The Devil's Nest, Wednesday Evening

[okteiviakom]

Well, Octavia had finally received some texts, today. And even a phone call. But, here she was again. Because that was just how this week was going.

"Couldn't help ratting me out, huh," she drawled to Tiny when she came in to start her shift.

He just shrugged. Which was fair enough, probably.

Unlike last night, the sound system was stuck on a loud, more dancey groove and refused to respond to any of Octavia's efforts to change it to anything else. Or turn it down by even a little. But whatever. Maybe the noise would help keep her distracted.

The Devil's Nest was open, and at least one of the bartenders would not be sleeping with you, no matter how pretty you were.

[ooc: Open, no OCD tonight either. The pollen swept it away.]

Comments

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer still felt a bit guilty about the-- everything by evening. But he wasn't sure how to communicate this to Octavia in a way that didn't feel-- well, futile.

So he texted,

do you like penguins

And waited.

[okteiviakom]

At least the long look Octavia gave this text as it arrived was just confused, rather than anything it had been earlier today.

(And yes, a part of her was disappointed it hadn't been Duke, but if she was honest, she wasn't actually expecting anything there.)

Sure?

She already lived around bumbling, flightless birds. Guess that qualified her.

[my_own_advocate]

Well, then.

She was getting pictures of penguins in various poses. And one entertaining video of one penguin pushing another one down a cliff.

[okteiviakom]

This was the lightest thing Octavia had been exposed to in days. Her confused frown turned slowly into something softer. Especially once she got to the video.

Sort of like porgs, she sent back.

[my_own_advocate]

Except slightly less stupid and slightly more malevolent, Lucifer texted back. Though ooh, there was this one.

The next video involved one penguin attempting to show another how to swim.

Presumably the other penguin already knew how and just didn't want to, but, well. Who needed context?

[okteiviakom]

Porgs aren't stupid

Polly regularly ate rocks, Octavia.

Anyway, she watched that video raptly, too. And, you know. Tried not to think about swimming lessons. Just focus on the cute animals.

[my_own_advocate]

They are very stupid.

Lucifer looked at his phone. Sent the last thing he had on there for her - one penguin nuzzling another, a shot he was especially proud of.

We went to the zoo. I thought you might like these.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia almost asked if they'd been to see the otters. Then chose not to.

She didn't want to know.

Theyre nice, she sent. Then, after a pause, Thanks

[my_own_advocate]

Lucifer stared down at that text for a moment, his mouth curving into a faint smile.

I hope you have a good shift, he texted. And get some rest tonight.

[okteiviakom]

Thanks

... She'd literally just sent that, hadn't she?

After some small hesitation, Octavia followed it up with a single character: a heart emoji.

[my_own_advocate]

It didn't take Lucifer much more than a few seconds to reply.

❤️

That was all.

[okteiviakom]

Octavia looked at it for much longer than it had taken him to send it in reply. Then she closed their conversation.

Her thumb hovered over Duke's name for another long moment. But then she just got back to work, instead.

(Like a coward.)