Coming down the stairs and feeling her body still sore after Charlie made good on her promise, she'd heard a commotion and made her way to the lobby seeing the group watching Charlie frantically move about. It took Lute a moment to figure out she was desperately trying to figure out the way to redemption while ever few moments breaking away to stare at the embassy clock. "Maybe we could...no no we tried that, but maybe if we...no that would take to long...but..yes,no,yes! Ye-no no no that's stupid!" it was cute watching her have a mini freakout. But after a couple of minutes, she spoke up.
"How long has she been like this?" most of them shrugged but at least Angel had some answer.
"Hard to say, Charlie was already up and in mid crazy when I got here."
"I'm not crazy!" Charlie screamed her horns popping out as she all but threw the chart out the window. "We only have less than a month before the second extermination! and I'm running out of ideas. So, anyone have one?" she pointed to each one but didn't get an answer, that was until to Lute's horror Sir Pentious seemed to think of something.
"Perhapsss we ssshould contact the king? Sssuureely he could aid uss in thiss predicament. He wasss there in the beginning so he musssst at leasst know something." a moment passed, and Charlie's expression shifted from frantic to melancholy. "We don't really talk much since mom left." He then felt a shadow envelop him and to his horror saw Lute staring down at him vividly remembering what she said about Charlie's smile. Her hand slowly reached down and remembering how easily she'd nearly crushed his throat before he did the only thing he could think of and closed his eyes.
"-Then again, it's not a bad idea. At the very least he could help." hearing the optimism he opened his eyes to see Lute retracting her hand while giving him a look that only said "spared for now"
"I'll give him a call." as she pulled out her phone Lute felt her hand ball into a fist.
Even though it was for Charlie and the hotel Lute still couldn't bring herself to like this. It had been all to easy not to deal with him before as he and Charlie rarely met or spoke. Sure, she'd come a long way since the days were anytime she saw a demon she'd instantly kill it, and yes, she was dating Lucifer's daughter. And sure, technically she'd met him during her and Adam's rare meetings but even then, she'd never actually left Heaven. Never had to even listen to him or show him anything other than distain.
But actually, meeting him? Talking to him and asking for help? The very idea made her want to set fire to the nearest object. Sensing her malice Sir Pentious slithered away in fear, which nearly triggered her old hunting instinct.
No Lute you can do this. Just suck it up for Charlie. You've already gotten to the point where you can freely say you love her, so this is nothing. Besides you were bound to meet him eventually.
Lost in lost she failed to notice Charlie had already finished and was busy trying to get everything set for his arrival in an hour.
One hour that Lute decided to spend in the gym hitting the punching bag in a desperate attempt to tire herself out just in case seeing him brought out her old self.
"I can do this. Just have to be polite and nice...
...to the original sinner, the one that got Adam and Eve kicked out of paradise and wound up getting to rule an entire realm instead of death. A guy that has essentially abandoned his daughter and only contacted her when he needed something."
Blinking she realized she'd punched through another bag. "Fuck."
Her knuckle slightly bleeding she began cleaning them only to feel eyes on her. Already knowing who it was she felt her anger rise as his staticky voice filled the room. "Well now, I do believe only angels have golden blood. Quite the little secret you've kept. Tell me does our princess know? Or have you kept it a secret even from her?"
"Of course Charlie knows, now get lost Alastor I'm not in the mood."
"You rarely are, but rest assured I won't tell anyone about your little secret."
"Why?" she questioned angrily.
"Because while it's amusing to watch lowly sinners try and fail to redeem themselves, it's much more amusing to watch an angel, or should I say former angel?" she took a swing which he easily dodged. "Now now my dear to try and control yourself, wouldn't want dear Lucifer to see his daughter's beloved lashing out like a mere brute, would we? To think a former exorcist is playing knight to the princess of hell. That my dear is true entertainment."
With that he sauntered down the hall humming a happy tune that only pissed her off. "First chance I get I'm killing him."
Dragging another bag out she'd just started her new assault when she heard footsteps and thought for a moment Alastor had come back to taunt her. Turning toward the doorway she actually wished he had. For standing there was an eager Charlie and her dad the king of hell himself looking amused.
"-And this is our gym, oh and of course this lovely creature is my girlfriend, Lute."
"Girlfriend?" he blinked
"Yep!"
"Well that's great! I like girls, you like girls, glad to see we have that in common!" before she could blink Lucifer had pulled her into a hug.
In that moment Lute swore the only thing keeping her from spontaneously combusting from just touching Lucifer was the happy smiling face of her girlfriend. "See Lute, I told you he'd like you."
"...yes...good." she made a note as he let go to burn this outfit, or at the very least wash it a dozen times in scalding water.
