The two didn't hear him as they continued on, side by side, keeping their eyes peeled for danger, that was until Lucifer suddenly walked up between them, wings spread out and tucked behind each human to help block the cold breeze. Derek was a bit unsure, leaning back away from the fallen angel, while Spencer was just standing there. "What? It was pitiful watching you two shiver, so c'mon, let's go. " Lucifer made a walking gesture up the path they were following, but they were still unmoving. "I'm not carrying you, either of you, and the cold air isn't getting warmer by just standing here. " He added in annoyance, and this was enough to get them moving. "R-right, sorry... Thanks. " Derek said, already feeling a bit warmer from the blocked wind.
The feathers were sometimes ticklish on Spencer, so he had to walk one step ahead of Lucifer to keep his wings from directly touching him. It did help him too, cutting one whole side off from being harshly pounded so to speak by the cold mountain wind and Lucifer was pleased that since they were adults and not Trixie, they kept their distance from his sides while still allowing his wings to help. It was quite perfect!
They did this for a while, at least a few hours now, until they heard fighting sounds up ahead! Spencer and Derek instantly went into combat mode, while Lucifer folded away and tucked his wings against his back, falling silent. Upon closer inspection, the three saw a few wolves attacking a man dressed in a full suit of armor, wielding a big axe. To try and scare the wolves off, Spencer and Derek shot their guns around them, which was quite effective as the animals yelped and ran off, leaving who they were attacking be. "Yeah you better run you mangy mutts! " The man yelled, his voice gravely, but he also looked rather... Short. As the three went to approach the man, suddenly a bigger wolf that wasn't scared by the guns jumped out and tackled the short man, his axe being knocked away.
Spencer and Derek had to reload their guns, so Lucifer decided it was his turn. With a devilish grin he grabbed a bridle piece of wood and threw it at the wolf, making it turn towards him with a snarl after it hit it's side, crumbling into little pieces afterwards. "Lucifer, back off we have it! " Spencer called once their guns were loaded, but the Devil didn't listen, instead he leaped at and tackled the wolf. If Lucifer was a normal person, that animal could've thrown him off with ease, but obviously from the wings sprouting from his back alone, this wasn't the case. Snow and dirt was kicked up as the wolf struggled to get back up, until it finally got tired and stopped. Lucifer then backed off, letting the beast get up and growl at him, before turning and running off with the rest of the pack, which from a distance had seen the event.
The stranger got up, then walked over and grabbed his axe. "I had them you know, a dwarf never falls to some beasties. " A dwarf, that's what the man was with a big brown beard with braids and a strong helmet. He was no worse for wear besides a few scratches and bites. Derek and Spencer went up to the stranger. "Are you alright? " He waved them off with some more grumbles. "Yes yes humans, I'm fine! You didn't have to poke your nose in my business. "He walked by them to grab his pack, which was of decent size.
Meanwhile, tucked away in the soft chamber of Lucifer's belly, Trixie was awoken from all the movement of struggling with the wolf. Luckily the walls were soft and cushioned her rough ride, but it was still surprising as she had to take a few moments to register where she was and what was going on since she had fallen asleep sometime during the trip. "Lucifer, what happened? Are you okay? " She asked, softly laying her hand on the pink, slimy surface of the closest wall, looking upwards while holding the marble light with her other arm.
Lucifer had stood up and was brushing himself off, but paused in the middle when he felt the fluttery feeling inside from Beatrice's movement, then her little voice. "I am fine child, I just had a fun scuffle with a wolf. " He replied, flapping his wings a few times to shake the snow and dirt out. Trixie heard this, blinking some. "A wolf? And you're okay? Wow, that's cool! " She grew up knowing wolves were dangerous animals, so the thought that someone wrestled one was interesting to the child. "Where are you? Have you found the flower yet? " She asked, since she had no way of really knowing just how much time has past by.
Lucifer however was focused on the dwarf, who just got done fussing at Spencer and Derek and was finally looking at him. "No, not yet, we're on the mountain, but you should be quiet, we have company. " He muttered back without tearing his gaze from the man. "And you, feather back! You and your muttering... You nosed your way in the worst! That wolf would've been a fine prize and you had to mess it all up! Never trust a feather backed, male harpy... " He huffed as he was mainly just fuming over the embarrassment of having been almost taken down by some wolves and needed a stranger's help! "Excuse me stubby, I am not a harpy, I'm the- " Derek cut him off again, not wanting to give the dwarf any more reason to be upset. "Angel, he's an angel. "
Of course the stranger didn't trust that, his green eyes narrowed as he looked between all three of them. "Uh huh... Don't call me stubby again feather back... What are you three people doing up here anyway? " He asked, having not seen many people in these mountains and it's not exactly a place for tourists. "We came here looking for a flower to be exact. To help us get home. " Spencer spoke up.
