Liberation and Redemption

You kept at least an arms distance from Benjamin as the three of you walked through the streets of the Matchsticks. A fully armored soldier, knight, or adventurer was a rare sight in this impoverished and crime-ridden area. You've seen muggers attack people in broad daylight to steal what valuables they could, and you've seen them do it for less value than what Benjamin was literally carrying on him with his armor. To Benjamin's credit, he seemed at least aware of the threat; his posture and gaze having lost it's casual nature once you crossed the bridge. His jovial conversations had likewise stopped, being a man of business now as he stayed constantly on alert.

Jiaghan was aware of the threat too, looking around for the goons or any threat just as much as you or Benjamin had been, though she seemed almost giddy at the prospect of what you both were wary of.

"So, what are you going to do Benjamin?" She asked, the excitement clear in her voice "You going to barge into their lairs and start wreaking havoc?"

"What?" His humored tone carried the subtext of bewilderment "No. I'm not here for vengeance or anything like that. I'm here to help expose rot and fix problems."

"Killing those thugs who chased us will fix the problem" She responded, and Benjamin looked slightly taken aback by how easily someone so young, even an elf, could be so comfortable with it. He looked over at you with stern eyes, to which you gave an ambivalent shrug. She was the product of her environment, you thought, this was hardly your fault.

He spoke slowly, his focus being less on safety and more on talking to his new friend. "That's not been my experience at all, actually. I could kill a gang boss, maybe even all of his goons too. Wouldn’t really change anything. Someone else would just step up to fill his shoes before the body's gone cold, and be just as bad, if not worse, than the guy he replaced."

"I don't understand" Jiaghan felt a little hurt in her response "than what are you going to do? pray for them?"

"No, well, not entirely. I can't fix the problem myself, but I can be the start of people fixing problems for themselves."

You finally piped up "You think we're dumb or something? That all we need is some learned and principled human to show us savages how to do things?"

"Nothing of the sort, I assure you" There was a hint of nervousness, as he tried to recalibrate his thoughts "You are all quite capable. And smart. Your survival depends on it. People need to see that the system that they are reliant upon for their survival is far more reliant upon them for it, and I’m going to help people see that"

"I don't follow" You crossed your arms as you stopped outside your apartment building.

"Trust me. It'll make sense, in time" His nervousness was gone, having regained his rhetoric position "Things don't change because everyone here thinks this is the only way things can be. The hope for something different, something better, has been robbed of them. That's not true, and I'm going to show them, and with the help of the Gods, give you and these fine people some hope again."

No sooner had Benjamin uttered these words, did a trio of familiar faces approach. More goons, including one of the lieutenants of the Dragon Scales, the gang that claimed ownership of your apartment. He resumed the seemingly friendly, neighborly disposition you had seen before, even as he interjected himself between them and you.

"Good morning gentlemen. I hate to tell anyone how to do their job, but we really don't need to do this. Just hear me out"

"Fuck off" was the short and sweet response he received, and quite predictable. "We're in this mess by listening to that whore and her dealmaking, and she brought that tiny race traitor friend of hers along to swindle us. You can't possibly think we're so dumb as to trust you too, being friends of theirs." Heat rushed to your face in anger, not from what was said about you, but Jiaghan. A quick look at her face showed a great deal of hurt, and you instantly knew why.

"I get it, you felt outsmarted and embarrassed. I’ve been there. I know it probably doesn’t feel this way, but these two ladies are not your enemy. Your bosses are telling you to hate each other and fight for spare coin so they get to stay in power."

The two low level thugs looked at each other for a split second, considering the reality, whereas the superior pulled them in line "Don't pretend that you know anything about what's going on here stranger. You're not one of us. You've never lived in Ten Forks, you're not from The Matchsticks."

"No, but this isn't the only ghetto in T'sara.” Benjamin took a step closer as he opened up, giving you a critical insight “I was just like you three. I grew up in a slum just as bad as this. I stole for every measly thing I had just to survive, because I thought there was no other way. I was given a chance to do better, to be better, and now, I'm giving you all that same chance. Realize that the Matchsticks are only like this because you are actively supporting it, and help me put a stop to it. Please, because the alternative is going to go a lot worse for you, and I’d like to avoid it when I can.”

