13680/Einkaufen und den Bahn, mitt der Teufel

Einkaufen und den Bahn, mitt der Teufel
Date of Scene:	29 July 2021
Location:	Ausburg and Baden-Baden, Germany
Synopsis:	Luci and Nathaniel share a pleasant train trip, a spot of shopping, a fine meal and a profound surprise (Well, Luci did)
Cast of Characters:	Sinister, Lucifer

---

Sinister has posed:
The shower was had. It was very pleasant in all the right ways and a major distraction in which two people ended up slightly pruned, thanks to time spent. Evolutionary trait that is, that allows your fingers a better grip on the rocks in the water you're in, but not really a better grip on the soap.

It's a pleasant afternoon therefore, early at least, that a boat was taken to the docks on the other side of the lake and after this, a taxi to the train station to travel to where there's actually shops. Where you can actually buy things.

Travelling first class has it's perks; dressed modern casual stylish, a grey cable polo-neck with a black sport's jacket and steel cuffed ankle boots, tea is scheduled and light refreshments in the private cabin. Though not quite silver service, things are made just a little more interesting by a casual illusion of mind, to make the trip one on the Orient Express in the 1950's. The snack chappy has no idea that he looks like he stepped from the savoy dinner crew, but THEY see it.

Lucifer has posed:
The shower was certainly a glorious thing, and the extra time spent was spent wonderfully. Luci would take a little extra time in the bathroom, fixing up her hair and makeup. A little perfume dabbed at wrists and the hollow of throat.

She will not travel anything BUT first class. Train or plane, it matters none, Luci Morningstar - the Devil Woman - demands such treats as they can be afforded. Those fiery locks are curled at the ends and have a little springed bounce to them any time she moves. Her attire is a carefully chosen pants suit, black undershirt with a rust-red pattern, and a crimson jacket with black pants. It brings out the fierceness in her emerald orbs and red locks, and surely finishes out her entire look with a sense of fiery power that most fear.

"So," she begins, whilst lifting up her tea to take a slow drink shortly after the snack chap leaves them alone, "paused topics of conversation include a thought you did not complete, and a brushed glean over something akin to my personality disorder and your schizoantics. Upon which shall we begin, hmm?" And she smirks, watching him, intently so.

Sinister has posed:
"Aaah, yes, that little nutshell," Opposite her acros the little mahogany vaneer table where their tea pot and accoutrements sit, Sinister stretches his legs out, fencing her lovely limbs in with the blockade of black jeans and boots, for NOONE else may look upon them for the time being. He's still enjoying them, semi-privately.

"To the second and the potential of multiple personalities and other mental instabilities, I've wondered often whether it is a byproduct of age. I know in the instant that my mind shattered then was perpetuated, years then spent pulling it back together and ordering it firmly as I like it. But is it in fact a truth of immortality, that you gradually go a little bit to seed. You for instance; you've been you since inception, but when did Luci arrive? Was it conscious, or gradual, the appreciation of the feminine aspect?"

"For me, I am reaquainting myself with that which I thought lost. I burned the last image of my family over the grave of Darwin, so long ago now, but here I am, feeling ..." Nathaniel laughs softly to himself "...envigorated by the dalliance of relationship, the stirrings of familial memories. I look at you and see my partner, but so different from the mundane that it makes all of that seem practically ridiculous."

Lucifer has posed:
Luci doesn't mind being fenced in as he makes her, since she's enjoying her time with him. Only him. As she is Nathaniel's as much as Nathaniel is hers and they are each others alone. It's an interesting feeling, and one that perplexes but also makes complete sense. Such a walking contradiction she is.

She stirs her tea for a moment, while listening and further perhaps coming up with an answer to his question. Even if, in the moment, it seems rather rhetorical. She does, for the extended moment, allow Nathaniel to speak entirely. Much as their conversations go. One speaks at length and then the other responds and because they are who they are, there's no real missing of points or information even in long winded speeches or admissions. Tea spoon set aside, she lifts, sips and then sets her cup back on the saucer silence prevailing as she does.

"I believe I have always been there. Somewhere in the back of Lucifer's mind. The devil on the devil's shoulder, opposite to where the angel sits and plays. Lucifer has a conscience whether he admits it or not - and it's grown more and more with the passage of time he's been among the humans. And the more he's been among them, the more I've wanted to explore the world myself." She offers. "At some point I must have finally convinced him, or perhaps you did. Maybe a bit of both. He just enjoys the spotlight so much..." This is all offered and then she thinks on things a bit more. "Right. You had a family, tragic as it was what happened, and I suppose as much as you shattered, you also tucked away. Walled. Blocked. Buried. Whatever you could do to - as you said - make yourself into the person you wanted to be. Had to be. And now..." She gestures a hand between them. "You find yourself not only as you wanted to be but now have more to wish for than you thought you would allow yourself. I would call it growth, but you've danced this waltz before and...if I may be so bold...likely fear a repeat of the past?"

Sinister has posed:
"Indeed? So you are new born to the world, having watched out through the windows of our lovely Lucifer's sense of dramatic timing. I had no idea you were so recently neonascent. That makes this all the -more- keen, but you are astute as you are beautiful, my darling. I do. The logical and illogical argue, quite frequently over this -- I had a moment when first we started romancing, where I had samples of you in a vial and I swear, I thought to myself... what if I combined the DNA and tried to make a chimera. Or a nephalim, I suppose. Or just a human biproduct of divinity. I sat at my work station and just stared for an entire day, caught in the paroxysm of that; I just couldn't bring myself to do it and watch -that- fail. It is considerably different, when the failure is /intimately/ personal."

