Town Meeting

[john-adams-1776.livejournal.com]

John awoke at his usual early hour on the morning of the town meeting. He dressed with slightly more than usual care in his suit of clothes from home, broke his fast with a light meal, and headed to the Golden Horseshoe to ensure that things were the way he wanted.

The chairs and small tables were already perfectly arranged, but John dragged a podium he found backstage out to the front of the curtain. Then he bustled about in the kitchen area setting out drinks and whatever small snacks he could find back there.

Before long, interested citizens began filing in and he went up to the podium. There was no microphone because he'd never heard of such a thing, but John Adams never had difficulty making himself heard.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome. If you would please pick up any refreshments you'd care for and take your seats, we'll begin in just a few minutes."

Comments

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

It was rather difficult not to notice when Adam walked into a room unless he didn't want anyone to, but should anyone care, the Antichrist - who did, in fact, know exactly what was going on and why - found a seat near the back and watched the proceedings with a surprising amount of careful attention.

[soho-angel.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale had quietly entered some time in the middle of the argument, and nodded to Adam as the young man seated himself nearby, but said nothing. It happened that he had an interest in the matter of unprovoked attacks, and he also felt a certain obligation to attend as a matter of civic duty, but he'd rather expected something like this; such a wildly diverse population would be hard-pressed to agree on what to have for lunch, let alone anything of real importance.

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

Adam nodded back and scooted down the row to sit next to Aziraphale. "People bein' people," he said quietly.

[soho-angel.livejournal.com]

"Mmm. Loudly, as usual," Aziraphale murmured back, smiling slightly. "Really, I see no harm if a few want to take it upon themselves to try to keep the peace." He paused, and added a bit uncomfortably, "Certainly most of us are looking for ways to feel less helpless." Adam was, he recalled, singularly unforthcoming about the nature of this place and who or what lay behind it; but Aziraphale was positive that young man knew more than he was telling, and probably more than anyone else here.

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

He did. Though Adam never felt helpless; he understood just the same. "They can't do much more'n the park an' the people will let 'em. It's interestin', though, what everyone cares about. 's nice that they don't want people gettin' hurt."

[soho-angel.livejournal.com]

"It is," the angel agreed, scanning the crowd with a slight frown, "but I also observe that nearly two-thirds of the park population is not here."

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

"Not surprisin' is it?" he asked. "It always goes like that. But the folks who are here are the ones that are doin' stuff."

[soho-angel.livejournal.com]

"No, I suppose not," Aziraphale said, "but I always find it somewhat disheartening. ...oh dear." He winced slightly as Leon made his exit. (http://community.livejournal.com/dizzy_land/179878.html?thread=10303654#t10303654) "Poor man, he really had his heart set on this. I wonder if I should go after him." He actually had planned to return to Club 33 to check up on Crowley as soon as the meeting broke up, but he felt a certain responsibility toward Leon even if he had no conscious memory of living with him.

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

"I think the only person he wanted to talk to is gone," Adam observed. "But he might not mind if you wanna try (http://community.livejournal.com/dizzy_land/181362.html)."

[soho-angel.livejournal.com]

Aziraphale nodded, and rose as the meeting started to break up. "I believe I shall. It's always a pleasure to see you, Adam. We really should have tea some time."

[average-adam.livejournal.com]

"I'd like that," he said, and prepared to leave behind the angel.