16736/What to Expect when Not Expecting

What to Expect when Not Expecting
Date of Scene:	22 April 2025
Location:	Lucifer's Penthouse, Melville
Synopsis:	The trio celebrate Sinister's birthday which then turns into finding out how a family plot thickens!
Cast of Characters:	Lucifer, Sinister, Phantasm (Drago)

---

Lucifer has posed:
There is a lot of movement in the Penthouse that is a little out of the ordinary. However, it's a season that Lucifer absolutely despises, and while the holiday is technically over - Lucifer's back from his weekend....whatever the hell he does when this time comes around. None the less, he is back, and now he's trying to get something ready. Without getting it ready. Well, without letting someone know he's getting something ready. A text or two have already been sent to Nick and now he's just...trying not to let on anything. So. Will he be able to keep the secret?

Sinister has posed:
Who knows, this is probably one of those things.

THis season though, isn't one that Sinister actually dislikes. There are plenty of times of the year for that, filled with people and humanity in all its dreckitude... but easter?

He may have gone and bought chocolate eggs and a lindt bunny rabbit to end up in the great vat of commercialism. But he also painted an egg rather delicately in anatomical details of the chick within, after having dyed it blue and blown it hollow. It got sent to a research hospital.

And now, he returns with the post-easter sunday offsales to enjoy later. Mostly mini-eggs and marshmallow peeps. Because Titan's alone know.

DING! The elevator opens. He emerges with a couple of bags in hand and munching on candied peanuts.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
A text was received. Noted. And followed up upon. But overall it seems like just another day where Nick has opted to crash at the hotel. He came in earlier. Seemingly in a good mood. Mental voice going full out with some rather bouncy tunes.

It doesn't appear Nick came for clubbing. His attire, while on the Drago end of the spectrum seems more geared to showing up at some studio office, or a reading and now he's just relaxing away in his room. Mind upbeat while random bits of Soap Operas that Millie is watching filter through as well.

'Yeahhhhhhhh!
Willie do and Willie don't
Willie Will and Willie won't
Willie takes his time when he's plaing drums
Ace's high and Jack's a queen
Zigaboo and Willie Green
Sweatin' on Napoleon for a measly sum

But at night when curtains draw around the world
In this time when sweat and sin begin to swirl
Don't they know there ain't no dance without the Duke Of Earl
So lets have a hand for the drummer man'

Lucifer has posed:
The ding of the elevator is what grabs Lucifer's attention. When he notes that it's Nathaniel and not Nick, he goes into overdrive trying to push some things into a closet. A closet only he has access to. Because it's a sort of...middle plane closet. The Aether. Which he likely should NOT have access to in any regard but. He does. And he uses it like a glorified Bag of Holding from the world of Dungeons and Dragons. Stuffing a couple of boxes into it before slamming it shut (as quietly as he can) and then he straightens his clothes and his hair before coming out from the hallway. "Is that you, Nathaniel?" Looking to the armfuls and so he walks over. "My my... I suppose this holiday is good for -something-..."

Sinister has posed:
"It's me. I got the entire half-price section at K-mart, I think... and a few end of sales at the Laura Secord outpost at Macy's..." Sinister's hearing is sharp, but he's also got a certain measure of discretion that he tends to flaunt on the odd occasion. Did he hear anything? No, of course not. Nor does he read anything but the very loud song going on in someone's head.

"If you were expecting Nick, he's still in the hotel, but he might be on his way up. He has quite the ear worm--" Which is shared with a thought, so that the whole room can hear the lyrics being belted out in Nick's mental voice.

"There's also those caramel ones, for cupcakes. But you can't have the candy coated chocolate. Those are for my laboratory stashes..." he winks.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
'Yeaaahhhhhh

Willie turns the Meters on
Feel the groove thats come and gone
You cna bet the deal he's gonna do gets done
Willie leads the cavalcade
LIFE IS MORE THAN GETTING PAID
Find a way to make a living having fun

But at night when curtains draw around the world
In this time when sweat and sin begin to swirl
Don't they know the grind and rhythm makes your lover twirl
So lets have a hand for the drummer man'

There does appear to be a little bit of movement but within the hotel room before as the concert continues on in the head.

Looks like Millie's watching another Soap Opera episode where the entire cast is being held at gunpoint. Again.

Oh. Did they cycle through the episodes already? Dang Millie.

'Yeah yeah oww oww
Ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhh ohhh
Ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhh ohhh
Ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhh ohhh
Ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhh ohhh'

A bookbag is grabbed and Nick makes his way out of the room, seemingly meeting his Overdramatic show quota for the day as he heads on up.

Lucifer has posed:
"Are you truly going to deny me chocolate on this, my hour of need?" Lucifer laments with a dramatic arm across the forehead feigned faint. "For all that I endured, my one salvation...removed. Withdrawn." He then gets to his knees. "I. Am. Forsaken!" Which is about all he can muster in the dramatics before he lets out a bellowing amount of laughter before standing up straight again.

