middaeg | [Open] I wanted all the things that I haven't got

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[Open] I wanted all the things that I haven't got

Who: Rich Goranski and you!
When: Beginning of the month up until the event
Where: All around the city, including in Desmodus Mori and the refugee area
What: Rich goes about fulfilling some quests while also dealing with some monster changes. Also feat. a dash of punk.
Warnings: Some mention of broken families in the last prompt. Otherwise it should be good!

Anyways, here's Wonderwall

[Rich needed a break.

Honestly, most people probably did. Dorchacht had taken a lot out of the spirits of the people involved in that struggle, and even for the ones at home, Rich heard about what they had to deal with from anti-Bonded protestors.

And of course, there's been the whole issue of the SQUIP's continued efforts to get to everyone Rich ever happened to care about, which is making Rich more than a little worried about the new arrivals, especially Jeremy and Michael. He knows the two of them are smart, but could they hold up against literal magic? A freaking android apparently couldn't.

But worrying can only get Rich so far. And speaking of freaking androids, Connor had definitely given Rich a suggestion that's been kind of ingrained in his head as he starts looking for an outlet for pent up energy.

So after his shifts at the music store, Rich takes his guitar out from the shop, moves to an empty spot by the park, and sets up. He feels a little silly, leaving his guitar case open on the ground, but... hey, this is where most stars start out, right?

So he plays. His voice is fairly shaky at first, confidence not quite embedded into that aspect of his musical interest, but as he starts getting into the music, old classics he listened to freshman year of high school, his enthusiasm picks up, and he bounces around to the beat.

When he finishes, he looks up to whoever might have been observing, giving a sheepish grin.]

Any requests?

[His taste is unique, but he can stop playing anti-establishment 'fight the man' nonsense and pull out a classic love song if he must.]

Well, it's true that they say love bites

[The request had seemed fairly simple at first. Donate blood for some vampires to have a sustainable and consensual source of food and it's done. Rich wasn't squeamish, so donating blood seemed like an easy way to make some cash. Hell, maybe it was like the blood drives at school and he'd get a cookie after.

But when he does get into the bar, he does feel... a bit like he's bitten off more than he can chew. Particularly because he remembers now that this place probably doesn't have modern day needles and IVs. How in the hell does he donate?

Any vampires or regulars who know the drill should probably help the guy, who's now staring at his arms, wondering if tattoos were an issue.]

Carpenters: having daddy issues since Jesus Christ

[Even if Rich needed a break from the stress of last month, he couldn't completely stay out of it, so when he realized the refugees were in need of homes, he didn't blink before signing up. Whenever he has spare time, he's over in the area, helping move building materials and furniture around. He's not an expert in carpentry, but he took wood shop, so he knows how to at least cut planks of wood down to smaller planks.

When he takes a break from heavy lifting, Rich can often be found goofing off with the kids, teaching them games or telling them stories. He might appreciate a teammate to help him wrangle all the kids after a run outside... or he can always be scolded for encouraging the kids' loud laughter and screeching. But would you really ruin the fun of a dozen little kids, plus the biggest kid of them all?]

When you're half dragon but not even the cool Skyrim protagonist kind

[No matter how busy Rich attempts to keep himself, there isn't much he can do to avoid the changes, when they come. They aren't even noticeable physical ones this time... but they're still frustrating.

First comes fatigue. The rain probably makes everyone a little gloomy, but Rich wasn't expecting it to be this overwhelming. It gets to the point where he doesn't even want to crawl out of bed... and when he does, he can often be found an hour later, passed out leaning against a wall or just faceplanted on the ground. If anyone attempts to approach him then, they'll likely end up with a very cold teenager clinging to them until he's warm enough to come to and realize just how embarrassing he's acting.

Then there's a little itch, some urge in the back of his mind that gets worse when he passes art galleries and shops with framed paintings. He doesn't mean to, but he spends ages staring at the pictures, especially those of families... of happy, sweet mothers and brave, protective fathers. Happy scenes, no alcohol or hospital rooms in sight.

