readbentweenthelines

[readbentweenthelines]

"I've been told I have a good idea every now and then," Ben said, giving Jonah a slight smile. "But I don't-- hm. Maybe slow down a little. If you drink too much, I don't think you'll feel much at all." Until the morning after, at least. "I don't think you have to be better, Jonah. Though, there's truly a startling family resemblance between the two of you, in the way you beat yourselves up." He laughed. "I do. Burnt toast isn't a mistake, just a happy little accident, you know," he teased. All Ben could do was just shake his head. "I don't think future Jonah is going to be particularly happy with you, you know. A shame, really, I'm fond of present and future Jonah. I'd hate to know they wouldn't get along." The next words made him blink, worrying just how inebriated Jonah actually was. "What do you mean that your pots and pans turned invisible?"

"Yeah, yeah! You're onto something there professor! Soberness is overrated. Gonna have another one till I feel something real, thank you!" Maybe the wasn't the conclusion he was supposed to reach from what Ben said, but saying something could be felt with the help of alcohol only drew one conclusion in his head. "Sure sure, not denying we're family and love each other, but I should be better. I'm gonna so found to those things, it's just.... terrible every time. Or if I do, then I'll just get something non vampire, life that Bob Ross toaster, you still using it?" he asked, switching topics away from the mess they'd been through. What should've been a fun thing turned into something ugly and complete opposite of his intention. "Yeah, but hangover juice is future Jonah's problem, not mine!" He grinned and finished the drink in quick gulps. "Our pots and pans turned invisible but other than that we're doing good."

[readbentweenthelines]

It felt rude to tease, at this point, even ruder to be teased. Really, it was almost laughable, what they were doing. They were teetering on the edge of decorum, and getting kicked out of a strip club for indecency would be a new experience. Still, it wasn't something that he was keen on indulging in. Ben hummed, kissing her once more before pulling away to take a breath. "The car, then. Best get too it. Though, I'm afraid we'll have to detangle ourselves for the moment. I'm a bit top heavy, and I need both hands to walk," he teased, his voice low and rough. He let go, albeit reluctantly, and reached for his crutches so that they could head out. Or, at least, find a little privacy."

END.

"Not ever," She gave his chest a small shove. Her bottom lip jutted out into a pout at his not so funny joke. "And you better not go about losing any more limbs. We're supposed to spend the next eternity together. Unless the plan's changed?" Her gaze lifted to meet his with a soft curiosity. She wouldn't blame him if it had. Being a vampire was hard enough as it is and, now, with what had happened to him, she had a feeling the future was the farthest thing from his mind.

"Seriously, Trouble?" She heaved a sigh as she narrowed her eyes over at him once more. "I don't care what we do as long as we're together. When is that going to sink into that thick skull of yours? Though, it wouldn't hurt if you offered up some ideas now and again. Took initiative?" She pointed out. Her fingers all the while trailing up his chest as she guided his chin down toward her. "Yes," She nodded as he asked her if his current state was distracting. "Very much so," She let out a soft moan as his hands moved to her waist, pulling her flush against him from where she sat on his lap. "And I'm about to end it right here if we don't find a sliver of privacy fast. The car. Let's go to the car. Just hurry?" She whimpered quietly out, having a feeling this man would be the death of her if he took too long.

[readbentweenthelines]

"What's the saying?" Ben asked, tapping his chin before he grinned. "Fake it 'til you make it? I imagine with a bit more faking it will make it seem a bit real. With some help." He held up the drink again. He couldn't help but frown, though. "Jonah, you don't just make her cry. You're her family. She loves you dearly." He sighed. "What happened at the gift exchange wasn't your fault. Really, it wasn't anyone's, but those kinds of things tend to bring out more than a little bit of tension. I wonder if we should even have large events anymore. They always seem to devolve into anarchy in one way or another." He couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "I've... never heard it called happy juice. I don't want to spoil your fun, but you might want to slow down, just a tad. Otherwise, it won't be happy juice. It will be straight into a hangover juice." He gave Jonah a grin at the pout, shaking his head. "I'm making it just fine. How are you? How are things with Rohan?"

