Lucifer watches as Charlie happily leads Adam around the hotel, he loves his daughter but her forgiveness is too lenient. Adam tried to kill her, and isn't even remotely sorry. How he survived is a mystery but cockroaches can survive a nuclear bomb so maybe Adam just embodied the insect, wouldn't be hard for the asshole. What was the weirdest part was Mammon having him, angels don't make deals, unless they're desperate and they definitely don't make deals with the fallen angels. Maybe Mammon's how Adam survived? It would explain things, Mammon was always a collector wanting the rarest of things no matter how shitty they were.
Charlie came back down after letting Adam find a room for himself. "Ok, I know he's a little rough around the edges but come on even sir pentious tried to kill us so is this really that different?"
"Ya, sure but did you forget he's killed thousands of our people for centuries, and he actually murdered sir pentious with like no effort." Angel Dust reasons.
"Charlie honey Adam is the least irredeemable person I've ever met in my life. He's a lazy dickhead who complains about every little thing, not to mention he nearly killed you." Vaggie holds her arm trying her best to get Charlie to give up on Adam before he crushes her hopes.
Charlie looks desperately at her father. "There has to be some good in him, I mean he can't be all bad right?"
Lucifer is torn between breaking his little girl's heart or giving her a hail mary, but he can't disappoint her when she looks like she's about to cry. "...He… He wasn't terrible before him and Lilith spit, Eve said he was a good father if an absent husband."
Charlie lights up. "See, he likes kids! He can't be all bad! Oh I've got an idea for our next trust exercise, come with me Vaggie." She grabs Vaggie and rushes off to one of the office rooms.
Alastor seems ticked off but keeps his ever present smile. "Well this will be an interesting venture." Then he turns, dropping Niffty off with Husker before disappearing within shadows, probably going up to his radio tower.
Lucifer hears the creaking of steps minutes later. Turning to look he sees Adam come back down the stairs now missing his mask, and he looks… terrible. His pale skin looks sickly not even brightened by the subtle gold freckles hiding on his neck and face, he looks older despite his boyish face. His eyes are devoid of that hopeful joy he had back in Eden now they only seem to hold hatred, and the bags under them are even darker than when they fought. At first he thought he was just imagining Adam being thinner then last time but no he is, the robe he wears isn't baggy enough to hide it when he stands still. When he talks there's also a weird clicking sound like metal is hitting the back of his teeth that wasn't there earlier.
When Adam returns to his room Husker seems conflicted about relinquishing the bottles of alcohol. "Hey Lucifer?" Husker motions for the king to come closer.
"Yes?" Lucifer sits on a bar stool giving it a spin around before placing his elbow on the counter using his hands to hold his face directing all attention to the bartender, in a move he hopes looks cool but not pretentious.
The sinner seems not to pay any attention to the king, instead staring at the stairs with a glare. "How cruel is Mammon?"
"Uhh… well I… don't know actually." Lucifer thinks for a moment, trying to find the answer. He hasn't really talked to the other sins in years, so he has know idea if they've changed in the past… what, seven? Ten? Twenty years or so? "I mean he's the embodiment of greed, so think of the best and worst qualities of greed, amplify them to the extreme, and that's Mammon."
Hasker's face tenses, but he doesn't say anything. He only looks down at the bar, finding a dirty glass to wash and turns away from the counter. Lucifer takes that as his que to leave.
Nifty seems fine now chasing a bug with the same knife she stuck in Adam's back, in retrospect they really shouldn't let her keep that. Something for him to do later as the maid seems content and harmless at the moment. Angel Dust is striding up the stairs to his room, something about a guy named Valentino being pissed, Lucifer has no idea who that is but from what his daughter described he wouldn't like the man. Cherri Bomb is nowhere to be found, so she's probably out on the town like normal. He really wants to talk to his daughter but he doesn't want to intrude on her planning process, so he heads over to his office in hopes he could possibly make something new today.
