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Family reunion?

[Castiel tilts his head.] It has been a very long time.

Has been. Haven't seen much of anyone around here actually. Ran into a few.

[Balthazar, but hey, he promised not to spill the beans]

Gets lonely all by yourself after a while, how'd you manage it?

Oh, I'm not often completely alone, even if I don't spend much time with the rest of the Host any more. [He has Sam and Dean, after all. They may not be angels, but they're still family.] Where have you been?

Family's still family though. Michael might be a pain in the ass, we're still related.

Earth. Quit the garden after a while, pissed Michael off and ran away from home. Now I'm Peter Pan I guess.

Well, Michael hasn't been home himself for several years now.

[Castiel is not sure how much Camael knows about what's been going on in Heaven in his absence, but Michael probably hasn't been too forthcoming with the details behind Camael's departure either. It wouldn't do for the younger members of the Host to know one of their older brothers managed to get away with disobedience without either ending up as the next Lucifer, or simply being smote.]

[He doesn't know that much, to be honest, he's as far out of the loop as you can honestly get. He even seems a little surprised to hear Michael isn't in heaven anymore]

Really? Huh.

Heaven needs to start a newsletter, I have no idea what's goin' on up there anymore.

None of the Archangels remain in Heaven any longer. [Castiel's not sure whether or not he wants to reveal how much he had to do with that. Michael trapped in the Cage with Lucifer, Raphael dead... At least he had nothing to do with Gabriel's death.]

Things have become very complicated.

Sounds like it. ... Apparently I've missed more than just a few birthdays, but this seems to be making you a little uncomfortable brother.

Guess this wasn't such a hot topic to pick, huh?

Admittedly, after being smote by two of our older brothers on separate occasions, I find it preferable not to talk about them. [And Michael would make three if he was ever freed.]

I can understand that.

[He doesn't really want to have to go all the way back up to figure things out, but he'd rather not ruffle any feathers down here. Especially if Castiel is the only angel worth talking to anymore]

You seem to be doin' pretty well for yourself otherwise.

I've had my share of difficulties, just like anyone else, but I like to think I've managed mostly all right. What about yourself?

For bein' smote twice you're doin' more than alright.

Keeping things small on my end. Help out where I can, spread some good word around. Small miracles are still miracles nevertheless.

I believe it was our Father's interference that brought me back. [Whether it's as punishment or reward, though, he's still not sure.]

Keeping things on a smaller scale sounds like a very pleasant way to exist.

... How d'you feel about that?

I like to keep things simple. The less complicated things are, the happier you are. Complexity can be beautiful, brother. But even the best symphony can give you a headache.

Conflicted, to be honest.

I would prefer it if things were simpler, but my friends - who do not live simple lives - still need me. I believe I've had enough of trying to interfere in Heaven's problems, however.

'Spose that could all be taken in a million different ways.

Simple ain't always feasible. Ideal, but ideal ain't always feasible either. You're a smart man for keepin' out of heaven's issues though. A lot more drama then I'd ever be comfortable with.

Edited 2015-06-17 00:01 (UTC)

[Castiel smiles a bit.] Yes, it certainly could.

I should have stopped trying to interfere with Heaven a lot sooner, to be honest. It seems like every time I've tried to help, it's backfired.

[He likes the smile, it helps things out a lot]

Just diggin' yourself in deeper man, don't bother. Dad'll sort all this out eventually, I'm sure.

Lets just hope it isn't a total wipe.

Think Heaven suffers from too many cooks in the kitchen, if you get my drift.

Believe me, I've learned my lesson, although I'm afraid I don't share your optimism about our Father's return. Even when we tried asking Him to stop the Apocalypse, according to Joshua, He felt it wasn't His concern.

I will still help any of our siblings who need it, of course; But that's as far as I'm willing to interfere. I do agree that there are too many in Heaven seeking control, and it's only gotten worse since Michael's been gone.

You think he's done with earth?

At least you're still here for family, that counts for something. Never you mind the politics.

I don't know. Maybe He's done with all of it. Raphael thought He was dead, but that doesn't make much sense.

I don't think He'd die, but He might have moved on. Be a shame though, earth's still got a lot of potential.

I think if He had moved on, He wouldn't still be interfering, even occasionally.

... So we have no way of knowing what's goin' on with Him.

Business as usual?

It certainly seems that way, yes.

Coulda just left it like that, but someone panicked, is that about right?

Well, feom what I have come to understand, after our Father left, our orders began to come from Michael instead. He decided it was tine to start the Apocalypse, and of course, from there is where it gets complicated.

Only God knows when the Endtimes are supposed to happen.

Michael got a bit big for his britches.

Or tired of trying to keep order, if you prefer Raphael's explanation. I helped three humans stop it, and now both Lucifer and Michael are trapped in the Cage.

Great, I'm sure that won't come back to haunt us.

So now what do we do?

They can both fight to their hearts' content in there. They won't likely escape from the inside.

[Although he's very aware Michael will smite him if he ever does manage to get out.]

What do we do? Continue on the best we can. You seem to be doing just fine on your own.

Just cause it's not likely doesn't mean it can't happen. Just worried, that's all.

Keep on keepin' on seems to be the best way. I'm makin' it but it doesn't mean I'm not homesick.

I am sure we will see the signs if someone tries to break the seals again.

I miss some of our family too, I admit. But freedom is still more preferable.

Sure enough. Here's to hopin' that takes some time.

Have to admit, that's a good point. A lot better than being in a cage.

... Miss Gabriel, have to say.

And better than being expected to blindly follow orders, regardless of whether or not it's the right thing to do.

I miss him too, sometimes.