Belatedly, Lucifer realizes he doesn't know when the symposium starts. He could ask Bee, but that would mean admitting he never paid attention in the first place, not to mention having to dredge up the whole story again. And Ozzie just left in a hurry so maybe he's busy…
Oh well, he doesn't have to go there early.
But when is early?
What if this symposium ends quickly and he gets there and misses any important stuff?
Not that, ahem, checking the competition is important—
—And it's not even competition, because there is no competing. Lucifer didn't sign up for anything. He's in the audience looking in, is all!
Regardless, fact is, going too late will fuck up his plans.
And that isn't the only issue. Showing up is also, ironically, the biggest problem.
And not in the sense that he doesn't want to show up, either.
He's been gone from these sorts of events for too long, and even if others don't think much of him anymore, he's still going to be a source of gossip if he does show up to anything beyond the big symposiums.
And it'll be hard to investigate anything when all attention will be on him. Not to mention possibly putting Alastor on edge.
…Thankfully, there is a solution.
Lucifer takes out the Helm of Darkness and sighs.
"This is the second time I'll be using you for something ridiculous," he says. The Helm doesn't reply. Which is the norm; it's only since Alastor had come that Lucifer had to deal with something replying to him when he says his musings out loud.
Still, it's silly but not wrong to use the Helm like this. He's only going to look on at public displays, so he's not breaching anyone's privacy by being invisible.
"Hi Ultimate Bad Boy!" Niffty croons, popping up in front of him. "Sir has sent you a letter!"
"...Alastor?" Shit, did he read his mind from a whole other realm and wrote to tell him off about the invisible spying?
Wait, no, that's ridiculous, if he could read minds he'd have rained divine judgment on Lucifer's thoughts a while ago.
He opens the scroll and sure enough, the style is Alastor's.
Sire,
Upon further reflection, I acknowledge I misjudged your temper and self control regarding the particular topic I attempted to discuss.
I will no longer bring it up unless absolutely necessary.
We will reconvene tomorrow to continue our work.
All the best,
Alastor
…Damn. Trust Alastor to write barely anything and still give Lucifer emotional whiplash.
He sends Niffty away and moves to the table so he can sit and reread it again and again.
First of all…this... this is an apology isn't it?
Okay, not an actual one. Closer to something orbiting an apology while making digs, more like.
Still, for Alastor, even acknowledging there was an issue and he had a hand in it is more than Lucifer expected. And now if Lucifer apologizes at all, he won't be the one making allowances first.
It's a tentative, baby step in the right direction.
So why…is he not at all happy about it?
It's not a question of thinking the apology is lacking: again, it's not much of one, but Lucifer hadn't expected even this, so he can hardly be disappointed.
And yet, his instincts tell him this is…bad.
"Mreow."
Looking down, Lucifer sees the cats have joined him once again. Before he can say much, they jump on the table, glancing intently at the letter.
"No eating it," Lucifer warns. Can the creatures even read?
The answer is apparently yes, because after a few moments of staring at the words, Lucifer braces himself as Catalastor moves closer to him and—
Pats his shoulder in a pitying gesture.
I'm fucked, huh.
*
Running off to take a bath—definitely because he needs to get ready and definitely not because getting pitied by Catalastor is too much—Lucifer thinks he's figured out the issue.
The starting and parting lines from Alastor's message are a problem; there's a distance there. Calling him 'sire' and without a 'chum' line like he had once done.
As for the text itself, upon further reflection there is a distance there too.
There's a feeling of Alastor having given up, of having understood that Lilith is a line he cannot cross, and has accepted that.
And that should bring relief to Lucifer. Instead, he's uncomfortable.
…He blames Ozzie for that, actually. He's the one that tried to worm in the idea that trying to know about Lilith means Alastor is interested, so of course now Lucifer sees his backing down as a disappointment.
Truly, his advice is a double edged sword.
Still, Lucifer supposes he's right about him needing to sort out his own feelings for Lilith.
So… does he still love Lilith?
It's hard to really say, again because he did a bang-up job of not reflecting.
He loves snippets of their past together. Of that, he is certain.
Particularly of having Charlie, and moments of raising her together... before things turned sour and Lilith took Charlie away from him.
But before that…
Theirs was never a regular relationship, to begin with. Lucifer was linked to the Underworld as a direct result of the fight against his father. He'd been reeling from the fact his own maker had swallowed him as if he were nothing, and then having to fight him and lock him up in Tartarus. He'd been hurt, lost, confused and dealing with a desolate land of death, not to mention dealing with interlopers gauging how much they could step on him…
…And in came Hecate, similarly locked into being near the Underworld, at least at the start.
Born just as the Titanomachy ended, she'd been pure and woefully naive, and Lucifer had taken to trying to help, and then they'd bonded over a passion for researching new ways to try and improve the place. If anything, Lilith had been even more keen on helping the mortals than even Lucifer, seeing them as 'their people' and demanding change. That was, perhaps, one of the biggest issues between them, as Lucifer could empathize, but only to a point, and could not love them.
And his help had only harmed her. Coming from the war, opinion of Lucifer had been divided between those who feared him and those who wished to use him. His getting close to Lilith brought upon her resentment and wariness. She'd been all but outcast because of it, and the guilt had made Lucifer work harder to be what she needed, so she would never want because of him…
Had he been in love? Lucifer can only assume so. Though maybe it hadn't been the healthiest one. It had blossomed under forced bonding, when she was the only one around, and they'd needed each other; not to mention Lucifer had been feeling guilty that she'd been dealt such a bad hand, given the Underworld should be his responsibility to improve.
They had been all each other had, back then. Lost and scared. That shared experience had created an unshakable bond…
…Or so Lucifer had always assumed. Clearly, he'd been wrong about that, given they had drifted apart, then she left, and now he's taken more than a passing fancy at someone else.
But none of that answered if his feelings for her remained.
