13575/A little nook, in gay Paris...

A little nook, in gay Paris...
Date of Scene:	30 June 2021
Location:	Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris
Synopsis:	An afternoon in Paris becomes something more and Lucifer discovers Sinister was present during the Nazi occupation of France...
Cast of Characters:	Sinister, Lucifer

---

Sinister has posed:
Paris has so many little nooks and cranies where culture abounds and the art of crafting beauty in form and function are cultivated like blooms in a flower bed. In the summertime, the place empties out of many Parisians, fleeing to the country-side and their cottages en Provence. But some remain, to cater to the inevitable vacationers from abroad and the price of everything skyrockets.

So it helps to own property in the Daughter of the Senne. A thing that Sinister has; a small apartment in a white washed regency time period building overlooking the older part of the city, where cobblestones and tiny walled gardens abound and in the distance, the spires of Notre Dame can be seen. Here, there are restaurants and cafes, little tourist traps aplenty and everything within a stone's throw of the Metro.

The windows are open wide, tall and frenched of course -- the bedlinens are white and made of true french linen, the bed a modest queen sized affair, surrounded in walnut furnishing and sporting the absolute SIN of a goose feather mattress....

Lucifer has posed:
For someone who could whisk away to Paris at any time he fancied, Lucifer actually has not ever spent much time one way or another in the City of Love. So when the need to just *get away* finally grabbed hold of the Devil, and he made it known, he found himself invited to Nathaniel's residency in Paris, France.

There should always be little things one can find that isn't gripped by the idea of tourism, but for the moment that doesn't matter now. Lucifer is much more gripped by the idea of spending time with someone he loves in a place that is theirs. For the moment, he stands at one of those opened french windows within the bedroom, a glass of wine in hand, and looking out over the view. He takes a breath in, letting the scent of the gardens, the air, and all else fill him as he intakes and enjoys.

"I should make it a point to visit out here more often. Well, here as in your apartment, but also here as in the city. So much to see...and an even more surreal moment of knowing what it was and seeing what it's become." He offers aloud, to no one, or anyone within the room with him as he takes another sip of wine and simply enjoys.

Sinister has posed:
"Indeed," Sinister walks in from the kitchen, which is modern but rustic at the same time, having carved up a small charcouterie platter, including cheeses and a basket of freshly cut bagette. He indicates the balcony, where a clamatis in full bloom offers a little shade over the seating and the street below. Wrought iron bars as a railing seem old, older no doubt than much of what is still here. "I recollect watching Panzer tanks roll down the Champs Elyse, on the day that Paris fell to the Nazis. I hid quite a lot of things in my other estates." He points down several times, indicating the Paris that lies beneath all of this. "One can remember what it was only by the hints of what remains. Many buildings in this area were terribly damaged, but you know how the French are, they're almost as bad as the English for putting things back up exactly where they'd been before and restoring everything. At least Paris straightened things out a bit, whereas London just went 'Nope, same place'. Sometimes the air in the summer there, reminds me of my youth. Not a good thing, really."

He settles, placing the food down and inhaling his own deep breath. "I don't use this place as much as I ought. I rent it out most of the year, to art students."

Lucifer has posed:
As he had on their first 'date' together, Lucifer is dressed 'down' a bit from his normal three-piece affair. Wearing a black and red pirate's tunic as well as black trousers and open toed sandals. The shirt billows a bit with even the slightest breeze but it's comfy and - for him - a bit fitting. Sort of. He listens as Sinister recollects about the time Paris fell and further how they just built everything back into place. Sort of. "Yes, parts where new meets old because they believe cities should be rebuilt... preserved. It's not too terrible a thing, so long as it doesn't all go crumbling down, don't you think?" He offers as he follows where food is taken, onto the balcony and under the shade of a clamatis. Setting his drink down, he shifts to move up behind Sinister for a moment of tenderness. Hugging the man and nosing into his hair before pressing a kiss to the side of his head and then pulls back.

"Well. Renting to art students can't be a bad thing. Comparable pricing as to other places? Significant discount? Or arm and a leg?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister leans himself backward a little, resting the base of his skull against Lucifer's shoulder at the affection proffered, his hand reaching the railing and gently curling there for stability. A long, soft sigh escapes him and the smell of honeysuckle drifts to their senses, from some hidden arbour. For his own part, the man sports a plain white shirt, undone by the top three buttons and simple black jeans. Not quite such a fellow adrift on the high seas of time, but in his own way, relatively timeless. He turns his face toward Lucifer, watching from the corner of eyes, his own as blue as the summer sky above. And he smiles. Definitely, no sort of about it. "The evolution of civilization from an old world to a new -- In the americas they tear their history down, in the old world, they live in it." He reaches his right hand to his lover's cheek, brushes knuckles there, then fingertips across lips, before gesturing at the platter. It's light at least.

