16044/The Clash of the Twins

The Clash of the Twins
Date of Scene:	10 February 2024
Location:	Lucifer's Penthouse, Melville
Synopsis:	Michael visited Lucifer a little sooner than he was likely expected to. But thanks to Nick (unknowingly) calmer heads prevailed and peace was achieved. Whether it continues or not is the question...
Cast of Characters:	Lucifer, Sinister, Phantasm (Drago)

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Lucifer has posed:
Middle of the afternoon on a Friday means the club is quiet while preparations for the evening are being made. Actually, even though it's Friday, the club will be closed for the night entirely due to setting up for a scheduled event tomorrow evening. Which means minimal staff are decorating along with a few extra hired party planners that Lucifer keeps on the books.

Nathaniel has been off somewhere, likely doing what he does best after anger and silliness take their toll. Working or plotting, or just doing as Sinister does when there's a slight lull in the universe.

Yet in the Penthouse, all Hell has broken loose. Not literally - at least not yet - but anyone coming up in the elevator or landing on the balcony can likely hear the goings on as if they were already present in the room. Two men, alike in many ways all the way down to their lookalike features, are having a standoff in the Penthouse living room. It hasn't come to blows yet, but the yelling gets louder with each passing moment.

"So I should forgive centuries...eons even...of you being a right prickly asshat all because you suddenly decided to grow a conscience? Did Father finally pull the stick out your ass or did you get a rectalectomy yourself?"

"Lucifer... I knew you wouldn't be open to much of me coming and apologizing...but I swear to you...a lot of the times I came here for one reason and wound up always trying to get under your skin. It was never the true intention though..."

"Oh. Not your true intention? And even if not, as much as you hurt me when you say certain things...I can wing them off. But then you come after my friends. My family. The one I had to build from the ground up before parts of the choir started to actually come and show me their support. YOU had to attack them...which is surely where I draw the line..."

Sinister has posed:
Well, Essex HAD been off making sure things worked as they were supposed to, tested on kith and kin. That did take a little time. Then a bit more of him was doublechecking the same on human, meta and mutant samples, er...

So the arrival back home, not via wings but by a sworl of purple energy that originates from approximately where his heart, or perhaps a necklace would be -- and a sudden 'there he is'. That happened in the bedroom, so the sounds of arguments are rife and quite clear in the air. There's a blink, a frown to himself and a quiet arrival, just to stare at the brothers Grim in this particular tennis match, with one hand lightly resting on the doorway frame.

You know when you say 'it will take time for Luci to...' and that apparently equated to, 'what, it's been 24 hours, what's the worst that could happen, it only EVER leads to 'It seemed like a good idea at the time'.

Blink.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
You WOULD think 'take time' would mean a much longer portion of time to one of us." A familiar voice speaks up. Raphael is over at the bar, stooping down to ta- Oh nevermind, PUT another flask into the rations but hiding it a bit like an Easter Egg while Lucifer remains distracted. The tall blond figure straightens up and moves around, smiling over to Sinister. "But, after the amount of time this has already been going on, one gets impatient."

Giving a sigh, he strolls over to Sinister, turning around as he stands next to the doctor, turning back to the battling twins. "They are definitely brothers." He comments aside to Nathaniel.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer blinks and then glances over to Raphael who is suddenly here and talking. "Did you know this was going to happen? Could you not have warned me?" Asking this, because he doesn't have much context anyway, and then he looks to Michael again. "Timeless. I know you did not turn over a new leaf by the skin of your ass. What are you after?"

"Nothing. Look. Did I hate you before? Yes. As any brother would hate their twin sibling. You rebeled and were cast down. Then you decided to just up and leave Hell.. and what has Father done? Nothing. For a long time I hated you...hated that you never learned your lesson...and then hated you because Father did nothing more but send us down to try and make you change your mind..."

Lucifer scoffs and then goes through the motions of lighting up a cigarette. "Just to remind you, in case you've possibly forgotten...I was there for all of that."

Michael takes a breath. "And then... it dawned on me. You always had a role to play. I was just too blind to see it. This is what you're doing. Playing your role. Walking your path as it has been vaguely laid out for you. In the end... it was never you I should have been upset with..."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister looks to the appearance of Raphael and that, frankly is ALL his ballpark to answer, even if he's come into companionable distance with Sin by this time. My word, isn't this just an interesting tableau?

Sin holds up a finger. "You all are," because Raph just showed up, to referee? Maybe.

"Hello. Look, just to point out the obvious but... even if it's a trick and he wants something, you can tell yourself so and keep a weather eye open. And if he isn't, you're still expecting it and the lack of it won't come as much of a surprise." Clearing his throat, Nathaniel smiles and fishes his cigarette case out of his jacket pocket, setting his own to his lips in a mirror of the devil. Concentration has the end smolder and he sucks on it, puffing it to life. He acknowleges Michael with a nod.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Yes." Raphael responds to Sinister's comment. "But they're twins. They are more alike than they want to acknowledge."