"Just give me a chocolate bunny and we'll call it even..." Though he does help where help might be due in relinquishing Sinister of his handfuls. "Oh and jelly beans. Please tell me you got jelly beans." The Devil loves them. Most anything gummy in texture but jelly beans are a marvelous wonder to him because they come in all SORTS of flavors.

Then something else tweaks his ears. "Nick? Why would I be expecting Nick? He comes and goes as he pleases. As always..."

Sinister has posed:
"Oh bravo..." Slow clap, but polite -- followed by lots of fingerclicks, because that was ham acting deserved of many a little hole in the wall improv club. Sinister smiles, surrendering at least one of the bags, in which there are gold bunnies. And peeps. Because /why/.

"Because you called me out, which is a little unusual. I don't usually warrant a Nathaniel, is that you? kind of greeting. And who else comes visiting up here, outside of the occasional..." a bag of gourmet jelly beans is fished from one of those bags that remain, brandished like a golden goblet to the light, before 'tis handed over.

"I think we might need to not stream telemundo for a while though, the mirror he's adopted might have mexicali'd herself out." He taps his head, glances at the elevator and back. "Yes, I think there's time for..."

<<MWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH>>

Ahem.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
If there's one thing about a jukebox brain on the elevator, it's determining how much time is available to sneak in some displays of affection.

'Willie rips those drums apart
With ever ounce of beating heart
Making people move until their on their knees
Willie knows he's doing good
Lucky Dog's in Hollywood
Keepin' rhythm where the pretty girls ask please

But at night when curtains round the world are drawn
When we lock our innocence away till dawn
Don't they know he'll lay his hands apon the sleepy world
So lets have a hand for the drummer man

Ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhh ohhh
Ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhh ohhh
Ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhh ohhh
Ohhhh ohhhhh ohhhh ohhh'

The elevator doors slide open.

Ding!

Nick doesn't immediately come out of the elevator.

"Everyone decent?"

Ooooh...

Probably should have called ahead first.

Lucifer has posed:
"Oh. Yes. That. Well..." Lucifer sort of stammers through, then gets that mental kiss and he smiles. He takes the bag that is relinquished and checks it for the inventory before looking back up. Ah. Glorious indeed! As they are presented, he gently takes the jelly beans from Nathaniel and then leans in for an actual kiss before walking into the kitchen to deposit and stash the candy he's been given permission to eat.

Laboratory candies will be stolen in the future.

"Speak of the...uhm...hello Nick! Come in!" And while Nick is coming in, Lucifer is then going into the freezer to pull out an ice cream cake that is deposited onto the island counter. In red and black icing the wording reads 'Happy 204th Nathaniel Morningstar'.

Sinister has posed:
Laboratory candy is only ever any good when you magically find it in the draw and surruptitiously eat it when nobody was expecting there to be candy coated chocolate eggs in the middle of the science explanation and plot expose. Well known fact. Like Sudden Potato Chips during the monologue. Or popcorn during the argument scene...

Marshmallow peeps? They tend to be tortured and mutilated over a period of time, melted onto crackers. It's like an evil s'more with artificial everything but sugar. This might be a private reason why, because no other rational explanation fits. Villain? Fond of peeps.

Unaware of the actual cake at the current moment, the doctor shrugs out of the remaining outdoor wear, inclining his head to Nick with his crooked smile. "Happy Easter, mister Drago..." is offered.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Nick comes out of the elevator, it becomes apparent that the last song was not the last of the ear worms as another song wafts in. More of a strumming guitar and less drums this time around. As the lyrics progress there is a question to what brought the song to mind. Could it very well have been Sinister's seasonal shopping?

'Meep

I got out of bed
It was Easter morning
Only 8 a.m
I should still be snoring
Then I heard a cry
Coming from the crypts
And there before my weary eyes was a bunny-pocalypse'

Head bobbing a bit to the unheard music, Nick pauses at the sofa to set his bookbag down.

"Hope you don't mind if I came up. Millie is rerunning the reruns now."

'I was kind of stunned
I looked all around
There were Sleeze-ter eggs
Scattered on the ground
Then they cracked wide open
And coming out in waves
Was a zombie-bunny horde from beyond the grave.'

Nick nods over to Sinister to the greeting. "Happy Easter, Nathaniel." Nick returns, smiling.

'A black cat crossed my path
And said I had nothin' to fear
I said "Cat, ya don't know Jack
'Cause the haremageddon's here!"
A tap, tap, a double tap to send them back to their crypts
Keep a gun at your hips and a prayer on your lips
For the bunny-pocalypse
Keep a gun at your hips and a prayer on your lips
For the bunny-pocalypse...'

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer blinks as he hears the earwoms being shared still and glances up and over to Nick. "You know. I think that is such a fitting song for that grotesque holiday..." Of course, Lucifer doesn't hate it because of bunnies and chocolate. He hates it for a very different and obvious reason. None the less, he shifts his gaze over towards Nathaniel.

