The Park, Near the Duck Pond, Tuesday Evening

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

After the previous night's disastrous escapade, Aziraphale hadn't taken any chances with upsetting Crowley. He'd even asked the demon's permission to go and sit in the park for a while, which had been granted on the condition that the angel take a warm blanket and a thermos of tea along with him.

So now Aziraphale is sitting on his favorite bench near the duck pond, wearing his wool coat and scarf, a heavy blanket over his lap, sipping mint tea from a mug and watching the cold November air create tiny crystals of frost on the world.


((Open to anyone who'd like to chat.))

((ETA: Thread closed. Must sleep!))

Comments

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

Inara's going through the park on her daily walk. There's always people to see and meet in the park.

"Good evening, Mr. Phale."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally, decked out in Anders' C-Bucs Replica Team Jacket and the long multi-colored scarf that the Doctor had lent her, notices the man on the bench on her way back to the dorms from Flight Club. She walks up and smiles.

"Mister Phale, right?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Good evening, Miss Serra," he replies with a smile. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale smiles brightly. "Miss Cally. How are you this evening?"

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally rubs her arms. "Little chilly, but other than that, I'm doing quite well. " She points to the spot next to him on the bench. "Mind if I join you?"

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

She grins as she pulls her quilted jacket more closely around her. "This reminds me of a conversation I had with a gentleman yesterday. He considered the day quite miserable and we discussed matters of perspective.

"I love autumn. It's so cool and yet colourful, not quite winter grey, but not as vivid as summer..."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Nodding, Aziraphale says, "I think there's something beautiful to be seen in every season. Tonight, for instance, my dear, I've been watching the frost form. I rather like the way it glitters when the light catches it."

He motions his hand toward the bench. "Would you like to sit for a bit?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Please do, my dear. There's plenty of blanket as well, if you like." He pulls part of the blanket from around his legs and holds it up for Cally to sit under if she chooses.

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

Cally sits down, and even gets underneath the blanket. "Thank you, sir. So, how are you doing this evening? If I may ask, I mean."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"I'd love to." She takes the seat. "I haven't seen you around town much, Mr. Phale. Are things well with you?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Once Cally's under the blanket, Aziraphale settles back and sips at his tea. "You may indeed, my dear. I've been a bit tired these past few days, but I'm feeling a great deal better now. And how are you doing, Miss Cally?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"I've been...rather under the weather these past few days, my dear. But I'm doing much better. I hope you've been well?"

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Quiet, but well. I'm sorry to hear that things have been bad for you." She pauses, uncertain of whether to broach the subject of the tension in the town on Friday night and settles for, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, my dear, but at this point really all I need is a bit of rest." He chuckles softly. "I'm out of the shop on Crowley's sufferance, provided that I stay here on this bench, bundle up warm, and drink my tea."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

Inara imagines Aziraphale's stormy-visaged companion issuing orders like a mother hen and laughs. "He takes good care of you."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale smiles warmly. "He does indeed, my dear." He offers Inara the thermos. "Would you a spot of tea? I'm afraid all I can offer you to drink out of is the lid."

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"If you have spare, I'd love a little. I tend to think that tea suits a day like today: meditative." She holds her hands out for the cup.

[luridpinkspikes.livejournal.com]

Tonks waved a gloved hand in greeting, "Wotcher!" She called, her scarf flapping behind her as she approached.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

He pours some mint tea into the thermos cup and hands it to Inara. "I quite agree, my dear. And it's nice to have a quiet meditative day, after everthing that's been happening recently."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale raises a hand and nods. "Miss Tonks, how are you this evening?" he calls back.

[luridpinkspikes.livejournal.com]

With a ghost of a grin, she perched on the bench beside him. "Pretty good," she answered easily, wrapping her arms around herself. "Are you waiting for somebody?"

[serra-inara.livejournal.com]

"Yes, the violence in the town on Friday night and the festival on Saturday and Sunday. The festival was a good idea - a chance for people to just enjoy themselves." She takes a sip of the tea and looks around. "But it's so much more pleasant without the crowds."

[sogothcally.livejournal.com]

"That's the second time you've asked, Mister Phale." She giggles, and looks over at him. "Tired? Has something been bothering you?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"I rather prefer the park when it's quiet myself. I'm afraid I missed the festival, however. I expect it was a great deal of fun?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Apologies, my dear," he replies, chuckling at himself. "I've been a bit...ill, but I'm a great deal better now. Although my mind does seem to wander a bit, doesn't it?"