16216/Interlude : Apologies for Appetizers

Interlude : Apologies for Appetizers
Date of Scene:	22 April 2024
Location:	Lucifer's Penthouse, Melville
Synopsis:	Nick comes to offer apologies, then it's decided that food and games were better than a night at Lux proper.
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Lucifer, Sinister

---

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Well. What an afternoon. After watching Henri leave, and watching for a few more moments to make sure he wasn't turning around, Nick finished what was left of his water. The water had been out long enough that the ice cold was more slightly cold which allowed for quick work to be made. But with that completed, and more than enough time for someone to get changed, Nick took a breath and headed to the elevators.

A quick button mash and he was soon in the elevator car, pressing the button with one destination in mind. Nick shuffles back, leaning against the wall of the elevator as he glances to the number display with a sigh.

In retrospect, leaning against an elevator wall is probably not the most sanitary thing one can do but- Sometimes you just need to lean against something.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer hasn't actually changed. In truth, it's still a few hours before he would put on his suit and tie to make an appearance while the club is in full swing. He is, in fact, sitting on his throne with one leg crossed over the other, face propped in his palm, and a book in his free hand. What book could he possibly be thumbing through at this hour after putting things on the line only to have his words thrown back at him?

The Bible.

In many ways, the Bible is a memoir of his early years of existance. It's the story of the before times, and sometimes he has to re-read it, just to make sure his memory isn't fucking up any of the details. It's not. It couldn't. But when one is put on the chopping block, doubt can set in. When he is reminded of the people who do things in his name. The monster he is lurks at the forefront of his mind. He cannot help it. So he reads the Bible to remind himself of why he is who he is. How he came to be. And then uses that as a catalyst to continue being the change in his own destiny.

Sinister has posed:
Well, the elevator that goes UP only, is regularly washed. Sterilized in actual fact. The man that regularly uses it, as opposed to the Archangel, is a tad fastidious with general hygiene levels. Scientific practice and medical profession combined to make habits, dontchaknow.

The door's almost utterly closed when it slides open again, admitting Sin. He looks up at the ceiling as the machinery gets into movement, tucking his hands in the small of his back.

"Storming out for dramatic effect, is sometimes just a matter of vertical movement." With a glance to Nick, he smiles as the elevator reaches the penthouse and dings softly.

He steps out, immediately beginning to talk. "That probably -could- have gone worse. It definitely could have gone better though -- I suspect now we are dealing with unknown territory though." Over toward the balcony doors, he's opening them. Bit of fresh air. "Did the book become any more enlightening, or is there still a lot of historical gaffery and fashion advice? And tacit misogyny, outright xenophobia and a good smattering of superiority complex?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As the elevator door opens, Nick turns his head. As Sinister confirms indirectly that Lucifer just went upstairs, Nick gives a small smile before looking back to the number display. The rest of the ride is quiet but upon them reaching their destination, Nick ends up stepping out after Sinister. His words weren't as quickly prepped.

Nick walks over to the throne, looking to the devil studying the bible.

"...I don't know when or if he will...But allow for me to offer an apology for Henri's behavior. You didn't deserve that. He's...very old fashioned. And extremely slow to change."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer lifts his gaze from the book to Nathaniel who is opening up the balcony doors which rush in some fresh air - cooler - but also fresh. Which may be a welcomed thing. "It is as you explain it. The older text even more so... I have translations dating fairly far back you see..." But the book he is holding is a Kings James Version, which really took the piss out of translating tablets that were then translated to pages and then...well...one gets the idea.

He glances over to Nick, who is offering an apology and this has him uncrossing his legs and sitting up more properly.

As a King should.

"I appreciate your words. I am also sorry if I...somehow put a wedge in your friendship with them. That was not my intention. It is also not your place to apologize for them, but again, I appreciate it. You have nothing to apologize for, Nick. I just...hope you do not look at me with any sort of disdain in how I treated your friend."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister does not share any further words for now, standing in the open balcony doors for a moment, gazing out at the setting of the sun. He turns his back on it after Lucifer's begun to speak to Nick, lifting his gaze above the throne and over to the musician, steps taking him to the right hand of the devil, resting a hand on the back of the throne. He remains standing.

