16316/Money has no smell, they say

Money has no smell, they say
Date of Scene:	28 May 2024
Location:	Fontainebleu Antiques, Yonkers
Synopsis:	A transaction is made, but it is not a deal with the Devil.
Cast of Characters:	Hellequin, Lucifer

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Hellequin has posed:
Another day, yet another quiet day at Fontainebleau's Antiques. One could wonder how the owner can make a profit out of this quiet business. Maybe said owner does not need to make a profit to start with.

While no customer is around just after lunch, Henri de Fontainebleau has undertaken to open a large wooden crate stamped in blue letters /Musee de Cluny/, and filled with ancient weapons. With an experienced hand, the Frenchman is balancing a Medieval one-handed flail, visibly admiring the craftmanship of the weapon. His handling of the flail indicates that the man is not stranger to its use.

Already out of the crate is an assortment of pikes and halberds - looking very old and very sharp -, resting against the wall by the counter.

The air is filled with the smell of fresh brew and the soft singing of madrigal chants emanating from well concealed speakers.

Lucifer has posed:
The chime to the front door of Fontainebleau Antiques goes off as one Lucifer Morningstar steps into the establishment. The first thing that actually catches him is the chanting he hears from the hidden speakers. This causes him to smirk as he continues to walk inside.

Tho for Henri it would be like the past is appearing before him once again. For Lucifer does not appear as he did the last time Henri saw him at Club Lux. No, this time he wears a Puritan face, a deep blue outfit accented white from a time long ago. 1692 Salem - if one wanted to be precise. He also has a walking cane - not that he's ever needed to use it. And no top hat. That was a point back then to.

The only major other difference is he's wearing circle rim glasses that are tinted a deep blue - as if the sea had peaked within the lens. It's a few steps and then he pauses once he's in view of Henri and puts a little smirk on his lips. "You know. It took a little time, and a deep sweep of memories...but I think I finally realized where we had met before. And likely why - a little part of me - might have been just a tiny bit hurt and offended. But then I realized I wasn't wearing quite the same face as back then." He speaks and then looks at Henri directly - if one could tell past those dark frames. "Hello Hellequin."

Hellequin has posed:
The flail falls to a stop, as Henri looks towards the door. It's never a good idea to scare customers with a weapon, even an antique one.

Eyes narrowing, the Frenchman observes the visitor for a moment. The clothes, visibly from another era - one he remembers very well despite it having passed more than 300 years ago - bring back a flutter of memories. It is when his eyes look carefully at the visitor's face that the period clothes and the visitor connect in his now more vivid memories.

Salem.

On the day of infamy.

Not because he then met the Devil, no. Not because Henri actually sided with the Devil - God forgive. No. A day in infamy by the revelation that there is often more evil in Humans than in the Devil himself.

As he maintains his gaze upon Lucifer, showing no great surprise at the visitor as if he had been waiting for him since then, Henri nods, "He will be here at sunset," the Frenchman informs Lucifer, "For now, it is only me, humble Henri."

No question is asked as to the purpose of the Devil's visit.

Lucifer has posed:
"As I recall, humble Henri could not wait for the sun to go down. With each fall of the rope marking those in the audience with their fate. Swish. Swash. Swoosh." Lucifer offers, and continues to walk to the counter. By the time he has reached the counter, he's changed to his more modern appearance. An immaculately fitted three piece suit of deep blue with a cream undershirt and cream handkerchief tucked neatly in the left breast pocket. The walking cane remaining at his side.

"It was good work we did that night. Punishing those who were rifled with sin. Casting stones in glass houses, none the wiser to their coming fate." He chuckles, almost darkly, and then takes a breath and his entire demeanor changes. "And now you run an antique store. How very apropos of you. I will not ask if you have missed me - as I am sure I know the answer - but perhaps putting two and two together you now understand a bit more. I do not lead those who would come to Hell, I simply open the gates when they arrive. It is their will to choose which path they follow and none that I can do to stop them." Because it is not the Devil's place to do so. "And I still stand by the idea that while written and spoken word have given me a very nasty history the truth remains that I am not as evil as people claim I am. I simply...play my part." Which has always been his stance even if parts of his path are lined in Fool's Gold.

