WHO: Lucifer and Ella WHAT: A random meeting WHEN: Recently WHERE: The park WARNINGS: Nah STATUS: Closed/Completed Gdoc
Ella was so glad that it was starting to warm up in Madison Valley. There was quite a bit of rain and overcast days, but at least it wasn't cold. It meant she and Maximilian spent a great deal of time at the Park or walking around town. She always enjoyed the exercise as well as the time with her son. She didn't want him to grow up being so used to being inside in front of a screen of some sort. There wasn't anything wrong with technology, of course, but she felt that sometimes the beauty of their surroundings was often times taken for granted.
Today, they were settled in the park. She'd found a grassy area and spread out a quilt she'd finished just after the new year. Once that was set, Ella took Max out of his stroller and settled him on her lap with his diaper bag right next to her. There were quite a few toys in there but he was still a little sleepy so she began to read to him. The book was one of her favorites, telling stories of the Greek Gods and Goddesses. She did her best to not be too loud so that she wouldn't distract other people around her.
***
Lucifer was bored again. Yes, yes, the orgy had been a great deal of fun, and he’d enjoyed naked prom, but these were special events. On a day to day basis, Madison Valley was a boring little self-righteous town with way too many ‘good’ people for it to be fun. He missed LA, which was none of those things. So for some reason today, he’d decided to go for a walk outside. He wasn’t a ‘nature’ sort of person - being so close to Dad’s creation made him feel a bit nauseous. He wasn’t a tree hugger, although he supposed keeping humans breathing was an important enough job that he approved of greenery existing.
As he was walking, he came across a mother and baby reading in the park. He was not a fan of children, not even a little, and the mothers could be nearly as bad at times. Especially with one that small. The Detective, at least, had an offspring that could manage not to kill herself alone for short periods of time, which was definitely an advantage. From the look of it, this one had not reached that age yet.
He was about to slip away when he heard what they were reading about, and raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t good at minding his own business, so he approached them with a smile on his face.
“Brilliant. You’re one of the first mothers I’ve seen reading her offspring stories of oversexed, jealous, and fickle gods. I absolutely approve.”
***
Ella hadn't noticed her surroundings, truth be told. She was sure there would be a litany of people who would be concerned about that if they were to realize it. The sound of a man's voice startled her just a touch, since it was not anyone she was familiar with. He was smiling at least, though it didn't quite fit in with the words he was saying. He made the stories sound offensive and that caused her to frown.
"I think it is important to share other cultures with my son," she replied, somewhat hesitant. Ella didn't like to be confrontational, or to tell someone that they were wrong, but she certainly did not agree with him on his stance. His comment also made her feel as though she wasn't being a good mother, that she was doing something wrong.
"They are complicated," she admitted, "but I do not think they are simply their negative attributes. There is more to a person, and the Greek Gods and Goddesses."
*** Lucifer had been sincere when he said he thought what she was doing was brilliant. Children needed to learn how fickle and terrible gods could be. His Father was certainly no exception to that rule. He certainly hadn’t meant to offend her at all, but humans were strange in what offended them and what didn’t. He would never understand them, and he wasn’t sure that he wanted to.
“I meant what I said,” he said. “I wasn’t being sarcastic.” Of course, what did he know about raising children? Nothing. And he was eternally grateful for that. Children were horrible, slimy, unpredictable little creatures.
“Is there?” He was curious to hear why she thought that way. He had never found much positive to say about them.
“Do tell.”
***
Ella felt maybe she had misjudged him based simply on his word choice, which was quite shameful on her part. "I am sorry, my lord," she apologized as she inclined her head to show respect. She wasn't quite able to curtsey given she was already sitting and her son was on her lap. "I did not mean to imply that you were being sarcastic." She simply hadn't thought his point of view was particularly correct and maybe that was her fault for making assumptions.
