Post by Bobbi on Sept 16, 2018 20:22:45 GMT -5
Sol talks to both Maxima and Maltez
Sol:
Uncomfortable would not have begun to cover how he was feeling about sitting in one of the palace's many small meeting rooms, but special invitations were special invitations and here he had the opportunity to sit face to face with Maxima Buffton. Half of him had wanted to decline the offer all together. What business did he have mingling with someone carrying the Buffton name after everything that had happened? And what reason would The Queen, of all people, have to extend an offer like that anyway? After everything.... the room was brightly lit, a small conference table cutting down the intimate space even further. This was a room meant for just a few people, and it only had one door. He'd seen many in his previous time in office as the Director of NavSec so it wasn't being there, exactly, that was making him judge the corners of the room as he waited, or fidgeting to glance at his chrono every three seconds. It was just a general sense of being in the wrong place. Simply put, he didn't belong where he was and the walls seemed close because of it. Once he caught mind of himself, after about the fifteenth time of watching the seconds tick away, Sol sat back in the chair he was occupying and shut his eyes. His hands lay flat on the table, and he focused on evening out his breathing before gently reaching for the stabilizing comfort The Force was beginning to offer him.
Max:
The wait wouldn't be as long as he might have expected. Within twenty minutes, the doorway was opening to allow a trio of beings to step through. First was Cassandra Day, the current Commander of the Guard, followed by Jin Silverdrake, the Queen's personal honor guard, both in their respective formal sets of armor.. followed finally by Queen Maxima Buffton herself. The woman bore a strong resemblance to a young Kara herself, blonde hair resting down her back in waves, dressed less regally than he handmaidens tended to like.. a deep purple nanosilk blouse with black skirt, purple leather pumps, and adorned with her royal crown, necklace, bracelet, and ring set. Both guards stepped to their respective sides and out of the way, allowing the Queen to pass them in. Jin, of course, would recognize Sol but the man would not speak.. knowing better.
Sol:
The door opening shook him from his attempt to find some inner peace. In that quick of a moment Sol was opening his eyes and pushing his chair back, rising as the guards entered the room. Jin was the only one out of the three that got a second look from Sol before he focused on Maxima. The resemblance she carried to Kara struck a flash of pain through his heart. The younger woman looked a great deal like the late queen, it would have been impossible to miss the resemblance having known Kara as he did. It took him a moment to find his voice to say "Your majesty," with a polite bow of his head.
Sol, himself, was wearing some sort of formal attire, picked out for him by Trinity to fit the occasion. His only request was that it have some blue to it, and she had agreed and found him something with a flash of dark blue accents around the collar.
Max:
"Solomon Tekal," Maxima replied with a bit of warmth to her voice, nodding her head in turn after his greeting. "Please, take your seat," she added with a gesture to the chair he just vacated, while stepping towards one across from him. "Thank you for meeting with me. I know with your history this likely isn't easy."
Sol:
A glance went to the guards before Sol was turning, reaching back for his chair and bringing it back toward the table as he sat, "Honestly, Highness, I was surprised to hear you wanted to talk with me."
Max:
The Queen sat in turn, making a dismissive motion when he first responded to her. "Please, call me Max. And I've wanted to talk to you ever since I was able to settle in here and fully understand your story. You played an integral role throughout our recent history."
Sol:
"I was," he stated shallowly, "And I had a hand in making a mess of things."
Max:
"From what I've read, the deck has been stacked against you from the beginning," she answered, giving a sympathetic smile. "But you tried to save her, Solomon. We know that. And most importantly, she knew that."
Sol:
Quietly, Solomon slipped his hands from the tabletop, resting his shaking fingers against his lap, "I," he swallowed, "Regret that I wasn't able to help her. I am sorry for the way things ended for her, and your family," he tipped his head Max's way gently.
Max:
"We all are," she agreed, giving a nod of her head. "And I am sorry for the way things ended for you as well. Both officially and unofficially. You deserved better, same as she." Soft smile there, sincerely worn.
Sol:
"I appreciate that, your -- uhm -- Max. But I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. Officially, and unofficially? I know I've been pardoned," he said with a breath, "And am being left to my peace with Lady StJames, but beyond that I don't know much more. What did your reports tell you?"
