14716/When the Devil and Sin come calling...

When the Devil and Sin come calling...
Date of Scene:	20 February 2023
Location:	5A 51st Floor, Four Freedoms Plaza
Synopsis:	A dinner and conversation was had. And explanatory life histories also.
Cast of Characters:	Sinister, Lucifer, Phantasm (Drago)

---

Sinister has posed:
They know where you live.

That's always a thing that makes house visits a possibility, although honestly there's some individuals that you never, ever expect to come knocking on your door, high high up, in the middle of the corridor half way between both exits as it is.

But such is the case tonight; there is a knocking at the door and the peep hole doth declare that the individuals outside, both of whom could likely flatten this skyscraper with a bit of effort, are waiting in the corridor outside. "You know what I despise about condominium buildings and aparments of all varieties?" Sinister is making conversation, a largish box in hand. "It all bloodywell looks the same. This could be just about anywhere. Did they somehow lose their imagination in architechture school, do you think?"

Lucifer has posed:
"That or they just want people to know they will always be just at the status quo. The fact that everything looks the same might make them think people will never try to stand out." Lucifer shrugs. There's a point in there somewhere but it may not come across well enough. "...What's in the box?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Knowing that someone knows where you live does indeed open up the possibility of visitors. Proper advanced notice with a predicted arrival time opens up the possibility of there being food when you arrive.

Just in case the possibility of flattening a skyscraper works up an appetite. It also leads to a lot less locks being undone at the time of the knocking due to the general complaints about the rocker's living arrangements.

A few less locks are undone before the door's opened, hitting the visitors with the rich smell of slow cooked pot roast.

As the door opens up, the view of the small kitchen reveals the countertop to be free of most clutter save for the device the roast is in and a couple bottles of whiskey set on a nearby counter, saving anyone who wants one the time of asking if it is available. Oh gosh. Even the table is set for three. "Come in." Nick greets, waving them in.

Sinister has posed:
Sin is looking down at the box when the door opens, sort of looking at it as if it's the very first time he's ever seen it, which is amusing in a way. "Oh, this? I think they call it a housewarming gift. I thought... maybe he might have a use for the smart system I installed at..." ah, door. He smiles, a charming smile as he peers up, glances sidelong at Lucifer after meeting the space beyond the door with a gaze. "You're probably right about the monotony and carbon replicant lifestyle."

That much a murmur.

"You've been busy, I see. You didn't have to... but it's very kind of you to consider a dinner party." He glances at Lucifer again, mouthing 'did you bring the bottle?'

Lucifer has posed:
"Conformity of men. Put them all in a sardine tin and...everyone conforms because they have to." Lucifer comments just before the door opens and he offers his own lazy smile towards Nick. "Thanks for having us over. We greatly appreciate it..." And have absolutely nothing devious in mind about stopping by. Nope. Not at all.

"Ah...I hope you like wine. I got it as an offering for...some favor or few about fifty years ago...it's been in a sort of stasis bin aging but not in a way that would ever turn it sour." As if alcohol goes sour. He hands over the bottle of a deep burghandy color, the label black with what seems to be absolutely no markings on it. "Well it surely smells lovely..." But as he walks in, Lucifer is surely helping himself to a glass of whiskey first and foremost. "How have you been, Nick?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, I wouldn't call it a dinner party." Nick admits, "I think that'd be at least three courses. Best I have is two. Pot roast and, if you want, either ice cream or gelato which is currently in the freezer. But I hope you enjoy it all the same."

He smiles, accepting the bottle of wine. Before closing the door after the guests step in. "Thank you. I'm doing alright. No problems popping in the building. Well at least not for me. I can't speak for the family in the penthouse of course."

With the Fantastic Four, who knows what they're dealing with on the day to day?

He studies the label, unable to identify the type of wine it is, "I'm unable to read the label...Is this wine of an unusually strong nature I should know about?"

Sinister has posed:
"Sometimes, just one course is perfectly satisfying," Sinister demures, glancing at the bottle as it's handed over. It'd been a mystery to him as well, but should push come to shove, there's very little chance that Lucifer would've been paid in vinegar. "Where ought I put this? Or rather, do you mind if I set it up, whilst you serve? I felt that perhaps... you might have a use for this."

The box is wiggled a bit. It's plain and black cardboard, for what that's worth.

