suiting | voicemail.

Yeah, well, you're not the first to set that goal. [Smiiirk]

How's it going, by the way? These schemes of yours?

Do not compare our goals, Lucifer.

[Attempting to save Heaven and leaving Heaven because he didn't like that God loved humanity is not the same thing you massive child.]

And I have no such "schemes" here.

[Inias is quite retired from being a soldier in Adstringendum, thank you.]

Do you have any idea what my goals actually were, or are you just relying on the bitter stories Michael handed down?

My allegiance is not to Michael, nor is it to Raphael, or any of the rest of you.

[A bit miffed, because Inias doesn't appreciate being told he's a mindless drone, thank you.]

You both were going to destroy the world and our home -- neither of you are blameless.

I didn't want to destroy Heaven. Or earth. I would have, to bring God around.... But I love the earth, Inias. It's God's last perfect creation.

You want to know a secret? And you can go ahead and ask Castiel or Gabriel...I didn't even want to fight Michael. My plan involved talking him out of it. [A small pause, because he has to fight a wince, a bitter twist of his mouth.] But apparently he didn't listen.

[Silence.]

Do you expect that to absolve you of your sins? Or he of his?

[it's quiet.]

There is no taking back the things I've done. [And Lucifer wouldn't, even if he could. They both know that.]

But I want to move forward, Inias. I don't want to see our family like this.

What do you expect of me?

[Inias' tone is still quiet, because he's not normally an argumentative or harsh soul, but there's definitely an ounce of backbone in the question.]

I can extend forgiveness to those that work towards earning penance, but I cannot forget what you have done to our family.

[Or Naomi to their family, or Michael to their family -- or really, any of them to their family, Inias included. He holds his own fair share of blame for what's happened, simply for blindly following Castiel without having the spine to tell him what he was doing was wrong.]

There is no fixing it anymore.

[He thinks about that, really takes it in and chews it over, before he answers.]

You're right. There's no fixing it. Especially since 'fixing' would mean going back to the golden years...and I don't think any of us wants that anymore. Right?

I would rather be dead than brainwashed by Naomi.

[It's said quietly, but Inias means every word.]

So -- you are correct in saying that few of us would wish to return to Michael's reign of power, if that is the cost of supposed peace.

I thought Michael was the only one brainwashing anyone. [This is something he spoke briefly with Castiel about, but it wasn't an easy subject.] How deep does that corruption go? How many of those in power support it?

You may ask Naomi for full details on her memory wiping lobotomies.

[Inias is generally not okay with sharing information to Lucifer, but if Lucifer and Naomi kill each other, well, all's the better for their family, as far as he's concerned.]

I am afraid I do not have enough detail to ease your curiosity on the matter, as Naomi presumably removed most of it.

[He scoffs a little. Sure, he'll ask her. And he's sure he'll ~~be forced to~~ get to use 'enhanced interrogation' methods on her. Which will probably thrill Castiel and Inias, now that he thinks of it.]

Do you have a guess as to how many of you have had your minds tampered with?

All who have a known record of disobedience.

[so

basically everyone on Team Castiel]

You mean, anyone who enjoys thinking for themselves? ...Figures.

How did you figure out what Naomi was doing?

[Hrm.

To tell the truth or not tell the truth.]

A number of us managed to break her control.

[That is true, without naming names.]

[Good call. Don't lie to your brother, Inias, it makes him mad.

This, though, makes him happy--and clearly relieved.]

Are they safe?

Most are dead.

Castiel, it seems, is still alive for the time being.

He's good at survival. Probably better than we are--I'm just not sure it's a good thing for him.

[Inias' brow furrows at that.]

Wh -- being alive is not good for him?

[He sounds incredulous -- almost aggravated, if you listen carefully enough, but Inias has a pretty sound control on his emotions save for sass. He doesn't let much bleed out.]

I prefer Castiel alive than dead.

Oh, I do, too. Believe me. I've ripped apart other angels for him. But after a certain point...well, let's look at him as a metaphor. Say he loses his arms, he loses his legs--what's left? Because all his life is now is sacrifice.

After a certain point, after so much loss...everyone begins to wish they were dead instead. Everyone has that breaking point.

[The more Lucifer speaks, the more Inias wants to just hang up -- and his jaw tightens slightly as he mentions Castiel and talks about him so freely, but he holds his tongue.

He knows better than most that Castiel wants to die. He hadn't exactly fought off Hester's assault, when Inias last saw him in their universe. He had just sat there and allowed it to happen. Though Castiel is older now, Inias is sure that hasn't changed.]

It is lucky, then, that I have not reached it, so there can be at least one person Castiel can rely on that is determined to stay alive.

[His tone is cold and unforgiving.]

[He relaxes, like it's the punchline finally over.] Don't be stupid. I'm never going to die. He could rely on me, if he wanted. I mean...he has before.

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