[OPEN]

[temptationaccomplished]

Who: Aziraphale and [OPEN]
Where: Wandering, specifically checking out the temples
When: ~August 5th, and the days following
What: The Angel is new on campus and he's got to get the lay of the land, what the gods are, where you can feed ducks, check out the library...and most importantly: find out where the food is.
Warnings: I will avoid giving Good Omens spoilers. Feel free to tell me Y/N on spoilers on the intro post, but by default, if you notice him dancing away from a certain topic despite being pressed about it? It's probably delving into spoiler territory.



Campus

Aziraphale had been wandering around the campus and city for the better part of...well, he lost track of time. And that wasn't the only thing he had lost. He himself was incredibly lost. On top of that, he had absolutely not been able to locate his new residence "Living Quarters Suite 404," despite his best efforts and a few well-meaning inquiries. (They LAUGHED at him! Sadly, he was not aware of the joke! How rude!) All he had established was that it was not in the House Towers.

His House, according to his acceptance memo, indicated he belonged to a group called Ka, which resulted in his assigned clothing looking like something that could have come from Crowley's closet. (Ka even sounded snake-ish, a la Rudyard Kipling. He supposed it could have been worse.) Black and red and not a lick of tartan. THAT would not do. Miracles might not work here, but he was sure a little needle and thread could be made to save him from this if he didn't learn the appropriate magic before then. For now, however, he was content to wear his usual light colored coat and bow-tie; there was no sense to change clothing immediately on arrival. The weather was certainly amenable; when he had left it had been late summer as well. But his arms were getting a bit tired of carrying his new supplies, including the odd sword hilt he had been (oh, dear) assigned.

Temples

Wandering eventually lead him, no surprise, to the temples. The Temple of Raida drew him in first, because it was grandiose and yet had an air of benevolence. Inside, it reminded him of cathedrals and mosques and temples he had visited over the millennia. Beautiful. Imposing.

He expected his feet to burn. Perhaps expected a good smiting. Instead, he took a seat on one of the pews without interference and wondered if this new place was too far from his God that she might not even see him anymore.

Gloves At The Table

Peeking into the restaurant, he determined it seemed to be a teppanyaki-style preparation. How quaint! How he would pay for it, Aziraphale had no idea, but it looked enchanting enough, and he was feeling a bit peckish.

Comments

temple

[bearshermark]

Being an acolyte turned out to be a great deal of standing around, he'd found. There were of course preparations to coordinate and ceremonial duties to perform during the services, but a large part of his time was spent standing still and holding things in certain ways. It might have been boring if not for the way his heart eased during the services themselves, spreading a peace he rarely felt outside the temple. It might have been memories of attending church as a child or Raida's blessing. Either way, he was grateful for it.

The priest finished with a familiar blessing upon the worshipers and he took his cue to move in careful concert with his fellow acolytes. After a month at this, he'd like to think he'd picked up most of what he needed to learn- and well enough, the procession filed without a hitch. Eleven allowed himself a touch of a grin as he stood and awaited the priest's dismissal.

It was difficult not to notice that one man lingered after the service concluded, and seeing as his fellows were eager to leave, Eleven took the initiative to approach.

"Can the Temple of Raida assist you this evening?"

[temptationaccomplished]

"Ah," Aziraphale looked behind himself briefly, as if assuring himself the young man was talking to him and not some other parishioner. "No? No, I don't believe it can. I'm not a--" he fidgets noticeably, smoothing his hands over his Ka uniform folded in his lap, appearing a bit guilty. "I'm not a follower. I'm a new arrival here, and I was just. Having a look-about."

His smile is a bit forced, but bright and the compliment is honest: "It's certainly a lovely place you have here."

[bearshermark]

"Thank you," Eleven smiled in turn, then brightened as he followed the movement of the man's hands to the uniform in his lap. A new arrival, and native students were usually more around his own age.

"Did you say you're one of the Sundered?"

[temptationaccomplished]

"I didn't say, but I supposed I am. That's what they're calling us who have been summoned here, aren't they?" Sundered was not a pleasant term for those of them who had been split from their home; it was not a pleasant experience either, and he was a bit annoyed by the whole morning. "Are you one?"

[bearshermark]

"Yes." Eleven ducked his head and fidgeted a bit with the sleeve of his robe. "The first to become part of a temple, actually."

After a moment, he held out a hand. "I'm Eleven. As you might guess, I'm in the Eiather house."

campus

[woo_oo]

Seeing the guy walk around several times with that sort of expression? It doesn't take long for Webby to put two and two together. (And he did want to feed the ducks, right?)

