Prometheus

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale had heard a rumor, about a book. At a shop other than his, which was rather vexxing. So he made inquiries about the location, and appeared there the next day after putting out the "closed indefinitely" sign on his own shop. (The sign had two sides; the other said "open temporarily.")

He walked in, hearing a little bell chime, and looked around. "Hello?"

Comments

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus nodded in understanding.

Just then the kettle began to whistle.

"Tea?" he offered.

[theangelfell]

"Brilliant," said Aziraphale. "Yes, please." Then, thinking small talk appropriate, added, "Have you lived here in London for a long time?"

[pecked_by_birds]

"Off and on forever, it feels like," Prometheus nodded. "Other cities call to me, I spent a good amount of time in New York, but London, and what came before it, has called to me often."

[theangelfell]

"Ah yes, what came before it was also interesting," Aziraphale agreed. "Do you mind if I sit, friend? Though are you certain I'm not imposing?"

[pecked_by_birds]

"Of course, make yourself comfortable. ...And no, you're not imposing," he assured him, filling the teapot and putting a tray together. "I was just digging around in the back rooms."

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale sat in a chair and carefully crossed his legs. "Looking for something?" he asked.

[pecked_by_birds]

"I'm not sure," The titan admitted, bringing the tray over and putting it on a small table between two chairs. "I feel like I have something that I might need, but I'm not sure what it is or what I need it for."

It was hard to put into words the feelings he sometimes had. These nagging thoughts that wouldn't let him be, and were too abstract to use like any sort of map.

[theangelfell]

"Oh, dear," said Aziraphale. "I suppose that does happen, when we don't know... what we need."

[pecked_by_birds]

"It happens to me more often than I'd like," the titan admitted, pouring them each a cup and then nudging the sugar towards the other man. "It's fine though, things have a way of falling into place, don't they?"

[theangelfell]

"Thank you," Aziraphale said politely as he fixed the tea. "I suppose they do, don't they? I thought the world was going to end. And now I'm in a place I never thought I'd be. I hope you find what you need."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Thank you," Prometheus said, nodding once and then sipping his tea. It was a simple reply, but sounded genuine to the ear. The titan was remarkably good at that sort of thing- Expressing much while saying very little.

[theangelfell]

"I imagine we're some of the oldest people in the city," said Azirpahale conversationally before taking a drink.

[pecked_by_birds]

"Hard to say. There are beings that have outlived us both, no doubt. Things from before any gods we know," Prometheus mused. "But they don't tend to sit down for tea, in my experience," he added with a smile.

[theangelfell]

"I may literally be the only angel who is fond of tea," said Aziraphale thoughtfully. "They think I've gone native."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Have you?" Prometheus asked curiously.

[theangelfell]

"I would be terribly put out if I had to leave," Aziraphale said. "I would miss tea very much. And old books. And wine. And oysters. And our table at the Ritz."

[pecked_by_birds]

Prometheus raised a brow at 'our table', wondering who the other diner might be.

[theangelfell]

"They have very good oysters," Aziraphale explained, assuming he was reacting to the location.

[pecked_by_birds]

"And who do you share your plate with?" Prometheus asked.

[theangelfell]

"Oh," said Aziraphale. He paused, and then said, "My companion. Crowley."

[pecked_by_birds]

"Another angel?" Prometheus asked, sipping his tea.

[theangelfell]

Aziraphale considered this for a moment and said, "Former angel."

[pecked_by_birds]

The titan looked terribly amused by that.

"I see," he replied.

[theangelfell]

"Worse than going native, isn't it," Aziraphale said dryly and took a sip of tea.

[pecked_by_birds]

"I'm not a judge of anything, least of all right and wrong," Prometheus pointed out. "That's between you and yours, I think. Personally, I'm of the opinion that we shouldn't limit the company we keep based on social norms."