Not quite sympathy for the devil, but definitely an apology for one.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Who: has_a_phd_in_teddybear and the_rebel_son
Summary? Dean had been caught up in the hustle of the Nexus, but Lucifer never quite left his mind. He's been helping a couple of new peopl, been hunting, and he's as ready as he's ever going to get. Now? It's the hard part.
Warnings: Shouldn't be any? Maybe a language one just in case? Possible mentions of violence in conversation but no one actually swinging fists.



Dean stood a little ways out, where he could see the entrance of the villa, contemplating whether he was really ready for this or not. He'd had Ben teach him the rules of hunting, and tried to keep that fine balance of 'not so much as to keep the mark well-fed' but also 'not as little as to hit vomiting blood' levels. enough that he was keeping his fine thread of sanity in check as he could. Honestly, having Zack as a roomie helped with that a lot, it was keeping him focused on doing things and keeping his mind off other things.

It had also helped him put off coming here, but he couldn't avoid it forever. Especially with not knowing exactly what Balthazar may or may not have told his fiance about... well, everything. And honestly? He did owe the guy an explanation. Everyone who had mentioned him, basically, had sung the guy's praises and Dean... well, he'd never been one to step away from admitting when he was wrong, even if it took him a while to get there.

Even in person. Especially in person.

He runs a worried tongue over his lips, biting at them a little, before shaking his head a bit. Let it go, Dumbass. He knew why this was harder than it should be, though. And that was going to come in with the explaining. It didn't help he was feeling more than a little bit naked, not risking bringing a weapon - although he knew it wouldn't do shit, he couldn't risk things going sideways and that was asking for trouble. He takes a breath, taking a moment to push mentally though the current live wire of anxiety that was firing on all pistons, and pull up his usual confident demeanour, though also not pushing too far into the 'cocky asshole' reading side of it.

Fake it 'til you make it, Frank? You were so full of shit. and yet? That was how Dean functioned anyway. Probably before Frank, when he thinks about it, he's just far more practised at it now. With that thought in mind, he strolls towards the Villa and knocks on the door (maybe a little louder than strictly necessary, but he's not sure how hard to be heard) and waits to get some attention.

Comments

[lanceofwar]

Approaching the villa is enough to alert the angels though they have come to ignore most comings and goings around the outsides of the wall. It is a traditional Greco-Roman villa in layout which makes the knocking on the council door all the more odd. No doubt, anyone in the know in the Nexus would have sent the human to this door but to the angels it was always open, as was true for the ancient homestead. Formalities though differed between species and who knew what protocols might come into play with this man species in one place.

Abigor is on duty, as usual. A fresh faced, androgynous youth in a red leather jacket and overly tight jeans but the human comparison ends there because of the bat wings folded at their back and the unnaturally blood red eyes. Still, as is the duty of the head of Lucifer's guards they go to the door and open it, curious to see who was knocking.

"This door is always open." Though friendly, Abigor has a military clip and sureness to their spoken words as they step aside to let the human in. Though the angel isn't reading the human yet, the aura around them and touch of supernatural contact causes the bat wings to shift and the angel's head to tilt curiously.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

The military clip is something familiar, having heard the tone from his father all the way through growing up even though it was usually barking orders at him, and that helps ease the surprise of the bat wings. Mind you, he hadn't really expected anything less from anyone working for Lucifer so the surprise isn't that much. Now that he'd had some time to adjust to the visual differences between a lot of the species between worlds, things are definitely a lot easier. And yeah, the hunting had helped.

He gives a shrug and an easy smile to smooth over his feelings, which were prickling a little bit. If he didn't do this, he wasn't ever going to, and that wasn't a good thing here. Especially with the unexpected alliance/friendship/whatever the hell he was doing with Balthazar was called being a play factor. So. Being nice. "Hey, uhh, Lucifer said the villa was here any time. I have something I need to talk to him about. Can you take me to... wherever he is right now?"

[lanceofwar]

Abigor remains placid in all scenarios, the side effect of being in Beelzebub's presence for eternal amounts of time. "The king is here."

As they step into the council room Abigor points out the altar off to the far end. "In the future you can enter here and call to the angels yourself but I also understand the desire to go to Lucifer instead of calling him here."

This angel, perhaps beyond all of thers, has a neutral presence and quiet demeanor. "I can take you to him in the gardens."

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

As they step into the council toom, Dean gives a quiet whistle. "Impressive." Really, really impressive. He takes in the altar, and nods. "Noted. Didn't really get the memo on that before, but that was probably a me thing."

