View source for 16188/Of Dropoffs and Meetups - Be Nice Sinister

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2024/04/14
|Location=Somewhere in Ireland
|Synopsis=A tree goblin is returned to the forest it came from and then the trio visit Leo, leaving a Nick behind in the end.
|Cast of Characters=735, 9039, 231
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>And so, with the comatose spciment in tow, and the other two hanging on to Lucifer in some way to be included...there is a moment where there is smoke and the scent of brimstone sulfur. Then the smoke clears and the three plus companion are no longer in the Penthouse, but a very special section of forest - somewhere in Ireland.<br><br>"Well, this is the place that I read about and...I think I can spy the glimmer of fae portal in the distance. Our friend might begin to wake up soon. He may also freak out. I'm not sure..." This is said further as he looks to Nathaniel and Nick.<br><br>"I think, in that case, we might want to lay him down and let him come awake on his own..."

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Nick's nose is slightly scrunched up for a moment as the scent lingers for a few seconds. But as it dissipates, his expression relaxes as he looks to the deep greens of shadow coated leaves. <br><br>Lucifer's suggestion gets a nod. "You mean before we go into a loop of laying him down and watching him wake up over and over again?"

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>"As long as the thing isn't causing immense havoc in the facility I had set up to study the mirror's effects, everything is good. I want to run a battery of tests on it, before it gets a final housing." The weird little long earred tree-goblin is given a long, penetrating staring at before it's simply left to recover on a grassy patch.<br><br>Sin backs the heck out of the way, given that the thing's abilities make the universe go locally bananas. "Yes, that."<br><br>You know, from over there. <br><br>Sin takes one more backward glance, before he takes off trotting in the other direction from 'the distance' so to speak. Unspoiled wilderness tends to be quite dinky in the british isles. There ARE forests you can get lost in but realistically, picking a direction and walking in it will get you out in half a day at most, in most cases.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Lucifer blinks, and then looks over at Nathaniel who effectively puts down the tree-goblin and then turns and begins to effectively run away. "I really don't think it'll be that bad since he's back in his home...." He begins and then looks to the creature as it begins to stir. This has him actually taking a few steps back and then turning to walk the same direction Nathaniel began to trot towards. "We do have another place to go you know... don't run too far!"<br><br>But yes, from over there, because if the tree-goblin simply wakes up and then walks home thinking he's just had a long nap, all the better.<br><br>Course, Nathaniel's not going to -like- where they're going next, but hey... they've got questions that need answering. Just...he hopes Leo actually -has- the answers.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>With Sinister's agreement to the potential problem, Nick is quickly following after Sinister. He's experienced the effects enough time to know he doesn't want to have them happen again. It isn't until Sinister stops making a tactical retreat that Nick follows suit. <br><br>Turning around, he watches as Lucifer closes the gap. "And where's that?" Nick queries.

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>"Honestly, I just want out of the range of that... funny afternoons of the repeated cup of tea, aside..." Sin looks back at the obscured glen, then only when they've reached a small carpark and tourist zone (You are here, look at all this local legendary) that he stops. A couple of people 'dogging' in the forest are about all that are about so a trio of oddbods don't seem to cause an immedate hairy eyeballing. <br><br>A couple of beagles come up to sniff and the obligatory tailwag occurs before they're called back to heel. <br><br>"We do?" News to the one half of this equasion of three. Paradoxical as that is.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well. Yes. You didn't think we came to Ireland just to drop off mister Tree-Goblin, did you?" Lucifer asks as they all make it to the car park. He pulls his silver cigarette case out of a pocket and goes to light two of the sticks, offering one to Nathaniel. "I wanted to stop by Leo's place and inquire about the picture in his house that matched the scene Nick saw when he first encountered the mirror. Which I suppose would have made more sense if we brought the mirror with us, but I think a description is enough to jog the man's memories. Especially if Nick can describe it well enough."<br><br>A smile is given to Nick and then a sheepish grin is given to Nathaniel. "So..ah..surprise? I'll definitely pay you back for being nice by taking you to a pub, and then we can visit the castles while we're here..." Adding all that in as if an incentive to ensure that Nathaniel - ahem - behaves without being -asked- to behave.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Nick's brows lift to the mention of Leo's place and then soon after looks over to Sinister. Come to think of it there was mention of a picture earlier. But still- <br><br>"I think I'd be okay with it but..." There's no need to read minds as Nick is no mystery with his current concern as he blatantly looks at Sinister.

