divinetree | Mom says it's my turn with the Alastor

It was so funny and charming to see someone actually on Alastor's wavelength, on his level. That Vox fellow was always a bit brash, always had a glean in his eye that wasn't quite right. But Lucifer here was undoubtedly going to be good for Alastor, for however long this panned out.

Rosie giggled a bit in delight, pleased as punch. Good relations with Alastor weren't a direct translation to good relations between Cannibal Town and the King, but this surely was just the start of something special.

"So, Your Majesty, I heard Alastor bullied you into dressing for the occasion - but I gotta say, you look dashing! The cut of the time looks splendid on you, I have half a mind to pull a few things from the Emporium for you to try. And I've been sitting on something I've been sewing up for Charlie, too, she'd be adorable in a sanguine red."

Lucifer laughed his delight, turned a lopsided smirk to Alastor. Bullied, was he...?

"Guilty as charged! Ah, but it broadens the wardrobe... never hurts to have a little fun and try a little something different, eh? With that in mind, I'd love to take you up on that half of yours."

But he thought of the color mentioned. Ooh.

"Agreed, but I feel like I'm biased. What do you think?"

"Darker colors would suit her nicely, even with her chipper personality," Alastor hummed in thought.

"Oooh, maybe I should add a little trim, then - maybe something classy, like a nice bleached-bone white! I could get a nice little floral vest going with it, something real cute to impress her lady-friend, if they've made up by now!"

"Yes, they're thick as thieves, amends made," Alastor confirmed.

He nodded to concur. "What a relief, too- that Vaggie's such a nice girl."

Lucifer failed utterly to mask a pleased little smile behind his tea cup. "Ohhh, I just have to wonder... will I hear bells on the horizon? Will I have two daughters instead of one? I want to ask, but I don't want to pressure the poor things!"

Aww, what a doting father - that was so endearing! Rosie beamed in solidarity. "You gotta let them take their time with things! They've been through the wringer and come out stronger for it, though - I say that's a pretty good sign, don't you? I haven't met this girl yet, but Charlie loves her to bits, I can tell."

"Of course, of course! She's only two centuries old, there's plenty of time! Oh, but you should see the way they look at each other...! It's so warm, with such a lovely glow! It reminds me of halcyon days..."

Days in the Garden. Days when Hell was shaping up into something other than just the heart of wickedness. Days when many could hear song in the air.

Halcyon days, huh? If the date with Alastor wasn't a joke, that'd explain a lot about that statement, huh.

"Oh, I know the feeling - inspiring and nostalgia-inducing all at once. That's how I felt after losing my third husband," Rosie sighed wistfully!

"The only good one you had," Alastor cheekily remarked from behind his teacup.

His stomach twisted as his mind went to places he didn't wish to retread.

So instead, he quirked a brow, amused. "So devoted, Alastor...! Madam Rosie truly is blessed. Then again, you've always had your ways of judging one's character."

A chuckle, and he finished off his plate. "You know- Perhaps you could join me for the next Goetic social season! I'd be interested in what you can suss from the birds as they parade their young sons and daughters to find matches."

With a finger raised: "Not to mention the juicy gossip that can arise when you put a whole bunch of them together in one place."

"Ugh, poor dears with their arranged marriages... makes them even more unreasonable to Deal with when they're grown," Rosie clicked her tongue in annoyance, earning a chuckle from Alastor.

"Wouldn't mind hearing a little bit of gossip, but my specialty with advice on relationships only goes so far when you're forced together with someone."

"I do wonder how long it's been since an actual love match, myself. It certainly doesn't stop some of them from sneaking off after drugging a partner's tea for sleep to go see the one they truly desire. I think taking concubines has been one such 'solution', but we all know it's to please the lords' hunger than the ladies' desires."

He rolled his eyes. "It's been a while since I opened my palace doors for such events, too. They claim it's 'auspicious' to match while under the King's gaze, but I think they just want photo opportunities more than anything. What's lucky about getting thrown together because your father wants grandkids with particular powers or whose dad-in-law owns good land?"

"Weeeell, you could certainly stir up a little trouble given your authority, hmm? Imagine! 'In the spirit of Free Will, I say these kids ought to pick their own suitors amongst themselves!' Hah!"

That gets a more direct laugh from Alastor - Rosie always knew his funny bone, which was deliberately causing absolute chaos.

"HAH! Oh, the sheer number of gray feathers and molting that starts to happen the moment those words leave my mouth...! I wonder, can they clutch all of the pearls they own...?"

