Weekend Celebration! (OPEN)

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Ben sat at the edge of the woods, book on his lap and small basket of goodies at his side. Not just any book though. This was his father’s Bible. And he had it open to towards the end of Matthew. He hummed cheery songs as he leaned against the tree, a blanket over his legs and jacket around his shoulders. It was a cool afternoon and the tree shaded his spot, which he was totally okay with. It was nice to get a slight chill and have to pull your jacket close around you. He grabbed the little to-go mug he’d fixed himself of cinnamon tea and sipped at it with a smile. Then back to the book. It was Good Friday today. He’d put in a special request with Terry to be let off work today and Sunday for religious purposes. There were no churches to attend, but he’d just make his own. The world was his church. He ran his finger along the lines of the well-worn book and read the story of, well, of the whole reason behind Good Friday. It was a deeply moving story. He wished he had someone to share it with, but he could pretend his father was here. And, in a sense, the One Good Friday was about, He was here with him too. So he wasn’t alone. A bird chirped overhead and Ben glanced up to smile as a male cardinal in all its ruby red beauty sat a few branches above his head. Ben was still as he could be, not to startle it. It seemed to certainly know he was there, and not mind much. It was nice really.

Words: 281
Tag: @ OPEN
Notes:

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Gods only knew how many times he had slept in churches. Adam knew that he was more familiar with church calendar than the regular calendar. He remembered Father Garrick McCullen from the church in Washington state. It was the only time that he and his little brother had ever stayed in one place for more than a week. The father had taken the boys in, saying that they could stay as long as they needed,or wanted. The Father was the one who had helped teach Adam to read as much as he could, he was a kind hearted man, someone that Adam wanted to find again. He wanted to check up on him, let him know that the boy was apreciative of all of the things that had been done for him. The clothes might have been old hand me downs and the food was simple, but Adam was grateful. He must have only been eleven, he couldn't remember, but it was just after he had gone to the Wolf-house. Though he wasn't particularly religious in any sense of the word, he had a deep respect for the Church and it's people. The father had been a good man, Adam had also seen the church's fair share of hypocrites. Ever since coming to camp, there only had ever been one or two people that held their religion under their sweater. It always posed a good question, if there were gods like his dad and Mars and Jupiter, why couldn't their be God with the capital G?

The chirping bird had brought him back to reality. The thing that had caused all of these thoughts was the older male sitting across the way with the bible in his hands. With the cup of coffee in his hands, Adam made his way to the guy who was sitting there. "That's the bible." He stated, looking at the guy. Adam had never been one to ask for help or even when he did, people looked at him the wrong way because of his abrasive nature. His voice was short and abrupt, but the look in his eyes said that he wanted to hear the stories. The Father had told him some of his favorite tales that he would in turn regale his little brother. That was the book that the Father had taught him how to read out of. The story of Adam asking for help, well that was not something that Adam felt was a good story to tell people. He was Batman after all and Batman didn't ask for help. Or at least that was what his brother told him. "You can read that?" He asked in a short voice.

Tags: Benjamin Pennington
Words: 453
Notes: Adam apologizes if he seems like a dick and he really wanted to take this thread.

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Ben leaned back against the tree as carefully as he could so as not to disturb the bird, but it turned out not to be needed. He had noticed the sparce training here and there in the Fields, but he hadn’t paid it much attention. Now an individual was approaching him, startling the bird away, but Ben was okay with that if it meant a little human company too. He smiled at the man coming over. He couldn’t tell if he was older or younger. He has always been bad with estimating ages. His father had once joking taught him to always assume the youngest possible according to appearance. Then in the case of women, subtract an additional 5 years. And, he had learned since he got here, if it was a female related to Venus, just say ‘young lady’ and call it good. Not that he would be disrespectful to anyone.

But back to the here and now. He smiled at the gentleman, even if he wasn’t sure what to make of the tone or lack thereof in his words. Ben was just pleased he recognized it, so his smile grew. “Oui, it is! And what a lovely day to be reading it, don’t you think?” Then the other man continued and Ben got a sinking feeling. Perhaps this man was another like that Mattie girl. Full of insults. However, Ben refused to allow himself to be belittled or made nervous. He nodded with a soft but genuine smile as though the man had asked if he was having a good day instead of asking if he could read it. He kept his tone kind and even. “Certainly. I learned to read just as anyone else and quite enjoy it. It also happens that this is my favorite books and today is one of my favorite days, so combine them all and it’s all rather pleasant. I’m Benjamin, by the way. May I ask whom I am speaking with?”

