Withstanding The Pain (part 1)

NOTE: This original RP is from 2014, as most people have moved ON from writing and onto other things.

The characters in this particular storyline were picked as a collective decision for a Murder/Mystery.
Negotiations for a part two, after many years, has been decided for 2023.



Another day in the Dean's Office; he was used to being scolded, lectured and yelled at. The Assistant Dean tapped her pen onto the office table over and over again, unable to say anything at the current moment. Looking over his huge file and many other papers inside of it, she only sighed sadly, unable to form thoughts right now.



"I don't......." Benaires startedm but was shushed by another employee, who was still on the phone with the Police Department.





"You've really got to learn to control your temper Johnson......We'll be lucky if they don't come and arrest you. Your fatehr is going to have kittens if he hears about this."





The Dean closed the door behind him, turning around quickly to Ben, giggling a bit.



"They called you back into my office again for the 789th time Benaires. I see you're taking re-arranging people's faces to a new high this year." The Dean chirped at him, filling out some forms and having Ben sign them off.



"So I'm getting a new partner this week huh Chief? This ought to be very interesting."





"Yes you are....and maybe SHE will keep you in check. Don't forget to bring the Jalepeno Pigs In a Blanket for the School Dance next week. Stop by the Office and I'll have a Check ready for your order. You CAN get it here on time without starting a fight...RIGHT benaires?" The Dean asked him, putting his glasses on to read over more paperwork for Ben to sign off on.

Vanilla had come to learn about the life and place of humans. Though it was her bad timing that she landed in a bakery instead of an apothecary. But she learned to make the best of it. She was optimistic and cheerful. And everyone loved that about her.

She greeted customers with a smile, was a bit clumsy but most didn't mind. She was the almost perfect employee. As she went to get the dough out to begin making the new batch of bread, she sighed. Someone new was coming. Someone she didn't know. And that would have to be taught the ins and outs of the bakery.

Vanilla dusted off her hands and sat down on the stool. Luckily that to day's batch had been already made. She shook her head.

Ben looked down at his cell phone to see that Vanilla had called twice about Ben's being late with the deliveries, but she'd understand. Ben rose up, signed the papers and began his leave for the Bakery/Deli. Vanilla had unbelievable skills with pastry and with cold cuts. She was famous for her Jalepeno Pigs In a Blanket, which was what kept the shop afloat. Orders from the twenties up to the hundreds of thousands would be placed each month, but Vanilla had other skills as well; Chocolate-Strawberry Double-Fudge Sundae.



Noone could even fathom her recipe. Champions from all around the city clammored every single time she whipped them up, just to have a sneak peek at how she does this devilish dish.



Her new device, called a Cell Phone, would vibrate and ring loudly; Ben had taught her how to answer properly.

What was the name of their shop by the ways? "Confections & Love Bakery Shop & Deli" was the name. They sold fresh cheeses, coldcuts, some meats, baked breads of many types, sandwiches, and even put a hand in making flatbread pizzas on Saturday nights, knowing how the College drinkers would spend alot of money trying to fill their stomachs.



Another employee, named Toni Bi-tonia, age unknown, was to happily bounce her way into the shop, smiling like she always did. Ben had saved her from a pack of Wild Wolves when she and her father got lost in the mountains some years back. That costed about 4 million dollars in damage since Ben had to kill the Wolves and almost freeze the entire forest to the ground.



"Hello Vanilla....I can see we're pretty busy today. I can see Steven and Ariel already in the back cleaning the machines so, I'll get busy on the first orders of today. Mr. Thompson up the street wants to get some stuffed Olives to go with the Macaroni Salad I'm going to make for his grand daughter. That little girl has the strangest appetite you know. She doesn't eat many Vegetables. It's always meat, meat and meat. Do you know her father bought an entire SLAB of bacon from us last week? ALL 110 POUNDS of it? I'll never understand that family. You should get to making Mrs. Stackhouse's Wine Bread for the Gardening Party tonight; she'll want that bread fresh out of the oven. Bloight called again. He said the parts for the New Hearth Oven will be in HIS shop today, so don't forget to remind Ben about the invoice so we can send that to The Old Man. I wonder why noone has ever seen his face? For someone to own this shop, he sure doesn't visit much. Oh nevermind. Let me go and punch in; I'm already a late as it is...I'll see ya in the kitchen."

"If he ever gets here. That boy is always late. Why did the boss hire him again? Did he lose a game of poker or something?"

You could never tell if Vanilla was annoyed or upset. She was always bubbly and optimistic of everything. And after learning how to use a thing called a cell phone, she once more called Ben. Of course he didn't pick up. She listened to Toni babble on before nodding and head into the back to make her famous Italian bread.

