entrancelogs | OPEN | here come the night

Entry tags:

OPEN | here come the night

Who: Adam Milligan (

halfwinchester) and whoever else might be admiring Ewaymas!
Where: Around the mansion.
When: Dec. 13, anytime from late night to mid-afternoon.
Rating: G for now!
Summary: What the hell's with all this Christmas stuff? At least one newcomer is out and about looking at the changes.
The Story:

_{[Very rarely does Adam sleep through the night--or at all, if he's being honest. When the light fades and the mansion gets quiet, it's the perfect time for thoughts of his time in the pit to creep back in, and almost every night begins and ends with him sitting wide-awake until he's too tired to mount a defense. Sometimes he likes to ward away his nightmares in the bathroom. It's smaller in there, and reminds him of the times he'd hidden there when he'd been sick with the flu as a young child.

That night, he's counting spots on the ceiling of his room when the snow starts to fall, and it's the first thing that grabs Adam's attention before the noise starts. Snow? Had that been in Wonderland's weather report? By the time his curiosity wins out over his apprehension, the noises outside his door have long since stopped.

He creeps into the hallway in bare feet to see what going's on. Christmas decorations? Is it Christmas?

The mansion looks beautifully done up in the late hours of the night, and for a while Adam looks around until the pull to return to his room grows too strong. He can be found downstairs inspecting the giant Christmas tree once daylight breaks, dressed for the weather in a heavy sweater. His breakfast is an apple, which he eats while poking at ornaments on the branches.

For once, he has something to do in the mansion that isn't simply "avoid angels." It's strange enough thinking it's already December. A lot of the time it feels like he just arrived, soul broken and all.]}

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[Okay, so maybe it's kind of a relief to hear Adam agree that it's crazy. He'd been worried he'd come off ridiculously offensive or rude and that was not what Wash wanted. Adam seemed like a pretty decent guy, even with the shit he's dealt with, so he really just wants to be friendly here.

Mirroring the smile, maybe a tad hesitantly as though still unsure that it's really okay, he huffs a small laugh. Oh, plenty of 'five-hundred-year-olds' here had already surprised him, with all the places they came from around here. But Adam's history does kind of take the cake.]

I hope so. That's not exactly a situation I want to end up in. [Er...no offence.] I'd imagine five hundred years is probably enough time for whatever was going on to be settled.

[The statement almost comes off as a question, and Wash pairs it with a look that's clearly seeking some sort of answer. Preferably confirmation. Getting to know what Adam's been through first-hand sounds really not fun, okay he doesn't want to get mixed up in any crazy supernatural stuff.]

_{[Go ahead and laugh, man. Literally anything is better than being physically torn apart by monsters and spiritually torn apart by two archangels in a giant, flaming bear trap smack dab in the middle of Hell.

Anything.

Fact is, being on his feet and talking--talking to people who aren't supernatural monsters obsessed with his paternal heritage--is a major step up from being a mess on the floor, so he can take whatever one heavy duty astronaut can throw at him. Or at least he can deal with everything he's been told so far and try to make sense of it later.

He wrinkles his nose faintly at the unspoken question. Did he mean had things been peacefully resolved? Now that idea sounds like fiction to him.]}

Human beings aren't extinct for you. Must be.

[It's not so much a laugh meant to offend, or even a fully amused laugh. Rather, it's sort of a weak attempt to lighten the mood, and to acknowledge the comment that had been taken as something of a joke. Seeing someone as young as Adam call himself five hundred years old is a little humorous, you know?

It doesn't last long anyway. The faint amusement, the small smile, they're hard to maintain on such a grave topic. They both slip away as quickly as they've come, and Wash sobers upon hearing Adam's answer to his unasked questions. The fact that humanity was hanging in the balance during whatever it was that Adam got wrapped up in is not something he realized.]

...I think I'm missing something important. What was going on that would have wiped out humans?

[Whatever it is, it sounds a lot bigger than just a turf war.]

_{[Adam gives a straight stare, steady and unflinching. This is the truth as he knows it.]}

Do you still have bibles where you're from? _{[That about sums it up one way or the other.]} End of the world, Sunday school stuff. The Apocalypse. Revelation. Satan breaking out of jail. You don't have to say it, I already know--it sounds about as far-fetched as what you're telling me.

_{[Yeah, he really does know. It's ridiculous, and unbelievable, and sadly real.]}

...The Apocalypse.

[Far-fetched doesn't even cover it. Wash can't even think of a better word for it, but his mind is a little occupied right now. You know, processing the fact that the Apocalypse apparently came and went and Adam got caught up in the middle of it.

Geez. He's envying the poor guy less and less the more he learns here.]

I mean. Yeah. That does sound a little... [Insane?] ...Doesn't matter. That must've been hell.

[He feels bad for not being able to come up with something better or maybe even reassuring to say, but... How are you supposed to react to the Apocalypse?]

