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

[temptationaccomplished]

Curiosity has already been quite sufficiently punished, I should think, both for humanity and for a ...certain set of occult beings.

Though, I also believe you need not feel obligated to reward him for his persistence.
After all, persistence is not reason enough to get what one wants when it involves the freedoms and comfort of another.

This is not some moral quandary for an angel to weigh in on. This is really quite personal to you, and as such, I think you ought to do exactly what you feel is most right and comfortable for you--regardless of Crowley.

Sorry, darling. [You see those wiles, you thwart.]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ An amused smirk drawn from centuries of hearing similar such long-winded dissertations slowly spread in to take the place of any thwarted wile. There was something in an Angel giving a high-minded speech that always left him wanting to give them a little loving push. ]

You put a lot of thought into that for a moral quandary an angel didn't need to weigh in on.

[ Just to use Aziraphale's own words against him in a tender barb. ]

[temptationaccomplished]

[Is it possible to look both pleased AND annoyed? But he's smiling when he says:]

Oh, do shut up.

[angel_of_death]

[Oh, what an amusing pair! And such mindful neutrality for the angel, too.]

Well, if it's a case of my comfort, then I very much prefer my introductions to be in person. So, while I have my own ideas for training, what say you to a little housewarming gift?

[temptationaccomplished]

[He's a peculiar angel]

A housewarming gift? Seems a bit rude of us to accept a housewarming gift from a stranger, but I'm sure we won't be strangers forever.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Housewarming gift! Ah! He hadn't even brought up the scheme to Aziraphale yet!

Internal Overdramatic Panic

But... it seemed cool. Aziraphale was down with it.]

Why not? Maybe the package would have his name on it.

[temptationaccomplished]

[Something you want to say, dear?]

Well, now it probably won't.

[angel_of_death]

[Walter, for his part, is utterly content to listen to the back and forth about whether or not his name will be on a gift. They'll get to know the answer when it happens.]

Shall I take that as a yes?

[He does want to meet them. If Li Min is going to be helping this demon fellow, Crowley... Well, he ought to at least go and give a proper hello.]

[serpentinthegarden]

So, yea, working on getting us a place.

[ Surprise, Angel?? Hopefully you like it?]

I wouldn't mind a housewarming gift as long as it's not fruitcake. We already have a decent doorstop.

[temptationaccomplished]

Crowley....! You didn't have to do that! I could have helped.

And shush. I like a good fruitcake. Not that we need one, but it would certainly not turn into a doorstop, nor would we be ungrateful. And I know you have a weakness for cake, deep down. [At least if the angel is partaking of it.]


What we mean to say is, the answer is most certainly yes, thank you.

[angel_of_death]

[See, this is what happens when one leaves so many responses public. Plans get unveiled ahead of schedule, and a bloke can find themselves confronted with the possibility of receiving fruitcakes.

Perhaps it is fortunate that Walter doesn't plan on making a cake for the occasion. He's a practical boy.]

Excellent. I'll make my way there after I've secured your gift.

[serpentinthegarden]

You did help. It was your idea. I was just expediting the process.

[ And making a gift of it. ]

Plenty of room for a library.

[ Crowley hangs back to let Aziraphale handle the niceties of the gift exchange. He is better with those things... and the angel was correct that a fruitcake would not go to waste in their household. Not even a crumb left behind. ]

You both need the address?

[ In just a second he shoots a text with the address to both parties. ]

Private Text | Direct Number

[angel_of_death]

[He'll get a text from a direct line rather than any account. Walter had been entirely truthful about not seeing a need for a username. He doesn't have one.]

Send it here.

Private Text | Direct Number

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Crowley gave a little smirk at the second angelic caller, 'got his private number, ha!' but sent along a message to the Private Direct Number too. It was for a little farm just outside of town on the road which lead back towards the white cliffs. Easy to find!

Aziraphale would receive a similar address text. ]

Action

[angel_of_death]

[It's a few hours later when Walter shows; an adolescent of still somewhat short stature carrying a neatly wrapped box in his hands. The box has a bit of weight to it, but he handles it expertly.

Correct road? Check. Little farm? Check. Looking like it could use a little care? He's sure he has the right place.

He'll just be heading to that front door now to give it a good knock.]