Beatrice was quiet once Lucifer said they had company, but she'd be lying if she didn't admit she was curious on what was going on. She heard voices, mainly Lucifer's for obvious reasons, but she could tell there was one that she didn't recognize. Who was he she wondered? And why did he sound so grumpy? If she was outside of his belly, she may either hide or try to defend her friends depending on her current level of bravery. Of course the cold would bother her a bit so she was better off slimy and warm.
The dwarf laughed at that though, a flower? "You got to be kidding, a flower to get you home? Why not just take a carriage home? " He asked, not realising that they were going to use it for a spell. "How does a flower help you get home anyway? " Lucifer was eager to speak up first, wondering why for the second time he let Derek cut him off. "We need it for a potion, we're not from around here. The strange bird in the magic shop in the city down there said we can get one up here. " He gestured with a arm back where they came from, though they couldn't see the city from here.
The dwarf hummed again, as if trying to debate if that was the truth, but he seemed satisfied this time. "Alright, well if you're going up there higher, you'll need some protection from the cold. I found these two cloaks along the way, I guess you three can have them... it's up to you who gets them though. " He opened his bag and pulled out a rusty red and a forest green colored cloak, they looked thick and warm. "They can have them, I don't need it. " Lucifer looked to Spencer and his partner, knowing they were cold before.
The two humans walked up to the dwarf and thankfully took them. "Thanks, we're not used to this kind of weather and I assume it's just going to get worse up there. " Derek said while taking the red one, leaving the green for his friend. "Do you happen to know where we could find this flower? It has three white petals and a greenish blue stem? It should be as big as my palm. It will also be covered in a layer of frost. " Spencer asked him, as he tied the knot around his neck and shoulders. The dwarf leaned on his axe some, gazing around the snowy area. "I don't usually pay much attention to flowers, but I think I may have seen one of those a few weeks back, I can take you all there and see if it still remains... If I must. " He grumbled the last three words, but really he didn't have much else better to do, which was why he offered.
The three exchanged looks, before Spencer nodded. "That would be helpful, what is your name anyway? " Lucifer sighed some and just waited until everyone was ready to go, hoping this dwarf could lead them there and then they'd be done, which would be quite nice. "Garur, what of you three? What are you called? " Derek shot a unsure look to Lucifer, wondering if this dwarf would know of such things, it was more of a human known thing. "I'm Derek Morgan, this is my partner, Spencer Reid. " He said, nodding his head towards the blonde, while the fallen angel spoke up afterwards. "And I'm Lucifer Morningstar. " He told Garur with pride. Which earned him a few grumbles from the shorter person. "Strange names, strange people, alright let's go, I'm not getting any younger standing around in the snow gabbing to you three. " He didn't seem to know about the whole Satan thing, good.
As grumpy as Garur was Lucifer was glad to hear those words. "Yes I agree, let's be off. " He gestured to the two humans to come on as the dwarf was already walking further up the hill. Trixie was awake the whole time, a little sad she didn't get to introduce herself, but she was a somewhat smart kid, she knew why Lucifer didn't want her to. She hoped maybe later though she could meet Garur once him and the Devil were more acquainted with each other. So she just settled back in the soft, squishy stomach, listening to the muffled sounds outside and the soft background sounds inside, such as Lucifer's heartbeat and breathing.
Lucifer himself could still feel the small living weight inside, especially when she moved, it was strange still but not uncomfortable. Numerous times he almost spoke to her, but they were too close to Garur and either he'd be accused of talking to himself or... He'd figure it out maybe. And he rather not have Garur try and cut him open, it'd wreak his already partly wrecked suit! "Watch your footing, the snow can be slippery or there might be ice spots on the rocks. " The dwarf warned, the path getting a bit steeper the higher they went. Again Lucifer's shoes were far from fit for such terrain, sure the agents were not much better, but none of them planned to wander through snow. Thankfully it was only a few inches deep, not quite to their ankles.
The cloaks helped a lot for Derek and Spencer, while Lucifer's wings worked similar for their owner. The dwarf had his own so the cold was no trouble for any of them. Which was a nice worry to have lifted off everyone's backs. They walked for a bit longer until Garur pointed at what looked to be a cave entrance. "I saw the flower on the other side of that cave, we could go around it but that would be a longer trek. " The dwarf told them. "Alright then, let's go! " Derek said, glad that the end was neigh. He missed the rest of his team and he knew they missed him and Spencer... Gosh, who knows what they thought happened... Did they think they were kidnapped? Or worse? He didn't want to think about it.
Lucifer stayed quiet but followed along, entering the rock cave with everyone else. It was pretty big, easily ten feet or more high, the snow was also unable to get inside too far. The other three had no idea how far deep it went, but they trusted Garur that the way was right. Spencer and his partner were at awe of the sight, having not often seen caves or got to go in them due to their job in the big city. Lucifer himself hadn't seen too many caves in person, but there was a few along the beaches of LA. Garur had seen countless so it was a pretty boring walk so far, besides watching the others.