"Hi!" A perky voice shouts from both below and behind. "Do you need some help?"

[temptationaccomplished]

"Goodness!" Aziraphale leapt in surprise, fumbling with his bundle of supplies before pulling it protectively to his chest like a pillow, as his turn to identify the speaker found a short, girlish bird-like being smiling up at him. Were they the being who had spoken? He looked around, eyes wide, as if searching for a puppeteer or prankster nearby. Surely she wasn't...real. Was she?

But then... It did appear that way. His brows pinched together in a frown.

"Hello? Yes, I...I do appear to be a bit lost. Are you--" It would be rude to question her personhood, so he pressed on. "Are you, by chance, a guide?"

[woo_oo]

"I can be!" If she knows she's being looked at funny, she sure doesn't speak about it. Instead she just leans back and forth on her heels.

"I've been here long enough to know where almost everything is! What were you looking for?"

[temptationaccomplished]

She's so childlike, it's endearing and his smile turns to relief at the question.

"I'm looking for my living quarters," he says, bumbling through the pile for his acceptance letter so that he can hold it out for her to see. "Suite 404, it says, but everyone so far has laughed and I'm afraid I am missing out on the joke."

[woo_oo]

Webby blinked at the letter, trying to put the pieces together in her mind. "Oooh, see, we don't have any suites here! Which house do you belong to? I'm Ka!"

campus

[burningbrighter]

There's a young woman here in bright blue robes. There's a strange octopus-like creature wearing a monocle wrapped around her arm, and she seems to be enjoying a walk in the sun. She tilts her head when she spots an unfamiliar adult walking the halls, approaching with a small smile.

"Hello! Are you a visiting professor?" How exciting. She's really hoping for an interesting guest lecture to break up the monotony around here.

[temptationaccomplished]

"Oh dear me, no. I have been told I'm a student here, now." He eyes the octopus with a wrinkling of his nose and tries to stay out of the arms' reach while attempting a polite smile. Because the girl is a ray of sunshine. And her hair! Her hair is quite marvelous. It reminds him of fire. He doesn't want to offend her, and of course he loves ALL of God's creatures great and small, but that octopus... Didn't those things have beaks? Or were those squids? He had no idea. Aziraphale had only ever seen them in aquariums and on his plate.

"Though I guess I am a bit old for it."

[burningbrighter]

"Mmm, no, it's all right. You're not the only older student. And if there's some knowledge you gained from your world that might make a useful class, you can also teach!"

Sunset notices his reaction and shifts Monarious back to her shoulder. "Oh, you don't have to worry about Monarious. He looks a little creepy, but he can't do anything weird so long as you don't touch the wrong tentacle."

[temptationaccomplished]

"I suppose I could teach dance," he considers. "Or sleight of hand." He needed practice in both, but he might be able to draw up a suggested lesson-plan. Oh, it would be terrible fun!

"I'm very sorry, that was rude of me," he apologizes, mostly to the creature itself, still a bit wary of the familiar. "I should know better. I am sure you are a very well-behaved, uh, octopus." He almost offers a hesitant hand for a shake, but reconsiders due to her warning. "And I wasn't aware octopuses, octopi (yes, that'd be the Latin) ...that they were offered as familiars."

[burningbrighter]

"That might work! They're always telling us we need to exercise more...and we were kind of a big mess at the last dance."

Sunset grins and shakes her head. "Most students have the normal cats, owls, toads...but a few of us got stuck with weird ones. My best friend has a whale that swims on land."

She grinned. "Is there anything I can help you with while I'm here? It might seem a little weird at first, but it's...usually not dangerous."

Gloves at the Table

[king_of_egypt]

For a change of pace, it was nice to head into town. Usually, Atem would have his friends along but this time he was by himself- well if you didn't count his familiars. Just in case the restaurant didn't wish to have animals inside the building, whether metallic or not, he had Horus (a small metal falcon) transform back into his puzzle form before pocketing him. Capricius being a gemstone that was only about the size of a hand, took the hint and took up residence in another pocket. "Sorry guys- just a little bite to eat and you can come back out."

Wih that he strode inside the building, and looked for anyone he might know from school or a table with some seats left.

[temptationaccomplished]

in the crowded restaurant, he had managed to acquire one of the last tables even without the help of a Miracle and was now pondering the menu with concern. Paying for things was important, of course--workers deserved to be paid for their efforts--but he was just not used to being without funds, either real or miracled. And these prices weren't so much high as they were just... Well. To put it bluntly, he was flat broke.