It was a bit different than the usual way. She added her own touch of ingredients. A special brew of spices that made the customer come back for more.

"If you see Ben give him a smack for me will you Toni?" she called from the back.

After pulling up to the shop, Ben would notice a black car parked in the parking lot. It was the old man Mobius!! He had finally come to visit them at their job?



Ben chained his bike to the side pole by the corner, like h had always done in the previous times. Tying up his apron and placing his phone in his pocket rather quickly, he scurried into the shop, only to catch a smell of fresh bread being baked already.



"Where IS everyone? DId anyone notice the old man sitting in that car in the parking lot yet? Is Vanilla here already?"



He asked, turning the "closed" sign to "Open, Come In."

"We are all doing our jobs unlike some people. Can't do everything at once. And no I didn't see the car outside. Why is it important?"

Vanilla snapped. She was a bit annoyed but didn't show it as she placed out the freshly baked bread into beautifully wrapped gift baskets. Placing the muffins and brownies in a symmetry stack on the tray. She dusted her hands off on her apron as she looked at Ben.

"Late again as usual." she sighed. "Third time this week. If you only committed yourself more we wouldn't have to worry about business."

Vanilla then shook her head. She didn't know what to do then as she sauntered back into the kitchen.

Been veered into the direction of the door now opening as two large men stood in front of the doorway, blocking the customers from coming in to see the fresh bread. One lady howled at him,



"Hey, I'm a PAYING customer!!! how DARE you get in my way!!!"



"Calm down.....................................I'm trying to get into the door. Move it Brutus. Ah..............this is my store then? I am excited about actually seeing this place....well." Said the old man, who was favoring his back pain a lot. Ben bolted over to him to help him to a nearby chair to sit in.



"Ah................benaires Alex Johnson. I hear that you are late for work and quite often, eheheheh....Oh it's alright; so long as the goods are delivered to the people that place orders here. Have everyone come from the kitchen to talk for a spell. I have some very important news for the lot of them Benaires..."





Ben nodded happily; seeing that this man was actually an ancient relative of his for some unknown reason made him excited to know more about him overall.



"HE!YY!!! STOP WHAT YOU ARE ALL DOING AND GET IN here!!! The old man is here!!!" He bellowed out, adjusting his apron while letting more customers in to sit down. A few of the people were in awe at how old this man looked; he had to have been in his early 90's or something to that degree. His nails were almost two inches long and he smelled of sweet wine. He wore a Crimson Red Cloak that was tattered and bit and dirty in some places, but it was well-ironed and did not have any rips, tears or signs of abuse to the material itself.



"Heheh....calm yourself young upstart Benaires. They will come to see what the excitement is all about. I am sure of it. It is not every day that I can come into this bustling city and smell the goodness of labors from the young. Ah, it makes an old man feel so loved in these drab and dire times. You should learn to be on time like Miss Vanilla Benaires; you'd be good to learn something from her."

Vanilla appeared out from the kitchen carrying the trays of food and placing them on the counter. It was a variety of breads, muffins and other treats. She looked at the old man. Was he related to Ben? She didn't know for she wasn't paying much attention to whom employed her.

"Of course, but he still doesn't understand about being on time. He would get so much more done if he was not slacking off or being late. Me and Toni have enough to do with out having picking up until he decides to show."

Vanilla sighed. She then shook her head as she sat down on the stool.

"News? Why bring us news? Don't you have important things to do?" Vanilla piped up then.

The Old man smiled at Vanilla, then smirked evily.



"THIS is MY store. Do you want to go back to what you were doing before Vanilla? Or do I have to divulge your deepest secrets to everyone?

I WAS HERE BEFORE ALL OF YOU WERE BORN!!!! EVEN BEN!! NOW SHUT UP AND PAY ATTENTION!!!



A-hem.......



I am at a displeasure with what is building up in this bustling city; people are dying and there are no officials around to handle this kind of mess. ALL of you are to keep your eyes open for anything suspicious. While I cannot reveal anything for now, it is rather important that, if you want to keep this wonderful job for which I am paying VERY handsomely for; you all keep vigil and remain stoic over everything that goes on here.



Vanilla dear, keep your opinions and anger OUTSIDE of this establishment and do your fucking job. And don't forget about the Pigs In a Blankets for the School Dance dammit. Now get back to work and make my money before I fire ALLL of you!!! Benaires, please escort me to my vehicle. Vanilla; I am watching you very closely.



Hell, I'm a time------------"



He then had to CORRECT himself suddenly, "I'm a time-manager and you all waste company time. Do NOT keep wasting it now.......you kids are doing well..."



