VOX Box: On the Head of a Pin 3
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- Empyrean: Suddenly I'm having second thoughts on my plan.
- The Voice: Don't you even start with that.
- Empyrean: What? I can't have second thought?
- The Voice: You are so incredibly wishy-washy.
- Empyrean: Am not.
- The Voice: Yes, you are.
- Empyrean: [scoff] Get over yourself.
- Mazikeen: God, would you two just get a room already?
- [in unison:] Empyrean: What?! The Voice: Ew...
- Mazikeen: What? Obviously there's some sexual tension between you two.
- [in unison:] The Voice: He's my brother! Empyrean: We're twins!
- Mazikeen: Your point? [scoff] What? You're already in Hell. What's the worst that can happen?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Enough tormenting them, Mazikeen.
- Mazikeen: [sigh] If you insist.
- Lucifer Morningstar: Leonardo, there's no need to be concerned. The Silver Prince was an angel once himself.
- Empyrean: That's what has me concerned. I've never got along with angels.
- Lucifer Morningstar: Same here...
- The Voice: "Present company excluded?"
- Lucifer Morningstar: That would be lying.
- The Voice: [scoff] It is like that, is it? [scoff] Fair enough.
- Empyrean: Where is this place anyway?
- Lucifer Morningstar: The catacombs beneath Senaros, the capital city of Melothm. [footsteps] Specifically, this is an area sealed off from normal traffic, reserved for clandestine meetings and forbidden rendezvous.
- The Voice: What's forbidden in Hell? I thought you Infernals were all about having no taboos.
- Lucifer Morningstar: Liaisons between angels and devils is frowned upon.
- Mazikeen: If we had this meeting in Senael's court, even if Senael agreed to grant us audience, his court would likely seize you two, tear your wings from your body, and stuff your bodies with the feathers.
- Empyrean: See, Donna, this is why I'm having second thoughts about this.
- The Voice: They would never dream of doing such to me. I'm the Metatron.
- Empyrean: Not anymore you're not...
- The Voice: They don't know that.
- Mazikeen: Oh, yes, they do, dear. [giggle] The smell of power has faded from your aura, replaced by fear.
- The Voice: [sniff] I don't smell anything.
- Mazikeen: You're not a demon... [giggle]
- The Voice: Yes, well, as I understand it, neither are Senael's courtiers and courtesans.
- Mazikeen: Oh, look, an angel who is aware that devils and demons aren't the same thing. Good for you.
- Empyrean: I knew that, too.
- Mazikeen: Yes, well, you're not the typical feather-duster, are you?
- The Voice: Wait, if we would likely be killed by Senael's court, what would they do to you? As I understand it, devils and demons hate one another, right?
- Mazikeen: There are fates worse than death...
- Lucifer Morningstar: Hence the reason for the use of these catacombs.
- The Voice: Well, that, and you cannot be seen in Hell.
- Empyrean: What do you mean? He's the King of Hell.
- The Voice: No, he abdicated his throne.
- Mazikeen: He took an extended vacation. He's still the King.
- Lucifer Morningstar: [sigh] We do not need to argue over the semantics of it all. Whether I am still monarch or not makes no difference. If I returned to Hell to speak with one regent in court, it would be viewed as a show of favor to that regent. It would undoubtedly set off a nasty conflict for a generation as Senael's allies would clamor to solidify their alliance as his enemies made unholy pacts and prepared for war.
- The Voice: Someone has an inflated sense of themselves.
- Lucifer Morningstar: Yes, well, pride is my favored sin, isn't it?
- [distant door opens, distant footsteps: 3 instances, distant door closes, distant lock engages]
- Empyrean: Someone's coming. [sword unsheathed, supernal flames crackle]
- Lucifer Morningstar: Stay your blade...for now.
- Empyrean: [supernal flames subside, sword sheathed] you better be right about this.
- [distant footsteps: 3 instances]
- Senael: Uncle, it's been too long.
