You met me at a very strange time in my life

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:20 am

At the mention of it, Basil's thoughts were sent into absolute panic mode. It was harder for him to remember all the specifics from when Haley and Sam were digging through his brain, but the things he had done during his split personality phase here in the real world were easy enough to recall. Visions of the incident that was incited at Tahiti the night Chase's ex-gang had infiltrated it to assassinate the US president, followed by the time spent being grilled by the police, his ride home with his mother, and then the verbal altercation between his mother and Colette were all playing out in quick succession before he started.

"I... Ehhh... i don't think that would be a good idea. I'm not supposed to leave campus." Maybe it was his accent, or perhaps lack of facial expressions due to the see-throughness of him, but his words came off much more relaxed than his brain implied. They had been deliberately and cautiously chosen in such a fashion to make it seem as if all was 'fine', but unlike other people, Haley would know everything was far from fine.

"Besides which, you're a pretty girl, eh? You must have a beau you could take with you. I'd just end up being a third wheel to your fun."

by **Haley Crusek** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:34 am

Haley's telepathy certainly clued her in to the sense that something was very wrong. She frowned a bit and stopped walking, "What? Why aren't you supposed to leave campus?"

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:44 am

"Mother says no. And mumsy and da are paying my way through uni. Annnnnnddd I've already upset them once back at Oxford sooooo.... If I want to finish my Library Sciences degree I should probably not upset them again, seeing as the last time I left campus I got picked up by the police for questioning and then mum and the family barrister ended up down at the Yard with me to make certain I didn't end up on the witness stand at the Old Bailey if the incident became a court case. It didn't."

A familiar word stood out to Haley in the conversation.

by **Haley Crusek** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 2:18 pm

"Old Bailey? Is that where that came from? Was your brain all split in two because of that?" Haley wondered aloud. "I mean, dude, I got picked up by the cops at least twice. It's not that big of a deal. Just don't call your parents. You don't have to. I did cuz I wasn't 18 yet both times it happened, but like you? You'd be fine."

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 3:17 pm

The bits of Basil that were visible shifted awkwardly. She obviously wanted an answer, but he didn't have one, which again made him feel ill at ease and struggle to come up with something, though why he felt obligated to help her was still up in the air.

"I really don't know what caused my issue." He replied again, the distress coming through in his voice, his brain now clamoring for an answer. "But if I were to analyze the phrase...

Old Bailey is slang for the Central Criminal Court and a reference to the street it's on, which is in turn named 'Old Bailey' for the bailey that used to run along it."

He wrists were moving about each other, and if Haley were to pry into why, his fingers were doing some kind of fidgeting while he thought.

"A bailey is a castle wall." He offered, figuring Haley wouldn't know that having come from a country who's current ruling society didn't exist during the medieval ages and as a girl who didn't seem overly into fantasy stories from what he could gather. The way Basil had responded to her question showed that Basil was capable of quite a bit of analysis on a subject, but perhaps not of the psychological variety. When he was done running over the phrase, his hands stopped.

"As far as my parents are concerned, they find out if I sneeze funny. That's why I'm here in the first place. Seemed better to come clean and scare the bobbies with the family shark than to have the Yard drop me off on their door, being that is exactly what would have happened since everyone in London wants on father's good list. "

by **Haley Crusek** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:36 pm

"What, your parents are rich or something? And anyway, that's besides the point, going to a club isn't going to get us arrested unless we both get unbelievably shitty, and that won't happen because when we go I'll be your wingwoman and I'll be sober, and if something really crazy happens I'll just do that Jedi mind trick thing to get out of troubles."

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 4:55 pm

"My father is the Benson of 'Benson Financial Group'. If you believe that the Queen is divinely mandated as they suggest, you could say he has 'more money than God', though the more accurate statement is that he controls more money than God." He explained, trying to put the concept into full perspective for Haley about why others might be inclined to scrape and bow to him.

"Besides... I don't know what caused all my bad behavior. What if it happens again? You shouldn't have to be in charge of babysitting me lest I shove my tongue down some random woman's throat.

It's better if I just keep to myself here..." His tone of voice and general emotional spectrum didn't portray that is what he wanted to do, but what he felt he had to do. Whatever kept him in check may not be as inclined to do so again, or might not be capable of it a second time.

by **Haley Crusek** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:05 pm

Haley nodded. "Alright. So your folks are rich and connected. Big whoop. My hope is that you DO shove your tongue down a woman's throats as long as she's into it. And if you're misbehaving, then I'm a good babysitter. Or I'll just make out with you instead if you can't be reasoned with," she smirked.

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 5:15 pm

The wheels were turning again as Basil digested what she just said.

Oh my...

"Are you flirting with me?" His tone of voice didn't sound offended, more like intrigued.

by **Haley Crusek** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 6:01 pm

"Sure. Why not?" she smiled mischievously. "I mean, I'm a shameless flirt so like, don't take it super seriously, but you're cute."

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 6:25 pm

"That's true." He said, seemingly about his overall appeal.

Then added - " You do seem pretty shameless." He laughed, being unable to resist the opening to tease.

"Which is a pity as I'm sure you needn't be. A goodly number of gentleman would probably give up their left kidney to be with you, though I'm sure you already know that." He amended again to make sure the jabs kept good natured.

by **Haley Crusek** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 7:11 pm

"I'm young. If the right guy comes along, I'm sure I'll know. In the meantime, just gotta see what happens."

She smirked at him, "They should keep their kidneys though. I prefer flowers over organs."

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 7:23 pm

"Which flowers?"

by **Haley Crusek** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 7:50 pm

Haley mulled it over for a moment, "Calla lilies."