Ben nodded as he walked past the two large guards.



"My life is already under a microscope......." was what Ben was thinking to himself.

Vanilla shrugged. She could care less. She was here to help and if he didn't want her here she could go do something else. Maybe go back to her organization and tell the juicy secrets she had acquired. Either way it was better than being yelled at.

She held her tongue and just smiled sweetly as she walked back into the kitchen. The school dance could burn for all she cared. People were dying. How delicious. Too bad he could not make the connection. The apothecary could make people die if she wished.

Throwing around the pots and pans, the demon girl was upset. Very upset. In fact she went outside to take a fresh breath of air and collect her thoughts. She had been here to do two jobs. The bakery and the one that was slowly coming up.

Vanilla shook her head. She had to be more careful.

Toni laughed at the old man, sneering back to him, "You think it well in your best behavior old man. We ARE doing well, and no thanks to your ego and decrepit demeanors. Vanilla does very well, and I do not find it fair that you can take YOUR anger and frustration out on someone who has never been late since she started here. I on the other hand have a REAL job with my father, and he is a big Real Estate Agent. I have a good future with my family. This is but a stepping stone to something more than just selling food items Mobius.



Get your head out of your ass before your gas contaminates your thinking you old coot. Now if you don't mind, we have things to do and customers who need their sweet tooth satisfied. Pathetic old man is what you are if you ask me........You might own this shop, but don't forget who owns the entire BUILDING old man.... I can see fit that this place gets demolished in days....keep trying me...."



Mobius turned his nose up at toni's reply, but nodded and shrugged his shoulders in the process of the understanding.

Vanilla settled down as she began preparing the order for the dance. Of course they wouldn't be just any old pigs in a blanket. Oh what a wonderful surprise they would get. She chuckled to herself.

"Everything is made for today so I'm taking a break outside." she said to Toni. "You're in charge til I get back. And make sure Ben doesn't burn the croissants again. A very nice old lady will be in for them at four."

Vanilla then exited outside. She was in a better mood. But Mobius was good at killing moods lately. Something irked him. Was he on to her? She didn't know as she sat outside and took some deep breaths of air.

Ben grinned; how did he burn the Crosissants LAST time?



After removing the last batch from the Hearth Oven, Ben wiped his brow; he had just gotten there and things were busy already. He then wiped blood from his left nostril again. toni noticed this and walked over to him, extending her arm out to offer him her handkerchief.



"Is it still bothering you Benaires? I've never seen an Allergy so bad that it makes your nose bleed you know. You SURE you won't go to Stephanie's and have yourself checked out again?" She asked, as Ben snatched the cloth from her left hand, tilting his head back.



"I told you, Stephanie is too busy with other patients. Besides, it's not a good idea to go running to her everytime that I get a little under the weather Toni. And don't you have to set those Sweet Rolls out for the afternoon crowd? They WILL be here in about an hour or so and you KNOW Dr. johnson loves his Cranberry Muffis to go." He replied, suddenly pointing to the entrance of the shop itself. It was Stephanie, dressed in a beautiful summer dress. She had her 'scope on her neck and a leather bag in her hand, looking around for someone.



She rang the customer service bell at the counter, still looking quite worried in the process. Toni giggled, then ran out of the kitchen to greet the young lady.



"Hey doc; Ben is in the kitchen with a nosebleed again. You look dashing; what patient are YOU trying to hit on Dr. Fowler? hehehehe."





Stephanie shook her head, only to bolt past Toni and into the kitchen to see Ben still sitting in the chair, head titled back in confusion. She pulled up and chair and began placing some syringes and such on a metal table next to her. She put her 'scope onto her ears to check his heartbeat and to take his blood pressure manually.



"It just started benaires? You should've come into my office like I asked you two days ago. You've got to stop trying to be so macho. If your father finds out that you're not taking care of yourself he's going to shit kittens about this. Let me check your eyes Benaires." She said, forcing him to hold his head normallly so that she could examine him further. The nosebleed finally stopped, as Ben blushed, trying to contort his head so that he couldn't stare at her cleavage.



Ben couldn't say anything right now. Stephanie continued her examination while she made up a cocktail to put into three syringes.



"You haven't called me in days. I wanted to buy you lunch and you threw up on my dress. If I can't make you feel comfortable around me now, then you are NEVER going to be ready for this Doctor/Patient examination in four months time. You volunteered to help me and I EXPECT for you live up to your word. Do I make myself clear?" She said, beginning the first injection into his left shoulder.



