Lucifer, the devil himself, sat behind the sleek, polished bar at Lux, his exclusive nightclub. The bar's beauty was dark and alluring, a modern interpretation of Victorian Gothic style. Lucifer would occasionally redecorate the space, transforming it to reflect his ever-changing moods.
Working alongside his associate Raven, Lucifer drew on his past experiences as a consultant in the mortal world, operating discreetly under the radar of human supervision. The club's interior exuded an air of sophisticated elegance - burgundy-red walls, black stone accents, and trim of shimmering obsidian. A magnificent gold-and-ruby chandelier illuminated the room, casting a warm, old-fashioned glow, like a ballroom of ages past.
On the elevated platforms, scantily-clad dancers moved sensually, their faces obscured by ornate ball masks. The patrons lounged back on the plush burgundy furniture, captivated by the enthralling scene before them. Lucifer presided over it all, his domain of vice and indulgence, a testament to his alluring power and influence in the mortal realm.
Caral Woodly sat ahead of Lucifer, sipping from a glass of the finest Scottish whiskey. Lucifer took notice of the sudden shift in Woodly's demeanor - the man's usual brusque superiority had given way to a more refined, almost elegant bearing. This pleased Lucifer, but also acknowledged that Woodly's personality was heavily influenced by his environment.
Woodly was a man of status, but lacked true control over his own life. Lucifer also observed that many of the criminals, drug dealers, and other unsavory connections in his club were wary of Woodly. This told Lucifer that the man possessed a certain intelligence - Woodly was no mere fool, but rather a calculated "hit man for hire" type. Woodly was organized and efficient, but never operated alone. There was an air of mystery and danger that surrounded the man, hinting at a web of powerful alliances and murky dealings.
Lucifer's criminal connections are deeply unsettled and weary when it comes to Caral Woodly. There is a palpable unease and trepidation among them at the mere mention of Woodly's name, as if he has connections and influence that defy Lucifer's understanding. Lucifer knows there is always a larger force at work, a more powerful mortal pulling the strings, and Woodly's sheer presence and authority suggests this is the case - even though he does not seem intelligent or capable enough to orchestrate such an extensive network. Sensing the wariness of his associates, Lucifer decides it's best not to provoke or challenge Woodly directly, lest he incur the wrath of an unknown and potentially formidable mortal.
Caral Woodly struck up a conversation, remarking with amusement, "How close are you with Raven? She seems like quite a hassle to be around." Lucifer noticed a slight change in Woodly's tone as he spoke about Raven, with his voice becoming slightly raised, not due to the noise of the club, which Lucifer could hear him over clearly. This subtle shift in vocal pitch was a telltale sign that Woodly was being deceptive. Lucifer could tell that Woodly was actually quite fascinated by Raven's character, despite his feigned annoyance.
Lucifer let out a slight, amused chuckle in response to Caral Woodly's question. "She isn't a hassle, but she is indeed fascinating. I've never met a woman so straightforward and unique," he said, complimenting Raven as he poured himself a glass of fine bourbon over a single, perfectly spherical ice cube in an old-fashioned crystal glass. Lucifer took a sip, allowing the cool, smooth liquid to slide down his throat before continuing. "Her personality isn't a mirror image of the people around her. She isn't afraid," he observed, his ocean-blue eyes maintaining intense, unwavering contact with Caral's, as if peering into her very soul. "However, I'd like to skip talking about Raven. I want to know what your desires are," Lucifer said, his voice dripping with a mix of observation and subtle amusement.
Lucifer was fiercely protective of Raven, unwilling to let any other man near her. He harbored a possessive and territorial claim over her, seeing her as a goddess to be worshipped. Though he maintained a confident, almost pimping demeanor, Lucifer would never disrespect Raven by allowing another man to gaze upon her the way he did. Instead, he deftly shifted the focus away from Raven, keeping the details of her personality a closely guarded secret. Lucifer's body language betrayed none of this underlying possessiveness - his concern was solely fixed on the man ahead of him, Caral Woodly, as he avoided any direct conversation about Raven.
