favoritetraitor | 122nd Devotion: Quality Time with the Rival

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Current Location: Haji's Bedroom
Current Music: classical cello

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122nd Devotion: Quality Time with the Rival

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[One moment Solomon Goldsmith is out enjoying the view of the city's lights below from his balcony, and in the next moment his environment abruptly shifts into a bright interior room. His face shows some sign of annoyance at this, but not the typical shock or hysteria that is often evidenced by others in the City. After all, Solomon has been going through such inconveniences like this for longer than most.

Instead, he looks down at the splattered mess of his deep red beverage staining the light carpeting and gives a slight tug on the handcuff now encircling his wrist. With narrowed eyes, he looks askance at the cello bow being held by the other man's captive hand.]

...Haji. Of course.

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[Taking the glass, he examines the contents. Blood, fresh enough, and a wry smile crosses his face. Leave it to Solomon to serve him blood in a wine glass.

Taking a sip, he moves to the ledge with his reluctant roommate. It's not the way he's used to ingesting the blood he needs, but it's... civilized. Saya likely doesn't mind it.]

[Solomon moves with relative ease back to where he'd been looking out over the city. Well, with as much ease as he could be in, handcuffed to someone who was definitely a rival for Saya's attention.

Taking a sip off of his drink, he turns to look out at the skyline in the distance.]

... I've worked hard to see that Saya has everything that she can possibly need here. Not because I need to. I don't do this because of any compulsion as a Chevalier serving a Queen.

[His eyes slide over to watch for any change in Haji's expression or eyes.]

I do this as Solomon Goldsmith. And I do this because I love her as a man and no other reason.

Your arrival has complicated matters, causing varying levels of stress in my home on all our parts. I would like to resovle this so that Saya can be untroubled.

[He listens quietly, face not showing any of the turmoil he feels at Solomon's words. He knows that there is... something Saya feels for the Chevalier. Something she doesn't feel for him, something she would never feel for him. He is her servant, always has been, and always would be, but the part of him that loved her more than she would ever know rails at the very idea of the two of them together.]

I abide by Saya's wishes. I always have. She knows this. It is not my place to interfere in her... personal relationships.

[He drinks, watching Solomon as closely as Solomon watched him. Did he trust the other Chevalier? No, but again, it isn't his place to say. As much as he would like it to be, he will never be able to make Saya smile they way her human family could. The way Goldsmith might be able to. If he is who she chooses it a decision he will learn to live with.]

If there is anything improper in my behavior, it is for her to say.

No?

[Solomon had expected something far more volatile than this quiet acquiescence. Haji's words were spoken as a true chevalier, not the over-protective hostility that he'd experienced in every encounter that he'd had with the man.

Haji's bride was to be Diva. And Solomon's, Saya. That was how it was to be.... when that was all that he believed to be true.

Now, he tilted his head and watched Haji intently, trying to figure out exactly what the other Chevalier's game was, or if he was even capable of playing one.]

I have to say that I'm a bit surprised by your reaction. You accept my relationship with Saya now?

If it is a relationship she wishes.

[And by his tone, as subtle as it is, it is clear that he doesn't believe that Saya has made that choice. And if she has, she's certainly given him no clear indication that Solomon was anything other than... another Chevalier. Perhaps a friend. And it she's holding it back to spare his feelings...

...but how could that be when he's never told her anything but that he serves her and always will. By his own choice. Regardless.]

Saya has options now that she has never had before. She has told me that she no longer fights, that she has a home and a future free of fighting. She has that here as well. A chance to laugh in the sun, like she did in Okinawa.

Tell me, Solomon. When offered so much freedom and light, why should she cling to those who remind her of so many years of bloodshed and darkness?

[It is nothing more or less than what Haji suspects. That she goes back home, to Kai and the girls... with no mention of him being there by her side. Dead or discarded.]

She should not. Saya walks hand in hand with me here. Long ago, before I came here, I made a vow that I would try to help bring her into the light. I want to show her the wonders of the world. To travel and be carefree. To hear her laughter and delight... These are the things I wish for her.

You are the reminder of darker days, Haji. Not me.

[Harsh words, but said with no malice. His voice is softer as he carefully chooses a more diplomatic way of saying the truth.]

Those are the things you once wished for Diva, are they not? And your affection waned from her. Where will it go to next, one could wonder?

[No one is more cognizant of that fact that Haji will never make her smile the way he once did than Haji himself. If Solomon seeks to pull a reaction from the taunt, he will be sorely disappointed. Haji was to be Saya's destruction, he'd sworn it on his knees, and that she lived still was a blessing and a curse. A blessing that somewhere she would be free and a curse that he would never see it.

But Solomon wouldn't either and that is a secret, as shameful as it is, that Haji holds onto in order to keep his expression even.]

You seem intent on making me admit something, or provoking me to some action. [He takes another sip and watches Solomon again.] I wonder why. Do you think that I would speak against you, in private and try to sway her? I would tell her, what I told you before.

It is Saya's choice and always will be. I will abide by it. [Even if it killed him to do so.]

[Solomon looked carefully at the other Chevalier and weighed his answer carefully before responding.

Diva's name still evoked feelings in him, despite his allegiances having strayed to favor her sister.]

My affections went where they were destined to go. Saya is after all, my bride, just as you are meant for Diva.

[Leaning on the ledge of the balcony, his eyes turned once again to the glimmering lights of the city beyond. Off to the left, he could hear the distant sounds of the animals locked up in the zoo and his thoughts wandered to the past.]

This place... My instincts go back to the experiences I had with you back home. You must admit, you haven't always been so agreeable. I'm still used to your glaring at me...

Isn't that what you remember as well?

I am meant for nothing save serving Saya. I have never and will never abandon her.

[He bristles almost imperceptibly at the suggestion. Besides, Diva had chose Riku, hadn't she? Riku, his true brother, the one who had so much potential, so much joy. He would have been wonderful for Saya to travel through time with. Haji, as well. ]

You were Diva's then, and we could not trust your... change of heart. We did not understand it.

[Not truly, at least he hadn't until James. Until he saw Solomon's sacrifice. But still despite that, it's sometimes hard to believe.]

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