"When you're done taking care of whatever it is you're taking care of, I suspect you might want to turn your attention to the island counter..." This is said, a pause given until Nathaniel does indeed turn around, and once Nathaniel's attention is on the ice cream cake (his favorite flavors of course) - the Devil will sneak back into the hallway to grab the things he was shoving into the closet thinking he had a little more time before Nathaniel actually got home.

Sinister has posed:
THe commencement to the best combination of rebirth and spring with ressurrection in the most comical way, seems to have a desired effect on the Doctor. The second earworm does indeed come in loud and clear, along with very physically audible giggling with the mental broadcast. It takes a little while for the giggles to become controlled again. "Where -do- you pick these things up?" The internet, Nathaniel.

What a reward for the grin returned, eh?

But wait! There's more!

The attention drawn to the counter island, grey eyes fix that way, a fine-arched brow spocks up and advancing on the cake there's silence from the man. Of course, it's not that the indulgence of an ice-cream cake (Pralines and cream with a layer of mild chocolate fudge ribbon) -- it's the writing. The naming.

"Good grief, two hundred and four seems far more significant when written in red frosting fondant, I must say." Blinking at the letters again, he looks mock-accusation at Nick. Did you know about this?? Then to the hall and the return of the King of Hell, who just delivered ice-cream, a tacit nomenclature reminder and apparently presents. Well. Lemon time.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
'I called ol' Chuck Norris
And the Boondocks Saints
Called the Pope in Rome
They all told me to wait
I called Bruce Campbell
Got him on the phone
He said "Keep your chin up, boy
'Cause now you're on your own" '

The musician fidgets with his bookbag for a moment before Lucifer's comments pop up. Giving a chuckle he lets the song finish through so it doesn't keep repeating in his head. Ear worms are funny like that.

Once Sinister looks towards Lucifer, Nick finishes whatever it is he's doing.

'A black cat crossed my path
And said I had nothin' to fear
I said "Cat, ya don't know Jack
'Cause the haremageddon's here!"
A tap, tap, a double tap to send them back to their crypts
Keep a gun at your hips and a prayer on your lips
For the bunny-pocalypse
Keep a gun at your hips
And a prayer on your lips
For the bunny-pocalypse'

Task complete and song finished, Nick stands behind Sinister. As the doctor turns to accuse him of having a hand in the setup, the wrapped box in hand serves as confession enough.

Lucifer has posed:
The Devil returns and there is a triumphant moment of balloons and somehow confetti popping along with a rendition of 'Highway to Hell' but as sung by Lucifer Morningstar himself. "It's not quite a milestone per se... 205th will be such... but I think after all that we've been through a little pause for celebratories was in order." Basically let the past rest, the future hold, and just enjoy the moment.

Nick presents a box, and so does Lucifer. Only Lucifer's box is a big box, and then one may find that it becomes a Matryoshka affect where inside the big box are smaller boxes. Some will contain presents, some will contain yet smaller boxes. There are 9 presents in total.

Sinister has posed:
"I can't say as I'll disagree with that statement," Sinister chuckles softly, but the giggles luckily do not return. The presents, they're stared at, the shaking of the head done with a cluck of the tongue and a kind of sound that capitulates to the moment, because this moment is as it is: Baloons, confetti, utterly not what he was expecting or is usually prone to experiencing. The juxtaposition in his mind's eye bleeds out of the links he's currently got with both the other minds in the room.

Matryoska presents and all of it. Highway to Hell, indeed!

"You know, I haven't had a great deal of birthday celebrations in my time." Nooooo....really?

The small gifts are smiled at, meaningful looks shared -- the main event gifts from each man though, are the ones given proper attention.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"That I can understand." Nick comments to the mention of not having many birthday celebrations. The box he hold lowers slightly as he starts to second guess the decision. "...But you're ok with having one now, right?"

Sinister has posed:
"Would it honestly matter if I did?" Sinister replies to Nick with a hint of a smile and another spocked eyebrow. That box is opened, the little thing inside of it stared at before the faint smile brightens and attention shifts more firmly to the devil. Honestly, this particular gift is one that pays it forward -- 'tis Lucifer that will enjoy this more, though the aesthetic tickles the Victorian Doctor's sensibilities no end. "She will hate us again, with a dramatic passion..." he informs, letting the lord of hell see what he was gifted, holding it up even.

Never in a million years, even four years ago, would he have said that this was ever a thing he'd be doing. Cat outfits, with bowler hats and neck ruffs.

Lucifer has posed:
One thing that is inside the biggest box in a cylinder - so it's not another box. One would likely know that cylinders of this nature likely hold something within them like a poster or map. What Nathaniel doesn't know is that this isn't just any commercially printed of such items. Upon opening and unraveling the poster, the image is revealed.

"I had this commissioned from a friend." Of which one could say Lucifer has many friends, or none at all, depending on how he means the word. Yet such imagry is likely only a thing that a true friend would understand and be able to create by a written description alone.

"I haven't even seen it yet. I know what the image is supposed to be of...of course...but I asked to not be shown anything. So hopefully you'll like it."