It was definitely a him thing.

"Garden's fine, if it's not a bother." Being outside may definitely help.

[lanceofwar]

"Not everyone knows of the altar or are comfortable with summoning divinities or spirits." It was small talk as they moved out into the vast gardens.

"The gardens are a sanctuary for the court and where Lucifer spends much of his time." As they walk out into the sun the first and most noticeable thing, aside from the dizzying variety of plants and small animals, is a pair of trees whose trunks are wrapped around each other. One with silvery bark and pale leaves and the other with dark, almost black, bark and deep green leaves. These are the trees of Eden that Lucifer stole before the garden was destroyed. There are a number of species here stolen from Eden or created by Lucifer.

They turn down a path and pass a hellhound, black-furred with glowing blue runes down its sides and matching eyes, lounging in the sun. It opens its eyes to look at the newcomer but seems disinterested since the human is accompanied by an angel. Lucifer is down in the flowers, tending them and though it looks like planting at first they are sprouting from the ground on his will. Back to the approaching people on the path, he doesn't take note of their presence yet.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

There's a casual shrug in response, indulging in the small talk and letting him ease into a headspace that was as comfortable as he was ever going to get here. He didn't feel comfortable in obviously rich and opulent places anyway, and even despite everything, there was that small height of adrenaline screaming 'enemy territory at him, though admittedly he wasn't sure how much of that was previous (obvious if Balthazar had told him at least as much as he's obviously told Az) grievances and how much was that little bit of him with it's claws in always spoiling for a fight now. "I've done my fair share, though admittedly it's less of a summoning at an altar and more of a calling out his name and a nerd little guy in a trench coat appearing."

The hellhound is enough to heighten that undercurrent of 'fight or flight with only one option', and he has to take a moment to pause and ground himself. No weapons, turns out, had been a great idea is he intended to stick this through. He breathes out a sharp breath, and continues forward past, until he's within what feels like normal, comfortably speaking distance. He shifts for a minute, completely unsure of how to start, eventually just settling on "So, uhh... about that apology?" Kepping half an eye on the escorting angel if he can ask him to go away without being considered rude.

[the_rebel_son]

Dean gets a genuine smile from the guard. "Summoning the Fallen will cause a ball of fire, unless you're summoning one of the colder angels."

The human deserved the warning since a giant portal/angel sized ball of fire would be a shock to anyone. However, Abigor knows that it is time to step away long before that glance. They know what it is to serve a king and gracefully step away when the time is right.

Telepathy is also helpful since Lucifer knows who is there before Dean speaks thanks to Abigor informing him silently. The seraphim stands and turns to face the human. Here, in his own domain, there's a stateliness that he didn't carry in the bar. Lucifer is calmer in his gardens.

"Before the apology, it may be polite to introduce yourself." His wings relax visibly while speaking. "our reaction reveals you are well aware of who I am in your creation, but not in mine."

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

"Well, uhh, that's... Good to know." His mouth is definitely frowning, pulling the corners down.

But then there is Lucifer, facing him, and he grins in a way that conveys both sheepishness and wryness. Whoops. Mind you, it's not like your fiance probably hasn't ready given you the rundown. Dean's figuring of everything, but he's honestly not sure. He didn't specify not to, after all. And him being apparently part of the angel's gossip subject whether by proxy or not, means that he was actually hoping to skip the unnecessary, but.... yeah, he couldn't say Lucifer was wrong. It is, really, only polite.

"Not that I think I really need to too much, I'm sure you'll get the gist by the name. But you're right." He shrugs a little. "Hi, the name's Dean Winchester. Archangel prom suit-" He's not in the mood to play 'where do I know that name' today "-and asshat from the restaurant. Which, I am really damned sorry for, by the way. Balthazar- uhh, both of them - gave me the basic run-down after."

[the_rebel_son]

No, at this point it was not necessary but Lucifer has a sense of formal etiquette that is ingrained. The other purpose is training to smooth interactions with the other angels, and potentially other denizens of the Nexus.

"Unnecessary introductions are better than assumptions." Lucifer smiles on the verge of laughter that is clear in the way the corners of his eyes crinkle. "You are hardly the first or last to flee from my presence. Balthazar has told me of the Lucifer in your creation and I understand the desire to not be in his presence. However, I am nothing like yours and find what I have heard to be irritatingly cliché."

