13183/Of Serpents and Vixens

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Of Serpents and Vixens
Date of Scene: 03 May 2021
Location: Club Lux, Melville
Synopsis: Phoebe Beacon visits Club Lux and gains an unlikely friend in the Devil himself.
Cast of Characters: Sparrowhawk, Lucifer




Sparrowhawk has posed:
    Ordinarily, Phoebe is not a clubbing sort. She's more the 'aikido class at four right after intro to business ethics' sort, the 'Tim I'm running a little late for patrol' sort. Why? Because there was a kitten stuck in a tree, and it just had to be rescued.

    But she didn't believe in Coincidence. And if Luck smiled on her tonight, she might get some information. She was dropped off by a hired driver, stepping out of a Dark Blue Range rover, wearing dark blue pants, a dark blue wrap-around top beneath a sporty gray jacket. Her box braids were pulled back and secured with a leather strap, and she had a white recovered-leather satchel at her side as she purses her lips, and looks up at Lux.

    She turns over the card in her hand, and bypassing any sort of line, she steps up to the doorman, and shows him the card that Lucifer had given her.

    "Hey," she smiles sweetly, lowering her shades so that she can give a wink to the doorman. "I've got a standing invitation."

Lucifer has posed:
The doorman, a 6'2, 300lb muscular brute type looks down at Phoebe thru his shades and reaches to take the card from her. He then pulls a pen-type object from an inner pocket and illuminates it against both sides of the card. After a moment, he nods and gives a grunt, shifting to open the door and allow Phoebe to step inside. No questions asked. No request for an ID. The card has been validated and she is simply allowed inside.

Club Lux is surely the hype of the night now. The dance floor is lit, DJ spinning current dance tracks and those who wish are body bumping their night away. For those who want a bit more of a quiet experience, the second level where the bar is - a huge horseshoe shaped bar with at least three people working behind it - has patrons of all types sitting there. Then there's the newly opened casino. It's through a set of doors on the second floor, and when one is upstairs, the telling sounds of slots, chips, and chatter can be heard.

The front doors lead you to the second floor, the dance floor being downstairs. Lucifer, himself, is currently at his 'perch'. A section just at the top of the stairs that jets out a step or few giving him a vantage point of all things above and below. He's watching, waiting, and perhaps his gaze moves to the door when Phoebe is let in, likely being told one way or another that a card-holding guest has arrived.

The card, itself, is NOT returned to Phoebe.

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    Phoebe was kind of expecting it back. She seems a little peturbed when it's not returned to her, but she makes her way into the club. Her dark eyes search the dance floor from the second floor, looking over the people dancing. Having fun. Being normal. She's very carefully avoiding pockets of people imbibing in alcohol, wandering a bit. She's alone, which is in general unusual for anyone wandering into the club without a purpose. A couple of men look her up and down, and one starts to follow her a little through the crowd as she moves, listening to the digitial sounding of slot machines counting LED lit faces as the one-armed bandits rob people of their hard-earned (... maybe) money.

Lucifer has posed:
Nope. The cards are one time use only. Sorry Phoebe. Though Lucifer knows she's here now and this means his gaze is on her as soon as he spots her in the crowd. This also means he's seen the one man who has decided to tail Phoebe a bit, and his eyes narrow some before he steps forward. In a blink, he's behind the man who's tailing Phoebe, grabbing him by the back of his collar and yanking him backwards. "I'm sorry, but is there a sign anywhere in this building that single girls are your open prey?" The man likely shakes his head in a negative fashion and Lucifer pushes him back towards the exit. "Why don't you take yourself out with the rest of the trash like you. I won't have that in my club." Then, another step, and he's aside Phoebe proper. "Miss Beacon. What a pleasant surprise. I didn't think you'd come and see the club so...mmn...soon?"

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    THe guy blinks as he's pulled backwards with a yell, and he tries to present an argument when he realizes just *who* he's talking to -- and he quickly turns, straightens his jacket and quickly makes an escape out the door.

    The young woman pauses a moment, hearing Lucifer's *dulcet* tones, she turns, and gives him a smile, adjusting her jacket a little bit.

