16109/Tale of the unexpected

Tale of the unexpected
Date of Scene:	08 March 2024
Location:	Lucifer's Penthouse, Melville
Synopsis:	Raphael paid a visit to Sinister during Lux 'busy time' - not every night can be all socializing with the masses after all. Things were discussed.
Cast of Characters:	Sinister, Phantasm (Drago)

---

Sinister has posed:
It is a weeknight, but it is also the precursor to the weekend rush in the club and the hour is definitely late. Schmoozing and carouselling is no doubt being done down below -- once that was a very different thing to say, when the flames licked high, or the ice was so bone-chilling that no warmth could ever be found. Carouselling 'down below' was definitely different, once upon a time.

The penthouse is quiet. No music is playing, the lights are all off and the great floor to ceiling windows have no tint to them to keep out the light -- but the ceiling is covered in stars. They shift periodically, some areas drawing nearer, others further away as Sinister lies on his back, on the floor, gazing upward.

Maybe he's considering the approach of future impending doom and a schmoozing of a different kind, but the sky responds to his will, much as the physical foment of life is his lego set. When you actually think about his capabilities, not his abilities, it can be quite frightening to consider.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
With the lack of music it should be easy to hear any visitors coming up the penthouse elevator but right now that is still silent. But then over to the breakfast nook area, there's the rustle of feathers. Amongst the starlight, there's the dark shape of a winged figure standing.

The form is quiet for a few moments but judging from the positioning, they are looking to the floor set doctor. But there's no rush over nor insults thrown.

So at least Michael is ruled out.

"...Long day?" The voice of Raphael inquires.

Sinister has posed:
There's a slight brightening of the ambient light, mostly because the moon arrived in the 'sky', off ot the side, muted and serene. The half moon, so the glow is caught half way between the 'seeing moon' and the 'hunting moon' -- between the light and the shadow.

Sinister doesn't move, but there is the sound of breath intaken, a slight shift in fabric against the floor that suggests he looked, possibly upside down, at the visitor.

"Days are always long. Nights, also -- I rarely sleep. Mostly, in the shadow I think about things and sort out the day." A pause "Good evening, Raphael."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hearing the answer from the doctor, there's a nod given. "I can understand. Sleep isn't a necessity for some. But overall, I still advocate for it."

The angel pauses, considering the lying man. "And good evening, Nathaniel." A hand lifts, gesturing to a space of the floor beside the prone form. The wing on that side shifts, accentuating the gesture. "May I join you?" Raphael asks.

Sinister has posed:
"If you wish. THere's plenty of room and it's nice and cool. I turned off the heated flooring -- I'll turn it back on later, when Lucifer's back up here. If you came to speak to him, he's hosting something business oriented as far as I know. Lots of wallstreet bigwigs with no moral conscience."

Sinister's words end there, a kind of companionable silence reigning for a few at least. Distant nebulas play their colours, as if viewed through a telescope, or perhaps they ARE being viewed that way, borrowed from international data. Who knows?

"THe dark is a great equalizer, don't you think? I mean, in the dark, we're all the same."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
To the acceptance of the company, there's a shift to the light as Raphael's movement blocks the respective bits of starlight. Glancing down, he turns so that he's looking to Sin right side up.

Tilting forward, the wings curl in as he seats himself.

Raphael glances up to the view.

"Sounds like a general charity fundraiser." Raphael comments. "Some have the right intent. But others are more focused on how they look rather than the cause itself."

There's a soft chuckle, seemingly betraying the attempt for humor before he becomes quiet once again.

Sinister has posed:
"Astute," which somehow translates in one word, to 'you could compare that to a lot of situations and I'm not sure if that was a scold on you, or on me' -- it's all in the tone, dontchaknow.

Maybe Raphael will feel a very slight brush against one or two of his primaries as he settles, a hidden, closeted appreciation of the colours he cannot see and the representation of what they -are-. To him, at least.

"The whole of the cosmos, started on a great cataclysmic moment of agitation. Everything possible that can be possible, under the stars... but a whole lot of nothing in between, that cannot be measured except by its absence. Quantum's a very interesting school. I've been trying to think of a way to actually -view- subspace, but the laws of physics keep getting in the way."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Raphael looks down at Sinister a brow raising to the tone used. But nothing is said of the response. Instead he watches the star lights moving across the ceiling. The touch of the feathers causes for him to glance back to Sinister for a moment. The wings relax, one seemingly forming a slight tent over Sinister with the head still on the outside.

Raphael turns his glance back up to the ceiling. "That... I can not help with. But I am curious to when you'll achieve that."

Sinister has posed:
Well, isn't it sometimes all about the look of the thing? righteous indignation and standing proud. Pride as they say, comes before a fall and at least the one has it in spades. The other is a tad more humble about things.

