The Known/Unknown Quantity

Chapter 99: Professional Descendants

Chapter 99: Professional Descendants

"You'll want to get on with it, I figure," Gary commented after he placed the beer down. But the angel was steepling his fingers and was inspecting a stain of indeterminate origin on the wall. Gary cleared his throat.

"Mr. Fell, is it?"

"Aziraphale, if you would," the angel chirped, his eyes now revolving to the company. Everyone was staring at him, waiting.

"Aziraphale," Gary rumbled, readjusting himself. "I think everybody's ready. Or...." he thumbed his chin, "Do you have some questions?"

The angel threw him the most thankful look, twitching his head and nervously grinning. "Um yes. I'm curious about so much." He wasn't. Or maybe he was, planning on hitting on those notes during the conversation. But this big man who look so much like the First Man was picking up on his discomfort. And trying to help.

In an instant Aziraphale was won over.

"Well, for starters," he said, finally relaxing, "'What was your rank? What did you do in the Marines?"

Gary shifted again, "I don't speak to that much."

Newt interjected with a "humph", putting his finger up. "Gary prefers not to speak of that."

"So, he said," Crowley muttered over folded arms. "Hush-hush, was it? Did they know about your gift?"

"A gift?" Gary chuckled. "More like a responsibility. Past down from father to son thru the family. Get used to it after a while, being a walking crossroads for the dead. I've seen a lot of death from the outside, in my time." He threw a knowing look to Crowley. "I took the obligation of getting people over to the other side, well, it's fine by me."

Crowley turned to the angel. "Looks like we have another professional descendant in our midst."

"Nice way of putting it, cous."

"So, did they know?" the angel continued, a little spellbound.

"Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe that's why it's so hush-hush, or maybe I just don't wanna talk about it, if that's alright with you." There was no hint of offense in his voice, just a move on sort of nudge. Aziraphale realized, even if he didn't feel like he was getting anywhere, that the man was showing him kindness.

"Dandy by me," he replied. "So, what can you speak of?"

"That I remember you guys from that Saturday in August, not too long ago."

"Ah. So, you know--"

"I know. No biggie. Was curious. Ester is curious."

"What else?"

"I feel as if you in particular can help this girl." Gary tapped the table. "And I want to help this girl. Most of the people who come to me are just passing thru. But this kid is caught. This isn't her world; this isn't her game. Lots of things might seem the same, but it still isn't where she needs to be. She came out of a weird spot in history on her end, see."

"What was weird about it?"

"All of a sudden nobody could die."

Shadwell shivered. Gary glanced at him and continued. "And then they could. Whole thing was horrible, really. But this group over there she was kinda with, they fixed it. But she paid a price. Her spirit got caught. And who can say what really happened, but I gotta get her back and right now that's beyond me. She's hurting, see. And she's doing this, in exchange for your help." He looked directly into Aziraphale then.