His Father's Son

OOC: Open to one male pm for detail

IC:
Old Scratch
Old Nick
Lucifer
Mephistopheles
Beelzebub
Satan
Belial
Dad

Yes Dad, that was the one title that made it so much easier for Lucifer to get things done. After all it wasn't like any of his children ever said no to him, well none of the ones he had a hand in raising. In truth seducing the child of one of the Host should have been something he could have done himself in a weekend, but truth was he was just too damn busy. Which was why he had sent for his youngest, Nikolai, Nik to his friends.

While a little light in the hellfire department, Nik had all of his father's charm and good looks. He wasn't an angel by any means, no he at least embraced what his father stood for and was a thief. Not some lowly pickpocket or identity thief, but a first class thief. Only the best for his son. The more expensive or well guarded it was, the more he wanted it.

Well this little assignment was going to be the best heist in his life. While the target wasn't pure angel, her father had been, and her soul was just as pure. It would make for a lovely trophy.

Looking as if he wasn't a day over 30, Lucifer turned around to finally look at his son, "Well I am sure you're wondering why I asked you down here. Its very simple son, I need you to steal something for me."


//Two weeks later//

Lila sighed softly as she pushed a lock of hair back behind her left ear. In the same hand she held a pencil and in the other a small notebook as she continued on her way through the art exhibit. Even though there was still some time before close, Lila was already taking inventory. While her internship at the gallery had been far from glamorous it was allowing her to do what she enjoyed best, looking at and studying art.

The museum housed an even mix of classic pieces as well as contemporary. Looking at other people's worth, gave Lila a break from her own, which as far as she was concerned was nowhere near ready for viewing by anyone other than herself. It wasn't that she wasn't actually talented, it was more than the 26 year old was her own worse critic and also deathly afraid of being told her work actually wasn't all that good. In any other industry or line of work her looks would have actually helped, but unless you were a model, the art world paid very little attention to looks. She was as a former classmate had once described her as the balance between the Madonna and the harlot. The innocent, but eye catching girl next girl face, with a body men would fight over.

Not that Lila ever saw that, to her own eyes, she was average in looks. Tall but not too tall, curves in the right places and slightly wavy black hair. No the only thing that really made her stand out were her eyes. Violet eyes were very uncommon and so she was always complimented on them. Her mother had told her that she got them from her father. Having only faint memories of the man, Lila couldn't really argue with that.

Stifling a small yawn, Lila moved away from the painting and headed towards the sculptures. Faintly she was aware of the other people coming and going around her, but she was otherwise absorbed in her work.

*bump*

"Beautiful," said Nik in a whisper, mostly to himself. "Absolutely beautiful."

His eyes wandered around the museum. But it wasn't the hipsters young art students he was eying. It was the paintings. He felt a dull ache in his hand, a silent longing to reach out place his hand on the canvas, to close his eyes and feel the warm pulse of the artist's creative energy running through the paint. It was something the mortals didn't get--- they could only see art with their eyes, and thereby missed the subtle beauty of it.

But he wasn't there for the art, was he? Well he was, but it was art of a different sort. There was the girl... ah, yes, that was her, wasn't it? With the pencil and the notebook. He ran his eyes down the smooth arch of her neck, where it contrasted sharply with the pure black of her hair. He let his eyes drift down her back, hover around the tight, perky folds of her ass, and dribble down her legs.

Yet there was more here, wasn't there? This wasn't just a woman. This was a blank canvas. A new world of possibilities waiting for expression.

She looked over her shoulder, and for a minute, their eyes met. The deep violet of her eyes was striking. He took a step back.

Wait... He was the master thief. The son of Satan. And it was his job to steal her soul.

Nik walked up behind her, gently placing his hand at the small of her back. "Excuse me," he said, "But wouldn't it be easier to take a picture rather than draw the whole bloody thing?"

Lila didn't even know why she had looked behind her, it had just felt like someone was watching her. Of course when she did look back there was someone looking in her direction, but she really couldn't be sure that it was her and not the statue behind her that had caught his attention. Their eyes met for the briefest of moments. There was something, different about him. She really wasn't sure what, but Lila just shrugged it off and went back to her work.

A few moments later Lila felt a hand on the small of her back and a voice speaking to her. To say that she jumped out of her skin would have been and overstatement, though she did jump as a very feminine yelp left her mouth. Her notepad and pencil clattered to the floor and her hand flew to her chest as she caught her breath.

