✞ 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

[dendarii]

[ He just. Waves a hand. And eyes the alcohol at the bar. ]

The one and only.

[pummelgranite]

Oh.


Shit luck. [ Said in a way that suggests her meaning isn't NOT offering condolences. ]

[dendarii]

[ A faint snort at that. It's accurate, after all. ]

I'm almost relieved. There's no one left to leave me now.

[pummelgranite]

Rock bottom's reliable like that.

[dendarii]

Mm. Indeed, it is.

[ He glances back over at her. ]

Is that why you're here too?

[pummelgranite]

[ Her eyes flicker back over to Lucifer. ]

Something like that.

[dendarii]

[ He tracks that movement. Taking a sip of his wine now that Lucifer has provided it. ]

You miss your version.

[pummelgranite]

Uh huh.


[ She means for it to be a flat admission. "Yes, obviously." It comes out a little . . . defeated, almost. ]

[dendarii]

[ Ah. He can hear that defeated note there. Lowers his gaze in response. ]

I don't know what I'd do if different versions of my friends and family kept showing up.

[pummelgranite]

[ She shrugs. ]

Bound to happen. There's a lot of us.

[dendarii]

Ah. An entire pantheon, as I recall.

... Who's here now?

[pummelgranite]

From mine? Me, Inanna, Woden. He's the super villain.

[dendarii]

Dare I ask what he does, then?

[pummelgranite]

Nah. He'd much rather tell you all about it himself.

[dendarii]

See, I tried that. And I'm not sure I understand any better now than I did before.

[pummelgranite]

Not that surprising, you're a shite listener.

[dendarii]

[ Hey. Miles grumbles a bit at that. ]

I do better than you think.

[pummelgranite]

Uh huh.


Well, he can't perform miracles himself, but he makes things. Imitates the other gods' powers, gives them to mortals who sing for him.

[dendarii]

That's really what he does? I thought he was just trying to get me to stop asking.

[ Speaking of poor listening skills. ]

[pummelgranite]

So he did actually tell you and you ignored him because it wasn't the answer you wanted. Nice.

[dendarii]

[ He winces a bit at that. ]

I - well, when you put it like that - look, I'm allowed to be skeptical.

[pummelgranite]

Uh huh.

[dendarii]

It's unusual, isn't it? He's the only one who can do that.

[pummelgranite]

Shockingly, you're not an expert on thousands of years of recurrences after meeting two of us.

[dendarii]

So enlighten me, please. I'm curious.