benaksingh

[benaksingh]

Benak had not meant to wind the boy up so much with his question. He felt guilty in the moment for making him so worried.

"My apologies, I did not mean to catch you so off guard." He reassured him. "As for that book.....it was a fun read. Perhaps a bit too......how do they say it, Booktok for me, but I always appreciate stories about gay men. That's actually partially why I'm here now, I figure that given it being pride month and all, perhaps they have ordered more LGBTQ books for the occasion."

"Jeez, book recommendations," Terence muttered under his breath, a faint blush creeping up his neck. The question had caught him off guard, and his mind raced through his recent reads. His personal library leaned heavily into a certain genre, and he quickly realized he might be in a bit of a bind given the unspoken parameters of the request. No gay subculture or hints of homosexual desires? That eliminated... well, most of his favorites.

He cleared his throat, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "I don't know if what I read will be up to your taste, but Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston is a fun read..." He trailed off, mentally kicking himself. The book was indeed fun, but it was also unapologetically queer. He hoped his recommendation wouldn't be met with an awkward silence or, worse, a pointed stare.

[benaksingh]

"That most certainly would!" Benak said. He's mood became a bit more outwardly joyful. "You wouldn't happen to have any recommendations for queer historical fiction novels, would you? It is Pride after all."

"Hmm... It depends on the sort of mood I'm in. But, I like Historical fiction, romance, fantasy, a bit of everything. I think Historical fiction is probably a favorite." She paused before asking, "Is that something you'd be interested in as well?"

[benaksingh]

Benak turned to the figure who answered him. He thought for a moment.

"Anything really, I happen to spend most of my time reading. What do you like to read most?"

Honeymaren was an avid reader, herself, and she was looking to get back into it now that the weather was nicer and she could sit on her patio with a nice cold beverage to accompany her. She liked to think that she had a wide taste when it came to books, so when the stranger asked for a recommendation, she was happy to help.

"Well sure, what kind of books are you interested in?"

[benaksingh]

Benak was passing by the doctor's office on his walk. The thought occurred to him that it might have actually been too long since he last went, and that it was something he should get done soon. In his early 40s he was only getting older, and unfortunately that always meant more check ups to stay in tip top shape.

"Oh no worries at all, friend. This is my mistake, my apologies. I should have been watching where I was going, most certainly outside a place such as this." Benak offered in apology. He thought for a moment. "Might I make it up to you by helping you home? Or wherever you were looking to go while your eyes adjust?"

open starter @happieststarters

Coming out of the ophthalmologist (now wasn't that a fun word for Scrabble night) Sully blinked as the midday light briefly blinded him. He wasn't really excited about needing reading glasses now, but it could be worse. He could need everyday glasses. It could be a hindrance for his work. No, he was lucky, in a certain way. Pity that his job benefits didn't include paying at least partly for his brand-new eyewear, though.

Now, the doctor had said he had to wear the glasses for a little while to get his eyes used to it. Sully knew he meant 'at home', but still he left them on as he stepped out of the building, making sure they didn't squeeze his temples too much, and that they didn't slip off the bridge of his nose. Everything seemed okay so far.

PIcking out the case from his jacket pocket, he remembered he still had a pack of peanuts in there. He popped a few into his mouth, and headed to leave the doctor's doorway, when he accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh --sorry. Didn't see you there," he said, mouth still full of peanuts. Immediately, he gave them an awkward smile. "Well, isn't that ironic."

[benaksingh]

Benak's eyes gazed over the book cases before him. It was not like he needed anymore books, his home had become covered in piles upon piles of them. Still, he persisted in his hobby.

"Do you have any recommendations?" Benak said out loud to the person browsing the shelves beside him. "I'm looking for something new to read."

@happieststarters

[benaksingh]

Benak kept his friendly disposition as he spoke with the woman before him.

"I'm here for some rose and jasmine." Benak said. "I make my own teas. Tea is best, that way. It may seem a bit extra to go to all that work, but the alternative are those bland, prepackaged tea bags...."

.

Guinevere turned around to meet the eyes of the man standing behind her. She smiled wide. After all, she knew she had good taste, but it was always nice to have it acknowledged by someone else. "Well, thank you."

She gave him a look over. Never seen him. Probably not particularly rich or influential, then. Unless he was a newcomer? Regardless, Guinevere decided that he must have had good taste too, to recognize it in someone else. "What will you have? If you don't mind me asking."

[benaksingh]

Benak stood behind a woman in line at the florist. He had a list of several flowers he was looking for. He was doing the calculations in his head of how much of each type he would need when he heard the woman before him speak. As the worker got the flowers she had requested, Benak spoke.

"My apologies for interrupting," Benak said, "But I simply wanted to say that you have lovely taste in flowers."

