ꜱᴏʟᴏᴍᴏɴ ʟᴀᴜᴛᴇʀ

Wilbur knew well enough that the mayor could call on security at the drop of a hat, but he wasn't worried. He knew his presence would be intriguing alone and he knew that he was about to spark interest. Maybe some fear and anxiety, but he wasn't here to toy or play games. He wanted to know what Solomon knew about the Book beyond its use he'd had of it. He needed to know if anyone else ever knew of the book. Perhaps it would come off as obsessed, but was he not? In the wrong hangs-- like a certain witch.... that book could be powerful against his Gods. He had to find it and he would take it by force if he had to.

He waits for the mayor to take a seat, eyes locked on the man as he watches him a moment. He chuckles lowly, "Oh, I'm not someone who is lookin' to cast their approval for you into a hat." He didn't care if that hurt his chances, he wanted to be pointed, "Let's just say I was sent by someone who knows quite a lot about you, Mr. Mayor. Someone who knows your deepest of secrets and rather misses your loyalty and sacrifices." His smile stays transfixed to his face almost venomously like a snake waiting to attack, "Y'see, Mr. Mayor, I'm lookin' for somethin' I know you had last in this here town. A book and I don't have to tell you the name of it for you to know which one I speak of, especially after mentioning my friendy-wend."

solomon listens intently , intrigued by the stranger -- and his lack of pretenses. though , he does wish he had managed to grab a cup of coffee before sitting down. or maybe a thumb of whisky. eyes watch the other man intently , but soon they widen. he does his best to keep his reactions imperceptible , to reign in the evidence that his heart has started to beat faster , that sweat was itching to erupt from his hairline. it takes quite a lot to strike genuine fear in the mayor of hatchetfield. stress ? of course. mild panic ? certainly. but honest to god terror , now that's a feat. but that's exactly how he feels as the man speaks of sacrifices. and then , of course , a book. the hand on his desk remains flat , but hidden behind the mahogany , his other hand is a fist so tight , his knuckles are turning pale.

give that to me! where did you find this?!

do you drink coffee or tea?

sorry– am i crazy, or have we met before?

do you trust me enough to close your eyes?

when were you planning on telling me?

at the risk of being a cliché, do you want to get out of here?

can i convince you to stay the night?

do i look like someone who knows what that means?

would you consider giving me a second chance?

do you really think that's helpful right now?

would you mind showing me around?

do you ever plan on forgiving yourself?

are you thinking what i'm thinking?

can we ... go out and do something crazy?

why are we whispering?

who exactly are you, anyways?

can't we just be civil for a minute?

does the past ever keep you up at night?

if you have nothing to hide, what's the problem?

how long has it been since i saw you last, [ name ]?

did the power just go out?

are we still doing the thing where we pretend not to care?

how should we celebrate?

can we just ... start over?

why is this so important to you?

how was i supposed to know that?!

do you want me to stay? it doesn't have to mean anything.

where are you? nobody's heard from you.

can you help me zip this up?

why do these things always happen to me?

you don't secretly hate me, right?

can i get you something to eat? –or drink?

ready to see what i've been working on?

where have you been disappearing off to?

what's that perfume you're wearing?

you're laughing?! do you really think this is funny?

are you planning to stay for dinner?

did you think it was going to be easy?

you see where you went wrong, don't you?

when did we become so cold and distant?

who are you working for?

did you really do all of this for me?

can i open my eyes yet?

haven't you heard the stories?

[ name ], what are you doing here?

what's it gonna take for you to trust me?

do you believe people can change?

how about we catch the ten o'clock showing?

don't you remember what happened last time?

why is it so unbelievable that i'd want to help you?

you're [ name ], aren't you?

who did this to you?!

how did you know i'd be here?

what's that supposed to mean?

do you think i'm irredeemable?

what kind of mess have you gotten us into?!

do you see anything you like?

what do i owe you for the food?

why won't this stupid thing work?!

does tonight really have to end?

holy shit. can you believe we really pulled that off?!

i can tell you're upset, [ name ]. what happened?

how long have you been standing there?

do you ever wish you could just ... run away?

haven't we been here before?

wait, shush ... did you hear that?

did i miss today's newsletter or something?

can we put our differences aside for a second?

what are you getting out of this, exactly?

you'd tell me if something was wrong, right?

are you willing to bet on it?

would you kill for me?

what made you think that was okay?!

do you believe people can change?

what's the worst thing you've ever done?

you were going to leave without saying goodbye?