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>You could hear a /pin/ drop. <br><br>Which is quite something, when considering carparks, main roads not that far off, birds cheeping, cows mooing in nearby paddocks. All that good stuff, as Sin slowly looks from the way the beagles went to the cigarette, to the archangel, to the distant blooded nephalim.<br><br>Cigarette is taken, plucked almost and set to lips. There's a deep inhale with the hollowing of the cheeks, the exhale of a lot of smoke through the nose so that the whole thing is spent in but a couple of moments. The end is pinched off aggressively between finger and thumb, the dog-end held out. <br><br>"I think a pub will be the very last place I want to go after this." He says, with a silent 'lead the way' expressed mostly by his demeanor.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Lucifer takes in a breath, then takes a drag off the cigarette. "You could always wait outside..." He offers, feeling almost guilty as if he tricked Nathaniel into coming along and forcing him to go somewhere he truly did not wish to go.<br><br>He'll be paying back the deed for -months-...<br><br>That 'lead the way' expression is seen, then Lucifer sort of droops as he begins to walk in a certain direction. Though he then waits a pause before hooking both Nick and Nathaniel's arms, one step. Two. And they're outside Leo's home. His cigarette is done - some how - and Nathaniel's is...well the man did -something- to his cigarette. "So...ah...who wants to knock?"

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>[[User:Liu|Liu]] ([[User talk:Liu|talk]]) 12:26, 21 April 2024 (UTC)Carrickmoleen - Killiney, Dublin 12:26, 21 April 2024 (UTC)<br><br>With the side step, the trio soon finds themselves on a rather well maintained grounds. Skipping the drive, they do manage to miss some of the finer points of the early 1800s two acre residence. But should they turn around on that porch, they would get a glimpse of lush green across the drive that cascades down a hill.<br><br>There are neighbors to be sure, but a far enought distance away to not notice any yelling that may occur from the structure. An odd thing to note but something that seems relevant to the current situation. <br><br>The trio have also deprived themselves the view of the greenhouses, the coach house, and tennis court. <br><br>But the lawn's pretty. And while they debate upon who will knock, they can content themselves with the Victorian, Edwardian, and Georgian influences of the property.<br><br>It is by no means a castle. But it's got style of its own.<br><br>Nick, takes a moment, turning his head to glance around the property. "Where is this place?"

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>On arrival, Sinister releases the elbow his hand is hooped through and does not approach any closer than the porch area. Gravel underfoot and open sky above, have caught his eye, brought it to looking slowly around the grounds he can perceive. He casts a glance to the back of Lucifer's head which can likely be felt as a pair of lasers boring holes with the current mood. <br><br>And it will not be he that knocks, oh, no. Hands slide into his front pockets of his jeans and he keeps a suitable kind of distance. <br><br>For now.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Lucifer frowns even further as he feels those eyes with their laser-boring stare. Inwardly he droops a bit more. There is a slow breath taken as he pushes through the moment of pained guilt to walk up to the front door of the house and gives three solid knocks.<br><br>Hell. Maybe no one will be home. They could just leave, and he could just deal with it.<br><br>Luck is never really on his side in these cases, however. He's done another Bad Thing, so the Universe - perhaps at some level Dad's Humor - will see to it that Lucifer suffers the most he can for what he's done.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Sometimes the devil can't get a break. Although he may have been hoping the trip was for naught it is not long before the white door with the colored glass swings open.<br><br>Nick blinks to the quick manner. He comes close to asking if Leo even bothered to use the peephole to see who was on the other side but in one of those rare instances, he refrains. <br><br>From saying it out loud at least.<br><br>Leo is without the tweed cap, jacket, and glasses. Instead he just sports a simple pair of jeans, shirt, and a sweater covering the shirt. With the added bit of scruff from a weekend of non-school things, Leo seems a bit younger in terms of appearance. <br><br>The Irishman looks to the trio. A glance to Lucifer at first as he was the one who knocked, then to Nick who remained upon the porch.<br><br>And then, feeling the daggers going through Lucifer, Leo tilts his head to the side to see the hidden Sinister. <br><br>"Hmm." Leo responds before swinging the door open a bit more, shifting to the side to grant them passage. "Well come in. Warmer inside. Any of you want tea?"

