Chapter Text
~Lucifer Morningstar~
Lucifer sat in his newly acquired night club, deep in thought as he nursed a glass of 50 years old Tomatin Scotch. It wasn't the most expensive choice among his liquors. Not even close, actually. But the smoky aroma and the pleasant warmth it left, along with the silky smooth taste, elevated it to the upper echelon among his choices. He was thinking as he was prone to do when nothing he deemed interesting was distracting him. There were some days still until the club he recently procured would open and even then, it's name wasn't yet well enough known to draw an extensive crowd. Something he would have to rectify as quickly as devilishly possible. But for now, he was content to let his mind wander on matters of existential importance. His barkeeper, the ever loyal demon named Mazikeen who was forged in the infernal flames of Hell, rolled her eyes at him.
"Can't you brood somewhere else? I agreed to play your barkeep in this... game of yours, mostly because it'll be fun to throw drunk people, normies and outcasts alike, through closed doors, windows, and roofs. And maybe to get laid a couple of times. But you make it a real challenge to get in the mood for violence or sex when you mope around."
As always, she failed to understand the grand mind snugly encased in perfection. It was fine. He didn't hold it against her. How could he? Her own mental capacities were rather more limited than his own after all.
"You just thought something rude, didn't you?"
'Her instincts are top notch though. It's the reason why she's my favourite.' He thought as he returned her baleful glare with a bemused little smirk, knowing that she wouldn't ever truly raise her hand against him. He was her Lord and Master after all. The Ruler of Hell, Satan, the First Rebel, God's former Favourite, Yadda Yadda Yadda.
She sighed as she returned her attention to her former task. She continued to listlessly wipe the counter, knowing a losing battle when she encountered one. She was obedient like that. Only one time had she directly defied his command. And what a command it was! When he ordered her to use her infernal weaponry to remove those pesky wings of his, she was livid. 'I won't aid you in self mutilation just because you can't get over your daddy issues.' were her words, and she stayed exceedingly firm on the matter. Even when he flashed Hellfire at her, she remained steadfast. Not even a single tremble racked her frame as she stared him down. Refusing to follow his word paradoxically made him all the more sure that she was to be trusted. It showed that she followed him not because she had to but because she wanted to. Which was... Reassuring.
It also showed that she was ready and willing to call him out on his bullshit. That she was capable of growing past what she was born to be. It was a remarkable rarity to watch. A capability almost all demons except for a rare few seemed to lack. He appreciated her all the more for it, and if there was a sudden addition of a ninjato to her already extensive collection of bladed weapons shortly afterwards, then that was entirely by chance. He sighed as he accepted the fact that he was indeed a tad bored. No new deals to be struck, the bar wasn't yet set up properly, and no novel face around to tempt into a tumble between sheets. Sloth might have been one of the sins he was prone to indulge in from time to time, but he disliked being idle without reason. Sleeping in after a night filled with parties and exhausting sexual escapades? Resting his head between pillowy breasts that made him think back to the times he lounged on clouds and watched over his stars? That was the kind of laziness he wanted to experience. Not whatever this was. 'This is ridiculous.' He thought as he slammed his emptied glass onto the counter, drawing another glare in the process. He decided that if entertainment didn't want to come to him, he had to take the first step himself, unbelievable as it was. It was time to prowl. To hunt for those souls in need of a little bit of sin in their lives.
A smile that oozed temptation and promised pleasure had just settled on his flawless features as he was about to leave when he suddenly froze, expression and all. Because something absolutely inconceivable happened. Something that hadn't happened in so long that he had forgotten the sensation of it until it spread through him once more. Like electricity racing through his divine nerves. As if he was struck once more by Sacred Lightning after he stole his sister Raziel’s panties while she was bathing. He nearly lost control over his wings from shock. Because someone was praying to him. Not the Devil, not the collective evil of humanity, not the Lord of Hell, but him. The Person. 'What the bloody Hell?...' He thought to himself even as words began to filter through the connection.
'Uhm hi? Ah no, that's not how you start a prayer. Silly me. Uhm. Dear Lucifer Morningstar. Or Satan. Or Bilsebub. Or do you prefer Helel? Samäl? Honestly, you have so many names and they all sound so cool!'
