"Where would be the fun in that?" Solomon asked quite directly without any veneer of innocence or brightness at all, but with a slightly twisted smile. It was sardonic and self-deprecating at once. "I think Ireland's in a good enough state to spare me a few minutes of personal time."
Up close, now he could actually see properly, he could see there were hues in Tenebrae's stone he could never have seen before. There was more depth to Craven, as well; not just ants, but an anthill, or perhaps a termite-mound--a large one. Monumental and fragile at once. But it was Quiver's soul that interested him now. Solomon and Quiver had never really spoken much, previously. He was a man Solomon had respected, because unlike most idiots he actually considered his opinions.
That was why his soul looked the way it did. That was why he had understood Saint Gabriel's implication at all, and why it had had the effect it had. Solomon knew what kinds of things Quiver was wondering, without the basic understanding Solomon had had. If angels were real, what about God? What did it mean for the Passage? Should he care?
Did he want to?
Solomon made sure not to spend more attention on Quiver than was needed. The man was in a very difficult place.
"No, Auron," Solomon said mildly, looking back at the man with those unfocussed eyes. Eyes that saw far, far more than anyone would want. He didn't know it, but when he actually looked properly at a person's soul, he seemed as if he was staring into them. "I just want you to remember in the future that, whatever happens, you made me the man I am today." He smiled, a slow smile not smug but assured. "And you may wish you hadn't."
With a light squeeze of Valkyrie's shoulder he turned to step away, but then as if in idle remembrance, he stopped to say back over his shoulder, "Oh, yes. Gabe wanted me to tell you that anytime you like, you can invite him in for some of your exceptional hospitality."
It sounded like a taunt. A threat. A reminder, of what the 'cowboy' knew--whatever it was. The Archangel hadn't specified; only said to ask Skulduggery. But as if by chance, Solomon's glance fell on Quiver, resting on him just a split second longer than was necessary. Ash billowed.
Solomon turned back around and let Valkyrie guide him away.
no subject
Up close, now he could actually see properly, he could see there were hues in Tenebrae's stone he could never have seen before. There was more depth to Craven, as well; not just ants, but an anthill, or perhaps a termite-mound--a large one. Monumental and fragile at once. But it was Quiver's soul that interested him now. Solomon and Quiver had never really spoken much, previously. He was a man Solomon had respected, because unlike most idiots he actually considered his opinions.
That was why his soul looked the way it did. That was why he had understood Saint Gabriel's implication at all, and why it had had the effect it had. Solomon knew what kinds of things Quiver was wondering, without the basic understanding Solomon had had. If angels were real, what about God? What did it mean for the Passage? Should he care?
Did he want to?
Solomon made sure not to spend more attention on Quiver than was needed. The man was in a very difficult place.
"No, Auron," Solomon said mildly, looking back at the man with those unfocussed eyes. Eyes that saw far, far more than anyone would want. He didn't know it, but when he actually looked properly at a person's soul, he seemed as if he was staring into them. "I just want you to remember in the future that, whatever happens, you made me the man I am today." He smiled, a slow smile not smug but assured. "And you may wish you hadn't."
With a light squeeze of Valkyrie's shoulder he turned to step away, but then as if in idle remembrance, he stopped to say back over his shoulder, "Oh, yes. Gabe wanted me to tell you that anytime you like, you can invite him in for some of your exceptional hospitality."
It sounded like a taunt. A threat. A reminder, of what the 'cowboy' knew--whatever it was. The Archangel hadn't specified; only said to ask Skulduggery. But as if by chance, Solomon's glance fell on Quiver, resting on him just a split second longer than was necessary. Ash billowed.
Solomon turned back around and let Valkyrie guide him away.