"After a while," it's softly said "...it takes a real got your goat moment, to get a truly gargantuan rise. You do somewhat get used to the sleights and insults. It makes the genuine moments more poignant for it." He slants his attention to the book then, wrinkling his nose.

You also have to take into account generational illiteracy for hundreds of years, where the text of said book was read by only a handful, to the masses... and reprinted by hand, with imbellishments. Repeatedly. Through, anyone? Damn illuminated texts not looking pretty enough...

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick shakes his head, "I don't. While I don't know exactly all of what you said to him in French. I think I approximated enough to know you didn't say or do anything in this meeting to cause for that reaction. And you have a right to stand up for yourself. I didn't hear or see anything in your responses that he didn't bring upon himself."

A sigh is let out, "Maybe he shouldn't have been the first person I told."

He pauses, "...I guess if he continues to be an ass, I could tell Heloise about his behavior."

Lucifer has posed:
"He asked me to prove that I was who I said I am. Effectively I asked if fire would be enough, but then admitted that even a magician can make fire. So then, I told him that my wings could stand as proof. And then asked if he was satisfied. You heard his reaction after." Lucifer admits. "I only spoke to him in French because English did not seem to be...an easy language for him." (As the character, NOT the player, I promise) He shrugs his shoulders then before standing. Which may seem very imposing as he sort of looms over Nick by height alone.

But his next gesture is a hug to the man, even if not wanted. Lucifer hugs are rare things. "I truly am proud of you for some of the steps you have taken in recent times." He backs off from the hug then and actually gives a smile. "It came up in conversation due to the theme of the talk. That's no ones real fault... you explained as you needed to, yes?"

He looks over to Nathaniel then, taking the few steps backwards needed to be at his lovers side. "And you. That face when my wings came out, and the blank in your mind after calling you my husband. Surprised, my love?"

Sinister has posed:
The hug is witnessed! To be fair, those are rarer than his feathers are a lot of the time. Those shed. Are used as gifts and necessities -- but hugs? Oh heck no. It makes Sinister chuckle silently. "I would tend to agree, Nick."

Then apparently, it's his turn. "Publically? Yes. No matter what I accept of where I am these days, I enjoy the fact that I can still be thrown off and caught flat footed." Sinister admits with a wry turn of smile to join the previous silent chuckle, but HE in this moment, takes the tall King of Hell in both arms. The gesture and posture has subtle edges of possessiveness -- though relaxed, there /is/ a tension of line which never quite goes away. He gives a squeeze, then with a single kiss, releases, nodding to the washroom. "I'm wearing the finery. I'm going to actually get changed -- believe it or not, what I'm wearing I actually -bought-." Shock horror! And that said, he stalks that way, as casual as anything.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods as Lucifer explains what he said. "...I got the fire and magician one, but I didn't get the wings comment." He admits, "I was kind of pulling from the structure of other wo-" Nick pauses as Lucifer gets up, tilting his head up to look to the taller figure.

Feeling the hug, it soon becomes clear that there should have been no concern for the desire for contact as Nick's weight shifts forward. Arms wrapping around the one who initiated the interaction. Perhaps, the gesture was needed more that one would think.

It does lead to a slight delay to Lucifer's retreat but not by much as the gentle pressure upon the arms become the clue to let go.

Composing himself, Nick nods, taking a step back to accommodate for the delay in separation earlier. "It's just how the conversation went." He confirms, looking to Sinister as he seconds the assessment regarding fault.

"Thanks for understanding. The both of you."

Lucifer has posed:
There's a hug. The hug lasts for a little moment and then they part from it. This is when he's next to Nathaniel before Nathaniel speaks of going to change. Lucifer smirks and nods as Nathaniel gives him a squeeze, the kiss is also returned. It's a moment later when what Nathaniel said about chanigng into clothes that he actually bought. Now that gains the lift of an eyebrow and a bit of excitement to see what the man bought for himself to wear.

