coming at you fast, midnight

[cosmiccon]

Comments

[imnot_likeyou]

I will.

[Trust him, he's not intending to let David take advantage of Allison. He will shoot first, ask questions later, problems be damned.]

It's not my first rodeo with witches.

[matriarchate]

( Rowena knows, Sam.

Finished with her morning workout and freshly showered, Allison and her beachy-in-Kansas (but also in Northern California, we stan Allison's hair) waves join the group in the hallway. )

Is there a meeting I wasn't informed of?

( "We were just meeting Rowena, the queen of Hell," Bonnie says, nonchalantly. "Come on, Isaac. They're waiting in the car." But, for good measure: "You think you can really help me?"

Rowena mulls that over, studying Bonnie.

"If your Damnum Essentia is not a Rowena original, then I think we have somewhere to go. Have Sam give me a ring me when you return."

Bonnie nods, taking Isaac with her.

"Allison Argent," Rowena says, knowingly, a twinkle in her eye. )

[imnot_likeyou]

Play nice.

[Sam knows that twinkle, and he doesn't want Rowena picking fights just because she can. But before Rowena can get too into the weeds there, Allison's phone rings.

Surprise, it's the witch in question.]

[matriarchate]

It's David.

( She doesn't play anything with Rowena, knowing better, but it does seem more playful than combative, not that she knows her. Allison still knows better. )

You have good timing.

( Also weird timing. )

[maleficum]

Well, my ears were burning.

[He assumes that comment is because he was being talked about. He leans back in the seat and tries to figure out how best to approach this. He goes with blunt.]

I'm calling in that favor. Where do you want to meet? Also, you still have the Winchesters in your ranks?

[matriarchate]

( She believes it, pausing as she considers. )

Do I get to hear the favor before I say yes or is that the contingency?

( She mouths, "Get Dean," to Sam and to Rowena in front of him who nods and strides off to find him. She switches to speaker, letting Sam here his response. )

[maleficum]

I have some supplies I need to gather, and I need someone to watch my back while I do it. You don't have to kill anyone, as is our agreement - you just have to keep me alive.

[He figures that's a distinction with a difference that she'll appreciate.]

And as for the boys, I need them to do what hunters do best. Track down some bodies and do the old salt and burn - and this isn't under the scope of what we previously agreed to. In this case, I would owe them one.

[He's assuming that they're listening. Sam raises his eyebrows because that's quite a boon he's offering.]

[matriarchate]

I'm not going to speak for them, but I agree to our terms.

( She eyes Sam, if he wants to speak up.

Dean comes on to the scene with Rowena on his heels, giving Sam and Allison a look. )

[maleficum]

[Sam gives him a glance right back before addressing the phone. "Who are we digging up, exactly?"]

Some very old long dead witches who haven't been in their bodies for a while, but I don't want to give them an opportunity to escape when I resolve that particular problem. I figure if you already destroyed their remains, they don't get to stick around as ghosts either. Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, just go straight to Hell.

[Sam's brow furrows, before turning his attention back to Rowena, wondering what she makes of this.]

[matriarchate]

( There is very little Rowena knows (19) "You're going to put down the Inner Circle."

Dean shrugs (8) and Allison has heard of some (14), mostly what she recalls from their research. )

Your coven's inner circle, they're not -- has it always been those witches?

( She's missing the parental context, but she has the right question.

"When did they ascend?" Rowena asks, sympathetically, knowing what has transpired and that David has finally learned the same. )

[maleficum]

I don't have those dates off hand, but my parents were in my twenties, so at least a decade. I'll have to check on the Malrouxs and the Harpers. But I have it on good authority that they've been "ascending" their ways through their heirs for centuries now.

[David sounds very tired. It's because he is.]

We're deciding they don't get to do that again. So if I could have some insurance that they don't have any contingency plans, I would like to do that.

[matriarchate]

They're your parents?

( Allison thinks of her dad and what she would do if he weren't himself. In high school, she once suspected of him being a dark druid. Knowing what their family stood for led to disappointment until she took back their mantle and brought a new philosophy.

