Hey Descendants!
Sorry this is getting out a little late. We had a COVID scare today and I had to do a COVID test on my 5 year old nephew.
T-T
It was not a fun experience.
Luckily it's negative.
And now I can focus on posting chapters and writing with Twisted.
Lots of Love everyone!
Stay safe and healthy!
-Dark-
He closes his eyes as he takes several deep breaths.
The heat taking up residence in his stomach was becoming a problem.
It was getting harder every day to keep his temper in check.
And after yesterday-
How had he not put it all together?
Had they not seemed overwhelmed by the food since day one?
And the smooth milk comment Evie made-
He takes another deep breath, but it doesn't calm the pounding in his chest.
TRASH.
The kids of the Isle of the lost survived off of trash.
Except now, apparently, that wasn't an option for them anymore.
Hadn't been an option in almost two months.
He was beyond livid.
And his line of thinking wasn't doing anything to help his composure.
But being angry wasn't going to do anything to help his cause.
Those- Those-
He couldn't bring himself to call them people at the moment.
The council's deceit and apathy knew no bounds.
He wasn't sure he'd ever been so disgusted.
Repulsed.
It was just revolting the lengths they were willing to go.
Sickening.
He takes another deep breath.
Not helping.
Not helping.
Not helping.
But neither was the breathing technique.
He lets out a short sigh before he pushes the door open.
He sweeps his gaze over the occupants in the room, keeping his lips tight to prevent a snarl from escaping.
He walks over and stands by his chair, waiting for everyone to follow proper decorum and rise for him before he slides into his seat.
His eyes fall on the only empty seat before they glance at the clock.
Late.
She was late.
Sure it was by three minutes.
But she was still late.
A petty slight against him, but still a slight.
"Prince Benjamin," Queen Leah greets with a small smile as she walks into the room and curtsies.
"You're late." He states firmly.
Queen Lean nods, "My apologies, once I learned of the meeting, I imagined it was for this," She holds a file up, "Since it was important, I wanted to review all the options one last time before attending the meeting."
"That is no excuse. You have had plenty of time to review it before now."
"The budget for the camera project itself is not the issue, unfortunately."
"This isn't about that," He gestures to the empty seat, "Sit."
"I'm sorry, Prince Benjamin?"
"I said sit." His order brooks no room for arguments.
Everyone in the room looks at him with wide eyes as Queen Leah bows her head one more time and takes her seat at the table.
"When we last spoke, Prince Benjamin," Queen Leah continues as she settles the folder on the table in front of her, " this was of the utmost importance, and unfortunately, I do not have good news for you."
"As I stated, the cameras are not why I called you here. However, I am starting to grow concerned for your hearing."
"Please, your majesty, continue." King Hubert encourages.
His eyes sweep over the table. "Which of you ordered the barges to the Isle to stop."
King Hubert frowns, "It was a vote, but not one specifically about the barges, your majesty. Instead, it related to the interference with the barrier in any way while it was being repaired."
He clenches his jaw as he takes another deep breath, "So how have they been receiving goods?"
King Hubert tilts his head to the side, "Well, they haven't. Trade was suspended momentarily due to their leader's attack on the crown of Auradon."
"So, correct me if I am hearing this wrong. We have been starving the Isle for over two months?"
"Wait, what?" Another member of the council speaks, clearly out of turn, if the glares were any indication.
"My question exactly, Sir Gansy." He restrains himself from snapping. "And, I believe, all eyes should be on me."
"Sir- Your Majesty," Sir Gansy smooths his tie nervously, his eyes very much fixed on him as his face reddens, "I- I understand that the Isle had a work contract with us. One in which they managed our waste, and we paid them for the service."
"Then why wasn't it being upheld." He grips the edge of the table tight enough for the wood to let out a soft creak.
"Prince Benjamin," Queen Leah sighs, "it was decided, after a conversation with Janice, that the barrier was too unstable while it was damaged. Therefore, for the safety of the Kingdoms, we suspended the contract."
"So, I am to understand everyone on this council is negligent. There are other methods we could have used to ensure food and other essential items were made available."
"Any methods used to transport goods would have come into contact with the barrier, which we didn't want to jeopardize in any way."
"So, we let the Isle starve?"
