Sorry, Death. You Lose. (Adam or any of Charlie's)

[Deleted]

Ben made sure the door of the coffee shop was locked tight. Today was Easter Sunday. He refused to open his business on Easter Sunday. His employees were happy about that. He’d been asked a dozen times by customers though, as to why he would not be open. If only they knew! There was so much he wished he could do. Adam Ryder was the only one here whom Ben believed stood a chance on Judgment Day. It was sad. Really sad.

He stuck the keys in the pocket of his khakis and ensured his light purple – not for Rome, but for Christ – button-up dress shirt was done all the way up. He didn’t have a church to go to today, but he still wanted to look the part. As always, his cross necklace hung around his neck and today, his father’s Bible was in his satchel. He looked up at the clear skies and wondered what those skies looked like when Jesus left the tomb all those years ago. He liked to think it was like today here: warm and sunny. The day looked promising, and the events of the day were promising. Smiling to himself, he walked along the via toward the forum. He had nowhere to go, no one to see. He’d already broken ties with Evelyn. If she knew that or not, Heaven only knew, as the girl didn’t seem to contact him ever. Reason why he’d broken up with her. All that time wishing to be with her and when they were finally together, she couldn’t care less about him. He was bitter for a while, seeing as he felt he was always expected to give everything while she didn’t even know how to give him a smile. He knew Jesus said to love others, but one had to consider that even Paul needed something in return when he went out and helped all those churches. So Ben assumed his actions were justified. Even Jesus rebuked people, because God might be Love, but He is also Just.

He brushed that from his mind and thought of the day. Of the song from that band he liked so much: the Newsboys. Those here without the Lord, how do you cope? For this morning we don’t mourn like those who have no hope. Because death was not the end. Jesus saw to that. Death was defeated.

TAG: @ OPEN
WORDS: 399
NOTES:

[Deleted]

This was kind of silly, but it was still something that he had worked hard on. Adam had this friend, someone who understood the type of raising that he had. It was weird coming from running from place to place, not living in a single place for too long, but there was one thing that was constant in his trips up and down the west coast while they searched for monsters to kill to find the one that killed their mother. The one that killed their father. But Adam had been working on something, an art project of sorts. He was never really that creative or artistic, but he wanted to do something for his friend, something special. He just hoped that Ben would like it. Adam had his own beliefs. Sure there were gods that existed, but there was only one God with a capital G. The Father that had taken him in had explained that everything was going to be alright so long as he had faith. Faith was something that until he had met the Father, Adam only ever had faith in himself and his brother. It was slow that Adam started to trust people, but Ben was someone who he felt like he could trust.

Adam had gently wrapped the present, a hand carved cross made of a bit wood from the Dogwood tree. He had heard so many stories that the Dogwood was the tree of Christ. But he wasn't surprised to see that Ben's shop was closed. Well it was Easter after all. So the fact that it was closed didn't surprise Adam in the least. But that left the question of where to find Ben. Adam gave a slight sigh, figuring that Ben might be someplace else other than here, but where was the actual answer. He didn't know where Ben lived, or what Cohort he was in, or if he was even in a cohort. What sort of friend was that? There was a small huff as he turned on his heels smartly, he had no idea where to look.

Adam made his way through to the forum, he wasn't sure where to even look. But he plopped down on the edge of the fountain where he was able to sit and watch the people. The market was open in full force with spring coming around. A year, he had officially been here for a year. The people didn't seem to notice him or really pay him any mind. Adam was used to it, being ignored. He closed his eyes gently as he intently listened to the sound of the water spilling out of the fountain. It was quite a beautiful day. Not too hot, not too cold, there was a nice breeze too.

Words: 463
Tags: Benjamin Pennington
notes: Adam got excited

[Deleted]

Today was a good day. Very good day. Ben had been going through a lot, good and bad, but today was a breath of fresh air. He was a free man in so many ways. He thought back to the original Easter. Christ showing up on earth again after the tomb was found empty. If that hadn’t happened, the Holy Spirit couldn’t have come. If that hadn’t happened, the Apostles wouldn’t have gotten to work. If that hadn’t happened, Saul would have never become Paul. If that hadn’t happened, Rome herself wouldn’t have heard of Jesus. Then no Constantine. No Holy Roman Empire. No nothing. Sure, Ben was actually Protestant, so he didn’t recognize the Holy Roman Empire too much, but they were the roots. If Martin Luther had nothing to pin complaints about, well, he wouldn’t have bothered to. But he did, so the Protestant Reformation happened, and here was Ben.

