For rockandrollvampire

[hesperussword]

Anyone looking for Beelzebub wouldn't have trouble finding him. He was becoming known in the Nexus, especially in the dive bars and local pubs where his presence meant the place might make a fortune from running out of booze, even if the cost was a bar fight or some other rowdy happenings before the night was through. Over turned police cars, spontaneous parties, and things even more debaucherous when his brother were around, were the hallmark of his presence.

It was still early in the night. Beelzebub was in one of his favorite dives because it tended to have patrons interested in light hearted drinking games and occasional gambling. This place also had a wide variety of hard liquors; local and from around the multiverse, which made it all the more appealing. Never too loud with music or blinding with lights it was on the dingy side which suited him just as well.

He had found himself in a corner high table, pretty much his table in this place up on a bar stool which was the only practical bar seating for an angel with huge wings. He's beneath a pale yellow light. A pitcher and small ceramic cup on the table where he sat reading, of all things. He was deeply involved in a celestial text, stolen from heaven, about warding systems for purification and not paying much attention to his surroundings.

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[the_rebel_son]

"I always take my time drinking." He looks over at the vampire, expression flat. "Immortality gives you forever and you waste it chugging piss?" The angel is incredulous, not just because of the idea that one would live forever drinking crap booze but also the oversharing.

"We get along well enough." The fighting honestly keep things interesting, even when it got a bit mean and damaging.

The display is enough to get the drunk angel into a full chuckle until his sides hurt. The arrogance devolving into this mess before him is pricelessly entertaining. Nor is it the first time he's seen someone go insane and mute from Lucifer entering the room.

Lucifer pauses in his forward movement to greet his warlord when Toby falls on his knees at his feet. His gaze turns down critical, judgmental, of the scene being caused in his presence. However, the vampire chooses one of few words that make this angel see red.

"I am no god." The words are venomous, cold, and discontent. Lucifer hated being called a god, loathed it. The prattling only irritates him more on top of the groveling appearance. Haughtily his eyes turn away, chin lifted and aloof as he steps around the person on the floor to address Beelzebub.

"Who is the drunken tart?" Lucifer asks as he casts his gaze back on the uncouth spectacle.

Beelzebub glances up as he sets the bottle aside still laughing though more quietly now. He looks over the table motioning with his glass toward Toby. "He wants a bottle of your brandy... or something?"

The way the vampire reacted seemed to suggest something other than Brandy was wanted but it was Lucifer's game now. Sitting back with some drinks, and pretzels, was probably the best way to watch this unfold in Beelzebub's estimation.

[rockandrollvampire]

So... not the best introduction to one another. Toby falling all over himself in supplication at the sight of David Bowie's face is definitely not helping matters.

"No, I don't mean that you're a god. I know that much. You're Lucifer, but not the one I know from my world, obviously, because you're not--" Ooookay. Nope. That's not working. He takes a breath and pushes himself to his feet with the aid of a nearby chair so he's a little less embarrassing of a sight.

"Sorry, let me try again." The vampire puts on his most charming smile (that he can manage in his intoxicated state) and offers a hand to Lucifer. "Tobias Matthews - Toby, if you'd prefer. I apologize for my, um, display there for a moment. I know who you are, but David Bowie - the one from my world - is my god, of sorts. I mean, I know he was mortal, but all men need idols, yeah? Bowie is simply one of mine. That man, may he rest in peace, is absolutely timeless."

It's really, really hard for Toby to make the distinction between 'looks like someone I know' and 'really is someone I know' in a place like the Nexus. This place is a goddamned minefield of absolute bullshit like that.

"I came out to meet your friend Beelzebub here, like you suggested over text," he offers, stepping in before Bowie Lucifer can make any assumptions. "He offered to invite you out so I could ask you myself about the brandy. I... kind of forgot for a moment when I saw you." He pauses for a beat, and then adds with a sheepish grin, "I'm easily distracted by beautiful people."

Flattery isn't likely to get him anywhere, but he's trying to be smooth? Or smooth enough at least?? It's really damn hard right now when he's being given a hard stare that he deserves as the moron he is.

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer's brow slowly raises as the immortal tries to back track from his statement. His eyes fall down to the hand before making it back up to Toby's face.

