I'M BACK!

I'm sorry it's taken me so long, but, it should be known I'm not all that of a reliable updater, especially since classes are back in session.

This term has taken a toll on me with two and a half math based classes, (I say half because that one is not actually a math class) I am usually inundated with homework and labs.

I will try to work on this story when I can, if you feel my writing quality has gone done, or I'm making people OOC or giving them rock-like personalities, let me know!

Also, let me know what you think of this one! Personally, this one is my favorite interaction so far. Unfortunately, the mood is a bit depressing, understandably so.

Hope you enjoy it!

Blobs

A few weeks after the incident with a certain trickster, things started going sideways. There was a drastic increase in demons and an even bigger increase in problems. By problems, The Keeper means fighting, killing, and maiming. She was quite tired of these rowdy demons. Many of which have visited some time ago, but were simply too excited to get out of Hell. One demon in particular was the subject of many glares from fellow demon-kind. The Keeper didn't like her too either, though she couldn't put words to the feeling. Was this a feeling that humans get?

She shrugged the thought off as the unknown feeling settled deep in her gut. It was a bit like swallowing a hamster. Ace set a full glass in front of the strange demon. She had taken possession of an average height blonde woman. Her face was set to a scowl, meeting everyone else's gazes defiantly.

The whispers said something along the lines of her being a traitor and a hunter-lover. The Keeper knew these accusations to be false. If nothing else, Ruby's presence here proved the whispers wrong and nothing more than judgmental thoughts. Though Ace had a feeling- she was getting quite a lot of those lately- that at least some of these demons were planted, purposefully spreading lies.

She sighed. Her patrons have been telling her less and less of what's going on outside. She never thought she'd be irritated by that, but she was. Then again, Ace was sure that most of them didn't know what was going on themselves. The good part of all this was that Azazel stopped showing his face. That probably meant he was dead. The Keeper couldn't find it in her to feel much of anything toward that. Maybe a small bit of relief that he won't bug her about her sister anymore.

She sighed. Her sister. Azrael. The whole reason she took up the humanized name "Ace". It really started as a nickname for Azrael, but after she disappeared, The Keeper refused to let her fade. She was still alive, Ace was certain of it. It happened sometime during the first war, and quite a time after her and "Loki" had their fling. Unlike the barkeep, Azrael was not able to maintain neutrality, no matter her efforts.

A vaguely familiar face walked in, interrupting her thoughts. It took her a moment to recognize him. Her surprise at seeing the hunter was overshadowed by the fact the he was alone.

"Dean," she greeted cautiously. She tried her best to gauge his mood. It was difficult at the moment, but she recognized it as something similar to her own.

He nodded, no flash of his white teeth, just eyes that looked much to weary for a human of any age. "Ace."

She poured a glass then sat a bottle in front of him. "Drink up," she offered kindly. She took the glass and raised it to him. "To our best friends, Jim, Jack, and John."

"That I'll drink to." He grabbed the bottle and took a swig.

She was grateful for the lull in customers. The ones that remained were as equally morose as the hunter and owner.

"I was thinking of maybe starting a karaoke night. Once a week at most. More likely once a month."

Dean looked up at her startled. "I hope you're not expecting me to sing, sweetheart, 'cause I don't sing unless it's in a car."

She gave a sly grin. "That can be arranged." She chuckled. "No, I didn't expect you to join in, Dean. I thought you could do with a laugh now and then." She glanced around the bar. "I think everyone could in the upcoming days."

"Why?" He sat up a little straighter. "Do you know something about what's going on?"

She shook her head. "No, I really don't. Demons that come in nowadays are either depressed and have no clue, or they're fresh from the pit and are entirely too much work to handle. Even so, in my neutrality… I couldn't tell you."

Dean sank back into the stool. He hesitated. "Have you been to Hell?"

She tilted her head. Realizing what he meant, she gave him a sad smile a bit more fitting for how both their nights (was it night?) were going so far. "No. My sister went a few times before she disappeared," she shook her head and poured herself another drink. "I've never left here. This is all I've ever known and will probably ever know."

He chugged half the bottle, making The Keeper's heart twinge for him at the sight. "Sammy and I did what we always said we'd do," he admitted.

She just looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"We killed the bastard." He had a determined gleam break through his tired eyes. "We killed the Yellow-eyed demon."

She leaned over the counter. "I was just beginning to wonder where he scuttled off to. He usually likes to come in and gloat at least once a month."

"Not a fan?"

She snorted as she stood up to fill a witch's drink. "Not hardly."

When she returned, he'd nearly finished the bottle. "Want anything to eat?" She offered, though she knew he would decline.

While her mood was at least temporarily improving, she knew it was only a matter of time before she fell right back into that slump. It was strange and rather challenging to get used to these feelings, mostly because she had to re-learn how to interact with people. Though, a few billion years certainly changes people for better or worse. Ace hoped that she was becoming a better-well, whatever she was.

Dean grunted after a moment of hesitation, breaking her out of her thoughts once more. "No thanks."

"Are you staying nearby?" She inquired, simply so she knew when to cut him off.

"Yeah, Sam and I got a room 'bout a block away."

She nodded thoughtfully and set a new bottle in front of him.

He eyed her carefully.

"Dean." Her voice was quiet, hesitant even. "Would you do me a favor?" She nervously bit her lip.

He narrowed his eyes with suspicion.

"I have a difficult time leaving this plane…" She paused. Maybe she shouldn't ask this of him, but it couldn't hurt, right? "While you're out and whatever, could you possibly…" She twisted her lips into an ugly frown.

He just looked at her, waiting for her to finish. The hunter needed to get back to the motel soon.

"Could you keep an eye out for my sister?" She finally blurted.

Dean was honestly surprised at the request. It was simple, though it was highly unlikely that he'd come across Ace's mysterious sister, but with all this free booze and a slight cheering up, it was really the least he could do. "Yeah. I can do that. I doubt she's on Earth though or one of these freaks would've mentioned something."

She frowned at his remark. "She may not be, but I don't know about that second part. There's quite a few demons that really don't like her. But, uh, if you see her, you'll know it, and tell her to stop by."

Dean agreed, likely helped on by the alcohol, and drank half the bottle before he decided he should probably leave. He caught her eye and left some money on the counter.

She smiled and nodded at him, since she was busy with a stubborn vampire that couldn't decide on which whiskey he wanted. As Dean left, she slammed a glass in front of the customer and told him to "Shut up and drink". Ace then decided to take a few hours off and let her employees do their job while she retreated to her little hideaway.