Competition

There was quite the commotion outside the next morning. Nobody had been aware of the threat on your lives, which meant the corpse hanging off the side of the building all the more shocking. He had been a familiar face to many of the area, and not a welcome one. That nobody had bothered to cut him down, even to get the coinpurse hanging in display, was telling. Dineth the Destroyer’s edicts would force someone to take him down and bury him eventually, less it turn into the undead, but nobody was ready to be the one to do something about it. The corpse wasn't your concern though; he got what he deserved. Nor was it the crowd of onlookers, idly gawking at the macabre fixture overhead. Instead, you focused on the ground below. Benjamin was already out there, armed and ready, as if standing watch at a guard tower. What was peculiar and frustrating was that this time, he was not alone.

Leaving Jiaghan alone to sleep, you made your way down the stairs. With each step, you could feel your temper rising. He might think he's clever, you thought, he may have even convinced your first instinct was wrong for a moment, but he had made everything clear now. If he couldn't find an easy way with you, he'd get it easy with someone else.

You were certain of this by the time you had exited the apartments, and came face to face with him and his new friend, Dhoga. She was an orc woman, a fellow miserable wretch trying to survive in the matchsticks, just like everyone else. She had been known, like you, to make ends meet by laying on her back and being of service to men. Unlike you, Dhoga was known for little else than that; merely a common street walking whore. She was well suited to the work, the exaggerated proportions of her build, especially in her chest and butt, made her stand out and was appealing to the males of most races. You didn't normally hold much contempt towards for her profession. In most cases, you didn’t give her any thought or consideration at all. The Matchsticks was a big place with a lot of people, and she was, like all the others of her trade, just trying to get by. Never directly crossing paths, her behavior was beyond your concern.

This, however, was a completely different story. Either he was trying to woo her to get what you wouldn't give him, or she was trying to seduce him to get his coin. Either way, this all had to stop.

"Well, good morning there" Benjamin turned back as he heard you approach, smiling slightly. “Great chance to see the clear blue sky, huh?”

You weren’t such a fool that his small talk distraction would work "And just how good has it been?" You asked suspiciously "Gotten up and at it with your new friend already?"

His eyes squinted in confusion, sensing that he was in trouble, but not sure how or why. He looked at Dhoga for a second, and seemingly tried to shift the conversation "Oh, yes, Dhoga here told me the two of you were acquainted with one another."

"We've crossed paths" as you stopped for a second, scanning her up and down "enough to know her reputation and wonder if you two have crossed more than that."

Benjamin’s grin retreated immediately, his mood quickly soured "You know, you really should have a quiet moment as to why you're always accusing me of things and why you’re so concerned about what I do, especially when you made it clear that nothing would happen with you and me.”

Sensing that was as close as an admission as you were going to receive, you redouble your effort, preparing the most cutting rebuke you could manage. And yet as you approached and saw around him, you found Dhoga holding a battleaxe, nearly half the length of her body from base to tip. You paused, and pulled back on your accusation.

"What's this? "You asked indistinctly.

Dhoga's answer wasn't helpful to your frame of mind "I can't let you the two of you have all of the fun, now can I?" Benjamin saw your face distort in frustration and interjected.

"She's standing the watch alongside me. The gangs, the corrupt, the petty purse thieves, they’ll all know that this place is safe, because we’re going to make it dangerous for them to be around here. In time, more will stand alongside us." Your eyes wandered, having noticed more than a few curious eyes on the armored stranger, standing beneath the corpse, eavesdropping as they try to connect the pieces.

While he had clearly shown his commitment to a cause, she was far less than certain. "Oh, and now I'm supposed to believe that just like that, you've stopped being a street walker and are Ben's convert?"

The orc hoisted her weapon up, her hand just beneath the head of the axe "I've had this with me since I first came to Ten Forks. Once I got caught up in the Matchsticks, I was never able to get out. I've never wanted to live like this, but there was never anything I could do about it. Selling this could have put food in my belly when I was starving, save me when I most desperate, but I could never do it. I knew there would be a time when I would need it, when I could be useful again. Seeing someone finally choose to fight for the right thing? I can get behind them. I can fight with them, and for once, hold my head up with pride again. Surprised you weren't out here first Liz" There was an attitude in Dogha's voice, an undeserved smugness you saw fit to remove her of.

"My name is Tralizznt, and I fought those Dragon Scale thugs on my own, without the help of you or some fairy tale knight. Just because some of us aren't in broad day light posturing as hero's doesn't mean we're not fighting."

"Alright you two," Ben tried to be the calm voice "Let's not make enemies out of each other. We all have our own reasons, our own stories, and our methods. We must focus on what's really important. These criminals and leeches are swiftly learning that, in day or night, their days are numbered. Little by little, the people of Matchsticks are saying they've had it. The more people we have on our side, the more eagerly others will come to join us. By default, we're the leaders of this fight, and we can't have infighting ruin this before we start."