Of course, he almost melts at the sight of the outfit that Nick has gifted and gives a soft chuckle. "Oh she will hate us again indeed, but the pictures will be worth it..." Then he glances to Nick. "Where -do- you keep finding these glorious outfits?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Seeing the reaction to the gift, the second guessing ceases. The gift turned out alright after all. As for how he knows how to track them down. "Remember the drag show? The one who Clint got his dress from knew someone who specializes in pet clothes. Turns out there's a bit of a network of cat clothes enthusiasts."

Sinister has posed:
A network of cat clothing enthusiasts? It takes all sorts to make the world go turning about on its axis, right?

"Clint? I would never have put that on him, to know such people. Just goes to show you..." Sin laughs, surrendering the kawaaaiii moment to Lucifer and the box with it, so that the devil can inspect the contents more fully. Because: of course.

And then the painting is regarded, or at least the tube that contains it, to be slowly uncorked and carefully unrolled. The raven as bringer of light? This makes Sinister stare. Then? A very small smile follows. "You know, I used to study certain anthopological and mythological phenomenon when I first came to the Americas. There were very few people out in the wilds and the cities... well, they annoyed me a good deal of the time, even when there was satisfaction to be had in the progress." He clucks his tongue, holding it up telekinetically for its full glory and placing both hands on his hips to view the work. "The Raven as the bringer of Light was an interesting story. It's strange to consider that in the wake of my birthday cake. And cross-cultural paradigm." He winks at Lucifer, sighs. "It's beautiful. I have absolutely /no/ idea where we're going to put it though."

Lucifer has posed:
"Oh? Is that Feline Fatale or Cat-amorous Fashion?" Lucifer asks without really thinking about it and likely just outing himself as a member of at least a few of these cat cloth enthusiast sites and groups.

Then his attention goes to Nathaniel and the poster he uncorks and begins to unroll. "I had this commissioned for you. I'm glad it has some other historical, mythological symbolism but this is the product of me telling an artist to combine a raven with wings of fire and soot...." He offers this explanation and then gives his own little smirk. "We'll have to send it off to get framed... it came too late for me to do that first, but at least in time for your birthday to see it. We'll find a spot for it...perhaps above the fireplace." Or something. He'll find room for it. "Did the namesake on the cake...was that alright? I thought we spoke of namesakes once upon a time and...well I guess I also wanted to see how it looked written out. Nathaniel Morningstar."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well, he didn't." Nick corrects. At the very least he can set the record straight on that part, "But William and Wade did which made it easier for Clint to find them when he had to find a dress for the drag show event."

Nick glances up as Lucifer asks about the designer which causes for him to glance to the side, "A different one. Lucy Purr."

Sinister has posed:
"It looks..." Sinister considers, then smiles, nodding "Apt." An odd choice of word, but that is the one he went with. "I knew a lady once, by the name of Westenra; and the Morgensterns are quite a well todo family. The Essex's were..." There's a pause here, a thoughtful one as he considers the brood from wence he came, rather than the name he's now made for himself with it.

"Honourable, I suppose. Dutybound. And comfortably upper class. Of course, the modest estates there are all but a basement, as I burned the place to the ground in a fit of pique, but... Morningstar." Another nod.

"Now, it /doesn't/ surprise me that William knew a cat clothier. But it is funnier considering the hawkeye with a well groomed pussy."

Absolute. Dead. Pan.

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer just smirks and gives a slight nod. Lucy Purr. Wonder who came up with THAT name. Surely not he himself!

Then attention is back onto Nathaniel. "Well...aside from what little pride remains in what you have built and attached your last name to..I suppose I could tease around Lucifer Essex..." He grins. Knowing some of the bits that Nathaniel tells again - like how he burned down the family house.

The last bit that Nathaniel says in such a deadpan fashion almost has Lucifer giving a spit take...if anything were in his mouth at the time. "Well. We should cut the cake. It IS an ice cream cake and will likely melt if we do not begin to consume it soon."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well no- William knew the dress person. The dress person knew the Ca-" Nick pauses, "...You're teasing me now, aren't you?"

To the reminder of the cake being ice cream, Nick looks over to where it was set down.

Right, that probably should be attended to.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister turns his head, grins at BOTH men, with a mouth full of even white teeth and a pair of dimples. Right after the 'teasing me' statement. He does however, take up the knife. "I'll be mother then."

For such things are what you're meant to do, when it's your unexpected expected ice-cream cake that's on the table.

"Do you suppose if you started going by Lucifer Essex, anyone would be surprised? I suppose your family might be, my dear. After all, your brand name is Lux and that's a definition in terms."

There's bound to be h'whipped cream for the taking, a plate handed out with a slice of delight upon it. "

Lucifer has posed:
That comes out of the fridge, still in the mixing bowl Lucifer had h'whipped it up in. A touch of vanilla extract for flavor enhancement. "I doubt anyone would be surprised, honestly. It might even take the edge off of being hunted down as the Morningstar." Not that he minds it. Much. Except when he does.

