Levi Open Post ((for nexus_crossings))

[tryingitall]

The angel Balthazar spends most of his time at Lucifer's villa these days, to no one's surprise. He hasn't let go of his apartment, though. He's only rearranged it for Levi's comfort. The sleek modern furniture has been replaced with antique reproductions, and the plain walls covered with art that matches the painter's tastes. Levi's very fond of copper, and shades of deep blue. The art studio that used to be dedicated to one small room has now expanded to encompass all but the bed and bathroom of the place. There are shelves of supplies, several paintings in progress, books and references, sculpting supplies, and in one room there is even a workspace dedicated to glass. Nothing bigger than jewelry or small vessels can be made there--there simply isn't enough space, but Levi relishes the opportunity to experiment.

It's weird having a time-share situation with his own body, but he can't deny that he's never had this much encouragement for his art before, neither in the way of supplies provided or financial support. If only Bart could have seen this!

Well, maybe he will, some day.

In the the meantime, even with all the opportunity surrounding him, sometimes when the angel retreats to let him play, all he wants to do is drink coffee and sketch and watch the world go by. That's what he's up to today, sitting on the veranda outside the lobby of the apartment building. It's late afternoon, and he's watching the tawny sky darken over the Nexus, listening to music of various ages and styles and planets drift from open windows in the apartment building above him. He's got an open sketchbook, a pile of charcoal pencils and tortillons he's stuffed into an empty dopp kit bag, and on the table at his elbow is a very foamy caramel-coffee drink, and a half-eaten plate of cheese fries.

It's hard to tell what he's drawing at a glance. It's a subtle swirl of gray, but if you sit with him long enough, a picture may emerge...

Comments

[the_rebel_son]

"I can wear him out more often if you want." Lucifer offers as he takes one of the chairs and spins it around to straddle the seat and lean on the back. This had nothing to do with sass and everything to do with comfort. Seat backs and this many wings weren't compatible. "I am glad the two of you have started to find a balance to share the body."

That was honest, but his eyes turned to Phenex who had too much politeness to sit without it being offered.

"I am well. The king needed dragged out of his dark study before he became surly and anti-social." Phenex comments in retaliation for the blush.

[tryingitall]

"When you say 'the body' it sounds like I'm dead," Levi makes a face, though he's not really offended. It's hard to know exactly how to refer to their situation, and Lucifer's wording is as good as any. "I don't think you need my encouragement to wear him out, either, but if you want to say I asked you to, go for it."

Seeing Phenex hesitate, he gets up and pulls out a chair for them with a little smile, half-shy, half knowing. It's hard not to notice that blush. "C'mon, you can sit, too. Either of you want coffee? There's a pot in the lobby."

[the_rebel_son]

"Vessel?" Lucifer is apologetic but he doesn't like the term vessel personally. "Vessel sounds like an inanimate object. Is there a better word?"

Lucifer just laughs. "I do not need to encourage it either. He is self motivating."

Phenex blushes even more as the chair is pulled out. They do take the seat. "Thank you." The angel suddenly becoming shy.

Lucifer finds this all very amusing. The two are orbiting in a way, a little more nervous each time. "There are benefits to being an angel. I am sure you have noticed."

Lucifer conjured his own glass of wine and a cup of cocoa for Phenex.

"Have you considered doing a gallery show here?" Phenex asks as they look in on the drawing.

"You should have an exhibition in your new gallery." Lucifer mentions to Phenex while sipping the wine glass.

[tryingitall]

Levi looks thoughtful then, nodding slowly. "Yeah, you have a point. I get the impression it's like that for some angels where he comes from. They either don't care or don't know how to care. There should be a better word. I guess we'll have to think of it."

He sits back down once Phenex is settled, giving them a warm smile and tilting the sketchbook so they can see. This is, the angels may be aware, an act of complete trust coming from an artist. "Working on textures," he explains. "The contrast of rough bark and soft feathers, I dunno. I wish I'd used regular pencil now, but I can try the same thing in a few mediums."

At the mention of a show, it's his turn to look shy. "Uh...I don't know if I have enough work together for a show yet. I have a couple half-finished paintings, a bunch of sketches, and some glass, and none of it's thematic. I could work on that, though."

[devilsphoenix]

"Unfortunate." Lucifer dislikes the thought of the humans that give so much to be treated so poorly. "When you decide on a suitable word, let me know."

"Maybe you should have an angel with the softest wings sit in for modeling." Lucifer can't help himself. It is painfully obvious that these two need to spend more time together and Lucifer is just drunk enough to try and get them to take advantage of opportunity.

"I am sure Phenex will find time to display your art when you have enough." Lucifer smiles mischievously at sharp look coming from Phenex over the overt undertones in Lucifer's words even if they wouldn't mind anything Lucifer mentioned.

[tryingitall]

"Well, they--uh, actually you should probably talk to Balthazar for his take. It sounds to me like most of them just don't know any better, somehow. The ones I've seen him talk to, the ones I remember were very...focused."

He trails off, then shakes his head. It's too serious a topic for a nice evening, but he has the same strong impression that Balthazar himself labors under. The Heaven he came from was very sick, indeed.

