The learning(Stella/Solomon)

"Then I have nothing to worry about, then, do I? As much as I despise the arrancar who nearly wiped our city off of the map, I don't intend on holding every other arrancar to some unfair standard. If anything, I'm happy they're treating you well."

Solomon noted the shade of red in her bright features but paid no heed to it as he saw the chef set their appetizers in front of them in a flamboyantly styled fashion. The action elicited a chuckle from Solomon as he grabbed a pair of chopsticks, digging into the Kaarage. Reflecting on what she said about Akira, Solomon couldn't exactly say he was entirely well-versed about the man himself, his sole experience with the man a battle mired in misunderstanding. He asked him so many questions, yet revealed little about himself. Solomon supposed that was his duty as a member of the Todgestalten, but he wasn't exactly surprised that Stella didn't know much about the man.

"Far as Akira's concerned, if it helps, he didn't really reveal much about himself during our conversation, either. Then again, I wouldn't expect him to. Our first meeting began with a battle, after all."

"Some individuals simply enjoy holding their cards to their chest. I won't defend him too much since I hardly know Akira, but I'm sure he has his reasons. I don't think it has anything to do with how trustworthy you are, truth be told."

Solomon was nowhere near familiar enough to make that assumption about him, but considering his line of work, perhaps that simply came with the territory. He could not say for certain. At the moment, he was simply enjoying each appetizer on the table. With dipping sauces laid out, he continued to eat kaarage until their bowls of ramen were properly prepared.

His azure gaze lit up at how well-prepared and put together the bowls were, to say nothing of the toothsome aroma. Chopsticks in hand, he slowly mixed his ramen around, only pausing to turn his gaze in Stella's direction. From the way she paused, it appeared as though it was an important question. Thus, he maintained his focus wholly on her.

"What's up?"

"A significant other?"

Solomon expected an important question, perhaps even a question accompanied by another revelation, but that one made him momentarily pause for a moment. His answer would obviously be no, but he couldn't help but wonder what prompted her question. Loneliness? He wouldn't deny he enjoyed his life at the Vandenreich headquarters more than his life at home. He lived in a one-man household, after all. On the other hand, that sort of solitude was somewhat ideal as well. His momentary pause ended, and he provided a succinct answer as toyed around with the noodles and well-seasoned meat in his bowl.

"No. There are women I find attractive in the city, surely, but I have no one to call my own. Of course, I feel like I'd like to take my time with stuff like that. That said, I'm glad you've been enjoying your time with Natasha. She's a lovely lady with a heart of gold. She always treats footsoldiers like us to her delicious meals and offers helpful advice whenever she's not out on missions. I can't imagine a better person to cure loneliness than her."

"Don't worry about that too much, Stella. Whenever I'm around you or any of my peers, I don't feel lonely at all. I can't imagine Natasha feeling lonely at all. She practically visits any of her peers to check on them when she can, me included."

Solomon reached over to pat her head with a single hand. He flashed an assuring smile to drive his point home as he shook his head. Loneliness wasn't an ever-present fixture in his life. Whenever he left his home, he found satisfaction in meeting new people every day, contentment in those he considered true companions. In due time, perhaps, he would find that special someone to turn his single household into a household of two, but for now, he was content with his current lot in life.

"Even if I did feel lonely, I can't exactly fix that solution immediately, you know? As long as friends visit me and I get to hang out every now and then, I can't imagine living alone bothering me too much."

Solomon paused for a moment as he momentarily reflected on her question. It was certainly true that he always approached every situation with a recklessness that bordered on insanity, and even some of his peers questioned if that was beneficial or outright maniacal on his part. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, he recognized that his was a road less traveled, but he genuinely didn't want anyone worrying about him, let alone reflecting on his wellbeing. At the very least, he could promise Stella that much.

"Alright, alright. I promise I'll learn to tone it down whenever I'm training with other people. Now, enjoy your ramen before it gets cold. I'm no expert, but I hear it doesn't taste half as good cold."