tampered | Log; Incomplete

Log; Incomplete

When; Thursday, May 14th
Rating; PG (Unlikely to be more than that)
Characters; Aya

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Summary; After Aya went to help Solomon at the hospital
Log; Things had slowed down at the hospital and Solomon said something about a break. He didn't care much either way. He didn't work here full-time and he had no intentions of doing so. Mostly, he'd needed something to do. Something to keep him busy and away from hearing Ken say how tired he was. The laziness was still getting on his nerves but doing things had helped more than he'd ever admit to anyone.

Walking quietly after Solomon, he looked around the hospital. This wasn't anything like the two places his sister had stayed at.

She didn't need to anymore.

He'd taken his sweater off at some point and had it over his shoulder now. The sleeveless, black turtleneck was enough for him and since it looked like they were going outside, it would be fine for there as well. It wasn't that cool outside anymore.

Once outside, they went to a table and he sat when Solomon did. There was a certain cat-like grace to all of his movements. Like he was a predator currently not hunting.

It wasn't that far from the truth.

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Solomon slid wearily onto the cold hard surface of the concrete bench. Today's curse had been beyond tiresome, but with much of the staff absent, he'd felt obligated to help out as much as was humanly possible.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his blond locks of hair. "Well, wasn't that fun?" The air felt soothing against his skin, and he turned his gaze up at the night sky. "At least it's calmed down long enough for this... did you know this is the first break I've had since the sun rose this morning?"

His first break since morning? That kind of stamina was impressive. The fact that he thought so didn't show on his face and his eyes betrayed nothing. Instead he shrugged. He couldn't call all of that 'fun'. It's been a long time since he's even had fun anyways. Over two years.

"It was eventful."

That was a good enough description for him. He'd done what he was told when he was told. If he didn't know how to do it, he waited until someone showed him. Things had been accomplished.

Eventful worked.

"Eventful... yes." He turned his head to gaze at the man beside him. He'd been quite helpful in the emergency room, capable of handling the multitude of tasks that had been given to him with ease. "I meant what I'd said over the network. I will compensate you for your time tonight... it's the least I can do for you taking the time out of your schedule to assist me."

The artificial lights glinted off of the other man's blood red hair, causing Solomon to pause in thought. Aya was a handsome man, but didn't seem to hold any of the arrogance that generally came along with such good looks. His demeanor was quiet, someone who listened easily to every instruction, obeying without question when he'd been told what to do. It was possible that Solomon could have use of him...

"Are you here in the City with family or loved ones, Mr. Fujimiya?"

Honestly, he could care less about the compensation. He's take it but he didn't care about it. It wasn't like he needed the money for hospital bills anymore. He wasn't even taking care of an expensive car either. The flower shop paid enough for him to have what he needed and enough for him to get an occasional book to read. Plus a treat for Edel every so often.

She enjoyed those.

The question made him pause. Ken wasn't a loved one and wasn't family. He was a coworker. Someone who might be considered a friend or something like that in some circles. He still wasn't sure if he could call him that. So, the answer was easy.

"No. I don't have anyone like that here."

"I see." He smiled sympathetically, knowing full well what it felt like to be alone in a strange place. "Ah, well... there's always time for that, if it's something you're looking for..."

Or sometimes even if one wasn't...

Solomon had never expected to have been accepted so warmly into Marishka's good graces, or even more surprisingly, to have the human child Shin call him family. But there it was...

The City had offered him closer bonds than he'd ever have expected. Of course he hadn't dared to hope things would have turned out so perfectly with his beloved Saya, but even there, things had turned out as well as could be expected.

"I take it you've been in the City long enough to get settled in... what is it that you do, if you don't mind my asking?"

What the hell was that supposed to mean? There's always time if he's looking... He frowned slightly but that quickly melted away as he rested his elbow on the table so his chin could rest on his hand. Calm as ever, he quickly decided he didn't care if Solomon knew what he did. It wasn't like he was going to tell him he was a deadly assassin who hunted down criminals because the police couldn't touch them.

"I'm a florist."

It wasn't even a lie. That was what he did here and back in Japan. He was good at it too. By now, he could deliver an entire coded message using nothing but a flower arrangement.

"I work in Doumeki's flower shop."

There were fewer fangirls here so at least he could enjoy it.

"A florist?" He blinked, surprised at the answer. This quiet, and withdrawn individual who rarely smiled... had chosen a career in flower arranging? Aya was certainly turning out to be quite a surprise, and Solomon could only wonder at how many other layers there was to this serious young human.

"You must have an artistic eye..."

Solomon's mind was rapidly coming up with a profile of the man beside him, weighing his apparent strengths and weaknesses carefully. If it was one thing he was good at, it was at judging another's character pretty accurately.

