Father Where Art Thou
Supernatural AU
Chapter Four: Two Blue Angels
Group POV
After all the commotion had settled and Casey helped Balthazar stumble into his private office in the back of the bar for a chat, ice pack in hand, the rest of the bar staff as well as customers each seemed to settle their gaze at one point or another on the newest addition to the bar scene whom at the moment was moodily polishing the bar counter with a clean rag. Three women in particular had their sight locked onto the poor little angel, licking their lips and smirking at the unknown possibilities. One all decked out in white with long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders sneered at the intruder, biting her lip as violent implications swarmed her thoughts. Another standing directly beside her wore black leather in lewd strips that traveled in between her thighs and across her body exposing great maps of her skin to the elements as she flipped her dark brown hair from side to side, hands skimming across her hips now and then from anxiety. The last of the trio was perched lithely though provocatively on the edge of a table, violet cover up rising up over her thighs every so often with the swinging of her legs revealing a lust inducing thong as she peered at the young man with bubbling curiosity.
However even with such scantily clad women, each with their own sense of otherworldly beauty, the lad didn't even give them a second glance as he worked which irked the three to no end, one in particular to the extent that she was nearly twitching in attempt to keep herself from walking right over to him and demanding what exactly was wrong with him. "Calm down Lilith, maybe he's mentally challenged or something…" remarked the brunette of the trio, Ruby, as she adjusted the straps holding up her breasts, catching a fair amount of looks from a few customers. The blonde addressed simply snarled in response, crossing her arms and cocking her hips to one side impatiently, causing the white lacey garter on her right thigh to slip down a bit. "Oh please, if that were the case I doubt he could've sent our boss flying back against the pavement like that. Balthazar's a creep but he's no idiot. Still, I don't get why he'd hire somebody like him though…"
The last of the three finally had enough of swinging her legs from the table, sitting up and crossing her legs, smiling at the disappointed groans and whines it earned from those around her who had been enjoying the show up to that point. "Oh don't pout pretties, you'll get to see all that and more during our show tonight so keep those wallets handy~!" Meg called out sweetly before lowering her voice to address the other two, eyes trained on Cas with a grin tugging her lips. "Maybe he's gay; we all know boss man's not too picky when he's got someone tangled up in the sheets. Trench coat over there is probably some despondent lover of his he conned into working Tammi's shifts tonight." Lilith scoffed and turned to face her chestnut haired cohort, pale eyes glimmering mockingly. "Just because his jaw didn't drop at your pathetic little peep show just now doesn't mean he's batting for the other team. Poor guy can probably just smell desperation is all."
Ruby mentally rolled her eyes as Meg hissed in response hopping down from her perch to glare at the blonde, Ruby stepping in between the two hoping to prevent any more conflict that night, sure she was a dealer but damn two fights in one sitting was too much even for her. "Girls, girls, you're both pretty now can we please settle down? Wrestling isn't until Tuesday night and if we give up any more freebies to these drunken slobs, Balthazar will have our asses for clean up duty until we're old and wrinkled." That earned a combined shudder from all three as Meg and Lilith both took a step back to calm down. Seriously wrinkles just…ew. Fights aside, the three renewed their gaze on Castiel who had just handed one of the first customers of the night a cold beer, tip jar jingling with the sound of pocket change as the older gentlemen took his beer with him to find a seat for the oncoming show.
"Well I certainly don't like the little twerp, but whoever he is and for whatever reason he's here, at least he's earning his keep it seems…" Lilith muttered as she figured with the zipper stretched down her back, making sure the silver clasp didn't catch in her hair, nothing ruined a good strip routine more than having to stop and adjust something during the show. It wasted time, customer's patience and worst of all money. Meg smiled as Cas seemed to finally acknowledge their stares before shaking his head, seeming disgusted with the unwanted attention. Maybe the little guy would be worth more fun than she thought, Tammi was finally gone for good so why not have a little fun with the new kid. "Yeah girls, let's not worry about our new little friend. I'm sure he'll make a lovely addition to the Petit Chérubin family, besides we should be heading in for make-up yes?"
The other two begrudgingly agreed and followed the woman backstage to start preparations for the night ahead. As Ruby followed behind she took one last look at the young bartender. She honestly doubted the boy would turn out to be a user and abuser so she'd keep her hobbies to herself for now. However there was just something a little bit off with the air that seemed to surround the kid as he worked. Then again, she relented as she finally disappeared behind the velvet curtains as the music boomed loud and sporadically behind her, who wasn't a little weird when they worked here.
