Research-type things

Researching stuff for possible AUs leads you to some truly fantastic places, you know that?

For example, researching Persian names. A lot of them had in the 'meanings' section the explanation 'character from the Shahnameh'. I had never heard of the Shahnameh, so I looked it up. And now I really, really, really want to know if there are any reasonably decent english translations, or, failing that, how hard it is to learn Modern Persian.

I also got potholed into reading about Zoroastrianism (which might have been useful for Highlander fanfic) and the Islamic conquest of Persia, which was an interesting half an hour (nowhere near enough time to do the subject justice, obviously, but I have to get back on track sometime).

Also, random-but-slightly-related question, as an Arabic version of 'Aziraphale', which of these names sound the best?
Ashraf - most honourable
Azhar - ,most shining, luminous
Azzam - determined, resolved

I went looking for names that sounded vaguely similar, obviously, but those three had meanings that pinged, too. Personally, I sort of like 'Azhar', because it fits really nicely with an image I have in my head plus the whole angel thing, but 'Azzam' too, because ... well, 'Zira's a stubborn SOB when he wants to be. *grins*

Crowley is much harder to find, since arabic as a language doesn't seem to be fond of 'c' names, but 'Karim', meaning generous, is interesting ... of course, Crowley might not actually need a name, beyond ...

Anyway! Enough rambling for the day ...

Good Omens fic (sort of)

Alright, I've too many stories on-going already, and I really, really shouldn't be contemplating another one, but ... Okay. If I post the first chapter, and make absolutely no promises about when it might be updated ... would you all hate me? *ducks sheepishly* Though it might not even deserve continuing -_-; But here you go, anyway.

Title:  The Blue-Eyed Sorcerer and the Djinn
Chapter: One
Rating:  PG-13
Fandoms:  Good Omens
Characters/Pairings:  Aziraphale, Crowley, Aladdin, Jafar, Janan (the princess), the Amir (sultan), Karimah. Janan/Jafar so far
Summary:  A twisted version of the Aladdin story. A young desert ruffian finds a powerful artefact, and uses it to master a djinn, setting his sights on the emirate and the daughter of the Amir, who has herself acquired some ... supernatural aid
Wordcount:  2617
Warnings/Notes:  some torture. See A/N at the end for info on setting and myths/stories used 
Disclaimer:  Not mine

( The Blue-Eyed Sorcerer and the Djinn )

( Author's Notes )