Cain opened the front of the stove, the click of the igniter making Lucifer flinch slightly. He placed a pan on the burner, poured in a little oil, and watched it shimmer. Then he took the remaining eight eggs and began cracking them one by one into a bowl. The sharp tap-tap-crack was a rhythmic, domestic sound. He grabbed a fork and started whisking, the yellow yolks and clear whites blending into a uniform pale yellow. He was making scrambled eggs, something simple and filling.
He did all of this under Lucifer's watchful gaze. She stood a few feet away, her eyes glinting with a mixture of happiness and intense curiosity, following every movement of his hands as if he were performing a sacred ritual.
He glanced over at her, seeing her rapt attention. He raised an eyebrow. "You wanna ask something?"
Lucifer's face immediately lit up. "So to blend in, I must set my food on fire?" she asked, pointing at the blue gas flames licking the bottom of the pan.
Cain chuckled, pouring the egg mixture into the hot pan. It sizzled loudly. "It's called cooking," he explained, using a spatula to gently push the curds around. "Some foods can be eaten raw, like fruit. But others, like these eggs or meat, taste better and are safer if you cook them. It changes them. Makes them… more."
"I see," Lucifer said, nodding as if filing away vital intelligence. "Then, may I observe you complete the cooking process for these eggs?"
He nodded, focusing on the pan. He kept glancing at her as he worked. She was completely engrossed, leaning in slightly to watch the liquid eggs solidify into soft, fluffy clouds. The simple, homely scene felt surreal with her in it.
Just as the eggs were nearly done, the peaceful moment was shattered by a loud, brash electronic ringtone. Lucifer jumped, her body snapping into a defensive posture. Her head swiveled, searching for the threat.
"What is that sound?!" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Are we under attack?"
"Calm down," Cain said quickly, turning the stove off and moving the pan to a cold burner. "That's just my phone." He pointed across the counter to where the device was buzzing and vibrating.
Lucifer stared at the ringing object, her alarm shifting back to curiosity. "Oh. What is a 'phone'? Why is it emitting a battle cry?"
Cain sighed, a small smile playing on his lips. He was getting used to these fundamental explanations. "Humans use phones as a tool to communicate with other people who are far away," he said, walking over to it. "It makes that sound to tell me someone wants to talk to me through the phone. Understand?"
"A long-distance communication talisman," Lucifer murmured, fascinated. "Fascinating."
He picked up the phone and swiped the screen. "Hello, Gab?"
A woman's voice, crisp and professional, came through the speaker. "Goodmorning. Merry Christmas, Cain."
Even though Cain was several steps away, Lucifer's preternatural hearing picked up every word clearly. Her eyebrows shot up.
"Your name is Cain?" she blurted out, surprised.
The woman on the phone heard the female voice and gave a light, knowing chuckle. "I didn't know you had company this morning. May I ask if it's your partner?"
Lucifer looked at Cain and smirked, a playful, knowing look in her eyes. She could already guess he would try to deflect and not use her real name.
"No," Cain began, "it's just a woman that I—"
Thwip.
A strange, almost imperceptible sensation tickled the back of his mind. His mouth moved on its own. "—it's Lucifer."
Cain blinked, utterly confused. Why had he just said that? He hadn't meant to.
"Oh, Lucifer, huh?" the woman replied, sounding amused. "What a nice name. Anyway, the reason I called is I'd like you to come to the office tomorrow. I want to 'talk' a few things over with you."
"Alright, Gab," Cain said, regaining his composure. "And Merry Christmas too. I'll see you tomorrow."
He ended the call and placed the phone back on the counter with a soft click. He turned to look at Lucifer, who was smiling at him with an expression of pure innocence.
"Did you hear what I said on the phone?" he asked, his voice low with shock. He reached up and touched his own throat, as if checking for wires. "I just blurted your name out. I didn't mean to."
Lucifer looked at him, her face shifting to a mask of serious concern. "Yeah, I heard. I wonder how that could have happened." She paused, then leaned forward. "Anyway, is your name truly Cain?"
Cain raised an eyebrow, dropping his hand from his neck. "Yeah, it is. Same as the Cain in the Bible. My parents must have had a sense of humor, or maybe they just liked the sound of it." He shrugged, trying to shake off the weird feeling.
"I see," Lucifer said, her smile returning. She deftly changed the subject, her eyes drifting to the pan. "So, can we now consume the eggs you cooked?"
"Oh! Right, yeah, I almost forgot." Cain snapped back to the present.
He pulled two plates from the cupboard and set out a spoon and fork for each of them. He scooped steamed rice onto both plates, then carefully divided the fluffy mound of scrambled eggs, making sure the portions were even. He carried the plates to the small kitchen table and gestured for Lucifer to sit.
Cain sat down and picked up his spoon. He scooped up a bit of egg and rice, then carefully blew on it several times, the steam dispersing. He was mindful of the heat.
Lucifer, however, was too excited for her first real taste of prepared human food. She mimicked his motion, scooped a large spoonful, and immediately put it in her mouth.
Her reaction was instantaneous. Her eyes flew wide open, and she made a pained, stifled sound. She quickly turned her head and spat the mouthful back onto her plate, fanning her mouth with her hand.
"It is volcanic!" she complained, her tongue visibly stung. "Why did you not warn me?"
Cain couldn't help but smile in amusement. "I tried to show you. You're supposed to blow on your food first. It cools it down." To demonstrate, he scooped another spoonful from his plate, blew on it gently for a few seconds, and then, on an impulse, extended the spoon across the table toward her. "Here. See? Safer."
Lucifer looked from the spoon to his face, one eyebrow lifted in suspicion. "What is your intention with this gesture?"
"I just want to prove a point. My arm's getting tired, come on."
Hesitantly, Lucifer closed her eyes and leaned forward. She took the offered bite from his spoon. She chewed slowly, and her eyes opened, lighting up with genuine pleasure. "The sensation in my mouth is magnificent from the sustenance you prepared!" she announced, still chewing happily.
Cain's smile softened. "Good. Now, do what I did. Blow on it first. Like this." He demonstrated again with an exaggerated puff of air.
Lucifer nodded, her expression turning studious. She carefully scooped a smaller portion, brought it to her lips, and blew a soft, precise stream of air over it. She repeated the action a few times, then took a tentative bite. A look of triumph crossed her face. She had done it.
Satisfied, Cain turned his attention to his own plate. The two of them began to eat their breakfast in a companionable, if unusual, silence.