Casey's POV
"He's completely unapproachable…" I had to smile and giggle softly as the British accent of my boss's usually smooth charismatic voice took on such a dull defeated tone. He always gets like this after he's struck out pretty bad, pointing out every feasible flaw in the person in question to block out his own want and in this case obvious need. "He presents a challenge, one that can't be won with simply charm and grace, Peacock." I annunciated this with a gentle press on the icepack currently resting over his nose as he lay stretched out on the leather coach set aside in his office. "He's naïve…and inexperienced…bad luck for the club." Another droll flip of his wrist for effect. "He's young Balthazar, fresh fruit and I can tell you're dying for just a taste."
That seemed to finally get a stir out of him as he groaned and leaned up to let the icepack slip down a bit, looking me in the eye. "He obviously has a bad temper Casey, he attacked me!" At that I merely chortled and took a seat in a chair I'd pulled up next to the couch, pulling out some foundation to cover up the mark that had been revealed as the water from the ice slid down his neck, causing the tone to run and distill. "He's feisty is all, I thought you loved the ones with a little spice and from what I could tell you came onto him pretty bad chief. How many times have I told you to only buy water and sweat resistant brands?" Giving a frustrated groan he fell back onto the couch again, wincing as the movement caused pain to shoot through his face before peering up at me wearily in retort. "About six and a half now darling sorry, and even so, Cas is completely oblivious…like a damn lost puppy in a trench coat!"
My voice took a near cheery hum as I chimed in happily, "Who has found the one man that could never resist picking up strays." Shiny grey blue eyes blinked at that as my comment made its desired effect before he crossed his arms, glaring to the side in defiance. "Well this one will just have to stay wrapped up in the box on the side of the road because I. am not. Interested, Casey." He punctuated every last bit of the response as he rose up once more, clutching the ice to his face as he finally stood up and walked over to rest behind his desk, cursing at the pain in his nose. Frowning sadly I kept my spot next to the couch, letting out a sad sigh as the news sunk in, the chief really was in love this time.
"You've fallen hard for the little one, huh Peacock?" His shoulders sunk noticeably as he brought the icepack down and let it rest on his desk as he absentmindedly prodded the combined contents of ice and water inside around, eyes edging over to the door leading out to the bar. "He hates me Casey…" "We don't know that for sure, maybe he just likes it rough boss." I couldn't help the coy grin that swept its way across my face as I saw the corners of his mouth curve up in the hint of a smile at my dirty joke. At least he's a bit back to his old self again, playing the sympathetic mother hen is exhausting… I cast that thought aside though as he rubbed his forehead wearily, pilfering through the assorted work on his desk. "Bloody hell…I need a good strong drink." Hearing my call right on cue I smiled ruefully and swayed my hips a bit as I did a mock salute, walking right out of the office and back to the bar to mix my usual special for just such an occasion. "You've got it boss, a couple of Death Mixes and Dangers coming right up!"
Cas's POV
I am in hell. That was all I could imagine as countless stares, glares, and from what I could tell of the blonde woman of questionable virginity in white, death wishes all could be felt on my person as I busied myself with cleaning up around the bar. Polishing glasses, wiping down the counter, and my current task of cutting limes and lemons into wedges and halves. I know why of course, though I doubt punching the boss of any establishment in the face would really get me encouragement anywhere.
There would be no apologies though, that was a definite among all the insecurities I felt under such heavy scrutiny. I wouldn't go back on what I did, not a bit, no matter how hurt he'd looked after I'd punched him or the nice smile he'd worn before. What he did to me, and everyone at the pawn shop was wrong and wrong deeds should be punished not rewarded. Though if I talked like that, I may as well slap an 'I'm with Lucifer' sticker on my forehead. I do believe in forgiveness, of sins and bad deeds alike. It's what my dad believed in and I'm sure the first father of all those with ANGL believes too.
That's what I've been telling myself anyways, sure though with all the unrest and torment many of my brothers and sisters have felt, it seems logically to doubt or turn away. To hunt like those on the side of Lucifer and Zachariah, who both have romanticized this vision of a divine apocalypse whether on the supposed side of the light with Zach's preaching of the pure and uninfected or on the side of darkness with Lucifer and his vast army of followers, showcasing frequent violence and murderous intent in outbreaks and riots. If not for their social and political standings, both would probably be viewed as terrorists or dictators but given the issue are seen as faithful prophets caught in unfortunate accidents and misunderstandings.
