Helping Hand (Masami, Sol) [Closed]

Solhammond Palliser was no soldier.

But he was a survivor.

The invasion of his city was not something he alone could stop, nor was it an a thought he entertained. He was but a man in a city that was under siege But he was blessed with some ability to protect himself, an instinctual ability to want to live despite his lot in life. Or rather he was more concerned with the idea that his family may be in trouble. Perhaps if he lacked that connection he would be listed among the casualties of war, but he had that connection thus he would fight and hide to get to his family. He had to make sure they where ok.

He was doing some bullshit fighting gig in some bar when all the fighting started, the building he was in was rended into nothing but concrete and metal as he narrowly escaped. The fighting was happening everyone but he was unconcerned with those things. Instead he ran, he ran as far and as long as his legs would take him. But his family resided on the other side of town, in the chaos he had completely forgotten about his car but that didn't matter. He'd come to learn later that his truck had been crushed under some assault.

However, his journey was cut short. For he ran right into some fighting. The sound of gunfire and bullet wizzing past his ear caused him to curse as he fell down, skidding and rolling on the pavement. His hands being used to cover his face as skin was torn, and blood began to flow. He wouldn't even begin to get up as he felt something smash into face, the foot of a demon. It seemed the wolves had fallen upon him.

Thus, the mighty Sol, would begin to protect himself as he was kicked and beat by demons. This vision become dotted with black, blood beginning to seep from his mouth and wounds as they appeared. The sheer malice in the hits where fuelled by nothing but wanton violence, and as his vision began to fade the world becoming quieter for the young man he felt the cold embrace of something nearing. Yet, he could not accept that, not while he was the only thing between the safety of his family and destruction.

In what some might say was a display of supreme human will, he'd suck in a hard breath before he lashed out from his prone position. The man relying on the years of martial training in his fists, jabbing his fingers into the face of the demon feeling soft eyes give way to his fingers. A howl of pain escaping their lips as he roar'd beginning to push his bruised body as far as it would go. Running forward as he pushed the demon onto the ground to the surprise of the other demon. The left hand of Solhammond repeatedly slamming onto the demons throat, if this was a normla human they would've had their wind pipe crushed on the first one.

It would take several before he felt the crack, the collapse of bone and flesh. But as he prepared to get up, he felt a sharp crack against the back of his head causing him to fall off the demon now grabbing their choke, blood seeping from their eyes.

Solhammond vision was blurred as he felt the other demon straddle him, and begin to try to reign blows upon him. Sol's hand extended as he pushed against the demons face, pushing his head back. His fingers felt bruised, and most likely broken, as he gritted his bloodied teeth shoving with as much might as he could muster. Only able to worm from under the demon, scrambling back to his feet staring at him with defiance.

His body was bruised, he probably had a broken bone. But as his shallow breathes emerged, he hadn't notice the general pull back shadowfall forces where making. Instead he was focused on this singular fight for his life, blood falling onto cracked pavement. As he stared at the demon, Sol would not notice this but his own eyes began to shine a crimson. But they where locked in a deadlock, Sol too tired to move and the demon cautious to fight the human again.

He hadn't even notice when the woman arrived.

The man barely registered what happened, the flash of color followed by a spray of blood causing his body to visibly tighten. His legs seemed to drop slightly as he crouched a bit as if ready to spring to attack, before the scene finally registered as his eyes caught up with his brain. In front of him was a woman, slightly less beat up then him, who was wielding some blade now covered in demonic blood. For a moment he didn't know if she was going to attack him before deducing she in fact was not going to slaughter the human.

Well that made him feel slightly better.

But as she began to speak to him he'd blink at how candid she was, rather just how non-chantly she shrugged off killing the demon. Admittedly, he had just crushed ones throat in the most visceral display of fighting he had ever performed. But between how rapidly his heart was beating and the ragged breaths he had there was both a physical and mental effect on him. The dull crimson of his eyes faded, entirely unaware that there even was some type of shift within him.

He'd wince slightly as he began to speak, figuring she might be what he needed.

"I'm, uh, Solhammond. Friends call me, Sol. Figure that's what you are right now."

It was somewhat choppy if to the point but the man looked horrible, his left arm hanging limply bruised and bloody. But he seemed to be gritting his teeth through the pain, his mind hazy slightly. But through sheer stubborn human tenacity he refused to passed out, his voice groggy if a bit strained. Yet, he needed her help.

"Look, I know you seems kinda beat up but I could really.. use some help. I need to get to the otherside of town, my family might be in danger; my mother."

He seemed to have a somewhat desperate look on his face, soldiering on despite the man. But clearly he was a relatively human man, with nothing special other than the will to get to his family. He seemed on the fence about asking for help, not out of some false pride, but because she looked rough herself. But his options where limited and she was stronger.

"Please, help me get there. I— don't really have anything to give you right now. But whatever you want, it's yours after. Just. Please. Help me."

There was a very visceral, a very real pleadingness to his voice. That he was almost entirely unconcerned for his well being but getting to his home. When faced with possible death and oblivion, all that paled in comparison if he did not do something to see the safety of his family. Should anything happen to them because he wasn't there, or worse, he chose his own safety over their's he could never forgive himself.

