Playing with the Silken:
Lucifer took Elayne to House of Asmodeus as a means to make up for their third date. He made one request of her to forgo her signature clothing items for night to be about them. She was granted by showing up in a Sweetheart Neckline, Lantern Sleeve, Ruched Bust, high waist, short and flared skirt, black, Dress. Open toed flats with her hair worn down and swept completely to the side. Her long tresses softly styled into curls and exposing a thin, silver chain choker with ruby stones, draped in the center and shaped like droplets. Polished Igneous studs were the only earrings in her ears, her nails were french tips with nail art on a darken nail lacquer, as she held a Blood Splatter on Black Clutch.
Would have him eating his own tophat, if he hadn't decided to change up what he wore that night. Full black button up shirt with lantern sleeves and ruffled/ draped cuffs. Ruffled cravat with silver ruby tie pin in the center under a Corset waist coat and matching gloves. Pressed white trousers that were neatly worn with heeled dress shoes. His hair combed back without a strain of hair out of place. Holding his signature walking stick with a black apple over a red apple in place of the handle.
Looked like they were matching to restaurant patrons upon showing up.
"You're breathtaking," He drew her near, "Just breathe and let's see where the night will take us."
"Let the fun begin." She accepted.
"Just what I was thinking." He liked how she was thinking.
He came to set an arm gently on the small of her back and no further in the coddle sort of way. Had her turning her body to show the side of her where hair blocked her face. Allowing her to place her sleeved arm gently on his clothed chest. Right where his heart was beating within his chest from how close he held her. She could sense when she realized how close to his face she was now, then ever before. Allowing her to get a better look at a face she only seen from afar a handful of times. Saw corners of his lips were turned up to show his mouth full of sharp teeth, tightening of his lower eyelid with dilated pupils were slit like a snake. In turn he saw human features he still retained from her slender nose to o- shape, made by her lips.
"Morningstar. Party of two." The Imp's voice interrupted them.
Up Lucifer lifted his walking stick to acknowledge himself and his date with her taking his arm. Making sure to stand close enough that her front half pressed into his side. Welcomed by him when he shifted his walking pace to match her step for step. Not bothered when she didn't completely reveal her face when they walked past the bouncer. Amused by her lifting her free hand to her gloss covered lips, and kiss she blew. Made the Imp look the other way out of discomfort with Lucifer's gaze. Not noticing the hidden smirk that appeared on his face, only Elayne saw.
Got her to rest her head on his shoulder when they further walked to whatever table they were assigned. From how he helped her take a seat right next to him, she further acted. Set the mood for everyone within Oozie's from staff to visitors to wonder about her identity. No picture of her was taken, just a life- like drawing from the side of her face. Was blocked by the side of her hair that appeared in the gossip section of Hell's newsprint. Followed by the questions who was she and her link ruler of Hell. That was answered during moments of discussion among citizens that morning.
8*8
Charlie used an excuse to return to a familiar forest beside her father when he left the hotel. Going on since Elayne met her and learned of her mother from him. Time had come for Charlie to meet Elayne's brother and befriend the harpies. Which had her quieting down when they arrived at the forest's entrance.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Lucifer asked her, recalling last time.
"Yea," She breathed, "Forward we go?"
An octagonal shaped lantern left hanging for them in clear view for them from a tree, taken up by Lucifer. Lit and carried for their careful walk upon only trail through those words. This time around a boring form of music one could find on an elevator was playing. Static screeching popping in and out beside the tune echoed off the trees. The source being the hidden and wireless speakers found above their heads. Reminding Lucifer of a certain radio demon that he rarely saw and hadn't heard. While Charlie was lost in thought over the sight of the twisted faces within the trees. Words of what Elayne's brother told her came to mind as a rude reminder. Ended for them when they reached the end of the trial and into clearing. Where Elayne was found handing a clipboard over to a harpie after looking something over. Sight of someone she was expecting had her smiling as she waved them over.
"You made it," Elayne greeted them, "I was afraid you would get lost without a guide."
"Explains the lantern." Lucifer understood the lantern's purpose.
"Talking about the lack of a guide …" Charlie was hinting at something.
"Unless you want to watch him during a medical procedure to a visiting demon," She got fidgety, "The main house is off limits."
"Depends." Charlie couldn't imagine what Elayne met.
"Actually," Lucifer ended up smiling when he heard, "Never been bothered."
Elayne sighed and turned them away from the building with tubes going in through the roof. Toward a structure hidden they didn't see by walking into the clearing due to the camouflage- type architecture. This excited Charlie when she stepped toward the revealed cabin with a moss friendly roof. Strange plant life or orchard of apple trees and surrounding garden caught Lucifer's eye.
"All my brother's doing," She thought to point out, "A protective measure from the angels when Extermination came along. Bring a bit of calm to the harpies when in mourning for their fallen kin."
"I am impressed." Lucifer was already liking Elayne's brother.
Charlie ended up stepping up to the orchard to see the green, red, and black apples growing. She stood at the edge to take in the care taken to each tree with quiet awe. Before watching where she further placed her feet when she found the garden's edge. Being reminded of her father's stories about centuries ago when he was still an Angel. When he used to visit Eden to practice his singing and instruments.
"We should give her a moment." Lucifer whispered to Elayne.
"Works for me." She answered back.
Dirt pathway leading to a hidden front door that Lucifer was allowed to open when shown. When Elayne playfully left his side to step away by a few inches to press a conceal mechanism. Door popping open was barely noticed by Lucifer since he kept eyes on her.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," She kicked the door open, "Charlie?"
"Coming." A frazzled Charlie stepped out, "That garden…. Is wow…."
"Having fun?" Lucifer asked.
