Benji Koren

“The best we can do now is move forward. History has proven time and time again that there’s never really a disaster that one cannot move from. Though scars remain, wounds heal, and I think that’s what we all need to remember now. Dwelling on it too much will end up being worse for everyone.”

Leo continued to rub against the man’s back, finding some of the tense spots on that broad and muscular upper torso and pushing against it, channeling whatever energy he could to help relax the man. “Which is precisely why you should be careful. The last thing any one needs is a knight who’s lost in his own head. Could be dangerous for both you and your charge.”

‘’ Yeah your right.’’ Benji said looking over his shoulder, ‘’ You are a pretty smart guy, you sure you aren’t some type of a royal adviser?’’ he’d teased the man, but he was quite serious about his question. ‘’ with a statement like that, I can see a lot of changes happen.’’ He’d added but a side of him thought it was easier said than done. ‘’ It sounds nice and all but I think some people rather take that power in their own hands and make change and remove the scars themselves forcefully, some people have difficulties to forget.’’ And that what he was afraid of.

**   solaris was certain that the knight would be harmless, if he was wise and would want to leave sollia alive – the man wouldn’t do anything stupid if he was left in his quarters, privacy prioritised. but you could never be too careful, even with their supposed allies from valtolia. “i wouldn’t believe that you’d be able to cause harm by taking a bath by yourself, in your room. but then again, you never know. you look like you could eat me alive if that is what you would wanted.” the consort said with a smirk, nodding at the offer. “i will join you in the bathhouse, if that is what you want. if you need the supervision.”

with that said, the consort poured down the rest of the wine that he had been drinking. putting the goblet down, knowing more would be brought to the bathhouse for them to enjoy. “nudity is optional. we can provide you with undergarments if that is, what you would want to have while you take a bath.” the consort would simply, adjust to their guests desires. “we wouldn’t mind you without any undergarments, sollians are used to freespirits. them being it themselves, nudity is nothing to be ashamed for after all.”

Benji wasn’t stupid enough to disrupt the relationship they have with this lovely kingdom, it seems his king has a lovely relationship or friendship with the consort, so he will try his best uphold that respect and not make any unnecessary errors or foolish opinions, he will try to stay neutral and represent his kingdom of Valotia best way he can.

“Still. Things could always be worse. We should be at least glad somewhat that things, as bad as they are, didn’t devolve into something we truly couldn’t recover from.” He continued to watch the knight, watching him as troubles seem to race in his mind, a constant struggle within him apparent. “It must be difficult carrying all of this. I’m sure you know you’re not alone, and that everyone is worried and on edge just the same.” Leo moved behind the other man and pressed his hands along his shoulders. “May I?” but without waiting for any further approval, he began to slowly massage the man’s upper back, feeling the tensed muscles underneath his fingers. “If you don’t stop for a moment you will go insane. I’m almost certain of it.”

‘’ That is true, I guess that’s what I was afraid of or something worse, I know sometimes emotions can get wrapped up in thinking logically and our hearts drive our next steps on what to do. And it pretty much always has someone hurting at the end.’’ But I guess in other people defense, you can feel what we felt, just a pitch of their pain.  Thinking this was certainly does damper his mood and his thought process but certainly makes sure doesn’t get in the way of his job.  Benji looked up, noticed he was silent and mind was somewhere else, ‘’ Oh, thank you really appreciate that. Everyone is struggling one way or another.’’ In this dire situation they were in right now.  Benji saw in the corner of his eye, Leo moved behind him and already felt his hands on his back massaging it.  ‘’ Sure go ahead.’’ And maybe he was right about that.  ‘’ Possibly, that’s the road I’m heading towards if I’m not careful.’’

“I can imagine how stressful things must have been. A lot of people suffered from the incidents that happened and I think because of that, everyone’s been on the edge a lot more than usual.” He bites his lip in silent contemplation. “I think, though, it’s important for everyone, even knights and princes and kings, to take the time to breathe in and allow themselves a clear head. Otherwise, their thoughts would just devour them.”

