After re-watching The Devil's Carnival: Alleluia, I found myself caught up in certain aspects of Lucifer's life that has yet to be fleshed out in the trilogy. Mainly his placement in Heaven and how that might have caused his descent to Hell. This will likely be a short story in three or four parts. I'd write it all tonight, but it's getting late and I should get some sleep.
Always, Alleluia!
In the late hours of evening, hanging on the edge of curfew, Lucifer sat alone at Club Seven, pining over a drink as the remaining party goers shuffled drunkenly out the door. The hall's lively music had long gone, replaced by a slow jazz number on the buzz box to mellow patrons into their soon-to-come slumber. Yet the music had little effect on The Morningstar, for tonight there was no cheer in his heart to be soothed.
"It's getting late." A gravelled voice remarked.
Lucifer didn't so much as flinch. His eyes fixed on the amber liquid gleaming in his hand. Beside him, the man took a seat at the neighbouring stool. His coat rustled as his arms rested at the bar. They sat in silence for sometime. The man, watching him. Lucifer, watching the glass.
"You never came to Library.".
His hand twitched. There was no accusation in that voice. No anger, or disappointment. Yet still-
"I know."
-it was a promise broken. No matter the job, no matter the Word, he always made sure to come to the Library. It was his sanctuary. A place of peace and tranquility, where he could spend the hours looking deep to the Word. To learn, and wonder, and share what he found with curious foals who would peek in from time to time. That had been his home, once, before the Author had graced him with a place of honour in His court. Tasked with heralding His praises and reading old tales of his Master's glory and wisdom as He laboured over His creations. Lucifer was blessed in his position. Ever grateful to His generosity. Yet still, still, he promised he would always come back. That he would not let his new station make him forget the one he left behind. A reminder that his friends were not left behind.
Which was why, he suspected, Constantine was here now.
"What happened?"
The question almost made him smile. So simple and straight sure. None of that tip-toeing and double talk common with the Fives and Sixes he so often encounters. He loved his friend for that. Though he wished the man had never asked.
"Froder was sent below."
"Froder?" Constantine's voice broke in surprise. "He was one of yours, wasn't he?"
Lucifer nodded his head ever so slightly. The lad had been commonplace at Lucifer's public readings. Always eager to hear the Word. "He had been interning with the translators. Hoped to become a Six."
"If he wanted to be a Six, then why-"
"It shouldn't have happened!" Lucifer cut in. Fist clenching around the glass. A dam of emotions threatening to break. "He made a mistake. A foolish one, but it wasn't malicious. He didn't deserve to get tossed out like trash. He-"
"Lucifer!" Constantine grabbed him by the shoulder. Stopping him from going on. "I know you're upset, but Froder…" He paused, his eyes glancing around them warily. His voice hushed in tone. "If Froder was sent below, it's because he broke the Word. After all that he's learned, if he could not follow the Word…"
"...he has no place in Heaven." Lucifer ended the saying in solemn finality. He knew the words. Years of devotion had it etched into his heart.
Yet now those words seemed to burn on his tongue.
"That's right." Constantine's hand gripped on Lucifer's shoulder. It felt firm, yet it leaked with nervous tension. "I'm sorry." He offered to his friend gently. Lucifer's shoulders tensed and released with a defeated sigh. His mind wandering back to his hands. The hands that should have raised up and taken courage to help his Fallen friend, for he had failed Froder, as he was failing his most precious friend now.
Constantine gave Lucifer's tense form a once-over and sighed. Adjusting the looking glass resting on his head, he pushed off the stool and gave the man a pat on the back. "Come now, it's almost curfew. Let me walk you over to the elevator."