@happieststarters

Fall had begun, but there was still a trace of summer in the air, or at least whatever was left of it. There was no stopping the passing of seasons, regardless. It was the time of wilting and decay.

Really, shopping for the house was the sort of thing Sofia always did, following her stepmother's careful instructions. But, as it was becoming a bit of an unpleasant habit, Sofia was spending her mornings occupied with other things, instead of taking care of her chores. Until Guinevere decided to hire a maid or something (an idea she was not fond of), there were some small things she could do herself.

Like buying flowers, for instance. The Orchard House's garden was a marvel, as always, but it used to give less flowers as the weather started to change. The white lilies were still holding out, thankfully, so that was good. She had a sudden craving for the splash of red only poppies could give, though, so she went to the local flower shop to purchase some.

"These ones, yes," Guinevere said to the salesperson, pointing at a handful that seemed particularly fresh and healthy. "Be careful with them."

[benaksingh]

The bar was perhaps the worst place for one to read a book. Unfortunately, Sabrina was no longer allowing Benak to spend his days simply between the reserve, the cafe, and his home. So here he was, at the bar trying to order a simple glass of wine he could take back to whatever seat he could find with the most light and read for a while.

Benak went up beside a man who had just ordered a beer. He turned to him.

"I'm terribly sorry, would you mind holding this book for a moment while I get out my wallet? I don't particularly want to get it all sticky-"

not having babette by his side was slowly driving him insane. the break had been mutually agreed but the more time went on the more victor was questioning why they took one. things hadn't been good, they'd been viciously arguing but now he missed that. he had seen some guy talking to her throughout the night and the jealously was rearing its ugly head.

trying to take his mind off of it, he turned to the bar and ordered another beer.

@happieststarters

[benaksingh]

Benak had been meaning to finally step out of his work. He had been spending so much time working on all the new updates to the Redwood Reserve, so much so, that he had almost missed the grand opening of Evangeline's.

Fortunately, he had remembered just in time, and now found himself amazed at how great the establishment had come together.

"I'm enjoying myself just fine," Benake said with a friendly smile, "You really made a wonderful place here, absolutely stunning!"

When the doors to Evangeline's opened that evening, Ray wept tears of joy. It had happened. Raymond Bug had created something meaningful to himself. Something that he believed would outlive him. Something he could pass onto his future family. He hhad created a way to support himself and Jane. This was his.

Mingling through the crowd now, Ray's smile was beaming so bright it could probably be seen from space. Turning at a tap to his shoulder, he smiled at the person infront of him. "Thank you! Welcome to Evangeline's! Are you enjoying yourself?"

@happieststarters

[benaksingh]

Somewhere, in the back of his head, was the nagging thought that candy was bad for him. Candy was bad for everyone, technically. Benak had always had one wicked sweet tooth, however, and he was a rather enthusiastic supporter of people enjoying the finer things in life. It was always a great time for a little treat.

So here he stood, trying to figure out which candies he'd like, a cart behind him pushed into him. A young woman looked up at him, all apologies. Benak waved her off with a warm smile.

"Oh, it's no worry." He said, "It's my fault, I have quite a tendency to get distracted within my own thoughts sometimes."

starter for @benaksingh

Tiana’s shopping cart was nearly full by the time she took her place in the checkout line. Her mom had needed groceries, too, so Tiana had been shopping for twice the groceries she usually did. That shopping cart was heavy.

Her eyes drifted to the assortment of candy next to the checkout line. It’d been a while since Tiana had eaten a lot of these—Starburst, Twix, Snickers. She was still examining the selection when the line started to move forward, and Tiana pushed her cart forward, too.

Oh, no! The man in front of her was slower than she was, and the shopping cart bumped into him.

“Sir, I’m sorry,” Tiana told him, backing up instantly. “That was my fault. Are you okay?” She hadn’t bumped him very hard, but she thought she’d ask regardless. The man was one Tiana didn’t recognize, with striking features and a nose straight as an arrow.

[benaksingh]

Benak dipped his head slightly, bashful as ever. He must have lost sight of himself, not realizing this had been the man he had just recently asked a question.

"You've caught me red handed, friend. I'm a man in academia-as they call it. Sounds stuffy to say, but it has allowed me to travel the world, several times over." Benak answered. At the word music, Benak's face lit up.

"Ah! Wonderful! To be able to write music is an impressive skill, I've had many musicians in my past, for better or worse."

"You really are a man filled with tough questions, aren't you?" Diaval said, remembering the man's question about seasonal coffee from before.

"I'm more of a music writer than a story writer, although music tells stories-" He babbled on. He was a famous singer after all, his band had toured multiple countries, and he had golden plates hanging on his wall at home in redwood.

[benaksingh]

"Oh I'm terribly sorry-" Benak offered in apology as he witnessed the girl jump in surprise. "I didn't mean to scare you, my apologies."

