Neutral Omens

Adam stifled a grin and coughed rather theatrically to alert the oblivious pair to their presence. He tried very hard not to laugh as Crowley sprang back, swore under his breath, and started compulsively straightening his jacket.

"Uhm, Aziraphale? Could we have a word? Unless it's a bad time..."

His mischievous smile did break free then and he beamed at the two who wouldn't have been able to keep their relationship a secret much longer anyway.

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He registered the cough about the same time Crowley did, judging from the sudden stillness of the demon. The angel's eyes flew open - ohdearohdearohdear - and stared horrified into Crowley's, before they sprang - yes, that was the word - apart, frantically straightening and rearranging mussed hair, smoothing clothing.

Slowly, Aziraphale's blond head turned to look at Adam, and his three followers. "Oh." He noted Lupin, distantly, and the bald Loki and the robed Uriel.

"Hello," he added, when no one said anything. Adam's question sunk in. "No, no, no, it's not a bad time at all, do go ahead. Crowley and I were just- just- Er. What did you want to discuss, dear boy?"

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"We just wanted to see if you might be interested in workin' as the Manor librarian instead of at the front desk," said Adam with a grin.

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It took about five seconds, if one was counting, for the announcement - and all its implications - to sink in.

"You- all of you- you mean here, this library? A librarian? Working with..." His voice faded here till it was a whisper, infused with awe. "...books?"

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Laughing, Adam said, "Yes, all of us, here, and books. Uriel has offered to work the front desk instead. 'Course your first job's gonna hafta be findin' all the missin' books. Loki might be able to help with that..."

He glanced at Crowley who appeared to be fighting a smile and laughed some more.

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He didn't mind anyone laughing, not in the least.

"I could do that," the angel agreed, somewhat breathlessly. "She has? Oh, Uriel, thank you. And you, Loki, and Mr. Lupin, it's been a pleasure working with you, forgive my enthusiasm. Er, Adam, what- what hours would I work, what are my other duties...? When is Uriel prepared to start?"

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bipolar-uriel.livejournal.com

"I can start immediately, if need be," Uriel replied the one question concerning herself. She was smiling at the other angel's enthusiasm. "Well, as soon as somebody explains me what I'm actually meant to do. I've only got a very vague idea of what working at the front desk entails."

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-moonylupin-.livejournal.com

This was Remus' turn to interrupt.

"That's all right. I have had enough experience to teach you, I bet. I promise you, it is simple." He smiled reassuringly.

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"Well," said Adam scratching his head, "I guess you'll work the same hours you're working now. You can start after you've shown Uriel what to do here, and I'm sure you can figure out what other things need to be done in there."

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"Very well, Adam."

The angel couldn't keep his ecstatic smile off his face. "Thank you," he told him, earnestly, "and I do mean thank you."

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"You don't hafta thank me," said Adam blushing slightly. "I think it was Loki's idea. And Uriel volunteered to take your place here. I just kinda wandered in. But you're welcome. I hope you like it."

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"It's wonderful, and I do thank you, all of them and you. Could I- would you mind if I went upstairs and took a look, assessed...?" Breathed in the smell of books, he added guiltily, too excited to be properly ashamed of such a thought.

A library. That was his.

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"Go ahead," said Adam. "If you need anythin', you know where to find me." And he waved his goodbyes to everyone and left.

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"Who me?" Loki asked surprised. "Er ... you're not planning to allow that pyromaniac demon to check out any books, are you?" He nodded towards Crowley.

Crowley in the library was a worrying thought indeed. Who knew what damage he might cause if he got bored or angry.

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"You just seemed worried about them," explained Adam. "I thought you'd like to help find 'em again..."

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Crowley glared at him. "I'm not deaf, you idiot. Of course I can bloody well check out books. And who the fuck are you calling a pyromaniac?"

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"Someone who actually likes books and doesn't want to see them burned," Loki declared glaring at Crowley. "I wouldn't trust anyone who'd fry an innocent animal for no reason with a book."

He was well aware that it might not be wise to anger the demon once again, but he'd never been particularly well known for his caution and had developed a strong dislike for Crowley. He'd thought he could make friends with him once, yes, but that plan had gone out the window the moment the demon had threatened Freki and Geri. Their meetings hadn't gone well since then and by now any chance of friendship between them was probably long lost. Loki didn't tend to cry over spilled milk. In his opinion he'd survived worse enemies than a single demon.

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"Why the hell would I burn books? Especially those crappy books? And what the fuck are you talking about; frying an innocent animal?"

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"Remember my brother's dogs?" He didn't want to mention wolves in front of the others. Crowley might know what they were, but most modern humans couldn't tell a wolf from a dog anyway and dogs were usually a lot more welcome. "Two cute harmless pups. Didn't do anything at all to you."

He was too exhausted for this. He should have gone right back to bed when they'd left the library.

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Crowley rolled his eyes. "Yes, I remember your brother's 'dogs'. If they're harmless, I'm the Queen of Sheba. But I didn't fry them, so I don't know what your problem is."

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"They protect their friends," Loki allowed. "It's what dogs do. But they wouldn't have touched you and you still wanted to kill them."

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"I'm beginning to want to kill you," muttered Crowley. He was getting annoyed and would have just left if Aziraphale hadn't just been handed exactly what he wanted.

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