Aziraphale looked up at the odd young man who approached, eyeing his hair. Oh. A Punk. Crowley had known a few from that 'scene' back in the Nineteen-Eighties. Odd fellows, tended to like to wear dark clothes, listen to detestably loud music, and act tough. It was no surprise Crowley like them. Still, he didn't look terribly dangerous and his hair, ridiculous and spiky as it was, was also strangely charming. He'd certainly never seen anything at all like it.

"What curious hair!" he remarked pleasantly. "How ever do you get it to do that? Ah, pardon my manners. Are you looking for a table? I'm afraid there aren't many, so please, have a seat," he added with a gesture to the open chair. It wasn't common for him to share a meal with a stranger, but since everyone here was a stranger, it was bound to happen more often now. "My name is Mr. Fell."

Sorry for tardiness! I didn't realize how tardy o_o

[king_of_egypt]

The place was a bit busier than he had anticipated, and he was debating whether to remain or move on. Still, there were a few open seats available and it would be a shame to come out all this way for nothing. At least Atem had earned some money from participating in a variety of the competitive games that were available here so that wasn't one of his concerns.

From that short list of descriptors Atem had exemplified at least two of them since well... he did sometimes gravitate towards dark clothing with an excessive amount of belts, and he tended to act tough- but only when confronting those who deserved it. His hair, strangely enough had always been this way, though people never believed him when he said it and the camera hadn't been invented at the time he was born.

Walking into the room, he looked for a place that looked unoccupied stopping only when he caught that comment. "Ah-.. you must be talking to me...". Since no one else in here was sporting a quaff with the volume of his. "It's actually surprisingly simple.. I'm afraid there really isn't a trick to it." Hoping that wouldn't be too much of a disappointment. "Yes, actually I am. I don't think I've ever seen this place when it was this crowded. The word must have traveled fast about how good the food is." Smiling at the offer, he reached for the back of the chair and pulled it out far enough for him to seat himself upon it. "Thank you, that's very kind, Mr Fell." Exhibiting manners that might be considered unusual for a 'punk'. A quick glance at his current companion told him that this man had a keen attention for detail, at least if his attire was anything to go on. "I'm Atem. Have you been in Anastara for long?"

And then I lost track of time as well. Sorry!

[temptationaccomplished]

Surprisingly simple, he said. Aziraphale was skeptical. He knew quite well how hard it was to get one's hair 'done' as one liked, and even someone's 'woke up this way' look seemed to take effort and hair gel to be properly coiffed without betraying the effort required to get it there.

But his hair was no matter, and his manners were quite pleasant for a punk and a young man. Aziraphale was pleased to have found a polite dining companion.

"I have not. I'm afraid it's only my first week here. I was just feeling a bit hungry after all the wandering around and sight-seeing and thought I best pop in for a bit of lunch." He arranged a napkin primly on his lap. "Atem, though, that's quite a name. In my world, I think that may have been an ancient Egyptian deity. Some sort of creation god, something about a snake, if memory serves. Anyway. Have you been here long yourself?"

And then I got Sick XD. No worries

[king_of_egypt]

Well- it might have been a little more complicated than he let on. His hair could be a little unruly in the morning with the expected amounts of bedhead, but everyone had to deal with that, didn't they? It was just something he was used to managing so he didn't see it as arduous or time-consuming.

The subject was swiftly forgotten however in lieu of discussing origins.

"I thought that I hadn't seen you before- not that I'm an expert on everyone who resides here mind you." Not wanting it to be assumed that he was a busy body. No, there was just something different about his current companion that set him aside from the locals. "You picked an ideal location for that." As if the amount of occupied seats wasn't telling enough. He couldn't help quirking up an eyebrow at what was said next. There was a naturally association with a pharaoh and the Egyptian Gods but his ego was not so great to place himself directly in their number. ".. Mm, yes I am familiar with that deity." Perhaps if he provided a little of his own backstory, Mr. Fell would share his own. "If you're familiar with the Egyptian Gods, and you designated them as ancient... then we might be from the same world but different timelines."

"It's been .... oh.. months now," Pausing to consider just how many,"About seven going on eight?"

campus!

[treno_nobleman]

Given time enough, one becomes familiar with the faces that pass by on the ins and outs of the day to day. The school grounds hadn't seemed so small when he first arrived, but as the months passed, its borders closed in little by little. He knows the area well now and most all of the faces within, if not the names associated with them, especially those of his own house, much as he was loathe to associate himself too closely with anyone or anything.

