1 // Temptation - Video

[serpentinthegarden]

[ The magic mirror displayed a scene of total chaos. A horse’s cart was halfway up a tree, in flames, and the horse that was meant to be the engine for the thing was running around loose sending people scattering off the sidewalks as it thundered by. Crowley held the mirror and looked back at the scene before walking away. ]

That could have gone better. Probably goes without saying I’m not going to be a carriage driver...

[ A small pause while the cart exploded and someone in the background screamed. ]

Anyone heard of--

[ He was suddenly interrupted by a little angry man who shouted after the demon, something about a wrecked cart, but it was difficult to hear anything but Crowley’s replies. ]

Pay you? You ought to be paying me! Like it’s my fault the horse doesn’t like demons! You never once said the horse doesn’t like demons!

[ Crowley waved the man off with a less-than-polite gesture and crash landed grumpily onto the nearest free bench, though with the panicked horse running wild most of the benches were empty. Most of the street too. People had piled into the nearest building which just so happened to be a candy shop. ]

As I was trying to ask before I was interrupted, anyone else heard of any other job openings? Not having the best of luck with it... I would have done fine as a driver but that horse--

[ He was interrupted again before he could continue. Crowley snarled as he turned to glare at this new distraction but in doing so he ended up dropping his magic mirror. ]

-- Hours Passed before the Mirror flared to life again --

[ Unsurprisingly it was to bear witness to another scene of chaos this time one of children and their parents frantically snatching up every boxed or bagged candy they could lay their hands on while one demon clad in uncharacteristically in white and sporting a lovely red striped bandanna carefully watched over their every action from behind the counter. ]

Everybody in here better be buying something or you are going back outside and trust me you don’t want to be out there with that horse still on the loose!

Comments

[serpentinthegarden]

HA!

[ The barked laugh drew the attention of those milling about in the candy store but when there was nothing strange going on they went back to their shopping. ]

I was wondering what she was doing walking around without shoes. That's brilliant angel.

[ And deserving of a reward. Let's see... He moved over to the glass case filled with all those wonderful little hand dipped treats and picked something truly angelic. The small treat was retrieved from the case with a set of tongs and placed on a delicate piece of serving foil. ]

Raspberry cordial, it's... to use a phrase I can't believe I'm about to use, heavenly.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[the HA pleases him almost more than he can say. Also the brilliant part. He flaps a hand at the demon, flushing slightly at the compliment even though a small part of him is wondering if he should really be happy with a compliment from a demon but the rest of him doesn't care.

His feathers fluff at intrigue at the chocolate, so delicately placed and standing out pleasantly against the serving foil.]

Ohhhh. [pinching it carefully between thumb and forefinger, he pops it in his mouth and]

Mmmmmmm~~ [oh, it's positively divine! The way the chocolate melts on his tongue, just sweet enough! The sudden delicious curl of raspberry~! The lingering taste that swirls through his senses~~. Give him a moment as he enjoys it and afterwards opens his eyes]

Oh, that is stupendous! Who would have thought they would be such talented choclatiers!

[serpentinthegarden]

[ There was something wickedly enjoyable about watching Aziraphale eat. The angel always projected his feelings for the dishes he found tasty in the most exquisite ways. That hum was like music and the wings, he always thought to check them now, were wonderfully happy. He almost expected them to flutter!

Some where in the store a lollipop hit the ground but Crowley didn't feel the need to look away from such an intriguing show. ]

Chef is a master chocolatier, trained in France.

[ He leaned forward as this gave him a better view and made a wicked suggestion to prolong the show. ]

Would you like to try a French Cream?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

French trained? [his wings don't flutter so much as sweep up and out, like he was about to deliver some very good tidings indeed] Really? Oh, Crowley... [he absently rests a hand on the demon's arm.]

You don't think-- He doesn't do patisserie too, does he? [brioche, crepes, macaroons, raspberry mille-feuille with chocolate sauce... He couldn't be so lucky. Could he?]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Oh he liked that. Found the only French Trained Chef in town, accidentally at that, and hadn't it send Aziraphale's senses reeling? Crowley slowly nodded to the display case which did indeed hold a few small cakes, Petit Fours actually, but they were a small hint at what the man's skills might be.

Crowley smiled and teasingly bit his lip just to watch the angel before him fidget in anticipation. ]

Mmm.

