Who: Lucifer, others When:December January shhhh Where: Thorne, the Horizon What: Closed for the moment; will open more later Warnings: Wrathful teenagers, discussions of violence... Not in the same thread.
He belatedly glances at the fire, then back at Istredd with a raised brow, completely unaware.
He doesn't want to tell Istredd more, no real reason, but he's sure Michael will bring it up. At least the part about being in the Cage, too, at one time.
"There was a prophesised Apocalypse. Heaven versus Hell, my brother versus myself and our two armies." Lucifer set it up all as it was to unfold, but he did not want to fight his brother. Michael saw otherwise. "Our showdown was foiled by Dean Winchester and in the end of it both myself and my brother, and the souls of who we were in possession at the time, were all shoved into my Cage.
"Sam Winchester, my vessel, got sprung, and then later I got out again and left my brother. Extremely spitefully." What? He can admit it. "I'm not sure when he got out again; he's further ahead in time than I am. It could only have been a few years though. He can be as pissy as he wants to be about it, but I still have millennia on him."
"Your vessel. You mean the body you're in." Lucifer did tell him before that this wasn't his real body. It was an emotional talk on a high place and he admitted that without explaining much else. The angels are somehow possessing bodies. They do have demons in his world that are capable of possessing bodies. Istredd's never come across one personally, but he knows they are real.
"Who is Sam to him? Family? I can see why he might have an issue with you if so." Also probably he didn't want their world to be destroyed. Reasonable concerns when these two archangels are trying to kill one another. But a possession of a loved one, that must be personal.
"You're both stuck here now on the same world and you can't start a war, so maybe this ceasefire can become a peace treaty. Sans spitefulness. Just a thought."
"We need a body to contain us. Our true forms are expansive. We need permission from our hosts, unlike demons which can take without permission." There are multiple ways to get that permission though.
"Brothers, yes. Sam the younger, my true vessel. Dean, the older, as Michael's. I'm sure you can see the connection there. Sam accepted me for devious trapping-me purposes; Dean rebuffed my brother.
"Adam, their half brother, Michael's current vessel, was the second-best option," a pause, "don't say that to him."
He makes no mention of his own current vessel.
"Dean, as much as I hate the guy, did the impossible and broke the prophecy."
He hums, ever the literal devil's advocate. "I could start a war," he says, but it's said so simply that there isn't any weight behind it. However, Lucifer purposefully does not close his thoughts that it had been an early-arrival consideration.
"And I'm sure you always ask the hosts very politely." He gives him a look that says that he knows choices aren't always choices depending on who is asking. Lucifer and Michael are primordial creatures with infinite power. They would have many ways to get what they want.
"Why not say that to him about his vessel? Also doesn't that mean you're currently in your second-best option as well?" He is supposed to be in Sam Winchester but he has his own body back. He wonders if it matters to the people they're in, being back ups. It's a very strange concept.
Istredd gives him a mental poke. "No wars." Another mental poke. Like he's spraying a cat with a water bottle. "I would prefer not to harm this sphere any more than we already have." So much has happened here as a result of their presence here. Istredd wouldn't call himself a pacifist, he just avoids conflict. Or at least he usually does. He made a bad choice right before coming here that says otherwise.
Some people just want to be in service to the divine. That's what happened to Jimmy Novak, Castiel's vessel.
That didn't go so well for him.
"I think Adam grew on Michael." Lucifer doesn't know the complete extent though. "He'll be testy about it."
"Second best," he agrees with a sigh, "and, courtesy of the demon who usurped my throne, I am permanently locked in this body. Only benefit being is it won't decay, as they usually do when it isn't the right match. No soul left though in here." He's not really sure what happened with Nick after he crossed into Abraxas.
Oh well.
Lucifer reacts exactly like a cat spritzed by water. Momentarily moody, but gets over it quickly.
"So you're not the only archangel with a soft spot for a crying ape." Apparently crying ape is also going to join his collection of things he will bring back up sarcastically at times. If that's his description of a human, so be it. Istredd is not a typical human, due to his power and longer life span, but he still is squishy and mortal when it comes down to it.
"Permanently locked, I see. I was going to joke about making you swear not to hop bodies. We may share a telepathic link but that would be a step over the line." And he is still joking about it. Even if Lucifer could, he'd have no reason to. Istredd does wonder about the body he is in though. Who was the soul? It doesn't matter big picture as the person is apparently gone, but he still thinks about it.
