Video; forward dated to the 6th

[angelfire]

[ Okay, he's bored. Where are the tumbling heroics? Where's the challenge? Lucifer is here - back - whatever, taking time out from recording his show to hang out on the network with you fascinating examples of God's greatest mistakes. He sets up his camera, which shows off the back of a chair that reads 'Lucifer' in broad black writing. The background is a handsome looking church, with stained glass windows, long red carpets, and hanging red drapes that tumble down the broad pillars. Huge bouquets of summer flowers decorate the altars and tumble out of the planters beside the pews, and light pours in through the round feature window. For once, Lucifer - when he takes his seat - is groomed, dressed in a neat black on black suit, and finished with silver fish shaped cufflinks and everything. He looked the part of the villain, the businessman; the schemer. A charismatic cult leader. Or well...like a guy in a sharp suit. He counted off on his fingers: ]

Pestilence. War. Famine. [ And he touched his fourth finger, then looked puzzled at the camera. ] Well, would you look at that. Four horsemen, not three. No prizes to anyone who guesses the last one.

[ He reaches into his breast pocket, removing a simple silver ring very carefully, propped it on his thumbnail and then flicked it. Flicked Death's ring clean into the air, then snatched his hand up and caught it. ] One left.

[ He leaned very slightly forward, speaking as though he were sharing a secret. ] Don't worry your head about it, my darling. I wouldn't dream of giving this thing to just anyone, but its multiversal owner really will have to come fetch it back before I'm tempted. To do what? Who knows? I'm mercurial like that. Sammmmy, come on out to play. It's been forever.

[ Lucifer's attention was broken by his accepting a clipboard and signing off on something on it. ] Chicken soup again? [ A nod from the assistant. ] Good. It's wonderful for the soul.

[ And then he's left to continue with his video, and he rolls his eyes pointedly. ] The fault really lies with you, kiddos. All that anger and repression, it'll mess you right up. But for the sake of argument, I think it's fair to say 'I predict a riot'. Accurate? Why don't we talk it out, hm?

Comments

[microbrobotics]

[ He can't tell if that means Lucifer knows or not. And he's not about to spell it out in public like this. ]

you dont. you're bluffing.

[angelfire]

I have an older brother myself. His name is Michael, and once upon a time we were as close as two brothers could be. I loved him. I practically worshiped him--and he betrayed me.

But that never happened to you, did it?

[microbrobotics]

never

[ Unless you count running into a burning building. Which Hiro kind of does. ]

[angelfire]

Hiro, Hiro. It's miserable, isn't it?

[microbrobotics]

i don't know what youre talking about and neither do you

[angelfire]

Believe what you like.

I have a younger brother too. He used to be very much like you.

[microbrobotics]

what do you mean? what's he like?

[kreiastophe]

[Oh no. This can't possibly end well.]

Hiro, I don't think you should be having a heart to heart with the devil.

[microbrobotics]

youre not my real dad

[kreiastophe]

And yet, that wouldn't stop me from putting a parental block on your communicator.

[microbrobotics]

try it. you'll be texting in glitter for a week.

[kreiastophe]

We'll see.

[For now, he's just going to keep an eye on this conversation.]

[microbrobotics]

yeah whatever.

[ Admittedly, if anyone could enforce that kind of thing, it's probably Krei. But Hiro's awful smart and awful internet savvy. He'd find a way past it. ]

[angelfire]

He idolized me. We were very close. He was bright, clever, a little rebellious. He was a wonderful prankster.

[microbrobotics]

[ Ah. That touches a nerve. It also happens to match things that have happened in public on the network too, so Hiro is still a little wary. ]

how do angels prank?

[angelfire]

Well--you know that old story about a pet alligator being released in the sewer system? Gabriel was the kind to make it happen. Just for a laugh.

[microbrobotics]

uh huh sure

seems kind of tame

[angelfire]

Well, it's easier to explain than that one time he displaced eighty alternate universes into Lake Placid and pushed Raphael in.

permatext

[hypnotherapy]

Hiro, is this really a good idea......... [ HE PUT ALL THOSE ELLIPSES IN FOR EMPHASIS ]

[microbrobotics]

oh my god

youre not my real dad either

[hypnotherapy]

I'm not going to put filters on your communicator Hiro [ HE COULD, AND THEY WOULD BE VERY VERY GOOD ONES ]

but you can't say I didn't warn you about talking to the actual devil

again: is this really a good idea? you didn't answer the question

[microbrobotics]

he hurt my brother

[hypnotherapy]

And you think engaging him in conversation is going to hurt him in any way? It's more likely to hurt you than anything else, or turn it back on you. [ He's not sure how he feels about Satan being here (he's not really...religious...) but, well, the devil is probably bad and Hiro should stay away from him ]

You don't get any benefit out of engaging him, Hiro.

[microbrobotics]

maybe i will, okay? ill feel better after i yell at him.

[hypnotherapy]

That doesn't look like yelling.

...Just be careful, Hiro. [ Hiro please. He knows you're capable of a lot of things, but...come on. After the events of Famine especially, he's worn out, and he doesn't want to really say more than that. He has no energy. He's just typing this blearily from his futon in the basement right now. ]