There's reluctance in the handshake because of the way this person presented themselves. He does take the hand in a firm shake before releasing it., eyes locked on the vampire. There's an unusual amount of heat in the skin, much warmer than a human. "He was a friend to me."

It is all that Lucifer says but the shift in his presence, a slight linger of sadness, before he changes the subject to address the rest of the vampire's words.

"Flattery will get you nothing, nor will whatever that display was on the floor." His words are firm but not quite unfriendly, just distant because this stranger, near stranger, had made a crass display. "For the look, I would say you have no need of our brandy."

[rockandrollvampire]

It seems David Bowie is a touchy subject. Okay, noted. That's going to take a lot of effort on Toby's part to not mention, but he'll manage. Somehow. Hopefully.

The handshake is stronger and warmer than Toby's expecting, but it feels lovely against his own cool skin. He doesn't let his fingers linger the way he wants to (he has a feeling that will go over quite poorly if he tries for it), but there's a definite reluctance to the way the vampire takes back his hand.

"Well, that is because I've already indulged in some tonight. Plus another..." He looks back at the table to check how far into his current bottle of whiskey he is before whipping back around to Lucifer. "Two thirds of a bottle of cheap whiskey. I don't want it for getting drunk - it's too good for that - but for those nights when I could use something nice to drink while I read or relax."

This may be a bit of a Hail Mary on his part, but he tries for a stretch on this next one. "I have friends who are angels back home I could share it with, too. Promise I'd drink it only with them, if you'd prefer. Seems like it'd be better shared anyway."

Is he reaching really hard right now to get what he wants? You bet your sweet ass he is.

[the_rebel_son]

"hmmm..." Lucifer has his attention on the other angel who is pouring him a glass of brandy in a snifter. "Tell me. Did he tell you of the side effects of its consumption over time?"

Lucifer turns back to the vampire with drink in hand. Lucifer, even with an edge of annoyance, carries himself like a king. His manners are impeccable, for the moment. He takes a sip and partially rolls his eyes. "You are nearing begging, are you not? It is very unflattering."

[rockandrollvampire]

"Side effects?" Toby turns to arch an eyebrow at Beelzebub. Come on, he thought you two were becoming friends! Why hold out on a vampire in his hour of need?!

Turning back to Lucifer, the vampire shakes his head and frowns. "Didn't hear of any and neglected to ask about them. I know it hit me harder than expected, but I figured anything made by immortal hands would do that." Especially angelic hands. It makes sense, even to his drunken mind, that they'd manage to make something that could knock him on his ass in short order.

But, really, someone thinks this is begging? They've never seen him get started. "I haven't gotten to begging yet," he assures(??) Lucifer. "Not at my most charming right now after all the liquor I've had, but I promise it's all words and nothing more right now. My offer to share it with my friend Aziraphale and his partner Crowley is entirely genuine."

Vampire charms don't work on any angels he's ever met, but he's really not willing to risk trying it right now. A bottle of that brandy is a lot to risk over him making an ass of himself. Well, more of an ass of himself.

[the_rebel_son]

Beelezbub met his gaze and laughed. "I warned you."

Lucifer shrugged nonchalant. "The fruit this brandy is made from was not made to be consumed. There are effects that can be quite severe for someone who is not an angel."

"I would suggest against it." He comments on the begging because it is not something Lucifer would tolerate. "Charm is useless. Perhaps you should try being an acquaintance first."

"Aziraphale and Crowley are welcome at our home for drinks whenever they wish."

[rockandrollvampire]

The look Toby throws at Beelzebub very clearly say "Thanks for nothing, asshole." Come on, he thought you were bros!

"I'm not exactly human anymore, though," he notes. "Maybe vampires will do better than others would? Don't have the timeless thing going for me, but my body can take a beating and recover without any signs of it. Even hangovers pass with enough time..." Prooobably not helping his case, but he's trying.

Well, that's... fair. Damn. Toby runs a hand through his hair and rubs the back of his neck nervously, one of his many habits done to make himself more relatable to humans. "Can I buy you a drink while we get to know one another, then? Nothing here will match your brandy, but I'm certain the bartender can offer something worthwhile."

Of course Az and Crowley are invited over whenever. The angel makes friends with literally anyone without much effort and the demon is likeable, even when he's being a prick. "I have a feeling they'd leave me at home when they came to visit. That whole 'third wheel' thing is pretty real for them."

