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Who: Aziraphale and OPEN
What: Just vibing around the North Pole tbh. May also serve as a general catchall for other bits and bobs through the month.
Where: Several places! Library, dining hall, Vaguely Around, etc.
When: The post-arrival pre-next plot zone. The settling-in zone, even.
Warnings/Notes: None yet, will update as needed/requested!

library.

[ Realistically, this is probably the number one place most guaranteed to get results in the Aziraphale sightings economy. The library is equal parts enrichment in his enclosure and a decent simulation of his native environment. Well, as long as he ignores the DVDs and CDs and such. Which he does.

If someone wanted to make a very posh zoo enclosure for a wild Aziraphale it would basically be this premise. He's in the library on the daily. Around the same time each day, probably, and winding up in the same specific chair, because he feels better when he can have one or two reliable little rituals on his schedule.

What he's got picked out tends to vary. Largely classic literature or stageplays, which he mostly thumbs through purely for the sake of seeing if they're very different in this reality. The ~big ones~. Austen, Wilde, Dickens, Shakespeare, Shelley, Tolkien, C.S. Lewis. Arthurian folklore but only when he's positive Crowley isn't in the library with him. For normal reasons. Some comically ancient guide of some sort about embroidery, because he's got it on the brain now.

(The very, very first thing that he makes sure to sit down with is a 'Winnie-the-Pooh' collected works, of course. It's actually so important that he knows they're the same as the ones he has memorized.)

While in the library, Aziraphale is largely open to socializing. If he's not open to socializing he'll simply not be in the library at all. He'll say friendly hellos every time he first walks in! He's happy to get introduced and talk literature and ask people about what they're reading if they seem amenable!

Although he does have a habit of hitting long stretches where he just sort of zones in on a book and stops paying attention to literally everything and everyone around him. Give him like an hour. He'll blink again, honest. ]

communal relaxation area.

[ Also a decent bet on places to find Aziraphale! It's cozy. He loves cozy. Coziness is in his top three favorite concepts humans came up with. Heaven is too minimalist to take the credit and Hell is too claustrophobic.

He might be reading by a very pretty window, as prophecy foretold. He might just be having some pastries and people-watching, like a cool normal person. An angel practicing his fancy shuffling and other card-based magic tricks? In your North Pole? It's more likely than you think. Important to note: the shuffling and sleight of hand are performed very poorly. Aziraphale is still thriving.

He's even more willing to socialize out here. It's what the whole setup is built for, truly. Come get your free "oh hello!"s and "how are you getting on?"s. Or if you like, in full 'old silly being an old silly' intonation: ]

Lovely weather we're having.

[ It's a low bar, being the funniest angel Heaven's ever turned out. But by god he's doing it. ]

wildcard.

[ for whatever other options! Aziraphale straight up doesn't do sleep, so he can theoretically be found at any hour in these locations, or like... out for a stroll or getting a snack or paging through a book. Doing everything in his power to not learn how to use the network or a modern phone or anything of the sort. If he recognizes anyone from the Wilderlands or the intro event, he's also likely to want to say hi and see how they're doing.

Possibly just having some cocoa and regarding the Globe of Belief with a very real sort of fondness. (A guardian is a guardian and Earth is Earth, even if this isn't the Earth he was made for and he's not the sort of guardian made specifically for it, technically. Always been a problem of his, he supposes. Getting attached.)

hmu with whatever or gimme a poke at

comatoseroses and we can work something out! i'll do closed starters idc. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The little glance around is cute, so Crowley will allow it.]

Hold on to your hat, then.

[He isn't even wearing a hat.

Crowley snaps his fingers, dragging them both through space to London, specifically Chinatown, specifically outside the Speedboat Bar.

Notably, Aziraphale is now wearing a replica of the coat he tragically lost during his earlier adventures; it's as perfect a copy as Crowley can make, which is pretty perfect, considering how long he's seen Aziraphale wearing it. He'd been planning to do this for a while but hadn't been sure how to give it to Aziraphale without making it a whole thing.

Maybe they can just pretend it never happened and move on.]

Oh, brilliant, I was worried it might not exist here.

[ Every day a new adventure, a new surprise. Oh, just a casual teleport into London, just a casual lovingly detail-accurate replacement of Aziraphale's lost favorite coat, no great happenings afoot here.

Wrong. Mostly about the coat; not to discount the impressiveness of having a hop to London in the bank in this reality, of course.

