mayfield_rpg | 6th Gumball

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c: benson

6th Gumball - Action

[Well that was stupid. Harmless, as far as Benson could tell, but still stupid. Pranks weren't things Benson put much stock in, but he went along with them to the best of his ability anyway in order to avoid getting droned. Was he good at them? Not really. Did he manage to prank anyone? Miraculously, yes. He got a few people. Even then it wasn't fun. To Benson, there was nothing "fun" about tricking people, or screwing with them. It was cruel in a way.

He felt he shouldn't feel guilty about them, not really, considering how harmless they were. But he does anyway.

Benson also by this point understood what the regain packages were. He had gained at least one during Christmas, after all, though he hadn't seen one for himself since then. So he wondered if the fact that there were two - one big, one small - was supposed to make up for the fact that it had been so long since he'd gotten one.

And for some reason, he has an odd sense of dread. So he'll be careful and start with the small one.]

[Action - Around Ricardo Street]

[Unfortunately for Benson, he chose wrong when he decided to open the small package first. At first, he was kind of delighted by the honeycomb. It was practical and something he could at least use in cooking.

What Benson wasn't so delighted about was the swarm of 100 angry bees that came with the honeycomb. The honeycomb is now laying harmlessly on the lawn of 507 Ricardo Street.

The bees, meanwhile, are a swarming black cloud chasing a skinny man running down the street. Benson flails, swatting and trying to strike at the cloud if it gets too close and occasionally having to brush some of the bees off as he tears ass down the street.

Enjoy the show folks.]

[Action - Outside 507 Ricardo Street]

[After Benson's amazing bee adventure, he wasn't too thrilled about opening his next package at first. In fact, he planned to let it just sit out there and rot, but if it was something dangerous than it was better to get it out of the way before it could hurt someone else. And so Benson began to open the packaging with the hesitation and care of a man working on removing a live timebomb.

And to his relief, this time, it turned out the timebomb was dead from the get go. Instead of some other horror like he had expected in his package, Benson actually smiled a bit as he got rid of the rest of the packaging.

If you're passing by today, you'll notice a fairly nice drum set is out on the lawn of 507 Ricardo Street. Benson sits down by it at the moment, feeling the drum sticks in his hands for a moment. It's been a few months since he's had his set, let alone practice, and maybe out in public wouldn't be the best place to try again.

But he's lazy at the moment for once and doesn't want to carry them inside, so hell. Why not. He'll begin to play.

And he's not half-bad at it, either. He's pretty clearly focused as hell while he plays, but he's pretty good at them.]

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[Are you running away from bees Benson?

That's a shame, because here comes another cloud of bees chasing after a panicked flying super hero.

And they are coming right for you.

Bees behind and bees in front! What do you do?]

[Oh shit OH SHIT.

Benson tries to run to the side and avoid the Captain, but ends up tripping on his own two feet, falling and running into the Captain instead.]

[The Captain collides with Benson and they both kinda get stuck as the bee swarms combine on their location.

The Captain panics, grabs a hold of Benson and flies! Heading straight up then out, only a few stings lands upon them before they get a lead in the now giant swarm chasing them.]

Ow, ☠☠☠☠, ow! ☠☠☠☠!

Oh come on!

[Benson just grimaces as he continues to run. Goddammit. How did this shit happen.]

You got one too?

Yeah, what the ☠☠☠☠?!?

[When they get a good lead he lands again and starts running. Letting Benson do his own thing.]

Got any place to hide from them?

No, I don't have a place to hide from them. If I did I wouldn't be running from them.

[Sorry for his snippy tone, Captain. It's just, you know. Being chased by bees and all. Not a great feeling.]

[Also running, and more scared than angry this time.]

I hate bees, they are like little monsters.

I got it! The pond in the park bees can't swim.

[That's why they don't go in water Captain, obviously.]

[Bees can't swim? Captain are you a moron? ...Well. Benson guesses it's technically true, though he has to fight to keep the urge to just insult the guy down due to a combination of fear and irritation.]

Yeah, okay, whatever! How far is the park?

Uhh... not far if you can fly.

We are going to have to try and get past the bees though.

Oh well good thing I can fly then!

[Just...snapping at you Captain. Goddammit. Is he one of the few people here who doesn't have any goddamn powers.]

Okay, and how do you suggest THAT?

