unknownballad | Hybrid Kingdom PSL

(( Well, crap! Someone witnessed his shame!

Of course he can't expect someone who isn't Horus or Osiris to understand some of the deeper issues at work for Emmanuel. He's not inclined to explain either. It's no one's business but the three of theirs.

Emmanuel's glad for a distraction, though. Someone present and immediate to move his mind to other topics instead of replay the image of Horus's chiseled body glistening with sweat, muscles flexing as he moved... He looks up at David, thoughtfully. The kid's definitely what most people would describe as handsome so it's not like he's just trying to puff up his own ego. Without really anything to say on the attractiveness of others (Emmanuel really wants to think about anything else): ))

How old are you?

Nineteen. You?

[David isn't headed anywhere in particular, but he angles himself in the vague direction of the cafe now that he's got company. After all, Emmanuel's been an interesting person to him since the first time they met - he wouldn't mind chatting with the guy over a drink and possibly a snack.]

You're so young...

(( As if he's significantly older or something... As if he himself isn't considered 'so young' by all these gods and long-lived creatures around them. Don't mind him just wandering along wherever Lucas is headed. At least he's call covered up in his sweat pants and hoodie. It's appropriate enough to be out and about in (even if it's far more casual than his usual attire). ))

Twenty-seven.

Nineteen's not that young... but yeah, people always figure I'm older 'cause of the height. [And the next question that usually follows is:] 6 foot 2.

[The more casual clothes suit him, David thinks. He looks more approachable. Maybe that's why David's finally decided to take a chance on a conversation - if he's honest with himself, Emmanuel's intensity makes him kind of intimidating.]

Wanna get a coffee or something? Nothing against all these superhuman badasses, but it's kinda nice talking to another normie.

(( A wish? Emmanuel blinks several times. He can’t stop the thought from flicker through his mind. Who granted it? What did it cost? Was it possible to see Eli again… No. He always has to shut that down. It’s his weakest point and there are many demons, unfortunately, who have tried to manipulate it. Even if Eli were able to be brought back to him, it would inevitably lead to some sort of bizarre and evil “Monkey’s Paw” effect. He wouldn’t risk that, not with Elijah.

The confusion begins to abate and the realization of how intensely he’s been drinking in the sight of Osiris’s so very bare body takes its place. He feels his ears go warm before the flush springs to his face and something much more heated in his eyes (there’s that desire Osiris was looking for). Not only has he been utterly ogling Osiris, he’s done it out here in front of so many others! His throat go tight and he manages to squeak (literally squeak) a quiet: ))

...I see…

So young to be involved in all of this.

(( Some clarification. All of this would affect the whole of humanity (an beyond) so Emmanuel isn’t about to tell David he shouldn’t be involved. For all Emmanuel knows, David’s youth could have been as strange as his. He doesn’t really know. ))

I’m not sure how normal I am… But I wouldn’t mind coffee. The cafe here isn’t bad. Shall we?

(( A small gesture to indicate even further away from the gym. Please, anywhere but there. ))

[Self-deprecation is a great way to put David at ease. He nods and grins as he leads the way, though thinking about how he got involved does cause a shadow to fall over his eyes.]

My friends… that house where you found me, there’s usually five of us living there. The other four all got sucked in by that Set bastard.

[Ah, this is nice. Osiris simply can’t deny it. He’s felt no need to show off his physique to Emmanuel, but this obvious and not at all innocent admiration still feels incredible. Hopefully they don’t have any observers that’ll give Emmanuel a hard time for it… because Osiris will be recalling this moment later for his own gratification, and it’ll lose some potency if anyone has to suffer for it.]

I hope you don’t mind if I thank you for your unspoken compliment. [Teasing? Only a little, honestly.] One of our newer arrivals, the Japanese god Inari, is willing to grant certain wishes in return for material offerings. Have you met him yet? He’s about your height, with ginger blond hair and quite striking eyes.

(( Perhaps it's his history demons, but while he's pleased for Osiris, he can't help but feel somehow worried. What if whatever price he paid isn't the full and total sum of the gift? Ah, no. Osiris is far more astute than to be tricked like that. It takes a moment — a moment in which Emmanuel does his very best to push his self-consciousness down - before he finally allows himself a very small smile. There's nothing untoward about being happy for someone most would call his friend. ))

Seeing you is the only pleasure I've had today.