Crowley does these things, sometimes. Very singularly kind and caring things, for Aziraphale's sake, that nobody else in the universe would probabaly ever bother with doing for him. Crowley does these things, sometimes, and he acts like it's no greater trouble to go to than-- than holding open a door. Less than. Like it's to be expected, not a very touching gesture that squeezes Aziraphale by the ribcage, just because it's something that Aziraphale cares about. (Even if it's something Crowley doesn't personally understand being hung up on, even if Crowley thinks it's ridiculous. As though that's not a marvel.) ]

Mm. Quite. [ Aziraphale's ass is NOT listening. He's taking in the return of an extra layer of familiarity. He's feeling a lot of emotions. He's channeling all the self restraint that thousands of years of practice creates to keep from grabbing Crowley by the face and kissing him.

He is looking at him like he hung the moon. It's one for the "happiest he's been in ages" tumblr compilation. It's fucking sickening over here tbh. Untenable.

Don't worry he has the perfect very forward romance move for this: putting a hand on Crowley's elbow like they're taking a very old timey stroll. angel.exe will be back online in a few seconds. ]

[Ah, he miscalculated the effect of the coat. That's probably on him, since he knows how much the damn thing meant to Aziraphale, how much all of Aziraphale's silly little possessions mean to him, even more so now that they're stuck somewhere he can't access his books or snuffboxes or whatever other collection he's got in the shop.

Maybe he should have just left it on his bed one day while Aziraphale was in the library or dining hall, but then he wouldn't get to cast a very careful sideways glance to catch the look he's being treated to. And it's a wonderful look, he's going to keep that one in his back pocket for ages.

There's even a hand on his arm, curled around his elbow, he decides to be bold enough to give Aziraphale's hand a little pat before settling atop it. Like they're taking a very old timey stroll.]

We couldn't have you out here in only three layers. There'd be a riot.

[Things he knows for a fact: Aziraphale wears an undershirt, because of course he does, and of course he had it on when Crowley borrowed his body.

He also knows, because Aziraphale gave Crowley's body back with a singlet he hadn't been wearing before.

Ridiculous, truly.]

[ A little bit goofy and twitterpated on main, as a treat. Aziraphale is almost always goofy on main, but that has no bearing.

It's just. Nice. It's nice. Is all. To go out together without scrounging up pretense for it. Not having to put mental real estate towards being seen or found out. They were already found out, and they've at least got that sorted out for now, and they're not even in that reality besides. So he's not even going to think about it.

Because! There's hand touching. On purpose! He's going to thrive on this for weeks like any self-respecting glacially-paced idiot. ]

Public indecency is never in vogue, no. I'm very grateful. Things just weren't the same without it.

[ He misses his shop and all his silly little possessions so much. This is a gift of the highest importance. For many reasons, he's going to keep it so well cared-for.

But also, with a sidelong glance and a turn in tone from blatantly soft to knowing™️: ]

You've been 'on the clock' quite a bit lately, have you?

[Hand touching maneuver: successful. He'll be riding this high for weeks, which is probably a little ridiculous, considering that Aziraphale was the one who initiated the touch, so he shouldn't be too shocked that his own return of the contact didn't earn shock and discuss.

Things that were less successful: getting away with any of the nonsense he's pulled without having to talk about it. First the coat and now the fact that he was easily able to produce said coat while also easily being able to teleport two fully grown ethereal/infernal beings. He's not sure exactly what Aziraphale's power status is, and he's been kind of assuming that more kids believe in Aziraphale from the get go, on account of the angel thing, but he doubts he'd be so casual with power use.

Crowley shrugs, but only the shoulder that isn't near Aziraphale, not wanting to risk jostling him.]

S'just like being a demon, isn't it? Only for myself, not bloody Satan.

[It's nothing like being a demon, actually.]

[ They're inventing romance. They're incredible at it, and so normal. ]

I'm not certain I can see where those particular lines intersect.

[Don't make him explain his terrible logic! At least he can start leading Aziraphale into the restaurant as he talks, maybe he'll get distracted by the food and ambiance and won't listen to what Crowley says.

It's honestly a foolproof plan.]

Instead of tempting someone to sin, I'm doing whatever I need to do so they know I'm real and keep believing in me.

[That makes sense, right? Probably?]

[ This is now an active old timey stroll. Love that. Aziraphale 100% is not following his logic on this. Except in the roundabout sense of understanding that Crowley simply doesn't want to say "yes I've been out doing things to help and protect children who believe in me" for varying valid reasons.

It's just that it's a bit like saying "instead of buttering toast, I climbed a tree." In his opinion.

Crowley needs to shore up his denial game, clearly. ]

Yes, exactly. Two different things.

[ That said: 10/10 on interesting ambiance, might be on the path to distraction. ]

[Crowley wants to snap at him to leave it, because he feels like they're dangerously close to a four letter word being used, but getting snarly might lose him arm holding slash hand touching privileges, and he's not quite ready to lose them.]

