Finding A Way Back [Solomon/Violet]

Hearing all of that helped Violet calm down. He promised. He promised. That was the one thing her father never did if she wanted something. He would never promise because when he did, he’d have to actually do it. That was part of his own Quincy pride bullshit. Violet released Solomon and sat up straight. She had a lot to tell him… and she wanted to be thorough and honest.

“O-Okay… So… What happened in Mexico,” Violet went on for a good long time, stuttering over her words, crying many times, and trying her best to get everything out. She had a hard time keeping eye contact with him, and wanted to know what was going on in his head, but forced herself to ignore it so she could get through the whole entire tale. “So, we just got back from Japan… I wanted to apologize for causing so much trouble and not being honest sooner. I should have...”

In truth, it was challenging for Solomon to maintain a composed expression during each revelation that assaulted his ears, but he persevered for her sake. He promised comfort, and he would offer comfort. Of course, somewhere within the furthest confines of his soul, he felt that dormant rage, ever familiar, suffusing his spirit once again - a fierce killing intent drawn from the blackest depths of malice.

He was disappointed in her boss and disappointed in her so-called friends. Disgusted with the bastards who defiled her. Now it all made sense. Vanyel's reaction, her inability to be vocal that day, all of it started clicking together like a collection of puzzle pieces. He knew now why his words hurt her so much.

Harsh as they were, his intent was only to remind her of the danger, and yet, outside of his protection, outside of his orbit... she had already experienced a fate worse than any battle could offer. He had only ever been told that she was injured, bruised, and battered. Knowing what he did now, he understood why she was so upset.

Of course, now, he was rendered speechless due to the sheer whiplash of information. Naturally, he would honor his promise and remain composed throughout, difficult as it was to do so. Exhaling softly, he simply welcomed her back into that warm embrace as he shook his head, his voice apologetic.

"Words cannot describe how much I hate the way I responded that day, but... I can assure you of this much, Violet. Not once have I ever thought lowly of you, nor ill-equipped. I merely feared the possibility that you might end up hurt again, that I hadn't properly prepared you for the field of battle, yet you've been fighting your own battle this whole time."

His eyes, for the first time, grew wet with small droplets of tears as he held her close toward his chest. To remind her that she was safe, that she was loved, and that she was cared for.

"I cannot say I know what the true measure of strength or worth is, but It fills me with great pride to say - I'm glad I've met you. To say I know you, as a person and an individual, fills me with pride. Even without any experience, when I offered to help you, you accepted despite the difficulty that came with learning what it meant to be a Quincy. Even if you slipped up, you kept on going. And that made me proud. In a way, it motivated me to keep going with my own training."

He pulled away to gaze down at her as he continued to voice his genuine opinion of the woman who stepped into his life.

"The Violet Gardner I know isn't dirty. She is worth more than being told she'd do better work on her back. She's beautiful. Kind-hearted. Supportive. And I'm proud to say that I know her, that I've been able to be supported by her whenever my own life is out of order. From the bottom of my heart, I'm both honored and grateful to say I know you. And if need be, I'll never stop expressing enough apology to wash away the comparison between me and your detestable father."

Those words… Each thoughtful word that Solomon expressed here reached Violet, not just because of how sincere and genuine they were, but because of how he held her. She was trembling at first, her body shaking as she accepted his embrace. That was gone. She was still. The tension was gone… because she could feel safe here, with him. As she looked up into his teary eyes and received Solomon’s true thoughts and feelings about her, Violet was thoroughly reassured. She smiled, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping Solomon’s tears from his face.

"Please, don't cry for me, okay? I cry enough for all of us, trust me," Violet said, a little attempt at a joke as a weak smile crept onto her lips. "Thank you, Solomon... For listening and for understanding.. I was scared you'd see me as dirty." Violet took a deep breath and then remembered. "A-A-And, before I forget to tell you, I still do want to get stronger. I'm learning more martial arts and I'm thinking about taking up the gun, l-l-like my Aunt does. Bows... and swords... scythes... They don't work well with me. B-But I'm still trying. I promise, I am. I just wanna find what I'm good at."

"Of course not. I could never see you that way. And I never will. I can't erase what was done to you, but I'll never let it paint my perception of you any differently than before."

Solomon meant every word he said, after all. He would never allow anyone to paint his perception of her as anything other than a woman who possessed a different form of strength - one that went beyond the physical and spiritual. That is, the will and conviction to keep moving forward. As long as she possessed that, her horizon was boundless. Now, if only he could figure out a way to keep her out of trouble. Of all the people to end up pick-pocketing, sheesh...

Exhaling softly, he smiled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head. The genuine release he felt in unearthing and sharing his heartfelt feelings about her was fulfilling in its own right. It didn't wash away the anger, of course. Somewhere in the depths of his soul, that was still present, but it held no place here. He wanted her to walk away from his house with pleasant memories.

Nodding his head in response to her words, he smiled assuringly as he thought about the potential avenues for her to pursue. Natasha was a good start. And attaining some form of martial prowess was always a welcomed trait to possess for any budding warrior. Either way, he had her support.

