video; Open

[wiggleon]

Name: Aziraphale
Date: Octeuril 24th
Format: Voice

[Aziraphale has practiced... A Lot before actually making this post, so the camera is only a little bit shaky instead of the complete and messy failure that would be expected of him. It's not that he can't learn how to use new technologies! He just would rather not have to when older technologies suit him just fine.

Apparently, he's realized there really isn't another way to go in this place. Considering he has a small collection of discarded gifted smartphones that he's never used back home, that is no small feat.]

So, I've been- that is to say-

[...Once an awkward angel, always an awkward angel. But also a fairly determined, stubborn one, so:]

I've been thinking I'd like to open a bookshop in this place. I had one back home, you see, curated the books for centuries- but I can't just sit around and mope about it, can I? So I figured I could start my own collection here.

[If it sounds like he's talking about a private collection instead of what's supposed to be a bookshop it's because he kind of is.]

But then I thought- or rather, it was suggested to me- that perhaps some sort of library where people could happily peruse the books would be better. And then I started thinking about things people could do while they read the books, and I figured- who doesn't enjoy a cup of tea and a nice pastry?

[A bright smile! And the little wiggle of happiness that Aziraphale always does when he's talking about his favorite foods.]

But even though I can make a nice cup of tea, thanks to years of practice... I'm no baker! And I'm a bit messy in the kitchen, so that's out of the question. So I was wondering if anyone would like to collaborate in this endeavor? Perhaps you've got some books you've got no use for anymore, or experience shelving them, or know how to bake?

Any help would be welcome, really. [He's not used to taking such big risks without miracles to back him up.]

Comments

[firewalled]

An amateur writer, but... I mean, I guess?

[He had a lot of hobbies he enjoyed growing up, and part of having his SQUIP deactivated was finding those old hobbies he enjoyed and rekindling his interest in them. He's surprised to hear someone else encouraging one, though...]

I guess I'll let you know if I ever start writing it. You'll get to see my messy first drafts and everything.

[His spelling is... not great.]

[wiggleon]

Please do! I'd love to, you'd be surprised how many wonderful, wonderful writers through the ages did not become well-known because they didn't dare actually show anyone their writing no matter how much I encouraged it.

[And he's not above using a miracle or two for his selfish desires, but it felt just wrong to force people into the spotlight like that.]

And even if it's just a hobby, there is absolutely nothing wrong in enjoying it casually. I was never as good at dancing as my mates in the club, since I'd never even dreamed of dancing before then. But I had fun doing it nonetheless.

[firewalled]

I don't think I'm anything like the big famous writers. I just like writing... but yeah, I guess I could show you whatever I come up with.

[It might be cathartic anyways, to write about the stuff he feels without having to actually explain it clearly. Vent once in a while. Even as a hobby, he can understand why Aziraphale would encourage it.

He, on the other hand, would rather encourage the dancing.]

So I'm guessing you learned ballroom dancing or something like that?

[wiggleon]

[Aziraphale smiles at him, glad that he seems to be taking his advice seriously. He’s not going to be pushy about it, he knows the quickest way to kill someone’s enthusiasm about something is to bother them too much about it. But he thinks someone like Rich would benefit from an outlet like that, when he’s got so much, so much that he’s been forced to repress.

He’d know, he’s basically the patron saint of repression himself. He makes a mental note to gift him with a pretty journal or something similar- or would that be considered too much? He really did his best to help humanity, but until now he hadn’t realized how bad he’s become at actually interacting with humans themselves.]

I learned the Gavotte, actually. [Not that he expects Rich, young man from this century that he is, to know what the dance is… but he still gets a glint in his eyes as he talks about it.] It was the most wonderful dance, and I danced it with the kindest men.

[They were gay, Aziraphale. You learned to dance in a gay club.]

[firewalled]

[Rich would probably do well with a journal... though he certainly would roll his eyes to receive one. No matter how intense his feelings, he feels dumping those on a page would be too messy, too ugly for anyone to enjoy. Best to focus on fantasy, on imaginary stories with competent heroes instead.]

A Gavotte... that's French, right? I think I remember learning about it when I was little.

[Ballet lessons were certainly a very special time for young Rich.]

Don't think I can remember any steps or anything, though.

[wiggleon]

[He chuckles, hiding his mouth in his hand as he does so.] I wouldn't expect you to, it is... not the most recent of dances. It's been a long while since I met someone who could do all the steps, it fell out of favour a long time ago.

[He was oh so broken-hearted when he realized people didn't want to dance it anymore.]

I've seen people "dance" nowadays. It's mostly... moving limbs around and bumping into each other, if you ask me.

[firewalled]

Hey, maybe for people who are untrained, but stuff like hip hop and breakdancing is actually pretty complicated. Maybe a bit of the moving limbs around, but all dancing is.