[ The delicate hum of signaled agreement to everything Aziraphale was thinking possibly more. ]

He doesn't keep much of those sorts of things in stock but he does do special orders. Just as well really, who wants a limp crepe that's been in the case all day?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[that lip bite was mildly distracting. But not quite as distracting as the petit fours which he moved to get a closer look at]

Oh they look absolutely scrummy. You don't suppose I could sample one, could I? After all-- I mean-- it could be it's not in his wheelhouse. French trained doesn't mean mouth watering pastries necessarily.

[he gives Crowley a hopeful look. Almost pleading. One could even call it puppy eyed]

[serpentinthegarden]

Scrummy?

[ Aziraphale and his strange words...

Crowley stayed where he was, leaning on the counter and just smirking at the angel who by this point had transformed entirely into a kid in a candy store. Then he sort of swayed in place before taking his time to open the case and collect one of the little petit fours decorated with a light pink heart. Another treat delivered on a square of silver foil. ]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Absolutely scrummy.

[he can't help but beam as the treat is presented just the same way, but hesitates to take it. What if it isn't as delicious as he thought it might be? Why did this feel a little nerve wracking all of a sudden? His wings flutter a moment, then he licks his upper lip in a quick way before taking it]

Chin chin! [he salutes Crowley with the pastry and takes a bite]

MMMmmH~ [it's perfect. Well, not entirely perfect. It has been sitting in a glass case for a while! But perfect enough that he knows fresh will be positively delectable. It is so light and the flavors are delicate but with an explosion of sweetness and a faint undertone of citrus and it is the one bright spot in this whole terrible situation. An excellent chocolatier and pastry chef right at his fingertips! Now all he needs is to find a premiere sushi place and it would be very tempting to not want to leave at all! No matter what they faced]

Oh, Crowley [he fairly groans this] Oh this is incredible. It's going to be quite impossible to stop. Here...

[he holds up the other half, small though it is] You must try this. I can't keep it all to myself. You won't regret it, I can assure you.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Such a wonderful way to have his name spoken! Little pleasures like that one were why he enjoyed spoiling the angel so much. Course he wasn't above being spoiled himself...

He cast a quick look around the room to make sure no patrons, or especially the boss, were looking this way. Chef was busy though, pouring out some hot sugar for a custom sugar cake topper that had been special ordered this morning. Crowley didn't know much about baking but he did know Chef would be distracted enough with that work so that he wouldn't notice the indiscretion of his cashier.

He then leaned over the counter and collected the dainty offered cake with a flick of his tongue, his lips just close enough to brush against fingertips. He had been told one never touches anything from the display case with their bare hands... or so he would say if he were called out for the action. ]

Oh that is good! Like... hellishly good!

I mean I thought he could cook, but I hadn't been able to try anything. We should... probably put in a special order.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he had thought that Crowley would take it with his fingertips.

The sight of his tongue was completely unexpected and the faint wet heat of it, the brush of his lips and breath a warm whisper over Aziraphale's own --sending alarming thrills right through him. The taste of the petit fours was almost completely forgotten for all that it lingered in his mouth. It was rather like a aperitif, making him hungry for something else entirely.]

Yes... er... [he flexes his wings, folds them, flexes them again. The room seems too small for them and even he notices his feathers have gone a bit queer.] Yes, we should.

I mean! No. It would be expensive, don't you think? Food like that always is... But...it would be nice to er... indulge...

[someone out of the corner of his ear was trying to get Crowely's attention and Aziraphale wished they would be quiet because the small crumb that had somehow remained on Crowley's upper lip was highly distracting]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ He should've. It would have been the more polite thing to do but this was more fun! Poor Aziraphale's wings looked like a wonky disco ball, just shooting little rays of light in all random directions. He did long to reach out and straighten them... or worse! Ruffle them further, that too might have been more fun! ]

I could see if he could cut me a deal?

[ And he did reach around to pat his back pocket. ]

And I do have Shad--...

[ Shadwell's payment he had almost said. Right there in his back pocket. Enough for the Witchfinder and his men, but Aziraphale wasn't meant to know about his own personal army so Crowley quickly altered course. ]

... a few hundred in my back pocket. I think we do deserve a treat after everything! Besides I've held this job twice as long as any of the others... and nothing's exploded yet. Cause to celebrate I think.

