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

[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. ]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he could argue, but that was true. God did rest. There had been silence in heaven for a little while. But it had been a glorious silence, thick and golden and lazy. He had spent much of it watching the Earth and drinking up its beauty.

He pouted as Crowley moved away and then blinked at the rather forceful chair pull; this accompanied by a wave of goosebumps that washed down his neck at the accidental brush against his feathers.]

Perhaps you're right. I could use a comfy chair and a nice cup of tea. Perhaps we could even make a small meal. [though he wasn't particularly looking forward to that. He yawned again and gathered up his books, making a bit of a precarious stack of them]

These seem to get heavier each time. [if only he had a strong and virile demon to help him...]

[serpentinthegarden]

You could use a comfy bed and several hours without a book open.

[ The plan was altered some what on the fly as he snatched the books out of the Angel's hands. Really, he looked like he might drop them at any minute... ]

But maybe we could work a meal in there if you are hungry.

[ Just have the restaurant staff slip a few sandwiches into a take away box. They were quick and would fill a void even if they weren't overly fancy. The meal such as it was was collected and carried on top of the books. Thankfully they did have those nice boxes that could carry both teas and sandwiches without fear of dropping them.]

Lead the way, angel.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he does carry the teas as he can't leave Crowley carrying everything. But it's nice to be relieved of the weight for the moment. He rolls his shoulders a bit and heads out into the evening. The sun has almost set and high above are the first beginnings of twilight.]

Well, at least not a book on spellcraft! It would be boring without anything to read. [and he likes the stimulation even though... A third yawn catches him unawares] These mortal bodies are such a pain.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Oh that's nice, Aziaphale carrying the tea gave him one less thing to juggle. Once they made it back to the apartment he did still have to wait until the angel unlocked the door before he could enter and set that large stack of books down on a table not too very close to the bedroom, so Aziraphale wouldn't be tempted to dive back into research. ]

You will be sleeping, angel... You won't have time to read anything.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

So imperious. [he hung up his coat before flopping down on one of the soft recliners and making his fingers in a gesture. The little clock radio began to play some slow jazzy music, the kind usually found in lifts. It wasn't Mozart, but it would do.]

You don't wear it well you know. Being bossy. It'll have to take a lot more convincing on your end.

[not that he was against sleep per se, but he had done so much of it lately.]

I just need a little bit of coffee and I'll be fine. [his stomach growled] And a sandwich if you don't mind. [since he was holding them and all]

[serpentinthegarden]

It won't take as much as you say... if the way you keep yawning is any indication.

[ The box of food was brought over and placed on the side table between the recliners. Crowley himself flopped into the chair beside Aziraphale's and tucked into the tea straight after having a bite of sandwich. It was remarkable how hungry a day's work could make you. ]

And humans might be able to keep themselves away longer with coffee but they do still have to sleep sometimes. We're... practically human now. It is something we do have to do.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Hush. [he has nothing more to say to that other than to take a sandwich himself. It's decent and filling and with the tea it's almost serviceable]

I seem to be doing too much sleeping lately. [but not as deep as Crowley had during the new moon, thank goodness]

How is your training coming along? [they hadn't had much time to do much at all together. Maybe a rest was in order if only to spend more time with him and this]

[serpentinthegarden]

E--eh...

[ Crowley bobbed his head in that way you do when there is a question asked you really don't want to dive too deeply into. ]

It's been alright. Been doing a lot of self-study...

[ Aka, playing hooky from Hade's lessons. ]

You know once you get over that initial hurtle it isn't so difficult.

[ Only his transformation skills worked best when he was around Aziraphale and seemed to send him into a depressive slump when they failed. No need to mention that. ]

Oh, and I'm fire resistant apparently, still... seems to be my element.

[ Since he nearly roasted some brat yet didn't feel the heat himself. That had to be good for something. ]

You might be napping but that's not really the same as resting. What is it humans need, eight hours a night? You haven't been doing anywhere near that.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he was translating this to things not going well and frowned. He wshed there was some way to help him other than simply being there.]