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>"Tea would be delightful," the Englishman has reverted to inborn habits of his youth, mispent though it was not. When in doubt, focus on manners. There's even a polite smile from Doctor Essex, albeit trite. Tea will also provide the focus that means he might be seen and not heard, like the good provebial child.<br><br>Poor Lucifer, all about the feels in all their vainglorious and wretched extremes, will beat himself up far more than Sin likely ever could.<br><br>His comportment is now reserved and properly schooled, but this might not last.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Lucifer is actually silent as he steps within the Irishman's home, not speaking a word but when it's Nathaniel who answers the question on tea, he nods. "We'll also try not to take up too much of your time. We had an...interesting experience the other evening and...well were hoping you might be able to shed some light on an object we obtained."<br><br>While it's true he may beat himself up far more than his lover fair could or even would...he'll still seek forgiveness until Nathaniel is likely sick of it (or even Lucifer himself). For the moment, however, he sucks up his mental strife and puts on the mask of pride, finally giving a smile and shifting to wherever Leo might lead them to take on tea and talk.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Nick also gives a nod. "Tea would be fine." He responds, glancing to the inside of the hallway curiously as they're shown in. <br><br>Once everyone is inside and the door closed behind them, Leo moves towards the front of the pack to guide them, when they get to the stairwell, he gestures over to a room with the cream colored walls. <br><br>"Pardon the limitation of rooms today." Leo apologizes to Lucifer, who had been offered more options last time around, "The dining room adjacent to the other one is in a bit of disarray. The sofas in front of the TV is the most comfortable. The green seats, second most. Make yourself comfortable while I get the tea started."<br><br>As the professor walks off, Nick lingers in the doorway. Seemingly waiting for the other two to pick their seats first. <br><br>"Could fit my apartment in this room." Nick murmurs, glancing around the cream colored room.

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well, real estate has different value depending on where you're at. Your place is probably worth the same as the entire of this place." Sinister murmurs quietly, taking a quiet little saunter about the lounge. The sofas are given their due regard, then the pictures on the walls, the decoration or lack thereof, the tidiness, cleanliness, all of the little things. <br><br>The irishman's dublin castle, much smaller than cold stone and bloody history, but potentially not in meaning and significance.<br><br>Eventually, he takes a perch at the end of one of the green couches, arrayed less frontal to the gogglebox, half turned so that his inner leg is tucked under the outer one to hold it in place, his posture kind of sidelong in the apolstery. He gives Lucifer a measured look, then a small smile. See? Best behaviour. Bestest EVER behaviour.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>"Well. It's not like you were expecting company enough to have a chance to...tidy up..." Lucifer offers this to Leo before the man is off to start on the tea for all of them. Now he's met with another decision. Watching Nathaniel as the man saunters around the living room and then finally finds his perch on that green couch but in a way to be sort of off center from the room itself.<br><br>Small steps take him to the green couch as well after what seems like minutes of decision making. He doesn't sit directly next to Nathaniel, but on the same couch with a cushion between them perhaps. His gaze shifts to Nick. "No lie there. Given that apartments in New York are valued high..." He offers in conjunction with Nathaniel's comment on real estate value. Then he goes sort of quiet, clearing his throat softly and shifting to cross his legs the opposite direction of where Nathaniel sits.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Nick nods to the explanation. True. Location does have a lot to do with the value of real estate. But still. Nick moves over to the window to glance outside to the scenery. <br><br>Well, it's not Central Park but- probably a lot less muggers and random alien hostile takeovers of zoos. <br><br>Considering the time it takes to make tea, Sinister has plenty of time to observe his surroundings. Although if he's expecting for a civil-war era photo of the professor or other photos of him with colleagues to be on full display in the public area of the house, there is room for some disappointment. The decor is primarily of artwork with the only photographs to be of various landscapes. Of the landscapes, only one is set to a view from within some caves. <br><br>Nick eventually settles down upon the comfy chair, by consequence sitting the furthest away possible from the window seated couple. But in his defense, the TV is still off. <br><br>Soon after, Leo comes back into the room carrying a tray. Looking to the contents, it becomes apparent why he didn't ask for preferences for beverages before going to the back to do the prep work. With the number of visitors, it seemed more efficient to bring out the mugs, tea tin, and the various assortments people may wish to add to their beverage. Judging from the tin being there, the pot likely contains nothing more than hot water. <br><br>Tray set upon the small table, Leo opens up the tin to bring around to the guests so they can pick their preferred type of tea.