"They've been there for years now, and seeds are sent yearly."
"There is not enough sunlight on the Isle to grow plants, as Queen Leah is very much aware of."
"There has been evidence of individuals growing small gardens of their own. And that was just what we witnessed in the Urban areas of the Isle. There is a lot of unused lands that could be used for agricultural purposes."
"Well, as much as this council hates to acknowledge them, I have been informed that is not the case. And since the informants were actually raised on the Isle, there are no such crops."
King Hubert scratches his goatee, "Well, that changes-"
"It does." Queen Leah nods, "I will contact the barge master at once and inform him of the reinstatement of the old contract. The barrier has been repaired. There is no need to continue with the new contract."
He nods stiffly, "And for those who may have starved to death while this council was grossly derelict? What shall you propose to do for them?"
Queen Leah daintily lays her arms on the table, "Your Majesty, the council apologizes for this oversight-"
Oversight!
A fucking-
Oversight!
How dare-
He swallows another snarl.
"-As a sign of goodwill, we should send extra supplies. And perhaps you could send a letter inviting the ten you've wanted to bring over to come back with the barge, to help us re-establish our relationship with the Isle now that Maleficent has been contained."
His eyes narrow. "That's a good start, assuming the ten I selected are still alive."
"While I would hate to think of the possibility, I do understand it is a possible outcome. Do you wish to write up a draft to ensure ten children that have been vetted will be allowed to return with the barge?" Queen Leah inquires as she opens a notebook, "I have the approved list of four. We would just need the rest of your list." She pulls out a pen and unscrews the cap, pen point poised to continue writing.
Vetting process.
He swallows his scoff.
But then registers the rest of her calmly spoken words.
Calm
He takes a deep breath.
Indifferent
Then another.
Apathetic.
And another.
Over the potential loss of life. Of the life of children.
"A draft." He swallows his snarl. "Please clarify, Leah."
"A list of names in the order of who you and your informants would most want to see brought over."
He was not falling for the simple explanation this time, "The nuances of the draft. What it entails. Why there must be one. That was what I was asking for clarification on. Perhaps you missed that."
"You seemed concerned that the ten you would send for might not be available to come. I'm merely suggesting a method of ensuring the number you requested be able to make the return trip."
"I did not realize you were so obtuse, Queen Leah, so please allow me to clarify," He clenches his jaw, "I did not say available. I said dead. Starved to death. Due to this council's gross oversight. Or would you prefer I make that more reductive- my apologies-" He smiles tightly, "more simple for you to understand."
Queen Leah sits up straighter, "You are young Prince Benjamin, so I understand the emotion behind your remarks, but emotions do not aid in balancing policy and the will of the people."
He lifts an eyebrow, "I did not realize empathy was just a construct of youth."
"You seem to be under the impression that I am overjoyed with every decision that we as a council make. Let me assure you, there are many times that I disagree with what must be done, but it is my job to do the things that must be done for the good of our people and our United Kingdoms."
"And, Queen Leah, it is my job to ensure that this United Kingdoms holds its accords, less we find the need to renege on every accord we hold at the slightest inconvenience," he says with a forced smile on his lips.
"I understand, Prince Benjamin. In the future, I will be sure to hold counsel with you personally any time an accord is brought into question."
"Please see to it you do." He nods before looking around the room, "Until then, however, I would like to know how this council plans to handle the situation of causing the deaths of children."
"The situation was caused by Maleficent attacking the crown." Queen Lean slowly shakes her head, "Or perhaps we should more fully investigate Jane as the originator of the damage to the barrier, presenting Maleficent with the opportunity to escape the Isle in the first place. But the damage to the barrier is the reason it was unsafe to continue the accord, and the attack on the royal family a direct violation of it."
His eyes turn back to her. "I understand your desire to use Jane as a patsy for your and this council's neglect of your duties. But I believe, once again, you are belaying the point of this meeting. This is not about a fifteen-year-old girl. This is about a council of well-rounded, intelligent members of our Kingdom overlooking a serious offense."
