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A. Z. Fell & Co OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Who: Aziraphale & EVERYBODY, consider this an open mingle post
When: right before the snatched plot
Where: A. Z. & Co, the book shop / café
What: The opening of the book shop! Finally
Warnings: N/A for now
“Welcome!”
Reads the white and golden banner in front of the shop. After much work, panic, steps back and indecision Aziraphale has finally decided the book café is finally ready to actually be open to the public. You shall find the angel at the entrance, nervously playing with his ring between greeting people and making sure everyone has everything they need. He’s made sure to tell everyone about the opening, putting up as many posters and sending as many fliers as he could afford, while also relying on the good old mouth-to-mouth to make sure everyone knew when the great opening was going to be. It will last a few days, as these things tend to do, so nobody should worry if they aren’t able to make it to the big opening on the first day. It’s not like Aziraphale expects a big success, money is definitely not the reason he’s doing this. But if it’s enough to keep his little book café open, he’ll be delighted.
Aziraphale and those who’ve agreed to help and work with him will be seen puttering around the place, making sure everything is as perfect as it can be.
a. The books
A. Z. Fell & Co is a pretty big business- but no one who knows Aziraphale should be surprised, because the more space he has for his books the better. And the shelves are as filled as they can be, he’s definitely made sure of that. It’s taken him… a lot of time, and a big part of his money (bye sweets he craved, bye expensive foods, how he misses miracling things his way) but his collection has ended up pretty nice if he says so himself.
Most of the books are from the city itself. There are a few story books, magic books, some theater plays and everything else Aziraphale could get his extremely demanding hands on. Back home he’d specialized on antique books, but he can’t be as picky in this place… but he’s definitely tried his best to get as many old books as he was able to. He visited many libraries during his visits to Dorchacht, both before and after the revolution, so even though he hasn’t managed to bring as many books from there as he’d have liked to there’s definitely some as well, if anyone is curious about it.
But a lot of the collection is from books from all over the many universes people have been pulled from. Aziraphale got some books from his own book shop back home, thanks to the mirrors. But people have also offered their own, and even written their own versions to be featured. It’s a perfectly imperfect collection that not even all the antique books he had back home could compare to. Not even the signed first editions. The angel is still very humbled at how much people have offered to help. And if anyone needs help with the translation, the enchanted reading glasses should do the trick, deciphering every language into one the wearer is able to understand.
Now, Aziraphale’s priority has always been to keep the books safe. And to that purpose, he will do his absolute best to make sure the books are kept in the store, where they belong, where he can take care of them. And so, even though using spells to attack has hardly been his priority, he’s asked some local witches to help him cast spells on the books so they cannot be damaged or stolen.
He’s asked different witches, so not even he knows what the spell could be. Ink exploding right on the thief’s face, the book howling bloody murder, some may even snap their pages shut on people’s faces and noses- Aziraphale would be against anything seriously harming anyone, but hey, if they were trying to steal his books, maybe they deserve it!
b. Study table & writing workshop
Right on the upper level, there’s a table labeled for studying. The first thing that anyone will notice if they approach the table is how sounds seem to be… muted, somehow. Not entirely gone, you can still talk if you so wish to, but anyone looking for some calm, or a place where they can get some respite and simply read a book will certainly enjoy how Aziraphale did his best to soundproof this room as much as he was able to.
And near the blessedly silent table, Aziraphale has set up what looks to be a little writing workshop. Many people have shown interest in writing stories about their own world, and even sharing the books they remembered reading, and it’s brought him close to people he’d have never met otherwise. So, his pet project is to allow everyone to share their stories. Culture, history, recipes, mythology, fiction… Aziraphale has yet to find a genre that doesn’t have its hidden gems, and so every kind of book is welcome.
