16445/Trip to the Night Market

Trip to the Night Market
Date of Scene:	22 July 2024
Location:	Lucifer's Penthouse, Melville
Synopsis:	The Devil and Company go back to the Night Market. Make a deal with a Djinn. The mirror is saved from a fate of destruction.
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Lucifer, Sinister

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Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The train ride over to the Night Market is somewhat long already. Making the trip with an enchanted object you want to get rid of? Much longer. After the show in the penthouse they had initially though covering the mirror back up would be enough to suppress it. But somehow the mirror seemed to know as the train started moving that it had limited time.

And boy did it make the most of it.

The sheet, ended up being removed after it became apparent that if it wasn't going to be seen, it was going to give them the dialogue. And there's little more annoying than having an overly loud tv turned on that you can't physically watch for the context.

With the sheet removed, it continued on. By the time the group got in, they were subjected with several disjointed narratives.

First, a discussion about a failed hit where the speakers had been covered up by a sheet. And soon the formation of a plan to where they can make this work to their advantage.

The second was the vantage point of what looked to be DEA agents getting orders to retrieve the target only to be surprised from the resistance. First from a young man swinging a floor lamp through one of their agents. Then by some shadowy monster leaping down from the trees, claws out and jagged teeth tearing the remainders to pieces. The primary point of view faded out as he looked to the branch he had been impaled on. High off the ground.

The third, what looked to be Bucky interrogating a man in his 50s. A bag of teeth is displayed to the man as the discussion turns to HYDRA and mentions of the Hannigan Murder and Wayward Son. Nick at least had the fortune to be blinking at the time the man's head exploded.

The last scene seemed comparatively calm compared to those and yet that one seemed to get the most of Nick's attention. A club, three men gathered at the bar, happy as can be while two of them drink up. A younger looking Wade looks over to the pair, and when asked what he wants, he shakes his head, "Just the one. Thanks." His attention moves back to his companions, not noticing a hand reaching over to put something extra in.

Nick's jaw tightens as he registers just what night that had to have been. Only Wade had survived the accident. And considering the accompanying scenes shown, they have a new culprit for it.

And another implication.

Lucifer has posed:
"That mirror is very very lucky that I am not breaking it into a million shattered pieces and tossing them all into the lake of fire." Lucifer offers as each scene comes and goes one after the next. He takes a drag off the cigarette he lit at some point for himself, blowing smoke out of both his mouth and nose to look almost like a dragon while the smoke billows into nothingness. Going nowhere.

Head explosions. Impalements. Drink spiking. These scenes all depict a very interesting life - and only only lived so long. Though, he has to wonder. After all the warnings he'd been given, after realizing that Nick is forever 20-something. His gaze soon shifts to the younger man and he tilts his head. "Nick. How old are you?" Asking this suddenly, perhaps, but also with a purpose. "I mean. I know you're physically in your twenties...but how long ago did you actually stop aging? Like, are you only a few years into it... or..." And he looks to the mirror once more, pointedly, before glancing back to the rock star. "Cause it almost seems like you've experienced a lifetime of shit for someone so....young..."

The train will come to a stop soon. The announcement has just been made that the Night Market is the next - and final - stop. So he's also shifting around to perhaps re-cover the mirror regardless of how image-less television it's going to try to be. "...This is going to be an interesting trip. I can feel it."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister for his part, did his job. So the TV is on and blaring, but nobody ON the train is paying it much mind, but it does look for all the world like he'll have one hell of a headache later. After all, an entire carriage is still an entire carriage and having to tell all those minds to pay attention to anything BUT, is a work of the Hive.

Luckily that IS one of his strong suits.

Mind, the paying of attention and lack thereof, is also covering himself. Wearing a backstrap to hold the wings in place , they have yet to be fit to be reabsorbed. The tired is a thing that has nothing to do with the physical after all and perhaps, his self-perception is still a little rocky. "For what it's worth, I have a sense of foreboding that I do not often get. I advise caution. Precognition is not one of my talents but occasionally, such moments still do strike."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Shit.

Fu-

Nick stares at the mirror as it seems to have gone into an black, seemingly picking up on the announcement that the captive audience will be captive no more. Just- how the hell is Nick going to tell Wade about this? He can't very well just keep this to himself.

The musician is given a brief reprieve as Nick pauses to consider the question Lucifer asked. He's not at the age where he is quick to volunteer such information at the drop of the hat. Nor does he feel compelled to focus on that fact. Fortunately, his birth year was pretty math friendly. What year was it?

2032. And it's after the death day so just trim off the 20- "32? I got my powers about... 11 years ago. That's when I stopped aging."