"Don't worry about me. I'm flexible" Dogha's constant choice of innuendo was frustrating you to no end. You wanted to believe Benjamin that there was nothing going on between him and her, yet she seemed to be strongly implying that there was, or that she wanted there to be. "Tralizznt is right, in a way. We're not going to be doing these people any good by clumping together like this. As much as I'd love to see the poor sap that tries to get your decoration down from the roof, I should probably make myself available elsewhere."

"I have to say Liz, that I'm disappointed" Benjamin said once Dogha was out of earshot "What happened that you would have that low of an opinion of me, or anyone else, that you think I would move towards someone in such a debased fashion just because I can't have you. What are you afraid of?"

"Excuse me!?" Your hands move to your hips in protest, as your voice rises up "How dare you accuse me of being afraid? I can't afford to be afraid. The scared ones fall, just after the optimists and the fools."

"I'm sure you have a long list of reasons why you say that, and clearly you've been through a lot. I wonder though, if you might be more afraid than you realize."

"Afraid of what? Of losing some dumb hunk like you?"

"No, I don't think that's it. I think you're afraid of the pain of losing someone."

"This coming from a guy insisting he doesn't want to fuck me."

"With your behavior lately? No way. What's interesting is that you keep saying you're not interested in me but seemed to get really territorial there for a second. What's that about?"

You snorted for a second "I just wanted to make sure you didn't catch anything from that street walker."

"If you say so." Benjamin was clearly unconvinced, which only seemed to drive you more "Listen Liz. Here's the bottom line. We don't find each other in the bedroom, that's fine with me. I'd still, at the very least, like to be your friend. With the storm of shit that's coming our way, we're going to need them, but even that's difficult with you, you know?"

You crossed your arms defiantly. Maybe there was something to what he was saying, but you didn't see an answer to it. This is who you've been, since before this charming young man was born.

"What do you propose to fix that?" You asked coldly

"Propose?" He laughed gently "I think we should at least have one date before I propose anything" The joke did calm things down for you, at least somewhat. He was a good man, even if his optimism and ideology were unbearable at times. "I know what I have to say doesn’t do much to convince of you anything, so maybe this might help,”. He untied as a small pouch from his belt, and held with one hand. Cupping your hands together towards him, he gently shook the pouch until the contents fell out into your palm, removing one to hold in his own hand. It was like a large river sock, smooth to the touch and cold in your hand. It had been polished to a mirror-like finish, even when dry, with magical etchings along. A faint magical arrow shown in the reflection, pointing towards the other stone. Though you’d never seen one in person, you knew what they were immediately. Cygian Stones, sometimes called Lover Stones, named after the famous Lovers Statues that stood tall and majestic on either side of the Cygian Strait; the narrowest closest point between any two landmasses in all of T’sara. These were commonly used in place of engagement rings, or given as wedding gifts.

"What are you doing?" You asked, shocked and incredulous "You were JUST talking about having a date before proposing, and now you’re giving me one of these? Gods, Benjamin, talk about a mixed message. At least kiss me first or something!”

Without a word, he took your tease literally, making a peck of a kiss on your cheek. Despite everything you’ve thought and said of him, that he would actually do it, and in such a gentle manner, lit your mind in surprise "This isn’t what it looks like, trust me.” He grinned as he wrapped your hands around it for you. “Cygians use these for more than just marital vows. They were originally just known as partner stones. Pathfinders and other adventurers will have them to watch out for each other. Scouts and the like too. This is my way of letting you know that I've got your back, and that I trust you to have mind." He held up the other one in his hand "if anything happens to either of us, we’ll know where each other are, and make sure they’re safe.”

"wow" You said with a faint smile, opening your hands again to marvel again at the stone and it’s beauty. "You really did just stumble right out of a children's book, didn't you?"

Benjamin laughed slightly “So you’ve said before. I’m really not. This is just what camaraderie looks like. What it should be. It’s not just about getting rid of the bad guys. We’ve also got to start building community, a real one. That has to start with trusting each other, and standing up for each other.”

“Hm” You looked at him for a moment, trying to search for an answer in his eyes “So, we’re all the same here? Going to be handing these out to Dhoga and everyone else than?”

“Nope. I’ve only got the two. The community needs to build trust with each other, showing that we’re better off together, but this,” Holding his stone up for viewing “This is just you and me.”

“But why?” You asked “I still don’t understand Benjamin. You could throw a stone like that in any direction in the Matchsticks and hit three people who need help. Why me? Why stick around, when I’ve done nothing but cause you trouble?”

“Why does it matter?” Benjamin asked with a shrug “Why not you?” There was a lingering pause, as there was no answer you could provide. “Isn’t it enough that I chose to help you? Can’t it be so simple that I saw that you were having a problem, rather than being the problem?”

“Liz, I’m not a mind reader, but I think you’re asking the wrong question. I think what you really want to know is, is there something more to this? The answer is that there could be, if you want it, but you gotta stop seeing the worst in people, and let someone in. I know that’s hard, but I also know you can do it. If you need a reason for me to be around, let it be that I have faith in you.”