(( Is he...? Is he trying to sound flirtatious? No, not intentionally. Alas. The priest is down bad. Someone call 911, he's fallen and he can't get up. ))

[The very fact that he's never trying makes these sweet, guileless statements strike right to the core of Osiris's heart. His eyes widen with surprise and he smiles bashfully, then brightly, then finds he has to turn away and cover his mouth to hide a breathless little laugh that's just too giddy to be considered respectable. Oh, it's like his whole body is fluttering.]

Do you plan to stay awhile and enjoy the sun?

[Unfortunately, they couldn't go without being spotted forever - someone on the opposite end of the pool has noticed Osiris's unusually coquettish behavior and wolf-whistles at them. There's a group in the circular pool and another at the deep end, of whom anyone could be the culprit.]

Oh, honestly. [He shakes his head with a huff.] I'd also be happy to join you inside if everyone insists on being children.

(( Is it really self-depreciating when it’s true? Emmanuel’s hardly had what anyone might consider a normal life. But he thinks what David means is a baseline human, which is a qualifier that does suit Emmanuel.

Hearing even just the most truncated version of the reason for David’s involvement in all this… Emmanuel turns to look at him, eyes slightly wider and very sympathetic. ))

I’m sorry.

No.

(( He’d like to taje his shoes off and fling himself into the pool to cool down, actually. But he’s also aware of the optics. It would draw attention to their interaction and fuel speculation. And honestly, he is staring. It’s an embarrassment.

Then comes the whistle which makes him jolt where he stands. So he’s not doing a very good job of hiding it. How can anyone expect him to? He’s seen precious little more of Osiris than his head and hands (he barely recalls the god tearing off his shirt in the bathroom [has anyone ever been so grateful for a head injury?]) and now he’s in nothing but swimwear... ))

You’d have to put on something more.

(( Then, in little more than a whisper. ))

You’re nearly naked.

[Ah jeez, David's no good with genuine, selfless emotions like sympathy when they're directed at him. He scratches the back of his neck and shrugs one shoulder, as if he's got any hope of being nonchalant about his friends after bombing the compound.]

Yeah... I'm just glad you guys tracked me down and gave me something to do, 'cause my next plan was an anthrax letter bomb. I kinda fuckin' lost it. [He glances sidelong at Emmanuel, a guilty frown on his lips. He also made things way, way worse for all the people (and gods and such) who have been fighting Set since the beginning.]

Probably don't deserve the second chance, but I'll take it.

[Poor Emmanuel... Osiris can only enjoy his shyness and modesty for so long before seeing him in such discomfort just becomes too much to bear. Between that and the audience, there's not much joy left in the idea of sitting out in the sun anyway. Emmanuel's company beats sunbathing every time.

He heads back to his lounger and puts his light button-down back on (shooting a glare at the opposite side of the pool when someone boos), then slings the unused towel over his shoulder and returns to Emmanuel's side.]

I may have become too modest for this level of exposure, honestly. I didn't intend for it to be a performance. [He often wore little more than a linen kilt and jeweled collar in his true form... how things have changed.] Besides, as the day of our first true battle grows ever closer, time spent with you is far more valuable than such simple leisure.

(( One might think he'd be better at offering solace since he's a priest but... he's not that kind of priest. Sorry, David! ))

Anyone can say they're sorry for doing something awful. Mistakes are normal, but so is some bit of pride. It takes a strong person to admit they were wrong and take steps to prove they're better than their mistake. You didn't have to agree to help us, but you did. I think that makes you more than deserving of a second chance.

You're such a liar!

(( Excuse him giving the door a tiny push. ))

Let me in. Are you naked or something? Open the door.

What if I am? You just gonna walk in and have a chat with me while everything's hanging loose?

[He's not. It's another test of Lucas's actual motives and intentions with him.]

[David has a much easier time with such brusque language, so he's more than happy to discover that's how Emmanuel hands out his priestly wisdom. The response even brings a bit of a grin to his face.]