Turning his head as Sinister gives off warning, he looks over to the mirror. And yet there had been no forboding with the mirror.

Maybe it wasn't that bad?

From under the sheet a female voice speaks out. "I love you Michael."

Lucifer has posed:
Well. At least Nathaniel has the train car covered, but Lucifer knows what penalties will be suffered in doing so. At some point he looks towards the mirror while Nathaniel also gives a warning of foreboding. A thing that he does not often get, and when he does, it's something that should be taken seriously.

That is sort of pushed aside for a moment as Nick answers Lucifer's general question of his age. He wasn't sure about what the answer would be, but seeing as how the man's age isn't as...outlandish...as he thought...that puts a lot of light into just how close together all those scenarios just might have been. The mirror continues to play out things, but then also seems to quiet down. Until that female voice speaks out, saying Nick's given name.

"Who was that?" Asking this and glancing back to Nick to perhaps gauge the man's reaction as a whole.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister lifts his attention to the covered mirror on the one phrase, looks solemnly at Nick and does not say a -single- word. Some things are inherently personal.

"It seems being fae-touched comes with mayhem. Add the celestial in there and it's a wonder you can manage any day ending in Y without something going sideways..." he murmurs that in a tease, offering a crooked smile to the younger man, then levitates the mirror off the train as it begins rolling into the final destination.

He looks world-weary at the moment, or perhaps more that he might want to squish someone's head if they get him offkilter. Either way, the doctor gazes around the denizens on the outskirts of all the melee and hubbub with a distinct air of 'do not bother me'.

Black looks. They're a thing.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As the trio prepares for their exit from the train, Nick's general preparation pauses as the voice registers in his ears.

That's a voice he never thought he'd get to hear again...

His eyes close as he imagines the speaker. Well, as much as he can. Despite the incompleteness of the thought, the voice etches something to the void. A soft smile forms upon his lips.

The voice is short in presence, but the effect lingers for a bit longer to which the musician rides the given high for as long as he can.

Lucifer's question isn't ignored, but it takes a few moments before Nick feels the inclination to answer. He was going to enjoy that fleeting moment as much as he could.

"My mom." Nick answers, eyes opening as he moves along with the group.

"I've had calm periods." Nick admits, "I think half of what the mirror showed happened within a few months of each other."

As it becomes time to get off the train, Nick steps down, moving down the platform towards the unloaded mirror, "...Although, the rampant instability of life does help make the decision of dropping everything to go into music a bit easier."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer stands as they all prepare to disembark the train, watching the mirror begin to float and be carried out of the train by Nathaniel while they follow behind. "A few months? That's interesting. And also, somehow, terrifying. Never really is a dull moment sometimes for you all is there? Like once the rain begins to fall it's just a monsoon for a while." He offers this much more as they step off and as soon as his feet hit the pavement his entire outfit changes.

He looks more Aristocratic than before. In all black with silver accents, waistcoat with a hanging pocket watch, a walking cane with a silver skull atop that has ruby eyes. He's even wearing a top hat. And he has on a mimicry of Nathaniel's shades only his are - well - black with a silver rim.

"So. Off to the elf to shove the mirror up his ass and then we'll do some walking around for a bit? Or do you think we should just...try and re-sell the mirror ourselves? Maybe find a fairy in the market who can disenchant it?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister pauses in his stride a moment, the clip of his heels halted at the vision of the devil in black and silver, tophat and cane, pocketwatch and smokey black lennons. He laughs voicelessly, a nod of approval given followed by a slight wince and a generalized rubbing of one temple. Don't move the head too much, boy.

"I suppose when it comes down to it, immortal life has been less than boring, I would say. There's genuinely only been a couple of decades when things were not... cascading." He was and still is, a man on a mission after all. Having a purpose in life, drives a body.

"I ought have been lazy, taking my time with a few things, but life has a knack of... accelerating, does it not?" He comments to both men, looking about the crate-stalls and strangeness of the Night market, then at the mirror.

A melting and shifting of his own attire takes place, leaving him looking the part of who he is, underneath it all, complete with black, red and silver biosteel and lack of suntan, living cloak material hiding much beneath them. THAT does not bear being seen by some of the unseelie.

The mirror floats behind, though it may yet not be silent. "I am heartily in favour of unloading this curse. I have no great desire to be sucked back into the damn thing. Being in the shadowplane, or the mirrorworld is not a fun place."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, I wasn't in most of those scenes we saw today." Nick replies to Lucifer, "But- you're right. It... wasn't pleasant finding out a lot of things that went wrong in life were the result of the purposeful actions of a group of people I don't know. I think it would have been easier to accept 'getting moved into a bad neighborhood' that could be remedied by finding a means to leave than that."

