[IC][WIP][Arc 1] How I Managed to Quit Worrying and Love The Grief Seed
03-25-2019, 04:46 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-26-2019, 08:57 PM by Black Aeronaut.)
03-25-2019, 04:46 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-26-2019, 08:57 PM by Black Aeronaut.)
Okay, new tag! [WIP] can be used in place of [STORY] to indicate stories that are works in progress and therefore very rough. Can also be used to indicate that you are still a bit fuzzy on the timestamps and will hammer that out in due time.
In this, we have the promised story that I plotted out earlier in the planning thread and everyone unanimously approved.
This is only some of it so far. I'm posting it now so that you guys can see that I actually have been working on something for the project.
It had been a week after the Halloween Party.
Ben still felt disjointed from the whole thing. His mind kept going back to that night. His shirt soaked with Fate’s and Nanoha’s tears. The warmth of them wrapped around him. And the profound sense that he had landed himself into trouble.
He sighed at that as he made his breakfast - steel-cut oatmeal (not the weak-sauce rolled oat crap), scrambled egg sandwich on toasted wheat, with sharp cheddar and sweet-pickled jalapeno peppers, a big mug of English breakfast tea, a tall glass of orange juice, and a banana.
The morning news was on the TV in the living room and he was just setting his tray down when there was a polite knock at the door.
They were early.
Ben went to the door and opened it, not entirely surprised to find Nanoha, Fate, Alice, and Suzuka.
“Hey girls!” said Ben cheerfully as he opened the door wide. “Come on in. I was just sitting down to eat my breakfast.”
“Oh!” cried out Nanoha in surprise. “Uhm...”
“Nanoha, it’s alright,” said Ben. “Just get on in here. It’s fine that you’re early, I just wasn’t quite expecting it.”
“Eh-heh-heh, well,” said Nanoha sheepishly as everyone filed in and started to exchange outside shoes for house slippers.
Fate took over since it seemed Nanoha was too embarrassed.
“Alice felt that it would have been beneath her and Suzuka to take the bus, so she asked her family’s chauffeur to drive us over.”
Once Ben closed the door, though, Fate surprised him by suddenly lunging and wrapping her arms around him, and surprising Suzuka and Alice.
Ben sighed - in for a penny, in for a pound - went down on one knee and hugged Fate back, simply enjoying the closeness as they let their cheeks rub together. He could smell the sweet fragrance of her shampoo and body wash.
“What’s all this about!?” cried out Alice in shock.
That put Ben on the spot, but Fate turned to her and said, “Benjamin... he is special. He did something... something that earned my love and respect.”
“My turn!” said Nanoha as she opened her arms wide. With little other choice, Ben kneeled down and gave her a hug, too.
It was every bit as nice as Fate’s hug.
“You too, Nanoha?” said Suzuka in surprise.
“He’s a very good person. He did something very brave and courageous that he didn’t really have to do, and he did it because he wanted Fate to feel better. So if he gets hugs from Fate-chan, then he’s gonna get hugs from me too.”
Alisa and Suzuka looked to each other, and Suzuka just shrugged. Alisa sighed and decided to take it in stride. After all, it wasn’t as if they could possibly love him that way.
“Girls, do you want anything to drink? I got orange juice, milk, water, or even tea if you’d like some.”
“No thanks,” said Fate.
“Okay then,” said Ben, “then I’m gonna get back to my breakfast before it gets cold.” As he then turned he spotted a developing issue. “Or before my CATS get to it!”
Babs, who had been sniffing at the plate he’d left on the coffee table, and Luna, waiting for any potential windfalls, both shot their heads up in that classic “Oh crap! Dad caught us!” look and darted away, scrambling up the cat tree and parking themselves up on top of the bookcase.
“Oh! What pretty cats!” said Suzuka as she began trying to tempt the two of them down.
“Luna will probably come down - the larger black and white one. She’s likes to play up this ‘oh woe is me’ shtick and loves attention. She’ll act like a ragdoll cat in your hands.” He finally bit into his breakfast sandwich, savoring the blend of flavors, especially the cheese and sweet jalapenos.
“What’s the other one’s name?” asked Suzuka as the other girls made themselves comfortable on his sectional sofa.
Ben swallowed before saying, “Her name is Babs. Which is short for Babd Catha, who was a Celtic war goddess known for taking the shape of a raven and causing chaos for the soldiers she didn’t favor.”
“Is she a mean kitty?”
“No. Just... Very VERY CAT. You know, aloof, haughty, acts innocent of all sin, and slow to trust other people. She likes me only so much as a warm lap, though it helps that I helped raise her as a kitten.” Ben took another bite.
“You mean she’s not anymore?”
Swallow. “Mngh. Yes, she’s about as big as she’s ever going to get.”
“She’s so tiny, though!”
“Oh, she makes a tiny little meow, too. Almost like she’s trying to whisper.”
“How cute!”
Ben chuckled evilly. “Don’t let it fool you. If she’s meowing at you, she’s actually telling you to leave her alone. You’ll only get about two warnings before she hisses and takes a swipe at you. Just be calm and she’ll decide if she wants to get to know you.”
As Ben turned back to his meal, Luna gave into temptation and was immediately doted upon by Suzuka.
Meanwhile the local news broadcast on the TV shifted to another topic.
“Police today are stymied as yet another body has turned up - the third so far in a string of unusual deaths. So far the victims have been homeless people in the vicinity of Centro Plaza. Further stymieing authorities is that a clear cause of death has yet to be determined.”
Benjamin looked to Suzuka, communicating the question.
Suzuka shook her head. Had there been anything that her family would have known about this, they would have told her.
Benjamin looked back to the TV as the news wrapped up by cautioning the public about being in the area after hours.
“Something is out there,” he said grimly. He then reached for his cell phone and dialed Washu.
##
Benjamin showed the girls to the apartment that they’d be sharing. He’d already put in all the furniture they’d need - they could personalize things later. Leaving them to get settled in, he went to Washu’s lab, knocked on her door, and was immediately allowed in. Waiting inside were Washu and Teletha.
“Glad you could make it,” said Washu impishly.
Ben grinned wryly. “Well, you know how it is, you get a bit of authority, and suddenly everyone else's problems are now yours.”
Washu scoffed. “Don’t I know it!”
Teletha smiled. “How very true.” Her face then went somber as she asked, “Do you really think that the Tsukimuras have anything to do with the killings?”
“No,” said Ben flatly. “I never got that vibe off of them. They’re good people. Mostly what I’m aiming for is information.”
Washu nodded. “And with the desiccated state of the bodies, you’d want to go to the subject matter experts. I just wish we could get a hold of one of those bodies.”
“Would if we could,” said Ben. “Anyhow, I’ve already called ahead, so all there’s to do is to drive over.”
“Are we taking the van or the big truck?”
Ben sighed. “Rather not - diesel is pricey and I’d like to keep their usage to when it’s absolutely needed. And that just leaves us with Scrappy. Washu-chan, would you mind being in the jump seat behind Teletha?”
“I’ll live,” said Washu breezily. “Advantages of coming in such a small package, you know?”
“Yes,” said Teletha, “but all the same it would be nice if you could find something more practical.”
“It’s in the works,” said Ben. “I’ve got a line on a Saturn S-series coupe, a 2000 with the dual overhead cam engine - it’s the third generation model so it has the cool suicide door behind the driver’s door. I’m also looking at a nice 1996 BMW 525i.”
“Can you afford that?” asked Teletha.
“I’m getting more than enough money. The owner of the Bimmer wants two grand, and so does the owner of the Saturn. I had that socked away as of last payday. In fact, I’m also gonna be buying myself a lot of tools. I have projects that I’ve wanted to do, but never the money for them. Let’s get going. The girls will be fine for the time being, but I’d rather not let them be for too long, even if Sosuke is keeping an eye on things.”
##
“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice,” said Ben gratefully as Noel saw them all to their seats before serving the tea.
“No need to thank us, Benjamin,” said Shun Tsukimura with a grave expression as he looked to them over his glasses. He appeared as an average salaryman of Japan, save for the violet eyes that his daughters bore. “We were concerned ourselves when the corpses began to show up.”
“At first we thought it was a fluke,” said Haruna, her dark-blue hair almost looked black and matched her eyes. “But then the second body was found and we started to become concerned.”
