maskormenace | 001: first prayer, voice-video

001: first prayer, voice-video

"If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Poor baby.

The prophets wrote that Jesus, having resurrected, first presented himself to Mary Magdalene, who did not recognize him. Well, that's a classical telling. 'The women' is a more accurate translation. So I did that. They had cookies. [ A thoughtful clucking sound is attached to the disassociated voice. ] Then he came down upon his disciples, and broke bread with them. Would you be surprised to know just how many Satanists there are in Florida? They were very accommodating.

[ The camera is turned upwards. Here, at last, is an (unfortunately) familiar face for those who have been here for a while. Lucifer doesn't look like much otherwise, just another steely eyed, rough featured imPort making his introductions. There are wounds healing on his - admittedly pale - face that look like they might have been some kind of deep tissue radiation burn. Still, he doesn't seem to be in any pain--he looks kind of cheerful. ]

I really don't know what I did to deserve a military escort, but I'm more than happy to know that I've engendered such respect in the human population here. Well--respect; fear; one is so very much like the other.

Now then, why don't we start with some introductions. [ He tapped his lip with one finger, considering where to start. ] I have a number of names, most largely unnecessary, but Lucifer will do. For the uneducated amongst you, that means I'm an archangel. For the heathens--well, sucks to be you; you have fun with that. [ The amusement is clear in the crinkles about his eyes. ] Furthermore, I'm delighted to announce that very soon I'll be usurping the airtime of a televangelist near you. Television exposure, a sponsorship from DRV Games, the adoration of my fans-- [ He drawls, it's difficult to tell whether or not he's being sarcastic: ] It's like a dream come true.

Oh, and Dean? Hello darling. Let's have a little chat, shall we? Happy belated Easter, chickens.

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So where are you running to?

For whatsoe'er we perpetrate, we do but row, we're steer'd by Fate.

My vessel. His family were murdered--tragic, really. His beautiful wife, and his little baby. It was destroying him.

Well, I still have to say that I'm offended that you think I'm no more real than Batman, but I'll take what I can get. I'm very impressed with your--God given talent.

You're not very subtle.

[ He studies the video quietly, and for a moment is very, very still. Deadly still. ]

You can't lie to me. I'm the King of Lies. So be honest, I promise you won't hurt my feelings.

Better editor? Like who?

New baby being what, humans?

Yeah, God given, hilarious. Hey, take it as a compliment. Batman is pretty awesome.

Oh, I don't know. Anyone but the person who edited the Harry Potter novels.

And yes, humans.

You are a nerd. A nerdy nerd nerd.

Super hero movies are mainstream now.

I don't care.

That might help, but ... I don't think it's going to end well either way. [Their conversation is already becoming heated.]

I'll do what I can to handle it myself.

Don't know Harry Potter but sure. I'll take your word for it.

Riiiight. So, let's say that you're really the devil. Does your presence here mean that we're in trouble?

You made quite the name for yourself before, Lucifer. I wasn't here when it happened, but when I said that imPorts never hurt people, your name came up. [Repeatedly.]

You were just one of two who made a point of that.

But you knew that, didn't you? [Her voice this time is more decisive, more straight forward. She'll be honest, if only because he's asking. Still, her words are clear, her training to handle these situations diplomatically within her tone.]

The Devil may be in the details, but I really could care less. You'll be ready when you're ready, and I will find a way to assist in my own way. You can rely on that.

[ His attention stayed on Crane none the less. Nothing else ever occupied his attention. The room didn't matter, and its occupant was only relevant through association--Lucifer could take him or leave him, there were always other human souls who needed very little pushing to reach their full potential.

But some had more potential than others. Some corruption just went that deep. ]

The question only remains, what can you do for me? I'm sure there's something.

[ He tapped his arm. ]

Oh, that's right. Would you like to guess what it is?

Oh.

[And then, a little louder, and a little more sad:] Oh! So that's how the porter managed to get you here? By getting the vessel here. I guess that makes a lot of sense, but I'm still impressed at the amount of power that must have taken.

[Lucifer's tale of what happened to Nick's family doesn't go unnoticed but he'll leave that for another day.]

