Young Dogs, New Tricks

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben's in the Plaza this time - still wearing all black, even now that it's summer. He doesn't seem too bothered by the heat, though he brushes sweat off his brow and occasionally takes a drink of cool water from the flask at his side. In this weather, it doesn't pay to take chances with the heat. 

But even though his appearance is dark, in other ways he's uncharacteristically cheery. There's a grin on his features as he stands beside a pile of home-drawn sketches, of landscapes and creatures he observed in the Wilds.  Even his voice sounds more excited than usual. Ben Solo is visibly happy. And smiling. There's a brightness in his hazel eyes that wasn't there before now.

He won't say what it is to a stranger, but something happened recently involving two people close to him and a "borrowed" PINpoint that put him in a very good mood. He's here for business as well as pleasure, though.  Prices are listed beside the samples - he's here to hawk art as well as chat. While most of his earnings come from his repair business, his sketches don't do badly. It took practice, but he reapplied his knowledge of calligraphy and an eye for detail. Art's the quiet, restful hobby he's been looking for.

After he's finished setting up his stall and equipment, he stands beside it with his arms folded, watching the crowd. When someone approaches him, he poses a question.

"What hobbies do you have in the Nexus, or things that help you relax?" He's taking notes from any answers he receives. No harm in trying something new. "Anything you've learned to do here that you couldn't try back home?" 

Comments

[skyti]

"It was spur of the moment," he laughs in admission. Who would actually PLAN on stealing someone's PINpoint and impersonating them? He had been trying to brainstorm HOW to get them together, but sometimes opportunity just pops up, "I'm really glad it worked though."

Ben's definitely got his heart on his sleeve right now and Atreus thinks good. He doesn't think he's ever seen him this happy.

"You don't need to repay me!" he snorts after finished off his fries, "But I would like to meet her! I'd be weird if the only interaction I've ever had with her was me impersonating you."

Badly. Badly impersonating.

[chiaro_oscuro]

Ben polishes off the Limbo burger in a couple more mouthfuls, setting the bag aside now that he's done. "Thank you for the lunch." Atreus is right, he's not often this happy, and the meal certainly isn't the only reason. "We both act before we think. No wonder we get along so well."

He's never been subtle about his feelings. This hasn't changed now that he has emotions he expresses regularly that aren't various forms of anger.

"She probably thought I was drunk. I explained things once I had the PINpoint back - no harm was done, and your impersonating me helped us. Rey found the whole business amusing."

So did Ben, when he wasn't mildly embarrassed.