- Lucifer Morningstar: [chuckle] Indeed it has, nephew. How fares the frozen throne?
- Senael: Well seeing as we are engaged in five wars, weathering a dozen scandals, and in the middle of negotiations for three major acquisitions and alliances, I'd say things are pretty slow. Yourself?
- Lucifer Morningstar: [chuckle] Well, until recently I would have said the same...
- Senael: Right, the Prince of Darkness would not come to Hell so easily. What disturbs your rest, my liege?
- Lucifer Morningstar: The Presence.
- Senael: Is Heaven pressing you to return to Hell again?
- Lucifer Morningstar: No. The Presence is miss-
- The Voice: [throat clears, footsteps] Lucifer, if I may-
- Lucifer Morningstar: [sigh] What is it, Donatella?
- The Voice: A word?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Have out with it.
- The Voice: In private.
- Lucifer Morningstar: [sigh] Very well. One minute, nephew. [pause, finger snaps]
- The Voice: What did you just do?
- Lucifer Morningstar: I froze time.
- The Voice: You can do that?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Only for a short time, so be quick.
- The Voice: Okay, then... I was about- Wait, what's a "short time" when time is frozen?
- Lucifer Morningstar: [sigh] Do not overthink it, Donatella. Please... [pained sigh] You have no idea how much this stings.
- The Voice: Right. Sorry. Is it really wise to tell a member of the Infernal Parliament about the Presence being absent from the Throne of Heaven?
- Lucifer Morningstar: From your viewpoint? Probably not.
- The Voice: You're making some sort of power play?
- Lucifer Morningstar: [sigh] Always. You do remember who I am, right? The Devil. I invented the power play.
- The Voice: You double-crossing-
- Lucifer Morningstar: Please, save your breath. As much as I'd enjoy watching you lose your proverbial shit right now, I'm quite ironically a little pressed for time at the moment so allow me to spell this out for you, dear. If Senael is aware that the Throne of Heaven is vacant, then it is only a matter of time before other Infernals become aware of such things as well. Having the forces of Hell prepare to siege Heaven buys us time to find the Presence. Raphael, Michael, and Uriel would be a bit distracted girding up the Silver City's defenses to worry about a conclave at the moment. That gives us more time to find the Presence. And Hell invading Heaven is nothing we need to worry about if we find the Presence. No Infernal would be so foolish as to wage war against my dear old dad, except yours truly.
- The Voice: I don't follow. Wouldn't a threat of infernal invasion move the urgency of the conclave forward?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Heavens no. A conclave would divide Heaven. An invasion would unite it. Not even my brothers would be so foolish as to tear Heaven apart with squabbles and petty bickering right before a war.
- The Voice: You continue to surprise me, Lucifer.
- Lucifer Morningstar: Thank you.
- The Voice: I thought no one thought less of your brothers than you, but apparently you have more faith in them than I do.
- Lucifer Morningstar: Come again.
- The Voice: Sibling squabbles and petty bickering is exactly what Michael and Raphael are all about!
- Lucifer Morningstar: You've seen them at peacetime. They're different in wartime. Believe me. They were made for this. Quite literally. We were born with swords in hand. Above anything else, they're lower soldiers. They will set aside their differences for a common threat.
- The Voice: How can you be so sure?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Because I was once that common threat.
- The Voice: ... [sigh] Fair enough.
- Lucifer Morningstar: Done here?
- The Voice: Yes. Thank you.
- Lucifer Morningstar: [chuckle] My pleasure.
- The Voice: Oh, one more thing before you take us back to the timestream-
- Lucifer Morningstar: Yes?
- The Voice: How did you do that?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Please be more specific, Donatella. I'm remarkably impressive and have no idea to what you're referring.
- The Voice: You said, uh, "[expletive]" with such force back there. I... I'd never heard it spoken in such a manner.