The shadow of wings is an odd comfort and maybe empathy and good bedside manner will tell that it's soothing and calming to have it there. A canopy of significance.

In the dark, Sinister's eyes begin to glow more, the fire inside 'switched on' so to speak. It limnes his cheekbones and brow ridges in hellish glow, but also makes his features easier to see. He's looking up at the sky's illusion, but also at the seated archangel.

"I don't know that I shall. Not that I like to admit this, but some things are beyond me. Mathematically, you kind of have to appreciate what isn't there, by the balancing number that solves various equasions. Known quantities, like the gravitational pull of a certain planetary well. I've been able to track ... the absence that way, in following the trajectory of something I can't actually track. It's paradoxical. I think H.P. Lovecraft may have been right that certain areas of the known universe might drive you mad, if you could perceive it."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"True, you don't know that you will." Raphael allows, "But you also don't know that you won't. Supposing the asteroid issue gets settled, you have much more time than most."

The cast off light of the eyes diffused by Sinister's skin ends up having a side effect of providing more illumination on the Angel. It is apparent that he's not frowning, which is likely a good sign. But he's not smiling either. His glance seems more fixated upon the stars. "Generally to achieve something of importance, sacrifices are made and often by the one doing the achieving. Sometimes it's as simple as time and money. Other times, it's a greater cost."

There is a pregnant pause. It lingers, becoming full term before Raphael opens his mouth once more. "Do you wish to speak of the last visit?"

Sinister has posed:
Absence is sometimes telling, as this conversation infers. But facial expressions can't usually be calculated by the laws of physics, because objectivity and subjectivity don't go hand in hand.

"I'm not entirely sure that there's anything much to say, Raphael. Your position is plain -- and believe it or not, I do get your point, though it's... arguable. And also easier, when viewed from the perspective of one that is by and large -instructed- not to interfere." Sinister sighs, then grimaces, clearly visible. "Apparently, there was more to say than I anticipated."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Hmm." Raphael shakes his head. "I may have gotten a bit...upset with one of your comments, which led to some words spoken I was not planning on." He pauses, "I did not mean to upset you. But... it's less instructing you not to interfere...I am aware of your help in matters. It is welcomed from my viewpoint. But. Instead of stepping back or passing the baton-"

Raphael pauses, "Is that a phrase? Something gets passed. Well. There will be times where your approach works but, there will be times what Leonard was trying to warn you about will be more suitable."

The wing shifts slightly, brushing the floor for a moment as Raphael straightens his posture. "...Although I suspect you've already gotten a taste of it."

Sinister has posed:
"Yes, well. You know, I didn't have to take any interest at all..." it's not petulantly spoken, but it's given with a punctuating sigh. THe archangel's gazed at still, 'right way up' as he is, sitting kiddy corner to the geneticist.

"It's a power that has mirrors, the gift of the phantasm. But I don't purport to understand mysticism as a force nearly as well as I do the expression of physical mutation. Where he will sometimes go, I know I cannot follow. Nor would I particularly want to."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"I am aware." Raphael replies, frown deepening. "You pointed that out last time..." The body shifts, wings shifting back slightly as Raphael sets the palms of his hands against the floor. Lips part, but close after a few moments before he glances back to the ceiling. "Reflections." He offers up. "The state of mind...the mood..." He pauses. "It is an odd gift that clan has. But, there is some overlap. The state of the mind is an important thing. Which may have been a factor in why Leonard opted to delay his involvement beyond what was immediately necessary. But...to get the full story, one would have to listen for understanding instead of for replying."

Sinister has posed:
THe illumination of Sin's eyesocket stretches slightly, indicative of an eyebrow raise in the dark, beneath the sea of stars, illusory as they might be. "I shouldn't be surprised, I feel..." and doesn't sound it either. He rolls himself to his elbows, then brings himself further into a seated position, in the twilight of the half-moon holoimage up above. With a greater silouette, it's obvious that he's simply got a tank top and sweat pants on, which when the doctor is more visible, leaves very little to the imagination regarding physique.

No real surprise that Sinister is Built <tm> that might even be quite literally. Arms get slung around his knees, ankles crossing as he watches Raphael keenly and now... silently.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Sinister rolls around, Raphael's wings lift, cautiously folding away. Then the wings are just, gone. There's a long pause as Raphael looks to the quiet Sinister. Does some conversational math and sighs. "I meant, you would have to have an actual conversation with Leonard himself to know what he's thinking."

Sinister has posed:
There's a continuation of silently looking at the Archangel in the room. At length, after he's apparently viewed Raphael from the left eye over his cheekbone and then the right. "Raphael, he makes my hackles raise. All the way up raise. It would take quite a bit for me to give enough of a shit to -do- that. I do /not/ like him, at all."