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Alright then - we have the same sofa, with a bit of space, but it isn't a cold shoulder situation. See? Good behaviour! Honest. Sin gazes at the devil's profile a couple of long moments when the man settles, then casts his eyes to the photo of the cave, memorizing it by an unblinking, unwavering stare until Leo enters the premises with the tray and tea pot. <br><br>Sin straightens, gets his posture correct, although he's still angled to FACE Lucifer... and gives a polite smile to the host, casting eye to the offerings. Lemon and earl grey are his choice, it seems. <br><br>"So, to dispense with formalities and further niceties..." he offers, in a mild but to-the-point kind of tone "...we purchased a Mirror from the Sidthe that traded with the Night market. It showed an image that was not the reflection of the world around, when Nick stood in front of it." Teaspoon is used to gesture to the photo of the cave "...it seemed similar to this."

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>And there it is that Nathaniel gets right to the point. Which, in some odd way, just kicks Lucifer while he's down. He chooses earl grey tea with nothing else, plunking tea bag into mug with hot water to let it steep a moment.<br><br>Sin is facing him and talking, then he shifts a little and glances to Leo. "It disappeared when Nick moved away, then reappeared when he approached it again. It's also the culptit of a Tree-Goblin disrupting our lives for a short span of time. Which is why we're in Ireland in the first place. Had to return the creature home..." He adds on that much before looking to his mug with intent of staring at darkening liquid rather than anything else - or anyONE else - at the current moment.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Despite Sinister's attempt to speed matters up. Leo does not rush with the setting up the others with their choice of tea. It isn't until after everyone's served that he looks in the direction the spoon is gesturing.<br><br>"You all looked into a mirror and saw that?" Leo asks. Straightening up to move over to the photo.<br><br>Nick ends up justifying the tea tin as he ends up finding one of his go to teas among the selection. Peppermint with a bit of honey ends up becoming his selection.<br><br>Unlike Lucifer who stares at the seeping tea, Nick looks over to Leo. The curiousity upon his face could be spurned from two possible sources. One of which is the very man who served him tea. One who he watched VERY CAREFULLY when the tea was being prepped. <br><br>"There aren't any surprises to this tea, is there?"<br><br>You'd think someone would let go of the small things after time has gone by. You know?<br><br>Leo turns his head to look to the rocker.

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Oh, the contents of cups can be so VERY fascinating at times. This time though, prompts a toe poke to the mid-calf from Sinister to Lucifer, oh-so-subtle like. Get your maudlin out of the cup! He tilts his head though, following with a nod at the extrapolation on the words he already shared. <br><br>But there's the sweet-ass time to bear witness do, an irrascible kind of patience. Whatever might be behind Sin's eyes, it isn't painted on his face as he looks from Leo to Nick. <br><br>But maybe, just maybe, there was a teenie little lip twitch into the upwardly crooked at the question. Only maybe, you understand.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Lucifer quick-shifts a glance to Nathaniel at the toe-poking of his calf and then clears his throat again. "In a way? When Nick looked into the mirror that cave appeared. I saw it, I don't know if Nathaniel caught a glimpse. But it went away when Nick stepped away from the mirror. It's a different image whenever either of us face the mirror as well. So. I sort of came to the notion that the image Nick was seeing was somehow connected to him..." Lucifer explains before taking a sip of his still-very-hot tea, not minding the scalding of it as it seeps down his throat.<br><br>"Then, I remembered seeing an image of it here. That image, what Nathaniel pointed out. And I recalled it wasn't a painting, but a photograph. Which either means you were there to take the photo, or someone you know or knew was." He continues. "Naturally, I wanted to come and find out for myself."<br><br>He just, you know, came with his entourage for...whatever reason. As it has resulted in a wary Nick and an upset Nathaniel.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Leo is quiet for a few moments, giving a slight frown before he opens his lips. "Any surprises being served with this tea appears to be coming from my guests." He responds, glance still upon the youngest member of the group. "And perhaps, answers to questions brought about by them should they be...'shocking' enough." <br><br>The professor gives a sigh before looking back to the photo as Lucifer lists his reasoning for coming here as well as the potential sources for the photo. "Or it means the vendor I purchased the print from knows the photographer." He offers as an alternative to the source. <br><br>He allows for that revelation to sink in.<br><br>"But- reasoning being a bit short on the actual explanation, I do know the caves." Leo adds in, glancing over to Lucifer with a bit of an impish smile.

