𝕆ℍ 𝔻𝔼𝔸𝕋ℍ.

The entity could just as well proclaim to be the tides given a voice. The notion of anything, even if it is a fundamental principle of existence, reigning over others without personal craving dictating its peace is so outside of everything his life and unlife showed him that Tristan can’t picture the frame of mind. Serving a higher order. This one at least he recognizes. He isn’t by any means an advocate for it, but he is not here to judge. Specially when, lack of desires aside, his guest appears to be willing to discuss his own. “And is this a favor you are willing to grant me?” A courteous tone emphasized by a deep, ambitious craving to abandon this insufferable non-existence. “A life for a life. Is that it? Are the requirements to fulfill this balance just as permissive and uncaring for favoritism? Would any life suffice?”

curiosity.  oh,  he  knew  of  such  a  state.  felt  like  he  had  been  hiding  from  every  ‘  curious  ’  power  broker  since  his  birth,  each  wanting  a  piece  of  him  in  order  to  secure  their  own  flimsy  foothold  over  their  respected  domain.  he  could  never  just  be,  could  he?  there  would  always  be  something,  getting  in  his  way.  now,  it  appeared,  death  itself  was  a  part  of  that  list,  though  he  noted  there  had  been  no  movement  to  take  him,  thus  far.  so…  what?  why  make  himself  known?  why  put  himself  in  the  path  of  a  nuclear  bomb,  such  as  himself?  “  …  is  this  a  trick?  ”  child  nervously  questioned,  hesitant  to  try  another  piece  of  sugary  goodness.  curiosity  didn’t  require  a  meet,  right?  he  said  it  himself  ;  he  sees  it  all.  kinda  implied  he  could  be  curious…  from  a  distance.  “  do  you…  want  something?  ”

it  was  like  being  back  with  the  men  of  letters,  again.  constantly  put  in  his  place,  patronised,  and  if  it  wasn’t  the  literal  death,  who  could  obliterate  him  without  breaking  a  sweat,  maybe  he’d  be  getting  annoyed  right  about  now.  instead,  he  found  himself  scared  to  speak,  and  at  his  command  swallowed  hard,  glancing  down  at  the  small  feast  before  him.  well…  apparently  he  didn’t  have  much  of  a  choice,  right?  and  a  moment  later,  picked  up  fork,  trying  a  chip.  okay.  not  poisoned…  as  far  as  he  could  tell.  still,  felt  somewhat  nauseous,  in  particular  company,  and  at  the  primordial’s  words,  heart  hammered  faster.  “  …  i  didn’t  ask  for  that.  ”  came  quiet  counter,  frozen  in  his  movements.  never  asked  for  heaven  to  spit  him  back  out.  never  asked  to  be  killed  in  the  first  place.  never  asked  for  any  of  this.  swallowed  harder,  as  he  thought  about  it…  and  couldn’t  hold  it  back  any  longer.  “  put  me  back,  if  it  bothers  you  all  so  much.  ”

bratty child - to lucifer

snarky bacteria - to dean

Lucifer had plenty of subjects with which to wax poetic. The chaos of the universe and amazing organization of it is one of his favorite topics. This is The Hosts creation after all and Lucifer is nothing if not smug that he had something to do with it. As an angel he will forever be proud, albeit reluctantly, of his Fathers accomplishments. Yet before he can speak on any of these subjects he is struck dumb by last statement. 

“They are never to touch your reapers. Only observe and report should the case garner attention.” Was this a reminder or a declaration that it’d happened recently? Should he find out that any of the demons in his service acted against Death even indirectly there would be severe consequences. 