"Same boat," he nodded with a lopsided grin, attempts to be fun and celebrate were being made just to not be such a buzzkill, but the success of it was yet to be determined. "Surely if I can fake it, eventually it'll start to feel like this is good right?" It was more honest than he was aiming to be but with a chuckle that burst through, Jonah raised a finger to his lips, "Don't tell, Bri, I don't want to keep ruining things for her, okay? I'm glad she's got you, honestly, you - you're - yeah, you're much better. All I seem to do is make her cry." He pushed down that feeling, and added another shot, that he picked up from a server that happened to walking by, to truly drown it out, "That one makes..." he laughed, "I've lost count! It's all good though, it's fine. They call it the happy juice, right? I wanna be happy!" With a pout at the answer, Jonah shook his head, "No worries, we'll still celebrate, it'll be a new year soon. How are you doing, anyway?"

[readbentweenthelines]

Yes, hearing Rangi speak certainly confirmed with Ben that she was well into her cups, and he hummed in consideration to her words. "I've admittedly not quite found a way to do it easily, it's true," he said, giving her a small smile. He couldn't help but laugh, though. "I'm trying to picture it. I think it'd look rather awkward, certainly. The cup would have to have some sort of gyroscope to prevent spillage, and it would either need to be placed near the pad at the elbows or the grip, neither of which are particularly convenient." It would certainly be an interesting invention, if someone could make it work. He couldn't imagine there was much need for it, though, and necessity was the mother of invention. "The hospital wheelchairs weren't my favorite, no. I was rather grateful when I was cleared to use crutches." At the mention of Bri, he felt his eyes softened as he glanced around the room. "You know, I was just about to look for her. Hence the juggling act. I thought I would give her some time to mingle before cleaving myself to her for the night."

Well, Rangi had been having a good night. She really didn't know what it was that made her balk so much at the sight of Ben's face, but at least now she could partially blame it on the fact that he was now in a relationship with the girl she'd once had a pretty big crush on. And maybe still did a little. Like, c'mon, Bri was hot, of course she did. She was working on it. She'd been a little busy with other things lately. Things she certainly didn't want to think about, things that also happened to make said guy have to use crutches. Rangi frowned. She probably should help him.

"Kinda hard to hold two cups with one hand," she said, her words still slurring. She picked up the spilled glass and set it aside, waving the bartender down to make another. "You think they make cupholders for crutches? How would that work? Oh, I bet they have cupholders for wheelchairs. The hospital ones are so subpar." She grabbed the other drink and turned in a little circle. "Where's the lady of the night, anyway? I assume that's where you're headed with your juggling act."

[readbentweenthelines]

"I would hope, at this point, there would be no question about that," Ben said, laughing quietly. He didn't hide his affections for his girlfriend, and he had no intention of doing so, especially on tonight of all nights. Last New Years had been a bit of an ordeal, and the last few months had been equally trepidatious, and the gift exchange was-- as always-- truly something, but this was Bri's birthday, and he wanted to ensure that she was able to enjoy it as much as possible. "Well, there's still time, you know. Go, find someone to dance with. Do it for me. I'm all right feet, at this point." Because, of course, the left one wasn't there. "I'm feeling as good as I can, I suppose. Just relearning things." He laughed, the sound self-deprecating. "It's a rather good thing I've always been a life-long learner, I suppose."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Clinging her glass gently against his with a smile. While she wasn’t super hopeful that this year would be different, a tiny part of her did hold out for change. Hoping that maybe they would have something good happen this year. “Oh please we all know who you are kissing at midnight.” Teasing him as she nudged him playfully. “I’m glad that at least one of us has a filled up dance card.” Taking another drink from her glass before she looked at him, she gave him a smile. “So how have you been? Feeling okay?” Asking softly, she leaned against the bar. “You know since everything happened.”

[readbentweenthelines]

Poppy

"I'll drink to that," Ben said, raising his glass along with Poppy's as he looked about the crowd. He hoped much of the same, though it was rather difficult to imagine a calmer time in town. He knew it was possible. He'd lived through it, afterall. But so much had changed. He couldn't see things going back. He raised an eyebrow at her. "A gentleman does not kiss and tell," he teased back. "Though I do believe my dance card is filled in that aspect."