"You're all talk, now get out of the way or get what's coming to you"

"Your funeral" Benjamin sighed as he drew his weapon, a bastard sword. The goons were hot on his heals, but their brutality failed to make up for their amateurism. Their blunt clubs did little against plated armor, when they even struck. . Whether by strategy or ideology, Benjamin made a point to strike for the leader first. Using his keen mind and a knack for deflection, he deflect blows until he was able to push one of the goons into the other. With a clear shot, he charged the Lieutenant, running his sword deep into the midsection, pointed upwards through his body. It was a familiar but ghastly noise, hearing someone's last breath, a sound that brought no pleasure to anyone, not even you. As their boss fell to a lifeless clump when Benjamin removed his weapon, the wo peons continued to fight, despite the odds against them. There was not a move that the knight took that was not intentional; calculated and disciplined to the step. Where he was fast to kill the leader, the goons were merely incapacitated, with deep cuts along the arms or upper shoulders that could be survived, or prove fatal, depending on the care received. As they stood in pain, he withdrew, sword at the ready if the need arose. He spoke loudly, making sure it wasn’t just the two fighters who overheard him.

"Now is the time to find out what your loyalty is really worth. Get lost" They sheepishly did as they were told, both struggling to move along, leaving their dead superior where he lay. The threat dispatched, Benjamin turned to you and Jiaghan as he sheathed his weapon. Not only did his threat carry merit, but clearly his remorse was sincere as well, as there was no amount of pride or satisfaction on his face for the victory he had won. All the better than, because you weren't in the mood to lay praise on him.

"Oh for Fuck's sake!" You bellowed out loudly, coming to a sudden conclusion. "It all makes sense now!”

"What?" Benjamin looked at genuinely confused, as did Jiaghan, still standing by your side.

"It's even worse than I thought. You don't just want to have sex with me, you want to fix me first. Stop the thieving and sleeping around, make a proper lady out of me. Well I’m not going to be your cute little project or the quota to your salvation" You slowly stormed up the stairs to your battered apartment, hoping that there was anything still of use in it after the days events.

"Liz, wait!" He called "You have it all wrong!" He raced up and looked you squarely in the eyes that few men have done before "Well, mostly wrong. Yes, you should stop being a thief. You’re only exacerbating the very problems that are causing you to live like this.The rest of it is untrue."

"Are you sure?" You asked, crossing your shoulders "for someone who seems to have no interest in me, you're spending a lot of time and energy on me."

"Yes, I'm sure, for two simple reasons. One, you're a grown ass woman and far older than me. Unless you're hurting others, I have no business telling you what to do with your life."

"And second?" You asked, unconvinced

“The second is there’s nothing really to fix,” He gave a slight shrug as he turned slightl and pointed at Jiaghan, patiently waiting outside and giving you two space "You're helping an Elvish kid do better for herself when you're barely making it by. That alone tells me you've got your heart in the right place. You and I want the same thing, a better future. You’re the way you are because you have to be, I’ve been there. I’ll be willing to bet that once there’s an opportunity to do something different, to give up the thieving and the rest, you’ll do so, without me having to say anything.”

"And fucking me?" You asked again, probing further. “You really sure that doesn’t interest you at all?”

"Like I said, that sounds like fun, but I'm here on business.” He eyed you slightly. Frankly, Liz, you’re the only one who has been bringing the topic of sex up. Maybe you should sit with why that is, why you keep thinking about me making love with you.” You felt a slight warmth in your face, seeing the clever way he turned the tables.

“You accusing me of something?” You asked “You think I have the hots for you? I don’t even know you.”

Benjamin was coy as ever “I’m not saying anything for sure. Just something to think about. Suffice to say Liz, when this is all done, if you'll have me, I’d enjoy the opportunity to take you to bed."

“What if I threw it at you?” you asked toyingly “What would you do than?”

“I’d do my best to catch it, obviously” He smiled along “But if you think that’s all it’ll take to get rid of me, you’re sorely mistaken.” Ben walked away slowly, giving you the time you needed in your apartment.