sauntereddownward | (no subject)

"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.

"So you get paid to do it?" he asked, leaning back in his seat. Like this it was clear how frail and thin the fae was. He almost looked fragile, as though he'd shatter if he tipped his chair back too far.

"No. No, it's more like...incentive to not be dumped in a tub of Holy Water," he replied. He eyed Fin up and down, then leaned forward. "Would you like a bite to eat? You look like a man I know..."

"I'm not hungry," Fin lied, shrugging one shoulder. "I'd rather hear more about your job."

"My job isn't that interesting. And even less so, now. Since we avoided the Apocalypse I'm a bit...between jobs. For the first time ever, I can do as I please," he said.

"What would you love to do then?" Fin asked. "I mean if you're free to do what you want, you should."

"I'd have to think on it," Crowley replied, looking thoughtful. "My angel has a bookshop. He loves that, has had it for years. Me? I've never been able to stick with one thing for long. We shall see what happens."

"I dunno if you're talking about your boyfriend or an actual angel," Fin admitted, rocking back in his chair a little.

"Oh, erm, well...an actual angel, of course. My counterpart. Nemesis, really. Grand enemies in the fight between Heaven and Hell."

He paused briefly.

"He is certainly not my boyfriend."

"You don't talk about him like an enemy," Fin pointed out. "I mean, you talk about him like he's yours."

"That's because he is mine," he said. "We were both put here, in the Garden, and we've been here ever since. You can't have Evil without Good, now can you?"

"I wouldn't know, I'm hardly an expert on either," Fin replied with a laugh. "But alright, he's your counterpart then."

"Exactly so," he nodded, clearly comfortable with that label.

"I envy his having a business. A purpose of his own. I'm not much for books. Or shops. I do like animals..." he mused. "Except for horses..." he added absently.

"Suppose you could open a pet shop," Fin said thoughtfully. "Or adoption thing. I dunno. All you can do is follow your passion."

"Lately my passion has been drinking copiously and feeding the ducks in St. James'," he said. "Hard to parley that into pay."

"Suppose that's true," Fin agreed, thanking the server when they stopped to give them their drinks. "So don't worry about pay for now. I mean, I assume demons aren't dealing with debt, so... Just chase your pleasure until you stumble into something you want to do."

"This is rather pleasurable, isn't it? Tea, new acquaintances, all that's missing is...this," he said, picking up his cigarette."

"It's alright," Fin shrugged. "Rather be wasted and naked somewhere, but this will do."

"A bit early in the day for that?" he asked. "Not that I'm opposed. We all have our vices."

"Never too early for that," Fin assured him, sipping his tea and shrugging.

"Then finish your tea and we'll find a party," Crowley said. "I'm good at finding parties. Or making them happen."