“Whoever is doing this is jeopardizing our way of life,” said Shun. “This sort of behavior among our kind was once tolerated, but as forensic science has progressed in these modern days, the dangers of being discovered have drastically increased. It is thanks to the noble service of our human servants that we are able to live this life without resorting to such unseemly behavior.”
With that, Noel bowed quietly, respectfully acknowledging the gratitude of her masters.
“For that reason,” said Shinobu suddenly, “Kyouya, Miyuki, and myself have all volunteered to assist you in any way that we can.”
“Are you sure of that?” asked Teletha. “If things go bad, we would feel absolutely horrible if one of you were caught up in it.”
“It’s fine with us,” said Haruna. “We only ask that Alisa and Suzuka be kept out of this.” She then grinned wryly. “Though I can’t imagine that Nanoha and that dear girl, Fate, would be willing to be sidelined like that.”
Ben sighed. “I don’t think anyone could stop them, even by main force.” That caused a ripple of chuckles as we all knew of the fiery streak possessed by the youngest of the Takamachi Clan. “At any rate, when do you want to come over?”
“I should be ready by this afternoon. Kyouya and Miyuki as well.”
“Good,” said Ben. “That’ll give me time to check up on the girls and the rest of my tenants, and then come back with the van.”
##
When Ben got back, it was to a not entirely unwelcome surprise.
“Come on come on come on!” said Sasami insistently as she began pushing Ben along the moment he got out of Scrappy.
“Whoa, where’s the fire, cute stuff?” said Ben bemusedly.
“If you don’t hurry it’s gonna be under your butt!~” taunted Sasami.
“SASAMI-CHAN!” cried out Aeka in shock, but the girl only giggled. Ben could only shrug helplessly as he went along with her.
Quickly, Ben was guided right into Nanoha’s and Fate’s apartment where they all waited for him - Nanoha, Fate, Suzuka, and Alisa.
And spread out on the table was lunch - tuna salad sandwiches, dill pickle spears, and barely tea.
“Surprise!” they called out gleefully.
“Girls!” cried out Ben in pleasant surprise. “You didn’t have to go and do this for me!”
“Au contraire,” said Alisa with mocking haughtiness. “You’ve been doing so much for us all, we felt it was only right to give a little back to you. It’s only fair, after all.”
Ben rolled his eyes at that. “Well, try not to spoil me here, okay?”
“Okay,” the five girls all chorused, and then broke out into giggles.
##
The day held one more surprise when Ben went to pick up Shinobu with the van.
Waiting with Shinobu with a bag of her own was little Francesca K. Erhlichkeit. (It turns out that Farin was a mutation of Furan, which is the Japanese equivalent of Fran, which is short for Francesca, which makes a lot more sense with a surname so unrepentantly German.)
“Hello Benjamin,” greeted Francesca cheerfully. “I will be accompanying Miss Tsukimura with you to your home.”
“Okay, said Ben, a bit perplexed. “Not that I mind, but...”
Shinobu giggled behind her hand. “Benjamin, with all those girls over there, some of them from such affluent families like ours, we would have been remiss in not sending one of our servants as well. Besides, my sister and I have our special diets to consider. Francesca is more than capable of providing for the two of us.”
“Before you ask, Mr. Rhodes, I already have the needed supplies packed. All I’ll need from you is a comfortable chair to recline in.”
“Well, I can’t argue that logic,” said Ben a bit sheepishly. He then went to the back of the van and opened the cargo doors. “Let’s get you lovely ladies saddled up.”
##
Once they picked up Kyouya and Miyuki, Kyouya and Shinobu moved to the last row and sat close together in the middle, talking softly to each other. Miyuki had Shotgun while Francesca sat in the middle of the first row.
Ben sighed as, while doing his routine check of the rear view, saw that Shinobu and Kyouya were leaning close together.
“Is something wrong?” asked Miyuki.
“Oh, not really,” said Ben, pitching his voice low enough that only she would hear him. “Just an old problem.”
“May I ask?” said Miyuki.
“Well... I don’t like to seem like an ugly person,” said Ben slowly, “but I’m just a bit envious.”
Miyuki twigged to what Ben meant right away. “I understand. I myself envy him - that he has that kind of happiness in his life. But he’s the only boy I’ve ever really known that understands...”
Benjamin nodded slowly as he caught the dangling thread. “The family trade. It’s not exactly something you can just talk about with anyone.”
Miyuki nodded in agreement. “That is one holdover from the old traditions that has good reason for remaining. Few people would understand that there comes a time where a person must kill another. Even fewer still understand how intensely personal it is to do it with a blade - to cut them open and watch as the light fades from their eyes.”
“I will admit,” said Ben, “that’s something I would find difficult to relate to. But I was a sailor in the US Navy. And while I had no front-line experience, I was expected to be my country’s sword should I be called upon for it - whether it be by circumstance or by chance.”
“I can tell what you’re thinking,” said Miyuki quietly. “And don’t feel bad about that. I know I’m attractive. It’s a consequence of my heritage. Kunoichi bred for not only ability, but for beauty as well, for a beautiful flower is more likely to lure a foe into its thorns.
“I cannot see myself in such a relationship with you, Benjamin...” and then suddenly he could hear the impish grin in her voice as she went on, “but that’s mostly because Nanoha has her sights set on you.~”
Ben sighed. “You sure this isn’t just some passing thing with her?”
Miyuki shook her head. “She likes girls. Her first crush was actually another girl at her school in the next grade. She never told mother and father about it because she was worried about what they might think. But she told me everything and cried her heart out in my chest.
“Up until she met you, she never had any interest in any males, young or old. You are special, Benjamin.”
“But what about Fate?”
Miyuki chuckled. “Do I need to whack you over the head with a shinai?”
“No,” replied Ben, a bit flustered at having been caught off-guard like that. “I mean... I know... about Fate...”
Benjamin sighed. In for a penny, in for a pound. “I shouldn’t have done what I did, Miyuki. I shouldn’t have opened up so suddenly to her. Not when she was still so vulnerable. People would say that I was taking advantage of her...”
“But you weren’t,” said Miyuki, quietly but firmly. “You wanted her to feel less hurt. Less alone in the world. Yes, she has Nanoha, but you knew that Nanoha could never fully relate to the betrayal Fate suffered, no matter how much she loves her. She’s never experienced anything like that in her life, and I hope that she never does.
“But you bridge that gap. You not only balm Fate’s wounds, but you also help bring Nanoha closer to understanding what it is that’s in those wounds that makes them fester.
“Nanoha loves you not only because she is drawn to you, but also because you help her to understand the only other person she cares that much about.”
Ben sighed again. “Miyuki-”
“No, Benjamin. I understand - you’re too old for them. But I saw that picture of your mother. Heaven have mercy on me, I hope all the gods above and below will bless me that I look that good when I’m sixty years old!” Miyuki then sighed and went on, “Benjamin... You need to understand. The love Fate and Nanoha share is going to be fraught with misunderstandings. I don’t doubt that Nanoha can rise to the occasion. But with you? You’re the missing piece. You are what makes it all work together harmoniously.”
“But... Miyuki, don’t take this the wrong way, I’m not trying to weasel out of this or anything... But... you and your family won’t be staying with us forever.”
Miyuki was silent at that for the next mile, only the hum of the five cylinder turbo diesel engine filling the air.
“We’ll find a way, Benjamin. I don’t know how, but we’ll find it.”
##
There had been an arrival while they were gone - Peorth and Marller. They’d been sent as a joint force to help tackle the situation.
Once Ben arrived with the others and unloaded everything from the van, they all filed into the manager’s office where Ben had a smart board set up just for this reason. Projected on the board was a satellite map of Centro Plaza and everything around it from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and Adult Detention Center to Milliam Park, and from the Haven for Hope homeless shelter down to the UTSA Downtown Campus.
“Here’s where the action has been so far,” said Ben as he gestured with a laser pointer. “One body found in a dumpster by the jail - how in the blue fuck they got it in there without getting spotted by surveillance I have no idea. Another over here by the Wells Fargo Bank. And the last one was in one of the service docks at the UTSA Campus.
“With police activity in the area being as it is, a hideout shouldn’t have lasted long, especially with how these bodies have been getting dumped. This leaves Washu-chan and I to one conclusion.”
Washu then stepped up to take over. “People. I’ve pinged the dimensional space in this region, and someone has a pocket universe in this area. Unfortunately, I’m unable to get a solid fix on it. That requires two transceivers placed a lot further apart than my lab is capable of. And I’ve already asked the Goddesses.”
