If The Price is Right Who: Azrael, Lucie & introducing Pierce Japhrimel Where: Jolt!Coffee When: Thursday afternoon
If Tierce's girlfriend, Sin, were to walk into Jolt!Coffee that afternoon, she'd be pleasantly surprised to find him there. Although upon further inspection, she'd come to realize that young man with neon red hair and the same golden eyes as Tierce was not in fact, Tierce at all. Pierce Japhrimel did not sport the same piercings and dark makeup as his twin brother wore. Not to mention, the two siblings fashion styles completely clashed; Where Tierce wore dark clothes with wacky graphics on them, Pierce wore simple t-shirts, jeans, and work boots. Something else that was different between the two brothers; Tierce's expression would never hold the wondering gleam of what would a person taste like. Pierce's golden eyes slid back and forth as he observed the humans passing to and fro, amusement on his face as he sipped idly at his coffee.
Lucie had taken a break from paperwork to come topside to mingle among the mortals and maybe collect a few souls if the opportunity presented itself. She sat at a corner table in a Chanel business suit and matching sleek black stiletto pumps, sipping a French vanilla latte.
Azrael, one of the Fallen and Lucifer's second-in-command, strode up to the coffeeshop dressed in a suit and tan overcoat. He looked a little haggard, but that was the body he was possessing. The joke was, the accountant was actually a devout Catholic, although the joke was more for Lucie's benefit than anyone else. Azrael could care less who he rode topside. Without an introduction, the fallen angel sat across from Pierce. "You wanted a meeting?"
The dragon boy's attention snapped to the demon's like a cat's. Pierce's amusement died, his head tilting a bit, golden eyes narrowing. "Yes, I wanted a meeting. With your master, not an underling."
Lucie was sitting a few tables away watching them. There weren't many deal proposals that came her way and Azrael was always made to check them out first, before Lucie even came topside. This one had approached them a week ago, and had caught her interest, which was why she was here, well that and she didn't want Azrael coming home injured or worse.
The fallen angel smiled a rare smile, and scooted his chair closer to the table, leaning across it. His expression was completely devoid of emotion along with his gaze as he simply stated, "You meet with me first or you don't see Lucifer at all."
Pierce sat in his chair, silently seething at this... thing's insolence. Smoke could barely be discerned, streaming from his nostrils--the only sign of his anger--but it was quickly gone as the dragon quickly drew in a calming breath through his nose. Exhaling, Pierce nodded once, "Very well. Our proposal is this: We require your assistance in ridding the world of it's humanity in order to make way for the return of the Old Ones."
Oh yeah Lucie was still fully intrigued by this. She continued to sit and sip her latte though,not wanting to approach them yet.
"How can we be of assistance?" Azrael asked, glancing, deadpan to Lucie before focusing on Pierce again.
The dragon finished off his coffee, pushing the mug aside and leaning back in the chair. Golden eyes stared across the table at Azrael, "The Tree of Knowledge. It imprisons many of the Old Ones." The dragon's lips curved into a smile, "We wish to burn the Tree and release them. However... as I'm sure you know, the way to the Tree is block by four Seals."
Azrael merely stared back a moment at Pierce before getting up and moving to Lucie. The fallen angel stopped behind her, touching her shoulder and then bent to murmur in her ear, "He wants to release the Four."
"Risky.." She smirked.
"It's too risky. We risk the chance of Him knowing, not to mention the... locals." Azrael was, of course, refering to the Slayers.
"We should at least hear him out." She didn't care about the slayers of daddy for that matter.
Pierce had gone back to observing the humans coming and going in front of the coffeeshop.
Lucie sat watching him, as the music in the shop changed over to, Let's see how far we've come by Matchbox Twenty. Lucie smiled as she heard it, it was somewhat fitting for this little meeting. "Bring him over." She told Azrael.
Azrael straightened, catching Pierce's attention and crooked a finger. The fallen stepped aside as the dragon sat across from Lucie.
Lucie looked him over slowly for a moment, before speaking. "So you want to make a deal?"
The dragon looked at Lucie a beat before grinning, chuckling, and wagged a finger, "You cannot make a deal with me in the same sense as you would a mere mortal, Fallen. I have no soul for you to take." Pierce dropped his chin in his hand, looking almost completely innocent in his expression, "I am merely asking for your assistance."
"So the question is what's in it for me?" Lucie asked treating him as though he was one of the mortals.
"An influx of souls that you could never acquire at your current rate and... a chance to, as they say, stick it to The Man. Of course," Pierce made a gesture, "This is whether or not the Four are released." The dragon absently drew a design across the table, "The Tree of Knowledge is the end point. The starting point is, obviously, the first seal. The Guardian holds it."
Lucie arched an eyebrow at him. "So you want me to help you break into the Garden for the Tree?" This on anyone else's part was a suicide mission. Very few ever laid eyes on that tree.
Pierce grinned, "Yes," He spoke her full name, "I want you to help me break into the garden for the Tree." The dragon sat back in his chair, "Unfortunately, my family's strength is not what it once was. Your help is necessary."
Lucie turned and looked at Azrael to see what he thought about the idea.
Azrael merely shrugged. He'd already voiced his concerns, the decision ultimately was with her.
"And how do I know you're not going to try and do something stupid, like double cross me?" She asked Pierce.
Pierce grew serious, "You have not come across many dragons, have you, my dear." The dragon leaned forward a bit, "My Word is said with truth and honor. If I go back on it, I am exiled from my family. I refuse to live with this... filth." He gestured to the humans around them.
"Not many no, but then again kind of busy what with running Hell and all." She answered and just nodded about his distaste for humans. "They're so much fun to toy with though." She smiled.
Pierce just shrugged, "I'd rather just eat them."
"I'll think about your little proposal and get back to you."
The dragon smiled, "Excellent." He produced a card with a number on it, "You can reach me at this number, any time."
Lucie nodded and smiled taking the card from him.
Azrael moved to sit next to Lucie, watching the man with neon red hair leave and stroll down the sidewalk. His voice was calm, his words were not, "I don't like this." The fallen angel then looked his master, "This will skew the balance."
Lucie looked at him. "And I should care about this because?" She liked playing with the balance every now and then.
"Maintaining the balance keeps undue attention away from us." Azrael sighed, placing his hand over hers, "L... skewing the balance in our favor would give us unwanted attention." The fallen angel glanced upward, "Not necessarily from Him, but from other, far more annoying unwanted attention."
She sighed. "I'm still considering his offer." She took a sip of her coffee and took a good look around the coffee shop.
Azrael sat back in his chair, pulling his hand away from hers. He watched her in silence a moment before finally saying, "Very well." He paused before asking, "Your orders?"
"Find one of your former friends and find out how guarded the tree is."
"As you wish." Azrael stood and left the coffeeshop.
Lucie stayed and finished her coffee, then left the shop.