flight of dragons

bennett rider || 37 || human naturalist || zoo keeper

[adrianbelluci-blog1]

With his arms crossed, he looked at the work that had already been done and what still needed to be finished. He let out a sigh. “You’d think they’d be done with my house huh?” He said to the approaching person. “On the bright side, I can redecorate,” the vampire let out a chuckle, though there was nothing funny about the situation. Adrian was still bitter about his home being lit up, and for what? For being a vampire. 

[heartofbennett]

“I’m not much use with decorating, but if you need an extra hand with small stuff I’ll totally help out.” Bennett offered, for once. He was trying to find more ways to help around town and his neighbors despite the track record of simply avoiding all of that.

[heartofbennett]

👶

Do they want children?

I’ve thought about it… but I’m not sure if it’s an actual want or just a fear of how up in years I am. In any case, it wont happen outside of adopting on my own probably–and I’d be cool with that. There are so many kids in need. In this country and in others.

[heartofbennett]

🌹

What is their idea of a perfect date?

A petting zoo? A reptile petting zoo??

Okay, scratch that, a butterfly garden. Nobody hates butterflies and if they do then nuh-uh. Just forget it.

[heartofbennett]

akumikuzunoha:

“Somewhere worth going…” Akumi trailed off as her mind began to run through different options. It was no surprise that most fun places to go to were closed due to the infection spreading through the town, which left Akumi without all of her favorite go-to’s. “Yeah, the last thing I need is to be hunted down by the Klamenth Falls version of Jason, so I’ll pass on that too,” she joked. “I know the library is open but, then again, what kind of person would I be if I willingly went to the library?”

“Have to agree with you on that one.” Bennett appeared strong but he didn’t have a violent bone in his body. He feared that might have to change. “Then the body turned up in the park. Is nature so unsacred these days?“ Shameful. “It’d get you out of the sun... and be quiet.” Actually, that seemed like an ideal place for someone like her with the current malady. He grinned. “Are you seriously not the least bit interested in reading?”

[heartofbennett]

akumikuzunoha:

“It is what it is,” Akumi shrugged at the statement, though in actuality it was a tad bit heartbreaking to be the one sitting in the hospital chair as her friend hurt. It reminded her of the all-too-familiar situations that all immortals experience - outliving the ones you love. “In societal terms so are most people, though. Being cooped up indoors if the worst thing anybody could do to me. I’d be terrible in isolation.”

Bennett gave a soft nod. It was clear she had a method of coping. Whenever an animal he looked after got sick, rare as that was, he hardly slept. At least in the realm of animals he could actually help. Humans simply never seemed to be his place. He smiled as she made such a bold statement, “That is one way to put it.” Ben laughed to himself, finding that sort of statement refreshing. “Now if only there was somewhere worth going. I don’t trust the forests right now. Not with... everything that’s happened.”

[heartofbennett]

akumikuzunoha:

“Don’t be sorry,” Akumi stated with a wave of her hand. “In all truth, I’m out here because I’ve just visited a friend who does happen to have it worse than me,” she replied, a soft smile playing upon her lips as she remembered the girl lying in the hospital bed. “And also because my house is boring and there’s interesting people like you out and about.”

“Gosh. That’s horrible.. probably worse than being sick yourself I feel.” It could just be him. Her compliment of sorts made Bennett snort. “In societal terms I’m a fairly worthless individual. ‘gotta say being cooped up indoors even when under the weather is my least favorite thing to do as well.”

[chrisxchrisxchris]

Chris Pratt + Instagram

[heartofbennett]

akumikuzunoha:

“Ugh, not for me.” Akumi replied curtly, shaking her head at the affectionate way Bennett describe them. To each his own, she figured, though finding someone who was so loving toward all types of critters was definitely rare. He was probably the first person she’d ever met to not despise any type of animal, and for that, she could respect the man. “You’re one of the lucky ones, it seems. I’m not complaining, though. There’s others in a far worse condition than me.”

He laughed gently and decided to leave it at that. This was a familiar scenario for the zoo keeper after all. “Oh...” The human had failed to notice. A bad habit. Maybe it was for the best he remain within high security walls, oblivious to town as he could be. “I’m so sorry. ‘it’s brave of you to come out and I’d say the fresh air and sunlight could give your body a boost.”

[heartofbennett]

akumikuzunoha:

“Never been much of a fan of crawling things. There were a lot of weird bugs in Japan that freaked me out, so, I stay away from most things that crawl. This one in particular - kabuto - it’s called, creeps me out,” Akumi shivered at the thought of the black beetle that she frequently ran into. “That makes two of us. All my friends are sick or too paranoid to venture outside. Have you been affected at all?”