Oh, you're impossible.

[Blaming Aziraphale for his own lack of sense-making is clearly the right approach.

The other right approach is to lead Aziraphale upstairs to sit, both because it's a little quieter and because it means there's more time for physical contact before he reluctantly has to release Aziraphale so he can take a seat.

Tragic.]

The point is — [He'll go ahead and pull out a chair for Aziraphale, because he's a gentleman.] — I've got plenty of power, so no need to fuss about miracles.

[ Aziraphale doesn't say you've said that before and will again, but thank you for the compliment about being called impossible. He taps a finger on Crowley's arm a couple of times as a thank you instead.

Because "you're impossible" basically means "you're right and I hate it" and finger tapping counts as heavy flirting. Obviously.

It is tragic to lose the contact, though. Even with all this gentlemanly chair pulling out (local demon not beating the sweetness allegations). Maybe he can do it again on the way back out. Since it seems like it wasn't unwelcome at this juncture. Much to consider. ]

You are being safe about it?

[ What if he fusses about something anyway. His life story. ]

[The trick to dining with Aziraphale and continuing a conversation is to use a little nudge of demonic power to keep a waiter from approaching them immediately so the angel doesn't get distracted.

And to give him time to look at the menu.]

'Course, angel. Not that there's much dangerous about helping out some teens every now and then.

[The word 'helping' comes out a little sarcastically as a defense against the fact that demons aren't supposed to be helpful.]

[ Crowley: using demonic power to exhibit married behaviors.
Aziraphale: just vibing, capybara-like, with his menu.

Crowley can genuinely be trusted to go about things with a sense of self-preservation. A fairly reasonable risk-taking line drawn in the sand. It doesn't hurt to hear him say it out loud, though. That he's being safe, of course. The powers situation is a sight better here than it was in the last place, but things are still-- still limited. Not quite right. If something were to happen.

Aziraphale sets aside a late-night time block for collecting his thoughts on how best to also contribute to the shared miracle pool. Just in case. But that can be later. He'll stare into a fireplace without blinking for twenty minutes about it. ]

Are you very popular with the teens? [ The Teens™️. ] Well that's something, isn't it? Tough culture, you know.

[ Big if true. They have very good taste in demons to care about. ]

[The expression that crosses Crowley's face is somewhat inscrutable and somewhat a little bit embarrassed as he tries to figure out how to respond to the concept of being popular with anyone. The answer comes to him after a moment, at least, and he schools his expression into something more neutral, adding a lazy wave of his hand to sell it.]

Teens know cool when they see it, angel.

[But this is Aziraphale, so he softens a little.]

Most of the ones I've run into are the weird goth kids who're going through some shit.

[It isn't really surprising that Crowley is someone they've latched onto, being the weird goth kid of the demon world.]

[ If Crowley doesn't want Aziraphale to look at him like he's working overtime to make sure not to say nice or kind or sweet, maybe he shouldn't be all those things and allow Aziraphale to see him soften up a little? Food for thought.

It's too late now anyway. Crowley gets that exact look. ]

Makes a bit of sense, if I'm honest. Not in a bad way. [ Did he need to clarify that? Impossible to tell. Not even the point, it's just the truth. Who is Crowley if not a goth kid that's going through some shit. ] I'd hate to think they were being left out of a bit of extra hope right now.

[ Since the world is apparently falling to darkness or what have you. He wonders what sort of collective spread this Guardian party has starting out, really. If there is some particular group of children without one "character" or another to believe in, even a little. ]

[If he doesn't look at or acknowledge the look then it doesn't exist and he doesn't have to think about his own complicated feelings re: Aziraphale thinking he's kind or nice or sweet.]

Ugh, don't bring hope into it. [Time to make a face like he's a cat that smelled something bad. You know the one.] I've been playing the bloody monster under the bed and scaring the shite outta a few bullies, it isn't a big deal.

[The other thing about the kids and teens that are drawn to a demon is that they sometimes have the sort of shit going on in their lives that justifies the use of excessive terror in their defense. So he's gotten to be kind of nasty, just not at the kids themselves.

But he's going to try to distract from this topic.]

You about ready to order, or do you need a few more minutes?

[ Aziraphale tips his head to the side a bit, considering. ]

I expect it's quite big for them. [ But. If Crowley is feeling a bit squirmish about the ends his demonic means are justifying right now, if he'd rather leave it off there... perhaps a thread to pick back up some other time.

As with most threads related to the fact that Crowley is much kinder and more generous and overall good than he's ever been allowed to take the credit for. Work in progress. ]

I'm ready when you are, thank you.

