Owner	Pose
Nick	As people have survived another year, a number of them choose to go out to celebrate that fact. Something about switching out calendars give them a landmark, something where that they consider a clean slate for the fresh starts in their plans. Some are going to try and lose weight (again). Others are going to stop drinking (again). Yes! Things are going to be different in this new year! (Like the New Years before that) And it's ALL going to happen RIGHT AT MIDNIGHT. ...Ok maybe a drink to toast the new year. Ok maybe that cookie too... ... Ok FINE. The resolutions start after the hangovers are finished. And such are the thought processes going on at Lux during their own New Years Eve festivities. The balloons have dropped, the toasts sent, and a few people who made all of 3 seconds into their resolutions before breaking it are now doing the last drinks at the bar. Fortunately for a set trio, they have made their escape upstairs where there is a new set of glasses put out for a more peaceable toast to the new year. Or they're just having drinks. Because. Why not? Either way, with the performance part done with for a good week, Nick is using the opportunity to have a nice alcoholic beverage that does not contain anything of the heavenly variety in it. Because he had been working as his stage persona, his hair is a tad bit uh...fluffier than it usually is. And the eyeliner is still present.
Lucifer	There was fun. laughter, music, dancing, and all sorts of things going on in Lux downstairs. Lucifer had enjoyed it, and was glad that he was able to get live entertainment for the evening from one Nick Drago. All the frivolous enjoyments for the New Year occur and then as soon as it is all said and done, people begin to close their tabs and head out. Lux is notorious for closing half past midnight every New Years Eve for some reason which only the owner, the singer and the lover are fully aware of. Now upstairs, it's more drinks for the lot of them but nothing is mixed with heavenly tonic. He's got that stored away and likely won't be touching or serving it for a while yet. "I think this is one of the few occassions that I truly wish I was able to get drunk and then pass out until the entire next day has passed..."
Sinister	"I don't know why you're so against this day, you know. You picked it out of the hat for a calendar mark, you could've done anything. But as it is, there's fireworks and good cheer and misery and other things outside of the celebratory to remind everyone that there's plenty of things life has going for it. Ring in the new, out with the old and happy birthday, my darling," Sinister got bubbly. Well, he actually got mimosas going on, because those are delicious and what's a fizzle between friends? "That went rather well though, I think. Nobody threw up in a corridor."
Nick	"Always a good sign for any New Years Festivity." Nick comments, giving a nod of agreement to Sinister's comment. There's a slight clink from his glass as the ice within shifts slightly. He looks over to the distant relative. He'd say he had meds for that but there are several reasons not to. The key one being that they'd probably not work if alcohol has little if any effect. Is it the holiday you're not liking or the birthday?"
Lucifer	"For the record, I didn't pick my birthday..." Lucifer says this towards Nathaniel but a grin is on his lips as he says this. "Oh it's nothing of that sort Nick. I don't mind new years, I don't even mind my birthday. Mostly because I can't really tell you how old I am, and it's all just another day to me..." A chuckle from him then as he claims a mimosa and downs half the glass. "Anyway. What shall we do with the rest of our evening then?" Asking this much as he shifts towards the living area and settles upon his throne. It's his birthday after all, so this is where he shall sit for the time being. "Also, thank you dear. It's nice to have people around to actually celebrate the day with..."
Sinister	"Well, you didn't, but you did. I highly doubt the first of January existed when you actually came into existence.... but that's me being pedantic," Sinister slides eyes over and grins, floating the prepared mimosas to thier suitable directions. Sure, that might mean people have more than one glass, but it's new year, all that jazz. A glance to the fire has the flames stoking up a little bit with an extra dose of gas and he saunters to his own overstuffed highback close to the warmth and settles in. "It was a very good set, by the by," to Nick. And to the devil, "Did you not before? I imagine waking up in a pile of people wouldn't be a far stretch in the bygone days..." he grins, but contemplates in silence a moment or two later. "I feel as if everything that's coming just got a whole lot closer. I never really paid much heed to New year in my youth, other than that it was loud and noisy and sometimes interfered with my studies, but it was... a turning point. This feels a bit like a turning point and I don't rightly know why."
Nick	"It could be the things that come with the changing of the year. New calendars. People making resolutions that will likely be broken by July. It gets that glamor of being a giant leap into another year instead of just being the next day. So psychologically it probably seems like a giant leap in time." Nick looks to both glasses in hand. One being his preferred drink and the other being the sort of surprise mimosa. Nick turns his head to glance to the window area as the flash of bright light coupled with a boom draw his attention. "...Guess they're not done with the fireworks yet."