His attention returns to Nick after a moment. "Of course. I'm just glad things between us aren't shattered. I do hope your friend decides to maybe come back and try again...." And this is when he shifts to take a seat back upon his throne. Sans Bible for the moment.

Sinister has posed:
It takes a hot minute. There IS clothing that needs to be properly reabsorbed or whatever it is actually happens when Sin unmakes what he made -- molecular reshifting? There we go, that will work.

There's atonal humming from the bathroom, which may or may not have a tune anyone is familiar with, given that it was the rage on the docks, when the Doctor was young. It has that hint that it was probably bawdy and probably saucy and likely as not, wasn't usually repeated in polite society...

Then he's emerging with a 'tadaaa' of jazz hands.

House slacks, these ones in a snow-leopard print, made of what seems to be afghan rabbit wool. It's... likely the completely glaring wtf moment that spurned that actual purchase. Because snow-leopard rabbit wool PJs?? Yes indeed.

"What do you think?" well, they do show up the contours. And they sit nicely. And they're /snowleopard print/. He's also got his hair up in a manbun on top of his head. Because: reasons. As if this wasn't weird enough.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"I hope so too." Nick agrees, "But it might take a bit of time. He's even older than Leo. And I'm kind of noticing a direct correlation between age and how hard it is to break long standing habits."

He pauses, "There are exceptions to that, of course."

Hearing Sinister's inquiry, Nick turns around to see the attire.

...

"It is very you." Nick comments, cracking a slight smile.

He's got admit that does look like a fun piece. However, he tends to go for solids over patterns. Easier to visually obscure when he's using his abilities that way.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer blinks. Looks Nathaniel over once more. Then blinks again. "Ah, it is very you, yes. But that looks more like something you're going to lounge upstairs in rather than go rub elbows in the club." So maybe he was wrong with what was Nathaniel's plan. He had been out all day and likely needed to just vibe at home for the evening.

"Not that such is a bad thing. If this is a stay at home and veg night... I'm all for it. I may not even go back downstairs. It is Sunday evening after all..." Offering this much before he looks over to Nick. "You're welcome to stay longer. I could make something to eat...we could just hang out. As...families might do?"

Sinister has posed:
"Well, this is the first offering of several. But the rest cover less. Ties, pieces of fine jewelery, and a nice Versace number -- I have a Dior on order, they simply couldn't get that one properly fitted in time."

Gesturing to the bathroom, there is a floating array, which makes this look a LOT like some kind of olde timey cabaret number... given that Sin is soft-shoe shuffling and papapapaaahhhh'tidah-tah'ing like he's Gene Kelly...

And what is the floating array, put forth for inspection and adulation to the beat of a tune in the Doctor's head? Hats. Trilby's, stetsons, flatcaps, a pearly king coal-miner's hat, a nice fedora and SEVERAL top hats. Some are very high. Some fluted. Some with bands. Some with feathers and 'Baron Samedi' style hatbands of teeth and silver skulls... and even a bowler. Like the Sorceror's apprentice, only with headwear.

"Stay. There's a shit ton of alcohol and I think there's a universal infinite playlist to be fiddled with, along with visual effects. And Canasta, cribbage, poker, tiddly winks, snakes and ladders and the game of life. Somewhere."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Sinister getures, Nick turns his head to glance to the platoon of pantaloons- and...other stuff.

Hey even in the mind one reserves the right to describe things with a bit of artistic license.

The general suggestion to play hooky from the club tonight registers, enticingly so. After the mishap involving Henri, he had been figuring he'd just head back to the apartment to reread his book. Or maybe do some sketch work. But if they're planning to keep it simple....ish.

Nick nods to the invitation. "I think I'd like that." He admits, smiling.

Lucifer has posed:
"Yes, I think a simple family affair is rightly in order." Lucifer says as he watches the parade of hats. Though he does reach a hand out to bring the fedora in for a close inspection. "Oooh I do -love- me a fedora..." Saying this as he turns the hat over and under, just giving it a nice looking at. "And Dior on order. My goodness... dare I ask how much more empty your bank account is now?"

