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"It does tantalize the imagination even if it's not based on anything possible,"Ben said of Frankenstein with a dreamy expression.
He smiled at Rebecca as of one to another who had a mutual and perhaps even secret understanding.
"You really should read it. It's quite different from what's out there on the literary market and truly stretches the bounds of imagination. it's quite unexpected in some ways."
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Renfield's onyx black eyes narrowed in sudden irritation that Ben didn't understand the reason for. In fact it took him slightly aback.
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"It merely shows how stupid and small minded the human race can be concerning anyone who may be different than themselves," he said, voice quite but full of a surprising amount of venom as did his narrowed eyes.
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The small man's gaze wasn't directed specifically to Rebecca or to himself so Ben took no offense, though he was a bit unsettled.
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"I...I suppose it does at that," he agreed thoughtfully.
Then smile brightening again to Rebecca he added,"it's simply one of those things one must experience for themselves."
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One of the others at the table spoke Renfield's name then, drawing him into a conversation about property value. When Renfield turned away, and to the speaker, his face was all proper composure once more. In fact he could've easily been seated behind a desk stacked high with papers and land deeds, talking sales with a perspective client. The change was nearly as unsettling to Ben somehow but he shrugged it off, literally, the movement of his own shoulders seeming to root him in the moment somehow.
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For his part, Renfield was wondering if he should've said anything...spoken so strongly on his own unconventional thoughts and feelings, then decided...what the hell. He didn't really care much what anyone thought unless it could hurt him, did he?
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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“If one fails to tantalize their imagination then life becomes rather dull, don’t you think?” Rebekah posed the question with one eyebrow raised on slightly as she regarded her charming companion who seemed far more open to the existence of things beyond the explanation of science then his friend. “Perhaps I shall find myself a copy then as I myself am more drawn to all things not of the norm.” She replied with a smile rather enjoying the conversation.
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Though her smile faded upon hearing the venom in the other man’s voice when his two cents was added. Oh yes, he would be learning firsthand just how wrong he was and very soon. “But what does it say about a person if that is all they take away from such a tale? Because an unwillingness to step outside of one’s own comfort zone to see things from a different perspective makes one just as?‘stupid and small minded’.” There was a bit of ice in her voice when she addressed him.
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When she turned her attention back to Ben the icy manner in which she’d spoken to his friend all but forgotten. “There is much in this world that could be described as such though few are open-minded enough to seek it out.”
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(ooc: the people who run yahoo need to feed it so it stops with the post eating.)
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OOC, I wish yahoo only ate messages. IT rejected my gmail recently so I had to get an entire new one even when I got a new bloody yahoo account. Just wow. LOL.
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IC
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Renfield merely gave the girl a tight smile. Ben was obviously besotted and he frankly didn't see it. He did have the urge to eat a nice fat fly or spider right in front of her and see her reaction to something truly strange right before her eyes, though. Though the ingesting of life was science and not silly supernatural it would still likely make her scream. He smiled widely at the thought, casting his eyes about for another insect. Surely one would come skulking around the food soon, unaware that it would soon become food itself.
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"I feel we could speak on such matters for hours,"Ben said enthusiastically, smiling at Rebecca with eyes shining.
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"I...I do not at all wish to be forward, but do you think perhaps we could see one another again after this night is done," he asked quietly, leaning toward her so that his words would not carry too far.
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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“Of that I am quite certain.” Rebekah chose to ignore the scientist for the time being though in the back of her mind plans were already beginning to take shape. If she weren’t so cross with Nik over the subject of their eldest brother remaining daggered then his assistance might well have been sought in the matter as she had very little doubt he would enjoy tormenting someone such as Renfield. “There is much in the Mikaelson family history connected to the supernatural.”
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She inclined her head slightly sliding a sidelong glance in the direction of his friend then her gaze quickly snapped back to him. “It is entirely possible as it would save me from the horrible fate of sitting around listening to talk of politics.” The vampire rather enjoyed engaging in a conversation that was far from what was expected of women in this?‘day and age’, something she hoped to live long enough to see change.
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"So is there anything of a supernatural nature that you flat out don't believe in," Ben asked, feeling mildly relieved for some reason when Henry got Renfield's attention with a gesture, causing his friend to be drawn into some matter or other of building on a hill, the drawbacks, and sellers.
