IC CONTACT POST

[uberboned]

[A woman's voice comes over the line.]

You've reached the Trickster's voicemail. Unfortunately, Mr. Trickster isn't available to take your call, nor will he likely ever be. Should you still wish to leave a message, please respond after the tone, and maybe we'll remember to get it to him, mmkay?

[Beep]

[[OOC: This is an IC voicemail post for all verses games. Please put the name of the verse/game you want in the subject heading.]]

Comments

[painhumbles.livejournal.com]

[Gabriel marches closer to his brother, sword out. He'd never give this freely, but he knows Lucifer has more proficient ways to harm him without it. However, it's not going willingly.] I'm not giving you this, 'cause I think you need it. I'm giving it to you so maybe, just maybe the next time you get a stupid idea like that in your head, you'll go stab something in the Darkness like a sane person. Okay?

[thelightbringer]

I knew what I was doing! [This is what kills him, what really hurts. It had been the easiest thing in the world, to shred reality like crepe paper.] And so did he. You think I wanted this to happen?

[The same half-snarled litany he threw at Chuck just a few hours earlier.]

[painhumbles.livejournal.com]

I don't care. You were both morons. There are things here you don't mess with. Things he ought to know better about screwing with. There's rules here. [He turns the sword so that the hilt is facing Lucifer, offering it to him.] I'm not much for rules, Lucifer, but I've broken enough of 'em here to know that it can get ugly. [He's worried. Desperately so. He's lost so much already, he just can't lose his brothers.]

[thelightbringer]

[Lucifer takes the sword, and it vanishes, hidden away for use. Let it never be said that Lucifer doesn't learn: he will never point a blade at Gabriel again.

He frowns at him, but doesn't leave.]

What rules, Gabriel? Stay here and don't rattle the bars? Don't look for an exit? I know those rules, I've lived with them before.

[painhumbles.livejournal.com]

There's an exit. There's gotta be- too many people leave for there not to be. But you won't get anywhere by killing us all or yourself. You're good at patience, Lucifer. I know you are. [He shrugs bitterly and tries to start moving away] If you want out so bad. You'll find it... One way or another.

[thelightbringer]

That's not good enough. I was patient for--

[For too long. It's exhausting. It's terrifying.]

I wasn't even trying to escape, Gabriel. I'm not...ready to leave yet.

[painhumbles.livejournal.com]

[And Gabriel looks suddenly sympathetic. He knows what this place does to people. They always end up wanting to stay.]

Then what?

[thelightbringer]

Michael.

[Surely Gabriel gets it, surely he of all people knows what that one name means.]

Aslan and I were trying to get a message home--to let him know I want to stop the fight. That we could even have peace, if he wanted.

[And he almost lost everything because of it. Aslan is dead because of him...because they both believed they could stop fate. Lucifer has no allies now, no one he can count on without a doubt. Not even Michael.]

You're the only one who knows now, Gabriel.

[painhumbles.livejournal.com]

[Stubborn bastard... Not that Gabriel can talk.] Everyone thinks you're a monster. I was the only one who knew that there had to be more to it. Did you and Aslan ever think for a second that so much could've been prevented if you'd both said something?

[That said, he grabs Lucifer's arm in a consoling gesture] You tried. More than that, bro? You want that. No one has any right to think less of you for that. And for what it's worth... I kinda admire you for having the balls to try. [He pats his brother's shoulder.] It was still stupid though.

[thelightbringer]

Everyone thought I was a monster years ago, Gabriel, you're behind the times.

[But there's no emotion or inflection now, either. The week, the fight with Chuck...dare it be said, Lucifer is down and out and feeling every bit like the kicked puppy he appears to be.]

If I went home today, Michael would try to kill me. Trying wasn't good enough.

[painhumbles.livejournal.com]

The point is you're trying to be better. In your own twisted little way, you're trying. And right here, right now? Michael's not gonna kill you. Like it or not, bro. This may be the most freedom we get for a long time.

[thelightbringer]

I know. That night the three of us went out, I really did think we had a chance. If I can't persuade him, Gabriel--

[For an exquisitely rare moment, Lucifer is simply Lucifer, without anything but his own vulnerability and the barest flicker of hope that Aslan helped rekindle.

He thinks of Chuck and it snuffs out like an ember in a jar, leaving him cold and distant and hateful.

His last tie to home, his only barometer for whether or not he'll be able to save his own life and his brother's, doesn't believe in him. Hates him, in fact, and wants him to fail.]

...I should go. Your w-- girl is waiting for you anyway.

[checkoutpandora.livejournal.com]

Lucy. [Gabriel's voice softens.] Aslan's gonna come back, Chuck'll get his out of his ass. It's gonna be fine. Don't give up yet. [He lingers for a moment and squeezes his brothers arm.] Seriously. Don't. Or I'll be pissed.

[thelightbringer]

[Lucifer stays there, welcoming the contact--something he doesn't do often--and he threads his fingers through Gabriel's hair.]

I don't really care what Chuck does, but if it somehow gets him killed, I hope it's slow and that he dies screaming. If not for Michael, I would have fed him through a meat grinder and handed him out to the city's stray dogs. That's where he stands with me.

...But if you can't seem to write me off yet, who am I to shake off you or Michael...? [A whisper of a smile. You win this round, Gabriel.]