Max:
"I meant more officially as the government, and unofficially by me personally," Max replied. "And you are not only pardoned, but your standing as a loyal defender of the Crown was restored.. but retired, per your request to be left in peace." Another smile. "We do not want to impose on you any more than we already have.. this was more of a courtesy to introduce myself, give my apology, and to add this last point.. should you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask it. If it is within my ability to grant it, I will.. within reason." Slight Bufftonesque-grin.
Sol:
The further they drifted away from discussing Kara the calmer his unseen trembling hands became. It would be a long and slow healing process for everyone, he knew that and was in no rush to push that for himself. "Thank you," he replied kindly, a hint of a smirk ghosting against his expression, "and now that I know I may ask -- in the near future I will require some permits to not only import plant life from other systems, but to grow and keep them on my land -- with all proper precautions and safeguards in place to prevent damage to your beautiful planet's natural state, of course."
Max:
Max nodded quickly. "Of course. We can make the Palace botanist available to you, to ensure there are no risks for the local flora. Hapes has strict laws on such things, but she will be able to ensure you have no issues with this."
Sol:
"I appreciate that, Max, thank you," the smirk formed solidly and the. slid into a smile that was warm in its gratitude, "I also have one more request, but I'm not quite sure how smart it would be to make it given its nature." The smile was fading away, Solomon shooting a short glance toward where Day and Silverdrake were standing. He knew about Silverdrake, who the man was and why he was there. Day, Solomon had known just briefly and more so by name. He couldn't recall ever seeing her face to face before. Time, as it was, was muddled a bit in his memory. Not remembering her may just have been a symptom of that.
Max:
Inclining her head to accept the appreciation, she eyed him curiously from the next statement Sol made. "Please, feel free to ask," she encouraged. Jin caught that glance and returned it with a neutral expression, while Cassandra Day raised an eyebrow at the Tekal's wording. She was a tall woman with short black hair and dark brown eyes. Her ceremonial armor would be most recognizable to Solomon (gone were the mostly see-through armor pieces of Eve's reign) with a mixture of deep purples, silver, and a slightly modified version of Kara's Coat of Arms remade for the new Queen Maxima.
Sol:
"I would ask you to grant me a visit to see Maltez," eyes turning back toward Max, Solomon was no longer smiling, "Escorted in, and with a guard of your choosing present throughout. I would like to take the time to apologize to him for failing Kara. He was her father, I owe him nothing less."
Max:
Max's eyes widened a bit at that in surprise, while Cass once more raised an eyebrow. The Queen took a few moments to consider that thoughtfully before giving a slight nod. "I will make that happen, if you are certain you are ready for it. I've read some of the history between you two, and I know what he is responsible for."
Sol:
"I will never be ready," he told the queen across from him, "But ready or not, I need to see it done. For Kara." He could hear his brother's words inside his head when Maxima spoke. Darien had told him that sometimes the only way to be ready for something was to follow through with it. "I won't keep myself in there any longer than I feel is prudent, or your guard for that matter."
Max:
Another nod at his explanation. "Then it shall be arranged. How soon would you wish to make this happen?"
Sol:
"As soon as possible, if that's manageable." Getting it over and done with seemed like the best course. Having it linger would give him doubts, it would make him want to postpone the meeting and it would weaken his resolve once the moment actually arrived.
Max:
With that, Max turned her head fully to look to Commander Day, who gave a quick nod and spoke up for the first time. "A shuttle will be prepped and waiting for you by the time you reach the Queen's private docking bay."
Sol:
"Thank you, Commander," He said, focusing on Day for a moment before looking back toward Max, "And thank you, Maxima."
Max:
Day bowed her head, while Maxima smiled and nodded, before moving to stand. "I wish you luck finding closure, Solomon. And again, should you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask."
Sol:
When Max stood, Sol stood in an echo of response to her rising. Here, again, Sol bowed his head in respect, "I will be sure to do so, your majesty."
Buffton:
As promised, within the length of time required to make the walk, a royal shuttle was parked and waiting for Solomon Tekal, with a pilot and three security escorts. The trip would be rather short to the moon a few planetary systems away that held the maximum security prison used by the Hapan Palace.. the majority of which held the pirates from the recent occupation during the war, as well as the Hapans who assisted Jackel and those labeled as Imperial sympathizers.
