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, these two certainly fit the bill, then." Aziraphale smiles down at the affectionate baby bull. Maybe two animals will be better than one, then, if it will give Moloch more to care about, and he can handle the workload.

Aziraphale chuckles a little at Lucifer's question. "Of course I will, but don't tarry." He smiles at the other angel, then returns his attention to the animals. While Lucifer is gone, he manages to coax the owl-like creature a little closer while he continues to pet the bull. He's in the middle of telling it what a handsome creature it is when Lucifer returns with the employee.

"Yes, I am, although not for myself. They're for a friend who spends a significant time in the Wilds. Tell me, my good shopkeeper, are these two together for a specific reason? Will they continue to get along as they age?"

[the_rebel_son]

The shopkeeper is eager to discuss the wares and get these two into a place that isn't a cage.

"Oh. They will do well in the wilds. They were captured by the same seller and I haven't moved them." He gives the cage a wary look. "The kipine has a nasty temperament and delivered a terrible bite to one of my staff. We haven't tried to move it out of the cage."

The second question he shrugs at because he doesn't know. "The Shedu will grow in intelligence but the kipine will stay at the level of a child. How good is this friend at animal training?"

Lucifer considers this. "The angel in question has an intuitive understanding of wild animals."

"They can both be trained to live together if the angel can manage the kipine's temper with hunting."

[sohoangel]

"Captured?" Aziraphale frowns a little at this, looking at the kipine sympathetically. "Well, no wonder it bites, it was taken from the only life it has ever known. Poor dear. I'll make sure these two stay together, it would be cruel to separate them now."

He glances briefly at Lucifer, then smiles at the shopkeeper. "If there is anyone who can manage an animal's temper by taking it hunting, it's the angel in question." He only hopes that Moloch does not teach the kipine to bite others indiscriminately.

"So, the kipine lives on a meat diet. What about this furry fellow?" He gives the calf another fond scratch behind its ears.

[the_rebel_son]

"Most of these animals are brought to us by merchants and only a few are bred." The shopkeeper informs the angel. "You are interested in purchasing both?" He might have called them beasts but the presence of the well dressed on is powerful and the other has obvious wings. No sense in upsetting either of them.

Lucifer nods in agreement. "I think he will do well training both of them."

"I'm not sure what its natural diet is but it has been willingly consuming meat." The keeper shrugs because this beast certainly isn't from his world.

"Between our libraries I am sure we can find suitable information." Lucifer offers and besides, that would mean sitting with Aziraphale researching in libraries which Lucifer would find well spent friend time.

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale isn't thrilled about people going about capturing wild animals and then selling them as pets, but he can worry about any possible illegal pet trade activity later. The shopkeeper is smart in avoiding calling either creature a beast.

"Even better that he eats meat," the angel muses aloud. He gives Lucifer a nod. "Yes, I'm sure we could gather all the information we need. Let's get both."

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer nods in agreement. "I wanted to show you my library today. Now, we have the perfect excuse."

Turning to the shopkeeper he glances at Aziraphale and then inquires about cost. Quickly, he discovers the price is not overtly high and gold is accepted. Then he checks in with the other angel.

"Shall I pay? I have an abundance of unused gold." It was an offer without strings. He was glad to see Aziraphale excited and knew that he was looking to bring happiness to one of the more distraught angels that lived in Lucifer's realm.

[sohoangel]

"Excellent." Aziraphale smiles brightly, looking forward to the research ahead of them.

As for Lucifer paying, the angel looks a tad uncertain. Does it really count as a gift coming from him if he's not paying for it himself? It's not as though he has a shortage of money, either, although the shopkeeper might prefer actual gold. "That would make for a smoother transaction," he agrees reluctantly. "But only if I can purchase the necessary accessories."

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer was in the middle of taking care of payment when he smiles at the other angel. "Accessories and the benefit of taking the new young ones to him. I think you, more than anyone, deserve to see when he feels the faintest happiness. You have been good to him."

Lucifer was serious and grateful for Aziraphale, for this and many other things. "I know where he stays in the wilds."

[sohoangel]

Aziraphale smiles softly, almost bashfully, hoping that these two animals will bring Moloch a bit of happiness, as difficult as it is for him to hold onto that emotion.

"I am looking forward to seeing his reaction," he admits. He looks back at the two young creatures. "And I am happy to give these two a new home."

[the_rebel_son]

Once the payment is cared for the shopkeeper moves the cages above the two animals so that Lucifer can pick it up.

"You will have to tell me how the introduction fairs. I believe you should go to him alone." The older angel picks up the cage and feels bright inside. Lucifer had always aimed to do better than the angels in his own heaven but Aziraphale always seemed to point out where he could go a little farther.

"Shall we find a pet store for you to buy what they will need?"

[sohoangel]

"Alone?" Aziraphale twists his fingers together, his expression shy. He's not afraid of walking through the Wilds as his grace should be enough to protect him, but he also doesn't want to impose on Moloch, who is busy doing Someone knows what on his own. "Well, if you think that's best..."

He straightens his shoulders and smiles, bidding the shopkeeper a good day. "Yes, let's. I believe we passed by one on our way here."

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer understood the reservations. Moloch was not the easiest to deal with but Aziraphale seemed to have a way with the other angel. "I do not know many who could interrupt him in his natural state. I do believe you are one that could without consequence."

Lucifer picks up the cage, thanks the shopkeeper and prepares to follow Aziraphale. "What do you think they may need?"

Lucifer had what others might call pets, hundreds of them, but he never restricted or kept them with items for them to use. They were mostly wild.

[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.