#bensith

The owners are having a chat with one patron as they wrap her order, talking about the festivities planned for that night; they're excited for a acrobatic dance troupe to perform, an act full of color and song. When the chime on the door clatters, the owners look to the door instinctively to say hello, but they and the patron both can only stare at the guest.

Little prince Bensith, who had turned one just that January (a mere four months ago) stood slightly bewildered and off guard at the doorway; his stance both inquisitive and daring.

"Oh! Hello, sweetheart!" The shopowner says as Bensith looks up, his hammy hands curling at his sides. The shopowner rounds the counter, about to approach the tot. "Are you okay, hon-"

But before she could say any more, Bensith had turned, as though lightning had hit him, and the bell of the shop signaled his exit as he tested his sprint on the sidewalk.

"Umm," the patron stared at the shopowner, and before anything else was said, the door clattered open again, with a dissheveled king Dargon panting, looking frazzled as his dark ashen hair was no longer finely coifed.

"Excuse me, have you-"

The ladies pointed in the direction Bensith had bolted, and the exhausted man was both relieved and concerned.

"Boy thinks he can outrun me," Dargon huffed, somwhere between embarrassed, entertained and irritated, and he sprinted away, much like his son had, rattling the poor door chime once more.

By now the other patrons are staring; and soon enough, queen Gwinletta is rushing by with five year old princess Dagney leading the way. A chuckle echoed in the walls of the shop as those who had been in similar situations sympathized with their leaders.

The small echo turned into a short bout of laughter once they recognized the scream of a caught explorer on the run.

Dagney holds her wriggly baby brother, admonishing him. "Benny!! You can't do that!" She says as he whines, wanting to be let loose.

Dargon, hunched over, shakes his head as he rests his burning lungs and throbbing feet. "So this is what they felt like trying to catch me," he grins at Gwin, as she too regains her composure, laughing with her husband. They watch Dagney soothe Bensith with a treat she's stored in one of her dress pockets, a little piece of soft candy in a colorful wrapper that she untwists at the ends, dropping it into his little palm for him to devour.

Before Bensith has the split second to sprint off without a thought in that precious little head, Dargon reaches forward, lifting his currently distracted son up into his arms, holding him as he chaws contentedly, looking out to the festivities with his large, green eyes as though nothing was amiss-for the moment at least.

Dargon pauses as Gwin reaches forward to smooth out his hair and clothing; he stands still just until Bensith decides to go slightly limp, testing his weight as he leans out of Dargon's hold as something catches his attention. Gwin can't help but laugh as she grabs her husband when his balance is tested, keeping him firmly on his feet before her boys can make friends with the pavement.

"Benny," Gwin tries to say sternly, but struggles. Her baby boy looks at her, just over his shoulder, trying to hide his impish smile before hiding his face into Dargon's jacket. Dargon's face visibly melts, and he can't help but give his son a little squeezing hug.

"Here, daddy!" Dagney approaches, holding up several of her soft candies. Dargon and Gwin both take one, Dargon holding onto an extra for Bensith.

"Where did you get these?" Gwin asks, unwrapping her piece.

Dagney smiled, popping one into her mouth.

"They were in a bowl at a stand over there!"

Dargon and Gwin looked towards where she pointed, to the space they were inhabiting just before Bensith's unplanned excursion.

It was the booth for the new candy store that had just opened; and they recognized the layout after spending time there, talking about buying treats for the kids later.

There hadn't been a sample bowl.

Dargon looks at Gwin, both concerned as they paused chawing on the pilfered candies. Dargon rubbed his temple as Dagney hummed to herself, enjoying another as she pocketed the rest blissfully. "Do you have the checkbook?"

"And cash."

Dagney: be nice to our tenant!

Princess Dagney and the Seahorse King ABC’s 

B - Bensith