He has enchanted some quills to write whatever a person narrates for them whenever they are activated. It doesn’t last as long as he’d have liked, so people have 15 minutes worth of spell before the quill needs to… recharge, so to speak. So nobody should expect to write an actual book, just a short story at most, for now. But he’s still rather proud of how much he’s advanced with his spells, so he’ll proudly tell anyone who wants to use the quills how they work, and give a little notebook for free for people to try it out and tell the story they wish to tell, and he has no qualms about people writing anonymously if they so wish. It is meant as an exchange of cultures.
c. The food
Ah, here’s the other love of Aziraphale’s life. The café is meant to be a place where people can enjoy a drink and some food as they read (though he will remark to please, be careful with the books!). So of course, they sell beverages and pastries. And since Aziraphale’s tastes lean towards haute cuisine, they are sure to be quite something. The angel will also make sure to congratulate the baker, making sure everyone knows Caren, alongside some other local bakers are to thank for the pastries.
He’s right next to diplomatea, and he’d never dream of competing with his friends, so even though he offers his own brand of tea (and British people who visit may recognize certain flavors, as Aziraphale may not be British by birth but is definitely a Londoner by heart), anyone coming from the Everett’s with their own tea is more than welcome. There’s also coffee and cocoa, if anyone so wishes.
However, he’d thought it would be fun if he gave the pastries a little kick for the opening. So even though people can absolutely delight in versions of the pastries that haven’t been enchanted (he’d never rob anyone from enjoying food), every pastry also comes with a batch with a surprise spell in it. Aziraphale is a very easily distracted sort of fella, though, so there can definitely be many mishaps…
These spells are very simple, basic spells. And effects may vary slightly depending on the person, so go wild with how badly it affects the character.
- Sfogliatelle : Fluffy and delightful, these are a favorite of Aziraphale. And so anyone who takes a bite will feel… rather content. Quite happy, actually. With their worries slowly fading away, people who take a bite will feel quite pleased with everything and everyone and will not hesitate to let everyone know. People who go for the Sfogliatelle will also feel quite affectionate and just simply- quite vocal, about everything and everyone they love.
They just have to let them know.
- Bombolone: A filled doughnut that can come in two flavors, chocolate and custard. Anyone who takes a bite of this deliciousness will feel quite high. Literally, that is- they will suddenly find themselves able to fly, thanks to a simple levitating spell. Nothing too crazy, just a feet or two off the ground at most, but isn’t it fun to pretend to be Peter Pan for a while?
- Biscotti: Not going to lie: these are pretty delicious with hot cocoa. And that’s the thing, though: anyone who goes for the enchanted biscotti will not be able to lie. IT can be for a few minutes, or even for a few hours but they will simply not be able to tell a lie anymore. Guess they will have to test how good they are at omitting the truth if they want to hide something…
So eat, drink, read… and hopefully have fun! Go crazy tagging each other
When: right before the snatched plot
Where: A. Z. & Co, the book shop / café
What: The opening of the book shop! Finally
Warnings: N/A for now
“Welcome!”
Reads the white and golden banner in front of the shop. After much work, panic, steps back and indecision Aziraphale has finally decided the book café is finally ready to actually be open to the public. You shall find the angel at the entrance, nervously playing with his ring between greeting people and making sure everyone has everything they need. He’s made sure to tell everyone about the opening, putting up as many posters and sending as many fliers as he could afford, while also relying on the good old mouth-to-mouth to make sure everyone knew when the great opening was going to be. It will last a few days, as these things tend to do, so nobody should worry if they aren’t able to make it to the big opening on the first day. It’s not like Aziraphale expects a big success, money is definitely not the reason he’s doing this. But if it’s enough to keep his little book café open, he’ll be delighted.
Aziraphale and those who’ve agreed to help and work with him will be seen puttering around the place, making sure everything is as perfect as it can be.
a. The books
A. Z. Fell & Co is a pretty big business- but no one who knows Aziraphale should be surprised, because the more space he has for his books the better. And the shelves are as filled as they can be, he’s definitely made sure of that. It’s taken him… a lot of time, and a big part of his money (bye sweets he craved, bye expensive foods, how he misses miracling things his way) but his collection has ended up pretty nice if he says so himself.
