Jamming in the Afternoon

[ginger_firebird]

Cooking did not happen too often in Mantis’s home. It was messy. It was hot. It took time. He was going to be all day with this latest project. Wandering into the industrial area of the Nexus will allow people to see an unusual sight. Rather than wearing his usual mask, Mantis had a scarf wrapped around his face vaguely similar to how one might imagine a ninja might look. He was seated in front of a portable stove with a pot cooking away over the flame. Next to him were several packages of fruits, empty mason jars, bags of sugar, and massive jugs of water. He sat in a folding chair situated beneath the shade of a large umbrella with a pile of long grass on his lap. Every so often, he’d pick up a piece and add it to a growing weaving project in his hands.

One might recognize the simple operation as a jam making jamboree. It’s an old, but fun way to make the most of a day and a harvest of fruit. Perhaps those who know him might be able to recognize his somewhat gaunt frame as he lounges back in the shade. Some who do not might be curious in general. Pale grey eyes dart up every so often to the cooking pot, but he’s not about to get up and rush for anyone or anything. He gets the jam stirring every so often with a flick of his wrist and a well-used wooden spoon.

There are a lot of jars, in spite of himself. With how time-consuming this was, that jam was going to last him a while. He wouldn’t have to buy any, wouldn’t have to borrow any, and that left him with visions of a personal hoard of sugar-sweet goodness. He sighs as he keeps with making his grass-woven project and sniffs the air. The question was half asked to the air around him, but it does deserve to be answered: “What should I do with these first?”

Comments

[ginger_firebird]

Mantis has a steady and careful hand with his spinning. It's one thing when he takes pride in his powers, but he has pride in his practical skills as well. He's curious about this son of Lucifer's, especially knowing the man was also disfigured.

"Among other things. I came into the telepathy first and learned something I was probably better off not knowing." He sighs long and deep, taking his shoulders down with his breath. "Most of that night is a blur, but I'm sure pysokinesis came right after the telepathy. I didn't get much time to really process how many abilities I had until I was suddenly caught up in someone's schemes to destroy the world."

[the_rebel_son]

That would be a point that the angel and man could agree on. Angels could magic all sorts of things but Lucifer enjoyed making with his hands and doing on his own.

"I am sorry that you endured that but over time I have learned that it seems the fate of immortal and alternate powered humans. There's always something major that goes wrong at the very wrong time." He smiles though. "I am glad you've found peace and relative kindness in yourself. Not all get there, maybe most don't."

[ginger_firebird]

Mantis nodded at the sympathetic comment. He looks up at Lucifer and shrugs his shoulders.

"I don't know that I found peace so much as had it forced upon me. When I died, I landed at the feet of a dead medium who quickly proved that his powers outclassed all of mine put together." A little shiver goes through him. "He has a wonderful wife, though. I try to think of her as a well-meaning grandmother, but she's got a long standing habit of wrecking people bigger and sronger than her."

[the_rebel_son]

"Life is very complex." Lucifer agrees. Nothing is black and white or even close. Everything is muddled shades. "I am not sure I would have chosen peace either were it not for a woman I had intended to kill."

[ginger_firebird]

"There's always someone who changes you. Sometimes it's for the better, usually for the worst. What could she have done that you were prepared to end her life over it?" It's a strange thing to hear from anyone, let alone an angel.

[the_rebel_son]

Lucifer looks away, all the feathers on his wings standing like a nervous bird fluffing up. A quiet, breathless moment passes before the feathers lay flat again.

"God murdered my child so I was going to kill his." Lucifer sighs as his eyes slowly come back to Mantis. "I was not created for war or violence which is why He murdered my child. I refused to kill my child on God's command."