Seasons - Lucifer's Voicemail

[dadbeatdad]

Why hello there. You've reached Lucifer Morningstar. Sorry I can't come to the phone right now. Leave a message after the tone and I might get back to you. Make it good~ Byyyyyyye~

Comments

Re: and now in "pan tags literally every single one of tsumi's characters" land, post music club--

[dadbeatdad]

[Lucifer answers the door. His new door. The one he bled for. It's mahogany you know. It swings open as Lucifer looks at Louis and sees that clearly there is something on his mind. He offers him to come inside. The sitting room is lavish as one would expect with reds and golds and whites. He blinks at the strange starting point.]

I mean, you would also sacrifice a lamb to me if you really want to feel better? That is an option. If it would make you less nervous.

What is the favor?

[splittingheadache]

...

[Hang on, Louis's actually taking a second to consider that whole "sacrifice a lamb" thing, he's pretty good at killing stuff with little knives -
But no.
He shakes his head, focusing back on what he wanted to bring to Lucifer in the first place.]

I - well, there's this girl... or, no -
I should begin earlier than that.

The music club, yes? They're holding a concert on Halloween, and are accepting sign ups from musicians of all kinds. I... have wanted to start singing properly, here in Ellipsa, and so I thought it would be a wonderful foot in the door, so to speak.
But I needed accompaniment. I can't sing to just my fiddle alone.
And so I... asked around, and found someone capable, but she lacks a guitar for this.

[At this point, Louis's gaze has dropped to his hands, wringing them together.]

... I want it to be perfect for her, as thanks for assisting me. And I know you are the only one capable of making it so perfectly.
I'd considered star-shaped, but she seemed nervous about that... so the only specification is that it must be pink.

I recognize, of course, that you have already given me so many things, and you've done so completely out of kindness... I am beyond indebted to you.
But if you do this for me, I will do anything for you in return. Anything.

...

Please.

[dadbeatdad]

[Lucifer listens and pays very close attention to Louis. This seems quite different from then Louis was with him in hell. He can tell the nervousness is genuine. At least it very much seems to be. If it is an act, it's a very good one. Either way, Lucifer has an idea quickly come to mind. He smirks and holds up his hands. He snaps his fingers and in a puff of red smoke and golden light, a guitar appears in his hands. He turns it over in his hands for Louis to see.]

I can give you this to bestow to your music partner. In exchange, since clearly if I give this to you for free, I think you might just piss yourself.

You will owe me a favor. Carte blanche. Anything I want, whenever I want.

Deal?

[splittingheadache]

["I think you might just piss yourself." Oh, his face is going SO orange at that - expression going embarrassed and wobbly and everything.]

Well, it's not - I just -
I feel as though... I have asked too much of you already. To pile this on top of everything else -
Not even my greedy ass can excuse that.

...

And I would rather nip it in the bud, anyway. The fact that I am indebted to you.
I do not want a debt to suddenly appear before me out of nowhere - I want to make it clear that the debt already exists, and I am aware of it.
Apologies, but I can't trust that you're giving me all of these things completely for free.

[Hey. Hey. Has Lucifer ever spoken to an abused, neglected heir to a rich family before? One that's been used and tricked all his life until he was finally so sick of it, he lost faith in just about everyone around him?
No?
Well, now he has.]

... Regardless, I'll accept that. So long as you do not ask me to harm those I care about.

[dadbeatdad]

[Orange blush and everything. Well Lucifer is glad he was on the money there. He hands over the guitar the moment the deal is struck. He chuckles and will motion to the large curved couch for Louis to take a seat.

Has he ever spoken to someone quite like that? Hard to say. Or really remember. But he can tell Louis has some trauma about these circumstances. Especially when it comes to receiving things and trust. Lucifer himself sits down.]

You think I want something in return for everything I've given you. Like an invisible tab you've been wracking up?

Let me ask you one thing in return. How much effort do you think I've had to actually put into all the gifts I've bestowed upon you. And do be honest.

[splittingheadache]

...

[It's after Lucifer asks his question that Louis moves to sit, holding the guitar in his arms like it's the most precious thing he's ever held.
Because to him, in this moment, it may as well be.]

It doesn't matter to me the amount of effort behind your powers.
What matters is that I am the one you're choosing to use them for.

[🚨weeooo weeooo trauma alert🚨]

[dadbeatdad]

Louis.

[Lucifer hears that trauma alarm loud and clear.]

I did those things for you because I simply wanted to. To ask or demand anything in return when one, you were living on the street, and we were in hell and in a possibly dangerous situation, would be a callous act on my part. And I know Charlie would feel awful if she ever found out I took such advantage.

That isn't the spirit of this hotel. The spirit is to help people. And the payments requested are for if they an afford it. So they feel a sense of control in their pursuit of becoming a better person here at the Haven Hotel.

The big favor I was going to ask you to help me do was likely something rather silly. Or depending on if we happen to know similar people, your help in arranging a gift for them.

I would never ask anything of you such as you harming someone or defending this hotel or something like that.

I give you that guitar and everything else to help you. For no other reason.

🚨🚨IT CONTINUES🚨🚨 sorry luci

[splittingheadache]

... To help me.
To help me?

[Asked as he lifts his head, looking at Lucifer properly instead of keeping his eyes trained on the guitar cradled in his arms.]

Why would you... want to help me? I -
I was only "living on the street" because I chose to. Why would I trust a shady apartment given to me by the government of a world I do not belong to?
Or a government period, no less.