Peorthe stepped in this time. “Unfortunately, with the Yggdrasil/Nidhog system being off line, we’re unable to assist. All we can do is send someone in there to scout things out in person.”
“That’s where I come in,” said Benjamin. “I’ve been homeless before, so I know how to play and look the part. I can actually be out there and look for clues. But I won’t be alone. We’ll have a group watching from close by, watching for trouble and ready to jump in the moment it comes.
“That said, though, after talking with Peorth, Marller, and Washu, I’ve set up an exclusion list of people we won’t allow to be on that group. However, I insisted that does not preclude people from being part of a reserve unit that can be called in when we need more help.
“The watch group will post their stake-out on top of the UTSA Frio Street Building. The location is relatively lax in security - if you arrive directly to the roof by portal and under the cover of a storming field generator, you should go completely without notice. We’ll also include proximity sensors to alert us when you guys need to make a hasty retreat.
“Any questions?”
Tenchi raised a hand. “Ben, what if you wind up getting taken?”
“That’s actually what we’re sort of hoping for,” said Washu. “Don’t worry. In addition to communication equipment, Ben will be carrying a beacon that we can track through dimensional space. They won’t get far with him before we can bust down the doors.”
Noike was next. “What do we do with the culprit once they’re apprehended? Surely we can’t just turn them over to the local authorities.”
“That’s my job,” said Marller. “Once we have them, the Daimakaichou herself has some... questions that she’d like to have answered.”
Whoever the culprit was, those who understood what the Daimakaichou was capable of had no envy whatsoever for them.
##
After the meeting, everyone broke up to get dinner. Ben had to take a moment to make sure that Francesca had what she needed and then went up to his apartment.
And found Peorth up there waiting for him.
“Good evening, Benjamin,” said the scantily clad goddess. “I hope that you will forgive me for letting myself in. I was curious about your library and I felt that you needed to talk.”
Ben sighed, not because of the intrusion. “I have a feeling that I know what this is going to be about.”
“Please, sit down, Benjamin. I promise that I’m not here as a bearer of bad news.”
Ben nodded, the reluctance evident in his carriage. “Would you like anything to drink, first?”
“No, but thank you for offering.”
Ben nodded and sat down in the sectional, while Peorth sat in the opposite leg.
“I know, Benjamin, that you are deeply troubled over this matter involving Nanoha and Fate and their feelings towards you. For the moment, let me assure you: their feelings are indeed genuine.”
Ben nodded. “I had little doubt of that. Girls their age and... well, I guess it’s fair to say that there are some that would lie to get their way, but not these two, and not for this. But thank you for dispelling any lingering doubts I had on the matter. Now my only problem is how do I make something like this work?”
“That is very understandable, Benjamin. The age difference would be quite alarming to some. But there are ways around this.”
“Oh?” asked Ben.
Peorth nodded. “For one thing, you have a wish available to you through the Goddess Relief System. If you would like to, you could use that wish to alleviate the situation in some manner. And while I can’t tell you what to wish for, I do have the leeway to help you better craft your wish so it will have the desired results.”
Ben sighed. “That is one way of doing it, but it’s like I said to Miyuki earlier; everyone is going to leave eventually. What do we do then? My place is here, and theirs is over there. They have lives that they need to live out.”
“This is very true,” said Peorth. “However, you should not approach this as though you do not have allies on your side. The elder Takamachis witnessed what happened between you three at the Halloween Party. They are very well aware of Nanoha and Fate’s feelings towards you. And that night they were made aware of the terrible circumstances of your childhood.”
Ben leaned back in the couch, letting it all wash over him as his guts churned at the realization that Nanoha’s parents knew.
“Benjamin, please understand that they do not disapprove of you. In fact, they feel that you are an admirable person for the things you do and the heart you have. They would like to welcome you into their family and take you back home with them.”
Benjamin didn’t react outwardly, but his mind was reeling. The profound thought that they wanted him in their family. No matter that he was a broken person with as many faults as he had qualities. His anxiety wanted to deny it, that he didn’t deserve this. But a meek and much battered little voice whispered that he did deserve to belong to a good family.
Finally, the logical part of him weighed in: more information was needed, because even if they could bring him with them...
“Even if I could go with them,” said Ben quietly, “We’d still have the same problems... I could only imagine what the people of Uminari City would think of me, forty-seven years old, marrying a girl of twenty, and also taking in her lady-lover, also twenty, as a legal mistress.”
Peorth chuckled. “They’ve spoken with Washu-chan in that matter. They’re going to be looking into making you young again so it won’t turn as many heads. Though I do imagine that a young American with his wife and mistress under the same roof will cause no end of gossip.~”
Ben lifted his head to give Peorth a surprised ‘Say WHAT!?’ look, but she only grinned back at him.
“They’re serious.”
“As serious as can be.”
Ben sat up and sighed. “They covered all the bases. They really are serious about this, aren’t they?” He shook his head in amazement. “I can only imagine what it’ll be like once they move to Midchilda. I don’t think I have any mage talent. I’d probably be the stay-at-home-dad.”
“Oh? And is there something wrong with that?” asked Peorth.
“No, not really...” Ben sighed. “Just that I’d worry about them is all. I mean, I know they’re capable and everything...”
Peorth nodded sagely. “Such is the plight of the home maker wedded to the soldier.” She then made a thoughtful sound and said, “You know, it is almost a shame that those two got to you first.”
“What do you mean?” asked Ben.
Peorth smiled back, then stood up, taking a seductive pose. “Otherwise, because you have so many traits that I admire, I might have taken an interest in you.”
Benjamin blinked at that. There was only one thing to do in a case like this, and it was to throw The Rule of Funny a bone.
He slowly got up, went to a wall, and with his fists against it, he started rhythmically hitting his head against it, and chanting in Latin in time with the impacts. Just like Chris Knight did in Real Genius.
Peorth giggled hysterically and somehow that made everything alright with the world.
##
Nanoha hummed cheerfully as she worked in the kitchen. Her mind was not on what was to come, but rather on what was at that moment.
She could barely believe it, but it took Miyuki having a heart-to-heart with her in order for her to see it herself.
She was in love. With a girl and a boy.
...Well, you couldn’t really say he was a boy, but still...
Was it confusing for her? Only a bit. As far as Nanoha was concerned, she could love both Fate and Benjamin just as much. Which was great because she knew that Fate had come to like Benjamin as much as she did... though for somewhat different reasons.
The one thing that did bother Nanoha was that Ben wasn’t a girl.
This was something that Miyuki didn’t explain. Nanoha understood that boys can like boys and girls can like girls. And sometimes they can like both... which was kinda strange, but that’s not important.
What was important was that Nanoha liked girls. The nicer boys at school were... nice. It was fun to play with them sometimes. But she never got the kind of feelings that meant she liked any of them like that.
So why was Benjamin so special? He even said so himself that he’s no one special... though considering what happened with him and Fate, Nanoha would dispute that claim.
No no, there was no denying it. He was special in some very intangible way. But how?
She thought back to when he held her and Fate close together.
He was very strange, that was for certain. But in a good way. Nanoha could tell, he was a person who could be as solid and immovable as a mountain, something that felt safe and stable in one moment... and then suddenly he could be like the air itself - sustaining, yet freely moving and allowing freedom to move. He was a lot of contradictions, that was for sure.
But once again, her mind turned back to when he held both her and Fate.
And finally it clicked.
Benjamin was that dark place that was not scary. He was the dark place that was warm and comforting. Being close to him was like wrapping herself up in a down comforter in the middle of winter time like a caterpillar weaving itself into a cocoon.
While Fate felt like her other half, Benjamin wrapped around them both, providing sanctuary from the harsh world outside.
Nanoha never talked about it to anyone - not even Miyuki - but she was really an anxious person in her own way. Nearly losing her father the way she did made her realize how easy it was to lose something important.
Her first crush hadn’t helped matters any.
But Benjamin... there was something about him - a sense that so long as he willed it, there was absolutely nothing in heaven or earth that could move him.
Not that he was invincible - the way he’d been hurt was proof of that.
But he would never give up. She somehow knew that no matter what hardship came his way, he would always be there, stubbornly refusing to give up, and only because there had been one important person in his life. Someone that he knew that if anything happened to him, it would have utterly broken that one person.
His own mother.