"Actually, I take a blood sample and undercharge. It works for me, it isn't as if I need that negligable amount of revenue. I've done it for close to a century here; the flat is a kind of ahh... open secret to some of the art schools and those that want to use it know the price they must pay, to live in the heart of it all, on a budget they can afford."

Lucifer has posed:
"I'm starting to wonder if I'm actually involved with two vampires..." Lucifer offers with a chuckle as Sinister explains how he's paid for renting out such a place. "Still, I am sure there are plenty of people who would give a sample of blood to live in the heart of Paris." Words come as he leans into the brushing of those knuckles, and kisses the fingers that touch his lips. When the platter is gestured towards he smiles and nods, moving to take a bit of cheese and a bit of baguette. Lifting the pair, he takes a bite and chews thoughtfully.

"It's amazing to me how far the world has come when it comes to food. I mean, to think once upon a time an apple was sinful... oh... the things I have tasted since then..." He gives a wink at that, then takes another bite before picking up an olive to chase the bite with - and washes all that down with a swallow of wine. "Do you not have a drink my dear?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister looks amused at that. "I did get nicknamed Nosferatu, once. But my interests in that realm are purely scientific. And the law now favours me in my collection -- once transferred and surrendered by simple release of a hand, those vials of blood become my property in deed as well as law. It's made my harvesting so much easier, now that all I have to do is give someone a cup of coffee and take the cup away when they're done with it. Or gum. I have quite a catalogue of collected gum." He laughs at that, then glances at the table, tilting his head. There's a snap of the fingers and shortly after, a glass of pinot noir floats from the kitchen. "I left it on the counter," chuckle.

Settling opposite Lucifer, he nods softly. "Life is definitely for living. Even before I fell to your grace, I used to indulge that. All work and no play makes Nathaniel a dull fellow, indeed. I traveled a lot when I was younger, you know. I sailed on the Beagle, around the cape of good hope. Not much of one for sea travel, I admit. I always used to take days afterwards, to get my land legs back."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer gives a soft chuckle and a nod. "Ah, yes. Is that the posession is nine-tenths the law or something? Or is that something else? Still, a law working in your favor is definitely beneficial. I can see that." The snap and then the floating glass coming in from the kitchen has Lucifer giving a chuckle as he sips and finishes off his first little treat from the platter. "It is a lovely place, I must say. Being able to view Notre Dame, inhale the scents of the city, along with just the air of old and new here." Commenting this much as he settles back, but does still play a foot up against Nathaniel's leg from under the table.

"My indulgence has always been that club. Sinners walking through the door nightly gives me...sustenance. In my own way of taking it. However, I do see the appeal of living life to the fullest. I've never been sailing..." He pauses. "At least...I can't remember a time I've gone sailing..." He chuckles then. "Still... it seems like you've done it all...makes me wonder what's next in the life of Nathaniel Essex..."

Sinister has posed:
"I have a nicer place in Dubrovnik. I should take you there one time also; the mediterranean by night, from the walls of the old city is just breath-taking." Sinister closes his eyes in memory, smiles and indulges in some honey smoked ham and pate de fois gras on his own crunchy baguette slice, cleaning the corner of his lips with the end of his pinky, in a rather elegant gesture. "You know... it strikes me that Lux is a fast food diner, where there are so many five star michelin cuisines out there, also. Not that I'm casting aspersions on it, I'm not. But it is a nightly rush, where some such meals are rarified. Do you have a taste for that kind of thing?" He muses that.

The toes of his boot curl against the calf of the limb not jousting with him and he gazes at Lucifer, looking strangely thoughtful. He rubs at his temple with index and middle finger for a moment or two, before relaxing his hand to his thigh. "Next? Oh, I suppose the great ongoing project, to find the greatest genome in creation and discover the way to elevate all those deserving and enervate the others to sublimate rather than subjugate."

Lucifer has posed:
"Oh I would love to see that I think. Experience it, especially with you." Lucifer offers as Sinister explains and then he's indulging on a bit of the smoked ham and cheese, rolling it up like a taquito and taking a bite. So sans bread. "Mmn.. do I have a taste for diner fast food? Not particularly, to be honest. But it's quick and it keeps things going. People will spend more money when the food and drinks are quick and they're able to stay the whole night gorging and lusting..." He offers this and chuckles. "The club is fast paced. A michelin experience deserves a slower indulgence."

