but it died so other towns could live ( OPEN )

[atreefull]

WHO: aziraphale & you
WHAT: an extremely backdated catchall for the first half of october + gen catch-all
WHERE: kyst, moon temple, gods wood
WHEN: the first three weeks of october
WARNINGS: starvation/rot, the usual


prompts are in comments below, please let me know if you'd like something different or feel free to post something under 'wildcard'!

Comments

[felldennpc]

"You look like a Starbucks cup!"

If Aziraphale looks up, high into the trees, he'll be able to spot a young blonde woman, dressed in dark green material. She stands on a heavy branch far out of reach of any normal human's ability to get to: it's uncertain how she got there, and so quietly.

"You know this place is dangerous, right?"

[atreefull]

"Really, do you think so?" He doesn't look for the source of the voice just yet, instead looking down at his clothes and tugging on his waistcoat. He doesn't think he does, Aziraphale thinks he looks, well. Not dashing, but at least respectable and presentable. And comfortable.

He coughs, however, as she continues. "Ah, well, yes, I was aware. I just had a few questions, really, and then I'll be happy to leave this place to its, um. Whatever it is that this place does best."

Not moving, for when Aziraphale spots her high up in the trees he's at least smart enough to not take a few steps further. Caution and respect, just in case she might know who he's looking for.

[felldennpc]

The girl's eyes narrow in curiosity.

"What kinda questions?"

[atreefull]

"Well, first I would like to find the authors of this book," he holds it up for her to look at, although that seems silly and pointless while he's doing it. Still, perhaps she can see all the way up there -- what does he know? "Just to, um, thank them for it -- I collect them, you see. Books and books of prophecy, and it's a bit of home I wasn't really expecting." Sure, the Priestess might have given it to him, but she didn't write it. And he's already thanked her.

As for what else -- "And ask them a bit about what they are, if they're open to that sort of thing and willing to answer. Back home, well. Those that are in attendance to God are rather special. I should like to know if there's any similarities here in this world."

[felldennpc]

Her eyes light up when she sees the cover of that book: even from this distance, she can't mistake that cover.

"That's where that got to!" Lorelai leaps from the branch and lands with almost deafening silence into the drying leaves. "I've been looking all over for this stupid thing."

She doesn't wait, rudely grabbing the book out of Aziraphale's hands and flipping through the pages. "I had a couple things I wanted to add to it."

[atreefull]

For a moment he feels like he should protest, especially after she grabs it out of his hands. But it was originally her's, so he supposes he can... accept that. And the idea of defacing it, although the smile that he gives her is a little bit strained.

"Ah. So you would be Lorelai?" He's as capable of reading crossed out text, and reversing the letters as anyone. "It is a pleasure to meet you. Although, ah--"

He shifts from foot to food before continuing-- "I will get that back, yes? Only it's a good start to my collection--"

[felldennpc]

"Sure am!" comes the distracted reply as she continues flicking through the pages, snorting back a laugh when she comes across something particularly funny. Her second reply comes belatedly, the book laying open in her hands. "Oh..." She hesitates, looking at Aziraphale inquisitively. "You want this back? Why? It's all bullshit."

Lorelai holds the book up for Aziraphale to see. Scrawled across the pages in frustrated lettering is "ROCKS FALL, EVERYONE DIES."

"Death can't see the future; Azrail and I were just having some fun with this."

[atreefull]

That's not a response he was expecting, but he hums in thought.

"Well it's unique, first of all. But most books of prophecy are, you see. Fake, I mean, with no real truths hidden in the words. That doesn't make them any less important, or interesting to keep and read." As for the rocks fall, everyone dies -- there's surely more eloquent ways to put the final fate of every mortal, but the bluntness was part of the charm. "I just like books," he confesses, with a small shrug.

"Azrail and yourself -- do you work for Death?"

[felldennpc]

Her eyes don't leave Aziraphale's face as he talks, like she's trying to decipher a puzzle without all the pieces. With a flick of her wrist, she lets the book close and hands it back to the angel.