He was thinking about the vast history of Christianity in general, all thanks to the death and resurrection, as he walked the cobblestone streets. Finally he got to the Forum and was forced to pay more attention, as this place was much more crowded. He got some odd looks for his attire. It was a nice warm day, and here he was in khakis and a button-up. Long sleeve, of course. The only thing not formal about him was his worn-out messenger bag. He’d gotten it at a second-hand shop. So far, it had done a world of good for him and he considered one of his smarter purchases.

As he wove through the crowd, he got closer to the fountain and the burbling of water. Kids were yelling and running around and he almost got bumped a couple of times, but managed to steer clear. Finally he got to the fountain and searched for a good place to just escape the crowds for two seconds and catch some air, when he saw Adam. They didn’t talk much, but right from the off Ben considered Adam a good friend. Hey, when there were only two of the faith in Camp, they had to stick together! “Hey, Adam! Happy Easter!” He had a feeling no one within earshot except the intended recipient would actually understand his words – some might not even know the term! – but it was nice to think that Adam did.

TAG: @adam
WORDS: 394
NOTES: They are too cool. Bffs all the way!

[Deleted]

Adam looked a bit shabby compared to the other people that roamed about New Rome. All he really had were the jeans and boots, and not to mention that the newest thing that he had were the bright purple Legion shirt. It was just so crazy the whole thing. Everything from when he was born to now, it just blew his mind. He watched a little girl toss a drachma into the fountain. It was supposed to be for luck, but Adam had never had any spare money to buy luck. Everything went to making sure that he and his brother had food to eat and a place to sleep. Even occasionally he could pull up enough money to get new socks or clothes for his brother. Adam knew what it was like to go hungry and he knew what it was like to nearly freeze. He wondered what his brother was doing, if his brother was even alive. What would he think of a place like this?

Adam looked up as his thoughts were interrupted and brought back to reality by a familiar face and a friendly voice. "Hey Ben! He is risen indeed." Adam said, the response was nearly automatic. A large grin crossed his face as he then extended his hand to his friend. Even though there wasn't much time spent between the two of them, Ben was one of the few people that Adam truly trusted here at camp. There was nothing that made him happier. He actually had a friend here. He hoped that when he found his brother that he would enjoy it too. That this was a place where they didn't have to worry about food or shelter or monsters. "Oh, before I forget, Happy Easter." Adam said as he pulled the small but gently wrapped present from his pocket. He offered it to his friend.

"Such a glorious day isn't it?" Adam said as he looked upwards to the clear sky. It was nice and the air was cool, not too hot at all. It really was the nicest day.

Words: 349
Tags: Benjamin Pennington
Notes: bffs for sure!

[Deleted]

Benjamin loved this day, though it would have been better with a church to go to. Oh well. He’d make due. He figured he would spend some quality time in the Gospels today. For now, however, he would take a walk. Which turned out to be a good idea, seeing as he ran right into his dear friend, Adam. They had only spoken a couple of times, but that was enough in Ben’s mind to know they were good friends. They had more in common than anyone else he knew here. He shouted a joyous greeting to his friend and grinned when he got one back. He took that as the all clear and snaked through the crowd to get to Adam. “Yes, He is! Isn’t is great?”

A happy Easter indeed, with a good friend to spend it with. Except his friend did something out of the blue that caught Ben by surprise, by pulling out a small wrapped gift. “Aw, Adam! You didn’t have to do that! May I? Or should I wait?” he asked, referring to opening the present. “But yes, a most happy Easter!”

Ben smiled and looked up, following Adam’s gaze. “Absolutely. It’s like all the heavens and the earth are celebrating.” That was how he saw it, at least. “So what are you up to this fine day, Adam? Have you eaten yet?” That was so like Ben. Fellowship with food. Even if his kitchen was closed, most restaurants were not. And while Ben liked to do the cooking himself, it never hurt to take some time to appreciate another’s work. He kind of hoped that Adam had not eaten yet, so that he could have an excuse to spend more time with him. Though spending Easter with a fellow Christian seemed reason enough without needing food.

TAG: @adam
WORDS: 303
NOTES: