[That fine line is like catnip to someone like Akira. Does Solomon think that will give Akira pause even for a moment? That, and he very much doubts Solomon is unaware of the hold he has on Akira. Surely that means he's aware of the consequences here?
Akira turns, primed to say as much, but... ah. Those tattoos. His immediate thought is that this man has ties to the Yakuza, maybe even the mafia, but they're not the tribal marks and ornate dragons a member of the Yakuza would brand into their skin. They're rather occult, which is fitting for a wizard, but even that explanation isn't quite enough.]
...Yeah. I call bullshit on that.
[Pardon the stare, but he wants Solomon to know that he sees the intricate marks all over his bare chest and doesn't believe for a second that he doesn't have one hell of a story to tell. He'd best believe Akira isn't letting him go until he hears it.]
[He takes note of the stare out of the corner of his eye, then the color of the water, his smile quirking slightly as he turns fully away to remove the rest of his clothing. They don't stop at his chest - over his back, shoulders, down his entire abdomen, pelvis, his legs and arms...]
In a way. I'm afraid they're just for show right now.
[The towel comes to the rescue, Solomon wrapping it just snug enough as he grabs the Arcana card and places it with the rest of his belongings. No need to spoil that.
With that, he strolls over to the deep red pool that is now their bath. He can sense that magic of yours, sir, like coffee on a morning breeze.]
Very good. I hope you made sure not to make us look like another horrible accident if we sit in here too long?
[Not that that's going to stop him from stepping right in, a mild start shooting up his back at the unexpected heat. Ah, he changed the temperature, too... that's unfortunate.
The red around Solomon dissipates slightly at his own incantation, a temporary cooling so that he can adjust as he removes his towel and settles in. Think the river from prince of egypt, that kind of vibes.]
Are your cards related to yours? [A tilt of his head against the back of the bath, inquisitive.] It's not often I get a token from another magic user.
["In a way," huh? So cryptic... but what did Akira expect Solomon to say? The outright truth? Not even for a second.
As if that could possibly discourage Akira. If Solomon isn't going to forbid him from staring, then he's going to keep on staring, studying the stories written out all over his bare skin. It's like reading a novel in English, the context meaning more to Akira than the words themselves. The only problem is that Solomon is refusing to give him that context.
Fine. Refuse all you like, old man. You won't win this game.]
What's the harm? They'll just think you came back to finish the job.
[Solomon answered his own question rather flippantly, so Akira returns the favor, scooting forward to he can squint at the intricate tattoo marking the front of Solomon's chest.]
Maybe, maybe not. More importantly, what's this one mean?
[He plants his palm on Solomon's sternum like he owns it (19). Spit it out or he's never taking his hand off these tits.]
[Fine with Akira. He had no plans to move his hand anyway. In fact, he's going to be nice and obedient and move his hand off of that big scary seal... and onto Solomon's left pectoral. There. Crisis averted, yeah?]
Cool. And what about these words here? What do these mean?
[Does he need to squeeze grandpa's titty to get an actual answer? The dice say yes (15). Honk honk, spit it out.]
[Akira calmly, ever so calmly, sits himself back down... and strikes, grabbing Solomon by the nip and twisting hard (20). Don't call it revenge. Call it vengeance.]
[Did he expect Solomon to retaliate? Certainly, but kneeing him in the Kurusu family jewels was not as expected. Now he's once again nauseous thanks to Solomon, but there's no way in hell Akira's dragging his sorry ass to a healer and asking for help with this one.
Excuse him while he drags his soul back into his body. It didn't hurt that bad (19), but lesson learned.]
Don't "dialogue" me. You're the one expecting me to spill my guts while you won't say a single word about yourself. Do you think I'll judge you, or is coming off as cryptic and mysterious really that important to you?
[Poor, poor Jii-chan! Look how much he suffers. Someone bring him his fainting chair and a box of tissues, because it won't be Akira. He will, however, chant his incantation and lower the temperature of the water a bit. Grandpa's giving boiled crayfish energy over there.]
You're not cute when you pout. Not at all.
[If Akira's lying, he sure doesn't sound like it. But he does lift a hand from the water to pat poor Solomon's head.]
Can you blame me for being curious? You're a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a... [fuckboy] ...You get the point, but I won't force you to talk. I'll just gaze at you admiringly from afar.
[He laughs a little at the smooth little flirtation, the water rippling at the exhale he gives out the nose. As the water temperature shifts, Solomon eases himself back up with a relieved tilt of his head.]
On the contrary. Curiosity makes for a strong sorcerer.
I can be cross at you for deciding to resort to unnecessary force so quickly. [Like, the flirting and even the touching was whatever, but groping???] I'd have to really wonder about your character if that's how you normally choose to solve problems.
[heeheeheeheehee
Giggling aside, his humor fades a bit as he pools up water in his hands to wet his hair down.]
You're bright, Akira. You can ask what you think you need to know. [He might not choose to answer, but that's not within Akira's control.]
[He can't help it? People like Solomon just get under his skin? Akira has the excuse of youthful reckless abandon on his side, but even that doesn't fully explain his decision to go ham on that poor nipple. Whatever his reasons, Solomon doesn't need to hear it.