"And my family...well...most of my family...present members excluded...can go fuck themselves." Saying this as he takes his plate, plops some cream on the side and then moves to actually just sit at the island counter. There's enough room for the three of them, and it's a bit more intimate than sitting around the living room.

Besides, ice cream cake can be messy. "All of everything said..." He offers, looking to Nathaniel. "Happy birthday, my love."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Surprised, maybe- but I'm not sure anyone would question it." Nick replies, watching as the whipped cream is set out. He waits for the others to prep their slices before he gets his own. "Trying the unconventional seems very much a Lucifer thing. "

As the trio take part in cake, there's the slightest sense of another. But then, that feeling goes away. And yet-

Next to the box that contains the cat attire is a small item, wrapped in linen.

Sinister has posed:
And that little item does catch the eye, just a glint at the corner of it dontchaknow.

"Invitations to incest and your family, by and large, are a thing I can solidly get behind. With a couple of exceptions that prove the rule... thank you." A subtle unfurl with a twich of the mind and he joins the two other men upon the barstool.

"To just enough more to say immortality sticks, I say."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer feels that sudden shift of power arrive and then departs. "Well. Question it, no. Which would be the other benefit...to some degree. I do like being questioned on whether my existence is real or if I'm fucking with everyone and their mother." He reaches for the linen wrapped item, knowing before unwrapping it what lies beneath. Though he still unwraps it while continuing without a thought. "Even though I was really fucking their mother...and most everyone else..."

When he pulls back the linen and spies something written there he pauses. An absolute stand-still - not even his chest rising and falling with breath. The linen kerchief lies open enough that others in the room could likely see what it says. It's written in Hebrew.

The learned would understand it as 'He knows about them'.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The not so learned instead is moving from the large cake with his plate of cake slice and whipped cream.

The musician looks curiously at Lucifer as he unwraps one of Sinister's gifts. One he didn't recognize, so guess that's another one from Lucifer.

Hmm. Maybe it has to be opened by him for so-

Seeing the flask being revealed, Nick glances around. "Was Raphael here?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's ice cream cake slice is enjoyed for a few bites, until of course, the Devil goes and unwraps instinctually, that gift that was laying there. The look on the archangel's face has Sin frowning faintly and looking down at the item and the writing on the cloth that binds it.

What IS the other thing?

It takes a moment for him to translate the hebrew, as that was mostly learned in a rather ass-hat backwards manner quite a long time ago. When his mind parses it, he blinks, then looks at the item, at Lucifer again and down at the gift. The 'gift' so to speak, of forewarning?

"Wait...." pause "....what?"

Lucifer has posed:
It takes a whole minute before Lucifer is snapped out of it. "Raphael? Oh. Yes. Briefly." And he fully unwraps the flask to set it down. "Don't know if you ever got the love of what we have in the flask. Ambrosia. Knocks a Nick out in seconds."

He tries to smile.

Otherwise, his brain is working. Hard. Fast. Thinking through many of the past events. All of them flashes in his mind which he may have not turned off to save Sinister's brain from enjoying the flashes every so often. Talks. Conversations. Savings. Warnings. Arguments. An opera. Or was that a play? No. Concert. Nick's concert.

FOCUS LUCIFER!

He singles the imagry down to only times he's met with Raphael. With company. Without company.

It might still take a moment. "He's trying to tell us something...but what...?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
No one has really translated for Nick so he's left to just enjoy his cake for a few moments more. As Lucifer confirms the contents Nick tils his head up. "ONLY when you give me a whole bunch of it."

By human standards that is. Despite what the angelic and enhanced scientist may suggest, Nick actually has a high tolerance for alcohol.

Sinister has posed:
It's the blessings of the Irish there.

Mind, if Lucifer's trying to be chipper, or at least not panic, Sinister just looks grim. His lips have set in a hard line with a slight downturn and he's frowning, reading the cloth wrapping over and over. A glance is shot across his nose to Nick, letting him enjoy the ice-cream for long enough to finish the slice, before he gestures to the writing. "It says 'He knows about them'." That explanation given, he stares at the cloth again, closing his eyes with a deep, slow breath -- the material is put between his palms and held in a prayer position.

There is a very, very faint impression of whispering in the air, for a fleeting moment. An illusion perhaps, a trick of the mind?

Then with a ripping sound and a crack of bones, the doctor unfurls the wings, lifting them in a mantle a moment, the edges of the feathers limned in red and glints of gold. A small secondary set is tucked underneath, perhaps for steerage? They almost look vestigial.

"Come on..." a grit of the teeth and a sigh "...psychometry was always wishy washy and exceptionally hit and miss." He fondles the fabric, rubbing it between his prayer palms.

Lucifer has posed:
"Where are you...we...what..." Lucifer - pulled out of his mental gymnastics - has to take a moment to catch up. "Do you even know who it is or what they know? We should get to the bottom of it, not just go...storming off into the aether like we have a plan that clearly does not exist."

