✞ video

[sunlighter]

[The video screen opens to the Church of the Morningstar, a large, pristine building of white concrete and hard, sharp, modern edges. It's owner, both of the phone in possession and the church in name, stands in front of it wearing a long black overcoat with the collar pulled up on this unseasonably cold day.]

You have no idea how disappointing it is to finally come outside the prison of creation and be surrounded by the ensnarement of worship. And not of anything, but of me most importantly-- something that, I must profess, becomes more tiring by the day. You've all chosen to squander your chance to live by your desires only to build a prison of rules and governing around yourselves. Even here, having left those devices, you've so eagerly baited yourselves again. Let's change that, shall we?

[He waves his hand, and the church in front of him warps and collapses in on itself, a twisting of light that causes its viewers to blink only to be met with an entirely new creation-- a piano bar which reveals itself to intimate prohibition-style decor within. A sexily backlit 1923 Steinway piano ties together a room dotted with small tables perfect for a night of Jazz music and drinks. Lucifer takes a seat and crosses one leg over the other, different looking perhaps than those of the same name imPorts have been familiar with in the past. In fact, he bears a striking resemblance the Thin White Duke.... or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that the Thin White Duke resembled him.]

'Lux'... a name I once chose impertinently to create something of my own in the entrapment of His will, seems a little unsuitable now that I've liberated myself of those titles. A new name, I think, would be more appropriate. Perhaps 'Revīvēscere'.

Comments

[purple_reign]

[They gesture to themself.]

Inanna, The Morning and Evening Star.

[sunlighter]

Sumerian. Old enough to find the title overrated. I think you'll find we're both better off.

[purple_reign]

Not all of us grow old and bitter. I'm still quite fond of mine.

[sunlighter]

What a shame. Give it time.

[purple_reign]

Maybe you need to give it time. You're pretty young compared to me, aren't you?

[sunlighter]

As I lit the stars that blessed your name, not in the slightest, no.

[purple_reign]

You did? Wasn't it Yahweh who said "Let there be light" in your history?

[sunlighter]

He said it to somebody. You'll find the Bible is no less self-important than any other sacred writ.

[purple_reign]

That does explain where Lightbringer comes from...

You'll have to excuse me. I'm more familiar with my own history than yours. It was Anu who lit the stars for my people.

[sunlighter]

You'll find the pillars of creation to be quite messy, Inanna. But no matter, in the end it's all rather academic.

[purple_reign]

Academic? You make it all sound so boring.

[sunlighter]

There's very little to be excited for when it's all been written in advance.

[purple_reign]

All of it? That's not the case in my world.

[sunlighter]

Certainty is so charmingly naive. Can you be so sure, having only peered at the curtain?

[purple_reign]

Believe me, it's one of the few things I'm sure about these days.

[sunlighter]

And they say my greatest trick was convincing the world I don't exist. [He almost laughs.] If Yahweh is responsible for whatever world you come from, be certain that you are wrong

[purple_reign]

[Inanna laughs lightly, slouching back on the couch in the video feed.]

Everyone knows you exist in my world, Luci. You've got quite the fanbase. As for Yahweh... I doubt he's the one who was responsible for it. Not by himself, certainly. It was probably more of a group effort.

[Honestly, how else do you explain the dozens of different origin deities that must exist in Inanna's universe?]

[sunlighter]

You see only the branches for the tree, I'm afraid. Imagine if you will that Yahweh planted the seeds, while the others only bore his fruit. And beneath the soil it is all rotten.

[purple_reign]

And what if Anu planted the seeds?

[They lean in toward the camera.]

I'm not arguing the origins of your own world, Luci. I'm talking about mine. As different from your own universe as this one is. You're going to have to learn to be a little more open minded when you discuss history with people here.

[sunlighter]

Lucifer. And he didn't, but hold your truths dear, whatever they may be, if you must, it makes no difference to me. [He waves a hand gently; dismissively.]

[purple_reign]

Ah, you get so bitter when you age like this... [It's a little charming, under the irritating frustration.] Well, you can believe what you like as well, Lucifer.