Phale's Rare Books, Sunday

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

Crowley sits in the comfortable chair. His tea is getting cold beside him as he holds a card and a small glass jar sealed with wax. The inside swirls black and red. He can feel its anger and hatred and torment when he holds it tightly. He's never given me anything so very lovely. His tongue darts out, slithering against his upper lip. He drops his glasses slightly and looks at it, unfiltered. It's hideous. Delicious.


((The book store is open, but for now you won't get the comforting advice of Phale. No...not even kind of))

Comments

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

((has Crowley just eaten Evil!Paige cos I think she'd like that!))

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

((yeah realised I'd misread it, she's his precious he should be nice, but then she'd like the torment, so yeah as you were :D))

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Having stopped at the Perk to pick up some coffee and muffins for herself and Kate for breakfast, Shane sipped at her cup as she headed home. She hoped Kate would still be sleeping by the time she got back, so that she'd have the pleasure of waking her up for breakfast.

Walking by Mr. Phale's shop, she noticed the lights on inside. She wanted to thank Mr. Phale for being so kind to her the previous evening and so she opeend the door and slipped inside, hoping she might find him there.

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

He sits in the chair, next to the tea table. When he hears the door open, he smoothly pushes his glasses back up, covering his eyes]

Hello, lovely girl. What can I do for you?

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Hearing that low, hissing voice, Shane stops in her tracks and turns to look at him. "I... I was looking for Mr. Phale," she says quietly.

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

He's resting, dearest one. But do come in. Have some tea with a lonely old fellow. I'm Crowley...Mr. Phale's oldest and dearest friend. [He motions to the other chair]

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Shane glances at the chair for a moment uncertainly and then looks back at Crowley. She'd met him on Friday and yet he was acting as though he'd never met her. "Yeah," she murmurs. "I know. I met you. Remember? In the park a couple of nights ago?"

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes. I was distracted by the ducks, dearest. And my memory isn't what it once was...forgive an old fellow, Shane. [He appears to be in his early to mid thirties].

Might I inquire what you wanted to talk to my angel about? Perhaps I could be of service.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"I just... wanted to thank him for the other night," Shane says with a slight shrug. He'd been kind to her and it was still something she was trying to get used to ... kindness from people who had no reason to give it beyond the simple fact that they wanted to.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Looking sleepy and slightly rumpled, Aziraphale enters the room from the stairs. He's barefoot, wearing only a pair of slightly wrinkled slacks and a somewhat worn-looking sweater. It takes him a moment to realize that he isn't alone.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

Hearing the creak of wood, Shane turns her head and sees Mr. Phale coming downstairs. "Mr. Phale... hey, " she says, smiling.

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

Angel...you should be resting. It's not every day you...[looks back at Shane and silences himself. He rises and walks over to Phale and takes his arm and leads him to his chair] Here, sit and talk to Shane. She's brought you a little thank you gift, and I'll make a fresh pot. Sit.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale looks in surprise at Crowley. "I'm terribly sorry, was I interrupting... Shane! My dear, how are you?"

He lets Crowley stear him to the chair and sits down, giving the demon a soft smile.

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"I'm good, thank you," Shane says, smiling as she watches Crowley assisting Mr. Phale, though there is concern evident in her eyes.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

He returns her smile with a slightly sleepy one of his own. "I'm glad. What brings you here?"

Casting a slightly worried glance at the retreating demon, he adds, "He isn't bothering you, is he?"

[shane-mcc.livejournal.com]

"Not exactly," she says. After a moment, she smirks. "I think I was bothering him. He was nice to me and... it bugged him, I think. Really a lot."

"I just... wanted to thank you for last night," Shane says quietly. "This week was ... pretty rough for me and... I really appreciate it. That you... you know, care."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Of course I care, my dear. I believe you'll find there are quite a number of people who do." He smiles and again looks toward the kitchen.

"He forgets himself sometimes, and it makes him a bit cranky when he realizes it."

[kikidelivers.livejournal.com]

Outside the window, Kiki lands on the sidewalk, hops off her broom and comes tripping lightly inside, Jiji scampering playfully at her heals. She props her broom against the wall in the corner, calling "Hello, Mr. Aziraphale!" and plucks the book Aziraphale had given her last time, Collected Works of Robert Frost off the shelf by the door where she had placed it when she last left. She turns towards her usual chair by the window and the tea, and for the first time comes face to face with the dark new-comer that she's heard about.

Jiji is looking at him apprehensively, but Kiki, after a moment being startled, bobs a quick curtsey and says, "Hello."

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

Hello, poppet. Come for tea?

[kikidelivers.livejournal.com]

"Yes, thank you," she says with cheerful politeness, "I ususally have some while I'm here. I think I need to start paying Mr. Aziraphale for it, given how much of it I drink." She comes over and sits in the chair opposite, resting the book of poetry on her lap. "I don't believe I've met you; my name is Kiki."

She looks like she's 15 years old and more of an open book than pretty much anything in this store.

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

Kiki, of course. Mr. Phale told me all about you, poppet. I do wish you'd be less of a pest, my dear. He is getting up there, you know.

[kikidelivers.livejournal.com]

Kiki's smile vanishes and her cheery face falls. With no real experience or talent hiding her feelings, it's obvious that she's crushed and her eyes water. Under the chair, Jiji hisses softly.

"Well, then," Kiki rallies bravely, blinking back her tears, "I will just have to help him out more, then." She slowly opens the book on her lap, but it's obvious by the way she is staring blankly at one page that she's not actually reading it.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Coming out of the kitchen, Aziraphale spots the newcomers. "Kiki, Jiji. I thought I heard voices." He smiles at both, and bends down to scratch Jiji's ears. "Have you come for another book?"

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

And tea, angel. I was just about to offer her a tart.