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For his part, Renfield wasn't any happier with the Real Estate conversation than he had been with the silly childish one Ben was having with his strange little blond who apparently enjoyed playing at games. What did he want, he silently asked himself, not for the first time. And the answer was always the same. LIFE! More life. And he didn't just want it, he needed it and always had...from the time he was a young child...and that had never changed. As a child he'd seen something...or had it been someone who had taught him about life, how to get more of it and use it, and it was all he truly craved.
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Rebekah gave the question some thought before responding with, “Mermaids. Unicorns. Leprechauns. Oh, and I suppose that you could count them among those that I have yet to find proof of their existence.” She knew that her choice of words might raise a few questions and was slightly curious to find out how her charming?‘new friend’?would react to his view of the world being expanded in such a way. It was an entertaining thought as most regarded the supernatural with utter disbelief even when proof of its existence was staring them in the face and others fled in terror.
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Ben leaned teasingly close to Rebecca to whisper into her hear..."But you never know. Perhaps our Renfield is a Leprechaun."
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With a twinkle of good natured amusement in his eyes he pointedly avoided glancing at the small man in question lest Renfield's sharp wit clue him in on the fact Ben was using him? to get a laugh out of Rebecca.
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At her statement of needing to find proof of such fantastical beings his eyes narrowed in definite interest and speculation.
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"I like that. The requirement of proof. That shows that you are of sound mind and not in the least flighty," he pronounced, meaning it.
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"A rare thing in a person with such an open mind," he complimented, meaning it.
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"But tell me...what do you require as proof in such cases?"
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His gaze was alive with interest and curiosity and something else...an eager excitement that he'd not felt sense...perhaps childhood, he realized with a near exultation.
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OOC, Ah hell Klaus is probably going to kill him.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Rebekah couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of his friend as a leprechaun. “An entertaining thought for sure. It might even explain a lot. However, it would raise quite a few questions as well.” Their conversation was one she found herself enjoying, an unexpected and welcomed surprise as there had been no plans for the evening aside from meeting up with her brothers.
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“To accept things on blind faith is either a good way of being made a fool of or getting oneself killed depending on the circumstances.” One didn’t live as long as she had without taking the necessary precautions. “Seeing it for myself.” Her response to his question of proof had been a simple one and in her mind the most fitting.
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Her thoughts of?‘别苍濒颈驳丑迟别苍尘别苍迟’?where Ben was concerned were rather different than the ones being entertained regarding his friend. With him, she was strongly considering the offer to turn him?(which of course would only come after making certain things known to him).
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(ooc: No doubt. Anyone who takes a romantic interest in Rebekah or that she takes one in typically meets a bloody end courtesy of Klaus)
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Renfield's darting gaze was drawn to a movement at the nearest window. A shadow indicating someone far taller than most people. The man wore a long coat and his long seeming hair blew like some sort of net cloak in a sudden wind as he paused to peer back into the window then headed off. Renfield murmured an excuse me to the table at large then fled from the dining establishment and fled after the towering shadow. For what reason he did not completely know...only something drew him...a need to talk to the man. To ask him...to see if..."
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"Wait...Please," he called, tone pleading as his voice was snatched away by the wind.
The verbal entreaty only seemed to speed the man's hurried steps along and in less than 2 blinks he was gone.
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"Please wait," Renfield called, but even as the words left his lips he knew from somewhere deep within himself that it was too late. To make matters worse the man had even run from him. Run from him!
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Overwhelming waves of dejection flooded Renfield even as he realized quite plainly that he had no idea what he'd even wanted. Guidance surely but toward what and why from this particular one whom he'd hardly glimpsed. Shoulders slumping he sat on the nearest ledge. Normally he'd never have, been concerning that his clothing should become soiled but currently he hardly noticed so muddled was his mind.
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Meanwhile within the restaurant Ben glanced briefly after Renfield as the little man hurried out then glanced back to Rebecca with a concerned expression.
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"You don't think he could've heard the bit about leprechauns do you? I didn't know what's the matter with him tonight, and he can be a bit of a strange one at times, but Renfield's alright. A good enough fellow truly."
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It was plain in Ben's face, in his concern for his friend that he'd never want to cause the other hurt feelings...that he simply wasn't the sort.