Not that they're allowed to smoke on the train, but he takes out cigarettes, proffers the case over, popped open; they're expensive cloves, today. Any that watch, or poke their head in will simply not see what he doesn't want them to. And true to the way of their conversations, when one speaks the other listens, there is no talking over one another, like so many crass conversationalists are prone to doing. He lights up, opens the window of the cabin a crack so that the smoke drifts away at least

"A conscience is a terrible thing to have and an abhorrent thing to waste though. I am not surprised that he has. You do to, it just slants differently than his does. And that leads me to the other thought you pointed out -- I think all of what has happened to him and by proxy you, was not really a punishment. I think it was a fundamental trust. Except, I suspect from what I have observed, back when it happened, your father knew he couldn't ever get the trust, so punishment made it work. The more I see, the more that feels... right."

Lucifer has posed:
"It was inspired by you, really..." Luci offers in a sort of admission. "Miss Sinister had come to play, and Lucifer enjoyed it. He also had to deal with me being a bit jealous in his head. Then the perfect moment presented itself. The night of the roaring twenties. And the rest is as it has been.." She smiles, having listened to the rest of what Nathaniel admits himself. Being in his lab, thinking about combining the DNA, but not wanting that to fail since it was so personal. She nods. "I am sure it is different. Harder. Not something you'd want to see." The 'again' is implied, but out of respect, not spoken aloud.

As the clove is proffered, Luci reaches to take one, and lights the tip with a snap of fingers. An inhale of that sweet smoke taken before she lets it out slowly and towards the cracked window. Let them be seen smoking. What would happen? She could charm them out of trouble, but it's likely easier (and better) for Nathaniel to just project them not smoking at all. Luci will find her fun some other way.

"Perhaps you're right. And it happening, and all that came after, has led to this. This moment. So really, in some weird way, I am not angry at him for what was done." She is, however, upset that some of her brothers still take a personal vendetta against her(him).

There is a pause. A long one, tea is sipped, a snack or two partaken as she rolls over something in her mind. Then, finally, she reaches (verbally) back to prior pieces of conversation. "If it were possible...perhaps even with natural biology...to have a chance at a family again. Of some sort of..." She gestures. "Legacy bared..." A pause. "Would you take the chance?"

Sinister has posed:
Ohh, she might get her fun when the complaints come in and they come looking for smokers and find none to see. Oh, just fiddling with people's brains! Gaslighting gently, it's so much fun sometimes. SOme of what was said there actually makes Nathaniel raise his eyebrows a little. "You were jealous? Of your own lover? No, I have to ask, how did -that- one work?" he has to ask and therefore did, chuckling with his dimpled smile on display, so-white teeth even and polished. He nods though, reaching for her hand to lay fingers atop of it and give a gentle squeeze for the kindness. Ash is flicked, a deep lungful taken and enjoyed in a slow exhale.

"I understand why the family strife is tiresome, but nevertheless, I doubt you would be a accomplished and wise as you are now, were it not for the antipathy. You got -very- good at being you, then when you got bored of it, figured out who you actually are. It's beautiful."

And then, that last. That clanger that sits there ringing in the ears just a little bit. He grows thoughtful, his expression duly introverted and pensive. "Truthfully, I don't know. I think, perhaps so. The fear grips, but we are not slaves to that fear, we are strong. At this point, I am fairly sure that I have smoothed any faulty genetics from my chromosomes and reinvented the basic structure of the Essex family line. I always used to think my work would be my legacy, as I'm the last Essex of my bloodline and arguably, history might like it to stay that way."

Lucifer has posed:
Luci takes a puff of that clove cigarette, thinking on the question presented and then she lifts a single shoulder in a shrug. "I was jealous that Lucifer was getting time with your female counterpart, but I, the female Lucifer counterpart...was stuck in a mind. Stuck just watching, and existing vicariously through Lucifer himself." She explains. "Point made, if HE can become SHE then I can become YOU...so..." She gives herself a little wiggle of satisfaction, causing things to perhaps slightly jiggle-bounce and then settles back. "Here I am."

"That's the simple way to put it. Things that needed to happen, would not have happened, if what happened to me never came. It was always meant to be such...and yet there is likely a universe out there where I never fell... perhaps it was someone else. Perhaps it never happened to begin with." She smirks. "Still, annoyances are as they are, and less now that the balance has been restored and my vacation - as it were - from Hell is a bit more...permanent. Ish."

There's a moment taken to watch as she asks that question, how he grows pensive and introverts himself a little. Then he answers, and she listens, giving a nod here and there. "It may not even be your genes that were ever the issue, my love. Did you know, genetically speaking, children inherit diseases like haemophilia from their mother? And it is always a male child, as a female having the disease active is rare." She pauses then. "My point, overall, is...if you ever truly wish to try again...I would certainly be willing."

Sinister has posed:
"My daughter Madelyne was stillborn, too, you see," Sinister shakes his head, dismissing that with a wave of the cigarette hand and a ferry of it to his lips. Then his mind catches up to what was JUST said and he coughs on the clove, patting his chest a couple of times, looking her square in the vivid green eyes. Apparently, he's trying to find the trick, but knows, INTIMATELY knows, that there isn't one. He therefore just mouths 'wow' and draws himself upright, leg withdrawn so he can settle it on himself like a gentleman. Nodding his composure back into place, he relaxes once again, extending the leg to once more shelter hers from sight.

Out in the corridor "....cigaretten, yah? Verdamntes...unglaublich? Rauchen zind verboten..." and figures move on past. And move back the other way, bewildered. "Woh...?" Sinister is just gazing at the doors that they keep walking past, nods lightly and looks back at her with sincerity in his regard. "Are you both on board with that?"