‘’ Well it could be a lot worse for us, compared to other kingdoms, how much lost and pain they had to endure. Ours were more of a scratch.’’ Of course Some people died from his home country but we are the ones to blame for it all.  Benji sighed, raised his arm, running his fingers through his hair. ‘’ I suppose so, I really don’t have much time to laying round and relax, especially since so much is a stake. Feels like a clock is constantly ticking in mind, surprised I haven’t gone insane at this point.’’

“Then by all means, enter… Terran has enough love to listen to more than one prayer at a time,” the naked male spoke, eyes taking in the other male’s form. Tall, rugged, muscular… And from the armor he wore, and the sigil he bore, he could tell that the man was a Valtolian knight. And oh, how he wore that title proudly. Euric could certainly sense that the man was chivalrous and loyal and brave, and he knew that if he saw the man bare, he was sure he’d see scars… scars that told a story about the battles he fought.

“Tell me… what have you come to pray to Terran for?” the terramancer asked, letting a hint of a smile tease his lips. “Did you come to pray for love? Good health? Or did you come to pray because you are a lost soul in search of guidance?”

Benji has never stepped one foot into a temple like this, he barley prayed to the gods on a daily basis, so this was like a treat in itself to  be in the temple, trying his best to show his respects. ‘’ Well thank you, I didn’t know there was a temple here actually, one traveler that passed by here, told me about this place.’’ He wasn’t aware of ancient statues people prayed to, like this very man that stood before him. ‘’ Do I have get naked like you to show my full respects and gratitude.’’ It was a slight joke but also wondering if he had to or not.  

Benji scratched the back of his head, ‘’ Uh well I guess all the above like you listed but more leaning towards guidance in this troublesome time. I guess you could say I’m a lost soul, debating on my propose in life sometimes.’’

@victorrivers

Benji knew this party was foolish, but of course he couldn’t say a word or speak his mind about this, he was partly to blame for this entire tragedy and it constantly eats him, he never had  a appetite or barley slept so he was like a walking skeleton with armor.  Benji was walking around when he saw a little circle forming, yelling and cursing of course.  The golden knight slowly turned around and slowly started walk towards it, the yelling becoming louder and louder. ‘’ Stand aside please.’’ The knight announced out of the blue.

Of course some snarled and didn’t move, others obeyed his request, Benji pushed his way through and slowly got in the middle of the ring, Benji eyes widen seeing one of the people from Valotia was fighting someone from another kingdom, he couldn’t make it out as of yet. Benji sprung to action and grabbed the man’s arm, pulling him back, ‘’ That’s enough!’’ he’d said firmly trying to pull the man further away from the other. Keeping his grip and bending both of his arms.

IT WAS POURING OUTSIDE. zeke hadn’t been expecting rain this heavy, but as the droplets fell like prickly needles against the side of his face, he knew the storm wouldn’t pass quickly. abandoning his axe under the roof of his tool shed, he salvaged what firewood he had chopped and carried them into a dry area near his lodge in the valtolian woods. the rain was already soaking into his clothes, and within just seconds, he was drenched from head to toe. in the distance, he spotted someone else seeking shelter from the sudden downpour of rain. it was odd to see anyone so close to where his home was on the outskirts of the valtolian woods, but he didn’t intend to make neighbors with them now. just as he was about to close the door and retreat into the warmth and safety of his own cabin, he stopped, leaving the door just a tiny bit ajar. he knew his husband–had he been alive today–would have invited the stranger inside without a moment’s hesitation, and zeke felt a tug at his heartstrings. after a second’s pause, and some more deliberate trepidation, he called out to the stranger. “would you like to come in?” he mumbled, leaving his door halfway open for the other male to enter, if he wished. that was the fullest extent of his hospitality. “i’ve got some hot tea on the stove.”

Benji was training some new recruits in the woods, using swords and bow’s and arrow, even though he wasn’t very good at being an archer, but the teacher for that wasn’t present, so he had to dabble in both but at least he was decent.  He wasn’t aware of the weather and the down pour, just came out of nowhere.  The rookies were able to escape and were much closer to the castle than he was. Benji was struggling to take cover or found some kind of shelter, not sure if he could make in, since it was raining so hard. His armor and clothes was drenched in water; In the corner of his eye he saw a man going towards a home; it was odd to see a home so close to the woods but people make homes pretty much anywhere.