Charlie didn't know where to start with this discovery while she was coming with ideas to share with Elayne's brother. Figuring all the team building and rehabilitation work this place can host. Had her heading spinning so much she didn't know where to start with words. Where Elayne suggests she just breath and step in for tea. Upstep Lucifer when he led the way inside until a sight halted him in his steps. Charlie stopped right behind her dad asking what the problem was.
"Told you." Elayne addressed them.
Right within the viewing range of the dining table was a scene right out of an underground hospital. Filled water basin with blood stained cloth draped over the edge. Surgical tools and medical grade thread were nearby curved needles with blooded tip. Bottle of liquid used to sterilize wounds was left uncorked near discarded bandages. Completely amputated tail in reddish coloring just wrapped in a cloth. All sat on one end of an artisan made dining table due to two occupants.
One shared physical features with Elayne had a mesomorph body that stood at six feet. He wore a thumb hole, long sleeve shirt with an adjusted collar and a pair of comfortable pants. Cable knit, cross sweater worn over his shirt with blood soaked gloves on. Military styled he laced up his boots to multiple layered ways he braided his hair. Didn't distract from a shirtless Alastor sitting opposite of him just staring. A structured up wound on his chest and end of his spine. Was a pleasing sight to a pair of light yellow sclera and red pupils.
"You seem to be in the middle of something?" Lucifer pointed out, "I don't see any anesthetics."
"They don't agree with me." That transatlantic accent sings.
"Can't use them on him," An answer came, "He gets too relaxed and gets out of control."
Laughing escaped Alastor's throat made Charlie blink when her voice was caught. Ended when Elayne tapped her to gain her attention away from the dining area. Allowing her to flop down on softest cushions on a patchwork couch. One that faced a brink made fireplace where she spotted old world Victoria/ radio.
"If you have a music preference," Charlie was instructed, "Record collection is next to the book shelf."
Which had her going wide eyed at WIDE selection that took up half the wall with a photo. Allowed her to thumb through the countless preserved pieces of vinyl. Not turning back to her dad as he took nearest seat to Alastor in a chipper mood.
"I hear Dearest Elayne and yourself have become involved." Alastor shows the newspaper he was reading.
"I would love to hear what it's like to be poked repeatedly by a sharp needle." Lucifer tapped a gap between Alastor's and his chairs.
"Cut It Out," The two were yelled at, "Rip those stitches open and I am not spending another whole day treating you. "
"I got to hear this." Lucifer wanted details.
"My brother treats higher rank demons," Elayne explained, "Ones who don't want the public knowing their business known."
"He's patched me up after my tiff with Adam," Alastor didn't break eye contact with Lucifer, "Quite a diamond in the rough this one."
Alastor then flitched when a stinging of a solution was applied over the mending wound. A quick cleaning when no signs of infection couldn't be found after careful observation. Led to a fresh set of cloth strips to be placed over the wound in a layered way.
"May I play this?" Charlie found one record she liked.
Into the record player she placed the record and room filled song with Alastor free to dress. When Alastor called Elayne dearest, Lucifer grew a tad angry over the term of endearment. Asking about a usual tea blend she serves when he drops by to visit. Had her stopping by Lucifer to reach out and wrap her arms around his neck from behind. Made him freeze for a second and blink upon feeling her breath on the back of his ear.
"When you're done getting your thrill," Her lips tickled his ear lobe, "I'll be across the way making some tea."
The chills that Lucifer got when she took her time with drawing her arms from his shoulders. Danced up and down his spine with Alastor growing quiet when Elanye walked away. Going on about not wanting to be addressed as dearest by Alastor anymore. To end her brother Alastor looked and found he was staying out of his sister's business. Had Lucifer spinning his walk stick within one hand over with a joyful mood. Before putting his tophat on top and leaning it against his chair as he got up. Made his way toward Elayne with Charlie joining Alastor and an unnamed person.
"Since you know us by name," Charlie addressed this person, "We don't know your name."
"So many possibilities." Alastor pointed out.
"Wywaver Bloodmarch," He took off his gloves, "Elanye's older brother and wondering if you have ulterior motives."
"What do you think about an extra set of hands while helping me in my cause?" Charlie explained.
"Go on." Alastor wiggled his eyebrows.
8*8
Elayne brought Lucifer into her personal space where he further got a look at the woman she was. Non electrical equipment to make her own yarn from harpy feathers, she gathered. A small loom where she was currently weaving with a portable desk standing nearby. Stationary supplies from paper to the pens were hand made from what he could see. What caught his eye was where his stolen rubber duck sat near her bedside table. It lay on top of the first photo of them ever taken by the paparazzi.
"This is me," She stayed near her owl on his perch, "Nothing special."
"Old fashion taste and hands on a type," He sat on the edge of her bed, "Way you flirt."
Over to him she walked until she stood completely in front of him with hands behind her. Eyes taking in how he sat in disbelief of what was shown and her brother. Out went a hand to her when he looked up at her as another was braced behind him. His eyes stared into her shiny ones and found something he hadn't seen in centuries.
Pure Love, Appreciation, and Happiness for Him
"I kinda like this," He said, "You."
"Same," She stepped forward to take his hand, "You're becoming something more."
While she wove their fingers together as she stepped closer to him sitting on her bed. She noticed he wasn't wearing the golden band on his pinky finger when close enough.
"I needed to make room," He guessed what she was thinking, "For someone I want to know more about."
He ended up pulling her on top of him where she ended up falling into his lap with arms automatically wrapping around his neck. Gave him a chance to wrap his arm around her waist to hold her in place. Their eyes reconnected with blush on her cheeks as he smiled reaching to coddle her face.