Just Talk (Bre)

He figured that she had recognized his suspicion-- the questions he asked her were a huge hint. Though, there was something holding him back; a reason why he didn't want to report to Chiron or Mr. D. Ben had faith in Eliza. His overall personality flaw of not trusting people so easily was still taking action, of course, though he almost wanted to trust her, but knew that he was holding himself back.

"I see." Ben didn't have much to say as usual. The son of Thanatos always found a way--involuntarily or voluntarily--to make the conversation awkward. It was just his nature, it seemed. He wasn't one for many words.

I sighed and put my face in my hands." You don't have to trust me if you don't want too.Most people don't." I said, frowning slightly. I didn't like it when people had unresolved feelings. It always put me on edge.

Being the sensative boy he was, Ben felt sympathy towards the daughter of Hermes. What was he to judge her based on her past? Eliza was here at camp now, helping the half-bloods. It was evident that she was on their side.

Don't get too emotional about it, Ben, he told himself. Don't show emotion. Straight face at all times.

He placed a hand on her back, his other hand reaching out to her's that covered her face. "I won't judge you that way," he promised. "From what I've seen, you seem to someone I can respect."

I blushed a bright red but didnt turn to look at him. I'd just say something nasty and ruin this mutual 'freindship' we had. I didn't sturggle when he took my hand but I kept my face straight." Thanks." I said, my voice soft for once.

Ben returned to his original position, his hands by his sides. He had never shown the sensative side of him before, and never really did plan on it. Maybe he really did think of this girl as a friend, or at least someone he wouldn't mind hanging around. They sort of shared the same qualities, but everyone's different, and he was fine with that.

"You're welcome." Once again, he was lost for words. What should he say, what should he do? It's almost impossible for him to keep a conversation alive.

Ben could never understand why it was so easy for extroverts. It was like second nature to them. He didn't envy them. He was perfectly fine with being by himself all the time.

I chuckled." Hard to keep a conversation going, huh?" I said, grinning slightly. We were pretty similar. I guess I could understand him better than most.I sighed and flopped down onto the grass.

"Yeah. Sort of. I mean, I'm just not the extrovert type that knows what to say and when to say it. Socialization has always been a problem for me."

Ben thought about the years before camp. He remembered him always sitting in a corner during school hours, and the kids either talking bad about him behind his back, or to his face. He recalled the incident when he was expelled from school for being a 'freak of nature,' but was just him finally finding out about his powers. He learned how to shadow travel during a fight with a few students.

"Is it hard for you too?"

I nodded my head. I always said the dumbest things while speacking. Listening was more my stile anyways. I put my hands over my stomach and smiled slightly." If you don't mind me askin, whats with the cool hat?" I asked, looking up at him.

Benjamin's coal black eyes peered up at his fedora, taking it off and resting it in his two hands, revealing his soft, silky black hair.

"It's just sort of my style." That must have sounded odd of him to say. His style? His style was dark clothing, and if he was a woman, he would probably make his make up look dark too; almost like that lead singer from the rock band Evanescence. What she wore expressed her feelings, and that's what Ben had been doing for years now. He's a question to the world, not an answer.

"I'm sorry, allow me to correct myself. I mean that what I wear expresses my emotions. You know how I always have a stone-faced expression? My clothing is like who I am, without using words to describe myself."

He probably made it even more awkward, like he sounded like some wise old sage. That's Benjamin Reed for you.

"So yeah," he said, and then coughed awkwardly, placing his hat on his head again.

I chuckled and glanced at my own wardrobe. I was wearing a pair of black shorts, a Metallica T-shirt and combat boots. If my clothes expressed me I must have a pretty weird personality." I can respect that." I said, grinning slightly.

"Really?" he asked, slightly raising his eyebrow, and trying to maintain his blank expression. "Usually people would look at me strange if I ever told them something as mind-blowing as that."

He tipped his hat, and said, "Then again, most Americans--at least most that I've met--don't bother picking up a book, or try to comprehend my words. I'm that guy that everyone calls weird."

I laughed." Well there we go. Im not American." I said, grinning slightly. I sighed and closed my eyes." Well being called weird is a lot better than being called Monster." I mumbled, frowning slightly.

"You're not a monster," he said with concern in his voice. "Who would in their right mind call you that? If they are the one bashing you with insults like that, wouldn't they be considered the monster?"

Benjamin understood what Eliza meant. He himself was considered a freak of nature; the one that was feared by all. Seeing his half-blood family endure the same pain was both reassuring and heartbreaking. They weren't monsters. They were born heroes.

My eyes snapped open at what he said.I frowned and sat up." The loved ones and freinds of all the people I've killed might just have a right to call me a monster." I growled, though my eyes were pained. I don't know what was up with me today. I was probably just putting my sheild up again. Trying to keep others safe and that usually meant away from me.

Ben placed his hands in front of him in an apologetic way.

"Now, now. There's no need to get fiesty." He remained completly calm, his face expressionless--any sign of weakness was impossible to see.

"I suppose the Fates do these things for a reason. I mean, look at me. I had an older brother, but my own father practically killed him." Did he really just mention that?

I sighed and frowned slighty."Im sorry. It makes me angry and violent. Sometimes it's like its not even there then it just pops up and ruins the day." I said looking at him apologetically. I guess he was kind of my freind now. I should be nicer to him.

I hugged my knees and looked straight forward. Maybe I should tell him. He knows enough about me and dosent seem like the judgy type. " My curse." I answered bluntly.

I looked up at him and grimaced. " There is no cure." I said, reciting the words I had been told. Sanosuke had made it very clear. I was permanently screwed.

I sighed." I got taken down, then I woke up with it on my arm. I don't know who gave it to me but Sa-"I stopped abruptly and put my hand over it. It had started burning agian. Whenever I gave out important info it burned aswell. " Lets just say I learned what it does by trial and error. "I said, frowning.