Perhaps you see him staring at one of these paintings, looking like he's going to swipe it off the wall at any moment. Or perhaps, if you carry any photos on your person, you may find them missing from your pockets, only to see Rich wandering past, the picture still in his hands as he stares down at it, making a beeline for home so he can add it to his collection.]

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[Who's going to ruin the fun? Not this angel, that's for sure. But he can't help but be a bit of a mother hen. Which is why he eventually brings over the kid's jackets, that had been left discarded earlier when they had started playing.]

Let's make sure we won't catch a cold, shall we?

[Rich brightens immediately when he sees Aziraphale bringing over all the coats, though the children look... less enthused. The 30 seconds they'd suffer without playtime is such a sacrifice, apparently, that they refuse to accept it. One harpy child lets out a screech, which encourages the rest to echo the sentiment, splitting off into multiple different directions and running off.

Rich gapes at them and then gives an embarrassed shrug.]

Don't suppose you want to play tag with all of them, huh? Don't worry, I'll wrangle them up.

It's been a long while since I've indulged.

[The demon was the one who usually ended up playing with the kids, Aziraphale was usually the one being neurotic and worrying about a hundred different things. But that doesn't mean he doesn't enjoy it, even if kid's energy is extremely hard to match sometimes.

So he starts running after one of the kids, letting an amused chuckle.]

Let's see who gets more of them back here in the end!

[Rich fully expects that answer, and is thinking how best to start chasing after the children, only to notice Aziraphale start to bolt after one of the shrieking, giggling, toddlers. He watches in shock for a moment, before offering an enthusiastic laugh and heading off in the other direction.]

Oh, you're on!

[Aziraphale will be no match for Professional Child Wrangler Rich Goranski, even if he only started practicing about a week ago. He scoops up some of the slower children under one arm, and they scream with glee, amused with Rich's extra monstrous boost of strength he's come into recently.]

[Aziraphale, being a witch doesn't have any powers to help with the child... wranglering. But that's fine, he's the least competitive person you'll never know. He's stubborn to a fault, for sure, and selfish as an angel can be, but in these situations as long as everyone is having fun, he's having fun.

So here he is, running after some child or another as he laughs even as it's clear that Rich is going to win this little bet of theirs. He even loses some time by tickling one of the kids instead of actually running after them-

But eventually, he does manage to bring three back. And even manages to put jackets on them! Victory.]

I am happy to acknowledge my defeat.

[Rich, impressively, has six dangling off of his arms when he returns back to Aziraphale, and once he sets them down, they do seem willing to put their jackets on. Rich helps the ones who need it, and sends them off with a little warning: "Don't slip, okay?" He knows he can't get them to resist the tempting pull of mud puddles, but at least they'll hopefully keep caution in mind as they're running around.

Once they're back off, he beams and gets back up on his feat.]

Sorry, Azira. You can't challenge the master. Thanks for helping, though. They can be a handful...

[Which is mainly why Rich loves them, but.]

Nothing to apologize for, I promise.

[Azira.

The nickname makes him smile. He's never been one for shortening his name, it was God given after all and he likes it very much. The only reason he shortened was to fit in with the humans, and even then he played a game with his initials to make it as close to his own name as he could. 'Angel' was the only nickname he ever got, and that was more of a moniker that grew into a nickname.

But he knows Rich does it out of... a sense of familiarity, he figures, so it's quite alright.]

I didn't know you were this good with kids though.

[Rich must have been doing it out of some sense of affection, considering how he's acting around the children. Even now, when one strays from the group, he usually gives them a little hug or pat on the head before sending them on their way. If Aziraphale had been hear earlier, he would have likely heard the nicknames he had been giving all of the children as well.

He looks a little sheepish and shrugs at the comment.]