But I haven't misunderstood anything, I can see them both for what they truly are. In Lucifer's case among all the threatening campaigns and in some cases shocking and displeasing demonstrations of his plans for those clear of the ANGL epidemic, I've seen a great hole in his pursuit for a long time. An emptiness in his self or mind that's grown into a fit of psychotic rage and indifference, completely opposite to that of his opponent equal in strength, Michael who always care such a cool and steadfast demeanor, displaying that what he feels is just and absolute.
Michael is indeed a strong alternative to the dramatic approach taken by Luci or Zach. A few changes in government here and a tweaking of political and social establishments there and everyone goes home happy. Yet just like the others, his plan is one of separation and isolation. True, nobody dies in Michael's plan and no one is marked unclean but the line drawn across those with and without ANGL remains just as prominent. Even when I was young, I never wanted to live in a world where I would have to rule over others. My friends, neighbors, classmates, my mother and Jo…I didn't want that for any of them.
Maybe that's just me though, I know people have plenty of reasons to hate or resent. After being bullied for so long, one probably indeed wishes to reverse the situation and become that bully at certain times, to thrust the hammer of justice upon those who have done them wrong. It's on TV, the papers and magazines each and every day. Someone with ANGL is pushed or bullied too far and finally snaps releasing their inhuman strength and power on the culprit as well as those around them. It is a horrifying sight, not only at the sheer diversity in each resistance due to the fact that every ANGL case is different in power and tenacity but also in the fragility displayed by those attacked.
A camera whether from a professional reporter capturing the tail end of the fight or some poor soul whom had been watching those tormenting and wanted a recording of the show is panned on one with wings marked somewhere visible at times, sometimes not. It usually starts out the same, whether they're held down by others or were simply walking by minding their own business. Provoked by oncoming insults or neutral the effect is seen as a glimmer is caught by the cameras of the mark. Insults are fired, blows and kicks are made and just like that a bomb is set off. I remember two cases in particular caught on film, one was a young man in his early forties and the other a small girl that couldn't have been more than seventeen.
They aired it on every news channel and emergency broadcast, even on children's programs as if this was anything a child should ever have to see. For the young girl, she seemed to be walking home from school that day. Perfectly normal high school girl, uniform straight and orderly with books no doubt for dutiful study weighing down her bag with white blonde hair tucked behind her ear so not to obscure red eyes. The girl had obviously been born albino along with the ANGL mutation, due to the pale tone of her skin, white hair and red eyes. However, a dark wing mark appearing blacker than coal against her pale skin draped over her right eye from just below her cheek. The mark caused a second discoloration in her eyes causing the right one to appear blue. Seeing this, it's easy to understand why she would be signaled out.
The tape had been retrieved from a security camera set outside the department store she'd been walking by when it happened. A group a few years older than her approached, calling out to her harshly. The girl's eyes widen slightly in fear on the tape before her pace quickens, hinting towards the fact that this isn't the first time they'd terrorized her before. One of them circles around and stops in front of her, furiously questioning why she didn't respond when they called. She tries to simply mutter a quiet apology and slip away but one of the others grabs her hair and yanks her back as the one from before slaps her, causing her to stumble and fall. As she shakes trying to steady herself up from the ground, a girl within the group calls her a whore and tries to take her bag which causes the girl to lash out trying to yank it away.
As the struggle escalates, voices are raised and the young man from earlier tries to kick the girls wrists to force her to let go. At this, the video loses audio and focus for a split second as the girl gives a deafening shriek, windows of the department store and surrounding street lights shattering as the group that had been tormenting her fall to the ground clutching their ears. The boy that had kicked her and therefore closest to her when she screamed, writhes on the ground, screams unheard on the video as blood seeps from his ears and eyes before his form goes still with his eyes dyed red in his own blood. The girl finally ceases her screams and as the others come down from the ordeal she walks over to the woman whom had taken her bag.
The woman has seen the young man who is covered in blood now dead and is becoming hysterical. The girl hardly acknowledges the corpse as she leans forward asking once more for her bag to be returned. The woman now terrified screams at her and slaps her hard in the face, the girls eye twitching as she turns her head back before she raises her hand and snaps. The absent audio made it only appear a mere movement between her fingers as the women's form suddenly explodes into mere pieces, blood spattering the camera's lens. This action became known as smiting, an ability held by most infected by ANGL that through a very small concentrated gesture could completely obliterate someone into nothing more than kibbles and bits as Gabe put it.