He looks over the weaponry laid out from the recent shipment and then lets his gaze wander a bit more after. "Now that I am here, I am wondering if you have something I am in the market for. A decorative piece, a knife perhaps, with floral notes. I'd like to browse your offerings and perhaps acquire a piece or two. As a gift."

Hellequin has posed:
The transformation to present-day Devil appearance also helps Henri to connect the dots. The Lucifer he met at Lux did not resemble the one he had met in Salem. If proof was needed, it is not required anymore.

Nonetheless, the Frenchman remains very calm, as if chatting with the Devil was all natural.

"I was taught otherwise when I was young," Henri explains regarding the influence of Lucifer, "But centuries of punishing sinners led me to believe that people uses Satan as just an excuse for their actions and sins. I agree that in most cases, it is their own idea - or ideal - conception of the Devil that leads them astray. Regardless, I punish them." He grins at that, adding, "When I can, of course. By the way, did you grill them on the fire of Hell as they deserved?" Obviously, the notion of people choosing their own punishment is not totally integrated.

Placing the flail on the counter, the Frenchman looks down at the large crate on the floor, then up the wall where many antique weapons are on display.

"Knife, with floral element," he repeats, mentally reviewing his inventory. "It is more usual to see them with a Totenkopf, which I refuse to buy, of course. Une fleur, hrm."

Moving behind a large glass display, drawers are opened and closed, in search of the item. "I believe I have one somewhere. Ceremonial, if that is as good?"

Lucifer has posed:
"They all got their punishments as they deserved. Some grilled on the fire, some were basted in the lake... and the torment continues even 300 years later." Lucifer answers this first and then nods. "It takes a certain type of person to allow themselves to learn and evolve as life moves on and experiences change. Am I entirely innocent? No, of course not. But I never do what I do to those who do NOT deserve it. I do not change a good man to evil...but I will make an evil man suffer." If that makes any sense at all. Which it likely does. To some.

Then they are around to the inquiry of Lucifer's desire to purchase an item. As Henri moves to search for something he has on his mind, the Devil nods. "Ceremonial will actually be perfect. I expect this to be used more as a display than actual weaponry. But my darkheart has a thing with blades." He offers in explanation while shifting to walk towards the display counters that Henri searches behind. "You have an impressive collection of items...I might come back a bit more often. I am a collector of things myself, you see."

Hellequin has posed:
"If I learned anything," Henri says, still rummaging throughout the lower drawers, "It is that nothing is as black or white as I was told. There are shades in between. It is really the intent that makes a difference, in the end."

Obviously done with this topic - what else was there to add - the Frenchman smiles proudly at the mention of his collection, as he finally produces a closed wooden display case. Placing it on the counter for Lucifer to open it, Henri admits, "Yes, and most are actually trophies," he reveals, "I got them directly from the owners. You see the taller pike over there?" he asks, pointing at the wall, "Got it directly from Gilles de Rais' bloody hands. Priceless."

Pointing at the presented case placed on the countertop, he adds, "But not this one. I would not insult you in explaining to you what a Mughal dagger is. Interesting that they would put flowers on it, I guess they liked to kill with flourish?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer only nods his head to the last thing Henri says about the topic of the Devil and his doings. Nothing more to say on the matter indeed.

He looks over as Henri explains about the pike on the wall and where he got it from. Or, perhaps more specifically, who he got it from. "My word... I believe I have him somewhere in the pits." Is all he says, a bit enamoured by the pike until Henri comes forth with a case that draws the Devil's attention back.

"Well, for killing yes. But I do believe the more decorative ones were actually gifts passed down...either way...to have something from a fallen empire..." He opens the case then to look upon the blade itself. "With sheath in tact and everything... oh this is beautiful..." He doesn't dare pick it up just yet - at least not the dagger itself. The case is lifted so he can look at it all around. "Yes. I will take this. Do you allow accounts for tabs, or do I pay up front?" In that whole, you know I'm good for it, kind of manner.

Hellequin has posed:
There are lots of other trophies around, even among the jewelry where can be found a few items from the Bathory collection. It would take hours to tell all the stories.

Considering the question of payment for a moment, the Frenchman seems lost in thoughts, or maybe even hesitating. What he would love to ask, should probably not be asked to the Devil. But again, Satan was the closest person he knew to God. Funny, thought that way. None of the priests, monks, bishops, scholars, none of them could ever answer his question over the centuries. Could the Devil?