She gestured to indicate he could sit down on their blanket if he wished as she tried to formulate how she wanted to respond to his question. "I think it is important to always look for the best in people," Ella explained. "My parents always taught me that there is such a value in being kind and offering that kindness without expectation of anything else in return. The Greek Gods and Goddesses are a complicated group. I do not deny that. I simply would rather focus on what they stand for. Athena is known for her wisdom, her courage, and the balance of law and order. Poseidon is the God of the sea, which brings life to so many and provides a balance to the land."
Maximillian fussed a bit and Ella repositioned him in her arms so he could settle more comfortably. "I want my son to know the positives first so that he has that knowledge. He will learn the full story eventually, I am certain of that. He just does not need to know that full story now, at least I do not think so."
***
As far as he knew, he might have sounded sarcastic. He often did. There was some of that built into his natural tone and way of speaking. He had a lot of scorn and annoyance at a lot of things, and sometimes that came out even when he didn’t mean for it to.
“Ah,” he said thoughtfully. “Teaching him only the good can be dangerous, though,” he said. “Do you want him ignorant of the dangers in life? Do you want him to grow up believing that so many things are good and pure? Don’t you think that you are setting him up for a terrible disappointment when he realizes that the world around him isn’t the haven you’ve made it out to be, but a cesspool of decadence and depravity?”
That, of course, didn’t bother Lucifer in the least, but he had a feeling it would bother her. She seemed so innocent that he almost didn’t know how to deal with it. He hadn’t seen anyone like her in a very, very long time.
***
Ella thought perhaps he understood where she was coming from, and his concerns were not unlike those she had heard before. She had a certain way of doing things that she knew felt outdated or odd to others. It wasn't necessary to defend her choices to anyone, but she didn't think she was doing anything wrong.
"He will not be ignorant," she replied earnestly. "I simply wish for him to grow up in the same way that I have, to be able to recognize the beauty and wonder in the people and places he will experience." Ella frowned deeply when he said that the world was nothing more than a cesspool of depravity. It made her worry about the sort of upbringing this man had, to be so deeply negative.
"Do you truly believe the world is not wonderful?" she asked, hurting for him if that was the case.
***
The whole purpose of Lucifer’s existence was that the world wasn’t wonderful. It was his job to punish those who had made it terrible, and so that was the side of it that he saw most often.
“The world is what it is,” he shrugged. “It is my father’s creation.”
He said that with a bit of disgust at that. He was so tired at hearing people going on and on about his father’s blessing, and the beauty in his father’s world. It was repulsive when you knew the guy, as Lucifer did all too well.
***
Ella didn’t understand just how true his statement was. Instead, she thought it was more along the lines of his father simply providing the world view he currently prescribed to. She couldn’t fathom thinking the world was as he said it. Yes, there were many injustices and painful things happening, but there was beauty and kindness as well. Ella wanted her son to be able to live in a world with hope. Surely there wasn’t anything wrong with that.
“My father always encouraged me to find my own happiness,” Ella replied, and she did so in such a way that she wasn’t disrespectful of this man’s father and his teachings. “I wish for my son to see more than just the worst of the world around him. That is no way for anyone to truly be happy.” She felt for the man before her, because if he could not see the forest for the trees, he must be very lonely indeed.
***
Lucifer couldn’t help but sneer a little.
“Your father sounds much better than mine. My dad kicked me out when I happened to disagree with him. Haven’t talked to him since.”
Well, not directly, anyway, although he couldn’t help but feel like he was still part of Dad’s plan, and he hated every second of that.
“So what’s it like, growing up with a dad who actually likes you?”
***
Ella’s heart broke when he told her that his father had kicked him out of their home because of a disagreement. She’d been in Madison long enough that she knew not everyone had such loving and involved parents, although she’d known that from Lady Tremaine as well. It didn’t make it any less painful to hear.
