paradisalost | 40. A nice spot of tea

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40. A nice spot of tea

[Filter: Miss Galadriel and Mr. Elrond; Written]

I should be most honoured if you would both join me for a spot of tea. It has been too long since we last saw one another, Miss Galadriel; and I cannot wait to make your acquaintance, Mr. Elrond.

I shall await your presence this afternoon, if suitable.

[And sure enough, there is one nattily dressed angel with a prepared pot of tea and a plate of the Nice Biscuits.]

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I believe so. [A rather skeptical glance at the shop. And it wasn't the whole castle. Just the people she likes. There's a difference.]

Just through here, mind your step!

[The passage through the perilous stacks of books is a winding one, eventually leading to a cosy back room where Aziraphale stood beside a table with a beaming smile on his face.]

Miss Galadriel, you're looking well; and Mr. Elrond, such a pleasure to finally meet you. Do sit down.

[He's joining in on that skeptical look, this is rather odd. And is there really when it seems like the entire castle knows and likes her?

But at hearing Aziraphale he opens the door, holding it for Galadriel.] After you. [If something happens in the book shop he'll pitch a fit but it should be safe yes?

Though he does like the amount of books in it, maybe he'll like this man after all...and he inclines his head at Aziraphale in greeting when he finally sees him.] A pleasure to meet you as well to be certain.

[She just nods her thanks to Elrond and makes her way through the passage, offering Aziraphale a warm smile and a slight incline of the head before she sits.]

You are looking rather well yourself; this environment suits you. [Slightly teasing? Maybe. It is a rather peculiar set up he has here.]

[Of course it suits him. Books are to Aziraphale, what lumpy custard is to school dinners. His smile is bright and warm, seemingly the air around him imbued with a sense of warmth and welcome, especially for Elrond.]

Don't stand on ceremony, I have some piping hot tea and jaffa cakes waiting.

[He's tempted to look at the books more, he's curious and a part of him will always love to learn. But for the moment right, sitting which he does after giving Aziraphale a brief smile. Hospitality besides his own is always appreciated.]

Thank you for the invitation, you had no need to include me however.

[She flashes Elrond a look which could best be translated as the Elven equivalent of "Don't be silly" before turning back to their host with a chuckle.]

You must forgive us there. Standing on ceremony is something to which we have both become rather accustomed.

[But she looks relaxed enough now. Perhaps surprisingly so to Elrond's eyes, but she trusts Aziraphale and his aura does put her at ease.]

[Aziraphale has no need for Elven looks of "Don't be silly", being quite content to voice that thought aloud.]

Don't be silly, dear boy. If we cannot extend kindness to the others trapped here, then what chance to we have?

Now, do you take sugar?

[He holds back rolling his eyes at the look, but gently ducks his head down at it, and the don't be silly from Aziraphale gets a slight shake of his head. He is rather out of his depth here, used to being the host not the guest.]

Then we would be left with far to few safe havens to retreat too when the need for such a thing is there.

And no I do not thank you however.

[He relaxes when he see's Galadriel relaxed however. It is a surprise, but one he is glad to see. At least there is somewhere, someone she trusts enough to appear so yes?]

[It may be the "don't be silly" that gets a reaction out of Elrond, but it's the "dear boy" that Galadriel responds to. She doesn't say anything, but a smile twitches at the edges of her lips and there's a clear spark of amusement in her eyes.]

Nor do I, thank you. I was unaware you are the proprietor of a shop, Master Aziraphale.

[He nods his approval, taking sugar in tea was just taking away from the rich natural flavour. Placing a cup each in front of the pair of Elves, he also sets down a plate of assorted biscuits.]

Oh yes, I've owned this bookshop over a year now. I wouldn't know what to do with myself without my books.

[If the "dear boy" thing continues on he will react more to it, but it isn't really nice to say something for one time right? But he carefully picks up his cup of tea, taking a sip as he thinks on that for a moment.]

Is business as slow as what your store implies it to be then? [He'd comment about the book thing but, small steps first yes?]

[Oh, please don't say something. She thinks it's hilarious. Perhaps she should have warned Elrond that her friend was rather eccentric.]

Your storefront does seem designed more to discourage than welcome customers. [May or may not be on to you, Aziraphale.]

[A slightly guilty look crossed his face, and he subtly moved aside the board that listed the opening hours as 07.14am-07.23am out of sight.]

I do not run this shop for the money, more for the pleasure of good literature.

[Warnings are nice yes, especially if you sick your eccentric friends on your son-in-law. At least then he would have been open to names.

And the guilty look, and moving aside the board? Oh that gets a slight quirk of his lips. This is amusing.]

For yourself to enjoy or for others too as well? For I find sharing knowledge as meaningful as learning.

[It's how she shows she cares. A sip of tea and then she adds:]

Indeed, you will find Lord Elrond a master on the subject. The libraries of Rivendell are well renowned across Middle-Earth.

[He perks up and tactfully chooses to avoid the question that would be slightly embarrassing to answer.]

You simply must tell me of your library, Mr. Elrond. I should very much like to see Elven literature one day, I imagine it would be quite fascinating.

[Why did you put him on the spot Galadriel? ;; But a sip of his tea to carefully form an answer then he talks.]

Rivendell is a haven, war has no place in my realm, knowledge and song and peace have aided in the preservation of knowledge that has otherwise been lost. You would find it, a most welcome place to learn Master Azriphale and not only from the texts held there.

[Oh, please. Like he can't handle it. He's free to do the same to her, of course.]

It is truly a place of peace and beauty.

[That sounds... well, perfectly lovely.¹ His eyes are practically sparkling as he cups his tea in both hands and inhales the warm scent happily.]

That sounds... magnificent. Truly a place that one could lose themselves and never feel they wanted to be found.

^1. Where most other people might have said that sounded Heavenly, Aziraphale was aware of what Heaven was really like, and there was much more irritating paperwork than people imagined there would be.

It is such a place, and you are not the first the sentiment. [His voice is just a touch warmer, and he glances down in his tea as he says that, not quite used to not being there yet.]

[She reaches out and places a hand on Elrond's shoulder before quickly returning it to her side.]

And what of you, Master Aziraphale? You have spoken little of your home, even to me.

My home?

Well let's see, I live in Soho at the moment, which is a small area of London in England. It's quite a delightful place, if it does have one too many pelican crossings for my liking.

[The touch gets her a nod and he takes a sip of his tea a he processes that information. He's good at keeping his face neutral however, and just slightly tilts his head in curiosity.]

Pelican crossings? [He's not going to ask about where England is, but that was the part of his statement that stuck out to him.]

[It stuck out to her too, so she'll just keep her gaze on Aziraphale, tilting her head slightly. Yes, explain this weirdness.]

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Aziraphale - Elrond - Galadriel

Sounds good to me!

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