Maya G.D.

I've been wanting to for a long time. Ever since our first fight together, but that didn't count because you weren't at full strength during the Jericho times. I'm, well, feeling weak at the moment. You took him out so easily and I had trouble with him...

{She was getting irritated with herself. She just felt weak and helpless, and it wasn't often that someone came out of the woodwork for her honor in LUCIFER'S own way.}

Nevermind. I think my ego is just getting the best of me.

I didn't do all that because you are weak.

I did all that because I couldn't be seen as weak.

[Told her upfront since she seemed to be struggling with the entire concept of his actions.]

Oh...OH!

{Alarm bells rung in her brain. Hello? Wake up!}

Oh, okay, this was a your ego sort of thing. Gotcha! I feel better about it already. Makes a lot more sense now that I think about it.

[He snorted and shook his head once. Bemused.]

Right. I wasn't being a white knight or treating you like a damsel.

Drake-boy just needed to know that my employees are off limits and I'm the consequence if he doesn't. Otherwise, people start attacking my shipments more and more and I lose all my credibility as a business. I lose my credibility.

You good?

{She took it all in and realized she was overreacting. She should have known better. She knew Lucifer long enough to know that things weren't like that with him. He was a lot easier to read once you realize what's between the lines is a middle finger. Which calmed her down to some degree as she rested her own ego on the shelf and gave a nod to Lucifer. Now she just felt foolish.}

Yeah, of course I'm good. I'm golden like the graham! Just happy to square all this up. Also, I think I actually dig this new gig of mine. Better than working for Scotty Boy by a mile.

{She nodded as she listened to him. She was getting too old for parties too. Parties were reserved for the younger crowd and she was hitting past that point. She eventually brightened up at his community centre.}

See? That's what I'm talking about. Giving back to the people and giving them a place to go! That's amazing, Miles! That's pretty dope if you ask me. I was thinking...about opening up my own business too. But it's just a pipedream for now.

[ His smile would turn bashful as his cheeks filled with colour--which he would absolutely blame on the heat from the fire place, if questioned-- attention shifting downward to look at his coffee as he offered a shrug. ] Thanks, man. It ain't much but.. it's a start.

Y'should. I thought the community centre was a pipe dream, but I made it work. Start plannin' stuff out an' get yer business off the ground. Life's too short not to, yanno?

{Maybe he was right. Life is way too short. Maya could see it written all Over Miles from before. The fact that he also knew was short and followed his gut to do something right with the world in his own way. She wanted that feeling of accomplishment. She always lived her life on the edge, and despite helping people with her fists and blood and sweat and tears, she wanted to do something different. At least she had to try, right? What was the worst that could happen?}

I wanna open up my own coffee shop. A place with couches, music, and live shows. I want somewhere that feels and looks comfortable enough to just forget your problems and relax.

That, or open up a gym, but I like my first idea better.

{She laughed.}

I've been wanting to for a long time. Ever since our first fight together, but that didn't count because you weren't at full strength during the Jericho times. I'm, well, feeling weak at the moment. You took him out so easily and I had trouble with him...

{She was getting irritated with herself. She just felt weak and helpless, and it wasn't often that someone came out of the woodwork for her honor in LUCIFER'S own way.}

Nevermind. I think my ego is just getting the best of me.

I didn't do all that because you are weak.

I did all that because I couldn't be seen as weak.

[Told her upfront since she seemed to be struggling with the entire concept of his actions.]

Oh...OH!

{Alarm bells rung in her brain. Hello? Wake up!}

Oh, okay, this was a your ego sort of thing. Gotcha! I feel better about it already. Makes a lot more sense now that I think about it.

Wowie, wow, wow! Sounds like you've all been through the ringer while I was gone. Here I thought I was going through it.

{Not everyone knew about her time in the other dimension. She told a little bit, but ten years in another mirror world to her own was a little much to explain. She figured she'd have to get herself a therapist of some kind at some point.}

Anywho! What about good things? Any good stuff happen? Any cool parties? Parties? I dunno why I asked about parties.

Through the ringer's.. maybe a bit of an exaggeration. It really weren't that bad. [ It absolutely had been that bad but, what was done, was done. Miles didn't particularly like dwelling on it all that much, especially given Devang was the cause of it all, but, baby steps; he had mentioned what had happened without spiralling. ] Don't tell me you died too...?