Lucifer has posed:
"Oh. It's likely just dusty. I said I had it in stasis. Wasn't necessarily in like a temporal fix or anything..." In fact - if one knows wine - when the bits of dust and such are finally brushed off, it's a faily decent wine brand.

"Gelato is always a nice ending to a more rich meated meal, I find... Surely would have done the Philistines some good back in the old days..." He chuckles then before sipping at his whiskey once more. "No problems is good. How would you say your mood is... on a scale of you're really okay to, the Empire State Building is looking mighty fine right now?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks over to Sinister as he asks for Nick's preference regarding the box. A curious look is given to the package as he sets the wine bottle down near the whiskeys. He tilts his head before turning to track down some additional glasses for those who might not want their whiskey to mix with wine. "That depends... What is in the box?"

He then looks to Lucifer, considering the odd scale. "Uh...stuck in the lower level elevators when I was trying to get to the lobby."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister sets the item down in mid air, letting it just float there. He flicks fingers left and right and it obligingly opens itself and the contents float free. It consists of what looks a lot like an Amazon Alexa, only somewhat... sleeker. And black with a tiny red diamond logo at the very bottom, which no doubt glows red when its active. There's also nine little sticker things that are no bigger than a fingertip, which float up and kind of orbit.

"This is a holo-imager and smart device. It allows you to pare pretty much any wireless device, plus any data carrying devices that it might have, such as flash drives to the holo-imager. Once the three dimensional space triangulation devices are operational, they allow you to pull 3D holo images, including your TV, Radio, phone... anything that has connectivity, to a central holo image screen. Like so." He gestures 'pulling apart' in the air with his fingers and the illusion of a TV hanging in the middle of nowhere pops up. "Saves space. Makes the most of what area you have for brainstorming. Also, well... things." A click of the fingers and the illusion vanishes.

Lucifer has posed:
"You think we're buttering him up a bit too much?" Lucifer asks this, and yes he asks it aloud. "He might think we're up to something... Well.. of course we're up to something. I would think it'd be more scary if we weren't up to anything..."

Is he arguing with himself in front of Sinister? With Sinister just sans any input? It's really hard to say when it comes to the Devil. "Well these gifts would come whether we had intentions or not.....but I'm finding myself to be a bit impatient at...myself... so while we can surely discuss it over..." He gestures to the counter. "Pot roast and gelato...we were wondering...about the man you saw in that vision the other night. You recognized him, we know that much...and we'd like a bit more...detail...if you'd be so gracious as to provide such."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"I generally assumed you were up to something when you willingly asked to come back here after the last visit." Nick allows, turning back to the cabinet to pull out the remaining glasses. "Considering your distaste for my living conditions, you might as well get dinner out of it. Plus considering who you had in your penthouse when you called me over there. And the good Doctor flat out stating that I might owe an explanation...yeah. As for who that man is. I don't know for sure. But I know who he looked like."

Looking back over to Sinister, his head tilts back slightly to the floating box. As the device is pulled out, the musician's curiousity is redirected. The listing of the items gets a slight nod as he kind of rules out most of the more common possibilities. He doesn't have a laptop.

Yet. Considering Skye knows where he lives he wouldn't put it past her to push the subject. And if they were wrong about the 'not a target anymore' assessment, he might just have to take Clint's suggestion about taking his music online.

Which sucks. Big time. Still doesn't help with the movie deal.

He did have a decent phone at one point but now he's stuck with using burners so- not sure if that'd work. And most of his song writing and artwork is done on paper or in his head.

Although, it's probably easier to move this thing around than the tv.

...How does one get images from a radio? Is that just displaying the wavelengths of the sounds coming out for some type of amplitude or frequency comparison or something of that nature?

A brow lifts as he looks to Sinister's hand motions, kind of reminiscent of gestures Strange does with his spells. Or when he was adjusting the drawing of the lab in the sanctum. But, that was more of the mind and will with the hands being used as a focus, this seems more-

"Does it do voice commands?"

Sinister has posed:
"Yes," Sinister replies this well, unfortunately to just about everything there. There's a very slight amused look shot at Lucifer as the devil talks himself through his inner demon and back to Nick.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. His phone is extracted from his coat pocket, his thumb placed on the screen and he watches as the little flat stickies go to all corners of the room and the middle of ceiling and floor and then camouflage themselves, blending in with the background.