Uh, you wouldn't want to be bait so I can get away, would you?

Uh, yeah actually! I would mind!

Well then, I guess we are just going to have to go really ☠☠☠☠ fast.

[Your son is coming out of the garage to investigate the sound of you playing your drum set, Benson. He has grease on his face and is wiping his hands in a towel, clearly in the middle of building something important. But, what you're doing is pretty important, too.

He lingers by the door for the moment, not wanting to bother Benson, lest he want to be left alone. Equius looks curious about it, though.]

[Benson, at the moment, is still too preoccupied on his playing to notice Equius at first. It's been so damn long since he's just gotten to play that he's relishing it. Back home, it was one of the few things that could serve as a conductive outlet for his aggression, so it's nice to have that back at the very least.

After a moment of playing he does spot Equius and smiles, waving him over.]

Hey! How's your project going?

[Equius flinches when Benson looks at him, but the smiling and waving is encouraging, so he takes a few steps closer, peering at the drums.]

...It's coming along well. Uh. I hope I'm not disturbing you, it's just been...quite some time since I've heard any music at all, and I must admit I'm a bit curious about...what you're doing.

I had no idea you played an instrument. Though...I suppose I should have known. It is proper for nobility to be artistically versed, after all.

[He continues to wipe his hands, wringing the towel in his palms. He's really worried that he's bothering Benson.]

[Benson continues to tap out a soft beat on the drums as Equius approaches him. Shit. He somehow forgets each time that Equius thinks he's nobility.]

Oh. I'm practicing. I haven't had my drums back since I got to this place a couple of months ago. Just seeing if I've still got it.

Well. And it's something I kind of picked up when I was about your age.

[And was attending high school. He was a music geek.]

You play anything?

[The wringing of the towel becomes slightly more frantic.]

Ah. N-...no. I'm normally far too STRONG to handle the delicate attention that musical instruments require.

[And he seems a little ashamed of that, especially since Benson has...clearly been playing for a long time. Not to call you old or anything, Benson.]

I, ah...write a bit of poetry, but my literary indulgences are fairly personal, for the most part, so I tend to keep them to myself.

[Still tugging at that towel. Though when he's finally close enough, he reaches out and touches one of the cymbals briefly with his fingertips before drawing his hand back to the towel.]

[Man, he is trying not to pay attention to all that you are doing with that towel since he thinks it'd be rude Equius. But you are really showing it some love, and he's a little surprised by how soaked it seems to be already.

Hey he is not old he is only in his early 30s okay. That is not old at all.]

Well, you know the nice thing about drums is that they aren't delicate instruments.

Poetry huh? I tried some of that around your age too but I wasn't...uh. Not too good at it. God. Think I still have a box of some of what I wrote somewhere though.

[He stops playing the drums again and holds the sticks out to Equius.]

Here. You want to try?

[He freezes, then quickly lifts the towel to wipe at his hairline, staring at Benson in terror. The dark bags under his eyes are more pronounced when his eyes widen, and he shakes his head nervously, pushing his hair out of his face and trying to find somewhere safe to look.]

I. Uh. N-no. No, that's. Not necessary. I couldn't. I'd. Most likely break them, anyway. Or. Something along those lines. I wouldn't want to...damage your property.

[He wipes at his neck with the towel and looks firmly at the grass.]

I've already...caused quite enough damage in the hive, today. H-...house. Sorry. It's. These human words...

[And he trails off, mumbling. He really wants to take a step back, but he's afraid Benson might get mad.]

[Wow. That is not the reaction he was expecting. He wasn't bothered by the decision not to so much as just...how horrified Equius looked. He has no clue what it is he said or did to elicit that reaction, and he isn't sure where to begin asking what was wrong.

He just stares, blinking, at Equius for a moment.]

Um. Equius?

Are you okay?

[Oh. God. He takes a deep breath.]

...It's. What I mean to say is. I wouldn't want to ruin something you...clearly value. From your home. That...it was delivered today, wasn't it...? I tend to break...everything. I apologize. I...and if. I weren't to break it. I would most likely not. Be very good at playing, anyway.

[This is quickly spiraling into a disaster. Every option here seems bad. He could say yes, attempt to play, and break the drums. He could say yes, play, and be horrible at it and embarrass himself in front of a human noble. He could say no, and upset Benson by rejecting him. Or he could make a complete fool of himself, like he's doing right now.

