The Devil's Nest, Tuesday Night

[my_own_advocate]

The devil... wasn't at the piano, for once.

He was standing by the bar while a hipster electronica band played their folk-inspired dance music near the piano. Martini in one hand, phone in the other.

"What on Earth were you doing in New York, brother?" he sighed.

"We knew you'd been spotted there a few times," Amenadiel admitted, on the other end of the line. "Linda hoped to come and talk to you. And, uh, get a-- it's called a babymoon--"

"Yes, yes, I hope you're enjoying your mother-angel daddy time," Lucifer said impatiently, "But is this what I can expect from now on? Is your mini-me going to be stalking me everywhere and harrassing every human I spend my time with, or--?"

"Remy's gone. I took care of it."

Lucifer rubbed at his forehead. "Well, if there's any sign that any of our other siblings are taking an interest--"

"I'll let you know. I told you, I'll handle-- all of this."

"See to it that you do," Lucifer said irritably, and hung up, ignoring the twisting feeling in his stomach at the thought something might happen to Linda over this.

Clearly he needed more alcohol. And a dancing partner or two.

[[ open! ]]

Comments

[1000yearstoolate]

"You're not playing today?" Seivarden said, leaning against the bar next to Lucifer.

[my_own_advocate]

"Can't be my night every week," Lucifer said, taking a sip of his martini. "I'll just overshadow the talent."

[1000yearstoolate]

"Of course you would."

Seivarden smirked as she ordered a whiskey.

"At least I won't have to interfere."

[my_own_advocate]

"Interfere?" Lucifer asked, tossing her an amused look. "What were you plotting?"

[1000yearstoolate]

"Plots can be saved for later."

She didn't really have one, but why not let Lucifer think she did.

Taking a sip from the drink Tiny placed in front of her, she continued: "So, have you been doing anything interesting?"

It hadn't been that long since they last saw each other.

[my_own_advocate]

To the point where the answer could have easily been 'Yes, you', followed by his actual answer, which was, "I helped a lovely lady find her way to the island the other day. Just for a visit, mind you, but she did rather enjoy sticking around."

He shrugged, took a sip of his drink, and added, "And tied up that irritating business with my brother, but I'd prefer not to linger on that."

[betterthanaplan]

Duke had been known to cut a rug a time or two. He even, as he'd revealed to Verity once upon a time, knew how to do a proper Argentinian tango.

At the moment he was just ordering himself a bourbon, though. And making sure Tiny noticed Lucifer's clear distaste at that phone call and had a drink ready for him as well. . . .

[my_own_advocate]

Tiny swept in with another martini, and Lucifer might have almost missed that Duke was even there if it hadn't been for the small head-nod he got alongside the martini.

He raised his glass in Duke's general direction, then motioned for him with it.

[betterthanaplan]

Duke raised his in return and headed over.

"Looked like you could use one."

[my_own_advocate]

"Family drama," Lucifer sighed, taking a sip. "It's enough to give anyone a headache, and mine has reached divine proportions."

[betterthanaplan]

"Would have thought it started that way for you," Duke said. "Gotta say, I'm glad I don't have to deal with that shit anymore."

It was cute how he believed that.

[my_own_advocate]

"Every time I think I'm rid of my 'shit', it seems to insist on drifting back into view at the worst possible time," Lucifer said.

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden walked over to Duke, a whiskey in her hand. "Evening," she said, leaning against the bar, her outfit noticeably fancier than usual.

"How are things going?"

[betterthanaplan]

"Not too bad." Duke nodded to her. "Big date tonight? Or were you just feeling extra fancy?"

[1000yearstoolate]

"I went shopping," Seivarden said. "Wanted to get something more fashionable."

She had mostly followed Lucifer's recommendations, but added a bit more colour and complained when some of the things she liked was in the women's department and not in her size.

She smiled. "Since I'm not likely to get back home anytime soon, I'm trying to improve things, and I can't believe I'm saying that."

[betterthanaplan]

"That's awesome though," Duke said. "You gotta live the life you're actually living. No point in just waiting for things to happen." He gave her a faintly knowing smirk. "Sure you're not looking to impress anyone in particular, though?"

He listened to the radio. He knew she and Lucifer had been spending non-bar time together of late, too.

[texted3times]

"What the hell is this crap?" Eric said, gesturing at the hipster electronic folk nonsense.

[my_own_advocate]

"That crap is extremely in right now," Lucifer said lightly, "And we've already sold twice as many drinks tonight as we usually do, you're welcome."

[texted3times]

"Because they're drowning out the screaming in their head," Eric decided uncharitably.

[my_own_advocate]

"Whatever," Lucifer said, waving a hand. "It's filling your coffers, why complain?"

[texted3times]

Because he enjoyed complaining.

"Because if we're going to have bad music, we could bring the DJ's back," Eric said.

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden hadn't spoken to Eric. She had had him described to her by Lucifer, but it had involved expressions like 'toxic masculinity' that didn't make much sense to her, and 'thinking with his cock', which, well...

Anyway, introducing herself to the owner of the place seemed reasonable.

"Good evening," she said, holding a glass of whiskey in her hand as she approached him. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Seivarden Vendaai."

[texted3times]

"Lucy's friend," Eric said, nodding. "I'm Eric Northman."

[1000yearstoolate]

Seivarden had only heard Lucifer's siblings call him that.

"Eric." She smiled. "A pleasure to meet you. You're the owner, right?"

[texted3times]

"I am," Eric said, nodding. "For many years now. I had pressing matters in Louisiana that kept me less active in Fandom for a while, though."