002

[misplacedsword]

[Aziraphale appears on the Plane, looking somewhat distressed. He paces for a moment, having some sort of silent conversation with himself, and then turns and heads for the bar. He sits, pours himself a drink, and downs it.]It's my own fault, you know. This was inevitable from the moment I said all I had to do was merely ensure it didn't happen

Comments

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is sitting in the bar--not because anything is particularly wrong at the moment, but just because he enjoys a good pint now and then, and even the time and availability of that can be spotty when one is living in the TARDIS. but in any case, he sees Aziraphale come in and immediately doesn't like his expression]

Az? What's wrong?

[misplacedsword]

[He blinks slightly, then smiles apologetically.]

Oliver! I apologize, dear boy, I didn't see you.

I, er. Seem to have run into the problem of sincerely hoping no one notices a reality merger much more quickly than I'd thought.

[oliverplus]

Oh. [his eyes widen a little. he knows from experience how awkward those can be] How bad is it? Anything we could find a way to help with?

[misplacedsword]

[He takes a sip from his glass.]

I can't be certain of the extent, but I don't believe it's too bad as of yet.

[No one seems to have noticed it yet, at least. Granted, Aziraphale didn't remain very long after the discovery.]

I don't suppose you know of a way to reverse them?

[oliverplus]

[Oliver makes a face] Sort of. I've only seen it happen when the person it came from stops coming here. And even then, it wasn't right away.

[to him, it was rather sad when it happened--like a confirmation that he'll never see those friends again]

[misplacedsword]

[He grimaces slightly at that.]

Ah. Certainly not a very viable solution. I'd suspected as much, though.

You did say people got used to the changes?

[oliverplus]

Yeah! They thought it was weird at first, but...well, people adapt. Like with anything, I guess.

Are you still worried about your friend? You don't think he'll know it had to do with you, do you?

[misplacedsword]

That's something of a relief. And yes, that certainly seems to be true. Humans are marvelously capable of adapting to even the strangest things.

[Sometimes 'adapting' means 'coming up with their own explanations for something clearly impossible' or even 'forgetting it happened entirely,' but in this case, those options aren't particularly bad things.]

Adam? No, not really. I suppose he might be able to find out, but if he can, he'll also know I couldn't have done it intentionally. I doubt he'll blame me.

[It's also occurred to Aziraphale that of all those who could notice, really, Adam's the best case scenario.]

[oliverplus]

[he raises an eyebrow at that statement. okay, so Aziraphale isn't human. he'll have to remember that] Yeah, we've got a knack for that. Nice to know it can be a good thing. [as opposed to the general public's ignoring aliens' influence on Earth for years and years]

[blinks. after how concerned Az seemed when he first got here, that's a relief to hear] Oh. Well, that's good! Then there's not too much to worry about, right?

[misplacedsword]

[He catches the eyebrow, and feels a bit sheepish. Ah. Yes. That did rather give it away, didn't it?] Oh, it's excellent. I envy it sometimes, actually.

[Humans are so versatile. It's lovely.]

Er. Well. Not at the moment, I shouldn't think! Anyone else who might notice is currently doing their best to pretend London doesn't exist.

[At least, that's the impression he got the last time he talked to Heaven, and considering Hell hadn't noticed Crowley's return, he's rather hoping that's what they're doing as well. He's not at all certain he'll be that fortunate, but he can hope.]

[oliverplus]

Yeah? But you've adapted to stuff, too, haven't you? I mean, if you're living on Earth. [because Oliver is going to assume alien until he hears otherwise]

[is baffled by that comment] Huh? Why would they pretend London doesn't exist? [that's rather unsettling, actually]

[misplacedsword]

Yes, I suppose I have. It's been long enough, after all. Though some may say I'm certainly not as quick as they are.

[Some who insist on teasing him for having not quite adapted to some modern things.]

Because that's where I am, and they seem to be quite happy to ignore me, as well. Among other reasons.

[He'd never thought he'd feel at all grateful at being on the outs with Heaven, but in this case, a small part of him does.]

[oliverplus]

Yeah? How long've you been on Earth? Oh, and when are you, anyway? [his curiosity is starting to get the better of him. and it's actually rather refreshing to be in a place where that question shouldn't garner strange looks]

[Oliver doesn't know what to make of that response at all, though. is Az talking about a threat to the Earth that's leaving London alone because he's there? or a government like the Time Lords who seem so happy to ignore the Doctor unless they need him? something else entirely?] What sort of people are we talking about?

[misplacedsword]

[He considers this briefly, before answering honestly.] Roughly six thousand years, I believe. And, er. In the nineteen-nineties? I understand there are some people from Earths ahead of mine.

[There's another pause as he debates Oliver's question, then gives a mental shrug and decides, once again, to go with honesty. It's rather nice, not having to conceal as much here as he does in his own world.]

Angels.

[oliverplus]

[Oliver sputters] Six thousand!? But... [and, as is often a problem for him, he blurts out a question before he's really thought about it] You aren't a Time Lord, are you?

[at the date, he nods] Yeah, it was 2006 when I left. But the 90's! That's neat. But wait. Waitwait! 6000 years! [he gasps, mentally calculating that. being a history major does come in handy sometimes] That puts you like...before the Egyptians. Or at the Egyptians? Ish? You've been on Earth that long!?

[at the mention of angels, Oliver's jaw drops, and he can't say anything at all]

[misplacedsword]

[The reaction to his time on Earth isn't surprising, but Aziraphale does blink at Oliver's question.]

No, I'm not. I can't say I know what one is, actually.

[He sounds curious at that. He's been finding it rather fascinating, the differences between people's worlds.]

Somewhat before the Egyptians, yes.

[He's been on Earth since it was created, more or less, but he doesn't mention that part. No need to bring up the debacle that was Eden. Especially not when Oliver's jaw drops at the mention of angels.]

Ah. Er. Do you have angels, in your world?