Seeing the man going inside, he had to look for a place, to hide out until it dies down, on his way to search he heard a man’s voice, his body turned surprised to see it was the man from before.  Benji stood there a little lost, unsure if he would but looks like he had no other choice. Benji slowly jogged over to the home, approaching it until he’d stepped inside, passed the door frame. ‘’ Uh thanks, I thought I was a lost cause.’’

As he got closer, the knight could smell eucalyptus and spearmint on the other’s skin, a soothing and tranquil scent. He wore a faded, mint green robe with a gold sash that wrapped about his waist and slung over his shoulder. He rubbed his shoulder a bit more, the pain diminishing with every passing second. “Just a bit of a ding. Don’t trouble yourself with it.” he said with a warm smile, placing his hand on the man’s bicep. He was suddenly struck with how handsome the man was, but didn’t comment, instead his interest showing itself subtly in a glance that lingered on his face. 

As the man got closer, he could smell a mixture of things on his breath, some he knew the names of and others he wasn’t familiar with but he knew the majority what he smelt was a tranquil scent overall, it was a decent smelling.  Benji watched him in pain for a few seconds, wanted to do something but he insisted not to. ‘’ Well if that’s what you wish..’’ he nodded, respecting his request.  His eyes looked down at the gentle grab on his bicep then looked back up at him, not sure what to say. ‘’ Well if you need a servant help you with the injury, I’m happy to provide that for you.’’

“Or, definitely an answered prayer,” he laughed at the remark. It didn’t take much to convince the knight to join in and make his way to the lake. As much as he enjoyed the solitude, it would be a shame not to share the perfect weather with another. Leo watched in silence as the golden knight slowly start to strip off, his eyes unable to avert away from the muscled that revealed themselves as he did so.

The mage nodded, dipping down into the water again, and rising back up just a few feet short of the other man. “Isn’t it? When was the last time you got to do something like this? I imagine knights like yourself don’t get to lounge around often.”

‘’ Or that as well.’’ He’d chuckled, Benji could tell wasn’t shy of tearing his gaze away as he’d stripped. Before in his youth he would be embarrassed exposing himself like this but in situations like this, he had every right to show off if need be, when it was necessary. He wasn’t cocky about it, just so happen he worked hard for something like this, to be even visible.

Benji watched him disappear for a moment then resurfaced a bit closer.  ‘’ Uh been a while honestly, since everything is going on, don’t have time for resting or anything else for that matter.’’

BENJI KRON, KNIGHT OF VALTOLIA

all of metia had a right to be angry with house remes, the tragedy of dragonclaw would not disappear anytime soon and a festival would not bring the five nations back together so easily. it was like a mirror, once broken you could try and repair it but you would always be able to see crack and it would not go away. “i’ll try” he said with a smile as he grabbed onto the railing of the stairs.

Benji knew the position he has in the house and the kingdom, he is partly to blame for the tragedy and knows if he could go back and save more people, or even prevent it from happening. He would but the knight also knows, that isn’t possible, in fact it was impossible think this would even heal the slightest crack for people to forgive the kingdom and the people in it. But of course he can’t state his opinion like he wants to, he knows his place after all. Benji stepped a few inches closer, and put out his hand for the other grab, if he wanted to.  

He raises his hand as though to check for the wind and then shrugs. “Probably. Or the stars have aligned to give us a nice day after everything that’s happened.” Leo looks back up at the knight. “True. It’ll also help cool you down after that morning jog. There’s plenty of room.”

It wasn’t terribly windy but just enough to blow in the terrain and give your skin a few small bumps.  ‘’ I suppose so, someone’s begging must have gone through.’’ Benji looked down at the male, as he continued convince him to step in for a quick swim. ‘’ Uh well if I’m not bothering you, fine alright..’’ he’d finally caved in. The golden knight grabbed the hems of his shirt and lifted it, showing his body as it was revealed. A small peach fuzz happy trail going down the middle of his torso and his chest wasn’t terribly hairy.  Then quickly removed his pants, being in only his underwear now; The knight slowly walked closer to the edge and slowly put his foot in first then eased his entire body in.

‘’ God..this is nice.’’