yes Benny is actually VERY dangerous, despite appearances.

Also bonus one for harbormaster:

"Dangerous and willing to protect others with that power is admirable to say the least. The lack of confidence however...." Not so much.

Then there was the matter of the Harbormaster.

"Such a shame how incompatible we are." Even if that was technically 3 bingos.

@asteelgarden​ crashing in from here

╼ ༺ :||           Nearly illegible, to torn scraps of cloth still retained scribbles where her old instructor hurriedly made reference for some song- whether one previously composed or new he hummed on a whim.  Comprised mostly of high pitches and repetitions, to Daneil’s mind a song of praise.  Though to what or whom she lacked such information.  Sitting upon a stump and returning with melodious hums for unknown portions, she felt momentarily at peace.

     However, cracks and snaps silenced that delicate tune and drew their vocalist forth from her rest with readiness to bolt deeper into the forest.  Bear, boar, or some other wild creature could only be hoped for.  Whatever it was, they barreled down the mountainside.

     And then....it... unceremoniously landed at her feet.  Daneil, rather than fleeing or offering aid, stared down at the fallen, muddied figure who seemed neither beast nor man.  With that she swallowed, ironically praying this wasn’t some spirit.

     “U-um... What are you?”

❛ will i see you again? ❜ - from singular benny?

"Without a doubt," Shiro says— then adds, "if you want to."

@asteelgarden sent: "Sir please leave any weapons at the door thank you" - a very anxious Reverend Benny who was not alerted of any newcomers today and is kind of frazzled because of it

“Whoops, my bad.”

The disappearance of his arrowguns is immediate and instinctive---no doors needed for their banishment from the current space he was occupying. However, he wasn’t going to allow his brief sentence to linger without peppering in a little explanation for his behavior:

“Just wasn’t sure if the folks outside were up for bein’ too friendly---not with the, uh, looks they were givin’ me.”

Or, what Xigbar supposed could be interpreted as “looks.” It was difficult to actually tell with their rather inhuman-appearing visages, not exactly offering much in the way of overt facial expression---but, ultimately, he was able to sense that they weren’t interested in displaying any hostility. Just… feeling curious, perhaps.

Art stream doodles, featuring a lot of young versions of characters (including Dan and Dirk from my other blogs, @danthekickingman and @venomousovereignty )

Cameos from friend blogs @asteelgarden for Benny and @immoralraigan for Farus as well~

Moral Alignment Test

You are 100% good, 72.5% lawful, making you lawful good.

People who are Lawful Good believe that an orderly, strong society with a moral government can work to make life better for the great majority of the people. When the laws are fair and the people respect them and try to help one another, humanity as a whole prospers. Therefore, people who are Lawful Good strive for a social order that will bring the greatest benefit to everyone and cause the least harm. Lawful Good personalities may sometimes find themselves faced with the dilemma of whether to obey the law or do good when the two conflict. For example, when upholding the law of the land would lead to unfairness or harm or when there is a conflict between two orders of what is right, such as between the ways of their community and the law of the government.

Tagged by: @bymargrace and @flamesofrebirths //thanks gurlies!! Tagging: @heavensbled @corditeheart / @reveromantique @painsrequiem / @rcsetorn @tailoringtay @asteelgarden (Benny!) and whoever else, feel free to use me as the one who tagged you!

@asteelgarden has requested a story : " So, do you feel about the town? I know Ondes is a strange world for outsiders, but we try our best to make Gine hospitable... " a query from the Reverend

𝑼𝒏𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒅.

Woes and worries are fleetingly forgotten / forgiven ; a walk in the gardens does the wayward soul some good ( a salve to still-healing wounds , one might venture to guess ; a solace in the wake of running & running & running— ) .  Kaen trots ahead of their escort , leaving behind the good Reverend to trail idly along the path in their wake.  How h a p p y they seem , something so simple as being among the flourishing flora with … Well , would it be so strange to call the other their FRIEND ?  Perhaps it might be.  So , just to themself , the Reverend is – indeed – their friend.

