The Devil's Nest, Tuesday Night

[my_own_advocate]

You know, Lucifer had quite liked it last time he was here. He returned this week and let Tiny open up, thinking not even a moment of what poor Eric would think about it.

He'd had some ads running in nearby Baltimore over the past weekend. He was certain it would start making a difference sooner rather than later. And if he was going to have an audience, well...

The music might as well be cheery, no?

"Don't worry," he called, as he started the rapid but jaunty intro with his fingers dancing over the keys. "I'm sure I'll find the mood for some Taylor Swift sooner rather than later!"

[[ no ocd, open! ]]

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[1000yearstoolate]

Since she was out of nights to visit Caritas, Seivarden had considered trying out the other bar for a while. As she entered, she looked in the direction of the music.

"At least it's not a fucking zombie band."

[my_own_advocate]

"Please," Lucifer called. "Can you imagine the smell?"

Lucifer had more class than that, thank you.

[1000yearstoolate]

"The ones at Caritas don't smell, they just look... well, dead."

Seivarden took a seat by the bar.

"A whisky," she said to Tiny, unable not to throw a glance at those bare fingers on the piano keys. It reminded her far too much about the kind of establishments at home where people played instruments barehanded, and this wasn't one of those.

[my_own_advocate]

"I know I'm very attractive, but the drinks are where the money is, so do try to divide your attention evenly," Lucifer called merrily, focusing on the piano.

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden nearly snorted into her whisky.

"Are you saying I can't drink and admire pretty hands at the same time?"

That actually sounded like a line you would be told at the kind of establishments where people played instruments bare-handed.

[my_own_advocate]

"Well, I'm certainly not actually going to stop you from giving it a spirited try," Lucifer said, both chipper and smug at the same time.

He did play piano mighty well, if he said so himself.

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden downed her drink and ordered another one. So far this place was ok. No zombies, no jello shots, and pretty people who didn't look embarrassed or wanted to punch you when you admired them.

"It would be bad for business if you did."

[my_own_advocate]

"I like to see it as my presence being good for business," Lucifer said brightly, ending the song with a flourish. "Any requests?"

[1000yearstoolate]

"I don't think you know any of my favourite songs," Seivarden said, now sipping her drink.

"Unless you're from Radch space which I doubt."

[my_own_advocate]

"Ah, no. Sadly, I'm from higher planes," Lucifer said, turning around on his seat to flash Seivarden a winning grin. "Not even a style or a moodboard, then? A Spotify recommendation?"

[1000yearstoolate]

"I have no idea where that is," Seivarden said. "Or what Spotify is."

It was clear that she wasn't bothered about this.

[my_own_advocate]

"It's a music streaming platform," Lucifer told her. "In the cloud. Digitally and metaphorically speaking, at least."

Give him another hour and he'd even fill you in on TikTok, Seivarden.

[1000yearstoolate]

"Cloud?" She made a gesture with her hand. "Never mind. Play whatever you like. Surprise me."

She was more interested in ogling his hands while drinking whisky anyway.

[my_own_advocate]

"I suppose 'Piano Man' would be too cliche," Lucifer mused, his hands settling back down over the keys. 'Nothing Else Matters'? No, too solemn for the occasion.

No, wait. Something a bit dramatic but upbeat. That felt suitable. So his fingers began to move.

[1000yearstoolate]

While Lucifer played, Seivarden finished her second drink and ordered a third.

"That's dramatic. I served on a ship once who loved songs. I never thought about suggesting to bring an instrument on board."

That was a joke.

[my_own_advocate]

"Your ship loved songs," Lucifer echoed above the noise of his playing. "Now I have a number of questions..."

[1000yearstoolate]

"A spaceship," Seivarden clarified, since she had to around here. Then adding:

"Radchaai ships have AIs. That's the only one I know of who collect songs. It was a bit annoying at times."

[my_own_advocate]

"Lack of appreciation, or was your ship the kind to fixate on terrible jingles?" Lucifer asked.

[1000yearstoolate]

"Don't you have songs you just hate?" Seivarden said.

"Anyway, sometimes some peace and quiet is good."

As you would ever get that on a spaceship.

[my_own_advocate]

"Not in a club, it isn't," Lucifer said, and then went quiet because his piano was about to get loud.

[1000yearstoolate]

"I wasn't complaining about the music here, was I?"

Seivarden reached for her glass.

[my_own_advocate]

"Merely reminding you of where you are," Lucifer said merrily.

[texted3times]

"Can you play 'Bad Blood'?" Eric drawled.

[my_own_advocate]

"Ah, puns," Lucifer said, hitting a chord to signal the start of that song. "I like it. Hungry, Eric? We're out of DJs, unfortunately."

[texted3times]

"You seem very sad about it," Eric said.

[my_own_advocate]

"Oh yes," Lucifer said, hitting two upbeat major chords. "Terribly broken up."

[texted3times]

"Now I have to out to get dinner. That's very annoying," Eric proclaimed.

[my_own_advocate]

"How terrible," Lucifer drawled. "You know what they say about eating where you work."

[texted3times]

"No, I've only heard the one about screwing where you work, and I've been ignoring that for centuries," Eric said.

[my_own_advocate]

"As I've noticed," Lucifer said. "Either way, don't get blood on the carpets."

[texted3times]

Eric sighed theatrically. (Well, especially theatrically, since he didn't breathe any more.) "Like I'd waste blood like that."