“You know if you kiss a pixie at Midnight on New Years it’s suppose to bring you good luck for the whole year.” Dilan explained as she continued to eat her grapes that she’d been munching on for the past few minutes. Which were also suppose to be lucky if you ate them at midnight under a table, which she refused to do, especially considering she was already suppose to be lucky inherently. “I’ve heard Kaye is even auctioning her kiss off to the highest bidder.” She gossiped for a moment, then realized how good of an idea it might actually be. “I shouldn’t do that to right? Like that’s morally wrong and stuff?” She questioned aloud as she looked at the person next to her.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Safiye had already gave her eulogy to Bri so now her party could begin. As she grabbed a drink from a passing waiter, she took a sip. While the drink was strong, it was just as quickly burned off in her system. Taking an empty seat at the first table she found and she crossed one leg over the other. “New Years Eve is wild.” She commented aloud. “Not as wild as White Elephant was, but I guess it’s still early in the night and we could have giant people and animals again.” She joked playfully. “So what are you planning to do for the rest of the night?” Asking as she twirled her finger around the rim of the glass. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

As the hour counted down to midnight Poppy took a glass of champagne from the waiter passing by and took a sip from it. “To a hell of a year.” She said as she toasted the person next to her. “Hopefully this coming year will be a lot calmer than these last two have been.” She remarked as she threw her blonde hair back over her shoulder. “So are you planning on kissing anyone at midnight?” She asked teasingly. “I mean it is a tradition.” 

@lunarcovestarters

[readbentweenthelines]

"Hmm, yes, not yet," he agreed. There'd be a few less wires and cogs than the stereotypical bionic man, but Ben believed that the definition would still hold. The artificial component of the leg would be what held up the definition. Really, anyone with something inside of them that wasn't organic was, technically, bionic, but that was getting in the weeds of definition, something he just couldn't be bothered with. "I don't want you to feel obligated to do anything you don't want," he said with a teasing smile. "So, if you want to book us a couple's massage, don't let me be the one holding you back. Do whatever your heart leads you to." His eyebrows raised, a smirk on his lips. "I just don't know if anyone's going to believe you on the whole 'trouble' front, darling. I'm a very mild mannered college professor. The most trouble I cause is when my pen runs out of ink and I have to go borrow one from a neighbor," he teased. Laughing, he added, "Is me being shirtless that distracted to you? I'm so terribly sorry. I'd offer to button up the coat, but it doesn't actually have any buttons." Her groan was cute, as well as her exasperation. "Fair? How am I not playing fair? What is playing fair, anyway?" The kissing, on her part, certainly wasn't playing fair, though it was absolutely lovely. His hands held her waist, pulling her closer, almost unwilling to lean back to breathe. "You started it," he murmured. "You decide. Quickly, though. I think you're right that we're on our way to being kicked out of a strip club, of all places."

"You're not the bionic man," She grumbled. Her bottom lip jutted out into a terse pout as she tact on under her breath. "At least not yet." He still hadn't gotten his prosthetic yet. Though, she had a feeling he'd nail the whole walking and running thing down fairly soon. She was still shocked at how well he seemed to be handling it all. He was doing a far better job than she ever would. He was doing a far better job than she was now. "And here I was going to book us a couple's massage soon. But, if you think it's been indulgent enough, then I suppose I could cancel the appointment," She teased. "And? I want the record to show that you seem to have overlooked the very important counter argument of you being complete and utter trouble. I can't be held accountable for my actions around you. Especially not when you're sitting here shirtless," She reasoned, giving his chest a light poke as if to make her point. Only for her to let out a light groan as he went onto mention a pros and cons list. "See! You're not playing fair," She groaned out again as she looped his arms around his neck and kissed him. Her lips worked feverishly against his only to pull back just enough to give them both a chance to get some air. "Benjamin Anak Bandi, you're going to have to pick a location right now and, I swear to god, if you mention a pro cons list again, we're both going to be in trouble and potentially kicked out of a strip club for obscene behavior, which might be one of the most absurd things I've ever said out loud."

[readbentweenthelines]

Ben had been keeping track of his alcohol intake for the evening, attempting to get buzzed but not outright drunk, so that, at the end of the night, he could ensure that he and Bri made it home safely. She'd disappeared, and he had every intention of going to find her, stopping by the bar to grab them both something before moving to find her.

