citylogs | ( open ) nov/dec catchall - the bells have started singing

( on a fine dreary autumn afternoon, aziraphale takes to the street for a stroll. he's taken many, almost habitually now as he has long since memorised the walkable parts of the city.

behind him, the headlights of an antique bentley flash twice. almost as if it had something to say. )

This really isn't necessary.

( aziraphale responds, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk to turn back towards the almost dejectedly looking car. surely that's not right. cars couldn't possibly emote. )

Mm, yes. Well. Not to worry, I'll be back in the evening.

( the engine turns on, almost insistently. )

[As it turns out, Loki is not the only person that likes to go for walks around the city. Often, Loki finds himself in the park or anywhere there’s more green, but today he feels like something different. He takes a few twists and turns and finds himself walking down one of the more residential streets.

He’s in a very good mood, feeling rather calm and at ease, still on a high after painting his apartment with his favourite person. So much so he hardly notices Aziraphale across the street until he sees lights flashing. Curious, he stops and watches for a moment as it seems the man is speaking with the car. Loki doesn’t know much about Midgardian forms of transportation, but he’s fairly sure they aren’t sentient. He decides to cross and find out more.]

Excuse me. I am sorry to interrupt, but that is an automobile and are you speaking with it?

( the car's engine abruptly turns off. somehow, it seems much less lively than before. almost as if any potentially animated behaviour had only been a trick of the light.

aziraphale himself turns on his heel, moving to properly regard this stranger. )

Oh, hello!

( he glances at him and then back towards the bentley. )

Yes, this is an automobile. I know those aren't typically a thing here, but it just sort of . . . ( he makes a fluttering hand motion. ) appeared!

( as things do. apparently. )

[When the car suddenly stops making noise, Loki frowns. He’s not naïve enough to think he’s imagined it. He’s fairly certain that it is not a normal car, though he is aware that some humans who could create such things. He’s fairly certain he hasn’t heard of their arrival though, so his first instinct is that it is magical. What he doesn’t understand is why hide that?]

Well, wonders never cease. I admit I don’t know much about this form of transportation, but I am certain I just saw you speaking with it. Is that a common thing?

[With a curious look and a small smile, Loki looks over at the Bentley as well. He’s fascinated, as he always is with new things that he suspects might be magical in nature.]

( that's a bit of a tricky question. )

Well, I suppose that depends on your attitude towards automobiles. ( considering they can be a bit of a hot subject. ) But I would say that it's a common for those who are fond of their vehicles.

( he gives the hood of the car a little pat. )

I can’t say I have any attitude towards automobiles. I’ve never had nor needed one before.

[He gives the man a bit of a suspicious look. He seems rather innocent, but Loki knows when someone isn’t being fully honest with him and this man is definitely trying to hid something. Rather poorly as well.]

Alright then, let me rephrase. Does this automobile understand you when you speak with it?

[Cars, at least, are not particularly something that Jullus finds too terribly out of the ordinary. Admittedly, his own home had been rather more technologically advanced then the rest of the world, but that had been largely out of necessity - and it's certainly not something he means to mention besides.

But while the car itself isn't out of the ordinary, the sight of someone talking to it is.]

I wouldn't have expected to see someone talking to a car.

[Magitek, yes. But not so much cars.]

Edited 2023-11-29 19:48 (UTC)

Well, that's a shame.

( very matter-of-factly.

he taps his hand against the hood of the car a few times in quick succession, an obviously affectionate gesture. )

They benefit from attention just as much as anything else.

( in more ways than one. )

Do they?

[It's asked honestly. Familiar though he might be with the idea of cars, he's not really used to thinking about them possibly being entities that might want attention. Not past the sort that would be typically required to make sure that the vehicle is actually in good condition and being suitably maintained, anyway.]

I know people will say magitek responds better if it's been well-looked after, but that's never been proven enough to be more than hearsay.

Magitek? I fear I'm not familiar, but I do imagine that would hold true. Hardly doubt they would serve as an exception!

( as far as his opinion goes anyway. the "tek" part of the word gives aziraphale the impression that it's likely related to computers. and computers do respond better to the right encouragement. )

Everyone and dare I say everything benefits from some love and attention now and again.

They're... a sort of machine.

[This is possibly not as helpful as it could be, and as if he's just realizing it as he speaks, Jullus continues again a moment later.]

Warmachina, mostly, though it can be used for other things as well.

Pardon? Warmachina?

( his eyebrows lift, surprised. )

Do you mean something like tanks?

Maybe?

[Jullus knows the term, yes, but not as applied to anything like warmachina.]

What do tanks look like?