As Lucifer does his costume change on the platform. He looks to the attire, "Just how many outfits can you do like this?" He wonders, somewhat glad he at least wore decent slacks and shirt this time around.

The topic of what to do with the mirror makes him wonder. "...If it can't be returned, how detailed would you be to a potential buyer? If it's that troublesome, maybe it should just get put into secure storage?" That is NOT near a residence.

"SHIELD has a massive warehouse for storing problematic things like this."

...Do they know if the mirror gets sold to someone else if the mirror is going to display stuff relevant to them? Or is it still going to up and show Nick's stuff to someone he doesn't know?

Lucifer has posed:
"Nick has a point though, Nathaniel. If the curse or...whatever it is...bound itself to Nick... what are we risking by trying to sell it off? I mean, yeah, it attacked you and it's likely able to do a number on me... but the visions. The memories. Those have all been Nick's..." Lucifer offers this even as he moves forward. "I think there's a fairy here that might be able to disenchant it. Then, it'll just be a regular mirror and we can just...sell it to the highest."

He thinks on this though, for there is a possibility that the enchantment cannot be broken. "Barring all of that. We can go with Nick's idea. Pawn it off on SHIELD. Not that I'm to terribly keen on that idea either, it might be our only other option.." This said as they make their way into the entrance of the Market. The same schtick, just another night. Merchants from all around the universes, nether worlds, space, time, whatever. Coagulating at a single point to sell whatever they wish to whoever will buy it.

"Either way. Here goes nothing..." And he begins to lead them around and through to near a back alley that's dark and smells of the forest and night time.

Sinister has posed:
"Well, that's new. Now it comes with surround sound smell-o-vision..." Sinister mutters to himself at the dark and the deep, where wary you doth keep, upon the path remain, ne'er to sleep. Things go bump in the night, in some places. Darker places. He stares at the alley, to the devil and to Nick, then to the shadows that are deep and long.

Silence.

<<The sense of foreboding just got a lot stronger, by the by. Be wary. SHIELD may be a better plan than that, at the end of it all.>>

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick remembers the prompt from last time. Not to stray to far to the more seasoned night market shoppers. As they take a turn leading to a scent and sight difference from the last visit, he's more inclined to follow that ...guideline.

To the mixed sentiment about SHIELD, he could understand. Granted it's different but from his limited glimpse into things, they are a side on the same coin HYDRA resides on. He sure as hell would not have registered with SHIELD had it not been a means to gain some protection from the other.

Still, there were a few he could think of amongst SHIELD's ranks he could trust to an extent.

When they're around.

Nick blinks as he remembers the caution portion of Sinister's unspoken statement.

Wary he can do...

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer pauses after a moment and glances towards Nathaniel. "Did it? That's...interesting..." He says this and then looks back towards the deep dark. "Why don't you, Nick, and the mirror stay back for a moment. I'll go see why there's bad mojo coming from this hallway. Because, as far as I am concerned, there shouldn't be." He smiles and then looks over to Nick. "You could even go do a little shopping again if you want. Surely there will be something that meets your eye. Just...try not to stare too long into mirrors this time, hmm?"

Or they could just stand where they are. Lucifer, however, is going to go chat with Fae Folk.

Sinister has posed:
Is Sinister going to listen to this sage piece of advice? Well, potentially. They're chaos-infused beings, are the fae and he's not quite figured out how they act upon the human or inhuman genome. But they definitely ARE mutagenic -- there's far, far too much evidence of this for him to deny it.

Dimensional parallels are a bastard, though.

He looks to Nick, the advancement of thoughts being given then places a finger to his lips, in the universal gesture of quiet.

Maybe the mind will do well to be shrouded and he can do so, at a pinch. Fading into the foreground is a terribly useful trick at times.

In the alley, there is snow on the ground. It is crisp, fresh and has that tang to it that bespeaks another existence. It doesn't melt, but glistens. Sparkles. Kills.

Shadowy shapes lurk at stalls, most of them tall, all of them thin and lithe and bedecked in gossamer and diaphonous silk.

"Have a powder to dispell love..."
"Come see the charms and curses..."
"Ahh, my pretty, just a couple of years is all we ask..." whispers, soft voices. Dark wares. Well, the shadows do have to come and trade thier wares too, at times, in the darkening of the moon.

There is a presence in the depths of the alley, where things are not obviously on display for sale. There is a feeling, more than anything, that here... Be Careful What You Wish For.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks over to Lucifer to the caution. "Just how many enchanted mirrors does this place have?" But, he's not going to argue with Lucifer regarding staying back with Nathaniel. "Will you be okay?"