He aims the phone at the device he brought and as it settles itself down, without apparently needing to be plugged in (Very portable then!) quiet 'mood musak' plays through well... spotify? His own personal playlist? Who knows. But sound comes out as colours in the air, shapes and forms.

So... yes.

He then sits himself down wherever there is a seat, neatly setting his phone on the counter and lightly folds his hands on the kitchen counter, all smiles as he looks expectantly for a further explanation that what was actually received. "You know, if you need a better phone that gives some very bad responses to people trying to track, hack or trace it, you should take one of mine. It's amusing." Quietly offered.

Lucifer has posed:
"Don't take my distaste personal, Nick. Places like this work for people. If I offended you in any way, it was not intentional. And I apologize." Lucifer offers this much at first and then lets Nick and Sin play with tech for a little bit. Likely for a lot of bit. Since it seems Nick is quite interested in what Sinister has to offer in ways of technology. They can get to the meat and potatoes of who the person seen in that vision....eventually. While allowing that, he lights up a cigarette, but likely interestingly the smoke doesn't seem to go everywhere. It actually doesn't seem to go anywhere. Dissipating as quick as it leaves the tip of the cigarette or is exhaled by Lucifer and there is no lingering scent of burnt tobacco either.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hearing the apology, Nick shakes his head. "Don't apologize for having an opinion. If it's any consolation it isn't my first choice for a place either. But it was better than the other options available at the time and I was hoping to make a move in the future." Nick turns his head, watching as the stickies shift around, vanishing from sight. The display of shapes and colors attuned to the music, while impressive does not appear to be what has captured Nick's attention. "So. This picks up voice and hand motions."

There's a quiet pause, both within and out as he looks to the shapes. A frown forming. "...What is the range in which they communicate or pick up things? And does what they pick up go elsewhere?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister holds rather still now, proper posture and attentive. The statement has him nodding, the question brings a slight frown. "Ostensibly, the distance of simple wifi for range. Those sticky data pads are not smart. They simply allow the bending of light and sound waves, from the receiver and smart technology in that." He nods toward the Sin-lexa device. He needs a better name for that. "As to whether it broadcasts... this one doesn't. I am trying this thing that I'm told works wonders for building relationships -- I'm trying to be nice about things. If you would like, I can reactivate software and reconfigure the hardware so that it -does- communicate, but I figured you didn't want to be spied on."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer decidedly helps himself to another glass of whiskey while Sin and Nick play tech for the time being. He has nothing to add to all of that, as that is all Sin's territory. Lux and the Penthouse wouldn't be half of what it's become without Sin's techno touch in all honesty because Lucifer kept things simple but impractical due to being so...aged. He says nothing, letting the two talk, happy to just exist in his own little bubble still.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Ok so short range. That's manageable...

Wait, THIS one? Why wo- Nope. Nope. Leave it.

Nick nods, "...You figured correctly. Thank you." He admits. He blinks, shaking his head. "Oh right. Should plate this." Turning back to the slow cooker, he starts to divide up the portions. With the long cook time involved, he's able to cut the meat with the side of the serving spoon.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister unfolds his hands solely so he might take a ... paper napkin. It's folded into a triangle and tucked at the side of his dish as he waits for the serving. "Thank you, my dear," this is said to Lucifer, he smiles that way and takes a moment to attend to his drink, holding the least amount of glass necessary, with proper tablemanners.

"So, to push the point. Who do you -think- that man you saw in the vision is? And what threat does he pose?"

Lucifer has posed:
"Hmm? What am I being thanked for now?" Lucifer asks this while watching Sinister come to the table and Nick begin to dish out food. It's interesting, coming to a place for a meal when there's no real necessity for him to eat anything. Still, he doesn't not eat either - as he has proven time and time again. Since Sinister has pushed the point, he goes quiet after his initial question while shifting to offer both Sinister and Nick - if Nick is keen - a cigarette from a little silver case.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"That one was for Dr. Essex." Nick specifies, smiling once more as he preps the plates. There is notably a fourth portion kept in the crock pot but the lid is set in place to keep it warm. Once the plates are plated, the wine is poured, and the food makes its way to their respective places, Nick takes the seat that leaves his back to the living area, allowing for the couple to sit next to each other.

"As for the man I saw." Nick starts up, giving a sigh as he lifts up his glass, "He looked like a picture I saw of Savio Drago a few years ago." He lifts up the glass in the semblance of a toast. "Thank you for the wine."

That thanks for for Lucifer.