"Prince Benjamin. The actions this council took were all well within the scope of our duties. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the laws. The laws expressly state that we must first act in the interest of Auradon. The Isle of the Lost is not, in fact, a Kingdom united in Auradon. Therefore the interest and safety of our people precede it. The leader of this Isle, one we have an accord with, attacked the head of the United Kingdoms and the future inheritor of the throne. That alone is an act of war. And we would not continue to have working relationships with a land that has declared war on us. Those are the facts. And the only facts we worked with when we made the decisions we made. Will I regret any deaths associated with the rulings we made? I am not so cold-hearted. I will be saddened to know that life was lost, but I am not sad that I upheld my job to the best of my working knowledge."
He nods, "I'm glad you specified your working knowledge, as Mister Hamada has found evidence that the laptop held in your possession has been accessed every day for the last nineteen years. So to your working knowledge, would you say that you were uninformed despite being privy to such information? If you'd like, I can show some highlights to the rest of this council."
Queen Leah's brow furrows, "Prince Benjamin, I can assure you that I have not accessed that laptop in years, but to know that it has been accessed gives me great pause, as it was only recently repaired."
"So, that is to say, someone else accessed the laptop left in your possession all these years while it was under your security?"
King Hubert clears his throat, "I should clarify, Prince Benjamin. The laptop itself is not Queen Leah's possession, but one that is accessible by every council member and held in a community office located here where meetings are held."
He blinks.
Once.
Twice.
"But, I move for a full investigation into who accessed the laptop. And why we were misled as to the viability of the laptop's functionality."
"So, as I understand, the laptop used to survey the Isle where our enemies could have been plotting against us was easily accessible to all of you and others?"
"Only by members of this council." Sir Gansy offers.
"Or aids." King Hubert adds.
He nods, "I see." He tenses as he resists the urge to flip the table. "Shall we call this meeting adjourned? And, by all means, do not feel the need to address me on your way out."
Everyone at the table quickly collects their paperwork and rushes out, leaving him behind in the empty room as the double doors close.
He taps his fingers against the table, taking several deep, unhelpful breaths before he turns with a calm he did not feel and heads to his car.
His dorm room was already trashed.
What was one more broken lamp or five?
He clears his throat before he punches one on his car's display screen.
One ring.
Two.
"Ben?" Mal answers in confusion.
"Hey," He greets, unable to keep the stiffness of his tone.
"Oh, that bad, huh?"
"We can bring over ten as soon as the first barge can pick them up."
"Fuck- well, that's something, isn't it? Like a win?"
"It's a start," He sighs, "But, I was hoping before we went over the next group," He grimaces at the thought of having to select more. "Do you mind doing me a favor?"
"What do you need?"
"You're the one who spelled your bedrooms, right?"
The line is silent for an uncomfortable second before he hears her sigh, "Yeah. That was me."
"I was hoping you would say that."
"Meet you there?"
"Please?"
"Duh."
"No!" Ben snaps.
She blinks her eyes open and jumps to her feet before she slips in front of Ben, looking for the threat.
Her brow furrows in confusion as her gaze sweeps around the room.
It was hard to tell new damage from old.
She never would've guessed Ben had such a bad temper.
Or was a breaker of things.
Lamps.
The fucking table.
Desk.
One of the chairs.
Or, for that matter, a shredder.
But everything that could be was.
Curtains.
Canvases.
Even parts of the wall.
She still had no idea how he'd managed that one.
Daggers maybe?
Or a sword?
Ironic as it was, she never would've expected Ben to be such a beast.
Or for her to like it so much.
But still, she glances from the window to the door.
What the fuck had him-
"Sorry." Ben sighs before she is pulled back into the bed, "Sorry, that was- I didn't mean to wake you up like that."
She shrugs, even though her heart continued to pound against her chest.
She hadn't even meant to fall asleep.
So much for even trying to make her exams.
She turns and looks up at him, "What's wrong Beastie?"
The nickname had been tongue in cheek at first, but now?
Her eyes run over him in concern.
It wasn't like him to snap like that.
Her eyes narrow- maybe?
Ben was full of surprises lately.
"I need to speak with my dad." Ben groans before he picks his phone back up, "Apparently, the barge workers are on strike."
"They weren't when we were there," She frowns as she taps his hand to get up.
He sighs but releases her, "It sites unsafe working conditions as the fuel to the fire."
She scoffs, "Seriously?" She rolls out of bed and shoves her hand through her hair. "I call goblin shit." She growls.
