Snakes on a Train [Open]

[agathokakological]

Who: Crowley [agathokakological], Aziraphale [salutosinedelectat], & YOU
Where: The Quiet Carriage
When: Fiddlesticks Week of Day 23
What: There's a giant snake in the quiet car.
Warnings: Snake


I. 

It had only been a few days since Aziraphale and Crowley had become a little more honest with one another, but new things were often quite exciting and the train itself didn't really allow for proper exploration of those things. That is, at least, if you were two supernatural entities who weren't really fond of human-typical PDA (Crowley would argue, of course, that it could tarnish his very cool and mysterious image if he was caught publicly whispering sweet nothings to one very sweet angel.)

Being seen together wasn't the problem. Crowley wasn't ashamed to be seen with Aziraphale and was certainly not ashamed to be known as his significant other (Quite proud, actually... have you seen Aziraphale?), but there were just things better suited for privacy, the problem was securing a private spot whenever they'd wanted one. Fortunately, Crowley hatched a plan.

The demon was well aware of the social prejudices that came along with snakes (If you ask Crowley, Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the top comedies of its time.), and would happily use it to his advantage. Luckily, people on the train loved to talk, and so with very little effort of his own he'd spread rumor that there was a rather large one trapped inside of one of the private rooms, and it was best to keep away. When feeling up to it, he'd play the role himself, taking the proper form of a serpent and coiling up into the center of the room, right within view of the window. Being a serpent wasn't exactly Crowley's favorite form, far from it, but when he was one he was rather large, easily the size of a giant anaconda; jet black with orange-red markings down his belly, and of course, golden eyes that he usually kept tucked behind sunglasses.

If someone looked into the room, they'd likely see those eyes staring right back at them. Otherwise, the room is empty except for a book and a teacup set aside that the snake is definitely not interested in.



[Illustration by Skree]


II.

Other occasions required a little more enginuity. Aziraphale and Crowley would frequently occupy the space together, and unless the angel felt inclined to recline across a pile of Crowley himself, Crowley would reassume his human form for them to chat or otherwise enjoy each other's company. 
The window, in this situation, was the problem. Clever as always, a large paper was taped over the window that read: GIANT SNAKE: DO NOT ENTER.

[OOC: Aziraphale has open threadjacking permissions for this post!] 

Comments

[salutosinedelectat]

The angel takes that moment to pop the wine bottle open and get on pouring them a couple of glasses. He's not sure who's stocking the train or how, but he and Crowley might be among the guiltiest parties emptying their selection of wine. It is surprisingly not bad.

"Did anyone try to get in while I was gone?" He moves back over to the demon and hands him a glass.

[agathokakological]

"Almost constantly." he sputtered,  reaching for his glass, "Loads of children. Can't blame them for their curiosity, I suppose." 

He took a sip, making a bit of a face at the taste, still surprised by drinkable beverages. "Actually find it quite odd how many children are on board. If the powers that be were rounding us up for usefulness, you'd think they wouldn't waste their time scooping up such young kids without training."

[salutosinedelectat]

He sits across from the demon, adjusting his sweater as he does. 

"If that's how they're making their selection. It's difficult to find a proper pattern, to be honest." He takes a sip, thinking about it. "We don't quite know what everyone's capable of yet. Perhaps they have some-" And he vaguely gestures. "Innate ability we're not aware of." 

[agathokakological]

"Fair point." he signs, shrugging it off as he focuses on his wine a moment. Crowley takes a deep breath, another sip, then turns to look at Aziraphale with a hint of curiosity in his eye.

"You look rather casual today, angel. What's the occasion?" he asks, almost teasingly.

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale does rather enjoy the moment of peace and quiet. They had a lot of quiet in the islands, but not a lot of peace. And while there's certainly things to be worry about now, it does just make the quiet moments even more special.

He's going for another sip when the demon speaks, looking at him and then down at his clothes.

"Oh-yes, I do suppose I am." Having apparently decided to tuck away his beloved coat and his well loved vest (or, rather, in some strange and rather uncomfortable manner, a copy of them, as he didn't seem to be able to reach "far" enough to get his own...it's complicated) for a nice argyle sweater. He brushes non-existent crumbs off of the sweater. "It felt like time for a bit of a change, I suppose."

[agathokakological]

"Suits you." Crowley replies into his drink as he takes another sip. The demon himself didn't always wear the same thing out and about, but considering it was all very slim cut and black it tended to look like the same outfit time and time again.

Crowley couldn't help but wonder if the angel's sudden need for change came from the change in their own relationship, and his ears felt hot just thinking about it.

