16422/Hello Mummy Dearest...

Hello Mummy Dearest...
Date of Scene:	10 July 2024
Location:	Club Lux, Melville
Synopsis:	Lucifer's mother comes to visit. Sans Lucifer for the arrival and then questions abound from the Scientist. Oh, and there's a Nick.
Cast of Characters:	Lucifer, Phantasm (Drago), Sinister

---

Lucifer has posed:
There are a million places Lucifer could be right now - but one of those places is definitely not Club Lux. He's left it in the hands of his demonkins and gone off on some crusade - or more likely - is spending some time in Hell to pay his dues there and such. Part of an agreement made so he could remain on Earth and nothing would happen to him or his Kingdom.

So then why does Lux feel like it still has the weight of an Angel within it's four walls? A mixture of brimstone and flowers - jasmine to be precise - seems to waft through the air. A lone female can be seen walking through the club. Well. Not really walking. More like gliding. And she's never at one spot for too long. There's no sign she came through the front door, or the back, but she simply....appeared. All five feet ten inches of her, with long locks of dirty blonde hair, eyes a striking blue-green, lips painted red as the roses of Wonderland. She's dressed in a simple black cocktail number, with legs for days and stilletto heels bumping her to an even six feet.

And the demonkin are reacting to her being here. They stand a little straighter, bow their heads a little lower. While they still do their jobs, they seem to do it with a bit more commanded respect. She pauses at the lower bar, skimming over the drinks on the back wall and then looks to the demonkin bartender and simply smiles.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick could be in a lot of places but being he spent the night in one of the rooms at the Lux, the odds were better than usual that he would be here. Technically he was here a bit longer than initially expected. He had brought a book and lost track of time reading it. But that just means his emergence in the club to get some simple food was eventual.

The musician's awareness of the situation is not as high up as it is with the demonkin. As he walks over to the bar, hands resting upon the bartop as he quietly waits his turn. As he sneaks a glance to the book he brought with him, it's very much a 'no rush' signal.

Sinister has posed:
Nathaniel Essex knows what an archangel feels like as they echo into the astral plane. He's been in one's head. He's seen what they really are when they show their multiwinged, multi-eyed selves.

That's not an archangel. So it's with cautious curiosity that the man steps out of the elevator as it dings open. He's dressed simply but suavely all in black, a decided effort made to look crisp, neat and precise.

The demonkin are what are observed first, with a slight frown, then with a check of his phone, his eyes widen a little as what the sensors of the place are picking up is an enooooooooooormous power spike.

Golly.

To the bar he sidles, picking up on another loud mind and keeping track of the woman in black.

Lucifer has posed:
The woman smiles sweetly at the bartender who barely lifts his gaze to her and then she waves a hand dismissively. "I think I'll try a cosmopolitan. I hear they're back in style...." The voice that passes those lips is nothing short of purr of timbre at the level of sultry. The bartender moves to quickly begin mixing the requested drink just as Nick makes it to the bar. He's given a side glance, a raised brow, but nothing more before her attention strays again.

It comes back around once Nathaniel has made it to the bar as well. This time, not only does her gaze shift, but her body does as well. She looks the man up and down for a moment, gives a little chuff of what can only be possible acceptance. A sort of "you'll do" in a way to say, but only because it's not MY choice.

Drink delivered, she lifts up the martini glass and takes a small sip. "He always did know to keep the best liquors on the shelf. Would you not agree?" The question appears to be...to Nathaniel? To the bartender? Likely hard to tell. Body language being a thing it is likely a question sent Nathaniel's way.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Sometimes, ignorance is bliss. But as he gets a sense of being looked at, Nick glances up. Catching the expression of the woman, Nick mirrors it, raising his own brow in response as he looks up to the woman.

"...What?"

He glances down, making sure he didn't forget some key element of attire or find a dryer sheet stuck to his shirt.

Sinister has posed:
Settling on the stool at the end of the bar, kind of capping it, Sinister hooks his heel upon the cross-bar, resting an elbow lightly on the polished rail. The granite has been replaced and is shiny and new, in that it's been fitted and shaped. It's as old as the earth otherwise -- much like this individual. OLDER.