[the_rebel_son]

Beelzebub only laughs at the comment from the vampire. If he only knew. Still, War is not going to subsume this conversation from the king. At this point he's just along for the ride and drinks.

Lucifer turns on the vampire gaze and words very pointed. "Are you omniscient?"

The angel considers the offer and nods. "Very well. I will share a drink."

There's a small shrug. "Aziraphale most often visits on his own."

[rockandrollvampire]

"No?" Oh shit. Did he say the wrong thing again. ...it's really not surprising if he did. "I just see no point in saying 'no' without giving something a try. If I get hurt by it, it's not your fault." He frowns and shrugs. "Predicting anything isn't worth it for how often things change in the world around us."

Well, almost everything. Beings like angels and demons don't exactly change after all.

He looks absolutely relieved by Lucifer agreeing to a drink. A small grin returns to his face and he motions to the table Beelzebub is at. "Have a seat. I'll find us something."

The bar's offerings are actually much better than the vampire is expecting. Not amazing, but good enough to have a few 30 year aged scotches on hand. Toby takes a bottle from a defunct Earth distillery and then makes his way over the to tables where the angels are at with a set of fresh glasses.

"Crowley is a bit of a stick in the mud," Toby notes as he pours the three of them a glass. "Frets about the strangest things. I mean, some of them make sense, what with having enemies and all, but he gets annoyed at me for things like borrowing books from the shop." Okay, so, he totally steals some of them, but Crowley can take back those first edition Oscar Wildes over his undead body.

Glasses filled, Toby passes one to each of the angels and lifts his in toast. "To making new friends," he offers with a smile. "Cheers."

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer sighs at the behavior. "One side effect is uncontrollable, fragmented flashes of omniscience that can go on for days."

Toby will likely see surprise in the future if his belief is that angels don't change. Lucifer and his angels change drastically, sometimes violently over time.

He does take a seat with Beelzebub who is still way more amused by this situation than Lucifer. The angel isn't as picky about his drinks as one might assume, particularly when someone else is choosing, it's his diplomatic nature if nothing else.

"I am an incredibly powerful version of a boss he does not appreciate." Lucifer can freely admit that. He can't imagine being any different if he met a civil version of God. "Books are a dangerous thing to meddle with when it comes to any angel."

He'd have fingers for taking books from his library. Toby fills the glasses, and Beelzebub has already drained his before the vampire can toast. Lucifer cracks a big grin over the situation. Unlike Beelzebub he doesn't drink quickly. His attention is far more focused on the new comer.

[rockandrollvampire]

"...huh." Well, that wouldn't be pleasant, but it's better than being set on fire? Probably? He wouldn't actually know, seeing as he's never had visions of any sort before. "That'd be new if it did happen." And new is always good when you're an easily bored immortal who can only go outside at night.

"He does seem to have trouble letting go of things..." Like the book theft(s) he's committed. It would be so easy to let them go. Aziraphale does! Toby shakes his head and sips at his drink. "He and that angel of his are settling in nicely though. Don't think I've ever seen Aziraphale as happy as when they're together."

Of course Beelzebub is drinking before Toby can toast. The vampire chuckles and holds up the bottle to pour more for the angel, should he want it. "I wouldn't borrow them so often if they didn't mean so much to me. I've a particular fondness for a few authors and could ...well, I do read their works frequently. Call it an obsession if you like, but having one of those isn't unhealthy from time to time." This particular one won't ever go away, but Toby doesn't really care. If he can't have certain things for the rest of his life, he's damn well taking advantage of others.

[the_rebel_son]

A single brow goes up at the vampire's comment. "If your mind survived. I have no desire to be responsible for your foolishness." He was more serious than he had been. "You do not have the control for it given to you, if I am to judge by the way you continue to angle for what you want without restraint. Perhaps, some other time."

Though polite and neutral, there is a definite 'no' being issued to the request for the time being. Lucifer's tone is enough to stop Beelzebub's laughter, and his drinking pauses briefly.

However, as the subject turns to other things, any sternness that might have been perceived fades. "I think that is part of a long life that fills with memories."

Lucifer himself had a few keepsakes, nothing to fill an entire shop, but anyone removing them would find more than the harsh talking to he imagines from Aziraphale. "It appears to be a trend in the Nexus among our kind. It gives reason and stability to enter uncharted territory."

