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

[scotch_egg]

[it still feels like fraud. Like something he shouldn't be doing.]

It's not right.

[not that he could stop him]

What if someone tried doing that to you?

[serpentinthegarden]

I think they would have a hard time trying it...

[ Unless it was that Anakin guy but no need to bring him up. ]

They got the place for a song I'm only doing the same thing they did.

[scotch_egg]

[he just gives him a look. Anthony can justify it to himself all he likes but they both know he's in the wrong]

[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.]

[serpentinthegarden]

[ In the wrong maybe, but being wrong never felt so right. ]

I'm thinking about asking Fell to move in. Couldn't really do that with a dinky little one person place. There wouldn't be any room for his books.

And even if he's not into the idea... there is still plenty of room for visits. Mum can have her own room when she stops by, huge kitchen... She'll love that.

[scotch_egg]

Okay.

[there is no approval in his voice and he refuses to give it. He doesn't say he doesn't plan on coming over himself but he's pretty sure Anthony will figure that out]

[serpentinthegarden]

Walking distance is nice. I could never find anything within walking distance of my job. Now I might have to get up an hour early to get there but... it'll be worth it.

[chenqing_player]

The key is not being picky, or afraid of being in the more colorful parts of town.

[As in..his view is the backside of a building and it's better to not go down any dark alleys in the area. There are reasons he often goes home with random people after the club closes. He laughs and clearly is not too sympathetic over his new predicament.]

Ahh the sacrifices that must be made for living that rich life.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ It's the very sort of 'okay' his mum might have given him right before a lecture started. Anthony's eyes rolled back as he growled up at the ceiling. ]

What? What do you want? Me to stay in that tiny flat, working hard every day and not getting anywhere??

It doesn't have to be like that anymore. We could live a little! Fine dining, luxury cruises on the river, we could get a table at Le Bernardin or Masa... two places I've only ever heard of but you need thousands to eat there.

[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.

[scotch_egg]

I mean if that's what's important to you.

[he's not going to lecture. he's not even going to waste his breath.] I hope you and Fell have a nice time and you can do your bizarre magic thing on the Feds or police or anyone else who comes knocking at your door.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Nor was he too sympathetic about Wei living in one of the more 'colorful' parts of town. That was his demonic side though that actually felt quite at home with the more seedy elements.

His human side understood that was a less than idea situation. ]

How do you feel about SoHo?

[serpentinthegarden]

It's not the only thing that I care about.

[ Though this was grumbled under his breath as he stood and paced away from the rumpled couch. ]

No one is even going to notice. You'll see. You are worrying for nothing.

[scotch_egg]

I am worried. I'm worried about ...this horseshit. About how you justify it to yourself. No one's going to get hurt now. No. But how far are you going to take it? What are you going to become? That's what I'm worried about. But since you've obviously decided that looking like your wealthy is worth more to you than your own bloody humanity, it's out of my hands.

[and what could he say anyway? My cousin magiced himself an expensive flat?]

[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?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ I'm not human.

Those were the words he thought to say and they were as frightful as they were exhilarating. He had by now seen it all, his beginnings as an angel, the fall, Eden... He knew what he was. He had been given undeniable proof of it when he had to stop going to Church and been regretfully forced to pack his mum's cross necklace away in thick mounds of tissue paper which he buried in a sturdy jewelry box so that he didn't give himself a nasty burn. Humans... didn't have problems walking across consecrated ground and they certainly didn't burn on a blessed cross necklace.

All he could really think to do was frown sadly at Alec for there wasn't really any way back for him. ]

[chenqing_player]

Is that where your new nest is? Nice place to be. It's also fun to say you live in SoHo.

[scotch_egg]

[he didn't like that look. It seemed that Anthony agreed with him. That he accepted this change. Of course he did. It was flashy and gave him whatever he wanted supposedly. He'd get to have it all with no effort. Alec would lose him too he knew, no matter what promises they made. He would be left behind because that was where he chose to stay. And maybe that was for the best.

He leaned against the corner of the couch and looked out the window at the view of nothing much]

If that's what you want.

[serpentinthegarden]

You say it like it's so final. 'If that's want you want'...

[ His words were mocked in a faux Scottish accent cause really! ]

I have to be me, not who everyone wants me to be. You said that was a good thing before, that you were proud of me for standing up for myself instead of just going along with whatever the family wanted... well, this is part of it!

[scotch_egg]

I don't care that you're... That that has happened! [he can't call him a demon]

I care that you're so fucking blase about using your abilities on people for your own gain. That's not nature, Anthony, that's a choice. You don't have to make it.

[serpentinthegarden]

It felt right some how. Like I've actually lived in SoHo before.

Anyway point is, I've only got the penthouse. There are other apartments. Maybe I could... bend a few ears. Get the rent lowered for you too?

We'd be neighbors.

[chenqing_player]

Get the rent lowered from..whatever crazy millions of dollars? Even if the rent on one of the other apartments is a fraction of that it would still have to be one hell of a discount.

[The thought of being neighbors though and actually close to friends certainly perks him up even more then the thought of living in some swank new place.]

But..If the price is right..I might be tempted. You do realize I'm a very pesky neighbor who likes to drop in unannounced. But usually with wine.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ An eyebrow quirked at the refusal to call him what he clearly was. To him it was very telling, Alec was bothered by his demon self and did actually care. ]

Everyone uses their abilities for their own gain... Mine are just more persuasive than most. Anyway it could be worse.

[ He looked to Alec in all sincerity. ]

At least I wasn't trying to tempt them out of their souls. That is what I'm meant to be doing up here, spreading discontent, gaining more souls for the Master... I have made a choice, not to do that anymore.

[scotch_egg]

Please. Don't use that bullshit on me. You're only doing it for a luxury flat. It's not right. I don't care what you say or who you are. Even if you were God himself it wouldn't be right. You're fine where you are you know. You're not starving. You're not dying. You have friends. You don't live like this [he gestures at his flat]

But do what you want.