Little nuances are appreciated for what they are, the calibre of voice, spoken quietly. Little does he know; after all, a different half of this equasion refused to speak on the mortal plane, lest He raise mountains or bring about the cataclysm -- and thus the mouthpiece was tapped. He inclines his head to the dirty blond haired lady at the bar, offering a charming smile her way. The book brought by Nick is looked at, but no comment lands.

"When you've an eternity to watch everything come to fruition, I imagine if you know that it's coming, you can wait for the good stuff. And if you don't, it's probably a merciful relief when the finer things turn up. I take it that you're part of...?" Could be just about anything. Maybe this one knew the devil in days of Yore. Sinister tilts his head, then bows his head graciously, proffering a genteely held hand, fingers curled in true politesse, to collect fingers and expose knuckles. "Nathaniel," there's so much irony with his name, honestly.

Lucifer has posed:
That blue-green gaze shifts back to Nick for the briefest of moments before lips curl just enough to form the beginning of a smile. "You. All of you. I think it's rather charming that you have found your place in a world that...in a way...has not been the kindest to you." She speaks to the man with the book and then diverts her gaze once more. The glass is lifted again for another sip and then returned to the bar top once again. She admires the rail, how shiny and new it is, and then her attention is gained by Nathaniel once more.

"A rare gem in this world. A man of gentleman breeding..." She offers her hand, cool to the touch, but it slips perfectly into Nathaniel's own with knuckles bared indeed. "You can call me Charlotte. As for what I am a part of. That's anyones guess at this point. But to ease the curiosity in your mind I will say that I am kin to the one who calls this place home. Or perhaps. Home away from home. Though that may be what he considers Hell these days." Those lips form a deeper smile after she speaks these words. "Charmed to meet you, I'm sure."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Sinister glances over to the closed book what he gets is a glimpse of a cover of mostly red and black tones. The cover artwork seems almost like a poster, a glimpse of a man, hair pulled back while staring intently forward with the chin propped upon a curled up hand. The most prominent feature of the hand in the artwork is that of a ring which appears to contain the emblem of a type of flower. In white lettering the title of the book hovers over the figure's head. 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'.

When Charlotte offers the explanation for the look given earlier, Nick's lips part open. "H-" The response is cut short, sounding more like an aborted hurk. How di-

Maybe he's looking too much into this. Just recognized him and thought of a random news story from awhile ago maybe? But why say 'world'?

Better not to assume.

But he's curious still.

"What do you mean?"

Attention piqued he ends up listening to the conversation between the two elder persons at the bar. Once the word 'kin' is used, it kind of becomes a little clearer. "-Oh."

Kin of Lucifer... Celestial?

There must not be much going on up there if he's a common discussion topic.

Sinister has posed:
Oh now.

The book gets its own little halfsmile, a fleeting look to parse all of what it is, then there are dues to give. The air is kissed just above knuckles, an intimation of contact that never lands. He releases the fingers with a lift, as if setting free a tiny bird, or a butterfly.

"These days it's considered antiquated," he replies effacingly, but that name rings absolutely no bells at all. Celestial, indeed?

Think think think think. No, no angel with any name remotely close to 'charlotte'.

But at least he seems to be accepting of that being how the woman knows Nick. Those senses pick that sort of thing up. "Likewise, miss Charlotte..." why does he get the feeling he just barely passed mustre? Who knows. "I'm afraid if you were coming to find him, he's off on a crusade to get some of his wiggins out. It happens from time to time, either end of the spectrum. I'm not sure which it is tonight."

Lucifer has posed:
Charlotte finally shifts to look forward for a moment. Past the bartender, even beyond the wall behind the demonkin. Then she slips a hand into her cleveage to withdraw a golden tin, ornate in nature, opening it to pluck a single cigarette from within. "Michael Nicholas Drago. Governed by the Patron Saint Raphael. Because Michael has too big of an ego to step aside and grace your namesake with his blessing." She shrugs, placing the cigarette between her lips and is promptly offered a light by the demonkin bartender. "I know you. As I know all things. As I had a hand in shaping the world. In the beginning anyway." She smiles as she draws in from the cigarette, letting the smoke linger a moment before it's released through both her nose and her mouth.

