The Omnivorous Geek

Well, my first Castiel party was a raging success! We ate cake and drank punch and produced many fantastic works of fiction and art, let me tell you. If I had to pick just one to point to as the most awesome of many awesome works, I would probably say the Calvin & Hobbes fusion comic, or perhaps the fic where 5.04 Cas gets high for the first time. Or maybe the Suave & Supernatural Jane Austen-inspired fic/art. Or maybe the one where they fight possessed zoo animals. Or the poetry ones. Or the crazy-awesome X-Files crossover thread. Or the one where Castiel joins Green Peace. Or the hug or die fic. Or Castiel fighting a dinosaur. Or using a sword. Or Team Free Will fighting a Jabberwock. Or any of the fics where Castiel gets a hug, really. Or...

You know what? Just read 'em.

( it's a cornucopia of love! )

I really want to do it again, this time with a crack/humor theme. Maybe after Show finishes ripping out our hearts for the time being. There were plenty of awesome prompts over there that didn't get answered.

If I missed something or made a mistake, please let me know.

Castiel-Centric BAMF & Schmoop Fic, Art, and Vid Party



Welcome to the first commentfic/vid/art meme party in Maychoria!

(Yes, after thinking about what wanted from this, I realized that it was really All About Castiel. Because I love him. If you don't, I'm sorry, you probably won't enjoy this party. Have some cake?)

We have a two-fold theme: To celebrate the awesomeness that is BAMF!Cas (that's BadAss MotherFucker, fyi), and to get some more schmoop into fandom, which has been kind of heavy on the angst and angel-torture lately. Everything that includes one or both of these themes is welcome here: gen, Dean and Castiel friendship, Sam and Castiel friendship, Sam and Dean and Castiel friendship, Dean/Castiel, Sam/Castiel, het, other slash, preseries, crack, AU, future, fics, arts, vids, what have you. COME TO THE PARTY THERE IS CAKE FOR EVERYONE.

Naturally I expect there to be mostly stuff with Castiel, Dean, and Sam, or some variegation of the three (all three together is my favorite). But all are welcome as long as Castiel plays a role.

Rules:

1. One prompt per comment please, but post as many prompts as you like. Mention in your prompt if you prefer a pairing or something. If you don't mention it we'll assume anything is fine.

2. More than one response per prompt is fine. You may fill your own prompts.

3. When you answer a prompt, please put this information in your subject line: Title (untitled is fine), characters or pairings, rating, and any warnings or spoilers. F'rinstance:

Untitled, Dean/Castiel, PG, no warnings, 5.15 spoilers
That Thing with the Duck, Sam and Castiel, G, no warnings, no spoilers
In Babylon, Castiel and Uriel, PG13, gore, no spoilers

PIMP IT:

<center><a href="http://maychorian.livejournal.com/202989.html"><img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y153/maychorian/caspartypimp.jpg"></a>Banner by <user site="livejournal.com" user="davincis_girl">, party hosted by <user site="livejournal.com" user="maychorian"></center>

Awesome, awesome banner by davincis_girl.

Filled prompts:

Miracle Anti-Aging Cream by vikki De-aged Castiel. I don't care, just do it.

Untitled by lassiterfics 5.04 'verse. The first time Castiel tries drugs after he's de-angeled doesn't go too well. Dean talks him down.

Untitled by claudiapriscus Five times Castiel was hugged.

If I Ran the Zoo by unoshot A semi-depowered Castiel does something badass using his wits/human level strength/rock salt to save Sam and Dean during a hunt gone FUBAR. (Gen)

Late Night Visitor by grimmalie I have a thing about platonic sleep-cuddling. Indulge me. Dean, Sam, Castiel, whichever combination you choose.

Personal Space Invasions, Dean&Cas&Sam, PG, 5.14 spoilers [1/2] by lassiterfics Castiel gets cursed/blasted with hug!pollen/trickstered into needing hugs ALL THE TIME or else he'll die. Team Free Will gets with the huggin' to keep their angel alive. (Gen or pre-slash)

Untitled Art by faryfly Sam and Castiel take care of a duck.