There's a moment taken, then, to listen as Sinister explains his plans on going from where they are now. A thoughtful tilt of his head given as he takes another bite of his ham and cheese rollup. So maybe a few simple pleasures are indulged once in a while. "Mmn, and do you believe that such a genome truly exists? That there is something out there that is simply the greatest and will be able to be made into such an elevation? I hope that doesn't sound...chastising? I am truly curious of your thoughts. This...is where you captivate me so."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister dusts a fresh piece of bread with olive oil, then applies a dill'd cottage cheese to it, with a thin slice of beef tongue. This is held just so, as he inclines his head. It will be done, at some point and they will have dreams of King's Landing from Westeros. There's a soft snort-laugh though. SO yes, Lux -is- a bit like a fast food joint. And sometimes, fine dining of a different sort does beckon.

"Once upon a time, that perfection was known as the godspark. I happen to think that's a little hyperbolic, but I have glimpsed it a time or two in the double helix and the mathematical calculations that come from it. The aesthetic becomes profound, when you factor in the cleverness of Avogadro and Michaelangelo's genius. They simply put to the eye what I've saught in the cell. The perfect spiral, the fractal that when applied, generates without flaw." He indicates Lucifer with his bread. "Your blood, this body's blood that is, is practically flawless. Mostly, I think becaue you don't know how to not be."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer lifts his wine to swirl it gently before taking a long swig of the contents. He listens intently, and with genuine interest, giving a nod here and there as Sinister explains. "My blood? Hmm. But my blood wouldn't contain a gene... I'm not even sure I have a genetic code... I mean this body likely does... but I can throw a soul into a body at random it won't change the genetic composition of the body and the soul...well...the body it had is likely long gone." Though he does tap his chin at that. "Plus there's also the whole made from a flawless pattern, the most beautiful and adored in all of Heaven, blah blah blah..." He waves his free hand dismissively. "So this gene... is it supposedly hidden in someone somewhere and you have to try and figure out if you can find it among the seven billion on this planet? That is quite a goal..."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister looks at Lucifer under his lashes. "Your blood does not," he indicates Lucifer's body again "...that does. And that's blood, has genetic code. I think partly it's the mortal frame containing an immortal energy that keeps the telomeres from degrading. There is no noticeable shortening of any of them and I did look. There are also no abnormalities, which is unique. Mind, I haven't fiddled around. One thing I =have= come to realize is that sometimes, no matter how strong a string of deoxyribonucleic acid is, it won't take any gifted coding. Or the genes can be deactivated and activated in the logical sequence for a certain ability and nothing will come of it. The trouble is with perfection, it is boring on its own and requires the chaos of external stimuli and experiences in perpetuality of the fourth dimension, for it to necessarily cultivate."

He stretches his legs out here, brushing the entire of his calf against Lucifer's own. "And this would be why I have collected for two hundred years, all across the face of the globe. In truth, my collection could repopulate the species in an Ark scenario, if I had to."

His wine floats up now, is sipped upon. "I think it's actually hidden in multiples. Bits of it, here and there."

Lucifer has posed:
"So a special, gifted and-or mutated gene can come from anyone, but not just anyone can take said gene." Lucifer concludes and then thinks on this for a moment. In doing so, he also takes a piece of bread, brushes it with oil, some cottage cheese and meat. Thinking on things for a bit longer before giving a nod. "Well...if there's any way that I can help..do let me know." He offers this much and gives a little smile as he settles back some. Going silent, listening further to Sinister, but he doesn't really comment on it much more.

"This is nice. I like this. Talking and lounging with snacks and wine. It's...homely." In a genuine sense, and Lucifer seems to really be true to his words. He's practically (literally) possibly actually glowing a bit.

Sinister has posed:
"I am glad you approve. And yes, essentially. It's very frustrating and I suspect shall entertain and engage me for centuries more to come." There is a small smile, a strange thing. "You always do, my dearest." Then, he finishes his wine, indulges the open faced smorgasboard he had created and again, dabs the corner of his lips with the end of his pinky finger.

The sound of some early evening conversation drifts up to them, lovers talking, friends animatedly anticipating their night on the town on the cobbles of Montparnasse.

"Have you not experienced much of the simpler life, Samael? It can be the death of some relationships, but I suspect for you there is yet novelty to it. I find it refreshing, engaging even. Thought provoking. After all, a crafted scenario does not always engender spontineity."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer turns his head towards the conversing lovers, perhaps to see if he can gauge their conversation. He's not really in the mood to meddle, but it's interesting to listen to what lovers converse about. Attention back to Sinister after a moment and he chuckles, dipping his head a bit. "I am glad that I do, my love." Offering this even as he watches his lover enjoy the treat in hand, with pinky swipes to boot.

