[Spotting Walter waiting for him, Benjiro raises a hand briefly then pushes his motorcycle up to the door. Looking to his friend with a welcoming smile from behind his mask, he greets him.]
Hey Walter. Thanks for coming over.
[Benjiro bends down to unlock and raise the door of the shed, and wheels his bike in to park in its usual place. Helmet left hanging from the handle, he shifts his backpack to hang from one shoulder rather than two. He doesn’t want to take it off yet, not until he knows how they will spend the remainder of this Tuesday.]
[A nod is given in acknowledgement, and he walks back to the door of the shed.]
About mine and their own. They have been getting much more personal items than I have. Including an old dress I think Aunt Agatha snuck out of Aunt Rosemary’s collection.
I couldn’t say. Aunt Agatha made a comment about it in passing, and I don’t think she’d admit to it if she had taken it from the house.
[The teenager nods in agreement. Worse could be returned than an unfortunate dress. Barring the reappearance of living beings, incriminating documents that had been tossed might cause a variety of issues.]
Returned things aside, we need to decide on what we should do. So, what is your preference? [He asked first, so the responsibility for choosing an activity falls to Walter.]
[Walter doubts that they would, but otherwise it's not exactly either's place for Ben or Walter to intervene.]
We could visit the zoo again, perhaps?
[Ask discreetly about the investigation regarding the zoo break-in, he means. It has almost been a year, and if the authorities haven't caught that trio they may well be seen again.]
[Regarding the option of coming in or waiting, Benjiro has no particular preference, but Walter can avoid pleasantries with his aunts by staying outside.]
I’ll be only a minute, but you can come in and say hi if you’d like.
[With that, he heads inside to clear out his backpack and prep for the trip briefly.]
[A foot in the door is all it takes for Walter to be greeted in a friendly manner, and for both of them to be given baked snacks that Benjiro stows in his backpack.
Together after a proper amount of small talk had been paid, the two are off on their bikes heading to the petting zoo.
Once they arrive and park, Benjiro doffs his helmet and looks to Walter.]
[Helmet stowed at his bike, Benjiro loosens the straps of his backpack from the ride.]
I would question their choices in management if we did.
[Walking with Walter, they pay for entrance and head inside. He pauses briefly to study the map provided, and holds to the straps of his bag with his hands as he looks to his friend to confirm agreement on a path that leads to the far end the quickest.
Rather than trying to stoke conversation, Benjiro leaves a comfortable window of silence to see if Walter has anything he wants to discuss.]
For most of the walk it's obvious Walter's thinking, and he'll point out animals that are otherwise well-hidden but not say much besides.
By the time they make it to the goats, though, Walter's settled on something to broach:]
I never saw animals like these, growing up. Even if my fifteen-year-old self could have remembered things from picture books, it still wouldn't have been enough context.
[The quiet between them is left intact, Benjiro nodding or briefly commenting on the animals hiding that are pointed out. Seeing the animals here instead of trying to chase them is a nice change of pace.
When Walter does start to talk again as they come to the goats, Benjiro readily engages.]
I can see why. It lacks scale, indication of how movement is accomplished, and the awareness they display. Although, it does come with the benefit of less odor.
[Walter snorts, bemused - and, fortunately, not startling the goats in the process.]
Odor wouldn't have made a difference for me.
There was a lot I didn't grow up knowing existed. When we got out and settled in in London, I felt I had to learn all of it first, so I could help Haley learn it.
[He sighs.]
I thought, back then, that she needed the help more than I did. But I know now that that wasn't quite right.
[The touch of humor has its intended effect, then Benjiro listens as Walter relates more about what, at best, could be described as the hardships of his youth.
It’s difficult to appreciate what he may have gone through, yet the apparent effect on Walter speaks volumes.]
I guess that’s part of being a big brother.
[He adds a small musing comment as a means to show his attention rather than alter where Walter may be going with the notion of needing assistance.]
[Walter glances sidewise at Ben; the comment is rather poignant given the teen's own upbringing - and that of Ben's upbringing of his own sister.]