Carrying two drinks and navigating a crowd while on crutches wasn't necessarily the easiest endeavor, but Ben was of the belief that it was one of those tasks that he could accomplish if he set his mind to it. He was figuring out the logistics when someone bumped into him, causing him to stumble forward slightly, the drink tipping over onto the bar.

He looked over at Rangi, seeing that she was already rather tipsy, hearing it in her speech as well. He gave her a smile back. "It's no bother, really. My fault, most likely. I should have had a better grip. Or, perhaps, just one drink," he said easily, his tone light.

Who: Open starter (@lunarcovestarters) Where: Confessions - Death of Bri NYE Party

Rangi blinked down at the notecard in her hand, the words all blurring into one sloppy ink blob. In front of her, the microphone whined, as if trying to remind her that she was supposed to be talking. They were all expected to give eulogies, and Rangi had tried to come up with something nice, something that would actually be meaningful. Bri was her friend, after all. They weren't great friends or even good friends, but once upon a time, Rangi had hoped the other girl would give her a chance. But, like always, Rangi hadn't been enough. She didn't hold it against her.

Rangi's eyes searched the room around her as she swayed behind the stand on stage, already more than a few drinks deep in the night. The last time she'd given a eulogy had been at Mason's wake. She'd barely choked it out through the sobs in her throat and the tears in her eyes. It would be silly to cry at another one, especially when the person who they were celebrating was still alive. That was more than Mason could say.

Or Lorelai.

Fuck, Rangi was supposed to be over all this already. She thought she'd been doing better, if doing better was keeping herself so preoccupied (and a little buzzed) that she didn't have the time to even think of anything depressing. This was all so stupid.

Rangi dropped the notecard she'd been holding and leaned into the microphone, raising her glass. "To Brielle! One drop dead gorgeous vampire! Pun intended," she slurred into the speaker, smiling lopsided. "Sorry you died but I'm glad you came back!"

She didn't wait for a response before finishing off the rest of her current drink and stumbling off the stage, towards the open bar. It might've been her job, but this wasn't work and she didn't feel like being professional anymore.

Rangi fumbled into the bar counter, accidentally bumping someone who was already there trying to get a drink. "Woops, sorry," she mumbled, setting her glass on the bar top, "hope I didn't make you spill, but I can buy you another if I did."

Rangi gave a lopsided smile. The open bar was free.

[readbentweenthelines]

It was, in Ben's opinion, a little morbid to be attending the birthday funeral of his still alive girlfriend (albeit unalive, at this point), but he supposed that was the point. The second point, perhaps. The first was that he wanted Bri to have fun. He'd tried to do a more lowkey birthday up to the surprise, and, if she wanted to dip out of the party early, or if she'd rather do something different tomorrow, then he was game for whatever she might feel like doing. "Jonah," he said, offering the man a smile. "I'm attempting to be celebratory in a way that this mock-solemn occasion calls for." Even if it was a bit odd. It was strange, how he'd grown to know Bri better after her death than he had before. Selfishly, he didn't think that a funeral was right for this occasion. He wanted to celebrate her life. But, perhaps, it was important that she mourn what she'd lost. He took the drink from Jonah, an eyebrow raised. "How many have you had?" he asked, taking the drink. How much had Jonah had, and was it a safe bet to cut him off? "My birthday's in November, I'm afraid. It's already passed.

for: @readbentweenthelines location: confession, nye party/bri's birthday

"Beeeennn! Heyyyyyy!" Jonah slurred out the name and the greeting with a far too wide of a grin and too much fake cheer that what was necessary or genuine. "How are ya, man!" Jonah pushed a shot glass into his hand careful to not spill a drop, "Here, have a drink. They were just handing it out, isn't that crazy?" Misplaced laughter rang loud, echoing jarringly in his ears. He stopped keep a track of how many he had after it got too hard to count on one hand, but the number hardly mattered, they did the job of not making him think much, at all, really, and that was he really wanted today. With Bri hiding, and knowing his conversation with her didn't do much to improve her mood, alcohol masked all feeling which was a welcomed changed from over-thinking. "Drink with me! We're celebrating our favourite person!" Without waiting Jonah shot back the drink, scrunching up his face as it went down. "When's your birthday? We can add it on to this, more the merrier."

