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

[chiaro_oscuro]

"I'm under the impression that, since I'm not any competition - Galahad and I are simply friends - Beelzebub doesn't see me as a threat. So he's warmed to me, and my training under him as a student almost certainly helped. I will say I'm glad to be on his good side. He's Lucifer's warlord for a reason."

Ben isn't the flirty type. While he isn't sure whether he and Rey are officially in a relationship, he's loyal to her. So Beelzebub, he figures, had no reason to see Ben as a rival for Galahad's affections as they all got to know one another better.

"It's something certain people in my world are born with, but you can train to have better control of it. There are others here who are as strong or stronger than me - I mentioned Rey, and there are a few others. But I'm training to become stronger."

[sohoangel]

"Beelzebub does not take friendships lightly. Especially if he's taken you on as a student. Have you met his second-in-command, Abigor? It might be worth getting to know them, too."

Aziraphale listens thoughtfully to Ben's reply. "A natural ability that one must train. I see. That's very interesting, Ben, I'll have to keep an eye out for other Force-users. There are so many humans with extraordinary abilities here, it's a little hard to keep track."

He drains the very last of his bubble tea, then miracles away the empty cup and straw, presumably to the nearest trashcan. "Well, I'd best be off, I'll need to dig out that blueberry muffin recipe and pick up the ingredients. A pleasure talking to you, Ben. I'll text you before I pop over tomorrow morning for the exchange?"

[chiaro_oscuro]

"We're rare, but there are a few of us, and our numbers are growing. Some of us are permanent residents - like myself - and others come and go. But you're right that there are people with powers similar to mine who aren't Force users. What I showed you was simply a party trick."

Ben hasn't heard of Abigor, but assumes he's another one of the fallen angels. "No, I haven't. I imagine I will, eventually, if you consider the people I associate with. For a while I found the fallen angels imposing, with how powerful they are." It's interesting, being a smaller fish in a larger pond. It's given Ben a dose of humility.

He nods and smiles back when Aziraphale finalizes the deal. "Yes, T think that would work very well. I'll be hearing from you soon, then. Thank you. And I hope you enjoy that piece of artwork."