aefenglom | 2; Video; Open

Name: Aziraphale
Date: 24/11
Format: video

[The last time Aziraphale made his own post, it was rehearsed. Prepared. He had a plan. He still looked like the neurotic, anxious mess he tends to be but he'd managed to keep most of his nerves at bay. This time, though? This time there's no preparation, no plan, no mission.

This time you just get a fairly frustrated (and slightly angry) angel making a post.]

If you are, perhaps, given a book by mistake, a book that doesn't belong to you-

[Breathe in, breathe out...]

Could you, perhaps, let me know? Apparently some of the books in my bookshop were sent through the mirror, but have ended up scattered around and they were- they are quite delicate. I'd appreciate if they didn't get damaged, they are...

Very important to me.

[Taking care of his bookshop is the closest he's ever felt to having a 'home'.]

Thank you very much.

[OOC: Feel free to assume your character found a book! Aziraphale specialized in first editions, so those are the most likely.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So if I get... any book at all.

[ Lex looks tired, recovering from being ill; she's sitting up in bed, though, one eyebrow raised at the camera. ]

[He's tempted to say yes, but...]

Well, I cannot lay claim to every single book that comes through the mirror, but it wouldn't hurt to check. Just in case.

[ She snorts. ]

If I get any books, I'll let you know. Granted, if they're from my world, you'll want to wear gloves or something.

I usually do wear gloves when handling antique books, anyway.

[It's actually an old-fashioned habit, and most librarians nowadays would argue it's outdated and it does nothing to protect the book since it makes it harder to handle them. But Azirapahale is nothing if not old-fashioned.]h

But why would that be, in your world's case?

All the books are at least two hundred years old. Most of the ones I've come across are burned and ruined. It's... really sad, actually.

[ Pause. ]

But mostly because there might still be radioactive dust on them? Like, that wasn't something I worried about as much since I lived there, but people who aren't used to dealing with radiation would probably prefer not to.

[ At least, that's what she assumes. ]

Do you handle a lot of antique books?

Oh, I see. Wouldn't hurt to be careful, then.

[Radiation... he's pretty sure Pollution came up with that one, didn't they? Nasty stuff for the humans, for sure. And nasty to him now, he figures, since his vessel is as easily damaged as a human's body.]

I do. Or I did, back home, and I suppose I will do it again in this place. I love books, so it was more a passion than an actual job.

Doesn't usually, at least.

[ There's a soft, quiet hum. ]

Would you have a- collection, then? A private one? Or would they be books people could look at?

[ There may also be the slightest note of longing in her voice. ]

[Aziraphale hesitates... part of him wants to keep all the books to himself, make sure they are safe, sound and protected. Another part of him wants to share all the knowledge with everyone, because books were meant to be read and shared with others. In the end the second part is winning, but that doesn’t make it any easier.]

I was thinking everyone could have access to them, read them as they please as long as they put them back in place and take good care of them.

Would you be interested in that?

Very.

[ If she notices the hesitation, she doesn't comment. She knows what it's like to be protective, to not trust people around what you care about. ]

I think all I've read in the past few years that hasn't been non-fiction have been comic books.

Ah, comic books. I didn’t have many in my bookshop back home but they sure were amusing.

[Aziraphale isn’t really a reader of comic books, but while he’s a bit of a snob about many things that doesn’t happen to be one of them. People can enjoy whatever they wish to enjoy when it comes to reading, and that includes graphic novels. Plus, he’s always felt She would like Superman very much.]

Well, then we shall fix that shan’t we? I am not open to the public yet but would you like to come over and see what I have gathered so far?

I think so many survived the war because they were easier to carry, [ she muses, having... really only just thought about it now. ] Worn over time, sure, but it was easier to take a stack of comics than a few large books.

[ And who doesn't like Grognak the Barbarian?

There is the tiniest, most delighted little gasp before she stifles it over the connection at Aziraphale's offer. ]

I would love to.

[Anyone who's this excited about books gets Aziraphale's approval. He sends the directions to her, a smile on his face.]

Come by any time, I'd love to have company as I restock and make sure everything is in order. I'm hoping to open next month, if I'm able to.

[ Lex only has one more question. ]

Would you mind if my dog comes? He's very well-behaved, it's just- he goes everywhere with me, since I found him. He's my best friend.

[ And security blanket, honestly. ]

[hmmmmMMMMMM]

I suppose he can visit, as well. I do love animals, but I shall show you where the most delicate books are located, and perhaps he can stay away from those rooms? Again, I love our little friends and they do not mean any harm but I'd get to see any of my books get damaged in an accident.

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