If his feelings for Lilith were and are still true, then it only confirms Alastor is but a mild, pacing fancy.
…But if his feelings for Alastor are deeper than that…
"Damn it."
Anyway, he has time. He isn't going to go down that path with Alastor, nor does he have some other possible suitor lined up. He doesn't need to get his head in a tangle over this yet.
More importantly, it's getting late and he has a symposium to go to.
*
Even if he's not expecting to be seen, Lucifer still changes to a nicer set of robes. He does consider going back to the black sash, but ultimately keeps the red one; even if he makes an appearance it'll be just to Alastor, no reason to worry about what it'll look like.
As he's leaving, he belatedly realizes he has no idea where to go.
Embarrassing as it is, he coaches Niffty to come back and repeat the invitation details.
And then has to spend too much time convincing her he is not going. The last thing he needs is for her to rush back and tell Alastor that. Or the host.
Which is when he finds out the symposium is by Hedylogos…
…Which means nothing to Lucifer.
But what does matter is that whoever this is, he has an Odeon on their property and now Lucifer knows where that is.
*
Having to leave his chariot further away since it isn't covered by the Helm of Darkness is a minor nuisance, but he has wings and it doesn't take him long to reach the location.
It's…okay?
Lucifer knows he's spoiled when it comes to quality. He enjoys creating and researching the best sort of it, including architecture. That, and when he does come out of his abode, it's usually only for the most upper level symposiums possible. So it's hard to gauge how unfair he's being when he looks around and finds the theater to be nothing much.
Oh well, it's not like he's going to have to lie and praise it. So…
He glances at his surroundings. Guests are just standing or sitting around while servants weave through the seating to offer food and drinks. Lucifer looks around, trying to spot a tell-tale—
Someone bumps into him.
Lucifer nearly voices a complaint, before remembering he's invisible.
That is, he supposes, the negative consequence of wearing the Helm.
I better stay somewhere without a crowd.
Lucifer moves to the stage. There's less guests on it, but still enough he might have trouble eventually unless he sticks to a wall, so he moves towards the two-story edifice behind the playing area.
He peeks into the first floor from the central doorway, and finds it occupied by a deity going through a pack of nymphs and insulting each one in turn.
"No. Unacceptable, You're fired. What is this? A pleated linen shirt ? Is this the First Egyptian Dynasty? Bury it back with the mummy you took it from."
Yikes .
There's still too many people for his liking, especially since the woman's servants are moving in a frenzy, so instead Lucifer takes one of the two staircases that flank the sides of the structure.
Fucking finally, he thinks, when he reaches the second floor and there's only two Gods having a heated discussion.
There were no guards coming up, meaning people are staying clear of their own volition, so this is likely the closest to big shots this gathering could summon.
Lucifer sticks to the alcove so he can look at all the Odeon from his vantage point, but it's hard concentrating when the two Gods are being dramatic.
"—our brand is temptation, and what do you think chasing whores around town will do for our image?"
Lucifer looks over at the two. Clearly they form a trio with the Goddess downstairs, because all of them have similar features: all had hindquarters akin to satyrs, yet had wings.
"Um...fuck it up?" The tallest one, whose wing seems bug-like instead of featured like his companion, replies haltingly.
The other one, with quite the square jaw, makes a motion with his tongue, a 'ding' sound coming out before he speaks. "Right! Do you want people thinking you can't entice and control your servants?"
"No!"
"Exactly! And hey, you still have him under contract. He isn't going anywhere! Sooo...you should…"
"...Do nothing?"
A sound of cheering fills the air.
"Great idea! Now that's why they pay you the," he pinches the other's cheek, "big bucks."
"Ugh, but I really wanted to stab someone!" The other whines, and takes out what Lucifer recognizes as an Indian smoking pipe.
"Well, we can always go drown some mortals when this is over," the other reassures, and moves away to glance at some scrolls on a desk.
"Ohh, you know me too well." The whiny one chuckles and blows smoke before seeming to remember something. "Ya know.... Angel isn't the only one spending time with Hades' daughter."
…Wait, what? Lucifer is giving them his full, undivided attention now.
"Oh, who else is there? Someone who owes you money?"
The tallest chuckles again. "Someone who owes us much more than money... the God of Spring is there."
Well, shit.
Meanwhile, squared jaw God has scratched the marble desk so hard it leaves claw marks along the surface. He makes a small ominous chuckle before turning to his companion again.
"What did you just say?" His voice has a distortion to it now.
"You heard me."
"Alastor…" He walks to him. "Came back...and he is with Hades'—" his voice hitches, "daughter, and that wasn't the first thing you fucking told me?! " Despite the size difference, he grabs the other by the collar harshly.
"Hey! Killing Persephone is your kink," the other mildly objects, freeing himself from the grip.
…Fuck you Ozzie, you made me come here for some enemy of his? Well, okay, at least I've found a possible threat to Charlie's friend.
"That fucker is back!" Square jaw all but howls in a rage.
"Yeah, I thought he was gone for good, too."
"It's been seven years!"
"You still pissed that you lost him, that time?"
Lost? Lost how??
"Uh, fuck you."
"Just saying."
"...Things have changed a lot since then."
"That's for sure."
"He better not expect the same status quo as before, this isn't his season anymore." He brightens up. "In fact, I should send a message of who's really in charge of things now. Ha! I'm going to make him wish that he'd stayedgone."
He walks to the edge of the alcove, looking down at the guests with unabashed disdain.
"Attention, everyone! Turn your attention to me ," he says, voice loud enough to carry down; and there's a shift to it, a layer of something melodic and…forcibly alluring.
To a God as strong as Lucifer, it means nothing and has no impact; but the lesser deities and other creatures below don't fare as well. Certainly, they aren't mortals, so this much power isn't enough to fully enthrall them, but it at least ensnares them enough that they move to congregate below the balcony, when normally a God hollering down would not have this much of a reaction.
