2; Video; Open

[wiggleon]

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.]

Comments

[ressusciter]

Coffee, actually, if you can.

[as much as a drink sounded good, he needed his wits about him to talk about this. ideally, he'd smoke at the same time, but he has enough sense to not even let his hands twitch towards that pocket of his. it'll be a later indulgence, something to look forward to at the end of everything.]

[wiggleon]

[Aziraphale would not judge him for smoking, but he would prefer to avoid his place smelling like it so the consideration is appreciated. Learning how to get rid of smells with a spell has definitely not been one of his priorities.]

But of course. [And of he goes to the little kitchen.] Anything else I can do to make telling the story more comfortable?

[ressusciter]

A warm drink and willing company is all the comfort I require. You've caught me in a most charitable mood, that I'd speak on the Abbe so, but I think he would want his tale told as much as I am privy to.

[a thought comes up in his head, and while Aziraphale is in the kitchen, he begins to walk around the shop with soft footsteps. he's looking for the fiction, for authors whose last name starts with D, and a certain novel therein, if it's present.]

[wiggleon]

[Aziraphale curated his collection so much it was honestly one of the few things he got truly protective over. He loved his first editions, loved protecting and taking care of them, loved running a gloved finger down the book’s spine. So of course, he had Dumas among his collection back home, both père and fils. And a certain story just happened to go through the mirror with the rest of Azirahale’s book, so the servant will find it there.

Sorry, ‘Avenger’, Aziraphale of all people would definitely recognize a certain name if he heard it.]

And I will be glad to honor his memory by listening to it. [He brings a little tray, with what was requested and a nice hot cocoa for himself. And what looks to be some scones, because he’ll never not take an excuse to eat something.]

Though I must wonder why you’ve chosen me of all people to talk to. Is it because you think I may appreciate a story?

[ressusciter]

[for a moment that feels like an eternity while the proprietor is away, Dantes glares at the book, feeling his jaw tight, something heavy in his stomach. thoughts stoked by that eternal hatred roar in his mind - destroy it, it can't be here - kept back by iron self control and the thoughts in his head of the Abbe.

his second father's wisdom, his caution against poorly planned behavior, and how he might loathe the creature he was now. it hurts, but it is something he can manage. he has sailed through worse storms than that which a single copy of this can make.

the gloved finger that touches the spine is wrapped in black, much like the rest of him, and he steps quickly back to where he was before the other man can notice anything amiss. to see the refreshments, he manages a half smile.]

Let us say it is because you asked, and no one else has. Shall I start where it's relevant, or at the beginning?

[wiggleon]

[Aziraphale is not stupid, in fact most people would agree he’s actually rather intelligent- or, at least, rather knowledgeable. But he’s also extremely naïve at times and trusting to a fault (as angels were meant to be). So even if he had noticed the other taking an interest in a certain book, he’d have thought nothing of it. A lot of people love that certain book, after all. It’s a pity that the copy that traveled here wasn’t the one Dumas signed to ‘his friend, Aziraphale’ but he consoles himself thinking it’s probably safer in there.

He takes a seat, the smile never leaving his face as he motions to the servant to do the same and take a seat as well.]

I suppose you should start from the beginning, but I urge you to start wherever it’s more comfortable for you. It is your story to tell, after all.