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Rebekah stared after the peculiar little man as he went racing out into the night. What on earth could have possessed him? It would have at the very least been polite if he excused himself from a table filled with his?‘friends and coworkers’. “I can’t imagine how he could have.” One eyebrow lifted somewhat at the concern evident on his face. While she might either wind up regretting this later or possibly play right into her plans.
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“If you want…we can go check on him?” She offered gently placing her hand over his. It was simple gesture, but one she genuinely meant as Ben was someone who she had taken a liking to. A thing that would without a doubt put his life in danger should Nik find out about him. It always ended the same, well, almost always. He hadn’t killed Marcel. But then that had a great deal to do with the fact her brother had raised him as if he were his own son.
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Maybe if she explained to him about vampires and offered him a choice of being turned. Maybe Nik wouldn’t feel as compelled to end the man’s life. Who was she kidding even that might not stop her brother? He always seemed to justify his actions by claiming they were done for her own good though strictly speaking she didn’t much buy that. It was all about maintaining some level of control and influence over his siblings. Or maybe he did have some misguided notion that he was indeed protecting their family.
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Ben blushed and his smile warmed in pleasure at the brief touch of Rebecca's hand on his. So light and delicate yet firm and strong and in control rather than waiting about for someone else to be as so many other young and beautiful ladies tended to be...as though it were some rule or law. Then the ones who were bold enough to break that law tended to be loose garish sorts, not appealing either for entirely opposite reasons. Rebecca was rare, though. Special and he was smart enough to know it.
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"That is truly kind of you...but he won't want the company. Renfield...isn't the sort to want checking up on. He's a good solid fellow, but he does have moods and when he is having one he tends to wish his solitude."
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He leaned slightly toward her so?that he could lower his voice.
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"In all honesty I don't think he has the best relationship with his family. Perhaps it puts him off to work dinners. His uncle's law offices are in the same building, and the business, though divided into the real estate and law, are under the same umbrella of ownership. I"ve seen him tense around the uncle...and he complains about the mother the few times he's mentioned her."
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He shrugged.
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"I'm not one to gossip, though," he assured hastily.
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"I merely shared as you are kind enough to be concerned."
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Rebekah looked on with a smile spreading across her lips at his reaction. This had all started based on a need to?‘keep up appearances’?but turned into an evening she was rather much enjoying despite her mild dislike of his?‘办苍辞飞-颈迟-补濒濒’?friend. It was surprising to say the least as she had half expected to be bored to tears after five minutes. “If you are certain he wouldn’t.” In truth the odd little man’s departure was of no concern beyond his importance to someone she found herself growing fond of.
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“Sometimes Nik gets in a mood and if one wants to keep one’s head or throat intact it’s best to steer clear.” She assumed the odds were quite slim of him thinking anything more of her comment than it being merely a figure of speech as most would never in a million years take such a thing literally. Unless, of course, one was familiar with her family then that was another story altogether. “He’s one of my more impulsive brothers. He and Kol.”
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She gave an understanding nod. “Family isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Take mine for example. We have our fair share of rather intense disagreements.” Her thoughts turning to the brother she and the others sought to have undaggered. Though much to her dismay it was one such matter as could not be agreed upon by all. Nik being the only Mikaelson to oppose. “Sharing things about oneself and friends is essential in getting to know another no matter how one labels it.”
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"It sounds for certain as though your family life can be complicated. I always fancied siblings to play with as a child would be fun," Ben said with a fleeting boyish and wistful smile. Then he chuckled.
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"I always felt I could get into more exciting adventures with brothers about or even a little sister or two."
He smiled again, a bit sheepishly this time, the expression having a slight embarrassed edge.
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"I understand that you're right...that it'd not be all fun and roses...I'd probably hate them half the time and not having any makes that easy to forget so perhaps I'm lucky."
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He chuckled.
"If Renfield were my brother, for example, his moodiness would likely be more of a bother. He's a good friend and a good chap to work with but dealing with someone all the time likely makes more things stand out eventually."
All logical conclusions, but those one never truly understood without experiencing them, he knew. Gaze flicking about the table, he noted others speaking their farewells and moving to pay for their finished meals and depart. Some were exchanging signed documents from the office, too many of them unable to leave work behind after hours when things weren't completed.
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"I insist on treating you to dinner,"Ben told Rebecca as their dishes were cleared away.
