There was nothing quite like an established jester Archangel losing their accent and lighthearted tone to stiffen the atmosphere so far, so completely, that everyone would very likely feel as if they were suffocating. Skulduggery couldn't, of course, but he felt the weight as well. Particularly since none of them knew Raphael as well as they'd gotten to know Gabe over the last few days, that weighty atmosphere was suddenly much heavier.
Maybe it was because Skulduggery had some of the angel's memories forcibly injected into his head, or - more likely - because it was how he was used to handling himself, but the weight didn't adversely affect him. He'd have been taking all of this seriously enough either way.
"I'll do it."
It surprised Skulduggery just as much as it surprised most everyone else, give or take a few - including Solomon himself, it seemed. And while an explanation eventually presented itself, Skulduggery didn't quite buy it. Not completely. If Merlin's apparent memory had been all that spurred Solomon into volunteering, the ex-Necromancer would have taken his words back the instant he realised it.
Solomon was becoming everything Skulduggery saw in him back before his Surge. Before he made his choice and unknowingly suffered for it. Of course, that was nearly four hundred years ago now; even for sorcerers, that much time couldn't be ignored. Especially for sorcerers. If anyone knew how much a man could change within the space of a day, it was Skulduggery, and he was no hypocrite; he'd give Solomon the benefit of the doubt. And he'd fight like hell to keep people like Tenebrae from snatching this second chance away from Solomon before he could use it for himself however he saw fit. That didn't mean Skulduggery had to like it.
"I agree," he murmured, because he did. If nothing else, Solomon had always been mentally capable. "Do you feel up to making the attempt now? If it's been a year, I doubt Mr. Bliss would mind waiting a few more days if it meant you were more prepared."
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Maybe it was because Skulduggery had some of the angel's memories forcibly injected into his head, or - more likely - because it was how he was used to handling himself, but the weight didn't adversely affect him. He'd have been taking all of this seriously enough either way.
"I'll do it."
It surprised Skulduggery just as much as it surprised most everyone else, give or take a few - including Solomon himself, it seemed. And while an explanation eventually presented itself, Skulduggery didn't quite buy it. Not completely. If Merlin's apparent memory had been all that spurred Solomon into volunteering, the ex-Necromancer would have taken his words back the instant he realised it.
Solomon was becoming everything Skulduggery saw in him back before his Surge. Before he made his choice and unknowingly suffered for it. Of course, that was nearly four hundred years ago now; even for sorcerers, that much time couldn't be ignored. Especially for sorcerers. If anyone knew how much a man could change within the space of a day, it was Skulduggery, and he was no hypocrite; he'd give Solomon the benefit of the doubt. And he'd fight like hell to keep people like Tenebrae from snatching this second chance away from Solomon before he could use it for himself however he saw fit. That didn't mean Skulduggery had to like it.
"I agree," he murmured, because he did. If nothing else, Solomon had always been mentally capable. "Do you feel up to making the attempt now? If it's been a year, I doubt Mr. Bliss would mind waiting a few more days if it meant you were more prepared."