Dean looked up at the building where the last feather had been reportedly found. He was starting to feel like he was stuck in a Scooby-Doo episode, running around chasing after a bird that probably didn't even exist. He had seen his fair share of weird things in his time but this was so farfetched. He had to remind himself that this might have been a lead to get Castiel back and he had to try and be a bit more open but he didn't have the faith that his little brother had. He had to silently thank Sammy for being all in for this and trying to find resolve and as much as Dean wanted Cas back he was sure they were on a wild goose- well phoenix, chase that was just going to end in disappointment.
"Museum of Ancient Greece. I didn't even know they had one of these in Colorado"
Dean said stepping out of the Impala parked on the side of the road, directly in front of the museum's stairs that led to the double door entrance. His brows lightly furrowed as green eyes observed the sign that so proudly rested on of one of the extravagant marble ledges. Who ever wanted this building erected didn't give a damn about money apparently. He looked at the Greek symbols that were chiseled underneath the English.
"Neither did I but the curator here was the one that found the feather and claimed it to belong to a phoenix, if anyone knows anything it's going to be him"
Dean nodded his head and reached in opening the glove compartment and retrieving two photograph identification tags showing they were reporters for the New York Times. It was amazing how many times that they had got away with this. They weren't exactly amateurs by now but it was still rather remarkable that they hadn't been busted more often.
Dean fixed the blue tie and clipped the tag to the pocket of Cas' trench coat that he guarded with his life. It had a few burn marks and holes that had been patched up, he didn't know how Castiel fought demons and angels in the damn thing, it always got in the way but he was still not going to take it off. As long as it was the only thing, beside the ashes, that Dean had then he was going to keep it. If it needed dry cleaning or fixing then he would part with in for that small time but most of the time it was in his vision.
Entering the museum it was extravagant. It was not /that/ much of a surprise but it certainly wasn't necessary. They had seen past and visited museums that were no bigger then a standard house. There was a giant fountain set in the middle of the foyer, a naked woman holding a vase and it appeared as if she was pouring the water into the rest of the tiers. It was all very over the top, even the paintings on the walls, they were almost as big as the walls and all depicted naked bodies or war. Dean looked around the room as Sam got the information of the curator.
Taking the elevator up to the third door they were led into an office that had Greek replica art all over the room. Dean scoffed a little
"Obsessed much?"
The hunter joked, warranting one of those looks from Sammy. That look that told him he was being a douche again, but before he could even argue they were greeted by a rather tall, grey haired elderly man that had had thick glasses and nicotine stains in the white beard that had hairs that curled into his lips.
"Ah you boys must be from the New York Times, please have a seat"
Dean smiled and sat down, taking out a small note pad from the trench coat and a pen
"Yes, this is Simmons, I'm Stanley. What can you tell us about the feather you have found? It's be rumored you have obtained...healing powers from it?"
The elder Winchester tried to ignore the mocking tone in his voice. He was very skeptical about this. Vampires, werewolves, fairies even, he go it, but a bird rising from the ashes? It was just- weird. Still it was that very small rope that he was handed and the least he could do is try to entertain the idea so that Sam didn't feel like he was wasting their time.
"It's remarkable. It was like it had dropped out of no where. I have been doing this for forty five years and never thought I would ever see it. It was a phoenix feather and since I picked it up I have felt so alive"
"Do you have this feather? Or any theories on where it came from?"
Dean watched the elder male as Sam spoke as if he was trying to see a hint of a lie or some misleading information. He knew by now when someone was yanking their chain.
"Actaeon of course"
"Actaeon?"
The green eyed man cocked his brow. He knew very little about Greek mythology but with how the old man looked and the tone in his voice told him that he was being bullshited. Either the man was full of it but believed he was telling the truth or he was a crazy cook with some wild story, either way, Dean considered himself, now slightly interested.
"Actaeon, he was a famous Theban hero and the God of wild animals. He was a hunting partner of Artemis but he had been curse by her after seeing her bathe naked, she had said that if he ever spoke then he would be turned into a stag. Well you know most of us tend to not obey rules, he spoke and was ripped apart by his pets, Hyginus, dogs"
"And you think that Actaeon, dropped phoenix feathers?"
The old man chuckled and shook his head, looking at Dean like he was crazy.
"I am not crazy! No, I think Actaeon is the one in possession of the bird that has been dropping it's feathers, the phoenix's master, if you will"
"And you believe Actaeon is here? In Colorado?"