He's freaking out a little.

He continues to dab at himself with the towel, still staring at the grass.]

It isn't important. I apologize. I was simply, uh. I came over to. Admire you. I'll go and...return to my work, now. If I'm. I'm clearly bothering you. Forgive me. I don't...I don't know what you want. Are...y-you're just. Asking me? If I want to...? But it's...a-as my superior, isn't what...you want. More important...?

[He's turning pale. This is either going to end in him getting yelled at, or something else horrible. Either way, he'll probably deserve it.]

[Benson doesn't even know where to start with this. Equius said he broke things but that...has to have been by accident. The kid is kind of wound up but he seems like a good kid deep down. So it must have been an accident. God, he should probably ask if the kid is alright because of that.

His brow just narrows as Equius goes on. His superior? God, he didn't think the kid would take this that far. In a way Benson's happy Equius WOULD do what he asked and would do it quickly and without question, but he didn't want him to think he was his boss for God's sake.

As much as it would be nice to have a worker like Equius. Hell. It'd be nice to have someone do what he's doing but good god. He really is still just a kid. Benson just looks at Equius for a moment, dumbstruck, before he can finally find the words he's looking for.]

No. That's...

Look. There are times where for your safety I'm going to tell you to do something, and I need you to do it so you don't get hurt. But you don't have to follow my every word and act like it's a command. I...don't know still how it works back home for you but that's not how it works for me.

Everything shouldn't be about just pleasing me. You have to please yourself too.

[Equius looks at Benson while he's talking, but he's clearly still unsettled. His face shifts a little, as if he's not quite sure that he understands what Benson is saying, and in all honesty, he doesn't. It doesn't really make sense. Why would he be given so much freedom when he hasn't proven himself at all? Every time he talks to Benson--hell, every time he thinks about Benson--he seems more and more important and powerful within the community. The way he talks about his job...Equius can't help but be impressed and humbled. Even though it is incredibly different from Alternia...clearly there's still a social hierarchy to adhere to that Equius doesn't understand in the least. And Benson paints himself as wildly high up on the ladder.

He really, really doesn't want to make him mad. What if he decides to kick Equius out...? How humiliating would that be...?]

...So. You're. Telling me to not...presume that you are commanding me to do things. Or that you're...asking me to make a decision as some sort of a test of my obedience? I shouldn't do that? It...but. I'm not certain that I understand why you would do that, but I.

[He swallows, wiping his hairline with the towel again.]

...I am...pleased to be in this dwelling with you. I don't...want to ruin that.

[He belongs among nobles, after all. He'd be ashamed to live anywhere else.]

...It is crucial that I do the right thing and keep you satisfied to have me as your..."son".

[That last statement does it.

The idea of wanting to satisfy your parents he can get behind. The idea of having to prove yourself satisfactory? Even more so. The idea of giving himself some kind of worth has always meant something to Benson, or at least for a long time had before he'd been dragged down by life. Had gotten lost in a strong current that kept pushing him forward and down, and eventually it got to the point where it was so much easier to obey the current and where it took him than swim against it. And it was just so bitter, it was so goddamn bitter to think this kid was getting close to the point he was at, or a pantomime of it. Of getting that caught up in the idea of hierarchy and social standing beyond what most kids were supposed to worry about.

And he's just so irritated with himself for the stupid bullshit he made up to try and make Equius happy. To appease him. He should have been honest from the start so he wouldn't have to push this kind of worry down on the kid.]

...I'm pleased to have you living here too.

[And he is. Even more than living with the drones, he was just glad to live with someone. To not be locked into a cramped, three room apartment in the city anymore, to have someone to talk to where he lived. Benson had always told himself he was fine on his own, but he'd always known that was a lie too. Even someone as anti-social as he was needed some social contact at times.]

And that isn't going to change. I am satisfied you're my son. You're a great kid, Equius. You don't need to worry about me being happy you're here. I don't think that's going to change.

[Because he does like the kid. Even cares about him, if just because he lives here.

Well. Maybe more than just because he lives here.]

[Equius would really like to take comfort from that, but he knows how flippant feelings can be. Benson could change his mind very quickly. If Equius managed to mess something up, or lose something, or break something, or accidentally hurt Benson, or any number of things...he can think of about a hundred reasons right off the top of his head for Benson to change his mind and kick him out.

