"...so! Where are we going?" GM asked as he and his son walked down the street. He looked particularly excited.

Lucifer didn't speak, he just had a pouty face on.

Charlie had insisted that her father take him for his meeting. And while he wanted to refuse, his daughter had the dreaded 'puppy dog eyes' technique. He got that from him.

"Son?" GM asked. "Lucifer?"

Lucifer groaned. "Okay, fine, you're impossible to ignore! I have an annual meeting with The Sins that I've been blowing off for seven years, along with the rest of my king duties. And as a Deadly Sin myself-"

"Rather prideful of you to say!" GM quipped.

Lucifer, a fan of dad jokes, tried to keep in a chuckle. "As a Deadly Sin myself, it's about time I show up. Besides, I haven't spoken with the others in a while and it'll be nice to catch up...hopefully they're not too pissed that I brought you with."

"Oh, don't worry!" GM said. "You won't even know I'm there!"

"Dad, you're taller than Lily, it's gonna be impossible not to notice you...then again, Ozzie's usually pretty tall." Lucifer hummed.

GM smiled wide. "Exactly! So, just pretend I don't exist and I won't mess with your playdate."

"I've been trying to pretend you don't exist for- Wait, playdate?" Lucifer asked. "Dad, I'm as old as the Earth itself! This is a meeting!"

"Right, right, right!" GM said. "I just remember when you would come in on my meetings and call it a play date when you were younger! Wanted to make it an 'inside joke' as you kids call it!"

Lucifer facepalmed. "...Dad, you cannot be that old."

"...you're right, I just like saying that." GM chuckled. "Still don't understand those fancy mini-computers."

"...you mean a cellphone?" Lucifer asked. "C'mon! Even I have one of those!"

"Lucifer, those things are used for so many things other than calling. It cannot be considered a phone anymore." GM said. "By the way, why is everyone staring at us? Including traffic?"

Lucifer blinked. "...yeah, I guess I haven't been out in a while."

They eventually arrived in the poorly named 'Meeting Palace' in the middle of Pentagram City. And much to their surprise, they were the first ones there.

Lucifer took a seat at the end of the table. "Okay, haven't had to act professional in a few hundred years..."

"Son, you're the King of Hell." GM said. "Even I have to act professional sometimes!"

Lucifer sighed. "It's hard to act professional when other Royals are whiny little babies who only care about land or money or politics and your subjects just wanna cause as much destruction as they can, Dad!"

"Not all Sinners are heartless. Charlie taught us that." GM said.

"Oh, I'm not just talking about them. The Hellborn aren't any better." Lucifer said. "And you and everyone else gave me this shithole to rule over! Thanks a lot for that, Dad."

GM's eyes softened. "Son-"

Then, suddenly, in a small blast of blue flames, The Sin of Lust appeared in the room. Asmodeus.

Lucifer grinned. "Heyyy, Ozzie! Long no time no see!"

Ozzie's eyes widened and he turned towards Lucifer. He even rubbed his eyes. "...Luci?"

"How long's it been?" Lucifer asked.

Ozzie was about to answer before his eyes widened even further at who was right beside his old friend. "...Lucifer. Why the fuck is your dad here?"

GM waved. "Hello, Asmodeus! I'm 'digging' the new look!"

Lucifer sighed. "Long story. But he isn't here to start Armageddon or something. He's just here as a visitor."

Ozzie then sat down. "I...see. That aside, what the hell are you finally doing here? You haven't been to one of these things in forever!"

"I was...very busy." Lucifer said.

Ozzie's eye raised. "Making rubber ducks?"

Lucifer blinked before he reached into his pocket and slid one that looked exactly like Asmodeus over. "Does this make up for it?"

"...you're forgiven." Ozzie said as he held the rubber duck replica, admiring the attention to detail. "Oh, it even has a little mane!"

Lucifer nodded. "Took forever to make that! Ya like it?"

"Like it? I love it! Ohhh, Froggie's gonna squeal...and in the cute way, not the 'fuck me' way." Ozzie chuckled.