"Nathaniel Alluicius Essex." A pause. "No. Pardon me. Doctor Nathaniel Alluicius Essex. Time has been kind to you, but that has been mostly due to your own hand. It is amazing, still, what you have been able to accomplish among men and women in your field who can only dream to do the very same." She smiles, takes another drag, and then lowers her head while giving a soft scoff.

"My darkened Lucifer. He has always been this way. Started even before he stood up to his Father. And oh how I wished to see God take at least a moments pause to listen to him. Yet, I also have to trust that this was within the plan all along. Once Lucifer introduced sin into the world...there had to be one who could look upon unforgiven souls and send them to their rightful place." That smile remains, and she takes another drink from her glass. "My visit this time wasn't for him. Though he may be upset I visited without saying hello. Still. I wanted peace of mind that he has found his place. I am satisfied that this is true."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hearing the full name recited along with the mention of his personal saint, that pretty much cements the general theory...

Yeeeep. Celestial. And apparently one who has a lot of oomph behind them. There's probably an official title in there somewhere but as she has only opted for a very human sounding name, he'll work with that.

The reason for the visit gets a smile in response. Kin checking up on kin. Making sure the other's ok. Such a nice thing.

To the mention of Lucifer likely being disappointed that she didn't visit him. "...I'm sure he'll appreciate that you thought of him. But maybe you could hang around a little longer so he can see you? Or make plans to come back soon?"

Sinister has posed:
Well, that was not telepathy. There wasn't a slight scratch against his mental shields, but it's possible to know things by a lot of means. There's a little arch of his eyebrow when Charlotte gives all of his names and the most significant of his titles in such a manner. If he processed things in the way a lot of individuals do, this might be the very height of flattery -- and guaranteed to give him a god complex. The irony continues to drip.

Definitely someone on the upper tier.

He stares a moment past the woman, fixes momentarily on Nick and then stares up to the ceiling as if trying to find some sort of sense there, or perhaps Grace there? Either way.

"He's still finding his place. It's a journey, but there's no reason why any journey needs to be alone, I feel. Everything is in the end, interconnected. I ah... am... glad, I think," a faint frown as he looks at Nick once again and back to Charlotte with a perplexed, but polite smile, broaching mildly amused helplessness. "And thus a shadow passed across the heavens and all looked upon it, wondering at the sea of stars that were shown to them. All so that one above, could look down at the blue marble alone in space. I don't think I can interpret this in any other way but... thanks?"

Lucifer has posed:
"Oh I'm sure he'll appreciate a lot of things. Though he may also not like the idea that I came by purposefully while he wasn't here." Charlotte speaks these words, finishing her cigarette which dissipates into nothing, and finishes her drink. "Then again. I -am- the favorite parent. Regardless if that's by default or not, it holds true..." Those lips pull back into another smirk as the full bag is emptied for her two companions to know the truth.

The demonkin bartender, without raising his glance, asks if she would like another drink. "Mmn...yes...but make it a Hellfire. Mummy wants this drink to try and kick her in the ass."

Then she swings to turn her full body towards Nathaniel and offers him a grin. "You have done wonders for Luci. Likely in more ways than that poor Devil can describe. Thank you for making a life for him here...though...I must confess. You two were like hand in glove from the beginning. And nothing that daddy dearest could do to stop it...and I, of course, welcome it. So thank you." Which also, very likely, hammers in the fact that what she said before. Was a compliment. Sort of.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Favorite parent...

Huh.

Well, being the kin topic was brought up earlier and there was a mention of having a hand in creation, it's not a far stretch to get to a parent. And considering past things Lucifer has said and her mentioning God in conversation...

Lucifer's mom.

He nods to the mention of Lucifer possibly being upset with her choosing to come by when he's not around. "All the more reason to stick around a bit longer for him to have a chance of running into you, or for you to swing by at another point for the purpose of seeing him. I know I'd like to see my mom again one day. But that's not likely to happen. But you've got the means and opportunity to have that happen for Lucifer. Would be a shame not to make use of it."