I didn't think I was, either. Never had a younger sibling or anything. Guess I just happen to have the energy to keep up with them.

Oh it takes a special kind for kids to warm up to you! I do like them, but I suppose I'm too strict for them to be... comfortable, with me.

[He grins as he watches them play around, now with their jackets on and no danger of a cold.] It's just- they can be so fragile... how do parents don't just go around wrapping them in bubble wrap, I will never understand.

But I suppose you have to let them grow up.

Hey, strict isn't bad! You've just to find the right balance, you know? You can't spend all your time worrying about them or they'll never have a chance to grow up.

Still, better to worry too much than not at all. I wouldn't want these kids to end up with someone who just ignores them... or thinks they aren't worth fussing over a little.

[He gives a big grin up at Aziraphale.]

Just maybe leave the bubble wrap. It can be pretty hard to move when you're bundled in that stuff.

[...How would you even know that, Rich?]

[Aziraphale chuckles into his hand.]

Oh trust me, I know all about being under an overprotective parent's watchful eye. [If he can even call Her his parent... look. It's complicated.]

I suppose I was never good at letting things just happen as they should, which doesn't make me for a very good caretaker. It's fine, though- I don't really have the patience to be a nanny anyway. That was my friend's job.

But did you ever think about pursuing this as a job?

Huh, really? I wouldn't know... I mean, I guess my older brother kinda got like one sometimes, but that's pretty different.

[He thinks he would have preferred an overprotective parent... but the grass is always greener, right?]

Your friend was a nanny? Jesus, they must have the patience of a saint then. I never really thought about... trying this as a job.

[He never really thought about what kind of job he'd get. He was always willing to try just about everything, and that's kind of what he's been doing here as well, going between job to job to see what fits.]

But maybe. I like it here... like doing the stuff at the shop too. I don't know, I haven't done anything here I've hated yet.

Well, he puts up with me so we already knew that.

[Look, he's got jokes and everything!

Sometimes.]

But that's great! Amazing, really. I suppose being able to do things because you wish to certainly helps that feeling. Back home, opening the bookshop and learning how to dance were some of the times I was the happiest because I did it because I wanted to.

In here I may be quite bad when it comes to physical labor and rebuilding, but I'm helping, so it's fulfilling.

You're a lot less to handle than a toddler. Or someone like me, for that matter.

[He snorts at the joke anyways, though, before something else catches his interest.]

Woah, a bookshop? That sounds cozy. And hey, I used to take dance lessons! I don't know if my style now would be fun for you, though.

[Probably too much hip thrusting to be considered appropriate. Poor, stuffy Aziraphale.]

You know, I bet you could find a way to do something fulfilling that also makes you happy. You don't have to just give up your passions. I tried that at first, but it just burnt me out a little.

Oh, oh definitely not, the type of "dancing" you do nowadays is not for me.

[He hasn't danced since he learned the Gavotte. Oh, how he misses that dance- and the discreet gentleman's club where he learnt it.]

I've actually never been good at denying myself whatever I fancied at the moment. [Food, nice clothes, books... the list goes on. Aziraphale was not supposed to sin, and yet.]

But I suppose, since I have no kob here, it wouldn't hurt to look for something to do. Something I actually like doing. But make sure to follow your own advice.

You're so stuffy sometimes. There's nothing wrong with moving around a little!

[Rich demonstrates, wiggling his lips and hopping back and forth on his feet so some unheard, peppy tempo.]

I'm glad you're not holding yourself back though! You should get a chance to try new things. And I guess I do too.

[He relents with a good natured sigh. He's trying not to hold himself back anymore, but sometimes it's hard to focus on enjoying himself when there's so much else to do.]

Stuffy!

[He brings a hand to his chest, the very picture of 'why I've never' even though he's been told the same thing many times over in the past.]

