✞ 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

[pummelgranite]

[ She lets out a huff that is about as much like a laugh as his was, and stares at her drink ]

Oh, is that all?

[dendarii]

A little telepathic codependency on top of all of it. Nothing much.

[ He slugs his own drink down. ]

[pummelgranite]

[ She could mention she moved immediately into relationships with people who are not just dead, but died before she actually existed, but why would she for any reason disclose personal info to this guy. ]

So you were brain fucking.

[dendarii]

[ They might both be a little screwed up here. Miles flushes a bit. ]

That's one way to put it. Yes, fine. We were.

[pummelgranite]

With someone you can never, ever actually have. Cool beans.

[dendarii]

[ His expression twists a bit. ]

You make me sound like an idiot.

[pummelgranite]

[ She smokes, blowing over her shoulder and away from them both. ]


Do you feel like you're not an idiot?

[dendarii]

... Maybe. But I'd not have done any different if it had happened again.

[pummelgranite]

[ She huffs again and drinks as well. ]

[dendarii]

... What about you?

[pummelgranite]

What about me what?

[dendarii]

You've had people leave as well. How do you cope?

[pummelgranite]

[ Dryly: ]

I've had a lot of practice.

[dendarii]

Well, yes. But - how?

[pummelgranite]

[ Smoookes ]


Everyone I love is already dead.

[dendarii]

... All of them? No one's left at all?

[pummelgranite]

Nico- the kid. My kid. He might be alive for another couple of years. Dunno. He's from a different world.

[dendarii]

[ He kind of pauses a moment. Thinks about commenting on her being way too young to have a kid. Thinks better of it. ]

That's something, then. Even if it isn't much.

[pummelgranite]

[ Just stares at him like he is the dumbest mother fucker she has ever encountered. ]

[dendarii]

... What? What did I say?

[pummelgranite]

Never mind.

[ Smokes more. ]

[dendarii]

[ He ducks his head. ]

I apologize. For - for my misstep. But I would greatly appreciate knowing what it was.

[ Miles is a self-absorbed idiot, but he's trying, dammit. ]

[pummelgranite]

[ She doesn't want to be comforted about Nico, and certainly not from this asshole. Nico won't remember they've even met. It's a new sort of wound from losing someone to death. It reminds her that Luci won't remember a single day out of prison. That someday, her best friend will go back to being dead before they could ever really meet.

But she had the one who wanted to play grief chicken, wasn't she? Not his fault she turned first. ]

Never mind. Just- . . . Forget I brought him up.