"You could always use your beautiful mind to do good instead of war."
His thoughts skip unintentionally: Gabriel was the worst with that and Lucifer doesn't even notice it.
"It would lead to a curious thought if the link would follow though... But no. I'm stuck like this. I think it's partially why even in the Horizon I can't get my appearance to shift, but I don't know. No amount of force of will has changed it."
But then he's grinning deviously. "Michael would hate that. Wouldn't know what to do if I played ball for the Light side."
Lucifer the point was to find a peace with your older brother!!
Another name. Gabriel. An archangel. Dean, Sam, and Adam Winchester. He's adding up the pieces for his own curiosity's sake. Istredd raises his eyebrows about the appearance thing and shakes his head.
"It's the psychic plane, Lucifer. If you can't make yourself look different, it's your own mental block." He sounds very certain of this because he is. There is always the possibility the Singularity can control some things, but it is unlikely to be for this one specific situation with this one angel. Maybe he should have said that more gently than 'it's your own fault' but they don't have to be gentle with each other.
That grin and commentary though only gets Istredd to roll his eyes, typical, but he laughs quietly. "Yes, by all means, whatever motivation gets you there." His smile is entirely too fond and his eyes are soft. Why is Lucifer so charming when he's being difficult? Annoying. "What would Michael do if you were the good guy?"
"Crow 'doppelganger' and kill me," Lucifer says. He sounds honest. His thoughts say otherwise, and this time that is purposeful. Congrats, Istredd, you can now be in on the jokes.
He finally ducks out from his place by the fire and Istredd's proximity, moving over to stand by the vanity, staring at his reflection with crossed arms.
"Do you want to know why I broke all the mirrors?" he says absently. It's mostly a trick question. Istredd's already expressed that he likes hearing anything Lucifer is willing to tell him.
Edited (order of operations) 2023-01-03 03:40 (UTC)
The tone is playfully sarcastic and between them mentally, while physically he just turns to watch him, tilting his head curiously. Occasionally he can be the one making jokes to lighten the situation, but he also wants the truth.
"Every time I looked or caught a glimpse, the face wasn't mine. On occasion when it was my true form, it was warped beyond recognition--the monster that humanity saw, not the beauty my siblings recognized. Otherwise it was always my vessels. And I've had so many over the course of my existence."
He's probably burned through the most in the past year before coming to Abraxas, but that particular thought is kept from Istredd. The amount of times he had to hop-skip from vessels while being on the run until he found someone that could hold him for long enough, before they too died, burnt inside-out by the power.
"Even my appearance in many minds was often... this, specifically what I look like in the Horizon. Those that 'greeted' me at the Cage saw the same, even if by all right it should have been Sam Winchester, the last vessel I had possessed."
All of this to Istredd meaning... yes. There is very likely a mental block, but he's never been in control of his appearance since the creation of the universe and it only got worse after he took on Nick as a vessel.
Istredd had the same affliction as Lucifer during that time, but for him it was more about seeing people he didn't want to. Specifically Stregobor. Everywhere. And it wasn't just his face, it was him talking and taunting and laughing, and it was deeply upsetting. Tissaia sometimes too, Yennefer if he was unlucky. He didn't know why exactly. It's not the same fractured identity that Lucifer is talking about.
Istredd obviously knows his friend by this face, it is dear to him, but for a very, very old entity to only have worn it shortly, but be faced with it always, that could be disturbing. "Part of the initiation before becoming a mage is to enchant the way you look. You can create the image of what you want to be, and that will be who you emerge as. It is encouraged to be as appealing as possible." Istredd smiles faintly. "A lot of young mages want that, to start over." After the grueling process, it seemed like the way to break free.
"I can't imagine what it would be like, to look in the mirror and see a stranger." Meaning Istredd didn't change a single thing about himself. This is who he is. "I'm sorry. No wonder it's been messing with you."
He pauses before continuing. "Is it possible, to see the real you? Could you ... show me?" In their mind, or as an illusion, he doesn't know.
There's a lot of things that are constantly messing with Lucifer, but the affliction, that hit harder in more ways than he had expected.
(The mirror in his domain is at the bottom of his red lake, the only way he could get it out of sight, out of mind.)
He still misses that feeling, sometimes, from when he afflicted someone else.