“A rhinoceros beetle? But they’re so cool!! Like. All types.” Bennett geeked out shortly. He was one hell of an advocate for creepy crawlies and deadly beasts, saw beauty and purpose before anything else. It was a sort of balance he admired and respected. “Even with all these pros comin’ in there’s still so much bad information.” He mumbled. “No... keeping my nose to the ground--I mean I’m usually working anyway. All hours. Away from people who don’t step foot in the park.”

[heartofbennett]

akumikuzunoha:

“Interesting. I can’t say that I’ve ever wanted a gecko, especially one of the leopard variety,” Akumi took another thoughtful sip from her pink smoothie. “Didn’t even know those were a thing until now, actually.” The trickster shrugged her shoulders. “At least you’re a jerk that’s keeping me entertained. Everybody is too busy being decent people that I’m left with nobody to spend my time with.”

“They’re so cute. They smile--not really, but they look like they’re smiling, and come in all sorts of patterns. Ugh.” Bennett sighed. “I have my dog though, more than too much responsibility for me outside of work.” Both hands raised and palms out he pushed away some air in a ‘no thank you’ gesture. “It is sort of nice that we stumbled on one another. ‘ready for this all to pass.” It would, eventually, wouldn’t it?

[akumikuzunoha]

“This town is starting to look like a scene from Fallout,” Akumi mouthed in-between sips of her homemade smoothie - the only concoction she’d drink these days because at least she knew where the water was coming from. Though ill herself, the trickster only contracted a less serious version of the infection and was thus feeling well enough to go out and about but still hid her sensitive eyes behind a large, dark pair of sunglasses. “Everyone is either inside sick, or inside and paranoid about getting sick. Except me, and you. Is there any particular reason you’ve ventured out into the wasteland?”

[heartofbennett]

“I really want a leopard gecko.” Bennett said while clasping hands together and pressing them toward his chest. A gesture to express just how passionate he was about this. When it came to Ben and animals, what else was new? “I’m such a jerk.” He sighed and shook his head, “Most are out here to work or volunteer and I’m just doing what I always do.”

[brittany-murphy]

Beginners (2010) dir. Mike Mills

[heartofbennett]

phdramos:

Patrick was more than tempted to try this now that there was a sense of danger in it. “They’d probably remove any traces of acid, but I think there’d be something redeeming about it. Though I am on the lookout for something similar to the fountain of youth. Would love to filter the chemicals and examine them.”

“What do you think it would taste like? Sweet? Sour?” Bennett asked, wondering if the man might have a better idea that he would. “You’d be the most famous man on earth if you discovered such a fountain.”

[hardyness]

I hope you’re ready, it’ll be here any minute. 

[heartofbennett]

lilaxjensen:

“Is that so?” The girl asked with an arch of her brow. She noticed that he seemed surprised by the nickname. But Lila always did like surprising people. “I think you do know what you are talking about. With a little confidence you might even believe it yourself.” She teased with a playful wink. 

“For sure, but that’s the case with every animal... and person.” He gave a lopsided grin after saying. It turned bashful as she pinned him on the spot. “I guess it’s that... I’m more used to reading compliments from a wagging tail.” The shut in didn’t often have someone to talk back to him.

[heartofbennett]

phdramos:

Patrick’s face lit up when asked a question, licking his lips in anticipation. “Oh. Well, um, uh - this may seem gross, but one vendor was serving stew in a Nepenthes peltata. Pitcher, thick peristome yet thin ribs, the cup less hourglass and more cylindrical. I kind of want to try it, but someone told me not to” he said. “Sorry, that probably didn’t make sense, huh…”

“That sounds incredible.” Bennett said with a gasp before making a face. “Probably best to not give the stuff a taste. You’d be in the hospital right now if you had, I bet.” He was adventurous and one heck of a risk taker, but physical obstacles were easier to tackle for him or those that tested his mind.

[heartofbennett]

bonnie-sutton:

Bonnie let out a laugh as he compared them to mosquitos. The thing was mosquitoes were horrible, but if the imps ran that market she went into, it all seemed so nice?? She took hold of the light green gem on her necklace and toyed with it lightly. The cheerleader leaned in a bit “Whatcha writing? Or are you doodling?” 

His own mind had wandered in the short second of silence. Enough that Bennett might have forgotten he was sharing company with Bonnie. Of course, he liked her and felt a friendship between, but old habits died hard. He rarely spent time outside of work, the animals and coworkers, making his social life non-existent. She took interest in what he was doing and that made it easy to rouse him and help explain. “The colt is getting older so I have to change up his diet--but horses aren’t usually my thing, ‘gotta think up a few combinations we can afford and he’ll enjoy.”