maskormenace | Video; forward dated to the 6th

[ 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?

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Has it gone every bit as well as you hoped?

[ Raina hadn't known there would be others initially, but she can see the big picture now -- how they all came together. And how, if they had united, they could have done some real damage. But perhaps the world was only ready for one ring at a time. It allowed each to shine in its own spotlight. And Raina loved watching the results of her own. ]

Of course, Raina, my love. I mean obviously a few people are upset, but is there really any point in getting emotional about it?

[ He smiled. ] I'm most impressed with your work so far. Is it what you expected?

[ The praise to her work caused her to light up with pride -- always loving flattery. ] It's chaotic and wonderful. I knew these people were repressing things, but I didn't realize how much. They have no reason to be upset, though. Not when this is what's been inside them all along. If they should be upset at anyone, it should be themselves.

[ Raina could always do that, turn the situation around -- paint everyone else in a light that incriminated them rather than her or the ones she worked with. ]

Unless, of course, you mean the Winchester boys. Sam has ice powers, just so you know.

[ She smiled. He might have already known this, but she figured it was helpful information if he didn't. And it let him know that she had maneuvered herself into a place of Sam's trust. ]

Of course he does. Fire and ice, Heaven and Hell. [ She knows how cold he is, but he's implying more to their story than that. There's a touch of danger in his expression now, but really given the fact that he rarely emotes except in exaggerated sarcasm, it's hard to identify. ] Sam belongs to me, Raina. Whatever you do to him, however you manipulate or torture him, I suggest you bear that in mind.

He may not be on the verge of taking me for another spin, but he is my vessel, a destiny chosen for him long before his birth.

[ Her smile faltered at his threat. ]

My, my. So suspicious you are of my intentions. Sam Winchester barely registered as anyone truly worth my time.

[ Until now. Until Lucifer uttered the words vessel and destiny in the same sentence. And now she could see it clearly -- the power Sam had over him. Her shoulders lifted absently. ]

I was merely informing you of my current position. In case you ever had need of someone he remotely trusts.

Who said anything about suspicion? Your lover came running to me to tell me off for approaching you--did you know about that? It was very touching. [ He tapped his nose. ] Don't think you can pull the wool over my eyes the way you do his.

But Sam... I can see how that might serve both our purposes, in due time. What do you think of him? Adorable, isn't he? Like a kicked puppy.

[ Raina tried so hard to keep her reaction from her face. But there was something about the tightness of her jaw and squaring of her shoulders that indicated tension. Not only that. Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach to think of Frederick, dear Frederick, standing up to Lucifer on her behalf when he should be staying away.

And her only saving grace was that Lucifer had seen into her soul before she became so entwined with Chilton. He believed her to be a heartless manipulator, pulling at Chilton's strings when truth be told, Chilton had equal pull over her. So she pushed the subject to the side, didn't dwell on it, and moved on to the topic of Sam. ]

He seems to suffer from low self-esteem. Doesn't seem to believe he's worth his brother's protection or time. I got the impression he thinks his brother might be better off without him. Trouble in paradise?

[ Considering she'd accepted the ring willingly, cheerfully, and Chilton believed that it had been forced on her--well. It filled him with joy to be responsible for sowing those schisms between them. A man and woman, their love fractured and tested by the woman's deceit...it was sort of like his party trick, after all.

He doesn't show any sign of noticing her reactions, lets the topic drift to Sam. Speaking of schisms... ]

They both do. It's in their blood. Their pride, their past, their fears and neuroses--tear them apart more often than they adhere them together. If they weren't related, I doubt they'd work together at all.

Why Sam?

[ Curiosity. Raina is always curious and one day, it will ruin her. Hell, it kind of already did when she underwent her transformation back home. ]

Why not the other one? They have the same blood. They must have similar strengths. Is it that Sam is the weaker-willed or...

[ A pause and then an excited whisper: ]

Is there something inside that makes him more worthwhile?

[ Hey. She's still famined. She's not going to hold back. ]

Weaker willed? The opposite. It takes someone very strong, very well put together, but in my case--

[ So she's hunting for information, but it's not something he hasn't told people before. Sam knows it, and Raine will feel privileged to know it. Like she's pulled the wool over his eyes and become somehow more vaunted, more trusted. ]

To serve as a suitable vessel for my essence, Sam had to be prepared in advance. He was fed the blood of a powerful demon when he was six months old; the mother herself had to give her permission. And then, before accepting my possession, he has to consume the blood of hundreds more. It's a very ritualistic, spiritual sort of affair, as you can imagine; very dark ages.

[ She practically preened when he answered the question she was fairly certain he would avoid, leaning in with wide-eyed interest. And he even went beyond the superficial insight to give her the ritual -- how Sam had been prepared. It was a little shocking to hear of a mother willing to feed her child demon blood. What sort of woman was she to invoke this sort of thing on her son? Did she see this as an opportunity to take part in something greater? Or had she been coaxed into it by Lucifer and his golden promises? ]

So he has to make this choice for himself? To give his body over to you? Do you believe he will?

[ Though Raina can see how he might. From what she can see, Sam has low self-esteem. He may someday give up on himself, give his body over to Lucifer's whims. ]

Video; forward dated to the 6th

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