"Whatever avenue you wish to pursue, you'll continue to have my support. I'm no martial artist, but I know a thing or two about fighting without my blade if you ever need any assistance. Much like I was raised to learn how to fight with my abilities as a Quincy, my instructors also taught me how to excel without them... in cases where I can't quite rely on my reishi. At any rate, I'm excited to see where you go from here, whatever you choose."

Feeling much lighter than when she arrived, Violet didn’t seem to stressed or scared. She was happy, light on her feet even. The mention of practicing with a sword again, Violet waved her hand in front of her nose like something smelled bad. “No, no. I am horrible with a blade, so I am not risking that again,” she said, shuddering at the thought. “I think this Krav Maga and a gun will be a good combination. For once, I don’t dread practicing fighting… unlike, you know, before.” The fact was, her father yelled too much and hit too hard…

"Wait...Sorry." Violet thought for a moment and then giggled at herself. "You said 'without' my blade, not with... Sorry... I'm still a little frazzled, it seems... Yeah, sorry."

"If I am allowed to go anywhere I want... Can I explore a little?" Violet asked. She was rapidly changing the subject on him, and then giggled as she pointed to the mansion Solomon owned. "I can see how you were able to just drop enough money to buy me a house, which I still appreciate. I won't ever be able to pay that back... Sol... How... wealthy are you? This... is... The Vandenreich pay that well?"

"Hilariously enough, my inaccuracy and inefficiency with a bow is what resulted in me learning how to fight with a blade in the first place. That said, you do not need to apologize. Krav Maga and gunmanship are good stepping stones to building a sound fighting arsenal."

Solomon nodded his head, as though to answer her inquiry about exploring his household. He didn't mind giving her a tour if that's where her desire currently lay. Turning his head to the mansion in particular, he blinked a few times before shaking his head. The Vandenreich's pay was alright, he supposed. He didn't particularly put much value on how much he was paid for his duty. It felt insincere. Even if he wasn't wealthy, he'd only welcome being paid enough to live a relatively standard life, at most.

"I don't think so, no... At least, not according to Natasha. As far as paying me back goes, there is no need to worry about that. As long as you're happy to live there, that is payment enough. Now, then, where would you like to go first?"

Hearing Solomon compliment her choice in fighting style brought a cheerful smile to her face. “I’m so glad!” Violet said, taking his opinion to heart as she did a cute little bouncy hop. She was doing something right if Solomon approved.

Violet was surprised that the Vandenreich didn’t pay well, yet he had all of this? That made Violet even more curious about who he was, and who his family was. Did he own a huge company? Did they invent something super important?

'I have so many questions...'

For now, though, Violet pointed toward the house with stars in her eyes. “I know it's weird, but may I see the tub?” she said with a childlike excitement. Her parents had a huge tub, but she was never allowed to use it. She could only bathe in the guest bathroom. As the tour began, Violet did ask. "So, how do you have such a big house if you're not gettin' paid that much money? And do you live here alone?"

"Oh? An interesting choice. Follow me."

Solomon motioned for her to follow him to her desired location. As he did, he turned to gaze in her direction as he led her to the area where he cleaned his body and oftimes relaxed to clear away any stress he might accrue during the day - or any situation that tested his resolve. It was spacious and bright, but not to a blinding degree. He bashfully rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish smile as he explained himself.

"Generational wealth. My father wouldn't allow me to settle for any other house in the City of Lights, and even went as far as having some parts of the place custom-built, even though I told him there was always the possibility I could move elsewhere one day. To answer your other question... yeah, I live alone. I've lived alone for a few years now."

As they arrived in the bathroom, Violet only focused on how big the tub was. Her eyes practically shined with stars as she sat on the side of it and turned on the water just to test the flow. She saw all the buttons on the side to adjust the jets, she had to fight the urge to play around. Looking back at Solomon with a big smile, she turned the water back off. “I’m jealous; I’m gonna have a tub like this one day.”

Violet left his bathroom, feeling a little odd to try and stick around in here for any longer than a check. "Generational wealth... You know, if my parents died tomorrow, I'd be pretty rich too... Dad had money given to him when my grandpa died, and then he invested right. Let's hope they don't die any time soon though; I don't need the responsibility... Oh, did I ever tell you? Mom and Dad are having another kid."

"Here is where I'd offer to have one installed, but I will refrain from doing so. Just know it's always on the table."

He reminded her with a smile. This, he considered closer to a gift than recklessly spending money on her. It certainly didn't rival buying her a house, either, so he didn't have to feel self-conscious about it. It was interesting to hear that she, too, possessed a similar wealth she could inherit in the event her parents died. His eyebrow rose the moment she revealed they would be having another child. Based off of what he knew about her parents - her father in particular - he silently prayed that next child might have an opportunity to live a less torturous life than the one Violet endured up until now.

"No, I don't think we ever broached the subject. Did you ever find out the gender?"