video.

[72demons]

[ solomon is in what looks to be a library, dimly-lit and obviously in need of a lot of work-- but he doesn't seem to mind. indeed, he's seated at a dusty table surrounded by books that, while in relative good condition, have still seen better days. he's apparently read most of them, because markers are visible sticking out of the pages, and the king himself is curled in his chair with another open on his lap.

he glances up, a little owl-eyed, offering a faintly distracted smile as he holds the book up. it's hard to see the title in the light, especially as he sets it back down on his lap. ]

I've been catching up with everything that's happened since I lived, and-- [ his smile brightens. ] My goodness, science developed by leaps and bounds, didn't it? I have to admit, I'm particularly interested right now in evolution and-- genetics and-- [ he glances back down at his book. ] --DNA. [ he glances back up again, fingers curling over the cover of the book. ] I think these books are mostly considered classics, though. They seem to have landmark papers and discoveries in them, but not a great deal that's newer. Does anyone know if I can find more information elsewhere..?

[ he reaches out, tapping the tablet. ] On this, perhaps? [ because while he knows god, he also knows that there is a process and a science behind what god does, what magic does, what everything is. he likes finally having a few answers, and the means to perhaps find more.

he starts to say something else-- then abruptly sneezes, sending dust into the air and looking a little sheepish. ] Oh dear. I think even my extraordinarily extensive library back home was cleaner than this one, and I had books stacked on the floor. [ he closes his book, coughing and waving more dust away as he rises. ] I know the focus has been on other areas, given the nature of this place, but Kevin, if you're listening, I don't suppose you know where I might find a broom..? I think you and Mr Nightray hoard the cleaning supplies..

Comments

[72demons]

Not if you're busy. I don't want to take you away from what you might be doing. [ he sneezes again. ] I can manage a broom. [ who do you think cleaned his little space before he had dantalion to tease into it? ]

[senseandcecilbility]

[A-And now Solomon is talking to the devil again.]

No, no. I am not busy at all. I shall be there in a minute.

[It is all his fault, really. He should have made the library a top priority during his cleaning frenzy. Now Solomon is dying of allergies and talking to the devil, and Kevin has only himself to blame.]

[72demons]

[ uriel you're ridiculous and solomon will tell you that. ]

Are you sure? [ he squints at the feed. ] You're not just saying that, are you?

[senseandcecilbility]

[Ridiculous or not, Kevin has already turned off the feed. Solomon might hear hurried footsteps down the corridor.]

[72demons]

[ oh honestly..

well by the time kevin arrives, solomon is already carrying a stack of too many books, tottering at the top, toward a space he's cleared. ]

action;

[senseandcecilbility]

[He arrives with all a bucket of water and a penguin-chewed broom, but lets go of them when he is faced with the horror of Solomon carrying all those books. The human is still frail from his smiting!]

Solomon, please allow me to help you!

[He approaches to relieve him from at least some of that burden.]

action;

[72demons]

I have them! [ he thinks. probably. one might be sliding a little. ] Did you bring a broom--?

[ he does allow kevin to take a few off the top, if only so he can see, though, before setting the rest of the stack on the chair. he straightens again then, rubbing the small of his back as he glances back to uriel and smiles brightly. ]

I can do this, you know. You should go spend more time with Mister Break.

[senseandcecilbility]

It is over th--

[At Solomon's next comment, he yelps and drops all the books he was carrying in a completely non-suspicious manner. ]

[72demons]

[ he startles, then bursts into laughter, crouching to gather them back up. ]

Well, that wasn't telling at all.

[senseandcecilbility]

...

[If Kevin could disappear into the ground he would. But that would be unseemly, not to mention a little demon-like, so he contents himself with crawling under the nearest writing desk instead.

He has gone beet red. Solomon knows. He just knows. He is just like one of those terrifying human mothers who know everything.]

[72demons]

[ he sets the books in a neat stack, then moves to the desk kevin is hiding under, ducking to peer under it at him. ]

Don't be embarrassed. I think it's wonderful! I'm glad you have someone you care about here. [ he crouches neatly, reaching out to take one of kevin's hands and pressing it gently. ] I think he's a good man, and you both deserve to be happy.

[senseandcecilbility]

[Nope. Kevin is still terrified. Though he doesn't reclaim his hand from Solomon's hold. He manages to glance from underneath the desk in a very birdlike manner, his eyebrows knit in a small frown.]

You. You have the worst standards...

[The worst!]

[72demons]

I just want the people I care about to be happy. [ he leans in to kiss kevin's brow, squeezing his hand, before releasing him and rising to his feet again. he goes to retrieve the broom, then, rolling his sleeves up before starting to sweep. ]

You'll be good for one another.

[senseandcecilbility]

[People Solomon cares about...When has Uriel become one of those people? It is Solomon's gift to leave him completely clueless and disconcerted at every single turn, and Uriel's weakness to never get used to it.