Untitled Art by maskedfangirl Dean introduces Castiel to Disney movies.
ETA: Merchesters and Crabstiel by maskedfangirl !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ravelled Sleeve of Care, Sam, Dean, Castiel, pg (slashy gen), spoilers through 5.14, 1/2 by ariadnes_string I have a thing about platonic sleep-cuddling. Indulge me. Dean, Sam, Castiel, whichever combination you choose.

Mr. Floppers and Mittens, G, no warnings or spoilers by sockkiah Bunnies and ponies!

Castiel, sock puppet of the Lord | Castiel, Sam, Dean | G | no warnings by no_eight Fic and Art. Castiel discovers sock puppets and will only speak through the sock puppet of the Lord that he insists on wearing....Dean plans a horrible end to the puppet

untitled; Castiel, Anna, gen by blaskjar Castiel and Anna hanging out back in the old days before Anna ripped out her grace.

Early Morning Rain (Dean, Sam, Cas; Gen) by unoshot Song prompt: Early Morning Rain. I just have this image of de-powered Castiel, stuck on the ground unable to fly, watching the planes with envy. Definitely in need of schmoop.

Don't Cry for Me, Little Angel - Dean, Sam, Cas - PG13 - language, 5.14 spoilers by maychorian I just want TEARS. Like Cas crying, no BAWLING his eyes out. You pick the reason, I just want lots of tears and hugging and poor Cas being miserable. BECAUSE THERE CAN NEVER BE ENOUGH SAD!CAS FICS. NEVER.

Jesus loves you; however, the rest of the world. . . PG-13, language Sam, Dean, Castiel no spoilers by just_ruth Some everyday act of human unkindness seriously offends Castiel's angelic code (something like someone not giving up a seat to a senior citizen on the bus--though I don't know what Cas would be doing on a bus--but that kind of thing). Sam and Dean tell him not to sweat the small stuff, but Cas deals with it in his own BAMF way (not necessarily violent, just BAMF-y).

come in, she said, I'll give you shelter from the storm, G, Castiel, OFC by just_ruth Castiel helps an ordinary person. By being BAMF or otherwise. Or alternatively Average Joe helps Cas.

Party Hat, Dean and Cas and Sam, G, no warnings by sockkiah Sam and Dean randomly pick a day to celebrate Castiel's "birthday" and force him to wear a party hat. (Yes, inspired by the banner.)

In Which The Meeting of the Camp Chitaqua Book Club Comes To Order (Chuck, Cas; Gen) [1/2] by unoshot Cas and Chuck drink tea and discuss literature.

Castiel & Hunters comic by maskedfangirl Castiel is a tiger. He's just always been a tiger, okay. It's all very Calvin & Hobbes & their tall friend.

Chaos; Sam, Dean, Castiel; PG-13 (language & gore); no spoilers by xaara Castiel fights a DINOSAUR!

Cas vs. Dino in Crayon by sockkiah Castiel fights a DINOSAUR! (Art)

Pie; Cas, Dean, Sam; PG by Anonymous Dean and Castiel have a stare-off. Sam is the judge. Winner gets pie.

When an Angel Sleeps, Castiel, Dean, Sam, PG, no warnings, no spoilers by Anonymous The first time Cas falls asleep is in the back seat of the Impala. The second time, he wakes up and has no idea where he is.

Reminders by whistler_wren Castiel helping out with small things that also serve as a reminder that he is a BAMF. (The inspiration was that bit in My Bloody Valentine where he pushes the cabinet in front of the door. It was small, but awesome.)

Down With This Ship Go I (Dean, Castiel, Chuck, gen) by vikki Castiel has a sword. He should use it more often.

Galatea (Castiel, Zachariah, Dean) Gen, PG by haruslex What was Castiel up to during those forty years the angels laid siege to Hell?

Telephone [1/2]; Dean, Sam, Castiel; PG for language; no real spoilers by chibifrieza For some reason Castiel cannot reach the boys via the phone and almost did not arrive on time to save them from some monster. And because of that, Sam and Dean teaches him how to use E-MAIL. :)

Sick Day, Dean/Cas, pg-13, no warnings, general season 5 spoilers, but nothing specific by lisztful Sam and Dean get sniffly, whiny, head-achey colds at the same time. Cas rolls his eyes, but brings soup, because he's an awesome friend.