Sinister has posed:
"Just thanking you for being you," Sinister replies with a glance across his nose toward Lucifer. He takes the cigarette, but sets it aside for after the meal. Unsurprisingly, he eats like a gentleman, also, dabbing at his lips with the napkin between bouts of neat fork piling on the back of the tines. "Savio Drago," he pauses but a fraction of a moment, long enough to be noticed for those that know he reads minds. "That would be your father. Who vanished?" Childhood memories are strange things, often distorted.

"Why would you suppose he's having you followed? And by the ilk that he's got after your tail, at that." He glances at Lucifer again and back.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer could say a million reasons why fathers have their children followed but it would be from his own experience. He supposes Nick hasn't had an angel come through the roof of a building he's in, or attack his loved one(s), or try to argue with him that going back to Hell is his best option. So on the topic of fathers and their reasons, Lucifer stays silent. "How long ago did he vanish?" Asking this much because he's not all up to date with the life and style of the Dragos. "What legacy does the Drago name hold aside from random oops I did magic again?" This asked and then he takes a few bites of the roast in front of him - a little less gentlemanly about it compared to Sinister.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick takes a bite of his food and chews. Considering there's going to be questions asked, he has a general feeling his food will be mostly cool before he finishes it. An accepted hazard when he decided to serve food during what was likely going to be a Q&A session. But darn it, he was going to get at least the first bite while the food was still warm.

That delay may have been the reason why Sinister felt the need to pull the relation out of his head. Or perhaps the genetics enthusiast in him put it together with the familial resemblance once the last name was apparent. He nods and then follows it with a shake of the head.

Nick swallows.

"It's complicated. I haven't seen him since I was four. And I don't think the magic thing comes from the Drago blood, that's more a side effect from the phantasm thing."

He pauses, "I think."

He scratches an ear, not really sure what can be said, "As for vanishing, the story is that a couple years ago Punisher removed him from his position with great force. So, that would be why I have a hard time believing what that guy saw is what really happened."

Nick lifts up his glass to take a sip.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister smiles thinly after a mouthful. He's quiet for a while afterwards, the politesse of dining. It allows for at least half the plate to be had, before more questions are forthcoming. Manners maketh manners, someone said. When almost all of his own plate is finished, he sets his knife and fork precisely on the plate, cleans his mouth and eases back with the wine glass.

"Point the first: death is not always a cessation of hostilities."

Well, that's not helpful, is it?

"Point the second: There are shapeshifters in the world, as well you know. But there's also twins and uncles and brothers. There are also replicated individuals. There are also those that death does not stick to. Those are pernicious."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer is also silent while eating, forkfuls of the roast disappearing bite after bite while he listens to the others talk. "If he hasn't been in your life since you were so young, I would wonder why he would even go to measures to have you followed now..." This much before, "Unless, cut back to the magic, and maybe it's not tied to the family...but perhaps something has wiggled the ears of your family. I presume they do not know the manners of the phantasm you've become?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
With the quiet from the pair, it does lead to the result of a meal enjoyed. And a few thoughts to times of having Bucky over. They seem to have drifted over to the soldier's approach. Enjoy the food first, the business comes later.

And despite the 'humble' home, Nick does know how to prepare some good dishes.

Nick shakes his head. "I haven't seen him since I was four." He replies, "That doesn't mean he didn't see me. And, of those possibilities I would easily lean towards the shapeshifter theory. There's two STRONG reasons why it wouldn't be the real Savio. One being he's dead. And two being, if he's NOT dead, then that would mean Punisher spared him. And Punisher doesn't do things like that unless they turned on someone or they turned out to be an ally of sorts. Showing up would just cause problems."

A fingertip taps upon the table in thought. "I know you know that I know more than I'm telling. But, I have a good reason not to be so open handed with the details. And to risk being insulting I have to ask if either of you would be the type to go freely sharing the information you gain."

Pale eyes look over to Lucifer.

Sinister has posed:
"In my years, I have found that discretion is a word to live by, quite literally," settling back into the seat, Sinister's arms fold over his chest, his gaze steady upon Nick. It's probably a fair bet to say that he, at least is going to nuance the heck out of whatever is being said to him from this point in, if he hasn't already been doing so.

He's observing. Guaging. Weighing even.

