On the streets of Seashore City, Hal was walking briskly, followed by Lucifer and Shiller. Suddenly, Hal stopped in his tracks, stood still, turned around, extended his arms, and said to the pair behind him:
"I really can't take you two anymore! How can there be such fussy people in the world, and not just one, but two?"
"Can't you phrase things less spitefully?"
Pointing off to one side, Hal continued, "Aren't the conditions of the shop on the adjacent street good enough? It's large, newly renovated, and the rent is pretty decent, even negotiable. But you guys complained about the layout and the long walk route, even saying it's like a well-decorated intestine!"
"Alright, so I find one that is a bit deeper, the shop on 30th Street has a good layout doesn't it? But then you complained about the orientation of the windows and poor lighting. It's just a bit darker, isn't it? Did you really have to call it a vampire's affordable house?"
"I beg you! Can you stop tormenting me?" Hal shouted: "You, go back to Los Angeles and spend your life tending to your broken bar. You, hurry back to Gotham to teach, torment your students, and stop bothering me!"
After saying this, Hal turned around to leave, Lucifer quickly followed, catching up to hold Hal back, explaining: "The two of us had some drinks last night, were a bit sloshed, especially him. You know how Shiller is, always speaking like this, you shouldn't take it too harshly."
"Have the nerve to bring this up, do you?!" Hal shook off Lucifer's hand, his blood boiling as he watched Shiller strolling distantly ahead of him,
"Seashore City is not Gotham, the citizens here are very nice, you can't treat them with such poisonous language, they are not criminals! You guys will ruin my life in this city!"
Shiller, who finally caught up, sighed softly and then said: "I know you might not be able to stick around, but before you get kicked out, let's settle on a house."
Hal rolled his eyes at him in frustration, standing there and taking a few deep breaths. Actually, he knew that Shiller always had a sharp tongue, spouting academic and literate aphorisms, but distance made the heart grow fonder.
The people in this world who can tolerate Shiller for a long time and at close range are real tough cookies— the last one was Batman. He could do it, because he was Batman, but Green Lantern couldn't.
Reassuring himself with Oliver's praises about Shiller, Hal covered his chest with his hand, nodded, and said: "Fine, you guys can stay at my place for a few more days, and then we can continue house-hunting."
Two hours later, in front of Hal's house, Shiller and Lucifer, along with their luggage, were tossed out of the door. Lucifer looked back at Shiller and said: "Couldn't you keep your mouth shut just for a while?"
"Why are you staring at me? The term 'vampire's affordable house', wasn't it your idea? Don't even think about shifting the blame onto me." Shiller zipped up his suitcase, lifted it, and walked away.
"Where are you going?" Lucifer chased after him, sounding a bit wronged. "I didn't say anything wrong, did I? Many vampires without castles do end up renting dark houses for their coffins. I have seen Cain when I was living in Eden…"
"I'm a self-sufficient adult, not an angel baby who hasn't weaned despite being ten thousand years old. I'm going to rent a house and live there, then find work. Don't follow me, you only made the first house seem more intestine-like."
Shiller left, thoroughly disgusted, suitcase in hand. Lucifer stood with his hands on his hips, quite annoyed. But soon, he caught up with Shiller and said: "Seashore City is not like Gotham, it's not as developed. There aren't many bachelor flats, if you want to rent, you'd have to rent the whole place. I think we can be roommates, at least it would save some rent money."
Shiller turned around, sized up Lucifer from head to toe, and said: "Is this because bachelor flats don't allow you to bring girls back? Buzz off."
"Stop talking nonsense, I don't know anyone here, Hal and Arthur are also your friends, so I can only rely on you." Lucifer walked backward in front of Shiller, blocking his way.
Shiller stood still, sighed, and looked at the skyline. Without Hal's car, the city center was really far. Gazing at the long country road ahead, he felt a headache coming on.
Just as he was deep in thought, Lucifer sneaked behind him. Suddenly, his gigantic, white wings spread out, and his hands grabbed Shiller by his waist. With a whoosh, they ascended towards the sky.
Holding onto Shiller in one hand and his suitcase in the other, Lucifer slowly followed the coastline, saying during the flight: "You really should consider being my roommate, this really is a wonderful commuting method, isn't it?"
Shiller, expressionless, held his suitcase tightly, looking down at the shimmering body of the sea beneath them. His stomach churned with nausea. Gritting his teeth, he said: "Can't you fly a bit more to the left? I get seasick."
"But we're in the sky now."
"As long as there's sea, it's a no-go!"
Lucifer's eyes darted to the side. Suddenly, his wings shifted to the right and he shouted: "Oh! The marvelous Forces of Nature! The summer wind from the Pacific Ocean is striking the city, gods bow in reverence, angels shed tears…"
"Shut up! Lucifer! You're doing this on purpose! Get back on track!"