[Open] May Catch- All

[salutosinedelectat]

Who: Aziraphale & you
Where: All along the train
When: Llama 1st - 12th
What: New month, new mission, but Aziraphale isn't really much for being in the fray, if he can help it. Plus he's got a couple of new things keeping him busy, like new living quarters in need of decorating, and a new cookbook full of baking recipes he wants to try. So, as usual, he's staying in during a mission week, running about, doing his own thing.
Warnings: A dangerous amount of baked goods



General/Sleeper car
New fortnight means new station stop. It also means the hustle and bustle of new passengers, departing souls, package deliveries, and who knows what else. With how the last stop day had gone for him, he was already hesitant in greeting the new one, but didn't quite make any plans to avoid it.

However, when the day came, he was, for the most part, nowhere to be seen.

Non-new passengers might be more keen in spotting the angel's lack in presence around the train for the first few days. No early tea just after the reset in the morning. No post-breakfast walks across the train, politely greeting other passengers. Not even any haunting about the library, although his little writing practice encouragement corner is still there.

But they mustn't fret - those who do find themselves quite friendly with the angel, at least - for his name never even threatens to leave the roster. Although they might suffer a small scare or some vague worry when his and Crowley's names are no longer outside their usual sleeper car room plaque, but they might find them now placed outside a room in the new double room sleeper car.

More noticeable, however, is perhaps the smell, even more days in - starting on the day just before the mission starts, a persistent smell of fresh baked goods permeates the sleeper cars, far, far from the train kitchen. In fact, it somehow seems to seep through several cars. somehow, despite how much that defies the logic and physicality of the several passageways between the cars, easily enough traced back to one of the doors in the new car.

Those bold (or hungry) enough may approach the door, if they so please. Surely there's nothing strange going on behind it.


Library
The mission's already underway by the time the angel seems to come out from whatever hole he's been hiding in. Back to one of his usual posts - the top floor of the library, in this case.

He's sat at the one table he's previously stocked with towers of notebooks and piles of pens, in hopes that other passengers might be so inclined to take on creative endeavors and to similarly take on the task of de-emptifying the library shelves in their own hands. He did leave out the part where he's also interested in partaking in any new form of literature at this point, settling for any kind of contribution, but he does genuinely believe there might be some hidden talent hidden in the passenger population. And, even if there isn't, perhaps some would benefit with a new hobby, or outlet.

He seems quite immersed in one of the notebooks, round spectacles perched dutifully atop of his nose, as he looks as undisturbingly focused as a stone gargoyle watching over a catedral.

Perhaps one might still be able to get his attention, if they try hard enough.


Over the city
It's during some evening sometime midway through the week long mission when the angel can be found in the garden car, staring down at the city below. Arms crossed behind his back, he seems very focused on the buildings, and the hustle and bustle far too far away to be seen.

He's quite clearly lost in thought, whatever that thought might be, and could easily be missed if you weren't looking properly.

--

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Comments

sleeper car, pre-mission

[irrationally]

[ Alice does worry.

Sure, the angel and demon she knows tend to be a little more elusive than most, seeming like the types who prefer to have some time to themselves from time to time, but it's never been like this before. It feels like it's been so much harder to spot them during the beginning of the month, and it's starting to bother Alice.

She isn't used to using the roster, but she tries to figure it out just to check if they aren't really gone from the train. But no, their names are there - listed the same as ever.

Which means that in the end, once Alice hears about people having visions and knowing it means that they'll soon have another mission to attend to, she decides to do something that makes her feel desperate and dumb.

But she knows that if she won't do it, she'll feel even more worried during the entire mission, and she can't have that.

So she looks over the nameplates sitting next to all of the cabins, until she arrives at the new double rooms - and only then realises that's where their names are listed now.

She's been so worried that she doesn't even quite notice the smell coming from the cabin. Isntead she just knows. ]

.. Crowley? Aziraphale? Are.. either of you there..?

[ Ugh, she kind of feels like a child looking for attention, but what else is she supposed to do with this fussy feeling bothering her in her chest? ]

Sorry for taking so long! I kept meaning to get to this tag and utterly failing

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Time is a funny thing. The more of it you go through, the less you notice it. And the two of them, having existed well before time was a thing that existed, have a much different way of seeing it. In fact, a couple of days are nothing but half of a blink of an eye, and Aziraphale has not notice any of it gone by, preoccupied as he's been with settling into their new room, and leaning deeper towards his baking ventures.

When he hears the knock, effectively pulling him from the previously mentioned baking ventures, he does find it odd only because he wouldn't think Crowley would be knocking on their own door. But when he gets to it, and notices the young girl, he greets her with a pleasant smile.]

Alice! Hello, dear girl. Did you need anything?

it's ok!

[irrationally]

[ Alice feels two emotions come over her at the same time when she spots the angel in the doorway. First there's relief, but there's also a feeling that she's really, really dumb to have worried as much.

