((Sol is an adol))
Sol waited near the entertainers den, waiting for Ajani. There schedules were both so busy, they didn't have time for their little meeting. Today should be good though, once Ajani was done talking to his entertainer friends. When Sol first saw him with the other entertainers, he was tempted to join them. However, he realized how out of place he would be. He had nothing in common with them, other than Ajani. And even his relationship with Ajani was different then theirs. They could have been friends, but he knew that he blew it the moment he tried to black mail Ajani. Now they were something much more complicated.
He stayed silent as he watched Ajani with the entertainers, wishing they would hurry up. They were cutting into his talking time. After the last session they had together, he had felt to relaxed, at least for a little bit. A couple days later he became his arrogant, fighter self again. His thoughts were on his father, wanting to make him proud yet completely loathing him. Out of all the siblings he was sure he was most like his father. He had the same, cold yellow eyes that his father did.
Those eyes watched Ajani as the entertainer finally approached him. Sol let out a sigh of relief. He thought he would have to wait even longer. He quickly got up to walk with Ajani, when he felt the familiar pain of his new wounds. The pain was sharp and sent a jolt through his body. He flinched, but was able to get up. “About time geisha. I thought I would be waiting till dusk. You entertainers and your mouths. Just talk nonstop.”
Ajani had been talking with some younger entertainers, giving them suggestions for their upcoming performance. However it was difficult when the eyes of Sol was on him. He paid no attention to the young fighter, but instead focused on the current conversation. Ajani felt that Sol ought to learn how to be patient, that not everyone rushes. Once the conversation was over he made his way over to Sol, his steps more graceful than ever.
When he was called geisha, he gave Sol a smile. “Aw so you heard Sol. I am honored you would remember something so trivial. You probably also know that my time is more limited now. There are many missions that I have to go on.” He couldn't talk much about the mission of course. He would get into some serious trouble if he did.
Playfully, he licked Sol on the cheek, as if cleaning him. “Now now. Don't be rude to me. We are trying to build some trust between us. Insulting me and my fellow entertainers won't get you anywhere. Now come along. I am sure there is plenty for us to talk about. I'll have to admit that you are much more fascinating than I thought you were previously. You aren't just another mussel head.”
“Shut it. Look can we talk.” Sol said, impatiently. He didn't have time for Ajani's entertainer antics. All he wanted was to talk for a bit. He made his way into Ajani's den, going deeper so that no one could disturb them. “I thought about it and I think there is more I need to talk about. My father wasn't the only problem in my life before I came here. My mother, she was much worse then him, but in a different way.”
He let out a sigh. Rada had an almost angelic remembrance of their mother. Sol on the other hand did not. He found a comfortable spot and sat down. This would be a tougher conversation he was sure of that. This one wasn't his twisted relationship with his father, one filled with hatred and respect. But one that hardly existed. He lacked the relationship he should have had with his mother. The others had it, and most of them hung on to the hope of seeing her again. Sol however couldn't careless if he saw her or not. She had none of the attributes he thought a proper parent should have. There was absolutely nothing he respected about her.
“We talked last time about my father, I think I want to talk about my mother now.” He said with a frown. Last time he was able to figure out the traits he had gained from his father. This time he would need to do the same, but with his mother. He wasn't sure he would be able to do that. She was so different from him, almost the opposite.
Ajani had heard about Leenah from different sources. He was interested in hearing how Sol decribed her. From what he gathered she a kind hearted cheetah. “What was she like Sol. Did she treat you any differently since you were the youngest?” Ajani asked. Family life was different for these siblinglings. He would be careful about how he talked about the parents.
It was odd to think of having a distant relationship with a mother. Ajani had always been close to his own mother, to the point where he would tag along with her any chance he got. The idea that he would never know either of his parents frightened him. He had no idea how the cheetah siblings managed.
“What do you like about her. You liked your father's fighting, so there must be something about your mother that you like.” Ajani said, hoping that would help. He always imagined the father being the bad guy, and the mother being a sweet lady. However Sol had a twisted version of his father. Who knows how he interprets his mother.
This was going to be tough and Sol knew it. “My mom didn't treat me bad or anything. Father had that covered already. She was always busy trying to make sure we were all happy. However cause it was just her taking care of us, it was always easy just to get away from her and I did that a lot.” Sol explained. “I would go as far as I could from her, and eventually she would get my father to drag me back home. I never really understood her. She was nice to everyone, including my father who was horrible to us. I mean eventually she yelled at him, but then she left us to look for him.”