Despite the absolutely ridiculous notion of being the target of a prayer of all things, he couldn't help but preen. Obvious mispronunciations aside, she had done her research. Most of the names he was coined with were human inventions and they had rather unpleasant connotations rather more often than not, but they did sound 'cool' as she uncouthly put it. A female child it was, that much was clear from her mental voice.
'Anyways. Dear Lucifer. I'm lonely. I heard that the Devil is known for making deals and I want to make one. I didn't think God would have helped me so I prayed to you instead. I could really use a friend...'
She sounded forlorn and the desolation in the hollow tone of her mental voice tugged at his blackened heartstrings. One couldn't lie during prayer. Not when it truly mattered. And especially not when it came to him. He was called the Prince of Lies for a reason. Just not the one most thought to be true. In reality it was just another thing that was twisted and turned until it fit the general image of him. As such, the Prince who does not lie became the Prince of Lies. It was one of those titles that hurt him once upon a time, but he soon became numb to it. He was good at ignoring the hurt. Had to be, all things considered.
More importantly, how was she capable of praying to him with the Seal set up as it was? He didn't know. He just knew it was still firmly in place. He couldn't hear those corrupted and depraved imbeciles vying for his ear after all. For a while after his Fall, he thought his Grace was gone or corrupted for the prayers he received were truly disturbing. Abound were lunatics and sociopaths as well as fanatics killing and raping in his name. Only when he investigated and found his steadily worsening reputation did he understand. He wasn't just punished with Hell by his daddy dearest. No, that would be far too merciful. He was made the scapegoat for all the evil and all the sins in his precious little sandbox too! Jesus might have died for those sins, but he had to live for them. It was the moment where he realised this that made him truly hate his Father.
Oh, how he abhorred those sniveling creatures. Those sinners who made him responsible for their own horribly twisted nature. Who lived their tainted desires in his name. So he created a seal on his ability to receive prayers. At first he just filtered out all those disturbing and horrid acts done in his name. He refused to listen to those atrocious sinners he would later punish for the very things they did in his name. But it wasn't enough, so he soon added liars and oath breakers to that list. Even then, those rare few that slipped through made him nauseous, so he sealed the ability completely, causing the prayers to stop entirely. At least he thought so. This little girl was proving him wrong after all. She was the very first person who had reached his ear with a prayer in what had to be millennia. Her honesty was beyond reprieve, he knew that much. It had to be to even have a chance at swaying the devil. After a short pause to collect herself, she continued.
So I want to strike a deal. I want you to be my friend and in return I'll be yours! I think you could use one too. All those people are talking about you like they know you, but no one really does, I think. I dunno what I'd have to do as your friend, but I have some ideas! I'll cheer in your name and curse your father for you! And I'll, uhm, I'll spit at the church in town? I dunno how to do this desecration thing I found online but I'm willing to learn if you show me! Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Enid Sinclair. Nice to meet you! I know your names so it's only fair that you know mine. And since I googled you, I know some other stuff too, so I'll have to tell you about me. Hmm. Well, I'm 7 and a half years old and I'm a Werewolf! At least I was supposed to be one but I'm late with my transformation and mom kinda hates me for it...
He almost laughed out loud at the thought of a small human spitting at churches because she wanted to be his friend. How ridiculous could this situation get? At her later words, his mood grew sombre and he began to understand. Her solitude certainly wasn't self-imposed. She was but another child who wasn't good enough for her parents. He could relate to that at least. That rotten heart he thought dead stirred in his chest yet again. A wry smile tugged at his lips but he refused to let it form. This girl seemed talented in pulling all kinds of strange emotions from him. In a way, it was exciting. It certainly stalled his boredom. Speaking of emotions, she sounded close to tears by now, but she was holding herself together quite well. 'Brave little kind-of human.' He thought to himself as he listened intently, not realising that he was becoming attached to a creature who hadn't reached the end of her first decade in life. He hadn't even met her personally and already, she was beginning to burrow herself through his defences.
I'm lonely. I said that already, I think, but let me explain. My brothers don't play with me anymore since I'm an icky girl and only a half-wolf. That's what they said and mum agreed... My... schoolmates began to bully me when they heard I hadn't transformed yet. My dad is always silent and never says anything and mom... Well, mom mostly shouts at me or ignores me. But sometimes, when she's really angry, I don't get any food and she locks me into my room. But it's ok! Really, it is! She just wants to help me, I'm sure! She wants me to transform and I'm sure I can soon! Once I'm hungry enough, maybe?... But... It's so lonely here. I wanna talk with someone. I don't like being alone with myself... I... I just want someone to listen...
