[ Being in London isn't really the same anymore - not since the End that Wasn't and his time Trapped - even spending time with Crowley was a little different. They each had more now; more memories, friends and love (though Crowley would deny having affection for anything, Aziraphale knew him better) even if it was hard to bear sometimes. Still, they managed, as they always did
( ... )
[He hasn't noticed-- hasn't remembered -- the man staring at him. Chewing on the pencil, he moves to grab his coffee before oh crap, knocking over the mug and it spills, pooling around the table and dripping off the edge.
He swears, picking up his sketchbook and shoving it away before tucking the pencil behind his ear. A waitress comes and begins cleaning it for him. He gives her a tired smile as she does so.]
[ Aziraphale feels lost. He can tell what's happened and it breaks his heart, but he moves forward anyway, pressing a hand onto the waitresses shoulder with a soft smile. ]
Please, allow me. If you wouldn't mind fetching me a cup of tea in return, of course?
[ His smile is soft and she doesn't refuse him. The angel picks up the cloth as she leaves, touching the small puddle with his hand. With a swipe of the cloth it's gone and he has a chance to talk to Sanae. ]
[ Aziraphale's eyes are trained to that hand, and that finger, for a long moment, before he realises what he's doing and flushes violently. He averts his eyes until Sanae speaks again, a smile returning to his face. ]
It would be my pleasure.
[ He sits, glancing at the front desk to see how his tea is coming along. His eyes soon return to Sanae, however - he can't look away for too long for fear the man with disappear. Still, he lifts a hand and motions at the sketchbook. ]
[Shaking his head, he rests his elbow on the table and cheek in his hand, eyes spacing out once again.]
Not entirely. The coffee lacks something, they use 2% cream and added cinnamon instead of vanilla -- it doesn't have the right zing to it that I like but... it's decent enough.
[And then he chuckles, looking at Aziraphale.]
Sort of. [Placing his sketchbook on the table, it's sketches of fish and wings and a boy in a suit with no face.]
I used to do it a lot more, but my inspiration has been lacking as of late.
[A hum and he adds a bit more shading to a pair of wings before suddenly realizing.]
Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Name's Sanae, and you?
[ Aziraphale laughs - truly, deeply, and honestly - at Sanae's evaluation of the coffee. It's just so him that it feels like a wound to his heart, but it's so wonderful to hear it. He shakes his head, smiling. ]
From what I can see you're rather wonderful.
[ He stares at the photos and feels more pain in his chest. He can recognise Alice? from a mile away, and the fish - and wings... He hesitates, but smiles meekly when he realises he never introduced himself. He didn't think it was important, seeing as he already knew Sanae. ]
I'm Aziraphale. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sanae.
Aziraphale? That's a really nice name, rolls off the tongue nicely.
[And then the tea comes and a fresh cup of coffee, he gives the waitress a smile and takes a sip before picking up the pencil from behind his ear and tapping it against the table.]
Thanks, also. I've been in a funk for a while so it's nice to hear that.
[He idly watches people pass outside for a moment or two before looking back at him.]
So what made you decide to sit with an old man like me?
Thank you. Sanae is quite lovely too; short and rather sweet.
[ The angel picks up his tea and adjusts the temperature without thinking, bringing it to his lips to take a long sip. It relaxes him somewhat and he smiles into the cup. ]
What made me decide? I wonder.
[ It's not as though he can tell Sanae that he was desperately and completely in love with him and had been since they were trapped in an underwater city together for quite some time. No, he couldn't say that. ]
I suppose I was a little curious. It's not often that you come across artists these days, even if they are in a 'funk'.
It's why I came to England. I live in Japan actually, but I'm on vacation from my job right now. Just... traveling around a bit, see if inspiration strikes.
I would be more than happy to lend a hand, my dear.
[ He shifts in his chair, sitting up straighter, before he sips at his tea again. He would do anything to spend more time with Sanae. ]
Is there anything in particular you'd want to see? The Lake District is pleasant, as are places such as the docks in Portsmouth and the Angel of the North.