“I am truly sorry your father could not see past your disagreement,” Ella replied sincerely. “I know that I was very fortunate to have such loving and supportive parents. They raised me well and I strive to live my life the way that would make them most proud.” She glanced down at her son as she admitted, “My mother died when I was very young, and my father passed only a few months before I first arrived in Madison Valley.” It had made adjusting quite difficult, but she’d adapted and made a great deal of friends.
“My husband arrived not too long after I did and our son was born just this past September. With my husband returned to our home, I can only do my best to ensure Maximilian has proper role models.” Ella felt so supported and loved by the Pack, by Captain Rogers’ family and friends, and by those who checked in on her frequently. She was blessed and she hoped that there were many others who also felt blessed.
***
Lucifer felt quite the opposite of ‘blessed.’ And he was nearly certain that was what his father had intended him to feel. He’d dared to speak his mind and have his own opinions and...well. It was clear how that had gone.
“Well, you just can’t seem to keep people around, can you?” It truly wasn’t meant to be cruel, but Lucifer often didn’t consider the feelings of others when he spoke. It was selfishness, not evil, but it didn’t make it any kinder.
“Doesn’t seem to matter, though, with that Pollyanna attitude.” People liked that sort of thing. There was even something about it that Lucifer liked, even if he wouldn’t readily admit it.
***
His words had been so unexpected and hurt her so terribly that she audibly gasped from the shock of it. How cruel! Ella was so surprised by it because she hasn’t thought it warranted. Nor had she thought it true but maybe it was. Maybe she was the reason that the people she loved most were gone. As she looked down at her son, Ella knew that he would not come back to her world with her. She hadn’t been expecting after the wedding. Maybe they would have a boy, and they would name him Maximilian, but her son here and her potential future son there were different people. They would have different influences in their lives, different settings in which to mature.
It was heartbreaking. Tears gathered in her eyes as Maximilian began to fuss. “I-“ her voice cracked, the emotions he’d stirred so very apparent. Ella did her best to calm herself by taking deep breaths. “I believe my son and I should return home,” she managed.
“I am sorry to have taken up so much of your time.” Never mind that he had engaged her in this conversation. It was abundantly clear that Ella was upset, but she did her best to at least not cry until she was safely home. She shouldn’t have been out without one of the Pack or Jesse.
***
Dammit. Seriously, dammit. He hadn’t meant for that to happen, not even a little. Crying women made him so uncomfortable, even when it was very clearly his fault. He should have watched what he was saying, but that wasn’t really the way that he operated.
He was going to have to apologize, wasn’t he? Gah.
“Hey,” he said, looking incredibly uncomfortable and a little vulnerable. This wasn’t something he did every day.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I shouldn’t have said that.”
***
She focused on her son as she got him situated in his stroller. It allowed her some time to get herself a bit more steady, though it wasn’t an easy feat because Maximilian was feeding off her emotions and was quite fussy. It had also allowed him to consider the ramifications of his words and Ella looked up at him when he called for her attention to apologize.
“No, you shouldn’t have,” Ella agreed gently. An apology agent a very long way with her and she managed a small smile. “Thank you for apologizing.” She couldn’t say that she forgave him instantly, but she did appreciate that he had realized he’d said something awful.
She sniffled and wiped her eyes, not very subtly at all. “You could very well be correct,” Ella added, saddened and disappointed by that fact. “I have lost a great many people whom I love.”
***
“I’m not a very optimistic person,” he said. And that was entirely true. He looked for the negative in people - it was kind of his whole purpose for existing. “But I’m sure it’s not true in your case.”
It wasn’t true in his case, either. He’d been put upon his whole existence and had come out the other side stronger. She no doubt would too, since she seemed sickeningly strong already.
“You have no idea who I am, do you?”
***
Ella was not surprised to hear him say that he wasn't a very optimistic person, but she supposed that was the difference between them and how they approached things. She continued to gather up her things when he asked if she knew who he was.
She shook her head. "I do not," she replied, "nor did I introduce myself." Ella curtseyed properly. "My name is Ella, my lord." She didn't quite think he deserved that kind of respect, but she didn't have it in her to not address him somehow. She couldn't be that rude to him, no matter how mean he'd been to her.