Ok maybe a little.

After it comes out and with a bit of time to reflect, it's apparent how stupid the question is. But... Lucifer does have a tendency to eat questionable things and do a lot of things on impulse. So maybe not THAT stupid?

Getting a general sense of a gesture being made towards him, Nick turns his head to see the shushing gesture from the doctor. It looks like shopping is out. Which... might be a good thing because there are a lot of food vendors with very tempting smells coming from the other way.

Sticking to quiet prompt, Nick walks alongside Nathaniel. Listening to the vendors call out to Lucifer as he passes.

From under the sheet. Another female voice speaks, somewhat regally, "Ah. You... I wonder if you got my letter."

Lucifer has posed:
The Fae have never regarded Lucifer as being something they should fear. It's more like they have a... mutual respect... for each other. So as he heads down the path, feet crackling in the snow that never melts, he looks aside to all those trying to sell their wares, a smirk on his lips as he passes each of them by without a word. Then he makes it to that darker corner. Where nothing is on display and that foreboding sense is likely very VERY strong to those who are feeling it.

If they followed.

Lucifer removes his hat and uses his cane to tap three times solidly into the ground. "I know you're there. You know I am here. I would much rather not play the game and just have you come out and help me with my problem. You know I am always good for the favors I ask of you..."

Sinister has posed:
There IS a point where Sinister hangs back, the cloak of fade-to-the-fore a shield against this place. Against that presence, perhaps? Who knows. Maybe it knows full well that he and Nick are there.

The mirror, for what it's worth, gets a subtle mental kick to its frame.

...But that does mean both of them get to sense all the senses clouding and becoming somewhat... fluid. Synesthetic. Here, where Sin's stopped, is as close as the man is willing to get without more awareness.

The shadows flicker faintly, eddies of snow blowing against one wall. There's a sound then of running water. Of cloth being wrung into the stream. "One day there will be a price you cannot pay." Neither male nor female at first, it's an incling of thought. Of consequence.

The water wrung from cloth sound comes again, washing in the soft rushing river.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The mirror gets quiet suddenly, seemingly taking the suggestion.

And throwing it out.

"You are not what you seem." The regal feminine voice continues.

Nick turns his head, looking to the cloaked mirror, pausing as he tries to place the voice. Brows lift as he tilts head back, giving a silent 'ahh' response. Female magic user, liked really low V lines. Long hair...Showed up at the oddest of times...

Geez that was awhile ago. What was the name she gave? Something dragon.

The lingering thoughts to who it could be fades as Sinister comes to a stop and a somewhat... uncomfortable one sets in. He wasn't one for mystic senses. But...

Huh. He's feeling that.

Lucifer has posed:
"And when we get to that day, we will certainly have an interesting time, I assure you. However, I do not believe today is that day. I purchased a mirror from that Unseelie vendor in the main market. It -seemed- to have a keen interest in a friend of mine. So we figured we would buy it, solve the mystery and all would be well." Lucifer begins, and then he tells the cliffs notes version of how the mirror has reacted since then. Caused practical harm to his loved ones. Doesn't seem to take the hint of when to shut the fuck up.

"Naturally...I have brought the mirror back. The Unseelie refuses to take it back. So now I humbly request that you - at the very least - take a look at the mirror and see if you can dispell the enchantment. You know I would not trust anyone but you to perform such a task." Lucifer finishes this, a wry smile on his lips. When one has had past dealings, it tends to butter them up when they are made to feel as if they are the one and only source to use.

Sinister has posed:
In this case, the entity may well be one of the very few.

"That is your wish then?" The voice asks, the smell of winter stronger, the sound of the wringing of the cloth turning to a measure of drips and silence that follows.

The shadows coallesce, form the shape of a tall figure in a cloak and hood, a cowl that obscures the slender being from view. It makes no sound when it advances, but where it moves the cobbles crust over with ice. It draws closer to where Sinister and Nick are, parallel to the devil, its gaze invisible, looks at those that cannot be seen. It's a feeling, like it knows -exactly- where they are, but... it's being polite? Who knows.

Attention fixes on the devil. "The price is not yours to pay in this, Star of Morning. Dreams know thier own."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As the cloaked figure forms and glances their way, Nick looks over to Sinister. Call it a hunch, but whatever Nathaniel's doing at the moment isn't really working.

Lucifer did say to stay back but with the mention of dreams, he's fairly certain it's a mute point now.

Nick gives a half smile to Sin. They know. Is there anymore point to hiding?

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer watches the figure as it comes out from its home and begins to approach Nathaniel and Nick behind him. He turns to follow the movement and then nods his head once. "That is my wish. Yes." He offers this as he continues to watch. Curious. His top hat is placed back onto his head and straightened a bit before he hears that next bit from the creature.