Most of the books are from the city itself. There are a few story books, magic books, some theater plays and everything else Aziraphale could get his extremely demanding hands on. Back home he’d specialized on antique books, but he can’t be as picky in this place… but he’s definitely tried his best to get as many old books as he was able to. He visited many libraries during his visits to Dorchacht, both before and after the revolution, so even though he hasn’t managed to bring as many books from there as he’d have liked to there’s definitely some as well, if anyone is curious about it.
But a lot of the collection is from books from all over the many universes people have been pulled from. Aziraphale got some books from his own book shop back home, thanks to the mirrors. But people have also offered their own, and even written their own versions to be featured. It’s a perfectly imperfect collection that not even all the antique books he had back home could compare to. Not even the signed first editions. The angel is still very humbled at how much people have offered to help. And if anyone needs help with the translation, the enchanted reading glasses should do the trick, deciphering every language into one the wearer is able to understand.
Now, Aziraphale’s priority has always been to keep the books safe. And to that purpose, he will do his absolute best to make sure the books are kept in the store, where they belong, where he can take care of them. And so, even though using spells to attack has hardly been his priority, he’s asked some local witches to help him cast spells on the books so they cannot be damaged or stolen.
He’s asked different witches, so not even he knows what the spell could be. Ink exploding right on the thief’s face, the book howling bloody murder, some may even snap their pages shut on people’s faces and noses- Aziraphale would be against anything seriously harming anyone, but hey, if they were trying to steal his books, maybe they deserve it!
b. Study table & writing workshop
Right on the upper level, there’s a table labeled for studying. The first thing that anyone will notice if they approach the table is how sounds seem to be… muted, somehow. Not entirely gone, you can still talk if you so wish to, but anyone looking for some calm, or a place where they can get some respite and simply read a book will certainly enjoy how Aziraphale did his best to soundproof this room as much as he was able to.
And near the blessedly silent table, Aziraphale has set up what looks to be a little writing workshop. Many people have shown interest in writing stories about their own world, and even sharing the books they remembered reading, and it’s brought him close to people he’d have never met otherwise. So, his pet project is to allow everyone to share their stories. Culture, history, recipes, mythology, fiction… Aziraphale has yet to find a genre that doesn’t have its hidden gems, and so every kind of book is welcome.
He has enchanted some quills to write whatever a person narrates for them whenever they are activated. It doesn’t last as long as he’d have liked, so people have 15 minutes worth of spell before the quill needs to… recharge, so to speak. So nobody should expect to write an actual book, just a short story at most, for now. But he’s still rather proud of how much he’s advanced with his spells, so he’ll proudly tell anyone who wants to use the quills how they work, and give a little notebook for free for people to try it out and tell the story they wish to tell, and he has no qualms about people writing anonymously if they so wish. It is meant as an exchange of cultures.
c. The food
Ah, here’s the other love of Aziraphale’s life. The café is meant to be a place where people can enjoy a drink and some food as they read (though he will remark to please, be careful with the books!). So of course, they sell beverages and pastries. And since Aziraphale’s tastes lean towards haute cuisine, they are sure to be quite something. The angel will also make sure to congratulate the baker, making sure everyone knows Caren, alongside some other local bakers are to thank for the pastries.
He’s right next to diplomatea, and he’d never dream of competing with his friends, so even though he offers his own brand of tea (and British people who visit may recognize certain flavors, as Aziraphale may not be British by birth but is definitely a Londoner by heart), anyone coming from the Everett’s with their own tea is more than welcome. There’s also coffee and cocoa, if anyone so wishes.
However, he’d thought it would be fun if he gave the pastries a little kick for the opening. So even though people can absolutely delight in versions of the pastries that haven’t been enchanted (he’d never rob anyone from enjoying food), every pastry also comes with a batch with a surprise spell in it. Aziraphale is a very easily distracted sort of fella, though, so there can definitely be many mishaps…
These spells are very simple, basic spells. And effects may vary slightly depending on the person, so go wild with how badly it affects the character.