Dean was sure that Sam, by this point felt this was just was weird too. Greek gods? Well they had met their fair share of gods in the past. It wasn't COMPLETELY unreasonable. But still Dean couldn't buy this whole phoenix thing, he wanted to, he really did he wanted to believe in anything that would bring his Castiel back. It felt wrong to be on hunts without him. It made him feel like he was cheating or something. It was an irrational feeling but it was his heart felt. Castiel was always there with them, he was always there, sometimes he made things a bit- weird but he certainly made things interesting. Cas was missing and it was hard to ignore that. Dean needed his angel, the more he went out of jobs with Sammy the more he had to choke down his feelings. He had spent the last year learning to cope, given it was in some really peculiar ways but it was hard not to remember the better times they had, the Winchester's had, all three of them, no matter what that was what the angel was, he was a Winchester too.
"Yes! There no other explanation. It had to be him. If you want answers to who dropped the feathers- I think this will help"
The man passed over a book to Sam, who instantly looked at the cover, observing the text that was written on the front of it. Dean leaned over to glance at the title Greek Mythology for Beginners well he probably should have been insulted, being treated like a child but it was accurate. They only knew the basics and if they were going to be hunting a Greek God then it was going to be helpful is some way or another.
"You can keep it, now if you excuse me I have a feather that I need to place of display"
With such a polite goodbye, Dean and Sam were leaving the museum. The moment they were in the car Dean sat behind the wheel letting out a huff of discontent. His jade gaze shifting to his brother that was already flicking through the contents of the book they were given.
"You aren't really buying this crap are you?"
"We have seen less believable stuff Dean, remember the hotel with Gabriel? There were plenty of deities there"
"I'm talking about the damn bird Sammy, I mean I get the whole resurrection thing. We are solid evidence of that, but ashes? I don't know a lot about phoenix's but it feels- impossible"
Dean shook his head. How could he have faith in this when it was too unbelievable? Were they going to really be able to resurrect Cas from his ashes, what if it didn't work? Then he would lose them. There was so much to consider. It was making Dean feel like he had a jackhammer in his skull. He needed a beer and he needed some sleep. He wanted this to be something he got a chance to think about. He had considered ways to bring Cas back for the past 12 months but the idea of using his ashes was something he had avoided. They had seen many experts in the matters of resurrection but they had all said the same thing, some even asked him if Castiel would even want to be brought back, each time he consulted with a medium, they could never find him, what if he didn't want to be brought back? From where ever he was? What if it was pointless, angels didn't have souls, what would be left of him after his physical demise? What if these ashes were ever going to be it? Even those thoughts alone were breaking Dean's heart. Even if it wasn't true he needed to hear it, he needed to hear that they were going to bring back Cas.
"We are going to get him back, aren't we Sammy?"
"Yeah Dean, we're going to get him back. Cas is waiting for us and someway or another we will bring him back"
Dean and looked through the pages of the book, reading up on this hero. It was complicated but it seemed this god and Dean had slight things in common, but it was no help really. It wasn't telling him how they could find him, summon him or anything of the sorts. Dean looked to the other bed, Sam slept peacefully. Like he nothing to worry about. He missed sleep. It eluded him now and even four hours was asking a lot. He got up, quietly making his way out of the hotel room and to the Impala. The hunter sat on the boot, eyes drifting up the the star dusting navy sky, no hint of the moon anywhere tonight. He never prayed anymore, not since God killed Cas. He refused to even give the acknowledgment. But to Cas, it was every single night.
"Cas. I don't know how many times I have prayed to you. I don't even know if you can hear me. I'm missing you man. I love you Cas and even a year later it hurts like a son of a bitch. Sam and I we are going to find a way to bring you back. I know there is a snowballs chance but any chance is enough"
Dean took the necklace that held Cas' ashes in it. This was harder for him to grasp then any other concept. His palm securely holding the vile. The only physical evidence other then the trench coat that was a reminder the angel existed.
"I just need you to do something buddy, anything, just let me know this is what you want. Just show me Cas, show me that you want to be back with us. I am obvious not so great at subtle hints so I would appreciate it if you know, jack it up a little bit"
It was only when he finished saying what he had suddenly heard the radio in Baby. Dean slid off the back, unlocking the door as quick as he could to get inside the vehicle as "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey played. Dean's eyes swelled with tears and the smile formed on his face. There was no way that it could play by itself. He could have been getting his hopes up but this was a sign to him, a sign for him not to give up.
