[ As Solomon keeps talking, Tatara's lips twist into a lopsided smile. Bruno's heart is in the right place, as always, but there's something about these old men that feels...backhanded? Dishonest? And he just thinks it's funny, really. ]
Why couldn't you have just told him and asked him earnestly? Why the tricks?
Uncertain enough that you chose not to trust your ally? And Bruno, at that?
[ Tatara is a Bruno oshi btw
He laughs lightly, briefly. He doubts there was any ill will behind Bruno's prying, considering who Bruno is, he probably was just worried. A little part of him is proud of him for standing up to Solomon, too.
But also, why his uncles fighting... ]
But what happened, happened. So long as you've both made up already, I'm not going to scold you.
[ He cups his chin in his hand and grins. ]
You're pretty good at diverting conversations, Uncle Solomon. I came here to check on you, not talk about what you did to Uncle Bruno.
If Tatara's not going to dig deeper, then Solomon's not going to explain. For now, he just lets himself sit back bonelessly in his chair, exhaling slowly.]
And we've determined I'm just fine, haven't we? [Like, he knows that's not entirely true, and he knows Tatara knows that's not true. But it makes Bruno a bit more of an important topic in his eyes, if they're both fine about skirting Solomon's state.]
Bruno and I have already talked, yes. I've apologized, and he's given me more than his share of what he thinks about my choices. I've already agreed to keep to rest for this week until I'm feeling more myself.
That's all I can really ask for, then. If you've come to an understanding and you're staying put until you're better, then you're good.
[ Considering he went and picked up the Norths from their mission, it's likely he's already gotten the rundown on what happened to Solomon, so his usual train of conversation here doesn't really work. That said, he still doesn't get it. ]
But why the beef with Bruno of all people? He's a good person.
He did nothing wrong. He only used ingenuity, and I reacted out of fear for him and for those who were close to him. I thought it was enough to take it on myself.
[...
How to go about this...
...]
Has word gotten back to you yet? That some of the lights of Oz's castle have started to shine again, even though he's absent?
It's kind of funny, actually, the way Solomon goes about talking about this. Does getting old make it harder to be honest about yourself?
Luckily for him, Tatara's sharp, and there's a reason why he's spent all of his past life working with people. ]
You snuck into Oz's castle? [ There's a smile on his face, like he finds genuine humor in the situation. ] I think you're lucky you're still alive, Uncle. Why didn't you want any help? Bruno could have been the best person to bring along.
[ He looks at Solomon with a bit of sympathy. You know what, he kind of gets it. There has to be a reason why he gets so worked up when it comes to what the previous sage's been capable of. Maybe he sees parallels in his role in Homra, and what he's supposed to do as sage, and gets a little frustrated when things don't go exactly as he wants.
Not that he'll say that now, though, because this isn't about him. ]
You basically started over, though. Oz has at least two thousand years of experience over you.
[ Logically it makes sense. Maybe that isn't much comfort to Solomon, though. His life ended at 22 and Solomon's has gone past five thousand. What does he know? ]
But I understand. It was probably frustrating knowing you could do more, but not being able to do what you're used to, right? [ He tilts his head, rests his cheek on his palm. ] It's not a bad thing to let people worry about you, though. You won't punish people for worrying about you next time, will you?
[A sour look passes over him at that, though it's brief. Age is irrelevant and he's so tired of being squishy!! His pride!!!!!]
Mm.
I can accept displeasure for my hexing, or for the worry I've caused. That's the consequence of my decisions. But... I wouldn't have been able to look you in the eye if someone was hurt out of care just because of my foolishness.
[And they have been. Maybe not physically, but there's a reason Solomon is staring at the fire more than he is at Tatara.
A beat passes, and he sighs.]
No, I won't. I'm pretty sure Bruno alone will chew me to pieces if I try anything like that again. [It's not said with any vitriol, at least. Despite what he's put the poor Southern Wizard through, Solomon is growing rather fond of him.]
[ And Tatara is staring hard at Solomon, trying to read his expressions and see beneath what cracks he catches in his facade.
He smiles, though, and he gives a quiet chuckle. ]
At least you're aware.
[ He tilts his head in his palm. ]
And at least that tells you Bruno's firmly on your side. I don't know if there will be a next time, but if there is, then you should talk to someone, first. You're not alone here.