"Lute huh? Like the instrument?" Charlie laughed remembering when she'd asked that. "Like father like daughter." she muttered
He took this as a compliment before looking her over feeling of familiarity. "You Know I know another Lute, though she works for Adam. Honestly a bit of a psycoptaht that one."
Taking a very deep breath Lute decided to tell the truth, or at least as much as she believed she could. "Actually...sir-" even saying the word felt wrong to her. "That was me. Three years ago, I was fired by Adam and left for dead." her words brought forth the memories and she felt her back and side ache. "Charlie found me, patched me up, offered me a job and I've been with her ever since."
He blinked then saw the golden blood on her knuckles and then did a double take as he saw both the past and the present her. "Your wings?"
"Gone, damaged by Adam and removed by Charlie." she saw his eyes widen before she quickly added "At my request. They were beyond saving but she still let me decide."
"And your arm? Was that also Adam's doing?"
"No, that one was my doing. I was pinned under rubble and needed to escape so I removed it."
"And your halo?" this question lacked the anger and thankfully he accepted her "taken" as an answer. He solemnly nodded meeting her gaze understating her not wanting to speak further. A halo is special after all. "Sooo...fallen?" her eyes shot to him as her entire body tensed up "nnn-nnoo" Both he and Charlie were surprised by the how her voice sounded both raw and angry at the same time.
He went silent running his fingers over his apple cane as his eyes grew fiery. "And how do you feel about her?"
"Dad..."
"Charlie, I need to hear her answer." his tone shocked her as this wasn't his usual protective tone, this one had a cold fury behind it that made her worry. I've never seen him like this, but then again finding out she's a former exorcist is kind of a red flag.
Lute seeing Charlie biting her lip and looking between them took a breath and told herself to just be honest. "I love her, and I'm incredibly lucky that she loves me. I know my past, but I swear so long as I'm around nobody will ever harm her."
He eyed her as if looking into her very soul then to Charlie who was nervelessly staring at both of them.
Then he simply smiled. "Well, that's good to hear Lute. Glad Charlie has someone special in her life."
"Thank you sir."
Charlie happily hugged them both before there was series of loud crashes and Husker came up looking exasperated. "Hey uhh not to be that guy but while you were giving your dad the grand tour one of Al's old friends showed up. And like usual Mimzy brought trouble with her in form of loan sharks with battering rams."
"What?! We'll be right there."
As Charlie ran down the hall Lute started after her only for Lucifer to block her with his cane. "You and I are going to have words after this." he didn't wait for her answer and simply teleported them onto the terrace as Alastor emerged and began attacking them. A few moments later Charlie came up a bit annoyed that her dad hadn't teleported her as well. She then saw Alastor devouring one of them and while grossed out saw her dad's near indifferent face.
"So, is this a common occurrence here? Sinners trying to attack the hotel?"
"No, well not after Sir Pentious's last attempt. Honestly, it's been pretty quiet while we've tried to find out how to redeem a soul."
He sighed and ran his hand over his face. "Charlie, I love you, but I wish you'd give up on this. I mean humans had their chance and they screwed it all up and this is their punishment."
"Dad come on that's not fair, besides we're being attacked by loan sharks, hellborns, not mortal sinners."
He just waved her off. "Their all the same. I gave them free will and they just made a mess of their lives until they wound up down here." he then pointed his cane at Lute. "Something you used to agree fully with."
Lute looked away. "That was a long time ago."
Really?" he huffed "You went from wanting to kill all sinners to wanting to redeem them in only three years? Forgive me if I don't believe you."
"Dad! Lute's been by my side since day one. Yes, she was an exorcist, and I know that means she's killed sinners but at least she's supported me."
He just stared at Charlie before realizing something. "A exorcist?" his eyes shot to Lute who felt her heart stop. "You haven't told her?"
"I..."
"Her past isn't important dad. Yes, I know there are things she hadn't told me but sometimes one's actions speak louder then one's words. And she's shown time and time again that she cares about me, loves me, and wants nothing more then to see me happy and safe." hearing this Lute felt her a little better, only for her guilt to return twice as bad fearing where this conversation was headed.
Then Lucifer spoke. "Charlie, she was Adam's right hand."
"Wha?"
Lut's expression told her he was telling the truth. "Like I told you Charlie I don't know my true origin, only that when I came to, he was there and telling me I'd be the first. That I was special, so I followed him without question."
"Oh... well that's..." it wasn't what she wanted to hear but not as bad as she expected. Lucifer however kept going and asked an incredibly loaded question. "Tell me Lute, do you actually believe redemption is possible, or are you just humoring Charlie?"
As the battle raged on time seemed to slow down as Lute stared at Lucifer whose focused gaze stared back. While next to them Charlie held her breath desperately wanting to know. "I...I'm not sure."
