[Video]

[bookshopped]

[By now Aziraphale has totally figured out this whole technology thing! Super expert at it. The video is right side up. He's in frame. The sound is on. Total success. Anyway, here is the angel, hands folded primly in front of him, expression a friendly but gentle smile as he begins, rather like a very British Mr. Rogers,]

Hello fellow...imPorts.

[Nailed it.]

It seems that we -- that is my lover, the very clever child we're looking after, said child's also-clever dog, and myself -- may be outgrowing our current living situation. It's not that our flatmates aren't lovely, of course. But a bit more space is probably in order.

So, given all this, does anyone have recommendations for neighborhoods good for raising children? ...for that matter, there are probably certain things young humans need in a home, aren't there? Or not need? Honestly any advice on the whole process would appreciated.

[He's never actually looked for a home for anything other than his books before, so this is new. Also how do human children work? Adam seems so self sufficient sometimes! And he did save the entire world! But he probably needs certain things! A garden? Safe neighborhood? Bunk beds? What do children like? He should probably ask Adam.]

...incidentally, I think De Chima may be off the list currently. Hideous and horrifying monsters aren't exactly child friendly.

I do hope everyone is managing all right there. [And he does hope they are. He'd be rubbish at monster fighting, but fretting about monsters? Right up his alley. Speaking of.] Jane, dear. Are you keeping safe? [Please no getting eaten.]

Comments

[hatestrashcans]

HA! You are lovers!

[ Speaking of human children, this one seems more focused on that than the actual question. ]

[bookshopped]

We are, yes.

[Have a bemused angel looking at... a human he does not know.] Was there some debate over the matter?

[What is this what is going on.]

[hatestrashcans]

Your demon was very indignant at the question.

Also he spoiled Romeo and Juliet. They die?!

idk probably action

[goodtobebad]

...Of all the phrases, the clever little verses and euphemisms the humans have come up with over the millennia, you had to go with lover?

[ His reputation is on the line, here! ]

[bookshopped]

What's wrong with lover? It's a perfectly good word. And it's what you are. To me.

[A stubborn lift of his chin. He stands by his terminology.] What would you have preferred?

[goodtobebad]

I know that's what I am! But you really had to go and tell everyone?

I'm a demon! An evil denizen of Hell! I'm supposed to scare people!

Video, from, like. The next room

[perfectlyhuman]

Can we have a garden for Dog to run around in?

Video

[bookshopped]

Yes, of course. That seems like exactly the sort of thing we should look for.

[Ah good. The boy in question himself.] Is there anything else in particular you can think of? Admittedly, I'm not fully up to date on what is important in housing these days. I don't always even keep a bed back home.

[Beds take up room where books and wine bottles can go.]

Re: Video

[perfectlyhuman]

You don't have a bed? [ Wait, okay, that's a little weird. But not really, probably?

But then it dawns on him. The power he's being given here. A child.

Good thing he's a good kid and doesn't want to take advantage of Aziraphale's goodwill. Much, anyway. ]

Big rooms. And a TV. A big one. Those flat ones.

And a dog house.

( voice | un: wardwell )

[sathan]

( --this was unusual )

You're looking after a child?

( of course he is. damn angel. but also-- how? )

[bookshopped]

Oh! Yes. A boy that Crowley and I know from our world arrived some time ago. It wasn't right to leave him to simply fend for himself. He's more than clever enough to manage it, but it's hardly right to leave someone so young on their own.

[For his part, Aziraphale does sound downright fond as he talks about Adam. The boy had made an excellent first impression with saving the world, and the angel has only grown to like him more the longer he knows him.]

[sathan]

One of those-- little friends that you mentioned?

( a kid that stopped the apocalypse? she doesn't imagine he knows too many others )

[thetrueeve]

[Eve waves.]

I would cross Jeopardy and Maurtia Falls off your list too. I'm sure you can find somewhere outside of the government housing right in Nonah? Almost all cities if you just peek a bit out of town, there's nicer places to be found. It might cost something though!

[She flips her hair back.]

If you don't mind the heat, I think Heropa's offered houses have pools and backyards!

[bookshopped]

Jeopardy does have... a particularly eerie nature, doesn't it?

[Which probably appeals to Crowley. If it also appeals to Adam he might have to think about considering it rather than crossing it off.]