[But Rich is just defensive of his own dance style.]

[wiggleon]

[Aziraphale's grin is slightly sheepish.] I'm sure if you like it it must seem like it, but you must keep in mind that my idea of music pretty much consists of heavenly choirs and the sound of music.

[She really, really likes the sound of music.]

No judgement on my part, my dear. I'm just rather old-fashioned.

[firewalled]

Oh... yeah, uh, I guess God wouldn't be a huge hip hop fan, huh? Man, I wish I had my mp3 player here so you could hear some other songs. I mean, Michael has his walkman, but that's all stoner music and 80s jams.

[Though it sounds like Aziraphale must have not even heard the radio classics, even when living through the eighties.]

[wiggleon]

[His heart skips a beat in happiness- but then he realizes Rich means the 1980s. But he does his best so the disappointment won't show in his face. The problem with living for so long is that decades kind of get tangled up together, at times. It's hard to focus on the details, and eventually they stop being important anyway.

Except the food. He will always remember the food.]

Sorry for being an old man once more but what is 'stoner music', exactly? Is it like bebop?

[firewalled]

Uh... I don't think so? I think it can cover a lot of different types of music, but I'd say it's usually rock, pop, and funk. It's basically just music that sounds good when you're smoking weed...

[Wait. Is Aziraphale going to be scandalized by the existence of cannabis too? Rich doesn't partake that often, but he's had the occasional brownie at Michael's place. Plus, he doesn't see a lot wrong with casual drug use as long as it doesn't go too far.]

[wiggleon]

Oh... I see.

[There were some rituals where they would play the drums in certain, specific ways while enjoying recreational things like weed, he figures this music must be the same. The thing is, he can never keep track of what's legal or isn't, anymore, of what's supposed to be allowed or isn't.

But since there's no chance of someone coming down and yelling at him for allowing this to happen, he figures he may as well just go with it.]

I've always been more into drinking, myself. I don't figure there's 'drinking music'? Or 'sloshed out of my mind' music?

[firewalled]

[Rich would argue that what they're doing should be legal! And it is! Mostly. He knows he was definitely not the age where he was legally allowed to, though. Not that it'd matter much here.]

Eh, that's just club music. I, uh, hope you don't get sloshed out of your mind too often, though?

[Aziraphale's such a softie that he can't imagine him drunk. But that's probably because the word has some bad connotations for him.]

[wiggleon]

[He shrugs one shoulder. American drinking age is... 21, isn't it? He should probably not encourage Rich to drink but he also doesn't want to lie to him. Though it looks like Rich isn't all too happy about Aziraphale himself drinking, so he probably doesn't need to worry.]

I do, sometimes. My friend enjoys drinking more than I do, but I certainly don't mind tagging along. Though I suppose in this place I'll have to be careful, since I can't just miracle away a hangover.

Why?

[firewalled]

[Rich looks nervous when he realizes he needs some sort of explanation, and he hesitates as he tries to think of some sort of plausible explanation that doesn't involve his dad.]

Oh, uh, you know. I've just been to some wild ragers before, people getting into all sorts of trouble with alcohol. You can... sometimes end up acting like a different person.

[He's so bad at lying, and it leaves a really bad taste in his mouth to lie to an angel of all people, even if he's sort of telling part of the truth.]

[wiggleon]

[Aziraphale hums, the sound of someone who's not really buying it but doesn't want to make the conversation any more uncomfortable than what it already is. Aziraphale isn't stupid, and even if he hasn't known Rich that long he can tell he's... while not lying, also not telling the full truth.

He's just not sure that he wants to actually know said truth.]

Alright. Then would it be all right, if I promised you to never drink enough that I end up acting 'like a different person'?

[firewalled]

[Rich hesitates for a moment, looking guilty and ashamed of himself, but he does nod slowly.]

I mean, you don't have to promise anything to me. I'm not the boss of you or anything, but... it might make me feel a little more comfortable, I guess? It'd be good to not have to avoid you if you were drinking, is all.

[wiggleon]

That's an easy promise to make, dear boy.

[He smiles.] I would rather have your company than get sloshed out of my mind, anyway, that I know for sure.

[firewalled]

[That's... an incredibly touching thing for someone to say to Rich. It actually takes him a moment to respond, because he's just that shaken. Of course there are people that would rather spend time with him than drink, but to have it said out loud...]

It's not as easy for everyone... so I still really appreciate you saying that.

[wiggleon]

[He doesn't feel like he said anything to deserve that reaction, but again, there's a lot of Rich he doesn't really know... so he just reaches for his hand and squeezes it slightly, smiling at him.]

And I do apologize if I made you uncomfortablet talking about drinking.