A Song For The Optimists[Solomon, Violet]

Solomon found the accusation amusing. In reality, he wasn't employing his acumen as a Quincy here at all. His quick bursts of movement were the product of years of intense training and routine physical regiments. Of course, since she accused him of it, he found himself tempted to employ those techniques. Resisting that urge, he shifted his grip around the gun, moving with careful poise to slowly tail her from behind. Solomon chuckled softly, calling out to her as though challenging her to return the favor. To answer for the shot at her chest.

"Cheating? Do you mean to imply I'm using my techniques here? It is tempting. However, as your teacher, I think this is a perfect opportunity to hone your senses. I did offer you the first strike, and you chose to rely on your own strategy instead. Now, are you going to follow through until it bears fruit? Or abandon it since it isn't proving successful?"

Solomon simply maintained his focus about him as he slowly strode along the series of fake cars. He was practically leaving himself wide open, his body readily available to be hit if Violet decided to give into her ambition.

"Indeed. Patience is a virtue. Someone's adapting well. I'm impressed. Let's keep that up, shall we?"

Impressive. She was adapting quicker than expected, a fact that brought him no shortage of joy as the three shots landed successfully against the lighted target on his chest. Competitive as he was, Solomon's expression resembled that of a proud teacher more than a determined competitor. A shot for a shot. Now they were perfectly even so far. Solomon aimed to change that as the bright lights fluctuated, giving chase as the woman bolted off to hide elsewhere. Charging forward, rolling onto the ground, he would keep pace beside her, turning to fire a wave of three shots at her chest in return.

"I won't let you get away from me that easily!"

Solomon hardly relented in his pursuit, increasing the overall pace of his charge, his azure gaze observing the area for her presence. They were even now, she reminded him, but he intended to break that tie and gain the lead. From an observational standpoint, he wondered if she had developed a rhythm for this now. Or was her success merely the result of playful improvisation?

Either way, she was displaying impressive movement and reaction time, which meant he had to act with a greater degree of focus now lest he fall behind. The baseball slide was a pretty adept technique to employ, one that should have given her ample space to thrive, but Solomon was a man on a mission. His focus remained unperturbed, his blue eyes acting as a radar to track her in this bright mazelike room. Since she chose to go through the hole, Solomon decided to employ a different strategy, scaling one of the walls to appear above her, his gun poised at the glowing target on her chest.

"Those are my words, rookie." He exclaimed with playful impishness. Lighthearted banter to keep their spirits going and their blood pumping.

"Famous? Me? No way. I just know a lot of people."

Solomon flashed a sheepish grin overhearing the announcer overlooking the room. He supposed there wasn't anything entirely wrong with keeping them in check. He should have been following the rules, and though he had certainly intended to acknowledge the voice, his attention was drawn back as Violet seized the opportunity to hit his chest, shifting the score back to a tie. Competitive desire overwrote following proper laser tag etiquette as Solomon once again set into a swift pace. He tried to compromise the rules in a bid to find a loophole, shifting from scaling to kicking off the walls to increase his speed. Leaping through the room, he positioned his gun at her from the ceiling, firing a wave of shots from above, more perhaps than what was allowed, yet his mind was now given wholly to the temptation of victory.

What an embarrassing showing. In his competitive fury, he lost sight of the rules to such a degree that it led to them being tossed out. Not his finest hour by any stretch, but Violet's humorous reaction towards it all eased the sting of any harsh criticism he received from the employees. To pay his respects, he still allowed them to keep the money he spent and even paid them as a way of showing them there were no hard feelings.

He would likely be allowed back the next time he came, so little was his disappointment. When they stepped out, Solomon found himself chuckling sheepishly in response to her statement accompanied by joyous laughter. It was definitely exciting to have a moment of rebellion, even if it ended with them being tossed out. When the laughter finally died down, he grabbed her by the hand. Working up a feast, it became abundantly clear where he wished to go next. His mind was already set on the next part of their date.

"Have you ever tried Indian cuisine before?"