Heading to the top floor he hears something when he nears his room, a light familiar humming. At first he thinks it's just his mind playing tricks but he notices a door slightly ajar where the humming is the loudest. Peeking in he sees the first man absentmindedly humming, a few bottles lay on the floor empty. The worst part of him wants to laugh at how sad the guy looks but he holds back if only for his daughter's sake.
The humming is a song he recognizes as one he used to sing to Lilith, he doesn't even remember singing it around Adam. His curiosity getting the better of him, he slowly opens the door and steps in getting close to the angel. He looks almost peaceful in his drunken state, a small smile devoid of his normal spite filled anger, his eyes are unfocused and he doesn't even notice Lucifer even when he waves his hand in front of his face. Taking the opportunity to get a better look at the man, noticing the once white and grayish blue cassock is now a vibrant green and black Mammon's choice no doubt.
Looking around Lucifer sees the man's oh so precious guitar resting against the nightstand, Lucifer had never had the time to look at it till now. It's unsuprizingly well kept, polished gold lyres connected with a white neck. What is surprising though is the lyre that acts as the headstock, despite its polish it's far more scuffed then the rest of the instrument. Then it hits him, he knows that lyre because it was his, the very same one he gave Adam all the way back in Eden. Why would he keep it?
The sound of the door creaking snaps him out of his snooping, quickly he whips around to see who had caught him only to see… no one? Wait no there's Angel Dust pet pig. It happily walks in, ignoring Lucifer instead it tries to jump onto Adam's bed only to fail due to the height. It snorts and tries again, catching a hoof in the blankets and scrambles quickly to get onto the mattress. Lucifer watches baffled at the animal till he sees a familiar sight, as the pig sniffs curiously at Adam's face. The man could always attract animals without even trying, and pacify even the most ferocious of creatures. It brings him back to the time he would watch the man laughing while he wrestled with lions.
The loud sniffing disturbs the angel, as he waves his hand trying to stop the noise until he wakes. "Wha- who… Oh for the love of god." Adam grabs the pig stumbling up, before he stomps down the stairs to the lobby, not really awake as he trips over his cassock until he just starts flying.
Lucifer follows, wondering what he's doing. In the lobby Adam holds the pig under his arm and lets out a yell that could probably be heard in the next few rings. "SETH GET YOUR SCRAWNY ASS OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!"
Everyone freezes for a time, collectively wondering who Seth is. Angel Dust notices Nuggets, and walks close guessing Adam means him. "Oh that's where Nuggets went."
As the sinner reaches for his pet Adam grabs his shoulder, looking into his face with a drunken gaze. "Seth, sweet heart, baby boy, fruit of my loins. If you fucking pet wakes me one one more time-" Adam quickly grabs Angel's chin forcing him to look him in the eyes. "The next time you see it will be on the dinner table. Understand me?"
Angel looks at him then at Nuggets, wondering if Adam would actually hurt his pet. As dread fills Angel's face Adam sighs, almost remorseful.
"No, no, don't cry. I'm sorry, it's just-" Another sigh fills his words as he rubs the bridge of his nose pulling Angel into a hug. "You know daddy gets cranky when he doesn't get his sleep, I shouldn't take it out on you and I'm sorry. Daddy is just under a lot of stress right now, I promise I won't hurt your pet. Just keep it out of my room alright?"
Adam pulls away from Angel leaving the sinner very confused along with everyone else. Realizing Adam is waiting for a response he hesitantly nods. "Uh ya, got it."
Adam smiles the kind you would when your kid just showed you a new drawing, he hands Angel Nuggets. Gently kissing his forehead as he holds onto the spider's shoulders tapping their foreheads together. "Good boy, may the lord be with you my son."
Adam turns away heading back up to his room like what just happened was completely normal. Everyone watches him leave in stunned silence. "Who the hell is Seth?" Angel asks anyone willing to answer.
"I think Seth was his third son?" Lucifer answers, unsure of the true answer himself.
"Huh… So he calls himself daddy to his kids?" Angel's confusion turns to a smirk. "I wonder who else he lets call him daddy?~"
The comment earns the sinner a groan from Husker. "Oh for- CAN YOU NOT BE HORNY FOR FIVE FUCKING MINUTES!"