He meets Istredd's gaze in the mirror, considering. "Normally seeing the true form of an angel would melt your eyes from your skull," he says informatively. But in their mind? Just an... image? It shouldn't have the same effect, shielded by Lucifer's own mind.
He thinks of his siblings who saw him an the epitome of beauty, once upon a time.
He thinks of the human Sam Winchester and the witch Rowena MacLeod. Both who are kept awake by nightmares of his appearance. He doesn't think he could stamp it out of Istredd's mind.
He shakes his head, immediately dismissive, and closes his eyes, putting layers upon layers of protections around the image conjuring between them. Istredd had only seen the two wings when they first connected, all that is, typically, linked to his vessel. All six wings unfurl from the figure, six clawed arms to follow--the lower set with backwards talons to match the backwards muscular-scaled feet. The head is wreathed with six golden horns, curled and coiled in different ways, flecked with sizzling red marks, and at the very back is the jagged gold halo, cracked and resealed again and again in many places, the ethereal material piercing the feathered skin at his neck. A tails lashes behind, sometimes feathered, sometimes scaled and purely serpent, dribbles of fire moving like veins beneath.
Holy light overwhelms, reflective off the pristine white wings, impossibly strong, and the image nearly whites out before Lucifer claps down on it and the protections lock in tight, saving Istredd's mind.
So, even just an imagined image has possible risks.
It is interesting to know that his original presence is that strong. So much left to understand. He assumes an illusion would be safe. Istredd truly does not know what to expect. He saw the wings so that was a guarantee but even though Lucifer's mind is distinctly alien to him, the sheer reality of it is stunning. He doesn't recoil from the image but it is overwhelming despite being an image, because it is bigger. He saw one creature with Geralt and it was unnerving, although it did immediately display aggression.
"Wow." That is all he can say at first. His feelings are up in the air but all a version of positive. He will not forget what Lucifer looked like, and maybe after the initial shock he can pick apart the details. The many wings, the long arms and strange head. Interesting, he says, that word encapsulates many thoughts all at once.
"And you are stuck in a human vessel." It isn't as if he is slightly different. This is a drastic change. "If you could change your visage in the Horizon, would you prefer that? If the mental block went away and you could be anyone."
And maybe this is, truthfully, the source of the mental block.
"... No," he says after a long moment. He... trusted Istredd with it. He would perhaps trust Wanda. But he's far too accustomed to the negativity to be waltzing through as his true self, and some days he still doesn't know what that is.
And maybe there's a part of that he blames Michael for. Because the last time he was the image Istredd had seen was before humanity had weak little eyes and he was with his brothers. Before the Mark, before the Darkness. Where they could just be.
And then suddenly, for his actions, his betrayal, he was a monster.
"I suppose I don't even know what I should be," he admits. "Why not, then, follow the appearance everyone else has conjured?"
Going around in his actual form would definitely draw some eyes and perhaps some horror for those not more curious than reactive. And that could be more of a struggle than what it is currently. Istredd would likely take a human facade if he was something inhuman, just to avoid the drama. But his concern is for Lucifer's sanity.
"You could always see it as a for now situation. You're ancient, you have time to figure your thoughts and feelings out." Although Istredd doesn't know if him being locked into a human form means the body can die from age. He's assuming not, otherwise that might be something more to angst about. It may be preferable to get all the answers right away, but not logical. It is his fault bringing it up though that it's probably a mental block, and he's right.
"The heralds were amplifying all the worst things. I could put an illusion on your face if you want. I can make you look like anything to yourself." Istredd was taught by the greatest illusionist in the Brotherhood, his skill with it is expert, he just doesn't use it as openly. He did for Stephen, when they were doing the cards, creating an elaborate illusion in a second's notice to hide them as they worked.
He wonders sometimes what did it, but really, he could put a bunch of scraps in a hat and pick one out for an answer. There's numerous reasons for Lucifer to be dead by Michael's time.
"Mm." It's a weak agreement, but it's something.
"No," he says, and, "thank you for the offer though. I think I'm tired of illusions." For him, someone that's used them for numerous tricks, whether be playful in nature with his siblings, or becoming sinister when manipulating his potential vessels.
Lucifer's tired, truly. Beyond-bone deep. He wants to go back to Thorne, and how screwed up is that?