"We're now discussing a certain has-been who has been spotted cavorting around the realms after a seven-year absence! I'm talking about the God of Spring, of course, who else could it be? Did anybody miss him? Did anybody notice?"
Lucifer raises his eyebrows at the rush of hostility coming from him.
The God pauses for dramatic effect before moving until he's halfway down the stairs, and the half captivated crowd follows, eerily silent.
"So, he's back in Olympus? Why? And of course, you must be wondering what that means for you and your retinue. Well handily, I've got good news! He's a loser, a fossil and I don't mean to sound hostile…" It looks like he's made a pause for dramatic effect again, but it might as well be just so he can catch his breath, given the way he's going, "but that God is a coward , and you can take that as gospel! And you know I would never lie to my audience; would you trust the God you don't even hear from, over the one you can see among you now? So stop giving him the time of day—"
No one was giving him any time at all until you started half-singing about him …Really, this guy is sounding less like an enemy and more like Alastor's spurned ex or even stalker. Maybe Ozzie wasn't pulling his leg after all.
The god continues to drone on. "I hope he had a nice break, but he should've stayed away! Who knows behind which flower he's been hiding, but we've since pivoted to new powers, and his season has all but waned!"
Lucifer snorts at the relentless poking. That said, it does bear questioning what the state of affairs is currently like. The guy is implying Alastor had been a big shot before; is that true, or is he elevating Alastor as a means to raise himself , now that he's supposedly taken over whatever power vacuum Alastor left behind?
Well, Lucifer doubts he'll glean the truth from the very obviously biased view the God is trying to sell here. As such, he's had enough, and considers how to best shut him up.
Definitely because he's insulting Alastor and certainly not out of any sense of competition, of course. And he means that; unless he has grossly misjudged Alastor, Lucifer can't see him reacting positively to attempts to besmirch his name behind his back.
Let's see, I can probably just plain push him down the stairs…hm?
Lucifer thinks he sees a familiar tall swath of red at the corner of his eyes, but when he turns to look down at it fully, it's gone.
"The realm has been better since he split. Do we even know where he's been? I mean, who gives a shit!?"
Fucking Underworld, at least I'm not this pathetic. Am I?Okay, time to—
"Salutations!" Comes a voice from the opposite staircase, one Lucifer knows all too well. "It's good to be back amongst you!"
And as expected, it's Alastor, half sitting on the rail and looking calm and collected and oh so good look—
Focus!
"Yes, I know it's been a while since you've heard the voice of someone with style. Deities, rejoice!" Alastor continues with aplomb, and the way he carries himself makes all the self assurance seem fitting.
"Your voice is so dated!" The other one spats. Oh, right, this guy was here too.
Alastor raises his eyebrows in mockery. "Instead of a clout-chasing mediocre goat outcast—"
"Come on!"
While the alluring undertones wanes from the incensed God's voice, Lucifer can't sense any such ability within Alastor's. Even so, he manages to captivate enough that the crowd shifts; not breaking free enough to outright scram from the spat, but enough that they inch closer to Alastor.
Then again, Lucifer realizes, with Alastor joining in, this has gone from a boring one man's jilted ramblings to actual drama worthy of gossip, so it's just as likely that they arefree of the hold, but now willingly listening in rapt attention.
"Is Vox insecure? Well, why wouldn't he be, haha!" Now with an audience of his own, Alastor ignores the God now revealed to be called Vox—
Is that his name or his title, though? If it's his name, what does it mean for Alastor's relationship to him? Is using Vox's name a sign of disrespect, or is it lingering closeness? Did Lucifer woefully misunderstand and Alastor actually sees this as an effective flirting method?
—and instead turns to speak directly to the crowd. "Maybe he's pursuing the very allure he tries to wrap everyone in. Notice how he's been flitting between this fad and that, yet nothing seems to be working..."
"Ignore his chirping!" Vox demands petulantly, now moving towards Alastor.
"Every day, he's got a new melody," Alastor continues.
"I'm the future! He's the shit that comes before that!"
Vox lunges, but Alastor dodges and he falls through the bannister. The crowd parts to ensure he lands face first into the ground.
Now Alastor's tone becomes singsong-y in mockery. "Is he as strong as he purports, or is it based on his support? He'd be powerless without the other Pans."
"Oh, please!"
And yet, for all his objection, Lucifer notes his two watching teammates giving each other sly grins.
"And here's the honey on the milk…he was my handmaiden daimon!"
"Hold on!" But the interjection is so feeble, it's all the confirmation anyone needs. The crowd looks at each other, murmuring and gossiping.
"I let him go, and now he's pissy, that's the tea!"
"You old-timey prick!" Vox hollers and Lucifer, who is likely the only actual old-timer in this symposium, nearly laughs out loud.
He can't be much older than you.
"I'll show you suffering—"
Lucifer stops smiling and shifts at the threat, but Alastor doesn't bat an eye.
"Uh oh, your voice is stuttering~" he mocks, unperturbed.
And indeed, Vox's voice is garbled and twisted.
"I'll destroy you, you little—!"
There's a high pitched, grating sound. The rest of the guests flinch and cower, covering their ears and instinctively closing their eyes. But Lucifer can handle it and, as such, sees the moment Alastor slinks behind Vox and grabs him using his tendrils.
Lucifer hastily follows, and finds Alastor dragging him deeper and deeper into a garden.
Vox tries to break free and when he can't, opens his mouth but chokes and grabs at his throat desperately and wordlessly.
"I'm afraid you've lost your voice," Alastor says.
Finally, he's satisfied with the distance and unceremoniously dumps Vox on the ground.
"Now, let's begin, shall we? It seems you still need to understand who's race is run." Alastor says genially, planting the butt of his cane on Vox's chest to stop the still gasping God from trying to get off the ground. "I'm going to make you wish that I'd stayed gone." His sclera turns dark, horns growing as he slowly changes.
