Open post

[cattygabriel]

Date: April 11, 2003
Status: Public - Complete
Setting: Library
Summary: Gabriel is 'working'. Feel free to drop by.

There was a light rain outside, and the pitter-patter against the window formed a steady beat to the old Middle Eastern lullaby Gabriel was humming absent-mindedly as he worked. Davidson, Davidson, Davidson... ah, there it is. Now for Nostradamus. Odd man, Nostradamus, though quite amicable. 

He slid the last book into place on its shelf, and made his way back to his desk at the front of the library, picking up his copy* of Mansfield Park and flipping to his place. He pulled the bookmark out, leaned back and relaxed, burying himself in the utter impropriety of Fanny Price's relatives staging a play.

* Personal copy, autographed by Jane Austen herself and in pristine condition.

Comments

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel blinked. A decidedly pink tinge began to spread over his cheeks. "Oh."

So that was why Barnaby had been so hesitant.

[misterbkeele.livejournal.com]

"Indeed." Yep, the ceiling was still there. There was no reason he should be scrutinizing it so carefully. Possibly he was looking for fire. Very dangerous things, these ceiling flames, especially in a library.

Nope, no smoke here. Another job well done, young knight.

Barnaby coughed. "I think I will be checking this out, though," he said, indicating The Chessmen of Mars he was holding. "It's low on the frigging, however."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel nodded, trying to will away the blush and keep his eyes fixed firmly on Barnaby's collar. It was a nice collar.

"Frig - ? No, wait, I don't want to know." He glanced at the call number on the spine and returned to his desk to key it in, keeping his eyes averted. He hadn't read through every one of the books the nuns had left behind, and evidently it was just as well that he hadn't.

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

"No need to be so awkward about it," Aziraphale said, tentatively clearing his throat. "Humans have done far worse things than orally pleasure each other. Things involving sheep, for instance."

[cattygabriel]

"Sheep." Gabriel nodded, running his fingers through his hair. "Indeed."

I am not some adolescent. I refuse to blush like a schoolgirl.

He keyed in the call number of The Chessmen of Mars and hit Enter. "Enjoy the book," he said to Barnaby's collar.

[misterbkeele.livejournal.com]

"Only in Wales," Barnaby said, before he could stop himself.

Schooling his face into blankness again, he slotted the book into his coat pocket. "Thanks."

[cattygabriel]

"... I beg your pardon?" What did Wales have to do with anything? Then again, Gabriel probably didn't want to know.

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale choked on nothing and died on the inside at the Wales crack.

[misterbkeele.livejournal.com]

"I think the rain's clearing up!" he said brightly, heroically ignoring the look on Aziraphale's face. "I might go out for a bit, if it's not too muddy. It's been wonderful talking to you."

He spun on his heel and made for the door, before he cracked entirely.

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

I refuse to go read My Secret Life again. I refuse to go read My Secret Life again. I refuse to go read My Secret Life again...

"So, ah, Gabriel, how are you? I couldn't help but notice Michael was here."

[cattygabriel]

"Well, you know Michael," Gabriel smiled fondly. "He's been pestering me as usual. I have not had a moment's peace since he arrived, and frankly most of the time I wouldn't have it any other way. Don't tell him that, though, or we'll never fit his head through any doors. Or even the gates."

He slid a book into place and checked that the spines were aligned before turning back to the Principality. "What about you?"

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale was a veteran of the Host and thus had an almost ingrained admiration for the Warrior in question, but even he had to snicker at that. "Well, he'll be nice about it and likely joke when he hits his head on the entranceway, if nothing else. And he's quite fond of you, you know, so it's good you are of him, albeit secretly."

He shrugged at the question. "Oh, same old, I suppose. Any recommendations for me to begin here?"

[cattygabriel]

"True," Gabriel smiled. "Well, you've owned a bookshop for decades, so do I really need to suggest where to begin? I find the books on angelology highly amusing, though."

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale chuckled. "Those are always quite fun, yes. I've managed to avoid getting into most of them, but occasionally I'll be surprised by my presence. You, however, have not gotten so lucky. I wonder how you got labeled as the only female angel..."

[cattygabriel]

The smile instantly disappeared. "Humans are ridiculous sometimes. I tried the female form once or twice when travelling and found it highly impractical. I suspect it's partly because of my name, and partly because most religions have females as goddesses of birth." Gabriel's tone was practically dripping icicles. "It's one of the things about angelology I do not find amusing."

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

"Well, there is a female version of Gabriel," Aziraphale suggested tentatively, attempting to delicately disprove that notion. "But I understand. The, ah, rumour in Heaven is that I chose the wrong gender of my corporation. So perhaps humans think the same of you?"

[cattygabriel]

"Gabrielle." Gabriel studied the angel before him. "Why would they think that of you, though? You appear fine to me. Michael has teased me about appearing feminine enough times over the millennia, though I suspect he was just trying to be as annoying as possible. Sometimes I wonder if he was the one who inspired those first artists to portray me as female."

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale gave a little snicker. Oh no, Michael would never do something like that, not to Gabriel at least. The Warrior was smitten and everyone but the Messenger knew it. "Oh, you know, humans and angels are strange. Not as strange as demons, of course, but few things are. However, I think I'll take your advice and look over the books on angelology; if nothing else, I could use a good chuckle."

He turned and started walking away before remembering that just because he was off to look at a book did not mean he was dismissing a customer in his book store. "Have a nice day, dear," he tacked on before submerging himself in the rather... eclectic selection this ex-Satanic library had on angels.

[cattygabriel]

"You're portrayed in one of them, by the way," Gabriel added. "The pink robe was rather flattering on you. Have a nice day!"