Ugh, why do emotions have to be so exhausting? ]

I-- I was--

[ She seems to not even be sure of what to say here, just sputtering words a few times before shaking her head and gathering herself enough to speak. It's hard to determine whether to be honest here or not, since her honest feelings feel kind of dumb, but she suddenly can't stop them from slipping out. ]

I thought you two were gone! I hadn't seen you in days!

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale simply looks at her with growing curiosity as she first struggles to get her words out, but the expression is then replaced by confusion.

Time is a funny thing, when you have a lot of it. And the more time you go through, the less you notice it pass you by, by and large. One could imagine, then, how proportional it is for creatures that have existed since before time ever did. ]

Oh, do forgive me, my dear. We may have lost track of time.

[ They most definitely did, enraptured as they were in decorating their new living space in the train. ]

Crowley's away right now, but I assure you, we're both doing just fine.

[irrationally]

Well..

[ The confusion and surprise slowly slip away from her - which are the strongest emotions in this situation, so it just leaves a remainder of something more pathetic, a kind of shame. Her shoulders sag a little as it comes over her. ]

That is.. good, I suppose. [ Thankfully they are alright, and thankfully they're still here. Even though no one should be stuck on this train, there's no doubt that Alice would feel bad if they were just suddenly gone. ]

Sorry if I.. [ Her voice trails off, like she's looking for the right words. A hint of the shame appears in the colouring on ehr cheeks. ] If I overreacted.

[ Ugh, now she feels dumb for worrying while they were just fine!! ]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Curioser and curioser. He watches the poor girl, and feels a bit guilty for having made her worry. ]

I do apologize if we made you worry. We tend to forget humans view time differently.

Say, would you like to come in? It's not quite finished yet, but there's no need to have you stand out here in the hallway.

[irrationally]

[ At least that makes her look back at Aziraphale. ]

You wouldn't mind?

[ She figures the angel wouldn't - he's always seemed so sweet, after all - but considering how much Alice wants to do her best to leave a good impression on him, she can't help but ask all the same.

After all, it's still a third party intruding on their private living space, even if they know each other. ]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ All things considered, even if it's not the first time either Aziraphale and Crowley have struck friendships with humans, it's still quite novel just how close they've gotten with Alice. He figures he can't be helped - with the literal bond she and Crowley share, the alternative of them not getting along would make the matter very, very awkward. ]

Oh, not at all. I was just about to take a break and make myself some tea. You could join me, if you'd like.

[irrationally]

.. thank you.

[ There's a tad of politeness in it, sure, but more than anything, the thanks just sounds genuine. ]

I really would like that. [ After all, she likes having tea with friends. And perhaps it'll soothe her nerves a bit after getting so worked up. ]

Sleeper car

[firewalled]

[Rich certainly doesn't mind the smell of baked goods at all. He's been experimenting with cooking himself, so he's interested if those are new recipes, but he is a bit confused when he starts walking towards the kitchen and the smell gets fainter.

He backtracks until he finds the sleeper car, and frowns at the closed door for a moment, weighing his options before finally pounding against the surface.]

Hey! Did you sneak an oven in there somehow? I don't know if that's a fire hazard...

[salutosinedelectat]

[ There's a few moments of silence before the familiar posh voice calls out, from somewhere perhaps strangely further away from the door that should be possible in one of the rooms. ]

Just a minute!

[ Soon enough, the door opens slightly and there stands Aziraphale, sporting a pair of nifty little round spectacles and a tartan apron on his person. ]

Oh, hello. Did you need something?

[firewalled]

Oh! Uh, not exactly? I just thought I smelled something good. Was wondering who was doing baking around here besides me. Especially since I usually do it in the kitchen...

[Rich isn't exactly surprised to see Aziraphale, though. He had given off some... strange vibes the first time they had interacted, not that Rich thought that was a bad thing.]

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale is known for giving off strange vibes, not that he's quite aware of the fact. The different impressions he's left on people over them millennia vary quite dramatically. ]

Oh! Well, that would be the orange upside-down cake. It's not quite done baking yet,I'm afraid.

[ Aziraphale looks into the room as if to check, and in the moment he does, Rich may catch a glance of what definitely does not look like a normal train car. The colors are different, for one - instead of the white and neutral colored plastic, it seems to mostly be tasteful wood panelling. It also seems to be impossibly large, much, much bigger than several rooms combined. ]

[firewalled]

Oh, that's okay! I was just surprised to smell it over here and...

[Yeah, he's definitely noticing the design of the room now, not to mention the size. He raises an eyebrow but gives a soft smile.]

Looks like someone's been redecorating. You did this all yourself?

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale looks at Rich and back into the room, and offers the young man a sheepish smile. ]

Oh, not quite. It was, hum, my partner's idea to do it in the first place. Although it did come out quite nice, if I may say so.