"In fact, I would be more than happy to give it to you, if you could return a favor for me."

And no, he is not going to ask right away. Maybe his question has no answer after all.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer raises a brow at Henri's mentioning of returning a favor if given the dagger. Then he smirks and gives a little bow of sorts. "Well, this is a twist I did not see coming. However, I do love myself a good deal. If it is a favor you want, then a favor you can have for the dagger...so long as I get the box and everything it's in right now." He answers this and then tilts his head. Not having a clue what is on the Frenchman's mind at this time - a question that may not even have an answer.

"I would, however, like you to profit at least a little from my visit... and not just in favors owed. Perhaps another little trinket... oh... how about some sort of decorative antique box. I have something that I would like to display in a bit more fashionable manner than it's stored right now..." Of course, he's not going to speak on what this item is. It may not even be possible to transfer the contents - but he will give it the old try either way.

Hellequin has posed:
The offer seems fair enough. The Frenchman has mentioned a favor, not a deal, so there is no harm in returning favor without entering into a deal with the Devil.

"The dagger is already yours either way," Henri states, "Now, a decorative antique box for it," Henri repeats, once again mentally reviewing his inventory. "If you do not mind extreme cultural clash," he says, walking to the incunables display across the room, "I have a very unique piece that would fit." After finding what he was looking for, Henri returns with what seems to be a small box covered with a French blue velvet protecting cover and hands it to Lucifer.

"French. Marie-Antoinette. And before you ask, Robespierre." Which is a resume of how this precious item came into Henri's hands.

"As for the favor, really, it is not much. Just a simple question. But go ahead, see if you like the box."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer tilts his head and then looks at the velvet covered item before lifting the velvet off to see what is underneath. "Oh. This will do quite nicely. Just so you know, it's not for this dagger. Something else in my collection that deserves a bit more finesse while it is on display..." Again, however, he will not tell what it is exactly he is trying to replace. But this box is lovely in it's simplicity and the fact that it is tied to Marie-Antoinette.

"So the dagger is mine, and this box will set me back how much?" Asking, not really caring about the price, but wanting to make sure he does pay for it properly. "As for the favor... now you have truly piqued my curiosity. What is this question of yours? I shall strive to find the answer to it as best I can."

Hellequin has posed:
Despite owning a /modern/ store, Henri likes to be old school - very old school - at times. It was nice back then, to take someone's word and for such person to honor it. Honor had real value. Payments could then be settled to a later date and would provide a reason for visiting and collect the money due.

"I will send the bill to your attention," Henri explains, "With a honest price, of course."

That said, the Frenchman walks behind the counter to retrieve a cloth bag - French blue, of course - with Fontainebleau's brand stamped on it - a fleur-de-lys, how original.

"The favor is simple, like I said, a question. One that I doubt you have the answer to, but maybe the means to find it." As he speaks, the bag is handed to Lucifer for him to carry his purchases.

Looking at the Devil, the question is then stated. "Why me of all?"

Yes, very simple question, simply asked. No doubt Lucifer can understand that the Hellequin, over all these years and centuries, has wondered why he had been chosen by God to do what he was tasked with.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer inclines his head once and then offers a smile. Not a grin. A genuine smile. "I have no doubt the price will be an honest one, and I will make good on it once the bill comes due." Lucifer, despite being always known as the Master of Lies, is also the Teller of None. He cannot lie. His nature won't allow it.

The items are then bagged, and this has Lucifer's smile remaining. Though when Henri begins to speak of the favor again, Lucifer looks up and at him. The question is then asked, and he would be lying if he said he did not expect it to be something along the ilk of what was queried.

'Why me?'

That's a common question. Especially among heroes. Of those chosen to do particular tasks, and remain alive well beyond anyone's actual expiration date. "And I am sure you have asked this over and over. Been told - in so many ways - that it was God's will... or your chosen fate... or... some other lathered on honied excuse. But you want real answers. I understand. I cannot promise you such, but I can promise I will try to find them." He offers this and then takes up his bag.

"Believe it or not, it was truly an honor meeting you again. And doing business with you. I will be back. But please do feel free to come by Lux...even he has a standing offer...if he ever decides to not go mucking about tormenting evil creatures." That smile turns into a smirk and then Lucifer shifts to turn on his heels and head for the exit.