[readbentweenthelines]

"Is that so? I had no idea becoming the bionic man also granted me access to superhuman speed," Ben teased. He'd settle for walking again. Though, it wasn't like that was going to come particularly easy anytime soon. Ben didn't mind a challenge, and, as a human, he was rather used to a struggle. Still, he was grateful for a break. He'd be even more grateful to get back to some means of normalcy. "And I'm so very grateful to her pampering. It's been rather indulgent," he said. He cleared his throat as she settled in his lap, laughing, a little breathless. "Brielle Rivas," he teased back as she shoved him. "We are in public. And you're on my lap. I want the record to show that I didn't start these provocations, only pointed the distance from here to the car." He raised an eyebrow. "Would you actually want to get a private room here? Might have to weigh the pros and cons. More, well, room in a room. Less far than the car," he joked. "Slightly questionable location. Better than Eclipse in terms of probably knowing what's going on, still questionable."

"You're going to be running laps around me before you know it," She promised him without missing a beat. "But," Her teeth grazed her lower lip as her fingers began to tiptoe their way up her chest. "Until then, your girlfriend is more than happy to pamper on you?" She whispered against his inner ear. "Though, we could be undressed," She tempted him. Her voice no more than a low murmur as her arms wrapped their way around his neck and her hips rocked back and forth before settling into his lap. "Benjamin Anak Bandi!" Her face grew bright red in regard to his question. Her hands gave his chest a light shove as she scolded him, "We are in public. Like very openly, but," She bite down on her bottom lip again as she mulled over their options. "I mean there is a private room over there. It's closer than the door." Sure, it had a pole in it and who knew how sanitary anything in Sinners was, but as long as she didn't think about the gems swarming around this cest pool, they wouldn't have to make it all the way to the car? She could even try her hand on the pole. That is as long as they found a way to lock the door.

[readbentweenthelines]

Ben just laughed. "I didn't see anywhere in the rules that I couldn't vote for her! There seems to be a bit of gerrymandering being attempted right now," he teased. It was all in good fun, though, certainly. The whole event was supposed to be fun, and Xavier was a far better host, in Ben's opinion. He had no trouble giving back as good as he got.

It didn't bother Ben when people looked at what was left of his leg. At least, he did a pretty good job not letting it bother him. He was attempting to grow used to the loss, without adrenaline and medication to fog up his mind and make it easy to put aside. He reminded himself every day that it could have been worse, and, while his leg wasn't being replaced, it was a manageable loss. "It's nothing to apologize for, mate. Not on you or anyone still living that it's gone, really." He grinned. "I'm glad it's not a detriment to my apparance. It'd be a shame if she messed up my face. That's the only reason people sign up for my classes, you know." His smile turned soft, endeared. "Still going strong. She makes me happy, and she's stuck by me through all of this. It's not a secret, I suppose, if I say that I'm rather hopelessly in love with her."

"Fine, just Ben it is." Xavier nodded. He didn't think he could do the teaching thing himself but he was sure that the time off was nice, so he could understand Ben wanting to drop the professor label for now. "Voting for your girlfriend is off limits." He insisted, even if it wasn't but that didn't matter. He would pull out the whining if it earned him the votes.

When the leg was mentioned, Xavier tried not to glance down there but failed, taking in the sight and letting out a sigh. It was awful what had happened to the man, but at least he could joke about it now. "I don't think I ever got around to saying it, but I'm sorry about what happened to you, man. I am glad to see that you're getting stronger now though. And you're looking good too so that's a plus!" He stated and smiled. "How are things with Bri? You two still going strong?"

[readbentweenthelines]

"I'll guard it from sticky fingers, but should my life be threatened, I'll drop it and hobble as fast as I can," Ben said, his tone solemn but his eyes glinting with mischief. He smiled, then, at the blush on her cheeks, the smile on her face that matched his. He knew things had been hard, recently. It was nice to see her smile, though. It was nice to see her happy. "It would be a terrible shame to skip the contest. Especially when we got all dressed up. Dressed down? Dressed. We absolutely got dressed." He smirked. "Could we make it to the car?" he asked softly. "It's so terribly far."