Oh, uhh. [ Hummed as he took another sip of his coffee. ] M'gettin' too old for parties, but I've opened up a community centre, s'doing well so far, slow goin' but... It's comin' along nicely. [ There is a lilt of pride in his voice. ]

{She nodded as she listened to him. She was getting too old for parties too. Parties were reserved for the younger crowd and she was hitting past that point. She eventually brightened up at his community centre.}

See? That's what I'm talking about. Giving back to the people and giving them a place to go! That's amazing, Miles! That's pretty dope if you ask me. I was thinking...about opening up my own business too. But it's just a pipedream for now.

{Kaiser fell right back into the broken table from before. His whole being felt broken. His soul bruised by the hammer, physically and mentally and emotionally. Kaiser would take a while to heal from all three wounds.

Maya rolled her eye's. Oooooookay. Just leave me behind why don'tcha. She followed behind him and hands in the pockets of her leather coat. Just beady eyed at Lucifer. She was irritated. Beyond irritated. She wanted to rough up Kaiser too to some degree, but Lucifer took allllllllll of the glory. She crossed her arms over her chest, stopped, and stared at Lucifer's back.}

Spar with me. One on one.

[Please, she hadn't even wanted him to do anything in the first place.

He looked over at her, a small scowl on his face.]

What? Why?

[As he stopped on the sidewalk to face her.]

I've been wanting to for a long time. Ever since our first fight together, but that didn't count because you weren't at full strength during the Jericho times. I'm, well, feeling weak at the moment. You took him out so easily and I had trouble with him...

{She was getting irritated with herself. She just felt weak and helpless, and it wasn't often that someone came out of the woodwork for her honor in LUCIFER'S own way.}

Nevermind. I think my ego is just getting the best of me.

{An apology? A beating? Both sounded absolutely horrible. His entire being screamed at him not to apologize. The other side of him wanted to live long enough to see his next fuck. Which, at this point, was not going to be Lucifer by any chance of the imagination. Yes. He was dumb, but not dumb enough to die like this. He gulped and grimaced, teeth grinding as he was about to say the thing he didn't want to say.}

I apologize for my insolence.

While that was nice to hear, you are this close to what I am actually seeking an apology for.

[Made a small space between thumb and first finger. The apology was supposed to be for trying to steal from him and attacking his courier in the process.]

I apologize for attacking your delivery driver, for disrespecting your business, and disrespecting you.

{He grit his teeth the entire time.}

{Maya stood above the pit and looked down at all the dummys trying to see how big their PP's were. She rolled her eye's.} I think he understands, Lucifer. Let's head back to the office together. I'm getting hungry.

{Kaiser flinched.} I'm also sorry about making assumptions about your relationship with your co-worker.

I had forgotten about that.

[A smirk crawled over his face. What a perfect reason to swing the hammer in an upward arc into the underside of his chin.

Lucky for Kaiser, it wasn't a full force sort of hit. IT was mostly a metaphysical blow to send the man through the reality slip back the way he'd come. It would smart, but no broken teeth or bones.

He teleported after the man and caught him by vest as the flooring sealed up along with the rift. Then set him on his feet.]

All's well that ends well.

[As he waved and went out the door.]

{Kaiser fell right back into the broken table from before. His whole being felt broken. His soul bruised by the hammer, physically and mentally and emotionally. Kaiser would take a while to heal from all three wounds.

Maya rolled her eye's. Oooooookay. Just leave me behind why don'tcha. She followed behind him and hands in the pockets of her leather coat. Just beady eyed at Lucifer. She was irritated. Beyond irritated. She wanted to rough up Kaiser too to some degree, but Lucifer took allllllllll of the glory. She crossed her arms over her chest, stopped, and stared at Lucifer's back.}

Spar with me. One on one.

{An apology? A beating? Both sounded absolutely horrible. His entire being screamed at him not to apologize. The other side of him wanted to live long enough to see his next fuck. Which, at this point, was not going to be Lucifer by any chance of the imagination. Yes. He was dumb, but not dumb enough to die like this. He gulped and grimaced, teeth grinding as he was about to say the thing he didn't want to say.}

I apologize for my insolence.

While that was nice to hear, you are this close to what I am actually seeking an apology for.