“you have rogues in your ranks, lucifer. control them. I don’t mind them dying for the greater good of the host but I will not tolerate this unbalance.“ and what happens when the balance is distorted? cataclysm. pompeii, the chicago fire, the plagues of the medieval times, to restore the balance. it’s not pretty, but it’s what it had to be done in order to keep things as they should be.

eyes  widened  somewhat,  at  the  comment.  well    ——–    he  thought  it  was  a  possibility?  natural  order  and  all…  figured,  maybe  he’d  want  to  be  correcting  some  mistakes,  get  him  back  where  he  was  meant  to  be.  few  got  a  second  chance  of  life,  right?  or…  shouldn’t.  or,  maybe  it  was  ego  ;  whatever  he  felt  of  his  situation,  he  had  reapers,  right?  doing  work  like  that?  silly,  to  think  that  death  himself  would  come  for  him,  personally.  okay…  yeah.  maybe  he  saw  it.  eyes  squinted  at  the  request,  glancing  down  at  being  with  trepidation.  but  ultimately,  perhaps,  it  was  safer  to  simply  do  as  asked,  and  after  a  moment  of  hesitation,  came  to  tug  chair  back  and  sink  down,  hands  in  lap  as  he  watched  him  eat,  but  made  no  movement  to  do  the  same.  consider  appetite  very  much  lost,  in  such  a  situation.  “  well,  uh    ——–    cheers?  ”  dumbfounded  expression,  struggling  to  figure  out  how  to  take  such  a  comment.  “  you’re  quite    ——–    interesting,  yourself…?  ”  a  beat,  and  then,  quietly  mumbled  under  his  breath  to  himself.  “  on  death’s  radar,  that’s  a  bloody  new  one…  ”

“Noted.” The voyage of perpetual torment preceding his death already redefined the meaning of pain. Nonetheless he believes him instinctively. Not that it particularly matters. “You won’t find my yearning all that original. I wish for the obvious. A second chance at my immortality. Preferably in more pleasant accommodations than the ones I left” His gaze coldly focuses on the offered food. The only element associated with the being he has the slightest suspicion as to how to read so far. “You are not only the personification of an ending hand pointing everything to its grave, are you? You have tastes. Preferences. Desires or whims at the very least. In my experience anyone who wants anything must have some room for negotiation.” He diplomatically theorizes, not at all used to playing this defensively. “I’m equally open to games of chess or violin competitions if there is any classic you wish to perpetuate.”

❛ no thanks, i learned my lesson… and i remembered you said you liked them. i have to admit, i’m surprised you agreed to this meeting. ❜

“A tactic to avoid lying, dear Uncle” to avoid a lie instead of traipsing gloriously through it speaks to respect. Lucifer doesn’t even respect The Host. Serve it? Yes. Faithful to it? Sure. Not respect. 

For this reason, Lu withstands the lesson and might actually be listening. “That speaks more to desire then growth or action. Unless I mistake you and snapping us all out of existence is in fact what you want.”  

“Don’t try to sass me, boy. That will end badly for you.“ oh but death knows lucifer’s role in the grand scale of everything, had known for a while. and even he has a book on death’s library, plenty of them, but so far, they have been avoided, because the world needs lucifer. the balance and the scales, a business he serves. 

he  had  questions.  many,  many  questions.  for  instance,  how  could  one  be  impressed  and  unimpressed  at  the  same  time?  they  were  complete  opposites.  pick  a  side!  secondly…  this  was  death.  the  real,  original  incarnation  of  death.  which  was…  terrifying,  even  without  the  visual.  can  you  get  out  of  this,  if  you  have  to?  can  you  fight?  are  you  safe?  and  lastly…  a  tilt  of  his  head,  as  he  felt  material  in  his  hands.  something  small  inside…  a  lot  of  small  somethings,  shifting  around  as  he  tried  to  feel  through  the  bag,  listening  to  the  crinkling  of  wrapper.  wrapper…  like,  candy!  so,  to  recap  :  death  was  here,  talking  to  him…  possibly,  chastising  him…  but  also  giving  him  treats?  oh,  this  was  gonna  be  one  of  those  days,  huh?  “  i…  yes.  thank  you.  ”  a  beat.  and  child  felt  inside  the  bag,  gingerly  reaching  for  a  piece  for  closer  inspection.  a  moment  later,  chocolatey  goodness  was  popped  inside  mouth,  chewing  thoughtfully.  wasn’t  there  something  about  this  that  other  children  are  taught?  don’t  accept  candy  from  strangers?  he  was  breaking  all  the  rules.  eventually  swallowing,  child  finally  continued.  “  i  don’t  understand…  why  are  you  here?  ”