GM grimaced a bit. "Right. Lust equals sex."

Ozzie grinned. "Oh, don't tell me. You and your heavenly folk get all 'OH DEAR' at the mere mention of sex. Didn't you create it?"

"I'm fine with the mention of it. It's just...evolved in a way I did not intend." GM said.

Ozzie just chuckled. "Shouldn't have made it feel so good then."

"That aside." Lucifer said. "When are the others gonna get here?"

"If they do. You aren't the only one who's been blowing these off." Ozzie said. "But there's a lot you've missed, Luci."

Lucifer sighed. "Yup. I know."

And then, one by one, the other Deadly Sins arrived in their own dramatic entrances.

First was Beelzebub, Sin of Gluttony. She arrived in a small swirl of honey and...whatever's in lava lamps that isn't actual lava.

Next was Leviathan, Sin of Envy, who appeared through a small tidal wave of pitch black water.

Then there was Mammon, Sin of Greed, who arrived in a puff of green smoke, electricity, and a cha-ching sound.

Then, there was Belphegor, Sin of Sloth, who appeared and...almost immediately passed out on the table. Her entrance was not that dramatic.

Finally, there was the Sin of Wrath, Satan. Often confused with Lucifer, Satan was what everyone thought 'The Devil' was. Bulky, red, dragon-like, a voice that commanded respect, and easily the most edgy of the group due to his entrance being surrounded in flames that burnt the room.

"...dammit, Satan!" Lucifer said. "You do know mostly everything here is highly flammable, right?"

Satan's eyes narrowed before he noticed GM. "...Heavenly Father..."

"Oh, shit." Leviathan said as he suddenly hid under the table.

Bee gasped. "Luci!!! Hi!!!! It's been forever!!!!"

Belphegor just snored before Satan smashed the table, causing her to sit up. "SHIT- I'M UP!"

Mammon blinked before leaning over to Ozzie. "Yo, Oz! Is that-"

"Don't even come within an inch of me, Mam." Ozzie snarled, blue flames starting to surround his mane.

GM then cleared his throat. "How about I get some snacks for all of you while you do your meeting? How does that sound?"

"...that, uhh...sounds fine, Dad." Lucifer said.

Bee gasped. "God giving us snacks? Man, the world must be coming to an end!"

"Beelzebub? When did you become a Hellhound, dear?" GM asked, smiling.

Bee giggled. "Oh, they're just my peeps! So, I wanna look like one! We can all shapeshift after all!"

"That you can. Anyways! Just pretend I'm not here!" GM said as he left the room to go fetch and or make them some snacks.

Leviathan slowly peeked out. "...is he gone?"

Ozzie sighed. "Yeah, Levi. He's gone."

"Good. I hate meeting new people." Leviathan said, still looking rather anxious to even be there.

"Explain." Satan boomed, staring directly at Lucifer. "You have abandoned your duties for far too long, 'your highness'."

Lucifer sighed. "Good to see you too, Satan...so, yes! My father has come for a visit! He was recently made aware of Charlie's existence...and Heaven screwing up again!"

"Oh, Charlie!!! Man, I miss her! How's my favorite niece?" Bee smiled. "Is she still sweeter than literal candy?"

"Yeah, my little girl is still a bundle of joy." Lucifer laughed. "And her hotel is working and has my full support. Dad's too, but who cares about that?"

Belle blinked, rubbing her eyes. "Wait...am I still high or did you just say redemption works?"

"Yes, Belle. I did." Lucifer said.

"You're probably still high though." Ozzie said. "Seriously, woman, when are you not tired or high?"

Belle pointed at him. "Hey, I...I...fuck, I'm too lazy to come up with an insult."

Mammon laughed. "So, how's our niece doing? Like, if this hotel fuckin' works, then she's bound to be making a profit, eh?"

Lucifer's eyes narrowed. "She's already rich, Mammon. Why would she need any more money?"

No one really liked Mammon.