Painfully bad humor aside, it sent out a message of terror and panic across the nation which led to the next incident surrounding a riot at a political rally held by some of Lucifer's followers in Billings, Montana. It was the usual set up that came along with Luci's campaign rallies, one higher up in his army speaking out to the dedicated masses and somebody gets pissed which in turn gets three more pissed before there's a full blown riot outside the exhibition center.
One man in particular, the one in his forties lets loose what can only be described as a blatant display of destructive power, winds rushing around him like a typhoon and flinging cars, debris and even people through the air. The police and special units are called in and all you can hear is gunfire, screams and the near inhuman roars of the man as he lashes out at those trying to restrain him like a wild animal. Finally after at least five men have managed to hold him down, one slips a syringe into his neck, drugs tranquilizing him quickly as his pupils dilate onscreen.
So with all these as a reminder, I can only imagine why people must feel the way they do, ANGL or not. Yet I'd still go to church every Sunday one way or another, I'd listen to the preaching and teachings of the first father of angels. And I'd sing the hymns and pray in silence like anyone else there. It helped me feel a part of this world, a part that was meant to exist.
With all the booming obnoxious music ringing through my ears here, there was little of that peace left in my mind as I finally dared to cast a glance up once those three women had been staring at me slunk back behind the curtains surrounding the lit stage. The place was decent enough I suppose, stylish even I might admit if I wasn't in such a poor mood. Dimly lit stain glass lanterns were suspended from the ceiling all along the bar area though more stage lights appeared once one got near the stage. Subdued red and gold tones were the main theme of color for the place though there were a few violet undertones here and there.
Since it was still pretty early in the evening, the bar was pretty empty except for a few regulars here and there. I found myself hoping it would stay that way as a tall scraggly man approached the bar ordering a Long Island Iced Tea. I still remembered most of what mom had taught me about mixed drinks as I threw the order together fairly easy, the glimmer that flashed by the man's watery dead eyes not going entirely unnoticed. "Hey now…you're new around here. Got a name for yourself sweetheart?" He slurred out in what I suppose he thought in his drunken stupor was a seductive voice though in reality it sounded as if he was speaking with a mouth full of molasses.
As I placed his drink in front of him, I looked up as emotionless as I could but expectantly so he'd at least get the point he still had to pay. "My name is Castiel, and that'll be six fifty thank you." I turned back to my work as he muttered a string of curses at the price, fishing some money out of his pockets and placing it down on the bar. Taking it up and placing it in the register, I was slightly confused when I saw he'd stayed put instead of stumbling back to his spot amongst his drunk friends. As I looked up to ask if he wanted to order something else, my expression dulled in bewilderment at the lecherous smirk he had on his face as he worked a few coins through his fingers over the jar designated for tips.
"Since you're new and all, I bet you'll need all the tips you can get. I might be persuaded to give a little if I receive something back if ya know what I mean." I blinked at that as he delivered a barely subtle wink, tilting my head to the side in confusion. "I..I do not know what you mean…" The man seemed oddly surprised by this even though to be fair he made no earlier attempt to inform me of what he'd intended by that comment. Chuckling weakly as he rubbed a hand through his dark curly hair, he looked back up at me before leaning across the bar. "Aheh…you're a little slow aren't ya fella? Well what I meant was if you give me a little sugar I'll leave you a little tip so we both have a sweet night."
Nodding finally in realization, I dug around the cabinets in search. Honestly he could've just said so in the first place. With that I plopped down a dusty packet of granulated sugar on the bar counter tapping the tip jar pointedly. "This should be more than enough sir, enjoy your sugar." The man merely looked at me like I was some sort of pink ostrich speaking Spanish before his gaze turned more angry than confused, fists clenching against the counter. "You're screwing with me aren't you…? You've got some nerve playing around with the feelings of a well paying customer!" Tilting my head a bit more, I was still utterly confused at the cause for his anger.
"Sir you did ask for sugar." I remarked dully, since these random outbursts were starting to get a bit tedious. "Yeah! I meant a kiss or something, space case." "Well then be specific, we have enough here to make a Goodnight Kiss, Creamy Kiss, Kiss In The Dark, Kiss From Ruby, Strawberry Kiss, Caribbean Kiss, Kahlua Kiss, Passionate Kiss, Perfect Kiss, Vampire Kiss, Raspberry Kiss, Irish Kiss, Angel's Kiss, Arctic Kiss, Sicilian Kiss…" The man's eyes took an odd turn again as his mind fogged by alcohol couldn't seem to form a coherent thought as I rambled out multiple mixed drinks though none of them seemed to fit the one he meant.