We should try something together perhaps. [because maybe repetition would help? Practice made perfect, or so they said. He hummed at the idea of Crowley's element being fire. It was hardly surprising after all.]

I didn't know you were watching me so closely. [said blandly] Anyway it really can't be helped.

[serpentinthegarden]

We're roommates! I notice these things.

[ Added cheekily behind a sip of tea. ]

The light being on at all hours of the night is a dead giveaway.

We should try something together.

[ He had himself another bite of sandwich before smirking absolutely wickedly at Aziraphale. ]

I'll show you something I learned when you are ready to head to bed. You can tell me what you think of it.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he clicked his tongue and side eyed him, feathers ruffling a little]

Cheek. [he didn't trust it, but he was curious so] Very well. I'll see what you've got. But I expect to be duly impressed.

[he sniffed a little, then winked at him to show he was joking. As for the light situation, he would just make sure to go into another room or perhaps elsewhere. But it was such a pain to be too far from the bed when the consequences took hold]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ He's going to discover Aziraphale asleep in the tub with a flashlight one of these days, isn't he?

The 'duly impressed' gets a nose scrunch, but he wasn't too worried. If didn't would out well, they would be alone in their own bedroom... it would have to fail really, really, badly to make that situation terrible. ]

Relax it'll work!

[ Probably.
He curled his wings around him as he tucked into another bite of sandwich. ]

Has that been the only side effect you've had, those naps?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Mmm. [he saw that wing curl and wondered what it meant.] Not even going to give me a hint on what it is?

[at the question, he nodded and polished off part of his own sandwich before replying:]

So far, but I feel like I've only been trying one kind of ability. I've been a bit reluctant to try the other quite honestly.

[serpentinthegarden]

Nope.

[ Gives the man more incentive to actually head to bed when their dinner was over! ]

What is the other ability?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Hmmmm. [another look over his tea]

Flying, I believe it's called. Well and also something called Gross but I am not even going to approach it.

[serpentinthegarden]

Flying? You couldn't just...

[ He flapped his wings a few times it illustrate. ]

I wouldn't touch anything Gross either.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

I do believe it's a bit more involved than that, but I'd need a book first to check. [pointed look at the stack]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ A hand landed on the stack of books. ]

It's barely been five minutes since you put one of those books down. Those bags under your eyes aren't going to go away by themselves.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Oh, very well. [but he's pouting mightily at the demon.] Honestly, I'm not made of china.

[he finishes the sandwich and most of the tea] I'm going to take a shower. [and then, he supposes, to bed. If only to see what Crowley has cooked up]

[serpentinthegarden]

You would sit on me if you thought I was doing something that might be too dangerous, I'm only returning the favor.

[ Crowley would rather see the angel smile but it couldn't be denied he had a cute pout. Those books would remain under his protection until a sleep of at least four hours occurred, he might even be caught glancing into one... for the pictures... once the angel's shower was complete. ]

Have a nice bath.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he throws the demon a smirk over his shoulder]

You only wish.

[to be sat on. He fluffs his wings to say that he heard the bath comment and gratefully moves into the bathroom, looking forward to the hot water]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ That might be fun at that. Crowley decided as he returned to his tea and sandwich, just idly flipping through a few pages of book as he did so.

But he did recall an aborted Holy Water heist and an 'It's too dangerous Crowley' plea.

Actually these books were kind of interesting... He'd have to try a few of these ideas. ]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[the shower takes longer than he'd intended, if only because he manages to doze standing up, forehead leaning against the wall. When he does wake up it's with a start-- and a bit of a grumpy one at that. Grumpily, he climbs out of the shower, toweling himself dry and flicking the wet off his wings.

He could step into his old clothes but he is so very tired of wearing them and so goes out in a towel; pausing as he sees Crowley in the act of reading. He fights down a smile and pretends he hasn't notice and instead yawns hugely, giving Crowley to put the book down if he likes.]

At some point I'm really going to have to get some pajamas.