Galactica Point, Sunday Afternoon

[my_own_advocate]

Octavia was definitely back, if in a mute kind of mood. So Lucifer did as he'd said and walked away, leaving the opening to her.

Of course, that just left him walking on an island where there wasn't actually a great deal to walk to. Certainly not on a Sunday. And he wasn't aware of anyone brooding - or anyone provoking said brooding - about the situation somewhere else.

His walk instead carried him directly to Galactica Point, where the waves crashed moodily into the shore. Why had he settled on such a small island, again?

Oh, right. Because it was the opposite of LA.

Lucifer sighed, sliding the phone out of his pocket. "Well, if Octavia's back," he said. His universe had slammed shut shortly after she left - maybe it was back, too?

His thumb slid over the Detective's number-- lingered-- and then moved up to Ella's. He pressed down.

No connection.

Lucifer let out a frustrated sigh. "It can't ever be bloody easy, can it?" he snapped irritably, turning his eyes up from the sea to the skies. "Oh, I'll be you think you're bloody funny, you perverse controlling bastard!"

Sigh.

[[ open ]]

Comments

[crimson_sister]

Sometimes the grief was more intense, and if Lucille had had a piano her neighbours would have had to enjoy or endure her playing, even late at night. She didn't have a piano, she hadn't decided on which one she wanted - could afford, really - so the best choice she had was a walk along the beach.

She was about to just avoid Lucifer, but when she saw him with the phone, she called out to him:

"Are you still unable to call her?"

[my_own_advocate]

"Yes," Lucifer called, "It's incredibly irritating!"

[crimson_sister]

"Perhaps it's time for a letter," Lucille said. "They also have the advantage of making you a little less likely to have emotional outbursts that you regret."

[my_own_advocate]

"There's no spontaneity in a letter," Lucifer said irritably.

(He also didn't want to because he was scared ... he just didn't want to.)

[crimson_sister]

"Perhaps," Lucille said. "I suppose it depends on what you're after. Your options seem a bit limited right now."

She smiled. "But that is none of my business. I have letters I wish I could write, that's all."

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer could just go home. Take the quarantine. Settle back into his frozen timestream until it unfroze.

But he didn't know when that could possibly be, and in the meanwhile this time would move inexorably on, ripping his hard-won safe space from him.

Not that he was about to acknowledge, even to himself, that he was choosing to go through this because he was terrified.

"What I am after," Lucifer said, "Is a simple phone call to someone I like. It shouldn't be this bloody hard."

[crimson_sister]

Lucille was silent for a moment.

"This place rarely behaves like it should, but I'm sure you know that. I wish you luck though."

It wasn't sarcastic, but polite rather than honest.

[my_own_advocate]

Lucky for Lucille that Lucifer didn't care even a jot for the difference.

"Thank you," he said, still sounding a bit frustrated. A moment later, like he'd almost forgotten this was the proper thing to do: "And how are you settling in on the island?"

[crimson_sister]

"Quite well, thank you. The weather is more pleasant than at home, if a little hot."

It was the proper thing to reply.

"Iris was kind enough to let me return as an employee at Pick Your Poison."

Then she added:

"Are you from England by any chance?"

Lucille new she shouldn't judge by the accent here.

[my_own_advocate]

"I'm from somewhere a bit further down, I'm afraid," Lucifer said, smirking reflexively. "But I've tried my fair share of accents, and I happen to quite like this one."

[crimson_sister]

"You can't judge where people are from here anyway," Lucille said. "Some turn out to be from other planets."

Why the smirk?

"So how did you end up here?"

[my_own_advocate]

"I decided I was tired of the California lifestyle and wanted to go somewhere different," Lucifer said. "This is different."

[crimson_sister]

"It's different to every other place I've been to," Lucille said. "Although I admit I haven't travelled much. I haven't been to California either in this time or my own. I understand it's sunny and hot."

[my_own_advocate]

"Sunny, hot, and full of hipsters," Lucifer agreed, "And a host of delightful would-be actresses bearing their midrif."

[crimson_sister]

Lucille raised an eyebrow. "So I take it the actresses weren't one of the reasons you wanted to leave?"

[my_own_advocate]

"No," Lucifer said lightly, "It just seemed time to make new friends."

[crimson_sister]

"And have you? It's easy to make friends here, I find, or at least it used to be when I was a student."

She smiled, but not with much warmth.

"Most of them have left. I suppose I have to make new ones."