Words: 330
Tag: @adam
Notes: Sorry so short! I’m curious to see where this goes!

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Adam looked at the guy for a moment, the face was familiar though there was no name that came to mind. He hadn't even had much interaction with his own divine family. He had briefly met Tessa, who he really didn't like at all, and Lilith who was more understanding than Tessa was. He couldn't get that blond headed girl to understand why Adam had done what he had done. What did he owe to her anyways? Only the fact that she was some cousin of some sort didn't mean anything. It was always him and his brother and come to find out his father had been helping him along the way, it had always been just them. There was no explanation, no good reason other than to fill his need for revenge against the monsters. But here Adam was learning that he knew more about monsters than most people here. Weak spots, the best strategies for downing them, eating habits, the worn out leather journal in his back pocket detailed monsters in a crude fashion with basic drawings of monsters and childish notes written in the margins. His writing was at fifth grade level at best. His reading was lackluster at best.

Oui? What kind of word was that? Adam turned his head to the side. "It's Good Friday." He stated. "I've also heard it called Black Friday in the Church. Depends on who you ask." Adam said with a nod of his head. That was what the Father had called it while he was in the Church. But this was a story he had heard in many variations. "I can understand why it would be Black Friday more than Good Friday. What's good about a guy being nailed to a pole?" Sure there was more to the story, but Adam had gotten the gist of it. "yeah he did it because he loved us all, but what would he say about this?" He asked, his tone switching from abrasive to genuine curiosity in a matter of a half a second as he gestured to the training field where people had decided to train. Most places that were Christian made today a holiday. "My name's Adam. Adam Ryder." He said, extending a large and calloused hand for the other male to shake.

Words: 402
Tag: Benjamin Pennington
Notes: Adam needs friends, I think he picked Ben for some strange reason lol.

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Ben smiled. “Indeed it is!” He nodded. “Either works for me, though I am more accustomed to Black Friday.” Ben paused a second at the other young man’s crude explanation of what happened. It was true enough, yes, just a total lack of respect in it. Then again, he should be happy that someone here knew the story at all. “Well, the way I see it, it certainly is more Black, but they can call it Good if they like. After all, what it did was good.”

He looked out over the training field when Adam asked about it. He sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I think of it either. Well, that’s not entirely true. I don’t like it. But as for Him, well… I would think it like an extension of the Roman army of old. Just, you know, the makeup is a bit different. As for what He thinks of that part… I don’t know. I can only hope. Because if He isn’t pleased with it at all, what chance do I have too?” He sighed and shook his head. But what was the harm in trying to make a new friend. At least one who understood a bit. So he introduced himself. He smiled and took the other guy’s hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you, Adam Ryder.” His hands were rough. He’d obviously been through quite a lot. Either that, or he was simply one of those who worked with his hands a lot like the forges. He felt it would be rude to ask after just meeting the guy.

Words: 268
Tag: @adam
Notes: Sorry so short. I was scraping around for muse for this.

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Not that Adam was trying to be rude, but things just turned out that his people skills were a little bit rusty. If he actually had them at all as it turned out. It was crazy, he just didn't really do much in the way of mixing and mingeling with people. Hell he was getting to the point where the only person he really trusted was his father, and maybe lilith. She was sweet enough and nice enough. But he just couldn't really do much in meeting some of the other family members. But he was here hanging out with this kid that he really hadn't known ever before or had a friend other than his brother. It had always been him looking out for his brother. "It did do good didn't it?" Adam said as he turned his head to the side as he thought about it. "He's the real definition of a hero." Someone who had died, had sacrificed himself, all for the greater good.

Adam's history was pretty rusty. He didn't know much about the whole bible thing. Just what the father had read to him or told him. "I don't know what to think, at least not about this whole thing. About Him." Adam shook his head as he tried to clear his thoughts. "You been at this camp thing long?" He heard that some people were kind of sensative about the whole naming your parent thing and there were some that wore it like a huge badge. Adam felt it was just better to not ask and he didn't want to make someone angry about it. "Still trying to figure this place out."