That is a good thought though. Staying in Nonah but in a different sort of housing does have some advantages.

[They know the neighborhood a bit.]

Backyards are definitely important. I think Adam and his dog would prefer one. Pools though. That is an interesting thought. I can't remember the last time I've been swimming. [Literally. Can't remember.]

[thetrueeve]

It creeps me out, I'll be honest, but I haven't given it that much of a chance.

[Eve will give all of them a chance eventually; she likes knowing where she is as much as possible.]

Yes, it's still a nice place, Nonah, you can just go a little outside of the city. They'll probably have good schools and backyards there too.

[She smiles.] It's very nice of you to take care of a child! I can't imagine how scary it would be, coming here without a guardian or parent.

video;

[crassidy]

[In return, there's the very opposite of Mr. Rogers. Pale, thin, tired looking and possibly high as he sits in a dimly lit room, smoking a small stub of a cigarette.]

I hear Maurtia Falls is lovely this time of year. Lots of character to it.

video;

[bookshopped]

I've not spent much time there myself.

[Though Eve recommended against it. So he's curious about this recommendation.]

What sort of character?

Permavid

[governorkang]

[He grins, quirking an eye ridge.]

I had a feeling it was like that. Good for you.

I can't tell you much about raising human children. I only have experience with draconians and dragons, myself.

[bookshopped]

Oh. Thank you.

[Said purely by reflex. And then. Wait.] You had a feeling it was like what exactly?

Well, still more experience than I have I'd imagine. I've seen plenty of children, of course, over the centuries, but only very tangentially been involved in the raising of one. And mostly that involved subtle lessons on not destroying all life on the planet.

[Again, all due apologies to Warlock Dowling for the strangest childhood possible.]

[honeybadgered]

[Gabby leans forward, stage whispering.]

Is your lover the snake?

[bookshopped]

That... well yes. But you do know he's not always a snake, don't you? Just to make sure that point is clear.

[That seems an important distinction.]

[Video]

[spaceforged]

[The young human line sticks with him. He listens to the message and says mildly.] Yeah, don't go to De Chima for a while. At least until whatever caused this is identified.

[The metal lion at his side grunts and shakes itself, launching off and away in a blast of thrusters. Shiro pauses to glance up. Take five is sometimes I'll take five then get hit with something and forget the break.]

We're managing over here. Anyway, there's usually stuff about what places are safest in newspapers and on the news. It's something to weigh alongside whatever everyone else says.

[Video]

[bookshopped]

That sounds like very wise advice. You're in De Chima as we speak, aren't you? Have you seen the creature? If it is a creature.

[And he'd rather keep Crowley and Adam far from it as well. But he leans closer to peer at the video and-- oh. Isn't that interesting. Strange. Like something out of a science fiction film. But the angel is starting to get used to that, around here.

But oh! Now there's an idea.]

Newspapers! [As though he's just now remembered that they're a thing that exists.] Yes, that seems like a good idea as well. It may help. Opinion does seem to be a bit conflicting on the matter.

video;

[cantgetanyworse]

[Oh, oh!!

She hears that. The first thing he says, and immediately responds without really listening to the rest of it.]

You and Crowley--? [Ah, she's so excited. Forgive the beaming smile she's trying, unsuccessfully, to hide behind her hands.] Oh, I'm terribly happy for you both. You know, I did have a feeling at the swear-in, but I didn't want to presume when we'd only really just met--

[Wait, he'd addressed her by name, hadn't he.]

--I'm quite safe, Aziraphale, please don't worry about me. [Easier said than done. The angel seems like a worrier.] And you really must feed Adam some vegetables. If he's left to make his own decisions about what he eats he'll be having nothing but those 'pop-tarts'.

Re: video;

[bookshopped]

[Ah there's Jane. He looks relieved, given the news in her city these days. But first he can't help but smile, bright and beaming at he reaction.] Then you saw it a bit sooner than we did, as it turns out. We had something of a talk in Paris... though it's certainly been on both our minds for a very long time.

[Ages, really.] Well, worrying is one of my greater talents, you understand. But I'm glad you're safe. If you feel at all uneasy, you are always welcome here, Jane.

[And a sheepish smile.] ...he also likes ice cream. But point taken. Vegetables are important.