Cheeky piece

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Its a video call of one Anthony J. Crowley stepping out of a posh building eating a vanilla and chocolate swirled cone. ]

When you think about it sixty-five million isn't really so much to ask for a place like this in the middle of New York. Especially with all those terraces. Parking space for two cars. Concierge. More bedroom space than I'll ever need. And... ha! This might be the best part!

[ He laughed and attached a quick image to the post. ]

They don't want to take that painting with them so it would come with the place! You're an art restorer, what do you think of it, Mr. Fell? Cheeky piece. It's a bit like that play we saw last week, the one where you got all annoyed with me for magically upgrading our seats. I didn't hear you complaining when we ended up with that private box though did I?

[ He paused for a thoughtful lick of chocolate before it ran down the cone. ]

I never even dreamed of owning a place like this one before so of course I signed. What is the point of magic if you can't indulge?

Comments

Video

[scotch_egg]

[a very lengthily pause]

One of us is dreaming.

[serpentinthegarden]

Absolutely! And why not? I think I can do better than that tiny studio apartment I have now.

[ He senses doubt but presses on all the same. ]

Actually... Its more room than I need. You could always take up one of the spare rooms? It's a large room, has a balcony, private bath... It might even be bigger than the one you are living in now.

[scotch_egg]

How the fuck are you affording this? I know they don't pay you that much. [and he wouldn't anyway. Even if it didn't seem bizarre as hell.]

[serpentinthegarden]

Would you believe I've been moonlighting?

[ And he didn't think Alec would go for that but he actually does love spoiling people he likes so he had to try. ]

[scotch_egg]

Doing what?

[in other words, not a chance in hell]

[chenqing_player]

....[Give him a minute because he's still trying to swallow down the price]

......

.....sixty-five..

[Okay now that he has recovered, he is ready to have a little fun with it.]

Since I didn't get to be the plaything of a god, how do I get on the ground floor of being the Live-in best friend to a demon?

[serpentinthegarden]

Eh, I didn't really pay that much for it. That was just their starting point, the wishful thinking price. They knew they were never going to get that much, I just helped them see that.

It was worth mentioning the price just to see your face!

[ A more shocked person he had never seen! ]

You'd like it! The roof would make a great party space.

[chenqing_player]

[And Wei Wuxian does love to be on roofs and see the skyline and the stars.]

Well that is more money then I'll ever expect to see in my two lifetimes.

Ahhh...I better be invited to every party.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony nodded. In his mind it did seem a touch Scrooge McDuck and his money bin. ]

Where are you living anyway? I'm not sure you ever mentioned.

[chenqing_player]

I have a little apartment that is walking distance from the club. It's not the most exciting of buildings but it's a roof over my head and I can afford it so I have no complaints.

[Better then an orphanage, much better then the streets. It doesn't take much to keep him satisfied.]

[temptationaccomplished]

Well, as you already took the trouble to arrange the private box, I certainly wasn't going to have you give it back. It seems to me it might be harder to undo your influence than just...go with it?

Anyway, it was still wrong, as to be expected of a demon. And I should let you be what you are, after all. I hardly think it's my job to thwart your evil wiles.

And as for the painting, as an art restorer I'm afraid I NEVER comment on the state of a piece without viewing it in person.

[serpentinthegarden]

I wouldn't mind you thwarting a few of my wiles.

[ As always happened, Aziraphale knew just what to say to make him feel like the best demon in the world. It was wrong, yes, but I enjoyed it. Hell, Anthony wouldn't even have minded if Aziraphale had tacked on a, 'But don't do that again,' and a cheeky smile that hinted the opposite was actually true. ]

A private viewing could be arranged. Maybe later tonight? You, me, a painting and a bottle of something sinful?

[temptationaccomplished]

I suppose someone ought to. [Such a put-upon sigh. You have no idea how terrible his existence is, being asked to thwart the wiles of an attractive, clever demon of wealth and taste.] We cannot have you running amok, convincing everyone you have luxury suites, or private boxes, or dinner reservations at Carbone and Llama San.

[You know. If Anthony were to be looking for ideas. And then of course Fell might have to come along juuuust to make sure nothing really demonic happened. Keep the demon in check, of course. Thwart a few wiles.]

My dear, with you a bottle of anything is sinful. But yes, of course I would be happy to stop by and offer my professional opinion.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Such suffering! Anthony could tell it was the worst of tasks being asked to look after such a terrible creature as himself... which naturally had him smirking like he had just won the jackpot. ]

Le Bernardin. I'll have to remember that one. Elegant dinner for two in the candlelight.

[ He would in fact later mention that very place to Alec. ]

Until then, one professional opinion on a painting and then maybe a little wine under the stars. The view from the terrace is...

[ For lack of a better word. ]

Heavenly.

[temptationaccomplished]

[He tries to contain his delight at the idea and Anthony is treated to a familiar wiggle]

Heavenly? Oh, it seems to me all you're missing, then, is your own personal angel.

video;

[traceofeffort]

S-Sixty-five... [Lisa.exe has stopped responding. Restarting...]

Holy shit. That's amazing-! Um, congratulations! [Something's not clicking here.] Although, if it's more space than you need, I'm sure you could have found something, uh- less?

Re: video;

[serpentinthegarden]

Maybe I shouldn't have said their asking price.

[ He waffled on that now though at the time boasting had felt so very good. ]

I never paid that much for it. I talked them down considerably. And they knew they were never going to see that much money for the place. They were just hoping they could scam some one into thinking it was worth more than it is.

Its the terraces that really sold me on the place. All that outdoor space in the middle of New York, plenty of space for plants, you can't find that just anywhere. And the extra rooms... well, I do have a lot of family. If they ever come to visit again they can stay here instead of at a hotel, so it's not like they will never be used.

[traceofeffort]

[The explanation calmed her down some, and her expression turned a little more positive.]

Okay, that's a little less crazy, then. And yeah, there's just not enough open space here where you can do stuff. So I think that'll be really good.

[There's a small pause where she looks like she wants to say something, before she blurts out-] What would magic have to do with this?

[serpentinthegarden]

Weeeelllll... It might have taken a little magical persuasion in order to get the sellers to see things that way. They were stubborn at first.

[traceofeffort]

-ah. [That makes her stop for a second; it's kind of a big deal, really?] That sounds like quite a power. Are we talking "you should give me the time of day", or "you definitely want to give me 90% off this piece of real estate"?

[Video]

[captainspain]

[Jack stares at the painting for a long moment]

Well that sure is a piece of art......I can see why they wouldn't take it with them.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony leaned back from the screen and quirked an eyebrow. ]

Doesn't fit into their new place, they said. Why, you don't like it? I thought it was rather funny myself.

[captainspain]

[Jack has always felt weirdly uncomfortable around Anthony for reasons he doesn't understand. So his discomfort might be showing on his face right now]

It's just...weird looking. I mean to each his own...but those people coming out of the painting they creep me out.

[serpentinthegarden]

That's why I like it. It's spooky.

[ Anthony looked to the painting and then to the guy doing the uncomfortable side-eyeing through the phone screen. ]

You are late for something? You look like you would rather be some where else.

[captainspain]

No it's just.

[Jack sighs. He's a people pleaser by nature and it's not like Anthony has done anything to him]

You and that other guy Alec...you make me...you...weird me out. I don't know why but you do.