You could say that's part of why I don't want my family to come back here; I don't know nearly enough myself, or even about myself, to try and start forging a path for everyone else, make their ways easier if not just more bearable.
It's a little selfish, really.
[He half-wishes they had food for the goats; but it's not feeding hour for them anyway.]
[The goats may not get snacks, but Benjiro has the ones sent by his aunt for them.]
You’re not a selfish person, Walter.
It’s hard enough for us to look after ourselves and keep up with life in general while dealing with our unknowns. Then considering managing family here is a whole mess itself.
Even if we knew more, that wouldn’t alleviate everything.
[The silence hangs only a moment before Benjiro reaches a hand out to Walter’s shoulder.]
I don’t think it’s too late to change that. Sadie and I have managed by going out often, and it has gotten easier both inside and outside. I can go with you, and I’m sure Sadie would too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2019-05-12 03:17 pm (UTC)Hey Walter. Thanks for coming over.
[Benjiro bends down to unlock and raise the door of the shed, and wheels his bike in to park in its usual place. Helmet left hanging from the handle, he shifts his backpack to hang from one shoulder rather than two. He doesn’t want to take it off yet, not until he knows how they will spend the remainder of this Tuesday.]
Would you like anything to eat or drink?
no subject
Date: 2019-05-12 04:20 pm (UTC)Not right now, but thank you for the offer.
[Walter isn't all that certain where they're going after this either.]
Did your aunts ask you about any of the deliveries?
no subject
Date: 2019-05-16 01:50 pm (UTC)About mine and their own. They have been getting much more personal items than I have. Including an old dress I think Aunt Agatha snuck out of Aunt Rosemary’s collection.
But it also seems to be the hot topic in general.
Had to double-check the mod post for whether it was ONLY the Numbered receiving things, heh.
Date: 2019-05-16 02:09 pm (UTC)Did the dress ever leave the house, or did only one of them consider it lost?
[Because even with what he knows of the returns thus far, that seems like an odd case.]
Still, I imagine there are worse things that can be returned, in the sense of being able to cause a scandal.
[Imagine if lost people were returned! Particularly those who didn't want to be.]
no subject
Date: 2019-05-22 05:21 pm (UTC)[The teenager nods in agreement. Worse could be returned than an unfortunate dress. Barring the reappearance of living beings, incriminating documents that had been tossed might cause a variety of issues.]
Returned things aside, we need to decide on what we should do. So, what is your preference? [He asked first, so the responsibility for choosing an activity falls to Walter.]
no subject
Date: 2019-05-22 05:46 pm (UTC)[Walter doubts that they would, but otherwise it's not exactly either's place for Ben or Walter to intervene.]
We could visit the zoo again, perhaps?
[Ask discreetly about the investigation regarding the zoo break-in, he means. It has almost been a year, and if the authorities haven't caught that trio they may well be seen again.]
no subject
Date: 2019-05-25 06:12 pm (UTC)The one at Moss Manor? Sure. [A simple task to check off the list and a quiet outing in one.]
Do you want to drive there on our bikes or take the bus? Either way, I should drop off my books before we go.
no subject
Date: 2019-05-25 07:57 pm (UTC)A ride, I think. I won't race you.
[That would be unfair.]
Want me to wait here, or come inside?
no subject
Date: 2019-06-06 04:15 pm (UTC)[Regarding the option of coming in or waiting, Benjiro has no particular preference, but Walter can avoid pleasantries with his aunts by staying outside.]
I’ll be only a minute, but you can come in and say hi if you’d like.
[With that, he heads inside to clear out his backpack and prep for the trip briefly.]
no subject
Date: 2019-06-07 12:58 am (UTC)Just not very far. Enough to say hello, but not so far in that he can't keep an eye out for the shed and their bikes.]
no subject
Date: 2019-06-07 03:03 am (UTC)Together after a proper amount of small talk had been paid, the two are off on their bikes heading to the petting zoo.
Once they arrive and park, Benjiro doffs his helmet and looks to Walter.]