"This is amazing... " Spencer said, partly to himself but Derek right beside him heard as they followed Lucifer and Garur. "It is, when we get home I'm calling for a vacation, then we're going cave spelunking. " Lucifer snorted softly and shook his head. Humans... some were fascinated by the strangest of things. They do know it's just a hole in the side of a mountain, right? "I presume you have seen many of caves, haven't you dwarf? " Lucifer asked Garur, head tilted while looking down. The dwarf huffed before shooting a glance up at the Devil. "You can say that again feather back, I have made some, lived in plenty, most of us dwarves have. " Lucifer hummed in response, but didn't say anything and just focused on the path ahead.
However... About ten minutes in the group all stopped when there was a faint vibrations in the ground. Garur looked down first, eyes narrowed before he gasped. "It's a cave-in! C'mon everyone, get out of the way! " Lucifer and Garur ran forward, Spencer and Derek started to follow behind, but some rocks were already starting to crumble and break in front of them, causing the two to back off to miss a rather large rock. But before they could go forward again to catch up to the other two, a bunch more rocks fell, blocking the way quickly. Lucifer looked back to notice Spencer and Derek wasn't there. "Garur, they're not here. " He turned around, not too worried if the dwarf followed or not. "Agents? Agents are you alright? " Lucifer called out, the cave-in seeming to be over.
Spencer sighed, Derek rubbing his forehead, there was no way they could move this much rock. But they blinked when they heard the Devil's voice on the other side. "We're fine Lucifer, but the rocks are blocking the way, there's too many. " Spencer called back, surprised that Lucifer cared. Beatrice heard the commotion and was quite a bit worried, what happened she wondered? Was everyone okay? She didn't want the two agents or the stranger getting hurt helping them, she'd feel awful.
Lucifer clenched his jaw to hear there were too many rocks to move. He could perhaps move them all eventually but it would take forever. "Don't fret so much feather back, if the way is open back where we came from, they can meet us around the long way. As long as this way goes through we'll be fine too. " Garur told the fallen angel. Lucifer would deny actually being concerned but... Well, the agents, while annoying didn't deserve to die, so he would've felt a tiny bit bad if they did. " Alright, but they should check and make sure it's clear. " Lucifer said in a tone that sounded firm, not accepting any no for an answer. Garur shrugged, whatever made the male harpy happy. "Fine, we'll wait here until they go check it and come back. " The dwarf replied, sighing afterwards and sitting down against the left wall. Lucifer remained by the rock pile, turning his focus back to it. "You heard that? Go back and check if the way is clear, if it is come back and let us know so we can continue onwards. "
It seemed like a decent plan to the agents, that way everyone was in the know and understands everyone's deal. "Alright Lucifer, we'll be back as soon as we can. " Derek responded back, hoping the Devil and dwarf get along well enough by themselves. Well, Beatrice was there, in a way, but Derek doubted she could do much from where she was currently. Spencer and his partner then started to walk back where they came from, keeping their eyes and ears peeled for anymore falling rocks or cave-ins.
Meanwhile, Lucifer and Garur had to wait, even though it probably should only be ten minutes there and ten minutes back, it felt like days. They sat across from each other in awkward silence, neither really thrilled about the other with a hidden third party. "Lucifer, why don't you talk to him? " Trixie whispered up at the roof of Lucifer's stomach, as she leaned back herself, knees hugged to her chest softly. The fallen angel was surprised to hear her voice, so quiet that time he almost missed it. "We don't much like each other, small human. " He whispered back to his middle, stretching his legs out on the cold rock ground. Garur didn't see it, but he did hear the Devil's muttering. He didn't comment, but kept listening close, eyes narrowed away from him and at nothing in particular since he didn't want Lucifer aware he was listening.
Trixie pouted a little at that, they just met! Surely it was just because they didn't know each other good enough. "But you two barely said anything to each other! And you don't have anything better to do, just waiting for mister Derek and Spencer. " She suggested, smiling some to herself in hopes she can convince her devilish friend to speak to Garur. "Go on, what's the worst that could happen? " The child gave a encouraging soft shove to the slimy, squishy stomach wall behind her, as if it alone would get him moving. Lucifer chuckled softly with mirth from it though, unable to hold it back but he quieted down quickly afterwards. "Alright fine, now be quiet. "
Garur heard the chuckle and him telling Trixie to be quiet, voices echoed in the cave some, which made the dwarf really curious about what was up with this man. "So, what, you got voices in your head feather back? " He couldn't help but ask Lucifer, now finally looking at him directly. Lucifer tilted his head back at Garur. "Not in my head, no. " He replied, frowning a bit that he heard him talking though. Garur huffed, but was smiling, shaking his head. "Right... So where are these voices then if they're not in your head? " Lucifer gave a knowing smile to the question, tilting his chin up some. "Do you really wish to know? I don't recommend it, but I don't believe in lying. "
Beatrice didn't expect them to end up talking about her! That isn't what she meant, she meant for them to learn more about each other, not learn where she was. It made her scared to think what the other man would do once he found out, feeling it was only a matter of time. No wonder her mother got mad at him so often, for being centuries old the man could be quite silly. "Ohh Lucifer, what did you do... " She whined some to herself, wincing.
