head or your heart

► basics;

Full Name:  Bennett Ryan Brody; call him Ben or he won’t answer. Age: Thirty  Birthday: September 30, 1991  Sexual Orientation:  Heterosexual  Relationship Status:  Divorced; Single  Religion: N/A Occupation:  staff writer, Coda (mostly writes about music)  Nationality: American 

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“In the flesh.” he said as he pulled at imaginary suspenders. There’s a little dude with Ben and Matt wondered if this is the son he mentioned to him in their past conversations. “Oh man, that’s coming up isn’t it? I need to get on that soon or I’ll never hear the end of it from my mom.” At least his mom’s pretty chill but she’s done some much for their fam over the years she deserves all the spoiling. 

Ah, so that is his kid. “You’re doing a great job then, bud. You’ve got plenty of time to find the perfect gift.” Matt looked at the place in front of them and noticed they sell candles. Seattle Candle Co to be exact. He loves this place. Something about supporting local companies instead of big name corporations makes him happy. “Candles are always a nice go to for gifts. Especially when they’ve got fun scents.” He went forward and looked at some of them. Hmm. Couldn’t hurt to get a few and piece together a basket for his mom. “How you been? Enjoying the decent weather we’ve been having lately?”

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“Yeah, it’s on the early side this year for some reason. I’m not sure what calculus goes into figuring it out, other than it’s always on a Sunday,” Ben admitted with a shrug that implied he also didn’t care to know.  “That’s definitely one of the benefits in not having a relationship with my parents.  They don’t really give a shit what I remember or don’t.” 

He still usually sent his mom flowers or a fruit basket or something wildly impersonal, but it was always under the radar and he usually lead with Tana’s name on the tag.

He cracked a smile.  “Especially when she has to cover the smell of a stinky teenage boy.”  He raised his voice a little but, if Drew heard, he didn’t even turn around.  Ben rolled his eyes.  He was pretty sure he was set to ignore after lowkey pissing the kid off earlier as they discussed class selection for the upcoming year and how four physical education classes wasn’t an option.  “Yeah, a little bit.  Some hiking when it’s not too wet.  My job is a little indoorsy, at least until outdoors concerts start, so I don’t have a ton of options just yet.  How’ve you been?” 

Eden tapped a finger on her lips. “Well, in that case, which is your worst stint? Going all Hulk or Indecent Exposure on people?” she asked lightly. She was dying to pry, he had made her curious, but on the other hand she didn’t want to be too much. Nodding her head, she smiled, Matt had suggested she tried podcasting but she wasn’t comfortable in her skills -or having enough of a fanbase- just yet. “Airdrop me your link and I’ll be happy to listen.” she said encouragingly. Queen Bee syndrome wasn’t something Eden had, she had no dreams of being the greatest and stealing people’s thunder or killing someone’s groove; hell, she’d listen to anything once just to know if she would like it.

Hand still covering her mouth, she tried to make them the center of attention as her laugh wouldn’t die. “It is better.” she agreed managing to catch a breath after all that laughing. “Well, if I thought you were hitting on me, my mind would be playing a weird remix of Cowboy Casanova and Criminal just looking at you.” she chuckled and quickly shut her eyes, a hint embarrassed she actually said that. “And I just made a fool of myself; sorry. It’s a work thing; thinking about stuff in terms of songs and all, you know how it is.” thinking about it, she added “Wow, you actually do know how it is..huh.”

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“Definitely more on the Indecent Exposure end of the spectrum, but I wasn’t ever alone,” Ben explained.  Lightly.   It was an understatement to say he’d been caught in a few compromising positions, but they always involved sex with someone else.  Getting graphic would be a form of kiss-and-tell he wasn’t so sure about, even if he wasn’t outing his partner.  Even if he could remember who some of the partners were.  “It’s really easy to be drunk or, like, a little high and think things are a good idea and then end up getting caught with your pants down.” 

He could only thank God, probably, that he didn’t do hard drugs so at least he’d never been arrested to top off the being interrupted and not entirely clothed. 

“Sure,” he agreed.  He reached for his phone in an attempt to do what she asked, but it was going to take him a cool minute to find anything he could send her.  He’d just found her name on the Airdrop menu and sent her something when she made her admission about how she was soundtracking him.  He did a double take and then let out a chuckle.  “Wow.  I mean, you didn’t make a fool of yourself, but we’re gonna need to do a deep dive on that because... why those two?  Not just a..a scoundrel, but also a dude who kills people for fun?  The kind of guy who would make mothers cry?”  He bit his lip in consideration.  “Actually... I’m pretty sure I did make at least one mother cry so we can strike that.  The rest, though, do tell.  Do you wanna get out of here for that conversation?” 