Sorry. _{[Adam lifts his shoulder in a shrug.]} Too much information? I wasn't that into oversharing until the pit. You're better off talking to the monster hunters that are living here, or whatever they're calling themselves. They can give you a better run-down than I can.

_{[He doesn't expect anyone to care about jumping on such a suggestion, not unless they're huge fans of the bible and knowing there are monsters working behind the scenes to fuck the world over, but he can only go with his instinct and keep things as casual as he can. He's not going to break down and cry on the guy, or anything like that. God forbid they start talking about God.

It is what it is, right? And this is Wonderland. Everybody's got some kind of story to tell.]}

Hell is about right.

_{[There's that thin smile again.]}

...Monster hunters? [Now that is a thing he hasn't ever heard of. Outside of maybe movies, anyway. But it's a minor distraction from the main topic, which he returns to with a shake of his head.] --No, no, it's fine. Not too much, just...not what I was expecting.

[Not that he knew what exactly he was expecting. But the Apocalypse was not it. Still, he asked, and he's just glad Adam actually told him, even if it is...startling. The fact that Adam can even talk about it without appearing incredibly bothered is, too, actually. But hey, props to him, he must be pretty damn tough.

Rubbing at the back of his head, Wash makes an awkward face and glances off to the side briefly. Only in Wonderland could he be having a conversation like this and totally buy it.]

Man. I can't even imagine. And I thought what I did is rough. [They say war is hell, right? But he doubts it's any kind of hell compared to actual Hell.] I'm so sorry. I know I had nothing to do with any of it, but it sounds like you could probably use an apology for all of that from someone.

_{[Adam shrugs again.]}

You know Sam and Dean Winchester? That's their thing.

_{[Not his. He's too tired to chase his thoughts around in circles about these things, or get caught up in the pain characterizing just about everything to do with the Winchesters. He could talk about it for hours and probably not get any where close to the bottom of his list of grievances, the same with trying to find words to describe Hell. Just grin and bear it, right? That's what a person's supposed to do when faced with crap they don't understand and can't fully comprehend. Just grin and bear it. It's a policy he seems to have picked up from his dad's side of the family somewhere along the way, and it's too much a part of him now to try and shake off.

As a result, the apology that comes out of the other man's mouth is enough to jar him a little. This... all of this, it'd started from nothing, just an oddball conversation under oddball circumstances, but it's more than anyone who'd been involved in his old life has ever said to him. His lips twitch, pressed as they are in a line. Adam looks for a minute like he's heard a string of gibberish, or something he hadn't expected to hear.

He remembers Dean tooting his own horn, reminding Adam he'd tried to save him while pointing out Adam had shot himself in his own foot. The apologies for failing had only come after... after seeing Adam strung tighter than a bow, about to snap from the tension.

Hell is rough, and it's too much to pretend it hadn't happened, or keep it buried deep and not talk about it, but compassion hurts more than he'd thought it would. Even just basic human sympathy hits like a punch to the gut when given to him like this.

The line of his lips goes white.]}

No one cares.

_{[The words always seem to find a way of tumbling out of him one way or another. It's not that the pain's gotten any better since he's come here, it's that he's gotten better at hiding it from plain sight.]}

When you win big, no one cares about the collateral damage. That doesn't change just because we're here, that's just how it is. But that's... more than some people would say. So thanks. For not signing me up for the mental ward, anyway.

[As a matter of fact, he doesn't know Sam or Dean Winchester. It's possible he's heard of them over the network a time or two, because the names don't seem completely unfamiliar, but Wash knows for certain that he's never met any monster hunters. Maybe something to look into another time. Or, maybe something to avoid, because he's not so sure he wants to know any gritty details about monsters that actually happen to be real things...

All he does is nod in acknowledgement, rather that raising the few questions that come to mind, because he can see the shock that seems to hit Adam with his apology. From what he can tell, it's completely unexpected, which...is unexpected in itself. Surely someone's said something to him? Someone must have given him some sort of apology for everything he's been through?

Apparently not. When Adam speaks then, Wash's eyebrows raise. For something like that, you'd expect someone would care. Someone should hate that he went through what he did! The idea that something like that could go completely thankless is...astounding, not to mention completely awful. It's information that he's not sure what to do with, and it leaves him a bit shaken. If something like that happened to him...his friends would be there, right? His teammates, they'd want to make sure he's okay, they'd want to apologize. He's sure of it. Maybe Adam just...was unlucky with who he got stuck with.]

Well, it's hard to think that anyone belongs in a mental ward while we're all stuck in Wonderland. [A joke, meant to lighten some of the tension, but it's weak. The smile Wash puts on is a bit strained, but he shakes his head and gives Adam an honest look.] I think you deserve more than that, for the record. I don't want to get sappy or anything here, but what happened to you... I don't know any details, but it sounds to me like you deserve more, especially if a "sorry" is more than you get anywhere else.