Hardly so, simply a little bit... old-fashioned, I suppose. But I've always been a firm believer on not fixing what isn't broken. Why, my rotatory phone worked just fine and people kept trying to get me to change it.

You would not believe the amount of... of... intelligent phones I was given as a gift, as if they could simply not believe I didn't have use of them.

Okay, but a rotary phone is like, probably a hundred years old by now, and phones have improved a huge amount since then. Just because it works fine, doesn't mean a smartphone wouldn't be better!

I mean, I showed you how to text. I'm sure you could have figured out the rest eventually.

[Besides, Aziraphale is missing out on things like mobile games!]

I've had the same phone in my book shop since the 30s, young man.

[Aziraphale’s tone carries the ‘and I do not intend to change it’ as loud and clear as if he had actually said it. To be fair to him, considering he’s had 6000 years to adapt to the fact that he’s slowly but surely adapting in his own way is still pretty impressive.]

I am… replying to people, in this place. Talking to them, I mean. It’s been useful, I suppose, but I still think using all the ‘apps’ I saw Cro- my friend use would be a tad overwhelming to me. But it is alright, as long as I get to keep in contact with people I care about, I will be fine.

But the fact that your first urge is to teach me only makes me think I was right to think you’d be a good teacher.

And you think an 80 year old phone is perfectly normal? Geez! Now I'm worried if you even have a TV! Most humans are younger than you're phone I mean, isn't that a little weird? Did you even hook up an answering machine?

[He can't even imagine not having a phone on him at all times. How does this angel even survive? Besides with. Magical powers, obviously.]

Apps are convenient, though. Like you only have to use the ones you need, like... you'd probably want one with a dictionary, or maybe different dance routines...

[But then he realizes he's still attempting to teach Aziraphale, and he flushes, mortified.]

You're teasing me.

I have no use for a TV when I have books...

[So: no, he doesn't have a TV. He gets his news the old fashioned way, with his newspapers and word of mouth and if he ever really (really) needs to watch something on the telly he finds a way to do so without actually buying one.]

I am not, though, and I promise to stop if it is really something you'd never seek, I just think you'd be good at it. [But to be fair, Aziraphale seems to say the exact same thing about anything Rich shows any interested in. Rich could say he's into macramé and he'd be all for it.]

And it was jolly helpful, I'd say. I tried to help building but I'm quite bad at it, apparently.

Oh god, you're such a grandpa...

[Rich cannot help his laughter at that, snorting faintly, but at least his laughter carries a hint of genuine affection.]

At least you're probably finding it easier to deal with this place being so empty than I am...

[Rich is into too many things, though, as someone his age often is, so he looks faintly sheepish.]

Maybe I would be alright at it. I'm still... figuring stuff out though. It's been a long time since I've been able to have hobbies, and I kind of want to try everything. Building is... yeah, not the greatest. I can do some heavy lifting or cut some boards in half, but that's about it.

You can already do more than me. I am afraid I am a "grandpa" in more ways than one.

[He says with a sigh as he rubs the back of his head with a sigh. He had never cared much about the body he was handed, it was simply a vessel and as long as he didn't do any stunts it was supposed to last him a long time. And last him it did... but now the body is actually his, he's realized it's come with its own limitations.]

This is the first time I've actually had to manual labor without some... help from up there.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with that!

[Rich gives Aziraphale a pat on the back, careful not to... knock him over with his dragon strength, or anything like that.]

Leave the heavy lifting to the young ones, okay? You're more of a planner. You can help organize furniture, or divide up supplies. You seem like you're pretty damn smart, you can find something to do, I'm sure.

I mean, I'm sure the miracles were a huge perk, but there's nothing like getting to be proud of what you can do yourself.

[He chuckles, deciding he's not going to let his own insecurities ruin this moment.]

You're right on that. Do you want to get on that, then? I did help build my bookshop back then I could try to help with the planning.

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firewalled - 2019-11-22 23:26 (UTC) - Expand

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