[That earns a vague wave of Crowley's hand, in part to acknowledge Aziraphale's point without having to actually use his words or fully commit to the idea that he's doing something kind or important and not just an act of selfishness.

Fortunately, his very clever distraction worked, so he uses a nudge of a miracle to bring a waiter over. He does almost forget what even brought them here, but remembers to order the Sua Rong Hai, along with a whiskey soda, before leaving the rest to Aziraphale.]

[ Aziraphale is the winner of every conversation and debate: a totally accurate, non-biased fact based in science for sure. This is how relationships work.

Crowley remembers what he came here for which means that Aziraphale knocks remembering it off of his short term things-to-mind list. He can get back to his element, which is the element of ordering the black pepper sea bream and some white wine. He's moisturized, flourishing, etc.

And, very relevant once they're left to their own devices again: ]

This is a charming establishment, isn't it? You said we've got one back home as well?

[ See he listened earlier and everything! He just had to wait for his big coat-related feelings to process before it could queue up.

Might add this bar to the occasional not-date-night rotation slot. ]

[It's never a surprise when Aziraphale picks up the thread of a since passed conversation, and Crowley's just relieved it's about the bar and not the whole 'doing nice things for kids' situation.]

Yup. [With the trademark David Tennant 'pop at the end of the p'.] They've got a great whiskey collection. Even make their own pop in house for the whiskey sodas.

[He won't admit that he's had an eye on it because he thought Aziraphale would find it charming and hoped maybe to take him there on a not-date.]

Not to mention that cheap drinks and good food make a great spot for doing a bit of tempting.

[That's a good excuse for knowing about it.]

[ Aww. They make their own pop. That's lovely.

It would have been a little bit funny to watch Crowley be grumpy if he'd brought them all this way and nothing was here, but this is nicer than that timeline overall. The hand touching alone, let alone drinks and food and ambiance... wouldn't trade that. ]

For tempter and tempted, I'm sure. [ A tiny flirt. Because if not now, when.

It's a nice thought, though, sort of. That every once in a while, maybe Crowley just got to do a bit of light work in a lovely little place and cap off with a drink. Aziraphale supposes that being a bit tied to an association with the job (former) explains why Crowley wouldn't have told him about this restaurant before. Two different tracks. ]

[The flirting economy is so real and true; Crowley has no idea what to do with it aside from looking a bit delighted and amused by it all.]

I'd been meaning to ask if you'd want to check it out — back home, you know — but there's so many bloody Thai places right in Soho that are just as good.

[Look, he didn't even make a dig about Aziraphale being stuck in his ways! Even though that his partially true, since they often stick with familiar places rather than try something new, but it isn't like Crowley couldn't have suggested it, so he can't tease Aziraphale about it.]

[ Wow... not even a little poke at being a creature of habit. ]

Just one of the many reasons to enjoy being in Soho. [ He says, like he doesn't plan to simply avoid going to Soho the entire time they're in this reality because he doesn't want to see Not His Shop and confront feeling bad emotions about that. ] Still, I suppose this makes a fair case for stepping out on occasion.

[ Practically a proper date in all but name and stated intention. One day Aziraphale will work up the nerve and even hit those qualifiers. One day. ]

The cafes aren't half bad, either.

[Also the bookshop and therefore Aziraphale are there, which is reason alone to spend a lot of time in Soho. He can't just say that out loud, though.]

We ought to have a list, restaurants and the like that we've been meaning to visit.

[With each other is implied. That's the best he can do, because actually stating it feels far too dangerous.]

[ Don't look like you've been working on precisely that sort of list recently, don't look like you've been working on precisely that sort of list recently.

No it's fine, he'll direct all that energy into looking dumb and delighted. He loves Crowley so much he can't stand it. Normal life events. ]

I'd like that. Really adds up over time, these things, you know. Humans. [ ~Humans~. Oh how they go on. ] Never stop building.

[ Aziraphale has refused to learn to google if places are still open and/or extant, but he'll give it 100%. ]

[The urge to chew his own arm off is rising, mostly because having emotions is so damn uncomfortable, especially when they revolve around Aziraphale looking at him all dumb and delighted.

He does genuinely consider bringing the vape back into existence, but knows Aziraphale would fuss at him about it, and the joke stops being funny after a while.]

Honestly, I don't think even other humans can keep up. [That makes no sense. Two immortal beings without jobs (the shop doesn't count) should really have an easier time of it.] There was this pub in Ireland a few centuries back that I never did get the chance to try. Still haunts me, it does.

[He's being silly. To distract from Feelings.]