sauntereddownward | (no subject)

"Don't get constipated, dear boy," Crowley chuckled. "I'm nothing like you, if that's what worries you."

"What are you then?" Fin asked, his guard still up as he studied the man.

"A demon. Fallen angel. Welllll...I didn't really fall. I just hung around with the wrong crowd. Word to the wise, pick your friends carefully," he said, scowling just a little. Falling was still, after six thousand years, still a sore subject for him.

"Angels aren't real," Fin replied, shaking his head. Though not that long ago fae and pucks had all been fiction too. He wasn't sure why this pill was so much harder to swallow.

"You don't think so? Why on Earth would you think they weren't?" Crowley asked.

"I dunno, I just... It seems a bit unlikely is all," Fin shrugged.

"No more or less unlikely than the Fair Folk wandering the streets of London, I'd think," he grinned. "In fact, you'd likely be shocked by all the wonders of the world right under your nose," he added, then lowered his glasses just enough to show Fin his eyes. Golden, slit-pupiled eyes.

He winked.

Then he settled his glasses back into place.

Fin drew back slightly, looking a bit shocked and nodding dumbly.

Crowley took another sip of his still piping hit tea.

"Don't be like that," he grinned. "Cat got your tongue? Surely you have some sort of thought on the wonders of the world unfolding before you."

"Honestly? I don't know if I believe you. I mean, clearly you're not human, but... You could be fae. I've known them to lie," Fin noted.

Crowley puffed up, wrinkled his nose, and in the most put on huff of offense he said, "You do offend me, sir!"

The act fell away as quickly as it had come on and the demon devolved into laughter, even smacking his knee.

"Oh, that was good. Maybe you should get me a role in your next project. I can act, don't you think? Of course I can."

He laughed just a bit longer at his own joke. Then he sobered instantly and leaned in.

"I'm really not a fae. They wouldn't like me any more than they like the church that drove them from this world."

"You knew I was fae though," Fin said, still cautious, but relaxing slightly.

"Obviously," he replied. "Anyone with any sense would know. Lucky for you that very few humans have any sense at all," he added with a bit of a laugh.

"Yeah, but... How did you know? What was it you noticed?" Fin pressed. "How can I hide it?"

"Why...your soul, lad. That's what I'm in the business of. I can tell because, well, I'm very used to human souls so the ones that aren't stand out," he replied.

"What's wrong with my soul?" Fin asked, looking down at himself as if he might see what the other man could see.

"Nothing at all," he promised. "It's just clear to me you're not human. Therefore, no need to try to corrupt you. And any time I don't have to work is a wonderful day indeed. Let me buy you a cup of tea,"

Fin hesitated, then nodded a bit and shrugged one shoulder. "Alright," he agreed finally.

"Excellent," the demon smiled, then flagged down a server. "What are you? Earl Grey man? Or more of a Jasmine sort of fellow?"

"Neither, honestly. I prefer strong black tea, to be honest. No milk, no sugar," Fin replied.

"Strong black?" he nodded, then relayed the order. The server had scuttled away as if he'f heard a shocking secret he had no business knowing.

"So you're a demon then?" Fin asked, eyeing Crowley curiously. "What does that mean, really? Like, what sort of things do you do?"

"Awww ohhh, wellll," he drawled. "I mess people about, corrupt souls and such. Not long ago I took down the rntire mobile network here in London. Everyone indulged in Wrath. It was beautiful."

"Why? I mean, what do you get out of it?" Fin asked, tilting his head curiously.

"Out of it? It's my job," he replied, as if that was all the answer required.