Which is a different vibe than usual. Where Lucifer is normally ready to jump right into things while Nathaniel is the collected one trying to come up with a plan. "I think I have it... cause it would be someone Raphael would want to warn us about, but in a way where he doesn't get caught....sort of....and if you put our recent ventures to mind....and who I've talked to recently with the help of my sibling..."

There's a pause and then a shake of his head. "It's either Azazel or Metatron...and Azazel just wants to be left alone....but what on earth would the Metatron want clones for?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Well at least there are small blessings. Like enjoyed cake before Sinister clues Nick in on the warning.

Them?

Also why is Raphael writing a note instead of sticking around to say it out loud?

Unless...

Nick looks over to Sinister. Thinking a thought instead of voicing it.

Is it possible the 'He' is listening in and that's why Raphael didn't stick around to explain? And who would Raphael not want to risk tipping off Lucifer?

There's brightness within the cloth. Sterile white and hints of shimmering crystal-like reflections dancing about on the floor. A quite serene view save for a grumpy looking Metatron striding down the way, pausing to look to the one Sinister's looking through. "Azrael should be back by now."

"...Death doesn't wait."

There's a twitch to Metatron's features, seemingly about to say something response to that before he turns, walking towards the gates.

Sinister has posed:
Sinister doesn't initially reply to either man, not in the mind, not in voice. He's concentrating on the sparkle, the light, the wierd vibe, the left over energy that is held within all things and transferred between one to another. Kinetic energy, thaumic energy or in this case... psychic energy. His eyes flash open, the red flaring bright and glowing for a moment and /brightly/ at that. He sucks in a breath.

In the silence, the fleeting imagery is shared once again, the voices heard in the mind... and thus being able to parse and not be killed by the voice of the Metatron.

"Oh my my..." barely above a whisper of a murmur. But my goodness, the tension here, one could cut it with a knife. Those brilliantly glowing eyes are set to the devil and his distant nephew, many times removed.

Lucifer has posed:
"Well. Unless Meta wants to pull a Jesus miracle... or a Lazarus..." Lucifer mutters and then shakes his head. His gaze goes towards the lab. How many did they bring back from the submarine? Are any of them here? Stored somewhere else?

Then he realizes he thought those questions. "Nathaniel...." Then he taps his head, cause he doesn't really want to repeat, but that would leave Nick a bit in the dark. So he simply says, "I'm curious about the clones." A pause. "And how long will it take for them to wake up from their stasis?"

He hates science. But what he hates more than science is meddling top folk. Still, he stares at the ceiling of his Penthouse for a good moment. "I wonder if Azrael is too busy to come give me some sound advice..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick blinks as he's given a glimpse of a place he'd likely never see directly. There's a momentary appreciation for the view but upon seeing ANGRY! Angel approaching in the vision the view is ruined. That- is a look of someone who didn't have something go his way.

The stated concern about the clones does help slam things together. 'Them' A group and likely one recently dealt with. He glances to the pair.

Didn't they also say at least one of those clones wasn't picked up?

Sinister has posed:
There is the faintest of nods from Sinister. In theory it would be possible that the Metatron could hear even thoughts, but it's probably safe to say that the Doctor's thoughts are liable to be a little harder than average to penetrate. Nevertheless, a casual glance to Nick conveys what was said without words.

He shrugs shoulders in that manner that is meant to put wings away, but they seem to hesitate, lifting up and closing back but not vanishing whence they came. They rustle slightly.

The room just got very, very still. Time... slowed. Then stopped entirely.

The lights dim, then brighten behind the figure standing behind the kitchen counter, dressed in the cowl and robe and holding a simple sickle in her hand. Brown robes that somehow contain all the shadows of creation within the veil. Ice-cream is being carefully leveraged onto a plate with the other hand, as the cowl looks up. Well, presumably 'looks' up. It's hard to see in the shadow and the very faintest hint of a skull shape within its depths.

"One of your staff killed a rat downstairs in the tap room. You have until it utterly expires -- I can't spare anything more than that."

Lucifer has posed:
Someone once said that it is often better to beg for mercy than ask for permission. That someone must have known a being like Lucifer would exist at some point in time - despite him existing in all points of time - and that he takes such an idea to heart more times than none. As soon as Azrael makes her presence known, Lucifer plucks the linen from Sinister's rubbing palms and then walks over to place it in front of her, Hebrew side up.

"Someone is hopeful that you're too busy to mess with plans, and that same someone is likely after something that Nathaniel and I have. I need to know how much danger we're in and how long we have to prevent it. Death doesn't wait. But I am hoping Death will give some wisdom."

Death doesn't wait. It doesn't bend the wills. It doesn't break the rules. But the Bringer of Death. The Harbinger. For a beloved sibling? There's a hope that a crack might be given.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Azrael steps in, Nick is still. Oh noes... He's frozen in t-

He scoops up a bit more cake into his mouth.

Ok not frozen. He's just trying to figure out what the heck is going on right now and his best bet is to observe.

He does however give a smile and a wave to his 'not quite but more of one than his actual' aunt.

