Book selling was a nasty business. Having to exchange someone's thoughts brought out through the use of a pen then having to sell those thoughts for a piece of paper? The book could go off to a good home however, it could go off with someone who chooses to fold the page in use of a bookmark. The gall! Maybe Crowley was right all along, selling books was, indeed, demonic work.
"How is your tea, my dear?" Aziraphale had managed to persuade Cassi into a cup of tea while Crowley managed to keep Muriel busy by telling them how important it was for vinyl's to be organized by the first letter of the lyrics. Cassi nodded politely as she let the sweet aroma of her tea engulf her senses while the warm liquid seemed to be making her limbs noodle like, almost as if calming her every nerve. Of course, one would be worry free when drinking tea blessed by an actual angel. "Good." Aziraphale smiled at Cassi. "Now, tell us a little bit about yourself?"
The girl across from them cocked her head to the side. "Erm, Aziraphale doesn't sell books to just anyone." Crowley informed, "He likes to know they are going to a good home. Bit weird if you ask me." Aziraphale rolled his eyes at such nonsense. "So, tell us, um, Cassi, wha…how…you…hmmm…tell us a little bit about yourself?" Both angel and demon leaned forward, all too eager to know anything about their little miracle. "For example, where are you from, your hobbies, favorite food, favorite animal, maybe a particular color you like better than the rest…how do you feel about plants…your thoughts on the 14th century...any urge to, I don't know, do good deeds or bad ones?"
Cassi narrowed her eyes. "Now, now," Aziraphale nudged Crowley, "dearest, don't overwhelm our guest."
After a silent moment, she cleared her throat and placed her teacup down next to her on the desk, "Well, I don't particularly have a favorite food or color…uh…I like cats, have a gray Persian named Hex although, I am fond of ducks for some strange reason…er…no thoughts about the 14th century. Plants are, okay? As for deeds, I'm not entirely certain on how to respond to that. Haven't given it much thought." Crowley nodded encouragingly as if to coax something else out of her. "Oh, my full name is Cassiopeia, if that is interesting information."
"It certainly is. Named after a constellation I presume. Such a beautiful name, if I do say so." Crowley grinned. "Aziraphale here has a book on stars, I believe, if you would like to partake in some star knowledge. Huge universe," he pointed towards the ceiling, "stars, nebulas, galaxies, all that what have you. Fun to learn about. Parents must be into all that," he waved his hand enthusiastically, "good stuff."
Aziraphale nudged Crowley's side gently as he noticed Cassi shake her head slightly, eyes moving as if pondering a thought. "I - I am not quite sure. I never met my parents or rather…did I?" Those last words were a whisper meant only to herself even if she was unaware the pair in front of her managed to hear it clearly. "An elderly couple adopted me, sort of. Unfortunately, they did pass a long, long time ago." Her eyes screamed dejection, the spark in them gone momentarily. "Been wandering life by myself really."
Aziraphale leaned forward and not giving it a second thought, placed his hand on hers. "I'm sorry to hear that. I am most certain that wherever they are, they are being rewarded for such a good deed." Aziraphale could only hold her hand in earnest as he bit his tongue as he wanted nothing more to reveal himself, themselves, to her. This was technically their child and to hear she had, or is, lonely was something the angel wished to remedy. He knew the feeling all too well however, luckily for him, Crowley had been by his side ever since that feeling crept within him. "Would you care to dine with us?" The words came out of him unexpectedly.
"Um…" Cassi set her eyes on the grandfather clock behind them, "Shit. I'm actually going to be late for a thing." She stood and the pair followed. "I yearned for the books and if you still want to interview me," she chuckled as she took out her phone, "I'll be at this new club, Lux, meet me around 8? I'm sending you the deets."
"Deets?"
"Details, angel."
"Oh."
Cassi laughed through her nose. "You two are such a lovely couple." Angel and demon turned to each other as their cheeks turned crimson. "Have to go but I'll see you later?"
The duo followed her to the door. "Of course, of course." Aziraphale noodded. "We will be there 8 sharp." He waved until Cassi was outside the door. Crowley let out a breath he had been holding ever since seeing her through the coffee shop window. "Dearest?"
"I'm fine…fine. Seeing her in the flesh is an experience. Was I awkward? Do you think she thought I was awkward? Maybe she thinks I'm not…" he waved his hands around, "not cool. Fathers are supposed to be cool from what I've gathered."
"What are you saying, dearest. I'm sure she can't detect your temperature."
Crowley shook his head with judgment. "She most definitely thinks you're not."
Club Lux: 8:02 pm
"We are terribly late. This is not a good impression at all." Crowley fixed his angel's bowtie and rolled his eyes. "Now she will think we do not respect her time."
"Right." The demon rubbed his hands together behind the wheel of the Bently. "What's the plan then?"
"We are just wanting to know more about her and then we will take it from there. So far we know she…I don't think we really obtained useful information."
"Of course we did." Aziraphale cocked his head to the side. "One, she is immune to holy water. You did make the tea with it, yes? Two," Crowley began to count with his fingers, "she can tempt an angel, which is hilarious. Three, and most importantly, she's an absolute doll."