"That's what I-
"-But! I believe in Charlie. Sure, no sinner has ever made it to Heaven before but I'm sure that Charlie will figure it out. She sees the best in everyone and gives them the opportunity to do better. Even I've come to see that sinners don't deserve instant death at the end of angelic steel, yes some very clearly need to be punished but some could...with time...possibly...make it to Heaven." As she finished speaking, she felt a weight lessen, it wasn't gone but no longer crushing her.
Charlie looked proud and Lucifer just looked surprised. "You know I can tell when someone is lying. One of my many abilities, and you just told the truth, so I'll except that. Still, I think it's a long shot and Charlie would be better not following this dream. After all Heaven never listens, not to me and they won't listen to her."
He walked inside followed by Charlie. Lute would follow but something told her she'd only get in the way of this family moment. A good call as a couple minutes later she heard the two of them singing. She simply listened and to her credit admitted that Lucifer had a pretty good voice.
Though there was a moment when she felt herself agreeing with the lyrics.
"-I won't lose it all again...now you're the only thing worth fighting for. I'll shelter and adore you more than anything."
Those words became etched into her mind and for a moment, a very intense moment she felt herself connect with Lucifer. She still didn't like him, but she at least knew he cared for Charlie and that at least she could approve of.
Though she did feel annoyed and slightly jealous seeing him sprout six wings and fly off with her. I'd fly her if I still had wings.
When they got back it was clear he'd given his support to her. "Okay Charlie, I can get you a meeting with Heaven, but it'll take a few days, and I won't be able to go with you."
"Thanks dad, but don't worry Lute will be going with me."
"...what?"
"You heard me."
The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. "no...I...I can't."
"Lute, I know it's hard, honestly, I'm still coming to terms with you being Adam's right hand. But you said you love me, and dad says you're telling the truth so right now I'm asking you. Will you please come with me to Hevan so I can make a case for redemption?"
She hated how in that moment despite everything telling her Charlie would understand if she said it was too painful, that she wasn't ready to be anywhere near Adam she still knew what her answer was going to be. "Alright, for you I'll do it."
"Thank you." she leaned in for a kiss, but Lucifer cleared his throat.
"Yeah, before this goes any further, I need to have a little chat with your girlfriend, just need to hash some things out." waving his hand he magically pulled them apart before placing his hand on Lute's shoulder "I'll bring her back when I'm done." with that they dissolved into reddish gold smoke reappearing in what she guessed was the palace garden. With a snap she was flung into a nearby chair as tea was poured.
"So Lute like I said earlier I can tell when someone is lying to me, even if they aren't aware of it. Now when you said you loved Charlie and wanted nothing more than to protect her that was without a doubt the truth."
"I do love her."
"That's good, but there's a part of you that's lying. Specifically, the part about you not being a fallen."
"I'm not a fallen!" it took her a moment before she realized she'd shattered the cup and her hand was burning.
"...now you're lying. At least to yourself that is."
"..."
"Look I get it. I felt the same way long ago but you and I both know that without your wings and especially without your halo you can't go back."
That was the hard truth. One she'd realized some time ago but didn't want to accept as it would put the final nail in her fallen coffin.
Charlie had asked about her halo before as she was genuinely curious what it was and how it worked. She'd been as honest as she could and told her it was a winner's strongest connection to Heaven. Looking back, she now realized it was why every exorcist's halo turned black while in Hell.
One more part of me I'm never getting back.
"Besides that, there's also something else you're not telling me."
Sighing in defeat she began with the real truth. "Charlie believes I spared a sinner and was caught and cast out by Adam. What actually happened was I spared the newest recruit Vaggie after she spared a young sinner. It was her first extermination, and I knew if it was found out she'd be punished."
"Why?"
"Because Adam doesn't tolerate mistakes. Something he told me after blasting my wings off when he found out I didn't punish Vaggie. Ordered her to kill me which she attempted to before I angered Adam into blasting me again. Next thing I know I'm trapped under rubble wings in shreds and severing my own arm to escape. Charlie found me a minute later and the rest is history."
His expression said it all as he hadn't expected to hear that. He'd expected to simply hear she'd been fired after a sinner got lucky and cut off her arm. "Well not gonna lie that's messed up."
Taking a sip of tea she let out a quick "Yeah."
He didn't know what to say and she truthfully didn't want to talk. Which is why her next words surprised her. "Silver lining is I got to meet Charlie."
He gave her a knowing smile hearing the truth and joy in her voice. "Take care of her up there. You and I both know that Adam will play dirty and Sera..." he trailed off not wanting to outright curse his sister.
"Won't listen?"
"Not the words I'd use but yeah. Just keep her safe alright?" he said raising his hand out to her. "Do that and I'll show you her baby pictures."
Smiling she took his hand and felt the not quite official deal being struck. "Deal"