And now, Nanoha knew that she herself was important to him - he had said she was beautiful and all those wonderful things. She could see it in his eyes - he had seen her in that anime and wished that she could be in his life. And now that she was, she knew that Benjamin would do whatever he can to live. He would live for both her and Fate.
Though that sounded a bit selfish when she thought about it that way.
Thinking it over, she reasoned it wasn’t just for selfish reasons she wanted Benjamin to carry on - Nanoha’s Japanese sensibilities would not permit it.
She wanted Benjamin to live because it was the right thing to do. She would not keep him selfishly to just herself and Fate. She wanted him to be in the world, helping people in his own way.
What he did for Fate was, in her humble opinion, absolutely beautiful. She wanted him to be able to help others like that.
She could not do what he had done. She’d tried with Fate. She had tried so hard. The most she could do was tell Fate that she was glad she had made it out, and that she would actually talk to her about it. She couldn’t wrap her mind around what Fate had endured - never imagine what it would have been like for her own mother to treat her in such a way - but she knew for certain that keeping it bottled in would have killed her just as surely.
But Ben? He told her flat out that he understood. He showed Fate his own emotional scars. He gave Fate the hope that she needed - that there is a life that can be built from such terrible beginnings.
And thus Nanoha’s resolve was set. Nanoha liked girls, yes. But Benjamin, despite not being a girl, held the potential of security - someone around whom she could at last let her guard fully and completely down. Vulnerability was a non-issue with him - he would comfort and protect her. It was the emotional equivalent to taking off a stuffy suit and putting on your softest and comfiest clothes and curling up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate.
And what’s more is that Nanoha knew that she didn’t need to fight for his sake - all he needed was her love. And for what he offered and has already done? Love was something she could give Benjamin in abundance.
She did worry that other people might not like it because Benjamin was so much older than them. But in reality, she didn’t care. As soon as it was allowed, she wanted to be his family.
“You seem happy,” said Alisa as Nanoha brought dinner out to the table.
“Eh-heh-heh,” chuckled Nanoha nervously. Just then, she had to take back that bit about not caring about what others thought. She had no idea what her friend with her American values would think of this!
“Yes,” said Suzuka with a smile, “something does seem to have made you happier than usual, Nanoha. Would you like to share?”
“It’s probably Benjamin,” said Fate with an almost dreamy smile. “He is such a wonderful person.”
Nanoha felt a creeping dread at this. She didn’t feel betrayed by Fate - that would have required her to have known she was doing something wrong. But Fate didn’t seem to know that things here on Earth worked a biiiiit differently.
Francesca then added her own contribution. “Mistress, I think I know what Fate is talking about.”
“Oh really~?” said Suzuka, an evil gleam in her purple eyes. “Do tell, Francesca~.”
“It seems that Benjamin has gained the close affection of Nanoha and Fate. The poor man. He is so lonesome, and circumstances of culture and law would keep him from being with them.”
“WHAT!?” cried out Alisa in shock. “Both of you!? And him!? Oh this is just so wrong on several levels! A man with two women is just plain unconscionable. And then the fact that he is old enough to be our father!”
“But Alisa,” said Fate.
“No buts! It’s just wrong and that is all there is to it.”
Tears streaming down her eyes, Fate suddenly ran to the room she shared with Nanoha, who went swiftly after her.
Suzuka and Francesca both gave Alisa grave looks.
“What!? It’s true!” she said, trying to defend herself.
“Perhaps in the legal sense,” said Suzuka. “But I sense that there is something deeper at play.”
“Indeed there is,” said Francesca. “Benjamin and Miyuki didn’t bring it up specifically, but I was able to surmise it from what I know about Fate. It is apparent that Benjamin was a victim of abuse, just as Fate was.”
“Oh dear,” said Suzuka as her face fell. “That is terrible. And saying that they can’t be together... that must have been the worst thing Fate could have been told.” The two then looked to Alisa, who then had the decency to look sheepish.
“I... ah... I didn’t know.”
Suzuka sighed. “Next time, please ask before you say things like that.”
##
Nanoha held Fate close as she sobbed uncontrollably. There have been few times where she’s ever wanted to smack someone, let alone a friend, but by gods above and below, Alisa had better be careful about what she says next time!
There was a red glow in the dimply lit room and suddenly someone else was present.
“Oh dear,” said a voice in a somewhat mocking and sultry tone. “I could sense that there was misfortune afoot in here, but I didn’t know it was this bad.
“What can Big Sister Marller do to make it better?~”
Fate stopped crying, surprised at the sudden intrusion. Nanoha, though, was quicker on the uptake.
“Raising Heart!”
“STAND BY READY!”
“Now now, there’s no need for that,” said Marller.
“But you’re a demon!” accused Nanoha.
“Well yes, that is true,” said Marller. “And rest assured, misery and suffering is our stock in trade. However, if we stand to gain something - that is, to make a profit of some kind - then we are more than willing to aid in true love’s fulfillment.”
“You mean,” said Fate, her voice watery, “you would do something nice if you got something for it in return.”
“Exactly,” said Marller with a grin. “We may be demons and monsters, but we have our principles. When we make a deal, we keep that deal.”
“But what can you do?” asked Nanoha.
“What can I do indeed,” said Marller thoughtfully. “I am a First-Class Demon, so there isn’t much that I can’t do. And I do know what you want. What you want is Benjamin, right? I don’t blame you. He’s quite the fellow. Damaged, yes. He’s a bit of a fixer-upper that way. But you two have the patience and understanding to handle that. The question is, how soon do you want him, and how badly?”
“But what could be done to make it happen?” asked Fate.
“Oh, a number of things. You could wish that he was younger. You could wish that you were older. Or you could even wish for it to be socially acceptable. There’s all kinds of ways around it. As the saying goes, the sky's the limit. The only real limit is what you’re willing to pay.”
“What do most people pay for a wish?” asked Nanoha.
“Usually they offer their souls, though we feel that’s pretty unimaginative and boring. Some, though, will offer some kind of service in exchange - to work for us for a set term fulfilling some kind of task that is vital to our operations. We’ve gotten some of our better accountants that way.”
“So you’re saying,” said Nanoha slowly, “that if we do something for you, that you will grant us a wish that can allow us to be together with Benjamin.”
“Correct,” said Marller.
Fate and Nanoha looked to each other. Fate shook her head slightly, and that was all Nanoha needed.
“We appreciate the offer, Marller, but we’ll respectfully decline.”
“As you like,” said the demoness. “Keep in mind, though, the offer will always be open to you should you ever change your minds.” Marller’s expression then took on a kinder and gentler look. “And really, don’t worry about this. I only offered because I know how much this sort of thing can suck.”
“How?” asked Fate.
“Kid, I’ve been around since the days when Abraham was wearing diapers. I’ve had a few things with other guys that just didn’t work out because of circumstances. And just for once, I wouldn’t mind seeing someone else buck the system for the sake of their happiness.”
“You really mean that?” said Nanoha, just now starting to lower her guard just a bit.
“Yes, I really do mean that.” ... “Well, I won’t overstay my welcome. But I’ll be around. Whenever you want to talk, just call my name. I’ll be there.”
##
Benjamin managed to shoo away Peorth so he could get to making a quick dinner. Once fed, he started working on his ‘disguise’.
He knew pretty much exactly what to do.
Digging into his laundry hamper yielded the clothes he wore when Scrappy had blown its head gasket between cylinders 1 and 2, and had to go through an arduous process to replace it. In fact, he had worn the clothing for three days in a row in the middle of a sweltering Texas summer.
The clothes, a pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt, were covered in dirt, grease, and smelled worse than a Old New York City sweatshop.
After that, he messed up his face and hair with used motor oil, giving him an absolutely filthy appearance. Finishing it all off was his older set of Navy boots - paint spattered and beaten to hell and gone again. At the very least they were comfortable if no longer waterproof.
Looking in the mirror, he judged himself ready, turned out the lights, and went to lock up on his way out.
And in doing so, almost plowed into Nanoha and Fate.
“Whoah! Hey girls,” said Ben as he neatly avoided them.
Nanoha looked at him in alarm and said, “Benjamin, what happened to-” She suddenly stopped as the smell registered. She scrunched up her nose and reared back as Fate covered her mouth and nose. “Ewwww! What is that smell!?”
“About three days worth of literal blood, sweat, and tears,” said Ben. “Sorry, but this is the best way to blend in as one of the homeless.”
“Does it have to smell so bad?” asked Fate.