The two start to bicker but Lucifer is not listening anymore. The king returns to his side of the hotel, deciding to work on some ideas. The next few hours he spends crafting, but still can't seem to deviate too far from his muse of ducks. The one he's been working on still feels off, like it's missing something. A knock at his door daws him out of his frustrated state. Charlie is peeking into his workshop.
"Oh Charlie, what's up darling?" Lucifer looks around for a cleanish chair shoving the ducks off it and patting it for her to sit down. "Come in, sit down."
She smiles but waves off the chair. "I just wanted to come get you for dinner, are you working on anything new?"
"No, can't seem to think of anything to make at the moment, if you have any suggestions I'm willing to hear them." Lucifer gets up following his daughter down to the kitchen.
"Hmm, oh can you make a duck version of me and Vaggie. I've been meaning to get her another gift since we survived the battle with heaven." Her enthusiasm is infectious.
"Definitely I'll get right on them when we're done with dinner." They arrive in the dining room finding nearly everyone but Adam and Niffty.
Before Lucifer can ask where they are they all hear a scream from upstairs followed by the first man zooming down the stairs followed by a manic looking maid. "Get away from me you psycho bitch!"
"Look I got him to come down!" Niffty yells in triumph waving the same knife Lucifer saw her with earlier.
"I think it'd be a good idea to take that away from her soon." Lucifer whispers to his daughter to which she nods.
Angel Dust grabs the little lady removing the knife from her and sets her down at the table. Alestor seems almost disappointed, proving who sent the woman to terrorize the first man. "Come on, and sit down Daddy~"
Angel Dust pats a chair near him, Adam looks at him in utter disgust. "Don't ever call me that again ya cock slut."
"Oh so only Seth can call you that?" Angel prods.
"How do you-" Adam cuts himself off, confusion turning to anger like normal. "No, don't you DARE say my son's name with your filthy cum soaked mouth!"
The residents share a look realizing Adam doesn't remember his earlier outburst. Charlie quickly turns to defusing the argument. "Hey, how about we do another exercise. An ice breaker of sorts we ask one person a question, Adam you can go first."
Adam rolls his eyes, as he sits down. "Fine, Vaggie." The former exorcist braces for the snide remark he's sure to make. "How's it feel to know you single handedly got your sisters eaten by the same people you think are so readable you betrayed all of heaven for?"
Vaggie glares across the table at the man's cynical smirk. "I feel justified, since most of the sinners didn't deserve to die." The tension in the air could be cut with a knife.
Adam's smirk grows tight as his eye's narrow at her. "Heh, Lute was right, you belong with these basterds. Hope you rested well hearing these sinners naw of your sister's wings knowing they'll do the same to you one day."
Charlie looks between the two worried about a fight starting. "Vaggie it's your turn to ask a question." She whispers to her girlfriend.
Vaggie breaks the glaring contest she's having to look at her love. "Charlie, who's your favorite memory?"
Charlie smiles gratefully. "Oh that's a hard one, I've had a lot recently with the hotel coming together. Hmm if I had to pick just one I'd say it was this one time mom and dad took me out to a park for the first time."
Lucifer smiles enthralled by the story already even though he can see Adam blatantly ignoring his daughter instead filling his plate with food. "I had barely ever left the palace, but on that day we went out, had ice cream, and I finally got to see our people. Which solidified my desire to help our people, and make this hotel."
Lucifer smiles, he can't remember that day at all but at least his daughter did and holds the few times he could take care of her close.
Charlie takes a moment to reminisce, then turns to Lucifer. "Dad, What's your favorite creation?"
"Uh, well hmm. It might be dinosaurs." Lucifer answers despite his love for ducks he did love making the various designs of dinosaurs.
"Spinosourus was about the only really cool one." Adam chimes in remembering the first time he saw the creators.
Lucifer chuckles. "You only think that because I let you name it."
"Ya, it's a great name too better than Eve's naming of Triceratops or Lilith's Brontosaurus." Adam says though bites.
