deviant alert: proceed with caution

[patisse]

[Retrieving the body from Canaan had been the easy part. Now the waiting game begins, and that part in and of itself won't be so difficult either—it's transitioning into the next phase that'll be tricky. For now, though, it's the time to play babysitter.

A fallen angel, the attendant to a crippled primarch? How ironic and tedious. Guess he's not done sweating and straining just yet.

Descending the stairway of the abandoned abode in which he's taken up residence, Belial makes his way to the spot where the comatose body rests. As ever, that perfect face looks perfectly at peace.]

Still asleep? For someone who used to be a big shot, you're sure taking your time.

[A primal that has entered its dormant state may take years to recuperate; however, this is Lucifer. Belial doesn't doubt that Lucilius' prized creation will spring back much more quickly than his inferior brethren. It isn't that sooner would be better than later, but more that that's just the way it will be.]

Comments

[supremo]

[His body had never felt so heavy.

He can hear his voice—quite clearly, in fact. There's nothing particularly welcoming about it, but that's all the more reason that he has to... get up. His mind is hazy, but maybe it's instinct that tells him he needs to move. He can't stay here, wherever here is, but even just opening his eyes is proving a difficult task.

But he must. And so, after a (long) moment, he starts to stir, though it's difficult to even lift himself up. He doesn't say anything—even if he wanted to, he's not interested in entertaining him.

There was something surreal about all of this. What an unusual position for him to be in.]

[patisse]

Hm? Did I speak too soon?

[Maybe he hasn't. Lucifer is awake and still taking forever. This one's a strong contender for paradox of the year. Archangels don't need rest the way mortals do, but Belial might fall asleep at this rate.]

Come on. Surely the innocent, glorious, virtuous ex-supreme primarch—paragon of all that's good!—can do better than that.

[Hurry up, so this dreadful show can get started.]

[supremo]

[Why is he Like That.

Lucifer, who is, in fact, as good and virtuous as he says, is not particularly fazed by the obvious antagonism. He's able to pick himself up just enough to be able to sit, holding himself up with his arms, and when he speaks, it's— neutral, but tired. Another strange feeling.

He couldn't have been out for long, yet it feels like he's been sleeping for a long time.]

What... do you want, Belial?

[There were a lot of questions, but he needed to get a grasp on his own situation for the time being.]

[patisse]

[Baby, I was born this way. Except Lucifer ain't a babe—not in the slightest. Nasty prig.

Belial's lips stretch into a smile while Lucifer props himself up. About time. He could answer that question with a dozen innuendos, but what's the point? They'd all fly over Lucifer's head.]

Of all the things you could have said, you choose that? [He chuckles.] Why, Lucifer. You haven't forgotten what I preside over, have you?

[supremo]

[Like he could ever forget that he's the primarch of lewd—

But ugh, what an exhausting answer. He didn't think he could feel more tired than he already did, but then Belial just keeps talking.]

I'm not interested in playing games with you.

[Not that he's in much of a position to argue, he realizes. But whatever it is that Belial wants, Lucifer isn't going to make it easy for him.]

[patisse]

[Ugh, such a bore.]

Of course you aren't.

[At least Sandy would have spat something mildly menacing. Now that he's lost what made him so special, Lucifer really fails to measure up to his peers. What a sincere shame that is. Not even a single feather left behind!]

But you're my guest. You know from millennia of observing Skydwellers, don't you? It's rude to deny the host. And after all the trouble I went through to claim your body after what Bubs did . . .

[supremo]

Am I... supposed to be grateful to you?

[They could have done worse to him—he doesn't doubt that at all. The fact that they didn't means that they're up to something, and whatever it is, it can't be good for him.

He's not entirely sure what to do about it, either. They took his wings from him, and still recovering from the attack, he couldn't even hope to be a match for Belial, or Beelzebub, or anyone, really. It might've been easier, better if they'd just killed him.]

[patisse]

[Every time Lucifer thinks that, a Sandy dies from loneliness.]

Grateful? Don't misunderstand, Lucifer. I didn't bring you here to save you.

[Lucifer isn't stupid. He would know that, but it never hurts to point out the obvious for dramatic effect. Isn't that how he prefers it?

Belial leans forward, his nose inches from Lucifer's as he lowers his voice.]

If anything, I should be the one who's grateful. Who would've thought that the once mighty supreme primarch would be reduced to this state . . . Any archangel could easily overpower you.

[supremo]

[N-NO...

Lucifer narrows his eyes when he gets close. This gloating tells him nothing.]

Yet you refrain from doing so. Why?

[They wouldn't have gone through the trouble if it was just to be able to say, "Hey, look, we beat the supreme primarch!" But even knowing that, he can't fathom what they could possibly want with a powerless primarch. They clearly wanted him alive, but— why?]

[patisse]

[Belial grins.]

Why not? I'm not interested in Bubs' sloppy seconds.

[Actually, he'd never say no to sloppy seconds. But this is Lucifer, sans his wings, and that's something of an exception to the rule. Just as Cilius had been . . . albeit on the completely opposite end.

Belial understands that Lucifer wants to know more. It's a pity that he isn't willing to give the answer easily, then. That's not his way.]

You can't expect me to spoil everything. Where's the fun in that?

[supremo]

[He clenches a fist. His patience is being tried, but because that's probably the intention, he can't— let it get to him.

But he sure would love to end this nonsense right here and now.]

Then, unfortunately, I'm afraid I will be unable to give you what you want.

[Not that he'd really been planning on it... But you know, if he had!!]

[patisse]

[:thinking:

After the wild-goose chase, what does Lucifer know about what he wants? Better leave it at that, though. He'd hate to give a vital detail away before it's time.