Sinister has posed:
"Mother," it's repeated, just because it needs to be and Sinister blinks, listening to all else besides and studying the way that the demons behave around her. Goddess of the Christian faith. Oh, boy that wouldn't be a nice thing to encounter in Rome. They'd have conniptions. "My word, it must be very interesting being you," he murmurs that, listens to Nick's words and looks down upon his lack-of-drink and up beneath his brows. "There is noone else in all existence whom I feel such kinship with. Ironic given that I'm atheist, in the strictest of the sense..." and he's saying that. To a goddess.

A hand gesture of helpless dismissal of this fact, follows.

"But the power you have is undeniable. There's just far too many contradictions, overall, thanks to well... probably interpretation and the fabulous world of word of mouth." Mother. MOTHER! Oh glorious gadzooks.

"I feel at this juncture as if I should ask questions. None of them seem appropriate in the light of polite conversation. Or impolite, for that matter."

Lucifer has posed:
"Some of the best people I have met in my existence were atheists. Agnostics. Buddhist. Hindu. Oh I could go on. And they aren't wrong in their teachings either. It just so happens that Lucifer's father is jealous. Zealous even. Though I do not think I need to even explain that given..." Here Charlotte waves her own hand of dismissal. Her attention turns to Nick after he speaks and she nods her head. "I have a feeling that his ears are likely burning beyond belief right now and he'll wonder why for a moment or few and then suddenly..."

...and without warning. The Devil appears in the blink of an eye. Black suit, white undershirt, he's maintained his human visage (or changed into it quick enough) except that his wings - all six of them - are out and flutter a moment to clean off the ash from their pristine plumage. "Mother. How wonderful of you to show up unannounced and make your own introductions to those I hold so dear..." He says. He's also grinning. Like Lucifer like mother?

Here, Charlotte looks back upon Nathaniel. "Please. Ask your questions. I care not if they are rude, crude, or glorious. I welcome the inquiries all the same."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Without warning...

Well, there was talk about burning ears just a little bit prior. So there was some warning. Just not necessarily reliable warning. Because Goddess knows if-

Oh hey.

Nick grins to the incoming devil. "Welcome back." He greets the club owner.

Content to be a fly upon the wall for the mini-family reunion, Nick glances over to the bartender, giving a slight nod to the unspoken first question of the evening. The usual. A nice prop to allow for him to drift to the background so the mother son reunion can be enjoyed by the main participants.

Sinister has posed:
Speak of the devil and he shall appear?

Ok, it did have to happen literally, at least once.

Oddly though, the arrival with the wings out and looking so very.. archangelic, has Sinister frozen for a moment. It could be willpower being exerted, it could be a vigorous level of self control, or schooling of features and mind, but to the VERY perceptive, there's a slight wince, no more than a tick at the corner of his eyes. That MIGHT have been painful to prevent an eruption, it might be something else.

"Well, the big one is obviously that you got written out of the narrative," Nathaniel stands though, approaching Lucifer to give the kind of greeting given in raunchy romance movies, fierce and fully committed, if fleeting and sans dramatic explosion in the background. "Sorry, I was about to ask things--" he sotto voces to the devil, though there is an attempt to snake an arm around, without clashing with six extra limbs. "So, I have to know. What were you responsible for, in the multi-string theory page of metaphysical existence?" pause, then entirely droll. "Although, I am rather certain this gives extra clout to the big Bang theory."

Lucifer has posed:
The wings don't stay out for too terribly long, but long enough for Nathaniel's approach and the return of that raunchy smut-book moment of greeting. Then, they file back where they belong - because people can see him right now you know. Once the kiss ends, Lucifer glances towards Nick and nods his head. "Thank you. Although, I do terribly hate being pulled mid-thrashing to come handle....familial matters..."

Charlotte just smiles wide as the two lovers greet one another and then she slides off the stool and approaches Lucifer pointedly. Kisses are given. First the left cheek, then the right, and finally the forehead. "Darkened one. You know I love an entrance...and what better way to meet those closest to you without warning than to pop in....sans such a warning?" Then her gaze shifts to Nathaniel while she backs up the steps to return to her stool. "Oh. Well. That one is easy. A book written by men. In ages where men were above women. A woman was always at fault for the hellish things done upon Earth. Samson's hair. Ordered the head of John the Baptist." She slides her gaze ever so delicately towards Lucifer. "First to bite the forbidden fruit..."