His memory of the even wasn't as clear, but that is what he thought happened and he was going to stick with it. “My father was always going to abandon us. I knew that at that young age. I didn't mind. I respected the guy, but I hated him more than anyone else. However she left us and never came back for us. What kind of mother does that?”
He tried to think of any good traits. “My mother was air headed, easy to manipulate and so simple. There isn't a single trait that I admire in that female. To think that I or any of my siblings got any of her traits would sicken me. Compared to my father she is as weak as they get. I feel lucky I ended up like I did instead of like her.”
To be kind was the strongest trait of all, Ajani thought. He didn't say so out loud though. Sol's mind set was so different from his own. Fighting strength was what Sol thought was the strongest trait was. Ajani wanted to help him with that, he wanted to show him that there was more to life than just fighting.
“Being kind isn't a bad thing Sol. Your mom sounds like she cared about you, that she had a strong heart.” Ajani said gently. “I think you have a soft spot in your heart, that you ignore. I think you are afraid to show that you love others because you are afraid of being like your mother.” It seemed to fit. However he knew his words would upset Sol. He didn't know how much though.
“I think you hate your mother because you feel like she abandoned you. She is probably out there looking for you still and someday you will cross paths with her again. I am sure of it.” Ajani promised. He really did want Rada and Sol to find their mother again. Even if it did take a couple more years, it would be worth it. He imagined Sol would maybe open up more.
Sol could feel his temper rising. “I do love others. I love Rada and you.” He said angrily. “But you are only on that list because you listen to me. It could have been anyone so you aren't special. I will not let anyone else in. I cannot love anyone else. Love is a weakness that I cannot afford to have. I already have so many flaws.
This was nothing like their session before. He didn't feel calm or relax. Whenever he thought about his mother he got like this. “I can't love anyone else because eventually they will leave me. I can't handle that. Not after mom. I will never let anyone abandon me again. I know Rada won't leave me. She can't we're twins. And you-”
He paused. Ajani could abandon him. There was nothing keeping him there. “You could leave me, but I am taking a chance that you won't” He said quietly, hoping that it would never happen. Ajani had so many traits he hated, yet there was a part of him that wanted to trust the entertainer. Rada trusted him, so shouldn't he? “Please just be with me, you don't have to be my friend, just listen to me from time to time. I- I don't think I can handle being alone anymore.”
Now that he had someone to rely on, his whole world had changed so much. He was relaxed at points. His view was different. Some of his memories were clearer. Ajani was helping him more than anyone else had. He did not want their relationship to die.
Ajani was taken aback by the outburst. It made more sense now. His mother abandoned him and so now he thinks others will do the same. How can you break a heart if you don't let anyone into your heart, Ajani thought. “I care about you as well. I have no intention of abandoning you. I have seen the real you, at least parts of you, and I want to continue being here for you. If you let me I will be your friend as well. You just need to understand that being a friend isn't a job. Understand?”
He didn't want either of them thinking they had to be friends. Ajani wanted Sol to want to be his friend instead. However, if they did become 'buddies' Ajani would still keep an eye out. He was sure that it would take Sol some time to understand what friendship was. It wasn't something that came natural to him.
“I also think that some dance lessons will help relieve some of your stress. I would like to teach you some moves. I also heard that dancing helps with fighting. It keep you nimble.” Ajani said with a nod of his head. “We will meet again and I want to see you dance.”
It was weird, but he didn't think it sounded bad being Ajani's friend. They were so different, that he thought that Ajani would never be his friend. However Sol frowned when Ajani mentioned dancing. “I don't dance. Dancing is for entertainers not fighters.” He said instinctively. Than he thought about it. This was his first friend. He did not want to blow it like that.
“However, I will make an exception. I will let you teach me how to dance. But only this once.” he said with a weak smile. He got up to leave. “Thank you Ajani. I think I might be getting better. When you are free I will come see you again. He wondered if he had spent more time with Ajani when he was younger how different their lives would have been. Maybe they would have been friends earlier on. Sol didn't think to much about that as he left.
Maybe there was hope for Sol after all, Ajani thought as the young fighter left. There was so much he could teach Sol. However, Ajani also felt that Sol could teach him a thing or to. He hardly ever talked to his clients, and instead just focused on dancing. Talking, emotions were also part of his job. With Sol's help he was sure he would get better at talking and communicating with his clients.
He was glad that he finally built a bridge between him and Sol. It wasn't the sturdiest bridge, but it was good enough. Day by day he would work on creating a stronger bridge between them and maybe then they could be true friends.
WC = 2,165