[salutosinedelectat]

While the angel much preferred to purchase his clothing, it's not like being stuck in a train gave him many options. There is a dressing room, and a shop, but they weren't immediate solutions and he didn't quite find anything suited to his tastes. So he had to make due with a little bit of a miracle. While the style is simple, and not at all that different from the usual, and still somewhat dated, he did actually take a good amount of time just testing out possible looks until he felt comfortable.

Crowley's compliment did make him more confident about the look.

"You think so?" He smiles, glancing down at the sweater again. "It's quite comfortable. I did wonder if it was a tad bit too casual..."

[agathokakological]

"It's a bit different, yeah, but it's very you, isn't it?" he replies. It's certainly not something the demon would pick for him to wear, but Aziraphale would probably rather discorporate than ever let Crowley dress him. 

"We're on a cramped train... you ought to be comfortable." he notes, "Did you find it here? You know the spider weaves custom looks."

[salutosinedelectat]

No offense to Crowley, but he's entirely correct about that assumption. But that's alright, he thinks - the style he goes for is always very him, too, in all the sleekness and dark colors. Even if the angel passed judgement sometimes, even he'd have to admit that the demon takes an incredible amount of care in his looks.

"Oh, no. Had to make due with a bit of a miracle. Not preferred, but I really couldn't find anything that caught my attention." He sips his drink, vaguely thinking about the very you part. "Ah, yes, the spider. How is she?"

[agathokakological]

Crowley hadn't meant it as a jab, only an observation. He knew what the angel liked, and it was no surprise to see him wearing it, even if it was different from the norm.

"Very well, I'm sure. at least I believe she makes everything custom, exactly to your liking..." he notes, tilting his head, "I know how you enjoy your hand-made ensembles."

[salutosinedelectat]

The angel hums. "Indeed I do." He taps his finger on the side of his drink, pondering. "A spider seamstress. Sounds very fairytale-like, doesn't it?"

[agathokakological]

"Well, we are on a magical train, are we not?" he replies shortly, reclining back a bit more to adjust his comfort.

"They'll be suggesting demon daycare next, with all these blessed children running about."

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale takes a sip, thinking about their "mission" just a handful of years back.

"That would certainly be interesting." What with what Crowley's babysitting duties had actually included back then.

[agathokakological]

"I'm never not interesting." he points out, then hesitates for a moment, "Although given the opportunity, one could educate the children on this blessed train of the importance of thinking for oneself..." he trails off, bobbing his head about as if he's lodging the thought back and forth within it.

"Shouldn't be blindly following some self-important leader, that much is for sure."

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale eyes him over his glass, quite curiously. "You mean to say you're actually considering helping someone?" 

[agathokakological]

Crowley waves him off, giving him a look that reads the angel should know better. "Leading a rebellion is hardly helping, angel."

[salutosinedelectat]

"Oh, rebellion, you say?" All with a tone of someone who might as well be talking to a child speaking about how they're going to get on a rocketship to the moon.

[agathokakological]

"Not... well, not exactly. But kids are impressionable, as you know."

Crowley squints, sensing that judgement. It's thick on the air, and the angel's tone doesn't help. "I don't need you to patronize me, angel. I know what I'm doing."

[salutosinedelectat]

Oh, it's not judgement. Patronization, sure, but not judgement.

"Wouldn't dream of it, my dear." Pointed with a dainty sip of his wine. "I, for one, think there's something quite devilish in educating little children."

[agathokakological]

"Really? Because it sounds a lot like patronizing." he groans, turning so that his back is against the window. With a huff, he folds his arms across his chest.

"Forget it."

[salutosinedelectat]

The angel glances at Crowley, in all his pouting glory, over his glass, and does his best not to look gently amused.

"Oh, my dear boy, I'm only teasing. I'm sure you can help raise some little revolutionary warriors if you put your mind to it."

[agathokakological]

"You still sound like you're mocking me, angel. Just drop it." he groans, "I can't sleep every time I'm bored."

And if there's something else he should be doing, well the train doesn't have a lot of opportunity for that.

[salutosinedelectat]

Well, their opportunities for entertainment are a tad limited, for sure. But there's certainly more options than there were in the islands.

"Oh, alright." So sensitive. "I do think it's a good idea. I'm sure all the children running about could do with someone watching over them."

[agathokakological]

"I'm not watching over anyone, angel... no one needs supervision." he corrects him, still obviously very sensitive about this, "I just thought, well it's an easy sell, isn't it? Children are made for chaos."

[salutosinedelectat]

The angel hums, apparently thinking it over. But then takes a another sip of wine instead.

"And who are you expecting them to turn against?"