[Despite the damage to the exterior, Lux still stands. But inside it is quiet. Too quiet. The wards were only made to last while the owner remained, and here and there are indications were the walls were breached and the building forcibly entered. The furniture are in disarray, marking where a hasty search team might have come through. Only the grand piano stood unmolested. It still glinted in the half-light coming in from the street as if the lacquered top was polished just this morning. Anyone with an ounce of magical inclination would sense that around the piano are wards that were made to endure. The reason sits on top of the piano.

Actually, there are two reasons.

One is a plain white sheet of paper with only a single line of symbols drawn in a language unknown by anyone who is not several billion years old at least. On top of the note with her name, is a single feather.

The second is an unmarked envelope. Inside it is a miniature key and a note that had three simple words:

Don't screw up.

]

[ooc: For whatever purpose it may serve, Lucifer had left the city for good in the middle of the last plot. I hope that takes care of any loose ends. Thanks for all the great times poly.]

I have never found reason to commemorate what this season celebrates.


Given that even the city curses seem intent on participating in the revelry and general spreading of good will, it was a wise decision to sit it out and wait.


Yes, somewhat out of touch, but, it seems, never out of mind.


So, how do you fare denizens of the City?


Counting down the hours until the dawning of another year. That you will be spending the next year going through the exact same motions you did this year seems to be currently, a moot point.


You can come down to Lux and have a drink while you're at it. It's on the house.

To put things back in order, there a few orders of business I need to do away with:

Lux is hiring. A certain amount of imperviousness to damage by fire is desired but not required.

And to your holiness, Duma, the tutelary angel of silence and keeper of both keys to heaven and hell sends his quiet regards. Even though he was nearly frightened to speaking when I showed up.

Moving on.

I was not expecting a warm welcome when I returned. Indeed I expected no welcome for I had not intended to return at all. The momentary display of pyrotechnics really was unnecessary.

The end result is rectified easily enough.

Though not before the whole extent of damage has been taken into account.

But that is not what this is about isn't it?

Did you really believe that if I had found a means of egress, I would still rather choose to stay?

I left because nothingness was preferable to staying and being constantly reminded that regardless of what I chose to do, inevitably everything still happens all according to the ineffable plan.

he god still triumphs.

I can't let him god win.

Even if it means giving up everything.

[ooc note: Link in the last line is not there. First part of the post is assumed (with Maz-mun's permission), and pertains to Mazikeen's overly warm welcome (in the literal sense of burning Lux down).]

[It is said that to reach the domain of the Lord Shaper, one must simply go to sleep and dream. Of all the realms of the Seven, the Dreaming is by far the one requires the least effort to enter.

To pass into the demesne of the eldest Endless, however, requires two things. The first is a labyrinth. And the second is your own two feet. All mazes meet in the center. All labyrinths share a common space. That is the path one must aim for. Just as each choice determines a certain fate, all routes have equal chances of getting you there.

"Destiny must get a lot of white-haired vermin as visitors." Lucifer thought as his feet followed an invisible trail between the monotonous rusty orange of the high brick walls.

Left. Right. Left. Right. Right. Another right.

It did not really matter.

When Lucifer reached his destination, he will know.

Thus, he let whim dictate where his feet brought him. As long as he gets to his intended destination, he cared not where the path took him. His senses instead focused on the clues that would indicate when he'd made the crossing.

He turned a corner and faced another crossroads. The path to the left gave a vaguely familiar pull at the back of his mind.

"Well, finally."

Lucifer took the last few steps and felt himself cross the invisible barrier between worlds. For a second, he stood still, suddenly blinded by the bright yellow light of the midday sun.

This place is familiar all right. Too fucking familiar. And already he can feel the presence of two persons he knew only too well.]



If this is Destiny's attempt at humor, I'm not laughing.

[ooc: BACK~! Laptop is fixed and got a shiny, new, virginal hard drive. Looks like I missed A LOT while I was gone though o__O]

( I, Samael, son of Yahweh, claim my birthright )

To business then.

[From inside Lux there is a bright flash, visible from the outside even in the midday sun, the only sign of the portal that was quickly created and just as quickly used.]

[ooc explanation: God (for real) for today, and he's a goin inspecting his realm and ridding it of any and all immortals

using Elaine-mun's PC to post this as I murdered my laptop and will not likely to have it fixed anytime soon. Therefore, god!Sam here has created a portal back to his Creation while I go on hiatus. Convenient curse is convenient ♥

]

This is almost reminiscent of Eden.

Except this knockoff is a little overcrowded.

But trust any change inspired by the garden to severely limit the choice in beverages that may be imbibed.

If you're not terribly busy in your non-intervention, fancy changing water into wine? Preferably something 80 years, no less.

At least I'll have no need for kindling.

Corinthian, do you really find it necessary to give commentary on my private life?

I find no practical use for sleep. And I have not visited your maker's realm other than on business related to my former function.

Where then do you source your second-hand information? Because it certainly did not come from me.

[ooc: uh, because I phail at tags during the curse days ._.v]

I suppose there are some things that you dearly wish to say.

If you have any inclination at self-preservation, I strongly suggest you hold your tongue.

Alexiel, I echo your sentiment about not being the victorious party. However, there is still the matter of the stakes that need to be settled.

[Private to Mazikeen // Warded]

You burn with the same amount of intensity, cursed or uncursed. I'm not surprised.

[/end]

This sudden influx of newcomers. Which one of you closed down their realm and offered this one?

[voice post]

This place is familiar.

Ah... Samael. What have you done now.

[ooc: No costume. Just this:
( and isn't it ironic, don't you think )
So, yes, cursed to be the person he hates the most.
Also, late post is late. After the witch trials, Lux has reverted from this back to this.]

Listen up you lot.

I do not like repeating myself so I will only say this once.

There have been very loud proclamations of my alleged activities that all seem to involve enticing people to acts of devilry.

They are all false.

Because if it were all true, it would imply that I need the assistance of anyone, least of all this city's pathetic excuse for magic users.

Let's get the facts straight.

An introduction for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of my acquaintance.

I am called Lucifer. Samael feels like being called by your maiden name. First of the Fallen, and former Lord of Hell. Emphasis on the past tense. Hell would have continued to cease existing had this boy's predecessor not handed over the keys to an inept angel by the name of Remiel.

I've never been interested in souls. I leave that foolishness of bartering souls like a fishwife come market day to lesser angels with delusions of grandeur.

And no, I do not grant powers whether divine or demonic. Nor do I require sacrifices. Do not mistake me for god who does both.

Speaking of the god that leads your holy cause, perhaps it would be enlightening if I tell you how I was first summoned into her august presence.

( oh no she didn't [warning: huge 2 page scan that will break your layout] )

Hn. Not exactly as innocent as you claim yourself to be. Technically not a spotless virgin anymore either. The flashlight was a nice touch, however.

Though I find that it lends to your accusations not a whit of credibility. Rather, it gives it the stink of hypocrisy.

Your congregation has the right to know.

I care not what you do, but leave me out of your foolishness.

That said, you lot: get the fuck off my property.

Or you will get a taste of how the cleansing fire burns.

[ooc: Hiatus? What hiatus? exams be damned what's a god without an adversary eh? >D]

There are many things that can be said of anthropomorphic entities.

Apparently, prudent is not one of them.

Your days moonlighting as someone concerned only with the mundane is over it seems.

Time to tend to your flock.

The doors of Lux are open to patrons as always. Divine or otherwise. I have, you might say, a catholic approach to customers.