sauntereddownward | (no subject)

(no subject)

Crowley had been busy. He'd had a rather dastardly idea and with a bit of proper nudging of 'influencers' (whatever those were) and a quick trip to Reddit, he had a new viral sensation. It was sort of like the ice bucket challenge, except it didn't benefit any charities and instead involved putting hot sauce up the nose. It worried parents, caused a bit of harmless mayhem, and most of all...it tarnished the souls of all those who laughed at idiots' misfortunes.

Sure, it wasn't tempting a priest, but it was a laugh.

He sat in the autumn sun outside an interesting little tea shop. He had a steaming cup of a lapsang suchong blend that made the air smell like a campfire. A subtle scent under the cigarette smoke. Crowley was watching his mobile and chuckling along as another bloody idiot put hot sauce on a cotton tip and stuffed it up his nose and began to wail.

"People will do anything to be famous," he said to himself.

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"Excellent!" Crowley declared, smiling wide. It was not a wholly welcoming smile, though it wasn't entirely sinister. "Now all I need to know is who you'd like me to visit first."

"I think you should tell me what you intend to do, exactly, first," Fin countered cautiously.

"Just have a conversation, dear boy. I can be quite convincing when I try. I may make a suggestion or two. In the best interest of everyone, that sort of thing. Don't worry, it's not as if I'll hurt anyone," Crowley replied.

Fin seemed unsure, but after a moment reached into his bedside table to retrieve his wallet and pull out a business card. It was printed on heavy stock, with metallic embossed text and a velvety texture, and Fin turned it over in his hand several times before holding it out in offering.

He wasn't sure he believed that the demon could somehow make it all better- That Crowley could scare the devil that kept him hungry and meek. ...But for a moment he couldn't help but hope there might be a way out of this nightmare. Because if he just stopped, well then Fin could start eating again, right? He'd just wake up better. ...Right?

Crowley took the card, read it over, then tucked it into his jacket pocket.

"I'd think that by the end of the week this should all come to a screeching halt," he said.

"I suppose I'll believe it when it happens," he said softly.

"Miracles happen more often than you think," Crowley told him. "I'll make good on my end and you can have a week to prepare. Notes. Slides. Diagrams. Whatever you think will help me learn."

"I'm thinking chick flicks and popcorn, but sure, I'll have my PA put together a power point too," the fae quipped.

"I've seen enough rom-coms," he replied. "They were less than helpful."

He was dreadfully serious about this whole arrangement.

"Seeing them and understanding them aren't the same thing," Fin pointed out. "You need to surround yourself with love. Immerse yourself."

The fae paused, then got to his feet, wandering to his bookshelf and pulling down a book of photography. It was one of his favourites, just a collection of pictures of couples, young and old, of all races and sexualities. Some erotic, some innocent, but all catching that look in the eyes of a being in love.

"You should borrow this- But I want it back," he added with a smile. "I love this book."

Crowley took it and held it reverently. The look on Fin's face as he'd looked at the book spoke volumes. Something special lay within.

"Fine, movies and popcorn and full immersion," he agreed. Then he added softly, "I'll bring it back. I know how important books can be."

"Thank you," the fae said, moving to sit down again with a small smile.

Crowley was quiet a moment, sitting in thought.

"Now...you're an actor. How do you play a role of someone in love? Do you actually fall in love for a short time? Or is it all pantomime?" he asked, devilishly curious about how that worked.

"I suppose, in a way, I do fall in love a little. I get lost in the emotions of the person I'm playing," Fin admitted. "I transform for a while, but I try not to let myself linger in the part too long."

"Have you ever been in love yourself?" he pressed.

"I fall in love all the time," Fin said honestly. "With all manor of people."

"Do you not believe there is one single person, one...other half?" he asked.

"No. I think some people are content or even happier with just one person, but I don't think love is a one for one deal," Fin admitted. "Love is not a finite thing within us."

That gave him an entirely new way to think about humankind. A distinct difference between them and he and his counterpart. Crowley did believe there was One.

"How very interesting," he replied, gesturing for Fin to continue.

Fin wasn't sure what more to say though, and he shrugged. "My shrink says I'm polyamorous, so perhaps that effects my view on things."

"Ahh, I see," he nodded. "More common than you think. Always has been. But I think we differ in that I do have a counterpart. A single one. No one has ever even caught my eye...yet this is all so new."

"Like I said, maybe some people do- Just not me. And, I dunno, I don't like closing doors I guess," Fin shrugged.

"You humans. Spoilt for choice," Crowley chuckled. "It's really not surprising They were so easily tempted in the Garden."

"It's not a temptation, surely. I mean, we're built for it. Designed to enjoy it... If there is a God, then surely it was intended to be a natural urge," Fin shrugged.

Crowley sighed heavily and dropped his head back.

"Yes, yes...He gave you lot all the best things. It's really no wonder, if you think about it, why Lucifer defied Him. Of course, if you ask me, the punishment certainly didn't fit the crime."