Sol:
There was an unexpected sensation to come from taking that walk, and arriving at the prison. Somewhere within was a sinking, a slice of compassion for those who found themselves held within the place. However justified their captors were in holding these people prisoner, there was just a small part of him that felt bad for what these criminals were missing of their lives. It was just a shadow of a thought and then gone as he rose from where he had sat on board the shuttle to follow the security escorts out of the small ship. He had been unarmed when boarding the shuttle and was so unarmed when leaving. He kept everything about him the way it had been when he'd sat down to talk with Maxima, only straightening the clothing that was hugging the lines of his torso, smoothing out any wrinkles that may have appeared when he sat down.
Buffton:
Two guards remained with the shuttle while one escorted Solomon into the prison and through what felt like a labyrinth of security checkpoints, hallways, and passages. The long travel time would finally culminate to a large set of durasteel double doors, fully reinforced and fortified. The escort handed a datachip to one of the pair of Hapan guards standing outside just as she had to each previous checkpoint, which was scanned and verified, before a nod was given. The other guard entered a command into the console along with a retina scan, palm scan, and spoken phrase which would be in an older Hapan dialect and difficult to reproduce. The doors would begin to open a moment later, with the guard returning to her post, and the escort standing by Solomon to follow him in. Within, the cell would look very familiar to Sol.. that being of Maltez's office back on Haven.. just lacking any technology whatsoever, aside from the very obviously placed camera arrays scattered throughout the ceiling. The Buffton himself was found seated behind the large wooden desk, dressed in his usual suit, reading from a printed work.
Sol:
Solomon had been quiet the entire way through the labyrinth of checkpoints, letting his escort and the security officers of the prison do their jobs without interruption. Once there, though, and with the door opening he moved to step into the room, the Hapan security escort following with him. One step inside, and he laughed a bit while looking around, "Pardon me for saying so, Mr Buffton, but someone either really loves you, or really hates you." The cell looked like an exact replica aside from the very obvious lack of anything technology based beyond the overhead cameras that were positioned to see every corner of the office, and every centimeter of floor space. He gave one look around, but found himself swiftly settling on the form of Maltez Buffton across the room. For Maltez's eye, Solomon was not nearly in as bad of condition as he had been when they'd last seen each other. He was fit, and whole, and healthy looking. Rested and happy in appearance.
Buffton:
Maltez, in turn, wasn't able to hide his age as well as he had.. and those age lines were now visible for the man going on seventy. Long hair remained blonde, but the strength of color was no longer there, and the lack of attention meant it was in a ponytail almost exclusively. When the door opened, his eyes went in that direction and froze on the figure who stepped through.. silence holding until after Sol had spoken up first. The book was set down, all attention now on the visitor. "Tekal," he replied, voice giving away a bit of the tiredness that couldn't be hidden. "You survived. Congratulations." No grin with the statement, and no condescension either. It was flat but sincere. "And the answer is hated. Always hated." Slight humorless grin followed.
Sol:
From Solomon came a slightly thoughtful noise. He'd come in about five steps away from the door, and stayed there with his escort flanking him to his right. "There are ways to change that. Legal ways, humanitarian ways. I'm not here to give you a lecture on things you may already know, though," humor was there for a moment, touching his lips in a slight smile, "I came to say only one thing to you, Mr Buffton, and then I will leave you to your confinement."
Buffton:
That earned a quick laugh from the former Emperor. "If you think I have rights, you are still so very naive," he replied with a snark. Behind Solomon, the doors were closing with his escort standing to one side, a rifle set in her arms, pointing skyward in a military stance. Maltez eyed her ever briefly before turning to Sol once more, motioning with a hand towards a chair across from him. "I don't get many visitors, so please feel free to have a seat before you speak."
Sol:
"You'll forgive me if I decline the offer. Based on our last encounter, I believe it's best that I remain standing. I won't be here very long anyway." His humor had been dashed, erased from his features as the doors shut behind him, gone with Maltez's quick quip about naivety. "I want to tell you that I am sorry for failing Kara."
Buffton:
Eyeing Solomon for a moment, his expression was unreadable.. until the Buffton gave a nod and sat back in his seat. "Yes.. I was quite hoping you would be able to safe her. Never really had the faith.. but I hoped," he admitted.
Sol:
"She gave up. Vikas made her a promise, and showed her some power. She was too tempted and didn't resist. It was a fight I couldn't battle for her. I lost her because she lost herself."
Buffton:
"Is that what you think happened?" Maltez asked back, showing slight surprise.