For a moment, he wondered how Solomon would react to the fact that he's also been a waiter, a pilot/flight attendant, and so many others jobs. Mostly because of his reaction to him being a florist. But the thought is gone just as soon as it came. He wasn't so sure about him having an artistic eye. Yes, he was good at what he did but he still doubted that.

"Maybe."

When he first started, he did it because to be in Weiss you had to work in the Koneko. He hadn't realized then that he would actually have a talent for arranging flowers.

"I don't pay attention to that."

"I hope that you don't mind my saying this, Mr. Fujimiya. But have you ever considered a different career?" He spoke softly, an idle comment filled with good intention.

Aya was a gifted young man who when given a task, did so with a single minded intensity and purpose. It was a shame he hadn't been a scientist, or else Solomon would have snatched him up for his own organization. But still, there was an untapped potential that the Chevalier could see quite well.

"I think your talents such as I've seen, would be wasted in the floral industry. Have you ever had any other interests?"

Genuine surprise showed on his face before he could cover it up. A different career? That's the first time anyone's mentioned that to him. Most were too afraid to say anything like that to him. He was always too cold and too uncaring.

He looked away as he considered the words.

"I read mostly. I wanted to be a teacher once. Things changed." His parents were slaughtered and his sister sent into a coma. He became an assassin to pay for her hospital bills. Now, she was awake and he was still an assassin. Anymore, he was just looking for a way to find redemption or death. The latter would probably come first.

His eyes focused on Solomon again. "I've never bothered to consider a future for myself since then."

Leaning against the table for support, he rested his head in one hand. "Well, there's no time like the present to rethink things. In fact, if you should need a hand with any new pursuits, I'd be happy to lend you whatever support you'd need." He smiled warmly, meaning every word.

Solomon had always been an excellent judge of character, something that had served him well throughout his life. Against both ally and foe.

Reaching his hand into the breast pocket of his doctor's coat, he pulled out a card. "Here. I want you to use this, Mr. Fujimiya. Contact me at any time whatsoever when you've determined what path you'd like to embark on. Or for anything else, for that matter. You were invaluable to me today, I'd like to repay the debt."

A card? He took it and looked it over. It had the standard things on it. A name, an address, a number. What he assumed to be the hospital number was on there too. But what caught his attention was the logo. ARTEMIS. That he studied for a moment. He rarely checked the Network. Mostly, he had things set to alert him to certain things. Otherwise, he mostly didn't care.

"What is ARTEMIS?"

He wasn't usually one for asking questions. However, he wanted to check before he even considered thinking about his future. Besides, why was Solomon showing such an interest in him anyways? As far as he knew, he hadn't given him anything to really be that fascinating.

He could be wrong.

He looked up at the man while he waited for his answer.

He returned the other man's gaze with a pleasant smile, pleased with how things were going. "ARTEMIS? It's my company..." It was possible that if Aya showed interest, he could find some entry level position somewhere... perhaps as an assistant to one of his other employees. In fact, the longer he thought about it, the more that it seemed like a good idea.

"I formed it when I first came to this City for the purpose of unlocking some of the mysteries that seem so prevalent here. For example..." He waved his other hand around in a vague gesture towards the center of town. "... what we're facing today, this sudden overwhelming lethargy that's inflicted most of the citizens."

He frowned slightly, brow furrowing. "Some 'curses' are far more detrimental, of course... but I don't care to have my body or mind tampered with under any circumstance, so I've made it my mission to find a way to stop it."

"The ARTEMIS Organization is a think tank of sorts."

A company that was formed to unlock the mysteries of this place. He couldn't help but to feel interested. If that company could find a way to get them all out of here then he could go back to Japan. Back to struggling through life there where at least most things made sense. Not everything but enough that he felt more comfortable. His eyes strayed back to the card he was holding.

ARTEMIS Organization. A think tank.

"I don't care to have my body or mind tampered with either."

A mission to stop it. He looked up to carefully study Solomon. He looked him up and down closely. A doctor who was doing this kind of thing wasn't exactly a normal thing where he was from.

Usually doctor's turned out to be insane and looking for immortality or something like that.

Solomon could feel the deal being cemented, despite the fact that he had only just now decided to make the young man an offer. "You know, with your skills at following directions, you could always consider coming to work for me."

It was about time he'd started another recruiting session in the City anyway. Of course, if things worked out, he'd have more than a job to offer the other man.

"I think I could find some sort of work for you as an assistant to one of my other employees. And it is interesting work. We have many different departments encompassing science, magic, technology, as well as medical. I'm sure that we could find something that would interest you. And who knows, maybe you'll find your true calling in one of them..."

His next question was an obvious one. All of this was clearly leading right up to it. This had somehow turned into a job offer and he wanted to make one thing clear.

"I have a job." That was the start of it. The next part was key. He wanted an answer too. "If I considered this, would I have to give it up?"