His abilities aren't going away. Perhaps he'll do it to make him laugh another day. Istredd can feel Lucifer's exhaustion. He thought he was tired from the Singularity adventure and unexpected meetings, but he is not bone-weary in the same way. Lucifer did cover for him and spent time anxious. It worries Istredd that his energy is flagging. He wishes he could make it better.
Lucifer. He closes the space between them, not entirely, he does try to keep a respectful distance, but close enough to put a gentle hand on his shoulder. It won't be much longer. We'll go back to me suffering from you heating our room like we're in a blizzard soon. Istredd is half-joking, he has a normal body temperature, and they both have those logs. Sometimes the only way to be comfortable is without a shirt, but being warm makes Lucifer happy. Like a snake in the sunlight.
"I could put a ridiculous illusion on Michael when we're all together to make you laugh."
The amount this man indulges Lucifer is going to be a Problem one of these days.
For Lucifer.
We might get a blizzard soon, Lucifer adds. Thorne isn't supposed to have particularly warm winters, but maybe climate change will be a thing added to whatever is going on with the Singularity.
... That would likely be a bad sign.
He snorts at the comment. "If you can keep him from noticing, then by all means. But I think I'm going to avoid my brother for a bit. Keeping distant is the best way for us to exist in... what was it?" He raises a brow at Istredd. "A ceasefire."
He has a habit of doing that for his chosen people. The only time he did say no to Yennefer was when she offered him a second chance, but otherwise he really tends to follow her lead. The unfortunate thing about his relationship with her is that the things he respects about her are the reasons they can't work. Besides, it's apparently been a long time since Lucifer was indulged, after falling.
So you hide away in the room and avoid the draft. It has been some time since I was in this cold a climate. He'll concede that. He's been in many places that were chilly, but this is the type of cold that can seep into you. He has appreciated the cold when it came to helping distract him from being sick. Feeling that instead of sick is a trade off.
Come on, away from the maudlin mirror. Istredd tugs on his shirt and then lets him go, heading to the fireplace where he is likely to be more comfortable. The ceasefire is good. One less thing to potentially worry about. I know this isn't an ideal situation, but there are good things about it.
Lucifer makes an obvious point to roll his eyes so that Istredd can see it. Maybe even feel it. But he does pull away and instead of throwing himself into his 'usual' chair he oozes down into a sprawled state in front of the flames, against the black marble.
The rolled eyes are noted and given right back. He has his childish moments too and Lucifer is good at getting it out of him. He pulls up a chair of his own by the fire although not as close. There is something very scenic about this room although not as homey as they've managed to make the one in Thorne. He has a tendency to not slouch as much.
I got to visit the Singularity. The best possible thing for him! He has been working up tot his for months. And he isn't disappointed. There will be more chances to study it down the road, this was an excellent start. It did cause Lucifer pain and concern for a time, but it is a net good for Istredd. Eye on the prize, always.
"I liked watching the floating animals, that was truly beautiful. I'll never see its equal." It was unique. Istredd is not above admiring beauty so blatant. "We have opportunities here to get more information than usual." There are people from every faction. Time to make allies and spy on the representatives trying to make their cases.
And this, I think, is overall good. He means their connection.
Lucifer thinks he's likely going to run into more problems than allies, but then he's still been left with the realization that him and Kyle work awfully well together as a team. Lucifer still expects most of his allies--sans Istredd and Wanda--to try and stab him in the back when it's convenient, but that's just normal everyday life for him.
You got to have your date with your sentient rock, good for you. Maybe avoid sending it flowers and writing poetry. While the image is hilarious to Lucifer, it definitely seems Unwise.
"The skyshow was interesting. I checked in with a lot of the newer Thorne Summoned that I didn't at the mingle."
I learned Mat is skilled at crafting bows. Easy to do under the guise of making musical instruments. But it still has risks.
He does understand that, and those feelings occupy Lucifer's thoughts with the words. Lucifer, ever cautious, wants something, anything, to equip the Summoned with that the officials are unaware about. Even if bows and arrows may do little against a spell, perhaps the could enchant something.
He won't do it without the proper compensation; as he shouldn't. No one should do free labor. And I don't think I can pay him with protection. Yet.
My first date and it's with a magical rock entity, somehow that seems very fitting. The concept of a date is not actually one he knows outside of general definition. It's not as if he and Yennefer had any, they had stolen moments and then nothing. I'll bring it flowers in the Horizon.
