Session 42 - Aurelian and Sol's "date"

<table class="table-horizontal"> <tr><th>Timestamp</th><td>7/15/26, 1:46:05 ~ 2:26:09/end</td></tr> <tr><th>Drive Link</th><td><a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/19qAc_eXYx31udl31w9InoaYvg2v_hqd3pzrq8Nqn1WI/edit?usp=sharing">Ch7 S42: Aurelian and Sol's "date"</a></td></tr> </table> \[SOLOMON\] *Sol is the one who offered to treat Aurelian to dinner after Aurelian complained that Sol is the reason they fell. So I think at some point, Sol is going to text Aurelian,* Any thoughts on where you'd like to have dinner? *with a smiling angel emoji.* *And then he’s also gonna send,* I realize I don't know what cuisine you like. If you don't have any ideas, I can rattle some suggestions off to you. \[AURELIAN\] *…I think it is funny to just make him pay for something expensive.* \[KRIS\] *You could go to, like, a Brazilian steakhouse where it's $70 per person.* \[AURELIAN\] *I think Aurelian is a little silly. They’d like to just take out all their stress and anger on Solomon. So they want, like, something expensive.* You said it was your treat, right? \[SOLOMON\] Yeah. It is on me\! \[KRIS\] *Okay, are you going to a fancy steakhouse?* \[AURELIAN\] *Hell yeah.* \[SOLOMON\] *Wait, if Aurelian wants to go to the steakhouse, Solomon's gonna text back:* That sounds great. That was actually one of the suggestions I was going to make, especially since you seem extremely allergic to vegan food. \[KRIS\] *Okay. We are going to cut to you two sitting at a table for two at a steakhouse. We got some bread out ready for appetizers. But you guys can discuss what you need to.* \[SOLOMON\] I didn't know you liked steak. Or is this just you wanting to try something? \[AURELIAN\] I don’t. \[SOLOMON\] *I think Sol is amused at the idea of Aurelian doing the het thing of just getting the most expensive thing that she could possibly get. And so he's like,* Okay, so what do you like then? \[AURELIAN\] Food’s just sustenance. \[SOLOMON\] Angel, dear — we're working at a diner and you don't like food? \[AURELIAN\] …I'm not in charge of the food, per se. I have tried cooking for Emil, but it didn't seem to be to his liking, so… I don't think my capabilities for taste or cooking are that high. \[SOLOMON\] Okay, so instead of the \*food\* at the \*diner\*, you're instead in charge of... \[AURELIAN\] Management? …I'm aware of all the ironies within this. You do not need to state them. \[SOLOMON\] I'm just amused at them\! Can I not be amused? And speaking of amusement — how did you enjoy our time at the War Kings? That seemed like your first time getting absolutely blasted. You were a whole different person. \[AURELIAN\] *Aurelian goes very quiet. It's hard to tell if it's out of shame or if they’re just reluctant to answer. Maybe both.* \[SOLOMON\] Why, are you finding that it wasn't for you? \[AURELIAN\] Well... If it weren't for everything that had happened... \[SOLOMON\] Like you nearly killing a man? \[AURELIAN\] Well, to be honest— well, yes. But as I was saying... If it weren't for everything that had happened, it might honestly be quite the opposite. It's kind of nice not thinking. \[SOLOMON\] Yeah? \[AURELIAN\] I'm sure you've been having a lot of thoughts about everything hanging over us. \[SOLOMON\] Like what? \[AURELIAN\] Marlowe, Egelon, Greenhaven, Vanessa Ford, MOO — all of it. I mean, it's kind of why I agreed to this dinner with you. I thought it would be a good time to ask you about it. Compare our findings. \[SOLOMON\] That's true. It's good to know that you're also interested in this. On my side: it's hard to get any new information. But let's see, since the last time I talked to you... I actually had a chance to catch up with Eden. What did happen during that conversation… It seems like Kal, Eden, and Dmitriy — the humans — had been kept out of the loop from what Jophiel was doing. \[AURELIAN\] That's not surprising. \[SOLOMON\] Jophiel and Egelon had met before, which Eden did know about, in maybe the same way that we also heard Egelon briefly imply that as