Surprisingly enough, he liked working in the flower shop. Flower arranging and so forth was relaxing. He was good at it. And here, he didn't have to deal with all the annoying high school girls who never bought anything and only wanted to start at the 'four hot guys in the shop'.

The idiots.

Soft laughter spilled from his lips, and he waved a hand dismissively in the air at the concern. "I doubt very much that that would be an issue. I myself, have three... No, as long as you are able to keep up on your work, there's no problem. You could even work part time, if you wish.”

He smiled pleasantly, happy that he'd stumbled across such a find. It looked like even in this city, Solomon's luck in business was holding out. “I'm really quite flexible, if the person I'm hiring warrants it...”

Ideally he would have had Van check out the man's background and references before even making him an offer. But Van wasn't here. And the way this City operated, it was highly problematic to research someone's past, let alone to have others vouch for their integrity. The simplest solution was to simply rely upon his own instincts... instincts that had rarely ever led him astray.

His smile widened, knowing how Van would have responded to his insouciant approach. Oh, what he would have given to have had his old friend by his side once again...

Solomon was very...pleasant. He didn't return the smile since he just didn't smile anymore and tucked the card away. It could be beneficial to work for this man. Apparently Solomon was interested in him for some reason. Even without knowing all of his skills. It might be best to let the man know before any decisions were finalized.

"Do you want to know what my skills are?"

He'd be surprised if the man didn't want them.

Peering over at Aya from the corner of his eye, he masked the eagerness in his voice. "I'm interested in anything that you're willing to divulge to me, Mr. Fujimiya..." There were many things that Solomon wanted to know about this mysterious new acquaintance of his... but such things typically took time. Thankfully, that was something that the Chevalier had a LOT of... as long as the City and it's fickle gods didn't have other ideas...

It was a pity that the curse striking the City's inhabitants wasn't currently one that compelled people to tell the truth. Then there'd be no need for these niceties...

Still, it was a pleasant way to pass the time, so he couldn't really complain.

Anything he was willing to tell him? That opened an interesting door. But fine. Some of the skills he had probably wouldn't be all that useful here but one never knew. The curses showed him that much.

"I can do some minor hacking, recall details, blend into just about anywhere, and pilot some aircraft. I can drive most land vehicles, have knowledge in all weaponry, and am skilled with the katana. I am fluent in several languages and understand the complexities involved in the business world." That last part was credited to his father. "I learn and adapt quickly to situations." This next part seemed useless to most. "I can send coded messages through flowers."

That would say he was more than a simple florist but he didn't care. And if Solomon wanted more details...he could ask.

Then he would decide if he answered or not.

“My my, Mr. Fujimiya. You are a most interesting man...” Once again it looked like luck had presented him with someone of intrinsic value, even if he wasn't yet clear on just how the human could fit into the overall plan. Patience was the key...

“A man of immense interests. That's good... very good. I suspect you'll go far continuing as you have... and I can see a bright future for you if you join us.”

How easy it was for Solomon to lose his focus, dazzled by the possibilities that lay themselves at his feet. It always came to this. The unique surprises that would captivate him and draw him into an entirely different direction. It was one of the things that exasperated Van to no end...

Still, there was time for pleasure later, once the deal had cemented itself and he had this man under his charge. Later, he could propose that they meet with one of ARTEMIS' shadow employees to see if his matchmaking skills could rival his business skills. It had been an idle agreement, one borne out of one of the more interesting curses that Solomon had suffered from. One that he certainly wasn't bound by, but it amused him to follow through anyway... and there were always plenty of fish in the sea if they didn't get along...

Edited 2009-05-25 19:14 (UTC)

A bright future. That wasn't very likely. Solomon wouldn't be able to understand that though so he refused to tell him. That was his own business and it didn't need to be shared.

"I'm not interesting."

At least, he didn't think so. He looked off to the side as if to avoid some truth in it.

"I'm just another person moving through the world."

Solomon laughed lightly, amused at the other man's modesty. "Oh come now, there's no need to be so dismissive of my compliments. You performed quite well in the emergency room as my assistant. I assure you, based on your abilities, I'm quite sincere in what I say."

He paused to take in a deep breath of the refreshing night air, allowing his words a few moments to sink in. Humility was considered the opposing virtue to pride, one of the 7 deadly sins. And for the most part, Solomon preferred it over arrogance. The only problem was if it stemmed from no self esteem at all...

His eyes slid over to examine Aya's reserved demeanor thoughtfully. It was unlikely that he had no pride in his skills. After all, if he truly felt he had no worth, he would never have accomplished all those things in the first place. "Tell me. How are you at basic fact finding? Such as... discrete background checks without the other person's knowledge?"

A daunting task considering the nature of the City they found themselves in.

Solomon probably thought he was being modest. Hn. He had no idea who he was even hiring. That was fine with him.

"I can do that."

It wasn't a job he usually had but he knew how to do it. He could manage it well enough.

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Log; Incomplete

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