Ben nodded, finally retorting to her,



"Sorry Stephanie; I just can't be myself around you. You're quite the intimidating woman you know. And what do you see in a 17-year old anyways? You're 24."



She giggled to herself sticking the second syringe in with a bit of force, making him whince and then yelp loudly.



"Do I HAVE to tell everyone what we REALLY are? Now please sit still while I give you the injections. You KNOW that I hate doing this to you."



Ben nodded as one of the other cooks came over to them in awe.



"Ben, did you just YELP like a DOG????? What the hell did you have for breakfast? Kibble?" Mirham asked, placing an icepack on the back of his neck. Benaires sometimes over-heated while he was working and Mirham always offered him a cool Ice pack to help him relax..

Ariel was drying her hands off while Steven brought Ben a shot of Cranberry Vodka.



Stephanie then injected the fourth syringe into Ben's shoulder again, taking a deep breath before speaking.



"So Vanilla is going to be your new partner then? She's very cute and cheerful. You NEED trimming aorund your rough edges. SHE has finesse and style; you're more on the level of a Hermit or some kind of a beach bum when I think about it. Your hair neeeds to be styled as well. I'll come and get you after work to get a shampoo and styling okay? You've really gotta spend more time on YOU and less time chasing criminals."



Ben smiled a bit at her; the two had an interesting love for each other, but Ben just wasn't into older ladies, even though they weren't fully HUMAN on many levels. Steve pulled up a chair a poured Ben another shot of Cranberry Vodka.



"We don't know the extent of the new assignment Benaires, but we will keep you updated. Just play it cool and LET Vanilla help you out. Your grades are slipping and you're only a few points away from being thrown out of school."

Vanilla shrugged as she finished the loaf of sweet bread. Cutting it into different shapes she placed it on the tray and onto the table with the other treats. She didn't notice what was going on in the other room. The demon girl was just annoyed the croissants weren't on the counter yet.

She sighed. What could be keeping that boy? She didn't care. She was too stressed out with Mobius that she just sat down in the chair and checked the cash register. A few bills here and there. But nothing big.

Vanilla shook her head. It seemed that things weren't not going right today. They never did. And she was on the verge of quitting. It seemed more stressful as of late.

"I guess I should open the shop." she muttered to no one in particular.

Customers were beginning to get out of their vehicles, gathering their order forms and plenty of money; THIS was the beginning of a busy day as it were.



Stephanie collected her things and then leaned over to nuzzled ben's delicate nose. He immediately sneezed, shaking it off, but in a fit of laughter. Stephanie scruffed his hair playfully, smiling back to him.



"Just take it easy today Benaires. I'll come to get you at about 7 this evening. Stacy has a wonderful salon that would cater to your type; I'm sure of it." She spake out, nodding to the rest of the crew in respect. Ben would then see her eyes flash that gold hue, and then change back to normal; he already knew what that meant.



He took the Icepack from his neck and bolted over to the main register to check his money that Maobius had already left for him. He checked the phones and fixed the spelling on the menu from his cellphone.



"Hey Vanilla, let's get this show started; I have alot of deliveries to do and I'm sure that Mrs. Abernathy is going to call about the order for the School Dance today. Vanilla?"



Ben stopped to hear something odd; it was a faint noise from behind the shop so it seemed. He thought to himself, "Nah, I can't let that get to me again; if I don't focus I'm going to mess up in school and dad is going to turn me into Hermit; I won't be able to go out skateboarding or anything. I'll have to sit and watch mom tell stories of when SHE was young; AND she'll be drinking? bbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrr........!!!!!"



Voltaire showed up with her kit of tools and medicines; was Benaires THAT sick? if only the humans that worked in the shop, save for Vanilla and Stephanie, knew what was actually going on. Ben's father Lord Tepes Ephidrina, had made a total of 15 moves from city to city when things got a bit rough for the "Norms."



The family was Not on the run; in fact, they were hunting for something or someone. Voltaire was to help Vanilla open up the store officially. The morning rush poeple often came in the get fresh Bagel, Coffee and things of that nature to get their day started.



"I am to understand that you will partner up with the one named Benaires Miss Vanilla. I am very humbled by that decision from Corporate. You should really dive into this new idea of having him make some kinid of a bond with a person other than his parental units. I do not doubt that he will gain much knowledge from one such as yourself and I am looking forward to an enriching and fulfilling educational partnership betwixt the both of you as a duo. I will go to the side in order to set up the tables for you. Excuse me please M'lady."



Voltaire hosted the outside court of the shop, which was riddled with flowers, plants of all kinds and a lovely all-brick patio. She spoke in very odd languages at times and was just learning to perfect her English to various peoples and lifeforms throughout the city and beyond.