"That may be, but the dreams would not be if I had not paid the price for the mirror. It is not the dreamer's fault for the attachment being able to latch." Lucifer explains, taking a step towards the three of them. He isn't sure what price the creature would ask of Nick - nor even sure if Nick is willing to pay it. Or even play this little...game of sorts.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister takes a deep breath, shaking his head softly. Probably not, but it never hurt to try.

Fading once more into awareness, red eyes set on the figure, he might be seeing more than a cloak and hood, but that's a matter held in private. "What -are- you?" it's asked in a rhetoric, not expecting an answer, but he apparently gets one anyway.

"I am a memory of a time when people were afraid of the dark. Most left and went into the west. I remained, though blood is no longer spilled --" it replies softly. The scent now comes of pine.

Of unwashed people. Of blood on snow. The sound of sunrise over the horizon, on the coldest, longest night.

"It still is not your price to pay, Morningstar. Like calls to like. If the dreamer wants to sever the dream, he must pay. This is the way things were, are and ever shall be." Silence, then to Nick. "Do you wish to break the bond?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As the question gets directed over to Nick, the half smile levels to a flat line. It was a lot simpler when the decision was restricted to those who made the transaction to acquire it. They bought it. They had issue with it. So it made sense they would want to get rid of it.

But perhaps that is why the mirror was giving such a hard sell on the train ride back. Sharing sides of the story he wasn't privy to. Finding out that HYDRA's reach extended beyond his time in the kitchen. Enough time's passed that he's not sure if it would provide anything helpful about that camp in Kentucky but-

-But... it also hurt Nathaniel.

"We're lucky we got vampires and goatmen on short notice. The guys were painting the targets all night."

Nick looks over to the covered mirror as Bucky's voice rings out from it, tone of voice rather pleasant.

"Heard you hit one of them with a stake though. Good initiative. And good shooting."

Oh that's just playing dirty.

The question...

Nick frowns, "Is there a way to make it to where the mirror doesn't hurt people?"

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer's jaw tightens a little as the being tells him, again, that it is not his price to pay. Further, it used his proper last name the second time. Which means there was likely nothing Lucifer could do to take on the cost himself. Regardless of how much he wanted to. The fae are a fickle folk at the best and worst of times.

Still, his own gaze shifts to Nick who seems to be running things through his head. The mirror still whispering memories like they're on some sort of random roladex. The question he poses has even Lucifer curious. It's a good question to ask. The answer is going to be likely an interesting one once it's given.

"Will you name the price?"

Sinister has posed:
"It is not trying to hurt people. It is trying to help. Because of you." A hand is raised from the veil of shadows. It has more joints than it should, but refuses to be defined by its shape and form, as if the eye can't, or simply won't focus on what it's actually seeing.

The face turns to look at Lucifer. "I will," it says it in a whisper, the rustle of leaves, the cold that steals all feeling but feels so warm in the process.

"I wish to go home. There is no place for the monstrous, when lessons are no longer learned. This will be the last wish I grant... my price is to leave."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
To the explanation that the mirror's not trying to hurt people. Nick looks over to Sin, seemingly wanting a bit more clarity beyond the cliffs notes he got earlier. It feels like he's being asked to make a decision without all the necessary information.

"And where would home be for you?" Nick wonders.

Lucifer has posed:
"You know if you go home, there is no returning here. Even as you exist there and linger for all time...I do believe that to send you home would mean to close the way back here forever." Lucifer offers with a tilt of his head. "So it isn't just Nick paying a price. You're paying one as well. And you were right. There has apparently come a time that I cannot pay the price." Though he would point out that it's mostly because the being isn't letting him.

His attention goes back to Nick for a moment as he walks around so he can stand next to Nathaniel, closer hand moving to the small of the other man's back. Just to be there.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister blinks owlishly, just the once at what is said. Well, in its own way, it's completely correct in its assessment of what was going on there and he looks pensive as Lucifer draws close. The hand in the small oof hs back draws his gaze that way and there is the smallest of smiles.

"Home is /there/..." somehow, the word conveys a lot of otherness. "We came from the shadow of the world tree, Michael Nicholas, Child of Ramiel --" there is silence for a moment, then softer "--and I know there will be no return. Our time is done. All the blood is faded and less than once it was. I am the last."

Sinister murmurs "...it's lonely, being the last." Which earns him just a look by the invisible face behind the diaphonous smokey hood.

But that? There might be a pause for reckonning there. There are beings in the universe that -know- the nature of things. The nature of blood and whose it is.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick tilts his head. Not just for the obscure nature of the location given but to the part afterwards.