Y'know, that's pretty close to what Lucas said.

[Aaaand here's the cafe. As they approach the counter, David lets Emmanuel know:]

I'm buying, since I'm the one who dragged you here.

[And he orders himself a red-eye and an enormous blueberry scone.]

(( Dae-hyun happens to be in this hotel, too. He happens to be in this very strange city for a job (one others might also consider very strange). He doesn't skimp when he travels. A little taste of luxury is fun. He doesn't think he'll end up in jail any second, but the possibility of it happening is never zero. So yeah, he's going to enjoy the hell out of this luxurious hotel. Just in case tomorrow's the day he gets caught. Or the day Bank catches him... hahaha woops. Worse things than jail could await him.

He's a little more dressed up than usual for the evening. He just wants to chill at a nice bar and have a nice time. He's been there a little while when he finally grabs his drink and slips into the seat beside David. ))

Don't look, but that guy taking up a whole ass couch has been staring a hole in your direction. You should go shoot your shot, man. I mean, if that's something you're interest in.

[And here David thinks maybe the stylish guy who just sat beside him is here to chat him up - but no, apparently he's just a matchmaker. Equal parts disappointing and so hilariously forward that David almost demands to know what gave away the fact he's here to pick up guys in particular. Only the qualifier at the end of his words saves Dae-hyun from that fate.]

Nice to meet you too. [Words dripping in irony but delivered with a grin nonetheless - David is a smartass, but a (mostly) harmless one.] Gimme a sec to make this casual...

[Luckily the bartender has ducked into the back to replace an empty bottle, so David is able to crane his head this way and that pretending to look for her, and - uh, whoa.]

Are you super crazy sure it's me he was looking at?

(( With everything said and done, there's no need for Lucifer to try slinking around like he isn't supposed to be here any longer. Nor does he have to immediately be on alert if one of the hotel's residents show up at his bar. What he's doing here? Anyone's guess (probably here to harass his brother in some form or other). He's just leaving from another afternoon mischief making when he spots a familiar face in the lobby.

Well, well, well...

He saunters over, all in black and bends at the waist to get on eye level with the boy. ))

Do you remember me?

[The gods are real. Setekh was a real god. Osiris and Horus and their family are real gods. Lucas is an angel.

Which means that this man in front of him is...

Conor has never confronted Setekh, so this is the biggest shock he's had since leaving the cult and it's a doozy. His eyes fly wide open and he shrinks back into his chair, arms clutching his legs white-knuckle tight. He helped them, Conor reminds himself frantically, he helped them, he helped them, he left Setekh's side willingly, he helped to take the cult down, but memories still spin and flash through his mind at the very sight of him.

Deep breaths. Stay in the present.]

... Lucifer.

(( Lucifer hardly moves at the boy's reaction. It's certainly a reasonable one after all he's gone through. The only change happens in his face, his dark eyes widening slightly, softening in the face of such fear.

It takes more will power than Lucifer cares to admit to keep from uttering that old angelic adage be not afraid. How long has it been since he wanted a human to feel comforted by his presence? He can't even recall. ))

That's right. Can you still breathe alright, little prince? I'm not here to do anything to you. I'm actually pleased to see you. I'm very fond of someone with a face like yours.

[... little prince?

Conor relaxes just a little and tilts his head at Lucifer, blinking rapidly. Glad to see him? Is it possible that Lucifer left because Setekh hurt him, too? He swallows hard and forces himself to relax even a little more, slowly setting his feet back on the floor one by one and hugging himself around the waist instead, and finds that there's room in his heart and mind for curiosity about this man.

This - oh, isn't Lucifer an angel too, originally?]

I heard that you left. You helped to stop him.

Edited 2025-05-21 23:21 (UTC)

(( That's right. Just relax. The boy's presently in no danger from Lucifer or anyone else. Anyone who causes trouble in this place is a fool. With so many powerful beings here, yes, it's nothing short of idiocy to try to start shit. ))

You heard right. Though, don't mistake it for altruism. My reasons were completely for my own benefit. I won't hear any slander otherwise.

Hybrid Kingdom PSL

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