( while aziraphale might not entirely have his finger on the pulse regarding the going-ons of the network, he was still at least aware of the fast approaching gala. how could he not? for as much as he's yearned for the previous social scene of london, he'd be remiss to skip out on something like that.

a gala is exactly what he could use! and so could crowley, who would be his de facto partner of choice. there simply wasn't any question about that. he didn't even need to ask.

but he did want to ask. show him a romantic gesture. something fun, something new.

that's what brings him to an empty florist's shop, woefully glancing over the selection of flowers. )

Now would be quite the opportune moment for a shopkeep.

( he fiddles with the edge of his jacket sleeve, currently trying to recall long forgotten memories of flower language. )

I suppose roses. . .?

( hmm. )

It depends on the colour, you know.

[ A heavily accented voice comes from somewhere at the back of the store, over by the workbench area where the table is strewn with wrapping paper and floral foam and bits of wire and tape. The owner of said voice is a tall, slender-looking blonde man dressed in a light blue two piece suit, with a white silk shirt beneath. His skin is incredibly pale under the artificial lights that seem to reflect in his eyes in a certain way to make them appear violet. It really is a wonder how Aziraphale hasn't noticed him yet because he's dripping in jewellery, from chains around his neck to rings, multiple, on each finger.

His hands are currently snipping away at the stems of a few flowers he's bound together, ribbon over his wrist ready to tie on. He nods at the flowers Aziraphale is currently studying, a smile playing around his features so comfortably that seems like its the way his face naturally falls. ]

Roses, I mean. The universal love flower, but get a yellow one and you could cement someone quite firmly in the realms of friendship only.

[ Snip. ]

If they know flower language, that is.

( it happens. as an angel on a mission, almost single-mindedly so, his attention hasn't exactly been in the right places. but who could blame him for being so distracted? there's a lot on his mind.

shifting, he turns to look back at the flamboyant gentleman at the back. he already know without looking that he's another non-human resident of the city, another oddity caught up in the bizarre nexus of this place. just as aziraphale had. and, presumably, he is also preparing for the upcoming event.

then he glances back to the yellow roses that he had been sorely tempted by. )

Why, thank you. I believe you may have saved me from a potentially folly.

( although he didn't exactly want to get roses for the occasion. he thought he should put a little more thought into it. )

Are peonies still given?

( or is that out of fashion? )

[ Lestat shrugs, holding his little corsage of tulips and baby's breath aloft so he can get a good look at it from all angles before he attaches the ribbon with a deft movement of his hand. ]

I think they are a little dated, but I quite like the classics. Some say things get better with age. I can't help but agree.

[ In stark contrast to this stranger, Lestat has absolutely no clue if the person he's talking to is supernatural or not. What he does know is that he isn't a vampire, and so the mystery of who and what he is what keeps Lestat's interest. Even if it does turn out that he is just a human, Lestat wouldn't exactly call that a disappointment. Humans are his favourite, after all.

Quite suddenly, he hops bodily over the workbench with some ridiculously unnecessary flourish of limbs and approaches his new companion with clear curiosity. ]

You're aiming to show love and not friendship then, and you want to be quite hip too. [ He says the word 'hip' like he's delighted by getting the chance to use it in a sentence. ] Have you any feelings on carnations? They're quite adaptable by way of colour, depending on the depth of the relationship.

( there is a brief moment of hesitation as aziraphale weighs the pros and cons to involving this stranger in his affairs. however, it's only brief because he quickly decides that he would appreciate a second opinion.

and he is clearly offering. )

Well, I don't quite know about hip, but—

( he pauses, considering his choice of words. )

Certainly something that pops! I would hate to appear uninspired, as it were.

( carnations could be a solid choice, couldn't they? maybe even a little unexpected. )

I think they're lovely. Wonderfully fluffy! Would you suggest a bouquet of the red ones?

( since red tends to be the default choice for love. )

[ Lestat raises his eyebrows at that, apparently very surprised that anyone might not be interested in being hip, but fast recovering at the mention of being inspired. It's as if this man has uttered an ideal phrase, one that activates the romantic in Lestat, and his eyes sparkle with the delight of a challenge. ]

Red, certainly, to define love, but I've always been partial to an arrangement of mixed colours. It denotes a little more intrigue, you know. A little more effort, too. The red ones are for love, yes, but The Flowers of the Gods don't limit themselves to just one such facet of communication.

Pink are for gratitude rather than friendship as with most other pink flowers, and the farker colours, the purple ones, or often ones dyed blue, symbolise a love for impulsivity and romantic impetuosity. They're a personal favourite of mine.

[ Which makes sooo much sense if you know him even slightly well, but anyway. There's a few carnations dotted around, and Lestat gestures to them with a hand as he talks. ]

And then orange symbolise enthusiasm, fascination, desire; I can already see these deeper colours accenting the bright red ones perfectly. Add a few leaves, some sprigs of eucalyptus and some smaller, more delicate flowers, and you'd have a perfect bouquet that really pops.

