WHO: Charity & Lucifer WHEN: Thursday afternoon WHERE: Charity's apartment, East Harlem WHAT: Another episode of Weirdest Friends Ever. WARNINGS: tba: it's Lucifer.
Since coming to New York City, Charity had made her home in East Harlem. It was the high poverty rate and drug problems among the community that had made her decide to settle there, because where else could she possibly be needed more? There seemed little point for Charity to join a community that didn't need her help. And she loved it there. She loved how alive and wonderful it all was, even when it seemed like there was so much suffering, and Charity had become well known in the community. She attended the Church of the Holy Rosary on Sundays and joined in with their events, she helped out at one of the local high schools, she listened to the outdoor music concerts in the park, lent a hand to the fundraisers going on, and was - in general - a busy and happy little Virtue.
Her own apartment was rather bare, which could hardly be helped when one had the tendency to never buy anything for themselves. But there were things there that spoke to the apartment being well lived in. Charity, although she never bought frivolous things, encouraged the spirit of generosity in all those around her and from that she tended to benefit. Thus her apartment was colorful and warm, locals coming in and telling her that she should have this blanket or that wall hanging. It was an eclectic mix that some might say clashed and looked a mess, but to Charity spoke of deep affection and humanity. She would have it no other way.
From her first-floor balcony, Charity watched the late afternoon people pass by as she repotted a spider plant (another gift) into a larger container. It was from there, her hands covered in dirt (a smudge of it across her cheek) that Charity saw Lucifer on the street below and smiled brightly to him. "Hello," she called down. "Were you coming to visit me?"
Lucifer like the neighborhood for different reasons. It's desperation. it's crime. The mortals willingness to do so much to get out, but never get anywhere. The never ending circles of despair.
It was like Hell, only better.
When he spotted Charity, he walked to where she was, smiling as she noticed him. "Sure." It hadn't been his plan, but he adjusted. And now he knew where he lived. He glanced around and with the scent of brimstone he appeared on the balcony. What was power if not to make things easier? "Hello Love."
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 08:34 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Charity coughed at the smell of the brimstone and couldn't help but bristle at the power of Hell in it. Then she gave him a gently chiding look. "You have to be careful," she told him, hands still working on the plant. "Anyone could have seen that."
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 08:39 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He looked down before taking a seat on the edge of her balcony, "probably." Then he chuckled "what will they say Love? I saw the devil? He appeared there, I do so swear?" He took out a cigarette and lit it, "people don't buy that anymore. And those that do, they have words for those people now."
"The greatest trick we ever pulled was telling them all I wasn't real."
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 08:58 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "La plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu'il n'existe pas," Charity quoted with a knowing smile. "Charles Baudelaire."
"If I asked you not to smoke that in my home I suppose you'd just laugh and blow it in my face, yes?" Charity asked, looking with a frown at the cigarette he'd just lit.
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 09:03 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Grinning he nodded, "I liked him. He was fun." He gave her a look and then sighed, "only because you're asking so nicely." He put the cigarette out and set the half lit one back in the pack "Why does everyone always assume I'm not civil. I saw Mikey the other day and I was perfectly civil with him."
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 09:07 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Perhaps you've somehow gained a reputation," Charity teased gently, brushing her hands together to get rid of the dirt and then stepped inside the apartment. "Come in, please, would you like a drink?"
She walked over to the sink, the apartment small and open, meaning she could still see him as she washed her hands.
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 09:13 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He set his hand over his lips in fake shock, "Heaven's no! How would I have gained that?" When she moved inside he followed her, "something strong. Tell me you'll let me drink Love." He set his hands in his pockets as he wandered around the place, picking up a few things here and there. "You don't do interior design do you."
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 09:17 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Once Charity had dried her hands she crouched down and pulled a bottle of scotch, barely touched, from under the sink. "I hope this will suit you?" she told him, holding it up in question. She picked up a glass and brought both over to him. "I bought it for guests."
She smiled at his comment on the decor and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Not even a little. This is the work of my kind neighbours. I could live happily in an empty room if need be."
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 09:31 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "It'll do," he took the glass and bottle, pouring himself one. "Cheers." He indulged in every bit of vice and sin he could. It was just who he was now.
"They have no taste, tell them I said that. Hell tell them the devil said it." He shook his head before he removed his coat and sat down like he owned the place. "How are you then pet?"
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 09:35 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "I probably won't tell them that," Charity said with a gentle shake of her head and a beneficent smile. She would leave the bottle of alcohol for Lucifer to drink by himself, as Charity didn't indulge in any sort of sins being who she was. Not that she considered drinking a sin in of itself, but she didn't see the point unless it was in the context of a social situation.
"Would you actually like to hear my honest answer?" Charity asked him curiously.
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 09:39 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He scoffed, "that's no fun. You're far too nice." Despite how odd it was to say that to a Virtue, he still said it. He didn't get the Virtues anymore. He sipped from the scotch before raising an eyebrow at her.
"Oh dear, please. Be honest."
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 09:45 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Charity looked at him for a long moment and then said, "one of the young parishioners I've been looking after was killed today. It's upset me greatly." She didn't know why she was telling Lucifer that, because all he would do was find it all amusing. But he had asked her to be honest as Charity always was. So she merely watched him and waited for his retort.
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 09:58 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He blinked to that and leaned back into the chair. "Oh. Well. Mortals die Charity." It was a kinder thing then he would usually say. "it happens. Times up when times up dear."
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 10:02 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select She found herself surprised by the gentle answer and gave him a small smile, reaching out to place her hand on his. "Unexpected kind words," she said gratefully, and then added with a little amusement: "don't worry. I won't tell anyone."
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 10:06 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He withdrew his hand and waved it, "please don't. Killing Virtues is a messy affair." He didn't see why she would be sad over one mortals death, but he'd never had much fondness for them anyway. "change of topic, shall we?"
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 10:11 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Tell me how you've been," Charity smiled with a nod, agreeing to the topic change. "Although leave out any parts that involve bloodshed if you would?"
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 10:17 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He scoffed to that before smiling, "busy. That's all I can say then. Terribly busy. Theres whispers and stirrings." He frowned, "something is happening."
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-25 10:20 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Charity frowned then as well, a little concerned. She leaned in towards him as though to keep their voices from anyone else in the room although they were alone. "Something?" she asked quietly.
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-25 10:23 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select "Not that," smiling he patted her hand, "no Love. Not that. Not yet I believe. Something though. Perhaps this mud ball is just as tired of it's infestation as I am. Who knows?"
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[info]endureth_all 2011-08-27 05:57 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select Charity couldn't say that hearing it wasn't The End wasn't a bit of a relief. Her place was with humanity and once it was all over, Charity wasn't sure she would have a place in the Kingdom among them all. Her work was here. "Who knows indeed," Charity said, still a little distracted by thoughts of Armageddon. "I suspect this world still has longer to last than we expect."
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[info]dawnstar 2011-08-27 06:09 am UTC (link) DeleteFreezeScreenTrack This Select He shrugged. To be honest he didn't much care, save for his belief that in the end, he would be able to go home. And he'd get to tell all his brothers he had been right too. "There's only a few who know that answer Love. And they don't talk back."