Tags: Benjamin Pennington
Words: 281
Notes:

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Ben was glad for the company. This young man seemed nice, and he actually knew something about the book in Ben’s hands! That was huge. Then when he spoke again, Ben had to smile. Yes, this was a good guy. He nodded, a smile on his face that hadn’t been there in a very long time. The type of smile that was true and genuine and only came out when he found a kindred spirit, which, well, hadn’t happened since his father died. Then Adam said Jesus was the real definition of hero and Ben decided he probably just chanced upon best friend material. It was such an uplifting feeling. “He really is. I couldn’t have put it better myself. These people,” here he waved at the training people out in the field, “they think military prowess makes heroes. It kind of does, but not ultimate heroes.”

He slipped his blue ribbon bookmark into the Bible and closed it gently. “Well, you seem to already know a lot more than most people here, so there’s a start.” He chuckled at his question and shook his head. “Hardly. Maybe… 6 months? Violently pulled here and forced to fight. Not a big fan. And apparently I’ll be stuck ten more years. You?” He nodded grimly at the other young man’s words. “Me too. So far I’ve gathered… it’s unpleasant.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I’m not a good fighter. Even by this Roman gods lineage thing I don’t have good odds. Juturna is my mother. Springs and fountains. I never fought a day until my father died and I was on the run. I’m a baker by trade. I can carve icing roses, but not battle dummies.”

Words: 286
Tag: @adam
Notes:

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The other guy smiled, which in turn made Adam smile. He was vaguely reminded of his brother and how he had an infectious smile. His brother had quite an infectious personality. Every little laugh, every crinkle of the eye, and when he smiled his whole face lit up like a Christmas tree. "I don't actually know much of the bible. My brother and I, we moved around a lot. Most of the people that would take us in were the churches." Adam stated, though it wasn't something that he shared with many people here. His experience had lead him to think that most of the monotheistic religions here were frowned upon considering that this place was founded upon the very idea that other gods existed. If there were other immortals out there, like his father, why was it hard to thing that G-O-D with a capital 'G' was an actual thing? Why did people here seem to find this particular notion to be ludicrous? "They save the world from threats that most normal people don't see, but there is a huge difference. Jesus saved mankind from itself I think. Or tries to." Adam reasoned. Some of the most comforting times he could imagine were in the churches with their stained glass windows. The son of Apollo could appreciate that kind of beauty.

"I don't understand it, why is it so hard to think that if these immortals exist, why not Him too?" Adam posed the question that had currently been playing around in his mind. Maybe Benjamin had a better answer. "One of the father's told me that a lot of people don't believe because they can't see it. Is it Faith if you can see it and know that it's there? Isn't faith putting your trust in something whether it's actually there or not?" He really liked this guy, and by Adam's calculations, he was probably a bit older than he actually was. He seemed to have a wise soul with kind eyes. "I don't feel like I belong here. Sure I hunted monsters for years before coming here, but the others, I don't do well in large groups." It was nice to know that even though he had a similar feeling as Benjamin did, they both seemed to feel like outsiders. While Benjamin had his faith, Adam didn't know what it was that he had. Maybe he should find faith, he wondered as he looked at the well worn and dusty pair of boots that were on his feet. "Baker huh?" Adam nodded with a smile. He could appreciate bakers and their products, after all he was a huge fan of food. "I came here looking for my brother. I haven't found him yet." Adam admitted, for the first time to anyone other than his father, the real reason that he came to this camp to begin with.

Words: 481
Tags: Benjamin Pennington
Notes: my muse exploded for this and I apologize! Adam really likes him.

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Ben listened silently, not judging, just curious. He was really liking this guy, that was for sure. He was unusual, considering this place. He smiled. “This is going to sound bad, and please don’t take it personally, but I think in some ways you’re luckier than most of the others here. They never got exposed to the church. Even though you did under less than pleasant circumstances, it still happened. Now here you are, having led a hard life, but wiser for it. Not that I follow my own advice, but be careful talking too much in the open here. There are a few who will quite literally hunt you down. This little girl named Mattie is particularly vicious. But with me you can definitely be yourself. And with your brother, I imagine.”

Ben looked up at the sun-dappled leaves high above them and thought about his words. “It’s a curiosity, to be sure.” He looked back to Adam as he continued and nodded. “I couldn’t agree more. Faith is... How to say in English... You can’t prove it’s real. Like... Even regular history that everyone accepts. You can’t prove that there was ever a man named Marco Polo. We just hear stories about him and think... Hey, we believe this is true. There was a time Jesus Christ walked the Earth and people could prove he existed. Just like Marco Polo. But neither are here on Earth anymore. So how come so many accept the existence of one and not the other? I know, there is that accepting Jesus as being real has much bigger implications, but all the same.”