Lucifer reclined with a self-assured smirk, his voice tinged with an air of expertise. "As you can see, I'm a man of many abilities, and my true forte lies in the realm of criminal enterprises." He regarded Caral Woodly with a discerning gaze, devoid of judgment. "You see, every individual who frequents this establishment harbors their own cravings, and they seek me out for my services. I assist them, but only if I perceive value in their connections. Each client I take on helps propel my operations forward without any effort on my part." Lucifer paused, his eyes narrowing slightly. "However, I've noticed my clients are growing wary of you. You are no ordinary gambling man, are you, Caral?" The statement carried an air of certainty, as if Lucifer already knew the answer.
Caral Woodly's smile held a hint of appreciation. "Not many can call me out with such keen observation. The rumors about you, it seems, are true." He paused, his gaze locked with Lucifer's. "You, Lucifer, are like working with the devil himself. A person asks for a favor, and the price is always steep."
Lucifer let out a light, theatrical chuckle. "Word travels fast, I see. Am I underestimating your determination? Or is there a question lurking between the lines, Mr. Woodly?" He raised his old-fashioned crystal glass to his lips, taking a sip of bourbon. Woodly did not directly answer Lucifer's question, but his response provided all the answers he needed. The conversation flowed with a sense of measured intensity, the undercurrent of their cat-and-mouse dynamic palpable.
Caral Woodly spoke in a secretive manner about his sponsor, though he felt compelled to be truthful with Lucifer. "Let's just say I'm rather curious, both myself and my sponsor," Caral said, as if forgetting that Lucifer and Raven were quite close. His body language showed no hesitation, yet his expression conveyed confusion. "You see, I've known about you for quite some time, Lucifer, but I never got the chance to meet you in person or discuss a potential alliance." Caral's desire was mainly profit, "but of something more." It was as though his mind and body were acting on impulse, speaking to Lucifer as if they were close friends, despite Caral not understanding what was driving him to divulge these secrets.
Lucifer knew the source of Caral Woodly's confusion. With his devilish charm, Lucifer could compel mortals to speak only the truth. Simply by making eye contact, he could force any mortal to reveal their deepest, darkest desires without their consent. It was no wonder Caral Woodly felt so perplexed. "Something more you'd like to share?" Lucifer chuckled, his voice dripping with curiosity and intrigue. He gently placed down his old-fashioned glass and studied Caral Woodly with a probing gaze. "Does this sponsor have a name?"
Lucifer cunningly conversed with Caral Woodly, the latter grew increasingly at ease, almost as if Lucifer was carefully constructing a false sense of security around Woodly. Lucifer knew precisely how to make any man comfortable, lulling them into a false sense of control. He allowed Woodly to feel in charge, all the while Lucifer played the curious, disarming party, gradually building the foundation of trust beneath Woodly's feet.
Caral Woodly responded with complete honesty and composure. "I don't know their names, all I know is they are obsessed with a certain woman," he said.
Lucifer took notice of Woodly's phrasing. "It seems you've dealt your hand to the devil as well," he grinned with amusement. Lucifer had seen similar signs from others before - the man was clearly afraid of his sponsor, creating a deep shield around that relationship and their intentions. "Which means you've found yourself in a grave you can't dig your way out of," Lucifer observed shrewdly. Woodly's careful wording and guarded demeanor suggested he was in over his head, entangled with powerful forces he could no longer control.
Caral Woodly merely chuckled, though Lucifer mistakenly believed he was afraid of his sponsor. In fact, Lucifer had misjudged Caral's feelings entirely. Rather than hating his life or regretting his decisions, Caral actually enjoyed his work. "Not at all," he said with a smirk. "After all, even I am a curious party in my sponsor's obsession."