"There is also the minor detail that although I am fond of you Nick Drago and I am quite curious, maybe even intrigued... I don't really care to nearly the same degree about this individual, or even how dangerous they may or may not be to the population at large... as you do. I have absolutely no -motive- to do anything but keep this to myself." But there's a very slight feeling of 'unless you prove to me that there's a reason I shouldn't.' but that, my lovelies, is all in the inferance.

Lucifer has posed:
"Nothing in life is free. Everything has a price. Things could even be priceless and always worth more than anything anyone could ever try and afford to pay. Course one could say a soul is priceless and I've collected many of those in my eons of existence..." Lucifer says this much, eyes shifting to regard Nick for a moment. "You are a friend. You will find that I treat my friends vastly differently than I treat some random off the street. And we're here to help put the puzzle together, not strew the pieces all around the world."

A pause. A sip of whiskey. "To the point. I do not have anyone to share the information with. Nor do I know anyone I would care to share it with. Much like Sinister." He shrugs. "If someone were to come looking for the information, you would be the first to know, because I would let you know."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Getting as much of an assurance as is likely possible from these two that things won't end up on the evening news, Nick gives a reluctant nod. And who knows? Maybe by bringing them in he might get some more actionable information to help resolve the stuff Bucky's still investigating.

"Alright. But, in the same way, I have a friend as well who needs for me NOT to share everything I know. Not yet, at least. There's still some stuff that needs to be resolved first."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister remains silent. Expectant. Encouragement to wag the tongue after all, can get repetative after a while!

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer just continues to polish his plate of roast and sips on whiskey. This is now in Nick's court. "So share what you can for now."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
And with Nick having the attention, he gets to work. On the drink in front of him. Taking another sip. "...That is good wine." He observes before setting the glass down.

Now there's the matter of where to start.

The beginning?

Which one?

"I'm not sure where to begin." Nick admits, frowning. "Everything just bounces all over the place. Stuff I didn't think was related became related- And I suspect I got a slimmed down summary of what's going on."

"...I'll try to be brief."

Too late.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister remains with his arms folded, listening intently.

"Brevity is the soul of wit, my friend. However, I think we're a little past that now."

Lucifer has posed:
"At the beginning...but you can skip over the billions of years it took for the Jews to crucify a man on the cross and then the other two thousand some odd years to get to the point of which, your story, whichever story that is. Actually begins." A pause. "Believe me. I've been through all that already. Boring shit. Not worth remembering. But this..." He motions, sipping whiskey. "This intrigues me."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Lucifer's comment does get a slight smile from the musician. "Ok I'll skip over the testaments. Although my mom was a very big enthusiast when it came to stories about saints."

Which makes her confirmation name all the funnier now that they know what Lucia's light did to Lucifer.

"Uh. Well, my mom and father were briefly married, then it got annulled. And then I was born. I obviously don't remember much around that time but I do remember Savio around the time I was four. Which would be when my mom took me from Hell's Kitchen to live in Gotham. We lived at the hotel she worked at and with the exception of church, school, and the library, I pretty much was kept there. She kept the amount of people around me to a pretty small number."

The glass gets picked up again, "And, well. It was just me and her until I turned ten." The glass lifts, giving Nick a moment to take another sip.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's lashes lower, gracing a very thin slit of glowing red between the black. Odd fact: Man has long eyelashes and they curl nicely.

"That seems to be a product of necessity, in multiple aspects." He muses, tapping his index fingers on his upper arms. Tap. Tap-tap tap. Tap.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer takes another sip of whiskey. Is his glass even going empty at this point? It's hard to say. Patience is a virtue he actually possesses in this moment, remaining silent to let Nick continue.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"The next parts you could probably get from wikipedia." Nick admits, "My mom was killed in an apparent hotel robbery. My father was denied custody and I got sent back to Hell's Kitchen to live with my aunt. And things were- challenging growing up there. And, it felt a lot like the whole neighborhood was against us. Any attempts to get help pretty much fell on deaf ears, what could be even termed as a relationship with my Aunt was- " He pauses, shaking his head, "I'm being harsh. It wasn't pleasant for her. And she did try the first few years. Even made it possible for me to switch to home schooling so I could get the damn GED and-"

Nick lifts up his other hand, spinning the finger to indicate fast forwarding. Convenience store worker, Get stabbed, meet Rod in the ER, figure life sucks enough as is, might as well go join a band and get the hell out of there."