The teasing between Lucifer and Phenex is a merciful distraction, and Levi is canny enough to pick up on what's going on at once. He raises an eyebrow at Lucifer as if to signal that he knows exactly what he's doing, though he doesn't entirely seem to mind. "I'm not sure I can do angel wing justice," he admits, but then smiles at Phenex. "I should definitely visit the gallery, though, either way."

[the_rebel_son]

"I should. We do not talk much about either of our heavens. It is a stressful topic for either of us." It was something to think about for a later time. Certainly not a topic for now or when he's been drinking all day.

Lucifer just smiles all the more now that he has been caught. "Obviously, you need more time to study them and practice drawing."

Phenex finally stops staring at Lucifer and his incorrigible behavior to address Levi. "It is a gallery and center for the arts. You are always welcome."

It's not often that Lucifer finds himself feeling like a third wheel but there's a hint of that feeling now.

[tryingitall]

Levi nods thoughtfully. "Mostly he just gives me time when I ask for it, or when he wants a break, himself, but we were talking about kind of making a schedule. Especially since I'm feeling more and more like making art these days."

"It got kinda hard for a while, back before I met Balthazar. People act like being sad and lonely and drinking too much are just one of those things that make a writer or an artist what they are, but depression is actually a pain in the ass when you're trying to work."

He rests his chin on one hand. "It used to feel like all these emotions and half-formed ideas were floating in my head but there was something stopping them from coming out. It's getting better now, though."

[the_rebel_son]

"We have perfected the magic that would let him enter Chaos safely, with or without your presence. If he ever wants to spread his wings I can bring him into Chaos without worry of being seen." It was an offer to put on the table for one or both of them.

Phenex reaches out for his other hand. "If you want help I can come check in as much as you want."

Lucifer raises his brow at the other angel but only smiles. "Time can make it easier."

[tryingitall]

The idea of Balthazar leaving him completely sends a pang of anxiety through Levi, one which he wasn't quite expecting and isn't sure how to cope with. Phenex's gentle grasp for his free hand is timely, and after a moment where his expression flickers with uncertainty, he recovers a little and curls his fingers around theirs. "You know, I haven't been actually alone since he picked me up over a century ago, except for that one time he went off flying with you. I'm not sure...is it weird that that scares the hell out of me?"

Not like he wants to be dependent on an angel living in his brain, but you get used to things. "But I don't want to tie him down, either."

He glances at Phenex. "Maybe if I had company while he's away, sometime?"

Is he flirting? Maybe. Levi was never good at flirting, but he's pretty sure he's incapable of feeling lonely or unsafe with Phenex there.

[the_rebel_son]

"You have spent more than a human lifetime together. I think it is natural, but I think you would both benefit from time to yourself to be with others. I would never wish for anything permanent but hours, or maybe even days, could be worthwhile."

Lucifer just smiles like he's the cat that ate the canary. Phenex throws a pointed look at their king but then smile appears. Phenex nods. "It is my duty to be the company of artists but for you the company wouldn't be simply a duty. I enjoyed your company when we had the opportunity."

Lucifer nearly laughs at all the awkward almost flirting.

[tryingitall]

"It's a little like what I always thought having a twin would be like," Levi says thoughtfully, nodding at Lucifer's analysis. "Close enough that it feels weird to be without them for too long, but we're still our own people."

To Phenex, he says, "Maybe I could help with the gallery some? I have a couple shows under my belt, although most of what I got paid for was commercial art. There were a few critics that liked what I did, though."

Acclaim just never translated into financial success for him. But that's the case with a lot of artists.

"Hey. But it doesn't have to be all about art or my issues, either." He thinks a second, then smiles. "Breakfast in the park at dawn some time? The birds are most active then, and we can listen to them sing."

[devilsphoenix]

"You're always welcome at the gallery or if you'd like to teach a class." Phenex smiles and Lucifer has that third wheel feeling again.

"I don't sleep so I can come anytime. All you have to do is call." Phenex likes nature and the sunrise both.

Lucifer interjects because he can't resist. "I have always called Phenex the songbird because of thier voice and the birds come to where ever they land."

Phenex smiles and looks away shyly.

[tryingitall]

"Teach?" He blushes a little. "...I guess I could. Never tried, but there's a first time for everything. I've been playing around with glass some. I wouldn't mind teaching that."

He's pleased that Phenex agrees to the idea, but Lucifer's comment prompts a grin, a somewhat smug one that's very reminiscent of Balthazar. "See, I knew about the nickname. I listen. That's why I suggested the park."

Trust an angel to be a good wingman, though! Lucifer gets a quick wink for his trouble.

"Last few years of living in the city, I mostly only heard pigeons and house finches," he tells Phenex. "Not that they're bad, but I think the birds here have a wider repertoire."

[devilsphoenix]

"Only if you're comfortable." Phenex assures. "I haven't worked with glass since ancient times."

Lucifer shrugs. "There are probably birds here neither of you have seen."

Phenex's eyes light up and they look to Levi. "Would you like to go to the gallery and plan for breakfast?"

Internally, Lucifer is glad that someone else is taking initiative.