[ name ], can you sit up for me?

can i kiss you?

where are your keys? you're not driving like this.

how's life been treating you?

where have you been?!

aren't we supposed to be alone tonight?

aw, has someone had a little too much to drink?

where are you going with this?

are we really doing this right now?

have you eaten today?

can i crash here for the night?

how did you learn to lie so well?

can i at least buy you a drink?

where should i meet you?

is that  ...  blood?!

are you trying to make me jealous right now?

what’s your problem? you're acting weird.

[ name ], you're ... real, right?

where’s your sense of adventure?

do you like horror movies?

what are you trying to prove?

can you give me a ride?

do you have any idea what you've done?

shouldn't you answer that?

why should i be the one to calm down?

have you been up all night?

why are you lying to me?

is that my [ jacket / hoodie / shirt ]?

what are you so afraid of?

do you want to grow old with me?

you’re gonna walk away from this?

are you nervous? your hands are shaking.

where am i supposed to go?

how many fingers am i holding up?

you want me to just walk away from this?

[ name ], slow down– what's wrong?!

are you embarrassed of me?

what's that smell? something's burning.

how can i make it up to you?

why can't you stay out of it?

is this some kind of trick?

come on, what do you have to lose?

do you ever still think of me?

idiot. why didn't you tell me?!

can we stop and think about this rationally?

how long has it been since you’ve slept?

what's your ideal first date?

are you ready to tell me the truth?

i almost died, and you're laughing?

what do you mean, "sort of"?

can we just stay like this forever?

when can i see you again?

can we put this behind us?

oh ... you thought of me first?

where did you learn to do that?

oh my god,  are you bleeding?!

where are you?  nobody’s heard from you.

[ name ], are you drunk?

how can i make this go away?

someone's jumpy today. are you feeling okay?

are we safe here?

what can i do to convince you?

what could possibly go wrong?

you have no idea who i am, do you?

how do you really feel about me?

why can't you look me in the eyes?

did you know you talk in your sleep?

were you following me?

can we just pretend this never happened?

are you just barely getting home?

are you even listening to me right now?!

where does it hurt?  can you show me?

are you trying to get yourself killed?!

how about we just forget the world exists?

how long have you been keeping this from me?

were you ever going to tell me?

what do you make of this?

[ name ],  what the hell?!

can we just be honest with each other, here?

are you trying to keep me a secret?

why does your story keep changing?

how long have you known?

it can't be that bad, right?

are you happy? i mean, really happy?

isn't this place amazing?

did i interrupt something?

how am i supposed to trust you?

are they still following us?

are you fucking serious?

do you remember our first kiss?

can we take a break for a minute?

how about we disappear for awhile?

you're going to walk away from this?

can you please just cut the crap?!

why didn't you tell me you were hurt?

how can i make this go away?

can you just look at me, please?

is there anything i can do to change your mind?

do you ever stop talking?

that depends. are you done lying to me?

are you sure this is legal?

how do you take your coffee?

can you keep your voice down?

closed: @mayortm where: city hall, mayor's office

Wilbur was meticulous in how he went about things, never doing anything without thought or reason. And always ensuring it benefited him to some minor degree, at least. This visit where he's already sat in one of the chairs opposite Solomon's usual spot had its benefits. He was here for a specific reason-- somewhat personal, but mostly business related by that of his master. His God, if you will. He was here to collect something that he knew was no longer where it was meant to be and he wasn't going to go around searching. No. That would be the job of a man who could have eyes everywhere and perhaps Wilbur could with the right God helping, but... well, Blinky had eyes elsewhere. This was up to him and ensuring that the Black Book was put into the right hands. It was a shame that it got dug up. If only he knew by who... but then again, that's why he was here.

So he waited patiently for the door to open and the light to flick on, knowing full well that the mayor wouldn't be expecting him. His head turned and he looked at Lauter, frown settled on his face, "Mornin', Mayor." He brings his eyes back to the pocket knife he was using to cut into a green apple, "I was hopin' to catch a word with you before business took you away completely." He pauses, eyes flicking back to him, "And if you know what's good for ya, you'll take a seat and hear what I have to say before callin' for security to have me removed."

getting home late and arriving to work early has become a constant in solomon's life. there's nothing for him at home , not really. the only times it matters is when he has to remind his foolish offspring that she can't just do whatever she pleases. that actions have consequences -- as so piss poor grades. if it were up to him , he would never leave his office , never lay in an empty bed and be forced to be alone with his regrets thoughts. unfortunately , keeping appearances include the facade of a well rounded family man. usually , he finds himself waking up at his desk at home , piles of papers as pillows and half a dozen files open behind his locked computer screen. this particular morning , he'd woken with a start , nearly tipping over in his leather bound , and realized that his usual morning call from miss tessburger hadn't come. he must have forgotten , the previous night , to account for her alleged "illness."