Child of Ramiel?

Did he just get the equivalent of a paternity test by just standing here?

"This is bringing about more questions than what was answered." He comments, "...Are you sure there's nothing left to do here? Have you met Askante yet? Read all that there is available to read? Listen to all that is available to hear?"

Sure age means there's a lot of time to be caught up on things, but things can be missed.

"And should that price be even considered, there'd be need for more clarity on the destination and to the return trip for those dropping off."

Honestly there's a lot of information to process in so little a time.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer thinks on it for a moment and then he shakes his head. "No. I think I get it. It's like in that movie... uhm... Aladdin? Where he had to wish the genie free?" It's like a lightbulb went on over his head after he listened to the back and forth a bit. "My wish is for the mirror to be disenchanted. The price is you saying that this being is free once the final wish is fulfilled." He smirks and then actually shape shifts into a Robin Williams look-alike.

"The only way I can get out. Is if my master...wishes me out..." Then he fades back to his normal vessel.. He takes a step forward. "What of the others here? Are they to take over for you? Or do they just get to live the rest of their insane little lives peddling wares of the shadows with no one to guide them?"

Sinister has posed:
The hood turns toward Nick, staring there for a good few moments as the mostly-human individual in this grand mix, processes it all. Slow the shake of the head, like the toll of a sea-bell in the herald of the storm yet to come.

"There is nothing new under the sun, only a change in perspectives. The last Ways left with the rest of my people..." it nods toward the devil as he seems to get it now. "...and we are bound by what we undertook. There are those that speak truth, there are those that know truth. We are tired. We fell a long, long time ago."

A pause.

"One day, you will want to find your OWN Way. And on that day, you will know the Truth also."

It shrugs then though. "The fae will stay. Or they will go. The blood flows, weakens, the rivers and streams, mountains and dark places, they grow fewer in their power... but they will survive. Or they will fade in thier own time. I care not. Will you do as I ask?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick turns his head to look to Lucifer as he goes through the imitation of genie. When the hooded figure apparently agrees with Lucifer's interpretation, there's a twitch to the rocker's features.

"If you know truth then you should know that not being clear with the instructions leads to the potential of not getting what you want."

He sighs, "...So if I put in the wish for them, and tag on a condition that you're free after it is complete, stated in that way, that'll get you where you need to go?"

Lucifer has posed:
"Gotta be blunt with some of these earth-types, you know." Lucifer quips, pointing the skull-tip of his walking cane towards Nick. "Time is ticking. Let the man know how to send you back from where you came and it should be done. Then we can get the mirror fixed, you get to go back, and we get to go home." It's not that Lucifer's getting antsy or anything. He just knows that sometimes staying within these shadowed corners can be a bit...taxing.

His eyes shift to Nathaniel, almost in a pointed and concerned fashion as he steps back to his lover's side. Closer arm shifting to rest against the small of back, perhaps even finger-weave a few of the tired feathers from his wings which remain in view.

Sinister has posed:
"This is why the people of the sands say 'be careful what you wish for'--" the figure replies in a tomb-cold dusty tone. The hood looks from Devil to nephilim in silence, then with a flourish it becomes a being at least nine foot tall -- but it hovers also a foot from the ground, terribly thin and almost insectile seeming, but beautiful in an alien sort of way. And it shines with the light of a fallen star, radiant from within, but pulsing, twinkling, fading to a transparency. It does still wear a cloak, but this too is diaphonous and covered in stars.

They fell a long, long time ago and legend speaks of them in many Arabian folktales. Wish upon a falling star?

Indeed.

"You wish to be free of the mirror?" it asks this singularly of Nick.

Sinister, for his part, twitches the nearest pinion, a gentle thing that is more a tremble to the contact. Who knows what he's doing or sensing that he's having to protect from? The look that is exchanged with the devil is silently grateful however.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"No."

Nick's answer is quick, eyes squinting. Perhaps it is to better assess the tall figure that has become more visible. Or perhaps it's the pinpricks of glow that are stronger than the rest. "But they do. I do not really understand the mirror and now find myself having to decide its fate. So lets do a quick breakdown. What is it's purpose? Did it misbehave because of misuse? Would breaking the bond cause problems?"

"Do you really want to go home or is that more a veiled warning that the next wish will be your last regardless? What is it you intend to do when you're no longer bound here?"

After all. Like the waxing and waning light being emitted, this star is not terribly clear.

Lucifer has posed:
Welp, that just went sort of sideways. Lucifer doesn't want himself or his partner or even Nick to be -hurt- by the mirror. But the only thing the mirror has done that could be in any way harmful was to Nathaniel and another party. There's a little smirk that forms on the corners of his own lips while fingers continue to weave through tired feathers that seem to react to his touch. Whether good or bad is likely yet to be known.