Seeing Lucifer look over his way, Raphael maintains his smile before giving a shrug. "Well, We knew he wanted to come over to apologize." He acknowledges, "But not this soon. Either way this is well overdue."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer smokes on his cigarette a little more, eying Michael up and down a moment before he lifts his eyes to the heavens. "Nathaniel's right." He offers. "I accept your apology. It does not mean I have forgiven you. That will come with time. And with you proving yourself." Then he's locking eyes with Michael again. "One chance, Michael. You get one chance. The moment you slip..." He has to bite his tongue. "We shall see where it all lands."

Michael looks to Nathaniel as he speaks, then Raphael, and finally back to Lucifer. Listening as they all chime in before he lowers his head in a slow nod. "That's fair. Thank you for accepting my apology. I know I will have to work to earn your forgiveness and then further your trust. All of you." Then his attention goes back to Nathaniel. "Any further progress on...anything? The device...you have for this asteroid problem....how is it fairing?"

Sinister has posed:
"You don't say," to Raphael.

Watching the interaction with a calm demeanor and a measure of situational nonchalance that he might not feel beneath the surface, Sin clasps hands together at the brief cessation of hostilities. It might be eventual progress, it might yet give him the opportunity to give the archangel a bunch of fives... any which way you slice it, simmering down rather than blowing up, is a definite win.

The question catches him slightly off guard, but with a glance to Raphael and the fact that word seems to spread, he spreads a hand to Michael. "It is almost as prepared as it's going to be. I think I have at least a working solution to the synchronous calibration query, which will leave us with... the contemplation of scenarios, sans so much chaos in the mix." He flicks ash, watching it trail to the window a moment, a sneaky way to let his brain recalibrate also. "I'm still a little empowered by Uriel."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Raphael nods.

As the situation appears to come to a peaceful state instead of another mini-battle. Raphael tilts his head in acknowledgement of the amount of compromise going on for both sides. "Is the device you were testing on us meant for the calibration issue?"

Sinister's phone gets a message: I think it's finished.

Lucifer has posed:
"Still some things to work out, true." Lucifer adds in that much, making sure not to let Michael in on everything they have going on of course. He walks over to the bar and grabs a few glasses. Ever the gracious Host - when he's not battling his twin anyway. "Drinks anyone?"

Michael just nods his head and then looks between the two. "Powered by Uriel? What do you mean by that?" Asking in total innocence because he's not THAT aware of everything that has happened. When Lucifer offers drinks, he pauses. "Perhaps a whiskey?"

Sinister has posed:
"Yes," Sin nods to Raphael, pleased it seems that the connection got made, judging by the brightening in his tone as it's said.

And to Lucifer: "I'll have a glass of the Don Perignon..." which means he's spending the value of an entire house in some places, on a single glass of cognac. There's a smile, perhaps for the sheer indulgence of it, perhaps just for Lucifer. They have the same calibre of emotion behind them, it seems.

Then there's the text message, which he senses at first, then takes phone from pocket to confirm with his eyes. The screen is stared at for a few moments, because context is a vitaly important thing, but... occasionally two and two actually DO make four. "Well. That explains this, to a degree..." he glances up at the trio of Archangels, holds up the phone. "You may have been otherwise convinced that talking is a positive outcome. Your distant nephew, googleplexian grandson appears to have figured out how to channel Gabriel."

Speaking of. "Which led in a round about way to be being empowered by Uriel. He gave me a fragment of his DNA. You, all of you, have quite phenomenal side-effects."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Raphael considers the offer before he nods. "Whiskey as well." Leaving Lucifer to deal out the drinks, Raphael looks back over to Sinister. There's a small chuckle as the doctor studies his phone. The explanation gets a surprised look because... Well, he's not Uriel. "Gabriel." Raphael repeats, "He has been pretty busy recently. How many songs has it been now?"

Another text message comes in: Maybe we can test it out after the auction.

Lucifer has posed:
Ice, requested liquids, and action. Each glass lifted by the power of levitation and delivered to their respective recipients. When Nathaniel offers up the fact that another Archangel stepping in somehow is what may have kept things calm, Lucifer just chuckles. "I mean... that might be true. Gabriel eh? That would make sense... he is sort of the peace keeper between us I guess." This as he finishes his cigarette, crushing it in his palm before lifting his own glass of whiskey and taking a sip.

Michael plucks his drink out of the air and raises it in a small toast of thanks. "Appreciated." He sips. Blinks as Gabriel's name is mentioned and then glances to Nathaniel. "Ah. That's... interesting... who else's DNA have you gotten hold of?"

Sinister has posed:
"Three," Sinister replies, musingly, then AMused, he chuckles at the reply upon the phone. "Sounds like a capital plan, Nick. Lets do that." Said, but the text is nevertheless sent, translated from mind to device. "That's really not your business Michael, at least not at the moment. You're still on probation, remember?"

There is a nod though, to the tune of Gabriel. "We might have an interesting time of it after the charity event. I don't have the heart to tell him I think it worked."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Just be assured that any samples collected were given willingly." Raphael adds in, glancing in the general direction of the lab. "And for good reason. Cooperation helps out greatly against a shared threat."