Sol:
"In her last hours, that is what I saw. I saw her struggling, and overwhelmed. Lost in what Vikas and Angel were doing to her. I couldn't reach her through it."
Buffton:
"No.. That can't be right," the Buffton disagreed, shaking his head. "She wouldn't have given up. It must have been another way Vikas manipulated you."
Sol:
"How can you know? Vikas had a tight hold on her through that brand Angel gave your daughter. I nearly went mad just by dealing with her people. I can imagine it being a thousand times worse with her inside your daughter's head."
Buffton:
"Bufftons do not give up," Maltez answered simply, eyes no longer focusing on Solomon. "And you do not need to explain to me what Vikas was capable of. I saw plenty first hand, and felt effects of it myself." He paused there, casting a glance back towards the Tekal. "I wasn't always the most complacent partner, despite external appearances."
Sol:
"I do not doubt that, nor am I arguing against it," Solomon stated calmly, "Whatever happened between you and Vikas was between you and Vikas. And I am not saying that Kara gave up, I am saying that she was overwhelmed. And because she was overwhelmed, and I was overwhelmed, we hadn't a chance between us. That is my failing, one that resulted in the loss of your daughter."
Buffton:
"As appreciated as your sentiment is, Solomon Tekal, the failing is on myself and myself alone. She was ultimately killed because of me. Because I dared challenge Vikas, and attempted to handle Hapes my way." Maltez shook his head. "I chose Jackel because I knew he was so reprehensible that the Hapans would have no choice but to rally and overthrow him. I gave her that chance, and Vikas disapproved."
Sol:
Solomon's chin lifted in acknowledgement of that, "May the devil take us both, then, if Vikas doesn't stay gone."
Buffton:
"That we can agree on," the Buffton responded with a nod of his head. "Death would be preferable to ever seeing her again."
Sol:
"Yes, it would," Solomon's agreement was genuine before he cast a glance toward the Hapan female standing flanking him, "Hopefully, we won't need to count on that. You have a good day, Mr Buffton."
Buffton:
"I do hope that was sarcasm," Maltez murmured in reply to Solomon's cast off. "May the Force be up yours, and all that," he added with a wave of his hand, fully prepared to return to his reading material.
Sol:
There it ended Sol turning, with a smirk, to leave in stride with the security officer beside him.
Sol:
Uncomfortable would not have begun to cover how he was feeling about sitting in one of the palace's many small meeting rooms, but special invitations were special invitations and here he had the opportunity to sit face to face with Maxima Buffton. Half of him had wanted to decline the offer all together. What business did he have mingling with someone carrying the Buffton name after everything that had happened? And what reason would The Queen, of all people, have to extend an offer like that anyway? After everything.... the room was brightly lit, a small conference table cutting down the intimate space even further. This was a room meant for just a few people, and it only had one door. He'd seen many in his previous time in office as the Director of NavSec so it wasn't being there, exactly, that was making him judge the corners of the room as he waited, or fidgeting to glance at his chrono every three seconds. It was just a general sense of being in the wrong place. Simply put, he didn't belong where he was and the walls seemed close because of it. Once he caught mind of himself, after about the fifteenth time of watching the seconds tick away, Sol sat back in the chair he was occupying and shut his eyes. His hands lay flat on the table, and he focused on evening out his breathing before gently reaching for the stabilizing comfort The Force was beginning to offer him.
Max:
The wait wouldn't be as long as he might have expected. Within twenty minutes, the doorway was opening to allow a trio of beings to step through. First was Cassandra Day, the current Commander of the Guard, followed by Jin Silverdrake, the Queen's personal honor guard, both in their respective formal sets of armor.. followed finally by Queen Maxima Buffton herself. The woman bore a strong resemblance to a young Kara herself, blonde hair resting down her back in waves, dressed less regally than he handmaidens tended to like.. a deep purple nanosilk blouse with black skirt, purple leather pumps, and adorned with her royal crown, necklace, bracelet, and ring set. Both guards stepped to their respective sides and out of the way, allowing the Queen to pass them in. Jin, of course, would recognize Sol but the man would not speak.. knowing better.
Sol:
The door opening shook him from his attempt to find some inner peace. In that quick of a moment Sol was opening his eyes and pushing his chair back, rising as the guards entered the room. Jin was the only one out of the three that got a second look from Sol before he focused on Maxima. The resemblance she carried to Kara struck a flash of pain through his heart. The younger woman looked a great deal like the late queen, it would have been impossible to miss the resemblance having known Kara as he did. It took him a moment to find his voice to say "Your majesty," with a polite bow of his head.