[A shrug. As he continues, he takes on a lighter tone, the suggestion legitimate, but maybe a bit silly:]

Maybe go to the Dining Hall and have a nice feast all to yourself. If anyone asks, just tell them you went through hell to get here. Might as well get something enjoyable out of it.

That's a good point.

_{[He forces his shoulders to relax. They're practically standing in the middle of a shopping mall dolled up for the holidays--all they're really missing is the crappy Christmas music blaring from wall speakers. It's on the ridiculous side to be talking about this.

And as far as jokes go... it's not untrue. Crazy's already all around them. Should that make him feel better or make him feel worse that he's adding to it?

He's silent, but he nods a little, an acknowledging gesture. It's not sappy until someone starts crying and they have to hug it out, but that's unlikely to happen with a stranger. He doesn't want to be that bad. Food, though... The man hits on a secret perk to having a physical body. Honestly? Binging on anything he wants when he has half a mind to do so has been one of the few good points to being Adam again.

It's not a bad plan, either.]}

That doesn't sound half bad. _{[His smile, though small, is as close to genuine as it's been yet.]} Why not, right?

[No offence seems to be taken, no one looks angry, nothing, so Wash lets himself relax a little, too. It's good to know the guy didn't take the comment too seriously, even if...well. It is a pretty good point. And he knows it. It's hard to be considered crazy when literally everything around them is just that. Crazy.

Hearing the other man taking in his suggestion though, Wash perks up in an almost obvious fashion. Which, okay, might look a little odd on a space marine of all people, a person most people might assume to be all tough and stoic, but he can't particularly help it. He's kind of a people pleaser. So if his shoulders relax and his head lifts in a manner similar to a child proud of itself, well...he's not going to think much of it, himself.]

Exactly. There's no reason not to! [All nods, his smile spreads wide.] Might as well take advantage to one of the actual perks to Wonderland. The fact that you can get whatever food you want and as much of it as you want instantly is kind of ridiculously cool.

_{[If he hasn't depressed someone to the point of them slitting their wrists in the bath with stories of his life, then that's... all he can ask for. Adam's learned not to accept much from other people.]}

Yeah, it's a plus.

_{[The one thing he won't argue about is the free amenities. When he's in the mind to enjoy them, they're all right. Even the Christmas decorations seem innocent at first glance.]}

Haven't heard anyone use the words "ridiculously cool" about the place, though.

[Oh please, Wash had heard more depressing stories than Adam's, he shouldn't worry about it.

...Okay, he hasn't. Yet. But it would be rude to be more upset about someone's past than that someone himself, he figures. Plus, it. Kind of sounds more like a movie or comic book than reality, so it's still not processing quite properly or fully.]

Well, it's just the food thing that's ridiculously cool. I mean, I'm knew to the whole magic thing, and when compared to the rest of the place... Gratuitous amounts of free food stands out as something pretty good. Better than it would almost anywhere else. [SHRUG. Maybe it's silly reasoning, but it's his, and if everything else sucks, he's going to do his best to enjoy the few good things, thank you.]

_{[To be fair, Adam's not used to the magic thing, either. A crash course in supernatural crazy doesn't an expert make. Maybe in another time, he would've gotten excited enough about using his imagination to dream up food and booze to use the words "ridiculously cool," too.]}

Could be worse.

_{[He nods his head in agreement. That's one concession he can make about Wonderland: no hellfire, and no empty stomachs.]}

[The agreement satisfies him enough to make him feel less awkward about his admission and the wording. However, it also leaves him unsure of what more to say at this point. Cue one awkward silence that eventually leads Wash's gaze back to the tree next to them.]

The decorations aren't bad either. At least they're festive?

[Since that was the topic of conversation he originally attempted before they got off on crazy life story tangents, it's a good one to awkwardly fall back onto, right? It's easy to tell the conversation is just about over, too, and the decorations give him a segue toward ending it that's better than "it was interesting hearing about your hell experience, see ya!"]

I think I'm going to go check the rest of them out. But it was nice meeting you. [Hooking a thumb over his shoulder with a slightly sheepish look, he wonders briefly if he should invite Adam along.] I'm sure we'll see each other around again.

_{[At least rest assured you're in good company, Wash. Adam does silences like a professional, and the awkwardness slides off him like water on a duck.]}

Something like that. But yeah, no falling down rabbit holes or growing two sizes too big. First impressions could definitely be worse.

_{[On his end, anyway.

He's getting so desensitized to unusual situations that, in all honesty, uncertain pauses are easier to deal with then actually getting into the gory details of Hell and opening up about those things. Even the astronaut soldier thing is something he can come to terms with. He's nonchalant incarnate when he lifts his hand in a wordless goodbye.

Don't worry about him, he's in no position to be holding anyone up.]}

Yeah, sure.

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OPEN | here come the night

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