[Open] A Favor for a Friend

[deansangel918]

Who: deansangel918 and unsuspecting customers.
What: Filling in for Chihaya.
When: Backdated a few days to when Chihaya was out sick.
Where: Waiting tables at Lux.
Warnings: Inexperienced waiter. Enter at your own risk.

Comments

[lucifer_aeterna]

When Lucifer had told Chihaya that he did not usually allow for sick days, particularly for celestial beings, he had merely spoken the truth. Thus, it followed that he did not usually allow substitutes either. He had made an exception in this case - not for Chihaya, not truly. But out of curiosity.

He had had time to observe Castiel by now, but he was still not sure what he thought of him, this angel from a different world, who knew another version of himself. This being both so like and unlike himself. He was... interesting.

What he was not, unfortunately, was much of a waiter. It took little observation to reveal that much. Lucifer watched him for nearly an hour before he took it upon himself to approach.

He wasn't angry, or at least didn't appear to be. His expression was quite mild as he approached Castiel. "You don't have much experience at this," he observed. His tone and expression were neutral, but his eyes watched the angel's expression closely.

[deansangel918]

Castiel's expression never changed much, but there was a hint of frustration in his eyes. Some of it was due to his customers, but most of his frustration was directed at himself. He was a powerful celestial being, and yet he still had trouble dealing with human interactions and social situations. It didn't help that he didn't understand the purpose of all these customs. He'd visited the occasional restaurant or bar, but he'd never paid much attention to the waiter or waitress.

"I don't have much experience with employment in general," he answered. His tone was civil, if a touch impatient. "My only previous job on this ship that involved providing service to customers was as a librarian."

Taking the orders, relaying them, and delivering them back to the tables wasn't the problem. As usual the problem was that his behavior didn't meet expectations. Apparently there was an unwritten script for these interactions that he had no knowledge of.

[lucifer_aeterna]

"It's not such a difficult concept," Lucifer pointed out. "An angel should have little difficulty with serving. It's what you were made for." Most of them, anyway, albeit not quite in this sense. It was what he despised most about the whole breed, though he supposed one could hardly blame them for being what they were created to be. But what could he say? He had high standards. At least Castiel showed promise in that area.

At Lux, of course, matters were different. Naturally they were; Lucifer had long ago ceased to be particularly amused by blind loyalty and the mannerisms that accompanied it. Here, the service was voluntary and limited in scope. And, of course, Lucifer had never believed the customer was always right.

"If they give you too much trouble, you're welcome to throw them out."

[deansangel918]

The slight jab at the Heavenly Host didn't escape Castiel's notice. It wasn't unexpected; this was Lucifer after all. Cas let a little amusement and sarcasm show in his voice when he answered. "It may be what I was made for, but I'm out of practice." He hadn't been subject to the will of Heaven in over three years. It was a drop in the bucket compared to an angel's lifetime, but still significant to him.

However, Lucifer's second remark did take him by surprise. "Throw them out?" he questioned. Of course after a moment's thought it made more sense. "I suppose you don't really require the money from these customers."

[lucifer_aeterna]

"It's a start." Which didn't mean he disapproved; far from it. In Lucifer's opinion, it would be better if they all tried it. It was merely that it didn't stick with all of them. Too many angels found independence, with its requisite separation from their Father and personal responsibility, too much to handle and went crawling back. Once, he'd taken them in, given them someone else to worship, other commands to obey. But these days, he saw little reason to do so. He'd been someone else's tool for long enough. Now, he was living for himself.

As far as Castiel went, in his experience, it hadn't been nearly long enough to know for certain which way he would fall. Lucifer was curious, but unwilling to give him too much of a push, though he didn't intend to hide his opinion either.

To the later comment, he nodded. "Precisely." Lux was a stage and the customers merely props. He wasn't often outright rude, but then, he had little reason to be. However, he was more than willing to be so in return.

[deansangel918]

"Is this entertainment for you?" It was something Castiel had speculated about. Why else would a former archangel bother to run a bar?

It was still a little odd to be having a casual conversation with Lucifer, but Castiel wasn't as wary of him as he used to be. Maybe he should have been, but after everything that had happened back in his world, this version of Lucifer seemed sane and reasonable.

At least he wasn't actively attempting to destroy everyone and everything, which was more than Castiel could say for the leaders of his own Heaven.

[lucifer_aeterna]

Lucifer let his gaze pass over Lux, cool golden eyes taking in everything in this small area of the ship that he called his own, and smiled with satisfaction. "Everyone needs a hobby." And this was his. A trifle unusual, perhaps, at least for a being such as himself, but he'd never been one to follow the crowd.

He turned that gaze back to Castiel, deliberately making eye contact, his lips retaining a faint smile. "I find it relaxing. Don't you?"