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deviant alert: proceed with caution
[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.]
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.]
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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.]
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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?
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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.]
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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 . . .
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[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.]
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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.
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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?]
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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?
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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!!]
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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?
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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—]
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The room is a once abandoned residence, its bare furnishing betraying the cleanly state of the interior. Belial isn't too concerned about allowing Lucifer to roam once the latter regains a modicum of energy. Where would he go, and how would he do it?]
Now that won't do. What kind of a host would I be if I were to deny you this basic commodity? I insist. What can I get you?
[Truth or false: Does Belial have what Lucifer wants? Stay tuned to find out.]
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He holds back a sigh, but it's probably obvious that it had been there.]
Whatever you please is fine.
[He's not foolish enough to believe it's a harmless thing—nothing about this could be harmless. But even if this is just a little thing, and maybe not the actually harmful part, he doesn't care for being at his whim.]
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Oh, my bad. Looks like we're out of whatever.
Really, Lucifer—did you think I'd keep a drink around in a place like this?
[Belial thought he was supposed to be smart or, at least, moderately wise. Maybe Belial should take up acting for a professional career.]
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How unfortunate for me, to be betrayed by my benevolent host.
[He has never been so unimpressed in his life.]
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Don't be like that. I've provided a roof over your head, haven't I? You're free to take a look around; once you have the strength, that is.
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[More sarcasm... He was not normally a sarcastic person by any means, but there's no point in getting mad at him—it's obvious he's trying to get on his nerves, and there's nothing Lucifer could do about it, anyway. The sarcasm is like his last line of defense.
He continues, though, less sarcastically:]
It doesn't appear as though there's much to see.
[In other words, he'll pass on that, too, thanks. Would he like to escape? Absolutely. But he knows it isn't going to be that easy.]
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[Lucifer had had better things to do, like burning bridges and hyperfocusing on his task. And look where he wound up, in the end! All work and no play will do that to a person. It's a cursed process.]
Well, if you'd rather lie there in corpse pose, I'm not against that either.
[Who knows, he might look remotely attractive that way.]
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But even so...]
I doubt you brought me here for the sake of exploring your humble home. [If it could even be called that. But anyway...] Why are you still here?
[It was weird. He wasn't asking anything of him or torturing him or— anything like that, really. Why not? Why won't he leave him alone, this is torture by itself—]
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As your host, it's my duty to keep you company.
[Look, ex-boss! He's doing his job, for once. To emphasize, he brings his legs over the partition and stretches out on it, his arms crossed under his head. He's not leaving anytime soon.]
Since you insist on staying put, I figure that I should, too.
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We could both do without the company, I'm sure. [Neither of them wanted it, and neither of them needed it—maybe he didn't know the details of his plans, but that was probably safe to assume.] But I suppose I can't deny my host.
[Literally. Nothing he says matters. He's stuck and he knows it.]
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Belial smirks. Now that Lucifer's finally getting it, he's due for a reward.]
Tell you what. I'm feeling generous right now. Ask me one question, and I'll answer it.
[Not a bad deal, eh? But you know what they say: be careful when making a deal with the devil.]
Oh, but I'd be careful of what I ask, if I were you. You might not like the answer.
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You have yet to give me a single straight answer.
[In other words, he has his doubts?? Why should he trust him now, or ever? Plus, what's straight about Belial, anyway—]
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That's why I'm saying, choose your question carefully. So? What'll it be?
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(But for whose benefit?)]
What do you want with me?
["You might not like the answer," he says, but that's true whether he's honest or not—]
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