"And if I may walk you home...or if it is quite far I can get us a ride," he offered gallantly.
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He sat on a low wall for a time, eventually rousing himself from his stupor of stunned subtle misery, unexplained and thus the worse for all that. Lifting?his dark?gaze to the sky, he sat thus for some time. The uplifted gaze, trained on the clear sky and stars, along with the?cool breeze blowing over his face, serving to clear his mind, likewise lifting it from the mire into which it had so recently once again sunk. It was odd that the night was so clear. In London such was rare, but tonight the stars were quite visible and the air clear, crisp and pleasantly cool. This made Renfield happy and somehow directed his mind to more mundane functional things in a way he could tolerate.
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Returning to his flat seemed a more appealing idea...a warm cup of tea and a book perhaps before bed felt soothing. Standing he shook himself a little, working out any kinks he'd gotten for sitting on the wall for so long and headed off.
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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"Complicated is a fairly accurate description of my family." Rebekah said with a smile covering up an underlying frustration with a rather stubborn brother who at times could be excessively paranoid in her opinion. Disagreements aside she loved her brothers even if there times when she also hated them. Her thoughts briefly turned to Marcel once more though just as suddenly those memories were shaken off.
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"When I was a little girl there was this storm one night that frightened me terribly. Nik had been carving this small wooden horse figurine for our father but it gave it to me so that I wouldn't be frightened anymore and stayed up through the night telling me stories." It was one of her better memories from her childhood. 'Always and forever.' The vow she, Elijah and Klaus had made nearly a thousand years ago one they still had broken. ?
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"There are definitely more adventures one goes on with siblings than they ever would alone. But there is also far more trouble one gets into because of them as well." In spite of all the times she found herself hating one brother in particular she was as quick to have their backs as they were to have hers. "Often I find myself hating them but at the same time I love them dearly."
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She watched the plates as they were cleared then looked to Ben once more. For the most part ignoring the others who went about saying their farewells. "I would love that." The blonde smiled in response to the mention of dinner at some point in time. "If it's not too much of an imposition." She rather enjoyed his company.?
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"That was nice,"Ben said of?Rebecca's story of her brother giving her the carved horse he had made for their father to ease her fears during the storm.
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"Tell me, do you still have it? The horse that is...and did your father ever get another carved for him," he asked, mind ever curious when opened by a good story.
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As the others scattered he listened to her thoughts on family, leaving them 2 of the few still scattered around the large table their ferm had claimed for this dinner.?
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Ben chuckled.
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"I must admit, the way you put it...makes me not so sure I want siblings...Except for the part about doing things you may not do alone...adventures and such I bet, and that does sound thrilling.then there are friends one can do such with and hen so avoid the other problems you have painted me a very colorful picture of."
He smiled, eyes twinkling. She spoke well, only using a few words but as with strokes of a paint brush she made a very clear picture with those words.
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"If you like I'll hire a carriage to see you home...I will come along to ensure your safety...unless it is close and you'd prefer we walk."
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He was interested in hearing more be they walking or riding for she had a fascinating yet simplistic way of turning the wheels of a conversation that fascinated him.
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Late evening found Renfield with a candle in his guarded seeking any living insects who would pray on his vegetables. The small plot of ground behind his flat he had allotted for said guarded due to preferring to have fresh vegetables on hand rather than traipsing to the crowded market every other day or so. Market vegetables did wilt so quickly and if one left them in the ground they lasted far longer, allowing one to enjoy them at their ease.
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Renfield was never one to use poisons as killing the bugs off before he could do it himself was the last thing he wanted. The hollow aching misery inside that he had been caused by the glimpse of the odd man wasn't going to go away on its own. Only a burst of life...several little lives would assuage the hollowness and give him more of the life force he so craved and even required.
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The man...he didn't particularly want anything of him, but he had reminded him o the girl...the girl of which he dreamed so often...and he had wanted to ask him...to ask...oh he didn't know! Snatching a caterpillar off of a cabbage leaf he snapped his teeth on the wriggling creature. If he could put the entire insect into his mouth he was allowed its life force as he ingested its body. Anything larger and it wouldn't work. You could not inhale a life if you couldn't get the whole creature into your mouth...it simply wasn't possible!