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>And now, it is time for Sinister to button up and listen -- which is precisely what he does, taking stock of the tea and sipping. Even if this was poisoned, it wouldn't matter. Tea is tea, is tea. <br><br>The quip of the responses are listened to keenly, gaze again settled on the caves. Tis always a journey getting from a to b. Necessity adds intermidiary stops along the way.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>"I do not see how the vendor knowing the photographer would mean that Nick would be the only one to see the caves." Lucifer chimes in. "That's a very long reach considering this mirror is supposedly enchanted... Maybe we're reaching a bit too. But coincidences aren't something I enjoy unless I can find the source and tie everything together." Lucifer finally seems to have found his voice. Perhaps because of Nathaniel's little toe-touch, perhaps because he wants to get to the point and then get out.<br><br>"I mean it's no real big deal right? What do you know about the caves? And do they hold any significant tie to you, Nick, and whatever strings of life that tie you two together?" He asks, then he sips tea, then he glances to Nick to gauge the rocker's reaction to his questions as well. Finally, he affords himself a glance to Nathaniel - if only briefly - before looking back to Leo once more.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Leo looks to Lucifer now. "I was referring to your reasoning that I either took the photo or knew the photographer." His body turns away from the photograph, looking to the others in the room. "And yes there is importance to the cave. For me." Leo looks over to Nick. "Maybe him in the future if he chose it."<br><br>Nick looks... a little confused.

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Sinister's eyes close completely at the back and forth, then the retort less cryptically given, but still with a helping dose of ambiguity to the mix. There's a soft sigh behind the cup of tea, which could easily equate to it being a good libation. <br><br>In the interim, his legs adjust in his straighter posture, the shin of the one leg eeeeeever so lightly touching against Lucifer's calf. Tis not a poke, but a lean. <br><br>"In other words," he murmurs softly "...this is a Phantasm thing."

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Lucifer sighs, then shifts a hand to rub at the bridge of his nose. "Okay. I get it. You're not one to delve everything out. But surely you're smart enough to know why we're asking these questions. Why we came all the way here to do it. So enough of your cryptic not letting it all out bullshit and tell us... fuck it... tell Nick what he needs to hear. You cannot keep stringing him along acting like he's some puppet just waiting for -the right moment- to shine some sort of.... ethereal light upon him letting you know it's the right time..." Lucifer, apparently, has reached his peak of politeness. If his wings were out, they'd be twitching.<br><br>"Or don't. But it's decision time, whether you like it or not. Whether you think it's the right time or not. Honestly. that choice shouldn't be yours. It should be his. But have you actually taken any time to ask him what he wants? My guess is no. Cause all I've ever heard is... watching. Waiting. Like your some goddamn saint with the key to Eden. So. Choice time, Leo." And this is just Lucifer annoyed. Wait until you see him angry.<br><br>...<br><br>(You don't want to see him angry...)

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Leo looks over to Lucifer. Eyes steeled to an emotionless gaze as Lucifer responds to the initial question. He remains quiet. Waiting. And when Lucifer finishes. He doesn't return words of equal venom. <br><br>Instead he raises his own cup to his lips to take a drawn out sip. <br><br>During the whole thing, Nick was staring at Lucifer and then over to Leo. <br><br>Leo lowers his cup, looking over to Nick quietly. There's a drawn out pause before Leo breaks the silence. "Well lad...I've certainly heard enough of their opinions. But do YOU have one? Why are they more interested in your life than you?"<br><br>Nick blinks, "Huh?... I-"<br><br>"Out with it boy. Have you gotten better? Or are you still that lost boy I met in Gotham?"