Lucifer has posed:
"I do recall, yes. I..." Luci pauses, takes a breath and then reaches with free hand across the table to take Nathaniel's own free one, if allowed. "Not that I am trying to stir up any old memories or bring up any pain. It was just a...silly point to make, I guess." Then she watches him as he seems to finally *lightbulb* the words that were offered. The meaning behind them. As he draws himself up, settles, gentleman like. Her gaze briefly drifts to the door and she wiggles cigarette-holding fingers so that the men sort of pause. Perhaps question themselves, and then leave entirely.

"Yes, we both are. There is a measure of existence where I can be, if he is needed, even if I am carrying. It's..." She wiggles cigarette-fingers again. "Wobbly dimensional trickery. Though, we both also know that since I am he and he is I, there's nothing stopping me from being the forefront of Lux if and when necessary. And perhaps could be fun to see how things go if people are suddenly talking to a literal She-Devil." A chuckle comes from her, but then she sobers quickly. "Yes. As a definitive statement. We are both on board. If you desire, or when you desire...we are surely willing."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister nods a few times, like his neck has briefly become a bobblehead, then stills. There was no protest to the touch to his hand, though he barely glanced at it. TOo much going on! That's all rather above and beyond wishful thinking at the moment and trying to wrap his head around it has him then shaking his head a few times. Stillness comes, then he flicks his clove out the window and rises, moving around the little mahogany table-set to where she sits, he kneels there infront of the fixed bench and leans close, with both hands reaching for her glorious red hair, brushing the curled ends back so he might take her jaw in hand and press a kiss, a little firmly and with a smack as it releases, then another and another, then last, a lingering soft one as he lets his hands fall to her lap, resting there.

"I don't know what to say." He really doesn't.

Lucifer has posed:
Luci's own clove is flicked out the window, done with it, and another will be smoked if wanted later. Now there is something a bit MORE than a clove's worth of pleasure in front of her. She watched his head-nodding, and how his brain seems to roll everything over again and again. Some things to be taken into account, other things will just have to be decided later on. As he comes around, shifts her hair, takes her jaw and presses a kiss. Then another. A third more lingering one, soft, while hands shift to fall to her lap and rest there. They are covered by her own, umbrella'd in a sense, wrapped.

"I do not think there is much more to say. There has been an offer made, open ended, accept it when you wish. If you ever desire." She smiles, leaning forward to offer her own kiss to him. "I love you, Nathaniel Essex." It's likely the first time *she* has spoken those words to him. They are no less true. "Headfirst into the fires I shall lead you, and we will burn, coming out the other side anew. Ashen our pasts to forge our futures together as one."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's mind is humming in the background. In thoughts, there's a whispered half-heard debate between the many voices of Essex in there, the loudest being .oO(...that means exactly what you think it means...)Oo. followed by a kind of scoffing and a sussuration of various 'ssshs's' and 'shut up, need to say it'

Only he doesn't at first, because that blanket of hands, so delicate is warm upon his knuckles and he looks do them where they sit, testament to the fairer sex, then up to her face in what sounds a lot like a vow. Poetic words, but the choice seems significant and he lets his jaw fall open, failing the coordination of physical movement, he musters at least his tongue. "Luci, oh, my Luci..." fingers press into thighs oh-so-slightly as he leans forward to look closer. "I will always love you...once upon a time in the Wolds of England, couples wed by jumping the fire, walking through it, running to burn away the old and take on the new. I think it got dropped in favour of sedate and sometimes ridiculous dresses, probably because some fire marshal said 'nope' one day." Deadpan. Only his eyes sparkle.

"Forgive me for this..." he prefaces "...but it does take two, to make a new. I know, blatheringly obvious, get to the point, Nathaniel... What /is/ the point?" he snorts at himself "...are you sure that you and all that you are, excelsior to the world by purpose and singularity, want to create a life with -me-?"

Lucifer has posed:
A poem, a vow. A sort of poetic justice to their conversations about things of the past. Let the past be, for it pathed to the now. Let the now forge way to the future, whatever it may be. Luci watches still, all the ways of Nathaniel. All the nuances and twitches - however slight or insignificant - as they come and go while he wrestles with himselves. Feeling those fingers dig into thigh, she smiles and listens to his words. His response to those last bits she said. It could never be a legally binding thing - as the Devil has no existence that the laws respect - but to her...to them...that doesn't matter. A smile comes.

It seems, for all intents, that a man is kneeling to a woman. A man kneeling to the Devil. Begging. Pleading. And yet this is not that. Still, at his question, she seems to shift herself to sit up more straight, her head taking on some sort of regal pose, and then she shifts a hand to cup Nathaniel's cheek. "Nathaniel. My love. Knowing your past, knowing how much it devestated you at the time, and how you have worked to pick up the pieces from then. How you've struggled to even accept the idea of ever loving another, and that other being me...we would not offer this to you if we were not absolutely certain...it is you we wish it with. There is no other. There will be no other. It is you, Nathaniel Essex. It was always you."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's cheek is claimed and cupped, held steady so very delicately. The words spoken, they're heard, drunk making in the moment where shock and awe, with their little daughter SUPRISE! have him thoroughly snared otherwise. Hazel eyes gaze, seemingly dazed, then he lets himself sag, butt to his heels hands in her lap and head bowed over the one that remains there, face turned to the shadows there. "That... is the greatest honour anyone has ever bestowed upon me. In all my years..." that just trails off, not an unfinished thought, just a epithet that yields nothing much else of itself.

Nevermind that technically, if this occurs, he or she may well be the antichrist. If you believe the buzzcocks anyway. If you look at it that way in fact, this is outrageously appropriate.

"I feel I am going to spend the rest of eternity keeping up on being worthy. That you find me worthy."

