Hello again! Because this chapter is being posted now, there isn't a specific dedication. But... Well, I guess the dedication should go to those people who've added this to their story alert. Thank you people! 3 So, this is 10 years down the line, before the party. And hey - I actually have Crowley and Aziraphale talking in this one! Yay!
Anyway, on we go!
"I don't know," Muriel commented in a worried tone, "I just don't know. Something seems really odd about the whole situation. Something seems... off." The two were sat in St James Park, next to the duck pond. It is not common knowledge, but St James ducks are, among other things, fairly emphatic when it involves the emotions and preferences of people. Possibly due to the need to judge various spies and agents meeting by their pond, but nobody will ever know for sure. Damian's view was that ducks were created by Him for the single purpose of providing a form of entertainment that can recycle old bread – sort of like organic waste bins that are also remarkably stupid, and yet still somehow sentient. That, along with his companion's view on the birds, led to him being somewhat accepting of ducks. In a more extreme measure, Muriel lovedducks.
Therefore, as the conversation was playing out, the pair had what would have appeared, to an onlooker, a swarm of ducks amicably waddling around the bench that the angel and demon duo were sat on. In fact, one bold feathered individual had chosen to settle against the angel's side, and another was doing its best to nibble at Damian's shoe. Damian was about to use the propulsion of his foot against the aforementioned bird, but caught sight of Muriel's disapproving expression and changed his mind at the last second, instead contenting himself with hitting the duck on the head with a piece of bread.
"I know what you mean. All I can think to possibly say about Warlock is that he is a top-class brat. A precocious, 10-year-old brat with an overinflated ego to match his weekly pocket money." He replied darkly, eyes flashing briefly with a reddish glow. Muriel watched this with a raised eyebrow. "Then surely your side should be happy about that? After all, rebellious behaviour and that kind of thing? Linked to yourlot most of the time." She replied.
Damian nodded. "Oh, certainly, they're proud of that part. But it also means he's a proper pain for anyone given the responsibility of watching over him for long periods of time. Simply watchingthe brat during his tempers is enough to cause me a headache..." he muttered, rubbing his temple for emphasis.
Muriel sighed. "Come now, darling, you really mustn't forget his position in society. He is in a lifestyle where he would need to play up at times to gain any attention from his parents. That kind of thing is almost certain to affect the personality of a child of his age." She chided gently. After all, as the official angel of the youth, she really was supposed to defend any child's behaviour. Although most of it, in this case, was simply to keep up appearances. Yes, the child had his positives, but those tempers of his were trying on those even blessed with the patience of a saint. Or an angel, in this case.
Damian muttered under his breath about 'annoying, forgiven heavenly softies', but decided not to continue his rant about Warlock. After all, he'd be attempting to do something about as possible as trying to use a pogo-stick as an effective method of transportation to reach the moon. Or trying to make it through Swindon without having to hear any slang from those annoying teenagers - what were they called again? 'Chives'? - whichever was the more impossible. Most likely the latter. Anyway, the demon could tell an impossible task if faced with one.
Instead, he fed the ducks again, and fought the temptation to make one of the buggers choke. It was difficult, but he succeeded. After a while, the pair decided that, although it was nice to sit in the park, they really needed to find their tutors. So, they set off to find them. Eventually, they found their respective tutors sitting in the cafe of the British Museum. Grabbing another two chairs, they moved to sit down with them. Aziraphale smiled over at Muriel, before asking if she wanted anything to drink. Before she could respond, Damian tapped on the table and a cup of tea appeared in front of the younger angel, along with a piece of shortbread. Muriel blinked, before thanking Damian and drawing an obscure image in the air with her foot. The next waitress to open the till would find enough money to cover both Muriel's things andDamian's cup of coffee and bag of pretzels.
"So what's going on, now? Any plans for the birthday boy?" The demon asked, turning to their elders and barely hiding the disgust in his tone. Crowley waited until his student was halfway through sipping at his coffee before calmly replying. "Oh, nothing much. Just a hellhound."
The reaction was just as entertaining as he'd hoped. Damian choked on his coffee, but as he choked some of the coffee spilt into his lap. The younger demon yelped, leaping up and dropping the coffee. Sadly, it splashed as it fell, and hot coffee went everywhere. Including onto a passing waiter, who proceeded to drop his tray with a yell onto a young couple. At the girl's screech, an old lady across the way jumped in shock, and her bag turned to hit a businessman in the face. Crowley couldn't stop laughing for a good few minutes, and could only laugh harder at Damian's glare that was then aimed at a fussing Muriel who was desperately trying to help sort the chaos.
His laughter stopped however, as he turned to face Aziraphale who was holding a hand over his face and wincing. Pulling the angel's hand back, he grimaced as he realised that some of the spilt beverage had hit Aziraphale in the face - namely the eye - and had scalded him. Crowley looked guilty, before placing a quick hand onto the angel's cheek, blinking as the burn vanished immediately. "Sssorry, Angel. Didn't mean for youto be ssstruck as well." He muttered.
Aziraphale sighed, before shrugging. "Oh, well. I'm fine now. Just, please, thinknext time? You also narrowly missed Muriel's face there too." He replied quietly, just before their students sat down again. Sure enough, there was a mark on the younger angel's top, along the shoulder and towards the neckline.
Noticing Crowley's stare, Muriel looked at where he was staring. "Oh! Whoops, didn't notice that..." she murmured, placing a hand over the stain that disappeared when she let go. Looking back up, she tilted her head to one side. "I'm guessing you weren't joking just then, so... explanation, please?" She added, looking between her own tutor and Damian's.
Aziraphale and Crowley quickly filled in the details for the younger pair, and soon a plan was formed on just how to get into the party.
So... did I voice Zira and Crowley alright? Please let me know! I have the prompts thing still open for the 10 years thing, so please help me out?
I know that there isn't a known 'angel of the youth', and that according to some Muriel is supposed to be the angel of emotions, but I think this title suits her better, and it will become more important later on in the story. Will hopefully have the next chapter up in the next 3 days!
Plus:
Seeing as I really want to follow this on with a crossover with Supernatural, could anyone interested in this check my profile? I've got a poll up there now about the pairings that would be written into the story. Let me know? And, as always, reviews = love, a possible dedication and cyber cookies!