"The simpler life? No. Not really. It's always something at the club or...someone wants a favor. Also there's a detective who...well she hasn't come around lately, but sometimes I do work with the local police department. Especially when things don't seem to add up for them." Lucifer offers then and shrugs. "And really I do like it, all the chaos and mayhem...but sometimes...something like this. Yes. A novelty. An indulgence." He finishes his glass, and his own treat. "...Especially now that I've someone to share such moments with." A pause. "Is that cliche?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister shrugs. "It might be, but cliches are cliche for a reason. Prolific repetition-- one can be happy alone, but it is a different happiness in company and even further still when there is a level of intimacy involved, I suppose." He pauses then, laughs at himself. "I occasionally think too much," -- and that said, he closes his eyes, shares the words and the thoughts of the two young lovers as they walk on by; the thoughts not shared with each other yet, the words about to be spoken. So much nuance, infatuation, the grain of true love in the core, the butterflies, the nervous excitement, the anticipation of the night to come -- "Ahhh, the favours. I came to you initially for one of those and concluded that you probably couldn't help me with those chains."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer chuckles, and then he thinks on a few things, standing and he looks around - as if looking for something. Then he looks over his shoulder and holds up a finger at Sinister as if asking him to wait a moment. Slipping into the apartment, he's likely using his phone to start playing something. What would a Sinister want to hear in the middle of a Paris evening among casual conversation? Some sort of mellow jazzy tune? Eh, they over did that the other night. Ambient music of Paris cafes seems to actually be really cliche...

There's music then, something a bit...dark and yet...intriguing. A mellow sound that drowns and uplifts the soul at the same time. It's weird, but it works. And who should emerge from that window-door back to the balcony but the ever so wonderful Luci Morningstar. This time she wears an elegant black gown, sleeveless, a collar around the neck that forms a teardrop on her chest and back - which shows and hides as much goody as one may want to see. She leans against the window frame, black tendrils rounding her face and she smiles. "The cliche homely life also allows me a bit more freedom to do this..."

Sinister has posed:
"Alright," enjoying the evening air, Nathaniel does not question the urge of the devil to go and fiddle with things. Thus, although aware of some background muttley snickering in the subpsyche range, he is nevertheless a little surprised when he turns to face the music. Something in the dark rhythm has him losing a little of the animation on his face; it isn't fear, it's that slightly unnerved look that comes with trying to work out why your heart is beating just a bit faster and your throat is a bit tight, whilst enjoying it at the same time.

Then there's her. "That is not domestic cliche, my Samael. That is ..." he grasps, slips "..."

Welcome to the world of weird. Luci, you prompted a thing. The sky darkens just a little bit, less the bright summer sky and more the faded blues of watercolours in late September and the music is still there, but it somehow sounds like Edith Piaff. The whitewash is faded, there are damaged rooves and the world was on fire in the distance, the horizon flickering in red in places. Sinister is still himself and awareness dawns that the Summer day is still there too, but they are now standing in something akin to a memory. Behind Lucifer, people talk in that back room, ghosts of men and women, cataloguing pieces of art and antiquity, casting eyes aside, to the sky outside also, wrapping things in brown paper. One woman smokes a galloise, her dress black and exotic, 1940's finery made faded, her hair retro perm. She looks like a dancer, but she like the others are transparent.

Lucifer has posed:
Luci gives a little blink as Sinister pauses, almost like he's tripped over words and then says nothing more. She walks the few steps it will take to get to his side, a hand placed on Nathaniel's shoulder while she looks onwards to the ghosts in the room. Like they stepped out of modern time and into a dream. The music, the distant fires, and people seem like they're packing. Her hand on his shoulder tightens a little. "Nathaniel...I have a feeling we're not in our Paris anymore..." She offers, hand shifting to run fingers through his hair, as if maybe there's a bit of a storm that needs calming. The music is pretty though, even if the distant fires aren't and she's a little out of context here. "Mmn...are you here somewhere? Among the ghosts? Packing away the house?" Curiouser and curiouser...but she might not get all the answers she wants.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister inhales deep and sudden, a tension in his shoulder where she touches that eases WITH that touch, he leans back in the chair and stares at the scene. The words spoken are muffled, but with his focus they become clearer. "...out to Brugge, get them on the train." "I don't know that we can. The Nazis are everywhere." Sinister's voice and that makes Nathaniel close his eyes "...Don't worry about them. Just get it out of here, get it safe. Make your way along the old roman roads." ((nods from the various individuals, though the woman hasn't said anything)) A larger man, ghostly still, flexes both his arms which puff up to half again as large as they were, his neck and shoulders also. "Tunnels?" Sinister: "Of course. Marie?" And the woman that reminds of luci looks at him. "You have to work the Rouge tonight. Get Gruber and the Eisenhartz looking at you and nobody else." "Of course."