He's transformed now, the monstrous body hovering over Vox. One large claw pins Vox by the throat, and Vox gurgles.
The sound seems to satisfy Alastor, who just as quickly shifts back into his regular size, adjusting his robes. He gives one last glance at Vox, still on the ground, and cackles. "Haha, this will be fun."
And just like that, Alastor dissolves into a puddle of shadows on the ground.
"Fuck," Vox whispers in fear.
Fuck, Lucifer thinks in arousal. He'd never had a kink for being humiliated, but it might just turn out he has one for Alastor humiliating someone else…
Argh, focus!
Forcing himself to not think about that, Lucifer forgets about Vox and moves to try and figure out where Alastor might have gone.
He doubts he's gone far; spatial warping like that isn't exactly simple.
Lucifer expands his senses towards the garden, reasoning that if there's any other presence in it, it must be Alastor.
Sure enough, he catches wind of a deity, and moves towards them.
Him—because Lucifer has no doubt it's Alastor—is moving back towards the Odeon through another entrance, and Lucifer quickens his pace to not lose him when he rejoins the crowd.
Finally, Lucifer turns a corner and sure enough, there's the familiar red figure that is undoubtedly Alastor.
However, Lucifer halts in his tracks when he realizes Alastor isn't moving, having stopped under an arch.
Lucifer can sense another presence, but not see them from his position yet. More importantly, he quickly notices how rigid Alastor's back is, and how his ears twitch as if ready to pin back.
And then Lucifer hears why.
"Ah, Persephone, well met. I was hoping to speak to you," is said in a measured tone, and Lucifer quickly recognizes that voice.
…Wasn't this supposed to be some insignificant, minor symposium?
Then why the fuck is Sera here?
Notes:The shortest chapter by far, but not lacking in content. And the ride continues…
Thank my beta, without whom this chapter would have been extremely terrible.
—A pleated linen shirt found in First Dynasty Tarkhan cemetery in Egypt is the world's oldest existing woven garment, approximately 5,000 years ago
—Hecate is not listed among the Gods that took part in the Titanomachy. Although Greek God genealogy is in shambles, it does seem like she is younger than Zeus and co., so I've kept her as born at the very end of it.
—Vox and Vees: these bastards, mainly Vox, were hell to define.
Daimons are lesser divinities or spirits, often personifications of abstract concepts, beings of the same nature as both mortals and deities, similar to ghosts, chthonic heroes, spirit guides, forces of nature, or the deities themselves. So Vox could have been one and still end up as a God. Plus, let's face it, it would fit Alastor to twist and lower Vox's standing even if he wasnt.
He really was, however, his handmaiden…
I am, in fact, pulling together two mythologies, and different trio of figures, together for the Vees.
Regarding the "Panes part"...
Pan was the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, rustic music and impromptus, and companion of the nymphs. He had the hindquarters, legs, and horns of a goat, in the same manner as a faun or satyr. He is also recognized as the god of fields, groves, wooded glens, and often affiliated with sex; because of this, Pan is connected to fertility and the season of spring.
Sometimes Pan was multiplied into a host of Panes, or a triad of gods named Agreus, Nomios, and Phorbas, goat-legged daimones of the mountain wilds. They presided over hunting, herding and grazing respectively.
For a long time, I did consider making Vox be Pan (the singular entity) due to his relationship to spring and being the God of flocks, since you could argue his audience is the flock.
That and 'powerlevel wise', it halfway fit: seemingly not too powerful, but not a minor God either.
However…it was still a little loose with the "mind control" part. That and it wouldn't fit the Vee trio. I did consider making Valentino Priapus, speaking of which…
To fit the trio part, I could simply split up Pan into three, since this is done in mythology anyway.
But that still doesn't quite fit the mind control nor the closer relationship to Alastor so…that's where the handmaiden part comes in.
In the myths, Persephone has handmaiden nymphs. When she is abducted by Hades, Demeter gives them bird bodies either to aid in the search or as a curse for not stopping it, depending on which account you read, though they eventually give up on it and settle elsewhere.
And these half bird women then become…the sirens.
The Sirens were birds with the heads of women, whose songs were so beautiful that none could resist. They were said to lure sailors to their rock island, where the sailors met an untimely death.
Their connection to Persephone in greek mythology is as I wrote above, and not me trying to join up stories that had nothing to do with each other for the sake of the fic. However, there is no connection between the Panes and the Sirens, so that part is mine.
And because of that, I elected to have Vox as a Siren. It gives him that stronger connection to Alastor, and gives him a semblance of brainwashing power. But I didn't want to leave him as just a siren since that would severely decrease their expected power.
Naturally, since once again Alastor here waltzes into the Underworld of his own accord and anyone that cares is aware of that, there could be no "Demeter turns handmaidens into sirens due to Hades". However…Alastor does have a disappearance on his canon story, that seven year gap. Sadly, much like Lilith, to try and expand on Vox's past with Alastor means having to make choices that might just fall flat as soon as s2 airs, so I want to avoid that as much as I possibly can.
There were a lot of great guesses for who he might be though!
—Hedylogos was the god and personification of sweet-talk and flattery. He was part of Aphrodite's procession. Nothing much to say, I just needed a deity that could rationally have a whole Odeon to themselves while not being a big-shot.
—Odeon: ancient theater/stage
notes.)
"Someone is following you," the flowers warn.
Alastor frowns. "So?"
"We cannot see them, we only know it is thus due to the feel of their feet trampling us. And they are going towards you."
"Ah. Well done, then. Since when?"
"Since you stepped into the garden."
Interesting. Was this a heretofore unknown associate of Vox's?
No, Alastor shies away from that possibility immediately; they'd have surely done something when Alastor had been threatening him just now. More likely, this is an interloper taking advantage of the situation.
Instead of stopping, Alastor makes sure to walk at a normal but brisk pace towards the exit to the gardens, and back to the Odeon.