A sultry cackle interrupted us both as a woman more swayed than walked behind the counter with me, dark eyes catching that of the man in front of us both like a mouse in the path of a snake. "Richie baby! If you know what's good for you, you'll lay off on that undeniable sexy charm of yours around this one. The boss man's got his sights set on the little guy." Richie as he was apparently known, did a double take as the brunette gave him a seductive smirk, leaning over the bar counter so a bit of cleavage was revealed from the red tank top. "Casey hey good to see ya! Balthazar's got dibs on him huh…? Very interesting…"
Due to my explicit lack of well…chest, my presence seemed completely benign to the man now that his focus seemed set on anything and everything just below Casey's neck. A fact which Casey seemed to know very well, as she swayed her body just so, red tank top flowing along her body like water, "Uh huh Richie so just be a good boy for me and scamper back to your friends alright? The ice in your drink's melting and I know just how you hate watered down alcohol." Richie now thoroughly under her spell as it were, nodded dumbly before walking back as if in a daze, Casey laughing quietly in response. "A little free advice on the ones that hit on you or try to grab ya too badly. Just lead them towards more liquor or one of the girls and they'll be putty in your hands.
I recognized her now as the woman who'd rushed to Balthazar's side so quickly after I'd punched him outside the bar. She seemed pretty close to him from the way they were looking at and talking to each other so I was suspicious to say the least, frowning and returning to my earlier task of cutting the limes. "That's all I'd have to do huh?" She slid over so she was standing beside me before grabbing a beer, vodka, coke syrup and grenadine syrup, replying to my retort with a smirk. "No, that's just the beginning…"
Pulling back a growl that threatened to fall from my throat, I looked down and noticed with a dully raised brow that throughout the conversation, my hands had worked as I'd willed them to, cutting perfect even wedges and halves out of all the limes and lemons though this seemed to catch her attention from her current task of mixing two drinks, one concoction in a mug while the other in a shot glass. "Wow, for a pawn shop cashier you're pretty good with a knife. Got any more secret talents I should know about under that trench coat?" She annunciated this with a waggle of her eyebrows which I will admit got a small smile out of me. "None for you Miss Casey, my dad was a hunter so I've known how to use a knife and shoot any target from at least twenty feet since before I could crawl."
Casey nodded and smiled giving one man who'd walked up his order of two Coronas before going back to mixing the two drinks smiling at me as she worked. After a few minutes and very little conversation between us I decided to bring up what had been irking me since I'd recognized her from before. "Hey Casey…" "Mmm yes Cassy dear?" She all but purred fluttering her eyelashes and making me balk in response before I chuckled dryly. "Sorry to disappoint you but that sort of thing won't work on me…and I was just wondering if you're mad or hate me for punching your boss…"
She neither spoke nor did much of anything for a solid minute before cocking her hips to the side, giggling softly. "Oh no, you can rest easy on that one. I'd never waste my time or looks on something as frivolous as anger. Hate maybe but getting angry never solves anything." As she said this the music, changed in beat as a few girls finally walked out from behind the curtains onstage, earning hoots and hollers from the men sitting below as they began the show. With a flick of her wrist, she motioned to the blonde who had been glaring at me earlier now falling back along the stage in a graceful stretch, thighs parting to reveal the creamy white shorts barely covering her hips as she moved to the music
."See her? Lilith's been working the stage and bar here for as long as it's been open and even with all her fire and fight, she's never once snapped at a customer. She's cold and elusive and the guys eat that up. Course the blonde hair helps too." I raised a brow as one man in particular cried out something explicitly perverse at her, making Lilith's pale eyes grow wide in fury before she simply tossed her head in indifference dancing to the beat. "Why though? She doesn't seem the exact type to exercise restraint…no offense" That earned me a few points from Casey as she snorted from laughter and let loose a series of giggles nearly spilling coke syrup as she lined the shot glass with it. "Oh she isn't by any means Cas, she just knows it'd be a waste of time. Not all strippers are stupid, in fact most here are nearly or just as clever and intelligent as our boss. Maybe even more in some cases."