No matter how often they visit this place , Kaen never fails to find something that e x c i t e s them , setting those dappled stones along their cheeks a’glowing.  Rather a sight , isn’t it ?  To watch the faun fawn over something so small as an unusual flower or tree.  But there they stand , slowly turning in place , positively ENCHANTED by it all ; gentle hands outreaching , grazing so gingerly along the petals and fronds that tip hesitantly t o w a r d s their touch.  For a moment , there is in them , a certain PEACE .  A necessary one that had been found lacking.  When Benny speaks up , Kaen turns about once more to face him , tilting their head curiously at his question , furred ears flicking a bit as they mull over a proper response.

❝ Well , Ah wun' lie , ‘s very different from m’own world. ❞  They offer him a small shrug , strolling back towards him with a smile.  ❝ But … Ah dun think tha’s really a bad thing.  Ah’ve been in some weird places b’fore , so Ondes bein’ a bit strange doesnae bother me.  ‘Onestly , Ah- Ah like bein’ ‘ere. ❞  They admit , fiddling with the hem of their sweater as they talk.  ❝ Ah’m not sure ‘ow ta’ really explain it but Ah feel at ‘ome ‘ere. ❞  Kaen waves a hand , shaking their head a bit , ❝ Ah mean , kinda’.  In a way.  If tha’ makes sense.  An’ Ah know Ah’m not s’pposed ta’ stay fer very long , but Ah would if Ah could !  Bein’ ‘ere … Has been real nice. ❞  Well , nice if you don’t count their encounters with the Prime Minister which never failed to leave the poor godling rather UNSETTLED ( sometimes , kaen still feels his stare boring holes into them , picking them apart ) .  But otherwise , everything else is certainly pleasant enough by Kaen’s standards !  ❝ Ah’m grateful fer ye lettin’ me stay as long as ‘ave already , Reverend. ❞  Kaen bows their head a bit along with their words.  ❝ Thank ye.  Really. ❞

"Er..." Benny's attention remains fixated upon Dan's feet for quite some time. "... If you please... we have slippers for those who wish to tread within the church and lack proper footwear." He offers up a pair for him, making sure to prevent the man from stepping any further without blocking his path. A gentle redirection of attention, lest he otherwise aggravate the newcomer.

@asteelgarden

He processed the request for a second before a smile tugged up the corners of his lips. "I see. Thank you," he agreed without resistance, reaching to take the slippers from the stranger.

The material wasn't as rigid as other kinds of footwear, at least. With a slight bend he set them upon the floor, moving then to untie the wraps on his feet and tuck them into one of the small satchels at his waist. The metal within the fabric would dig in too much if he left them on.

Without the wraps, the multitude of scars upon his feet stared up plainly, hinting at a past of battle and endless travel - though they quickly vanished from sight as he slid his feet into the slippers.

In turn, his attention promptly returned to the being who had offered the footwear in the first place.

"I was told I should ask about lodging here," he commented, long eyebrows swaying as he tilted his head.

also [ cloth ] from Benny coz that's actually something he can do

◈ ╼ ༺ :|    affectionate gestures || @asteelgarden |: ༻ ╼ ◈

[ cloth ] - for receiver to bath sender’s face / neck with a cloth soaked in cool water Also in reply to here~

╼ ༺ :||        "Do not," she snapped, mimicking his earlier response.

Why it unsettled her so, she knew not. Mayhaps the surprise of the coolness against a sting she had been previously unware of or the unexpected gesture at her blind side. But the fact remained she had grown to notice the Reverend's unwillingness for a helping hand from not just herself, but others as well. Even the days prior whence Benny collapsed and, quite literally, leapt from her instinctive catch. And how he declined her offer to heal his wounded hand, which could have been avoided if his sense of mercy for those suffering ego death had not hesitated. Beatrix's gaze flicked towards the still damaged hand and narrowed as if it were the source of her ire.

Too aggravated for a simple curing spell, her own well of magic was summoned as if showcasing what Benny had declined. With a wave of a hand just above her now-cleaned cheek, a brilliant and warm white light illuminated their space and the overly, minor scratch against her cheek disappeared as if it had never occurred.

"Unlike your world's magic, that of mine is capable of accelerating the body's own healing process," the General explained.

"You may stubbornly deny corporeal aid, however, do not expect me to accept your informal, consolatory assistance in turn."