Silently, he leaves his shelter under the desk and starts dusting the books vigorously.]

[72demons]

[ he sneezes again, sniffling a little as he does so. ] I have to admit that I'm a little bit surprised, though.

[ after all, though kevin is obviously very different from the uriel that solomon had known, he's still uriel underneath it all. being human is good for him, it seems. ]

--Was he your first kiss, or have you courted others..? [ he expects he was. and if that's so, that's really.. sweet. ]

[senseandcecilbility]

I...

[Not his first kiss, no. That had been young master, when he finally found the soul he had been searching for three thousand years. But that had been different, and Break was his first courtship, if one could call it such. Certainly his first...many things.

Good for one another. Is that what the man who consorted with the devil thinks?]

S-so greedy and inquisitive...[He concentrates on rubbing a particularly large tome with a fleece cloth.] I am not one of your books, you know.

[72demons]

I am greedy. [ he stills briefly, glancing at his hands on the broom. he is, he knows it. he always has been. and he's never going to see lucifer again, so.. he lives a little vicariously through other people.

really, though, is it so terribly strange to be curious about these things? it's been three-thousand years for uriel. solomon has a lot to catch up on.

he finally smiles again, quietly sweeping once more. ] I don't think I'm treating you like a book. I just.. want to know more about my loved ones. I don't have many here, after all.

[senseandcecilbility]

[Solomon is still young, he remembers; was still too young when he died.

Kevin leans slightly on the desk, pinching the bridge of his nose. When he speaks again, he makes sure to avoid eye contact, his voice pleading.

What I have been up to might be good, but is not right. And you...How could I possibly be one of your loved ones? I--[killed your loved ones.] Solomon, can't you see?

[Solomon should just... find all the human warmth he never had. The human warmth he deserves more than anyone else.]

[72demons]

[ he slowly places the broom down, then pads across to kevin, gently curling his arms around one of the angel's, leaning warmly into his side. ]

It makes you happy. That's what matters to me. [ he leans his temple against kevin's shoulder, eyes sliding shut. ]

--You're all I have. And you've been kind to me here. [ his fingers tighten briefly on the angel's arm. ] I know that home, in my time, you'll torment me. I know that you'll drive me to the brink of death. It's your duty, and I know that I'll never repent. But I've forgiven you of what you've done and what you'll do. So just let it be enough, Uriel.

[senseandcecilbility]

[He gasps in surprise, but then again, he should not be surprised at all. Of course the human would have considered that. One day, perhaps, Solomon will go back home only so that he might be tortured by him. What sort if fate is that? How can God allow this to--?]

Even knowing all those those things...

[He shudders from head to foot as he clutches the shoulder Solomon is not leaning on, the severed connection as excruciating as an open wound ]

[72demons]

[ i deserve it. he does, for what he'll ask of dantalion. for what he allows to happen to uriel. because it is solomon's fault, isn't it? that uriel lost his wing, that he was punished. it's solomon's fault, and he still can't bring himself to repent to stop it.

he really is a disgusting abomination. ]

.. Hush. [ he takes a small, trembling breath. ] Stop worrying about me. Just-- be happy here, Uriel. Love who you wish to love.

[senseandcecilbility]

[He removes the hand from his shoulder, cursing his own stupid reflexes. Solomon can't find out. If he does, he will only blame himself. He forcefully ignores that part of his mind that tells him Solomon already knows, and attempts to smile instead.[]

Y-young master is not here.

Besides, you should listen to your own counsel!

[72demons]

[ he pokes him gently in the side. ] Maybe not, but Mister Break is. So are all the people you've made friends with here.

[ he pulls back, then, reaching up to tweak the angel's nose with a smile. ] I'm happy. [ that's always been a lie and it will always be a lie, but it's one he's so familiar with telling that it rolls off his tongue more easily than the truth. ] I have freedom here, and plenty of things to learn, and I've met lots of people.

[senseandcecilbility]

Mister Break...[He says, stealing the broom from Solomon so he can hide the fond smile on his face.]

...is a piece of work.

[Solomon's claim about being happy is terribly reminiscent of young master's claim about needing no one. Kevin can only shake his head as he proceeds to sweep the floor. He concentrates on that simple menial task for a while before adding:]

I will not...stop you this time. You have my word.

[Just stay away from demons, for heaven's sake.]

[72demons]

[ he hops up on the edge of a dusty desk to watch kevin sweep, sneezing again as dust hits his nose, wiping his watering eyes with his sleeve. honestly, how embarrassing. ]

Mister Break seems funny. And charming when he wants to be. And he appreciates a good cup of tea, sweets, and teasing you, so I approve on general principle.

[ he pulls one of his books into his lap, fingers absently tracing the lettering on the cover. ]

You've suffered for three-thousand years. It's about time something made you smile properly.