Action

[serpentinthegarden]

[ There was a crash and a muffled swear before the door slowly swung open to reveal a rather tall, slightly disheveled demon, leaning against the doorframe. ]

Hey, you found the place.

[ He stepped aside to allow his guest to enter. The small cottage was full of old dusty pieces of furniture and junk in boxes which had been left behind by the former owner or whomever the former owner had purchased the place from. It all looked as if it had been sitting there for a while. ]

It's nicer out back.

[angel_of_death]

[So much dust. Walter instantly makes a face at the sight of it, the spectacle offending his butler sensibilities.]

...I should have bought you a duster.

[Who on earth or... anywhere, really, would let a house go this far to ruin? Unless they were bombed out of it, and the cottage, so far as he can tell, does not look as though it has been bombed recently.]

How long was this place abandoned?

[serpentinthegarden]

There may be one...

[ He gestured towards the pile of stuff that was there. ]

Some where. Apparently it was the guy's late Uncle's. He thought to take over the place and turn it back into a working farm without thinking about how much work that would be. I never asked how long it had sat abandoned but it's supposed to have a good roof. That was just replaced last year.

[ No leaks was the most important thing anyway. ]

[angel_of_death]

Good.

[No leaks in the roof is indeed very important. Along with things like working pipes and good wiring for those houses wired for electricity.

Magic might be able to replace the lighting but there's really no good substitute for functional plumbing.]

Now, I believe introductions were in order?

[The English youth extends the gift; a box a little over a foot tall and a foot wide.]

Walter C. Dornez. A friend of mine, Li Min, is one of the chaps that offered to volunteer to help with those training tasks of yours. Please do give me a call should something go awry, and try not to run him ragged.

[There's a good quality tea kettle inside the box. No house is a proper home without one, as far as he's concerned.]

[serpentinthegarden]

Friend of yours, that explains the interest.

[ And almost explained the creepy shadow games. If Walter were trying to protect some one... well, Crowley had been there.

The package was taken and torn into during the introductions. There wasn't a better present anyone could have given Aziraphale. Doubtless the angel had been aching for a way to brew a decent pot of tea since they arrived and really so had Crowley if only to watch Aziraphale happily sipping away at a cup. ]

Crowley.

[ He said while heading over to the only clean spot in the house to set the teapot in the middle of a table where it was sure to be seen as soon as Aziraphale arrived. ]

Nice gift. I'm sure we didn't already have one of those. And don't worry, you're friend will be fine! All I wanted him to do was heal a few plants.

[angel_of_death]

That's good to know. I don't have many friends.

[So, naturally, he worries about the ones he has suddenly and unexpectedly acquired. The news that he was only wanted for such minor tasks is a comfort that instantly melts away some of the stiffness in the boy's posture.]

Are you looking to start this farm up for yourself, Mister Crowley?

Apologies! I didn't get a notiff for this one!

[serpentinthegarden]

I'm not doing it for Santa Claus.

[ The venom in the demon's tone was was barely present even if the reply had been a smart ass one. The snark was difficult to contain and simply came tumbling out sometimes.

Besides! It wasn't like he could say Aziraphale wanted a place so I got him one. That was FAR too soft! ]

I needed something to do. It's not like I'm going to become a Knight or anything...

What about you? You end up with a job... hobby, or anything?

[angel_of_death]

[There's nothing wrong with a little snark.]

My job carries over to this place. Unfortunately, it doesn't pay anything, so I've had to use other means in order to eat something aside from the breakfasts we're provided.

[He shrugs, nonchalant.]

I'm limited in side-jobs, too, thanks to my age. And practically all of them seem to involve dealing with a lot of people during hours I'd normally be using to rest.

[The daytime. He means the daytime.]

[serpentinthegarden]

You know what a job that doesn't pay anything is called?

[ Its a ripoff, for one. ]

Why not quit? Is there any reason to keep doing a job if you aren't getting anything out of it?

[ And if it was making him as tired as it sounded. ]

[angel_of_death]

[An answer to the first question is on the tip of his tongue before Crowley follows it up with the second and third; a job that doesn't pay anything is a duty. A four-letter word, perhaps, for a demon.

The humorous response never makes it past his lips, caught in silence as the youth stills, all traces of levity falling from his expression.

His gaze is far away.]

...I get something out of it.