Where should we begin?
I have no idea what the order of exhibits is. |D
Date: 2019-06-07 02:10 pm (UTC)[This answer comes quick.]
Haven't been any further break-ins, so we won't have to worry about corralling animals this time.
Handwave is a beautiful thing for just such an occasion
Date: 2019-06-16 04:21 pm (UTC)I would question their choices in management if we did.
[Walking with Walter, they pay for entrance and head inside. He pauses briefly to study the map provided, and holds to the straps of his bag with his hands as he looks to his friend to confirm agreement on a path that leads to the far end the quickest.
Rather than trying to stoke conversation, Benjiro leaves a comfortable window of silence to see if Walter has anything he wants to discuss.]
Re: Handwave is a beautiful thing for just such an occasion
Date: 2019-06-16 06:50 pm (UTC)For most of the walk it's obvious Walter's thinking, and he'll point out animals that are otherwise well-hidden but not say much besides.
By the time they make it to the goats, though, Walter's settled on something to broach:]
I never saw animals like these, growing up. Even if my fifteen-year-old self could have remembered things from picture books, it still wouldn't have been enough context.
no subject
Date: 2019-06-17 02:18 pm (UTC)When Walter does start to talk again as they come to the goats, Benjiro readily engages.]
I can see why. It lacks scale, indication of how movement is accomplished, and the awareness they display. Although, it does come with the benefit of less odor.
no subject
Date: 2019-06-17 07:24 pm (UTC)Odor wouldn't have made a difference for me.
There was a lot I didn't grow up knowing existed. When we got out and settled in in London, I felt I had to learn all of it first, so I could help Haley learn it.
[He sighs.]
I thought, back then, that she needed the help more than I did. But I know now that that wasn't quite right.
no subject
Date: 2019-06-23 08:26 am (UTC)It’s difficult to appreciate what he may have gone through, yet the apparent effect on Walter speaks volumes.]
I guess that’s part of being a big brother.
[He adds a small musing comment as a means to show his attention rather than alter where Walter may be going with the notion of needing assistance.]
no subject
Date: 2019-06-24 08:01 pm (UTC)You could say that's part of why I don't want my family to come back here; I don't know nearly enough myself, or even about myself, to try and start forging a path for everyone else, make their ways easier if not just more bearable.
It's a little selfish, really.
[He half-wishes they had food for the goats; but it's not feeding hour for them anyway.]
no subject
Date: 2019-07-06 07:34 pm (UTC)You’re not a selfish person, Walter.
It’s hard enough for us to look after ourselves and keep up with life in general while dealing with our unknowns. Then considering managing family here is a whole mess itself.
Even if we knew more, that wouldn’t alleviate everything.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-06 09:16 pm (UTC)[Like anything ever could...
But Walter squashes that thought.]
Still, it enforces a gap; I'm not half as prepared to stay outside the Boundary as you and Sadie are, Ben.
And after a certain point-
[He cuts that one off outright, turning instead to silence.]
no subject
Date: 2019-07-06 10:14 pm (UTC)I don’t think it’s too late to change that. Sadie and I have managed by going out often, and it has gotten easier both inside and outside. I can go with you, and I’m sure Sadie would too.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-07 04:26 am (UTC)It's more, with the sheer amount of data I'd be reacquiring, upon return- It'd feel too much like that one Echo.
[He looks away, past the goats, but does not lean away from Ben's touch.]
I'm- I do not wish to experience that again.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-21 07:48 pm (UTC)He doesn’t know how to make it easier for Walter to return.]
...I see.
Then all I can suggest is start a video log. Leave it for yourself, so if you ever have to go outside the barrier, you can know what happened.
no subject
Date: 2019-07-21 09:12 pm (UTC)That, I know I can do.
Thank you.
[Something so small - would it feel like enough? He'd always been more of the skeptic... at least since his family had gotten free of the cult.]
no subject
Date: 2019-07-24 09:42 pm (UTC)Hands finding his pockets, he looks back at the animals as his thoughts turn over.]