"What the hell? Didn't your mother teach you not to sneak up on people?" Lila took a deep breath, her blouse pulled tight as she did. It was the man from before, she looked him over. Up close how devastatingly handsome he was, was more apparent Definitely not the sort to be interested in her. Men like him were either gay, taken or not interested in the somewhat shy innocent types. His comment about what she was doing also proved he had been focused more on the statue "Probably not considering she didn't tell you to not touch strange women either."

"And for your information we've already done the photo cataloging. However it doesn't really give the sort of details that rough sketches with notations do." Bending down Lila started to gather her things.

“Forgive me if I,” Nik bent down to help Lila collect her things. “Startled you.” He couldn’t help but notice her breasts hanging down like a gorgeous pair of peaches. He let his eyes linger a little too long.

“Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nik Vandermile. I’m a collector of rare art.” He was looking into her eyes now, the magical glow reminding him of the last, fading hours before the total darkness of night. “Since you work here, maybe you could tell me about some of these pieces. You see, I’ve been all around the world, I’ve been in many galleries, and I’ve seen the greatest art the world has to offer. But there is something about these pieces that strikes me.”

“Or perhaps,” he smiled a wicked little smile, cocking his eyebrow, “There’s something about you.”

"Right," Lila took her things from him. When their eyes met, her stomach kicked a little. Oh yeah he was trouble all right. Trouble with a 60ft high capital 'T'. He started talking about art and for a moment that distracted her. "We maintain a collection of both old and new sculptures. Most of the older ones are from private collections that have either been donated or willed to the museum." She stood slowly, the notebook held against her chest.

He turned the charm on full blast, but it didn't get the reaction he was hoping for. Rather than gushing over him, Lila straightened her back and shoulders, giving him a polite smile, "I doubt it very much. You don't even know me. If you want to know more about our collection feel free to come back tomorrow for one of the guided tours. I however have to finish my work before the museum closes, which will be in a few minutes. Excuse me, Nik."

Lila walked right past him to finish the last of her notes on an older marble statue. It obviously needed some restoration work, but was in otherwise good condition.

Nik stood for a second. Lila hadn’t used her hands, but he’d been smacked all the same.

He could hear Belial mocking him already. “Some world class lover. I’d of tied her to a stake and whipped her till she came around. Maybe then I’d rip her head off and sucked the marrow from her spine.” Belial was always telling the Old Man that Nik wasn’t up to the task of being the Crown Prince of Hell. Failing this would only prove his point.

Belial, of course, didn’t understand the art of soul stealing. Souls, as a matter of universal law, could never be taken by force. They must be given freely, with full consent. There was certain sweetness when it was given in this way, like the first bliss of orgasm: naked, satisfying, freeing.

Of course, Lila wasn’t just any soul: it was half pure, straight from the source. Her father was an Angel. And not just any Angel.

Nik pulled himself together. Greed wouldn’t work, she didn’t even nip at the millionaire thing. Charm wasn’t working. He could work with her, over time, but time wasn’t something he had. Besides, Nik enjoyed bold moves. Live in fame or go down to flame, as the hellions say. If the usual sins didn’t work--- curiosity usually did them in.

“So, Lila,” he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets, he turned to walk away, “How’s Dad?”

"My father? And wait how did you know my name?" Lila turned around and looked at him, really looked at him. No they had never met that was for sure. "Look i don't know what game you are trying to play here, but if you don't leave I am going to call security."

In the back of her head, she knew he had probably read her name on her notepad over her the stupid name tag she was wearing, but that didn't explain why he was asking about her father. A man that she hadn't seen or heard from since she had been a young child. Her mother only mentioned the man who had given her such striking eyes, here and there and in very vague ways.

Why did the strange ones always have to wait until the oddest moments to show up and make life difficult?

"You have his eyes, you know. Beautiful on you, but fierce on him. I knew your father, but... Well, you have work to do," Nik said.

"I knew your father"

"What? Wait you knew my father?" Lila hated to admit it but inside the child in her wanted to no more about the man her mother refused to give details on. Against her better judgment, because even in their short interaction, this guy was giving her bad vibes she grabbed his arm.