A Very Touching Story Part 1 (Cas/Winchesters, PG13) by haruslex Physical sensations, like emotions, are dulled for angels. After cutting ties with Heaven, Castiel begins to feel the effects of human contact, and he's fascinated by it. The Winchesters find this, uh, kinda awkward. (But maybe kinda nice in the end.)

his purpose first unfolded (Cas, Sam, Dean; Gen, G) 1/1 by gabby_silang The first time Cas falls asleep is in the back seat of the Impala. The second time, he wakes up and has no idea where he is.

And miles to go... (1/2, Castiel and Becky, Gen, PG) Part 2 by maskedfangirl Cas and Becky on a road trip.

Babel (Cas, Dean, Sam, Gen, G) by haruslex The ability to speak in modern English is actually an angel power... one of the many Castiel is loosing.

Sweet Tooth (Dean, Sam, Cas) PG Gen character spoiler from s5 by the_spice De-aged Sam and Dean. Castiel has to deal with two ferocious wee hunters who just want ice cream and their father. In that order.

Safe House (Castiel (Sam), gen) by vikki Castiel exhausts himself putting up new wards at Bobby's house.

Take One For the Team (Team Free Will, 2014, Gen) by vikki For some reason Cas ends up with a load of buckshot in his behind. Dean and Sam have to pick it out and patch him up!

Castiel Joins Greenpeace by 22by7 and haruslex His new name is Captain Planet.

Justice, Sam and Castiel, PG13, S5 spoilers by maychorian Gen. From the Newsboys' "Entertaining Angels": One to another, the feelings in between/ I won't let go/ Of all you taught me, alright./ Close as a brother, the way we used to be/ I hold my breath,/ And I wait for you to breathe.

Human-Life Crisis; Cas, Dean; Gen; No Spoilers by ferricent Castiel finds little ways to compensate for the powers he's losing.

X-Files/SPN Crossover Collaboration--there's Castiel and Scully and also Castiel/Scully and some other stuff and I don't know how to categorize it so just read it okay by lassiterfics, gabby_silang, 22by7, and unoshot Team Free Will encounters X-Files S4 Mulder & Scully. Castiel & Scully have warring Nosebleeds of Doom.

Refuge, Sam and Castiel, PG, 5.15 spoilera by maychorian Castiel can't come into Bobby's house after Castiel angel-proofed it.

Oh My God, Becky, Calm the Fuck Down - Everyone - PG13 - General S5 spoilers by maychorian Drunk!Cas. Rock Band. Go.

Warmer. Warmer. ; Cas, Sam, and Dean; PG-13?; no real spoilers. ferricent I really want a fic that deals with the oath Castiel made Dean swear in 4.21. It's worded interestingly, by which I mean, I'm pretty sure Dean swore himself to God, not to Heaven.

Messenger claudiapriscus I really want a fic that deals with the oath Castiel made Dean swear in 4.21. It's worded interestingly, by which I mean, I'm pretty sure Dean swore himself to God, not to Heaven.

Gotta Break a Few Eggs, Misha, Castiel, PG, no spoiler xaara Castiel has been put in charge of protecting a seal from being broken. The seal is a man named Misha Collins.

Rules of Engagement, Sam & preshlash Dean/Castiel, PG, no warnings by murron Dean thinks Castiel is awesome. And he doesn't mind showing it, for once.

Batman Doesn't Want Angel Hugs (Also, but Teddy Bears Love Them) by sockkiah Draw Castiel hugging someone or something - Winchesters, monsters, a fire hydrant, whatever you want.

Insult to Injury (Dean, Sam, Castiel, PG-13 by maskedfangirl Dean and Sam hunt a witch, and they nearly catch her with the help of Castiel. She escapes, super-pissed and casts a powerful spell on the falling angel. The spell? Any time either of the brothers say something remotely sarcastic, or hurtful (because that's how they can be, especially Dean), Castiel gets hurt, physically. Extra hurt if Castiel doesn't understand what their talking about (aka pop culture references). They don't get it first, until one brother gets all pissy and hurtful. Then guilty bros and schmoop time?

As It Was In The Beginning; Castiel, wee!Sammy and wee!Dean; gen; no spoilers by chibifrieza Castiel goes back in time and eats Sghabettios with wee little Sam.

Tit for Tat - Dean, Castiel, also Sam - PG13 - spoilers through 5.14 - 1/3 by maychorian Team Free Will: Bible Camp - Angels are susceptible to PTSD too, especially if they're losing their mojo.

