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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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You could be a one man fireworks show.

[ An idea which appealed to Crowley more than mining really. Fireworks could help to liven up a party. If he were ever in a situation where there was a party that needed more color then he would know who to call. ]

Mmm, yeah, quaint.

[ Internal screaming. He was edgy not QUAINT! He didn't bother to argue this as he was currently standing in the middle of a field, in behind a cottage and surrounded by wildflowers... in a setting one might mistakenly think was quaint. ]

See you when you arrive.

I could, or work for some kind of concert or something. Long story short... pyrotechnics of some kind, yeah? The dynamite will need permission or a designated area.

[Gokudera isn't much for parties. He's not much for people, either.]

Yeah. A farm cottage. You're looking to grow grapes, are you going to start a vineyard?

[Being Italian, Gokudera's seen a few of those, but he never actually was able to go to them. Being homeless never earned him much favor with anyone.

He's on his way, though. The boss has been out and about, and Gokudera may sort of stalk him, but he knows better than to completely smother him with attention when they're living together now.]

Yo! I've arrived!

[And sure enough, approaching the cottage is the young man on the network. He's knocking at the door, but has the video still on, certain it looked like the man he'd spoken to had been outside. He'll turn the video off once he actually sees Crowley.]

[ He looked to the phone, thinking to respond again but the knock at the door stopped him. The phone was closed and slipped into a back pocket in favor or opening the front door. ]

So I see.

[ Crowley stood aside so his guest could slide past him to enter the place. ]

It will be a vineyard eventually.

[ One certainly couldn't call the place one yet as the fields were nonexistent, the saplings were small and with frost bit leaves, and in a small pile near the backdoor which Crowley lead the group through. The only sign of progress was a newly built greenhouse that sat out in the lawn. ]

I just need to move the plants out here into the greenhouse and we can begin the test.

[ With that he picked up a few of the sprouts and began the task of walking them out into their new glass home. ]

Walk and talk?

[Gokudera seems pleased with the idea of starting a vineyard. There's a lot of open land available to turn into something like that.]

Are you going to grow anything else?

[He remembers gardens from his childhood as well as the Italian countryside.]

What magic do you have?

[Gokudera looks on at the sprouts Crowley has picked up, then over at more of them. He isn't looking to work for free or anything, but helping out... eh, maybe he could gain a favor. This guy seems fairly well off so far, and Gokudera's not made much on his quests. He's not even an adult yet, and seems a bit banged up for someone his age. The boy gathers a few more plants, looking them over curiously as he walks.]

[ And why not, Crowley was pretty pleased with the idea himself. Avalon could use more vineyards. Of course the specifics might need some tweaking as he had never actually made a wine before, he only drank them... but baby steps. He could whip these plants back into grape-growing trim! ]

With all this space? Probably. I don't have any solid plans for anything, this all sort of happened.

[ His mind drifted briefly as he had sampled wines made from other berries before, even pineapple, and in Crowley's imaginative daydream this tiny little farm suddenly grew into a massive operation. Strawberry wine, Gooseberry wine...
Hm? Oh... Had he been asked a question? ]

Here, its elemental magic. Might as well call it elementary...

[ He dropped off his first batch of plants and returned for a second. ]

I can't understand. This lot wants us to help them save the universe but they take our powers away. Seems to me they would want us to be as powerful as we always were.

[Gokudera has no idea if he's got any sort of green or brown thumb. Whenever he puts forth his best effort, he usually breaks things. Get ready for these plants to be burnt, Crowley.]

Surely there are other farmers for the city who would lend you some supplies? If whatever you do ends up an abundance, you could use it to gain favor, or something... I don't know.

[He's sure that making a greenhouse and planning to grow grapes doesn't just happen, but then, he's not an adult. He has no idea how to get something like this started up.]

My boss has elemental magic. Maybe you could use it on the ground so you won't need to till the soil... if that's something you even need to do?

[There he goes again not knowing what he's talking about.]

What kind of powers did you have back in your world? [Gokudera didn't have powers. He's just an explosives expert, mafia right-hand man to be. He's following after Crowley, bringing more plants to the greenhouse and why not? It's a decent enough activity and it's not like Crowley isn't doing this as well...]

[ For Crowley getting involved in something like this was as easy as walking around town with a problem.

The Problem - Angel wants separate hotel rooms, but says they ought to move in together...
The Solution - You need a house.

