[What is this? Solomon's attempt to guide a wayward sheep back home? Akira would liken himself more to the wolf that goes to great lengths to blend in among the sheep, but not everyone falls for his disguise. Even the nimble wolf loses its footing sometimes, and if anyone's going to see Akira's lack of direction for what it is, it's surely Solomon.
What an interesting life. Those who don't believe in fate should really think twice. Solomon's touch is warm and grounding, a northern star shining bright in an inky black sky. Let him hold onto it for just a moment longer.]
Maybe that's why I'm here. It'd suck if I peaked this early into my life.
[He catches Solomon's gaze, smile curling at the edges.]
And what about you? Content to sit back and take on a guiding role? This could be a new start for you too.
Brassy eyes study Akira with something far heavier weighing in their depths. He looks, and listens, and sees possibility here. He finds his chest warm, wondering where this young soul might lead himself. Even with the twists of an unknown power, of demonic forces familiar and yet not, this one had a strong will.
It wasn't often he took pupils. Perhaps, in another time. Perhaps, if he had longer to observe. Perhaps, if he hadn't just...
...
His hand withdraws with a deep sigh, a tired and complicated smile towards the younger man.]
Maybe we fall into what we know best.
It's for the better of all of us to right this situation. For now, we're all fledglings, as we must be for something outside of our comfort. But magic is something I know very, very well, where others might not have the luxury or the life that allows it.
Whatever role I decide to take, I have no intention to let us falter on the people here, nor on our own back home.
[There's that complicated look again. What's going on in that head of yours, Solomon? Akira lets him withdraw his hand without a fuss, but his own finds Solomon's forehead and playfully knocks on it. Will the homeowner come to the door? He has a half dozen unanswered questions for you.]
A very Solomon answer. You really are old.
[That a very safe answer too. Diving into the role of the hero isn't so bad every now and then, is it? At the same time, Akira wonders if it wouldn't be the worst idea to come to Solomon whenever he's struggling to learn a new spell or form of magic. Given the badass demon compendium on his skin, he definitely knows a thing or thirty.]
I wouldn't mind calling you Sensei if you'd teach me what you know. I've got a few ideas in mind, but I don't know how well they'll translate into functional magic.
[He allows the knocking, expression going dry at yet another jab at his age, but letting it drift. If Akira truly wanted to know, he would find the right way to ask.
And then he asks for teaching.
...
Visibly hesitant, Solomon straightens up in his seat and gives it some proper thought.
Potential wasn't a problem. The sass might be if it came without self-control, but that's something he could work with. Work ethic, magical compatibility, not to mention his own power levels being minimized...
It would be risky, going too far with this. But...
The Fountain wasn't here. Neither was Thirteen or Candy. Or...
...
How long had it been since he'd explored outside ████████████'s reach?
...
Akira has already made his intentions known, and yet their situation skirts close enough to repeating things once again. It digs at him in a way that hasn't hurt in a while.
Mmm. Would you trust something so important to someone so feeble and undeserving of respect? Maybe my heart might break into pieces from being called an old man, and you'd have nothing left to steal.
I wouldn't want to put such a burden on you.
[aka stop calling him old and he'll think about it]
[Talk about tonal whiplash. What is Solomon deflecting from this time? Akira doesn't need the specifics to know Solomon has some reservations about teaching him his ways when his abrupt change on tone makes that obvious.
He did think about it before getting all dramatic, didn't he? Akira saw that look on his face. It's just a matter of convincing him now or, at the least, working out why Solomon is so hesitant to take a chance on him.
Time to tackle this from a new angle. Akira reaches out a hand and sweeps Solomon's hair back behind his ear.]
Look at that beautiful, youthful face. Not a wrinkle in sight. Are those muscles just for show? I don't think so.
[Will flattery work? For the record, he's being perfectly honest.]
I'll take good care of your heart. I might even be willing to promise, but you'd have to return the favor.
[See? He doesn't make promises willy nilly. Taking care of another person's heart is a big obligation, but it's one Akira would take on with pride. Solomon has to know this by now. He's not the one with eighty million hangups here.]
[Akira can reevaluate his hangups when he lives to be a bazillion years old.]
Laying it on a little thick, there, aren't you... well, I'll pass the compliments for my skincare routine to Asmodeus when I next see him.
[He understands what comes next is meant to be light, that it's Akira trying to reinforce his persistence. But Solomon immediately shakes his head, something far more authoritative slipping in.]
Treat a promise with the fragility it holds in this space, Akira. Do not make one to me under any circumstances, whether I am your teacher or not.
