Video

[serpentinthegarden]

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.]

Comments

[serpentinthegarden]

[ 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.

[kiss_it_better]

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.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ 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.

1/2

[kiss_it_better]

[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.]

2/2

[kiss_it_better]

[...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?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ 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.

[kiss_it_better]

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?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ 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.

[kiss_it_better]

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.]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ 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?

[kiss_it_better]

[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.

[serpentinthegarden]

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.

[kiss_it_better]

[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.]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ 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. ]