Sinister has posed:
When he said the beginning, he really meant the beginning. Very still, aside from a sloooooooow tilt of his head to the side, Sinister doesn't even blink. His finger tapping has also ceased and desisted.

"I am assuming relevance comes in background? Or context of the future issue..." pause "...There is a lot of 'why' in there, which I am sure probably applies. Why the annulment, why denial of custody. All of which reflect on why he's dangerous, but not -why- he's here. Or why you're being cagey about a man that matters little to you."

Lucifer has posed:
"Suit yourself. I'm enjoying this. And perhaps waiting for the part that we're given the tale of the Phantasm. Cause that is a separate thing right? Something that happened to you along the path of life you chose to take?" Lucifer asks this while finishing off his plate of food and then seems to consider. "Potatoes. I think I'd like a nice big baked potato when we get home. Stuffed to the brim with all the fixings."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"You said from the beginning," Nick points out, "So, you're getting it as I got it. Relevance comes later. So then we fast for-" Nick pauses registering Lucifer's talk about the Phantasm origin. "Oh, do you want that combined with the explanation to the father or in a separate story?" He asks, "Because the origin's not really r-"

A look to Sinister who wants context, and then a look to Lucifer who wants entertainment.

He nods, getting up to prepare him another drink.

Long story long, it is. "Okay, so I met Rod in the ER, through him I met Wade and Jack and we form Silver Round. It was pretty risky being I had no musical training at the time but I apparently met a much more important requirement so they were willing to deal with that. Also it turned out all the fighting growing up contributed to an excellent sense of rhythm. Rod was singer, but he had a background in percussion and piano so he worked with me a lot."

He preps himself a whiskey, forgoing the rest of the wine.

"He was probably my first real friend."

Glass prepped, he makes his way back to the table to sit down. "We worked hard, and eventually got a record deal. And one night when we were in California, they wanted to go out to party. Not real different from the usual routine but, I wasn't feeling well so I stayed back at the hotel. I was later awoken by the police to be informed there had been an accident. Wade was okay. Rod and Jack weren't. And I didn't take it well."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister once more settles back to listen, with a sidelong glance to Lucifer. Entertainment it is. Anyone would think that the doctor rather liked his diabolical lover.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer wants ALL the entertainment. As much as he can muster up in a night and perhaps even beyond. He listens, quite intently.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Soooo, after the funerals, it was pretty safe to assume Silver Round was gone. So what was left of us went home. Well, Wade did. I opted not to go back to the kitchen. I figure if I was capable of ending in the actual hell it'd probably just the 8 years living THAT neighborhood on constant repeat. So, I went to Gotham. That place felt more like home than Hell's Kitchen ever did. And, that's how I came across Leo's bar."

Nick looks to his drink, "...Maybe I should have found it weird that the times I went there, it seemed to be just me, and the bartender in there. Or maybe I should have cared that I didn't really know the guy's last name. But- how many of us bother figuring that out when it's not a place we own?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister opens his mouth at this, because in some respects he is a man of a very, very different world than Nick. But years have taught him a modicum of discression as was noted and thus the tongue is held and the lips remain silent. He starts to gaze off at the window though, his expression clouding in, the look hooding his eyes very thoughtful.

Lucifer has posed:
"Coming from a bar owner, that does sound a bit...well...I suppose if it was ALWAYS just the two of you. No one else ever seeming to come into the bar. That might have ought to of seemed weird." Lucifer offers this and then shrugs. "But then there's been times that even I've had nights where it seemed like there was only me and one other in Lux..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick pauses to look to the two as they refrain from and offer their views. He shrugs, giving a nod. "Well, I wasn't really in a good place at the time. He was pretty good at talking and listening without giving the appearance of being judgy. I don't remember most of what we talked about but, the last night I was there. The topic drifted to regrets. And we all got them..."

Nick glances down, shaking his head as he chuckles, "I still remember the question he asked... 'If you could make things better, even a little, would you?'" He glances up, "One guess to what I said."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister dignifies Nick's rhetoric with nothing but a small smile, his gaze still very distant, watching out over the world. No doubt he's actively listening, but he says nada. Then, obliquely, he peers up at the ceiling, looking a bit quizzical, only to put a hand over his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose for a brief rub.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer considers things a moment and then shakes his head. "I suppose I have a few regrets...but not many..." Saying this much before he glances back over towards Nick once more. "Did you say no?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick blinks to the response and shakes his head. "I said yes." Nick responds. "I had friends who just died, there was talk of regrets, and well when someone poses a hypothetical question like that-" He shrugs, "Either way, he just smiled, gave me a drink on the house annnnd when I came too with a splitting headache, the building was completely empty. It didn't even look like there was a bar in there to begin with. Leo was gone and so was all the cash in my wallet."