Once there, this interloper will undoubtedly remove their invisibility, or else be severely hindered amidst the crowd. And as soon as they do so, the flowers will inform Alastor of their looks.
"They're getting closer…"
That's fine, Alastor can all but see the arch leading out in front of him.
But before he can reach it, a figure comes from the other side.
Alastor stiffens, not being able to hide his surprise when he finds Hestia in front of him.
"Who's this?"
"The invisible one is behind you."
"Ah, Persephone, well met," she says cooly with an affable smile. "I was hoping to speak to you."
"Oh, she's one suspicious sounding bitch."
"Right."
"Right."
"Would."
"Shh, I wanna hear the drama."
Alastor drowns out the chatter and forces himself to regain his composure before bowing.
"It is my pleasure to make the acquaintance of someone of your standing, milady." Straightening up again, he conjures his cane and leans leisurely on it.
Not because he's actually relaxed; there is no way this is any coincidence at all. Hestia has come here with the express intent of meeting with him, and that cannot be a good sign.
"I was just about to rejoin the festivities," he says. "I do believe we can procure some seating and chat, if you wish."
"I don't think that's necessary, the garden is so pleasant, and I won't take much of your time, so we can simply have a seat here."
This close to the exit, Alastor could insist on a more public location but…he's not sure what Hestia knows, and it might be better to keep this private. Besides, gardens are his domain, and he'll have an advantage if things take a more… complicated turn.
With a flourish, he says, "After you," and steps aside so she can lead them to where she'd like.
There are benches not too far off, and Hestia sits herself in one, with Alastor on the other next to her.
"So!" Alastor says jovially, "To what do I owe this honor?"
Hestia is still smiling benevolently at him. "I'm told you have been Hades' guest for a while now."
Aha, she must be aware of the changes. No doubt the Oceanids have spilled the beans. "Indeed! I am aiding him in a project that has turned out to be quite the challenge, thus prolonging my stay. Thankfully he is quite the gracious host. I'm not sure if I am allowed to say what it is until it's done, however."
"Oh dear, did Hades want to make it a surprise? I'm afraid the Oceanids weren't told and have mentioned how the landscape has become breathtakingly beautiful in some places."
"It is a delight to hear that! As for it being a secret or not, I'm afraid you'll have to take it up with Lucifer ."
He hates going back to that moniker when he'd just earlier today elected to put some space between them. Hates that he needs to do it now to draw a degree of closeness as a shield.
Because he's certain this little chat is not happening merely because she's heard of the changes to the Underworld. No, if she has chosen to talk to him, alone, and not Lucifer, then something else is at play.
"I see," Hestia says, but her eyes tell him she doesn't; unsure if the name is a bluff or not. "Well, it certainly must be a lot of work. Others have tried to aid in Hades' plans, but none succeeded thus far."
"Why, thank you!"
"I…yes."
Had she been expecting humility? Ridiculous. The success is his, why would he act otherwise?
"Which has made me wonder," Hestia continues, "what has Hades offered in return for such an undertaking?"
Ah, there it is.
"Oh my, who's said I have taken anything?" Alastor deflects. "Surely just the knowledge that I have achieved something no other has managed, can be rewarding."
"Perhaps, but from what I've heard about you, you aren't one for charity. Quite the opposite." There is a slight frown to her face, making it abundantly clear what she thinks of his previous dealings.
Alastor prizes himself in being a perfect gentleman to women.
But by Phanes, does he want to claw her eyes out.
So, she's investigated his past. However, seeing as she's only saying this much, she has yet to uncover anything truly scandalous, and only enough to be worried.
To have someone already on his tail know the dangerous boons he's getting will result in further scrutiny down the line, no doubt.
His best recourse right now is to aptly lie, and insist on the concept of altruistic pride. That just the knowledge that he changed the Underworld when no one else could is enough of a promotion of himself that nothing else is required.
And yet…he abhors that path.
It's one thing to act respectful and quite another to grovel .
Why must he debase himself for anyone, much less this Goddess?
Hestia, the Goddess of the Household? She holds little power over him, and can surely only dare look down on him by means of her connections.
They are but one generation removed, why must he act small and meek to appease her?
No, he will not. He—
"My, I didn't realize you cared about the Underworld so fucking much, Sera."
Both Alastor and Hestia jolt and twist to look towards the source of the new voice.
Lucifer is standing there, arms crossed and expression frosty.
How had he gotten so close without notice?
Alastor allows the idle chatter of flowers to filter through once more.
"Ooh, the invisible stalker has appeared!"
"Is he Persephone's lover?"
"Must be, why else would he come out now and be glaring at the bitch?"
"Would, too."
"You 'would' anyone."
"My, Persephone has quite the good taste. He's such a tall drink of water."
"Tall? Are you blind?"
"It's an expression, idiot. But yes, I'm a flower, of course I don't have fucking eyes!"
As they bicker, Lucifer approaches the benches. Hestia hastily stands up, and Alastor begrudgingly moves to follow suit, but Lucifer stops by his side and places a hand on his shoulder, exerting just enough strength to keep him seated.
Lucifer means it merely as a gesture to indicate he is taking over this conversation, and undoubtedly is unaware that to Hestia, this will seem as if her standing up doesn't warrant Alastor doing the same.
Alastor bristles at how he finds himself moved…but not by the signaled disrespect towards Hestia.
"Hades, I was unaware that you were coming."
"Of course you didn't, you didn't ask ." Lucifer produces a cane of his own, with a pomegranate tip, but instead of leisurely leaning on it, he stands upright and as still as a statue.
"Had I seen you, I'd have spoken to you."
"Like you did in the last symposium?"
"Wooo, I like this guy!"
"You tell that bitch, hot stuff!"
"Yeah! Defend your man!"
"I had nothing to discuss back then."
"And I don't see what we have to discuss now."