Lucifer has posed:
"I believe the honor is mine. Not knowing love until you. How powerful and impactful it is." Luci offers, leaning over to rest her forehead on top of Nathaniel's own which is bowed. Who cares if this becomes the antichrist? The Christians will get a kick out of it, but that's not really Luci or Nathaniel's problem until they make it such.

"I think that's going to be quite a balancing act. For you, also, have found us worthy and that is a thing we're going to have to keep up as well. To always be worthy of your love, which you held to yourself for so long." Lips brush against hair, a kiss is placed, and then she sits up again. Silence reigns then, as for once, Luci is speechless herself.

Sinister has posed:
Somewhere in the all of that, the train started slowing down. Reprieve of a heavy moment comes with the imminency of arriving at their destination. It forces the action, the momentum to reach around and hug her close. "My princess," and then to struggle upward to dignity, blinking a few times because his eyes are rather luminous and rounder than usual. He's grinning like an idiot though, sniffs once, then gives a 'hooooooh' of air, a hand reach to brush her cheek and a push up to get upright.

And a nod. Solemn in its gravitas, but hopeful in the light it's brought to his features. "We're going to try and have a child!" he proffers his hand to her, then giggles madly and withdraws it, flinging the doors of their cabin wide, to a confused ticket guard. "We're going to try and have a child!!" is declared there too, grinning the idiot grin as he looks back.

"US!" -- there is an envious look from a passing passenger, writ upon that face all of 'well, look at the beautiful people, that's going to end up terrible for precisely noone!'

Lucifer has posed:
Ah. Quite right. Nothing like a slowing train arriving to where they're going to sort of brighten an emotional, solemn, but also beautiful moment. Being called Princess is a new one, but Luci will wear that title quite well, she thinks. Tears brushed aside on his face, she wears a smile, and then there's a hand offered before it's taken away. Confused, but only for a moment, before Nathaniel decides to tell a confused ticket guard and some random other passengers, that they're going to try for a child.

She smiles, laughs delicately, and then rises herself as the train finishes coming to a stop. Hands brush over her clothing as to straighten them and then she steps forward to join Nathaniel's side. She doesn't even try to stop him. This is a side of him she's never seen before and damn anyone who decides to try and rain on his current parade. Leaning against the doorway for a moment while the man boasts his prospective triumph and then finally she'll raise her hand as if to beckon him.

"But first, my delightful love, I declare we should go shopping. As we intended. Then we can perhaps retire back home to, indeed, try."

Sinister has posed:
"Yes, with her!" Sinister cackles with laughter, throwing his head back with that grin SO wide that both dimples show. He grabs a granny and kisses her square on the lips, which earns a affronted and bewildered battery with her handbag and a look of astonishment from other individuals deboarding right now, but then? The gleeful one, his ebulience quelled a little, but not remotely slaked, is beckoned.

He steps toward her, then places his weight upon his back leg, flourishing a deep and flambouyant bow to her, all the elegance of a dandy, which curbs down to the proper gentility as he steps up to proffer an elbow.

"I got away from myself there, a little." He confesses, then with the proudest of chest puffing, opens the nearest train door to step out and help her down with a single hand to the foot or so drop to the platform. "Yes! Shopping-- to wherever takes our fancy. Do you have a fancy, my love?"

Lucifer has posed:
There is a flush of color that tints Luci's cheeks while passengers glance to her in the wake of her lover fair. Then he kisses a granny, and gets beaten by a handbag. "Careful! If it's the Queen she'll have a brick in it!" Is called out with a peel of laughter before she so eloquently summons her love.

Arm encircles arm for the short trip to the door of the train, which is then a help down the steps before they're on the platform and arm in arm once more. "Little more than a little, my love, but no true harm done. You probably made that old lady's day." She offers with a smile and then takes a breath. Where are they precisely? Munich? Salzburg? A difference of 30 min and six hours on the train respectively.

"Aside from you I fancy little. Perhaps a trinket, or maybe even...a necklace? Earrings? Trinkets sound more lovely I think. And then perhaps dinner. A nice dinner. Somewhere." She looks around, things become a slight haze for a moment, a slight slowness that comes but then after a breath, it's gone again. In that moment, her eyes likely glassed and then became normal again. "Mmn...perhaps even just window shop until we find something nice to drop money on."

Sinister has posed:
"It would be worth it," Nathaniel informs, giving a wink as he draws in, distance forsworn now that the journey has been taken. 'Tis Munich, or Munchen-Gladbach as it is known locally, the city of the Church of the Three Cages, where the Ald-Stadt has medieval stonework and the rarity of what was lost in Germany during the wars still show in spots. It has quite a lot of quaint but it's still hopping and is a University city, so there's plenty to do.

But then as they leave the station.... Oooh, now, what was that? Looking at her profile as that moment occured, Sinister has a solicitous air to him in the wake of it. "Conversation, or a mild interruption?" He asks this, looking about with some care as if he might be able to detect invisible things. He might be able to, peripherally.

"There's good restaurants down by the river, a fine schnitzel in zegeunerin (gypsy) sauce, perhaps..."

Lucifer has posed:
The scenery is taken in as they walk, and then there was that moment. A fleeting thing, and when Nathaniel questions it, she gives a little shake of head. "Mild interruption..." A periphreal view might gain a fleeting demon just out of sight. "A demon who wanted to say hello. Rare in New York where I always am, sometimes while roaming they make themselves known. Almost like getting permission to be here." A pause. "Especially since the day a fuck ton of them escaped because they thought it'd be funny. It wasn't."

She offers this and then listens to his description of food. "That sounds lovely indeed, and by the river? Mmn.. yes. Delightful. I've only been here a handful of times, and never to shop. Have you graced Munich?"