I recognize that... perhaps accepting a room from you is no better, but - you -
This hotel is for... therapeutic purposes, I. I can trust that. I can trust that you wouldn't have done something to the suite you gave me -
There's no reason for it to have something wrong with it.

[Partway through his little, mindless ramble, one of his hands reaches up to grip a handful of his hair.
Somehow, some way, Lucifer's managing to pry things from him that he's been trying so hard to smother.]

I don't... understand. Why you would want to help me.
What do I have to offer you in return...? All I have ever done is be a nuisance to you.

LOUD NOISES OF TRAUMA!

[dadbeatdad]

[Lucifer watches Louis's face, especially his eyes. The words tumble out and say so much. He lived on the streets due to his mistrust of the government, of authority itself perhaps. But came here because it was him who offered, even if it wasn't much better when given more than a passing thought. He gently reaches out and touches Louis's shoulder.]

I want to help you because I want to. I want to keep Charlie's dream alive here in Ellipsa. Helping you does that. I don't need anything in return but if you wish to repay me somehow, simply try to help others when you can. Spread the message of the Haven Hotel and help people when you can. And remember to help yourself too.

Alright?

1/2; he's got some pretty loud trauma, it's true!!!!

[splittingheadache]

[Looking up at Lucifer, scanning his face with his eyes - it's clear they're darting to look at things that aren't there, too, as if this has somehow worked up his blood enough to cause him issues.
But after a moment, he looks down at Lucifer's hand on his shoulder...]

2/2;

[splittingheadache]

[... And immediately his eyes start to water.]

I - y... yes, sir. I can do that, yes. I -
I can do more than that, if you need. This hotel - it's a therapeutic hotel, right? For mental help where it's needed, among other things -
My magic... my Orange magic. It, ah...

[Hang on, he's gotta rub his nose on his sleeve.]

... I-it has the power to heal mental damage for others. Not... myself.
But others.

[dadbeatdad]

[Lucifer watches Louis's reaction careful but without any judgment or resentment. He's heard enough stories of other dickhead Lucifer's that he is sure it all sounds too good to be true.

Then it's like the walls break. Lucifer gently squeezes Louis's shoulder again.]

Only if you want to. I am sure many would really appreciate it. We should introduce you to one of the anomalies Evangeline left here. They also heal mental damage via confessions. Your powers might not work on you but do you think it would help you at all?

[splittingheadache]

It... might, but - what sort of confessions?
I have.... sat before enough preachers to confess my sins. Growing up in Louisiana. I would rather not do that further, if possible.

[His voice is still watery and wavering, saying as much - even taking a second to rub his nose on his sleeve again and everything. Gross.]

[dadbeatdad]

Nothing preachy. They don't judge. One Sin really only exists to heal mental damage. Just talking to them helps too, honestly. I think they enjoy it. Though they aren't one to talk back.

[splittingheadache]

Just... talking to them...?

[He's trying very hard to stop with the waterworks, of course, now taking a moment to wipe his eyes with his other sleeve.]

... I suppose I could give it a try. If it's simply to talk to them... that's doable.

[dadbeatdad]

We can even set you up in the library with some hot chocolate and I can bring One Sin up. And I can be there if you want. Just in case you need the support to start talking. How does that sound?

[splittingheadache]

Hot chocolate...?

[Looking up at Lucifer with the biggest, wettest, most pathetic eyes.
Look at him, Luci. Look at this pathetic wet cat of a man.]

... W-would it be... dairy-free? I, ah... I'm... vegan, unfortunately...

[dadbeatdad]

Of course! Would you like oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk? We got all three. I can have someone run to the store if you want something like coconut milk. What'll it be?

[splittingheadache]

Oat is fine - I've lived a life filled with soy milk, and I have...

[Pausing, looking down at nothing for a moment. War flashbacks.
And then looking up at Lucifer again.]

... History. With almond milk.

[dadbeatdad]

Oat it is as preferred. I'll remember that.

A bad history?

[splittingheadache]

...

The only source of almond milk in the land of the dead was a four-legged almond beast with teats like a cow.
It came out warm. Body temperature. And you had to filter it due to fur.
And it was the only milk substitute in the entire land of the dead, until I met the Guardian and asked him to create something that could do better.

[...]

He gave me a cleaner almond beast with milk that comes out cold and prefiltered. Didn't stop to think for a second that I may not want almond milk after dealing with what I had for twelve fucking years.

[Hey, so, the land of the dead might be a little fucked up,]

[dadbeatdad]

Hm. Two notes.

Disgusting and sounds like torture.

And I suppose the lesson is to word your wishes a tad more specifically than 'do better'.

And no almond milk anywhere near you. So three notes, I suppose in total.

[splittingheadache]

Mm... one, absolutely it was, yes. I would rather steer clear of almonds in general.

[Again, no one tell him marzipan is almonds.]

Two, however - it isn't my fault our Guardian is a bumbling idiot who forgets to dress himself from time to time.
I have seen it with my own two eyes, the moron stumbling out of his tower on the back of a living chair, completely without pants.

I'm not sure how he garnered that position. Because God thought it was funny, perhaps.

[...]

That all said - thank you, I know I can trust you to take that seriously.

[dadbeatdad]

...Is he at least impressive without his pants on?

[splittingheadache]

[Open mouth, finger up like he has something important to say to go with all of that -
Only to actually think about what Lucifer's just asked, mouth snapping shut again.]

...

Unfortunately, yes.