Undisclosed Location in Colorado

[A Girl of Many Fandoms]

"Your companion is a magnificent creature." said Castiel as he looked up with a squint, the sunlight shining down through the sparse canopy was quite bright. Diana's feathered companion flew powerfully flew the sky. He felt a twinge of jealousy.

"Yes, we should see what Shade has discovered."

They set off to meet up with the raven, their pace faster than their original casual one.

"I should apologize to him for not saying so earlier... That is, that he's magnificent. Is he your familiar?"  

[Diana OConnell]

Diana laughed and then shook her head at Casteil's question. "He's just a friend and traveling companion, there is no magic that binds us."

She looked up from time to time to keep Shade in site as they walked. It would have been nice to fly with him, but with Castiel being bound to the Earth she would have to walk, after all there she didn't want to carry him and would bee to high up to watch watch him from the air.  

[A Girl of Many Fandoms]

"I see..." replied Castiel, his curiosity making him thoughtful. "Is he really a bird or is he a supernatural creature like ourselves? I've heard that the Ravens are incredibly intelligent but one can never tell if a creature's intelligence is of a supernatural nature..."  

[Diana OConnell]

"I think he's a normal raven, Shade's never done anything to prove otherwise."
Diana watched as Shade dipped lower in the sky to indicate which direction they were to do. "He's never shown any signs of an abilities of a supernatural nature, other then just extreme cleverness."  

[A Girl of Many Fandoms]

"That makes him all the more extraordinary, in my opinion." said Castiel finding it hard to take his eyes off the raven.

Partly it was because he envious, watching the bird soar so effortlessly through the sky like he could until just a day ago. Partly because a part of him couldn't look away because of an irrational fear that by looking away would be like losing his wings all over again. Finally, a tiny part of him marveled at the creature in itself. Born into a mundane species only to overcome convention and become great.

Much like...

"If only I could see his spirit. I'm sure it's-"

Dean.  

[Diana OConnell]

Diana stopped and then slowed down enough so that she could nudge Castiel with her shoulder. It seemed the former angel was way to prone to getting lost in thought, she just hoped it wouldn't happen in a fight, that could just prove to be deadly.

"You talking about Shade, or some one else?" She inquired. "And just what does it help if you can see spirits?"  

[A Girl of Many Fandoms]

For the first time in his long, long life, Castiel was flustered.

"I-I-I..." the angel stuttered, which was new and only served to confuse him more. "I... It doesn't help, I suppose. But it's an ability I used to have that I... miss..."

I can't see Dean's soul anymore.

"I'm certain Shade's spirit is spectacular..." He finished mournfully.  

[Diana OConnell]

"Well just have to find a way to get it back, and kick that Metatron joker's butt while we do so." Diana pulled out the satsuma again, just in case Castiel started to get to mopey.

"It's only been what, a day? Maybe you've not lost everything, there's always hope. Right?"  

[A Girl of Many Fandoms]

"I suppose..."

Castiel couldn't even must a spark of hope thinking back on everything he and the Winchesters have ever taken on and how badly they all ended for everyone involved and how close the world came to ending every time.

Hope wasn't what would spur him forward. His need to spare the Winchesters would. His need to free the Winchesters from the fallout of his actions and ensuring that they would be safe before he succumbs to punishment, that's what drives him now.

He made this mess, the least he could do is clean it up before...

"I wonder what your friend has found exactly? I hope there's a bus depot nearby..."

He needed to get to Dean fast.

Before any of his brothers and sisters did.  

[Diana OConnell]

It was still a few hours before they reached the edge of the forest, and a road. Neither of them were use to walking quite that long of distances, so it meant several breaks to rest and rehiderate themselves. More then ever Diana was great full for her need to collect things just in case, as well as the ability to make water safe to drink after her flask had run dry.

"Well, it's not a buss depot, but at least its a start." As she spoke Diana gathered a handful of dry leaves, which she crushed up in her fists and then blew on.

"Hopeful the depot you wanted to close by." With that she tossed the crushed leaves over her head. There was a slight shimmer and suddenly she looked like a normal human in t shirt a jeans.

"Just a per cation, don't want to freak out any humans we meet, as funny as that would be,"  

[A Girl of Many Fandoms]

"A wise precaution." Castiel nodded his assent. "I only seek a bus because other than a car it's the only form of transportation I'm familiar with."

He stepped out onto the deserted road to peer down it, left then right. He squinted, searching each direction carefully. All he could see was trees.

"I can't see anything." said Castiel for the benefit of his companions. "But every paved road leads to a human population, right? Do you or Shade have an opinion on which direction to try?"  

[Diana OConnell]

Diana looked up and whistled as Shade flew over head, at first the raven gave her an strange look, until he recognized her through the illusion she had cast. Shade circled a few more times. Dipped at flew towards the north east.

"That way, just keep far enough away. Last thing I want is to have to peal you off the pavement."  

[A Girl of Many Fandoms]

"What do you mean-" Castiel looks around in a slight panic before realizing just where he stood, literally. "Oh. Of course." He quickly rejoined the Kitsune on the side of the road.

As they started down the road, the awkward silence between them sparked the angel's curiosity.

"If you don't mind my asking, I was wondering whereabouts you've been during all... All this."  

[Diana OConnell]

"I was in another world, not through space travel as the humans see it mind you." Diana explained as she walked along the side of the freeway.

Shade returned and perched back on her shoulder. Giving a quite caw before turning his attention to preening his wing feathers.

"With more hunters about, and then need of hiding ourselves from humans this world just didn't have the same appeal to me."

Diana pulled out her water flask and took a quick drink, before talking again, I would show up from time to time, but never stayed more then a day or so before going off again. I have noticed one thing though, it might be related to recent events, the walls seem to be weakening. It takes less effort now to travel between worlds then it use to."  

[A Girl of Many Fandoms]

"I'm sure events here might be involved with inter dimensional barriers faltering-"

Castiel couldn't believe it slipped his mind: Diana was a kitsune and they were seeking out his friends who were hunters.

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and fidgeted, all too human nervous traits, unconsciously.

Sam wouldn't be a problem, he had an open mind and a big heart. Dean however... Were Cas still an angel he could handle the close minded trigger happy idiot. He would have used his 'angel mojo', as Dean loved to call it, to put his foot down and the hunter would have no say in the matter. Castiel had enough problems getting that man to understand him, to not hate him, when he was all powerful. Now that he was human what chance did he have?

"When we approach my friends' place, you'll have to careful." he began, trying to figure out the best way to approach the Winchesters. "I can't just bring you to their doorstep. It's... It's their sanctuary, their fortress, so they would be a good deal more trigger happy than usual... Perhaps we should stop a few towns over and I can call Dean with a payphone..."