"That's a fair answer. I'm curious to know if there's perhaps a few things quicky with the mirror or it was just - perhaps - upset to be so far away from the one it's bound to." He never thought of that option until just now. And there's a twinge of guilt as he realizes they never truly asked for Nick's own opinion.

It's a beautiful fault. Taking charge because a thing did something against his loved ones.

Sinister has posed:
There is silence from the Djinn for a moment, though its starfilled gaze settles silently on Lucifer a long moment.

It then looks back to Nick, hovering in silence. "What do you wish then?" it is under no obligation it seems, to be MORE helpful than it has been. They are bound after all, to a certain set of rules.

Sin does not actually facepalm, but there's this general impression of one in the mental landscape.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks over to Sinister, giving an apologetic look in response to the mental facepalm. And yet, he doesn't warble back and switch to the wish Lucifer was pushing for. Instead. He's quiet.

Considering.

Sure. Removing the enchantment from the mirror would probably be simplist. But it kind of feels like immediately seeking to condemn over one incident. That he's aware of. And it was stated it wasn't trying to hurt. So...maybe there's another way?

What does he wish?

Hmm.

How rare it is to be asked that. He could probably come up with a few possible ideas.

The silence lasts awhile as he considers the question.

The musician folds his arms, bringing the back of his finger to rest upon his lower lip in consideration before he sighs.

They came here because of the mirror. And there needs to be some form of resolution.

"I would like to understand the mirror. What it does. Why it does. How it works. How it should be treated to prevent situations like what he encountered."

Nick nods towards Sinister, "How to avoid potential backlash from having it around. Basic care. How long does a bond last. What typically would break such a bond early. And the potential consequences of doing so."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer really isn't sure what more to say here. The business is truly with Nick and the Djinn. Lucifer just sort of... forced the path open. After a moment, he glances in Nick's general direction and offers, "Sorry I didn't really give you a choice before coming here. I think that wish is better than me forcing the mirror to not be what it is..." This much and then he clears his throat. "I tend to act on emotions first and logic last."

He looks back to the Djinn and tilts his head. "You know. I do believe I am going to miss coming here and seeing you every so often." His fingers still toying with pinon feathers upon Nathaniel's back.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister gives a little smile to Lucifer's words, a subtle but not un-noticeable lean into the hand upon his back the only obvious response to action and word. He does seem a little less tense than he did however.

"As you wish..."

There are very few beings in the universe that truly -can- grant wishes. There's a very complex set of rules that must be abided by for such chaos to alter the order of the universe though, but such is the power of a fallen star.

The shining one drift closer to Nick, its being a rush of heat AND icey cold in a paradox of existence as it nears, as is the creature itself.

Interestingly, according to those whose legends the Djinn are a part of, there's a lot of similarities between them and certain other Fallen entities.

As it draws closer yet, there is a sense of peace though, of a feeling that it will be alright in the end, guided by the light of stars.

    And then, in a moment of peculiarly brilliant clarity and absolute white, understanding settles in. In memories and visions of the past, perhaps? -- Magic Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Mirror, show me the truth. Mirror, am I not beautiful? Let me reflect. Let me see. Let me know. Let me understand. Show me what I -need- to see, so that I am not just knowledgeable, but wise aswell.

And tools do as they will, even if they have a measure of their own sentience, because the one that looks has their own free will and their own volition. A beautiful man will become a beautiful flower and be forever the namesake of absurd self-love, from gazing at his own beauty in the mirror of the water. All of these things, the fairies poured into the frame of this mirror, which makes its own choices in who it decides to try and help. It IS dangerous, but usually only by the hand of the one that uses it, because you will see the truth. Your truth perhaps. Dreams and inspirations, nightmares also, if you don't know what it is you were hunting to understand.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It is likely a good thing that the shine is a mostly dull one. Had it been brighter, Nick may not have been able to observe the approach. But observe he does, committing to memory the one who no longer wishes to be here.

As the icy heat hits, there's a slight glisten from what droplets dared to come forth from Nick's skin, only to chill as the countermeasure hits.

There is a wealth of knowledge passed, but in a manner that seems easy enough to understand. What it does... Why and How. There's also some semblance of free will from the item which triggers a sense of relief in Nick that he didn't just simply choose to ...essentially kill it. Apparently what is desired is what is shown...But the ever caution of not over-relying on it too much seems to be etched between the lines.

Such knowledge is offered, save for the breaking of the bond. Perhaps, that too is something that can be asked for.