Clever….Balthazar, in the same sentence…nope not possible. As I shook my head in obvious disbelief, Casey smiled taking that as a heads up to continue with her introduction. "Now the brunette in the black leather getup is Ruby. If you want to leave this place with minimal scars, I suggest you stay away from her." The woman in question was swaying her hips to the drum and base beat, leather straps snapping and sliding across her torso and chest like long luxurious black whips as she gave a dangerous smirk to the audience. "Why though? She doesn't seem like she'd be the one here that bites." Since everyone was currently entranced by the displays of skin and sin, hardly anybody was walking up to order drinks at the moment so both Casey and I had a chance to settle back as we talked. "You'd be a hundred percent correct Cas, but it's not her bite that's dangerous. It's the venom that will kill you."
Still utterly confused, I tilted my head at the statement which made her only smile and bring a hand up to her cheek. "Oh so adorable baby, lucky for you young man I'm already taken. But since you seem a little lost, I'll explain." Suddenly without me even realizing it, Casey had somehow gotten behind me and was tugging down the collar of my shirt and jacket, pushing herself up on her toes so she could peek down under my shirt at my back. "My my, you are a pretty boy. Much prettier than Balty's at least." With that I stumbled forward, clutching my coat over my back again as I fumbled around the bar for the knife I'd set down earlier before she held my wrist calming me down. "Easy Cas, we're all friends here okay? I already knew about your wings and I know about Balty too."
Stepping a good three feet back, I made sure there was plenty of distance between her and myself as the blaring music drowned out our discussion from prying ears. "So what's your point? You going to blackmail me too?" Confusion settled in anew as Casey merely blinked at my comment before going into a fit of giggles, leaning back against the counter. "Hardly, I'm sure you'll figure out fairly soon there's a lot more to this place and me than just a simple nightclub Cas, now pay attention. It's rude to interrupt feminine company." She emphasized this with a saucy pout before resting her arms on the bar as her gaze wandered back on stage.
"Ruby is a drug dealer of sorts but she'll dig into her buyers much more than just one simple addiction. She makes them need her, not just her drugs, so even if they try to kick the stuff she'll always bring them crawling back." I looked back shocked at Ruby who suddenly appeared much more lethal than before, black leather stretched along her body now reminding me more of a cage some poor addicts would never be able to break free from now. As my gaze seemed to linger a bit too long, her eyes locked onto mine and she flipped her hair over her shoulder, giving me a smile that came across far too sinister. "Her drug is distinctly unique as well, no other dealer out there makes them like she does so take my friendly advice and just stay away from her Cas, you'll be better for it believe me."
Soon lots of hoots and hollers filled the air as the woman who'd been smiling at me before pranced onstage, violet shawl that had been covering her form flapping behind her like a cape, Casey sighing wearily in response. "And now Meg of course…how could I ever forget." As if sensing conversation pertaining to herself, Meg looked up and smiled sweetly at them both, Cas in particular as she shed her cover up to reveal what I suppose was a cross from what Gabe referred to as a monokini. "What's so bad about her?"
Casey sighed and set the product of her hard work on a tray, the contents of each drink sloshing slowly around in their glasses, showing just how heavy and thick the mixture of alcohol truly was inside which I'll admit made me flinch. He'd really put himself through that over what I did…? My thoughts were interrupted though as Casey caught my stare set on the drinks and smirked as I turned my head back to the stage hoping she wouldn't press that issue further. "Meg's daddy is one of the biggest fat cats running the ANGL representative Lucifer's campaign. Meg is just as bloodthirsty as he is but for whatever reason the two despise each other and do whatever they can to set the other back a few spaces."
This probably confounded me most of all, fathers and daughters were supposed to love each other right…? Dad always hugged Jo when he got back from a hunt… "Whatever for though? He's her father, doesn't he have a problem with his daughter working at a night club as a stripper?" Looking over as I said this, I realized with a bit of disgust just how much Meg seemed to love her job, gyrating her hips and giggling at all the oohs and ahs she received. "That's the thing, both of them have been making subtle gaps in each other's lives since Meg was in high school. After all, nothing ruins a girl's chances at college like when daddy freezes her assets and what better way to smear a campaign manager than to have his daughter sell herself for money? It's an endless cycle…"
As I finally managed to look away from the stage and back to my work, I realized with a raised brow that Casey was regarding me with a humored look. "I like you Cassy, not nearly as much as my Gil but enough that I'll give you a little tour around here so you'll know how to defend against the vipers onstage and off if you need." With that she led me over to the shelves and pulled back one bottle in particular, revealing a can of mace. "Very pricey bottle and the booze tastes like piss so since nobody ever orders a glass, we keep this here…" After she'd revealed to me the bat directly under the counter, a revolver kept in a locked drawer just under the cutting board, only bartenders and the boss got a key apparently, and playfully remarked all the cutting knives were stainless steel for a reason, I had to chuckle giving her some credit. "So you're almost like a siren here huh?" "A what now Cas?"