Yet another message: Okay. Going to head out now. See you tomorrow.

One can almost feel the high of accomplishment on the other side of the message.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer places a placey placeholder placing parlay on possible poses. But with more text and less alliteration.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer raises a brow and then glances to Nathaniel as he moves from the bar now that all drinks have been delivered to settle by the man's side. "Probation?" He questions. "So like, he's here on possible good behaviour but the jury is still out on if it's the real deal or just him trying to pull the wool over our eyes?" He glances to Michael then over the rim of his glass which he's taking a sip of. "I suppose time will tell."

Michael takes in a breath and then nods. "Hopefully the prosecution will show mercy. Though I know my crimes are many, I will strive to make up for them as much as I can." Offering this and then looking to Nathaniel. "That's a fair assessment. I was just curious. I am glad to hear they were taken willingly but I am also sure that had they been attempted to be taken against will, Nathaniel would not be standing before us today as he is."

Sinister has posed:
There's a nod to Lucifer at his summizing, then Sin's eyes are on Michael. "There might have been a few more bumps and bruises, yes. And possibly some pulverization, but I will have you know, I am not as weakling mortal as I look," a finger is lifted, metronomed at Michael. There's a sniff, a loft of the nose in 'so there'. "But, that said... I've found asking works and if there's denial, proceed anyway in a round-about manner. It seems to work wonders on people anyway..."

He heads to the holoimagers though, keys a couple of them on and returns to the bar, a cigarette and his drink as he glances over at the imager. It shows the central dynamo of the Improbability engine, with the golden glow of Uriel's feather. It might be live-streaming, because there's no sound, but it occasionally blips out of existence, or phase with the camera. "Hopefully, what Raphael and Michael helped me fine tune, will in part allow multi-phasic repairs on the parallel engines. I can now ... effectively share my technomancy."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"It also helps if you have a good reason for asking." Raphael adds in. "And the asteroid concern happens to be a good reason." The blond angel pauses, taking a sip of his drink as he looks to the hologram. Then, a slow smile forms upon his face. "...I believe Michael Nicholas had a hand with at least one part of the preparation so...in a way-" He looks over to Michael, "Although indirectly, you helped out even before you came down to help test that device."

Lucifer has posed:
Michael steps forward towards the holoimager and tilts his head one way and then the other. As the machine phases in and out, he lofts a brow upwards. "So it exists here and elsewhere and you're trying to get it to synchronize somehow?" He asks before glancing over towards Nathaniel.

"Something like that." Lucifer actually chimes in. "A singular machine exists in each plane, but they're ... seconds to minutes off of each other ... so when we try to run the machine, it doesn't really work as intended. Though the rides we've taken have been... pretty crazy. Fun. But crazy."

Michael gives a nod. "Well, if you can think of any other way I could be of assistance... you know how to call us. I know you would likely never think once to call me but...I ask that you consider it, at least." He finishes his drink, setting the glass down. "For now. I believe I've likely exhausted my non-invitation to be here and, if there's nothing else, will take my leave home."

Sinister has posed:
"You catch on rather quickly," Sinister looks to Raphael, then nods. "He's been tinkering. I think it sort of culminated to some of it actually having weight..." But with the words of explanation, he stares at the holoimager, as if daring it to blip out once and for all. Or as if by staring at it, he might find the enlightenment he needs. Pale skin is painted in the gold from the glow, making him seem peculiarly ennervated.

"You are kind. I am... less so. But I am sure, if I can work out how you can help, I may well call. Send out a usual all-channels signal, as I don't exactly know how to do individuality with any accuracy." ALl of that is murmured, then he looks away from the image just as it blips again, looking over at the Celestials.

Just a shake of the head follows. "Never in a month full of sundays," would he ever have thought he'd be having THIS conversation. With these beings. "Be well, Michael." He looks to Raphael, as if asking the silent question whether it's a two-fer.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Raphael nods as Sinister quietly queries with a questioning look. "I will be making my leave as well." He throws in. "We do have a bit of a busy...season coming up."

He glances over to Michael and then back over to Lucifer. "Overall I would say this was a pleasant get together. We should do this more."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer salutes Michael with his whiskey glass as the other Archangel twin makes his leave. After he takes a breath in and out before shaking his head. "I don't know what to make of all that. Him turning over the leaf like that is just...weird...but... he's also always been sort of..." He tries to think of how to word things. "I don't know. There's always been tension... always. And now suddenly he wants to amend things?"

Sinister has posed:
"I once encountered a notary who had a last will and testment of a gentleman client, who stipulated that the largest mirror in his house was to be delivered to his daughter, so that she could take a long, hard look at herself from top to bottom." Sinister shrugs one shoulder up with a bow of the head to Raphael and his imminent departure.

"Sometimes, it takes holding up the mirror to see what you've become, my love."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
After Michael makes his leave, Raphael gives one last look to the couple before nodding his head to the bar area. Nothing said out loud but a general message sent. If it's the right one, who knows. But one was given.

Raphael vanishes.