well. \[AURELIAN\] Yes, I was looking into it actually. Jophiel, being a very old archangel, seems to have roots in Marlowe since…about the 1800s? \[SOLOMON\] Oh, okay. Very old then. \[AURELIAN\] There's some old depiction of her in talks with a demon here in Marlowe. This might be going way more back than any of us really thought. \[SOLOMON\] Interesting. You know what she looks like? Jophiel? \[AURELIAN\] If you're talking about a face — no, I've never seen her face. I don't know if there's actually anything underneath there. But it's very clear it’s her if you knew her. \[SOLOMON\] Ah, I just meant to be asking if you personally knew her. I didn't want to assume that all the angels knew each other. \[AURELIAN\] Well, yeah, she was my mentor. \[SOLOMON\] So you were quite close. \[AURELIAN\] We were, yes. \[SOLOMON\] I see. Do you know anything interesting about Jophiel then? \[AURELIAN\] She is... She's very powerful. She's… She's always been good at keeping an eye on things, projecting herself across various locations. What kind of information are you looking for? \[SOLOMON\] Well, just the kind of person that she is, since it seems like you guys knew each other. It would be nice to know. We kind of know what Egelon is like. I have no clue what kind of entity Jophiel is at all. \[AURELIAN\] She's... She's very kind, I suppose. In the same way that all angels are kind. \[SOLOMON\] *(amused doubt)* Nnngh… okay\! \[AURELIAN\] Or I assume I should say nice, if we're mincing words here. \[SOLOMON\] But, I mean, you're miserable here and she hasn't checked in on you once. \[AURELIAN\] *She's very quiet.* She…has. It...didn't go very well for her, at least. \[SOLOMON\] Wait— if she’s “nice” and you guys are still in contact, is she not someone we can just ask what the fuck’s going on? What’s the problem here? \[AURELIAN\] We're… We're not in contact, she... Do you remember how in the train yard, there was an unknown angelic presence? And I was sent out to investigate it? \[SOLOMON\] Yes. \[AURELIAN\] …\*Do\* you remember this? You were also pretty out of it. \[SOLOMON\] Eh, I recall vague outlines of things. I know you weren't there, and I know that Emil went out with you and then came back mad at you, so... I can fill in the gaps and figure that you were probably out investigating. \[AURELIAN\] Well, yes, it was her. She was the presence. She thought I was in a pinch. \[SOLOMON\] Okay, so she is here. \[AURELIAN\] *And then Aurelian just kind of mutters underneath her breath.* I should have told her to just fuck off. \[SOLOMON\] You don't like her? \[AURELIAN\] I just can't imagine going back to heaven, not at this point. I'm not a devil like you, so I'll have to figure out my own source of magic after everyone gets out of the Deviled Egg. \[SOLOMON\] …I see. That makes sense. I'll keep an eye out for something you can use. \[AURELIAN\] Yes, I suppose if you knew any powerful demons or devils that would be willing to take me on, I would appreciate the lead. \[SOLOMON\] Well, that would have been me back in the day, but I guess I'm here too now. \[AURELIAN\] *….Aurelian’s really just, like, scrutinizing some of the— Aurelian doesn't like the implications of that.* \[SOLOMON\] Anyways, back in terms of information— so the first piece is that it seems like the humans are out of the loop. The second is that Vanessa Ford has met the War King before. I saw this when I looked into the strings of the War King. I didn't get to see any additional information, but they were talking before. So she really got around\! \[AURELIAN\] Don't— Okay. So she met with the War King and the Morax gang, she was planning for Cherry to attend gala with the Morax — \[SOLOMON\] — the coming gala — \[AURELIAN\] — and she has some relation to the Lombardis, and she was presumably assassinated by the Voron…. there’s a lot there. \[SOLOMON\] Hmm… Yeah, she must have crossed a few people while working in those circles. \[AURELIAN\] I'm sure. God knows why she did it. \[SOLOMON\] Yeah. Interesting… I'm surprised you're taking such an interest in