Sinister has posed:
"Oh, I see..." except that he doesn't as Demons cloud the sight and he doesn't even HAVE the sight. Interesting, that there's a visiting groveller that got missed. "Wait... a lot of them escaped? There has to be a story there, perhaps the cliff-notes version and a more in depth at another time?"

Taxi stands are frequent in a University town and it's short work to get into one and on the way to the center of town, not that far away all told, but still a distance enough. The Bahnhoff is rather a steel-and-arbeit kind of building, unlike the gothika of Koln (cologne) and easy enough to forget about, given the medieval hints of Munchen. "A time or two, yes. Most recently about ten years ago, when the circus was still a little less politically correct... Kurt Wagner, the Nightcrawler, used to perform here. I took that in and went to the research facilities at the university for a while afterwards. THis? Much more a pleasure trip, rather than business." Little bakeries dot here and there, a thing that Germany has yet to shed for giant commercialism. There are tourist traps along the winding roads that lead past the Church of the Three Cages. In the heart, fashion and convention collide. The first thing that actually catches Sin's eye is a haberdashery. Why? Bigger pillows, stuffed with feathers and a few decorative pieces.

Lucifer has posed:
"Cliff note version? I left Hell, Amenadiel had been trying for some time to get me to go back. Obviously I didn't." Luci begins. "So Hell becomes this open ended place because no one is keeping the demons in check and at some point they...all decided to come up and say hello. Possessed a lot of people. Made a spectacle. I had to go all devil on them and command them back." Well, it's not really the cliffest of cliff notes. It's mostly the story in a nutshell.

Taxi gotten, entered, and to the center of town they go. Once delivered to their destination, they're walking and talking again. "Mmn...it's always nice to visit when it's more pleasure than business, isn't it? Bit more relaxed fare and time can be taken." She's arm in arm with him again as they walk and look. The scents of the bakeries filling the air just enough that she can delight in such a thing before being brought to a haberdashery. Pillows. Decor. She gives a hum. "Something specific catch your eye, my love?"

Sinister has posed:
"Ahh, yes, I imagine that would've been a difficult sort of situation to be faced with as I imagine a spate of demonic possessions would be slightly bad for business and anonymity. Kudos to the manner in which it was handled in that it didn't blip on too many radars. I guess the spindoctors get paid that well for a reason," Sinister enjoys the company for the journey to town and once again, pleasant company is engaged in.

THe question has him looking at her for a moment, then fluffing up the pillow in his hand, a square continental/european double-seamed eiderdown and fill. The answer is simply to gently thrust it into her arms. PLOOFY and cushioning. "One of those things I took back with me to America when I relocated, I always felt these were way better than the smaller rectangular ones. They squish better."

Lucifer has posed:
Luci doesn't really say much more on the demon thing. It was an annoyance. It was Lucifer's annoyance really. Then they're in the haberdashery store, and Nathaniel is thrusting a pillow at her. Gently. And she squishes once before "Ooooh... so plush!" She offers, looking the pillow over. "Suppose if you like squishy pillows then these would be remarkable." Does she like squishy? It's possible.

She offers the pillow back to him then with a smile. "Thinking of adding a splash of decor to the VanKempf Manor, or will you be taking this back to the Penthouse?" A pause, a smirk. "Perhaps a little for both, hmm?" Then she's wandering a few paces away, looking over a thing or two here and there. Mingling.

Sinister has posed:
"I'll have a couple of them sent to both places and a stack of traditional button-up linen cases--" It's Sinister's turn to look a little distant, sending a thought out to a local contact, for yes, he has them literally everywhere, to fullfill the linen aspect of the purchase. The pillows end up in a shopping cart and that's a sight that many in the universe would never believe, Nathaniel Essex following his lover, the She-devil around a german department store with a shopping cart, leaning on the bar and following dottingly.

Some of the clothing is cute, but for them all of it would be dressing down. Common clothing, of good quality but none of it their usual fare. Housewares are better, including all modern gadgetry of a higher standard than most. The really high end things in the USA tend to be imported.

But the jewelery is quite nice. Affordable but elegant and predominantly surgical steel and gold or gold plate, which is still 'stage jewelery' to the exceptionally wealthy, but still nice for casual. It's there that Sinister actually finds something and quietly has it gift wrapped, on the sly.

Also? HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE fluffy towels. Like the size that you could actually wrap yourself up in.

Lucifer has posed:
"That sounds good then. Yes." Luci approves, as if she needs to, and then she further walks. Leads? Just casually browses through the store. A few housewares catch her eye. Some things that do automatically what is still done by hand at VanKempf. Lucifer, in the Penthouse, has all the latest gadgets (mostly) and so is not without.

Clothing isn't quite snubbed, but she doesn't really look it over. Jewelery is another thing entirely, though she misses the sly work Nathaniel does, as she's looking at a few pairs of earrings that have caught her eye. One is a ruby set center, teardrop shaped, and the other are simple diamond earrings. Both in white gold. She muses a moment, perhaps shows interest in the ruby pair and says she'll come back for them.

Then. Towels. YAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSS. Floofy things to wrap oneself in like a burrito of cotton. Mmn, white and cream. Those will fit well. "We're going to get in trouble here money wise, I think." Is that even possible for them?

Sinister has posed:
"...She says, like we pinch every penny," Sinister chuckles softly, coming up beside the plush. "And black. Get a couple of black for the back of the linen cave, just in case there's an incident with a lot of mess. Or hairdye. Always good to have a dark towel or two, for emergencies."