[ The angel considers his options for a moment, then figures it might be a tad rude to leave the young man standing outside. He seems nice enough. ]

Say, would you like to come in for a minute? I certainly can't eat this entire cake by myself, and you can tell me what you think of it, if you'd like.

[firewalled]

Partner, huh? Have I seen them around?

[Rich raises an eyebrow and gives a bit of a teasing smirk. Forgive him, but he's a horny and newly out teen. He wants to know what everyone is getting up to!]

Oh, uh, if you don't mind! I don't mean to interrupt... I'm just a bit of a cook myself, and I like finding new ideas.

[salutosinedelectat]

Oh, you might have. Red hair, dressed in black? Often with sunglasses on.

[ At the part about the cooking, he smiles. ]

Even better. I've just began to venture into cooking myself - mostly baking - but it really is quite interesting what you can make with just a handful of ingredients.

Ah, do come in.

[ He opens the door the rest of the way. ]

Sleeper car, pre-mission

[worthallthis]

Soldat figured out the new room thing pretty early on, especially given Crowley's disappearance, as well. And really, in what universe would Crowley and Aziraphale not get their own room as soon as it was available?

So they take a moment out of mission prep one evening and swing by, finding the one with their names on the door, and knock. There's a plate in hand of cookies ("biscuits", a recipe their own Aziraphale had taught them, so they know it's one he likes) and origami animals at the ready when Aziraphale opens it. "Housewarming gift?" they offer with a hopeful little smile.

Re: Sleeper car, pre-mission

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale's been in quite the pleasant mood ever since he and Crowley got their own room. Not only did they finally have a shared space utterly their own, they had also made sure to turn it into just that, with the help of a miracle or twenty. The angel had even entirely lost track of time, spending several days in without even noticing it, not that that was that much time for someone like him.

He's fixing himself some tea when he hears the knocking. When he opens the door, just enough to look through, there's a very clear distinction between the normal rooms and whatever is going on in theirs. There's also the sound of classical music playing from somewhere in there.

"Oh! Soldat. Pleasure to see you." He greets them with a smile, all the brighter when he notices the gifts.

"Oh,you really shouldn't have. Do come in, dear fellow, I've just put the kettle on."

He opens the door the rest of the way and welcomes them in - and the room, well... Soldat might well think they stepped into an entirely different world. The room is roughly the side of the entire train car (regardless of whether or not the placement of the door makes sense), all tasteful classical wood panelling and vintage-looking furniture, with a small kitchen and lofts on either end. To the left, there's a closed off room, with the loft space a bit harder to take a look at. To the right, a main sitting area, and what looks like a bedroom sleeping area above a series of bookshelves, that seem to lead into a smaller office-like section.

Re: Sleeper car, pre-mission

[worthallthis]

Looking around as the follow Aziraphale inside, Soldat can feel their mouth fall open. It's very fancy, it's very big, and frankly doesn't look like it should even remotely fit in the train. "Is this what all the double rooms look like?"

They kind of doubt it, but this is magic on a scale well beyond what Soldat thought the two of them could do.

[salutosinedelectat]

"Oh, I wouldn't think so. Crowley and I have had quite the couple of days putting it together. Much cozier than the drab cold rooms." Which he would have handled just fine, even if it wasn't his taste, but he's so very glad Crowley had the idea of changing theirs. He feels so much more at home.

He leads Soldat to the sofa and sitting area in the middle of the room, and gestures towards the small coffee table. "You can put your things there. Would you like some tea? Maybe something stronger?"

[worthallthis]

"Well. They're your things. I brought them here for you. And Crowley, of course." But they do set the plate down on the coffee table. It's a good, central spot for cookies. They're still looking around with interest, though, as they answer, "Don't bother with anything stronger. I can't really appreciate it. Can't get drunk, you know."

[salutosinedelectat]

The best spot for cookies and treats is always either in the central place in a room, or within arms reach of a sitting area. That's only logical.

"Well, it's not always about getting inebriated. But tea it is." He moves toward the small kitchenette by the wall.

"So how have you been? Surprising how easy it is to miss people in such a small space sometimes." Although that might be due to Aziraphale's tendency to hide out in search of privacy.

[worthallthis]

"Especially if you're spending all day in your room. Suite. Thing." Soldat is still pretty impressed, to be honest. It's very fancy in here. They might be a little jealous at the pair of them having their own space-- they would love to get one of these, even if it wasn't like this. Just a room with one other person. Heaven.

Well, not like they could even decide on a person here, really. It's not like it matters. "I'm okay. Getting ready for the mission. There's a lot of cooking to do."

[salutosinedelectat]

Well, he did deserve that one. Even on Earth, while he was bound to visit parks, and restaurants, and shops and other such places in his free time, he valued the controlled privacy of his bookshop. Now, the options are very limited on the train, and he could right well stay in the room for weeks at a time if he so liked. And that doesn't sound bad at all.

"Oh, yes, the mission." He sets about preparing their tea. "I do hope it's not too dangerous."