The dinner at Colonel Campbell's was an event that was much talked about in the Harvelle's household afterward.

Mrs Novak reflected on her shock when Helen and Bobby shook hands and even tapped the shoulders of their hosts. There had been no bowing, no protocol and yet, she admitted with graceful relief, nothing uncouth or uncomfortable had occurred. She marveled at the feeling of familiarity between the neighbours, wondering about their past connections and showing all the signs of a curious person who did not wish to lower herself to gossip.

Helen herself was still surprised at the change in the Colonel's reclusive habits. Upon learning of the new friendship between him and Castiel, she was certain that she had found the reason and hinted heavily about Castiel having a new house to live in and of merry tomorrows that would have been funny if she had not been talking about Dean's own brother.

Gabriel had been the most enthusiastic about the dinner, that was so grand and tasty, the house, that was so well decorated, the gardens that were so romantic and untamed, the Colonel who could see the beauty that lied in nature and mostly of his delight in meeting Mr Winchester again and how devoted to his brother he still was and how many times he had looked at him and so on. It was a torture for Castiel, testing his patience to the point where he decided to start a new knitting project, with a complicated pattern that would require all his attention whenever he needed an escape.

Lucifer was also ready to give his opinion, all witty and designed to make them all laugh.

"Now", he exclaimed at some point, "Colonel Campbell has some fine horses and great dogs but he does not seem to understand the idea of exercising them. I asked him if we could go hunting together and he said he never does. Who heard of such thing! What would our mornings be in the country if it were not for shooting birds and then tell all of you omegas and ladies of our many exploits in the sport."

Castiel knew the reason very well but did not wish to tall Lucifer about the Colonel's past. He focused on his needles, intent on working faster.

"I don't know," Gabriel replied with a strange new tone in his voice, "if I would say that hunting is the mark of a gentleman. The Colonel is well read and he has intriguing views. A thorough education is as important and defines breeding so much more. I was quite interested when he explained why he had bought one of his paintings."

Castiel could not refrain his smile and looked up to see Lucifer's stunned expression. The alpha rallied quickly:

"Education is indeed everything. It is the basis of conversations and wit, but one should not always be somber and serious about life. It is important to be well developed in all areas instead of using all of one's time to study with the intention, I am sure, of making others feel wanting."

He said all of this with such a light intonation, such a charming smile, that his laugh at the end did not make them feel he was mocking the Colonel, yet Gabriel did not rally:

"The Colonel has seen dark times. I may be too young to understand them but I respect that one may turn to introspection. It is well known that real artists have to go through hardships in order to create masterpieces after all."

"Do you think Colonel Campbell is an artist?"

"I have not heard such a thing, no. But I do see him as someone who has learned to look at life in a meaningful way. Do you not agree that it is something to respect?"

Lucifer was not happy with this conversation and soon talked about his organizing a picnic. He was certain that the weather would comply and that they could all gather in his grandmother's estate in high spirits:

"I could certainly find my old kite in the attic. What do you think?"

"A kite? Oh, what a merry idea! I have always loved kites."

At the end of Lucifer's visit, the whole picnic idea had been explored and exclaimed about. Gabriel had expressed his hoped that Mr Winchester would still be staying at his brother's at the time so he could accompany him and Castiel was sure he saw Lucifer's countenance darken at the names. He pondered whether this jealous feelings were about the man's ego or if he was protective of Gabriel's attention.

A picnic was of course such a complex thing to organize that it took a fortnight before it could be held. In the meantime, the invitation to dinner was returned and thus Dean was to enter Castiel's life again.

He was quite resigned now, intent to at least take pleasure in looking at him instead of adverting his eyes as he had done at the mansion. He would then be miserable later, but with nicer memories.

Dean seemed determined to be attentive to everyone, showing his affection to both his old and new friends, and he went so far as start a conversation, with Castiel only, about music they both liked. His hand did slip at some point, accidently brushing Castiel's and they both blushed but kept on talking evenly. It was a tolerable evening.

At least, until the next day, when Helen told them Dean had left for the city on orders from his father.