Hestia flinches at his continued wintry tone, and lifts a hand up as if in appeasement. "Hades, Lucifer, please don't be like this, let's go somewhere and—"
"I wouldn't be like this if you hadn't just cornered my guest about my domain."
"Guest? Has Persephone not locked him down yet?"
"Persephone, you fool! Bag the guy!"
"I'm only worried—"
"Then you can stop fucking worrying." Lucifer's tone changes from cold to heated, but he remains resplendent. "Are you this worried every time Adam fucks up? He's also a ruler, why don't you go keep him in line? What I do with my domain is my business. In fact, I distinctly recall you having no interest in even aiding any of my requests, claiming it was another domain outside your scope. Well, how about you keep that up?"
"Hades, I'm not questioning what changes you—"
"You're putting my guest under duress to try and gauge what boons I might have given him. Again, Sera, go fucking check what Adam is handing out to the mortal women he fucks, why don't you? Or the children he sires and lets loose on the mortal world. I may live the furthest down from a rock possible, but even I know of the bull story. Are you upset about that?"
"Of course I—"
"Then do something about that, and get the fuck away from Alastor. It doesn't matter if I'm rewarding him by handing him half the Underworld or sucking his dick, what is mine to give, I will do with as I see fit . I'll listen to your sage advice only after you've gone and put Adam in line."
Silence falls. At least among the three deities.
Alastor can hear the flowers in a jitter about it, but he can't discern their words; drowned out as they are by the sudden, staggering loud sound of his own heartbeat.
He forces himself to not conjure the imagery Lucifer has just provided, instead focusing on the impact of the words.
Lucifer…that fool, has no idea what he's implied, has he?
Hestia glances between them. At the closeness, paying closer attention to the belt of fine silver Alastor is wearing. Perhaps she'd previously assumed it was a gift from his mother, but now she's questioning if, perhaps, it hadn't been from Lucifer. And then looking at Lucifer and seeing the bright red sash he's wearing, which takes a much different meaning when right next to Alastor…
Yes, she will undoubtedly assume they have a certain sort of relationship.
Alastor thinks, in wry amusement, that Lucifer will loath it when he realizes what he's inadvertently suggested.
And Alastor has no intention of pointing it out. If Lucifer is the one bothered by the thought of not being seen as still in love with Hecate, then he ought to be the one to realize his own words and deal with them.
Finally, Hestia takes a minute step back.
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding. I didn't mean to cause offense, and I apologize. I think it's best I not impose any longer, so I will be taking my leave. Good night."
She doesn't wait for a reply. With a small inclination of her head towards Lucifer, and a complex look towards Alastor, she turns and leaves.
"Well done, Hades!"
"Does that mean Persephone gets that blowjob now?"
"Are you kidding me? After that performance, Persephone should be the one giving him one!"
"Yeah! On your knees, Persephone!"
"If you don't want to blow him, can I?"
"…Perhaps the garden needs to be burned down."
*
Uh, what?
Lucifer, still focused on watching Sera leave, finds himself momentarily lost when Alastor seems to mention burning the place at random.
He glances at where Alastor is seated—and hates to acknowledge he barely has to look down—but Alastor simply shrugs at him.
"I inadvertently said my musings out loud. So! Quite theimpressive timing of your entrance, I'd say. Do give me pointers."
Before Lucifer can reply, Alastor makes a shooing motion and, when Lucifer moves back, stands up.
"Come along, this is a tad too close to the exit for further conversation."
He proceeds to walk without waiting for a reply and Lucifer, disconcerted, moves to follow.
"I didn't tell her about you!" he hastily blurts out, lest Alastor thinks this had been orchestrated by him.
"Oh my, been relegated to a dirty little secret now, have I?"
Lucifer nearly chokes on that implication. But Alastor probably did it by accident. "I mean that I don't talk to her at all! So this is…this isn't my doing."
"I know. I could tell."
"Oh, good," Lucifer says in relief. Then nearly runs into Alastor when he suddenly stops in the middle of another area.
"Which begs the question…" Alastor says, twirling around until he's fully facing Lucifer. "Of how you were able to enact such an excellent entrance." His eyes narrow. "You were following me."
"...Yes, I'm sorry, I was trying to catch up to—"
"Don't lie to me. Your appearance was too sudden, you were already there, but invisible."
Shit, Alastor is too sharp. "I…yes, okay. I wanted to come find you but without having to deal with anyone else, so I used the Helm of Darkness. Have you heard about it? Anyway, when I did catch up to you, Sera was already here…"
"Well, you've found me! What can I do for you, sire?"
"Oh come on now, you called me Lucifer when talking to Sera!"
"My apologies for the lapse, I will make sure to call you by the appropriate designation next time she—"
" There shouldn't be a next time ," Lucifer bristles, then realizes what Alastor has said. He groans, and grabs at the hem of Alastor's sleeve, tugging it childishly.
"Come now, you know that's not what I mean! I came here to apologize, alright? And offer my chariot again. Look, you did go overboard but I shouldn't have dismissed you. You've only ever helped me with the Underworld and your question was relevant to it. If anyone has a right to suggest anything for the Underworld, it's you. So can't we just go back to how it was and pretend that never happened?"
"I…" Alastor seems to want to say something, before his shoulders sag and he relents. "Fine, Lucifer ."
Happy that things seem to have been fixed, Lucifer belatedly notices he's still holding on to Alastor's sleeve and lets go.
"Ahem, it's a good thing I didn't wait to apologize and came here," he says to mask his embarrassment.
"Oh? You think I required rescuing ?"
…And now he's back on thin fucking ice. Great.
"It's not about you needing anything!" Lucifer is amending as quickly as he can. "But that you shouldn't have had to. She's only after you because of you dealing with me, so it's my responsibility to take care of it."
"Hmph. If that were so, she'd have come to you . It's clear her main worry was my precedence when it comes to deals."
