or disagree, his eyes on the road. "Where are we going?"

"I guess to the Bon Bon. I got to get up early tomorrow." Her feet bounced, heels digging into the end of the seat. She was tired. Heavily so. "Don't be mad or sad because Sam went back...His home ..it's there too. Rhydin..Rhydin..isn't..for everyone.." She nestled down into her shoulder, trying hard not to fall asleep.

"Yeah," he replied, once again hearing her but not having much to say, a little too lost in his own thoughts, in his own worries, feeling abandoned by his own brother, not for the first time in his life, whether it was for his own good or not. He glanced over at her, seeing how exhausted she looked and not wanting to keep her awake. "Go to sleep. I'll wake you up when we get there."

"Not everyone has a home..they can go to.." It was more a mumble and she shook her head, trying to deny that she was sleepy. "I'm okay.." No matter how hard she tried though she ended up dozing off in the end.

"Right," he agreed once again with a one-word reply. He hadn't felt like he'd had a home since he was four. His home was the Impala, or wherever Sam was, or Bobby's house. For a while, home had been with Lisa and Ben, but that was all over now. For now, home was the loft - a place he'd once shared with Quinn and for a short time with Sam. A place filled with memories, but empty and lonely now that they were gone.He said nothing more, letting her drift off to sleep, driving her back to the Bon Bon in silence, his thoughts his own, unshared and unspoken.