endoftheverse | Lucifer's Dreamwalking

[Oh, yes, he's had quite a number of obedient followers stagger or slip to the ground in his presence (demons are such foul little creatures, but their loyalty and wonder is at least a little endearing). Paimon, of course, is a very special sort of being — much more capable. He holds his hands out, palms up, a calming aura around him.]

I am, yes. I'm here, Paimon.

I could sense you within the boy — at that store. I had to see for myself just who you were... and I am not disappointed. How did you come to be here? In a town such as this — in a vessel such as yours?

[ His hands find those cold palms, holding onto them for support, and his dark eyes are gazing up at the being like that, while knelt on the floor. He.... understands, by now, that there are different versions of what he is. A demon. He's met them here, in this place. He'd met Lilith — Queen of Hell, familiar with another Lucifer. Not his.

But this Lucifer... addresses him with familiarity, and Paimon is floored. Perhaps he should be more wary of this, should question it more. But he is almost... childlike in his naivety, following his most recent rebirth. He doesn't know. He begins to cling onto the notion that this is his Lucifer the way he clings to his hands. If this wasn't his Lucifer, he wouldn't know him the way he clearly does... right? ]

Sam. [ He breathes out the name softly, understanding. Lucifer was...... in Sam. He was there; Paimon had felt him, not knowing exactly what he was, but.... he was there. He is in Sam. ]

He was.... given to me. By the people. [ Still dazed, he struggles for the words, eyes glinting. ] The body is supposed to be mine. Only mine. But we..... woke here, in this place. We are together. [ Confusion tightens his features. ]

I think this place has... trapped us together. Master.... are you trapped, too? In a boy? In Sam?

[He sighs softly, more than a little exasperated.]

Sam Winchester is my chosen vessel, yes. He was always meant to be mine — and for a long time, he was. But... it seems this place has trapped me as much as it has you. And in the middle of my crucial work, at that.

[The shake of his head, and he takes a short walk around the room, studying the interesting little markings of an individual who once existed in this place. As he walks, his figure morphs into the likeness of Sam Winchester, in his too-white suit and neatly kept hair. He's so very different than the Sam in the thrift store — imposing, quietly dangerous, his back straight and not so hunched in and defeated. Raw power, in another world.]

Now, I'm under the surface.

I can only speak to you like this, my child. Much like you, my vessel has too much say over our body.

[ Amongst demons, Paimon is one of the most powerful of his world, on the top rungs of hierarchy, but here... he seems almost like a child, the way he watches Lucifer when he moves away to walk around the room. There's something longing, as though he wants to follow him around, but Paimon stays where he is, after slowly getting back to his feet. His body follows the man, though, turning to watch him. His eyes never leave Lucifer.

And now he looks like Sam, only in clean white clothing. Paimon's eyes widen in a sort of awe; it....... looks like Sam, but it's Lucifer. Is this how it's supposed to be for him and Peter? The body that's supposed to be his.... someday.... will he be able to own it the way Lucifer owns Sam's in this dreamscape? ]

Yes.... yes. The people told me. They told me that Peter was chosen for me. [ There's an excitement bubbling up in him because Lucifer understands, his eyes flashing with gold for a moment, his real essence able to shine through in this place. ]

What work were you doing? Was I.... supposed to be doing work, too? [ Paimon's mouth stays open, the gears in his mind shifting. He... doesn't understand why he was summoned to Earth the way he was. Why he was torn from host to host until he was placed into the boy. The particular ritual required for the possession was..... long-lasting and strenuous; it had essentially taken.... years to complete. And it did its damages to him. He's too many identities, too much. He's been mutilated by the failed and temporary possessions, but.... perhaps it was all for some greater purpose...? ]

[The strangely innocent way Paimon acts is not lost on Lucifer. Like a child waiting to be instructed by their parent. It's almost precious, in some disdainful, demonic way. The gold-eyed and white-eyed demons were always best, though. A small pool of diamonds in the rough.]

People told you, did they?

[Interesting. Followers, perhaps? He's had his fair share over the last millennia.]

I was cleansing the Earth, of course. Scraping away the filth and contaminates... putting it back to the way it was, before humans polluted it. [He moves toward Paimon again, and places a gentle hand on his shoulder.] Your work can be much the same, if you'd like. Cleansing. This place is teeming with filth... with humans that disregard all that is important.

[He speaks to the demon in the way he would have spoken to the one in his own universe — and hopes that the similarities are enough. He trusts Paimon to be as loyal and enthusiastic with his following as he's ever been, honestly.]

It must be counteracted with blood.

With sacrifice.

[ There are still so many questions in him; he's weirdly overwhelmed by them. Unable to think too much, only staring at the other... demon....? No. No, his master is not a demon. Somewhere deep within him, Paimon knows this even if he can't quite understand what it is. But he know his master is something more, something greater.... something still great, even if it has fallen. And once, Paimon too was an angel, though this is something he has absolutely no memory or knowledge of, anymore.