Lucifer's gaze leaves Toby, briefly considering the angel beside him. A look that is pointedly ignored by Beelzebub who is pouring another glass of brandy from his pitcher. If Lucifer was going to start anything along that line of discussion, he was going to need a lot more to drink. Finally, the talk of authors brings a hint of genuine smile to the king. "I have books with similar meaning in my collection, given to me by John Milton when I had occasion to visit him, and music books penned by Beethoven. I can understand the connection to literature."

[rockandrollvampire]

Damn. Looks like his quest is thwarted entirely. He'll have to work back up to asking again another day (because there's no way he's not trying again for it). He shrugs and offers an easy smile in return for being turned down. "Another time," he agrees.

"Trinkets and keepsakes are the easiest way to bring certain memories to mind," he adds. God knows the number of bits and baubles he's picked up and dropped over the last three centuries to keep certain people he's lost closer. Most are lost to the life he can't go back to with Dorian, but... well. That's not something he really wants to think or talk about right now, so he'll finish off his glass and pour himself another as he listens.

His eyes widen at the mention of the famous composer. "Beethoven?" He lets out a low whistle of approval. "That's a real treasure. I've a lot of books from over the years, but I never asked or tried for musical pieces. Anything I might know that you have a personally penned copy of? I'm not asking to see it, mind, but I am curious as to what he shared."

[the_rebel_son]

"If they exist." Lucifer commented on the idea of trinkets. He owned nothing of the woman he had once loved, mostly because ownership and sentiment to items wasn't yet a part of experience. How he wished he had those at times.

The conversation is treading into dangerous ground for the angel, where emotions would run high and outbursts were likely. For the moment he contentedly sat drinking and keeping the topics at an arms distance from his feelings. "What I possess has been given freely as gifts."

The question about his possessions gives the angel pause and reason to cast an analytical gaze on the vampire long before speaking. "The Moonlight Sonata, written for a woman, a student of his, who loved him and was fair skinned. They say she had the voice and grace of an angel."

Lucifer was certainly implying what it sounded like. There were occasions when he walked among humans for reasons of his own, or sometimes because his heart would have nothing else. The arrogant, wild musician had always felt, to the angel, as if he were watching some part of himself, primal and uncontrolled, create on its own. "I have a few pieces of drafts from the 5th and 9th symphonies when the pieces eluded him and spurned his anger to throw vials of ink on the books."

The fondness is there, and a cadence to Lucifer's speech. He wasn't speaking of events he had read of, or seen off hand but things he had been involved in and remembered more than one dress ruined to a tantrum written in ink. "The 9th he insisted I have his finished draft for his undue harassment of my voice and person."

[rockandrollvampire]

"Gifts are better than things taken or retrieved after a loved one's passing." That Toby can agree to readily. His favorite mementos are all gifts he was given by those he's loved over the years. True, he still has some that he's taken, but what else was he supposed to do in some cases? Some have left him rather suddenly or been forced out of his life for reasons beyond either party's control. He'll be damned again if anyone tries to take what few things he was able to take with him from Dorian.

He grins around a sip of his drink as Lucifer tells the story of Moonlight Sonata. That's a very thinly veiled story and exactly the kind of thing he loves to know. He's going to hold onto that tidbit now, thanks.

"He gave it to you as his penance?" That's surprising. Being given something like that is unusual even for those with extremely long lives. For an artist to give away something so precious requires a hell of a strong will, one that many don't have. Toby's eyebrows rise briefly as he refreshes his drink and then he tips his drink in Lucifer's direction. "It turned out beautifully. I've enjoyed it many times over the years, in person from time to time and everything. Didn't make it to its debut, though. Bit too far for me to travel back then."

[the_rebel_son]

"There are those who passed from my presence before the idea of possessions existed." Lucifer downed his drink and for the first time in a few minutes Beelzebub moved more than looking between the two men. He filled the kings cup and left the pitcher within Lucifer's reach. He knew who his brother was speaking about. He'd need more drink if this line continued.

"Perhaps." Lucifer smirked "I have always believed it a gift for taunting a woman his equal in ego and musical ability."

"He was a capricious teacher." Lucifer's tone turns nostalgic as he goes on, finishing his drink and pouring another. " It will never sound the same again, as it did in practice with the maestro on viola and an angel singing. The soprano is never as high as it was intended to be."