Vanessa Ford. Well, I guess it is an interesting mystery in itself, but you just seem so disinterested in most things that it's amusing to see what catches your interest. \[AURELIAN\] Well... It's not entirely— I also benefit. She's connected to a lot of stuff here in Marlowe. And besides… I want Cherry to be alright at the end of this. \[SOLOMON\] That’s sweet. Cherry's your... sorry, are you still a guardian angel? \[AURELIAN\] Yeah, she was supposed to be my guardian ward. \[SOLOMON\] I see. \[AURELIAN\] I'm also… not entirely unconnected to Vanessa Ford either. I was supposed to give her something from Heaven, though I never did. \[SOLOMON\] Oh, what was it? \[AURELIAN\] Some artifact. I'm not actually sure what I was supposed to do. But given that she was, at best, in a tenuous relationship with Heaven, I'm sure it wouldn't have helped her. \[SOLOMON\] Wow, damn, everyone wanted to kill her. That's awful to hear. \[AURELIAN\] Apparently. \[SOLOMON\] *He goes silent for a bit, thinking about this.* \[AURELIAN\] *Is there wine at this table?* \[SOLOMON\] Oh, yeah\! Yeah, you should order wine. *I'm sure some of the idle talk is Sol rattling off what wines he thinks pairs well with these steaks. Some fucking obnoxious behavior like that.* \[AURELIAN\] I’ll take your recommendation then. \[SOLOMON\] *Yeah\! So, presumably they both have red wines.* \[AURELIAN\] *Aurelian’s gonna order the most expensive red wine.* \[SOLOMON\] *The most expensive Cabernet\! That's the thing that goes with ribeyes, which is what I assume they're having.* *Anyways\! Sol really wants to know:* So, what is going on with you and Kal? You nearly killed a man while high, but it wasn’t random. You nearly killed him because you thought it was Kal. Did she do something to you? \[AURELIAN\] I just... don't want them around here. Or around me. Or maybe even around. \[SOLOMON\] So your answer is to charge at her with a glass bottle? \[AURELIAN\] I was... not in the greatest headspace. \[SOLOMON\] Why don't you want her around? I mean, I don't know. I know she works with Greenhaven, but I have a fairly neutral view of her. She did let me get to you at Greenhaven twice without much fanfare. \[AURELIAN\] Let's just say I find her irritating to be around. \[SOLOMON\] Well, if you say so. If you have beef with her, sure. I can share in this with you too, if you want someone to accompany you\! \[AURELIAN\] This is not your issue. \[SOLOMON\] Alright. It just sounds annoying to hate someone when you're the only person hating them, but— your call\! \[AURELIAN\] I don't think of hating as a group activity— it's a very personal thing, no? \[SOLOMON\] I don’t know— I mean, we're presumably friends. If you don't like her, I can not like her too. I think it'll be entertaining beef\! I can just be like, ‘oh, sorry, my manager hates you’. \[AURELIAN\] *I just imagine that Aurelian is mid-sip of wine while Sol is talking, and when Sol says they’re “friends,” they choke a bit.* \[AURELIAN\] The way you describe our relationship as a \*friendship\* is very strange to me. \[SOLOMON\] What? Okay, then what do you want to describe it as? \[AURELIAN\] I’m not \*completely\* oblivious. I don't know what kind of thing you have had going on with Emil. \[SOLOMON\] *Sol definitely visibly winces at that.* *But he's gonna be like,* Well, okay, what about it? \[AURELIAN\] I don't know, I just thought everyone in the diner were just coworkers and friends. I guess, I suppose your definition of “friendship” could contain...physical activities. \[SOLOMON\] *He's like pinching the bridge of his nose.* \[AURELIAN\] I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. \[SOLOMON\] Sorry— why?? \[AURELIAN\] *She just kind of motions around her.