The rest was up to chance when you glanced up and realized you have walked your way right out of town and look there, a new farmer working his field and cursing up a storm. The rest was down to simple temptation. Remind the farmer who is not enjoying his country life as much as he thought he would how hot it gets in summer, how you have to be on the constant lookout for insects, and harvest time... millions of grapes needing to be harvested. Oh, no farm hands? Then it would all be down to you, you know... unless. Waits for the unless what follow up question to be spoken before continuing. Unless you find some one to rent the place from you. They could do all the farm work while you luxuriate in town, profits to be split at harvest time. It was a simple temptation, he had done worse. ]

In spring maybe. I haven't really done anything 'ground' related yet. I'm more fire and ice. The ice had been a surprise, the fire seems to fit a demon well enough.

But back in my world I could do anything I wanted. I only had to do it... And prepare the appropriate paperwork for head office to justify its being used.

[ There was a downside to everything. ]

Guess I should ask you the same thing?

[Sounds like a lot of work, but something that clearly Crowley had on lock-down. Nothing too difficult, but with the right words, and an understanding on human nature, easy. Gokudera lacks such diplomacy. Then again, he's not trying to do more than get by and impress his boss.]

Water would be good to know. My familiar is very good with it. Are you a demon? [He looks Crowley up and down, but hey, this is a new world. He has a lot he has to adjust to.]

If I had powers? I didn't. Just uhh... know how to make bombs and I can play the piano. There's no use for that, though.

[It was part of the reason he was turned away from several mafia families growing up, anyways.]

I'm also probably immune to many poisons, just because my sister had fed me so much in my youth. [Which means when he was a child, since Gokudera is obviously a teenager.]

[ He dropped off another flat of plants on the floor of the greenhouse and looked sadly back at the cottage. Man... it took a lot of grapes to make a bottle of wine! ]

Yeah, I'm a demon.

[ He thought about that a moment. ]

Was a demon. I suppose I'm really more of a semi-retired demon these days. It's not like I'm working for anyone but myself.

[ And Aziraphale as they were a team and all. ]

I learned to play the piano. I've always found it helpful even if it's not magical. Why...

[ Should he ask this, well he was going to anyway. ]

Why would your sister feed you poison? Jealous you were the favorite or something?

[At least this kind of work doesn't take much brain power or any magical energy. Gokudera's fine with labor, even if he isn't getting paid. It's not as though he had much in the way of plans today except for to use his magic, and the training for that will come eventually when he tests his light on these sprouts.

He looks concerned hearing that he's helping a demon, but... if he's retired, then it's not so bad. That... and no one is getting hurt so far, so this isn't bad. There are many things Gokudera has done on his own that were worse than helping a demon move plants to a greenhouse.]

Most everyone works for their own gain one way or another... demon or not, I think.

[He hums.]

What makes a piano helpful? [It didn't help him at all, really.]

My sister has the ability to turn whatever she touches into poison. My father knew it and would have her feed me poisoned cookies before piano recitals. I was often her guinea pig when she'd try out new recipes.

I'm a bastard, and was not the favorite. She still acts as though she cares about me. I ran away when I was young, so it's not like she had much to compete with when I was out of the picture.

[A shrug. It's in the past and doesn't matter so much anymore.]

They do. Most people don't like to admit that.

[ Crowley glanced over his shoulder at Gokudera only briefly before he started rearranging the plants to take the best advantage of the sunlight, once they got around to the magic flinging bit. ]

In another life I used to play piano in one of those high class piano bars. You can make a good deal of money at one of those if you work the crowd right.

[ Slowly the greenhouse started taking shape with neat rows of those poor frostbitten plants evenly spaced across the ground. Unfortunately the kid's story was a terrible one... Even if he was a bastard and not the favorite after all, did he really deserve to be poisoned? Things like this were why Crowley often held such dark views on humanity. ]

Tough family... It's better you ended up here.

[ Far away from all that.
He placed the last plant and stood while wiping the dirt from his hands with a handkerchief. ]

There. I think we have them all. You need to do anything to prep before trying out your magic?

Most people see things the way they want.

[He's watching Crowley adjust the plants, not sure what way they need to be set considering he's not sure if everything operates the same way in this world as it does on Earth. What if the grapes are magical and require more than the basics.]

I used to know a man who played piano at a local shop. He got to play in a concert...

[Gokudera could never, he thinks. It's not that he'd be incapable of playing, but that the memories are a little too personal and drudges up more than he wants to focus on. Playing the piano is not about making money for him. It's just... not beneficial for his place in the mafia.]

Sure. I'm just glad I ran away when I did. I'm making my own family, anyways. [He walks over to the most sorry looking sprout of the bunch and then shrugs.]

I don't think so? I'll just focus on one for now, and if it looks any better, I'll work on expanding the light.

[Gokudera cups his hands over the plant and creates what looks like a floating pane of glass. He frowns and shifts his hands, looks up at the natural light and then tries to use the pane to amplify the light, sort of how a magnifying glass could help focus a beam. It just needs to be a... larger beam.]