- Lucifer Morningstar: [chuckle] First, hearing an angel use profanity never gets old. It's like watching a dog with peanut butter in its mouth. [chuckle] Second, I'm the devil, Donna. I can say whatever the fuck I want.
- The Voice: Point taken.
- Lucifer Morningstar: Done?
- The Voice: Done.
- Lucifer Morningstar: [fingers snap] Apologies, nephew. We're back.
- Empyrean: You went somewhere?
- Mazikeen: Don't ask.
- Senael: As you saying, uncle?
- Lucifer Morningstar: [chuckle, footsteps] Yes, nephew, it seems that the Presence is missing.
- Aurinath: Missing?
- Vamina: What does that mean?
- Senael: Yes, uncle. I'm not sure I follow.
- Lucifer Morningstar: My dad has vacated his throne.
- Vamina: Like son like father, eh?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Quite.
- Senael: Why tell us this?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Ask him.
- Empyrean: Me?
- Aurinath: Who's he?
- Vamina: Interesting.
- Senael: I do not follow, uncle.
- Lucifer Morningstar: This was his idea. Go on, Leonardo. Speak up.
- Empyrean: [nervous chuckle] I just... Thought if we had enough nephilic vessels, we might be, uh, able to-
- Lucifer Morningstar: He wants to use the essence which created you like a homing signal to find your grandfather.
- Senael: I do not think that is possible.
- The Voice: You are not willing to help us?
- Senael: I did not say that, angel. I said I do not believe it is possible.
- The Voice: No, it is possible. The essence which made you was residual worship meant for the Presence but got hung up on Earth. If we brought you to Earth, that worship wold still have a slight pull to him. If we had enough vessels, we could triangulate His location.
- Senael: I doubt I am a suitable candidate. You forget how ancient I am. You forget how paltry was the worship in those early days. My power is mostly by virtue of my impressive parentage. That special essence in me has long since burned away. To be honest, I'm not sure I ever felt much connection to the Presence.
- The Voice: [sigh] So this has been for naught?
- Empyrean: I'm sorry. I thought it was worth a shot.
- Senael: It was truly a novel idea, young angel... Do not be distraught. Perhaps your plan still bears fruit.
- The Voice: I do not see how. We need at least three nephilic vessels.
- Mazikeen: And of suitable age.
- The Voice: That leaves us with two: Wally and Elaine.
- Senael: Maybe my descendant could be of help.
- The Voice: That residual worship does not transfer to your offspring, Senael.
- Senael: No, it does not. That is true. But there is another nephilic vessel in my family tree.
- Lucifer Morningstar: I beg your pardon?
- Vamina: Oh, I see...
- Aurinath: You do? My liege, what are you saying?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Yes, nephew, have out with it.
- Senael: I am not sure it is my place to say.
- Mazikeen: Hmm...
- The Voice: I doubt any infernal has the power to sire a nephilic vessel.
- Lucifer Morningstar: [scoff] I beg to differ.
- The Voice: Present company excluded... Besides, you're not a true infernal. The grace of an archangel cannot be corrupted by infernal essence. Whether you like it or not, you're still supernal.
- Aurinath: Are you saying that the King of Hell has another child?
- Lucifer Morningstar: Hell no.
- Vamina: No, Lucifer wouldn't be the father. He said that the vessel is among his descendants.
- Aurinath: But there's only one living descendant... and she is female.
- Vamina: [gasp] Is Ellie pregnant with a nephilic vessel?
- Aurinath: Impossible that would require her to lay with an angel and... [pause]
- Empyrean: Wait... Did she just say Ellie is pregnant? [gulp] But that would- [pause] I'm going to be a father?
Trivia and Notes[]
- Part of the On the Head of a Pin Storyline.
- Story continues from VOX Box: On the Head of a Pin 2.
- Story continues in VOX Box: On the Head of a Pin 4.
- Debut of Senael, Vamina, and Aurinath.