Your? Yes. His. They don't share an account. Well maybe one account, but Lucifer has a few, and Nathaniel has goddess knows how many with all the likely shell corporations he runs. Best to keep their illegal money separated for the just in case, yes? Yes.

"Alright! I shall get dinner started and do away with the idea of dressing to the nines and maybe dress myself down a bit more. Now. Nick. Tell me. If you could have any meal in the world, any meal at all right now. What would you like to eat?"

Sinister has posed:
"Oh, not that much. Drop in the ocean really --" because money makes money just by sitting there doing nothing. It's a thing. And although Dior is expensive, it's all relative, right?

"Oh, that would look splendid on you..." pausing in his little hat conduction, the others sway and bob in the air whilst they're waiting on inspection. Nick's too, just so that it's known. "Nick, if one leaps out at you, please take it from the invisible dancing conveyer belt, won't you?"

The thought duly bidden, that might have popped up in the musician's mind there, earns itself a look sloe-eyed and a slant of the regard to Lucifer.

Whatever it is, he'll be schtumm about it and go find where the cards and board games are, some background jazz starting up without any obvious attempt at turning anything on.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
To the invitation, Nick looks to the items floating by. Pale eyes glance momentarily to the flat caps but drifts over to a few of the trilby's. A hand reaches up to pluck a black one with black satin trim, turning it in his hands to inspect it.

Nick's smile falters to the question. It's a simple question but the very request ends up kicking up something hard to carry out.

Nick and his mom did live in a hotel but the place they stayed in did have a small kitchen to it. The oven was small, but it was just right for dishes a child could want.

Thoughts of a similar featured person comes to mind...well, at least similar featured on the side of the face visible. The woman always seemed to be looking to the side, always obscuring the same portion. But the focus is more on her smiling while scooping out a golden brown crusted noodle dish from a shallow baking dish.

Nick's smile recovers.

"The first thing that came to mind was oven baked macaroni and cheese." He admits, removing the descriptors that can't be recreated.

Lucifer has posed:
Hats are on display - and apparently on offer - Lucifer proudly wears his new blood red fedora with black felt trim on his head. Then Nathaniel is off to gather cards and board games while Lucifer has asked Nick for a dish he would like to have. Anything in the world.

Baked macaroni and cheese.

"Ah, a classic dish. I do believe I have all I would need to make that as well..." Then he turns and heads for the kitchen before he stops and looks back. "You want to help? Maybe grate some of the cheeses and such?" He has no -clue- due to not being a telepath, that he may be striking all the right and wrong nerve chords right now, but in his mind it will give Nick something to do and maybe feel like he contributed...something?

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's gaze glances over his shoulder as he straightens from rummaging in one of their fancy antique cupboards. He looks over at Nick for a long moment, then at Lucifer a much shorter one and back to the musician. He looks away, lips pressing thin and private in that there's a lot of activity over there that will make -this- missed... and shakes his head a little.

Aha. There we go. Games.

Quiet, but loud enough to carry "... we have bacon. If you want some extra pizzazz." And to make it more significantly different from Mom's. "And some chorizo. I think."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Lucifer doesn't have to offer twice. Trilby still in hand, Nick moves towards the kitchen. He pops the acquired black on black hat upon his head to free his hands. "Sure!" He responds, "I'll grate."

Hearing Sinister's suggestion, he nods, "That sounds good. Let's do that too." At the very least Nick isn't demanding an exact recreation of a recipe. Does he even know it?

What else- "Do we have panko bread crumbs?"

Lucifer has posed:
"We do have panko breadcrumbs, and if you want some more added pizzaz, we can mix in some italian herbs into them..." Lucifer says this while he moves to the fridge and pulls out a few different cheeses. All in blocks - because that's how they roll in Chez Morningstar-Essex. There's a sharp cheddar, gouda, parmesan-arigiano...and...he hums. "I think three cheeses is good, What do you think?" Of course he's also pulling out buttermilk and grabbing the flour - cause he'll be making a roux.