"We don't get paid, if that's what you mean." She shakes her head, stepping closer to Aziraphale and furrowing her brow. "Who are you? I can't read a damn thing."

[atreefull]

"Ah, thank you--" he says, sincere as he takes it back from her. As to the question of who he is, well. Aziraphale figures it's a little deeper than that.

So he decides to clarify first, in the hopes it will help. "No, that's not what I mean. Back home, back on my world, there's God, and then there are Her angels. Individuals tasked with doing whatever it is that She needs, and ensuring that humanity doesn't stray from the path of righteousness. I haven't seen anything similar to what I am here, and I was wondering, seeing as you and Azrail answer to Death, were anything like what I am."

Oh, she did ask for who he was, though, didn't she. His shoulders straighten a little and he gives her a short bow. "Aziraphale, Principality and Guardian of the Eastern Gate. It is quite the pleasure to meet you."

[felldennpc]

"Oh, you're one of those," Lorelai says finally, a flash of recognition in her eyes. "Devil's territory, no wonder I couldn't figure anything out."

Still, Aziraphale did ask a question, and after stretching her arms over her head: "Angels sure fell asleep on the job, didn't they?" Lorelai that's rude?? But humanity is fucked up. They've strayed so far from the path of righteousness they might not ever get back there.

"I guess you could say we're its angels." She tips her head back in thought. "We just head out among the living populace to see what's going on."

[atreefull]

"The Devil's-- I think you have me mixed up with my, um. Friend. He's the one in service to the Adversary. Or, well, as much as he is these days." The only thing with a 'd' he wants to be caught up in relates to Crowley. As it were.

Also it is rude, but she's not particularly wrong, and he shuffles from foot to foot. "Well there's that whole bit about Free Will, to say nothing about humanity's incredible creativity. Both for acts of kindness and for acts of cruelty. It's what makes them special," and there's no small amount of fondness in his tone when he talks about them.

He nods, that seems to check out from what he's seen in this moment. "A policy of non-intervention then."

[felldennpc]

"No, I'm pretty sure I don't have you mixed up with anyone." She looks maddeningly sure of herself, tucking her hands into her back pockets. "Wasn't Lucifer God's favorite before he rebelled?"

Not that it matters to her, other than to flash her knowledge around.

"Sometimes we intervene, if shit's about to get twisted, or if we get bored... or if we're mad at the Great Lord..." That's not really helping her case, is it? "But there's a lot we can't touch."

[atreefull]

Is it possible to look any more uncomfortable? Probably, but not right now it isn't. "Well, yes. But being an angel isn't, exactly, his business?" Wait a moment-- "Do you mean to imply that he is here?" It seems unfair for the Adversary to be here when the Almighty isn't -- his thoughts don't jump to his own fate, but that of making sure Crowley is kept informed and safe. Stupid, foolish maybe, but he won't let any harm come to the demon.

Another frown crosses his face, even as he clutches the book to his chest. "Twisted? And-- what would the Great Lord do to make you both angry with him?"

[felldennpc]

Lorelai presses her lips together in thought.

"Yes and no?" That's not a real reply, and she takes a moment to think about how to explain. "He's sort of modeled himself after that guy, but he's not actually That Guy. The most well known devil is Lucifer, soooo...." She lifts her shoulders in a quick shrug.

"You'll have to look into him yourself. We're not fam, if you know what I mean."

With all that explained (not really), she moves on to the other question.

"Twisted, you know, gone completely apeshit bonkers. Or if its something stupid like a guy wandering out into the street not paying attention and getting trampled by a runaway horse. We'll step in then because it's not time for them to die." She shakes her head. "People are stupid. And I'm including elves, dwarves, felinae, witches, et cetera in 'people'. Everyone. Everyone can be real fuckin stupid."

Markedly, Lorelai doesn't answer that very last question.