Surprise Pie (Bobby, Castiel, PG, Spoilers for 5.15) by maskedfangirl A really ill Cas shows up at Bobby's when the boys aren't there. Bobby has to care for him until they get back. I'd love to see lots of bonding and protective/worried Bobby. :-D

Untitled Drabble by haruslex Dean tries getting Castiel to wear different clothes.

This tired soul of mine. . . (PG) spoiler - Sam detoxing again by just_ruth When Castiel's faith starts to waver, Sam tries to shore it up, even though he's not sure he has any of his own anymore.

Packaging Matters (Team Free Will, gen/het/slashy?, no spoilers) Part 2 by vikki Because he has a powerful enemy tailing him, Castiel decides to meet up with the boys in disguise - as a woman! He wears his disguise so well, that Dean AND Sam hit on him at the bar he meets them in. Afterwards...both Dean and Sam have some confused feelings about Cas.

We Bring You This Breaking News (Castiel (Dean, Sam), violence, no spoilers) by vikki Castiel goes up against something way bigger than he is. And it's not even to protect Sam or Dean--just some random civilian. The Winchesters see it, though.

These make me...very happy. by sweetsigh Draw Castiel hugging someone or something - Winchesters, monsters, a fire hydrant, whatever you want.

For Destruction, Ice (Dean, Castiel) croatverse by haruslex Cas can't find Dean's amulet.

Every Word That Comes Forth (Castiel/Dean, PG) by haruslex Castiel in the desert. A retelling of the temptations of Christ.

Suffer A Witch [1/3]; Sam, Dean, Castiel; PG, no spoilers by chibifrieza Team Free Will is cursed to speak in iambic pentameter.

Void - Team Free Will - PG13 - Scariness? by maychorian Castiel gets trapped in a enclosed, warded space - car trunk for example, and has a bit of a panic until Dean or Sam gets him out. Hugs too please.

Hold On -G, Sam, Castiel no warnings, no spoliers by just_ruth Sam thought no one would come for him. He was wrong. (BAMF!Cas.)

Wherefore the Elephant Toaster? (Sam, Dean, Cas; rated H for fruit bowl) Warning: dadaism. by lassiterfics Team Free Will is cursed to speak in dadaist poetry.

Genesis (Cas, Lucifer; Gen but also R for sex, drugs, rock'n'roll) by unoshot 5x04verse. Cas survives. Lucifer finds him, and for some reason decides to keep him around.

Suave & Supernatural (Dean/Castiel, PG) by haruslex It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single hunter in possession of an Impala must be in want of an itinerant angel.

Have a cookie? Gen, Cas, OFC, random acts of kindness by grimmalie Response to "Castiel helps an ordinary person. By being BAMF or otherwise. Or alternatively Average Joe helps Cas."

Enough now, Castiel and Dean, a little blood, no spoilers by hrymfaxe Castiel exhausts himself putting up new wards at Bobby's house.

We got you - PG for language (Team Free Will) by hereare_mysins Something after the last episode that gives them ALL schmoop and hugs. PLEASE. :(

Sleeping Beauty in the Backseat (Dean/Cas, PG, Spoilers for 5.16) by maskedfangirl Cas sleeping in the back of the Impala with his trench coat draped over him. GEN or Dean/Cas

Untitled by zoemathemata Castiel-transformed-into-an-animal (your choice which and how) really really likes having his ears rubbed. When he gets changed back, he still likes it.

Holy Shit, You're One of a Kind - PG for Language (Team Free Will) by hereare_mysins Castiel is surprised and touched by something Dean and/or Sam do for him.

Chuck introduces Castiel to romantic comedies. by seahorse_4215 Platonic cuddles and popcorn!

this is what gabe had to say about it by vikki Um, what Gabe had to say about what happened to Cas after 4.22. Vikki told me not to archive it but I did anyway. \o/

untitled by quiddative One day while watching children in the park and sitting very still, Castiel finds a bird building a nest in his coat pocket. The bird lays eggs, and Castiel protects them while going about his apocalyptic mission, even though Sam and Dean think it's stupid. (Happy ending, please!)

untitled by zoemathemata Castiel-transformed-into-an-animal (your choice which and how) really really likes having his ears rubbed. When he gets changed back, he still likes it.