- Sfogliatelle : Fluffy and delightful, these are a favorite of Aziraphale. And so anyone who takes a bite will feel… rather content. Quite happy, actually. With their worries slowly fading away, people who take a bite will feel quite pleased with everything and everyone and will not hesitate to let everyone know. People who go for the Sfogliatelle will also feel quite affectionate and just simply- quite vocal, about everything and everyone they love.
They just have to let them know.
- Bombolone: A filled doughnut that can come in two flavors, chocolate and custard. Anyone who takes a bite of this deliciousness will feel quite high. Literally, that is- they will suddenly find themselves able to fly, thanks to a simple levitating spell. Nothing too crazy, just a feet or two off the ground at most, but isn’t it fun to pretend to be Peter Pan for a while?
- Biscotti: Not going to lie: these are pretty delicious with hot cocoa. And that’s the thing, though: anyone who goes for the enchanted biscotti will not be able to lie. IT can be for a few minutes, or even for a few hours but they will simply not be able to tell a lie anymore. Guess they will have to test how good they are at omitting the truth if they want to hide something…
So eat, drink, read… and hopefully have fun! Go crazy tagging each other
[Myrobalan strongly approves. +10]
The frontispiece beneath Viren's hand bears a faded triptych, worn by time (though given the cheap stuff the pages are made of, it can't have been much time). Nevertheless there's ample signs that Myr has cared for the book, like a place where the binding's been restitched in an inexpert hand.
The faun himself gives a thoughtful hum, a nod, to Viren's words as he considers them. Beginnings can be a difficult thing--]
Right. As I'd said--the Chant collects the teachings of the Prophet Andraste, as well as Her disciples--those who followed her both before and after Her martyrdom. She was a remarkable woman--to say the least--and it's Her piety that led the Maker to break His long silence toward mortality.
She lived in a time when mankind had forgotten Him entirely, turned to the worship of the Old Gods and other spirits that had led them away into wickedness. It was a fearful time for her people, the Almarri, for the magisters of the Tevinter Imperium bent their magic against all the weaker peoples of the world, to enslave them. Andraste entreated Her gods on her people's behalf for thirty lonely days, and they didn't answer her--but at the end of it, the Maker did, and entreated Her to become His bride and leave the sorrow of the wicked world.
[Myr's tone is hushed, but awed and pious all the same. This is a good story. This is the best story and he loves it with all his heart.]
She asked instead that He give all mankind the chance to atone for our sins, and He agreed--if they'd listen to Her and turn away from the Old Gods.
no subject
What is it about the Old Gods that lead people to wickedness?
[ a pause. well. he has a few questions, not to interrupt myr in the midst of story if there should be more (but he's going to interrupt briefly during this pause, it seems)— ]
But, I'm supposing many would eventually come to listen to her...?
no subject
Well--there's the most obvious bit, where the Maker has forbidden us to worship anything other than Him; turning away from Him to spirits or demons instead is wickedness by itself. That was the Original Sin that made Him turn His face from the world.
But the things they ask of their worshippers--blood magic, sacrificing slaves, giving their bodies up to possession--are just as evil. The Old Gods inspired their high priests in ancient Tevinter to breach the Veil through a hideous blood rite, bodily enter the Fade, and enter the Maker's Golden City--which blackened at their sinful trespass.
[No guessing from Myr's tone exactly what he, and every other observant Andrastian, thinks of those monsters.]
Fundamentally, it's their--it's the Old Gods' jealousy of us, the Maker's second children, that made them strive to lead men astray and turn them against the Maker. Because we had His favor, and the whole Realm of Opposition, which they covet.
[A momentary pause as he regroups for that second question, gone from sober to smiling gently.]
Oh, they did. She gathered an army to her, of humans and elves both, who marched on Tevinter at Her command.