Lucifer smirks. "Adam wasn't going to give into his carnage desires until his eyes were opened...it seemed only fair..."

There's a shrug. "I was there through it all, darling Nathaniel. Yet how could a woman be given any credit for something -good- to happen. Two gods - both alike in power - merge to bring forth the angels. Then he creates man in his image. And a woman from the rib of man." She tilts her head. "In truth. I was responsible for creation. Why else is it Mother Nature?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick tilts his head to the phrasing. Despite the word usage he's not letting it harsh the buzz he's getting vicariously through the pair visiting. "Is it really HANDLING familial matters? Why not enjoying it?"

Pale eyes look over to the bartender, giving a nod of thanks as a glass of dark liquid is set before him. "Thank you."

Glancing to the book, he slides it down a seat to protect it from the potential of dripping condensation.

Sinister has posed:
Just a moment or two to bask, please. Aah, that's better.

Sin chuckles softly to himself. In some ways, this woman speaks in the same general verbosity as he himself does, which is a thing he can appreciate. Choice of language is pertinent at times. "I can understand toxic patriarchy and the desire to hold and keep power. Subjugation is distasteful though -- and there we go. So, you're responsible for the chaos to the order of things."

Looking sidelong to Lucifer, he smiles lightly, over to Nick a glance is shot and then to Lucifer once again. "I think we passed whatever observation test this was, although... this is a far cry from meeting my ex-wife's household. In fact, the whole extended family here, would quite put the entirety of my youth to shame." A pause, a flare of eyes and a shrug with it. "I mean, we've not had tea and cucumber sandwiches -once-. Nor have we attempted to talk about sport, the weather or the dratted state of society at large." He gives a bland, thousand yard stare at this, then lets his features relax and reschool.

"Dammit, I'm going to have to compile a list of questions and pose them at a later instance, I feel."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer glances over to Nick with a grin. "You've only just met my mother. Give it time and you'll realize that -handling- is the perfect word for this... Otherwise she might actually have all of you thinking I truly -am- a good son..." He then glances back over to Charlotte as she answers the question that Nathaniel put forth. "You can science the hell out of it all, really." Which - considering how much Lucifer never really cared for science before - speaks volumes of how much he must love Nathaniel to put up with such scientific things.

Charlotte shrugs. "You can make a list, and I would gladly answer all the questions you have. I'm not as tight lipped as some..." Her gaze drifts upwards and then back down again. "Mmn... Perhaps I should over stay my welcome. And by that I mean, I know I'm welcomed. Just unexpected. Therefore, you'll need to come up with a way to allow me to stay here while I answer questions over Nathaniel's pondering of existence as a whole." She turns her attention towards Nick. "And I would absolutely love to get to know you more. Especially since my sons have all taken a shine to you. Minus the one. Because he is an asshole."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods to Sinister's assessment of there being too many questions to ask in one visit. "In case you needed another reason to visit more than once." The musician comments, smiling. The book is ignored as he looks over to the trio. When Charlotte expresses the desire to get to know him more he gives a curious look. "I'm wondering to what there is about me that you don't already know."

Because...Goddess. And she already did the name thing earlier.

What DO they talk about up in heaven?

Sinister has posed:
It's a mystery isn't it?

"Actually, /I/ am going to take my leave now... I came down to figure out what it was I was sensing and apparently it was a charming deity a'visiting. And the mother of rebels and ne'er do wells," he mwahs silently toward Lucifer. "That will give my brain some time to catch up and work out the -science- of it all..." winking at Lucifer, he inclines his head toward Charlotte.

"And gives you a little mother-son time to catch up." GRIN.

Standing, he looks to Nick. "Names have power and they're spoken with intent. You've been baptized and christened. So have I, technically speaking..." he looks to the celestials here, grins again and bows. "But knowing the whole of a thing involves curiosity. I'll be in my lab, reading, love." That of course, to Luci.