“Unfortunately, yes,” said Ben. “If I smell clean, then the disguise is less convincing. But with this? It’ll leave no doubt in others minds.”
“Well let's hurry up and do this so you can get out of those nasty clothes,” said Nanoha.
TBC...
In this, we have the promised story that I plotted out earlier in the planning thread and everyone unanimously approved.
This is only some of it so far. I'm posting it now so that you guys can see that I actually have been working on something for the project.
It had been a week after the Halloween Party.
Ben still felt disjointed from the whole thing. His mind kept going back to that night. His shirt soaked with Fate’s and Nanoha’s tears. The warmth of them wrapped around him. And the profound sense that he had landed himself into trouble.
He sighed at that as he made his breakfast - steel-cut oatmeal (not the weak-sauce rolled oat crap), scrambled egg sandwich on toasted wheat, with sharp cheddar and sweet-pickled jalapeno peppers, a big mug of English breakfast tea, a tall glass of orange juice, and a banana.
The morning news was on the TV in the living room and he was just setting his tray down when there was a polite knock at the door.
They were early.
Ben went to the door and opened it, not entirely surprised to find Nanoha, Fate, Alice, and Suzuka.
“Hey girls!” said Ben cheerfully as he opened the door wide. “Come on in. I was just sitting down to eat my breakfast.”
“Oh!” cried out Nanoha in surprise. “Uhm...”
“Nanoha, it’s alright,” said Ben. “Just get on in here. It’s fine that you’re early, I just wasn’t quite expecting it.”
“Eh-heh-heh, well,” said Nanoha sheepishly as everyone filed in and started to exchange outside shoes for house slippers.
Fate took over since it seemed Nanoha was too embarrassed.
“Alice felt that it would have been beneath her and Suzuka to take the bus, so she asked her family’s chauffeur to drive us over.”
Once Ben closed the door, though, Fate surprised him by suddenly lunging and wrapping her arms around him, and surprising Suzuka and Alice.
Ben sighed - in for a penny, in for a pound - went down on one knee and hugged Fate back, simply enjoying the closeness as they let their cheeks rub together. He could smell the sweet fragrance of her shampoo and body wash.
“What’s all this about!?” cried out Alice in shock.
That put Ben on the spot, but Fate turned to her and said, “Benjamin... he is special. He did something... something that earned my love and respect.”
“My turn!” said Nanoha as she opened her arms wide. With little other choice, Ben kneeled down and gave her a hug, too.
It was every bit as nice as Fate’s hug.
“You too, Nanoha?” said Suzuka in surprise.
“He’s a very good person. He did something very brave and courageous that he didn’t really have to do, and he did it because he wanted Fate to feel better. So if he gets hugs from Fate-chan, then he’s gonna get hugs from me too.”
Alisa and Suzuka looked to each other, and Suzuka just shrugged. Alisa sighed and decided to take it in stride. After all, it wasn’t as if they could possibly love him that way.
“Girls, do you want anything to drink? I got orange juice, milk, water, or even tea if you’d like some.”
“No thanks,” said Fate.
“Okay then,” said Ben, “then I’m gonna get back to my breakfast before it gets cold.” As he then turned he spotted a developing issue. “Or before my CATS get to it!”
Babs, who had been sniffing at the plate he’d left on the coffee table, and Luna, waiting for any potential windfalls, both shot their heads up in that classic “Oh crap! Dad caught us!” look and darted away, scrambling up the cat tree and parking themselves up on top of the bookcase.
“Oh! What pretty cats!” said Suzuka as she began trying to tempt the two of them down.
“Luna will probably come down - the larger black and white one. She’s likes to play up this ‘oh woe is me’ shtick and loves attention. She’ll act like a ragdoll cat in your hands.” He finally bit into his breakfast sandwich, savoring the blend of flavors, especially the cheese and sweet jalapenos.
“What’s the other one’s name?” asked Suzuka as the other girls made themselves comfortable on his sectional sofa.
Ben swallowed before saying, “Her name is Babs. Which is short for Babd Catha, who was a Celtic war goddess known for taking the shape of a raven and causing chaos for the soldiers she didn’t favor.”
“Is she a mean kitty?”
“No. Just... Very VERY CAT. You know, aloof, haughty, acts innocent of all sin, and slow to trust other people. She likes me only so much as a warm lap, though it helps that I helped raise her as a kitten.” Ben took another bite.
“You mean she’s not anymore?”
Swallow. “Mngh. Yes, she’s about as big as she’s ever going to get.”
“She’s so tiny, though!”
“Oh, she makes a tiny little meow, too. Almost like she’s trying to whisper.”
“How cute!”
Ben chuckled evilly. “Don’t let it fool you. If she’s meowing at you, she’s actually telling you to leave her alone. You’ll only get about two warnings before she hisses and takes a swipe at you. Just be calm and she’ll decide if she wants to get to know you.”
As Ben turned back to his meal, Luna gave into temptation and was immediately doted upon by Suzuka.
Meanwhile the local news broadcast on the TV shifted to another topic.
“Police today are stymied as yet another body has turned up - the third so far in a string of unusual deaths. So far the victims have been homeless people in the vicinity of Centro Plaza. Further stymieing authorities is that a clear cause of death has yet to be determined.”
Benjamin looked to Suzuka, communicating the question.
Suzuka shook her head. Had there been anything that her family would have known about this, they would have told her.
Benjamin looked back to the TV as the news wrapped up by cautioning the public about being in the area after hours.
“Something is out there,” he said grimly. He then reached for his cell phone and dialed Washu.
##
Benjamin showed the girls to the apartment that they’d be sharing. He’d already put in all the furniture they’d need - they could personalize things later. Leaving them to get settled in, he went to Washu’s lab, knocked on her door, and was immediately allowed in. Waiting inside were Washu and Teletha.
“Glad you could make it,” said Washu impishly.
Ben grinned wryly. “Well, you know how it is, you get a bit of authority, and suddenly everyone else's problems are now yours.”
Washu scoffed. “Don’t I know it!”
Teletha smiled. “How very true.” Her face then went somber as she asked, “Do you really think that the Tsukimuras have anything to do with the killings?”
“No,” said Ben flatly. “I never got that vibe off of them. They’re good people. Mostly what I’m aiming for is information.”
Washu nodded. “And with the desiccated state of the bodies, you’d want to go to the subject matter experts. I just wish we could get a hold of one of those bodies.”
“Would if we could,” said Ben. “Anyhow, I’ve already called ahead, so all there’s to do is to drive over.”
“Are we taking the van or the big truck?”
Ben sighed. “Rather not - diesel is pricey and I’d like to keep their usage to when it’s absolutely needed. And that just leaves us with Scrappy. Washu-chan, would you mind being in the jump seat behind Teletha?”
“I’ll live,” said Washu breezily. “Advantages of coming in such a small package, you know?”
“Yes,” said Teletha, “but all the same it would be nice if you could find something more practical.”
“It’s in the works,” said Ben. “I’ve got a line on a Saturn S-series coupe, a 2000 with the dual overhead cam engine - it’s the third generation model so it has the cool suicide door behind the driver’s door. I’m also looking at a nice 1996 BMW 525i.”
“Can you afford that?” asked Teletha.
“I’m getting more than enough money. The owner of the Bimmer wants two grand, and so does the owner of the Saturn. I had that socked away as of last payday. In fact, I’m also gonna be buying myself a lot of tools. I have projects that I’ve wanted to do, but never the money for them. Let’s get going. The girls will be fine for the time being, but I’d rather not let them be for too long, even if Sosuke is keeping an eye on things.”
##
“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice,” said Ben gratefully as Noel saw them all to their seats before serving the tea.
“No need to thank us, Benjamin,” said Shun Tsukimura with a grave expression as he looked to them over his glasses. He appeared as an average salaryman of Japan, save for the violet eyes that his daughters bore. “We were concerned ourselves when the corpses began to show up.”
“At first we thought it was a fluke,” said Haruna, her dark-blue hair almost looked black and matched her eyes. “But then the second body was found and we started to become concerned.”
“Whoever is doing this is jeopardizing our way of life,” said Shun. “This sort of behavior among our kind was once tolerated, but as forensic science has progressed in these modern days, the dangers of being discovered have drastically increased. It is thanks to the noble service of our human servants that we are able to live this life without resorting to such unseemly behavior.”
With that, Noel bowed quietly, respectfully acknowledging the gratitude of her masters.