I also wonder about the implications of you being here. Again, apparently, but I wasn't here the first time. Then again we've got literal Death here so I suppose we should trust the worlds get put on pause in the mean time.

We're not friends. [Said with just a touch of a growl.]

What do you want? [Because he's pretty sure that this isn't a social call, but at least he can than God ~~or something to that effect~~ that Sam isn't here anymore.]

What do I want?

[ Dean gets much more genuine reactions than anyone else who has him in video. There's a little quirk of his eyebrow, and he leans in. ]

Breaking your face into pieces was so much fun the first time, I don't see the harm in ringing the bell for round two. [ A deep intake of breath, and Lucifer leans away again. ] How much of that do you remember?

[To seal the deal?

Crane's attention remains on Lucifer. He's not a religious man. There's no soul within him to give. He expects there's whispers at home that he's done the devil's work, anyway. He's also used to asking these sorts of questions of his patients - and here he's been asking people the same thing. Leading them. Getting them to open up about themselves. To learn what they wanted. What they feared. What made them tick.

And really, he doesn't care about doing anything for anyone. The devil's seen the man he is. And Crane is the sort of man who does what he wants, all for one single obsession.]

Not really. I don't care.

[As long as it was relevant to his work, and a favorable risk and not a gamble, he'd consider it.]

The only proof I can think of is one where we might have to meet in person. Unless you can perform a damnation over video.

Of course you don't, and it's fortunate that I don't ask for much, isn't it? Because I could ask for so much. Your soul, your body.

[ But Crane didn't rule out anything. He didn't care. It was the equivalent of his saying 'name your price', and of course he had no fear of the consequences of doing so. His eyes flickered just a little brighter, and he stepped toward Crane, reaching out to smooth out his suit. There wasn't really anything to smooth. Jonathan Crane was pristine on the outside; that was how he performed his magic trick.

He chose to explain himself. Crane would understand the scale of his proposal. ]

Access to your patients. Your work and mine interlocks. You want to expose their fears--where better to start than in their dreams. Me; I'm looking for impact, for coverage; for people just like you with the potential to do great things.

You'll give them to me, when the time comes, and you won't regret it. I know you want to see their potential too. Put them to sleep, say a little prayer, and I'll show you what I can really do.

[Dean doesn't actually remember anything past Sam saying, "Yes". But he's talked to Balthazar and he compared notes with the first Sam that had been here. And the second one. He knows enough about how things eventually go down to bluff his way through this because there's pretty much no way in Hell he's going to willingly tell Lucifer, of all people, how much he remembers.]

I remember that Sam's stronger than you. And I remember that you fail, in the end. You're back in the cage and I've still got my brother.

If you want a fight, come find me. [The flames on his arm, jump a little higher. A reminder that Dean has his own powers now and can even the playing field just a little. Of course, Lucifer can't actually find him, but all he really needs to do is ask.]

...... is that what he did before

Take the word of your followers, instead? I'd rather not waste my time with them.

I don't doubt you're real. The Porter brought in all of us, why wouldn't it bring in someone like you?

Like I said, it's interesting.

[Curiosity.

It's the only emotion Crane feels. He doesn't care about the quasi-potential of losing his body or soul; those threats aren't relevant. He even feels a mild curiosity of sitting back and watching the devil at work. Perhaps he may visit Georgia, for a start.

He doesn't flinch at the contact. He even smiles a little - it's like being touched by something who knows exactly what he is and what he can do. Another archetypal force. And he's already learned one of his greatest lessons listening to Bruce Wayne, who'd shown him the way. This was the opportunity he needed to put that to the test. He wanted to learn. He wanted to observe.

The need to pray? He wouldn't be praying at all. He would just be making a silent phone call. One that wouldn't leave evidence.

And the final thing Crane didn't care for? Every other person. Every. Single. One. They were just currency.]

Well. I'm afraid to say that's a generous offer.

[One he's obviously accepted. It made good business sense. There were plenty of ways he could get his anxious patients to sleep. Anti-anxiety sleeping aids, for a start. Perhaps gentle, conversational talk that would make them fall asleep on his couch.]

Now. I suppose I should ask whether the devil prefers quality or quantity.

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