Apple of my Eye by quiddative Dean/Castiel. Dean and Castiel have a contest to see who can come up with the most awful shmoopy nicknames for the other, to gross out Sam.

by lisztful I want Castiel to start giving up hope, then Dean jumps in with something like "Look, I know you expect some profound shit, but I can't give you that. Just hold on for now, ok?"

POETIC JUSTICE; Sam, Dean, Castiel; PG for language; Warning: Poetry. by chibifrieza Team Free Will are cursed to speak in poetry.

Sleeping Beauty in the Backseat (Dean/Cas, PG, Spoilers for 5.16) Part 1/2 by maskedfangirl Cas sleeping in the back of the Impala with his trench coat draped over him. GEN or Dean/Cas

Jabberwocky (Dean/Cas, Sam) G or NC17, depending on your definition of 'nurdle' by haruslex Team Free Will fights the Jabberwock.

Fandom: Supernatural
Title: Here, Have Some Castiel Ficlets
Author: Maychorian
Characters: Castiel, Dean, Sam, Anna, Uriel, Zachariah
Category: Gen, Angst
Rating: PG13
Warning: (skip) Brief language
Spoilers: Through S4
Summary: Three tiny Castiel-centric fics.
Word Count: 1667
Disclaimer: This is my Father's world, but it's Kripke's playground.
Author’s Note: For deancastiel, spnwriterlounge, and spngenlove. Oh, my angsty little angel. ♥

( Castiel and the other Angels (Uriel, Anna & Zachariah) reflect on Lucifers first fall. )

( Cas finds Dean laying unconscious on the floor after Sam almost choked him in 'When The Levee Breaks'. )

deancastiel)">A Drift of Feathers (750 words, for the Warm & Fuzzy challenge at deancastiel)

"Dean, is your angel molting?"

Dean snapped his head up, holding the book firmly in his lap. He'd almost been startled into dropping it. "The hell?"

The irritation on Sam's face was pretty hilarious. "It's either that or Bobby suddenly owns a huge albino parrot." He held up a curly, fluffy feather, such a pure white that it almost hurt to look at. A really, really big feather, almost as long as Sam's gimundo arm.

Dean tilted his head, leaning forward before he was aware of doing it. He set the book aside and made a come-hither motion, and Sam huffed a breath into his bangs and handed over the feather. Dean held the quill in one hand and ran the other up the silky length. So soft...

"Seriously, dude, you gotta do something about Castiel. He's been kind of angelically moping ever since we ended up on the run together, and now we're all stuck in Bobby's house and I know it's frustrating and claustrophobic and uncomfortable and... And now he's molting. It's not healthy."

"I don't get it," Dean protested. "You can't even see the wings. Are you sure this isn't from a...uh...a really big chicken?"

Sam squinted at him. "There's a pile of them. And no, there are no chickens as big as barns anywhere around here."

Dean sighed and stood up, absently playing with the feather. "I'll talk to him. But you need to quit calling him 'my' angel. It just sounds really dumb."

"Whatever, man."

He found Castiel at the edge of the salvage yard perched on the roof of a pickup, watching the sunset with elbows on knees and chin on hands. Feathers sprinkled the ground around him and lay in a light, snowy drift in the bed of the truck, and Dean's heart twisted in his chest. How long had the guy been just sitting there, staring into space?

"Hey!" He hopped up to sit on the hood of the truck, looking up into the angel's morose face. "What's up, doc?"

Castiel stared straight ahead, still as a statue, unblinking.

"Hey," Dean said again. He grabbed Castiel's foot and gave it a shake. "Pay attention to me."

Very, very slowly, Castiel glanced down at him. "I always pay attention to you."

Dean looked away, suddenly aching. "I know. Never mind. What's going on with you?"

"I am...nothing."

"Don't blow me off," Dean said, irritated now. "C'mon. You're...you're molting. I woulda thought that was impossible."

"It's merely a manifestation of..." He blew out a short breath and turned his head away. "Nothing. It doesn't matter."

"Of course it does. Tell me, or I'll keep pestering you until you do. You know I will."

Castiel said nothing. Dean started poking his knee. "Pester, pester, pester."