After yesterday-
The familiar bubbling rage fills her being.
Two fucking months.
Two fucking months!?
Without food?
Without supplies?
Without anything!
How the fuck were the rest of them-
Her hands fist at her sides as she turns away.
How the fuck were they-
She blinks away tears of anger.
That wasn't going to fix anything.
Solve any of their problems.
Just how-
Her eyes narrow.
The hideout.
Fucking T!
She'd been so pissed.
So outraged at the time.
Who the fuck just-
He'd packed the hangout.
Food.
Water.
It had confused her.
Pissed that he'd had the fucking audacity to, to-
She runs her hand through her head in aggravation.
Deez had explained that T was just- Her eyes narrow, paranoid?
Something about him never being prepared or something.
She grimaces.
Like, what he'd stored could ever have been the prep he needed to survive, that.
She shakes her head.
It still confused the shit out of her, why he'd have bothered.
She remembered her anger, her frustration, her whatever, when she found out he hadn't just done it for her, but the rats too.
She takes a deep breath.
That was at least something…
She lets out a deep breath.
Not a lot.
But something.
There'd been so much damn jerky…
She bites her lip, so at least he, Deez, and the rats were alright.
And by extension, Dizzy, the voodoo sisters, and Mimi.
He'd promised.
And if nothing else, she trusted T to fulfill a promise.
Irritatingly so.
So, there was that…
She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly.
It was something, she repeats.
Like a mantra.
It was something.
More than she'd initially thought, at least.
She sighs.
She needed to remind the others.
Perhaps that would help ease the gnawing ache she knew every one of them was trying to hide.
Because she felt it too.
Dread.
Disgust.
Guilt.
Knowing there was a stockpile would help.
If only just a little.
She shakes her head.
Something was better than nothing.
She exhales as some of the tension drains from her.
She shakes her head, shoving her concern to the back.
If she didn't think about it too hard, it would be fine.
She sighs as she turns, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinizes Ben.
He was being awfully slow-
Wasn't he late for a meeting?
He definitely wasn't acting like it.
"It's certainly convenient timing," Ben grumbles as he slides to the edge of the bed and puts his feet on the ground before he puts his phone to his ear.
Her eyes sweep over his bare chest before her face burns, and she turns away.
Shirt.
He needed a shirt.
For his meeting.
She shakes her head, right.
"Morning, dad." Ben greets as he shakes his head and rubs at his eyes with his free hand, "Have you seen the news about the barge workers?"
She looks around at the mess of a room before she opens his closet and walks in.
Her eyes scan the contents before a smirk pulls at her lips as she pulls out a black button-up shirt.
It wasn't exactly her colors, but…
Take what you can get.
"I need to come talk to you about that."
She sticks her head out of the closet curiously before she puffs up her cheeks and blows a strand of hair from her face.
She pouts.
Hadn't he already-
Damn it.
They could've cudd-
She blanks.
Cuddled?
She was a fucking cuddler now?
Her face scrunches.
"I'm bringing Mal with me. Where do you- Oh?" He pulls the phone away from his ear and hits a button before he looks up at her, "Where would you be most comfortable meeting with my dad?"
"What?" She blinks, "What did you just- Why?" She whines.
"Because I would like for you to feel comfortable." Adam explains, "I thought Ben summarized my concern very well."
Her cheeks flare with heat as she glares daggers at Ben. "Uh- um-"
Fuck him, asshole, who did that? Better question, you could put the damn things on speaker?
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
"Uh- Ben's library?" She quickly spouts.
"I'll see you both in thirty then?"
"Thanks, Dad, see you there." Ben smiles as he taps his phone.
She huffs as she turns back to hunting for black pants, or at the very least loose jeans. "Are you done?" She whispers, accusation heavy in her tone.
"All clear." He holds his phone up so she can see his background, a picture of the two of them taken in the carriage ride to his ceremony, "Sorry, feel free to berate me."
"Good," She balls up the shirt and whips it at him, "You ass!"
Ben frowns sheepishly as he tugs the shirt on over his head, "I know. I didn't think about it. Sorry"
"Whatever," She huffs as she turns back to digging through his dresser.
His eyes drop to the black shirt he's put on automatically, "Wait, are you dressing me?"