Vivian: You'd be quite surprised the shit guys pull. Makes the decent ones stand out though.

Vivian: Daredevil stuff huh? Do tell. I do enjoy a person who likes to have some fun.

Vivian: I've been told I can be quite the teacher.

Ben: I don't know how surprised I'd be. I'm of the opinion that most guys are assholes.

Ben: Fun and smart don't always go hand in hand. I'm probably lucky I'm still alive.

is this the life you that you wanted?

do you love or do you just put up with?

looks like your map of good graces

Eden tilted her head to the left a little, looking at him. “Well now I’m both scared and tempted to ask…” she mumbled which wasn’t polite but it was something she did sometimes. “Then you know what I’m talking about.” She smiled and sighed. “It’s more of a talk show really, music on the background, chill mood. Basically, it’s either moi talking to myself or having friends or cool people over chatting about their careers or current issues.” Shaking her head a little, she offered “I try to keep it casual –both the show and my anxiety when it comes to critique- but I guess I grew up in an environment where criticism could make or break you.” She shrugged and quickly explained “My mom’s a journalist in Australia.”

Taking his hand with a small laugh, she shook it. “No worries, Ben Brody, we’ve all been there. A lot.” She said lightly. “Eden Jones. Pleasure.”

Allowing him some time to digest what was most likely her over-the-top opinion, she smiled. Quickly slapping a hand over her mouth as to not make a spectacle of herself, she laughed against her palm before trying to settle. “Now you just gave me full brown visuals of all those odd and funny scenarios.” She said taking a few breaths to calm herself. “Don’t worry, we’re cool.” She waved a hand, knowing he meant it when he said it wasn’t a come on but just making conversation, clearing her throat. “Well…” she pushed her lips together trying to suppress another laugh “Gin.” Losing the fight, she laughed. “It’s gin, I’m sorry.”

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Ben chuckled at her candor.  “You can ask whatever you want.  I’ll either answer or give you a really creative dodge.”   He shoved his hands into the pockets of his cargo pants, glad he’d fully embraced the athleisure trend most of the time.  Of course, he’d done it when he was actually an athlete, but it had remained constant long past those days.  “That sounds like a good format for radio.  I’m doing a podcast that’s a similar idea, at least in terms of guests, just not really current issues.  And I’m only releasing a new episode every couple of weeks because it’s research heavy.” 

The conversation turned almost silly as they discussed alcohol.  When she followed up his get-naked admission with the quip that she loved gin, the very type of alcohol he’d said made him lose his pants, he had to laugh.  “I can say if I’m going the martini route, gin wins every time.  Not just because vodka makes me act angry, but because it’s better.  If I were hitting on you, I’d probably say something about being a lover not a fighter.”

Ben: Touching is believing in that case.

Ben: Came for the bike. Stayed for your face.

Vivian: Very interesting. It'll have to be because a lot of people hype themselves up on here.

Vivian: The photos barely do me or the bike justice. Do you know how to ride?

Ben: Do they? I've only hooked up with women, so maybe that's part of it because maybe they're more honest, but it's only been a good experience for me.

Ben: If you tell me why you swiped on me, I'll tell you why I swiped on you.

Vivian: The mention of abs and bourbon caught my eye, the fact that you're good looking is an extra bonus.

Vivian: A little disappointed that the abs weren't included on the photos, makes me wonder if they are even real.

Ben: Touching is believing in that case.

Easing up a little after hearing, well, how he actually viewed himself in regards to his profession, she smiled. “I must have looked like a deer caught in headlights, sorry.” She chuckled realizing how she must have looked. Taking a breath, she explained. “I’m…well, I’m not sure I am, but..oh well, I host a radio show and let’s just say that, since I started working mostly, critics make me feel a little…” she paused making a face of unease “personally attacked at all places and times.” Offering a quick laugh, she tried to shrug it off, he seemed cool so far anyway so it wouldn’t be fair to hold his job against him. It’s not like he was judging her. “Oh I might just do that…” she breathed out a laugh before giving him a pointed look “…Stranger I met at SAM.”

