Possible title? " I've been on pause, but I'm shaking off the rust" … any thoughts? Because I'm just going to end up going through my music and picking off lyrics. And I've already started. Because that right there is lyrics. /lame
Also, holy shit. You guys are fantastic. Considering I think myself a crap writer, it's weird to think people would like it XD I also feel as though I should answer the more in depth reviews. But those will be at the bottom of the page. Because they're long, due my rambling on. But please, help me come up with a title?
Castiel was the first to react. He was an angel, so his reflexes were better than a human's (even if only by a few seconds. A vessel tended to dull the reflexes considerably).
Behind them, stood a man of average height, who reminded Castiel a lot of a professor that he once saw on the TV. Except… not when he's running through tombs, but when he's teaching. Or maybe, that doctor that Sam once showed him; the one with the bow tie. It didn't matter. Piercing blue eyes glared at them through glasses perched halfway down the man's nose.
But though he had the appearance of a man, he was far from one. Castiel could practically taste the Grace radiating off of the vessel. Was it even a vessel? The entire being itself seemed to be made of Grace, and Castiel couldn't detect a heartbeat, breathing, any of the functions of a human body. That unnerved him greatly. This angel was more powerful than he expected, if he didn't even have a vessel.
Sam snatched his hand back, looking guilty, while Dean seemed to be evaluating the threat level of the creature that glowered at them.
"Er…. Hello." Sam returned lamely, rubbing an arm. The angel (because that's who it was, an angel. And Castiel really was not as prepared as he'd imagined) just stared at him, before crossing his arms over his chest.
"Is there something you're looking for?" He asked, and Castiel focused more on the fact that the angel's voice was actually speaking. Sam glanced at Dean, who shrugged, and both brothers turned to look at Castiel. The angel said nothing and continued to stare at the being before him, "If you aren't going to do anything then maybe you should leave."
Sam was kind of impressed, Castiel saw. If he was being truthful, he'd have to agree. The book shop's keeper had just told them to basically …"fuck off", but was polite about it. Even if he was living up to Dean's "almost all angels are dicks with wings."
"We are looking for a book." Castiel spoke, unsure of the other angel's intentions, "One that is specific in the ways to locate the great weapons of heaven."
"The great –"
"You're the owner of this shop?" Sam blurted, interrupting the odd angel. Castiel, if he was "that type of person", was sure he would have dropped his head into a hand and heaved a great, long sigh. It almost seemed like something Dean would do. Except would he hang his head? Castiel wondered briefly before refocusing his attention to the situation at hand.
"Yes. I am Mr. Fell." Mr. Fell said, his accented voice thrumming with suspicion. Ah, Castiel realized what he did there. Playing on his name, breaking it up, making it human; clever trick. Of course, Castiel assumed that it was harder to go around claiming your name as "Aziraphale".
"You have amazing books! I –"
"Sammy, Cas was asking the guy about the book that we need." Dean pressed, his words sliding out of his mouth, looking something close to pained. The arch angel's eyes cleared for a moment in realization.
The presence of Mr. Fell's grace had appeared once he had made himself known. It was a clever trick, to let enemies know who they were dealing with, to let allies know who, or what, he was. It seemed to have an added bonus for this angel; to make customers feel uncomfortable.
Seriously, how did he not get in trouble for misusing his Grace that way? Castiel felt a surge of emotion. He couldn't recognize it, but he felt himself growing angry with the other angel. But for what reason? He argued with himself, Aziraphale –Mr. Fell hasn't done anything; he has given no reason for ill will. Ah, he argued back, but did this angel Fall for misusing his Grace? Which can be considered a far worse crime than simply helping Father's creations?
Sometimes, Castiel feared he was becoming too human. And he really needed to ask Dean about this strange feeling. He shrugged it off, realizing that the attention had fallen back on him.
Mr. Fell regarded the arch angel as if he was inspecting him, ignoring the way Castiel returned the gesture. That in itself was a feat. He knew that most beings (human and supernatural alike) were easily unnerved by his stare, yet this angel did nothing more than blink and stare back.
"What makes you think I'm going to hand over a book that reveals details of the weapons of Heaven?" The cold voice was back, and Castiel could hear the undertone of "And what makes you so important that you need it?"
"Well, if they're not real, then it shouldn't be a problem, right?" Dean glowered. Sam and Castiel winced at the tone. The Grace was making Dean worse. This needed to be over and done with now.
"…My dear, are you alright?" The cold tone has dissipated, and Mr. Fell's hard face melted into one of concern. That wasn't something anyone was expecting. But Mr. Fell's worry seemed to agitate his Grace more so, causing Dean more pain.
"Holy shit!" Sam yelped, jumping over to Dean, "Dean, Dean! You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm just fine." Dean glared at Sam briefly before snapping his gaze to Mr. Fell who was looking at them, with mixed emotions running across his face.
"My boy, you don't seem to be …" The angel paused, his mouth left open in an 'o' shape as he had an epiphany, "Oh, that was sarcasm."
At the Winchester brothers' exasperated looks and Castiel's head tilt, Castiel realized that maybe, not understanding things like sarcasm and pop culture references were an angel thing.
Sir Gawin: I apologize; I didn't write out your whole penname. I really didn't want to write it out. But I have a ball saying it out loud. And thank you very much for pointing those out to me. I am total crap at mythology right now. The most recent anything I've read/researched is Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses. But I feel as though I can completely shake off the first one, by saying "RUMOURS ARE RUMOURS." XD
Second, I feel as though he would keep some of the books that are rare out front, but only the ones that he didn't particularly like himself. But he'd still be all pissed if anyone touched them. I also think he'd be the type of person who would leave books lying about in organized disarray? XD Yeah, that made more sense in my head. I apologize again. I seem to have rambled a bit.
Dark Archer: Ah, yes. Not going to lie, I kind of based Cas off of a social experiment I did on my family? My family doesn't know how to censor themselves around small children, so usually, by the age of seven, we all know how to properly swear and when and where to use them. Social conditioning, it all depends on how you learn, etc. It seemed to fit, y'know. He hangs around the Winchesters and Bobby, who I don't think keep as clean mouths as they do on the show (which isn't very clean. I'm always amazed at what they get away with).
And you're response also made snort Diet Pepsi out my nose. Because yes, you totally spelt his name wrong, but I read it wicked fast. So the first time I went through it, I thought you wrote "Asaphlasneeze". Which makes no sense now that I think about it, because there are a lot more letter in that one then your spelling. …And I've rambled, again.
taoueriT: You. You made my ego boost so much. I'm so … I don't even have a word it, really. But you made my day and helped me write the rest of this chapter.
To everyone else: I'm sorry. You're reviews weren't extensive enough for me to type something back. No that I don't appreciate your reviews! It's just hard to write something back when the review is saying "Great! I love it! Update soon!"
(And to Voldy's pink teddy, I'm really sorry. I loved your review, it was the first and it filled me with such joy. Not just because it was a wonderful first review, but your name is fantastic. I want to call you "Voldy". I honestly have no idea what to say to you. I'm stumped. But even stumped and still at a loss about what to say, I still manage to ramble on like a fool. But you're amazing, and I love you.)
