five - FILTERED TO WARDENS

[amissbennet]

[Filtered to Wardens]
I was hoping someone might be able to enlighten me as to the best way to approach and gain the confidence of my inmate, Castiel. Upon our first lively discourse, he became entirely intolerable and rude. Though he has since apologized for his words, it is still his intention not to accept any help from myself toward his redemption.

At present, I am finding the greatest concerns to be that of his taking fondly to the drink -- where this supply is coming from, I cannot be certain -- as well as his entire loss of faith.

I do hate to admit such ignorance. But I also believe it is far better to admit ones' faults than to suffer blindly as a fool in matters one cannot understand.

Cordially,
Miss Elizabeth Bennet

Comments

Spam; sorry, here I am!

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

[Aziraphale waited for her with a nice pot of tea, one he'd actually retrieved himself this time. Handwaving was all well and good, but he tried not to overdo it. Made him feel vaguely guilty.

He hoped he'd be of some use here. He'd never got on well with other angels, but that didn't mean he wished any of them ill, especially one in such a plight as Castiel. If he'd made friends, the man was obviously worth saving.

Unmindful of how un-angelic his own thoughts were, Aziraphale pondered precisely what he could tell Miss Bennet that would be of any use.]

Spam ; no problem! <3

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

[Elizabeth entered into the dining hall in a nice, white dress (http://www.lovetripper.com/weddings/uploaded_images/2225-796442.jpg), one of a handful which have been a gift from the Admiral. It seemed appropriate in making new acquaintances, especially with an angel. It was her attempt to impress as she seemed otherwise unable to do recently. Glancing around, she realized she had no idea what the gentleman looked like, but opted to move toward the one who looked most like he might be waiting for another.]

"I beg your pardon.. Are you Mr--that is, Aziraphale?"

Spam;

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

Yes, of course, [he said, smiling at her and standing.] You must be Miss Bennet. You look lovely, my dear; please sit.

Spam;

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

"Yes, I am. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." [Elizabeth was made modest by the remark, stepping forward to join him, dropping into a polite curtsy. She then took a seat across from where he had been sitting a moment prior. Offering him a smile, she cast a glance at the tea, thrilled that the people of the Barge seemed so fond of the beverage.]

"I trust you are well?"

Spam;

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

Oh, fine, fine. A bit troubled by this whole business, since it's so foreign to me. People from different worlds... all a bit radical.

[Aziraphale takes his own seat as he talks, pouring tea for them.] I didn't want to start without you, so I just set out the tea.

Spam;

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

"You are too kind." [She remarked in reply, though whether it was meant as a compliment or merely a demonstration of decorum, one couldn't be certain. His observations were indeed akin to how she felt much of the time.]

"Oh, yes. I do agree. I adore making such remarkable discoveries and I dare say my knowledge in some things is remarkably useful and refreshing to the people here. But I also find that I am ignorant a great deal of the time and thereby struggle in endeavoring to remain educated."

[Elizabeth felt comfortable speaking with him. There was something comforting about talking to an angel, perhaps the knowledge that he most likely had your best intentions at heart.] "I do hope you have not had the same problems in your own experiences."

Spam; in which Aziraphale rambles on forever, omg.

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

"Not really - this sort of thing happens to me every century or so. I look up and there's been some sort of advancement that's left me in the dust. Taxonomic classifications were an absolute shock, for example.

"But I'm sure this has been much more difficult for you," [he went on.] "Especially since your Inmate has such a... unique predicament. Truly, I've never heard of something like that happening, but I've been speaking with Mr. Winchester and I believe the differences between our versions of Up Above are significant. Nonetheless, please ask me whatever you'd like to; I find the entire situation extremely troubling."

Spam ;

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

[Elizabeth smiled and nodded, though she didn't understand the first portion of what he said. He seemed nice and it wasn't absolutely relevant from what she could tell, so it was easy enough to avert her attention instead to her inmate, his care, and the reason she and Aziraphale were meeting in the first place.]

