Thread: Greed, At Times, Is Good (Lila Lupin & Erit of Eastcris)

RE Greed, At Times, Is Good Lila Lupin Erit of Eastcris He noticed the tenderness of her tone first. The way she seemed to be holding back something, desperately restraining her emotions lest everything spill out. The choked-back vulnerability of one whose cup was fit to overflow. He knew not why she was suddenly so emotional, so raw and exposed, but he understood that she did not wish to be in public in such a state. And that inquiring as to the why of things would likely just push her over the edge. Greed nodded without meeting her gaze, knocking once more on the window and bidding the driver to take them back once the slide opened. So it was that, almost immediately after their outing began, they turned around and instead began to head back to the hotel. Please, he said simply, lacking any of the arrogance or swagger or sarcasm from before a flat, empty tone, almost gentle in its neutrality. You may just call me 'Arthur' if that's what you're comfortable with. He smiled that meaningless little smile, still not meeting her gaze as he sipped once more from his glass and gingerly patted the hand she still held upon his knee. You are correct in thinking I am not a fan of simple things, my dear, but I promised you whatever you desired and so I provide. It isn't good business for the Devil to break his word. They returned to the hotel, once more entering through the main lobby though it was hauntingly empty this time around. It was intentional she wished to evade the public eye, and so technically the lobby was off limits to everyone for a time, but rules did not apply to Mammon or to his wife. The Devil escorted her to the elevator which lead directly to her current abode, letting her change from the fanciful dress she had chosen to the simpler, more humdrum gown she'd worn before. A servant occupied the kitchen, making only a little noise as they prepared a modest meal of steak and buttered potatoes. Greed simply waited at the small, two-person square table and smiled, gesturing for Laressa to sit down across from him when she was changed and presented herself again. He'd removed his coat, watch and ring no extravagance, no pomp or flair. Just the two of them and a rudimentary dinner, like she'd asked for, and not a complaint from him. A simple enough meal, he said, gesturing to the kitchen as the servant worked, after which we can sit down on the couch and watch something together over a few glasses of wine. He smiled the same empty little smile. After which I'll see you to bed before departing for the evening. It is more modest a date than what I had planned, but I can't very well expect you to be happy when I force you to go places you do not wish to be, now can I? He chuckled then, leaning back in his chair and looking aside, out one of the many tall one-way windows that comprised the walls of this place. I do believe the last time I did something even remotely modestly was before my brothers and I fell from grace. We were seraphim, you know amongst the highest of angels, the most resplendent and divine of our kind. But Luficer, myself and the others, we dared to think there was more to existence than our Father we dared let things other than Him occupy our thoughts, and for that we were judged and cast out. The memories flew through him, old and unbidden but nonetheless almost present for how vivid they were. Our wings burned and turned ashen, our halos crumbled. Our very essences cried out, bereft of the only thing they had known and the thing by which we had measured our existence. But Lucifer told us 'better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven' and we agreed, because there was nothing else to do we replaced God's approval with our respective downfalls and, over time, we changed into the creatures we are today faces of the being you know as the Devil, manifestations of the seven deadly sins and common representations of all the evil in the world. A sigh, embittered and remorseful, passed his lips. I will be the first to admit that those who fall to our sins are wont to cause misery for others, to bring suffering upon the world. That the serpent's temptation of Eve is the root of all misfortune. But it is only through us that great things can occur those with great pride must make great works, those with much greed contribute great things for it, those of great sloth seek ways to make ease. Wrath comes in vengeance as well as without provocation, envy drives men to surpass each other. Even lust, in its own way, drives people to seek pleasure and escape pain, not just of the flesh but of the mind. We are the manifestation of sin and the embodiment of evil, yes but without darkness one cannot truly comprehend the scope of light. Greed closed his eyes, ceasing his rambling and chuckling ruefully to himself. No doubt you either do not care or disagree, believing as all faithful do that were my brothers and I to have never existed that all would be for the better. I apologize for my monologue. He gestured with a hand towards the pair of plates that the servant was bringing simple white porcelain with unornamented steel utensils. Come, let us eat, drink and be merry. That is what you wished for the night, yes?