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[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he has done this a few times by now, and for some reason is feeling less than enthusiastic about it. Perhaps it's the rain, or the ghosts outside that give him cold chills whenever they go past. Or perhaps he's just tired. He's been practicing more lately, though hasn't seem to have gotten much better.

He somehow manages to keep his expression friendly and open as he faces the mirror, white wings standing out against the gray light coming in behind him]

Hello... My name is Aziraphale, or Mr. Fell, if you prefer. I would like to welcome everyone who has newly arrived-- and I don't envy you having to brave the beastly weather to get here. Still, the clouds will soon part as they say.

I know that many of you must be weary or frightened, or even dare I say, angry, at the situation you have found yourselves thrust into. But if we all work together and combine our efforts and talents, I'm sure that we'll have the Corrosion beaten back in no time. So keep a stiff upper lip and keep moving forward.

And of course, if you need anything, my door is open in the hours listed or by previous appointment.

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[az_shrimp_horny]

[She smiles warmly at Aziraphale]

Hey, can I come by sometime to return those books you leant me? I should probably pick up a couple more if I'm gonna help these new people with training...

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[blessedarethebookmakers]

[it's evening by he answers. He's not in his flat and is, in fact, in the bar and has been for a while]

Oh... Sure... come by any time. Any time. I won't be there but take what you want, dear, I trust you. Just...just try not to dog ear anything. [he flops a hand]

[az_shrimp_horny]

[While it's nice that he trusts her, she still frowns a little.]

Hey, bud... You okay?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Abso-- Ahb-- Yes.... Yes I am... just... peachy [smile and he rests his cheek on his fist] How are you?

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She's not sure she believes him. So she's taking a walk. He may or may not notice the movement behind her.]

I'm doing alright. Got a new roommate.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Oh, I'm sorry... I hope it's someone you can get on with. And I'm sorry about Rosabella, but maybe it's for the best. Only prof... only ... humans shouldn't be involved you know. But I suppose they must be involved in...in everything.

[az_shrimp_horny]

Thanks. I, uh, guess it's a good thing my roommate is a mouse, then.

[She's walking as fast as she can. Just gotta keep him talking til she gets there.]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Mm. Shy. Just what we need. Another please. [this to the barkeep] Make that three. [the shots are placed in front of him and he downs them in succession]

Any children?

[az_shrimp_horny]

No, Aziraphale, not mousy shy. I mean she's an actual, literal, talking mouse. She's got a little room in the corner of my bedroom. Our bedroom. Wait, is it our bedroom if she has her own bedroom inside of it?

[duuuuuude. She can see the bar. It won't be long, now!]

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he gives her a long look, then wiggles his fingers and the bottle is set in front of him.]

Ssssplendid.

[chug]

[az_shrimp_horny]

[There's a long pause while Eleanor makes it to the bar and throws open the door. Shoving the mirror in her pocket, she walks over and pulls the bottle from Aziraphale's hand.]

Spill. What's going on?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

What? [he blinks at her] That was pretty... pretty rude of you. You could have asked [he takes a swipe at it] This isn't manifest destinry you know.

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She pulls the bottle back so he can't reach it without getting very very close and reaching around her. Looking around Aziraphale, she glares at the bartender, silently warning him to keep his distance.]

You don't usually drink like this. 'least not that I've seen. That's usually Crowley's thing. Aziraphale... Talk to me.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Mmm he does, doesn't he? Looks very good, you know. Brooding. [he tries to magic little legs on the drink to bring it closer but only results in a few bar stools tap dancing]

It's nothing... Just another effort in vain really. D'you...d'you know... we... Crowley and I... well.... Crowley's a special case. Sort of. Very sad. But initially, at the beginning when...the heaven and earth and whatsit. .. Well before that... or perhaps because of it... we were created to... to help humanity on but.... I really do think that angels aren't really needed. Mankind always does the best and the worst to itself and we are...are just the ones who need something to do out of...sympathy or something. Like when there's a first run print and it's horrible but the second one is so much better and actually reddable... reda.... able to be read.

[az_shrimp_horny]

[Eleanor glares at the bar stools.]

Stop that.

[They immediately stop in their tracks...though they're fixed to the spot for the time being. Keeping her hold on the bottle, she returns her gaze to her friend, concern obvious in her eyes.]

But aren't first editions super valuable?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Mmm quite. [he rests his cheek on his fist again] But really quite useless, my dear. Honestly. They're just there to be shown off, exclaim over a history or the story and then forgotten until its preserervation time again or company comes.

But it is nothing a human needs to worry about. [he pats her arm and tries to grab the bottle back]

[az_shrimp_horny]

Nice try.

[She continues playing keep away with the bottle, knowing full well that if he really tried he could get it away from her. But that wasn't going to stop her.]

You're not useless. Not at all! And stop with this "human" crap. I'm human but I'm also your friend and that's more important right now.

[blessedarethebookmakers]

[he did stop and watched her a moment]

You wouldn't be if you knew. And you shouldn't be. We're not allowed to frar ... just... friend with humans on that level. Any level. We are above. Holier. Meant to guide the way to ef..no, I can't even try...bubbly bliss. Heaven.

Everything else is pretense. [a small smile] Or, as you'd be familiar with, customer service. Except here? Here in this place. I never leave the register.

[he titters and then slumps back in seat, wings drooping near to the floor but not all the way as he's not that drunk.]

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She sighs, putting a hand on his shoulder.]

I get it, bud. This place sucks ass. But you're still helping people. And look at me! I'm already dead, so don't get me started on where that leaves me on the whole human thing. But you can still help me become a better person so I can get into The Good Place!

[See?! You can still guide!]

Not to mention all the new people you help. Aziraphale, bud, you're so important here.

[She paused, frowning.]

What brought all this on? Did something happen?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Yes. Of course. I know. I can help everyone. Are you being served?

[that was the problem. That was what he needed to do. That was what he was made for. That was what was driving him mad]

Problem is I am a terrible angel. You wouldn't see Gabriel caring. He would just smile and be sanctimonious and do unto others. But he can charm skin off a snake. That's what a real angel is. Not tempted. Not caring more than the blanket...blanket thing. Job. Yes.

But I've decided... I've made a decision. D'you know what it is? Do you wish to?

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She just nodded and pretended she understood his drunken ramblings. Her parents only forced her to go to church and Sunday school when they didn't want to watch her and couldn't find anyone else to. So she didn't know anything about Gabriel or what the blanket thing or job was... But that didn't matter. She'd let him vent and get out whatever he needed to.

She tilted her head, nodding.]

What did you decide?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

I am simply going to be better. If Gabriel can do it, so can I. In fact everyone can but me. So it is time to...to return to that mindset. Though it has been six thousand years I am sure I can.

[az_shrimp_horny]

[She thinks for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip. ]

Oooookaaaaaay... What does that mean for the rest of us? [For Crowley...] Are you gonna start treating us differently now?

[blessedarethebookmakers]

Honestly, my dear, I doubt you'll know the difference. [which says as much about his own self confidence as anything] May I have my bottle back?

[az_shrimp_horny]

OK... I'm not sure if that was a dig at me or you so I'm just gonna roll with it.

[She turns more fully towards him, leaving the bottle within his reach.]

Did you think about the fact that what makes you you is the fact that you're not like Gabriel and the others? I know what it's like to want.. No... To need to be better. Just don't lose yourself in the process.