[Voice; Nebula 19th, evening]

[salutosinedelectat]

Good evening, fellow passengers,

I hope this message finds you well.

Foremost, you must forgive me in any mistakes I may make in sending this address to you all, as I'm certainly not used to sharing my thoughts in such a way. I'm most definitely more of a fan of the classic handwritten letter.

I was going over the upstairs library collection, so generously donated by other passengers - and you're welcome add to it yourself), when I found myself wondering about the extensive possibilities of literary works to be found in the countless worlds we not only come from, but the ones we visit.

Since there's scarcely a chance to explore such things in the worlds we stop at, wrought with conflict as they tend to be, I figured the easier option would be to simply ask:

What are your favorite literary works from your world? What are they about? Which are considered timeless classics?

I eagerly await your response.

Your curious fellow passenger,
Aziraphale


Oh, also, if anyone's interested in submitting anything to the library, I have provided clean notebooks and writing material in the far right nook in the upper floor of the library. I'm also available to provide custom book binding services.

--

[Edit: Edited into a voice post, forgot there aren't text post options.]

Comments

[achickenformylove]

I believe his reasoning was that he did not want to be looked down upon. His early life was admittedly much more difficult than mine, but it was taken far to the extreme how he handled it. Many were simply unlucky enough to be an obstacle rather than any true hatred on his part.

[salutosinedelectat]

Ah.

[ Not that Lan Wangji can see it, but the angel nods, sporting a knowing look. Personal suffering and pride are often common instigators for, well, more suffering, so it's hardly surprising. ]

Many have followed that path before, unfortunately. More so for those who he took it out on.

[achickenformylove]

Yes, it is true. He is hardly the first who has done such a thing, but he is the most recent and the first that I am aware of who went after his own family. His own son died because of him.

[salutosinedelectat]

Oh, that's awfully tragic.

[achickenformylove]

It is. As a gentleman and a father myself, I can't imagine how someone could do such a thing.

[salutosinedelectat]

Unfortunately, it's not unheard of.

[ Aziraphale has been on Earth since it was created. He would know, from what times he heard. ]

But, thankfully, there are far more people who would never do something like that.

[achickenformylove]

Yes, thankfully, it is rare. It is just usually unheard of among those of our station. There were... reasons, but I do not believe them justified the child's life.

[salutosinedelectat]

They never do.

[ He says, hiding something behind the words. But he moves on quickly. ]

But, if I may ask, what reasons were they?

[cw: mentions of non-consensual and incest] Sorry, it gets really dark in their series

[achickenformylove]

The man in question, his father was the former leader of the sect. The former sect leader was a ... less than honorable man. His ... activities shall we say were well-known, but not spoken about in public forum because of his sect's power and wealth.

The man himself was an illegitimate son of his father so he was not the rightful heir of the sect by birth, but he became the only option. His marriage was arranged to the daughter of another sect allied with his own. Before his wedding night, however, he was informed that this young woman was actually his half-sister, her mother having been a less than willing partner of the former sect leader. This woman's mother had kept it hidden because it would have destroyed their alliance with the stronger sect.

Knowing that he was arranged to marry his own half-sister, he chose to not break the engagement and married her anyway. That is perhaps the primary reason.

all good, thanks for the warning

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale listens in respectful silence. He's been around humans on his version of the Earth long enough that not many things of gruesome nature are all that shocking to him. The medieval Europea monarchies alone had scandals that far surpass most things written to this day.

He hums quietly when the young man is done.]

All quite grim. It sounds like he had a difficult life himself, although that is no excuse for his actions.

[achickenformylove]

His life was admittedly not easy. There was much that happened to him. But my husband also had bad things happen in his life and he did not have similar issues. Even when others thought that he was the enemy of the cultivation world, he just wanted to help a group being persecuted survive and live somewhere other sects would not bother them.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ The angel nods in a knowing manner, wherever he is sat. ]

That's the thing, isn't it? Not everyone deals with the cards they're handed in the same manner. The opportunities arise for one to chose their path, even if it is from the bottom of the darkest pit. In the end, it's a choice.

[achickenformylove]

[He nodded]

It is. My husband chose to take the path where he helped others even if it was at a personal sacrifice. This other man, he did not want to do the same, except for only on the surface.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale has seen it time and time again. In fact, that was his whole mission on Earth - specifically, on the doing good part of things ( although that came with its own understanding from forces above him), but he always stood firm on the idea that while the game may be leaning favorably towards some, every human made their own choice with what they've been given.]

Your husband sounds like a good man.

[achickenformylove]

[It was definitely true. Many that he knew personally had a lot of advantages, but they had all taken different paths to end up where they were. He was the same. Some had gotten what they deserved, others had not. WangJi believed for all of his actions, he had gotten what he deserved, but he wouldn't change anything since he had ended up with WuXian]

He is. I always believed in him when others did not.

[salutosinedelectat]

Is he in the train with us?

[achickenformylove]

He is. There are actually two of him on the train.

[As odd as that was... he rather liked it]

[salutosinedelectat]

Oh! Well, that’s certainly a...unique situation. How did you all take it?

[achickenformylove]

It works out well I think. Neither are the one that I knew from home, as there are variations in their histories from what I remember. But it is nice to spend time with both of them.

[salutosinedelectat]

[ Aziraphale can't help but to think about the different versions of himself and Crowley that he's heard about from other people - at least two other pairs - and he considers the concept of finding himself with two Crowleys.

That is a very strange idea. ]

Well, I'm glad you can all get along. I would have expected it to be at least a bit awkward.

[achickenformylove]

Yes, that is good, but it is strange. Sometimes it feels difficult when trying to reach a specific person.

[salutosinedelectat]

Ah, I can see how that would be so.

How did they take it, if you don't mind me asking? I assume it's very strange to find yourself standing with your double from another world.

[achickenformylove]

No one has been violent upon seeing one of their double. Most have a lot of questions regarding it which is to be expected. It usually leads to an interesting discussion about what is different between our various worlds.

[salutosinedelectat]

Oh, yes.

[ While he meant specifically his husband, the angel can’t help but to think about his own doubles, which he has never actually met. There’s still a twinge of discomfort over the matter, even if he was the one driving the subject, but he’s become more accustomed to it as time went on. ]

I haven’t quite had the opportunity to meet any of mine myself, although I’ve heard about a couple.

[achickenformylove]

You have heard of a couple of twins of yourself? Or of twins in general?

[There were certainly enough duplicates of the train. It would be interesting if someone had had an interaction with him in another location]