I'd always been a bit of a bookworm to begin with so I've gotten used to the frequent event that someone doesn't know what in the name of Jesus saves Christmas I'm talking about. "A siren, they were women with the bodies of birds that lived on jagged rocks and isles on the sea. They'd sing beautiful music to lure sailors close only to crash their ships into the rocks and sink into the deep. You're pretty much the same except this bar is your rocky isle and I suppose your well…breasts sing enough on their own to lure in some wayward sailors." I smiled as that got a big laugh out of her that not only seemed to surprise those dancing onstage enough to stare momentarily but even Casey herself as she quickly regained composure. "Hmm guess my boss's feather brained antics are rubbing off on me then huh?"
And so we were back to him again…The look on my face must've said enough as Casey tried to get back to where we were. "Sorry, sorry, humor isn't exactly why I keep this job ya know." I just nodded and kept my gaze down, utterly confused and conflicted as Casey rubbed her temple letting out a weary sigh. "Look…Castiel right? I really am sorry Balthazar forced you into this and especially in the way he's done it but believe me when I say as long as you work in this bar, nothing will even harm one hair on your head." Blinking in disbelief, I finally looked up at her in shock. "You mean you'd fight beside me like that even if people found out about-?….you know." At this Casey gave a saucy smirk and a wink, "Oh heck no baby, Gil would have my hide if I didn't come home at the end of the day. Besides from what I've seen, you can handle yourself pretty well…I was talking about the boss."
"He cares a lot about his employees, even if some are total bitches to him on a regular basis. But most of all he really likes you Castiel, more than I think he even realizes yet." As much as I wanted to turn my head and simply deem it untrue and move on, I looked over at the near toxic concoction she had mixed up for him earlier, color of the mix dark even in the lack of light. "Of course he does…like he said before, it'd be so…great if we were good friends right?" Idly as I could, I reached out prodding one of the glasses curiously, wincing as the substance slowly seeped back to its original place. "Hmmm no Cassy, not like that. Balthazar isn't the type to simply have acquaintances but I'll leave the manner of the relationship up to you. However," She annunciated this by turning the tray so the drinks were far from my grasp, "I'm going to give you the choice to decide right now."
I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat as she took both drinks from the tray and set them in front of me. "You can have me deliver the boss his poison here and trust me, with these he'll have hangovers for days." I couldn't help the grimace that spread across my face at the thought as a brief memory of my dad bowled over in bed and groaning in pain from a particularly bad night of drinking as Mom rubbed his back feeding him some Tylenol crossed my mind. But Balthazar wouldn't have someone like mom to take care of him back home I bet. "You can leave it at that, let him drink himself into a stupor and have you both end up just like Meg and her dad, hating each other's guts and always wondering what if, Or you can take the road in between."
"In between…? I…I have no idea what you're saying…" I admitted morosely as I kept my gaze on the cash register as I set yet another man up with a beer. "I'm saying I realize you can't completely forgive him for what he's done since there's just no fun in that," at this she grinned earning a smile from me. "But you can choose to humor the poor British bastard at least and give him a second chance. If you do end up becoming friends, or hey just regular boss and cashier that's up to you. But your slate would be wiped clean of any fault on your part, just a regular good Samaritan." With that she replaced the drinks on the tray and moved to leave the bar walking back to the small office she'd come from earlier.
But he tricked me, blackmailed me and my friends…but I did hit him pretty hard and he looked hurt.. he's an ANGL just like me and Gabriel and Anna…so he's dealt with that just like the rest of us for his whole life. and from his marks he probably didn't have the option of easily covering it up… Without me even fully realizing it, I'd stopped Casey just before she left the bar, hand placed lightly on her shoulder. "Hmm? So have you made your decision Castiel?" Not trusting myself to talk, I grabbed both drinks from the tray and emptied them into the sink.
Looking past all the numerous bottles of alcohol on the shelf, I grabbed what I was looking for and an iced highball glass and set to work, Casey watching curiously. Once the coke, cream and Frangelico were mixed evenly over the ice, I dripped just a dollop of Blue Curacao on the top. Due to the drink's over all density, the little blue droplets stayed put on the top and formed a small ring in the middle of the mix. Casey gave an impressed smile as I placed it back on her tray, "Interesting turn on an old classic Cas, you know your alcohol better than I thought." I looked down at the minimal change I'd accumulated in the small time I'd been here to give me something…rather anything to do than speak any more on this issue. "Just tell him he's got one more chance so he'd be best not to ruffle my feathers anymore."
