Outside the door to Lux a human form appeared seemingly from nowhere. As it was well before opening time and no one noticed as the shape opened the door and slipped inside.
"And here I thought you wouldn't show up," Maze said from behind the bar.
"It had crossed my mind but you're not the only one voicing concerns," a female voice replied. "Although, I'm not sure what any of you think I can do."
"You can try to talk some sense into him. He might actually listen to you," Maze replied matter-of-factly. "Do you want a drink?"
As the figure shook her head no, her long red hair seemed to move of its own accord like flames around her head and shoulders. She looked around the room and then asked, "Talk some sense into him? Are we still talking about Lucifer?"
Maze laughed and they continued an uneasy, guarded conversation. As the pair spoke, Lucifer walked in with Chloe. Neither paid any attention to the bartender and her companion until the mysterious figure turned around in her chair to face them.
"Oriel!?" Lucifer said in surprise, a smile slowly forming on his face.
"We need to talk," Oriel stated eschewing pleasantries. "Alone."
"Very nice to see you, too," he said sarcastically and led the way to his personal area.
"Is that his ex?" Chloe asked Maze as Oriel and Lucifer disappeared up the stairs.
"Not quite," Maze replied vaguely and gave Chloe a look that said that the subject was closed.
"This is a new look for you. I rather like it," Lucifer told Oriel as he gave her an approving once over. She was wearing slim black jeans, a red brocade bustier and black fitted jacket along with black high-heeled boots.
"No one ever tells you what to wear to a nightclub run by a fallen angel," she mused and pushed her hair out of her eyes. Oriel's long red hair reflected every color found in a roaring fire despite none being present while her eyes seemed to glow with a blue-green light. "I would hate to be turned away at the door."
"I don't think you need to worry about that. To what do I owe this visit?" Lucifer asked.
"You're causing a stir," she replied as she looked him directly in the eyes.
"I usually do," he answered flippantly.
"I'm serious," she retorted slightly angered.
"So am I," he said remaining calm.
"I'm usually left out of your squabbles, Lucifer," Oriel told him. "This time I was asked to intercede."
"My father asked you to stop by?" Lucifer asked. The astonishment was evident in his voice and on his face.
"You flatter me, but no, he's content to allow you to your own devices for the moment. Being the favorite has its perks," she answered.
"I'm not the favorite," he grumbled.
"If you weren't you never would have gotten this far, you do realize that much, don't you?" Oriel asked.
"And now my brother wants you to talk me into going back?" he questioned.
"Amenadiel?" she asked as he nodded. "Haven't heard from him. He still prefers to pretend I don't exist."
As he looked at her quizzically, she continued, "We could be here a millennia or two while you guess, so let's end this. It was Mazikeen."
"Maze called you?" Lucifer wondered aloud.
"I know; surprise, surprise. Perhaps hell has frozen over in your absence," Oriel replied.
"Funny. What did she say?" he asked.
"Sorry to disappoint but there was no long demon-to-demon conversation about you," she told him and then asked. "Lucifer, what are you doing?"
"I retired. I was bored," he answered succinctly. "I know we've discussed this before but I don't think you're a demon."
"What I am or am not is a debate for another time. So, the devil retires to Los Angeles; how apropos and yet cliché," Oriel said cynically and then stated, "You're not bored."
"I was very bored," he stated.
"Do you expect me to believe that?" she pressed. "I know you're not bored; you're angry."
"Angry?" Lucifer asked with raised eyebrows.
"Mm-hmmm; angry. Angry that humans blame you for everything," Oriel answered. "The devil made me do it and all that. Unfortunately, your temper tantrum is going to have lasting effects….on everything."
"You expect me to care?" he questioned.
"You should. When it all ends, then what?" she replied.
"It's not all going to end. You're being a trifle dramatic," he stated and changed the subject. "So have you missed me?"
"I knew trying to talk to you would be pointless," Disheartened, Oriel turned away from him. "I need to be going."
Lucifer jumped in front of her and said, "You could stay; it's been awhile. We could catch up, like we did in Perth. You could tell me your deepest desire."
"Tell you what I really want – more than anything?" she asked and rolled her eyes as he nodded. Before answering, she reached out and gently stroked the side of his face. "What I really want is for you not to die. Unfortunately, you seem determined to do so."
"Oriel…," he began.
"I need to go Lucifer," she said interrupting him. "You know you can always find me if you ever want to talk and catch up; it is in your power. And if you call, I'll come." She turned and disappeared into the air.
Lucifer walked back down to the bar alone, the conversation with Oriel replaying in his head.
"If you need some time," Chloe said looking up the staircase.
"Hmm? Oriel?" he asked. "She had to leave."
"I didn't know there was a door to the street up there," Chloe answered.
"There isn't," he said with a smile.
"Then how?" she asked.
"You won't believe me if I tell you detective," Lucifer told her.
Oriel left Lux and took herself to the top of a mountainside in the Pacific Northwest. As she sat pondering the day's events and playing with shadows on the snow she heard a rustling behind her. She slowly turned her head and caught sight of Amenadiel out of the corner of her eye.
"I should have known it was only a matter of time before you showed up," she said turning her attention back to the shadows.
"I heard you spoke with my brother," Amenadiel said.
"Word travels fast," Oriel answered.
"Did you get through to him?" the angel asked.
"I can't work miracles," she said and watched as the swirled shadow on the snow disappeared as her attention focused on Amenadiel.
"Talk to him again, Oriel. Try to get him to see the big picture," he told her.
"You're asking for my help?" she asked. "That's got to hurt since you despise me."
"How I feel about you has nothing to do with this," the angel replied. "The two of you have a special bond. He tends to hear what you say."
"Hearing and listening are two very different things," Oriel stated and now somewhat annoyed asked, "So, why do you hate me, Amenadiel? Is it the age difference between me and Lucifer? Or, is it that you really hoped the devil would have hastened my demise and left one less of my kind in creation. You never counted on him saving me. Either way, you need to talk to your father and stop blaming me."
"You bound yourself to him Oriel. You weren't thinking of the consequences," Amenadiel told her.
"Are you sure of that?" Oriel asked earnestly.
"One day you may need to choose," the angel replied.
"I'm well aware of that; I always have been," she answered while looking directly into his eyes.
"Will you go and speak with him again?" Amenadiel asked not looking away.
Oriel thought for a time before answering, "I will, but my decision has nothing to do with you. You should think about the big picture, too , Amenadiel - without any personal agendas included."