Phale's Rare Books, Monday Afternoon/Evening

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Anyone entering Aziraphale's shop today will be greeted by a new addition -- a comfortable reading area near the back of the shop, complete with comfy armchairs, two couches, and several tables and lamps. An assortment of sandwiches, cookies, and tarts are laid out on trays, accompanied by carafes of hot tea, coffee, and cocoa.

Those visitors looking for Aziraphale himself will find him sitting in his usual chair near the window, examining a copy of Romeo and Juliet and looking rather perplexed.

Comments

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth enters the shop for the first time, looking around curiously

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Looking up from his book, Aziraphale smiles at the young lady as she enters. "Good day, my dear. How can I help you?"

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth smiles back. "Hi there. I'm looking for foreign language books... Russian books and authors in particular."

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige walks in on her way to meeting Jonathan at The Haven

"Mr Phale, I'm sorry I've not been in until now."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale stands up and waves for Elizabeth to follow him as he examines the bookcases. "I'm sure I can help you. Are you looking for any specific subject or author?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

With a slighly raised eyebrow, Aziraphale smiles at Paige. "How are you feeling, Miss Matthews."

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth half shrugs. "Any of the classics really. And also," she looks slightly embarrassed. "Ones aimed more at children... Chekov's White Star or Tolstoy's The Lion and the Dog." She explains quickly. "My grandmother used to read them to me, and they're... comfort books."

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

"apart from finding out my destiny is to protect innocents from evil and as such I will the target of evil I'm ok, mainly. I just wanted to thank you for helping me. I-I was possessed wasn't I? Only a few people seem to doubt it and well I know I saw you pull something out of me but I was hoping perhaps you could explain what happened."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Of course, my dear. Why don't you browse right here and see if there's anything you like, and I'll check my inventory books for the ones you specifically mentioned." He indicates the reading area. "Help yourself to tea if you like."

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth smiles at him. "That would be great, thank you. I can't believe I've not made it in here before!"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"I'm afraid it isn't for me to explain it, my dear. Yes, I can tell you something was there. But I can't tell you how it got there, or how it gained control over you. The only person who can answer that is you.

I can give you this advice, however: don't concern yourself with trying to change what people believe. Generally speaking, the harder you push, the faster they're likely to run. Do what you think is right, and concern yourself with your own well-being, and the others will come around. Those who don't -- it's very likely they never would have."

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige nods solemnly "I understand that, thank you." she looks up at him "Mr Phale what happened to the thing you removed from me? It's gone right? Only..." she trails off, she couldn't talk about what she'd found out yesterday, the only thing she knew was she had to stay strong for her sisters and worrying an evil spirit wasn't helping that much

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

[At the sound of her voice, Crowley comes out of the back room]

Paige, my pet. You came back to me.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale flips through his inventory ledger. "I'd kept rather unpredictable hours upon my arrival, Miss Weir. I imagine that made it difficult for all of you, and I do apologize for that."

Apparently finding what he was looking for, he walks back over to the shelves and pulls out two books. "Here you are, my dear."

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

Paige feels suddenly faint she stumbles back for him a little, sure the guy was very very cute but she'd felt what he'd done to her.

"Crowley," she says simply with a slight nod making a mental note to see if he was mentioned in the book their Grams had given them

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth took the books, running her fingers lightly down the spines. "Thank you," she says, smiling. "I used to have copies of my own, but... things changed."

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

Paige, darling...you act like I've done something to you...I haven't even begun. [He smiles cruel and cold and walks to her] Shall I kiss you, my pretty?

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"I'm afraid these will never replace the ones that were yours, but I do hope they'll be an acceptable substitute. Did you find anything else you'd like?"

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

[Paige tries to think for a moment, she knows they met when she was possessed, but the memories were very blurred, she did know what he'd done to her hand though and she'd felt something when the other one had touched him]

I'd rather you didn't thank you

[flash-serpent.livejournal.com]

Ah, my darling. You weren't so quick to spurn my advances before. Come then, let me tempt you with tea and biscuits if I can't taste your own sweetness.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Raising an eyebrow at the exchange, Aziraphale stands and offers Paige his seat. "You are welcome to sit for tea if you like, Miss Matthews. I'm certain Crowley will promise not to be too hard on you."

[dr-jwilsonmd.livejournal.com]

Curiosity and perhaps the scent of more coffee finally drew him into the book store. He'd made note of it a couple of times, just hadn't been able to make time to stop by.

Well...sometimes you just had to force the issue. Besides, maybe he could find a book that might help distract his mind from other repetative thoughts.

[notcalledlizzie.livejournal.com]

She nods. "Eugene Onegin and Fathers and Sons," Elizabeth says. "I think this'll be enough for now."

[the4thsister.livejournal.com]

[she looks at him, if she has to defeat demon's as part a Charmed One the least she can do now is face him]

You know that wasn't actually me right? And no thank you I'm on my way to meet someone for coffee, it was nice of you to offer though [she smiles, she might as well get used to this sort of thing really]

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Smiling, Aziraphale takes the books from Elizabeth and carries them to the counter. He rings up the sale on an antique cash register, and quotes her an extremely reasonable price.

"Would you like me to wrap them up, my dear?"