Garur felt a slight shiver down his spine from Lucifer's look. It almost promised discomfort, but how or why the dwarf didn't know... He was tough though, he wouldn't let some feather backed bean pole scare him! "Yes, tell me, it can't be that bad. " Who knows, it may even end up as just a silly joke. If only the dwarf knew. Lucifer didn't hear the little Decker child, not that it would do much good. Instead the Devil smirked wider, mischief in his dark eyes. "Very well~ " he cooed deviously. He then placed a hand over his middle, before patting it softly a few times. "The 'voice' as you call her is right here, in my stomach. "
Meanwhile, Spencer and his partner were still walking their way back to the entrance, but they were close, they could see light up ahead. Spencer went first, but Derek was just as eager. "Oh thank God, it didn't cave in, c'mon let's make sure it's clear then tell the others. " Derek said first, following his partner. However what they saw was a bit disheartening... It was clear of rubble, but there was a thick blizzard going on! It hadn't even been that long, just their luck that it happened to roll in. "We won't be able to travel in this, looks like we're staying in this cave for the night. "This cave in may be a blessing in disguise then, since now they had shelter and were not caught out in the storm. With a nearly identical sigh each, the two agents turned back and made their way back to Lucifer, Trixie and that dwarf.
It didn't take them too long and nothing was in their way besides time, but they did use the time to chat a bit. "Spending the night in a cave with a dwarf and the literal Devil who ate a kid... We don't get paid enough for this Spencer. " Derek laughed a bit after that, but it was a tired laugh, shaking his head afterwards. "Well actually our pay and work doesn't cover this sort of thing, we are actually out of our world, the team back home is not responsible for what happens to us. And they probably won't believe us either unless we had proof. So once we get back I think I just won't mention the Satan, Dwarf and consumed child part. "
Derek frowned in thought for a moment then. "Is that correct?... I mean, is consume or eat the correct word? You know... Because it's not... The whole nine yards? " He was uncomfortable about the subject still, but he found himself curious enough to ask since Lucifer wasn't here. "Actually it would be roughly nine point three three yards, depending on how long his intestines are. But... You're right, this defies that definition of the word... I actually don't know if we have a word for that. " Spencer found it intriguing now, all over again. Did Lucifer have a word for it perhaps? Maybe he could ask just one more question without the Devil getting annoyed. "Hmm, oh well... Until we get a better word I guess eat it is. " Derek added with a soft shrug.
Sensing that Spencer didn't mind talking about it, Derek brought up another question. "I wonder what the kid thinks... I mean, I'd be terrified, in there at that size, you're helpless if he decides to change his mind about keeping you. You're at his mercy. " Derek swallowed a little after that, trying to shake the slight fright he gave himself. "We're at his mercy anyway, he could turn against us any minute and what could we do about it? Guns won't work, we can't outrun him because he flies and who knows what other powers he has. But I don't think there's anything to worry about, I never thought I'd say this but... Lucifer seems like a honest man, I don't think he'd hurt Beatrice or either of us, unless we did something to deserve his wrath and I have no plans of that. The kid is probably just happy to be safe and warm, goodness knows it's cold out now. " Spencer wasn't sure why Derek was so worried, Derek of course also wasn't sure how his partner could be so calm.
Soon they were hearing familiar voices and saw a familiar pile of rocks, so the two were still awake sounds like. In fact not only were they awake and talking, they heard laughter, sounded like the dwarf's laughter. Spencer and Derek came up to the wall quietly and listened, yes it was him laughing. What were they doing the two agents wondered? Though Lucifer was silent while he laughed, so maybe it was bad... "Hey guys we're back! " Derek decided to speak up, remembering they had rather bad news on top of it all.
Lucifer couldn't believe it, as soon as he told Garur where Trixie was, he bursted into laughter! Uncontrollable laughter. Lucifer had a silent annoyed look and was just about to say something to the dwarf when the agents spoke up. That snapped him out of it and it also made Garur stop laughing. "So what's the news? " Garur asked first, after taking a few breaths to recover from his fit. He figured Lucifer was just joking, because otherwise that'd imply he ate someone and he didn't believe that. Not to mention it was rather impossible since Lucifer was the same size as humans. Of course the fact it was a tiny, shrunken human didn't dawn on him.