Lucifer	"You're mistaking my orgy fests and sordid love affairs as having people that actually care about me around. Perhaps that's where I should have marked the difference. There was enjoyment, sure, in the carnal pleasures...but in recent times...it's becoming more and more apparent to me that what I was missing then is what I have now and my days are better for it." Lucifer says, in all the ways that he can be a sappy fellow for the moment. "Also, I suppose the first day of the new year just sort of felt right. Leaves turn over, the clock resets, creation became on the first day...so the first day of the new year was where it felt...right. I suppose..." There's a look up and outside where fireworks are still going off all over the city. "They'll likely have a finale in about half an hour or so... can't just immediately end the show at midnight after all..."
Sinister	"And then there's the aftershows all over the city until three in the morning, usually punctuated by firecrackers." Sinister clucks his tongue, but his attention, softening in regard, is all on Lucifer a moment afterwards. D'aaw. Those small fondnesses he doesn't often show in company, they show up in the pride of a regard and he leans over and Nick be damned, has a proper 'happy birthday/new year' smooch, which will last juuuuust long enough to be awkward on an onlooker. Because: reasons. He then lays his hand upon the arm of the throne, so that it's within reach of being held and looks over toward the windows also, as silver and green sparkle over the hudson river. "Indeed. And there-in perhaps is the thing. What was next year just a few hours earlier, cannot be said now. Now it's oncoming in this cycle." He pauses, glances sidelong at the devil and at the windows again. "Speaking of time and timing of things -- I think I know how to calibrate all the infinity engines at the same time."
Nick	Nick watches as a few more explosions smatter across the sky. Lucifer's response about the planned end time gets a nod. "Fair enough..." He frowns slightly. Thoughts drift to the imagery of war-torn locales. He glances over in time to see Sinister and Lucifer make their exchanges. Eyes drift back to the fireworks, granting the pair some quasi-privacy. "...Think this city would ever consider low-noise fireworks?" As Sinister brings up the infinity engine problem, Nick glances back over to the duo.
Lucifer	Lucifer nods to the first few things Nathaniel comments on before he's caught in a passionate happy new year birthday kiss, which is returned in kind. In the moment, he doesn't care about the company they're keeping - Nick should be sort of used to their random lovey dovey moments by this point, yes? Still, it ends, but Nathaniel stays by his side and Lucifer's closer hand reaches to stroke fingers through the man's hair. Comments made by Nick gain a glance and a nod before he thinks a lingering moment. "Maybe if we petition the city to consider it..." Offering this before he hears that final statement by Nathaniel. "Oh? And pray tell how do you think you'll be able to manage such a thing?"
Sinister	Sinister's attention might land on Nick right then. In fact there might have been direct eye contact, fleetingly cemented, though the attention is swiftly hunting for the devil's profile. Just out with it, don't beat about the bush Nathaniel old chap. "Siphoning my ability to interface with technology directly and shunting it to the individuals participating in it. It will require me to allow myself to be leeched." Just that. Done. Dusted. And that SURELY isn't going to be the end of that, now is it? "I am wondering though, if I cannot prepare myself somehow for it. I dislike the idea of being substantially weakened."
Nick	Hearing a general summary to what got hinted to in the coffee shop, Nick gives a slight nod. "Is this plan going to require the one doing the leeching to have their counterparts do the same thing in the other worlds that have a device?"
Lucifer	Lucifer lofts a brow upwards for a moment as he listens to Nathaniel explain what needs to be done. Power being siphoned. Though he isn't sure if he can prepare for such a thing. "How do you plan on your power being siphoned? Are we building another device that's going to do the trick and hope for the best?" Asking this as he looks between Nathaniel and Nick, but when Nick words himself the way he does, his other brow joins the first. "...The one...doing...the leeching? What are you on about?"
Sinister	"Rogue. Her power is the ability to leech life force, energy, powers, memories, knowledge, by physical contact. I... haven't worked that bit out yet, whether I simply need to modify a sample of hers and work out the kinks on it, or whether it's too short a notice potentially, to do that." Sinister replies, reaching for Lucifer's hand and lacing fingers. Anchoring! "And... again, of that I'm not wholely certain, Nick. Communication is important, between us and the other parallel timelines, but..." he presses lips tight then, making a soft 'hrrmph' noise with it "...I might be having trust issues. I know -our- world's people. I know my work. And we have to tune theirs to ours, not the other way around... So, I would welcome a spot of brainstorming on how to do it as synchronously as possible. And Luci? I think the one made by Mister Fantastic can probably be toasted. That one is an /extreme/ anomally."
