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

[serpentinthegarden]

Yeah, well.. what good is a demon friend if you can't get one Hell of a discount? Anyway it worked before I don't see why it wouldn't work again.

I like wine, you might get a shock if you drop unannounced at an odd time but the only problem I see would be... you won't be able to walk to work anymore. Guess you will have to learn to commute like the rest of New York.

[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]

[ Herself. This was thought but not mentioned as actually God could be any bloody thing he or she wanted to be at any time... Anthony just recalled she preferred a very feminine voice on those few occasions when he had overheard her disembodied voice. ]

Of course it's not right! What sort of demon would I be if I went around doing what's right all the time?? You're not getting any of this!

I did it because I wanted to. It's true! But, I thought I could share it... With Aziraphale, the family... you. Alec, you don't have to live like this anymore! My good fortune could be your good fortune.

[scotch_egg]

[it was ridiculous. He didn't get it. Maybe he never would. Maybe it was just a phase. Hell if he knew, He did know one thing]

Share it with anyone you bloody like.

I'm not touching it. I'd rather live in a box on a street corner.

[because he wasn't a demon. He was fairly sure he hadn't changed anything but the nightmares that came to him. So he'd keep what he had. It wasn't as if he'd have it for long]

[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.

[serpentinthegarden]

You would too. Anything to avoid letting people help you!

[ He snarled the words as he rolled backwards a step. The door grew ever nearer as he drew himself away. ]

Even if it is help from an evil source. Maybe you're right to refuse... I don't know, you might have just saved yourself from eternal damnation... but love it or hate it this is who I am.

[scotch_egg]

Oh stop being a melodramatic twit. It's not an evil source it's a bloody thoughtless and careless source. It's who you choose to be, yes. But I forgot, a demon is just something laid out for you. You can't decide how you want to act. All preordained with memories.

[he didn't want to be helped he wanted to be left alone, but he wouldn't tell Anthony that either. It would lead to too many questions]

[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.

[serpentinthegarden]

It IS preordained! And there are going to be more of them! More memories, more powers! I may find out I've done things so horrible this flat business will seem like a kindergarten prank!

[ Far from ending the melodrama his more dramatic side came out in snarls and pulled faces. ]

And then what? What does that mean for us? Are you tossing me aside?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anticipation in animated form! That wiggle was a sign he was on the perfect course. ]

I have an idea where I can find one. Say, 9ish? It's the Tulip building in SoHo, off Broome street.

[scotch_egg]

Then doesn't matter now. What matters now is what's important. And I'm not tossing you anywhere I just don't want a part of your flat.

[temptationaccomplished]

Alright, yes. By then perhaps I can think of a suitable housewarming gift.

You DID buy it, didn't you? Or...whatever it is you do to acquire things? You aren't actually just...pulling my leg?

[serpentinthegarden]

If you don't want part of it you don't have to have part of it! I never said you had to do anything only that I would like to do something for you!

[ He was still at volume when he said this but he calmed a little as at least part of what they were fighting about was beginning to seem like their usual old quarrels. ]

What does matter now?

[serpentinthegarden]

Well... no money has actually exchanged hands yet, that's not how things work, everything is credit these days... but yeah, I signed my name on the dotted line. The place is mine as soon as I move out of the old flat, details to be worked out later.

[ A coy smile. ]

What were you thinking, that this was all some trap to draw you into my lair?

[temptationaccomplished]

[Lured into Anthony's lair sounds incredibly tempting. Oh no, poor (angelic) human at the mercy of a clever demon. He puts that idea on the backburner and gives a prim shrug.]

Oh, please. An over-priced, over-designed, gentrified penthouse is hardly a lair.

[chenqing_player]

Well let me know how that works out for you because that is certainly a sacrifice I am willing to make.

I'm curious though..what kind of power is it that allows you to enjoy the rich and famous lifestyle?

[scotch_egg]

[that wasn't the point but nevermind. He drew his legs closer to his chest, balancing his heels on the couch, wrapped his arms around them and looked off elsewhere]

That you don't lose yourself completely in this.

[Though he had a feeling it was already too late. He should never have indulged it so freely. Should have fought harder. Should have done... something. But as it was he could only stare at a body on a beach-- or in the water]

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?

[serpentinthegarden]

[ So Aziraphale wasn't the least bit tempted? Anthony's head slowly tilted, watching his poor innocent angel's expression with oddly unblinking amused eyes. ]

It's better than a dark pit some where, filled with bats and... whatever else you find in dark pits. This place is full of Italian marble and in the middle of the most populous artistic area in New York.

[ He was working up to something, clearly leaving a tempting bread trail behind him for Aziraphale to pick up on. ]

Mastersuite. His and...

[ It ought to have been 'Hers' as that was what the realtor had told him but Anthony altered the phrase. ]

His matching restrooms. Plenty of room for a library.

[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]

[ Happily he bit his lip and lightly fist punched the air. He would see the realtor again and let Wei know the results. They always overcharged for these grand places anyway! ]

I'm not sure what to call it but it's like, if I want something, really want something, I can influence people into agreeing to help me get it. Doesn't work on everyone but... It seems to work best if they are already guilty of something. Maybe it's just persuasion.

[serpentinthegarden]

[ Anthony's frown deepened as there was no good response to that. Anything he would say would only disappoint Alec. ]

I was lost before, just going through the motions... trying to be the 'good person' everyone wanted me to be. That's not who I am.

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.

[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.

[scotch_egg]

[a faint smile. Anthony could never disappoint him. Not really. Scare him, yes. Annoy him always. Disappoint him? Never]

You are cheeky, irreverent, impulsive, have a massive problem with authority, you do as you please and damn the consequences until the consequences catch up and then you're guilty and don't know what to do about it-- but you try to fix your mistakes. Because you're also kind and generous and loving. You care deeply and love harder than anyone I've ever met. You have a big heart even if it is a fragile one.

Don't let the demon take my soft baby cousin away. Protect that heart if nothing else.