There's nothing but calm politeness in Lucifer's body language or tone. He appreciates an apology more than most which allows for a calm here, as does the fact that this is someone from Balthazar's world, the first he has met. Curiosity keeps him in check as well.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

The word flee immediately makes an eyebrow climb, fixing Lucifer with an unimpressed look, even if there's a chuckle at cliché. "I mean, I could have stayed and danced if that's what you really wanted." He really doesn't mean danced. He bends, distracting himself with the flowers. Distractions are good. He sighs to himself.

God, he wishes he were better at these things. "Me leaving-" leaving. Not fleeing. "-wasn't a you thing. It was very much a me thing. The reason I left was because I could tell you were different and I couldn't get a lid on myself. It's the reason I've come to apologise, and explain myself at least a little bit. There's 5hings going on, but I'm not sure how much Balthazar would have told you after I spoke to him?"

[the_rebel_son]

"I am an excellent dancer." Lucifer comments, teasing slightly because why not, though the term has multiple meanings for the devil. "I created those flowers for Balthazar."

Or more precisely to support the butterflies he created for his partner. He's listening, focused on the human both out of politeness and getting a read on him. There's something very off, though the angel hasn't put his finger on what yet.

"Why do you rely so heavily on others telling your story?" The question is openly curious but rooted in Lucifer's own experience dealing with stories that are usually lies. He would always prefer to speak for himself. "Tell me what you wish me to know, and if you are moved to, ask whatever you will to manage dealing with the differences between myself and your own."

Opening himself to a strange for random questions was not the usual. However, Balthazar's potential request for help with the conflict in his creation is lingering in the back of his mind. Insight and information could be worthwhile even if it is only how a human lives.

"Would you like to walk while we speak? I can show you the gardens."

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

"That's... actually kind of sweet." He can't help the puzzled frown as he says it. It's not a bad kind of puzzled, just... puzzled. More like he doesn't know where to file that particular place of information. But then it's gone in a shrug. "Sure, I could walk."

He'll follow wherever Lucifer leads as he explains, "Because to be honest, I'd rather not retread ground you're already familiar with and rake over shit that's best left alone if you already know it. I ain't much much of a talker in the first place." He's more an anger, repression and denial kind of guy really. And he can admit it. "And I know theat the feathered gossip circle has been in full swing. So, would I prefer to skip the irrelevant-" and painful "-to the current conversation context crap when you already know it? Sure."

The offer of open, random questions gets him raising an eyebrow. "But... if you're wanting to hear it from me..." He could absolutely take this piss, but then he's also not sure he wants to get the answers to his more knee-jerk smart-ass questions with the offer of honesty. So he instead goes for "A game of Quid pro quo, then, Clarice?"

[the_rebel_son]

"Charming devil is not necessarily a lie." Lucifer just grins at the confusion, a string of Rolling Stones running through his mind briefly before he turns back out toward the main portion of the gardens. Walking often calmed those who had trouble speaking.

"You may find, in my presence, your silence changes." Lucifer comments before glancing at the human on the path beside him. "I would rather judge a man on his words than the gossip spoken to me. I trust Balthazar to be honest with me but there is much to be said for a man speaking his own story compared to the second hand."

Lucifer smiles at the quote. Though he is not as likely to throw pop culture commentary into dialogue as his partners are, he is well acquainted with human arts. He wonders if this is a commonality in the world Balthazar inhabits, the desire to reference human arts constantly.

"I Tell You Things, You Tell Me Things?" Though his voice is not the same as Anthony Hopkins delivering that line, Lucifer easily projects the tone that creates an ill ease but it is a show and game. "You still wake up sometimes, don’t you? Wake up in the iron dark with the lambs screaming?”

It is true that Lucifer can cause discomfort with his presence but this is merely a prod at Dean to see how he might respond.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

"There ain't much point in him lying, to be fair." Dean agrees with a shrug. And then he goes and delivers that line, and there may or may not be a little prickle of something down his spine. Not quite fear, but in a similar sort of way that a cat bristles up when it's upset. He does his level best not to let it show, though, giving it a moment to pass

"Well, at least you're acquainted with the classics. Not sure I could do too many rounds of 'I don't understand that reference'." But theg phrase is said with a certain amount of fondness. He's definitely missing Cas and Sam right now, as much as Zack was awesome. He'd gained a soft spot for that one real quick, and Dean's not too sure if that says something about his incessant need to not be alone. Nah, it's fine. "I'm taking that as a yes though. So, what do you wanna know?"

Not like he could ever regret asking that question, right?