Akira leans back against the wall of the bath, knitting his arms behind his head.]
That's your right. I should've gone easier on someone who can't even tolerate a hot bath.
[Hehe. Anyway...]
But I really am curious about the tats. Your whole body is covered in them. That's a lot of ink for someone relatively young.
Let's see... Japanese, obviously, and I'm learning English. A little bit of German, too.
[Sorry he hasn't taken a magnifying glass to those titties, but Akira's not looking to get zapped again any time soon. For once, he'll behave himself and not invade Solomon's bubble so soon after getting punished for it.]
There are multiple. Latin is one, yes. Hebrew, English, and Greek are used as well.
[A lot of the longer phrases aren't visible at a polite distance, though if Akira knows at least phonetic English, he could probably make out the letters that surround each of the circles that take up the entirety of Solomon's limbs.]
No Japanese, I'm afraid. I don't doubt it could be used to the same effect, given what I've seen of shrine customs, but it's not what I prefer.
[Hm. What do all those languages have in common? They share some root words, are all quite old, and are tied to both religion and magic. Naturally, Solomon isn't going to hand the answer to him on a platter, but Akira doesn't mind. He'll find his own entertainment in this little puzzle, as will Solomon, he's certain.]
Pardon my reach.
[So as not to affect Grandpa's delicate constitution, Akira gingerly scoots closer, leaning forward to get a better look at the worlds inscribed on his skin. Pardon his reach, but he needs to borrow one of Solomon's arms real quick to get a closer look.]
Let's see... These are...
[Akira's lips move in silence, reading along Solomon's skin until his eyes catch on a familiar name.
And another. And another. And another. Ose, Decarabia, Bael, Orobas... Were he to keep reading, he's certain he'd find even more familiar names, but Akira's seen enough to arrive at a conclusion.
His loose hold on Solomon's arm loosens further still.]
[Give him a break!! Is this guy a Persona user too? Akira's not getting that gut feeling, doesn't feel the hairs standing up on the back of his neck like he normally does when he's in the company of someone who shares his powers. Then again... he's been stripped of everything that made him a Wildcard to begin with, so even if Solomon is just like him, it's not like he can smell it on the guy.
Unless...
No, just kidding. Akira sighs, returning to his slump against the side of the bath.]
You could say that. [No easy hints for you either, Solomon.] So what are you, some kind of summoner commanding demons to fight on your side?
[See, there we go, Akira. Dodgy behavior is good for you.]
If you had ties, one of us would be able to sense the other the day we got here, so I know that's not going to be it.
I think most of them would be pretty offended if I said yes to that. It's not quite that simple. [While he wishes he could just summon a whole army at once, the amount of effort and bitching he'd have to put up with wouldn't quite be worth it outside extreme circumstances.] I'd call myself a sorcerer, though. Not a summoner.
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Akira turns, primed to say as much, but... ah. Those tattoos. His immediate thought is that this man has ties to the Yakuza, maybe even the mafia, but they're not the tribal marks and ornate dragons a member of the Yakuza would brand into their skin. They're rather occult, which is fitting for a wizard, but even that explanation isn't quite enough.]
...Yeah. I call bullshit on that.
[Pardon the stare, but he wants Solomon to know that he sees the intricate marks all over his bare chest and doesn't believe for a second that he doesn't have one hell of a story to tell. He'd best believe Akira isn't letting him go until he hears it.]
Are those related to your magic?
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In a way. I'm afraid they're just for show right now.
[The towel comes to the rescue, Solomon wrapping it just snug enough as he grabs the Arcana card and places it with the rest of his belongings. No need to spoil that.
With that, he strolls over to the deep red pool that is now their bath. He can sense that magic of yours, sir, like coffee on a morning breeze.]
Very good. I hope you made sure not to make us look like another horrible accident if we sit in here too long?
[Not that that's going to stop him from stepping right in, a mild start shooting up his back at the unexpected heat. Ah, he changed the temperature, too... that's unfortunate.
The red around Solomon dissipates slightly at his own incantation, a temporary cooling so that he can adjust as he removes his towel and settles in. Think the river from prince of egypt, that kind of vibes.]
Are your cards related to yours? [A tilt of his head against the back of the bath, inquisitive.] It's not often I get a token from another magic user.
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As if that could possibly discourage Akira. If Solomon isn't going to forbid him from staring, then he's going to keep on staring, studying the stories written out all over his bare skin. It's like reading a novel in English, the context meaning more to Akira than the words themselves. The only problem is that Solomon is refusing to give him that context.
Fine. Refuse all you like, old man. You won't win this game.]
What's the harm? They'll just think you came back to finish the job.
[Solomon answered his own question rather flippantly, so Akira returns the favor, scooting forward to he can squint at the intricate tattoo marking the front of Solomon's chest.]
Maybe, maybe not. More importantly, what's this one mean?
[He plants his palm on Solomon's sternum like he owns it (19). Spit it out or he's never taking his hand off these tits.]
