15019/Of the Angel(s) Without...

Of the Angel(s) Without...
Date of Scene:	02 May 2023
Location:	Lucifer's Penthouse, Melville
Synopsis:	Lucifer and Nathaniel get a random visit from a Watcher.
Cast of Characters:	Lucifer, Sinister

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Lucifer has posed:
What happens when the Devil suddenly decides that not only is he going to no longer rule over hell but actually wear his true visage among the masses? There may have been arguments in Heaven, there may even be some angel siblings who are on Lucifer's side. Though there very much are those who will forever oppose the idea of Lucifer being out of hell for any length of time. Then there are those who wonder what the Devil is up to. What are his plans? Why now? Why here?

Of those who would wonder this, and perhaps be on Lucifer's side if this really is some true change of heart is Sariel. The Angel of Guidance, the one who taught humankind about the moon and her phases. They bent the will only so much to not break it, but enough that their teachings were - at one time - forbidden knowledge.

He appears in the Penthouse without much announcement or fanfare. A taller man, pale of skin, shoulder length auburn hair, and eyes of an almost luminescent blue. His wings are white at the base and fade into grey then black at the wingtips, and are currently folded behind him. He wears a simple tee shirt and blue denims with sandals on his feet - likely trying to somehow blend in as best he can. Gaze shifts around the penthouse a moment while just standing nearly stone-still otherwise.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister emerges at this point from the bedroom, absolutely naked as the day he was born, yawning and stretching as he makes his way into the kitchen area. Or he was aiming for there, only he stops as soon as he senses a mind that shouldn't be here. He looks over ihs shoulder toward the visitor to the abode, down, up, to the wings and back to the eyes, the hair, the ... everything. A sniff and at least drawstring pants in black are manifested out of his person and he cocks his head to the side.

"Very twenty first century meets biblical. He's having a shower. I'm making coffee. Would you like one?" This is offered as he gestures toward the machine. "I think if you are, I'm going to use the french press."

And that is the grand reaction to there being an angel, glowy eyed and gradiated of wing, standing in sandles in the midst of the living room. At least there weren't socks with the sandals.

Lucifer has posed:
Sariel tilts his head to one side and then offers a smirk. "I suppose trying a coffee would not be the worst thing I have done..." This said as he gets an eyeful of Sinister before Sinister decides pants are a thing. "I tried to dress as appropriately as possible...but I suppose the wings are a bit much. Though I would think you are used to seeing them, Nathaniel. Given your relationship with the Fallen One..."

Speaking of the Fallen One, that shower is over quicker than likely anticipated and Lucifer is suddenly coming out of the hallway wearing jeans and a tee shirt. He takes one look over at Sariel and a single eyebrow goes aloft. "Of anyone who would come here, I have to admit, I did not believe it would have been a Watcher. Though I suppose I also shouldn't be surprised." He lifts a hand to run fingers through damp, blonde hair and shifts his move towards the kitchen. "Come to lecture me of my ways, Sariel?"

"Quite on the contrary. I'm here on a mission of...curiosity. We have questions." The other angel answers simply.

Sinister has posed:
A Watcher? This brings Nathaniel to looking more keenly at the visitor and he goes about putting the kettle on manually, without the use of TK to assist the process, ladelling each level spoon measurement of coffee beans into the grinder and one on account of the pot. "They're the order that fall under the ascended one, Enoch are they not? The maker of the first city..." And the ones predominantly responsible for the elicit number of Nephalim that are supposedly in the forbidden scriptures. "Fallen one, Ascended one... I feel like I inadvertantly ended up on a verbal theological see-saw..." he mutters that, administering water to the press and plunging it, only to suck it back up to half way again, to force percolation in the grounds.

"Sorry Samael..." this of course to Lucifer, he rests himself against the kitchen counter, arms loosely folded in front of himself. "I'm used to the wings. As you no doubt know -- I'm just used to there only being one I regularly see and the others on the odd occasion. Actually, in the last two years, that's become a phenomenon I've seen -way- more often than any man ought to." He wrinkles his nose, offering only "...there's just a juxtaposition of the sublime and the absurd here..." he gestues to the clothing "...and then..." to the wings. "If you were blending in on an inadvertant maid, you would've done an abysmal job."

Lucifer has posed:
"You're quite right, Nathaniel... In fact, Sariel here was one of the main ones who would seduce young women for the sake of spreading his holy seed..." Lucifer offers with a shrug of his shoulders. "Which is why, of anyone, I am confused that they would send a watcher. At the same time, I suppose I get it... because they were rule benders themselves in so many ways. They see my falling and my coming back to Earth as a sort of..."