Shrugging, Belial steps back to perch on a nearby half partition. To Lucifer's great misfortune, he's got all day and no plans to be elsewhere.]

We'll see about that.

Since you're my guest, how about a drink? Oh, that's right—aren't you seriously addicted to coffee?

[supremo]

[This is worse than death. Nothing has happened yet, but it's definitely worse.

Lucifer moves to sit properly now and take a look around the room. There's nothing particularly recognizable about it, but he didn't expect there to be—they wouldn't have brought him somewhere that he knew.

Unfortunately(??), although his life does not appear to be in immediate danger, he's going to be no less difficult.]

I'll refrain.

[His coffee addiction is none of his business—]

[patisse]

[Three days later, Belial returns to the place of captivity with a paper bag in tow. Considering all the time they've got in the world, it's a fast return, but it's just so difficult to resist the siren song of an extraordinary captive.

Finding Lucifer is an easy task, taking him to a room that boasts a sizable view of the outside landscape. It figures that the supreme primarch would affix himself to the spot that allows for observation. Belial leans against the doorway, and it's truly ridiculous how the morning light seems to make the air around Lucifer glow.]

Enjoying the sights, Lucifer?

[supremo]

[For some reason, Lucifer suddenly feels a headache coming on—

It's been a few days, but the concept of time is funny to one who's lived for thousands of years. Then again, even if he were a normal skydweller with a normal sense of time, Belial's return would still feel too soon. He does wonder why it took three days, but he doesn't wonder too hard about it. Belial could have genuine reasons (maybe he's up to something), or maybe he just didn't care. It could go either way, and regardless, it probably didn't matter—at the moment, Lucifer could do nothing.

He only spares Belial a glance before looking back toward the window.]

It's peaceful.

[There wasn't much to see, not just because of where they were but because Lucifer was once able to see everything. But that was fine. Even something was better than nothing.]

Is there a special occasion?

[—by which he actually means, "Why are you here, I was enjoying my time without you."]

[patisse]

[Perfection doesn't equate to impeccable manners, does it. Belial lifts his hand to show off the small bag he's brought (not that Lucifer is paying attention).]

Oh, you bet. Let's play a game. If you can guess what's in this bag, I'll let you ask another question.

[And he'll eat the bag and its contents whole if Lucifer asks about the reason for being here again.]

[supremo]

[Honestly, he's not too interested in asking him questions considering he won't answer the only one he actually cares about. But, the mention of the bag does earn his attention and so he turns his head again.]

May I have a hint?

[He couldn't care less. But there's nothing else to do besides play his silly games, so...]

[patisse]

[Okay, make that another two questions. Lucifer seems to just love toeing the boundary—not that Belial minds. It's more fun this way, though the lack of effort leaves something to be desired.

He gives the bag a slight shake. It's heavy and full on the bottom, so it must be an object (or more) that conforms somewhat to the shape of the container.]

Not even a guess? It should be fairly obvious.

[supremo]

Obvious to you, or obvious to me?

[It's a rhetorical question, because "somehow," he doubted he'd brought something with him in mind. But there's something sort of familiar about the sound the item(s) makes when the bag is shaken. It sort of sounds like...]

It isn't coffee beans.

[Not even a question. Yes, it sounds like coffee beans, but why would it be coffee beans? That's silly.]

[patisse]

[Know what else is being silly? The supreme primarch. Belial gives the bag another shake for emphasis.]

Bingo! Although you got it backwards—it is coffee beans.

[Contrary to what Lucifer might believe, Belial does think about him every day. It's just not in the way one might expect. Stepping inside the room, Belial moves to set the bag down on the nearest surface to Lucifer.]

There were so many kinds. I didn't know if you have a preference.

[supremo]

[This is so... suspicious. He watches him as he sets the bag down, unsure of how to feel about this gesture.]

I didn't ask for anything. [Even if he did, he didn't think Belial would get it for him. He seemed very against doing what he wanted. (But that was to be expected. Lucifer was the captive, after all.) He glances at the bag, but doesn't reach for it yet.] Gestures of good will mean little to one you've kidnapped, you realize.

[In case he didn't know!!!]

[patisse]

[Lucifer says that as though Belial has any good will to expend. He finds that whole statement worthy of a scoff, but he reins in the impulse for now.]

Not even a peek? [He chuckles.] Don't be like that. I'm just curious about these beans you like so much.

[And what would they do without a conversation starter, small talk to kill the time? Sounds dreadful.]

[supremo]

[It's sound logic, except it doesn't take into consideration the fact that Lucifer doesn't want a conversation at all—

And normally, Lucifer would be happy to talk about it. He had so many fond memories associated with coffee, and he wanted others to be able to enjoy it like he had. But Belial... It was difficult to want to care when he knew the other wasn't being genuine at all.

But, as before, it seemed as though he didn't have much of a choice. Lucifer could be as difficult as he wanted, but it didn't mean Belial would go away.

And so, Lucifer reaches for the bag to look inside.]

What did you want to know?

[patisse]

[If he knew about this special treatment, Belial would be so tickled.

The bag's contents are what he claims them to be: coffee beans. Because it's the first time, he hasn't tampered with anything. Baby steps, as they say. A fresh aroma begins to permeate the air around the bag.]

I suppose we can start from the bottom-up. How do you use them?

[supremo]

["Baby steps"? That's not how that works.

This feels like a waste of time... There was no value in explaining something like this to him. But then again, it seemed he had all the time in the world, so... might as well waste it.]

In short, the beans must be ground into a powder, and then warm water is poured over them. There are many factors that can affect the taste of the drink, such as the temperature of the water and how long the water is in contact with the grounds.

[Something about his tone implies, "Is that all?"]