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Sinister's attention had been shuttered. Eyes closed, serene, listening and not paying as close of an attention as he might otherwise to -where- he is. Lucifer's words cause the gaze to be unshuttered a moment, to regard him sly below very lowered lashes, then they close once again, sipping at the tea, inhaling the scent. <br><br>Earl Grey is a beautiful thing. <br><br>And it's a finished thing, set aside back on the tray with the other cups and the like and DESPITE this not being his house at all, he stands and walks to the window.<br><br>Look out, rather than in. Find the horizon.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Lucifer doesn't really have much more to say in this moment. He finishes his tea while watching as Nathaniel stands and walks over to the window to look out. Nope Nick. Balls in your court now, boy-o. Grow a backbone and speak your peace. Though Lucifer will set his cup back on the tray and then settles back on the couch to at least listen if not watch.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>"Better?" Nick frowns, feeling a bit flustered somehow now that the topic is on the table. Dammit he should have been treating it like a press appearance. But how does one get ready for this. "I did what I could...but it wasn't like I asked for this."<br><br> The Irishman pauses. Quietly considering the musician, "No, I suppose not." Leo confirms, giving a bit of a sigh, "But considering the situation back then. You did not give me much choice."<br><br>Nick blinks, parting his lips in protest.<br><br>"Michael. We spoke for weeks. I saw your nightmares. I know."<br><br>Nick's lips close.

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Sinister's head turns, not /quite/ glancing over his shoulder, but turning his ear to the words. The edge of his profile is fleetingly visible, held there for a second or two in a silent kind of aknowledgement, then the horizon is regarded once again, for what it is worth.<br><br>Sin's fingers idly and gently straighten the net curtains on the window. <br><br>Words are a beautiful thing, aren't they?

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Michael? Nope. Wrong one. Not the great great (however many factors) grandparent of the Phantasm, but the Phantasm's actual name. Or..one of them. So there's a twitch from Lucifer at the name drop but then he settles again. Still not saying anything. There isn't much for him to say - this is between Nick and Leo now. He just opened the door and shoved them both through it. Together.<br><br>He's good like that sometimes.<br><br>Though there is another gaze offered towards Nathaniel who is silently straightening curtains in the moment.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>It's funny how when someone fixates on one thing, they lose sight of the other details. Sure. He had admitted he was feeling down when at the bar. And... typically when someone did inquire to the how, they'd often just fast forward the conversation to 'the good parts'. <br><br>No one really wants to discuss that night. Silver Round was doing good with the initial sales and the group wanted to celebrate. But he hadn't slept well the night before so he opted to stay back, take his meds and try and rest up. <br><br>There was an accident. Jack died at the scene. Wade and Rod were transported to the hospital. <br><br>It took awhile for Nick to wake up to the knocking. And by then, Rod had slipped away... He barely recognized them in the morgue. <br><br>Rod was his best friend...a brother he never had. Jack to a degree... and like Nick's mom, he was suddenly gone. In retrospect, he should't have left Wade alone. Jack had been his best friend. But at the time...he just needed to get away. Go back to the city that was the closest to home he could get and-<br><br>Leo nods as he watches Nick's frown deepen. "Your plan was shite." He confirms. "Knowing that I wasn't about to give you the whole thing. I gave you...just enough to get you through."