The overwhelmed feeling buzzes like too many insects in his mind, and Paimon stares in a way that seems gaping. Cleansing the earth....from the filth of humans? As Lucifer moves closer, Paimon has to look up to meet his eyes. His own vessel is tall, too-tall some days; sometimes he's still not used to the abrupt transition from a smaller body to this lengthy one. But his master's vessel is even taller than that, even bigger. Such a grand vessel for such a grand presence. He's not the wounded, shaking thing that was Sam, and Paimon can now see how capable, how handsome, how strong he is.

The hand at his shoulder is gentle and Paimon's eyes swell with a fresh wave of wet. He's been searching for his master for so long, hanging onto the concept that Lucifer will know how to help him and what to do, and now that he's here.... it is over-stimulating to the broken demon. He breathes in a shaking, wet sound, his tongue giving strange movements against it, strange noises. He sounds like something caught between life and death. (....He's happy. It's a happy sound, even if it sounds..... horrifying. But Lucifer's giving him work, purpose.)

Except.......... Blood? Sacrifice? He's well-familiar with those things; October had him engaging quite willingly in them. But.... he was being affected by the town, then. While there's a capability for such violence in him, on an ordinary day, Paimon does not wish to harm others. He has in fact, been helping others, slowly. ]

Cleanse this place..... with blood. [ He can understand the concept, but it's clear that there's a flicker of confusion in him, his eyes lowering for a moment. He'd follow "his master" through anything, but Paimon's been shaped by so many hands and while the pause isn't doubt of Lucifer's words, it's simply that he...... feels so lost. ]

Whose blood? Which..... people in this place must be sacrificed, Master?

[ .....Notice he isn't questioning that people must, in fact, be sacrificed....... But is it... everyone? Specific people? There's something flickering in him, some discomfort. There are people here he.... is fond of. Attached to. ]

Edited 2020-12-15 16:23 (UTC)

[Lucifer cocks his head to the side, smiles knowingly.]

You're worried I'll ask you to kill people you like?

Child, I would never ask you to destroy your favorite things; I'm not God. I don't ask you to throw your possessions at my feet. No, I will leave it to you. [He touches beneath Paimon's chin, lifting it kindly to look at him.] Choose whoever you'd like. As long as the cup runneth over, you've done your part.

[Really... Lucifer just wants some entertainment.

If he's to be trapped in some other world, he deserves that much, no?

But then he smiles contentedly. ]

... But I've another request of you.

A delivery to my vessel — done in secrecy.

A temptation to put before him. A reminder of who he is.

[ Lucifer voices it aloud for him, what worry rests in Paimon's mind, and he blinks, stunned. But of course Lucifer knows..... and there's comfort in the fact he does, for Paimon who struggles to express himself and communicate.

He doesn't know who "God" is, though he's heard the word voiced before. He assumes it's someone important, but now isn't the time for asking questions there, when there are more important things to worry about. When Lucifer lifts his chin upwards, the demon swallows, eyes wet and full. He's at once aware of his own broken appearance, how.... feeble he must seem. And yet Lucifer shows him this kindness.... doesn't cringe away from his ugliness, from the weakness of his vessel. From the weakness of him. ]

I can.... choose. [ He repeats quietly, almost like trying on a new shirt, one he's not sure fits him yet. Choice is something that's largely been stripped from him, by those hands that have most recently guided him. The cult had directed him what to do, where to go, whom to manipulate and burn and cut and remove.

But Lucifer's giving him a request, and Paimon's eyelids flutter, something in him breathing to life again. He's still a bit dazed by all of this, but somewhere in him he thinks that of all those who summon and request of him, it's Lucifer's desires he most wants to fulfill. ]

I will. I will help you remind him. I will deliver whatever you require of me. [ A pause, as he thinks on it, as he compares Sam to his own vessel. ]

Does he..... resist you? Is that why he needs tempting?

He does, yes...

My vessel is strong, because he needs to be able to house my grace. [He frowns, his hands falling to his sides.] But it also means he's strong enough to try and resist me. I imagine you're having similar troubles, having seen the boy your vessel initially belonged to?

[The smile he offers is expert in how soft and disarming it is.

Sammy's always had the kindest eyes, the gentlest lips.]

If you think you're capable, take a small vial of your own blood, and — when Sam is alone in that house of his — I want you to deliver it to his door. Leave it as a gift to him.

Only one such as you can give such enticement.

Your blood is worthy. It can strength my vessel.

And perhaps even strengthen me.

[ The smile is kind, and soft, and the weird lost part of Paimon needs that. Where there's still some odd sort of hesitation, some feeling that this is strange, there's also a blossoming sensation of warmth. Paimon should perhaps take time and... think about this before agreeing to things and sharing important details, but he doesn't. He trusts this being before him, too much, too quickly. He says he is his Lucifer and Paimon believes him. Mostly because he so desperately wants to. ]

My vessel is.... weak. Very weak. He had to be made..... vulnerable. Hollow. [ Paimon frowns, looking down at himself, as though assessing Peter's body. ] But he somehow resists me, still. And the witch... I promised the witch I would not try to remove him anymore. She has love for him.