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 7:51 pm

"Any reason?"

by **Haley Crusek** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 8:25 pm

"They're pretty. And my grandma's name was Lilly."

by **Basil Benson** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 10:06 pm

"What was your bubbe like?" Basil asked.

by **Haley Crusek** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 1:37 am

"She was a wonderful woman. She was the best damn cook or baker I've ever met. She lived in this enormous old farmhouse out in the country. She could knit, and crochet, and she was the perfect southern lady, except she swore like a sailor. She passed away just about two years ago. I miss her."

by **Basil Benson** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:00 am

"She sounds lovely." He replied, his comment entirely earnest, homesickness settling in a bit.

by **Haley Crusek** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:15 am

"Do you know your grandparents?"

by **Basil Benson** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 2:31 am

"Yes!" He responded enthusiastically.

"Well, I know my mother's parents. My father's parents died before I was born.

Zayde immigrated here from Poland via Kindertransport. Bubbe moved here fed up with the US during Vietnam draft.

They met on the tubes. They are thirteen years apart, but as Zayde tells it no one ever made his heart race like the girl who scolded him for offering up his seat in a crowded car." Basil sounded amused in his recount of the tale.

by **Haley Crusek** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 3:58 am

"That sounds very sweet," she smiled. "Are you close with them, then?"

by **Basil Benson** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 4:24 am

"Yes, I spent a good deal of my younger years in their care. Going to temple, Sunday brunches, listening to Zayde's stories...

Actually, I was with them when I... turned into this."

by **Haley Crusek** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 4:31 am

"How did they handle you being a mutant?"

by **Basil Benson** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 4:41 am

"Fine enough I suppose, after the initial shock of their grandchild being there and then not.

Better than my parents did obviously, since I am here now."

by **Haley Crusek** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 4:55 am

"That sucks," she frowned. "My grandma was really cool about it...I think...maybe she was a mutant but never told anyone."

by **Basil Benson** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 5:21 am

"I would greatly prefer that. Not really an option in my case however.

Sometimes I like to play a game where I imagine I'm one of the other students. Weigh out the options the other students have been given against my own."

by **Haley Crusek** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 11:15 pm

"Some people have it a lot tougher than me, or even you." she acknowledged.

by **Basil Benson** » Sun Oct 02, 2016 11:59 pm

"I try to keep that in mind..." Basil says, a bit strained.

"But since we're apparently having a conversation of honesty to ease your conscious about my personage, I would be lying if I acted as if I wouldn't have preferred for life to let me fuck it up the normal way." Basil didn't swear often, but he made sure to make them count for effectiveness.

"You know, wrapping my car around a tree, snorting all my money up my nose. The sort of thing you expect idle rich people to ruin their lives with.

Genetics cut short my opportunity to ruin my life with sex, drugs, and rock n' roll.

Well, drugs and rock n' roll anyways."In his haste to make a joke, Basil hadn't even noticed what he had said... yet.

by **Haley Crusek** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 2:55 am

"...why so eager to like...fuck up?" she asked. "I mean sex and rock and roll are awesome, but why like, aspire to make things bad?"

by **Basil Benson** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 3:04 am

"Life is a mistake." He said, sounding darkly amused.

"It's all one big cock up that you stumble through, pretending like you've the reins on the carriage horse. But the truth is, no one's got control of the handbasket. Best we can manage is to do is tilt it's angle towards the more interesting blunders."

by **Haley Crusek** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 3:18 am

"...that's kinda dark. I mean. There's a lot of great stuff out there." Haley said, frowning a bit.

by **Basil Benson** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 3:25 am

"Oh, no doubt. There are many nice things in this world, I am certain.

But I'm British. We used to have nice things. Optimism, courage, swagger... but you all loaded it up on the boats when you left." He laughed, recycling a joke he often used in an attempt to bring some levity to their conversation.

by **Haley Crusek** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:28 am

Haley smirked, "I don't pay much attention in class , but I think all of *that* stuff left before you were born."

by **Basil Benson** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:55 am

"Indeed. Which left us with our secondary traits. Cynicism, politeness, and intolerance for late commuter trains.

And besides-" He seemed to be going somewhere, but stopped. " Nevermind, I should quit while I am ahead." He chuckled.

by **Haley Crusek** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 4:58 am

Haley quirked an eyebrow at him, "No, what were you going to say?"

by **Basil Benson** » Mon Oct 03, 2016 5:24 am

He had to think very hard on how he wanted to state his philosophy of the situation to Haley, and lots of ways to convey what he wanted to say were clamouring for dominance before he settled on one.

"I can be dark, but it is not without reason. I have not learned much in my nineteen years, but my condition has taught me this one thing.

Light can only exist where darkness is present. Truly, it is the juxtaposition of the two of them in balance that creates all the goodness in this world. Without one, the other would cease to exist, and thusly so would life.

We fear the things in the darkness because that's how our monkey animal brains are designed. It is only when we force ourselves to look into the unknown of the darkness that we find our best selves.

Heroes aren't forged in rooms full of imaginary things that pretend to kill them. Heroes are not paladins, trained to destroy all that is not light.

Heroes are the people who stare into the darkness and can still see the stars."

by **Haley Crusek** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 3:12 am

"So you want to fuck up so you can be...better afterwards?"

by **Basil Benson** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 3:25 am

"Something like that." He says. Haley would get the impression she may have missed his broader meaning, but the agreement stated she got the less subtle one.

"You don't learn things by being too overly cautious. Calculated risks are necessary to grow. Sometimes you calculate better than other times, but ultimately there is always risk.

Recognizing that may be dark, but sometimes, you have to consider the dark things too. To ignore them only ensures failure."

by **Haley Crusek** » Tue Oct 04, 2016 3:27 am

"...so in that case, you should totally say 'to hell with your rules,' and let me get you a girl to play tonsil hockey with at the club?" she smirked.

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