With that, Casey merely giggle and pushed past the bar and back to the office, tempting and teasing those sitting around her as she walked with the sway of her hips. "I'll be sure to deliver the love note sweetheart so hold down the fort while I'm gone!" Humph…A siren indeed…
Balthazar's POV
After what nearly seemed like a century, the slight whine of the hinges and snap of the door swinging back shut rung through my ears as a sign Casey had finally returned with my much needed drink. "It takes you that long to mix two drinks darling? I have a right mind to have your bartending license put up for questioning." Her amused chuckle brought a light smile to my face as I removed the ice pack once more from my nose, thankfully the swelling had gone down a great deal. "Hmm sorry Peacock but see I was just having the most wonderful chat with our new help." Cas…and Casey…talking, well this can NOT be good. "Oh? And what new fascinating things did you learn other than the fact he'd very much rather see me smite myself?"
A soft clink resounded as she placed not two as I ordered but one drink and not either of two she had mentioned earlier. "He's not all black and white, Balthazar but you have done a fair share of damage this time I'll give you that." Ouch…why does it smart so bloody much knowing it's him that I've hurt…yet it doesn't matter if he'd hurt me. "Despite his plain, oblivious front he puts up, he's very fragile and easily spooked on the inside. He needs someone to look after him while he's around here." Rolling back from my spot on the couch, I crossed my arms as I sat up letting the icepack fall from my lap onto the upholstery. "So why don't you do it? You two seem to have become great friends-BUGGER THAT SMARTS!"
I jumped back against the couch after Casey had leaned forward and merely tapped the bridge of my nose, touch causing unbridled pain to shoot through my skull. "None of that attitude with me Peacock. You know I only work weekend shifts here and Cas is even offering you a chance at this. Just look at your damn drink" Since pissing off a female bartender much less Casey was not very high on my list, I peered down once the pain subsided and regarded the drink in front of me curiously, this is certainly not Casey's work. Bringing it up to my lips and taking a sip, my earlier guess was confirmed as the drink bared a sweet and creamy taste with a sour undertone from the Blue Curacao, nothing like the usual hangover inducing knockouts that Casey would fix me up with. "What is this…? Did you make it..?"
A shake of her head and a rare soft smile left me bewildered and shocked by her answer. "Nope, that right there was all Castiel. I've got to hand it to him though, he's got potential and judging by that dreamy look on your face when you drank it, you think so too." My stomach wasn't tied in knots, no head trauma or toxic liquid filling my lungs either, so Cas had made me a drink without poisoning it or loading it with enough alcohol to knock out a fully grown elephant either. "Why…? He hates me-" "No, he doesn't chief, not yet at least. He's giving you an opportunity here to show him you've got some good inside so don't waste it. Be honest and sincere with him and he'll do the same." As she moved to go back to her duties at the bar, I picked up the glass again, the blue ring now distilled in the cream making it out to look like some sort of blue halo. How ironic of you Cassy, my little blue angel
Group POV
As Casey opened the door, she threw one last look at her boss before she left and smiled resting the tray on her hip. "Oh and if I were you Peacock, I'd move fast unless you want him whisked away by someone else who fancies him." As she said this, Balthazar caught a glimpse of Meg peering over at Cas from her position on stage with the familiar glimmer of want in her eyes as she gave him a friendly wave which Casey did not have time to note was emphatically not returned. What she did notice however was the possessive scowl that had taken over her employer's expression as Meg disappeared backstage. Even more so the soft gleam of fondness his eyes took as his gaze rested on the small ANGL working the cash register just across the club as Casey took her leave giggling in anticipation. Yup it was fun playing Cupid.
Authors Note: So now we all see why I have rated this fic M for good reason, sorry folks but the setting IS a strip bar as well as a night club after all. Cookies to any readers who recognize Gil in Casey's babblings before from Season Three and Richie as well. Meg's dad will come back later on and I think you'll all be surprised ^^ and by the way the drink recipes used by Casey were Death Mix and Danger. Cas's is a traditional Satin Angel but I added the Blue Curacao in for some zest. Anyways reviews as always are appreciated and this weekend will be massive for updates so I'll finally be able to get my FMA fic updated for all those dedicated readers of mine. Auf Wiedersehen!