"Grey area. Yes. Cause we bent rules as we wished. Though you were the one who all out broke a rule..." Sariel fills in. "You're causing another stir above you know. Some people think this is just a show, that you're up to something. Others think you might have turned the leaf over finally. While more just think...this is just a phase and you'll be back to your old ways in no time. So I figured..."

"Why not just pop down and find out for yourself? No invitation. No warning. Because a sudden appearance has always netted the best results..." Lucifer ends with an eye roll. "Do tell me one thing... why the fuck is it anyone's business up there? I'm doing as I want to here, since I can't even go and visit the family if I wanted to. I'm left to my own volition down here and it would be dumb to think I won't have changes of heart. Or spice things up a bit. I also owe no one any explanation aside from the man standing at the french press. The rest of you can kiss my ass."

Sinister has posed:
And at this juncture, when he's called to the brief spotlight, Sinister raises a hand and fingerwiggles. Hi, yep, in attendance. "See, there's this wonderful tradition of cataloguing and chronicalling all of creation, if the pedagogues on their sandboxes or with their strange hads and curly sideburns are to be believed. All of that jazz. And yes, omniscient, clairvoyant, blahblah. With a lot of helpful eyeballs -- I'm aware of how that works, too. But there's this thing, an observation made by a man of science, that the very definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again, expecting there to be a different result." He raises brows, gives a O_O face to the angelic visitor. "And yet, none of you have ever actually called to say you're coming, because as I recall it's a simple for you as to put your hands together and bow your heads. So why, would you think you'd get a stellar reception and a nice and tidy set of answers this time? You didn't even bring a bottle of something. Or a gift. WHen you cross the threshold as a guest, you bind the one whose house it is, to the rules of Hospitality -- but it's squiffier when you don't bring a Gift. The act of giving is the security and we've been following that, on and off, for a donkey's age..."

He turns to the press then, smiling as he's said his peice and sets abotu plunging the coffee and pouring it out. Milk, cream, sugar and whiskey are all set out on a tray, just to be the good host.

Lucifer has posed:
"So he dons the angel facade and still acts like a twit. That's good to know. As it stands, I am in your corner, believe it or not. You broke the rule, but you also allowed for things to be a bit more fluid up above." Sariel attempts to explain.

Lucifer sighs. "If that were the case, then I'd be allowed back. But I'm not. Cause father can turn a blind eye to a bent rule but not to a rule broken. And in truth, mine was a gift. I should be outside his vision. Outside the vision of anyone here. Yet still you all come down at you whim....father says this. Father wants that. You should be in hell. Well to hell I go, when I want. On Earth I stay, because I -like- it here." He furthers.

Sariel gives a huff. "Have I said anything about what He wants? No. I haven't. As for not bringing a gift, I wasn't aware that it was custom." There's a pause. "Look. Just answer the curiosity of us and I'll be on my way since I am apparently unwelcomed. Is this something you are doing because you wish, is it something that will be staying?"

"I cannot answer that. I did it because I wanted to. Because things are falling into place here that had me thinking it was fine to don this now. Remove the false visage and be my truth. The only ones who seemed bothered are those upstairs and I don't give a good god damn what any of you think or feel or speculate."

Sinister has posed:
"There really is no pleasing some people..." Sinister murmurs with a chuckle, then claps his hands at both siblings. Clap clap! "Oi, you two! Sit yourselves down if you would and actually doctor your coffee the way you would like! I have some of those little biscuits that come from Holland in the cupboard and some shorcake with dried currants in. The least you can do..."

He points at Sariel: "Stop winding him up."
And at Samael: "Stop pointing a neon sign at where your wind-up cog is."

And then he lifts his chin, sits himself down, clears his throat and adds cream, one sugar and to hell with it... FLOATS the confectionary out.

Lucifer has posed:
"There's already a bloody neon sign..." Lucifer begins and then huffs. "Fine." Then he actually does sit and doctors his coffee with a bit of cream and whiskey. "Biscuits would be nice."

Sariel actually blinks and, without a word, sits as well. His coffee gets a little cream before he looks at Lucifer once more. "Sorry I came unannounced. I'll know better if there is a next time."

"It's fine. Just gets my cockles in a wind up is all. But you're not here with any malicious intent, so that's already a point in your favor." He sips coffee then.