"Could have sworn you liked the Raptors…" Lucifer mumbles to himself. "Angel Dust, you're an actor right? What was your favorite one?"
Angel Dust smirks. "Ah, how can I pick between my best rolls? There's 'Meeting My Stalker', '24 Hours in the Dog Pound', oh and how can I forget 'Life in the Lovegeon'."
Husker looks agitated and Lucifer just nods. "Well I'm sure you were great in all of them." the king says which earns a chuckle from the first man.
"Oh I definitely was~" The sinner winks at the king before turning to Cherri. "So what caused the biggest explosion Cherri?"
Cherri shrugs. "I had a boyfriend back in life that cheated on me and tried to steal my money, so I stuck a bomb in his oven after dousing his apartment in gasoline, walked outside and watched his deposit go up in flames, he got caught in the explosion too so the cops couldn't even pin me for it."
That earns a smirk from Husker, and Angel Dust. "So Niffty, what's a bug you're still hunting, girl?"
Niffty giggles, the manic ness of it seems to terrify Adam who leans far away from the woman. "I'm still hunting that bad boy~ hehehe, and that Valentino hehehe." She points at Adam and holds up the tuft of fur she yanked from Val.
"Aww, is the big bad angel scared?" Alaster mocks watching Adams uncomfort, Adam just flips him off.
"Alestor, have you ever had a bad broadcasts?" Nifty asks thought giggles, and munching down food with less class than Adam.
"Hmm, only my first ever one." The demon doesn't elaborate quickly pivoting to husker. "Husker, what is the stupidest thing you've ever made a deal over?"
"Selling my soul." Husker answered bluntly, turning to Adam. "So, how did you survive?"
Adam finishes the last of his meal before speaking. "I remembered my life. Specifically my son Cain, sweet kid, strong as an ox, and smarter than some angels I've met, he was always happy to help me when I asked."
Charlie looks in awe at Adam's openness. "One night when we counted the sheep we were missing one I said I would hunt it down in the morning but Cain insisted on going to look for it, so I let him. About an hour later I heard a scream, I knew it was him so I grabbed a torch and a sickle and ran."
Adam takes a breath looking down at the table. His voice doesn't have the same smugness it usually does. "When I found him he was being mauled by a pack of wolves, I didn't have time to think so I kicked one and practically beheaded another with the sickle. Seeing one of their own die the wolves ran off, and I was left to see the damage they did to my boy."
"He just kept saying sorry because he couldnt save the damn sheep, like I GAVE A SHIT ABOUT THE FUCKING SHEEP WHEN HE WAS BLEADING OUT IN FRONT OF ME!" Adam bangs a fist on the table, his eyes are red but he refuses to cry.
The man sounds in pain just recalling the story but he continues. "I didnt have the fucking time to get him back home, not that some fucking sting could fix the chunks of skin he was missing, so I tried something new putting the torch to his wounds I prayed. Begging god or the angels that the fire might just mend his skin, and it fucking worked. Sure he screamed, begged, and kicked me to try and make it stop but I just held him down as I saw the blood stop flowing."
Adam lets out a strange laugh. "He wouldn't come near me for a month after but he was alive, and that's all I cared about. So I used that knowledge and tried it with holy fire. If holy steel can hurt me, holy fire can mend me and I was proven right once more."
The table is silent for a moment. "What happened to Cain?" Charlie asks, reaching her hand out to comfort Adam.
Adam starts laughing a hate filled angry laugh, standing up he leans over the table looking at Charlie with eyes that only show contempt. "He bashed his brother's brains in with a rock. All for his fucking pride."
Lucifer watches as Adam storms off to his room. Looking back at his daughter she looks like she's about to cry. Quickly he goes to hug her only to be beaten by Vaggie just as his little girl starts bawling her eyes out. Angel Dust, Cherri, and Husker quickly excuse themselves from the table. Alastor is already gone, same with Niffty. Leaving Lucifer to uselessly sit there. A thought that this is what Adam had intended to do, break his daughter spirit, nags at his mind. He only lets it fester a minute before excusing himself as well heading up to Adam's room to lay down the law for the man.