***
Well, Lucifer thought he deserved it, even if he didn’t demand it. He was an Angel, after all, and a bloody old one. But he didn’t comment on it. Instead, he simply nodded and bowed slightly, half sarcastically.
“Lucifer Morningstar,” he said. “At your service.” And in case that wasn’t enough. “I suppose you’ve heard of the Devil himself?”
***
Ella instantly squared her shoulders and lowered her gaze at his name. She knew the stories, knew that Lucifer was the Devil now but had not always been. One of the main reasons why she didn’t understand the story fully was because God preached forgiveness and her could not forgive his son. Ella would forgive Maximilian the world and she couldn’t imagine it being any other way.
“I apologize, my lord,” Ella said more sincerely this time and curtseyed again. “I have indeed heard of you, though I did not recognize you.” That was hardly an excuse. “I did not mean to offend you, my lord.”
***
“Well, without the horns and tail, it can be hard, I know.” He had his wings (against his will, but nonetheless), but he didn’t think it was wise to show them to her just yet. That little glimpse of divinity could drive some humans to madness.
“I wasn’t always the Devil, you know,” he said, inspecting his nails with annoyance. “And I didn’t introduce myself for an apology. Why do humans apologize so much? It’s inane.”
He shook his head.
“But perhaps it will...excuse my behavior a bit.”
Because he still felt bad about making her cry.
***
“It is the right thing to do when one is in the wrong,” Ella replied, cautious now. She kept her gaze lowered, since she was certainly not of a station to look upon an Angel, even a Fallen.
“I understand your position better now, my lord,” she admitted. “I am not particularly religious, but I am familiar with the legends. It never quite appealed to me because your Father could never understand your point of view.” And instead of trying to show his son the truth of things, he banished him.
“You must be quite miserable here, my lord,” she realized mournfully. And she’d only made it worse. Ella wished to apologize again but she didn’t think it would be well received.
***
Well, damn. This hadn’t been what he was going for, and it was actually more than a little annoying. He frowned, and looked at Ella unhappily.
“Oh, do stop it,” he said, rolling his eyes. “I’m not my father. I don’t demand bowing and scraping and all that nonsense.”
He was surprised by her words, though. People didn’t usually take his side, especially ones who were so obviously good, like Ella.
“I’m not unhappy, actually. It’s quite nice to know my father isn’t manipulating me here.”
***
It took a long few moments and a great deal of courage to lift her gaze to meet his. She still didn’t think she was worthy of it, but if he said she could, that was what she’d do. Ella managed a small smile and finished collecting her things.
“I am glad that you are not unhappy here,” she replied, cognizant of the fact that not being unhappy didn’t automatically mean someone was happy. Perhaps not being unhappy was enough for him, but she wished for his happiness as she did for all others she came across.
“I hope we have not taken happiness from you, my lord.” She didn’t want to do that for anyone.
***
Lucifer waved his hand a bit in frustration. He almost wished he hadn’t told her at all if she was going to do this. He didn’t want this. He didn’t want to be treated like an angel. If he did, he’d be flashing his wings everywhere and hanging out more with his annoying siblings who were already here.
“Don’t call me Lord,” he said, finally. “I’m not the Lord of anything.” He’d been the Lord of Hell once but he was hardly proud of that and it wasn’t something that bore remembering.
“I’m retired.”
***
Ella felt a bit like maybe she wouldn't be able to salvage the interaction, because they just weren't on the same page. She wasn't sure if maybe they were just in different books today. "Madison Valley is a good place to be retired," she replied, careful not to call him 'my Lord' or to say that she hoped he was happier here.
With all of her things packed up, and her son starting the very first stages of wailing, she knew that it was time for them to go. "I should get my son home. Thank you for an interesting conversation." Ella felt it was important to at least thank him for that, even if they didn't quite get along very well.