networkinthenight | audio / @hello / open

Hello, um, everyone. This is Aziraphale. I know I haven't met all of you, but I have gotten to know a good number of you as of late, and I've come to like you all a great deal, so it doesn't sit quite right with me not to apologize for recent events.

The sinking of the ferry was inexcusable. Our-- my failure, was a direct result of poor planning and lack of transparency, but I do need all of you to know that the intention had been to find our only way out of Beacon as other methods had been exhausted, and it was always in the plan to make subsequent trips for everyone remaining who wished a return home.

But I know that no amount of good intention will bring it back, nor heal your injuries, nor surface the supplies it was carrying. For all this, I am deeply and terribly sorry; this was, in no way, how I should have repaid all your kindnesses. I understand your anger, and you can direct it at me, if you would like, if you have need of a place to focus your ire.

However, I am afraid, actually, that I must ask a favor. I have, though not for lack of trying, not been able to retrieve much of the sunken raw material - if anyone should lend abilities, magical or otherwise, to help in the rebuilding of the ferry or the docks, you will have my deepest gratitude, for whatever that is worth.

I will try to assist with this as much as I possibly can, and otherwise will be available to assist those who require healing, though my ability to do so has been stunted.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[Crowley sits in silence for a moment, eventually reaching down and putting a hand on his leg.]

This injury is really...stupid.

Yes, I know. But we're.. dead now. And that makes us almost human.

[ He also hates his injury. ]

I've never wanted to be human. Their lives are short, quick. I like them, well enough, but I don't want to be one of them.

No, neither do I. But we don't have another choice.

It's not all bad.

Can you name one good thing about being this close to being human?

Even one?

No Heaven to report to.

No Hell, either.

Yeah? So help.

Fighting ISN'T going to win this. Whatever these World Eaters are, they ARE bigger than us, they aren't going to be easy to stop and you think just running away is going to solve matters? Because like it or not, that's what you tried to do.

They were kids on that boat. And you couldn't think far enough ahead that you didn't realize that you were risking whatever form of a life they've got here.

But humor me for a second: have you ever done ANYTHING like this before? Do you know how many timelines and versions of Earth are represented here, across our population? And that's not even touching on the other worlds.

IF it worked, IF you left Beacon, how were you going to make sure you returned people to where they belong?

Yeah! A functional ferry is better than nothing.

[ daylight falls quiet for a second, curious about a sudden thought that came to mind. ]

... Maybe we can find another dock for the materials? Or, at least, another place for materials? [ after all- the others had found the village, the museum, and other things thanks to exploring beyond their comfort zone. ] There's got to be someplace out there for us to salvage?

[It's a date!]

I'm Stone, by the way.

[Figure the guy might as well know his name. Even if his name is the same as his chosen handle for this network thing, not everyone's is. Like this guy's.]

[ He really doesn't want to tell everyone all this but honestly doesn't see the point anymore. ]

Dear Parker, I hardly think forty refugees on any planet would be of much consequence or drain on their resources, but the real issue is that no one can escape this particular one. I have observed that many individuals who have, for lack of better term, metahuman powers are unable to access many of them here. I am confident there is some sort of barrier on this planet related to light and light-based magics, that would be accessible outside of it. Should we have wound up on a timeline of Earth prior to AD 2019 that would be the best-case scenario, quite honestly. And I did, in fact, put a protective ward onto the ferry prior to the crash. My priority was against wounds, and you are right, I had underestimated my own limitations here and people have been injured. That is my failure, and for that, I am sorry. But if you intend us not to fight nor run away, what else even is there as an option? Hide? Halt time? Call upon a higher power for whom time and space are not obstacles? I have considered these paths. Share with me a viable option and I promise to lend assistance to it. Sincerely, Aziraphale.

Oh, I hope so. Yes, maybe we can find somewhere else to sail out from - surely anything that we can get working quickly would be something I would be interested in.

--Thank you, Daylight.

Oh, yes. Stone, it's quite nice to meet you. Well, not officially yet. But I'm Aziraphale. I've got white hair and a tan coat, if you happen to see me in person. Oh, wait.

[ Five seconds later, Stone gets a selfie. It's a really bad selfie that only has the bottom of Aziraphale's face. And it's blurry as fuck. ]

[Fair point.]

Get to be your friend out in the open.

That is quite nice.

Haven't had to explain to anyone yet. Or hide from anyone.

[Crowley reaches over and takes Aziraphale's hand.]

We might age here.

[It takes Stone a minute of squinting and holding the tablet at arm's length before he figures out who this is.]

Oh, you're that Mr. Fell person El was talking about. She pointed you out.

I don't know how to do that picture thing. How did you do that?

[ He hadn't thought of that. ]

So... what, do you think we have twenty years left? Thirty?

If that.

Bodies start breaking down as they age.

[He shudders] I might lose my hair.

Ah!

[ Oh boy. ]

If you're on the messages, you have to press the circular button to get to the other-- page, I think-- where there should be a picture of a camera. That is, a black rectangle with a colorful circle. Press that one, and it should show you in front of yourself. There are little white items on the bottom of the screen that have choices for when to snap a picture, and if you would like the camera pointing at you instead of what is in front of you! Very clever device.

Oh.

[ He reaches out instinctively to touch it. ]

We'll have to take plenty of pictures to remember it by.

[ He won't get to see Crowley grow it out again.

In fact, if they only have twenty or thirty years left-- ]

It's not enough time.

[Crowley turns to look at Aziraphale when he touches his hair.]

I've had longer naps than twenty or thirty years.

We've had longer rows.

Yes. It's no time at all.

[ Oh no, now he looks sad. ]

I wish we could go back. To the beginning.

To the Garden?

[He remembers that day very well, burned into his memory, as are many days involving Aziraphale.]

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