“For that reason,” said Shinobu suddenly, “Kyouya, Miyuki, and myself have all volunteered to assist you in any way that we can.”
“Are you sure of that?” asked Teletha. “If things go bad, we would feel absolutely horrible if one of you were caught up in it.”
“It’s fine with us,” said Haruna. “We only ask that Alisa and Suzuka be kept out of this.” She then grinned wryly. “Though I can’t imagine that Nanoha and that dear girl, Fate, would be willing to be sidelined like that.”
Ben sighed. “I don’t think anyone could stop them, even by main force.” That caused a ripple of chuckles as we all knew of the fiery streak possessed by the youngest of the Takamachi Clan. “At any rate, when do you want to come over?”
“I should be ready by this afternoon. Kyouya and Miyuki as well.”
“Good,” said Ben. “That’ll give me time to check up on the girls and the rest of my tenants, and then come back with the van.”
##
When Ben got back, it was to a not entirely unwelcome surprise.
“Come on come on come on!” said Sasami insistently as she began pushing Ben along the moment he got out of Scrappy.
“Whoa, where’s the fire, cute stuff?” said Ben bemusedly.
“If you don’t hurry it’s gonna be under your butt!~” taunted Sasami.
“SASAMI-CHAN!” cried out Aeka in shock, but the girl only giggled. Ben could only shrug helplessly as he went along with her.
Quickly, Ben was guided right into Nanoha’s and Fate’s apartment where they all waited for him - Nanoha, Fate, Suzuka, and Alisa.
And spread out on the table was lunch - tuna salad sandwiches, dill pickle spears, and barely tea.
“Surprise!” they called out gleefully.
“Girls!” cried out Ben in pleasant surprise. “You didn’t have to go and do this for me!”
“Au contraire,” said Alisa with mocking haughtiness. “You’ve been doing so much for us all, we felt it was only right to give a little back to you. It’s only fair, after all.”
Ben rolled his eyes at that. “Well, try not to spoil me here, okay?”
“Okay,” the five girls all chorused, and then broke out into giggles.
##
The day held one more surprise when Ben went to pick up Shinobu with the van.
Waiting with Shinobu with a bag of her own was little Francesca K. Erhlichkeit. (It turns out that Farin was a mutation of Furan, which is the Japanese equivalent of Fran, which is short for Francesca, which makes a lot more sense with a surname so unrepentantly German.)
“Hello Benjamin,” greeted Francesca cheerfully. “I will be accompanying Miss Tsukimura with you to your home.”
“Okay, said Ben, a bit perplexed. “Not that I mind, but...”
Shinobu giggled behind her hand. “Benjamin, with all those girls over there, some of them from such affluent families like ours, we would have been remiss in not sending one of our servants as well. Besides, my sister and I have our special diets to consider. Francesca is more than capable of providing for the two of us.”
“Before you ask, Mr. Rhodes, I already have the needed supplies packed. All I’ll need from you is a comfortable chair to recline in.”
“Well, I can’t argue that logic,” said Ben a bit sheepishly. He then went to the back of the van and opened the cargo doors. “Let’s get you lovely ladies saddled up.”
##
Once they picked up Kyouya and Miyuki, Kyouya and Shinobu moved to the last row and sat close together in the middle, talking softly to each other. Miyuki had Shotgun while Francesca sat in the middle of the first row.
Ben sighed as, while doing his routine check of the rear view, saw that Shinobu and Kyouya were leaning close together.
“Is something wrong?” asked Miyuki.
“Oh, not really,” said Ben, pitching his voice low enough that only she would hear him. “Just an old problem.”
“May I ask?” said Miyuki.
“Well... I don’t like to seem like an ugly person,” said Ben slowly, “but I’m just a bit envious.”
Miyuki twigged to what Ben meant right away. “I understand. I myself envy him - that he has that kind of happiness in his life. But he’s the only boy I’ve ever really known that understands...”
Benjamin nodded slowly as he caught the dangling thread. “The family trade. It’s not exactly something you can just talk about with anyone.”
Miyuki nodded in agreement. “That is one holdover from the old traditions that has good reason for remaining. Few people would understand that there comes a time where a person must kill another. Even fewer still understand how intensely personal it is to do it with a blade - to cut them open and watch as the light fades from their eyes.”
“I will admit,” said Ben, “that’s something I would find difficult to relate to. But I was a sailor in the US Navy. And while I had no front-line experience, I was expected to be my country’s sword should I be called upon for it - whether it be by circumstance or by chance.”
“I can tell what you’re thinking,” said Miyuki quietly. “And don’t feel bad about that. I know I’m attractive. It’s a consequence of my heritage. Kunoichi bred for not only ability, but for beauty as well, for a beautiful flower is more likely to lure a foe into its thorns.
“I cannot see myself in such a relationship with you, Benjamin...” and then suddenly he could hear the impish grin in her voice as she went on, “but that’s mostly because Nanoha has her sights set on you.~”
Ben sighed. “You sure this isn’t just some passing thing with her?”
Miyuki shook her head. “She likes girls. Her first crush was actually another girl at her school in the next grade. She never told mother and father about it because she was worried about what they might think. But she told me everything and cried her heart out in my chest.
“Up until she met you, she never had any interest in any males, young or old. You are special, Benjamin.”
“But what about Fate?”
Miyuki chuckled. “Do I need to whack you over the head with a shinai?”
“No,” replied Ben, a bit flustered at having been caught off-guard like that. “I mean... I know... about Fate...”
Benjamin sighed. In for a penny, in for a pound. “I shouldn’t have done what I did, Miyuki. I shouldn’t have opened up so suddenly to her. Not when she was still so vulnerable. People would say that I was taking advantage of her...”
“But you weren’t,” said Miyuki, quietly but firmly. “You wanted her to feel less hurt. Less alone in the world. Yes, she has Nanoha, but you knew that Nanoha could never fully relate to the betrayal Fate suffered, no matter how much she loves her. She’s never experienced anything like that in her life, and I hope that she never does.
“But you bridge that gap. You not only balm Fate’s wounds, but you also help bring Nanoha closer to understanding what it is that’s in those wounds that makes them fester.
“Nanoha loves you not only because she is drawn to you, but also because you help her to understand the only other person she cares that much about.”
Ben sighed again. “Miyuki-”
“No, Benjamin. I understand - you’re too old for them. But I saw that picture of your mother. Heaven have mercy on me, I hope all the gods above and below will bless me that I look that good when I’m sixty years old!” Miyuki then sighed and went on, “Benjamin... You need to understand. The love Fate and Nanoha share is going to be fraught with misunderstandings. I don’t doubt that Nanoha can rise to the occasion. But with you? You’re the missing piece. You are what makes it all work together harmoniously.”
“But... Miyuki, don’t take this the wrong way, I’m not trying to weasel out of this or anything... But... you and your family won’t be staying with us forever.”
Miyuki was silent at that for the next mile, only the hum of the five cylinder turbo diesel engine filling the air.
“We’ll find a way, Benjamin. I don’t know how, but we’ll find it.”
##
There had been an arrival while they were gone - Peorth and Marller. They’d been sent as a joint force to help tackle the situation.
Once Ben arrived with the others and unloaded everything from the van, they all filed into the manager’s office where Ben had a smart board set up just for this reason. Projected on the board was a satellite map of Centro Plaza and everything around it from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and Adult Detention Center to Milliam Park, and from the Haven for Hope homeless shelter down to the UTSA Downtown Campus.
“Here’s where the action has been so far,” said Ben as he gestured with a laser pointer. “One body found in a dumpster by the jail - how in the blue fuck they got it in there without getting spotted by surveillance I have no idea. Another over here by the Wells Fargo Bank. And the last one was in one of the service docks at the UTSA Campus.
“With police activity in the area being as it is, a hideout shouldn’t have lasted long, especially with how these bodies have been getting dumped. This leaves Washu-chan and I to one conclusion.”
Washu then stepped up to take over. “People. I’ve pinged the dimensional space in this region, and someone has a pocket universe in this area. Unfortunately, I’m unable to get a solid fix on it. That requires two transceivers placed a lot further apart than my lab is capable of. And I’ve already asked the Goddesses.”
Peorthe stepped in this time. “Unfortunately, with the Yggdrasil/Nidhog system being off line, we’re unable to assist. All we can do is send someone in there to scout things out in person.”