"I'm surprised the holy water didn't at least shock her or something and how is the last thing relevant?"
Crowley shrugged. "Quite relevant. I managed to find someone other than you who doesn't annoy me. Shall we go in?"
"Do I look alright?"
"Not any different than how you normally look. Hair is a bit messy, but I suppose that is my fault." Crowley smirked and jumped out of the car. He did not need to see Aziraphale's face to know he had left the angel blushing. He was thankful Aziraphale had nagged him to leave an hour early so they could be at the club right on schedule. Unfortunately for the angel, he did not count on Crowley to remember something from the 50's called parking. A pleasant enough activity however, because of it, they were now, in Aziraphale's words, running terribly late.
Once inside, and after the bouncer miraculously let them in, the pair found the music to be pleasant. Before leaving, Aziraphale had run across the street to the coffee shop to inquire information on what exactly was a club. Of course the angel had been part of a gentlemen's club in the late 1800's but Crowley insisted clubs were not at all like that anymore. Nina had planted images in his head of young people grinding and somewhat sinning against and with each other. He admitted he was nervous but listening to Wake Me Up Before You GoGo by Wham playing overhead made him feel as if he was in Bentley.
"Did we transport back into the 80's?" Crowley wrapped an arm around Aziraphale's waist and talked in his ear. Meanwhile, everyone was dressed in bright neon colors, hair was big and puffy, and the demon swore he saw someone modeling shoulder pads. Someone even had a tracksuit. "Where the bloody are we?"
"Hey!" A voice called from the side. Cassi waved at them to join her. She seemed to also be a part of the time warp as she wore black high tops, fishnet stockings under a pink skirt, a purple top, and a blue sequin jacket. Her red curls looked untamed with a purple bow adorning it. The duo briefly glanced at each other before making their way over to where Cassi and three other girls were at. "Glad you could make it." She said as she gestured to them to sit.
"Yes." Aziraphale smiled as he sat into the booth while Crowley followed. "Hello."
"Ladies, this is Crowley," she pointed, "and Aziraphale." Cassi introduced all too happily. "This is Donna, River, and Mel." The ineffable miracle looked at them up and down. "Shoot, I forgot to mention it's an 80's inspired club."
"Quite alright." The angel waved dismissively. "We lived through it so it's nice to see it again." Cassi giggled at his statement, making Aziraphale pleased with himself having been the one to make her laugh.
Just then, Donna shook Cassi's arm in desperation. "There he is! The smug bastard." The group turned towards Donna's reason for being annoyed. "Are you sure you're up for this?"
Cassi drank her drink in one gulp. "Easy as pie." She stood from her seat. "Erm…" she turned towards the entities, "I'll be right back." Cassi made her way towards the said smug bastard, her hips swinging in an alluring manor. There was something about seeing their little miracle put her hand on a stranger's shoulder that seemed to displease both angel and demon. Even more so when the stranger leaned in closer and whispered something into the miracle's ear and his hand coming down close to her behind.
"How did she manage to do that in all but a second?" The girl known as River questioned.
Donna shook her head. "I told you he was a bastard. You're better off without him Mel."
"I'm sorry, what is actually happening." Crowley questioned, eyes never once departing from Cassi. "You see that man, more like a boy," Donna explained, "he is Mel's ex. They broke up just yesterday because he's a two-timing bastard. After the breakup, River and I decided to bring Mel here to cheer her up."
"However," River continued, "come to find out through Twitter, the bastard was going to be here as well. Cassi overheard the audacity of it all and offered to help. Something about us women sticking together."
"Overheard?" Aziraphale asked. "So, you…you just met her only yesterday?" The girls nodded. "I see."
Crowley grabbed Aziraphale's hand as he motioned for the angel to close the gap between them. "She's tempting him." Crowley whispered. "I'm not sure what she is saying but trust me when I tell you she is." Aziraphale glanced over to Cassi. "But if his hand goes any lower, I might need to break it." It wasn't long until Cassi and the smug bastard made their way to the table.
Cassi displayed a smirk on her face while she crossed her arms and hung back as the smug bastard got on his knees. "Mel, I - I apologize for…for everything and y - you definitely deserve a better offer than anything I can give you." The girls, including angel and demon, could not believe the sight. "Please forgive me."
"I'm sure she does." Cassi placed a hand on his slum shoulder. "Now, bugger off and don't you dare two time again. Ghastly habit that." The smug bastard nodded profusely and scurried off. "Right then erm…" Cassi looked around. "Those individuals at the bar would love to buy you three a drink." She pointed. The girls were still stunned as they rose from their seat. Before they could say anything, Cassi snapped her fingers; however, her left hand motioned down, while her right hand motioned up. The gesture was swift and not at all out of the ordinary. And just like that, Mel, River, and Donna made their way towards the bar. "Lovely." Cassi said under her breath, leaving Aziraphale and Crowley too stunned for words.
It seemed as though; their little ineffable miracle could do miracles of her own.