"There's always the ability to make more money!" Mammon cried. "Hell, I've been making a fuckin' profit off of the Fizzies Sale...considering that little shit quit-"

"Do not call him that." Ozzie snarled.

Mammon turned, snarling back at him. "Oh, you wanna go, mate?! I'm still fuckin' pissed at you!!!"

"Oh, pipe down, you Australian Christmas tree!!!" Ozzie boomed. "You've got two newbies who wanna be exploited!"

"For your fuckin' information, they're making bank!!!"

"Then why are you still so mad about losing Fizz cause of your shitty attitude!?!?"

"Cause I don't like being humiliated, ya piece of garbage!!!" Mammon cried.

Satan then slammed his fist on the table, cracking it. "ENOUGH!!! SIT DOWN. BOTH OF YOU!!! I TIRE OF YOUR CONSTANT BICKERING!!!"

Leviathan slowly slid under the table again, clearly a bit intimidated and even more socially anxious thanks to Satan's yelling.

Bee noticed and then went under as well, mostly to try and bring him back out.

Lucifer blinked. "...okay! Clearly, I missed a lot! So...please catch me up. That's what these meetings are for anyway. Ozzie, you first. How's Lust and you been?"

Ozzie sat up straight. "It's been going well. For one, I'm in a happy relationship now with the most handsome Imp around. His name is Fizzaroli."

Belle blinked. "You're dating somebody...? I thought you...uhhh...what's the word...only did sex stuff?"

"Belle, just because I'm Lust doesn't mean I can't fall in love." Ozzie said. "And I did! Don't care who knows it cause, frankly, who's gonna do anything about it?"

All of them, even Mammon, nodded and murmured in agreement.

"You were really bad at hiding it anyway." Leviathan said, slowly coming back out thanks to Bee's encouragement.

Ozzie sighed. "Yup, I know...as for my ring? Pretty good. My club's doing well, designing some new toys to really get people off, annnd...having to rebuild a hotel due to a recent turf war or something. Between two Imps, a Hellhound, and some Power Rangers-Iron Man cosplayers."

"Turf war?" Lucifer asked. "You have those too over there?"

Ozzie shrugged. "Not really, but uhh, it's Hell. What do you expect? Oh, and I gave Prince Stolas one of my crystals so his sort-of boyfriend can travel to the living world legally."

Satan raised an eye. "You gave permission for a demon that isn't a Succubi or Incubi to travel to the living world? For what purpose?"

"I don't know. Still looking into it." Ozzie said.

Satan stood up. "Asmodeus, it is your sworn duty-"

"HA! Duty." Mammon grinned.

Satan slowly turned his head towards Mammon. "...I'm going to rip your spleen out from your bloated body if you keep that up..."

"Okay! Moving on!" Lucifer said. "Congrats on the relationship, Ozzie."

"Aw, thanks." Ozzie smiled.

"Satan! Since you spoke up, how's Wrath?"

Satan sat back down, his eyes narrowing. "Wrath is going smoothly. Fights of all kinds happen, but my Imps all respect me and my power. And I trust that your little mystic field will keep Sinners out?"

"Yes, I can assure you, not even the strongest Overlord can break through that thing. We don't want them hurting the Hellborn." Lucifer said.

Satan huffed. "Yet, you still have them run around your ring like it's a jungle...when you should be controlling the Sinners and their outbursts. You do nothing to command respect of them."

"I don't want the respect of people like them, Satan. We've been over this!" Lucifer groaned.

"You are King! You should act like it!" Satan boomed. "Lilith was a far better ruler than you could ever hope to be."

Lucifer's heart clenched at the mention of his wife and he sighed. "Yes...yes, I know..."

Bee looked at her fellow Sin. "Satan, cool it. Please?"

Satan huffed and sat back down. "...apologies."

"...still haven't found her?" Ozzie asked.

Lucifer shook his head slowly. "...but that's not what this is about. Bee? How's Gluttony?"

"Oh! Going fantastic!" Bee smiled. "Honestly, I'm surprised no one goes there more often. It's just one big fuckin' party and there's no violence! Just good vibes all around!"