Sinister has posed:
"Well," Azrael takes her time, having said that she's only got so much of it, to make sure that the ice-cream doesn't melt entirely. That they're out of time and thusly outside of the sphere of physical thermal equilibrium is neither here nor there... but she probably has done that once or twice. Taken a tub and gone off into a moment, so that she can enjoy the whole lot at the perfect temperature. It's a thing, along with baked goods.

The hood regards He Who Will Forever Push The Buttons with a tilt of the head and sniffs, the spoon ferrying into darkness and coming back sans pralines and cream. She then balances the spoon after a couple of seconds of getting it weighed properly, so that the ladel and the handle of it are in perfect balance. "See-saws are funny things. When they are utterly in balance on the point of the pivot, they don't wobble very much." She wiggles her fingertip to demonstrate and not a whole lot of spoon wobbling occurs. "But it's very easy to catapult a spoon if you shift the balance of the pivot." She sniffs, looking at her spoon and once again indulging. "Sorry. Had to wax philosophical."

Sin is just watching her silently.

"You're a very sweet little spoon, Michael Nicholas. Ever wonder why Spoon Senior only ever wobbles on his pivot and doesn't catapult or drop ice-cream on the floor? The world would be a strange place, if just anyone could channel the Power of Mankind."

Biblically, that would be the task Adam was given, to name everything. And by naming it, give it shape and purpose. Spell its existence into order.

Lucifer has posed:
"What do see-saws have to do with clones?" Lucifer asks this, understanding the analogy - sort of - but not finding how it works. Maybe he's just in a million directions mentally and can't quite grasp at the notion. Raphael took measures to warn him, Azzie is stopping time to speak to them. All the while he has Metatron's irritated voice running through his mind.

"Who is Spoon Senior? His father?" Looking over towards Nick and then to Sinister. Not entirely sure if he's understanding. He may not be. Who knows.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick watches as the spoon is balanced. No wibbly wobbly. But when he gets referenced to as a spoon and there's a mention of a Spoon senior, he tilts his head. "I haven't wondered that because I've never thought of people as spoons except in the slee-"

Lips part open in thought before Nick shakes his head, "Uh- In this example is catapulting something a good thing or a bad thing?"

Sinister has posed:
Sinister's eyes meet Lucifer's, presumably. It's a little hard to tell when they're red, other than the current shape of them. However, he looks thoughtful as he looks briefly back to Azrael and then to the mid-space region of reality.

"Call this plausible deniability, would you?" Az says with a small sigh after a bit. "Spoons." -- A pause, a nod to the devil given rather slowly and she helps herself to another mouthful of ice-cream cake -- "Anyway, well... you have to weight your spoon right and apply the right amount of force to hit your annoying sibling in the eyeball with random melty ice-cream, ok? And that? That's all about outside forces. Otherwise, spoon senior just sits in the cutlery draw and isn't a weapon of sticky, cold eyeball vengeance."

A pause

"Enoch worked out why our lovely little spoon is covered in ice-cream and he knows about the rest of them. Shame that Hydra didn't know about /external force/ application. Like happy accidents and men in bars that shake hands."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer lifts a hand and rubs at the bridge of his nose. "So, what, Enoch knows that there's a Nephilim living and breathing?" It takes that question to likely - finally - brighten the light bulb within Lucifer's mind. "And...he also knows that there are copies of that....here and other places..." Which then has him looking to Nathaniel and Nick, then back to Az. "So...we need to - what - hit Enoch with a bigger pebble than ice cream from our own spoon?"

Okay. Maybe Lucifer doesn't -quite- have it all down.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick glances between Lucifer, Sinister, and then Azrael again. The handshake reference seemed more pointed at him. "... Leo's the external force."

Nick frowns. "No...that action. When he gave me the phantasm ability. That led to the rhyming spells. Which I can't do while Phantasmed... Because I only can do one at a time."

Sinister has posed:
"And why there's not a whole lot more trouble unaccounted for in the world at large. Two that could name to the extent you can, well..." Azrael finishes off her ice-cream. "Happy birthday, Nathaniel..."

And time begins to tick by again, measured by the very muted sounds of the city outside. Death, in an angelic sense with a hooded cowl, is gone.

"Thankyou, Azrael..." murmured back by Sinister, a tad belated but presumably she'll hear, or rather, know. "Well, buggerations. THey also don't seem to know that each clone has the potential for minor variations in capacity, despite being replicas of the original chromosome, because minute mutagenic properties still exist in all nucleic acid chains." He sighs himself this time. "They were trying to make a cadre of namers that they can control. People with Nick's bard tongue, that could change their outcomes by brainwashed design. And they've proved they -can- brainwash your DNA, Nick."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer frowns even deeper. "Well. That fully doesn't bode well... so what does that mean then? Do we find all the created? Or do we face off with Enoch?" Cause it could sort of go both ways, really. Nick wanted to give the clones a chance to choose. At this rate, they may not have a choice.