A single sob broke through her self-control and it was as if her tears were falling on his skin even though he was kilometres away. They burned blistering trails into his already cindered skin. Some facts about her race came to his mind. Hellhounds were close relatives to Werewolves and they shared a fair amount of traits. As such, he knew quite a bit about them since he had a passing interest in them some centuries ago. Well, that and Maze was the Mistress of Hounds and she liked to talk about her darlings. Among those shared traits was the desperate and instinctive need to socialise. And this... mother of hers locked her own child away, isolated her in the knowledge that she might very well fall prey to insanity as a result? He could feel the rage build within. It was a living thing, Writhing, and smouldering, and demanding attention. He was seething. He was positively Burning with Wrath. And It was threatening to consume everything in his wake. His surroundings were starting to heat up and Maze looked over, alarmed at the sudden outburst. No doubt, his hellish glory was on full display.
"What the hell?! You only lose control like that when you're beyond furious! Who the fuck pissed you off like that! And when for that matter! There is no one here but us! Oy! Stop burning the place down or I'll get the fire extinguisher! I'm warning you! I'm not above spraying you!"
He didn't answer. Couldn't, really. Besides the fact that every word coming from his mouth at this moment would end up being the kind of vitriol she didn't deserve, he was still completely connected to the first person who reached him through prayer in millennia. Enid Sinclair. Tasting her name in his mind didn’t make the situation any less baffling. He was frankly out of practice in that regard and he didn't want to risk interrupting the connection. But he did manage to reign in his presence. It would be embarrassing to burn down his new club only weeks after buying the building. The renovations were finally close to completion. It would be a shame if they had to start over again because he lacked control over his fiery temper. While he managed to wrangle his rage back into its confines to cool down and be used at a later time, the little girl did the same with her despair.
So... Can I talk to you? Will you listen? I can do the same for you! We can be prayer buddies or something like that! Like pen pals but with prayer instead. I'll throw in reading you a story too! You'll have to be patient though. I can't read that well yet. And, and, I don't like blood, but I'll bring you an offering! I could... stab one of my plushies for you? Ah wait, I don't have a knife. But, uhm, I can claw them?...
She sounded so adorably innocent and reluctant at the end that even the Lord of Hell couldn't help but calm down a tad. He didn't even notice the small smile on his lips. Mazikeen did however, and it was another thing that freaked out his most loyal servant.
"What the fuck is going on?... Has he finally gone completely around the bend? I knew that a prolonged stay on earth wouldn't be good for him. Better prepare for the worst. Just in case he starts throwing around fireballs again..."
He ignored her mutterings and concentrated. He tested it beforehand but the connection indeed seemed to be solid enough for him to answer. Which was a marvel. A true miracle, really. He hadn't received any prayers for such a long time. Ever since he sealed that part of himself away completely. At least he thought he did. Never had he thought any innocent child would ever deem him worthy of such a solid and pure connection. But this girl did. And so he felt compelled to answer.
~Enid Sinclair~
As she knelt there with her hands folded, she was beginning to feel silly. Of course the Lord of Hell would have more important things to do than listening to a half-wolf child like her. But she was so lonely and no one wanted to talk with her. No one wanted to listen to her 'prattling' and 'yapping'. Hearing her mom say that to her had really hurt. More than most other things she'd said. Enid knew she talked a lot when she was in the mood, but she always tried to make what she said interesting. She wanted others to enjoy talking with her. She wanted to make friends and she really really tried. But somehow, it never seemed to work and she was growing desperate.
No need to mutilate your precious possessions, darling.
Suddenly, a smooth and pleasant voice as soft as silk echoed through her mind and her eyes widened. She didn't know that word. Muteelate, was it? And if she didn't know the word, she couldn't have imagined the voice! That, and no one had ever called her darling before. Did she really manage to reach the devil?! Tentatively, she greeted the voice.
Hello?... Is this... the devil?
The answer was spoken in a grand but warm tone and she instinctively knew the words to be the truth.
Lucifer Morningstar, at your service. The Devil is indeed among my many titles and names, though I prefer the name I chose for myself. I heard you want to strike a deal? Friendship for friendship, was it?