At least he left the ID.

"What was left behind was the equivalent of a dream travel manual stuck in my head with most of the pages just stuck together. So, I'm freaked out, I get the out of Gotham qucik and I end up rooming and working with Wade."

New York real estate is no joke.

Another finger twirls, "Music career, tv career, movie career, a lot of various supernatural shenanigans, demons attacking dreams, and what not...Pretty much if it was weird I seemed to end up getting drawn towards it."

Sinister has posed:
"The gift of living a life less ordinary, an unenviable position. But, you cannot say that you're not making a difference, I suppose. So that's how you got the phantasm, is it?" Sinister frowns. "I had to just about lose everything, to end up where I am." He says that quietly, presses his lips together and looks from the window straight at Nick.

Lets just say it's a penetrating look.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer glances between the two and then takes it upon himself to actually clean the plates from the table. "We've all lost everything for the sake of who we are..." He offers this much gently, placing plates in the sink and continues to stare into the abyss that is the sink drain.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"I pretty much came to terms with most of it." The musician admits, "I don't MIND helping others." Hell, Bucky listed altruism as his weakness. "It's a balancing act, making sure not to use the abilities too much or too little. And, it does help with cutting down on the nightmares so- It's not an all bad thing."

Finding Lucifer gathering the plates, Nick looks over to the devil. "Don't mind those, I'll take care of them afterwards. Besides, there's still dessert."

SPEAKING OF WHICH...

Nick starts to get up from his seat, moving over to the cabinet that contains the bowls. "So I've run into a lot of less than ordinary people. I met B- James when I was out picking up supplies. We got along pretty well."

The bowls are set on the counter, "But not all of the weird stuff happens when I'm about as Phantasm. Police reports actually get filed now." And one incident led to someone digging into my background which led to them having more questions."

Nick moves over to the freezer, pulling out the Gelato container. "So is it all for Gelato or do we have any votes for ice cream?"

Sinister has posed:
Don't say it, Nathaniel. Don't! "I would be fine with whatever is served," Sinister says after a moderate consideration, where he wrangles his tongue. He watches the accoutrements of dessert being carefully measured, then reaches out to gently touch Lucifer's elbow, giving the devil a different kind of smile.

And in some respects, neither of them are much the wiser.

"That was one of the reasons I worked to develop my psychic talents, not only because they were the first that I developed. It helps with the questions."

Lucifer has posed:
"I'm on team gelato." Lucifer answers, and with that touch to his elbow he gives Sin his undivided attention. A little smile then before he shifts and leans in to nose into Sin's neck. "I feel like we're nowhere closer to an answer now than we were before we came here. Are we just chasing an empty notion?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods, leaving the ice cream in the freezer for the next time a different set of guests comes over. "You wanted the side trek to how I came across the powers." Nick reminds, distributing the dessert evenly amongst the trio.

He nods to Sinister, "...I mainly wanted to make sure I didn't accidentally kill someone with them. Plus there's a bit of relation between mindset and performance level..."

Back on topic though. "So, this person dug into the background, and they didn't like how quickly my mom's murder case got moved to cold cases. So he did his own investigation."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister leans in, sniffs Lucifer's hair and rests against the other's scalp for the briefest of affections, then he settles back on his stool and reaches for his wine, for wine there -was-. He takes more judicious sips, watching until Lucifer's settled again, then returning his gaze to Nick. The meat of it. Aaah.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer smiles a little and then turns and rejoins the table. Whatever abyssmal depths may lurk within the sink drain forgotten for the moment. "Oh I know. We're all being side trackey and such. But even with what you were saying before. Even before the beginning. I'm wondering if we're chasing a lame rabbit is all.."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks over to Lucifer, "I've already said I don't think who we saw is actually Savio."