[the_rebel_son]

"I have always been a patron of the arts which has only increased with Balthazar in my home." Dean gets a quiet laugh from the angel because Balthazar had, on occasion, pulled out things that he didn't understand. That road was two way too and the other angel just as confused.

"Everything?" Lucifer comments off hand. "The honest answer is my presence is now attached to the creation in which you exist and you are the first human I have met from the realm of my partner. The perspective you have may be valuable."

It is the honest answer and something Dean will have to adjust to. This Lucifer does not lie or manipulate truth as so many others do, as he assumes the one in Balthazar's creation would.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Lucifer gets a chuckle for that comment. "I can only imagine." The only angel he'd seen or heard throw out more pop culture references was Gabriel.

He rolls his eyes, though, at the follow up to his question. "Nah, man, that ain't the way the game is played. You can do better than that." He rolls his shoulder a little bit. That was a whole lot of talking all at once, and Dean? Not a talker, not really. Q&A is going to be easier, at least for him to stay at this low discomfort level rather than his discomfort jumping and him just outing himself from the situation.

Fine, he'll start then, not least because there's something that just fills him with burning curiosity. "What did you mean when you said about your willingness to punch God?" Because: a) On his bucket list, and b) that sounds like a hell of a story.

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer was about to comment on the response to his question when Dean asks his own. It's enough to make the angel pause and chuckle.

"Your question is no more precise because my reasons are many." A cocky and mischievous smirk erupts in Lucifer's expression. "I, and my God, are very different than yours by what Balthazar has told me of your creation. I drove a spear through God when the battle in heaven first stirred. My feelings toward Him have not improved over the past ten billion years. A punch to his face would barely touch the enmity I bear for God." Lucifer began walking again, slowly. "I have committed many deeds that God find abominable but our enemy seeks attrition these days rather than isolation. I cannot afford to do anything less."

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

Welp. That's some questions added to the list. He is very, very amused though. "I kind of wish we'd found God so I could take a swing. Best broken hand I would have gotten in my life. Too bad he's sipping Mai Thai's in Bali while the world goe-" A pause as he considers, than tweaks slightly. "-has gone to shit. I'd be less angry if he was actively out there doing everything he could to nuke the planet himself, you know?"

Lucifer answering has given him some time to sort his thoughts out a bit. "If I ask you again, are you gonna be a little more specific this time, or shall I just start at the beginning? Because I don't know much, but Cas did say it started with fish." But the slight lilt of his lip shows the joke as what it is.

[the_rebel_son]

"I do unfortunately. The Fall began because of an order given to my brother for something God would not do himself." Lucifer's tone has filled slowly with disgust and a cosmic level done with everyone's bullshit but it isn't directed at Dean.

The angel is heading for the two twisted trees that Dean passed under when he came in. The shade there one of his favorite places to sit when discussions were more dire or serious.

"I suppose I should be glad I am not being blamed for once." Lucifer tipped a joke back and then thought over the idea. "I have many questions but I should start with the more pressing in my presence. You bear a God curse like my kind or carry an item that does? Do you work with my kind in your creation?"

It's a straightforward question but one edge with sympathy. How could the Fallen not sympathize with someone who might be cursed. The human did ask for more direct and specific questions as well, even if he took two but he would play fair and allow the same to come to him when these were answered.

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

There are many assumptions he could make here, but he jumps to none of them (with great effort). He did notice the double ask, and decides to let that one slide. "What did he ask him to do? You can count that as one out of two, if you want."

He eyes twisted trees with nothing but interest. That's pretty fucking cool, to be fair. He ain't wasting a question on them, though. He sighs, knowing that he should have known better really, and he did he just didn't expect it to be one of the first. But the sympathy honestly surprises him, earning him a raised eyebrow for a flicker of a moment. It's what makes up his mind to not dance around the truth too much, deciding to cautiously take his chances. "Yes, and no. I think." He frowns, trying to word this out.

"I've got the mark of Cain, being directly descended from his bloodline... and being a little too good at my job. Gotta meet the requirements, after all." He smiles wryly. "I'm not sure what it is beyond old, powerful and passed down from Lucifer himself to Cain, then from Cain to me. The second question is down to semantics, really. If we are talking bible your kind and calling you demons? Then yes, if I absolutely have to and can trust them enough to actually finish the job before stabbing me in the gut or back. But, and not sure of how much Balthazar would have cared to mention this, but demons on our world are twisted human souls. If we are talking 'your kind' as fallen angels as a different entity? Then yes... and no. Castiel fell first, and I've worked with, alongside, and as a friend to him for a few years. We have been through some shit together, that's for sure. The rest of the angels fell when they were cast from heaven by a dick angel on a power trip. They like me as much as I like them. Probably less so, and that's saying something. Cas is the only angel I willingly and regularly work with."

