(Untitled)

[stilljustandrew]

[After this.]

*It's not too dark out here -- there's a moon just a few days before the full, and the strange stars.*

*Andrew's nose wrinkles a little: the sulfur smell of the demon seems to be clinging to their clothes, and it's more apparent out here in the clearer air.*

You sure you're okay?

Comments

[hadyougoing]

Ava's eyes widen. She looks more than apprehensive now; she looks frightened.

"I--"

She purses her lips, shaking her head slowly, and clutches at another tissue.

"I just think it might be too late."

She holds up her hands. "I mean-- um. Okay, so I said I was ... trying not to get mad? Ever? And maybe, maybe this guy really is sending demons around trying to make me think I'm doing these things. But, Andrew, what if it is me? What if this is ... me?"

[stilljustandrew]

It doesn't have to be.

*It's unhesitating, and with the certainty of absolute conviction. He's turned completely to face her now, sitting straighter, looking her right in the face.*

If it is you doing this, and you want to stop, you can find a way.

[hadyougoing]

"How?"

[stilljustandrew]

I don't know. I don't know, but there has to be a way. We can find it.

*He doesn't consciously notice that he's switched pronouns.*

[hadyougoing]

Ava nods, slowly, though her expression is still miserable.

"But you don't ... know what it is? Like in all your demonology stuff there was never anything about summoning demons by accident?"

[stilljustandrew]

*Slower to answer this time.*

Not like this.

But it's something I could research? The Council's got a whole library on this kind of thing at the Academy, I could look there. Even though your world and mine don't have exactly the same system, there might be something there that could help....

[hadyougoing]

"Oh!"

As if she's just realized the pronoun changes.

"Oh, Andrew, I-- I can help, I mean I want to help, it's really sweet of you and everything to offer but it kind of is my accidentally-summoning-demons deal ..."

[stilljustandrew]

Oh, I'm gonna need your help. You're the only one who knows what's been going on.

I could ... maybe take you there? I'd need to get it okayed with the Council first, but I've done that before.

*A beat.* ... with Sam and Dean Winchester, actually.

[hadyougoing]

Ava manages a somewhat watery smile, wiping her nose quickly with the last of the tissues.

"Oh wow, I ... yeah, that would be awesome! Um, although hopefully I wouldn't get demons all over your ... world. But. Wow."

Her smile gets a little stabler, a little more determined.

"You think we could really nip this thing in the bud?"

[stilljustandrew]

I think we can.

*Very serious, and just as determined.*

I think we've got to try.

[hadyougoing]

Her smile grows.

Softly, "Okay."

A slight pause; then she gives him a measuring sidelong glance, lips quirking wryly.

[stilljustandrew]

*He returns the smile. And tilts his head at the glance.*

What?

[hadyougoing]

"Nothing!"

Ava looks a mite guilty, but the amused smile is still there. After a moment, she shakes her head.

"You're just ...

"You're a good guy, Andrew. A really good guy."

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew flushes a little, pleased.*

Thanks.