It does excite him for one brief moment, though--that idea of pleasing Benson, and the thought that maybe he won't change his mind. That relief and joy shows on his face for all of two seconds. But it quickly goes away, replaced with uncertainty and fear yet again, and Equius flinches, his face flushing in embarrassment.]

But. It could.

...It could change. I am not...the most pleasant companion. Being here is. So strange, for me. I've been mostly separated from others, for a good deal of my life, and I'm. A bit afraid that being in a different body is making me somehow more...pleasant. For others to be around.

...When I change back. You might not like me quite...

[As much.]

...A-at all. I have. A terrible temper. And I tend to offend others completely by accident. I still don't know...e-exactly how I'm meant to function in human society. So many things still utterly baffle me, and I might eventually...do something horribly offensive to you.

[He's tugging at the towel again, and it's actually starting to tear a little bit at one end.]

[God kid. Do you know just how much you're describing himself right now? It's kind of ironic and under any other circumstance Benson would maybe (emphasis on maybe) be able to find some humor in the situation. But at the moment it's just kind of sobering. Sobering, and slightly annoying that the kid won't calm down. What the hell is he supposed to say, apparently? He's doing the best he can to make the kid comfortable and nothing seems to be working. Just what in the name of God is he supposed to do and oh good now the kid is tearing the fucking towel apart.]

Hey hey hey careful with that towel.

[He couldn't help it. Agitation was just Benson's default setting and even though the towel didn't mean a single thing to him he couldn't help but be somewhat irritated with it's impending pointless destruction.

He feels bad about it immediately. God. Didn't he just prove the kids' fears somewhat right by getting angry like that? What an asshole he was. Benson takes a deep breath, straightening himself out before he speaks again.]

...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that.

I'm not exactly a pleasant guy either. I get it. What you're trying to say. Just...try not to worry about it so much.

And no, that isn't an order. It's a suggestion.

[That irritated snapping makes Equius grimace, and he drops the towel on the ground rather than continuing to tug at it. That's probably not preferable, as dropping it isn't exactly being careful with it, but it's all Equius can think to do with it. His hands move to wring themselves, instead, and even though Benson apologizes, Equius is still quiet for a long moment after he's done talking, fingers still twisting in his palms until his knuckles are red from him rubbing at his own skin so harshly.]

...Please, f-forgive me. I'm...I don't mean to burden you with my troubles. I'll...I will try to be less destructive. Allow me to. A-apologize about the towel. I will mend it, if it's...I'm sorry that I made you angry.

It won't happen again. I'll do...all that I can to do as you...s-suggest.

Sir.

[His voice is quiet and unsure. He takes a step back, away from the drum set, then flinches and bends down to pick up the towel again. He looks absolutely disgusted at the little tear he made in the side, and he folds it to hide it for now, holding it carefully in both of his hands.]

No. You...you didn't do anything wrong.

[Goddamn Equius. You are just breaking his heart here. He has absolutely no clue what he's supposed to say or do right now. Not really. It feels that no matter which direction he tries to go it's apparently the wrong one. Like he's caught between two dead ends, able to see the destination but unable to find a way to get to it.

He thinks for a moment before getting up from his drum.]

You, um, maybe want to show me what you've been making?

[Maybe letting the kid show him and explain what he's been working on recently will help ease the kid up a bit.]

[He hesitates for a long moment before looking up at Benson again, brows furrowed in genuine confusion. He just looks at him for a while, trying to figure out if he actually said that, and then he nods slowly, hands trembling a little as he continues to cling to the folded towel.]

...I...ah. I suppose I should, if it...if you want to s-see it. I did try not to ruin anything that I had to deconstruct, but it. I. Can fix them, as we discussed. It's, ah.

[He turns a little, still flustered.]

...It's in the vehicle port.

[Benson just nods a little. Speaking with you is still kind of an adventure Equius, and he's not totally sure what to do or say in order to make you feel comfortable. He's kind of coming to the conclusion that it may be for the best to let you just be like this, at least for now. It's not like you're hurting anything.]

It's fine, it's fine. I trust you. You probably know what you're doing with machines a lot more than I do.

[And Benson will just start to head off to the garage.]

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6th Gumball - Action

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