Sinister has posed:
"-Right-," it's a kind of definitive statement of affirmation and now everyone is -seated-, Sin gestures at the arrangement of sweet treats. "I highly recommend shortbread with currants, it's a little known secret of the highlands. Not a lot of places carry them, but there's a small bakery near Glencoe that does a lovely little finger square of them." Small talk, then he's shifting himself about a bit enough that he can shrug his shoulders and let his own wings hang out. He just lets them loosely sort of hang there, like he's sunning himself on a hot day.

"So, you could ask someone else's opinion, that isn't an angel and isn't Lucifer, as to why this has occurred. Personal progress -- a lot can happen in a very short time, given the right circumstances and the right opportunity. Lucifer actually likes himself on a deep down level these days. He's not been relegated, he's not being left to his own devices entirely, there's form and structure and it isn't all about being a jailer or a tormenter. Or a tempter. It's about a kind of apotheosis. It may stay, it may not, but the motive is not Heaven's doom and it isn't Hell's demise. It just /is/. And it was born out of love."

He dips a shortcake. "But in other interests, you came to get your own information. Have you heard anything that ought to be pertinent to us?"

Lucifer has posed:
Sariel blinks. Looks between Lucifer and Nathaniel. Then blinks again. "Love. That's interesting. I will refrain from speaking my thoughts, but I also understand this." Love was offered by their father and Lucifer refused it. How did Earthly love turn the Devil's heart so? Sariel is going to keep those thoughts to himself (or so he thinks) and then lifts his coffee for a sip. "Pertinent? As to what?"

Lucifer sips coffee, dips a biscuit, bites, adds currant to the remaining biscuit and consumes. "For all the concern that seems to be given to me and my choices, surely there have been some whisperings among the masses about things we've been working on down here. If there has not, then that may tell us a lot about how things work either way."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister gestures to Lucifer's comment, given that it puts things into perspective, but he looks up across his cheekbones with shrewd eyes upon Sariel without a moment's hesitation as thoughts lift free, if never voiced. He breaks a little chunk off his shortcake, but for now, keeps that particular card to his chest.

"Makes me wonder if the Watchers actually -have- a dossier on me, given my association, honestly."

Lucifer has posed:
"If there is one...I mean it's not like we have a filing cabinet or anything...we simply know things. Watch things. Oversee things." Sariel explains with a shrug and another sip of coffee. "I do not know how to answer your question without setting anyone off again..."

Lucifer sighs, then looks over to Nathaniel. "I believe at this point we're running around in circles and it's better to let our guest finish their treat and then be off with themselves. They got what they came for."

Sinister has posed:
"Perhaps," Sinister gazes at Sariel as the angel evades any direct knowledge affirmation, sipping his coffee idly. "In the future... send word you're coming. Bring a gift. If you want association even casually, you have to obey the rules that Earth abides by, turning up unannounced when you're not on the best of terms, is a recipe for animosity. That doesn't sweeten the pudding and it certainly doesn't settle ruffled feathers. To put a fine and very accurate point on it: watch." He smiles then, finishing off his finger treat.

"It was a pleasure, Sariel was it?" He inclines his head, polite. "Nathaniel Essex. You at least know my name, as far as you've lead me to believe. The angel of Guidance. I hasten to say that's a little bit of a misnomer, but I guess you're like Geek squad; only guidance when there's a pay to play."

Lucifer has posed:
Sariel blinks and then looks between the two of them. He finishes the coffee, setting the cup down gently, and then clears his throat. "I see. Well. I believe I have exhausted my welcome. Thank you both for the gentle hospitality. The coffee was lovely." He stands then. "Next time we'll send word. You know I cannot promise that of everyone..." Then he's gone, likely disappearing before anyone can get another word in edge wise.

Lucifer sighs, lifting a hand to rub at his temples. "One year. I would just like to get through one entire year without any of them coming in and nosing about in my business." He looks to Nathaniel then. "Sorry about that..."

Sinister has posed:
"Think nothing of it. I come as a single entity, with a lot of complicated side notes. You come as a gloriously huge family, none of which get along and who are morally superior, if not intellectually so. It's like marrying into the clan, I have to see where I fit in it all and that means a lot of poking and they won't leave you alone -ever- until they're satisfied you've got Grandpa Jehosefad's rules down pat, even if he never made any." He reaches out a hand to Lucifer, nodding at the shortbread. "Seriously, they're like manna. Have one," he smiles.