But the droopy angel didn't rise to it. His voice and eyes were dull. "Why do you care?"

Dean couldn't speak for a moment. "What?"

"You haven't even looked at me in five days. Why now?"

"I..." Dean paused. "Five days? Seriously?"

"And some odd hours." He was doing his head-tilt thing, studying Dean with such gravity that Dean felt that he must crumble under the pressure.

"I haven't..." Dean cleared his throat. "Cas, I haven't exactly... I'm not really great company right now. I, uh, now that I think about it, I haven't really been spending any time with Sam or Bobby either. I've been..." He'd been reading. Oh, God, when did Dean Winchester turn into a bookworm?

"You've been avoiding me," Castiel said in that wise, infuriating tone, knowing too much and too little at once.

"I've been avoiding everything," Dean admitted, finally. And when did Dean Winchester turn into a wimp, too? Last year...forty years ago...he never would have done this, never would have buried his head in the ground, hidden in a corner to lick his wounds. Facing things head on, that was always Dean's way. Had been. Always had been his way.

Dean missed himself, abruptly, with a huge aching gape in his chest. And so he knew what Castiel had been feeling, too. And probably Sam and Bobby as well.

"I'm sorry."

Castiel tilted his head even further, utterly confused.

Dean cleared his throat and said it again, louder. "I'm sorry. I won't avoid you anymore. Just...try to stop molting, okay? It's really unnerving."

The angel glanced around himself, saw the sheer number of feathers lying there. He smiled, sweet and sudden. "I'll try."

It was all they could ask for.

(End)

Fandom: Supernatural, one SPN/SW
Title: Two H/C and Three Humor Ficlets
Author: Maychorian
Characters: John, Mary, Dean, Bobby, Sam, Castiel, Obi-Wan
Category: Gen, Hurt/Comfort, Humor, Crossover
Rating: Up to PG13/T
Spoilers: None
Summary: Various ficlets written for prompts: Dean vs. wasps, Bobby patches up an injured Dean, ribbons, werewolves, Star Wars crossover with Obi-Wan and Castiel.
Word Count: None more than 800 words or so. ~2500 total.
Disclaimer: Tragically, they continue to not belong to me. :(
Author’s Note: With thanks to tahirire, i_speak_tongue, bellatemple, fox1013, jadeblood, and lita_of_jupiter.

( And Peach Pie for Dessert )

( Fuel Stop )

( That Time Again )

( We Won't Be Home Till Morning )

( You're an Angel of the...What? )

So, here are nine little ficlets requested by friends, and one just for me. They’re all short—mostly between one and five hundred words; the longest is 593 and the shortest is 119. None are rated above PG. Mostly they’re happy little fluff pieces, because I was in an awesome mood and wanted to share my joy. :) In the header for each is the fandom and characters, as well as the prompt word. I didn’t always succeed in following the prompt all that well, though. Not very well proofed, so if you spot a typo let me know. Most of these were written in fifteen minutes to a half hour, in the comment box, then posted immediately, like a good commentfic should be.

( Jedi Apprentice: Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan; safe )

( Star Wars: Jaina/Kyp Durron; puppy eyes )

( Numb3rs: wee!Eppeses; carousel )

( Dexter/Stargate SG-1: Dexter, Ba’al; meet )

( Stargate SG-1: Sam, Teal’c; flying )

( Star Wars/Supernatural: Obi-Wan, Dean; bar fights )

( Supernatural/Stargate SG-1: Dean, Sam Carter; snarking )

( Star Wars/Stargate SG-1: Jack, Qui-Gon; fishing )

( Doctor Who/Stargate SG-1: Jack, The Doctor; authority )

( Supernatural: Sam, Dean; rant )

Reposted commentfic here. I have a couple more, somewhere. Will find and post eventually.


Title: The Empty Road Ahead
Fandom: SG-1
Author: Maychorian
Characters: Daniel, a road
Summary: One day Daniel just got in his car and started driving.
Category: Oh, angst. So very much with the angst.
Timeframe: Season 3-ish.
Spoilers: FIAD, obliquely.
Rating: G/K
Disclaimer: Not mine. Getting no money. Have none for lawsuits.
Note: Written for LeapGate! A Stargate Comment Ficathon. Prompt was Daniel Jackson; driving.


( The Empty Road Ahead )