* You're a type of person, I guess. \[SOLOMON\] …Wait. I heard several things there, and let me clarify them one by one. I think you're implying that Emil was obviously my type, which is actually, historically, not true. \[AURELIAN\] I meant the kind of \*person\* you are, to engage in these sorts of things. \[SOLOMON\] *(defensively)* Okay, and what kind of person \*am\* I? \[AURELIAN\] The kind of person who frequents a Las Vegas casino? \[Sol\] *(lightly)* …True\! And I lived there, I didn't just frequent there. \[AURELIAN\] Sure, the kind of person who lived at a Las Vegas casino. \[Sol\] Well, yeah. I enjoy exploring and taking part in life's pleasures\! What can I say? Second clarification. Re: “friendships can include physical activities”— sure?? Though, let me assure you that— I think it is obvious that Emil and I are not like that anymore. And hopefully, with time, we would go back to the kind of friendship that you have described. As you said, without ““physical activities””. … Sorry, you just said a whole bunch of things at me, and it just really reminds me of the fact that you're an angel who’s new to all this. Anyways, what else can I say? It happened, and it will not in the future. \[AURELIAN\] It's probably for the best. \[SOLOMON\] Excuse me? And why is that, Aurelian? Why don't you think it's for the best? \[AURELIAN\] *Aurelian kind of chuckles a bit.* I think that Emil would be wasted on you. \[SOLOMON\] … *He is so flabbergasted by this.* \[AURELIAN\] Why, you don’t think so? \[SOLOMON\] … … Sure. Fine. He seems to think so, too. \[AURELIAN\] *….Now Aurelian feels slightly bad. That was, like, slightly uncomfortable. They didn't think he would just agree. Okay, Aurelian is gonna do some damage control.* Anyways, it's not like you have a lack of options anyways, I'm sure. \[SOLOMON\] *Sol's trying so hard to parse— Sol's genuinely, like… is Aurelian slut-shaming me or trying to hit on me in a weird way? Because from his point of view, Aurelian simultaneously said, I think Emil’s too good for you, but also, you're hot enough that you probably have options. Like, how’s Sol’s supposed to interpret— the mixed signals\!\!* Oh, sorry, I wasn't aware of these many options that you seem to know of. But thank you for the flattery? \[AURELIAN\] You're welcome, I suppose? Just, try to keep… \*whatever\* *(wavy hand motion)* … out of the diner. I suppose I can't actually enforce this, but... \[SOLOMON\] Why do you want to— You want it completely out of the diner? You're not even a little bit curious? \[AURELIAN\] Curious about \*what\*? I just don't want anyone in the diner to get hurt, okay? \[SOLOMON\] Who said anyone's getting hurt? It's a fun thing\! \[AURELIAN\] I don't know, you seemed to be pretty heated with Emil, so. I just don't want that kind of tension. \[SOLOMON\] The diner's been— There's always going to be some sort of infighting within the diner, with or without this particular kind of tension. I think you're trying to ban something you don't even know anything about. You're not even a little curious? \[AURELIAN\] *Aurelian’s so like— What the fuck are you talking about?* Curious about what? What happened between you and Emil? I don't really need the details on that. \[SOLOMON\] Ugh, I don't mean the details on \*that\*. Have you ever loved anyone before, Aurelian? \[AURELIAN\] No. Not in the romantic sense that you’re thinking of. And you have? \[SOLOMON\] …Perhaps. I have been terribly fond of people before. \[AURELIAN\] Color me surprised then. \[SOLOMON\] Why. \[AURELIAN\] I just thought you were more hedonistic than that. \[SOLOMON\] The two have nothing to do with each other. Loving can be enjoyable. If you haven't before, I can show you. How would you like to spend the night at my place? \[AURELIAN\] *Let me think about my answer. Okay, I'm trying to imagine how drunk Aurelian is at this point. Cause like, I'm trying to think— I feel like— I need to justify this to myself. And to the audience.* \[KRIS\] *I think you have two traumas. You're unstable\!* \[AURELIAN\] *If I sleep with Solomon, can I get experience from being unstable?* *I think Aurelian's initially gonna look very taken aback, cause I think they’re not completely stupid, and they realized Sol could’ve been hitting on them, but then they're like eh.* Is it better than being high? \[SOLOMON\] Yes. But see for yourself\! \[AURELIAN\] Sure, I'll try it.