"No?" She glances at him, "I'm not fucking E."
"Fair, words are important." He chuckles, "Are you selecting the clothes I'm to wear."
"Don't be dumb." She huffs, as her eyes brighten at the- she narrows her eyes, venom washed? She was pretty sure it was called venom washed. She balls that up before she throws them in his direction.
"I thought dumb looked good on me." He grins as he stands up. "I believe I was even supposed to remind you of that."
She runs a hand through her hair, "Just get dressed, Beastie." She looks away. "Distracting ass." She grumbles.
She hears him chuckle in amusement as he changes.
She jumps when she feels him behind her, his breath warm near her ear. Heat flares to her cheeks as a shiver runs down her spine,
Her eyes narrow.
The fuck was-
"How do I look?" He asks as he takes one of her hands and spins her to face him.
She shakes her head before she looks him over as more heat floods her cheeks.
Wicked.
He looked straight wicked-
"Uh," She looks away, not sure why she was so fucking awkward.
She shakes her head, "Acceptable."
"Oh." He frowns as he looks down at himself, "I like it. But if you don't, I can always change." He smiles as he starts unbuttoning his shirt.
"Wait!" Her eyes follow his hands before she realizes what he's doing, "I," She stares at his exposed chest for a moment before more fire licks at her cheeks. "It looks bet- I mean, uh, It suits you."
He grins before he drops his hands from his shirt to take her hands, "It looks better with two buttons undone?"
She drops her eyes as she shifts.
Fuck him.
But she mumbles affirmation.
"Not to sound ridiculous or anything," He pulls her closer and presses a light kiss to her cheek, "I like when you compliment me. I usually hate being complimented."
She shifts as she hides her face in the crook of his arm, "You look wicked."
Ben clicks his tongue, "See, now I really did think you had that gleam in your eyes that said something was wicked, but I didn't want to just assume it was me."
"Yeah, well…" She burrows deeper.
Ben kisses the top of her head, "Come on, I should let you change as well before we head out."
"Shit," She pulls back, "I forgot," She hits her forehead before she turns and runs to the door.
Ben is fucking pissed.
Like livid.
Clap backs. Clap backs fucking everywhere.
We've never written Ben so short with the council- I solely wrote him in the first scene one due to Dark needing to take over Leah, cause I just can't.
Which again, Kudus Dark. You really had me wanting to snarl and throw something… Which I, in turn, had Ben actually doing. Maybe not at the scene of the crime, so to speak, but still.
Kid fucking wreaked havoc all over his fucking room.
And Mal's loving it.
I feel sick after reading the first scene.
Disgusted.
Anguished even.
It's fucking despicable.
Seriously QL?
Does it make you guys want to throw shit?
Flip a table?
Break a lamp?
Shred the fuck outta something-
Which, by the way, daggers? Really Mal?
Though honestly, I'm not sure if any of you have guessed what the fuck is happening to Ben at this juncture. My best bet is late-onset puberty… But, I'll ask anyway, for shitz and giggles, the fuck you think is happening with our sweet prince?
Dudez.
Seriously, this shit has my blood boiling.
2 fucking months.
I know. I know.
I keep repeating myself.
But, seriously, 2 fucking months!
And the fucking apathy-
Fuck lawful neutral characters.
It's foul they're not even doing anything illegal. Just working within the confines of the law. It's fucking ugh. Just, so fucking ugh.
Just ugh.
This is why I'm 1000000000% behind vigilantism. ← Fuck that word, by the way.
Anti-heroes are my fucking jam, man. Chaotic good/neutral all the way.
What's yours?
I know, I should be asking more questions in this shit rather than just giving you my thoughts… But tit for tat and all that. ← Man, I love accidental rhymes. (shoot me for being so corny, seriously. I blame my Husband… Not that he rhymes, but you know, for being so corny.)
At least this one ended on a lighter note.
Did any of you remember T prep?
Think it'll be enough to stave off enough of the hunger?
Fave Quote:
Ben clicks his tongue, "See, now I really did think you had that gleam in your eyes that said something was wicked, but I didn't want to just assume it was me."
-Ben
Look Dark, I picked another of your lines :)
(EEEE! Two times! -Dark)
Did you guys have one?
Much love and shit,
-Twisted