[ If everything continued going as well he would be getting paid for his time next week anyway. Course... ignoring that customer trying to gain his attention could place that in jeopardy but staring into a pair of pale blue eyes and tempting them with an evening's delight... of cake... held his entire unblinking focus. ]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[they looked like a wonky nothing! If they were so frazzled, it was only because he was. He blinked at the name Shad. It had a familiar ring to it somehow. But the fact that it was money from the real world-- or perhaps the other world. Their world. Grounded him somehow. Made him come back to himself in the crowded shop with the increasingly demanding customers and him desiring many things he ought not be desiring-- a treat being the least of those things]

Er... No... [he held his wings tightly against his back.] Or rather, no thank you. You should save that for a rainy day or-- whatever. Who knows when we might-- when you might need it. [because he simply couldn't be that beholden to a demon. Even if it was Crowley with his long tongue and elegant handsome face]

Anyway, I just came to say hallo, but I should probably get back to practice. Magic-- Miracles won't train themselves, you know.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Crowley's smile faded as his head tilted slightly to the side in disappointment. He finally found something he could do for the angel and Aziraphale wouldn't let him? ]

It's no trouble. I can always find some way to replace it.

[ Maybe through underhanded and nefarious means but it could be done. ]

And it has been raining... pretty damn heavily the past few days. We could use the pick-me-up.

[ Not physical rain but certainly emotional. Can you see those kicked puppy eyes only partly hidden behind his shades? Let him do this for you angel!

The noisy crowd milling about and beginning to crowd around the counter was given a wave, 'not now... busy here' which temporarily shushed all but the most aggressive. ]

Anything you want, I'll get it for you. Just say what it is.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[it was difficult. He knew what Crowley wanted. Had known for quite some time. Well, ultimately wanted anyway. He couldn't help but be touched by it, even if the why tended to escape him. The more troubling thing was how much Aziraphale was tempted by it. It would be wonderful to just give in and let Crowley... well, let him give him whatever. Regardless of where or how he got it. But he couldn't do that. In the end, what was he even encouraging? Something that he couldn't let develop. It couldn't last when they went home and had people looking over their shoulders. It would cause entirely too much trouble.

But that sad disappointed look. It also hurt to see. They had a certain measure of freedom here. And he also wanted to indulge in it for Crowley's sake if nothing else. Why should he be made miserable because of miserable politics and the fact that...well...for some reason he'd decided Aziraphale was-- well someone...somewhat important to him. Though sometimes he wondered if it might have been better if they had remained enemies.

No point in dwelling on that he supposed. Instead folded his hands in front of him, feathers smoothing over, expressing nothing either here nor there. What could he ask for? Certainly not cake in as much as he wanted it. Or delicious crepes. Or something deep and dark and sweet... But...]

Meet me for tea later? At the Carnation? I think I'd like that very much.

[though he knew that wasn't the kind of answer Crowley wanted, but he hoped it was at least worth something]

[serpentinthegarden]

Tea?

[ Of all the things Angel, tea? He was baffled by the very simple request but he would take it. ]

Yea, tea. After work.

[ Nothing else? No... delicate French Cream, eclair or one of your beloved crepes? Just tea? His head still lulled disappointingly to one side wishing that there could be more than that but the customers were beginning to push in around them and would need to be seen to before they rioted. ]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Thank you. [he rests a lingering hand on Crowley's arm, not going to make him suffer the indignity of being kissed on the cheek in front of all these humans-- though it is tempting]

I'll see you soon. [he gives his arm a little squeeze and then heads out. He doesn't particularly feel right leaving Crowley behind with all those customers and more to come and so, through the glass, gestures and flips the sign to closed. Crowley will have to flip it back eventually he's sure-- but at least this will relieve a little pressure]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ The candy store closed a little earlier than most of the other shops on the strip so Crowley was able to meet back up with Aziraphale even before the sun began to set. He caught sight of those white wings already sitting at a table and sauntered over to join him. ]

So, how did the training go?

[ He waved to the waiter for his usual cup of tea and when he received an answering nod he practically melted into the chair. ]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he had been there more or less since he'd left the candy shop, reading through the stack of tomes by his elbow-- mostly on magic and magic theory. The tea at his elbow had long since grown cold but he hadn't noticed as he'd puzzled over everything. He didn't even notice Crowley until he spoke and when he looked up, there were dark smudges under his eyes. Still, he smiled as he saw the tired demon.]