The tone is matter of fact and blunt.

"And he's not been the most endearing. Then again, I suppose neither have I, but I didn't -start- that way."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"... I am aware you do not like him." Raphael acknowledges. "And I'm aware that it would be difficult." The angel taps fingers along the floor, "Have you ever had to work with another doctor who you disliked greatly in order to accomplish a goal?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister gives another sidelong look, right eye again this time, and shakes his head to accompany it. "I was a student once, but I suppose I was always somewhat alone in my studies, then in my practice, fundamentally because everyone thought I was off my rocker, Raphael. I've spent two hundred years doing all my work alone."

And yet, still.

"I've had to work with people that I've summarily despised, but I've had reasons to ignore it. Selfish ones, I suspect."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Raphael nods. "And comparing the one you just thought of and Leonard. Which one is worse?"

Sinister has posed:
"You don't want me answering that question, Raphael" Sinister cracks his neck and rises, moving over to the refrigerator and pulling out orange juice. He pours two glasses, the light briefly illuminating porcelain pale shoulders then the light is extinguished once more as he heads to the drinks cabinet.

Cointreau, galliano and a splash of grenadine and the cocktail is set on the ground nearby the archangel. He walks to the windows and stares out at the world with his own in hand.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Raphael looks to the drink set beside him. "Thank you." He picks it up, watching as Sin walks over to the window. He sips the drink, pulling it away to look to it in the dim light. "Perhaps, it is a fools errand to try and get you two to get along. It seems like we traded one feud with another. But- if Lucifer and Michael could set things aside- Maybe it'll happen for you two. Just-not right this second."

Sinister has posed:
"You're welcome. It's called a Harvey Wallbanger..." Sinister says in an absent kind of tone, perhaps watching infinity in his own reflection, but most likely looking out over the city in silence, from so high above.

There's quiet for a good while.

"Remember Lucifer's just giving Michael a shot at not being a total arse. He's still got to do the legwork. I'm just done with that -- I have no reason not to be." A pause "And before you say anything -- Nick will exist with or without my teaching him anything."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The glass is brought over to his lips once again, taking another sip. The quiet is left intact by Raphael, leaving Sinister to be the first to break it. Eyes close as he sips the drink again. The drink is finished, leaving the angel to move to his feet, walking towards the kitchen area to deposit his glass.

"For them, that is setting things aside." Raphael responds, "I will continue to hope."

Sinister has posed:
"I beg your pardon?" Because that didn't make much sense to Essex and he looks over at Raphael with his brow arched once again.

"They're rather good, are Wallbangers. I forget when they got invented, but they're quite refreshing." The patio door is cracked open a little and cigarettes are floated over, one lit with a match.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Raphael tilts his head, resting his hands upon the counter. "Pardon for what?"

Sinister has posed:
"Oh, apparently that was very English of me." Sinister smiles faintly and gestures with his cigarette toward Raphael. "I don't follow what you meant, by 'For them, that is setting things aside.'" He explains.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Oh." Raphael nods. "You've seen how they normally interact. Voices raised, insults thrown, and one generally leaves in a fury. But with a shared goal. They're willing to try and cooperate. Do I expect for them to get through things without a squabble here and there? No. BUT. They're trying. That's new."

Sinister has posed:
"Ooooh! Oh, the twins. Now I see. I wasn't sure which words you had been responding to, so it appeared mildly as a nonsequitur," Sin muses on Michael and Lucifer, the interactions and lack thereof that have occured whilst he's known this situation. "I dare say biblical studies and prophecy haven't really done either of them much good in the trust department, either. What with the end of days and the battle between brothers and all."

Which one could argue is down to insult slinging and occasional punches, but there COULD be gargantuan flaming swords and the gates of hell flying open wide. You know. Small mercies.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, if prophecy were taken as absolute truth there'd likely be less focus on asteroid stopping and more focus on drinking right now."

Sinister has posed:
"Well, I don't hold much with that kind of thing anyway, I'm a purponent of my own destiny. But that doesn't mean it isn't also a good idea. Drinking sometimes is exactly what you want to do -- mind... I prefer the notion of things -not- ending in a cosmic entity having a bad day at me." Sinister flicks ash to the wind, drags again at his cigarette.

"Sucks to not be able to get drunk, I suppose. Lucifer's got an occasional way around it."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Hmm... Well, I can not guarantee you won't see one having a bad day again. That is the consequences of choosing to hang out....backstage as it were." Raphael moves back from the counter, "I think I should get going. Other obligations to tend to today. But you know how to reach me."

With that, Sin finds himself the only one in the penthouse again.