Sol, himself, was wearing some sort of formal attire, picked out for him by Trinity to fit the occasion. His only request was that it have some blue to it, and she had agreed and found him something with a flash of dark blue accents around the collar.
Max:
"Solomon Tekal," Maxima replied with a bit of warmth to her voice, nodding her head in turn after his greeting. "Please, take your seat," she added with a gesture to the chair he just vacated, while stepping towards one across from him. "Thank you for meeting with me. I know with your history this likely isn't easy."
Sol:
A glance went to the guards before Sol was turning, reaching back for his chair and bringing it back toward the table as he sat, "Honestly, Highness, I was surprised to hear you wanted to talk with me."
Max:
The Queen sat in turn, making a dismissive motion when he first responded to her. "Please, call me Max. And I've wanted to talk to you ever since I was able to settle in here and fully understand your story. You played an integral role throughout our recent history."
Sol:
"I was," he stated shallowly, "And I had a hand in making a mess of things."
Max:
"From what I've read, the deck has been stacked against you from the beginning," she answered, giving a sympathetic smile. "But you tried to save her, Solomon. We know that. And most importantly, she knew that."
Sol:
Quietly, Solomon slipped his hands from the tabletop, resting his shaking fingers against his lap, "I," he swallowed, "Regret that I wasn't able to help her. I am sorry for the way things ended for her, and your family," he tipped his head Max's way gently.
Max:
"We all are," she agreed, giving a nod of her head. "And I am sorry for the way things ended for you as well. Both officially and unofficially. You deserved better, same as she." Soft smile there, sincerely worn.
Sol:
"I appreciate that, your -- uhm -- Max. But I'm afraid I don't know what you mean. Officially, and unofficially? I know I've been pardoned," he said with a breath, "And am being left to my peace with Lady StJames, but beyond that I don't know much more. What did your reports tell you?"
Max:
"I meant more officially as the government, and unofficially by me personally," Max replied. "And you are not only pardoned, but your standing as a loyal defender of the Crown was restored.. but retired, per your request to be left in peace." Another smile. "We do not want to impose on you any more than we already have.. this was more of a courtesy to introduce myself, give my apology, and to add this last point.. should you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask it. If it is within my ability to grant it, I will.. within reason." Slight Bufftonesque-grin.
Sol:
The further they drifted away from discussing Kara the calmer his unseen trembling hands became. It would be a long and slow healing process for everyone, he knew that and was in no rush to push that for himself. "Thank you," he replied kindly, a hint of a smirk ghosting against his expression, "and now that I know I may ask -- in the near future I will require some permits to not only import plant life from other systems, but to grow and keep them on my land -- with all proper precautions and safeguards in place to prevent damage to your beautiful planet's natural state, of course."
Max:
Max nodded quickly. "Of course. We can make the Palace botanist available to you, to ensure there are no risks for the local flora. Hapes has strict laws on such things, but she will be able to ensure you have no issues with this."
Sol:
"I appreciate that, Max, thank you," the smirk formed solidly and the. slid into a smile that was warm in its gratitude, "I also have one more request, but I'm not quite sure how smart it would be to make it given its nature." The smile was fading away, Solomon shooting a short glance toward where Day and Silverdrake were standing. He knew about Silverdrake, who the man was and why he was there. Day, Solomon had known just briefly and more so by name. He couldn't recall ever seeing her face to face before. Time, as it was, was muddled a bit in his memory. Not remembering her may just have been a symptom of that.
Max:
Inclining her head to accept the appreciation, she eyed him curiously from the next statement Sol made. "Please, feel free to ask," she encouraged. Jin caught that glance and returned it with a neutral expression, while Cassandra Day raised an eyebrow at the Tekal's wording. She was a tall woman with short black hair and dark brown eyes. Her ceremonial armor would be most recognizable to Solomon (gone were the mostly see-through armor pieces of Eve's reign) with a mixture of deep purples, silver, and a slightly modified version of Kara's Coat of Arms remade for the new Queen Maxima.
Sol:
"I would ask you to grant me a visit to see Maltez," eyes turning back toward Max, Solomon was no longer smiling, "Escorted in, and with a guard of your choosing present throughout. I would like to take the time to apologize to him for failing Kara. He was her father, I owe him nothing less."
