for solomon

[merchantable]

[Another day, another summoning. Life goes on, for Solomon as much as anyone, and even with Goetia defeated, there are still problems that need Servants to solve them.]

Hello, I'm here - Your Majesty?!

[Sorry, Ritsuka, you're her new Master and all, but seeing Solomon in the flesh takes precedence. Sheba's ears wiggle, giving away her delight.]

Comments

[merchantable]

[As for her, you couldn't pay her to let go of his hand right now.]

Are you happy, now?

[foolswisdom]

Happy...?

[ Ah. He has to stop and consider that seriously for a moment, as much as he had the riddles she'd posed, long ago. ]

...

Do you know, I think I am.

[merchantable]

[It's as important a question as those riddles, or maybe even more. And just like then, she's delighted to hear his answer.]

Then - I would be honored to be a part of your happiness, Solomon.

[foolswisdom]

[ He pauses for a moment, like he isn't quite sure what to do--but in the end, he lifts his free hand, enough to brush his fingers over the curve of her cheek. ]

I'd say that now that you're here, you are.

[merchantable]

[She's so soft and this is illegal??? Her whole face goes red, skin warm under his fingers.]

S-Solomon... It's unfair that you can pull out lines like that with that face...

[But she's definitely not pulling away from his touch.]

[foolswisdom]

[ He might not have his divine cheatsheet any longer, but some things are just kind of muscle memory at this point. This is surely the point where he should pull away, but all he does is laugh, a little embarrassed himself. ]

This is my only face, now. I did wonder, sometimes, what you would have thought of the other one.

[merchantable]

I-I'm sure it was equally handsome! Ah, um, I mean...

[Please let the earth swallow her up, thanks.]

[foolswisdom]

[ Oh no... she's cute. ]

I couldn't tell you, to be honest. No one was terribly interested--but I'm sure there are photos. One of the Servants has taken quite a shine to photography.

[ Someone is going to show her the Count Romani Archaman picture and it will be his turn to simply launch himself into the sun rather than face her. ]

[merchantable]

Oh, have they? I'd pay to see those.

[Not something she says lightly.]

[foolswisdom]

[ He chokes briefly, but manages to (mostly) smooth that over. ]

Would you? You must really want to see them.

[ Note to self: See if you can scrub the database before Leonardo or Ritsuka can pull those up for her. ]

[merchantable]

Of course! When else will I have the opportunity to see candid photos of the great King Solomon?

[She bets you look like a dork in half of them.]

[foolswisdom]

It wouldn't even be this face! I was a very unremarkable man, back then.

[ He's... whining. Just a little. It never really worked for him as Roman, and it probably doesn't work for him now, but those tiny human habits are hard to shake, even now. ]

[merchantable]

But I would still know it was you.

[Which makes it all the more remarkable for being unremarkable.]

[foolswisdom]

You'll only find yourself disappointed...

[ The protest is half-hearted at best. He doesn't actually think she will be, but look. He has to try. He definitely needs to try and scrub the databases before she talks to anyone else about this. ]

[merchantable]

You aren't trying to keep me from seeing anything em~ba~rra~ssing, are you?

[get fucked, solomon.]

[foolswisdom]

Oh, I absolutely am.

[ HE'S A COWARD, THROUGH AND THROUGH. ]

[merchantable]

My oh my~ Now I especially need to get to those pictures before you do.

[foolswisdom]

You could have a little mercy on me...

[ His voice tips up as he says that, something close to an outright whine. He absolutely has to make sure he can delete those photos as soon as possible. ]

[merchantable]

I could, if you have something of equal value to offer instead.

[She's not unreasonable! But he should know better than to come to the negotiating table without anything to offer.]

[foolswisdom]

...I'm afraid I don't have any of the riches I once did, my lady. Sheba. The most I have to offer is my own company.

[ When in doubt: act pathetic and hope she thinks it's cute. ]

[merchantable]

Oho? But you're already giving me your company for free.

[he is cute though]

[foolswisdom]

I am. So I have to wonder: what sort of price would you put on it?

[ Please. Do you think he has any pride left, after being Roman for ten years. He does not. He is willing to continue playing as hapless as possible to distract her. ]

[merchantable]

If it's free it's free, of course. Now, if it was a k...

[-ahh?! No, no, she can't ask for something like that! Not after they just met again!]

[foolswisdom]

...

[ Oh? His eyes widen for a beat, and then he schools his expression back into something more hapless. How bold! (How cute.) ]

Yes? I can't negotiate with you if you don't tell me your price.

[merchantable]

Ah, ah... B-but sometimes just making an offer gives away your position...

[She's so red right now.]