He chuckled at his question. “Yes, come to Terry’s coffee shop and I’ll give you a free sample of whatever you like!” He paused, his face falling, as Adam continued. “Oh. I’m so sorry. Do you want me to help?” He hated seeing someone he had so quickly grown to like be in such a spot. It must be terrible.

Words: 371
Tag: @adam

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There were times when Adam had the hardest time just stopping to look around him. Today was a nice day, he had a companion that was genuinely nice and not the sort of nice that told him that he wanted to have something from Adam. Adam had always been good at deciding what peoples ulterior motives were. Ben was genuinely pleasant and nice. They had a common ground that seemingly made them black sheep here at camp. Adam wasn't any where as deep seated in the Christian religion as Ben was, nor did it seem to be in the same sort of way. But it was nice to know that there was someone out there that had a reason or a way to live that was just different from what was considered normal around here. "I don't think i have to worry too much about her, I don't do people much. And I've come to the conclusion, you're not people, you're a person. Besides it's always been hard to make friends for me." His gruff voice and eyes stared down at his shabby boots.

Adam nodded, listening to the words that Ben said with a quiet moment of contemplation as he thought hard. "So many people lived so long ago, they believe in them, but there's no sure way to know they were there or who they exactly were." Sometimes the words sounded weird as they came out of Adam's mouth. They wern't exactly the right words and sometimes they sounded as if they were in the wrong place. His education, lack thereof, was evident. Adam knew he wasn't a smart guy, not by any means. There were many times that he felt ashamed and sheepish to actually have a conversation with people. Everyone else was much smarter than he was and he wasn't about to force people to dumb themselves down just because he couldn't understand. He was still getting used to eating three times a day without having to steal food, sleeping in a bed that wasn't a pile of stolen blankets on the floor, or having clothes that fit. The people around him still made him jumpy.

"I don't know if he's actually here. My dad said I would have a better chance of finding him here. Or if maybe the people could help or what." He had a look of being lost on his face as he ran a hand through the hair on the back of his head. He could feel the warm sun on the back of his neck, it dappled against the grass as it came through the trees over head. "I haven't seen him for a few years. Not since he saved me from that monster..." There was always that feeling of self doubt and like he wasn't good enough. His brother was the smart one, the hero. Without him, Adam knew that he was just a grunt, just a soldier to follow orders. His brother deserved to be alive, not him.

Words: 500
Tags: Benjamin Pennington
Notes: sorry it took so long

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Ben was enjoying this. A new friend, and one he didn’t have to hide when he was with. He hadn’t had a good, solid friend in a long time. He chuckled and nodded. “Oui, me either! I do not like the crowds here!” Then he stopped short at what Adam said to him, about him. He reached over and clapped him on the shoulder in a friendly way similar to how his father used to do to him when he was alive, not even thinking that it might not be welcome, but doing it automatically. “Thank you, Adam. I take that with great honor. You, too, are a person.”

He leaned back again and spoke what he sincerely thought about the whole matter of faith. It was refreshing to speak it openly. “Exactly. We don’t even know all the people alive right now. Somewhere in the world, right now, someone was just born. And I bet you within thirty seconds, someone will die. We don’t know their names and we can’t prove they live or die, but they do.” He really liked Adam. He felt like he finally found someone here who understood him. That kind of connection was rare and wonderful. When you are pulled to a strange place that is absolutely nothing like you’re old life and you are a stranger in a strange land… finding someone to just talk to is a lot.

He regarded his new friend curiously and respectfully as he spoke about his brother. He looked so frightfully sad. Ben didn’t know what to do, but he felt he had to do something. So, for now, he heard him out. “He sounds like a good man. I will certainly pray God brings you both together again on this side of the gates. What is his name, if I may? I always like to be specific when I ask God something. I know He already knows, but I like to be precise. Then He knows my heart is in it. Beyond that, I know several of the ancient prophets who have words to help you. And then, too, you may always speak to me. We are friends now, yes?”

TAG: @adam
WORDS: 364
NOTES: So much delaaaaay. And my muse kind of died without Newsboys playing. Sorry he talks funny. I'm trying to make him sound more like English is still kind of new for him. Is it coming across that way?