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Hey people.

[The man in the dark shades waved coolly at the screen as he sat on the edge of a small stone fence. It was freezing cold outside but in spite of the clouds that appeared whenever he spoke Crowley didn't seem to notice.]

We've all been brought here, had our powers taken and dolled out to us again in much smaller pieces... it's inconvenient, like being trapped in a baby walker... or trying to save the universe with your hands tied behind your back.

Point is, I need some volunteers who are skilled with Light magic, Healing magic, Animal magic, Kinetic magic and maybe another Elemental magic user who thinks they would be up to controlling sand. Think of it as training.

Also Angel, meet me on the Inn roof before midnight. Not sure it would work with an angel and a demon but if it does we could use some good luck for the new year.

[He doesn't know about the fireworks. Those are going to be a nice surprise.]

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The Westerners do make vases from glass though once the novelty faded it wasn't really something that was popular in Great Liang. It seems the people still most prefer ceramics and porcelain. But we have made use of glass to make monocles and qianliyan.

[And you know, whatever passes as a translator may translate it as a monocular or 'thousand mile seeing eye'.

He doesn't make any comment on the growling. In fact, he continues about his business with the same, mild-mannered smile as if he hadn't noticed it at all.]

Once they grow more leaves you can trim off the older damaged ones. Most likely no one will notice once they've grown bigger.

Monocle? They still in fashion where you come from?

[ He preferred shades but there had always been something jaunty about a monocle. ]

I'm only cutting them any slack at all because they are so young. They have a month to shape up.

I'm not sure about what is or isn't fashionable but they're certainly useful for those who need them to see better.

[He knows at least one person who wears them for practical purposes.

He didn't laugh nor did his smile turn amused. In fact, he sounded perfectly sincere when he said,] I am sure, even as young as they are, they can appreciate the chance they've been given.

[ This is what happens when you pal around with an angel who wears reading glasses even though he has no need for them, you forget things like that actually have purposes beyond fashion. ]

They better!

[ Crowley allowed the threat to echo around the greenhouse, even giving the sprouts a glare to drive the point home... straighten up, or else. But the manifested anger was only that, made up annoyance to scare the plants straight like one might a child to keep them off drugs, and it faded quickly as he watched the other man work. If healing magic worked that well on plants, well, it did lead the mind to wonder how well it worked on stubborn humans with heart conditions... ]

Have you had much practice healing people yet?

[Honestly, he hears that threat and can only feel amused. He had lived most of his childhood in fear of the woman who he had thought was his mother. Made up anger meant merely to scare children into behaving...that sort of thing to him seemed more endearing than fearsome.

Besides which, these were plants. No matter how you look at it, the threat was funny in that context.

So he only continued to smile to himself. And he said to the plants with all seriousness to the plants.]

Do you hear that? You must grow up strong so you can fulfil you filial duty to the person who has shown you such kindness.

[With the way he speaks it's hard to tell if he's kidding or not.]

I have a friend who has allowed me some practise but mostly I've just been practising on myself. [Fun fact, he's not sick or anything. He's just a very unfortunate combination of practical and not possessing enough self-care instincts.] I'm hoping to find work at a clinic at some point if I can.

[ As long as Crowley didn't figure out that the other guy was onto him then things would remain as quiet and as peaceful as they ever were when a drama demon was in the room. Speaking of which he paced away and flopped onto a plant bench that currently wasn't holding any plants at all. ]

So you're a newbie?

[ Frown. ]

Course you are... Why would you have shown up for training if you weren't!

[He looked away from the plants for a moment to look back at him. Then says dryly.]

Perhaps I am just exceptionally studious and hardworking.

Perhaps.

[ But it was still disappointing. One couldn't ask a newbie about a heart condition he knew some one important had. ]

I could use some one with... Mm, do you have some one who is teaching you this healing magic thing?

I have been learning on my own though I am looking for a teacher.

[He's just about finished with the plants, so he takes a moment to stop completely and turn properly to face Crowley.]

I do not have a lot of experience with healing magic but I have studied medicine before. While I cannot guarantee that I can be of help, if you tell me what it is you need I can at least tell you if it is something I can help with.

