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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Apr 10, 2009 17:25:36 GMT -5
Herbert had two reasons for wondering why he hadn't left Alfred in the alley where he'd found one. Aziraphale had been frustrated and suspicious enough when Herbert had brought Marishka home, but another ex-lover (at least in the Herbert sense of the term, which was rather looser than most others')- one that Herbert still made a face at the mention of- was likely just asking for a "Herbert, may I talk to you for a moment?"
He kicked open the door to the shop and started up the stairs to the rooms on the second floor, most of which were now filled with trunks of packed clothes or cardboard boxes, still carrying the limp Alfred like a paramedic.
"Zira?"
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Post by Aziraphale on Apr 10, 2009 17:39:43 GMT -5
Aziraphale hurried over to Herbert and... a strangely familiar looking vampire in his arms. He frowned, puzzled. He'd never pegged Herbert as one to take in strays, but this was the second time he'd done this.
"Herbert, who is this?"
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Apr 10, 2009 17:41:42 GMT -5
"This is Alfred."
He gave Aziraphale a very significant look.
"I don't want to talk about it."
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Post by Aziraphale on Apr 10, 2009 17:47:36 GMT -5
"Alfred..."
Ah, yes, he remembered now--the one from the ball. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"What's the matter with him? What is he doing here, Herbert?" he asked with a hint of suspicion in his voice.
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Apr 10, 2009 17:53:03 GMT -5
"He was hallucinating in an alley, and there are far worse things out there than me."
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Post by Alfred on Apr 10, 2009 17:55:46 GMT -5
Alfred stirred slightly, mumbled something that might contain "blood", but then went limp again.
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Post by Aziraphale on Apr 10, 2009 17:58:01 GMT -5
"Ah."
His brow furrowed and he ran a hand through his hair.
"Well, put the poor thing down somewhere, then."
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Apr 10, 2009 18:00:15 GMT -5
"You're not upset?"
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Post by Aziraphale on Apr 10, 2009 18:15:22 GMT -5
"Do I have reason to be?" he asked.
As attached as Herbert was to him, he gave him the benefit of the doubt.
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Post by Herbert von Krolock on Apr 10, 2009 18:16:54 GMT -5
"Oh. Good."
And with that, Herbert set Alfred rather unceremoniously on a chaise moved out into the hallway.
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Post by Alfred on Apr 10, 2009 18:18:56 GMT -5
Alfred's eyes fluttered open, his gaze sweeping the room in increasing panic.
Where was he? What had happened? How had it happened?
He made a panicky sound.
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Post by Aziraphale on Apr 10, 2009 18:19:21 GMT -5
He sighed and followed Herbert out of the room.
"What are you going to do with-"
With a frown, he glanced back at the door. It sounded as if he'd woken up.
"I'll see to him, then, shall I?"
Aziraphale went back into the room and approached the chaise.
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Post by Alfred on Apr 10, 2009 18:25:24 GMT -5
Alfred made an honest effort to hide in the chaise, trembling once more.
"Who.. what..."
He looked more than a little frightened.
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Post by Aziraphale on Apr 10, 2009 18:40:40 GMT -5
"It's all right," he said gently, putting out an aura of peace and warmth. "I'm not going to hurt you."
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Post by Alfred on Apr 10, 2009 18:49:12 GMT -5
Years of pure fear weren't going to disappear just like that and Alfred relaxed only marginally, somehow painfully aware that this was reality and all dangers would be very real indeed.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?"
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