Thus, the ball was in her court.

"Right. Move."
"Right. Move."

The seemed taken aback for a moment when she touched his cheek, flinching involuntary. He didn't forget what she did, and in some part inside of him, it scared him. But there was a surprising soothness to it, her casual nature beginning to set him on ease. His body relaxed, muscles uncoiling as he took a deep breath closing his eyes. The dull pain in his limp arm being pushed to the back, as his teeth gritted for a moment. He had to get himself under control as he opened his eyes, tired hazel irises focusing on her before giving a sharp nod.

He'd turn as he set off in a jog to where his family house was, it would be quite the run it seemed. But as he did so he'd throw a glance to her occassionally, he couldn't shake why she had done this. But throughout the whole way Sol remained quiet, he seemed really intent on moving quickly. With the demons practically gone he it wasn't too bad but the threat remained. Throughout the streets the military was helping remove people from rubble, but so was civilians reigniting the spirit of the nation.

But that espirit de corps wasn't for Sol right now, all he cared about was home.

And his breath seemed to catch as he noticed a white house, his childhood home. But what was not something he remembered was the broken door, hanging loosely on it's hinges.

"No.."

The man muttered as his jog began to turn into a full on sprint, picking up pace as his eyes went wild. His teeth bared as he felt something welling inside of him.

"NO..!"

The man howl'd as he burst through the door frame, nearly falling down. Sliding across hardwood floring, his injured arm slamming into the wall causing a hiss. He heard the feminine scream of a woman inside, pushing past the pain for a moment as he walked down the short corridor into the main living room. Coming upon the sight of a demon- no a.. man? A human man baring a gun. A looter.

Sol wasn't particularly faster then Masami but he had arrived slightly before her, and he had to act. Throwing caution to the wind he'd rush the man as he turned, grabbing his wrist with his one good hand lifting the weapon in the air. The sound of a gun firing next to his ear caused him to let out a yelp of pain, a ringing noise emitting in his ear now. He was locked struggling for the weapon with the man as Masami would come on him trying to keep the gun raised, a terrified older looking woman in the background.

Once again, he was saved by the woman. He was racking up a debt.

But naturally he'd take a deep breath as he held onto the gun, his lips pursing as he nodded at her comment. He'd look at the weapon for a moment, then back to the man embedded into the wall. It was clear he was still breathing as he seemed to shake briefly. It was absolutely clear he was furious, and the look within his eyes was something of a man pushed to the edge. As if the weapon in his hands was all too easy to point at the disabled man, to wipe this excuse of scum from the world.

But as his body shook with a fury, he heard felt a hand upon his shoulder. It was the small dainty hands of his mother, as he slowly felt his grip loosening on the weapon. Looking down at it for a moment with disgust as he removed the clip and removed the top receiver casting it aside. Such things wasn't the way he solved his problems, he was better than that. And he'd be damn'd to lose that part of himself that he got from his mother.

He didn't answer Masami immediately as he brought the woman into a hug, from Masami perspective there was such an affection between this son and mother. The panic which she saw had faded from him, instead replaced by a relief which allowed him to hold the woman. A deep sigh leaving his lips, as he escorted her to her bedroom for the time being. She needed to rest clearly. But some time later Solhammond would appear wiping his eyes as he tried to maintain some semblance of composure.

"Thank you."

What more could he saw to the woman who had assisted him twice, even now hazel eyes seemed to be red and bloodshot. Causing him to grimance slightly before lifting his hand to the mess of his hair, running is fingers through the grimy mess as he went to close the door. Thankfully it still closed and locked as he looked to her. He'd also set to.. sorta just throwing the guy outside for the authorities to deal with.

"I wish I could repay you somehow, you're welcome to rest here until this blows over. I think the military is cleaning up and.. I guess restoring order."

A frown at the word order, as if such chaos which happened only a moments ago was too hard to fathom.

"Who are you, like really, are you one of those uh.. shinigami?"

So it appeared she was neutral of some sort, at least she had a heart. Solhammond would walk into the kitchen briefly before returning with two glasses of water placing one in front of her on the table, before sitting down on a worn out looking couch. He seemed to let out a sigh rubbing at his mess of a hair, before settling on drinking a good porition of his water. Finally, he'd set it down.

Perhaps this was a sign for something, a moment that he could use. His own frail strength had become all too apperant today, and between wanting to provide for his family while also protecting them he needed something more. In this moment, he had an idea.

"In that case, I'd like to ask one last favor from you. I know you've done much for me an' my folks. But.. I'd like to know if you'd train me." He'd swallow briefly his hand clinching into a fist. "And I'm not asking because I want to be a hero or anything! I just.. want to be able to provide and protect mah' family. I'm a professional fighter, and you're.. much better than me. You don't look to have anything to do, and we can- we can provide you ah' home and food."

It was a weak offer, but it show'd he was very into this idea. There was a fire in his eyes, and he truly hoped she said yes.