059: Let Them All Walk Away

[contract_star]

[Hei is at his hut again. He's sitting on the bottom step, leaning tiredly against the railing. By now it's clear that he's been growing his hair out, as it's now down to his chin.]

[There's a single, half-empty bowl of ramen with him as well as a tumblerful of something alcoholic. A basic, composition notebook is open on his lap and he's idly writing something on one of the pages--though you might notice that "Ryotarou" is written in Sharpie on the front. There's also a pair of black and electric-blue Air Trecks propped next to him on the step.]

[Hei yawns and taps his pen against the paper, frowning a little.]

Comments

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

Ah, but you see, I care that my face is continually mistaken for some sort of punching target. I happen to be somewhat fond of my face.

You, on the other hand, are Misaki's... [he waves a hand dismissively] ...whatever the hell you two are calling yourselves these days.

[contract_star]

Only because it makes such a good target.

[Hit a bit of a nerve there, Crowley, but Hei is content with just glaring at you.]

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

It's also a rather important part of my job, so if you don't mind. [ :| ]

Well I don't know, do I? I've hardly the time to keep up with your relationship when mine is such a bloody mess. [pause] Mine are.

[contract_star]

Is it? How's that?

[Pause, knowing he's treading on thin ice.] Does the first Aziraphale know yet?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

You try tempting someone looking as though you've just come from A&E. Lust is one of the big Seven, after all.

[looks away] ...not yet.

[contract_star]

Oh, right. The temptation thing. [And now that there's some distance between that whole freak out in the bar, he can actually think about what that actually means. He blinks. Slowly,] Crowley, what is it exactly that you do? You said it was a job, but I've never heard of someone getting paid for temptation.

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

[Pinching the bridge of his nose]

You really ought to catch up a bit on your Western religion. We—meaning demons—secure souls for our Master and work to bring about the End of Days, etcetera etcetera. Our pay is not getting in trouble with our superiors...which is a very, very good thing.

[contract_star]

I was raised Christian, actually.

You didn't really answer the question.

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

Didn't do a very good job of it then, did they? You weren't taught about the Fall?

We...play to people's vices. Get them to act in such a way that will ensure their soul goes to Hell instead of Up Above. Not that it's such a difficult task, really, but we help things along where we can.

[contract_star]

Chinese Christianity is a lot different from Western Christianity, Crowley.

You're talking about what demons do in general, but I was asking about you.

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

I'll bear it in mind.

I reroute motorways into infernal symbols. I have a hand in inventions such as the television and iPods. I close off mobile communications during lunch hour to piss people off.

And since it's obviously what you're driving at, yes, Lust is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. If it'll make my job easier, I'm just as likely to use that as I am to go mucking about in a field for two hours moving marker pegs.

[contract_star]

[He tilts his head, processing all of this. And then what Crowley's trying to say finally dawns on him. He raises his eyebrows, blushing a little.]

Oh. Oh. So you're a... [He clears his throat and rubs the back of his head.] Well, I guess that explains a few things...

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

Such as?

[contract_star]

Why you appeared as that particular woman, for one.

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

Ngh. It isn't something I do often.

[contract_star]

The woman thing, or the other part?

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

[He just glares at you for that one, Hei]

[contract_star]

You know, most people do that sort of thing because they don't have a choice.

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

You're terribly fascinated with my line of work all of the sudden, aren't you?

[contract_star]

I was just curious.

[exserpens.livejournal.com]

Of course.

Anything else you're dying to know, while we're at it?

[contract_star]

No, I think I'm good for now.