[ He likes saying pops too, evidently. ]

Tell me, are these to be given to your intended before the upcoming Gala? Or is this an unrelated celebration?

[ there's another specter in the shop today, perhaps not the dark specter on the angel's mind, but another immortal type. he's still and quiet while Aziraphale fusses, but he finally speaks up softly. ]

I fear that is a common sentiment of all the shops within this city.

( while aziraphale would hate to say as much, it took him far too long to sense the presence of another in the shop along with him. he's starting to get used to it—the ever sliding scale of his abilities in this city. this one, however, is surprising because it's such a large presence.

impossible to miss.

but more importantly, they both agree. )

Truly! These places are far better when they are bustling and there's ample people about.

( he makes a loose hand gesture. )

And someone knowledgable is on hand to provide an educated opinion.

[ and yet the angel still missed it. tsk.

but Dream tilts his head slightly as he continues to regard this angel. ]

You yourself are not knowledgeable?

( complicated question with an equally complicated answer. )

Yes and no.

( a vague hand gesture. )

I have probably forgotten more than I recall. It's why having another around can be quite invaluable!

I see.

[ a semi-polite non-answer. ]

And what is your intent with acquiring these flowers?

( this almost feels like the setup to a joke. an angel and a █████ walk into a flower shop—

aziraphale hesitates, considering how to reply. before just deciding to be forthright. )

You've heard of the upcoming gala, yes? I'd like to pick out a nice bouquet for when I ask to be accompanied by another. Something a little flashy.

( for the demon's tastes. )

[ Dream nods, considering as he looks over the displays around them. ]

Then perhaps bolder colors will suit.

( there is something particularly annoying about the sudden appearance of a mass media store. months have gone past already with nothing to read except for the books that aziraphale took to penning himself. for himself.

. . . although, he did originally intend to share more of them.

he just got lost in the euphoria of making books.

unlike what he had written, of course, which were near exact copies of the original—the store stocked nothing of the like. shelves among shelves of titles that aziraphale had never heard of and certainly didn't recognise. he had already started to read through several of them, searching for anything that might stand out. might feel familiar.

but mostly they're forgettable. underwhelming in the worst ways. )

This feels something like a monkey paw's wish.

( mostly to himself with a quiet little laugh before he snaps the book in his hand shut. )

[The media store is full of fascinations and wonders and despite not knowing much of how anything works, aside from the books, Altria finds herself going there again and again anyway, spending ages just poring over the shelves and admiring just how many books are here.

It's unfamiliar. It's new. It's exciting.

So she's there, not touching any of the books but admiring her way through the science fiction section nonetheless, when she hears someone else huff out a laugh.

...?

She peers around one of the shelves, and because she's never learned to be polite, sticks her nose into his business immediately.]

What is?

( politeness is a prison.

and one that aziraphale is entirely beholden to. when a curious face peeks out from behind one of the shelf rows, aziraphale greets her with a soft nod and a smile first. )

The inventory here, my good lady. Have you perchance read through any of these yet?

[The inventory is a monkey's paw...?

Altria puzzles over that as she comes closer properly, rather than just poking her head around a shelf. She peers at the books, and then picks one off of the shelves--it's something very standard and derivative, a pretty classic fictional story where the bad guys lose and there's a perfect happy ending.]

I haven't read any of them yet, but this one looks nice! Surely they're not all monkey's tails.

[Nailed it.]

Why would a monkey wish for 'Perils in Peru'?

[ Muriel, much like Aziraphale, has a habit of just... turning up suddenly, when you least expect them. They've found what looks like some cheesy, old-fashioned harlequin romance novel, and are staring at it in confusion. ]

... Wait, was those one of those 'idiom' things that Mr. Crowley likes to use?

( it's simply part of being an angel™.

the more worrying part is just how quickly muriel seems to be picking up on things. )

Yes. It's a reference to a story from a couple years ago.

( from his perspective anyway. )

In it, a family is given a mummified monkey paw that is capable of granting them three wishes. Every wish that the paw grants also comes with terrible consequences.

[ They're a scrivener, attention to detail is part of the job! ]

It certainly did for the monkey.

[ They go back to browsing the shelves, poking through the hardcovers with great interest. ]

Have you found anything familiar in here? I know it isn't the bookshop, but it must be nice to have some books around again!

(( also available on request! ))

( open ) nov/dec catchall - the bells have started singing

✦ open starters

mid nov ✦ car troubles

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late nov ✦ 🌼🌹🌷

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when it's way more important to complain

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late nov ✦ media store

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✦ closed starters