Max:
Max's eyes widened a bit at that in surprise, while Cass once more raised an eyebrow. The Queen took a few moments to consider that thoughtfully before giving a slight nod. "I will make that happen, if you are certain you are ready for it. I've read some of the history between you two, and I know what he is responsible for."
Sol:
"I will never be ready," he told the queen across from him, "But ready or not, I need to see it done. For Kara." He could hear his brother's words inside his head when Maxima spoke. Darien had told him that sometimes the only way to be ready for something was to follow through with it. "I won't keep myself in there any longer than I feel is prudent, or your guard for that matter."
Max:
Another nod at his explanation. "Then it shall be arranged. How soon would you wish to make this happen?"
Sol:
"As soon as possible, if that's manageable." Getting it over and done with seemed like the best course. Having it linger would give him doubts, it would make him want to postpone the meeting and it would weaken his resolve once the moment actually arrived.
Max:
With that, Max turned her head fully to look to Commander Day, who gave a quick nod and spoke up for the first time. "A shuttle will be prepped and waiting for you by the time you reach the Queen's private docking bay."
Sol:
"Thank you, Commander," He said, focusing on Day for a moment before looking back toward Max, "And thank you, Maxima."
Max:
Day bowed her head, while Maxima smiled and nodded, before moving to stand. "I wish you luck finding closure, Solomon. And again, should you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask."
Sol:
When Max stood, Sol stood in an echo of response to her rising. Here, again, Sol bowed his head in respect, "I will be sure to do so, your majesty."
Buffton:
As promised, within the length of time required to make the walk, a royal shuttle was parked and waiting for Solomon Tekal, with a pilot and three security escorts. The trip would be rather short to the moon a few planetary systems away that held the maximum security prison used by the Hapan Palace.. the majority of which held the pirates from the recent occupation during the war, as well as the Hapans who assisted Jackel and those labeled as Imperial sympathizers.
Sol:
There was an unexpected sensation to come from taking that walk, and arriving at the prison. Somewhere within was a sinking, a slice of compassion for those who found themselves held within the place. However justified their captors were in holding these people prisoner, there was just a small part of him that felt bad for what these criminals were missing of their lives. It was just a shadow of a thought and then gone as he rose from where he had sat on board the shuttle to follow the security escorts out of the small ship. He had been unarmed when boarding the shuttle and was so unarmed when leaving. He kept everything about him the way it had been when he'd sat down to talk with Maxima, only straightening the clothing that was hugging the lines of his torso, smoothing out any wrinkles that may have appeared when he sat down.
Buffton:
Two guards remained with the shuttle while one escorted Solomon into the prison and through what felt like a labyrinth of security checkpoints, hallways, and passages. The long travel time would finally culminate to a large set of durasteel double doors, fully reinforced and fortified. The escort handed a datachip to one of the pair of Hapan guards standing outside just as she had to each previous checkpoint, which was scanned and verified, before a nod was given. The other guard entered a command into the console along with a retina scan, palm scan, and spoken phrase which would be in an older Hapan dialect and difficult to reproduce. The doors would begin to open a moment later, with the guard returning to her post, and the escort standing by Solomon to follow him in. Within, the cell would look very familiar to Sol.. that being of Maltez's office back on Haven.. just lacking any technology whatsoever, aside from the very obviously placed camera arrays scattered throughout the ceiling. The Buffton himself was found seated behind the large wooden desk, dressed in his usual suit, reading from a printed work.
Sol:
Solomon had been quiet the entire way through the labyrinth of checkpoints, letting his escort and the security officers of the prison do their jobs without interruption. Once there, though, and with the door opening he moved to step into the room, the Hapan security escort following with him. One step inside, and he laughed a bit while looking around, "Pardon me for saying so, Mr Buffton, but someone either really loves you, or really hates you." The cell looked like an exact replica aside from the very obvious lack of anything technology based beyond the overhead cameras that were positioned to see every corner of the office, and every centimeter of floor space. He gave one look around, but found himself swiftly settling on the form of Maltez Buffton across the room. For Maltez's eye, Solomon was not nearly in as bad of condition as he had been when they'd last seen each other. He was fit, and whole, and healthy looking. Rested and happy in appearance.
