It's a dark and stormy night that promises Laura a chance to unwind after a long week with her flatmates at a club. Laura's a typical mid-twenties UK girl. Good job, a circle of close girlfriends/flatmates and her whole life ahead of her. She is very attractive, tall and statuesque brunette with a flashing smile. Men of all ages cast their eyes on her in appreciation. Her hopes include a husband, kids and a career. She has an active and imaginative sexlife but is not considered by any who know her to be promiscuous or slutty.
There are always other friends and regulars in the club so Laura circulates freely about the place, chatting and dancing. One of her favourite songs plays and so Laura takes to the floor. She has admirers in the club who steal glances as she moves to the music. One does more than steal a glance and watches her intently.
The incubus Lugalbanda watches Laura dance. She is the one! For better or worse the world is about to change. Two sons attained greatness but their lust for women or a woman ultimately led to their end. Gilgamesh's "lord's right" law, oppression and excesses caused his people to beseech the gods for help. When he spurned Ishtar his fate was sealed. Lilin cannot fight gods! And their cambion offspring should know better! Merlin gave all his power to a woman he lusted for. And a darkness descended on the world as the realm that he had engineered fell.
Lust! An emotion Lugalbanda was all too familiar with. Perhaps it was because they were male offspring? A female offspring might be able to balance lust and great power. Yes, a daughter could do it, thinks Lugalbanda. He watches Laura dance. She reminds him of Gilgamesh's mother, Ninsun.
Laura has had a couple of drinks so when she catches the eye of a tall man, in a black wool hat and long pea coat, watching her she gives him a small smile. He laughs and raises his glass to her. Feeling safe in the company of her friends and familiar place, Laura approaches the man.
"Hi, nice coat. My name's Laura. What's yours?" she asks over the club music.
"Thank you! Pleasure to meet you, Laura. My name? My name is Legion." the tall man replies and smiles, "but you may call me Lugal."
"Lugal, that's an interesting name," Laura asks, "Where does it come from?"
"It is an old name in my land from the earliest memories of man and ancient Sumer," the incubus answers.
"Cool, I would love to hear more," Laura says.
"And you will. But not here and now," Lugalbanda tells her. He drains his pint and puts the empty glass on the bar.
Realizing this most interesting man is about to leave, Laura keeps up the conversation. "Where and when then?" she asks. Thinking a nice dinner and some good conversation maybe in the offering.
The incubus disappoints her hope for a date. Lugalbanda reaches out and cups Laura's chin. "Between reality and dream when the storm rages," he promises as he looks her in the eye, "We will continue this...er...intercourse." The incubus demon smiles evilly, his hand moves from Laura's chin tracing her jawline and neck. "Lovely," Lugalbanda says and turns and leaves.
Laura is surprised. She is not sure what she is surprised the most about, that she approached him so openly and, finding him fascinating, wanted to see and know more of him or that he denied her, touched and left her so suddenly. She isn't usually so forward and men don't usually walk away from her either. Looking perplexed Laura returns to her table and friends.