Nick	"I'm not sure on the part involving Rogue but, I'll keep working on something for the communication bit. It's taking a bit longer though." Nick pauses to take a sip, considering the conversation and Rogue. "As I think about it more...You mentioned a zombie Dr. Strange coming over to chat and Seven. Isn't it possible they already have the equivalent of just phoning it in to skip the physical trips over?"
Lucifer	Lucifer finds his fingers taken, interlocked, anchored with, and he gives Nathaniel a soft smile. "So it's either harnessing her power somehow...which I believe was revealed to me by...someone... For you to consider Rogue's power. Or...what...you let her leech off you in real time and hope for the best? That's a lot of stock to put in something that we don't even know if it will work yet.." Not to mention... "Plus, I'm not sure I wholly like the idea of your powers being leeched by someone and you being in a weakened state. Which you seem to be taking into account, but I am not really enjoying the thought of either way. What happens if shit goes south... what happens if...." He trails off then and breaks his gaze to look away from Nathaniel in that moment. He doesn't want to become like Seven. In a sense of losing Nathaniel in all ways but mentally...
Sinister	"It could be that's an option, although Zombie Strange is essentially the ghost in the machine. He gave what remained of his life, to empower the containment wiring and capacitors for the device. Given that Steven didn't come tapping me on the shoulder and explaining causality to me, I think he must be aware of it." Sinister replies with a nod to Nick, frowning faintly and rubbing his thumb against Lucifer's gently. The tiniest of affection, but powerful. "As to the potential of protecting me from disaster, you -are- the lord of Hell, my dear. I'm sure certain bindings could be made to ... enhance just how much life I happen to have at any one given time, considering... entities." Oh dear. "And there's the other half of the equasion." With a glance up at the ceiling with it and another over to Nick. "You're writing Gabriel's sending, aren't you?"
Nick	Nick starts to nod but pauses. "I'm working on something." Nick answers, giving a slight frown "But- I haven't gotten much of it written yet. Mostly just ideas..." The two glasses in hand are pondered before Nick commits and downs the contents of the original glass in order to get it back down to one drink in hand. Taking a breath he glances back to the pair. "There's also a matter of composition, intent, and ease of use. Is the message written, typed, or spoken? Who gets the message?"
Lucifer	Lucifer drums the fingers of his free hand against the arm of the throne before feeling that thumb over his other which brings his gaze back to Nathaniel. "I can look into what I can do...we'll figure this out. If you think this is the best way to align the machines so we can start getting better results." He says this to Nathaniel and then an eyebrow lofts upwards. "What's Gabriel got to do with all this? I mean if you need him for something...I could just ask him to come down and talk with us. Unless Nick's writing a song more to use for something than needing Gabriel to actually be here for anything."
Sinister	"The former of that last, rather than the latter -- I believe he's trying to make use of Gabriel's patronage for a Spell. That whole Archangel of communication..." Sinister looks at Lucifer, his eyes softening and he nods softly. Trust, it happens to be complete when it comes to the Devil himself, which is in some ways incredibly ironic. The thumb continues its gentled stroking and he lifts his mimosa for a sip. "You know, one day we should play a drinking card game with you transferred into your mortal shell... you could get absolutely hammered like that, my dearest." Grinning, he looks back over to Nick with a tilt of the head. "Does it have to be limited to the one form?"
Nick	"Well, he's also due for a song I think." Nick adds in, "But...considering how other songs turn out, better to be careful with the composition. Also, it's got to sound good too." He pauses to Sinister's question. "...Well not necessarily. Raphael's has different verses for different things. Nightmares, Illness, blocking attacks- But the chorus is used with each. But that one is the longest one I've written."
Lucifer	Lucifer thinks on this a moment and then nods. "Ah, well that makes sense. I think..." Cause he's not aware that not only are they going to have to try and align all the machines together at once, that is going to take some communicating to everyone...also at the same time. Which is likely where Gabriel comes in. But no one has really explained it that way, so Lucifer may have to come to that on his own. "Also, are you giving me permission to go and destroy the machine in Mister Fantastic's realm? Cause I can absolutely do that. Without a second thought..."