There is a gesture made by the actual Nathaniel, to the railing behind and to the side of Luci. He doesn't look around, his ghost is there, the only 'solid' one amongst them. He is staring out over the burning of the horizon and things less savory. There is smoke lifting from the direction of the Winter Palace. Distant machine gun fire can be heard and he looks... as he does when he is himself, but leaner to a degree. Suspenders and slacks, a white shirt that is sadly a little over-washed. "I am going to surrender."

Lucifer has posed:
So this memory is of them packing up important things to get them out of the house while Paris was burning and falling around them. Luci squeezes her hand on Nathaniel's shoulder and continues to watch and listen. A tilt of her head then as she's noted to look over, seeing Nathaniel there on the balcony, talking to seemingly no one but himself and the burning skies. "Surrender to who? For what?" She finds herself asking, taking a step forward, as if she's going to leave Siniser's side to speak to the Nathaniel-that-was.

There's something about being lost in the mind-space, especially when you're Luci/Lucifer. She knows she's looking at what was, but a part of her is almost treating it like she can find answers to questions that were never asked. Though, she also shouldn't meddle and she knows that, but this was so intriguing. No one ever gets a chance like this. "Such an interesting thing..."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister lays his hand atop hers and squeezes the fingers. But indeed, it is the shadow of Nathaniel that answers, looking oblique at the Devil within his memories. "Rudolf von Sebottendorf rode in with the Panzas. The leader of the Order of Thule. They had psychics and they knew Paris harboured esoterics..." he looks back at the horizon, lifts a hand to the sky as a shell comes in from the direction of the river. It freezes in the air and he flicks his wrist to the side, sending it spiralling into the Senne. "...Not long after this... they'd end up in the Scottish Hebrides, opening a portal to the far reaches of the Inferni. What they brought through still walks, but the lost it. But I? I surrendered, so that they would focus where I wanted them to focus. It was important. It is forgotten. All my people from that time are dead and they didn't tell anyone and I am a war criminal, except that they could never name me nor find me. I used to spend evenings in the Moulin Rouge, watching Marie sing and dance."

ACTUAL Sinister closes his eyes, entwines his fingers in Lucifer's. "The devil you know is never the one you expect. He is exactly where he should be, isn't he?"

GHost sinister looks at his real counterpart as the people in the backroom fade and become melty, like wax, like a copy of a copy of a copy no longer real. Edith Piaff croons over the dark tones and the strange hybrid Mash-up is ALL THE MORE profound. "You should take him to the Rouge, enjoy Paris. He fought to save it."

Lucifer has posed:
Luci blinks, listening and then she nods her head. "That makes a lot of sense..." It's all that she can think to say in the moment. What more can she say about something that has already happened? All she is doing now is seeing the moment, and getting a little more insight into the mind and life that is Sinister's. Feeling fingers entwine with her own, she gives a little squeeze and then blinks. "What does that mean? What you just said about the Devil?"

Then she looks back over to Nathaniel-that-Was, as everything begins to sort of melt away and she nods. "I would very much like to visit the Rouge, actually. A few other places, but the Rouge is definitely a must-see for me."

Sinister has posed:
"You are not what he anticipated, when are you ever? History is a road to hell, paved with good intentions. Luckily, he's an atheist, so it's mostly just never a good deed that goes unpunished." Even the Nate-that-was is fading now "...But you know how they work. They punish themselves, most of the time. He was a man once. I doubt he ever expected -you-." Backhanded compliment? Very much so, judging by the black humour in the tone by the time the echo of memory fades.

Sunshine returns, fading into the promise of dusk, as that dark music resurfaces, without the french crooner over the top of the mash-up. "You will love the Moulin Rouge, cherie. If you will forgive me showering you with memory, that is."

Lucifer has posed:
Luci watches the Nate-that-was and listens to the words offered. Her head tilts to the side just a bit and then she gives a chuckle. "I see. I will keep all of that in mind. I like not being anticipated, and it's even sweeter when something amazing forms from it." A pause. "He's in safe hands. I assure you." Before the world fades and returns to the sun and the Paris that is theirs in the present.

Luci turns back and gives a smile and a dip of her head. "I believe I will. Firstly, however, I believe I will enjoy some extra private time with you..." A hand reaches. "Shall we?" And, once taken, Luci will lead Sinister back into the bedroom, the windows shut and privatize themselves for none need to see the Devil's deeds but the one she does them to.