Never Ben Better

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict watched Connor as he turned around, moving backwards and the ease in which he did it was rather . . . impressive. Though Benedict's eyes could not help but casually keep an eye on the path to ensure that Connor did not bump into anything nor let the any unevenness in the ground cause him to stagger. Still; he was able to continue to maintain eye contact with the man as he listened to him speak of being interested in getting to know him. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ That . . . surprised Benedict. While he was never neglected as a child, he had been the youngest out of two sons for a good five years. And after Colin joined them, he had become the middle son for quite some time. Interest had often been towards the oldest and the youngest . . . and then when Daphne was born, ah yes, how they all had doted on her, him included as it was the first daughter. It was also perhaps how he had strayed so far from the enjoyment of such grand affairs that most of his siblings seemed to enjoy as well as the need to fulfill societal expectations. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ So yes. Benedict was unused to such attention nor did he feel deserving of it. The feeling of surprise ever growing when Connor added on to say that he was an enigma. Though the second son managed to keep any indication of that from his features. Perhaps, his silence left revealed it but he tried to process his words. "It is my hope to attend, yes," he confirmed. Granville had mentioned the next event and if Benedict had no other obligation and a means to escape for the night, he would most certainly be there. "But I fear you may be disappointed in your endeavor to learn more about me," he told him with an amused smile, though his words held true. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "Not because I do not feel you will be successful," he quickly clarified, realizing how that sounded; as if Benedict did not wish Morrison to learn anything about him. No no. Certainly it was not that at all and he hoped he had not offended him by suggesting such a thing. "But because what you discover will hardly be . . . interesting or worthy of your efforts." That was how he had felt about himself anyway. And yet, the thought of someone considering him to be interesting, to be an enigma . . . Benedict could not help but feel flattered at that. Tag Connor Morrison Note: Better layout coming soon!

                        the rules of society.

[Connor Morrison]

Tag: Benedict Bridgerton             Thread: Never Ben Better               Notes: N/A Now, that was rather curious. Connor might have dismissed Benedict's earlier self-conscious remarks about his art without much further thought, after tonight — it had piqued his interest, but it was not so unusual for a man to find himself wanting in some skill or another. If Benedict was new to art, it was natural enough that he might still be insecure.  These fresh remarks, however, renewed the interest that had begun to wane. Speaking poorly of a skill was one thing, but denigrating oneself this way betrayed a greater insecurity. Again, Connor had to wonder if that went back to Benedict's status as a second son. He couldn't claim to know the Bridgerton family well enough to guess what the family dynamic might be like, but from what he had seen and heard of Anthony Bridgerton, the eldest son certainly provided a fair bit to live up to.  Curious. Tilting his head, Connor squinted at Benedict for a moment, as if he could work the man out simply by scrutinising him. It was a pity, really, that the mind was not as simple to study as the structures of muscles and bones. "Permit me, Mr. Bridgerton," he said finally, "to give you some advice. No one likes to hear a man put himself down. I tell you that as a friend, not a critic, but really, it is dreadfully unbecoming. You do not do yourself any favours in the eyes of any man by apologising before he has had the chance to work you out. Have a bit of confidence in yourself, hm?"

credit to Laura of Adox

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict listened to the Connor's advice, telling him that no one liked to hear another put themselves down; that it was unbecoming. He could not help but be reminded of Henry, telling him to take a compliment, constantly telling him not to be so hard on himself. Benedict was hardly offended and instead, he let out a small laugh. "Trust me Mr. Morrison, I hardly say such things to put myself down." There were aspects in his life where he was confident; and the more private ones where . . . he was not. Striving for perfection until he was certain of his skills. It was recently as well, that he had been able to talk about it with, anyone really. Perhaps confidence in his artistic skills would come with time; but to be around such talent made it quite difficult. Though he knew now that they were not referring to his artistic capabilities. "I merely say them out of truth. That my life, is no more interesting than that of your average nobleman." Perhaps it was deep seated insecurity, Benedict was uncertain. But he did not wish to sully the mood with his own beliefs about just how . . . uninteresting he was. Especially for another nobleman. "But never the less, I shall not deter your efforts should you still consider me an enigma." He paused for a moment, smiling with amusement as he continued. "Particularly if you have more games planned for the next party Mr. Granville hosts." Benedict was truly not used to attention, and the topic of . . . him, was unfamiliar. Not quite realizing that perhaps, this was part of the problem he -- as previously thought -- did not wish to keep the focus of conversation upon him. "Though I am happy to answer any inquiries you may have about me. Something tells you would prefer to take a less, conventional route." A playful tease at the man, and to add to that. Benedict suddenly stopped walking, freezing in place as a curious expression crossed his features. One that was clearly feigned and exaggerated. "Wait, are we in fact friends?" The tease made clear, unable to resist the joking nature upon hearing Morrison use the word. Truth was, Benedict gladly considered him one as well. Tag Connor Morrison Note: Better layout coming soon!

                        the rules of society.

[Connor Morrison]

Tag: Benedict Bridgerton             Thread: Never Ben Better               Notes: N/A Connor supposed that Benedict might have some point in his protests. The details of the man's life, after all, were not likely to be altogether too interesting — he came from a wealthy family, he possessed many siblings, he likely had been abroad, and there was probably little more of substance to say about his life than the life of any other second born son of a nobleman.  It was not the details of his life, however, that Connor hoped to divine. The fact that the man frequented Granville's parties was proof enough that there was more to Benedict beneath the surface. If the man were interested in only drink or sex, he could easily find that in any pub, gambling den, or whorehouse he chose, and London most certainly had an ample supply of those to satisfy any libertine. The people who attended Granville's parties desired something more than that. What they desired was not always the same, but there was a shared sense of a desperation for something that couldn't be found many other places.  There was more to Benedict than just the second son of a nobleman. That much, Connor did not doubt. And when Connor's interest was piqued, he was not the sort of man to let the matter go until he'd satisfied his curiosity.  Benedict's question brought a faint, enigmatic smirk to Connor's lips. Noncommittally, he lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug. "That little game we played tends to end with the players as either friends or enemies, in my experience. As we do not seem to be enemies, that does leave only one option, does it not?"

credit to Laura of Adox

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict smiled as Connor mentioned that the game often ended in one of two ways. It made the second son wonder just how many enemies Connor had made from this. As Benedict previously established though, one could easily get offended when certain assumptions were made -- incorrect or correct. Fortunately, neither of them had that quality. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "Well then it is fortunate, that we ended on good terms," he stated, glad that it was one of friends rather than the other. That much was after all certain, considering Connor had offered his company for the walk home. Benedict having continued to step forward after his momentary pause, he was nearing his house, so paused once more. "Thank you Mr. Morrison. For your company," he told him with genuine gratefulness. "And I look forward to the next time I am granted with it," he told him as he slightly lowered his head in a respectful nod. "Good night." And with that, turned towards the Bridgerton estate. Tag Connor Morrison Note: The End!

                        the rules of society.