Absolutely dreadful. I haven't felt this way since the last Centennial and that was a monster let me tell you. [he yawned hugely] Oh, pardon me. [he took his specs off and tucked them in his pocket before rubbing a hand over bleary eyes and glancing at Crowley once more]

And how are you, my dear? You look beat. It's amazing to see you working so hard! And putting up with so much. I could never do it. Even on the busiest days I have to close up early because humans can get so intolerable when they're pushy. One time I miracled the scent of wet wool in the shop so strongly that even I could barely stand it and I still had people that lingered for a good fifty minutes. Stubborn creatures I'll give them that.

[serpentinthegarden]

Centennial, yeah... real beast those.

[ Crowley shrugged as if he had any idea how one of those could be a 'monster'. ]

9 to 5, I don't now how humans do it. Day in and out the same thing. Least the selling people things is easy enough. One little suggestion and they will buy literally anything. I had one of them making an offer on the display case before the day was out.

But there is always that one that tries to push you. You'd think with the dozens of stores around she might have decided to steal from a different one!

[ A sneer as he imagined a bookstore full of wet wool smell. ]

They probably just thought that was the old book smell. Wonder if skunk spray would have worked out better?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Mm. Well I expect demons don't have to do them. Possibly the only thing I'm the teensiest bit envious of.

[he laughs a bit at Crowley's suggesting]

I bet you did, you old snake. [and nudges his foot playfully under the table. He takes a sip of his tea, makes a face and taps it, yawning again before taking another sip of the now steaming liquid.]

I don't know how either. It was all I could do to keep people from buying anything and I could barely do five hours of that most days. And it might have worked, the skunk spray, but then I'd have to smell it and I'd never be able to unsmell it. [and then it would never go away]

I'm surprised you didn't encourage the thief. [another little tap against his foot]

[serpentinthegarden]

Me too!

[ Only those friendly little taps at his foot allowed for confession. After all... it was something likely to impress an angel wasn't it? ]

But, it was the first job I hadn't been fired from within the first few minutes and she was such a brat...

[ And maybe he kind of liked Chef for giving him a chance when no one else would. Maybe he was a decent guy and didn't deserve to be stolen from.
His tea arrived giving him the welcome distraction of adding sugar and having that first warm sip as he casually stretched a leg that just happened to glance against Aziraphale's. ]

Find anything interesting in your books?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

I met a brat as well. Humans... [he rolls his eyes and then bumps his leg against Crowley's, liking the warmth of it.] But don't strain yourself unnecessarily, dear. I'd hate to see you wear yourself out. [he looked like he had already]

I've found this and that. Nothing really helpful except ideas for channeling spellwork. But it all comes back to the Spark. The idea is that Inspiration is both a byproduct and a fuel for this Spark. And that is where magic or miracles come from. Which is how I was able to heal you as I was not drawing power from the Almighty but myself.

[serpentinthegarden]

You say that but I'm not the one with the bags under my eyes.

[ Just pointing it out because he cares not giving fashion advice. ]

When was the last time you had a rest, a proper rest, not one of those power naps you have been taking?

[ Quite enjoying this little under the table game he decided to push the limits by placing his knee by Aziraphale's and leaving it there while he lulled his head back and grinned. ]

I inspired a spark?

[ For the healing but that did have other much more teasing meanings. ]

What is channeling spellwork anyway? Sounds like a good name for a band.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

I don't have the time. If we want to get out of here before Christmas I have to apply myself. And there is so much to learn. [he sighs and looks at the stack of books; then is distracted by the warmth of Crowley's knee by his. He smiles and rests his against the demon's, even curling his leg around just a little so their calves rest together. Somehow it makes his toes curl but he pretends it doesn't]

Of course you did. I knew I had to help you. Spark out of necessity I suppose is my gift. I will have to spend more time in service. [he is looking forward to that] Which is what I suppose should be doing anyway.

And oh, it just means-- well the body is a conduit from the mind to the- [he waves a hand] surroundings. Basically using inner energy to create precise miracles or magic or spellwork or whatever you choose to call it.

[serpentinthegarden]

You better make the time. You won't be any use to anyone if you are too tired to do any of that magic you've been learning about.

[ And before there could be a protest he had an angel themed reason! ]

Even God rested on the seventh day. And you have been here 'training' for far more than seven days already.

Actually...

[ Crowley's leg moved away from Aziraphale's as he stood and grabbed the back of the angel's chair to pull it out and away from the table, fingers only lightly running over a few stray white feathers as he did so. ]

Let's go home. We could both use the rest. We can take the tea with us.

[ He gestured to the same waiter for some 'take home' cups. Ugly things that they were they did at least keep tea spill free and piping hot. ]