thevulnerability | ic contact for mask or menace

You're welcome!

And yes, it was a lovely trip. It couldn't have possibly been better.

I didn't really get to spend a lot of time in France last time I went to Europe.

[ Most of her time had been spent in Rome, reading far too much. ]

Sounds like the trip of a lifetime.

Oh? Where did your travels take you then?

It was, I think. I've been to Paris before. But this particular visit was certainly special.

And remarkably, this Paris is nearly identical to the one I know.

Rome. I was looking for answers.

[ To questions he likely would understand. ]

I haven't really left the Porter cities. I guess I'm worried about what I might find.

[ Her fear actually isn't about things being too different, but too similar. ]

What made this trip so special?

I see! And did you find what you were looking for?

[He wonders a bit what it is she's worried about, but for the moment he won't pry. That sort of question is better asked in person, he thinks.]

Something that I think may have been a long time coming. As it turns out, Paris may truly deserve its City of Love epithet.

[ If and when he does ask, she'll be happy to explain it to him. ]

Yes and no. It was helpful in some ways, but not necessarily in the ways that mattered.

[ That she is more hesitant to talk about because explaining it all would also mean explaining how she was manipulated, and how she betrayed the man she loved. ]

I take it you found love there?

I see. Well, sometimes the search for answers does tend towards being roundabout in that way.

[Goodness does he know how that goes.]

Yes, I did. Or well, it may be more accurate to say I brought him there with me, and we finally managed to sort it out.

[ Maybe it's something she'll confide to him in more detail later. Right now, there are more interesting things to discuss. ]

Crowley?

[ She's 99.9% confident in that guess. He talks about Crowley the way she talks about Lucifer. ]

Yes, Crowley.

Is it obvious then?

[Oops. And here he thought he'd always been very good at hiding it.]

Dunno. Maybe just to me. Demon-lover to demon-lover.

[ She figures that is some kind of secret code between people in that position. Or maybe she just wants there to be. ]

I'm glad you two figured it out. Life's too short.

[ ... ]

Well maybe just for me.

Well that's true isn't it. I expect we share some odd common ground in a way.

[And for some reason, he finds that entirely delightful.]

Maybe we should swap stories or advice. Over coffee perhaps?

[Socializing and tasty things are always good, aren't they? Especially combined?]

I believe you're right. Time is too short for all of us, I think, at least far too short to let it be wasted.

[ She wasn't expecting that. A person who wants to have coffee with her? Is this what making friends feels like? ]

I'd love that.

[ It might also be nice to talk to someone who gets it. ]

When are you free?

[If it were at all possible, the brightness of his smile would be visible through the text.]

Wonderful. I would too. And my schedule is quite open most afternoons.

[His job has odd hours and has a tendency to rather miraculously not have him scheduled when he doesn't want to be.]

Are you available tomorrow?

Tomorrow works great.

Any excuse to get out of work.

[ ... ]

Not that you're an excuse.

That came out wrong.

[Aziraphale is just smiling at his phone.]

Tomorrow it is then. And no not at all. I believe I understand the sentiment. I'll have to tell you about the operating hours my bookshop keeps back home, some time.

Is there anywhere in particular you prefer to go?

[ She's SO relieved he didn't take that personally. ]

Why don't you decide and text me? Any of the Porter cities, but I pretty much live between Jeopard and De Chima is that helps any.

Wonderful! I'll do a bit of research and send you the details soon.

Great. I'm looking forward to it.

[ And she definitely is. ]