Reply
He swears, picking up his sketchbook and shoving it away before tucking the pencil behind his ear. A waitress comes and begins cleaning it for him. He gives her a tired smile as she does so.]
Reply
Please, allow me. If you wouldn't mind fetching me a cup of tea in return, of course?
[ His smile is soft and she doesn't refuse him. The angel picks up the cloth as she leaves, touching the small puddle with his hand. With a swipe of the cloth it's gone and he has a chance to talk to Sanae. ]
Accidents happen, hm?
Reply
Tell me about it.
[A pause and then he looks flustered.]
Ah! Sorry-- you didn't have to clean that for me!
Reply
[ He laughs softly, watching Sanae with a fond smile. It's been so long - and he feels so at peace but so hurt by the amnesia. ]
It wasn't hot, was it? It would be quite worse if you'd been burned.
Reply
[And then he shrugs and looks at the bit that spilled on his hand before sucking the coffee off his finger and looking up at Aziraphale with a grin.]
All gone. [And then he pauses, looks unsure of himself for a moment before shaking his head and offering the seat across from him.]
Would you like to sit with me?
Reply
[ Aziraphale's eyes are trained to that hand, and that finger, for a long moment, before he realises what he's doing and flushes violently. He averts his eyes until Sanae speaks again, a smile returning to his face. ]
It would be my pleasure.
[ He sits, glancing at the front desk to see how his tea is coming along. His eyes soon return to Sanae, however - he can't look away for too long for fear the man with disappear. Still, he lifts a hand and motions at the sketchbook. ]
An artist?
Reply
Not entirely. The coffee lacks something, they use 2% cream and added cinnamon instead of vanilla -- it doesn't have the right zing to it that I like but... it's decent enough.
[And then he chuckles, looking at Aziraphale.]
Sort of. [Placing his sketchbook on the table, it's sketches of fish and wings and a boy in a suit with no face.]
I used to do it a lot more, but my inspiration has been lacking as of late.
[A hum and he adds a bit more shading to a pair of wings before suddenly realizing.]
Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. Name's Sanae, and you?
Reply
From what I can see you're rather wonderful.
[ He stares at the photos and feels more pain in his chest. He can recognise Alice? from a mile away, and the fish - and wings... He hesitates, but smiles meekly when he realises he never introduced himself. He didn't think it was important, seeing as he already knew Sanae. ]
I'm Aziraphale. It's a pleasure to meet you, Sanae.
Reply
[And then the tea comes and a fresh cup of coffee, he gives the waitress a smile and takes a sip before picking up the pencil from behind his ear and tapping it against the table.]
Thanks, also. I've been in a funk for a while so it's nice to hear that.
[He idly watches people pass outside for a moment or two before looking back at him.]
So what made you decide to sit with an old man like me?
Reply
[ The angel picks up his tea and adjusts the temperature without thinking, bringing it to his lips to take a long sip. It relaxes him somewhat and he smiles into the cup. ]
What made me decide? I wonder.
[ It's not as though he can tell Sanae that he was desperately and completely in love with him and had been since they were trapped in an underwater city together for quite some time. No, he couldn't say that. ]
I suppose I was a little curious. It's not often that you come across artists these days, even if they are in a 'funk'.
Reply
It's why I came to England. I live in Japan actually, but I'm on vacation from my job right now. Just... traveling around a bit, see if inspiration strikes.
Reply
England is a place filled with beautiful landscapes - I am sure there'll be a lot to inspire you. Have you considered the Lake District?
Reply
Can't say I'm too familiar, just been going to places on the travel brochure.
[A pause and then he smiles.]
I hope I'm not too forward in asking if you'll be my tour guide?
Reply
[ He shifts in his chair, sitting up straighter, before he sips at his tea again. He would do anything to spend more time with Sanae. ]
Is there anything in particular you'd want to see? The Lake District is pleasant, as are places such as the docks in Portsmouth and the Angel of the North.
Reply
The Angel of the North?
Reply
Leave a comment