[The rare, authoritative Solomon... This side of him is pretty sexy too, but now is not the time for that kind of commentary. Akira restrains a sigh, knowing full well promises hold a significant amount of weight in a world like this. They do anywhere, really.
So he'll match Solomon's tone and answer him seriously in no uncertain terms.]
Understood.
[He won't push the issue or make light of it. Satisfied?]
[He holds that look, unbudging, before letting it soften.]
Good.
[He wasn't about to take this any further without that line drawn in the sand. Were this Mika or Malice or Ithaqua or even Urianger, he wouldn't care quite so much to correct this before disaster struck.
But Akira is human. For him, the tactics can shift.]
You can leave my heart to me for now, Akira. [He brings his index finger and thumb together, a very obvious mini-heart that he brings to his lips with a wink.] If you truly think you want to learn, then why don't I offer you a test of your abilities?
[UGH, but he WANTS that heart... but Akira isn't lacking in self-awareness. If he treats Solomon like a conquest, he'll find his entertainment only in the chase and then bore himself when he's gotten what he wants. Luckily, Solomon makes it very, very hard for Akira to do that.
The notion of a challenge has him perking right up. It's not an iron-clad promise, but it's still something exciting.]
I have a ring with my belongings. The sort that changes color based on your mood.
[He'd rather not wear it in a situation where he'd like his mood to be more of a secret - thus, it is absent. No cheat cards for Akira.]
I'd like you to take your time to explore your creativity. Enchant the ring so that its color changes are affected by something else. It doesn't matter what that "something else" is, but its new effect has to be replicable. You can change its shape, but you cannot destroy it.
I'd recommend tapping into something familiar to your previous powers, but I won't require it.
[That's a first. It's a shame Solomon isn't wearing it, because truly, Akira would love nothing more than to understand what this man is thinking and feeling at a glance. Unfortunately, part of his charm is also that mysterious air about him, so Akira can live without him wearing the mood ring.
Still... Hm. Recontextualizing the mood ring, eh? Akira already has an idea in mind.]
Sounds like a plan. And what will my reward be for a job well done?
Edited (removes a sentence) 2024-04-26 05:22 (UTC)
[Throw him a bone here! Patience, his ass. He'll stubbornly work at this assignment until he nails it and that's all that matters. Who needs patience when you have persistence?
Speaking of impatient, Akira doesn't so much as warn Solomon before promptly standing up and exiting the bath. Mind your eyes! Akira swipes his towel off the floor and pads over to his clothing.]
Fine. I'll get started on it right away, but don't forget that favor you owe me.
[The complaints he was expecting, and the sudden departure gets surprise, but not much else other than a look of slight disappointment. He's been around long enough to see worse than this, Akira's fine.]
[Soak in the water any longer and he'll start to prune. If Solomon isn't ready to head out, Akira will wait for him. You know, because he's patient like that.]
A dance. I planned on asking for one before your cooking knocked me out.
[Doing his best Solomon impression, Akira swoons and sighs and hangs his head. Poor, poor him, missing out on all that fun and schmoozing... with this man in particular.]
Tomorrow evening work for you? I've got a full day planned, but I can pencil you in for a late night dance sesh.
[He giggles, the same light sound as when they'd first met.]
I can free up some time if it's meaningful to you. [He pushes himself up from the water, not minding much for his modesty as he lazily reaches for his towel, shaking out his hair before draping it around his hips.] Would you like me to come get you, or should I meet you somewhere else?
I'd like if you'd come pick me up. That way it feels like a proper date.
[Akira leaves himself dressed only in his slacks for now. When he's about to head back to his room and rot in bed for the next several hours, he's not going to bother pulling on the other 87 layers of his ballroom attire. He'll save that for tomorrow— and for Solomon.]
[Don't mind grandpa, he's gotta actually get most of his clothes back on. No need to flash his little black book of demons to the rest of the manor.]
I would offer my number, but it looks like my coverage doesn't extend quite this far across worlds.
[He pauses as he lifts his coat, carefully holding the Fool card in one hand while the other pinches a mood ring by the band, holding it up between his thumb and forefinger as though it's a delicate flower.]
Sounds like a plan. If you're late, I'll dock points from your score.
[From what score, you may wonder... Don't worry about it.
Akira holds out his hand palmside up to accept the ring. He'll be fiddling with it first thing in the morning, but in the meantime, it's time to catch up on his beauty sleep.]
I'll do my best. Catch you later, Solomon.
