Lucifer?feebly smiled in response to Castiel's objections and accusations. Ah, children, so delightfully na?ve, so willing to protect their self interest even if it precluded their learning. He was of course in no way deterred by?complaints levelled at him, anticipated them?and simply shrugged in response to Halbrek's endearing sulks.
?
"Oh, so you are afraid of every demon equally, and that is why you are not dealing with them, " he sarcastically inquired, but not wishing to waste his time on idle, if pleasurable exchanges, simply dismissed his own words with a casual wave of his left hand.
?
"So, let us say, that the rationalization behind why you must help me has not happened yet. It is not an outright lie by any means, but an alternate version of the future. Besides, if I wanted to truly convince you, I would not have clued your lover boy here on the nature of deception itself, a good illustration to the spell of illusion that is going to be cast on the two of you in the near future. And?he will have to shake it off the same way he did here, unless he is unable to do so and the job would be yours.
?
At any rate, now that you have officially thanked me for?demonstrating to you the power of illusion you will have to overcome to successfully work for me, the truth is simple. What I showed you?is on the way to almost manifesting into your physical reality. It can be prevented, possibly, but not when there are so many players interested in changing the outcome of this game, I gather.
?
In essence, nothing really changed between us. We can still find an agreeable solution to?our mutual problem. My offer of help stands, your assistance, well, I don't believe in coercing it, although I could. It would just spoil my grand game, the nature of which you cannot fathom now, nor in the future. I do not seek to deceive you, make up your own choices, and let me know what you choose. If you wish to risk playing on your own, go ahead, I won't be stopping you..." Lucifer smugly declared, crossing his arms into a comforting position on his chest. His smile grew as hungry as it ever got, because such choices presented him with the most opportunities for?intriguing maneuvers, no matter their outcome. ? ?
Kat