fandomtownies | Phale's Book Shop: Open

Current Mood: busy

Phale's Book Shop: Open

After classes, Marty unlocks the door to the bookshop and makes sure that everything is set up for what he is sure to be a busy day of not selling any books whatsoever.

After disorganizing the books so nobody can find anything in particular, he settles down in one of the comfy chairs and pours over the book that both Parker and The Tick had given him.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Aziraphale won't like it, but it *is* a bookstore.

Coffee, Tea and Cookies are available for everyone to partake.

Angela looks a little out of breath, or maybe just chilly, as she enters the store carrying a bouquet and a bulky present. "Hey, Marty. Is Mr. Phale around?"

Marty looks up from his book and waves. "Hey, you. Nope haven't seen him yet. You dropping off a gift for him?"

"How did you guess?" Angela asks. "And yeah. I got a necklace yesterday that I'm pretty sure is from him, plus I never really thanked him for helping with Angel. I hate that I can't give these to him in person." She hands over a bouquet of white roses and a hamper full of yummy tea stuff.

"Tell him I said merry Christmas and thank you, whenever he comes down. Are you at work all day?"

"Sure, I'll be happy to give him the gifts and relay your message for him. I'll probably be here for most of the day."

"Thanks. You are an excellent boyfriend and an excellent employee," Angela says, hugging him around the neck. "I'll probably be at the library, mostly. See you tonight?"

Marty returns the hug and says, "Well thank you! I'll be sure to tell Phale that I'm doing well in both categories as a boyfriend and employee. I'll see you tonight."

"I'm sure he'll be especially happy to hear about the boyfriend thing," Angela says, disentangling herself. "See you later."

At some point in the afternoon, Aziraphale wanders into the shop from outside. He hangs up his coat and scarf and looks around for a moment. He's looking a little mussed, and rather pale, and doesn't seem to be actually paying much attention to the shop at all.

Spotting Marty, he smiles, and then goes to pour himself a cup of tea.

"Hey Mr. Phale." Marty says with a confused look to upstairs where he would normally expect Phale to come down. "Um. Angela came by earlies with some Christmas gifts for you."

Marty motions over to the Flowers and Tea (http://www.livejournal.com/community/fandomtownies/470841.html?thread=18865721#t18865721) she had brought. Marty takes a longer look at Phale and becomes a little concerned. "Is everything okay?"

Looking up from pouring his tea, Aziraphale turns to look at the gifts, blinking. "Miss Chase brought those, for me?" He sets down his teacup and walks over, gently touching the beautiful roses. "How thoughtful of her. I'm so sorry I wasn't here to see her."

After inspecting the basket of tea things as well, he picks up his teacup and sits down in one of the chairs. Then he looks up at Marty, realizing the young man had asked him a question. "Oh. Ah...I suppose you wouldn't have heard, would you? Crowley's been called back. It was...a bit upsetting to us both. But I'm really quite all right," he says, giving Marty a distracted smile.

"Called back?" Marty asks before realizing what Aziraphale was actually saying. "Ooooh. You mean back... there."

Marty automatically feels very awkward. "I don't mean to pry, but is he coming back or is this um..."

Marty can't bring himself to say the word permanent.

Aziraphale takes a deep breath and then a sip of tea before he answers.

"I'm sure he'll be back soon," he says softly, not looking at Marty.

Marty frowns. On the one hand he never felt comfortable around Crowley, but was always willing to put up with him because of his association with Phale. On the other hand, Aziraphale was obviously miserable with him.

"Is... Is there anything I can do?" he asked awkwardly.

"Oh, no thank you, my dear," he says absently. "I just think I'll sit and have some tea for a bit, and then perhaps I'll..."

He was going to say 'bake something', but he suddenly doesn't feel like doing that.

"Perhaps I'll work a crossword. Unless there's something you need help with for the shop?"

Marty looks at the carefully disorganized book shelves with trepidation. "Okay. We'll we could always organize the books so that it would be easier for people to find and buy them."

"Yes, of course. If you thinks it needs doing."

It's obvious from the way he speaks that Aziraphale is no longer paying any attention at all to what Marty is saying, and in fact would probably have given the same response if Marty had suggested hanging a disco ball and turning the place into a rave club.

"You sure you are going to be all right? Can I get you anything other than tea to drink?"

"Anything other than tea?" Aziraphale repeats, looking up at Marty. "Ah..." He looks back down at his teacup. "Do you know, I think perhaps I would like something else. I believe I have some wine in the kitchen. Would you like a glass?"

Which is preferable to buying one.

Inara takes a seat with a book about the Ancient Greek culture and social structure. Her discussion with Darla at the Christmas party reminded her of a few things she wanted to check up.

Marty waves at Inara. "Hi Inara. How are you today? Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Hi, Marty. No, I'm fine just reading - unless you happen to know anything about the gender roles of the Ancient Greeks?"

[Sure, but I know nothing about the topic.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Phale's Book Shop: Open

Buy a Book

The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Re: The Comfy Chairs

Read a book.

Re: Read a book.

Re: Read a book.

Re: Read a book.

Re: Read a book.

Re: Read a book.

Re: Read a book.