"Oh, how are you with spice? Like heat spice...but flavorful heat spice. Cause we can toss in some red pepper flakes, or even add a little paprika or chili powder to the flour I'm making the roux out of." He's definitely enjoying this, and likely a little bit more than he thought he would be. "Bacon or chorizo then? Or hell...por que no los dos?" He laughs at himself then.

Sinister has posed:
"Yes, why NOT both of them? Chorizo will add a little heat and some depth of flavour to it, the bacon is just... bacon. I mean, the Danish and the Canadians can't be entirely wrong, can they?" Sin grins, avoiding the kitchen like it's the plague and instead organizing the gaming table array, including the rest of the gaming experience which is holographic and played in three dimensional space. Ahem.

"Nick, I've had a thought... a slightly awkward one, but those are often the best and worst kinds."

Having said that, we'll soldier on. "If you want to enhance a few of your earlier memories, be in the moment with purposeful knowledge outside of the dreams of a child... I can help you do so. You go for trips down memory lane in other people's thoughts, but I suspect that might be a case usually, of who ferries the ferryman?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
If we're going with Chorizo, maybe paprika for the spice options." Nick adds in, glancing over to Lucifer, "While I'm certain you're used to the heat, I haven't had as much exposure to it."

He glances around, "Where's the grater usually kept?"

Where's anything really? How often has Nick even cooked in this kitchen?

The search for the grater ends up being paused as Nick hears his name, moving to where he can see Sinister, he listens to the offer. "...You mean, phantasm the phantasm?"

Apparently not QUITE Phantasm b-

Shut up Leo. You're not in this scene right now.

Lucifer has posed:
"Fair enough...and I try not to measure other people's heat limitations against my own. It would be a very unfair battle.." Lucifer offers this and then shows Nick where the grater is...and perhaps a few other things like bowls and plates and such. "Alright, bacon going into the frying pan, chorizo will be cubed up and fried off in the bacon grease.... which I can then use as an added flavor in the rue..." He thinks aloud but also mostly to himself.

When Nathaniel begins to talk to Nick about opening up old memories, enhacing them even, he just lets the two talk. This is the part where Lucifer might just go quite silent as he focuses on the cooking.

Sinister has posed:
"If you want to call it that, yes. Do the service for you, that you often do for others. Lucid memory, instead of lucid dreaming..." Giving that awkward moment its due, he looks over at what Lucifer is up to, the maestro in the kitchen and back to Nick.

"I'll understand of course if you don't want to. Completely understand, even..." nod. He then looks to the thin air, flicks a hand at it and brings up holo images, flicking this or that game aside. It's like fully immersive interactive Wii, or something.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Grater and bowl acquired, Nick starts taking care of the cheese. He's quiet as Sinister gives a bit more detail to what is meant. There's the soft scrr scrr scrr from grater before Nick breaks the moment of silence. Sure he's had therapy. He understand Lucid dreaming and can do it himself but- even then- "...Can I have some time to think about it?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer is cooking. Well, he's frying bacon - but making sure to get the bacon fairly crispy so it can be chopped up and sprinkled into the baked goodness that is to come. They can likely skip most of the cooking bit here in a moment, but for now... he's just cooking.

Sinister has posed:
There's a nod from Sin. "Of course. Take however much time you need, we've all the time in creation, in a manner of speaking." There's a clearing of the throat, then with a twirl of the arm, Nathaniel conducts one of those cinematic surround-sound checks, of a car vrooming all the way around the penthouse, at least in the audio. It's pretty good, a little hard on the base, which is adjusted. A point **explosion**, another point **happy path music**, a flourish **ominous woods music** and with a little conducting gesture just of his index fingers we have the Final Fantasy 'dada-dida-da-DI-dah-di-dah!' and a spotlight on him.

"Eeeeeeexcellent," in quiet contemplation, he then sets to setting the table.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Grate. Grate.

Doo Doo De Dooo.