She smiled when she realised that Lucifer had not just listened but he hadn't instantly dismissed the idea. There was a chance! She could make a friend today! Determination flooded her as she focused. She needed to be ready. She read that bargaining with the devil was dangerous. She had to look up the word bargaining, but now she understood. She needed to make her offer good enough to be irresistible. Another word she had to look up. Maybe big words were the reason it was dangerous? She shook her head. She had to concentrate. How would she do this? She couldn’t fail! She needed to...-
I am fine with that arrangement, darling. I am certain there will be times I'll need to rant at someone and Mazikeen isn't always fond of my ravishing voice for some inexplicable reason. I'd rather avoid having to catch her knives again. So you will take her place instead. You will take all the annoyance, the wrath, and the joy I have to share lest I lose control. In turn, I will always have an open ear for you. No matter what you have to say, no matter how unbelievable it is, I will listen to you. I will gladly lend you my ear if you need to vent and I will do the same when you need to share your woes or joys. I will never judge you beyond my duties as the Lord of Hell, and I will give my council should you have need for it. I will support you in word and deed and ̶̛͉̪̙̖̹̟̼̞̞̼͖̇̽̓̂͗̾̚Í̷͙̥̇͠ ̶̬̒̉c̵͎̃͒l̵͓̥̄̿á̶̜͍̽í̸̜̪̎͛m̸͎̯̹͆͌̊ ̶̫̖͛̽͌ͅy̷̌͜͝͝o̴̘̹̱̾̂u̷͚̺̓̕͜ ̶̪̓̇ạ̸͗̾s̸̙̾̕͝ ̸͖͑m̴̹̼̽́̌i̴̥̱̗͑ṉ̶̣͒ȇ̸͎̫̃. Is this an acceptable deal for you?
She nearly cried then and there. Someone was willing to listen! Someone willing to help! This was so much more than she expected... So what if he was the devil? He was her friend now and she defended her friends! All those people saying nasty things about him were jerks! Friends were the most important people to her. Like family but you get to decide! That last part of his offer, she didn't understand. She didn't think It was the same language but she couldn't be sure since there were lots of words she didn't know. She just knew it was a strange but beautiful sound and she felt Power in those words. They called to her in a way nothing ever did before and she instinctively knew that whatever was said wouldn't harm her. She supposed she should be more wary, but what was the worst that could happen? She was already alone. Nothing could be worse. So she took a leap of faith. Giddily and without hesitation, she basically shouted into her head.
Agreed! I accept! Whatever I need to say!
And then she felt it. Where before, there was just a strange little sensation besides her thoughts, now it felt like a solid presence. As if someone just up and moved to live in her head. The thought made her giggle silently as she curiously prodded at the feeling. A short burst of surprise came through it, accompanied by flittery panic, and then nothing for some seconds before it started sending solid and constant warmth. It felt like cuddles but from the inside. She felt it warm her up and giggled in delight. She squirmed in place because she felt so safe and secure. Not cold and alone like she was moments ago, but warm and sheltered and as if someone actually wanted her. Praying to the devil, she decided, was the best decision she ever made. If his cuddles were this great when he wasn't even here, how good would it feel if he was? She sighed wistfully before informing and thanking him.
Your hugs are great. Thank you.
He sent some confusion again before acceptance and pride took its place. All the while, the warmth never stopped and she really didn't want it to. 'Best day ever...' She thought to herself as she climbed into bed to sleep a bit. She was tired and cosy. A good combination for a good night's sleep. She sank into dreams of herself riding on a strange black and red unicorn with fiery hooves and crimson, glowing eyes. A tall, black haired gentleman in a suit was flying beside them with pure, white wings on his back. She read that Lucifer was an Archangel before he fell so she was certain it had to be him. He was pretty enough to be an angel for sure, even if the wings wouldn’t give it away already. Slightly behind them, there was a woman with only half a face, and she smirked at her.
It should have terrified her something fierce, but she felt herself smiling back instead and she was ok with that. Judging people for their appearance was a big no-no, even in dreams. The woman led a horde of monstrous fiery hounds, each at least as tall as her unicorn, and somehow, they felt like Pack. She felt at home with them. Turning around, she found that in front of them, there were tall black clouds that surged in their direction. That should have frightened her too, but with the devil by her side and his loyal demon following with their Pack, she had nothing to fear. What would have been a nightmare once quickly became an exciting adventure.
