† 006

[mr_phale]

Oh, I must say I do rather like the, er, dancing. Not that anyone ought to be forced of course, but it's so festive, I can't help but enjoy it.

Er, if anyone is looking for a partner, I would be happy to oblige. Though I must confess I don't know the steps to a great many dances. But I am quite willing to learn.

[ ACTION ]

[True to his word, the angel is hanging around in the square, alternating between watching the dancers with no small delight, and taking his own only-slightly-awkward turns across the street with various partners.

He will try not to step on your feet. Too much. Er.]

Comments

[candothat]

[Chekov isn't cursed or necessarily looking for anyone to dance with (he can flail rhythmically just fine by himself, really), but he catches Aziraphale's network post and, upon seeing the angel in the busy square, absolutely must ask:]

How long have you existed for without learning how to dance?

[mr_phale]

[No questions without payment, young man. Aziraphale bows in a rather courtly fashion which is clearly an invitation to join him for a go-round, because he is cursed. Probably. At the very least he's deeply caught up in the spirit of the thing.]

I do dance, actually. Er, the gavotte, at least-- it's terribly difficult trying to keep up with your fashions, you know.

[candothat]

[Oh, why not. Chekov is more than happy to dance.]

My fashions? I have no idea what is popular in my own time.

[mr_phale]

Not yours personally.

[And dance they shall! He will try not to tread on your toes, Chekov.]

Human society can be terribly tiring. As soon as one grows accustomed to it, everything changes.

[candothat]

[It's okay. These are very tough boots.]

Does your society never change? Over thousands of years, it must have changed in some way.

[mr_phale]

Oh, I expect it has, but certainly not so quickly. And, er, I really don't spend much time Upstairs.

[candothat]

That makes sense, if angels live as long as I would think. Human society changes rapidly due, in part, to our relatively short lifespans. Of course, technology has done nothing but accelerate the speed at which our culture evolves...

[And ow, Az. Not that Chekov will complain, but you're rather heavy. Aren't angels supposed to be light?]

Upstairs? That explains a lot.

[mr_phale]

Heavenly culture is not nearly so cultured, anyway. [he adds, leading them into a dizzying spin. The upshot of dancing with an admittedly large and not entirely graceful angel is, if he breaks a toe treading on it he's not above miraculously fixing it, after.] Humans spend a remarkable amount of timing coming up with complicated methods of reducing their labour and laborious rituals for filling their leisure time. Like dancing, actually.

[candothat]

Why not? [That's comforting.] We must be interesting to observe, from an outsider's perspective.

[mr_phale]

Oh, well, we're all too busy for it, I expect. But honestly, I think you tend to do it better.

[candothat]

Then, on the behalf of humanity, thank you.

[mr_phale]

[Laughingly]

I suppose you're welcome!