"Is this some game to you? Let's say I believe you might actually know who my father is, how the hell did you know I was here?/ Have you been stalking me or something? Violet eyes aren't common, but there is no way you could have known for sure some random woman in a random art museum was his daughter for sure." Something was off here and Lila was determined to find out what.

At the same time she was practically screaming at herself for even letting this man bait her. He could have been some serial killer for all she knew.

“My dear, there is far, far more in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophies,” replied Nik. “But this is far too public a place to go into any more details. And as you said, you and I don’t even know each other. I tell you what, I’m meeting a friend of mine for business in a few hours at his club. Meet me there at 10 o’clock. We’ll have drinks.”

Nik reached into his coat and pulled out a glossy card. On the front, it was solid black. Stenciled in red letters was the name of the club, “Gomorrah’s” with an address and phone number. Underneath this was “How far will you go?” and a stylized silhouette of a woman’s body.

“It has a strict dress code, so I’d wear something a little more,” Nik looked her up and down, “Risqué. It is also a very expensive, very exclusive club. Let the doorman know you’re a friend of mine, I’m sure you’ll have no problem getting in. Don’t worry, if you want to call the police, I’m sure one or two police captains will be there, along with several members of the Mayor’s Staff, a few of my friends from the county board, and at least one member of Congress.”

Nik took her hand from his arm, holding her hand in his for a moment. “My dear, it was a pleasure to meet you. Oh, and I noticed you had a rare Wittgenfield--- exquisite piece of work, that. I’d like to learn a little more about it.”

Lila took her hand from his, she did not take the card though. She stared at it as if it were a snake, set to strike at her hand the moment her hand reached out for it. Violet eyes lifted and stared at Nik. "I don't care how well connected you are if you're fucking with me it will be the last thing you do." Snatching the card from him, Lila turned and walked off. Once in the safety of her office Lila let out a sigh and rested her head against the closed door. After a few moment she looked down at the black card in her hand, "Lila what the hell are you thinking?"

Pushing away from the door she put away her notes from the day and gathered her things up. Grabbing her keys Lila slowly locked both her office and made sure the others were as well. Nodding goodnight to the guards as she left, Lila crossed the parking lot. She got into her car and drove home to her condo. It was 7 o'clock. Three hours to make a decision. Three hours to decide if the promise of information about her absent father was worth stepping into the viper pit.

“You need to listen to your father,” Hesper mumbled under his breath as he pulled the taxi into traffic. “You’re impatient. Reckless. Stupid.”

Nik sank back in his seat. Hesper was old, even for demons. Rumor was he was one of the originals, before the Fall. The Old Man had sent Hesper as Nik’s bodyguard. Bodyguard and spy, as Nik liked to think of him. “Right,” Nik replied. “Like the Old Man.”

Hesper grumbled, taking a drag off his cigar. In human form, he was short, squat, bald, middle aged. His forehead sported deep worry lines, over which he wore a crumpled gray flat cap. If Nik focused, he could see Hesper’s true form: the deformed body covered by short, angry horns; his mouth a jagged row of broken teeth.

Nik looked out the window, catching his reflection. For Nik, this was his true form. He was tall, just over six feet. His hair was dark brown, and no matter how many times he tried to keep it in place, it was always a bit tousled. His eyes were light brown, almost golden.

As day faded away to night, the street lights were coming on, bathing the world in a hazy yellow light. “Look, it seems like everything is coming along to me.”

“Maybe,” Hesper said. “No guarantee she’ll show. And what if she doesn’t? She probably thinks you’re a psychopath. Do you even have a plan? You need to think ahead, Nik. You want to be the Crown Prince, you need to know strategy.”

Nik let his thoughts turn in his head. The idea was to get her body, her soul, and the Wittenfield in one clean sweep: three fantastic pieces of art all at once. Maybe Hesper had a point. He was rushing. What if she didn’t show?

She’ll show, he thought. He closed his eyes, seeing her face in his mind’s eyes. He wondered how her lips would feel, pressed to his. And those eyes… Keep it professional.

Lila took her time thinking and thinking still. She sat on her couch, the card on the coffee table. Was she really going to go through with this? Nearly everything within her told her to forget the man. To rip the card to shreds and toss it away. At the same time, he held the promise of knowledge of her father, or so he said.

'What do you have to lose? If he is simply playing with you, you will still have gotten out. If you stay home however you will never know if he is lying or speaks the truth.'

