Chapter 7 – The Miracle Test

Muriel walked into the bookshop with the espresso. Crowley had sobered himself up, but the stereo was still playing Radiohead on repeat, "I don't belong here…." Recognizing Muriel's smell (spring clover), Crowley snapped off the music and reached for the espresso. Cooling it to a drinking temperature, he gulped down half of it and held a finger out to Muriel, who was about to speak, "Don't". Then he downed the rest, took a deep breath, belched, and then slumped in his chair. He put his glasses on, "Now."

"Are you feeling better, Mr. C? Muriel looked concerned.

"Just ducky. Thank you for your concern." Crowley dialed his venom down a bit, not wanting to hurt the clerk. "I'm all right Muriel. Trying to adjust. Are you getting used to running a bookshop?"

"No customers yet. I've finished cleaning from the Ball and the Attack. I've been reading books on Mr. Fell's list. He doesn't have a television or internet here, so I'll have to wait until I've moved in to the flat above the record store to start on your movie list." Maggie was moving in with Nina, and she and Aziraphale had agreed to let Muriel live above the store in lieu of rent.

"You must turn the 'closed' sign to 'open'. You have been busy. Mr. Fell will be pleased. Have you heard from him yet?" Crowley asked, not trying to sound desperate.

"Not yet, but the Metatron came by to make sure I was 'settled in' ". Muriel's unique inflection made air quotes sound out loud.

"How nice." Crowley thought the Voice of God was also making sure that the demon had not set up camp in the bookstore. "Noted – make yourself scarce". Crowley handed his cup to Muriel, who took it into the kitchenette. He thought now was the time to try his theory. While they were washing up, Crowley stood, looked around and made his choice. He walked over to the bust of Alexander and knocked it off its pedestal. "Crack!" the plaster broke into pieces. Crowley smiled, having always called the subject of the bust "Alexander the Narcissist". Muriel came through the door. "You busted the bust. I believe it was a favorite of Mr. Fell's."

Crowley faked concern (he was inwardly delighted to see the nose broken into 3 pieces). "I believe you're right" he said through a locked jaw and looking over his glasses. "Will you help me fix it?"

"I don't have enough glue. I've used it all on a few teacups."

"We'll miracle it together" – Crowley took the angel's hand. "Now, we just believe that it's back in one piece…" the bust reassembled "as good as new". He dropped Muriel's hand and returned the bust to the pedestal, "And that's how you can use your power to fix a broken object. A very minor miracle". Inwardly, he clenched – waiting for alarms or angels to show up. Nothing happened, but he decided to wait a bit. "What else have you been doing?"

"Clothing. My constable's uniform was too different; I need to fit in." Muriel was still in her green ball gown. Crowley raised an eyebrow. "This was just for fun. But I have been trying to fit in. Do all bookshop people dress like this?" Muriel waved, and her clothing changed to Aziraphale's favorite outfit, down to the threadbare vest.

Crowley raised the other eyebrow, "Nnoh. You need to find something that makes you comfortable but doesn't look like a uniform. Start with a style you're used to and experiment from there."

"So, I start here" Muriel put her Heavenly uniform on. "But make adjustments." Shades of cream and gold became pinks and purples. "Comfortable". Her hair was loose and the uniform jacket became a zip up hoodie. She saw her reflection in the window and smiled. "Is this better?"

"So much better." Crowley smiled, partly because he enjoyed watching entities adapt to Earth, and partly because there had been no alarms. "I think you're going enjoy your time on Earth, Muriel. Thank you for your help. I'll drop by in a few days but call me if you hear from Aziraphale or the Metatron." He handed her a new cell phone, complete with pink and purple rhinestones. "It already has my number, the bookshop, the coffee shop, and the record shop programmed in."

"How nice! Thank you, Mr. Crowley," Muriel beamed at the phone.

"not nice, purely convenient. And you're welcome." Crowley headed for the door "Ciao". He walked out to the Bentley. "No alarms… so it's not just any angel/demon combination. Well, I'll keep a low profile for a bit…" Crowley started the car and the music – "Super powers always fighting,But Mona Lisa just keeps on smiling, It's a miracle, It's a miracle…."