37th Devotion: The Reason Behind the Research

[favoritetraitor]

How insidious. I can only assume that was the result of yet another curse. An attempt to tarnish my reputation, or something random, who's to say? It wouldn't be the first time...

I certainly hope that anyone out there would have realized this of my last journal entry. Anyone who knows me well understands that I would never condone murder, let alone violence of any sort. I'm a healer and consummate businessman.

I apologize for any distress that my words would have caused to anyone. I cannot even begin to fathom what the deities' purpose for this one was, and it's abhorrent to me that even for one moment I would have thought violence was an acceptable means to an end.


Private//Unhackable to Xemnas, Luke Valentine, Kincaid, and Clow Reed
But my deepest heartfelt thanks to those answered my call. The matter is out of our hands. Best to leave it as it is and to focus on our work.

I shall not forget such a show of support. Please accept this small token of my gratitude.

[ooc: Solomon is adding an undisclosed bonus to all of your accounts.]

Message for Saya
Saya, I feel the need to go for a walk. I'd really appreciate your company... perhaps we can go to the gardens together for the afternoon. I'll find someone to cover me at the hospital.

Comments

{private}

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Oh? And what would that be?

{private}

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if I disclosed this or not, but I am a consultant to the police force and it has been asked that someone question you regarding Marishka's case. I'm volunteering in part to save someone else the trouble, but also out of curiosity. As much as it sounds like this might present a conflict of interest, I don't expect it to. You're not in any kind of trouble as far as I know; I think that mostly they just want to know what your point of view is.

Would you consent to a very informal consultation, potentially over dinner?

{private}

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Oh? Is that so? No, I don't believe you ever told me about that...
They're allowing you to be the one to do this?

Hm. Well, unfortunately, I already have plans for dinner. But if you would like to meet afterwards, I could speak to you then...

{private}

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

I suppose I didn't expect it to become relevant. Or forgot to mention it. I've been working for them in one capacity or another for much longer than I've known you. That might be part of it.

That sounds good. Wherever you'd be most comfortable meeting would be fine with me, as well.

{private}

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

I see.

You don't mind a late evening? Or would you prefer to meet for lunch tomorrow? It's your choice, although, I would prefer to get back home before too late an hour. I'd hate to not catch Saya awake...

{private}

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

Lunch tomorrow is fine, too, if you'd prefer. I really don't mind either way.

{private}

[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Why don't you come by my office at the hospital tomorrow around lunchtime. I'll make sure that we have some private time in which we can talk...

{private} 1/2

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

It's a date, then.

{action?}

[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

[ Clow pretty much assumed that lunchtime meant "noon" and not whenever he felt like having lunch, so that was when he found himself knocking on Solomon's office door. He had actually brought lunch for both of them, having remembered too late that this was technically an interrogation and not a friendly luncheon.

Things like this were why he was a consultant and not actually on the police force anymore, he realized with a sigh. ]

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[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

[Clow was nothing if not prompt. Gathering up the medical charts that were strewn across the desk, he tapped the folders on their edges into a neat pile.]

Please come in, it's open...

[He stood to greet his guest, a formal gesture tinged with antiquity. Clow had been one of his, still was in some regards... but it had been a bit of a shock to learn that he was also associated with the authorities. Formality was a necessity until he could figure out if this new development would be an asset or a detriment to their working relationship.]

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[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

[ Clow opened the door, throwing aside his apprehension for the moment in order to look like he knew what he was doing. Solomon's formality was noted immediately, and he took it to signal the cautiousness it was supposed to - it was up to him, he supposed, to be reassuring. ]

... I brought lunch. [ The magician allowed himself a nervous smile at that point, but it was brief. ]

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[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

[Solomon blinked in surprise, staring at the basket held in the mage's hands. A crisp white cloth concealed the contents of the basket, but it looked as if Clow had taken great care to see that they would not go hungry.]

Lunch?

[The tension that he'd been concealing in his features softened. It was not at all what he'd been expecting from a second interview for the authorities. Mr. Nakamura hadn't even asked to meet him in person.]

Why, Clow... you really didn't have to... But, please. Come in, have a seat.

[He smiled happily, pleased at the generous gesture on the other man's part.]

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[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

[ Well, see, Clow is not the rest of the police force and he's really quite oblivious to their way of doing things. For him, this way is much easier. ]

Thank you, Solomon. [ He relaxed a bit and took a seat on the other side of the desk from where the doctor was sitting, setting his basket on the desk. He removed the cloth and two sandwiches, handing one to Solomon. Then pulled out two small glasses and a thermos. ]

Ah... so. [ Said as he poured iced tea for them both - nothing alcoholic, amazingly enough! ] The briefing I received from the police stated that you had some way of controlling Marishka. I'm afraid I don't know much more than that, so would you be willing to elaborate a little?

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[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

Control?

[He laughed. A pleasant lilting sound as it cascaded gently throughout the room.]

The only "control" that I have over the poor dear is that she chooses to listen to me. It has been so, ever since our first interactions over the network soon after I arrived.

[He shrugged his shoulders in that typical nonchalant manner that would drive Van so crazy with frustration.]

As I told the Warden... I honestly don't know why this is the case other than I seemed to have struck a chord of sympathy in her somehow. It was a very difficult time for me, when I met her...

[His eyes gazed thoughtfully at the glass set before him, his finger trailed along it's edge as he spoke.]

She's experienced great loss in her life... she understood.

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[i-themagician.livejournal.com]

[ Clow looked thoughtful, swirling his drink about in the cup for a moment. ]

Her family was in the City at one point, or part of it. It's probable that she misses them. [ Looks up at Solomon, still playing with the cup in his hand ] This may be quite a personal question, but was your situation similar?

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[favoritetraitor.livejournal.com]

[The smile on Solomon's face flickered for just a moment. It still hurt to remember, and it was definitely something that he didn't care to talk about. Averting his gaze, he stared hard out the window and tried to detach himself from the emotions that were being dredged up.]

Ah, no. In my case... I had just had a... marriage proposal be rejected.

[Despite his best efforts, he was unable to keep the pain from showing on his features.]