#james benson

General Info:

The Stricklands weren't always evil rich bastards. Martin's grandparents moved to the US from Ireland, Made a fortune, And got corrupted by capitalism. It stuck for future generations.

His parents were definitely not good people either. Martin just took that shittiness to the next level as he grew up.

He's cishet.

He's both transphobic and lowkey sexist.

The Past:

He went to college to study business. There he met two people, Aria Meadows and Jayden Foxglove (Jay's birth parent. Note: He used he/him and she/her pronouns).

The three became an odd friend group, Although it definitely felt like Martin was third wheeling Aria and Jayden's friendship.

Years went by and the three grew distant once college ended. Martin inherited both his family's wealth and manor. He eventually got married with only the idea of having future heirs in mind.

Once his youngest child was a year old, News went around about a pendant with unnatural abilities. He was determined to get his hands on it.

What he didn't expect was for Aria to already be there. She was on a mission to get the pendant as well. But she also learned about the Strickland's greedy desires and Martin's willingness to keep that family greed alive. She would not let someone with that much darkness in his heart get his hands on this power.

That's when Martin no longer saw Aria as an old friend, But as a threat to his power. So he killed her, Effectively destroying any good he had left in him.

Out of nowhere, Jayden suddenly attacked him. She wasn't a Music Dragon like Aria, But he went with her on this mission due to being friends with her. Out of pure grief and rage, Jayden left the scars on Martin's face.

Martin did manage to get the pendant, But left in a weakened state. Shortly after that, Jayden mysteriously disappeared, With her child being found by James and Hollie Benson.

Family and Business:

Martin had three biological children (Lynnette, Marianne, and Scottie), All AFAB. But he wanted a man and only a man to inherit his wealth. So he took in Benz Rodriguez (Belongs to @capturecharlesau).

Benz was considered the favorite child out of the four. Scottie on the other hand was considered the "black sheep" of the family.

Scottie could not keep up with Martin's impossible standards. While his abuse towards them started out verbal and emotional when they were a kid, They quickly became more physical as Scottie became a teenager once he learned they were nonbinary.

While Martin mostly used his ring hand, He also used wooden rulers when he was feeling extra ruthless...

Speaking of ruthless, He did many morally bankrupt things to keep his wealth growing, As well as to keep people quiet. Blackmail, Extortion, Even murder. Nothing was too low for him.

He likely talked to people like Vivian Arc (Belongs to @bluetorchsky) and Mr. Allwork (Belongs to @capturecharlesau) at least a few times because rich people business and all that.

Once Scottie was 17, They finally had enough of the abuse and ran away from home. Benz left shortly after to create his own path separate from his father.

Martin's Fate:

During the events of Shifted Timeline, Scottie tells Hazel Juniper about the Stricklands to avoid her writing about the Toppats. This was enough to cause an investigation.

Martin's horrid acts were exposed and he was ruined. His wife divorced him, Not because she was any better, But because she only married him for his wealth and she didn't want to get involved in his scandal.

Lynnette and Marianne also left home to go find both Benz and Scottie.