Istredd settles into his chair and smiles as Lucifer rattles off a few things that weren't terrible about the trip. Not bad, although he's also going to be glad to get back to Thorne. It may be a cage, but it's a cage they have more control over and freedom in. Strange to think anywhere else would make him feel more trapped, but on a ship with all the Summoned and the faction leaders, yeah.
Mat has powerful magic that he's still learning not to be afraid of. Something Wilhelm needs to do soon. Logically, it's best if we are all capable of using magic instead of ignoring it and know common self-defense.
Istredd has very little of the latter which Lucifer has been working on him with. It does not come naturally but he is fit and strong for a soft scholar, so he's at least passable for now. Eventually he might even be good, considering the skill of his teacher.
You could always offer basic combat training to the Summoned. I'm doing magic, we could cover both sides.
If you somehow make some shrine to the Singularity on the Horizon we might end up with other problems. A pause and he hums aloud. We can bleed while in the Horizon, but blood is still a bit meaningless, unless perhaps we put the meaning behind it. I wonder if you could do blood rituals for the Singularity.
Don't worry, Istredd. He's doing what he always does: making bogus speculation.
In the name of curiosity, of course.
His face warps into disgust. It's been a very, very long time since he's been a teacher--Istredd aside. "That may be the worst thing you've ever suggested to me," Lucifer says, sounding like he's swallowed something sour. If he truly wants the ability for them to fight back and tear Thorne apart from the inside out, what better way than to teach them himself?
I've been debating what is more useful. Influence with the Crown or influence with the locals. I'd prefer the locals. There's more value to the average man than the officials. And while I could have both...
He shakes his head. He can't, not really. Not to the level he wants, anyway. He'd like an income, for one, and that's still frowned upon. But if he's to offer Mat or anyone some form of protection, he needs the "good graces" of the Crown.
He sighs.
I believe Yennefer had the right idea with who she was currying favor from. And if we approach it at all aspects...
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He doesn't want to tell Istredd more, no real reason, but he's sure Michael will bring it up. At least the part about being in the Cage, too, at one time.
"There was a prophesised Apocalypse. Heaven versus Hell, my brother versus myself and our two armies." Lucifer set it up all as it was to unfold, but he did not want to fight his brother. Michael saw otherwise. "Our showdown was foiled by Dean Winchester and in the end of it both myself and my brother, and the souls of who we were in possession at the time, were all shoved into my Cage.
"Sam Winchester, my vessel, got sprung, and then later I got out again and left my brother. Extremely spitefully." What? He can admit it. "I'm not sure when he got out again; he's further ahead in time than I am. It could only have been a few years though. He can be as pissy as he wants to be about it, but I still have millennia on him."
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"Who is Sam to him? Family? I can see why he might have an issue with you if so." Also probably he didn't want their world to be destroyed. Reasonable concerns when these two archangels are trying to kill one another. But a possession of a loved one, that must be personal.
"You're both stuck here now on the same world and you can't start a war, so maybe this ceasefire can become a peace treaty. Sans spitefulness. Just a thought."
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"Brothers, yes. Sam the younger, my true vessel. Dean, the older, as Michael's. I'm sure you can see the connection there. Sam accepted me for devious trapping-me purposes; Dean rebuffed my brother.
"Adam, their half brother, Michael's current vessel, was the second-best option," a pause, "don't say that to him."
He makes no mention of his own current vessel.
"Dean, as much as I hate the guy, did the impossible and broke the prophecy."
He hums, ever the literal devil's advocate. "I could start a war," he says, but it's said so simply that there isn't any weight behind it. However, Lucifer purposefully does not close his thoughts that it had been an early-arrival consideration.
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"Why not say that to him about his vessel? Also doesn't that mean you're currently in your second-best option as well?" He is supposed to be in Sam Winchester but he has his own body back. He wonders if it matters to the people they're in, being back ups. It's a very strange concept.
Istredd gives him a mental poke. "No wars." Another mental poke. Like he's spraying a cat with a water bottle. "I would prefer not to harm this sphere any more than we already have." So much has happened here as a result of their presence here. Istredd wouldn't call himself a pacifist, he just avoids conflict. Or at least he usually does. He made a bad choice right before coming here that says otherwise.
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Some people just want to be in service to the divine. That's what happened to Jimmy Novak, Castiel's vessel.