Azrael is gone as quickly as she came. That's just how it is. Lucifer takes up the flask that Raph delivered and takes a nice swallow from it. Then he lights up two cigarettes and passes one to Sinister. "You want something from the bar? Either of you?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"How very Brave New World of them." Nick frowns to the point. "...I guess it's not too far from years of conditioning in preparation of a decisive event. I was assuming they were fixated on the longevity."

The musician herms as he looks to his plate. "Well, either we take away what could be considered... oomphy enough to kill the plan altogether or... He hasn't gone after them yet, so maybe where they are is fine for now. Once they're able to think for themselves, maybe it'd be good to give them the means to protect themselves or a way to quickly get to the equivalent of a safe house of sort in the case of an emergency. Since Strange built his school I've been ab-"

He pauses, "...You know...if things do turn out to where one of them gets...uh awakened we could probably get Strange involved. They'd need training and that school is warded."

Sinister has posed:
Sinister takes the cigarette, ferrying it to lips for a deep drag without saying a word in response -- the coffin nail is quite spent by the time he snuffs it between fingers and hands it to Lucifer for incineration. "I'll have a very stiff something or other... surprise me," pause "... or pass me the ambrosia." He chuckles blackly, pointing something else out.

"It's very handy that Strange has such trust in you, but I wonder if they're not also going to observe who else you hang out with. And whether they've clued in that I can very easily be their missing link, if they want to do what they want to do. I don't think your Xerox are the sum total of what they have you know. They've still got thier samples. They just don't have me, or my knowledge." Yet. Oh botherations. "I really wish I could tell you the answer to your questions Lucifer. I may be a slight liability, but they probably don't think they can face off against me at the moment."

Lucifer has posed:
Lucifer glances over to Nick and gives a shrug. He doesn't know, there's too many factors and too many eyes. Plus, what was meant by Death doesn't wait? See-saws and faces covered with cake. Factors being weighed and measured. Plus, what's the ultimate goal here? If they fail and something comes to pass...what is the something?

While Lucifer's brain silently tumbles down all the rabbit holes, the flask gets passed to Nathaniel. Nick didn't request a drink but there is suddenly a pint of the good stuff in front of him for the just in case. Finally, his mouth opens. "No. We cannot let anyone else know about this just yet. Just in case. Lucky us to have eyes above and below. How many places did we put what was brought back? Just here? And we have at least one loose...right?" Tap, tap, tap goes fingers against the nearest solid surface for Lucifer to touch.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It is quite likely that the definition of 'the good stuff' is slightly varied for the mostly human. Tolerance for alcohol or not.

Either way the lack of questioning to the pint presented to him speaks of the trust the man has for the devil.

"Thank you." Nick responds quietly as he listens to the other two. "Considering things, the seeing what the clones see thing might be helpful. Just in case another goes missing."

Sinister has posed:
"Oh, none of them are /here/ here. This lab only has room for one tank -- I have remote visual on a remote lab location, is all." Wise? Possibly. Paranoid, probably. Sin clucks his tongue, sitting very still for a few long moments, like he's sent his brain off someplace and the shell is just sitting there idling. He doesn't even breathe whilst that's going on.

"I can think of a couple of ways I can teach you how to focus in on your dreaming state, Nick. That ought to assist in the harnessing of another's eyes, when they're also... aspects of yourself. Obviously, I can't sort your mind out, it's your mind, it works how you make it work. But I can guide." He twitches his nose, nods. "At least one loose, by my reckoning. Probably a couple more."

Lucifer has posed:
"Ah. Right. Your other labs. Labs that, again, they have eyes on apparently." In fact. Lucifer's about fed up - once again - with all the meddling. All the secrets. All the...everything....

As a result, he's soon doing that thing he does when he feels like he's between a rock and a brick wall. When everything else decides to try and crash around him. Standing from his seat, he walks towards the balcony door, one look back towards the two. "I'll see you all again soon. And Nathaniel...maybe don't wait up for me this time..." Before his wings unfurl in their glorious beauty but before anyone can likely stop him - he takes off into the skies. Heading straight up.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick considers the mention of the dreaming state. "It occurs to me, that this might be helpful for later whenever I get to the point of needing to adjust to Dream sight. The way Leo described it, if you know the way a person thinks, you could kind of determine which dream was theirs and get a general direction to where they were located. Or just grab onto the dream and bring yourself there. Instead of doing them at random or having to search from within dreams."

The musician pauses as he watches Lucifer makes his way to the balcony with purpose. As the wings come out, Nick frowns.

"...He's going to start trouble. Isn't he?"

Sinister has posed:
The doctor's head turns, the waterfall of black hair sliding over his shoulder ot obscure part of his sight as he watches the Archangel stalking off with purpose -- the white glow of those feathers coming out causes him to tense his back, crack knuckles on one hand and then? Well, then there's the directive and Sin doesn't move at all as the Devil goes skyward.

"Absolutely guaranteed," he replies with a quiet huff of air at the end. A long look at the balcony and then to the rockstar. "You might as well be his own blood, the way he reacts you know." The voiceless laugh is soft, bittersweet.