Smiling at her, he glances back over toward the jewelery stand. "You should get the ruby ones for sure. They match your hair," and boy does he feel like a lucky man, though honestly, both parties are getting a few good looks. They're hardly hard to look at. "I'm also in the mood for italian ice-cream. Which is a good thing as German towns have about as many of them as central italy."

Lucifer has posed:
And black. A couple of them. Of course there are likely 'looks' when he announces things like incidents with messes and such. She smirks. "None should look at me trying to judge my actions when they haven't looked upon themselves." Her eyes catch the nearest nosey Nancy who is quick to gasp and turn away to continue her shopping elsewhere.

"Atheist. And also adultress. She'll be a fun one." Luci offers side-whispered to Nathaniel. "Mmn, right then. The ruby earrings, since he's paying." She grins and then thinks on Nathaniel's sidebar. "Ooh italian ice-cream sounds lovely. Should we get that as desert after dinner for a pre-course to dinner?"

Sinister has posed:
Platinum card with the cashier. It's all ordered to be sent to two different shipping addresses too, international costs given no thought at all -- the stuff for Ausburg is sent ahead by courier, organized with a little touch and stare at the smartphone.

"Lust then. A good deadly sin to get dragged into," Limbo for her, unless temptation makes a believer of her.

Wandering back out again, consideration is duly given to the ice-cream conundrum. "We should collect it last of all, I think, as we can get home quick and enjoy it back there, in all kinds of interesting ways. AS long as they have pineapple and raspberry italian style, I shall be a happy man." His little subtlety weighs in his pocket as they make thier way to the river. A brief stroll along its banks, thick with summer rainfall of a few days back and there are plenty of patios with people enjoying beers and fare. It's an old watermill converted to a restaurant space, that seems to be their final destination. What was the courtyard of the millers where ground the flour, is now a trellis'd patio space with the potential for both small table dining and the glory of oktoberfest when that rolls about.

Lucifer has posed:
"Surely... it really is a shame I don't actually get *all* sinners in Hell." Luci comments casually. "Then again, I am not sure if there is occupancy enough for all who would be destined. I have key figures...so that's always a bonus." A chuckle then.

She, of course, has no idea of the burden that rests in Nathaniel's pocket, and just giggles about the ice cream. "We will be sure to find one who has both. Because I do want to make sure that you are a happy man, my dearest." This much as they reach the trellised outdoor area, likely request a table for two and because Luci is who she is, she wishes for a view, but also as much privacy as they can get. Perhaps even a bribe is slipped into the hand of the maitre'd. "So much history here. I like that they keep the bulk and repurpose the smaller things. At least, such is what it seems here... it could be different elsewhere."

Sinister has posed:
There's but a smile for the comment, leaning in to give her a kiss at the corner of her lips for the metaphorical pout that never manifested. "You'd be doomed to be like a telus switchboard, if you did. Overworked, underpaid and never enough time." He notes.

"It's a shame that in so many places, they bulldoze their history and put up a parking lot," Sinister observes, for it didn't take much bribery. A lovely lady and her beau are easy to please when it's early evening and the rush hour has yet to really descend. Not quite senior's hour, but they did beat the rush. The smell of honeysuckle and clamatis, lilac also, caresses the nostrils from overhead. A couple of glasses of house red, a bull's blood out of bavaria are brought. A little like a merlot, it's more moist and sweeter than french wines, because German abundance of sunny and yet well watered. A basket of thin freshbaked bread and garlic butter is brought, for starters as the menu is handed out. Simple, but with a decent choice, there's a few seasonal specials on it, like venison stew and river trout in breadcrumbs, but overall, very simple and wholesome, with much in the way of choices in mustard. It's a thing. "I think I'm going to have the schnitzel. ALways fond when it's done right, with some wild mushrooms atop and dilled potato."

Lucifer has posed:
The sort of chaste kiss at the corner of lips is returned and Luci smiles. Ducking her head at his comment but saying nothing more on it in the moment.

It may not have taken much bribery but giving a bribe makes Luci feel a little powerful. It's a thing. The scents, the sights, she takes it all in as they are seated and delivered a glass of red and some bread to go with it. Menus as well. "It is a shame. You go to a place and you can remember what it looked like times ago. All broken down and bombarded into the ground like it's trash. Such a sad affair." She offers in commentary while glancing over the small but adequate menu. "I believe I will go for the trout. Dilled potatoes sound delicious. Perhaps some seasonal fruit with it instead of vegetables. Cause fish and fruit - depending - can go quite well together. Potatoes just happen to go with almost anything." She smiles, setting her menu down and looks over towards the river while playing a bit of footsie-leggie with Nathaniel under the table.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister nods to the waiter, who takes the order with a smile and heads off. A bit of garlic butter on some bread to whet the appetite and Sinister takes up his wine, lifting it in a toast. "To a new tomorrow, where hopefully a little of today and yesterday still exists, unless it was an eyesore," pause "...and of course, to the potential of promise." He clinks his glass against hers, aware probably of the bribery empowerment, but commenting not at all. He then pulls out the cloves again, making a patpat as he tries to find his lighter and instead of the zippo, putting a small green-wrapped box with a silver ribbon on the table infront of Luci.

Lucifer has posed:
Luci smiles to the waiter herself as the order is taken and then the waiter heads off. She holds on the bread and butter for the moment, but does lift her glass to the toast that Nathaniel offers. "Indeed. Well put, my love." Glasses clink and then she takes a sip of that wine, enjoying the full bodied sweetness that is wet instead of dry. "Mmn... we might have to get a bottle of this to take home. It's lovely." She comments while watching him pull out the cloves again before patting himself for his lighter. About to offer her trickery of hellfire flicked fingers when she sees that small box produced and placed in front of her.