With everyone having their treats on hand, Nick takes advantage of the moment of pause to get a spoonful of Gelato in his mouth. He lingers for a moment. "So one day this guy shows up at the condo to share portions of what he found. He found the guy who killed her and dealt with him. He also found out that the killer was found almost immediately but he had cut a deal with the DEA. To add to it, he found out about my father's long term situation and put things into play to remove him from it. Annnnnd that's when the raid happened. One wall got blown out during the breach and now I have an apartment here."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister indulges in tiny bites of the gelato, gazing at the spoon and its cold treat for a bit on the second helping. Maybe there's memories he's lost in. Somewhat the wiser, but still in the dark. "That seems to be an altogether unfortunately personal situation. However, it's bleeding out from you to others, which is annoyingly common." He frowns, eats the spoonful upside down and pulling the utensil down over his lower lip. Cheeks get sucked in as he appreciates the flavour.

"A little flashy for a mafia hit. Explosives makes me think operative of some ilk, but not common garden variety criminal."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer nods to Nick. "You did. And yet here we are. Maybe it wasn't Savio. But curious minds wonder why his visage appeared regardless." Then his gaze shifts to Sinister, a little smile at the sight of the man appreciating a spoonful of gelato. Otherwise he's silent all the same, enjoying his own serving of the sweet treat.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"You're right that it was a hit. But not mafia. It was a DHS team." Nick supplies, "I can at least share that because the firefight that happened during the whole thing made the evening news and because it was so damn public and I'm a known celebrity that trying to kill me for the second time in one night MIGHT draw more attention then they wanted. So they tried playing it off as an attempt to go after Punisher that led to a hostage situation. Instead of dying I got treated to a trip to the hospital for a health screen and 'polite' questioning."

Nick rolls his eyes at this, taking another moment to get a spoonful. "James saw the story and swung by afterwards, saw the damage where the shots lined up and came up with the same assessment. So, he started looking into things as well. What he unraveled was a rat's nest of overlapping conspiracies."

Another scoop is taken, "One was a joint long term undercover operation dealing with illegal drugs. One that got abused by higher ups which kept central figures within the operation trapped in their roles for decades with no exit plan in sight. One being my father. That operation is SUPPOSED to be shut down now."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister pauses one more time in his indulgence of the gelato, to look directly into Lucifer's gaze. He then sets about a neat, methodical cleaning of the bowl. It looks very clean by the time he's done and it's chased with the last of his wine. "Mister Drago, you are a hearty cook. Much better than I, I admit. And the gelato was very satisfying..." he lays his spoon down and looks from Lucifer to the musician. "I have this to say at the moment and I -do- hope you give it the due consideration that it is worth."

He pauses, for dramatic effect.

"Strong telepathy is rare. As are the kinds of connections that the Devil himself can bring to bear. But I believe you do understand that we do not operate in the daylight, nor even reasonably at night. Not where we can typically be seen. But we, Lucifer and I, have a great deal of leverage that we can bring to bear. The little inquisition at the club was more of a foible owing to our tootsies being stepped on and occasionally? Well, occasionally you just have to vent a bit, to get it out of the system."

Another pause, but shorter. "Neither of us like clumsy interference and elephants in our respective butter dishes. It irks. And I don't like being rankled. Nobody does. So. Make use of your friendships, but when you have to and I'm sure you're going to have to at some point... /please/ make use of the tactical nuclear weaponry that is keeping an eye on your wellbeing and know that Hell is very real and some of us can open doors straight into it. You may be one of the few mortals alive, that has one of the seven Archangels in your side of the playing field. But for now? We should be away. We'll not need to use the door, though. You were a most gracious host." He inclines his head.

Lucifer has posed:
"Well, that's likely the most romantic way I could ever put having me as an ally into words." Lucifer says this as he polishes off his own gelato bowl and sets it back on the table. From there, he stands and moves to Sinister's side. "Seriously though. We are an ace in the hole. Whenever you need us. There are many ways to get hold of us, and I am sure you know at least a few." He offers this much, to sort of solidify whatever it was Sinister was laying out on the table.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods to the offering of help, giving a small smile. "Thank you." He replies, getting up to gather the now cleaned up bowls and setting them in the sink. "For the compliments and the offer of help. And if the time for the need of assistance comes, I will consider it."

He looks between the two, "I am glad you two enjoyed the meal, but I won't keep you any longer." A wry grins forms, "I suspect you have more pressing matters to attend to."

Sinister has posed:
And with that, there's little more than a reaching to clasp hands and a column of hellfire and then nothing left but the scent. At least there's no stains on the hardwood, but you occasionally have to make an exit, as well as an entrance.