Taking another of his own, he considers the vacant space. "Honestly. Calling that a Watcher seems like an oxymoron."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer nods a little and then raises a brow. "Had one. Even with currant. You're right though, they are delicious." And he takes another piece of shortbread to bite of the end. "I doubt they'll ever get that satisfaction. They should just be like dad and cut me off completely. If he's even given up on me, what do they really care?" He then has to chuckle. "You're right tho. Sariel never made a good Watcher. The others are much better. He just likes to keep the position so he can go on sex-capades..."

Sinister has posed:
"That is a ... really troublesome thing to hear, even if I do know that it's not all alleluia's and ecstatic chest beatings. And hair pullings and wailings and... well, probably given what you just said, that's actually the norm even if he is really deplorable at doing his job," Sinister winks, arches his shoulders and the wings with them and once again, lets them go all saggy and floptastic. "He was thinking about how you refused your Father's love and yet seems puzzled how Earthly love is different. He has no concept at all, does he?"

Lucifer has posed:
"It's not even that I refused his love. I broke a rule. Defied him. Love was never an issue until it became THE issue." Lucier offers, watching those wings come, even reaching over to brush fingers against them. "No. Fucking isn't loving. He knows at least that much. Watcher indeed...likely just watching for the next batch of women he can seduce and draw away from the men of this world. His coffee is finished then as he takes in a slow breath. "Well, that wasn't planned, but there it is. Hopefully no one will come visiting at random for a long while now. At least not without warning..." A pause for thought. "Anything beneficial on the agenda?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister considers, taking a moment to gaze into those light green eyes, transfixed for a couple of heartbeats. He flutters lashes to break the spell and smiles. "Not exactly. I'm screwing up the courage to return to Salem, see if I can get at least one individual to assist in a thorough hunt. I have a feeling some of those avenues are just lost causes.h And at some point, I think... actually that we ought to probably go as a unit to Metropolis. If one of the Kryptonians takes a dislike to us, the pair of us might have a chance of not destroying half the city to explain ourselves. That's a dicey prposition, but it would be very good to have at least one utterly invulnerable block of muscle with a brain, to assist in this."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer nods. "Salem? Is that your new word for Xavier's school based on the fact that most the occupants would rather hunt you than help you?" Asking this and then he nods once more. "I definitely wouldn't mind you coming with me to Metropolis. Cause you're right...if they take a disliking, well, what all you just said quite succinctly..." Then he smirks. "I'm sure we'll find someone, or a pair of someones, who will want to help us with this issue rather than harm us before we can get our feelers out."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister nods to that. "I hope so. It's almost like some kind of ironic joke isn't it? The devil and a notorious war criminal narcissitic amoral bastard of a genius, walk into a city and try and persuade the genuine superheros, that it's in their best interest not to be twazzocks and actually listen. Actually, you know... we might want to make some kind of game plan ahead of that."

Lucifer has posed:
"Joke indeed. Yeah, a game plan might be nice, just in case it goes tits up. One thing we may have going for us...or at least you...is perhaps your reputation hasn't reached Metropolis. And Kryptonians may not believe in the Earthly religious nuts. So I would think we have a better shot with them than others.." Adding in such a thought just to put it out there. "Maybe we can go sometime soon. Knock it out of the way and see if we can get the help we need."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister nods. "Time is rather critical," Even if in the terms of narrativium, it's a bit wishy washy and depends on a whole bunch of other factors. That's not the point, dammit! He exhales. "I hope not. Although, I've heard of a great deal of the colourful and the bizarre, I likely haven't heard all that there is to tell, nor encountered everything. That reporter friend of yours seems to have a toe in the door on them though."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer chuckles. "This is true. I should reach out to her and see if she would be free to meet for lunch." Saying this as he thinks a moment and then motions. "Plus there's the books to go through." Saying that much more while helping himself to another biscuit. "Which we could take a couple books to bed, along with the treats and do some light reading in a more horizontal position.."

Sinister has posed:
"Unless we're diligent, not a lot of reading is going to get done there, though they can sit on the nightstands and remind us of their presence," Nathaniel notes. He rises though, shakes his shoulders a couple of times to get the wings to depart and moves around the breakfast nook so he's stood beside the devil. He reaches out, brushes knuckles down one cheek, then sweeps it past the chin to cup the other side and gently fingercomb hair in the same sweep. The faint smile tells volumes. He then takes the entire shortcake plate in hand and floats it beside himself, stoops and scoops the archangel up in his arms, with a soft comment of "You smell of sandalwood and spice. I like."