That didn't go so well for him.
"I think Adam grew on Michael." Lucifer doesn't know the complete extent though. "He'll be testy about it."
"Second best," he agrees with a sigh, "and, courtesy of the demon who usurped my throne, I am permanently locked in this body. Only benefit being is it won't decay, as they usually do when it isn't the right match. No soul left though in here." He's not really sure what happened with Nick after he crossed into Abraxas.
Oh well.
Lucifer reacts exactly like a cat spritzed by water. Momentarily moody, but gets over it quickly.
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"Permanently locked, I see. I was going to joke about making you swear not to hop bodies. We may share a telepathic link but that would be a step over the line." And he is still joking about it. Even if Lucifer could, he'd have no reason to. Istredd does wonder about the body he is in though. Who was the soul? It doesn't matter big picture as the person is apparently gone, but he still thinks about it.
"You could always use your beautiful mind to do good instead of war."
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"It would lead to a curious thought if the link would follow though... But no. I'm stuck like this. I think it's partially why even in the Horizon I can't get my appearance to shift, but I don't know. No amount of force of will has changed it."
But then he's grinning deviously. "Michael would hate that. Wouldn't know what to do if I played ball for the Light side."
Lucifer the point was to find a peace with your older brother!!
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"It's the psychic plane, Lucifer. If you can't make yourself look different, it's your own mental block." He sounds very certain of this because he is. There is always the possibility the Singularity can control some things, but it is unlikely to be for this one specific situation with this one angel. Maybe he should have said that more gently than 'it's your own fault' but they don't have to be gentle with each other.
That grin and commentary though only gets Istredd to roll his eyes, typical, but he laughs quietly. "Yes, by all means, whatever motivation gets you there." His smile is entirely too fond and his eyes are soft. Why is Lucifer so charming when he's being difficult? Annoying. "What would Michael do if you were the good guy?"
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He finally ducks out from his place by the fire and Istredd's proximity, moving over to stand by the vanity, staring at his reflection with crossed arms.
"Do you want to know why I broke all the mirrors?" he says absently. It's mostly a trick question. Istredd's already expressed that he likes hearing anything Lucifer is willing to tell him.
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The tone is playfully sarcastic and between them mentally, while physically he just turns to watch him, tilting his head curiously. Occasionally he can be the one making jokes to lighten the situation, but he also wants the truth.
"Why?"
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Point for Istredd.
"Every time I looked or caught a glimpse, the face wasn't mine. On occasion when it was my true form, it was warped beyond recognition--the monster that humanity saw, not the beauty my siblings recognized. Otherwise it was always my vessels. And I've had so many over the course of my existence."
He's probably burned through the most in the past year before coming to Abraxas, but that particular thought is kept from Istredd. The amount of times he had to hop-skip from vessels while being on the run until he found someone that could hold him for long enough, before they too died, burnt inside-out by the power.
"Even my appearance in many minds was often... this, specifically what I look like in the Horizon. Those that 'greeted' me at the Cage saw the same, even if by all right it should have been Sam Winchester, the last vessel I had possessed."
All of this to Istredd meaning... yes. There is very likely a mental block, but he's never been in control of his appearance since the creation of the universe and it only got worse after he took on Nick as a vessel.
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Istredd obviously knows his friend by this face, it is dear to him, but for a very, very old entity to only have worn it shortly, but be faced with it always, that could be disturbing. "Part of the initiation before becoming a mage is to enchant the way you look. You can create the image of what you want to be, and that will be who you emerge as. It is encouraged to be as appealing as possible." Istredd smiles faintly. "A lot of young mages want that, to start over." After the grueling process, it seemed like the way to break free.
"I can't imagine what it would be like, to look in the mirror and see a stranger." Meaning Istredd didn't change a single thing about himself. This is who he is. "I'm sorry. No wonder it's been messing with you."
He pauses before continuing. "Is it possible, to see the real you? Could you ... show me?" In their mind, or as an illusion, he doesn't know.
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(The mirror in his domain is at the bottom of his red lake, the only way he could get it out of sight, out of mind.)
He still misses that feeling, sometimes, from when he afflicted someone else.
He meets Istredd's gaze in the mirror, considering. "Normally seeing the true form of an angel would melt your eyes from your skull," he says informatively. But in their mind? Just an... image? It shouldn't have the same effect, shielded by Lucifer's own mind.