"What's this?" Asking it gently even as she takes the box and looks it over. A sort of 'should I open it now?' befalls her face, and decidedly answered in the next moment with a mental, if he didn't want it opened now he would have saved it argued in her head. So, she pulls on the ribbon to loosen it, and then breaks through the wrapping to what lies beneath, a box, which is then opened.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister smiles at the little mental argument, clearing his throat and awaiting the reaction. "We certainly can. I'll check what the vinyard is and have a crate delivered by the winecellar," a thought and it's done of course, via technomancy. He watches the reaction though, intently.

Inside, is a little bed of purple satin and in the midst of it a set of stud earrings and a necklace. Each is a rose; the earrings little buds on gold stems and the pendant one in full bloom. Rubies make up the petals, cleverly cut and set in fourteen karat gold, surrounded not by emeralds, but by elipsoid cut and teardrop peridot, so pale a green that it contrasts brilliantly with her eyes.

Lucifer has posed:
There are moments, although few, where the Devil can be surprised in any way. Mark this down, folks, as this is one of those moments. As the box is opened, Luci gasps at the set her eyes fall upon and she sets the box down after a moment while grinning like a mad woman. "Nathaniel. They are absolutely stunning..." A pause. "Thank you." Then she takes a moment to actually remove the earring studs she has on - which were just little diamonds - and replaces them with the buds from the set. "Have I told you lately how much I love and adore you? Not just because of the presents of course." Then she looks to the necklace and begins to pull it from the box as if intending to put it on herself.

"Now I shall have to figure out a gift for you...may not be too hard of a thing I don't think." She smirks and then belays putting on the necklace to stand and move around the table, offering a tender but brief kiss of thanks to her lover fair. "Whatever am I going to do with you..."

Sinister has posed:
CHEESEGRIN. That was a perfect reaction. Picture perfect. "CLick," that's his little thing isn't it, for when he's taking a mental picture. "Well," Kiss Interruptus. Hold a moment, whilst there's an mmmm at the fondness, he reaches for the necklace whilst the indulgence occurs. "Well," FWOOF, breathe "...you could let me get that for you, standing as she's stood, to move behind her and settle the necklace upon its housing; those clasps can be mildly fiddly. "You are quite welcome, my angel. I could stand to hear some adulation every day, but you know, that's just my megalithic ego talking." He winks, presses a kiss to the side of her neck, just as the waiter comes back with a large serving platter with their meals upon it. The young man watches, sees, interprets an grins, which speaks reasonably well for his future in the dating game, one would hope.

"You do not need to get me anything Luci. HOnestly, you've given me the greatest gift anyone ever has, today. I'll never be able to top that."

Lucifer has posed:
Luci stays still for the moment it takes Nathaniel to stand and help her put the necklace on. A hand shifts to hold against the pendant, letting delicate fingers move over it, like she cannot believe it's there against her chest. That kiss to the side of her neck has her giving the faintest of shivers just before stepping away with a gentleness as the waiter comes back with their food. Right on time. Prompt service too.

Luci is impressed.

"It is not about topping one gift with another, my love. It is about giving and getting equally. Value not included. And that gift is just as much something for you as it is for me, to be fair." A pause. "...I think there's something in both mine and Lucifer's mind where we always hoped to perhaps have a child. Especially now that we live in the mortal world. So. The gift is two fold. To and from, as it were."

Sinister has posed:
THe fun thing about schnitzel and trout, is that they cook quick. But it still takes a bit of skill to coordinate the timing perfectly. This restaurant is getting an excellent review and a very respectable tip, that's for sure.

Curling arms about her, a moment is just spent in stillness. He likes those moments of stillness, where there is warmth and the knowledge of another person in his arms, there because they want to be, even knowing who he is. When you know you're not alone through the universe and all that it can throw at you. "Very well, I accept that. Still," one word sentence, it is what it is and means all that it means. He releases her, in order to hold the chair out for her to settle again, taking his cue as the waiter moves in to serve their meal; the fruit is summer melon, with pear, peach and sliced strawberry, all fruits that grow very well locally in the area. The potatos are yellow-flesh and supremely creamy, given of a waxy consistency, rather than floury, which lends to a very nice experience on the palate.

And though it might spoil things juuuuuust a little, maybe it's a reaction to overly sappy, bringing the world back so to speak. "So how do you know that John Constantine fellow? He seemed exceptionally odd." This asked as he drapes his napkin over his lap and waits for her to take up cutlery. "Incidentally, that's another fun activity for later. I have the footage of the minions attempting to take samples."

Lucifer has posed:
In that moment of stillness, Luci takes a breath. A deep one. And then just relaxes. As if she had been holding onto something up to her shoulders and in that single moment was able to just release it all. Then they have to part, since food is served. She sits, thanking Nathaniel for helping her with her chair, and then smiles to the waiter.

Napkin goes to lap and she takes up fork and knife to cut into the trout, perhaps cheekily checking it's actual cooking and finding it to be above expectations. "Perfection on a plate. It smells delicious too." So she cuts a bite of it out, bringing it to mouth to taste and savor. A good fish dish is actually often hard to come by, so when one finds a delightful treat....mmn. Potatoes sampled next. Delectable. Creamy and that fresh dill just lightens them up.

"Constantine?" She finally repeats the question. Sort of. "We've dealt with each other several times in the past. As in, he's asked me for favors, I've actually have gotten a few favors from him... but it's always in that way of covering up so he comes out looking good. After a while it got annoying. Like nothing could go right for him or anything around him. Which just...well again. Annoyed me. And I don't like being annoyed." She offers, taking up another bite of trout and potato together. Umf. "Anyway, he's been gone a bit - or at the very least - off my radar. So. I can only begin to imagine what he might do if he knows I'm here on a permanant basis."