[Made a small space between thumb and first finger. The apology was supposed to be for trying to steal from him and attacking his courier in the process.]

I apologize for attacking your delivery driver, for disrespecting your business, and disrespecting you.

{He grit his teeth the entire time.}

{Maya stood above the pit and looked down at all the dummys trying to see how big their PP's were. She rolled her eye's.} I think he understands, Lucifer. Let's head back to the office together. I'm getting hungry.

{Kaiser flinched.} I'm also sorry about making assumptions about your relationship with your co-worker.

OK! Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay!

{Kaiser held up his hands. He was actually terrified now at the prospect of dying. He took in a deep breath and nodded.}

I'll pay back my debt, just stop with the antics already! I'll do anything you want, promise. I'll even have me and my goons work for you. I'll do anything at this point. Just stop with all of this and I'll do anything.

[He took a deep breath, pinched his nose, and gave himself a pause. For patience.]

You are more brain dead than you are loud.

Take your pick, boy; A beating or an apology. [Repeated for a third time, bluntly.]

{An apology? A beating? Both sounded absolutely horrible. His entire being screamed at him not to apologize. The other side of him wanted to live long enough to see his next fuck. Which, at this point, was not going to be Lucifer by any chance of the imagination. Yes. He was dumb, but not dumb enough to die like this. He gulped and grimaced, teeth grinding as he was about to say the thing he didn't want to say.}

I apologize for my insolence.

OK! Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay!

{Kaiser held up his hands. He was actually terrified now at the prospect of dying. He took in a deep breath and nodded.}

I'll pay back my debt, just stop with the antics already! I'll do anything you want, promise. I'll even have me and my goons work for you. I'll do anything at this point. Just stop with all of this and I'll do anything.

[He took a deep breath, pinched his nose, and gave himself a pause. For patience.]

You are more brain dead than you are loud.

Take your pick, boy; A beating or an apology. [Repeated for a third time, bluntly.]

{Kaiser, it was, was not exactly keen on dying. No. See? Kaiser loved life and everything that came with it. Kaiser loved life so much that he was willing to continue living even if it meant compromise with another dimensional angelic creature. He was strong. He could fight against Lucifer if he wanted to, but chances were that he couldn't fight against them even if he tried. So, the best course of action was to try and negotiate.}

Fine. I'll play by your rules. What is it you want from me? My treasure hoard? Not happening. I'll give you....twenty-five percent of my treasure hoard to no longer be in my business, and I'll be out of your business. Agreed?

You still aren't listening very well, drake. I offered you your choices already. One or the other.

[His fingers danced along the handle of his hammer. Somewhat impatiently. Waiting for Kaiser to figure himself out and reflect on their hither-to conversation.]

I care not for earthly treasure. [He added. So Kaiser would nix that invented option from his mind.]

OK! Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay!

{Kaiser held up his hands. He was actually terrified now at the prospect of dying. He took in a deep breath and nodded.}

I'll pay back my debt, just stop with the antics already! I'll do anything you want, promise. I'll even have me and my goons work for you. I'll do anything at this point. Just stop with all of this and I'll do anything.

{Dante's Inferno times ten.

Spooky dookie time!

Kaiser lacked many things, courage and stupidity and ignorance were not one of those things.

He laughed. In the many faces of evil, malice, and just plain carnage of souls he laughed. He was such an asshole in plain sight. He shrugged and whistled as he looked around.}

Feels like a familia reunion in here. Interestin' choice of scenery, damn it's chilly.

{He was JUST trying to have a good time, and now he was in hell. Welp, he figured this was how he was gonna go. Best to at least minimize the situation with pleading like a butt-head.}

I get it. I'll leave your business alone and I'll especially leave your people alone. Good enough?

No.

[A simple hard statement, the heads giving an avian tilt. There was...defiance in this creature. It was rebellious. Kept him from squashing him into badly textured red jelly. However, Kaiser's words, flippant and carefully woven to protect himself from his fear and ego, were not enough.]

Did that sound like an apology, to you? [The behemoth asked the soul-eater rhetorically. He got no reply. Stanley was clearly out of the house, as it were. Didn't matter. It's for show. He didn't expect an answer as attention of golden eyes fixed on Kaiser again.]

I should take you up and break each of your bones with my fingers, individually, like match sticks. Or, more tit-for-tat, take my small hammer and tenderize you into the ice until you're fit for a stir fry.

