Under the light of the stars, Solomon stands in St. Paul's Cemetery. His inhanced senses give him constant feedback about his enviroment. He can smell the dew on the grass. He can hear birds roosting in the Cathedral roof, shifting this way and that in their nests. He can see cracks in the grave stones, even under such feeble light. He moved not a muscle as his dark, tattered cloak undulates in the wind. His razor sharp longsword is gripped tightly in his hands. The moonlight shines off of it, casting spots of light on a near by grave. The spots do not dance or shake or wobble. They stay perfectly still. Solomon moved not a hair.

Suddenly he reverse his grip, slashing diagonaly upwards. The Falcon Stoops. He reverse his grip again, blade moving forward in a quick thrust. Hummingbird Kisses the Honeyrose. He drops to one knee, delivering a high thrust, then follows through, stepping forward and pivoting to a guard position. Kingfisher Takes a Silverback. His sword arcs upwards. As we swings he rises from his knee to a standing position. Arc of the Moon. He tucks and rolls, coming out with a mid-level slash. Black Pebbles on Snow. He then does a half spins, half cartwheel, sweeping his sword high before him, then low behind him. Cat Dances on the Wall. He stabs out in a series of quick, chest high jabs as he side steps around a grave stone. Creeper Embraces the Oak. He does a double slash, weaving his blade pasts his body twice. The Falling Leaf. He then raises his sword over his head in an exaggerated pose, leaving his body undefenable. He holds for a heart beat, then slashes down powerfully. Heron Spreads Its Wings.


He continues to side step in and out of grave stones, thrusting this way and that with his deadly blade. Every now and then he reverse his stance, or tumbles through the grass, fending off imaginary opponets. He continues his endless martial training long into the night. He knows that very soon, his life will depend on it.  

--Last edited by Solomon on 2008-06-05 23:22:23 --

Late that night, as a cool fog settles in the graveyard, a battered black van rumbles noisily through the churchyard gate, grinding to a halt close to the graveyard.
The engine loudly wheezes, gurgles, and finally sputters off, releasing plumes of black smoke from the hood and exhaust.

The doors swing open and Betty steps out from the driver's seat cursing the engine, while Leon looks on quietly as she kicks one of the tires.

She says to him, "i swear, this van has got to go... it is such a piece of crap, i'm soo tired of dealing with its 'mood swings' in the middle of the day when your sleeping, Leon."

Leon just shrugs her exclaimation off, saying, "well i dunno what you want me to do about it... i mean, it's been running just fine for 40 years... i don't think we'll be able to find something like that again, with the way corporations are acting today."

She glares at him for a moment, while he turns to survey the graveyard.

Spotting his aim, he turns back to Betty, "you got everything with you, babe?"

"yeah Leon, I got it.." she replies, "lets go get this over with... you know how this place makes me feel."

With that, the couple begins walking into the graveyard, respectfully stepping around old flowers and wreaths.

They soon come to a modest gravestone marked with the rustic name, Samael Mortimer Paige.
Both kneel before it, quietly remembering days long past.
Betty gently sets out a bouquet of crimson roses, holding back tears and mourning her father's memory.

The moment headlights come into view, Solomon ceases his exercise and obfuscates.

He watches as the couple approach a grave and begin to mourn. He slips close, so that he has a good view of the visitors. He woul not disturb someone in so private a moment, but he is curious about who has come to his cemetery, at such a strange hour. He is not suprised when he recognizes Leon Banks, the kindred musician, and his pretty little sidekick.

He keeps a silent vigil as they grieve.  

--Last edited by Solomon on 2008-06-05 23:25:52 --

  Leon stood back, allowing Betty to have her time to grieve.

He too mourned, Samael had been Leon's closest friend and confidant for many years, before everything changed and Leon was drawn into his fate, to walk the lonely nights, never seeing the sun's majestic light.

He missed that more than anything in life, he dreamt of bathing in the sun's warm rays, walking through fields and forests without a care in the world...
But he could not go back to that life now, he was trapped by his quick decision and felt doomed to only dream of the life he had lost.

But he kept his promise to Samael, to watch over his daughter and protect her from harm.
So he stood back and watched over her, with caring eyes, while she grieved the father fate had stolen from her during her youth.

and after she'd had her time, she stood up and the mournful couple began walking quietly back to their van...

Solomon steps from the shadows of a nearby stone construct, dismissing his obfuscate.

"Greetings."

Betty screams, "Eeeek!!!" and jumps like a startled cat.
Leon catches her, "it's okay babe, i know this guy."

"you're Soloman, right?" of course, he already knew the answer, who could forget a dude with a metal mask...

"You gave Betty a good scare, but I remember you saying something about living here, during court... I guess Carter must like you, to allow such a thing."

He extends his hand, in greeting.  

As Leon speaks, Betty has maneuvered behind him, like a child hiding from a stange new adult, peering out shyly, trying not to stare at the strange mask.

"Please do not be afraid, miss, I mean you no harm. I am a good man of just action. No one should ever fear me... except those wicked ones who would defile all that is honest and innocent... but, no, please, be not scared..."

He steps towards Leon and shakes his hand.

"And you are Leon Banks. I enjoyed your show immensely. I hope that I will have the pleasure of seeing you preform again soon. If you are ever interested, the cathedral has an enormous pipe-organ. With no one but me around at night, I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem if you wanted to try it out sometime."

"Indeed", Leon smiles, "A pipe organ is truly a fine instrument, I will most certainly take you up on that offer, one of these nights."

Betty also smiles, she hasn't heard Leon play a real pipe organ for many years, and knows how happy that would make him.

"Have you learned anything about the Sabbat who menace our fair town? or have you been keeping your head out of the line of fire also?"

"I had a confrontation at the abandoned Asylum with Sabbat monsters. After I rallyed allied forces, the fiends demolished the building... I attempted persuit... and... I... I do not know... I used much will and much blood and my memories are jumbled."  

--Last edited by solomon on 2008-07-30 23:54:28 --

"and from great stuggle comes the greatest of victories," Leon responded quietly, "it is good, to force the enemy to flee, so let it be, that our struggle shall be greeted by victory."

as he finishes his thought, betty smiles shyly, again impressed by the rare wisdom of her protector... in her mind, she thanks her father for leaving her in the care of such a man...

"and should the enemy ever trespass, here in your adopted home, you can call on me, so that you should not be forced to face them alone."

"Noble words worthy of a king."

Solomon bows to the pair.

"I shall remember them well. If ever you need it, my sword is yours... but for now, I must return to my training. Fare the well."

"and may the pale moon's light hold you, for all time, in her warm embrace." Leon bows, nudging Betty, who courtseys, and smiles at Solomon, greeting his eyes with a sparkle, reflecting the shine of Luna's gaze.

Both turn away, gracefully, to return to their dusty, busted-up van.

As they reach the van, Solomon can hear Betty say, loudly, to Leon, "I am serious, this van has gotta go, it's just an accident waiting to happen."

and, Leon, biting his toungue, replies softly, "we'll see about that, when these gigs start paying..."

Solomon watches them drive away, thinking of a mournful song he heard long ago. Turning, he weaves his way back among the grave stones. His training will continue long into the night.