I'm Satan, but Today I am Santa too. (For sohoangel)

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer really never had enough time with Aziraphale. Despite a shaky first meeting just over a year ago they were now close friends. He would now consider him as much of a brother as any of his own angels and as such Aziraphale endured harassment and strange gifts from the fallen angel. Today though, they were out to buy unexpected gifts for another angel, Moloch to be specific. Lucifer had to admit buying a Christmas gift for Moloch was strange indeed.

He had a few ideas in mind as he walked toward the plaza to meet the other angel. It would be nice to just spend a day with the other angel without it being a party or a large gathering.

Comments

[sohoangel]

"Well, we'll be putting that to the test soon enough," Aziraphale notes dryly, although he does relax in the face of Lucifer's reassurance. Folding his hands over his stomach, he waits for Lucifer to be ready and then heads out of the stalls and back into the Nexus at large.

"It depends on Moloch's set-up in the Wilds. What sort of shelter does he have? The kipine needs a solid perch and the calf some sort of soft material to sleep on. And both of them need grooming tools. That will be an excellent way for Moloch to bond with them, and it will keep them clean and parasite free."

The only pets Aziraphale ever had were the ones he recruited for his magic act, but he did some reading when he purchased Henry and Lazarus, enough to learn a few basic things about caring for young animals.

[the_rebel_son]

"I think you have in the past." He is very sure that Aziraphale will be fine in the wilds with Moloch. Probably safer than most would be.

"He is constantly moving around so light weight and able to pack small would be a benefit." Shelter was something else. Lucifer glanced down at the cage while they walked and then at the angel. "He does not use shelter. I imagine he will serve as the shelter for them."

He didn't mention it but with Moloch's tendency toward self harm the calf would probably be sleeping in angel feathers every night. "I am not always sure of Moloch's influence but I believe he may have some control over parasites. Cleanliness will not be an issue. For all of his darkness Moloch is the angel of purification."

[sohoangel]

Well, if Lucifer believes in him, then perhaps things will go smoothly, after all. (And there's a sentence Aziraphale never expect to think, let alone gain reassurance from.) "All I can do is be myself, although I do think it's a little presumptuous of me to show up unannounced."

Although maybe that doesn't matter since Moloch doesn't even have a structure he calls home. "He doesn't --" The angel sighs and shakes his head. "Of course he doesn't. I'll make sure the perch is one that's easily portable. And even if cleanliness is not an issue, he should regularly groom both animals. Harry never had parasites, but he loved to be brushed. It's a good way for an owner and a pet to spend some quality time together."

Aziraphale turns down the street they had come from, and sure enough, there is a pet supply store on the corner, selling all manner of products. The shop is modern by Earth standards, and the automatic glass doors slide open wide, leaving plenty of room for Lucifer's wings to pass through.

[the_rebel_son]

The worry fit with what Lucifer knew of Aziraphale's sense of etiquette though he shrugged. "When I have looked for Moloch in the wilds there is a tendency for him to notice and start looking for me. It may be the same when you start to look for him."

"Perhaps his shoulder or forearm would be a more viable perch while it is young?" Lucifer was not only thinking about the new additions but also Moloch's aesthetic. "Falconer's gear may be more inline with his lifestyle?"

Lucifer follows and finds himself growing curious about what the other angel might purchase for Moloch. The whole relationship be tween the two is a curiosity to the older angel.

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale has always been on the formal side of etiquette throughout history, his manners thoroughly cemented in the Victorian Era. But Lucifer makes a good point that Moloch will be able to sense his aura, anyway, so he won't catch him by surprise. "Fair enough, dear. You know him better than I do."

"That's not a bad idea, actually. Do you think Moloch will wear the proper equipment?" He's not naive to Moloch's propensity for self-harm and does not like the idea of him letting the owl-like creature inadvertently scratch him with its talons. But leather ties on the kipine's feet will make it clear that it belongs to someone. "We'll see what they have."

The sections of the store are more or less organized by the type of pet, although such distinctions can get a little hazy in the Nexus. Aziraphale heads towards the bird (or 'feathered creature' as it is labeled) section, as that applies to both animals to some extent. He picks up grooming supplies for their wings, then heads over to the falconry equipment. "When we do a little more research for these two, I'd like to learn how quickly they'll grow. Moloch will need to come back here at some point... or I can for him, if he doesn't want to." The florescent lights and cheerful music playing over the speakers might grate on the angel's nerves.

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer smiles and a quiet laugh escapes but he doesn't mention Moloch cuddling with Aziraphale.

"Moloch wears black leather. A gauntlet and shoulder perch is something he would wear though I am not sure the ankle leashes would be appropriate for the kipine if it will be intelligent. Perhaps something more jewelry like would be appropriate." He was thinking out loud while they walk through the shop toward bird items.

He takes a long silent moment to consider Aziraphale's comments. "He has other options for future gear if he does not want to come into the plaza or you could visit them from time to time."

No harm in encouraging their friendship or whatever it is they are developing.

[sohoangel]

That was one time, and Moloch was a bunny, besides. As much as Aziraphale fondly remembers that encounter, he's not assuming that Moloch will always be that sociable.

"Well, so long as it matches his aesthetic," he murmurs with some amusement. He picks up a shoulder perch and gauntlet, both in black, which will be a good fit for Moloch. "I don't see anything jewelry-like here that would -- oh! What about these?" There are some leather ankle leashes that are braided in a light and dark monochrome. "They're much prettier than the traditional ones. What do you think, dear?" He addresses this to the kipine in the cage, holding them up for it to see. "Would you like to wear these?"

Once that's settled, Aziraphale will move on to the section meant for furred creatures to pick up a nice grooming brush for the little bull, something bristly that will give a good scratch. "Depending on how well this goes, I can certainly do that... I would like to see how his pets are getting on, too." He has a feeling he'll see little of Moloch, otherwise.