"Even so. You didn't steal shit. You bargained fair and square and we made a deal. If she doesn't like you taking anything from me, then she has to come to me."
"Regardless of how just the exchange is, she is likely reticent on how I plan to use any of it."
"I don't care. It's still my business."
"It isn't."
"Well, too late," Lucifer says cheekily. "I made it mine, so now I have to go through with it."
"...As long as you don't act like I'm incapable."
"Have I ever?"
"Keep it that way."
Glad he's gotten the go ahead to keep meddling, Lucifer finally glances at their surroundings.
"Oh hey, there's a fountain."
"Your observational skills are astounding," Alastor says with snark, but actually moves towards it. "Hm, it seems there's an inscription here…"
Lucifer doesn't follow, using this chance to catch his breath. Since the moment Sera left, all he's done is basically react to Alastor and try to not to step his foot in things.
It's a good thing Alastor isn't pissed he interfered with Sera. He's too prideful, and will never admit he'd needed it.
Thinking back to his words to Sera, Lucifer's blood drains from his face.
He'd fucked up. In his anger and desire to protect Alastor, he hadn't thought of the implications.
"...Alastor?"
"A mere tale," Alastor says, done reading, before glancing back at Lucifer and frowning. "What is wrong with you?"
"I…I just realized I made a mistake."
"Just one?" Alastor retorts, coming closer again and grabbing Lucifer's chin with his hand. "Even your lips are pale."
But not even the feel of Alastor's hand can make him feel better. "I, ah, thinking back, I may have made it worse…"
"Oh?"
"Err, you recall—"
"The conversation happened mere five minutes ago, rest assured I am capable of recalling all of it."
"Right, so, the part where I said it doesn't matter if I'm rewarding you by…" He can't believe he actually said what he did.
"Oh yes, I certainly recall that. Is it on the table as a reward, incidentally?"
"You mean, half my domain?"
"The other option."
Lucifer stares owlishly up at him, head a jumble. Oh shit, this is happening. But right now? Fuck sure, right now, yeah no problem, yeah why the fuck not—
"Of course I mean the domain," Alastor says with a laugh, "My, the look of horror on your face is delightful! Ah, now the color is returning to your face."
…That's not horror, Lucifer thinks, but knows nothing good can come out of correcting him.
"Haha," he says woodenly. Okay, let's not think about wood. "Ahem, and of course half my kingdom is not on the table." Unless you want to give me a…
"Pity. So! You were saying?"
Oh, right, serious stuff. "If she was worried about how dangerous a reward I am handing to you, my saying all of that might just make her more suspicious."
"Ah, that. Indeed. Your defensiveness and evasiveness all but confirmed I am receiving something of note that you do not wish to make known."
Lucifer flinches.
"If the goal was to take her eyes off me," Alastor goes on, "then lying by telling her I am receiving something mild, such as finary, precious stones and such, would have been the correct course of action, and would have soothed her. Or that I'm not receiving anything at all. As it is, your reticence about it has all but confirmed her suspicions, and attempting to correct yourself now without proof won't work."
"I…yeah," He hangs his head in shame. "I know it doesn't matter, but my intentions were to help, I'm really sorry—"
"There's no reason to be."
Lucifer blinks in confusion and looks up at Alastor again. There's no hint of anger there. "Why not? I just made it worse."
"Because for that lie to work, I would have to become a demure weakling, who would never dare imagine any other rewards, much less use them. I refuse to live while cowed. Why shouldn't I lift my head up high, and acknowledge the rewards I justly deserve? Yes, your words did nothing to defuse the situation, but I would not have forgiven you if you had dared make me look pathetic ."
…Huh. Lucifer never thought he'd be grateful for Alastor's inflated ego, but here they are.
And Lucifer had also been worried he'd made his feelings a little too clear with the lines, and Alastor would take offense that he had sounded almost like they have something more going on…
But if Alastor isn't complaining, then he mustn't have noticed, so maybe Lucifer was about to panic for nothing.
He relaxes. Somehow, against all odds, he managed to make this whole thing a success.
Really, maybe he should be thanking that desperate schmuck for making him find Alastor before Sera did.
Speaking of which.
"So…you and that Pox fellow back then…"
"Pox? Ah, were you around for that? I suppose you must have. So! You witnessed that little debacle. I hope you aren't about to lecture me."
"Lecture you? Why would I do that? You were great!"
Clearly, Alastor had not been expecting a compliment, because he's visibly taken aback.
"Truly?"
"Sure!" It was hot as fuck . "It was impressive how you took over his voice. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were one of the Muses." Lucifer stops his praises, realizing something, and lowers his voice despite not sensing any presence near them. "Is that something you got from drinking…?"
"Hm, no, as a matter of fact. I've always had a penchant for music. I'm sure one can force a connection to Spring, if needs be. And even if my endeavors have increased my ability on that front…the earlier display would not necessarily be proof of it."
"Oh?"
"The Panes are rustic demoines, no matter how they attempt to dress themselves differently. Their domain being hunting, herding and grazing, and therefore linked to fertility and…the Season of Spring. That and Vox's current abilities were something my mother had, shall we say, a helping hand in, haha. So undermining those three is pathetically easy."
"Even so, that was really well done. You didn't just take him down, you made a fool out of him using his own ability."
Alastor is staring at his nails as if barely caring for what is being said, but Lucifer can see the way his ears twitch in delight at the slew of praise.
"Nothing at all, nothing at all! I am good at taking over and improving such things."
"Right. So, what crawled up the Box's ass, anyway? What happened between the two of you?"
And just like that, the air changes.
Alastor stiffens, and looks down at him, smile curdled again. His shadow, having immediately manifested, is behind him frantically making an X with its arms.
"I'm sure you, of all people, should understand the beauty of not asking about someone's past acquaintanceships?"
…Fuck.