“That’s where I come in,” said Benjamin. “I’ve been homeless before, so I know how to play and look the part. I can actually be out there and look for clues. But I won’t be alone. We’ll have a group watching from close by, watching for trouble and ready to jump in the moment it comes.
“That said, though, after talking with Peorth, Marller, and Washu, I’ve set up an exclusion list of people we won’t allow to be on that group. However, I insisted that does not preclude people from being part of a reserve unit that can be called in when we need more help.
“The watch group will post their stake-out on top of the UTSA Frio Street Building. The location is relatively lax in security - if you arrive directly to the roof by portal and under the cover of a storming field generator, you should go completely without notice. We’ll also include proximity sensors to alert us when you guys need to make a hasty retreat.
“Any questions?”
Tenchi raised a hand. “Ben, what if you wind up getting taken?”
“That’s actually what we’re sort of hoping for,” said Washu. “Don’t worry. In addition to communication equipment, Ben will be carrying a beacon that we can track through dimensional space. They won’t get far with him before we can bust down the doors.”
Noike was next. “What do we do with the culprit once they’re apprehended? Surely we can’t just turn them over to the local authorities.”
“That’s my job,” said Marller. “Once we have them, the Daimakaichou herself has some... questions that she’d like to have answered.”
Whoever the culprit was, those who understood what the Daimakaichou was capable of had no envy whatsoever for them.
##
After the meeting, everyone broke up to get dinner. Ben had to take a moment to make sure that Francesca had what she needed and then went up to his apartment.
And found Peorth up there waiting for him.
“Good evening, Benjamin,” said the scantily clad goddess. “I hope that you will forgive me for letting myself in. I was curious about your library and I felt that you needed to talk.”
Ben sighed, not because of the intrusion. “I have a feeling that I know what this is going to be about.”
“Please, sit down, Benjamin. I promise that I’m not here as a bearer of bad news.”
Ben nodded, the reluctance evident in his carriage. “Would you like anything to drink, first?”
“No, but thank you for offering.”
Ben nodded and sat down in the sectional, while Peorth sat in the opposite leg.
“I know, Benjamin, that you are deeply troubled over this matter involving Nanoha and Fate and their feelings towards you. For the moment, let me assure you: their feelings are indeed genuine.”
Ben nodded. “I had little doubt of that. Girls their age and... well, I guess it’s fair to say that there are some that would lie to get their way, but not these two, and not for this. But thank you for dispelling any lingering doubts I had on the matter. Now my only problem is how do I make something like this work?”
“That is very understandable, Benjamin. The age difference would be quite alarming to some. But there are ways around this.”
“Oh?” asked Ben.
Peorth nodded. “For one thing, you have a wish available to you through the Goddess Relief System. If you would like to, you could use that wish to alleviate the situation in some manner. And while I can’t tell you what to wish for, I do have the leeway to help you better craft your wish so it will have the desired results.”
Ben sighed. “That is one way of doing it, but it’s like I said to Miyuki earlier; everyone is going to leave eventually. What do we do then? My place is here, and theirs is over there. They have lives that they need to live out.”
“This is very true,” said Peorth. “However, you should not approach this as though you do not have allies on your side. The elder Takamachis witnessed what happened between you three at the Halloween Party. They are very well aware of Nanoha and Fate’s feelings towards you. And that night they were made aware of the terrible circumstances of your childhood.”
Ben leaned back in the couch, letting it all wash over him as his guts churned at the realization that Nanoha’s parents knew.
“Benjamin, please understand that they do not disapprove of you. In fact, they feel that you are an admirable person for the things you do and the heart you have. They would like to welcome you into their family and take you back home with them.”
Benjamin didn’t react outwardly, but his mind was reeling. The profound thought that they wanted him in their family. No matter that he was a broken person with as many faults as he had qualities. His anxiety wanted to deny it, that he didn’t deserve this. But a meek and much battered little voice whispered that he did deserve to belong to a good family.
Finally, the logical part of him weighed in: more information was needed, because even if they could bring him with them...
“Even if I could go with them,” said Ben quietly, “We’d still have the same problems... I could only imagine what the people of Uminari City would think of me, forty-seven years old, marrying a girl of twenty, and also taking in her lady-lover, also twenty, as a legal mistress.”
Peorth chuckled. “They’ve spoken with Washu-chan in that matter. They’re going to be looking into making you young again so it won’t turn as many heads. Though I do imagine that a young American with his wife and mistress under the same roof will cause no end of gossip.~”
Ben lifted his head to give Peorth a surprised ‘Say WHAT!?’ look, but she only grinned back at him.
“They’re serious.”
“As serious as can be.”
Ben sat up and sighed. “They covered all the bases. They really are serious about this, aren’t they?” He shook his head in amazement. “I can only imagine what it’ll be like once they move to Midchilda. I don’t think I have any mage talent. I’d probably be the stay-at-home-dad.”
“Oh? And is there something wrong with that?” asked Peorth.
“No, not really...” Ben sighed. “Just that I’d worry about them is all. I mean, I know they’re capable and everything...”
Peorth nodded sagely. “Such is the plight of the home maker wedded to the soldier.” She then made a thoughtful sound and said, “You know, it is almost a shame that those two got to you first.”
“What do you mean?” asked Ben.
Peorth smiled back, then stood up, taking a seductive pose. “Otherwise, because you have so many traits that I admire, I might have taken an interest in you.”
Benjamin blinked at that. There was only one thing to do in a case like this, and it was to throw The Rule of Funny a bone.
He slowly got up, went to a wall, and with his fists against it, he started rhythmically hitting his head against it, and chanting in Latin in time with the impacts. Just like Chris Knight did in Real Genius.
Peorth giggled hysterically and somehow that made everything alright with the world.
##
Nanoha hummed cheerfully as she worked in the kitchen. Her mind was not on what was to come, but rather on what was at that moment.
She could barely believe it, but it took Miyuki having a heart-to-heart with her in order for her to see it herself.
She was in love. With a girl and a boy.
...Well, you couldn’t really say he was a boy, but still...
Was it confusing for her? Only a bit. As far as Nanoha was concerned, she could love both Fate and Benjamin just as much. Which was great because she knew that Fate had come to like Benjamin as much as she did... though for somewhat different reasons.
The one thing that did bother Nanoha was that Ben wasn’t a girl.
This was something that Miyuki didn’t explain. Nanoha understood that boys can like boys and girls can like girls. And sometimes they can like both... which was kinda strange, but that’s not important.
What was important was that Nanoha liked girls. The nicer boys at school were... nice. It was fun to play with them sometimes. But she never got the kind of feelings that meant she liked any of them like that.
So why was Benjamin so special? He even said so himself that he’s no one special... though considering what happened with him and Fate, Nanoha would dispute that claim.
No no, there was no denying it. He was special in some very intangible way. But how?
She thought back to when he held her and Fate close together.
He was very strange, that was for certain. But in a good way. Nanoha could tell, he was a person who could be as solid and immovable as a mountain, something that felt safe and stable in one moment... and then suddenly he could be like the air itself - sustaining, yet freely moving and allowing freedom to move. He was a lot of contradictions, that was for sure.
But once again, her mind turned back to when he held both her and Fate.
And finally it clicked.
Benjamin was that dark place that was not scary. He was the dark place that was warm and comforting. Being close to him was like wrapping herself up in a down comforter in the middle of winter time like a caterpillar weaving itself into a cocoon.
While Fate felt like her other half, Benjamin wrapped around them both, providing sanctuary from the harsh world outside.
Nanoha never talked about it to anyone - not even Miyuki - but she was really an anxious person in her own way. Nearly losing her father the way she did made her realize how easy it was to lose something important.
Her first crush hadn’t helped matters any.
But Benjamin... there was something about him - a sense that so long as he willed it, there was absolutely nothing in heaven or earth that could move him.
Not that he was invincible - the way he’d been hurt was proof of that.
But he would never give up. She somehow knew that no matter what hardship came his way, he would always be there, stubbornly refusing to give up, and only because there had been one important person in his life. Someone that he knew that if anything happened to him, it would have utterly broken that one person.
His own mother.
And now, Nanoha knew that she herself was important to him - he had said she was beautiful and all those wonderful things. She could see it in his eyes - he had seen her in that anime and wished that she could be in his life. And now that she was, she knew that Benjamin would do whatever he can to live. He would live for both her and Fate.
Though that sounded a bit selfish when she thought about it that way.