He perched his chin upon his knuckles, grin sharp.

"You know, now that Heaven's stopped being a pain in the ass for the time being, maybe I should open my doors for a social season... this all sounds like fun."

Rosie has a hearty laugh, waving at Alastor. "I can see why you two are a perfect match! Ya both have the same craving for chaos! I think you two make a fine pair, ought to have plenty of fun."

"A little chaos keeps things fresh, and I like to think we have loads of fun thus far... do we not?"

He chuckled. "Why, I introduced this guy to a polka night! Showed him the ropes. Then he drank me under the table. I thought I could tuck into a few beers no problem, but he showed me I'm terribly rusty!"

"Polka, ohh, we love polka around here! I'll have to introduce you to Jerry, he's Dutch, makes his own accordions around here - a little temperamental but catch him when he's got a full stomach and he's a cheerful fella. He'd love showing off his accordion work sometime. Not surprised one bit Alastor got into it - he loves any kind of music and dance, an entertainer at heart. Not surprised about the drinking, given the stories Mimzy always shared!"

"A man of taste! I appreciate another who understands the wonder of the accordion. I should like to meet this Jerry sometime. However-!"

He gestured to his empty plate. The less he thought of it, the more he could focus on the texture and flavors. She'd even paired the meat with the right vegetables, making for a lovely lunch.

"I must address a most important matter: This was wonderful! You'll have to share your seasonings with me, Madam. You could say it was... divine?"

Rosie laughs at that, flattered and pleased he'd scarfed his meal after the initial unease. And had a cheeky joke to top it off, oh, she could see Alastor's smile twitching in amusement from the corner of her eye!

"Thank you, thank you~! But if I tell you my secrets, you won't come back for more!"

He grinned. "Well, golly... alright. Keep your secrets, temptress!"

He turned to Alastor. "You hear that? I guess we'll just have to come back for more, won't we, Deer-est?"

Alastor's glad he's tucked the damned thing away, because if it were out, his tail would be waggling in excitement and mirth. What a delight that he'd swayed another into actually enjoying his favorite place in Hell, with one of his favorite people, whilst eating his favorite cuisine!

"Oh most certainly, we won't keep Darling Rosie waiting!"

"Oh, I wouldn't dare; I haven't had a nice time like this in a while! ...A long while!"

A long... long... long while. But who's counting!?

"Well, Rosie, dear, lunch was a delight as always. And you heard it here first - we'll hop on a new invitation the very moment you breathe it, darling!"

"Of course! You boys are lovely, I'll send a telegram next we have something special going on. Would you boys like some leftovers to take with you?"

"Oh, I most certainly would."

It was good. Honestly, truly good. And what was a better expression of free will than nibbling upon perfectly good meat from your old colleagues that spent centuries making your life a living nightmare?

"Yeah, let's do it! Thank you kindly." He shan't be rude. But oh Hell, he needed to find a way to, er, not tell Charlie what's in the box later.

Rosie absolutely loaded them up. Wrapped meat fresh out of the smoker with parchment for them, passing that to Alastor - and then Rosie wouldn't let them leave without tugging the King into the Emporium. He was sent home with a massive bag of charming clothes, some of them for Charlie but mostly a collection of vests or hats that Rosie had found 'fetching' on Lucifer, all of which had that subtle Cannibal Town bones-and-roses aesthetic.

Alastor hooked his elbow with Lucifer as they bid their farewells and left, a few amused chuckles trying to well up in his chest. He managed to hold back until they were out of Cannibal Town properly.

"I must say, I'm impressed at your willpower, tackling the finger before the roast."

Armed with new digs and some gifts for dear Charlotte, he'd had a productive day in Cannibal Town. Really, what a nice place to visit! Charlie wasn't wrong with her assessment of how it was. Nothing against her judgment, of course, yet she does always try to see the bright side and silver linings of things out of a reluctance to be considered 'mean'.

The brisket, of course, was why his stomach twisted into a little jittery knot. Not the tactile joy of being arm in arm.

With Alastor's remark, Lucifer burst into an uneven spout of laughter, clutching his chest. It was all coming back to him now, sending him into momentary shock. He'd done it. He'd actually done it.

"Why I did the whole thing instead of bites I'll never understand! That- that was a poor choice on my part- how would have I looked if I choked in front of our host, right??"

Hah hah hah! Alastor laughed at the mental image, entirely amused.

"Had you missed the spoon entirely? HAH! Imagine, the king choking on a finger bone - Charlie would bring down her wrath in an instant. What a comedic demise that would have been!"

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