[ It doesn't mean Peter's in the clear, however. Paimon is very sure his own vessel will succumb to him over time, naturally. Because that's how it's meant to be, right? ]

My blood? [ Oh...... What an important task. The demon's nostrils flare slightly, his eyes widening. His fingers slowly find the front of Lucifer's clothing, tentatively brushing against it. The warmth in him to be given such a task swells, and perhaps feels dangerously close to something like love of his own. ] I will. I will make certain he receives my blood. I will help strengthen you.

[ This won't end badly at all. ]

Should I... stay hidden from him? Or should he know about me? [ Maybe Lucifer would prefer him to reach out to Sam, or maybe he'd rather Paimon stick to the shadows as he manipulates these things for him. ]

[Lucifer nods.]

Understandable. A good vessel is one that has been broken down, made easier to manipulate. A strong willpower makes for a fussy body. [He would know the methods to tear someone down very well. Poor Sam... What chance did he even stand? But as Paimon asks what to do, Lucifer can only shake his head.]

If there's one thing about Sam Winchester you should know, it's that he's someone you shouldn't face in the light.

[He puts a hand over the tentative hand, and squeezes Paimon's hand; it's interesting to him, when beings of his kind are so emotional. He's seen a number of demons with devotion or love or wonder in their eyes. Lucifer thinks little of them of course, but even someone with a dislike of dogs can have a few they're rather tolerant of.]

I would hate for something to happen to you, Paimon. Winchesters are dangerous.

No, it's better to cut him down from the darkness. Do not let yourself be known to him.

Do you think you can do this?

[ Paimon can't exactly understand this just yet, but the type of demon he is was never meant to battle for dominance against his vessel's spirit. The spirit was supposed to already have been removed.... or weakened so much that it was mere seconds away from fizzling away forever. But they'd woken in this place, and somehow the dream world had... kept Peter alive. Healed him enough to exist again, perhaps, and keep both of them here in this body.

But he listens to Lucifer's words, and nods severely. A fussy body. Peter doesn't provide much of a challenge on a normal day; it's relatively easy to silence him when he needs to. But clearly, Lucifer has more struggle within Sam Winchester. And so Paimon will do what he can to help him... ]

I can. I can do this.

[ His eyes glisten strangely as Lucifer takes his hand and squeezes it, warns him about the Winchesters, tries to protect him from them. He's so good, so kind, Paimon thinks. Of course his master would be. ]

.....Though I am very weak, Master. [ He glances back down again, a little fretful. He knows he's still such a broken thing. It may take him some time to accomplish this task, to sort out how to do it in a way that his own vessel doesn't find out. He will also need to observe Sam Winchester for awhile, note his patterns and who lives with him and what times he's alone. He will have to be very careful. Very cunning. Fortunately, he is a demon of knowledge and wisdom, not of combat. He can devise clever plans, use them that way, and such a task may help him reclaim that part of himself. ]

But I will grow stronger. I will not fail you.

[ A pause, as his wide eyes search the other's. ] Can I still.... speak to you? Like this? [ Even if he has to lay low for awhile and be careful around Sam. There's still so much he wants to discuss with Lucifer, so much to ask him. ]

[Lucifer smiles, not a shred of doubt in Paimon in the way he looks at him.]

I know you'll grow stronger. I know you'll do what's needed.

[He But when Paimon asks him that, and Lucifer finds it adorable, in that sort of way a pet owner is proud of their dog for learning how to shake or sit. He ruffles Peter's hair, reminded of the boy who used to have a similar head of shaggy hair — a Sam Winchester that didn't know what laid before him, young and impressionable, with stars in his eyes for school and normalcy.

Poor creatures.]

Of course you can. You can pray to me any time you'd like.

Barring any unpleasant surprises from my vessel... I'll appear as requested.

[ The belief Lucifer has in him strikes him deeply; Paimon isn't used to being regarded with such... confidence. Especially not when he's been lacking it in himself. But he's reassured by the words, a resolve strengthened in him. He'll absolutely treat this task with care, and he has much to think about. His master making an appearance here means... everything. ]

You are gracious.... the most gracious. [ He whispers softly, the affection to his hair warming him even more. Something that does feel like love keeps pulsing in the depths of him. If he could ever feel love, skewed as it is; being in human forms has allowed him to experience the shadows of certain feelings. ]

Thank you. [ Paimon is very pleased that he can summon Lucifer, and he tells himself that he won't abuse that ability. (.....Watch him pray to Lucifer like, every night, though. Sorry Satan, he's literally your Biggest Fan.....) ]

Please rest now. You must be tired, working against the will of your vessel..... But I will dream of you, [ he promises, associating the concept with empowering Lucifer; Paimon will think of him in sleep and try to give him strength that way, too. ]

["I will dream of you". Goodness, Paimon, buy him dinner first. But as the demon speaks, Lucifer looks particularly pleased by this entire conversation. He gives a small nod, and takes one step back.]

Sweet dreams, little demon king.

I'm sure we'll do wondrous things, you and I.

[In the blink of an eye, he's gone, his energy lingering in the air, like the coldness of winter that slips through a door left open. It fades with time.]

Lucifer's Dreamwalking

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