Thinking it over, she reasoned it wasn’t just for selfish reasons she wanted Benjamin to carry on - Nanoha’s Japanese sensibilities would not permit it.
She wanted Benjamin to live because it was the right thing to do. She would not keep him selfishly to just herself and Fate. She wanted him to be in the world, helping people in his own way.
What he did for Fate was, in her humble opinion, absolutely beautiful. She wanted him to be able to help others like that.
She could not do what he had done. She’d tried with Fate. She had tried so hard. The most she could do was tell Fate that she was glad she had made it out, and that she would actually talk to her about it. She couldn’t wrap her mind around what Fate had endured - never imagine what it would have been like for her own mother to treat her in such a way - but she knew for certain that keeping it bottled in would have killed her just as surely.
But Ben? He told her flat out that he understood. He showed Fate his own emotional scars. He gave Fate the hope that she needed - that there is a life that can be built from such terrible beginnings.
And thus Nanoha’s resolve was set. Nanoha liked girls, yes. But Benjamin, despite not being a girl, held the potential of security - someone around whom she could at last let her guard fully and completely down. Vulnerability was a non-issue with him - he would comfort and protect her. It was the emotional equivalent to taking off a stuffy suit and putting on your softest and comfiest clothes and curling up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate.
And what’s more is that Nanoha knew that she didn’t need to fight for his sake - all he needed was her love. And for what he offered and has already done? Love was something she could give Benjamin in abundance.
She did worry that other people might not like it because Benjamin was so much older than them. But in reality, she didn’t care. As soon as it was allowed, she wanted to be his family.
“You seem happy,” said Alisa as Nanoha brought dinner out to the table.
“Eh-heh-heh,” chuckled Nanoha nervously. Just then, she had to take back that bit about not caring about what others thought. She had no idea what her friend with her American values would think of this!
“Yes,” said Suzuka with a smile, “something does seem to have made you happier than usual, Nanoha. Would you like to share?”
“It’s probably Benjamin,” said Fate with an almost dreamy smile. “He is such a wonderful person.”
Nanoha felt a creeping dread at this. She didn’t feel betrayed by Fate - that would have required her to have known she was doing something wrong. But Fate didn’t seem to know that things here on Earth worked a biiiiit differently.
Francesca then added her own contribution. “Mistress, I think I know what Fate is talking about.”
“Oh really~?” said Suzuka, an evil gleam in her purple eyes. “Do tell, Francesca~.”
“It seems that Benjamin has gained the close affection of Nanoha and Fate. The poor man. He is so lonesome, and circumstances of culture and law would keep him from being with them.”
“WHAT!?” cried out Alisa in shock. “Both of you!? And him!? Oh this is just so wrong on several levels! A man with two women is just plain unconscionable. And then the fact that he is old enough to be our father!”
“But Alisa,” said Fate.
“No buts! It’s just wrong and that is all there is to it.”
Tears streaming down her eyes, Fate suddenly ran to the room she shared with Nanoha, who went swiftly after her.
Suzuka and Francesca both gave Alisa grave looks.
“What!? It’s true!” she said, trying to defend herself.
“Perhaps in the legal sense,” said Suzuka. “But I sense that there is something deeper at play.”
“Indeed there is,” said Francesca. “Benjamin and Miyuki didn’t bring it up specifically, but I was able to surmise it from what I know about Fate. It is apparent that Benjamin was a victim of abuse, just as Fate was.”
“Oh dear,” said Suzuka as her face fell. “That is terrible. And saying that they can’t be together... that must have been the worst thing Fate could have been told.” The two then looked to Alisa, who then had the decency to look sheepish.
“I... ah... I didn’t know.”
Suzuka sighed. “Next time, please ask before you say things like that.”
##
Nanoha held Fate close as she sobbed uncontrollably. There have been few times where she’s ever wanted to smack someone, let alone a friend, but by gods above and below, Alisa had better be careful about what she says next time!
There was a red glow in the dimply lit room and suddenly someone else was present.
“Oh dear,” said a voice in a somewhat mocking and sultry tone. “I could sense that there was misfortune afoot in here, but I didn’t know it was this bad.
“What can Big Sister Marller do to make it better?~”
Fate stopped crying, surprised at the sudden intrusion. Nanoha, though, was quicker on the uptake.
“Raising Heart!”
“STAND BY READY!”
“Now now, there’s no need for that,” said Marller.
“But you’re a demon!” accused Nanoha.
“Well yes, that is true,” said Marller. “And rest assured, misery and suffering is our stock in trade. However, if we stand to gain something - that is, to make a profit of some kind - then we are more than willing to aid in true love’s fulfillment.”
“You mean,” said Fate, her voice watery, “you would do something nice if you got something for it in return.”
“Exactly,” said Marller with a grin. “We may be demons and monsters, but we have our principles. When we make a deal, we keep that deal.”
“But what can you do?” asked Nanoha.
“What can I do indeed,” said Marller thoughtfully. “I am a First-Class Demon, so there isn’t much that I can’t do. And I do know what you want. What you want is Benjamin, right? I don’t blame you. He’s quite the fellow. Damaged, yes. He’s a bit of a fixer-upper that way. But you two have the patience and understanding to handle that. The question is, how soon do you want him, and how badly?”
“But what could be done to make it happen?” asked Fate.
“Oh, a number of things. You could wish that he was younger. You could wish that you were older. Or you could even wish for it to be socially acceptable. There’s all kinds of ways around it. As the saying goes, the sky's the limit. The only real limit is what you’re willing to pay.”
“What do most people pay for a wish?” asked Nanoha.
“Usually they offer their souls, though we feel that’s pretty unimaginative and boring. Some, though, will offer some kind of service in exchange - to work for us for a set term fulfilling some kind of task that is vital to our operations. We’ve gotten some of our better accountants that way.”
“So you’re saying,” said Nanoha slowly, “that if we do something for you, that you will grant us a wish that can allow us to be together with Benjamin.”
“Correct,” said Marller.
Fate and Nanoha looked to each other. Fate shook her head slightly, and that was all Nanoha needed.
“We appreciate the offer, Marller, but we’ll respectfully decline.”
“As you like,” said the demoness. “Keep in mind, though, the offer will always be open to you should you ever change your minds.” Marller’s expression then took on a kinder and gentler look. “And really, don’t worry about this. I only offered because I know how much this sort of thing can suck.”
“How?” asked Fate.
“Kid, I’ve been around since the days when Abraham was wearing diapers. I’ve had a few things with other guys that just didn’t work out because of circumstances. And just for once, I wouldn’t mind seeing someone else buck the system for the sake of their happiness.”
“You really mean that?” said Nanoha, just now starting to lower her guard just a bit.
“Yes, I really do mean that.” ... “Well, I won’t overstay my welcome. But I’ll be around. Whenever you want to talk, just call my name. I’ll be there.”
##
Benjamin managed to shoo away Peorth so he could get to making a quick dinner. Once fed, he started working on his ‘disguise’.
He knew pretty much exactly what to do.
Digging into his laundry hamper yielded the clothes he wore when Scrappy had blown its head gasket between cylinders 1 and 2, and had to go through an arduous process to replace it. In fact, he had worn the clothing for three days in a row in the middle of a sweltering Texas summer.
The clothes, a pair of blue jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt, were covered in dirt, grease, and smelled worse than a Old New York City sweatshop.
After that, he messed up his face and hair with used motor oil, giving him an absolutely filthy appearance. Finishing it all off was his older set of Navy boots - paint spattered and beaten to hell and gone again. At the very least they were comfortable if no longer waterproof.
Looking in the mirror, he judged himself ready, turned out the lights, and went to lock up on his way out.
And in doing so, almost plowed into Nanoha and Fate.
“Whoah! Hey girls,” said Ben as he neatly avoided them.
Nanoha looked at him in alarm and said, “Benjamin, what happened to-” She suddenly stopped as the smell registered. She scrunched up her nose and reared back as Fate covered her mouth and nose. “Ewwww! What is that smell!?”
“About three days worth of literal blood, sweat, and tears,” said Ben. “Sorry, but this is the best way to blend in as one of the homeless.”
“Does it have to smell so bad?” asked Fate.
“Unfortunately, yes,” said Ben. “If I smell clean, then the disguise is less convincing. But with this? It’ll leave no doubt in others minds.”
“Well let's hurry up and do this so you can get out of those nasty clothes,” said Nanoha.
TBC...