Looking at the clock she saw that it was 8 o'clock. Lila sat there for several long minutes before she made her choice. She picked the card up and headed back into her bedroom. Placing the card upon her dresser Lila undressed and stepped into her bathroom. She took a long hot shower to strengthen her resolve. Afterwards she stood naked in front of her closet. True the vast majority of her clothing was sedate, mild, but there was one dress. A dress Lila had worn for a man once before. A man who had proved he couldn't be trusted. A man far too much like the on waiting for her tonight.

Pulling it out of the closet Lila looked at the teasing scrap of cloth. The blue lace made the color of her eyes stand out even further. The view from the back was just as tantalizing as the front. She dressed and did her hair and make up. When she was done, gone was the quite and shy woman who worked the museum. In her place was a woman who wanted answers. Lila put on her shoes, grabbed her keys and purse and left for Gomorrah.

As Nik walked up to Gomorrah’s, he felt his stomach tighten. A thudding pain was starting behind his eyes. Something was off. He wasn’t sure what it was, but something was not right. He felt like he was walking into a trap.

He shook his head, forcing the feeling out of his mind. No time for that now. He was dressed in a fine black suit, sporting a red shirt and a black tie. Gold cuff links and a tiny gold pentagram on his lapel added the last details to his attire.

Rupert, the door guard stood with his arms crossed. “Evening, Nik.” Rupert was large, bald, and wore a tight black T-shirt to highlight his bulky muscles.

“Rupert. I’m expecting some company tonight.” Nik handed him a few crisp one hundred dollar bills. “Her name is Lila.”

Rupert took out his list, jotting the name down. “Got it. Where do I send her?”

“Send her to the Discipline and Punish Bar. I’m going to meet your boss there later”

“No problem, Nik.”

Rupert patted Nik down. He reached inside his suit coat and pulled out what looked like the handle of a knife. “What’s this?”

Nik took the handle. “An antique. Stop manhandling it.” He put it back in his pocket.

Rupert nodded, his granite face never moving. “Whatever, man. Good luck with the boss. He’s in a pissy mood tonight.”


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Gomorrah’s was set inside a sprawling warehouse. Jonathan Von Linsowe, the owner, had bought the place years ago and gutted the insides out. He had the entire place rebuilt with the club in mind. The place was a labyrinth of dim, twisting hallways, ballrooms and bars, and row after perfect row of doors. Behind these doors, Nik knew, was a different world of fantasy.

Von Linsowe had made a deal with the Old Man. The club was a part of that deal. The Old Man saw it as a playroom of sin, or more accurately, the lair of the damned. Everyone inside was whiling away their soul into hell’s hands. But as spring turns to summer turns to fall, everything changes. Tonight, the contract between Von Linsowe and the Old Man came to term. For Von Linsowe, that meant he either had to re-negotiate or get ready to come see the Old Man himself.

Nik made his way to the Discipline and Punish bar. It was in the middle of the club, there were no windows. The room and the bar was paneled with dark wood, cut here and there with red or purple tapestries and rugs. Tonight, the room was busy. Here and there were naked women tied to posts, one of which was moaning as she was whipped. In one corner sat a party of five or six Japanese businessmen in gray suits, eating sushi off of a table made out a naked blond. One of the businessman was dipping his sushi into her pussy, slurping as he ate.

Up front, tied to a St. Andrew’s Cross was a penitent. The penitent was working off her sins by being voluntarily bound and open to whatever anyone wanted to do to her. Right now, the county board president was sucking at her nipples, rubbing at her pussy with his hand.

Nik took a seat and placed an order with the waitress, a vodka tonic. All the waitresses in Gomorrah’s were topless. The ones in the bar had their nipples pierced and wore black fishnets. She brought him his drink from.

All there was to do now was wait.

Twice Lila gone around the block. Mostly because the very idea of going into this place was frightening. While she had never been in, this place was very well known and the stories and gossip abounded. Eventually she pulled into the parking lot and handed the valet her keys. Taking the slip she stuffed it into her purse and headed for the door. Looking at the imposing doorman she said, "I'm supposed to be meeting Nik Vandermile here. My name is Lila."

"He's expecting you down in the Discipline and Punish Bar." The man opened the door behind him and directed her on where to go. Lila hesitated a few second before taking a breath and heading inside. She walked down the all taking notes of hwo the place was designed and decorated. Slowly she pushed the door open of the bar and Lila's jaw nearly hit the floor Decadent and lush was an overstatement. This place was a sinner's paradise. What had she gotten herself into. This was his idea of less public?