Sinister has posed:
Attention is paid to the stillness of the moment, the relaxation that comes aftewards. Was that nervousness she held in? Was it something more? To ask or not to ask -- when your lover is most of the time a man and part of the time a very potent hit of oestrogen to the pitutary gland, there is that moment where you question whether you ought to just know. But that always bothered him with women who think -all- men are mind-readers. "Are you okay?" softly asked, he doesn't press it as she settles. She'll answer if she feels inclined.

"That seems to be a discussion to have at some point, possibly with a referee," Sinister muses, nodding to the waiter as the real seal of approval was just had. He watches the young man trail off, knowing that there will be something to be had afterwards. Waiters never make much, even in Germany. His eyes settle on her as she eats, watching because it's pleasurable to do so. He takes a bite of his schnitzel and potatos, lets his shoulders sag a little and cuts a small bite, cups the morcel on the end of his fork with his palm and proffers a taste. Pork tenderloin, perfectly seasoned, breadcrumbed and cooked in butter, with the same dill-touched potatos.

"Should I be worried that the same might apply to me, he was giving me some powerfully strange looks at the park."

Lucifer has posed:
"Mmn... there was some tension in the mind. We...were not sure how the conversation of having a child together would go. Feeling it was a sensitive topic in many ways." Luci offers. "Even in all your excitement, and our own, there was a lapse where we felt you might think on it more and..." She waves a fork gently, "Decide to rescind your decision. In a moment just now, it all seemed to not head as we feared which brought us peace."

As he offers a bite of his food, she leans in gently to take it, chewing thoughtfully and giving a nod. "Nice hit of mustard on that as well." She offers and then does the same for him. A bite of trout, but with a strawberry on the end? Trust. It's offered then.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not. I don't think he'll really use you as a source. A lot of his dealings are more...divinely inspired. But I also wouldn't put it past him. All I caution is to tred lightly with him, my love. He is a tricky bastard sometimes." She replies in regards to Constantine and then returns to her food.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister takes the tidbit from the fork, appreciating it with a suck of his cheeks. "A little salt and onion powder, with a hint of parsley in the breadcrumbs, doesn't drown out the trout, which can easily be drowned. The straberry is odd, not what I would've thought of, but I like."

But then the confidence. "Seriously, you're the one worried when you're you? I would laugh but that would be entirely the wrong response and I truly do not mean to upset you or hurt you in any way, but seriously. You are Samael, the lightbringer and I am well... Doctor Nathaniel Essex. I've had a potent effect on a lot of people, but you are /you/. And I in the end, am a mortal man that learned to play god and cheat. I am unique, but I am also just a human. If I was going to change my mind, it would be because a sudden and prolific case of Religion manifesting out of absolute nowhere, or it would be because I knew doing so would harm you. And as neither is likely to happen and the first is so close to impossible as to be no nevermind, I reassure you with this: I can only count my luck and once again, wonder that out of all possibilities in all ages, irregardless of love, you chose Muggins here. Case in point? Enough said."

The warning is held though. "Ok, good to know. I'm not known for my trusting nature, but I shall be extra suspicious. That ought to work."

Lucifer has posed:
"I think the strawberry brings a freshness from the back end that not many people would think of. It is odd, but it fits in it's oddity." Luci offers with a smirk as she then returns to eating off her own plate.

Of course she listens as Nathaniel speaks, seeming surprised that she was worried. Taking in everything he says as he explains it, and washes down a bite or two of her food with a swallow of wine. "You could have had many other reactions than the one you did. Perhaps even thinking that I was a fool to even consider. There was a fear of rejection in that sense, my love. That maybe, in regards to your past, you wouldn't wish to try again. There would have been an understanding, of course, but..." She pauses, sips wine. "I may be an immortal Devil, Nathaniel, but the more time I have spent on this plane of existence the more I have come to care about actions and consequences. In this new field of love and relationship...there was a fear. Admittedly. I am not so high and bold as to be without such." Then she smiles. "But it did not come to pass, and you and I will try. I would never put myself in harms way, and I do not ever wish to harm you in any way either." Another pause, a bite to eat. "Muggins indeed. You give yourself far too little credit, my dearest mini-god."

At the end of all, regarding Constantine, she simply nods and returns to finishing her meal.

Sinister has posed:
It's a pleasant repasse, particularly when you don't really need to do it. Except eventually, she will, if they are successful. That may be extremely strange, particularly if there are cravings.

Content and finishing his wine, Sinister puts his finger on his phone, glancing off to the west along the river a little and back to her as he sets a hundred euros on the table, fixing it underneath his empty wineglass. "We shall have to learn to be fearless together, even if in the shadows of the mind, we will forever argue our worries to ourselves. I've located the gelato place..."

And that is liable to be a very quick thing, to get, to go and to pop off home. That's the thing about the promise of potential pregnancy, the trying is so much fun. And trying multiple times? A very good use of time.

Lucifer has posed:
"I do not think fear is necessarily a bad thing. There was something fitting about being pent up, and then releasing it while being held in your arms." Luci offers with a smile. "Still, you have a point. Perhaps it is more we should try not to simply argue our minds, but talk to each other." A nod then.

The meal is finished, glass drained of its wine, and then he is speaking of having found the gelato place. A smile. The bill is paid for by...someone...and yes, a generous tip offered. Then they are off to get gelato - and she will get the raspberry, of course, and then they will make the trip home. Small talk in the cabin this time, and perhaps even a moment taken to doze after shopping and eating.

Then home. And the trying...the trying is the best part. Especially, yes, done multiple times. A very good use of time indeed.