Lux Opening [OPEN]

[apostatises]

Who: YOU. This is an OPEN log, heck yeah.
What: Lux's Grand Opening
When: Day 69, all night
Where: Lux, in the Baldr District
Rating: PG-13 to be safe—If the rating goes up in a thread, please let me know!

Welcome to Lux —

It's been under construction for about a month, and anyone in the Baldr district (or who just liked to wander) surely would have noticed the bar's construction. It was only a few days ago that the sign was finally put up—Lux.

Maybe you saw the owner's post on the network and decided to come see. Or maybe you were just walking past and was curious about the crowd of people who had gathered. Regardless, you'll be welcomed into a ritzy bar and lounge. There are some locals mingling about, and jazz is drifting through the air, since the owner is currently playing.

Should you decide to stay, you'll find that the drinks and food are very generously half price for grand opening. Or, if that's not to your taste, then surely the music and crowd will make up for it.

Welcome to Lux, the bar owned by the Devil himself.

quick jump to threads

outside lux ☄ around the bar ☄ general mingling ☄ by the stage ☄ speak with the owner

Comments

[uglyinside]

[ Once he's finished up, he takes a relaxing breath as he feels his sister's eyes on him. He had deceived her before. He had withheld information and omitted for control. He'd tricked her and hurt her loved ones.

This lie should not be any different, yet it still feels so. He recognizes this, though can't identify a drop of remorse. He turns to face her fully in acknowledgment. ]

[imhome]

[She gives him a small, fragile smile. It was still so strange. A year ago, Nina would've never thought she could smile at him again.]

How are you?

[uglyinside]

I'm ... [ He takes in that smile for a moment, almost trailing off as he does. It's so familiar to him, but it was something that he wasn't even aware that he hadn't clearly remembered. She'd given him that smile before, as children. Back when she needed to be protected from things that weren't himself. ] managing.

Tell me. [ Though it sounds too soft and tentative to be a request. ]


Were you aware that I worked here?

[imhome]

[Nina's smile wavers for a second.

She didn't want to lie to him. And even if she did, she had a feeling that he'd know.]

I had a feeling.

[uglyinside]

I see. [ He returns her smile finally, as if to reinforce hers as a lifeline, and steps in a bit closer. ]

You wanted to check in on me. You have your doubts, understandably.

[imhome]

[Nina looks sheepish for a moment.]

Ah, well, it's not that. [Not entirely, at least.]

I was curious to see where you'd be interested in working. [Not a complete lie.]

Also, I was impressed by how lovely everything looks.

[uglyinside]

[ He nods at that, though something about his expression could be interpreted as being mildly disappointed in her answer. He slips into a professional mode, though his voice is far quieter and less performative than it was with others tonight. It's almost wavering in tone, as if the entire interaction is straining him. ]

It's quite ... lovely, yes. [ Pause. ] Did you enjoy the music?

[imhome]

I did.

[A thoughtful pause, before:]

Ah, why did you decide to work here?

[uglyinside]

[ He wants to push back against this. It's his natural inclination, it seems, to challenge her acceptance of him. To test it and try and bring out the inevitable rejection. Anything that was inside. ]

It was opened by a friend. Many people gather here.

[imhome]

Lucifer?

[She's seen his posts and comments on the network. She doesn't know quite what to think about Lucifer being in this world and owning a bar... It seemed pretty unbelievable, even here.

And, of course, knowing that Johan was perhaps working for the devil was never a comforting thought.

Still, Nina tried her best to look calm.]

[uglyinside]

[ He nods, staring down at the floor of the space between them, now. ]

I considered the library. I think you'd like it. It's rather grandiose.

[ The interaction was strange. It was as if they were both fearful of digging beneath the surface. ]

[imhome]

[A part of her wants to ask more about Lucifer, but she keeps quiet. At the mention of the library, Nina nods.]

I've been there.

[When she was researching the network and didn't want to stay in her room. But, did he already know that?]

It is very impressive, but I haven't had a chance to explore it yet.

[A pause.]

Would you... like to visit together sometime?

[A tentative attempt to bridge the gap. And, if she were being completely honest, a way for her to keep an eye on him.]

[uglyinside]

[ His smile leaves his eyes, which are hit with a hint of surprise at that.

If only she weren't his sister. He was often a master of words. He knew exactly what to say to make someone feel and think anything he wanted them to. Anything.

With her, he wasn't sure. She was himself, after all. He swallows hard and nods. ]

I'd enjoy that.

[imhome]

[She smiles in response, noticing the subtle change in his mood but misinterpreting it as something encouraging. There's a pause, before she asks:]

Could you give me a tour of this place?

I'M SORRY FOR THIS AWKWARD TAG HE IS AWKWARD IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN...

[uglyinside]

... [ He stares in silence, the atmosphere around them turning cold suddenly. ]

No worries! <3

[imhome]

[Nina feels the chill in the atmosphere, and takes one step toward him. She pushes back her thoughts of apprehension and doubt, and instead looks at him with concern.]

Johan?

[uglyinside]

Yes. [ He answers, then repeats more quietly. ] Yes, I can. [ As if to convince himself he could do it. He was conflicted between his very real, very present and visceral need to separate himself from her, and his past need to reunite. ]

[imhome]

[Something about the way he says that bothers her. She reaches for his hand.]

Are you okay? What's wrong?

[uglyinside]

It used to be me [ He glances down at her hand, allowing his to be held. ] who took care of you.

[imhome]

[She gives him a small smile.]

We're siblings. We should take care of each other.

[uglyinside]

I suppose. [ His words sound less unconvinced, but more conflicted at that. He turns. ] Follow me, then.

[imhome]

[Nina follows him with a smile but is silent.]

[uglyinside]

[ He leads her by the hand, over to the currently unoccupied piano. ] I was considering suggesting special lighting for when Lucifer plays the piano here. A chandelier simply isn't enough; I feel a spotlight of some sort needs to be involved. Don't you agree? [ When he glances back at her, it almost seems nervous. Almost. ]

[imhome]

[Nina listens, a little distracted by the surreal realization that she's engaging in small talk with Johan, like they were ordinary siblings.]

Mm-hm, I do.

[uglyinside]

Ah, yes. Quite personally, I believe there should be an extension on the reception hall, and the lounge could use a bit of renovating. [ He gives his sister's hand a squeeze as he pulls her along, more towards the dining area and the booths. ] There are two sections here. One is more attached to the bar, while the other is more suitable for privacy and a slight distance from the music.