While Nick may not have followed through on the initial desire of Lucifer and Sinister by changing up the plan, he does at least make it to where they can easily pick up on what he is experiencing from the wish.

When the flow of imparted knowledge slows to a trickle, pale eyes look to the Djinn. "...Thank you."

Lucifer has posed:
Those little hand strokes persist upon Nathaniel's wings, and perhaps begin to move with intent or some sort of pattern anyway. All the while, he watches the Djinn and Nick - mostly to ensure nothing happens to Nick but he trusts the Djinn. Sort of.

And likely not wisely.

Either way, the wish made is granted and the Djinn will be expecting what it wants in return. The price for the wish to be paid. Then they can go back into the market and maybe just head back home with mirror in tow.

Unless Nick decides to do something different with the mirror itself.

Sinister has posed:
"I will see you again, Morningstar. You have a place amongst us, sometimes. When you will it." The Djinn gives this as a departing word and steps back. The cold of space and the fires that burn eternal grow stronger at the words of thanks, almost unbearable -- except that they leave no scar but sweat and perhaps tears. Who knows?

For it is now gone in a column of light, sent /there/ through the completion of a bargain. So the last Wishmaster returns to... peace? Maybe that is better than to say it is home.

But oddly enough, the world seems a little... less for its departure.

"That was a very, very dangerous being." Sinister says this after a while, the wings drawn tight, but kind of bunched beneath the traversing of fingers. At least a measure of energy has returned, right? "Like looking at you Lucifer, but with my mind wide open. It was bigger than you though. And ... I don't know how to put this into any other description other than it seemed to hold the power of creation."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Even the nicest of beings can be dangerous in the right situation." Nick comments. "Although being even I could feel them, I get a general sense of what you mean."

Turning his head, he looks over to the covered mirror. And then to Lucifer and Sinister. "...sorry for going against your plan. But...it didn't feel right."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer shakes his head. "No need for apology Nick. I think you made the better choice to be honest." He offers this and then continues to run his fingers through those feathers against Nathaniel's back. "And yes. They are very powerful creatures. Believe it or not, despite how it may seem when I speak to them, I value their presence and I am humbled by their being." He offers this much more before taking in a deep breath. "So. What's next for the mirror? You wanna take it home with you, Nick? Or put it in your room at the hotel?"

In other words - have it anywhere else BUT the Penthouse.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister hesitates a moment, then releases the buckles that held his wings against his back so they wouldn't droop -- a touch and the leather and steel melts back into his person, reconfiguring itself. They stretch the tiniest amount, burying Lucifer's hand in their red-fringed raven depths. It's very warm in there. Aaaaaaaand... they hold steady, without much of a droop at all. Progress?

"To be fair in this situation, I was rationally just going along for the ride. I disliked what happened to me in its presence, but more because of its use of our guest against me. My curiosity had not been slaked..." but he wasn't about to argue with an archangel? Something like that.

He looks to Nick for his judgement there.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick considers the mirror. "I'm debating between the two." He admits, "I think it didn't take well to being in storage. But I guess the real question is, if the room at the Lux is far enough away from you two or not."

"...I had been debating about moving back in to the condo." He admits. "But..."

No. The mirror would not be going there. That's for certain.

Lucifer has posed:
"I think there would be enough space between the mirror and us. I think it only reacts to one who is looking at the mirror directly. And your room at the Lux is definitely a private one. No one allowed in without your permission." Lucifer says this and smiles. Of course there's room service, cleaning services, and things like that. But that's just the price of having a hotel in general.

He gives a glance to Nathaniel as those wings are set free, stretched and barely droop. That makes him happy. He has one other thing he wants to try and see if the wings react a bit better and become stronger in the process but like hell he's pulling out HIS wings here.

Speaking of here.. "Well now... you can tell us all about the idea behind moving back to the condo while we grab the train home. The mirror can go into your room at Lux and all will be right again. Just. Don't go contemplating too hard when staring into it." He jests with a wink. "For now though, we might want to at least leave this space before too long."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister glances up and around the spooky confines of the ice-rhimed alleys of the Unseelie portion of the market and chuckles voicelessly to himself, unknowing of Lucifer's later intents. "I would be inclined to agree. I find this area of the market to be wildly unhospitable overall..." the tall Doctor rolls his shoulders back into proper posture and looks back toward the station, thoughtfully. "No, I do not think I shall risk instantaneous wormhole technology here. I might end up dumping us in the middle of the sargasso sea..."

Uh-huh.

"Let us get away from here, though." A pause as he looks at the covered mirror "...And you. Come on." Levitation will at least aid in -that- but you'd better believe the bloody thing is having a cabin all to itself in second class.