The Park, Thursday Morning

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

It had been a busy week so far, and so Aziraphale had little trouble convincing Wilson to enjoy a light breakfast and then crawl back into bed. Assured that the young doctor would be staying put for a couple of hours, the angel slipped out to the park, something he hadn't been able to do in quite a while. It was cold, but he wrapped a scarf around his neck and hoped that he could manage for Wilson not to notice the lack of a winter coat for just a little while longer.

Settling comfortably onto his bench, with a thermos of tea and a sack of fresh muffins from J,GOB (for the ducks, of course), Aziraphale felt prepared for a quiet morning of people-watching.

[ooc: Open! Or feel free to use the park for your parky needs. Will be disappearing for a couple of hours mid-day EST.]

Comments

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Well, it has it's moments that make you wonder," Aziraphale chuckled. "But all towns do. What do you think of your students?"

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"They're fantastic," Rose said enthusiastically, "They participated in the discussion and seemed interested in the topic."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Well, that seems like a good sign to me. I think the students here take their studies fairly seriously."

Aziraphale smiled suddenly, as if he'd remembered something. "They say that there's an excellent library in the school, by the way. I'm ashamed to say I haven't been there myself, I've been using my own books for my research. But I do intend to take a look at it soon. The 'Special Collection' is supposed to be particularly interesting."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"I'm not much for books," Rose said ruefully, "But I do like that chap Charles Dickens."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"I seem to recall having a bit of discussion with the Doctor about Dickens not long ago," Aziraphale chuckled. "I'm rather a fiend for books myself. Collect them, in fact. Did I mention that I used to run a bookshop?"

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"I don't think so," Rose said, "But I bet it was a charming old bookstore."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"Oh, well...the one back in London wasn't terribly charming. Rather on the dingy side, in fact, and not terribly attractive. But that was my fault, I hadn't yet realized that I actually did like people." He gave Rose a wry smile. "I got out of the business finally because...well, I'm just not very good at at. I never want to let people buy anything."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Rose laughed, "That must not have been good for business." Then teased, "Thought the general idea was to get people to buy?"

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

Accepting the teasing as well-deserved, Aziraphale replied, "Well, in my case the idea was to have a place I could store my collection and look as though I was earning a living. Tried my hand at it when I first came here to Fandom, as well, but I mostly managed to serve a great deal of tea and meet a lot of new people. Which suited me just fine."

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

Rose smiled over the rim of her tea cup. "I think this suits you very well too."

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

With a bit of a blush at the compliment, Aziraphale returned the smile. "Well, er...I rather like people. Talking to them, I mean. I suppose I'm making up for lost time, all those years avoiding them. But now, tell me, Miss Tyler, do you have plans for after your teaching stint here in Fandom? Or is it going to be just a...what's the idiom? Play it by ear?"

[rose-bad-wolf.livejournal.com]

"Well, I'm only here on Sabbatical," Rose said slowly, "I don't think I could afford to really settle here since I've responsibilities back home."

Now Rose knew she was getting old. She used to have no such ties, it was always space, time and adventures.

[a-phale.livejournal.com]

"James and I have arranged to stay for a while, ourselves. Until Miss D'Ancanto finishes school, at any rate. James is her guardian now, you see. He's...on a sort of sabbatical as well, I suppose. I think he could go back to his hospital if he wanted to, but I'm really not certain he ever will."

Aziraphale looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled. "Well I do hope you're able to stay as long as you feel it's right for you to do so, my dear."