"Let's maybe ex-nay on the whole life thing?" Bri knew he was only joking, but given the recent turn of events, she figured it would probably be best to clarify so that he didn't actually try to lay down his life for a pile of cashmere. "Don't get me wrong, it's super heroic. You'd make one hell of sexy Prince, but if it came down between you and Saint Laurent, I can buy a new coat. Your life is irreplaceable," She promised him. Bri’s cheeks flushed a deeper pink, matching the glow of the dim party lights. Her lips curved into bright smile as he tugged her closer. "Ben," she murmured, her voice low enough that it barely rose above the hum of the crowd. She reached up, her fingers gently tracing their way up his chest as she moved to drape one of her legs over his lap and then the other until she moving the coat she had just asked him to guard out of the way so that she could sit square in his lap. "Careful," she teased, leaning just a fraction closer, "or we might have to skip the contest. My car is looking awfully good right now, not going to lie." Her eyes sparkled, a mix of amusement and something softer, more vulnerable, before she tilted her head slightly, brushing her lips against the palm of his hand as it grazed her cheek.

[readbentweenthelines]

Option C

"Wouldn't dream of it," Ben said, smiling as he took the jacket from where he sat on a stool. "I'll guard it with my life." He watched her, his eyes appraising. She looked lovely, but he thought she always did. She looked hot. Sexy, actually, was the appropriate word, but apt for the occasion, given where they were. "I think you look amazing, but you know that," he said, holding out his hand to tug her close. "I think you look... Like I'd rather we were at home, actually, so I didn't have to share you with anyone here. I think you look like I'm the luckiest person in the building because I get to be the one to take you home," he said, his eyes roving over her once again as he brushed his fingers over her cheek, some of the glitter ending up on the pads of his fingers from the touch.

@lunarcovestarters

Option A: Singles All the Way Mixer

The base of the music pounded like a heartbeat throughout the brewery. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in waves as she danced absentmindedly to the rhythm. Her drink toyed at the edge of her lips as Elif found herself lost in thought at the Single's All the Way Mixer. All of her attempts to get out of her head seemingly working as she blinked over at the person who had just asked her how she was doing. "I'm getting drunk. You?" She called out over the beat. It was either this or stare at the empty duffle bag she had laid out on her bed, debating, whether or not, it was time to leave town and, the bar, while not exactly productive, at least had gotten her out of the house.

Option B: Holiday Market

"Oh god, they're everywhere," Meena muttered under her breath as she sidestepped around another hanging bustle of mistletoe in the market, purposely avoiding them and any other over the top display of cheer. While she was thankful that all of the holiday festivities seemed to be going off without a hitch, her lack of mobility at the present made her less keen on celebrating. Her wrapped wounds were hidden underneath a chic cashmere peacoat, but the bites still hadn't fully healed nor was she able to feed yet, which made her growing hunger rather unbearable and, while she'd typically be picking out a tree right about now, she found herself hunting for a new place to live instead. "Please tell me there's an option to get the hot chocolate spiked," She let out a soft sigh, as she scanned the menu over from the Daily Drip's booth only to meet the gaze of the person to her right. "What? I'm off the clock."

Option C: Sexy Santa

The room buzzed with anticipation as Bri adjusted her candy-pink Santa hat, the soft fur trim framing her cascade of glossy curls. "Here. Watch my coat and don't let Dilan steal it," She warned them, having spotted the pixie trying to nab discarded articles of clothing in an attempt to cover up. "So," She trailed off as she took a small step back to give them a little twirl. Her outfit hugged her curves in all the right places—rosy lace trim with a pair of pink ballet flats decked out with fur pompoms that could give even Tinkerbell a run for her money. And, with the amount of body glitter she had put on, she would practically be shimmering under the contest stage lights. While she had never been one to participate in Sexy Santa before, she found herself determined this year to enjoy the holidays and, if getting dressed up or more specifically dressed down, happened to offer others a well-deserved distraction than so be it. "How do I look?"