~Mazikeen~
She warily observed her crazy boss. The Lord of Hell. She had no idea what caused the latest bout of insanity, but his reactions were oddly familiar. Somewhere in the recesses of her mind, deeply buried since it was so long ago, a memory stirred. Before she had a chance to recall it, her boss snapped out of whatever it was that bound him. That didn't mean she was safe though. He looked drawn, as if he had just witnessed his old pops railing his mother on his very own throne. Pale with wide and uncomprehending eyes. Haltingly, he slowly turned to her with somewhat mechanical movements. He looked her in the eyes and spoke words that didn't make a lick of sense.
"Ah, my dearest servant. It seems I adopted a child. We will need to retrieve her. Get the hounds while I transform the carriage to fit more modern standards."
'What?...'
"What?..."
Had he truly just said what he said? 'He didn't even leave the room! How would he have adopted anyone?' Then the memory finally kicked in. It was the look he had as he turned to go. A moment before he froze. That wide-eyed wonder. The expression he had the last time when someone had prayed to him. Hopeful and anticipatory. Before it came crashing down and a bitter scowl of disappointment was left on his lips that transformed into a vicious snarl as his hellish might radiated from him. The mere memory alone made her all hot and bothered. That was days before he added the final rules. Before he sealed that part of himself completely.
She was pretty young back then, just a fresh hatchling really at the tender age of a few decades. For some reason he had decided to take her with him on his hunt for some escaped sinners. She hadn't left his side ever since. That said, someone reaching him back then had already been pretty rare. Sometimes it happened and he was always hopeful that they'd live up to his standards, but it was never to be. The day he finalised his Seal was the day he lost most of his hope for humanity to learn and understand. To grasp the truth that he wasn’t the evil they tried making him responsible for. That he was just the punishment at the end of a blasphemous journey. He refused to let their filth penetrate his mind any longer. But something had changed. Someone had reached him despite all the defences he erected. And It was baffling for the demon. While he did still seem shocked beyond belief, he had recovered enough that she felt safe to ask a question. She made sure to put the appropriate amount of exasperation in her tone of voice to make him understand just how done with his shit she was.
"What have you done now?"
He seemed to weigh his options before answering with a rare hint of helplessness in his voice, even as his posture righted itself and his composure returned. It was unusual for him to show such weakness, even to her. Demonic entities in general weren't folks you wanted to turn your back or show fragility to. It was a show of trust and she was determined not to betray it, pissed off as she may be.
"I might have slipped into my birth tongue by accident while making a deal with her. The way it was interpreted was... More drastic than I anticipated..."
She stared at him incredulously for a long moment. He used Enochian in a deal. This was her boss. The reason for her existence. In some ways, he might be called her father. The mightiest Archangel. God's favourite who had fallen from Grace and was forced to punish the wicked. The one who created and hung up the stars. A creature older than time itself. One of the first to prowl this universe. And he used the language that played a critical role in the creation of the universe, the most powerful spoken language of which only those with truly divine origins were capable of, in a deal. With a mortal. By accident. She knew he had his bouts of irresponsibility but this was so far beyond the usual that she didn't even know what to say. 'He's a moron...' She realised not for the first time. So she just left before she did or said something she'd regret. He was clearly still on edge and throwing bladed weapons at him in that moment might backfire spectacularly and painfully.
"You know what? I'm too old for this shit. Meet you outside."
She went to get the hounds, leaving behind a devil with a slightly tilted head to express his confusion. It made him look adorable and she despised it. The Lord of Hell shouldn't be in any way adorable. It made him look soft. He should be fearsome and mighty. He should lead with an iron fist and smash all those opposing him without mercy. He should deconstruct wicked souls with skilled fingers, immeasurable strength, and a golden tongue. Her scowl melted away with a sigh before her whistle pierced the air. Slinking through the shadows, her Pack answered her call and she allowed herself a fond smile as she let her fingers glide through the fur on Cherona’s head. They always had her back and she theirs. She'd concentrate for now and focus on the task. Everything else could come later.
On the bright side of it all, they gained an heir for the infernal throne by accident. She just hoped whoever it was was a vicious and bloodthirsty creature. Someone who'd take the reins and lead Hell to bloody glory. She shivered as a strangely foreboding sensation of abject horror lanced through her hell-forged body. Whatever in the seven hells could have caused that?