[He didn't call him old man...! This is progress.
After they go their separate ways, Akira spends the bulk of the following day working away at various spells and enchantments, but he's not so gung ho that he's neglected to pace himself. He'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with plenty of progress to report by the time evening rolls around and Solomon comes to collect him. That said, Akira's waiting for him in his room.]
[Sometime during the day, Akira may hear something akin to an explosion from further up the building. Golly, I wonder what that was.
As the sun starts to set, Akira will get a polite knocking on his door. He's grabbed a slightly different jacket but otherwise has kept to his very boring black on black.
He looks a lot more worn than the previous night. But he still offers a pleasant smile when the door opens.]
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no subject
What an interesting life. Those who don't believe in fate should really think twice. Solomon's touch is warm and grounding, a northern star shining bright in an inky black sky. Let him hold onto it for just a moment longer.]
Maybe that's why I'm here. It'd suck if I peaked this early into my life.
[He catches Solomon's gaze, smile curling at the edges.]
And what about you? Content to sit back and take on a guiding role? This could be a new start for you too.
no subject
Brassy eyes study Akira with something far heavier weighing in their depths. He looks, and listens, and sees possibility here. He finds his chest warm, wondering where this young soul might lead himself. Even with the twists of an unknown power, of demonic forces familiar and yet not, this one had a strong will.
It wasn't often he took pupils. Perhaps, in another time. Perhaps, if he had longer to observe. Perhaps, if he hadn't just...
...
His hand withdraws with a deep sigh, a tired and complicated smile towards the younger man.]
Maybe we fall into what we know best.
It's for the better of all of us to right this situation. For now, we're all fledglings, as we must be for something outside of our comfort. But magic is something I know very, very well, where others might not have the luxury or the life that allows it.
Whatever role I decide to take, I have no intention to let us falter on the people here, nor on our own back home.
no subject
A very Solomon answer. You really are old.
[That a very safe answer too. Diving into the role of the hero isn't so bad every now and then, is it? At the same time, Akira wonders if it wouldn't be the worst idea to come to Solomon whenever he's struggling to learn a new spell or form of magic. Given the badass demon compendium on his skin, he definitely knows a thing or thirty.]
I wouldn't mind calling you Sensei if you'd teach me what you know. I've got a few ideas in mind, but I don't know how well they'll translate into functional magic.
1/2
And then he asks for teaching.
...
Visibly hesitant, Solomon straightens up in his seat and gives it some proper thought.
Potential wasn't a problem. The sass might be if it came without self-control, but that's something he could work with. Work ethic, magical compatibility, not to mention his own power levels being minimized...
It would be risky, going too far with this. But...
The Fountain wasn't here. Neither was Thirteen or Candy. Or...
...
How long had it been since he'd explored outside ████████████'s reach?
...
Akira has already made his intentions known, and yet their situation skirts close enough to repeating things once again. It digs at him in a way that hasn't hurt in a while.
"I don't know about you, but I keep my promises."
Can he set up another for loss so soon?]
/2
Mmm. Would you trust something so important to someone so feeble and undeserving of respect? Maybe my heart might break into pieces from being called an old man, and you'd have nothing left to steal.
I wouldn't want to put such a burden on you.
[aka stop calling him old and he'll think about it]
no subject
He did think about it before getting all dramatic, didn't he? Akira saw that look on his face. It's just a matter of convincing him now or, at the least, working out why Solomon is so hesitant to take a chance on him.
Time to tackle this from a new angle. Akira reaches out a hand and sweeps Solomon's hair back behind his ear.]
Look at that beautiful, youthful face. Not a wrinkle in sight. Are those muscles just for show? I don't think so.
[Will flattery work? For the record, he's being perfectly honest.]
I'll take good care of your heart. I might even be willing to promise, but you'd have to return the favor.
[See? He doesn't make promises willy nilly. Taking care of another person's heart is a big obligation, but it's one Akira would take on with pride. Solomon has to know this by now. He's not the one with eighty million hangups here.]
no subject
Laying it on a little thick, there, aren't you... well, I'll pass the compliments for my skincare routine to Asmodeus when I next see him.
[He understands what comes next is meant to be light, that it's Akira trying to reinforce his persistence. But Solomon immediately shakes his head, something far more authoritative slipping in.]
Treat a promise with the fragility it holds in this space, Akira. Do not make one to me under any circumstances, whether I am your teacher or not.
Are we clear?
no subject
So he'll match Solomon's tone and answer him seriously in no uncertain terms.]