@asteelgarden

Beatrix explaining to Benny where she's been.

@asteelgarden

╼ ༺ :||         Gine looked much the same, and her steps immediately followed the normal path she would take when returning after eliminating monsters in the immediate vicinity. There had been no obligation to return here. The current residency in Almoor provided generous opportunities for gathering knowledge and leads as how the General might return home. In the back of her mind, she reasoned Benny and the Mockeries left an impression which could simply not go abandoned long. Benny had provided sanctuary and initial information upon displacement, and providing a personal update felt due.

Upon entering the church, she immediately began looking for the priest.

" You are free to peruse our shelves if you wish for more to read, " Benny offers. " There are some publications here which likely have never made it to Almoor's library. "

She glanced over the newly accessible shelves. Though significantly smaller than that that of the one in Almoor, their content would be no less appreciated. Already the General was drawing an unfamiliar title from the church collection.

"I realize sharing information may appear insignificant, however learning of Ondes has been nothing short of enlightening," she'd admit. "If there is anything to garner that I may return unto my own realm, then I shall be full glad. Should there be a way that I might repay your kindness, you need but ask."

@asteelgarden

@asteelgarden​ from where Beatrix defended a Mockery

╼ ༺ :||           Even with Benny diffusing the situation, Beatrix couldn’t break herself to look away from the Almooran guard.  A part of her felt as if doing so would break her own conviction for the Mockery and her sake.  Holding her tongue had been the least she would offer in the moment, but watching how this soldier acted in duty should be a sickening sight for his fellow men.  And thoughts went back to her own ladies, how disciplined they would have endured for such discrimination.

     This Mockery. With a form so far from anything resembling a human, and how it gathered up their goods quelled anger’s flame and soften the general’s heart ever so slightly.  They had been afraid of her, too.  And so she refrained assisting, standing afar and allowing Benny to be the destined overseer where she could not, and perhaps never be.

     “Tea will do well.  Although, I will not apologize for my actions here for neither will I accept the unprompted mistreatment of one whom did not deserve such foul contempt.”  The Mockery deserved to know that much of her character.  What they believed of it after was theirs to decide.  Her heel quick to turn in a flourish of white coat and curls, Beatrix marched back towards the church.

resubmission for Benny because I'm blind

These check off enough tiles that he may as well have marked them all. "Gine sounds like a place out of a dream if that's where you said you lived."

OH, HOW FORTUITOUS that they would have met again, and this time so direct! Lord Gratia turns from the Reverend's office, which he himself has locked, and looks directly at-- THROUGH the General in the hallway. She may not feel any such invasive puncture from his stare this time, but surely she may remember it. The Prime Minister's head cants to one side, perhaps curious, and he may lean forth to study her closer.

Only a moment passes before he says, "Good day," flatly, factually, as if to disagree would be death. And with that, he continues on his way without another word.

╼ ༺ :||         Though the distance was less than that of their first encounter, the Anomalous General did in fact recount the intense discomfort and was therefore prepared with a new guard. Stoic and watchful, Beatrix returned the single gesture if only to bear a similar pleasantry, revealing nothing more by her outward mask honed for both noble court and strenuous battle. Suspicious as this Originator was, the desire to enlighten herself of his person remained at bay. There were more pressing curiosities at present.

She had remained steadfast until Gratia entirely excused himself, but with the now hallway vacant, there was an unease which filled her mind over what occurred behind closed doors. The other acolytes may have mentioned Benny's rather antisocial tendencies post the Prime Minister's visitations, however such did not hinder her questioning rapping against the Reverend's chamber door.

"It's Beatrix," she announced against the frame.

Though met with uncomfortable silence, perhaps she had not been heard- a reasonable excuse. Whether or not time must pass before the priest would make his next public appearance, intuition weighed heavily that she may press for an audience. Regret would not fall upon her shoulders again from failing to act upon suspicions. And so once more she called, worriment just beyond the authoritative request. "May I come in?"

@asteelgarden​ like for smol starter 

     “While I sympathize with your people’s fear, I’ll not be parting with my sword.  Unless need arises, it shall remain sheathed at my side.  That said, please permit me to offer some manner of assistance.”