    "Well, it's not every day someone pulls a wallet from another city. Maybe I was curious about what other tricks you can pull off." she states, and attempts to sound not-nervous and casual, which the latter she pulls off, the former? Well. She's a little nervous.

Lucifer has posed:
"Oh, that? That's nothing. Also, how do you know I didn't already have it in my pocket? Perhaps I was on my way to return it personally and just happened upon you in the process?" It's not the truth, but he can speak in hypotheticals if he wishes to. A tilt of his head given and then he shrugs. "I could also pull a few more tricks if you're truly that curious..." Then he pauses in his steps and motions. "You used your card to get in. So we can either sit and chat at the bar or..." He waves a hand. "I have a VIP section open for card bearers. It's a little more quaint and...intimate...if you'd rather that. Or perhaps a dance? Game of poker? Anything that your heart desires?" That's the key, plus, he has to find and hold her gaze - a thing which he tries to do in this moment for at least a moment. "Tell me, Phoebe, what would you *truly* like to do right now?"

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "You said you didn't, and you spoke with such conviction... besides. I've never run into a club owner who goes out of their way to return a lost wallet." Phoebe replies over the music, "I think maybe the VIP area would be better -- I'm not really good at cards--" she trails off a moment, and she turns her gaze up, looking Lucifer in the eye, and she blinks a moment.

    Lucifer, meanwhile, might note that there is distinctly more 'Light' in the immediate vicinity about her. One of the patrons behind her is rapidly sobering up. Her head tilts a moment.

    "I'd like to ask some questions to try and figure out what I am." she states, with the utmost truthfulness.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer thinks on this a moment and then he nods. "Ah. So I did, didn't I? And I can't actually lie, so there it is." This and then she's speaking of the VIP area, how that would be better, before trailing off. Her gaze caught and inner desired brought forth.

The light that she exhibits has him raising a brow, and he takes note of how some of the patrons are sobering. "Well now. That's intriguing." This and then he breaks the gaze and offers his hand to her so he can take her over to a roped off area, up a couple stairs and in a section filled with couches that you can just siiiink into. "Here we are. Now. What is it about yourself you're trying to find out?"

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    Phoebe had the oddest sensation of someone poking their fingers in her ear, like a metaphysical wet willy.

    Her nose wrinkles -- but she follows behind Lucifer, passing by the patron who was sobering (who calls out in complaint to a waitress that they're watering down their drinks at Lux! Such an accusation!).

    She sinks down into one of the couches, and she takes off her sunglasses, and then buttons her jacket. Much more professional and closed off, but she looks to the man who professed himself to be The Devil Himself.

    "... so." she laces her fingers. "You already knew that I wasn't normal, right?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer decidedly sits on the edge of the table which lets him be across from Phoebe and also near enough so they can talk. He's requested ice water in a pitcher and two glasses, though how would remain unknown for the moment. As she sinks down and gets comfortable, he smiles and then nods slowly. "I had my suspicions. It's rare that something brightens up my club - both figurative and literally." He offers. "At first I was almost...worried...that you were sent after me. But I don't think such is the case at this point. Just a coinicdence." He holds her gaze for the moment. "So. Mutant?"

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    Phoebe looks up to Lucifer, and she narrows her eyes a moment as she shakes her head. "No, no, but when you and I were talking at the riverside, after you introduced yourself, I was a little concerned that *you* were coming after *me*." the girl admits, and gives a small laugh.

    "No, I'm not a mutant. It didn't turn up during puberty or any sort of traumatic event-" she pauses a moment, that was a slight lie "-- it's some sort of Other power, but... I'm adopted. I showed up in Gotham when I was two years old. I have no idea where I'm from -- but you confirmed that I'm not precisely secretive if people can sense it."

Lucifer has posed:
"Well. There's a few things to put together here. I'm...not of this world myself. Being the Devil, I'm attuned to all things demonic, angelic, and in between. I just assumed since you weren't an angel after me, nor a demon...also after me...then you were likely a mutant. But you're not." Lucifer says this much, tilting his head. He tries to hold her gaze then. "You emit an ethereal type glow...it's almost like...purity. You radiate purity. Maybe." A frown. "You said you were adopted. Do you know who your birth parents are. Were? Was there anything left behind of them?" Then he smirks. "What questions could I possibly help you unlock the answers to, dear Phoebe?"