Understood.
[He won't push the issue or make light of it. Satisfied?]
no subject
Good.
[He wasn't about to take this any further without that line drawn in the sand. Were this Mika or Malice or Ithaqua or even Urianger, he wouldn't care quite so much to correct this before disaster struck.
But Akira is human. For him, the tactics can shift.]
You can leave my heart to me for now, Akira. [He brings his index finger and thumb together, a very obvious mini-heart that he brings to his lips with a wink.] If you truly think you want to learn, then why don't I offer you a test of your abilities?
no subject
The notion of a challenge has him perking right up. It's not an iron-clad promise, but it's still something exciting.]
Sure. Let's hear it.
no subject
[He'd rather not wear it in a situation where he'd like his mood to be more of a secret - thus, it is absent. No cheat cards for Akira.]
I'd like you to take your time to explore your creativity. Enchant the ring so that its color changes are affected by something else. It doesn't matter what that "something else" is, but its new effect has to be replicable. You can change its shape, but you cannot destroy it.
I'd recommend tapping into something familiar to your previous powers, but I won't require it.
no subject
[That's a first. It's a shame Solomon isn't wearing it, because truly, Akira would love nothing more than to understand what this man is thinking and feeling at a glance. Unfortunately, part of his charm is also that mysterious air about him, so Akira can live without him wearing the mood ring.
Still... Hm. Recontextualizing the mood ring, eh? Akira already has an idea in mind.]
Sounds like a plan. And what will my reward be for a job well done?
no subject
[Do some testing, see if it's temperature based or if it really is off your mood! (Hint: yes it is off mood.)]
You'll find out. If you show promise, maybe I'll let you ask me something you're truly dying to know.
no subject
[He isn't hinging his decisions off of maybes here, Solomon. Akira leans in, looking Solomon in the eye.]
I'm not asking you to make any promises, but I want a guarantee that you'll answer my question. You've teased me enough.
[But at the same time, not nearly enough. Never stop teasing him.]
no subject
[Very, very hard for a teenager, yes, he knows.]
no subject
[Throw him a bone here! Patience, his ass. He'll stubbornly work at this assignment until he nails it and that's all that matters. Who needs patience when you have persistence?
Speaking of impatient, Akira doesn't so much as warn Solomon before promptly standing up and exiting the bath. Mind your eyes! Akira swipes his towel off the floor and pads over to his clothing.]
Fine. I'll get started on it right away, but don't forget that favor you owe me.
[???]
no subject
Mm? What favor?
no subject
A dance. I planned on asking for one before your cooking knocked me out.
no subject
I'd be happy to, Akira. Just give me a time and a date.
no subject
Tomorrow evening work for you? I've got a full day planned, but I can pencil you in for a late night dance sesh.
no subject
I can free up some time if it's meaningful to you. [He pushes himself up from the water, not minding much for his modesty as he lazily reaches for his towel, shaking out his hair before draping it around his hips.] Would you like me to come get you, or should I meet you somewhere else?
no subject
[Akira leaves himself dressed only in his slacks for now. When he's about to head back to his room and rot in bed for the next several hours, he's not going to bother pulling on the other 87 layers of his ballroom attire. He'll save that for tomorrow— and for Solomon.]
no subject
[Don't mind grandpa, he's gotta actually get most of his clothes back on. No need to flash his little black book of demons to the rest of the manor.]
I would offer my number, but it looks like my coverage doesn't extend quite this far across worlds.
[He pauses as he lifts his coat, carefully holding the Fool card in one hand while the other pinches a mood ring by the band, holding it up between his thumb and forefinger as though it's a delicate flower.]
Your assignment. Take your time with it.
no subject
[From what score, you may wonder... Don't worry about it.
Akira holds out his hand palmside up to accept the ring. He'll be fiddling with it first thing in the morning, but in the meantime, it's time to catch up on his beauty sleep.]
I'll do my best. Catch you later, Solomon.
[He didn't call him old man...! This is progress.
After they go their separate ways, Akira spends the bulk of the following day working away at various spells and enchantments, but he's not so gung ho that he's neglected to pace himself. He'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed with plenty of progress to report by the time evening rolls around and Solomon comes to collect him. That said, Akira's waiting for him in his room.]
no subject
As the sun starts to set, Akira will get a polite knocking on his door. He's grabbed a slightly different jacket but otherwise has kept to his very boring black on black.
He looks a lot more worn than the previous night. But he still offers a pleasant smile when the door opens.]
Ready to go?
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