[ It seemed a wise plan to start with one plant instead of involving all of them. This poor little sapling was weary with leaves that drooped from the cold shock it had suffered. It responded well to the panel of light, lifting its leaves towards it, but the focus was too narrow and where the beam landed the strongest upon a weak little dried out leave it began to smoke. ]

Archimedes laser. Keep that up and you will start a fire.

[Once he notices the smoke, he shifts the pane of light, and that just narrows it more, so he directs it away, then folds his hands some, which just makes the pane split in two and vanish.]

I wasn’t trying to do that.

[Next, he’s cupping his hands, and trying to visualize light gathering between them. Instead, it seems light is coming off of his palms like steam and he’s frowning, trying to make a lightbulb, or just a glowing bubble. It’s a slow process, but the closer he brings his hands, the smaller the bubble gets and the more intense the light it puts off. He spreads his hands and it seems to be firm enough, so he’s holding it above the sprout.]

I don’t know how long I can keep it. Something like this may need to be maintained for hours at a time before you can see results, so maybe instead I can just try this on the ones that have taken the most damage from the cold...

[ Crowley sat back and watched the kid work. Humans could be impressive with their stick-to-it-ness... He had failed a few times before he ended up with something that looked like it might work. ]

You're in the right area for that. Those plants on the side nearest to you were the ones most damaged by the cold. Anything you could do to give them a boost would be appreciated.

It's not really giving off any heat... [Because holding an actual lightbulb for an extended period of time would likely burn his palms.]

As long as they stay in here, they'll handle the cold better. That, or maybe I'd bring in the healthiest and you can keep them as sort of... insurance plants.

[Gokudera's just standing still, holding onto the ball of light and wondering if he can take his focus off. Probably not.]

I can try to warm it up out here later. Shouldn't take much, just a small fire or two.

[ To him the little burned and frostbitten plant already looked better, a little greener and a bit more alert. The other ones Gokudera attended to seemed to respond as well... to Crowley. To anyone else they would likely still have looked like sad little frostbitten plants. ]

That and a good threat or too should have these plants growing like they should be and if they don't...

[ He smirked an evil laugh. ]

It's right back out into the cold for them!

Mnn as long as this place is somewhat insulated, they'll warm up with enough exposure to the sunlight. What'll be most important is that nothing casts shade on them.

[Gokudera tries to make the light bigger, but he's just making the barrier around it larger, which diffuses it and makes it less intense. It is getting warmer against his palms, but it's also the size of a volleyball.]

I'll take them if you're going to put them in the cold.

[Not that he'll take care of them. He may end up neglecting them, but he wants to test out his green thumb... if he has one.]

It's a greenhouse, once it's warmed up you have to open a window to cool it down.

[ Now it was a magically created greenhouse, crafted with wood and sand turned into glass... so Crowley did find himself looking to the ceiling and wondering if he had remembered to put any windows in. ]

You would want a failure of a plant? Suit yourself.

I know, so there's no sense in starting a fire since the heat will build naturally.

[He's not well versed in gardening, but getting to use his magic to help in some capacity feels good. Gokudera lets out a little worn-out sigh and the light and barrier he'd created dissolved into nothing between his hands. Sure, it didn't last long, but he's proud of himself for making something that was useful.]

Just to see if I could bring it back.

Fire just to get things started...

[ A beat. ]

And terrify the sprouts into shaping up.

[ Plants weren't huge fans of fire.

Crowley struggled with what to do next as the kid had helped him out and it would actually be the right thing to do... but doing what he was considering clashed with his demonic sensibilities. Eventually he stepped forward and picked up the pot with the plant Gokyudera had been working on to pressed it into his hands. ]

Might as well take this one home. It will never make it in my greenhouse.

Start them off with fear?

[Gokudera frowns gently at the thought, then blinks at the plant offered to him. He looks down at it and apologizes gently. After all, he did sort of burn one of its leaves.]

Thanks.

Naturally. Its better they learn fear early on.

[ It was his way of dealing with plants. ]

Guess... I should thank you for the help?

I feel like that might make the grapes taste more bitter...

[But what does he know? Gokudera's not very invested in how Crowley treats his plants. He's excited about working on his own.]

No, I'm glad for the experience and the opportunity to try out more of my magic. [He gives a small, respectful nod in place of bowing against the plant in his arms.]

They better not go bitter if they know what's good for them!

[ He warned and a few of the wiser plants took that threat to heart and made themselves perk up the others were in for a rude shock if they didn't shape up. ]

Oh right, the training.

[ He had forgotten about that angle ]

Well you did that. Lesson's over for now. Better get some rest.

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bakudan_bambino - 2021-01-16 00:52 (UTC) - Expand

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