Chapter Text
"You here for your usual, love?"
Muriel entered the coffee shop, waving and nodding at Maggie for a moment before pausing. "Yes! Er, no, actually- Crowley said he wanted this Italian dessert- a 'terriblesue' or something like that?"
Maggie smiled. "Tiramisu, maybe?"
"Oh!" Muriel brightened. "Yes, that was it!"
"Well, you're in luck today," Nina called from behind the counter. "I think we've got just the three pieces left."
"Just two is fine, actually! I don't think either of them wanted more than one."
Maggie tilted their head. "You don't want one to try?"
"Oh. Um... Should I? I'm not sure."
"You like sweet things, right? It's pretty sweet."
"It is not," Nina scoffed, reaching into the cooler, "It's bitter as anything."
Muriel wrinkled their nose. "I don't think I like bitter very much."
"Good tiramisu is a mix of the two," Maggie insisted, "And this is the good stuff. You can always give the rest to them if you don't like it, right? No harm in trying it."
Hesitantly, Muriel nodded. "Right," They echoed. "Aziraphale says I'm supposed to be trying new things, actually. I guess trying food counts?"
"Course it does," Nina said easily. "Now, then- three slices, just as requested, alongside the usual." She walked towards the front of the store, holding out a paper bag for Muriel to take before returning to grab three cups. "Right- do you need help carrying all this, Muriel?"
Muriel looked over the drinks, considering. "Oh no, that's not necessary. I'll just take two trips, I think, and that should be fine."
"Don't be silly! Here, Nina, hand me one?"
"It's really no trouble-"
"You're right," Nina said easily, opening the door. "We're headed back to Mag's anyways. Might as well drop you and your deliveries off, yeah?"
Muriel beamed, ducking their head as they went through the doorframe. "Alright then! Thank you."
As the group began walking, Muriel shot Nina a curious look. "Isn't your 'break' a bit later, though? Aziraphale says I'm not supposed to go if it's between 11 and 11:30 because you're the only one that makes his tea right."
Nina chuckled. "I signed up for a short shift today, actually. We've got a bit of a drive ahead of us so we wanted to set out early."
"A drive?"
"A friend of mine is going to be about three hours from here, on her way to visit with family," Maggie replied, "But she's got this record collection she's getting rid of and a few of them are to die for, been trying to get my hand on them for ages. She said I could have them if I was willing to meet up, and Nina offered to help."
"But," Nina piped in, "She's only going to be at this terminal for an hour before she gets on her connecting flight, so we've got to be quick about it."
"We'll be fine, though, those planes always get delayed."
"So," Muriel said, "You're both on your way to the, er-" They broke off, trying to remember the word, then brightened- "The airport?"
"Airport?" Maggie immediately replied, voice higher and with a weird tint to it that Muriel didn't recognize, "I'm not going to the airport!"
"Oh, I thought that was the one with the planes-"
"It is," Nina cut in hurriedly, shaking her head. "She's just quoting some crap telly."
"It's not crap! If you let me show you ONE episode-"
"I love you, but I am not watching Bluey with you-"
"Watching what?"
Nina rolled her eyes, something that Muriel knew usually wasn't a good thing, but had since learned could sometimes, with people like Crowley or Nina, have a smile too that indicated it was actually "fond". "It's this kid's show from Australia that got all popular- about this family of cartoon dogs."
"I started watching it when I was looking after my nephews," Maggie explained, "But it's actually very sweet!"
"But didn't you say it's meant for children?"
"It is, but it's got something for the adults to like too
Sort of like Disney, you know?"
Muriel nodded, newly familiar with Disney after not understanding why Anathema sometimes called Newt "Milo Thatch".
Nina glanced at Muriel for a moment before a small, humorous grin appeared on her face. "You'd probably like it, actually."
Maggie nodded, nudging Muriel's shoulder. "You really would, love! You should try an episode."
"Ooh-" Muriel's eyes widened. "If I tried watching a children's show AND eating a tiramisu, that'd be two new things in one day, wouldn't it?"
Both women nodded, and Muriel instantly glowed at the approval, hurrying to open the door to the bookshop. "Yes! I'll do that, then. Thank you for telling me!"
"Let us know how you like it, yeah? The show and the dessert," Nina added, setting the order down on the counter.
"I will!" Muriel began climbing up the stairs, then turned back. "Oh- Actually, Crowley says that sometimes when you're watching a show you're supposed to skip around in it, because sometimes watching the beginning of a show is like 'watching Hastur run the rack'. Should I do that for this?"
They received blank stares for a beat, followed by two matching head shakes, the typical response for anytime something decidedly non-human was mentioned.
"No, I wouldn't say so. It's a pretty good show all around- But if you're looking for a good one to start with, try..." Maggie thought for a moment, then grinned. "Try 'Born Yesterday'. I think you'll like it."
"Born Yesterday," Muriel repeated. "I think Crowley said that about me once. Alright, then. Thank you for the help! And good luck with your airport records!"
"Thanks, love," Maggie chirped, "We'll see you soon, alright?"
"Enjoy the food," Nina called, closing the door behind them, just as a pattern of movement was heard from behind Muriel.
"Oh dear-" Muriel reached the top stair and turned to see Aziraphale hurrying over, a book in hand. "Did we miss a customer? Terribly sorry, I just wanted to finish the page I was on-"
"It's alright! It was just Nina and Maggie- they were helping me carry everything back."
"Ooh, food's here then?" Crowley strolled up, smiling wide when she opened the bag. "Been craving these. Thanks for ducking out to grab em," Crowley said, slinging an arm around Muriel, "You're an angel."
Muriel blinked. "Um, yes?"
Crowley chuckled at that for some reason, then tilted her head in Muriel's direction. "I see three. You trying something else today?"
Muriel perked up, nodding. "They said it was sweet- and bitter, unfortunately, but Maggie said I should try it anyways- so I'm going to try it!"
"Well," Aziraphale mused, "If you do decide you like it, be sure to let us know. There's an Italian bakery not too far from here that serves the most delightful cannolis, I'm sure they make excellent tiramisu as well."
"Oh, that's alright," Muriel said quickly, shaking their head, "I don't want to be trouble, and I'm sure this tastes just fine-"
"It's not trouble," Crowley said smoothly, not for the first time that day. "Aziraphale once went all the way to France for a craving, you know. Nothing wrong with taking time to get something you like."
"Right," Muriel murmured, flushing.
After a moment of quiet, Aziraphale spoke up again, shooting a small smile Muriel's way. "Shall we dig in, then?"
Muriel nodded, grateful for the change in subject. They hurried over to the cabinets, taking down a stack of plates (and very proud of themselves for being able to reach them without knocking anything over OR using a miracle, thank you very much!) and sitting them down on the table.
"Speaking of trying things actually, I almost forgot to ask- Could I use the television later?"
"Of course, dear, you know you're welcome to anything here," Aziraphale replied. "Something in mind?"
Muriel nodded, smiling. "I'm supposed to watch something called 'Bluey'. Maggie and Nina think I'll like it."
"Well," Crowley handed a fork over to Muriel, "Let's see how well they know your taste."