Sizzle. Sizzle.

Doo Doo De Dooo.

Cube. Cube.

Doo Doo the Rue.

Mix. Mix.

Doo Doo De Dooo.



Cumbs. Crumbs.

Doo Doo De Dooo.



Bake. Bake.

Time to anticipate.

Oooh Food. Food. We're ready for yoOOoouuuu...

The timer dings.

"...What's Final Fantasy?"

Lucifer has posed:
Some of the cheeses get mixed into the rue, which then gets made into a cheesy sauce that then covers the elbow noodles. Bacon and charizo in next to stir together - a bit of both left aside. Layer into a bake dish, top with more cheese and bake! Then, out of the oven, sprinkled with bacon and chorizo and a splash of green onion. For color yes?

Yes.

All that done, it's set to cool - cause that will make it all come together and ooey gooey. So he looks to Nathaniel. Not knowing what Nick meant by asking about Final Fantasy. "Have we picked a game?"

Sinister has posed:
"It's a video game. I think I must have been broadcasting--" Sin replies, looking to the thin air the meal is presented in all its aesthetic glory. He won't have much, but he'll have enough to have participated. The glance is enough for intros to silently play in the background, scrolling through their character bits, their car chases, their shoot'm'ups, their tactics, all those little teasers that say 'play me' to the conniseur.

"I must admit, I studied RPG video games for a while in one of my selves, because of their compelling memes and storylines. They're most of them so very formulaeic, but addictive nevertheless and fullfill some need, psychologically. Quite fascinating for case studies and practical applications."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Oh." Nick pauses as his head swivels around to watch the car driving around. "I never really got into video games growing up."

He takes a moment to watch a bit of a intro clip for a game called Armello. Cute fuzzy animals in bits of armor going a- Oh look. Blood.

Well that's not so cute anymore is it?

Nick looks over to the mac and cheese sitting enticingly on the counter as it cools. Waiting IS the hardest part. "That smells delicious, Lucifer."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer gives a little grin. "Thank you. I hope it tastes as good as it smells. What would you like to drink with it?" He says this to Nick and then glances towards Nathaniel. "Nathaniel? Your usual cognac or do you want something else with dinner?" He would make something to go along with the mac and cheese, but there are two different meats in the dish itself - so their protein is well covered.

He gets down three plates and dishes up a healthy portion for everyone. "I never got into video games myself, but I have seen the effects -some- video games have on people. It's interesting. Not all violent video games cause violence, but people with violent tendencies should probably NOT play violent video games..."

Sinister has posed:
"I did a whole experiment with them, you know." Sin thinks a moment, glancing at the fare for the evening, whilst cute and fuzzy goes hack and slash in the background.

"Actually, filtered water is fine. I think this might be too rich to add cognac to it and not be a little overdone on the taste department..." Brita filters are king, yes they are.

"Neither did I. As a child that is. Rather obviously, I suppose. Bloody hell that was fatuous, wasn't it?" he snorts. "With their advent, it became quite a useful tool and topic of study. Nothing quite like that had existed prior, that was so immersive and filling of a specific human need."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Water works for me as well." Nick replies, continuing the no-alcohol pattern he had in the club.

He cocks his head to the side as Lucifer brings up the types of people who might be better off not taking in part in video games. Hmm. In that case it might be a good thing Nick didn't get into video games growing up.

Point for his aunt he guesses. Wherever she ended up at.

The musician takes a moment to admire the food.

Head tilting forward slightly, he closes his eyes. What goes through the mind is a bit off script. Focusing more on the good company than the food. Without the company, the food wouldn't have been there after all.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer nods. "Water it is then." Which, he doesn't mind serving at all and will even get a water for himself. Three waters, three plates of pasta all served and ready to eat. There might even be something to offer on the lighter side for dessert. Maybe dessert and coffee and then gaming and conversation. A family night. Which is something that... at least Lucifer ... has never really experienced. Not like this. And for a moment he just looks around and smiles. A genuine, non-Satanic, actual smile of joy and love.