The fluffy, swaggering Oh leopard trailing behind him was no exception, but even she had become a part of his life he'd grown to accept. This man in the light clothing with the supplies, however, caught Kuja's eye. He didn't know that face. Of that, he was certain, and anything new or out of the ordinary tended to draw his curiosity. His tail tip twitched as he watched the man, trying to decide if he was a new student native to the world, perhaps from a far away land, or another of the Sundered.

"On assignment, are we?"

Whoever he was, he had Califleur's interest as well, ears perked and attentive.

sorry this took so long

[temptationaccomplished]

"On assign- Oh! No, no. I," he stopped to address the man with the fluffy purplish hair, caught off guard by the idea of an assignment. Yes, he supposed he would be getting those here as well--as one did with school lesson, of course. There would be no escaping work and no one to share in the workload here. "I should hope I'm not on assignment yet. Am I? I've only just arrived." The paperwork hadn't mentioned assignments. Had it?

The large cat beside the man looked more than friendly enough, and very fluffy and soft, but Aziraphale still eyed it carefully. All God's creatures, great and small were lovely, but some of them still had sharp claws and teeth (or were just plain rude, like geese).

"I'm just attempting to get a, uh, lay of the land, as it were," he shifted his new supplies in hand and tried not to look as awkward as he felt. Changes in routine did not especially suit him. "Any particular points of interest?"

no probs!

[treno_nobleman]

"New? Ah, then perhaps not, and all the better for it." There would be time enough for that, now that the man was on their grounds, and a new Sundered put a slight damper on his thoughts, though he was careful not to let it show. New Sundered meant the magic that brought him and the others here was still at work, still uncontrolled. Goodness, this world...

The wary look cast to the Oh leopard did not go missed, not by Kuja nor the subject of its attention. Califleur tilted her head, ears still perked, with a light chuff; Kuja merely smiled, recognizing his familiar's pleas for what they were. Always the eager one to make friends, this creature, despite her master's tendencies.

"Several, yes, depending on what interests you have and what were forced upon you in the way of classes. The buildings are spread out in some way that makes a little sense, but then there is the cafeteria and, of course, where you might find the instructors and mentors. If you'd like and you have the time, I would be happy to show you around."

He paused, felt his familiar's gaze on him, and could sense the approval in her purr without having to see it on her face. "I am Kuja, and this is my familiar, Califleur. She does not bite, I assure you, though she may beg your affections in an effort to win you over."

[temptationaccomplished]

"I'd appreciate it greatly," he said with relief. While he enjoyed reading maps and researching things, it was so much easier to be guided and to have word-of-mouth recommendations from others. "I've been assigned to Ka, so I believe I am supposed to be studying the magic involved in bringing us here. I also have classes on..." A pause as he looked over the schedule. "Modification, Discovery, History, Law, and Glypics. But aside from that, I'm always fond of books in general and good food and drinks." Included because this person was probably one of the first Aziraphale had met that looked anywhere near old enough to drink something stronger than a good ginger-ale, and who might have actually done so.

With some hesitation, he offered a hand to Califleur to smell and decide if she wanted to be pet. It would not be the end of the world if she turned out to be not as friendly as her companion claimed, but it would be very inconvenient. When given the opportunity, Aziraphale gently scratched her cheeks with the relative ease of a man who had never really entertained a housecat before.

"She is charming. I'm still deciding on a familiar for myself." He was thinking about a snake, though Califleur's soft fur was tempting him towards something decidedly fluffier. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. You may call me Mr. Fell."

[treno_nobleman]

Something in Kuja's smile seemed to perk, faintly. "Another of Ka? We may see more of each other sooner rather than later. It isn't terrible, all things considered, though I'm not overly fond of their choice of color." Really, then. "The Sundering has been of great interest to me thus far, for what I might call obvious reasons. I've found their Laws to be... peculiar, but not far from what I knew back on Gaia. I can say Discovery was fascinating, but of course you will take these and find out for yourself what you will like. I have only been through the first tier of classes since arrival myself." He was far from the first to do so, but if nothing they had people willing to help learn the magic of this world, annoying as it all way.

More than willing to humor him, Califleur stepped closer and, after a sniff or two, pushed her head right into the fingers offered with a rumbling purr. If he'd been nervous about felines before, she seemed intent on changing his mind about that now, such was her nature.

Kuja watched, not truly interested in her doings. It was the same for everyone and anyone she could convince to let her snuggle up to, the git, but he let her. She knew not to overwhelm. "Yes, I suppose. Though I will warn you now, she will try to befriend anyone and anything she can. She is quite the socialite, I've found." Not unlike her master, at times, in a way. "And be it a pleasure in return, Mr. Fell."