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no subject
Why couldn't you have just told him and asked him earnestly? Why the tricks?
no subject
[His eyes soften in an almost apologetic way towards Tatara.]
Too much was uncertain at the time. If it had just been a matter of helping the village, then Bruno would have been my first choice to accompany me.
[Except that's not what he did. Or rather, that's not all he did.]
no subject
[ Tatara is a Bruno oshi btw
He laughs lightly, briefly. He doubts there was any ill will behind Bruno's prying, considering who Bruno is, he probably was just worried. A little part of him is proud of him for standing up to Solomon, too.
But also, why his uncles fighting... ]
But what happened, happened. So long as you've both made up already, I'm not going to scold you.
[ He cups his chin in his hand and grins. ]
You're pretty good at diverting conversations, Uncle Solomon. I came here to check on you, not talk about what you did to Uncle Bruno.
no subject
[Said without hesitation.
If Tatara's not going to dig deeper, then Solomon's not going to explain. For now, he just lets himself sit back bonelessly in his chair, exhaling slowly.]
And we've determined I'm just fine, haven't we? [Like, he knows that's not entirely true, and he knows Tatara knows that's not true. But it makes Bruno a bit more of an important topic in his eyes, if they're both fine about skirting Solomon's state.]
Bruno and I have already talked, yes. I've apologized, and he's given me more than his share of what he thinks about my choices. I've already agreed to keep to rest for this week until I'm feeling more myself.
no subject
[ Considering he went and picked up the Norths from their mission, it's likely he's already gotten the rundown on what happened to Solomon, so his usual train of conversation here doesn't really work. That said, he still doesn't get it. ]
But why the beef with Bruno of all people? He's a good person.
[ Unsaid: what the hell did you do, uncle?? ]
no subject
He is.
He did nothing wrong. He only used ingenuity, and I reacted out of fear for him and for those who were close to him. I thought it was enough to take it on myself.
[...
How to go about this...
...]
Has word gotten back to you yet? That some of the lights of Oz's castle have started to shine again, even though he's absent?
They say someone snuck in.
no subject
It's kind of funny, actually, the way Solomon goes about talking about this. Does getting old make it harder to be honest about yourself?
Luckily for him, Tatara's sharp, and there's a reason why he's spent all of his past life working with people. ]
You snuck into Oz's castle? [ There's a smile on his face, like he finds genuine humor in the situation. ] I think you're lucky you're still alive, Uncle. Why didn't you want any help? Bruno could have been the best person to bring along.
no subject
I didn't want others taking consequences if it proved to be too deadly of an adventure.
Or... mmm.
[He's not used to having to phrase it like this. When was the last time he hadn't been enough by sheer force of willpower? Can he even remember?
...]
Maybe that's not quite it.
Maybe I felt I had something I had to prove to myself, even if somewhat foolishly. As an act of one fellow "strongest wizard in existence" to another.
no subject
Not that he'll say that now, though, because this isn't about him. ]
You basically started over, though. Oz has at least two thousand years of experience over you.
[ Logically it makes sense. Maybe that isn't much comfort to Solomon, though. His life ended at 22 and Solomon's has gone past five thousand. What does he know? ]
But I understand. It was probably frustrating knowing you could do more, but not being able to do what you're used to, right? [ He tilts his head, rests his cheek on his palm. ] It's not a bad thing to let people worry about you, though. You won't punish people for worrying about you next time, will you?
no subject
Mm.
I can accept displeasure for my hexing, or for the worry I've caused. That's the consequence of my decisions. But... I wouldn't have been able to look you in the eye if someone was hurt out of care just because of my foolishness.
[And they have been. Maybe not physically, but there's a reason Solomon is staring at the fire more than he is at Tatara.
A beat passes, and he sighs.]
No, I won't. I'm pretty sure Bruno alone will chew me to pieces if I try anything like that again. [It's not said with any vitriol, at least. Despite what he's put the poor Southern Wizard through, Solomon is growing rather fond of him.]
no subject
He smiles, though, and he gives a quiet chuckle. ]
At least you're aware.
[ He tilts his head in his palm. ]
And at least that tells you Bruno's firmly on your side. I don't know if there will be a next time, but if there is, then you should talk to someone, first. You're not alone here.