Sinister	"Yes, I am. I did not create it, so I cannot guarantee its success in alignment. We do have enough working in parallels that I /DID/ create. One inventor, right? Better than attempting to mesh two different intents and styles..." You know, it might not be good for that particular iteration, but this isn't something that Sinister particularly cares about. This world and all its peoples, are not about to fry if they can all help it. Others? Well. "You know... if you write it in multiple languages Nick, it might well assist in communication in tongue also. A kind of tower of babel."
Nick	Nick pauses...looking over to Sinister. "My mandarin is horrible. And unless the verses are all about ordering beers, my writing it in multiple languages is likely not going to happen. " He sips the mimosa that was passed to him, growing silent for a few moments. "...But maybe something about making the message clear could be written in to where the one receiving it understands it could be something..."
Lucifer	"Gabriel can help with that. Hell, I can help with that... translating things and such..." Lucifer says this much and then shifts in his chair a little. Mimosa is plucked from the air and sipped upon with a inhale of breath. "You know...I think being put into my mortal form and doing a night of drinking games would be rather fun. Shame we didn't think of it before tonight started..." He chuckles at that and then places the mimosa in the air so that he could use his free hand to set himself and Nathaniel up with a cigarette. His other hand is currently occupied with affectionate strokings he doesn't want to stop.
Sinister	No argument will be had regarding the provision of cigarettes. Shifting his arm, Sinister also hooks elbows. Silent, companionable affection during conversation! A win. "Verbally at any rate. I have a good deal of skill with latin, greek, sanscrit, egyptian heiroglyphs, babylonian and other such esoteric languages. I do French, German and Russian too, as well as Korean. My Japanese is sketchy though passable." He sniffs, frowns a measure. "I have a rather ecclectic habit of picking up what I find I need at any given time in research, I have to say."
Nick	Nick considers the suggestion of getting help with the translation aspect. "...Ok maybe work on the translation part after the actual song gets completed. Where necessary that is. I do know someone who is fluent in mandarin... I could ask him if he'd be willing to help..." Granted the guy is in SHIELD so... He hmms, "I have picked up a little bit of Italian, but mostly for music terminology. But, the latin probably could work for that gap."
Lucifer	"Course, we're assuming we need to translate. If the song calls down Gabriel, or even his power, I'm sure Gabriel will lend his own hand in to making sure everyone is on the right page regardless..." Comes Lucifer's next thought before he smokes on his cigarette, sips on his mimosa and enjoys the rare moment of Sinister affections in company. "And I don't think this needs to be done -tonight-. I know we're in a sort of time crunch, but other things need to come into place, I need to research some things and make sure I can keep Nathaniel safe so....take your time."
Sinister	"No, none of it needs doing tonight. But it needed voicing, because that little bit of me being siphoned has been bothering me immensely since it clicked into place..." Sinister air-kisses to the devil and exhales, taking his smoke and indulging it, the mimosa hung in the air. "I really do wish I knew how much time we did have, but that's an unknown factor at the moment. I might have to speak to, or probe Betsy a little, to see if her subconscious knows more."
Nick	Which brings up the earlier comment about making the message clear as part of a verse" Nick throws in, "But yes, I agree. No need to do this tonight. It's a holiday and we probably should treat it as such." With that Nick holds up his drink. "Suspend the worries for one Ni- morning. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a problem is to take a break from it."
Lucifer	Lucifer gives a nod. "Yes. I agree. The worries have been voiced and taken into account. The means that need to be worked towards are in progress. For tonight, however, it is drinks and entertainment with friends." Saying this much as he plucks his mimosa from the air and lifts it in toast. "Happy New Years, both of you. Let us hope that we can bring an end to the worry and strive for a brighter future for all existence."
Sinister	"Cheers to that," Sinister raises his own mimosa, fag dangling whilst he does it as the toast is made. He smiles sublimely and glances at the lab. "It isn't too late to perhaps do a mortality swap, if you felt like it. Although, I imagine planning in advance for it might be better."
Nick	Seeing the glance aside, Nick looks over towards the lab and then back over to Sinister. He cracks a smile to the mention of the swap and then glances over to Lucifer. "... Could schedule a New Year's Day, part 2 if you need more time."
Lucifer	"Maybe we'll just spend the evening as this... we can swap sometime tomorrow and spend the evening tomorrow letting me get drunk and play drinking games." Lucifer says this and then looks between the company he keeps. He smiles, and the night likely carries on just as that. Drinking, talking, all likely until Dawn or whenever Nick taps out to go to bed...somewhere. In the hotel. At his home. Who knows. While Nathaniel and Lucifer likely soon after go and contemplate eyelids.