He thinks of his siblings who saw him an the epitome of beauty, once upon a time.
He thinks of the human Sam Winchester and the witch Rowena MacLeod. Both who are kept awake by nightmares of his appearance. He doesn't think he could stamp it out of Istredd's mind.
He shakes his head, immediately dismissive, and closes his eyes, putting layers upon layers of protections around the image conjuring between them. Istredd had only seen the two wings when they first connected, all that is, typically, linked to his vessel. All six wings unfurl from the figure, six clawed arms to follow--the lower set with backwards talons to match the backwards muscular-scaled feet. The head is wreathed with six golden horns, curled and coiled in different ways, flecked with sizzling red marks, and at the very back is the jagged gold halo, cracked and resealed again and again in many places, the ethereal material piercing the feathered skin at his neck. A tails lashes behind, sometimes feathered, sometimes scaled and purely serpent, dribbles of fire moving like veins beneath.
Holy light overwhelms, reflective off the pristine white wings, impossibly strong, and the image nearly whites out before Lucifer claps down on it and the protections lock in tight, saving Istredd's mind.
So, even just an imagined image has possible risks.
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It is interesting to know that his original presence is that strong. So much left to understand. He assumes an illusion would be safe. Istredd truly does not know what to expect. He saw the wings so that was a guarantee but even though Lucifer's mind is distinctly alien to him, the sheer reality of it is stunning. He doesn't recoil from the image but it is overwhelming despite being an image, because it is bigger. He saw one creature with Geralt and it was unnerving, although it did immediately display aggression.
"Wow." That is all he can say at first. His feelings are up in the air but all a version of positive. He will not forget what Lucifer looked like, and maybe after the initial shock he can pick apart the details. The many wings, the long arms and strange head. Interesting, he says, that word encapsulates many thoughts all at once.
"And you are stuck in a human vessel." It isn't as if he is slightly different. This is a drastic change. "If you could change your visage in the Horizon, would you prefer that? If the mental block went away and you could be anyone."
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"... No," he says after a long moment. He... trusted Istredd with it. He would perhaps trust Wanda. But he's far too accustomed to the negativity to be waltzing through as his true self, and some days he still doesn't know what that is.
And maybe there's a part of that he blames Michael for. Because the last time he was the image Istredd had seen was before humanity had weak little eyes and he was with his brothers. Before the Mark, before the Darkness. Where they could just be.
And then suddenly, for his actions, his betrayal, he was a monster.
"I suppose I don't even know what I should be," he admits. "Why not, then, follow the appearance everyone else has conjured?"
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"You could always see it as a for now situation. You're ancient, you have time to figure your thoughts and feelings out." Although Istredd doesn't know if him being locked into a human form means the body can die from age. He's assuming not, otherwise that might be something more to angst about. It may be preferable to get all the answers right away, but not logical. It is his fault bringing it up though that it's probably a mental block, and he's right.
"The heralds were amplifying all the worst things. I could put an illusion on your face if you want. I can make you look like anything to yourself." Istredd was taught by the greatest illusionist in the Brotherhood, his skill with it is expert, he just doesn't use it as openly. He did for Stephen, when they were doing the cards, creating an elaborate illusion in a second's notice to hide them as they worked.
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His life expectancy evidently wasn't so great.
He wonders sometimes what did it, but really, he could put a bunch of scraps in a hat and pick one out for an answer. There's numerous reasons for Lucifer to be dead by Michael's time.
"Mm." It's a weak agreement, but it's something.
"No," he says, and, "thank you for the offer though. I think I'm tired of illusions." For him, someone that's used them for numerous tricks, whether be playful in nature with his siblings, or becoming sinister when manipulating his potential vessels.
Lucifer's tired, truly. Beyond-bone deep. He wants to go back to Thorne, and how screwed up is that?
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His abilities aren't going away. Perhaps he'll do it to make him laugh another day. Istredd can feel Lucifer's exhaustion. He thought he was tired from the Singularity adventure and unexpected meetings, but he is not bone-weary in the same way. Lucifer did cover for him and spent time anxious. It worries Istredd that his energy is flagging. He wishes he could make it better.