Eyes on the photo, she tried to decide if it was really art she was seeing or a psychological riddle of sorts. “Maybe” she whispered feeling unsure and a little exposed. Had she overshared somehow? Had all that artistic clarity and epiphany she was getting exposed her inner turmoil or was she worrying too much over nothing? Clearing her throat a little, mostly to recollect her thoughts, she shrugged “Pretty much, yes. I think at the end it all comes down to the journey and what we get to leave behind.” Eden raised an eyebrow at the mention of bourbon, she wouldn’t have guessed. “Hm..I’d take you more for a vodka or gin kind of guy.”

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Ben smiled.  “It’s okay.  This isn’t the worst reaction I’ve gotten by a long shot.”  He bit his lip as she explained further.  “I can see how they would.  I actually have worked at a radio station here and there.  In my case less hosting more music, but I think you open yourself up to criticism regardless.  It can be really aggravating sometimes.  What kind of radio show?” 

Only when she pointed out he was still a complete stranger did he laugh and extend his hand.  “Ben Brody.  Usually way better at social interaction than this.” 

He returned his eyes to the photo, using her words as a lens to view it through again.  Shit like this was exactly why he was a terrible critic. He absorbed her opinion, could see what she was describing, and honestly had no real ego about it or need to explain himself further.  They didn’t have to have the exact same perspective.  “Um, well, I’m one of those humans who has different responses to different kinds of alcohol.  Bourbon, or really any whiskey, settles me out.  Vodka makes me argue.  I wouldn’t say fight face or anything.  Gin... makes me want anything in a ten foot radius to be naked, including myself.  I don’t really drink it much for that reason.”  He let out a laugh and shook his head.  “This is going to sound like a come on, and I don’t mean it that way, but what’s your poison?” 

Any supervision was better than none in Eva’s eyes. “Hana and Mari are at work. I c-can- I cannot spend over a hundred dollars here. Some…someone has to tell me no put it back.”  She didn’t think she’d be spending that much here, but she also knew it was entirely possible. “The mission is house decorating. And you know… telling you that… That I’ve moved into a new house. And have a girlfriend now, Hana. That’s… that’s the um… the other thing…” Eva felt a little bad dropping that all on him at once. But it was the only way to catch him up on the whirlwind few weeks she’s had. 

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Ben offered a chuckle.  “Okay, I guess I’m equipped for that much.  I’ll have to focus though.  I’m usually more of an enabler.  But I also know a thing or two about sticking to a budget.  Hard lessons.”  He sighed, his mind flicking briefly back to when he’d had no idea financial limitations were necessary.  In some ways, he could admit, the privilege had been nice.  Then again, it had come with a lot of strings, and cutting those had felt even better.  He didn’t really need $160 t-shirts if it meant he could do what he wanted for a job without his dad breathing down his neck about it.  “A girlfriend and you’re living together -- that’s serious,” he commented, careful to keep his voice light.  He couldn’t judge her choices just because they weren’t the ones he’d make for himself.  “Are you happy?” 

Status: Closed {@bnnttbrdy }

Location: Any Metaphysical store will do 

Eva had her own house. Not a room in someone else’s house. But her own house. Her cats had plenty of space, her crafting had plenty of space. And they had an extra bedroom if anyone wanted to sleep over. She had a kitchen of her dreams, thrown herself into a whirlwind relationship (again) but she wouldn’t change it for the world. With her new house came more space. More space meant she had more room for her hobbies. She googled some Metaphysical boutiques only to pick one randomly and she shopped around for a bit. There was a few shelves of little cauldrons. One would have to do for now. “I need adult supervision. My w-wallet is mad at me… and I haven’t spent money yet…" 

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Sometimes, Ben just went along with things and only in select moments did he return to reality, fully present, and realize he had no idea what he’d gotten himself into.  In this instance, he was in some type of a store with Eva.  Having always been something leaning more toward scientific, though, he was studying the entire space through a slightly skeptical lens.  Still, he’d agreed to come, to be company, to accompany -- and that meant he wasn’t going to be an ass about it.  He just had absolutely no idea what most of it was or what importance it held for other people.

“Ooof, you think of me as adult supervision?  That might be a bit of a blind spot in your judgment I should correct,” he joked.  “I’m not terrible with a budget, though.  What are the goals here?” 

Ben: Sounds great. Want alcohol too?

Evie: are you new here?