002 - video

[hotshit]

So all this talk of war that's goin' on has got me thinkin' -- if I'm expected to fight for anybody I expect to be paid in full beforehand. It seems only fair, since my services never come free for anyone else. Wouldn't you guys agree?

Anyway, in the mean time, I might as well get myself a steady job in case business gets slow until then! Who's hiring? -- And come to think of it, while I'm talkin' to this thing...

[The camera suddenly zooms out enough so that the grey bear cub beside him is shown, balancing a chunk of meat on its muzzle. Claire sweeps his hand up into the air, making a gesture with an open hand, which seems to be the signal of approval for the bear to toss the meat up into the air and catch it in its mouth.]

There's quite a few kids at this place, right? Would any of you guys like to help me raise a bear? I'm workin' on making my own income at this place, so you're not gonna get paid anything, but I imagine some of you wouldn't want to pass up the chance to play with a lovable guy like this!

[He reaches over to the cub with both his hands, ruffling the fur on its neck roughly in a playful manner. The cub draws out a deep whine at this. He has no idea that the cub is actually female.]

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[apostatises]

[Well, that's a bit presumptuous. Lucifer feels like if these gods weren't so clearly desperate for help, this guy would have been smitten for even considering being paid at all, much less to begin with.]

[But, hey, he can sympathize.]

I do agree. [Coolly,] But don't you think it's a little presumptuous to ask that of gods? Why should they pay you?

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[hotshit]

Presumptuous? Not at all! After all, they brought me here to give 'em a hand. Why shouldn't they pay me?

[apostatises]

They have no reason to. They're gods. [He rests a head in his hand, but there's no judgement or even... discouragement.]

[hotshit]

How does that make 'em any different from anybody else? What am I expected to do, treat 'em as if they're special when they're not?

Gods simply just don't exist in my world. I don't believe in any kind of supreme ruler.

[apostatises]

[He has no comment on the atheism, since he sure wishes that they didn't exist.]

Most people do. Though it's generally out of fear more than respect.

[hotshit]

It's all superstitions, if you ask me. People'll believe anything you tell 'em, even if the threat's vague. They build it up in their minds.

Are you afraid of these so-called Gods?

[apostatises]

No. They are afraid of me.

[It's said simply, just a statement of fact.] In fact, I believe that they fear most of those that they've forcibly employed to help them. They are weak gods, on the edge of extinction. Gods that take away the natural abilities of those that enter their realms are the ones that have something to fear from those visitors. They believe it to be control, but it is a sign of their lack of power.

[hotshit]

[Claire takes all of this new information in stride, unsurprised, and listens intently while forming connections in his mind.]

I gotta agree with you, there. True power only lies within a person; it never extends to their army or followers, otherwise mutinies wouldn't exist. You can only force others under your thumb for so long 'til you make the wrong move and pay for it. That's what happens with you rely completely on other people's strength.

So you say you've been forced to work under Gods -- does that make you some kind of angel?

[apostatises]

I would think that the wings give it away.

[Sarcasm? Possibly.] But no. The opposite. The wings are just a touch of irony on my part.

[He doesn't comment on the first part, just because he feels like revealing his name will make his opinions make enough sense with just that.]

[hotshit]

Well, I couldn't be quite sure at first. You could've been a bird-man or something. It's rude to make assumptions like that, y'know.

So, what are you supposed to be? Just an underling, then? Or perhaps you used to be a God yourself, before you made the wrong move.

[apostatises]

I've had quite a few names in my lifetime. My favored one is Lucifer.

[Which is a simple answer, but, again, Lucifer still feels like this reputation precedes him all the time.]

[hotshit]

[Claire's tone and expression don't change, since his reputation doesn't matter to him.] Oh, I recognize that name! If you are who I think you are, you're quite famous.

Though, it would also make you technically an angel, even with the whole falling from grace thing that happened.

[apostatises]

Technically. [He chuckles, thinking of Amandiel] But any angel would disagree with you about that. I'm in a league of my own, and happy with that.

[hotshit]

Your own league, huh? Would that be referring to the underworld, or Hell, or what ever you wanna call i?

[apostatises]

No. I left Hell a while ago to pursue my own ventures. It's in the care of two angels, rather ironically.

[hotshit]

On Earth or in Heaven? You're not thinkin' about getting revenge, are you?

[apostatises]

I'm not interested in revenge. I knew the consequences of my rebellion, and the Fall was a welcome change from all the sterile boredom of "Heaven," as it were. Hell was much more interesting than the Silver City.

[hotshit]

There's no such thing as paradise, as far as I'm concerned, let alone anyone who would even know what to do with it.

It's nice to hear that Gods make up a government that's no better than a human-run one, though. I'm assuming it's got its corrupt side, which is why you rebelled against 'em. Wouldn't expect any different from them, anyway.

[apostatises]

[He chuckles] I would argue that it's worse. Angels are all arrogant and haughty. It's ironic, but I probably understand human nature better than any of them.

[hotshit]

Is that so? What's your verdict on humans, then.

[apostatises]

Similarly arrogant and haughty, but full of much more intrigue than angels. Humankind is varied and truly represents the concept of the individual more than any other creature to exist in Creation.