[readbentweenthelines]

"Just Ben is fine," he said, laughing a little. "I'm on holiday for another month." He didn't want to think about tenure or syllabi or being a professor for a few more weeks, at the very least. "Well, I'm afraid you won't have my vote, but you'll have my support in your endeavors."

Ben looked down at his ensemble, grinning. "Thank you. It shows off my leg," he joked. It was getting easier to joke. Easier to move around, too, his body growing stronger. He'd have his prosthetic by the time school was back in session, and while he'd still need a cane for awhile, he was getting around a lot better now than he had been a few weeks ago. "I'm doing well. Keeping up the best I can. Hopping to it, as they say."

"Professor Ben!" Xavier smiled as he greeted the man. He was awfully surprised to see the man in such short shorts, and technically shirtless, yet he knew without a doubt that this was because of Bri. He'd caught a glimpse of her outfit earlier so naturally, her boy toy was matching her freak, and Xavier supported it. "Thanks, man. I'm glad someone is on my side, and I need all the votes I can get." He joked, though he was sure he would if people kept dissing his idea to be crowed the winner since he was the host.

He couldn't recall the last time he'd seen Ben around though, so since they were here, he figured now was a nice time to check in with him. "I see you came dressed to impress. Nice shorts." He chuckled. "But how are you? How's teaching and keeping up with Brielle and everything going?" Xavier asked.

[readbentweenthelines]

"Where did you even find that," Ben mused, looking at the coat that Dilan was quickly zipping up, his own hands going to the bright read coat he was wearing out of reflex. He didn't figure that the small pixie would be able to take it off of him, especially since she'd found one of her own, but he was cautious all the same. "I'm sure you're fine. There are plenty of people wearing far worse, you know!"

Where: Sexy Santa Who: Open starter (@lunarcovestarters)

Panic set in after Leyla’s comments about her outfit, she found herself feeling slightly embarrassed. She was showing too much skin and had went too far with this. Feeling her cheeks turning red the longer she stood in public, with people staring at her like this and she made a dash to the bar. “This was a mistake.” She said quietly before grabbing the nearest coat closet to her. “I’m taking this.” She informed them before sliding the coat on and zipping it up. “I need to get out of here like now. I’ll bring it back once I’ve changed.” 

[readbentweenthelines]

Usually, Ben didn't compete in these kinds of competitions. Of course, he found them to be in good fun. They were in good fun. Despite the fact that events like this one had the rather high potential of ending in some form of disaster, people really did enjoy them a lot up until the moment of impact.

So, when Bri decided she was going to participate, Ben, being a good partner, figured that the least he could do was join her and enjoy the moment. He thought that Sinners was more appropriate for this kind of venue regardless, and Xavier Carter was a far more gracious host than Eclipse had ever been. Less outburst from particularly crabby vampires, in his opinion. He laughed as said host appeared next to where he was sitting at the bar, his crutches leaned next to him. "I think that your hosting abilities should certainly merit you some points, absolutely," he said.

Where: Sexy Santa Con Who: Open (@lunarcovestarters)

"Welcome in, and Merry Christmas Eve, ya filthy animals!" Xavier called out from the bar as the crowd came in. To say he was smug about the fact that he'd snatched the Santa Con crown from Eclipse would be an understatement, but Sinners was hands down the perfect venue for it. And in true Xavier Carter fashion, he was half naked even in themed attire, as was his staff. He'd tripled up on booze, had food already coming out from the kitchen, the DJ was blaring only the hottest songs for tonight's occasion. Everyone he saw wandering in looked incredible, so now it was his goal to keep the vibes right. After downing another glass of whiskey, he sent his employees around with trays of shots and finger foods as he started making his rounds to personally greet people.

"No offense to everyone else, but as the host, I should obviously be at the top of the list for sexiest Santa, right?" He declared to whoever was next to him, and then once he glanced at them and gave them a proper once over, he furrowed his brows. "Hey, good lookin'. Trying to steal my crown?"

[readbentweenthelines]

SEXY SANTA CON 2024 - BENJAMIN ANAK BANDI

When Bri decided to enter the competition, Ben, as a supportive partner, agreed to as well. The shorts are short, this much is true, and it would show off the scarring on his half leg, but Ben's keeping it covered and festive with some wrapping paper, as he's still currently getting around on crutches until the new year.