[ He shouldn't say. Alec would kill him for saying... ]

A Doctor. Some one who has dealt with heart issues before.

[He made a vague hum of acknowledgement.]

If my teacher were here she would qualify.

[And then some. But Miss Chen didn't seem to be here.

He doesn't ask who this was about, whether it was him or someone he knows. This sort of information, if it's something that Crowley wants to give then he would. If he didn't, asking would only cause problems.]

I have intended to further my studies while I am here. If I happen to come across anything or anyone more useful, I will let you know.

[ That was the best he could do. Crowley decided this quietly before setting back to the task at hand and working on tying up those few plants that hadn't yet been trained to climb a trellis. ]

Sure. Just ring me if you do run across anything.

I'll do that.

[He turns back to the plants again.]

But, if things become dire and there is no other option available, I will do what I can to help.

[ The last little sprout took to the healing better than all the others combined and once the healing spell had been completed a small bud that had been hiding behind a wilted leave actually blossomed. ]

I don't intend to let them get dire.

[ Steps would be taken to prevent that... though, it was something of a comfort to know there was a healer type out there willing to help if any miscalculations happened. He was grateful for that but it might have been missed as he spoke of that gratitude very softly under his breath. ]

Thanks.

[He can appreciate that sort of determination.

He watched the small bud blossom and thought, he if were the sort to believe in auspicious signs he'd probably consider this one one.

He's used to paying attention to quiet words and subtle signs from people. Gu Yun, after all, hid all sorts of things. But someone who would offer their gratitude so softly must not want to make a big deal out of it.

This person...he seemed to be trying so hard to act like he was so hard and tough. Could he be embarrassed?

Either way, he decides not to comment on it...for now.]

Determination can carry one very far. [He was proof of that. He stood up, brushing at his clothes absent-mindedly to get any small amount of dirt or dust off.]

[...the man said these were grape plants, didn't he? If he remembered correctly, grape wine was a specialty of Westerners, wasn't it?] What are you planning on doing with the grapes when you harvest them?

[ Funny the way the guy straightened his clothing when he stood up. It brought to mind a certain fussy angel who would have done the very same thing and it helped to distract from the issues with Alec. ]

The grapes? Put them in a big vat and get a bunch of ladies with big feet to dance around on them. Least that is the way the used to make wine back in Italy.

Ah.

[His expressions have been pretty mild up until now, but at the mention of big feet dancing on grapes...his nose wrinkles a little because that sounds...unhygienic.

Is this how wine is actually made in the West...?

He still looks a little dubious about all of it.]

Will that be for personal consumption or are you trying to start a business?

[ The wine making industry might have made a few improvements since Crowley last paid them any more attention than purchasing a bottle or five. ]

Both. It's part of the deal, I pay the guy whose owns this farm half the wine sales these grapes are going to earn and we get to rent this place.

Should be simple.

That sounds like a good arrangement.

[It really did.

He looked thoughtful for a moment.]

I know this is a little unreasonable, but if a man dressed in a similar fashion to me and wearing a monocle every comes to buy alcohol can you please refuse him service?

[He calls the request unreasonable and yet he didn't seem embarrassed or self-conscious about making it.]

[ It wasn't a 'good' arrangement! It was underhanded and sneaky and... ok so no one actually was getting cheated but that part was extra. His arched eyebrow said as much but the question through him off making a scene about it. ]

Why would I refuse a customer?

[He couldn't outright say that it's because Gu Yun's health is bad. That wasn't something he wanted to tell a stranger.]

Because he shouldn't be having any.

Isn't that true of a lot of people?

[ He asked but didn't really expect an answer to the mostly hypothetical question. Overdoing the drink was a problem many people had! ]

Fine, guy with monocle is banned.

[He thought he may have to bargain a little more...but in the end there was no need.

He smiled.]

Thank you.

[And then he added,] Naturally, if you ever need any help with your plants I'll be available to help.

[Since you are losing money from this potentially.]

[ Well, the guy was doing him a good turn. It was a convenient arrangement. ]

Yeah. I'll remember that.

[ A man of simple words some times but he would remember that and also the bit about helping Alec if his condition should turn to the worse. ]

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Video

Just making up bs about steampunk china glass products

Good improv!

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