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[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

Date: March 17, 2003 (?)
Status: Public (Aziraphale and Gabriel -- complete!)
Setting: Tadfield Manor, mostly the library
Summary: A completely unbiased Aziraphale goes exploring and chances upon the library; it certainly wasn't the only place he cared to visit.

With his scant few books stacked nicely on a shelf and his secret stash of sweets and wine hidden under a floorboard that may or may not have been loose before, Aziraphale decided to be proactive about his destiny. Simply because somewhere in this house there was a powerful demon who desires him as a corpse was no reason for him to hide in his room. Why, there was an entire manor to explore, filled with... things... whatever ex-Satanic manors are filled with...

There was likely a library. A library filled with books . Books that Aziraphale missed ever so much, even as he gazed at the ten he had brought with him (they were resting on top of the laptop; it was simply too much to ask of him right now to continue his quest to understand the cursed contraption). Right now, confronted as he was with the fact that his death was on someone's to-do list, he needed a sense of normalcy, of peace, and that meant either drinking with Crowley or being surrounded by books. As Crowley was napping (no surprise there), it meant the latter was the better option.

Sneaking out of his room, Aziraphale began his search for the library. And, er, whatever else around that might be of interest, of course. But mostly the library.

Comments

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel was curled up in his chair, nibbling at a bar of chocolate. The stuff was heavenly.

Ms Hodges had gotten a new computer for the front desk, and had offered to give Gabriel the old one "for efficent administration, dear, because writing every single thing down like you do will be dreadfully tiring". He'd had to wait for quite a while as she quickly deleted various files with odd names, before she showed him the basics of how to use the computer. He could already type at a reasonable speed as long as he kept his eyes on the keyboard, and was now trying to make sense of the various applications.

Gabriel looked up as a presence he had not sensed in a while entered the library. The angel who entered was wearing something that looked rather odd. Is that really what they're wearing these days? He watched the newcomer wander towards a shelf, apparently completely unaware of the librarian sitting there.

He finally recognised the expression on the other angel's face as he caught sight of an old Bible. "Aziraphael?"

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

To his credit, Aziraphale did not jump at the unexpected voice calling the name he hadn't been called regularly in thousands of years. To his detriment, he froze. Gabriel.

He hadn't been in Heaven for any extended period of time for so long he had no idea what the customs were anymore - was he supposed to bow? Shake hands? Hug? It was Aziraphale's personal opinion someone Up There had too much time on their hands and was constantly changing the rules (that Aziraphale's tendency to be behind the times in all matters Heavenly as well as Earthly had nothing to do with it, of course).

After a moment of contemplation, Aziraphale turned and tried his best to smile congenially. "Hello Gabriel, er, Sir. Fancy seeing you here!"

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel tilted his head slightly. Aziraphael appeared calm and congenial, true, but he had seen him freeze for a moment, and could see and sense the nervousness behind the smile. The corners of his lips twitched. Surely he wasn't that imposing.

He gave the angel a warm, disarming smile, standing and coming out from behind his desk. "You can leave off the 'Sir', Aziraphael. And one could say the same for you. What brings you here? And you can relax, I'm not about to ask for your report, though it is overdue." He held out a hand. "How are you?"

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

As most humans can attest to, angels have a unique ability to make people want to hug them. Aziraphale, looking at Gabriel's smiling face and outstretched hand, had to violently fight down the urge to outright glomp his superior and explain everything. Instead, he held out his own hand and took Gabriel's.

"Oh, you know, just in the neighborhood, thought w - I'd stop by and see Adam, good chap, really, defied his nature and the like. And then I thought, well, I miss my books - I own a bookstore, you know - and decided to venture my way down here to see what the Manor has to offer in that regard. Quite a nice selection, I must say. What about you? What brings you to Earth, if you don't mind my asking?"

[cattygabriel]

"Adam is the reason I am here too," Gabriel smiled, slinging an arm around Aziraphael. "I had a message for him, but he is not here and if the Antichrist does not want to be found he cannot be found." He shrugged, offering Aziraphael some of the chocolate.

"You own a bookstore? And I was unaware of this despite your usually regular reports?" Gabriel grinned. "What sort of books do you specialise in, or is it just a sort of general bookstore?"

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

Well, it wouldn't be polite to ignore the chocolate, so Aziraphale snapped a piece off the bar and began nibbling. He subconsciously leaned into Gabriel, who was awfully comfortable and -

At the mention of the bookstore he brightened. "Oh! I can't believe I never mentioned it to you" that was silly, he MUST have mentioned it, but Gabriel was quite busy and probably forgot it (although maybe he hadn't mentioned it, although why would he not (maybe because a bookstore implies staying in one place and staying in one place implies a reason and reason implies a demon) mention it, it was such a lovely bookstore?) "but yes, I do own a bookstore! It's a quaint little thing in an otherwise, er, odd part of town.

"I collect all sorts of books really, first editions only of course, although a few later ones sneak in every now and then and that's perfectly all right, but I specialize in Apocryphal literature and books of prophecy, as well as odd Bibles. I have quite the collection - I am planning on going back to London some time to pick them up; you ought to come with me!"

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. That sounds like an interesting collection. And I would certainly love to come with you." He waved towards the shelves. "I'm the librarian here, by the way, so I might even purchase some of your books for this library." At the look on the other's face, he couldn't help but laugh. "I'm only joking, Aziraphael."

Gabriel gestured towards the door. "Would you like to get something to eat, or would you rather stay here amongst the books? I know a demon here who says he makes the most delicious chocolate mousse." He paused. "You don't mind demons, do you? I seem to remember one in particular giving you some trouble, from your reports. Belial seems civil enough, although you will have to watch your words around him."

[stillnotfallen.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale hadn't even tried to hide the look of pain at the mention of someone purchasing his books. Even though Gabriel said he was joking, the bookseller (or, rather, the book not-seller) in him began thinking of ways to make sure Gabriel never bought a single book.

Oh bugger. Stay with the books. Eat chocolate mousse. Stay with the books. Eat chocolate mousse... with Belial. Stay with the books staywiththebooks --

"I love chocolate mousse! I made a recipe of my own and I can't imagine this Belial fellow can make it better than I can!"

Well, at least Aziraphale managed to not drag Gabriel anywhere.

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel watched, amused, as Aziraphael was apparently torn between the two options. He looked like he was considering splitting himself in two.

At Aziraphael's indignation, Gabriel burst out laughing. It was just too cute.

"Well, if you imagine that you can make better chocolate mousse than the Prince of Temptation, feel free to challenge him to a contest, and I would certainly have no objection to being the judge." He winked. "I take it that you have chosen the chocolate mousse option?"

Gabriel had a feeling that he was this to being bodily hauled out of the library. Still, he doubted that Aziraphael would actually treat the Messenger thus. He paused to wrap the chocolate up again and place it next to the keyboard, before making a show of smoothing his clothes down, taking more time than was strictly needed.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked, grinning. "Come on, I'll show you to the bar."