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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Rebekah carefully considered her next words as with any other conversation about her family. Nothing could be said that gave too much away, especially to a human one might potentially be growing fond of as it wouldn't do to provide her brother with further incentive to bring the man's life to a bloody end. "I suppose one might say that Nik had his moments." She spoke in the past tense because the brother she remembered was long gone.
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"I still have the little carved horse." She smiled choosing to focus on the memory of that night as it was one of her favorites. Looking to him with a slight shake of her head when asked whether another had been made for their father. "No. Our father and Nik had a rather... complicated relationship." The memory still fresh in her mind of the night she had been on the verge of killing the man following a particularly brutal beating that very nearly killed her brother.?
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"Then perhaps you should simply count yourself lucky for the lack of siblings." It was definitely something to consider as she often wondered what life as only child would have been like. But she supposed at the end of the day even with all the aggravation they caused she loved her brothers and wouldn't allow anyone to harm them.?
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"I rather enjoy the night air, unless...you prefer a carriage ride?" She briefly considered telling him the truth about who and what she was. Thoughts on that particular subject brought her back to what she planned on doing about his little friend.?
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"A walk is fine if that's what you prefer,"Ben said with a smile.
"It keeps the body fit. People grow fat riding everywhere, you know," he said cheerfully.
Waving the waiter over he paid the check and tipped generously.
"I hope you will be kind enough to allow this to be my treat," he told Rebecca.
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"Otherwise, I would be quite shattered for at least a week," he said with a wink.
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His face grew serious when she spoke of his being fortunate not to have siblings.
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"those friends I have with brothers and sisters...some are close with them like dear friends while others are always complaining about them. It's all...well random seeming at times. One is thrown together with a load of people they call family. They are connected by blood, but if they were not, one must wonder if they would ever associate. Some likely would and others would not."
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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"Carriage rides are enjoyable at times...but I do prefer evening walks." Rebekah said with a smile. Thinking perhaps of easing him into the idea that vampires were real, a conversation that would lead to another which she hadn't had with anyone in quite some time. Part of the reasoning for that was her most recent stint of being daggered.?
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"Well, I would hate for you to be shattered. That simply won't do." Smiling once more. Hopefully none of her brothers would be there when this nice young man chose to escort her home. For the most part it wasn't Elijah who concerned her or even Kol for that matter. No, it was Nik. But perhaps he hadn't arrived yet.?
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"We bicker and fight like all siblings do but...when someone else comes after one of us...they have to deal with us all." It had been that way for as long as she could remember. Slowly rising from her chair once the tab had been settled. Briefly considering his words. "I couldn't say whether we would be around each other if not for being connected by blood." She hoped it wasn't all that held them together.?
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OOC, Do you want me to take Kol? Up to you.
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IC
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"Well? thank you for keeping me from being shattered, Dear Lady,"Ben said rising with a bow and offering her? an arm, politely escorted her from the dining establishment.
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"You'll have to lead the way as it were," he said.
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"Have you always lived around here," he asked, hen not wishing to appear intrusive he hastily added some personal information of his own.
"I live rather in the heart of the city for work though I grew up a little further out in the countryside. It was a pleasure for a boy to have trees to climb and fields to run in, but as a man I prefer being here as it is far more convenient."
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I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed.
I get along with the voices inside of my head.
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"You are quite welcome." Rebekah smiled offering a small curtsy in response. Politely accepting the offered arm slipping her own loosely about it. She couldn't pass up the opportunity to tease her escort as they stepped outside. "If my brothers are home you just might regret being so chivalrous." With any luck, Nik was traveling still. He had been a bit obsessed with breaking the bloody 'curse' their mother placed on him for centuries.?
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"We do a lot of traveling. Mostly to avoid our father. But I suppose it is also a matter of necessity." She rather liked him so prepared herself for whatever turns the conversation might take and if things went badly she could always make him forget. "Our family often finds a place within a town but also one out in the country for when we desire more privacy."
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She began walking with him at a leisurely pace in the direction of home or at least what was being considered so while they were here. "As children we spent a lot of time playing in the woods in spite of the fact our father didn't approve as he thought there were far better ways for his sons to be passing their time." He had always been particularly hard Nik, always pushing him about hunting and 'being a man'.
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(ooc: If you have ideas for Kol and want to run with them then I'm totally cool with it. Next time I get a few days off need to do the ever fun advertising again.)
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Kat