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Sinister's attention turns over his shoulder again. Another glance. The curtain is neater for his attentions. <br><br>But then, this conversation just turned peculiar and he turns, back to the light once again and crosses his arms loose over his chest, stance otherwise squared -- at parade rest, so to speak. <br><br>Lucifer gets a lofting of the eyebrows, slight but present, to confirm if this is as unexpected as it is to Sin. This is definitely talking.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>Lucifer is twitching. He wants to interject, but he holds himself back. Mostly with Nathaniel's help because - lucky for them - neither Nick nor Leo is telepathic so they have no CLUE what the lovers are discussing. Well, they likely wouldn't be able to any way since this conversation can only happen because Lucifer is literally linked to Sinister in a telepathic sense.<br><br>See. Internal arguing of semantics means Lucifer doesn't look at the Phantasm and a half and just scream at Nick to grow a fucking backbone and give Leo a goddamn answer.<br><br>Sinister can likely pick that up tho. Quite clearly.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Leo may not have picked up on the mental conversation but it seems almost like he has. The short blond looks to the seated Nick. The very stance granting the professor the height he would not otherwise have. The professor takes a breath. "Okay...Looping around. Now that you have determined by what I meant, Have you. Gotten better?"<br><br>And like that the ball is picked up, dusted off, and lobbed once more Nick's way. <br><br>Nick tilts his head. Frown fading as he stares right at Leo. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Sinister's eyes settle fleetingly on Leo. They're shuttered now, after the raise of brows to Lucifer -- inscrutable, in the literal way. Lucifer though, gets a twitch of the lips, a wry smile. <br><br>Sometimes, they're good for one another these two. In the most unlikely of moments, when inner arguments stop blurting from happening!<br><br>There's a long exhale though, because awkward does have a social quality to it in the moment... even if they ARE a kind of family. <br><br>Out of the blue: "It's rather nice isn't it, to have family that can't just pop their clogs. It lessens some of the pain." Some being the operative word there.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>The second thing that keeps a Lucifer's mouth shut is keeping it busy and since he's in no place to suddenly grab his lover and do dirty deeds with him, the next best thing is a cigarette. He pulls his silver case out of his pocket, lights one and takes a slow drag off it. Leo will notice there's no scent, and the smoke doesn't really go anywhere, it just sort of dissipates. The skill of the Devil is often an odd thing.<br><br>Now it feels like a stand off, so he just watches, but the thing that Nathaniel says has him giving a blink and glancing over. He's not sure what this is referencing. The angels on Nick's family tree? The two of them because they do consider Nick family. Or something entirely different. The Devil, however, continues to chose silence.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Leo nods to the somewhat snarky response. The side of his lip curls up a bit. "You are." He answers. Considering the general stiffness of past interactions, this might be considered a reasonably relaxed moment. As he even throws in a nod. And in this odd moment where only half of the people in the room have all of the context for the conversation, there's a bit of silence which is likely not helping with filling the gaps. <br><br>When Sinister's voice breaks up the quiet, both Leo and Nick look over to him.The comment causes for a quick blink from the pair before Nick glances over to Lucifer, Sinister, then Leo. "...It is." Nick admits, giving a small smile to the reminder.<br><br>Leo is quiet for a bit longer before he lets out his own sigh. There's a slight bob of the head to the other doctor in regards to the comment. "I will admit that can be a good advantage. Considering how lasting a lifespan it can be."<br><br>Hearing the cigarette case open, Leo casts a slight glance over to the source of the sound. There's but a moment before he looks back to Nick. "The thing is. History does repeat itself. Famine. War. Genocide. You will likely encounter those more than others with an extended life time. You lose enough people in a regular lifetime. With a longer lifespan, you will encounter much more. There will also be times when you are completely on your own. You need to be able to handle that."

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>"History is perpetually repeating itself, because those that don't learn from it are doomed to continue that neverending cycle. The edge of the volcano and all..." Sinister murmurs, looking to Lucifer at the look and then the response that came with it. He gestures an open palm to the Phantasms, then inhales slowly, turning back to the window to gaze out to the horizon with his arms once again folded.<br><br>It's as much privacy as he can afford at the moment, for the odd conversation. <br><br>Though... he does cast sidelong peeks at Lucifer. Away. Back again. Away. Back. Stuck back this time, out of the corner of his eye.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>"He won't always be alone. Not really. Sure there will be things he will go through and he may be alone for them, but he'll have support on the other end. Always." Lucifer blurts this out. "You're also speaking to him like he doesn't know these things, like he hasn't already..." He stops himself. Calm thy tits, Lucifer. This is something Nick has to fight for.<br><br>"Nick, you really ought to just outright tell the man whether you want it or not. You're more than ready for it, you just need to see that within yourself. And you've got friends, family, who will be here for you through anything you face." The great, great, great....time infinity Uncle that he is says this while looking in Nick's general direction.<br><br>Then he holds up his hands, stands and walks over to the window where Nathaniel is looking out and offers the man a cigarette freshly lit which he put together while walking. Once there, he tries to look out the window to whatever Nathaniel's been staring at for a while and just smirks, leaving Leo and Nick to their conversation again.

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Leo turns his head, looking to Lucifer as the devil speaks up. The short blond stares quietly but once Lucifer's offering up encouragement, the other half of Leo's mouth twists up, mirroring the already upturned end to make for a wry smile. "Think of it as a refresher class if it's material he's already got covered, then." <br><br>Leo looks over to Nick "But it's an important one that should be reviewed. Because some paths are one way. Including this one."<br><br>Nick looks over to Lucifer, and then over to Leo. "I feel like there's more to this than you're saying."<br><br>"That's because there is." Leo answers, giving a nod. "A great deal." The professor looks over to the couple looking out the window. "But- to cram the details in one night to where you can make an informed decision is a bit of a push. So, I'll give you the one big drawback if you did choose to go for the full power and give you some time to think about it." His gaze sets upon Lucifer in particular, "All more the issue with your family situation."<br><br>Nick turns his head, following Leo's gaze to Lucifer. "...What's that?"<br><br>Leo looks back. "...Phantasms are not of Heaven or Hell. If you became fully linked to them, when your time comes to end, you would end up elsewhere. Granted, you'd still have some family there...but your mother would not be one of them."

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Sinister looks down to the cigarette, lit and presented and his lips give their own small smile, a nod following as it's taken and ferried to lips. He and the devil, after the devil's given his due that is, stare out at the back of the garden and beyond in companionable silence. Sort of. The cigarette makes a soft hiss on Sin's inhale and he sniffs a couple of times with a glance to Lucifer's profile in all that. <br><br>And then over his shoulder to the phantasmagoria over there. <br><br>His lips press thin, then purse up like a rosebud but he says nothing right now, instead rolling his eyes up, then down as he satisfies a lack of nicotine addiction to its natural conclusion and hands the butt to be disposed of in hellfire. <br><br>And then, with the conclusion of words said, he gently rests a hand on Lucifer's shoulder, his gaze on the phantasms, in particular Leo. Nothing much obvious going on there, maybe he's attempting to make up his mind again, as he eventually clicks his tongue and looks to Nick. He does however, look ever so mildly disgusted, though it seems diffuse, as if it's not focused on anyone here.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>The cigarette Lucifer has now finished dissipates into nothing as he burns it away. He remained silent during the whole rest of that conversation between Leo and Nick, but then decides that it's time to go. At least for now. Next time he might be just a little more...persuasive.<br><br>He won't give Nick the sliver of hope he wants to give the man, and he won't give Leo the few several words he has spinning around his mind. And maybe he might regret that, but this isn't about him right now. Selfish as he can be, he's trying to keep his cool for the moment.<br><br>"And with that, I surmise we should be going. Having likely slightly overstayed our forced welcome to begin with." They came for an answer about the cave, and Lucifer has to wonder if that cave is where Phantasm rituals occur.<br><br>He's seen stranger.<br><br>Feeling Nathaniel's hand on his shoulder, he stays where he's at because the man is sort of leaning on him in more ways than one. "I suspect...there is a bit more the two of you need to discuss." Offering this over towards Nick and Leo. "Answer my original question...about the cave in the photo. I'm simply curious...and then perhaps Nathaniel and I will make our way home to give the two of you the time you need to work things out."

:'''{{#var:9039|Nick (9039)}} has posed:'''<br>Leo nods to the mention of needing to discuss more with Nick, glancing over to the distant relative. "There is more to cover than in a single evening." He confirms, "But, I do have guest rooms if you have the time for it." A glance is given to the two chaperones for a moment. <br><br>"I wouldn't mind staying back." Nick speaks up, causing for Leo to blink a moment to look back to the musician. <br><br>"Well, I can't very well go back with just that, can I?" Nick continues, "If that was just it, why would YOU have agreed to it?"<br><br>There's a quirk to Leo's lip. "...very good..." <br><br>Hearing Lucifer's question repeated, Leo blinks back. "Oh yes that. Caves of Kesh. That's where we go to move on. Which makes me think the mirror was either showing the future. Or you were looking at Loegaire. They're kind of similar looking... only he was shorter than me."

:'''{{#var:231|Sinister (231)}} has posed:'''<br>Sinister nods to Nick, apparently in confirmation of his desire to remain. "I think we'll leave you to it," -- because they CAN trust that Nick can take care of himself in many, many aspects.<br><br>Something in all of this makes it look a lot like Essex has a migraine coming on. "Luci?" <br><br>The tone is an inquiry and request at the same time.

:'''{{#var:735|Lucifer (735)}} has posed:'''<br>"Indeed. The offer is appreciated but I believe Nathaniel and I should take our leave. Thank you." Lucifer offers this, keeping it simple. He frowns at Nathaniel, having felt the hand on his shoulder go from gentle to cemented and he might have missed something else going on. So, he nods singlularly towards Nathaniel, places his hand on the small of the other man's back and the two are gone in a puff of smoke.
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