Buffton:
Maltez, in turn, wasn't able to hide his age as well as he had.. and those age lines were now visible for the man going on seventy. Long hair remained blonde, but the strength of color was no longer there, and the lack of attention meant it was in a ponytail almost exclusively. When the door opened, his eyes went in that direction and froze on the figure who stepped through.. silence holding until after Sol had spoken up first. The book was set down, all attention now on the visitor. "Tekal," he replied, voice giving away a bit of the tiredness that couldn't be hidden. "You survived. Congratulations." No grin with the statement, and no condescension either. It was flat but sincere. "And the answer is hated. Always hated." Slight humorless grin followed.
Sol:
From Solomon came a slightly thoughtful noise. He'd come in about five steps away from the door, and stayed there with his escort flanking him to his right. "There are ways to change that. Legal ways, humanitarian ways. I'm not here to give you a lecture on things you may already know, though," humor was there for a moment, touching his lips in a slight smile, "I came to say only one thing to you, Mr Buffton, and then I will leave you to your confinement."
Buffton:
That earned a quick laugh from the former Emperor. "If you think I have rights, you are still so very naive," he replied with a snark. Behind Solomon, the doors were closing with his escort standing to one side, a rifle set in her arms, pointing skyward in a military stance. Maltez eyed her ever briefly before turning to Sol once more, motioning with a hand towards a chair across from him. "I don't get many visitors, so please feel free to have a seat before you speak."
Sol:
"You'll forgive me if I decline the offer. Based on our last encounter, I believe it's best that I remain standing. I won't be here very long anyway." His humor had been dashed, erased from his features as the doors shut behind him, gone with Maltez's quick quip about naivety. "I want to tell you that I am sorry for failing Kara."
Buffton:
Eyeing Solomon for a moment, his expression was unreadable.. until the Buffton gave a nod and sat back in his seat. "Yes.. I was quite hoping you would be able to safe her. Never really had the faith.. but I hoped," he admitted.
Sol:
"She gave up. Vikas made her a promise, and showed her some power. She was too tempted and didn't resist. It was a fight I couldn't battle for her. I lost her because she lost herself."
Buffton:
"Is that what you think happened?" Maltez asked back, showing slight surprise.
Sol:
"In her last hours, that is what I saw. I saw her struggling, and overwhelmed. Lost in what Vikas and Angel were doing to her. I couldn't reach her through it."
Buffton:
"No.. That can't be right," the Buffton disagreed, shaking his head. "She wouldn't have given up. It must have been another way Vikas manipulated you."
Sol:
"How can you know? Vikas had a tight hold on her through that brand Angel gave your daughter. I nearly went mad just by dealing with her people. I can imagine it being a thousand times worse with her inside your daughter's head."
Buffton:
"Bufftons do not give up," Maltez answered simply, eyes no longer focusing on Solomon. "And you do not need to explain to me what Vikas was capable of. I saw plenty first hand, and felt effects of it myself." He paused there, casting a glance back towards the Tekal. "I wasn't always the most complacent partner, despite external appearances."
Sol:
"I do not doubt that, nor am I arguing against it," Solomon stated calmly, "Whatever happened between you and Vikas was between you and Vikas. And I am not saying that Kara gave up, I am saying that she was overwhelmed. And because she was overwhelmed, and I was overwhelmed, we hadn't a chance between us. That is my failing, one that resulted in the loss of your daughter."
Buffton:
"As appreciated as your sentiment is, Solomon Tekal, the failing is on myself and myself alone. She was ultimately killed because of me. Because I dared challenge Vikas, and attempted to handle Hapes my way." Maltez shook his head. "I chose Jackel because I knew he was so reprehensible that the Hapans would have no choice but to rally and overthrow him. I gave her that chance, and Vikas disapproved."
Sol:
Solomon's chin lifted in acknowledgement of that, "May the devil take us both, then, if Vikas doesn't stay gone."
Buffton:
"That we can agree on," the Buffton responded with a nod of his head. "Death would be preferable to ever seeing her again."
Sol:
"Yes, it would," Solomon's agreement was genuine before he cast a glance toward the Hapan female standing flanking him, "Hopefully, we won't need to count on that. You have a good day, Mr Buffton."
Buffton:
"I do hope that was sarcasm," Maltez murmured in reply to Solomon's cast off. "May the Force be up yours, and all that," he added with a wave of his hand, fully prepared to return to his reading material.
Sol:
There it ended Sol turning, with a smirk, to leave in stride with the security officer beside him.