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "No. I was found with no shoes and a T-shirt with the name Phoebe written in sharpie on the sleeve. I carry no particuarly unique markers and have about as much in common with anyone in Gotham, genetically, as I do a banana." Phoebe replies, keeping her gaze on Lucifer. She's getting a little defensive, her fingers twist a moment as she breathes out.

    "... I was advised that if I wanted to learn more about powers that I should seek someone else who knew, some sort of expert. You just happened to cross my path first."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer steples his fingers together for a moment, elbows on his knees, looking to Phoebe for a lingering moment. "Well. I could try a thing or few. You said you were adopted at two? There has to be something in your brain connected to your birth. Who you are and such." He takes a breath. "I could...weasel around it...if you'd let me. See if we can find the answers you're looking for. But I don't know if I'm really the one who can help you. I'm just someone who can see you. Make sense?" Then he leans back some. "It's up to you. Harmless, I promise, but if you'd rather let someone else have a crack at it..."

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "Even being seen and recognized is... progress." Phoebe states gently, and she gives a shrug. "You're pretty much the first person I've been frank about it with."

    She gives a slight stare off to the side, a thought creeping up on her "... and the first one who cared, really." she drops her gaze, and shakes her head.

    "I don't know if I"m ready for something as deep as that. I don't know if there's ever a 'ready', but even just knowing that it's not like I'm cursed to burn out like a candle, that does make me feel better." she then looks up at Lucifer, and then draws one eyebrow up.

    "I don't think we're in 'weasel around in my memories' yet, but at least we're kinda friends?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer tilts his head one way and then the other before he reaches a single hand out for Phoebe to take. Perhaps even taking it himself if he's allowed. "I can promise you two things. One, we are friends, proven by the fact that you're in my club. Also, while you're here or when I am around you, you will be safe. Your talents safe from anyone truly finding them out and I will not allow any harm to befall you." He smiles then, giving her hand a squeeze. "Will that do for now?"

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    The dark-eyed girl gives a surprised look at Lucifer, and she lets him take her hand. Her eyebrows are up, and she looks to the dark-haired man, and she breathes out a moment.

    "... so I swear on my dad's grave that this has everything to do with the fact that I've lived in /Gotham City/ for as long as I remember and nothing to do with you..." she trails off "... but what do you get out of this arrangement, Lucifer?"

Lucifer has posed:
There's a sort of grin that forms on his lips as he draws that hand close and then brushes his lips against her knuckles briefly. His ocean blue eyes taking in her chocolate brown ones and he tries to hold her gaze for a lingering moment. "Well I will take that swear, I suppose, but... what do I get out of what? Your friendship? I don't need to make deals just for friendship..." He offers this and then tilts his head just so. "Unless there's something on your mind that you'd like to offer me, Miss Beacon?"

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "Just checking. Most people in Gotham don't offer you something for nothing." Phoebe states, but she is blushing furiously, her skin darkening as she draws her gaze away from the man with her hand held in his.

    "Usually, anyway. I'm pretty altrusitic." she smiles back to Lucifer, and then she goes to re-settle on the soft couch.

    "So -- if you don't mind me asking -- running a nightclub? You have a lot of fun running all this?"

Lucifer has posed:
"Well, we aren't establishing anything that requires something for something. My friendship carries no price, Miss Beacon. Other things with me, might come with a price... but... we'll cross those bridges when we get to them." This much offered by the Prince of Darkness, who then, with his other hand, suddenly proffers the woman a shiny red delicious apple. "Like this, for example. Did you know that I single handedly took down humanity with a single apple just like this one?" He grins. "Course, this apple isn't from the Tree of Wisdom, it's from a farmer's market downtown...but you get the gist, yes?"

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "Ah, yes, the Forbidden Fruit of Knowledge that unfortunately has caused a lot of issues for my gender." Phoebe replies, and she looks thoughtful a moment, examining that shiny red apple that was offered out. The healer's eyes draw back to Lucifer, not looking to his eyes, but to his smile, examining the way it draws up to his cheeks before she looks up to his eyes again.