He bowed his head slightly, then looked back up towards her.

"I've been thinking about getting in to writing books. Non fiction, likely, although a jungle book for children does sound rather exciting. My coworker keeps suggestions that I write a memoir, but that feels far too arrogant....I don't think I've done enough yet, but perhaps there are specific experiences of mine that are important to talk about---I just.....it feels so odd to consider putting myself in the spotlight."

.

"M-me?" Sofia stammered, startled by the question, as she jumped in her seat and almost dropped the romance novel she had in her hands. She had the slightly unfortunate habit of getting so engrossed by a book, she often forgot where she even was.

She gave the slightly familiar-looking man a quick look and relaxed her shoulders. He didn't seem bothered by her, nor did the question seem particularly urgent or annoyed. In fact, it sounded to her like the sort of question asked to very intelligent people, the kind that flaunt their knowledge. Sofia was prone to babbling on and on about what she was passionate about, but she wouldn't exactly call herself knowledgeable --not as much as very informed on a few specific subjects.

"I... It's no bother," she said, putting her book down and fixing her hair. "Why...? Excuse me, but... Why do you ask?"

[benaksingh]

Her apparent lack of confidence moved Benak. He had been that person before, in many ways he still was. Why else would he have asked this question of others, instead of simply writing for himself?

His years of teaching moved him to keep speaking with her, in hopes that perhaps he could help her feel more inspired to express herself, however she wanted.

"I often feel the same about my own, which is the cause of my pause. However, all my years of traveling the world, and all my years of teaching have taught me that there is always someone who wants to read about your work-or any idea that comes to mind. You could write someone's favorite story--or essay, if that is more your style."

she'd been deep diving into research on some niche topic that her brain had decided to fixate on. wendy had spent the day holed up in the cafe, reading book after book and rambling away to herself while she theorised and wrote down notes as markers on tiny post-it notes and pressed them to the relevant page in the book.

hearing someone speaking, it took her a moment to register that they were speaking to her. "who?" she asked "me?" she asked again, pointing to herself "i don't know if anyone would want to read about any of my work"

[benaksingh]

A cozy day called for a cozy day at the cafe. It was about an hour and a half before closing for the night. This was one of Benak's favorite times to be here, especially with the holiday decor still illuminating the room.

Hot tea beside him, he glanced over to the person sitting beside them. He knew it was best to leave people alone, usually, but often Benak failed to take his own advice. The person seemed in decent spirits, if he was judging correctly, although he worried he could also be wrong.

"Excuse my forwardness, I know this is a rather odd question, but I was wondering if you had ever considered writing a book?"

@happieststarters

[benaksingh]

The warning came just slightly too late, as Benak had already placed a bite of the food into their mouth. They winced at the heat, and took a rather undignified gulp of their drink.

"Sorry you had to witness that," Benak said, "You were not kidding,"

"Ooh, careful-- they're pretty hot."

@happieststarters

[benaksingh]

Benak was taking his time looking over all of the items on the shelf. Typically Benak had a rather strict, reliable list of things he would purchase from the store. He liked structure, he liked routine, and he knew what he liked to cook.

The holidays, however, were a time for expanding one's experiences. This new adventure being what new, seasonal flavor of coffee Benak was willing to try.

"Oh, my apologies." Benak said calmly. He gestured to where he stood as he stepped aside, in a kind gesture.

"If I could trouble you, might you let me know your opinion on the best seasonal coffee flavor? I'm trying to decide if any of these are worth buying."

Diaval walked into town - he had been here for just a couple of weeks but hadn't really take the time to get to know anyone in this town, he was more of a lone wolf - perhaps due to his celebrity status, yet even celebrities needed to do their groceries. So that's where Diaval was headed, taking a walk because he was sure that he wouldn't get bothered (after all no one bothered him those three weeks-)

He made his way into the store when he had his eyes dart to any item he needed. "Excuse me, can you let me through?" he asked politely (too polite for his tastes, but he was trying to do better, ya know)

@happieststarters

[benaksingh]

If there was one downside to being an adjunct professor, it was that the room Benak was supposed to be teaching in was ever changing, and often spontaneous- neither of which would describe him. Remotely.

Benak appreciated safe and orderly.

"Of course not," Benak responded, "I'm almost certain it was in 2001, wasn't it?"

Benak had clearly walked into the wrong classroom. Perhaps a little humor would relieve some of the awkwardness of his mistake.

It was a typical day in Redwood, Arthur was about to take out the many exams of his students, and lit a cigarette while doing so. His exam involved papers and questionnaires and deep down he hoped that troublemaker in his class had studied, or he'll be held back a year.

"My god, The medieval didn't start in 2000!" He groaned at the first question the troublemaker replied.

@happieststarters