"Your music is too loud...and you keep trying to steal my medication." Belle said, her eyes narrowed.

Bee laughed. "C'mon, Belle! Just call them what they are: Party Drugs."

"They're prescription pills." Belle said. "And you keep trying to steal them, you jackass..."

"Okay, Belle! How's Sloth?" Lucifer grinned.

Belle blinked. "...fine, I guess."

Lucifer tilted his head. "...is...is that all?"

"Yeah." Belle said. "I don't really check...hey, does anyone got a pillow I could lay my head on?"

Lucifer then sighed. "Not sure what I expected...Leviathan! How's Envy?"

Leviathan looked around, feeling a massive spotlight on him. "...it's good."

"Can you go into detail?" Lucifer asked. "No one's gonna judge you."

"We're your friends, bud." Bee smiled, trying to encourage the Sin of Envy.

Leviathan then took a deep breath and sat up. "...the beaches are nice and...and EnVee's doing pretty well...could be better, but...I-I dunno, I still think it's a cool app..."

"It's an amazing app." Ozzie smiled. "And hey! How's that musical of yours going?"

"...I threw it away, wasn't worth it..."

"Ah, c'mon! Don't say that!" Lucifer said. "You know Hell loves songs!"

Then, the Father of Heaven poked his head into the room. "Did someone say songs?!"

Leviathan quickly hid under the table again.

"Oh! Sorry!" GM chuckled as he brought in a tray of snacks. "Hope I'm not interrupting you all! Not 'cramping your style'!"

Lucifer slammed his head on the table. "I almost forgot you were here..."

Mammon gasped and quickly stole the tray, pouring it down his mouth with all the snacks and various foods falling onto the floor as well. And in mere moments, the tray was bare. "Thanks, Big G!"

GM blinked. "...you...could have shared, Mammon."

"Nah, they didn't need 'em!" Mammon grinned.

Ozzie sighed. "Can I please strangle him?"

"Mammon...how's Greed?" Lucifer asked, knowing he'd regret it.

Mammon shrugged. "I dunno!"

"You don't know?" Satan asked. "You're its ruler! How do you not know?"

Belle summoned a pillow, but Bee took it away. She then faced Mammon. "Yeah, even I kinda know..."

"Look, I don't really care about what my Ring does! I just want the money it gives me, and boy! Do I get some money!" Mammon laughed. "Oh, and some Mafia fuckers try to overthrow me. It's goddamn hilarious- Hey! GODdamn! Ya get it?! Cause-"

"I make that joke too." GM said before leaning over to Lucifer and whispering. "I am so sorry you have to put up with him..."

"You and me both." Lucifer whispered back before clearing his throat. "Okay, I think that's all! Pride's as shitty as it'll ever be, so no need to report there!"

GM turned. "I wouldn't say that. Did you tell them about Charlie's hotel and how she and her friends personally ended the Exterminations?"

"Yes, Dad." Lucifer sighed.

"Oh! Okay, good!" GM smiled.

Satan stood. "You have to start managing your Ring, Lucifer. One of these days, it will go beyond your control and you can't just hope someone else will deal with it."

Lucifer sighed. "I know, I know. I'm gonna start trying to be a better king...cause...cause Lily's been gone for seven years and I've been ignoring my role and my daughter for too long..."

GM's eyes softened.

"So, I'm gonna start making some changes...and as an apology for not contacting you all in some time...I made you all these." Lucifer said as he snapped his fingers.

And then, much like Ozzie's, rubber duck replicas of each of The Sins appeared in their hands.

Satan just stared at it, his expression emotionless. "...how...thoughtful."

"OMG, IT'S SOOO CUUUUTE!!!" Bee squealed.

Belle smiled. "Hey, it is pretty cute...it's got my candle and everything..."

Leviathan just stared at his duck, hiding a smile.

Mammon tapped the duck. "Aw, shucks, Luci! I knew you liked me!!! This is why we're best friends!!!"

"You just said we're best friends so I won't sue you for ripping off my theme park."

"Yup! Best friends!"