    "... I have so many stupid questions boiling around in my brain -- but I get the idea." she states, "... those who increase their knowledge, increase their sorrow."

Lucifer has posed:
"Also, to answer your other question, yes. I do very much enjoy running a nightclub. This nightclub. It nurtures peoples wants and desires, and in the meantime...I draw on those morsels." Lucifer offers and then leans back some, releasing Phoebe's hand in the process. "The only stupid question is the one that goes unasked." This much more offered, and then he offers the apple once more. "Hungry?" Asking with a grin before taking a breath to let out slowly. "And maybe I'm a little apologetic for what happened because of it. Some of the things anyway. Though those weren't my fault. That was his punishment because wisdom was wanted."

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "There's always an exchange." Phoebe replies, and she accepts the apple, holding it in both hands as she lowers its gaze, as if admiring it. "Bringing fire to humanity imprisoned Prometheus, and daily the eagle of Kaukasios would come to him where he was bound, tearing his stomach and consuming his liver. "... but it wasn't the fact that he brought fire to humanity, but that he stole it from The Gods and endured such suffering for it..."

    She holds the apple close to her face, her gaze drawing from its skin to Lucifer's.

    "... does it bother you when you get blamed for people's poor decisions and cruelties?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer just smirks. "You're a bright one, Miss Beacon. I will give you that." This much as he turns and pours a couple glasses of water. "There is always a price. Something gained will always need something lost." Affirming her words, listening to the story she tells, and he nods a few times. Her last question seems to give him pause, as if he's really thinking on it.

He has to be truthful, so he turns to face her once more. "Sometimes. It's always the Devil made me do it or they were possessed by demons. God was the one who gave free will. I'm just the one who showed that there are two sides to every coin, so to speak."

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "Just call me Phoebe, you sound like one of my college professors. And it's weird to call you Mr. Morningstar at this point." Phoebe speaks up, and she gives Lucifer a gentle smile.

    "So. It's getting on in the evening, and I'm sure you have more exciting things than to entertain a college girl until her curiosity's sated--" she states as she goes to adjust her seating, "... but I'm afraid I've given up the card you gave me that allowed me to skip the line. So I should probably give you mine."

    And she produces a card from her bag.

    It's fancy! It has a blue ink flower like a morning glory, and lists a cellphone and an E-mail address. "It won't get you into anywhere, but that's the best way to get in contact with me when I'm not wandering around in the dark."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer chuckles and lifts a single shoulder in a shrug. "You're here as my personal guest, so my time is yours for as long as you wish it." He then reaches into his inner coat pocket and pulls out a card. It looks exactly the same as the one given before. "Here. So you can skip the line again. They're marked a particular way, and are usually only one time use but..." Is there a flicker in his eye? A sleight of hand? Who knows. "Now this one, they should return to you each time you use it." Taking her card and passing his. An even exchange. "It was a pleasure having you here again Mi--Phoebe. I do hope to see you again."

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "Still wouldn't want to wear out my welcome, I could ask questions to the point of obnoxiousness all night, and I've got a job that requires some night shift out of me -- should probably get to it before my coworkers start fretting, and *that*..." she motions to her clubbing attire "Would require a change of clothing."

    And Phoebe brings that apple to her lips, and takes a bite, tasting its sweet white flesh juxtaposed so nicely against the red of its skin and the blue-tint of her lips in her fancy clubbing clothing -- that jacket is definitely a guy's jacket though, it's somewhat too big for her.

Lucifer has posed:
"That's fair. Do you need to change here or...is that done at home? Shall I call a car for you?" Lucifer asks these things before watching as she takes a bite of that apple. Sweet merciful...well, maybe not heaven...but there's always something to be said about watching a beautiful woman take a bite out of an apple. Reminding him of times past - no matter how long ago they were. Still, just as he said, hers is just a plain apple.

This time.

After a moment he stands and offers a hand to help her up. "Alright. Lets get you settled so you can head where you need to be. I would hate to keep you from anything important."

Sparrowhawk has posed:
    "Oh, no, I hired a car to bring me out, they're waiting around the block for me to call them back -- and my work clothes are at home -- I don't typically travel with them." she smiles, and takes another bite of the apple before accepting Lucifer's charitable arm up.