"For hundreds of years," Rowena confirms. "There was a divide between those that believe it was a secret." )

[maleficum]

They are inhabiting husks that used to be my parents. But I wouldn't worry too much. They were the kind of people who signed up their child to be possessed in order to interrogate a demon, so nothing of value is going to be lost here.

[They're bad people, and they're going to die bad people. There's no grand change to be hoped for on the other side.

Sam glances to Dean, raising an eyebrow as though to say what do you think?]

[matriarchate]

Still.

( "Allison, dear, you are one of the lucky ones with the father you were born to," Rowena says.

"Where are these witch bodies?" he asks, intrigued. He likes a good old fashioned salt and burn party, especially when there's not an existing haunting attached. )

Wait, what's that supposed to mean?

( "Some of us left something to be desired as parents, and others were outright exploitative of their progeny," she explains. "Salem," Rowena adds, offering. Is she right?

"I'm asking the sorcerer's apprentice," Dean says. )

[maleficum]

I'm actually not sure. Salem was the worst of the witch trials in the states, but I'm willing to bet they outlived it, so they might not have stayed there. But definitely east coast, and I can forward you a family tree. Maybe their kids might be easier to trace back from.

[If you he knew where they were, he probably wouldn't be farming it out, no offense boys. That's why it's a favor.

"Yeah. Send me the list and I can get started on it." And Sam will provide an email for David to send the list to.]

[matriarchate]

( "So you're giving us homework," Dean says, glancing from Allison to Sam. They're doing this?

Allison ends speakerphone and brings her phone back up. )

Where do you need me in the meantime?

[maleficum]

["He's offering us a favor, Dean. And all we have to do is salt and burn some bodies - doesn't sound like a bad deal." But he'll defer to his brother on whether or not he wants to follow through.

In the meantime, David will answer Allison's question.]

I can come pick you up. Just let me know where.

[matriarchate]

( She hits mute. )

David wants to pick me up. This isn't my underground bunker. Would you rather I go into town? I'll defer to you.

[imnot_likeyou]

[Sam nods.]

Yeah, that'd probably be best. He might not be able to open a door here anyway. The bunker has wards.

[Most of which Rowena installed which is why she's able to get around them.]

[matriarchate]

( Unmute. )

There's a general store in Lebanon, Kansas. I can be there in twenty minutes.

( She looks to Sam. )

Mind giving me a ride?

[imnot_likeyou]

Not at all.

["Lebanon, Kansas. Got it. I'll be there in twenty." And with that David will hang up and give Allison a chance to make sure she has everything she needs. Sam still wants to check in, though.]

You going to be okay with him?

[matriarchate]

I can handle him, and whatever wants to kill him?

( She's not afraid. )

But thank you for worrying. If it makes you feel any better, we can make this a family outing. Maybe he can finally earn your trust after what happened with Elena.

( This feels like a one-time deal. )

And David owing you a favor is not something to sniff at.

( "Should things go David Gainor's way, he and the others will be the next Inner Circle. Having one of them in your back pocket will be quite the get out of jail free card." Rowena considers. "I am also here for anyone that might want an extra hand."

Choose your fighters, Sam, should you want to go with Allison at all.

"Elena and me can hit the books, follow the family line. Everyone should learn how to properly salt and burn, eventually," Dean says. "Either way.")

[imnot_likeyou]

[Sam nods, because he doesn't want to make it seem like he doesn't trust Allison to be able to take care of herself, but he's not going to lie and say it wouldn't be comforting to be able to watch her back himself.]

Do you want me to go?

[He puts the ball in her court, and let's her make the call. Because he does trust her to know her limits.]

[matriarchate]

I think that having two people there to watch his back would be better than having one. And, I think you earning another favor, if that's what this can do might be something we'll need.

( Ever the diplomat. )

[imnot_likeyou]

Okay.

[Then he'll grab his stuff.]

We'll go take care of what David wants, and you guys start on the bodies. Hopefully we'll be able to get this done fast.