Lucifer doesn't know if Alastor is just being a petty, vengeful bitch, or sincerely using that as a reason to rebuff the question. Either way, Lucifer walked right into that one; he can't fly into a rage on that same line of questioning in the morning, then ask the same sort of thing back to Alastor just later that night.
He wants to defend himself and say it's not the same, but he can hardly do so. And that makes it all the worse; is Dox to Alastor what Lilith is—or was—to Lucifer?
But he said past acquaintanceship . And he fired Tox. And he just humiliated and threatened him. Whatever they had, it's over on Alastor's end. Surely.
… Surely .
"Ah, yeah, you have a point," Lucifer mumbles, head still racing.
But even if they're over now, what if they did have something going on before? Having a tryst with your cupbearer or handmaiden is normal. That would mean Nox once did manage to…
"Ahem," Alasor coughs, mercifully forcing Lucifer out of his spiraling thoughts. "No harm done. Let bygones be bygones, chum! Now, what shall we do now?"
"Oh, uh, I'd rather not cause a stir by appearing, but you're going back in there, right? You still haven't done your networking."
"My what now? Is this another term you've coined?"
"Yup! You know, rub shoulders, socialize. You're working on building a net of connections so…networking!"
Alastor looks at him and lets out a long suffering sigh. "You're incorrigible. And no, as a matter of fact, I think it's best if I leave it as is. After such a grand entrance and flawless finale earlier, it would be quite a letdown if I were to simply walk back in."
"Oh, yeah, that tracks. Huh, still, I feel bad if we don't stay for Ozzie's guy. How long until he's up?"
"Hm, let's see," Alastor cocks his head, listening to something Lucifer can't. "The performances have begun already, at least. There won't be many, but it should still be a while."
"Oh, okay. Uh, we can hang around here until then?" Lucifer hopes he doesn't sound too desperate. "Uh, what about that singing flower trick from the last symposium?"
"Not a bad idea, there's hope for you yet!"
"Hey!"
But Alastor flicks his wrist and the flowers break into song.
A raunchy song.
Alastor's eye twitches before he does another, much more forceful gesture and the song turns into a lovely tune.
"Oh, hey this seems nice!"
Alastor still seems vexed. "This is a—" He looks at Lucifer, who is now offering him his hand and relents. "Oh, nevermind. I'll spare them this once."
Lucifer decides not to question that last part.
Alastor carefully rolls his sleeves up, and finally Lucifer pays attention to his attire. It's red. Always is. But the material is clearly of higher quality, the edges inlaid with intricate patterns on them. And he's wearing the belt Lucifer gave him.
"Why not go back to shorter sleeves now?" Lucifer asks.
Alastor shrugs. "I've always found longer sleeves more elegant. It's not something I was wearing solely for…well. Shall we?"
He places his hand over Lucifer's one, and—oh, this is so much better. The flowers make for a finer tune than the soulless Underworld servants and, more importantly, it feels like he and Alastor flow better now.
He'd been half worried his own feelings would make this more awkward; but if anything there's an ease now there hadn't been when they'd barely been acquaintances. Certainly, they hadn't exactly danced together since that one time, so it's not as if they were in sync. But now a mistake is met with a chuckle, and there's less hesitation to touch unless absolutely necessary. Which, just as well, since with only the two of them, any dance that requires linking arms means they adapt to link hands instead.
One song changes into another, then another; and Lucifer loses track of the time, and amount of songs; and maybe he's even lost track of the proper rhythm too, but Alastor isn't complaining, matching him or guiding or even letting himself be guided, always with a genuine smile on his face…
Lucifer could do this forever.
As if sensing that he dared enjoy himself, the song fades and nothing follows suit.
Confused, Lucifer stares up at Alastor, who seems to be half dazed before composing himself.
"Ah, it seems it's Ozzie's satyr's turn," he explains, and removes one hand from Lucifer's shoulder, taking a step back. "We should…"
He trails off, swallows, then turns to leave without waiting for a reply.
Alastor only manages one step before Lucifer moves, and grabs him by the wrist.
"No," Lucifer says softly, "wait."
And Alastor does, turning again towards him, but patiently saying nothing for once.
Lucifer swallows. "You said it yourself, going back down there will ruin your grand exit earlier. And the Helm can only make one God at a time invisible." Granted, if they tried they could figure out a way. But Lucifer doesn't want to try. "So let's just stay like this a bit more, okay?"
He tugs at the wrist, and Alastor doesn't fight it, allowing himself to be pulled closer again.
"One more song. To finish on a high note. How about it?" If Lucifer's voice wasn't so soft, the begging would be undisguised.
He doesn't know how Alastor will react—when does he ever?—but he assumes it's a toss up between scorn, contempt at worst, or wry indulgence at best.
Instead, Alastor pats the hand holding his wrist, but doesn't try to remove it.
"I think that would be preferable," he admits quietly. "Choose the song, Lucifer."
"Something slow." To ease his heartbeat back to a regular rhythm. But maybe as long as he's dancing with Alastor, that won't happen.
The flowers start back up with a serene tune.
Wordlessly, Lucifer slides his hand from Alastor's wrist to interlock their fingers. His other hand extends palm up, and this time Alastor doesn't hesitate to give him his.
Wordlessly they move to the tranquil tune.
And oh, he loves this…
Ah.
With a sinking feeling, Lucifer looks down at their feet, pretending to be concentrating on the steps, when in truth he just wants to avoid eye contact.
He's not so sure what he loves is the dancing.
Notes:You were all expecting Alastor to fuck up and say a lie to Sera that'd hurt Lucifer huh? Nope, somehow, they managed to make it out okay. Is the ride over? Of course not…
—Quite a few ancient Greek dances involved linking arms or hands and going around in circles.
—As fun as the gimmick for the flowers is, it is hell on AO3 since it requires using the small html on each line
—Fun fact: I nearly commissioned the scene of them dancing in this chapter, but then changed my mind and commissioned another scene, which is coming up soon…