There was simply so much going on that for a moment Lila forgot about why she was here. Tearing her eyes away from the County Board president having fun with some woman was obviously not his much older wife, Lila actually began to look around for Nik. When she saw him, the young woman made a beeline towards him, keeping her eyes on him.

Crossing her arms in front of her as she stood there Lila just looked at him, "And this is supposed to be a more appropriate place to tell me about my father?"

Nik looked at Lila, sucking in his breath suddenly. “Wow. You’re gorgeous.” He stood up too, mesmerized by the curve of her hips, the teasing and vanishing of her hidden parts. Blinking, he brought himself back to the job.

“You came here for the truth. What could be more true than pleasure, or more revealing than pain? You live in an imaginary world, a world of politeness and decency. A world where people smile even while they fantasize about cutting each other’s throats. A world where people are far too polite to stop and help the wounded, the sick, and the poor.

“This is the real world, Lila. This is the truth. This is what lurks the minds of the very men and women you find yourself surrounded with every day. This is what happens when people take their polite masks off, and do what they’ve always wanted to do.

“You stand there, your arms crossed, the mighty princess sitting in judgment of these godless sinner. But look at that woman there, tied to the cross. She is working off a debt. Would you exchange places with her? Even for an hour? Ten minutes? Or do you just stand in judgment? Like so many people in the world who shake their heads, but never lift a finger?”

"And who are you to judge me? I don't give a damn why she's there or what she's doing. My problem is that you decided this was the place we should meet to talk about something that is rather important to me. I don't have time for any of your games. I really don't care what goes on in other people's minds. What consenting adults do is their own business."

Lila was pretty much staring him down, "I didn't come for a show or to see as you call it the real world. I came to find out about my father. Obviously you get off on talking people into coming to a place like this just for your own laughs. and don't you dare sit there and think you know my mind or how I live my life. When was the last time you worked in a soup kitchen? Or since claim to be so well off, when is the last time you helped a charity low on funds. You don't fucking know me and I this point I don't want to know you."

Eyes burning with anger and near humiliation Lila turned on her heels and started back for the door. Damn him and damn her for even deciding to come to this place. Who the hell did he think he was speaking to her like that? Was he that arrogant that he thought he could take that attitude with her and that she would stay. Lila was many things, but a doormat and a mouse she was not. No the last man she had been in a serious relationship had made sure of that with his treatment off her. Nik was no different.

“You’re just like him, you know,” Nik said, settling back into his chair. “But he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. He was a warrior, first and foremost. A brilliant general, and a strong fighter.”

Lila turned and looked at him shaking her head. She could give him credit he was determined, but so was she. "Do you really think that little statement is enough to make me change my mind? You don't seem to understand as much as I may want to know about my father I don't want to know badly enough to play your games. This?" She waved her left hand around, "Is not a challenge. This is you trying to make me uncomfortable. I have nothing to loose by not knowing more than I ever have growing up."

She smirked softly, "You on the other hand stand to loose the chance to learn about that Wittgenfield you were admiring earlier." Two could play this game.

"My dear, let's have a drink." Nik motioned to the waitress. "I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable so much as testing your mettle. Talk is cheap, but actions are defining. I have to make sure that you are bold enough to face anything, even the gates of Hell.

"As for the Wittgenfield... Let's talk."

"This is far from hell," Lila took a seat and when the waitress came over and ordered a vodka and cranberry with whatever top shelf vodka they had preferably Svedka. After the one left to place her order, Lila turned her direction toward Nik. "Oh yes the Wittgenfield. I sure a patron of the arts such as yourself know just how hard it is to find one is good conditions these days least of all one that is not a forgery. Even though such incidents in terms of statues are very rare. I have however discovered some interesting secrets that I know would spark your own curiosity."

Her drink arrived and Lila took a slow sip, "However consider your need to play games I find myself unwilling to share them. At this present place in time I will simply report my findings to it's owner and make sure that once their loan of the Wittgenfield to us, that i is returned in excellent condition." She took another sip of her drink, "Here we are at a crossroads. I want information and so do you. I'll make you a deal, you tell me about my father without the games and tests and I'll consider strongly giving you a private tour."