Yet, I am giving you chances. Because, loath I am to admit such things, your piss taking touches on the nature of my being--I want it to thrive. [The colossus pulled itself back upright with less effort than before, though chunks of ice still flaked off in the motion. Returning to the original position it had been found in.

Settled, it no longer moved. It did not disappear, but the more manageable avatar of himself--the fun-sized version that originally brought him down here, stepped out from behind Kaiser and walked a half-circle around to his front. Hammer on shoulder.]

But your actions put you in Debt with me. I will be paid. One way or the other. So, what will it be?

{Kaiser, it was, was not exactly keen on dying. No. See? Kaiser loved life and everything that came with it. Kaiser loved life so much that he was willing to continue living even if it meant compromise with another dimensional angelic creature. He was strong. He could fight against Lucifer if he wanted to, but chances were that he couldn't fight against them even if he tried. So, the best course of action was to try and negotiate.}

Fine. I'll play by your rules. What is it you want from me? My treasure hoard? Not happening. I'll give you....twenty-five percent of my treasure hoard to no longer be in my business, and I'll be out of your business. Agreed?

Karlach ⚔️❤️‍🔥🔥

You gotta tell me more about this whole being unalived thing.

{She went along into the shop to get herself and him a coffee. Ordered him a regular coffee, and she, of course, got herself multiple drinks. An iced coffee pumpkin spice latte, and a cup of hot coffee on the side of that. She found a cozy spot near the fireplace, jazz music playing in the background.

The place had a cozy fantasy feel to it. All wood panels, hardwood floor that looked like it was made to look like the trunk of a tree. Plants hanging from everywhere, the temp just right, and the music was relaxing.

Once she sat down with her drinks, she took a sip.}

Tell me more. You have me intrigued. My undivided attention good sir.

Ah, well, y'know... [ Tried to play it off as best he could. It wasn't as fresh any more, but it had still been An Experience, one that he had a lot of mixed and weird feelings about.

He would get settled comfortably, pulling off his jacket and setting it on the back of his seat, already feeling the toasty warmth from the fire, and, once he's given his coffee, take a sip too. ]

I mean.. I dunno if there's much else t' tell, yanno? I... died, but thankfully I got friends in high places, so it didn't stick..

Wowie, wow, wow! Sounds like you've all been through the ringer while I was gone. Here I thought I was going through it.

{Not everyone knew about her time in the other dimension. She told a little bit, but ten years in another mirror world to her own was a little much to explain. She figured she'd have to get herself a therapist of some kind at some point.}

Anywho! What about good things? Any good stuff happen? Any cool parties? Parties? I dunno why I asked about parties.

Oh, ya know, the usual. Trying to keep myself out of trouble while simultaneously putting myself in it.

{She shrugged with a small laugh. She was definitely trying to live her life the best way she knew how. Keeping her head in the dirt whilst also flailing her fists about like a mad woman. If it hit something it wasn't her fault, right? Right!}

Fuck, man, glad to see everyone is still alive and in one piece. Been so long.

{She clapped her hands.}

Time coffee and or tea. Hells, why not both?

Hoo boy, tell me about it. [ Miles was in a similar mindset, though, in a less fists flailing wildly and more silently hoping and praying he wouldn't need to raise his fists for any reason kind of way. ]

Ehh, things were touch an' go a little when I, uh.. heh, I died but yeah-- currently alive an' in one piece. [ Offered a sheepish little smile and a shrug. ]

Oof, I shouldn't be havin' tha' much caffeine, but I'll definitely take a coffee. [ He would move to the café door, opening it up and keeping it open as he stepped inside, waiting for Maya to follow. ]

You gotta tell me more about this whole being unalived thing.

{She went along into the shop to get herself and him a coffee. Ordered him a regular coffee, and she, of course, got herself multiple drinks. An iced coffee pumpkin spice latte, and a cup of hot coffee on the side of that. She found a cozy spot near the fireplace, jazz music playing in the background.

The place had a cozy fantasy feel to it. All wood panels, hardwood floor that looked like it was made to look like the trunk of a tree. Plants hanging from everywhere, the temp just right, and the music was relaxing.

Once she sat down with her drinks, she took a sip.}

Tell me more. You have me intrigued. My undivided attention good sir.

My spirit soars where the air goes thin.