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[Oh and well I guess. This is happening. Geez this sure is forward. But at least it's not as bad as Asmodeus.
Solomon sighs, placing a hand against Akira's wrist but not bothering to pull it off (15).]
Must you... [Please, Akira, this love wasn't meant to be... kabedoning under the light of the bathouse... his poor fragile elderly heart.]
Don't touch seals so carelessly. You're lucky it's just a pentacle and not something more destructive.
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Cool. And what about these words here? What do these mean?
[Does he need to squeeze grandpa's titty to get an actual answer? The dice say yes (15). Honk honk, spit it out.]
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Does he put up with this?
Nope. (tails)
Hope Akira likes getting shocked. Just a little shock. As a treat. (9)]
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[Solomon didn't have to zap him! He really didn't!! Akira jerks back and nearly lurches right out of the bath. This saucy old man...!!]
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[Akira calmly, ever so calmly, sits himself back down... and strikes, grabbing Solomon by the nip and twisting hard (20). Don't call it revenge. Call it vengeance.]
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anyway because he rolled a fucking 4 that sure is him yelping--]
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Anyway up comes his leg to knee Akira in the jewels. Brave of Akira to do this while they're both naked.]
Dialogue, Akira.
I will leave if you do that again.
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Excuse him while he drags his soul back into his body. It didn't hurt that bad (19), but lesson learned.]
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Right now I just think you might find some other part of my body to try and pull off no matter how I choose to answer.
[God, his chest aches now, and the water's way too warm. Ugh.
He sinks down into the water up to his nose in a faux attempt at a pout, brassy eyes looking so, so very hurt.]
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You're not cute when you pout. Not at all.
[If Akira's lying, he sure doesn't sound like it. But he does lift a hand from the water to pat poor Solomon's head.]
Can you blame me for being curious? You're a mystery wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a... [fuckboy] ...You get the point, but I won't force you to talk. I'll just gaze at you admiringly from afar.
[You know, like 🥺🙏]
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On the contrary. Curiosity makes for a strong sorcerer.
I can be cross at you for deciding to resort to unnecessary force so quickly. [Like, the flirting and even the touching was whatever, but groping???] I'd have to really wonder about your character if that's how you normally choose to solve problems.
[heeheeheeheehee
Giggling aside, his humor fades a bit as he pools up water in his hands to wet his hair down.]
You're bright, Akira. You can ask what you think you need to know. [He might not choose to answer, but that's not within Akira's control.]
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Akira leans back against the wall of the bath, knitting his arms behind his head.]
That's your right. I should've gone easier on someone who can't even tolerate a hot bath.
[Hehe. Anyway...]
But I really am curious about the tats. Your whole body is covered in them. That's a lot of ink for someone relatively young.
[How old is Jii-chan, really?]
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[Tats? Ink?
Ahhhh, this is hip kid lingo. Okay, okay, he thinks he can connect the dots.
He brushes his wet bangs away from his face.]
That might be because they aren't tattoos. [He figures Akira knows that much, but he might as well give the kid something to chew on.]
What languages can you read, Akira?
[If it's just Japanese, then that would explain why he isn't connecting more dots.]
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[Sorry he hasn't taken a magnifying glass to those titties, but Akira's not looking to get zapped again any time soon. For once, he'll behave himself and not invade Solomon's bubble so soon after getting punished for it.]
So what language is it? Latin?
[Latin is the magic language.]
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[A lot of the longer phrases aren't visible at a polite distance, though if Akira knows at least phonetic English, he could probably make out the letters that surround each of the circles that take up the entirety of Solomon's limbs.]
No Japanese, I'm afraid. I don't doubt it could be used to the same effect, given what I've seen of shrine customs, but it's not what I prefer.
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Pardon my reach.
[So as not to affect Grandpa's delicate constitution, Akira gingerly scoots closer, leaning forward to get a better look at the worlds inscribed on his skin. Pardon his reach, but he needs to borrow one of Solomon's arms real quick to get a closer look.]
Let's see... These are...
[Akira's lips move in silence, reading along Solomon's skin until his eyes catch on a familiar name.
And another. And another. And another. Ose, Decarabia, Bael, Orobas... Were he to keep reading, he's certain he'd find even more familiar names, but Akira's seen enough to arrive at a conclusion.
His loose hold on Solomon's arm loosens further still.]
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[Oddly, he relaxes a little more under Akira's grip as soon as his conclusion is off his lips, letting his arm slip away easily.]
I wasn't expecting you to reach that conclusion so quickly. But I'm glad to see you did.
Did you recognize something?
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Unless...
No, just kidding. Akira sighs, returning to his slump against the side of the bath.]
You could say that. [No easy hints for you either, Solomon.] So what are you, some kind of summoner commanding demons to fight on your side?
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If you had ties, one of us would be able to sense the other the day we got here, so I know that's not going to be it.
I think most of them would be pretty offended if I said yes to that. It's not quite that simple. [While he wishes he could just summon a whole army at once, the amount of effort and bitching he'd have to put up with wouldn't quite be worth it outside extreme circumstances.] I'd call myself a sorcerer, though. Not a summoner.
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