"I am not entirely certain what to inquire. I am worried for his health and wonder how I might help him in restoring his faith, how I should ask an angel to respect me-- as a mere girl, ignorant and out of her time. I have not felt so aimless since I was a child and wandered so long I was lost among the grounds of Netherfield Park without even realizing!"

Spam ;

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

"My dear girl," [he said sternly, setting down his tea and looking at her with open concern.] "I believe you have the dynamic completely mistaken. He's not an angel any longer, and I imagine he has no notion whatsoever about how to be human effectively. You know far more about the matter than he does."

Spam ;

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

[Elizabeth cupped her hands around her tea. It wasn't entirely polite, but the halls had been chilly lately and she was often cold. The warm tea was exactly what she needed and she took a sip while still watching the man, trying to understand what he was saying.]

"How am I to educate a man on what it means to be human?"

Spam ;

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

"Yes, well, it's quite a conundrum. I'm not exactly surprised he drinks so much. Angels tend to be rather pompous and emotionless, very focused. They don't come down to Earth at all if they can help it. The rules are the whole bit, absolutely no deviation at all is tolerated.

"I think it's absurd, to tell the truth, but I can't say I don't understand the impulse. We weren't given free will, after all."

[He was completely honest here. Aziraphale didn't have the best relationship with other angels, to say the least; he was something of an oddity, unique among the other heavenly beings in his world, especially given his fondness for people in general. He was somewhat jealous of them, not that he'd ever consciously voice or even realize that, but over time he'd slowly and gradually become more human himself because of it.]

Spam ;

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

"And because the drink encourages him to become pompous and rude, he embraces it as a comfort?" [She asked with skepticism not at what Aziraphale said, but that someone seemingly so intelligent as Castiel could embrace it. It was ridiculous.] "How am I meant to stop him from consuming it so gluttonously?"

Spam ;

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

"I meant to say that the myriad possibilities and feelings of humanity likely overwhelm him," he answered, smiling wryly. "He's probably pompous and rude with or without it."

He took a moment to think on her second question, sipping his tea, but eventually only shrugged. "As for stopping him from it, just forbid it, I suppose. Enforce punishments if he disobeys. If he knew what was best for himself, he wouldn't be here."

Spam ;

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth offered a sincere laugh. It was wonderful to hear someone able and willing to speak ill of the man she tried not to insult any more than necessary for the sake of her sanity. She sipped at her tea idly as she watched him, listening. The girl was intent in the conversation and the wisdom that the other man could offer.

"How can I punish him?" She asked with some confusion. It seemed that inmates here had all the time and space to roam that they wanted. How could she stop any warden or inmate from getting alcohol to him? It was overwhelming to consider.

Spam ;

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale shrugged. "Assign him to a service of some sort? Few people enjoy janitorial tasks. If he insists on acting childishly about your recommendations, then he has to be treated as one.

"It's unfortunate it should come to that," he added, sounding sincerely regretful. He honestly wanted to think the best of this Castiel, as he hadn't talked to him personally hardly at all, but the fact of the matter was what he was hearing wasn't exactly flattering. After all this time on Earth, though, he couldn't say he expected differently from the divine.

Spam ; wrap up / summarize soon?

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth considered the option. Truthfully, she wasn't entirely certain what kind of task Aziraphale was recommending, but she understood the concept well enough that she didn't feel it necessary to ask. Perhaps her inmate could benefit from a job; something like cleaning. Maybe the former angel would work better if he viewed himself as a servant of some kind.

"I will have to think upon this matter," she replied after a moment, sipping more from her drink. "This tea is absolutely enchanting; I felt I must tell you."

Spam ; sure! we can say that they ate together and exchanged English politeness

[tartaned.livejournal.com]

He smiled at her, genuinely pleased with the compliment. "Thank you. The stuff they have in the kitchens isn't bad, but I've gotten a certain knack for making just the right kind out of the ether. Enough years of practice, and all that."

Spam ; thanks!

[amissbennet.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth smiled and nodded, pleased to have such fantastic company. The conversation continued to be equally enchanting as time continued and the tea and their meal was delightful. It was obvious, by the end of the evening, that Aziraphale would be a good friend and a great source of wisdom in her time here.