Having said enough on his end for now, he returns with two of two: "Was the problem that he did or didn't do as asked?"

[the_rebel_son]

The angel hesitates to answer and, eventhough he is human, Dean might feel the wave of anger off Lucifer and definitely the increase in temperature. "He ordered Michael and the other angels to tear my child to pieces in front of me when I refused to uncreate them."

Lucifer listened silently to the explanation both for interest and a pause to quell his wrath. Few things could get Lucifer riled to anger, but injuring his children was the top of that list.

"In my creation you would be in my family. Cain is my son, birthed from Eve." He doesn't explain more but a human should be able to understand what that means as far as what happened.

"We have no demons in my creation though we are often called demons. The Fallen remain angels, true to our original purpose though altered by the curses God laid upon us in the Fall." Dean did not ask but explanation and open discourse were part of the culture of the Fallen, one that is hard to break.

He had already answered this question in part but figures the human wants more information. "I was chained when Michael and the other angels acted to punish me for creating without His permission, but my kind, our bound close. I felt my child's death. Wrath, not Pride, is what caused the Fall, perhaps despair or pain but those are not among the sins."

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

The laugh uttered is humourless and incredulous. If he was born in another world, he'd still be dealing with angel shit? Fucking. Figures. He was definitely cursed alright, and apparently on a multi-dimensionally biblical scale. "Well, that's just great." He mutters to himself under his breath, finishing his inside thought on the outside.

"I'm sorry " He offers simply, he really is, and he also doesn't know what else to say about it.

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer shrugs. "Most of humanity is related to Cain this many generations later. My God stopped following my family line long ago so I am left to wonder if you also have a disappointingly pathetic God to match your Lucifer?"

Wrath might have caused the Fall but Lucifer definitely had Pride. Though, long ago Lucifer had worked past much of the emotion related to the death of his children even if he still had a desire to muder the perpetrators.

"Not as sorry as God is." Lucifer offers with a snarky sort of humor. "His folly for imagining it would make me obedient."

[has_a_phd_in_teddybear]

...Dean's counting that as your next question. Just so you know. A hard look crosses his face. "Well, would have thought sipping Mai Thai's in Bali covered it. Obviously, most of what I know is through Cas and what I've heard the others speak about. Mostly Cas, to be honest. Although, we did get some face time with Joshua, who he left a message with in heaven." He pushes a hand though his hair in frustration. "Cas had been tearing up who knows where - although I helped when and where he needed me to - looking for his deadbeat of a dad, and He basically leaves a voice mail for him that I had to pick up for him. Just said to back off, patted himself on the back because he'd done less than the bare minimum to help but it was more than he'd done in a while. Deadbeat dad with more excuses." He shrugs. "Pathetic is one word, I guess. I prefer asshole."

He has to smile a little bit at the snarky humour. "Ain't will like free will, that's for sure. Kicker when His greatest gift is the greatest thing to bite him in the ass. I can appreciate that." He's gonna go straight in for a question that popped up earlier, especially as running in tandem with things said at earlier meetings with a few people. Including Lucifer himself. "So, you're more chill with people, by what I'm gathering. So you apocalypse, no apocalypse or did you get Donald Ducked?"

[the_rebel_son]

"I am not surprised to hear this is true of your God. After speaking to several, the tread of my God only continues." Lucifer sighed heavily because it would have been nice to see a God somewhere that was a little better than an asshole.

"I did not have freewill when I rebelled." Lucifer mentions. "You can, occasionally, harm the obedient and chained so grievously that they break all bonds, create freewill for themselves."

The question causes Lucifer to sigh and look down, troubled and pained, but he forces himself to regain posture and look to Dean. "We have had an apocalypse that God brought upon the Earth. My kind went to their aid and saved many but there are still many to recover." Lucifer sighs. "In my world, God sent his armies upon the Earth to slaughter the pagan gods so he might be supreme. People suffered but many of the pagan gods now live in our ranks."

Lucifer wished there was a draught for his mind like those humans had, something to help him forget. "God, has a heavy handed and ruthless grasp on our Earth, one of the reasons I wish to tear him from his throne. In my Universe Earth is not the only planet of beings to which God has under his fist. There have been other apocalypses on other worlds and other species' deities in our ranks."