Aziraphale and Crowley Arrive

[pointisdolphins.livejournal.com]

Date: March 17, 2003 (?)
Place: London, Soho, then the road on the way to Lower Tadfield, then the Tadfield Manor
Status: Public (Complete!)
Summary: Crowley and Aziraphale arrive

 

 Anthony J. Crowley, the Serpent and Flash Bastard, was headed toward Soho in his ’26 Bentley. This was not an unusual occurrence. However, he did not have his usual serpentine smirk as he defied nearly every traffic law and occasionally the law of gravity while ripping down the streets of London. He didn’t even look put out or pissed off, two other expressions he occasionally donned while heading in that direction. At the moment, the demon actually looked something close to worried. (He still appeared Flash, though, he always did.)

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[pointisdolphins.livejournal.com]

The second Crowley was in the door, he froze. "Adam's not here, but there is someone..." He concentrated, then very quickly turned around, pushing Aziraphale in front of him and out the door. "Beelzebub's here, we're leaving, NOW."

[lordofthesouth.livejournal.com]

Not a huge fan of interrupting personal dramas, Belial was leaning against a shaded pillar outside the main doors, watching nosily, but fully intending to mind his own business if it came down to it.

Well, until the dark one had mentioned Beelzebub on the way back out. He was fully aware of Beelzebub's presence -- and sure that Beelzebub was aware of him.

They didn't exactly get along well enough that Belial would seek him out. Except, perhaps, to torment. That always alleviated boredom.

"Leaving so soon?" he said, liquid and melodious, moving so smoothly he nearly oozed out of the shadows. Sometimes a little flash and pomp was needed. "You just got here."

Inexplicably, the demon was holding a potted plant. Belial didn't bat an eyelash. He smiled broadly. "I wouldn't worry about him. Is he after you for something? I can arrange it so he isn't."

He pulled out a cigarette and lit it, giving the pair a lazy smile. "Stay a while, have tea. I'd do it just to watch him bounce and sputter. No strings."

[pointisdolphins.livejournal.com]

Crowley eyed the smooth-talking, higher-ranked demon who was, yes, very practiced and at ease. The Serpent wasn't surprised to discover it was Belial, Prince of Smooth. (Crowley himself was Prince of Flash, though, so he wasn't TOO impressed.)

Giving Belial a nod of respect, Crowley found himself also radiating cool, calm, and collected as he said, "Thank you, Lord Belial, but that won't be necessary. We were just leaving."

In fact, in Crowley's opinion the quicker they were out of there and away from two of his superiors--one of whom wanted to terminate Aziraphale and grind him into a pulp--the better.

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

“Nonsense, my dear.”

Aziraphale was completely overwhelmed. Crowley had inadvertently revealed that Beelzebub wanted him dead, and Beelzebub was in the house. But in theory Adam would (eventually – Aziraphale could sense his absence) be in the house as well, and now Belial (THE Belial!) was offering sanctuary…

There would be time for thinking of such things at a later time. For right now, Aziraphale wanted some calm, some time for him to sort the facts out, a bit of a reprieve so that Crowley would quit being so jumpy. Case in point, when Aziraphale spoke Crowley startled as if he had slapped him.

“I’m sure whatever quarrel Mr. Beelzebub has with myself can be solved diplomatically. Besides, there’s no sense running any further, as I’m certain there’s nowhere safer than right here, under the benevolent protection of Mr. Belial.”

Crowley continued to look uncertain.

“I wonder if the manor has nice rooms; I’ve been here before, obviously, but have never spent the night. Oh well, I suppose I shall find out, yes?” He nodded to Belial, ignoring the incredulous glance Crowley was now giving him. “Thank you again, Mr. Belial.”

To prove his point more thoroughly, he approached the front desk, where Ms. Hodges was now waiting expectantly, having heard them entering, apparently. After asking her if she had had good dreams lately (she blushed and indicated she had), Aziraphale requested two rooms for him and Mr. Crowley, close to each other (because who knew what sort of silliness Crowley would get up to if left unattended?), please.

[pointisdolphins.livejournal.com]

Ms. Hodges indicated she had two large suites available, but they were adjoining--would that be a problem?

Crowley huffed and gave Aziraphale a cool, disdainful, I-am-not-Pleased, look. He did NOT want to be staying here in the first place, but if that stupid angel was going to, and it seemed he was (and once he decided to do something he stuck through with it no matter how idiotic), well...

"That's fine," Crowley replied curtly. "Thanks."

The keys were handed over and the demon let out a sigh. For better or worse, they had arrived.