Lucifer. He closes the space between them, not entirely, he does try to keep a respectful distance, but close enough to put a gentle hand on his shoulder. It won't be much longer. We'll go back to me suffering from you heating our room like we're in a blizzard soon. Istredd is half-joking, he has a normal body temperature, and they both have those logs. Sometimes the only way to be comfortable is without a shirt, but being warm makes Lucifer happy. Like a snake in the sunlight.
"I could put a ridiculous illusion on Michael when we're all together to make you laugh."
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For Lucifer.
We might get a blizzard soon, Lucifer adds. Thorne isn't supposed to have particularly warm winters, but maybe climate change will be a thing added to whatever is going on with the Singularity.
... That would likely be a bad sign.
He snorts at the comment. "If you can keep him from noticing, then by all means. But I think I'm going to avoid my brother for a bit. Keeping distant is the best way for us to exist in... what was it?" He raises a brow at Istredd. "A ceasefire."
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So you hide away in the room and avoid the draft. It has been some time since I was in this cold a climate. He'll concede that. He's been in many places that were chilly, but this is the type of cold that can seep into you. He has appreciated the cold when it came to helping distract him from being sick. Feeling that instead of sick is a trade off.
Come on, away from the maudlin mirror. Istredd tugs on his shirt and then lets him go, heading to the fireplace where he is likely to be more comfortable. The ceasefire is good. One less thing to potentially worry about. I know this isn't an ideal situation, but there are good things about it.
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"Oh? Please, by all means, enlighten me."
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I got to visit the Singularity. The best possible thing for him! He has been working up tot his for months. And he isn't disappointed. There will be more chances to study it down the road, this was an excellent start. It did cause Lucifer pain and concern for a time, but it is a net good for Istredd. Eye on the prize, always.
"I liked watching the floating animals, that was truly beautiful. I'll never see its equal." It was unique. Istredd is not above admiring beauty so blatant. "We have opportunities here to get more information than usual." There are people from every faction. Time to make allies and spy on the representatives trying to make their cases.
And this, I think, is overall good. He means their connection.
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You got to have your date with your sentient rock, good for you. Maybe avoid sending it flowers and writing poetry. While the image is hilarious to Lucifer, it definitely seems Unwise.
"The skyshow was interesting. I checked in with a lot of the newer Thorne Summoned that I didn't at the mingle."
I learned Mat is skilled at crafting bows. Easy to do under the guise of making musical instruments. But it still has risks.
He does understand that, and those feelings occupy Lucifer's thoughts with the words. Lucifer, ever cautious, wants something, anything, to equip the Summoned with that the officials are unaware about. Even if bows and arrows may do little against a spell, perhaps the could enchant something.
He won't do it without the proper compensation; as he shouldn't. No one should do free labor. And I don't think I can pay him with protection. Yet.
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Istredd settles into his chair and smiles as Lucifer rattles off a few things that weren't terrible about the trip. Not bad, although he's also going to be glad to get back to Thorne. It may be a cage, but it's a cage they have more control over and freedom in. Strange to think anywhere else would make him feel more trapped, but on a ship with all the Summoned and the faction leaders, yeah.
Mat has powerful magic that he's still learning not to be afraid of. Something Wilhelm needs to do soon. Logically, it's best if we are all capable of using magic instead of ignoring it and know common self-defense.
Istredd has very little of the latter which Lucifer has been working on him with. It does not come naturally but he is fit and strong for a soft scholar, so he's at least passable for now. Eventually he might even be good, considering the skill of his teacher.
You could always offer basic combat training to the Summoned. I'm doing magic, we could cover both sides.
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Don't worry, Istredd. He's doing what he always does: making bogus speculation.
In the name of curiosity, of course.
His face warps into disgust. It's been a very, very long time since he's been a teacher--Istredd aside. "That may be the worst thing you've ever suggested to me," Lucifer says, sounding like he's swallowed something sour. If he truly wants the ability for them to fight back and tear Thorne apart from the inside out, what better way than to teach them himself?
I've been debating what is more useful. Influence with the Crown or influence with the locals. I'd prefer the locals. There's more value to the average man than the officials. And while I could have both...
He shakes his head. He can't, not really. Not to the level he wants, anyway. He'd like an income, for one, and that's still frowned upon. But if he's to offer Mat or anyone some form of protection, he needs the "good graces" of the Crown.
He sighs.
I believe Yennefer had the right idea with who she was currying favor from. And if we approach it at all aspects...
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wrap here or the next?
Perfect wrap. These idiots.