Topic: A Compulsion To Act (18+)

Ben Graves

Date: 2016-03-22 17:06 EST
It was another late night in Rhy'din's sprawling marketplace. A slight chill in the otherwise pleasant air. Ben was making his way home from work. Another average day, work carrying on as it had for the past year or so. Home was his small apartment, a bowl of ramen noodles, a good movie, and his comfy couch. A good night, all things considered.

That was the plan anyway.

Sounds of a struggle echoed down the alleyway, bringing the retired bare-knuckle boxer to a halt. His sharp green eyes alert suddenly. A female voice cried out in the night "Get off! Let me go!"

It wasn't his problem. He wasn't part of The Watch or any peace keeping force. This wasn't his job to break up. He swallowed hard and started away.

"Help!" The voice cried out, echoing in his brain. Ben's fists clenched as he stopped in his tracks.

Two burly thugs were manhandling the skinny blonde woman. She was putting up a fight, but she was no match for them. "Hold her down!" One said to the other.

"Help! Somebody help!" She cried, tears streaming down her face as she struggled.

"Stay still, bitch or I'll snap your neck!" The bigger of the two said, grabbing her by the throat, his stinking breath in her face. Terror filled her eyes and welled up inside of her.

Ben stepped into the alley, taking in the scene a moment. His heart was pounding, his face feeling hot as adrenaline coursed through his body. He could feel his hands shaking and muscles twitching nervously. He took in a deep breath and let it go. "Hey! Get off her!" He called out to them.

Both men stopped and turned, expecting to see some black-clad Watch cronie standing there. Instead it was Ben in his jeans and t-shirt. The big one scoffed. "**** off or you're gonna get hurt!"

They both laughed and turned their backs on him. Ben's vision seemed to narrow, locking onto them. His body felt like it moved without him telling it to. He grabbed the big one from behind and pulled him off the woman. The thug swung his fist back, the meaty knuckles connected with his jaw, knocking Ben to the ground. The metallic taste of blood in his mouth as he shook his head.

The thug stared down at him. "Big ****in' hero, huh' Told you to mind your own business!" he said, throwing a boot into Ben's ribs. The air left his body as pain spread throughout his abdomen. The thug spat on him and turned away.

The burly man stepped back to the woman, hopelessness in her eyes now. "Where were we?" He asked.

Suddenly a bottle shattered over the back of his head. He stumbled forward and whipped around to find Ben standing there holding one end of the broken bottle. An animalistic growl exploded as he charged at Ben. The wiry boxer, stepping out of the way and shoving his attacker, face-first into a dumpster with a resounding clang. He wasted no time, kicking out the back of his knee and thrusting his palm into the back of the dazed thug's head, slamming it again into the metal trash bin.

The second thug released the woman and came at Ben from behind, the skinny thug's arms wrapping around his chest. Ben lifted both feet and kicked off the brick wall, sending him and his attacker across the narrow alley. The thug slammed back, full force, into the other building, a pained groan escaping him. Ben broke free and threw an elbow into the man's face, turned, and jabbed him right in the stomach.

He could hear the burly thug coming up behind him and ducked out of the way. The big thug had grabbed a trashcan, intent on bashing Ben across the back with it. But, that plan didn't work. The edge of can caught his friend full on in the face, dropping him to the ground unconscious, the garbage can clanging to the pavement. The thug stood stunned a moment at what he'd done before turning and throwing another punch at Ben.

He quickly ducked out of the way, rising up and jabbing to the thug's face, sending him stumbling back into the trashcans. He shook off the hit and grabbed whatever he could from the can throwing it at Ben. The former boxer ducked and dodged, moving forward quicker and quicker. He caught a bottle thrown at him and launched it right back at the attacker.

Using the momentary distraction as the thug brought his arms up to protect himself, Ben jumped to the right, kicked up off the wall, launching himself through the air and throwing his whole body in a punch the landed squarely across the large man's face. His body cushioned Ben's fall, but the burly thug was down but not out. He was stirring, trying to grab Ben in a daze, but the wiry fighter held himself up, throwing vicious, full-bodied punches to the face as hard as he could. Again and again and again, he hit him with everything he had. Soon, the fight was over and his opponent was out cold.

Ben rose up, his face bloody, his body aching, his knuckles cracked and bleeding, and his heart pounding. The woman looked at him with wide eyes.

"Thank you." She managed in a shaky voice.

Ben nodded to her. He'd never felt more alive.

Ben Graves

Date: 2016-03-23 15:04 EST
A towel wrapped around ice was pressed to his aching jaw. Ben's body was sore, his knuckles scabbing over. It had been awhile since he'd fought, and even longer since he'd fought for his life.

That rush, that thrill...he'd missed it. He hadn't even realized how much he missed it. But it was more than the fight. It was protecting someone who couldn't help themselves. Every day he'd seen it. People turning a blind eye to criminals and thugs. Rapists, theives, murderers. Otherwise good people turning their backs to cover their own asses while the vermin preyed upon the weak.

Even he'd considered it tonight. The way that woman had looked to him tonight, told him a story. A person who had lived in fear. Afraid to walk home, afraid to be out late, with good reason. There were bad people, bad creatures in this world. Whatever was being done to combat it wasn't enough. Maybe it was time for someone to step up.

He stared at his red, cracked knuckles and made a fist. He could do something. He could make a difference.

Ben Graves

Date: 2016-04-04 17:15 EST
It was almost midnight in Rhydin and Ben was getting ready. He pulled on kevlar reinforced arm pads and gloves with hard, kevlar knuckles. The lean fighter grabbed a black balaclava and pulled it down over his face, only his green eyes showing as he stared into a mirror.

"Dude...I look like a ****ing ninja!" He struck a karate pose in front of his full length mirror. The adrenaline was pumping through him. He was ready to get out there. He hopped up and down in place like a boxer before a match. "What's that' Oh yeah?" He said to an imaginary bad guy. "Tough guy, huh' How about a little of THIS!"

Ben lashed out with high roundhouse kick. "Oh! That's right! Not so tough now, huh?" He smirked underneath his mask.

"Oh you're not done" How about a good ol' fashioned haymaker?" He held up his left hand. "You watchin'" You watchin'?" He threw a hard right, too close, the kevlar knuckles slamming into the mirror and shattering it into pieces.

"Oh...****."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ben kept to the shadows and rooftops, moving quietly as possible, listening for any signs of a struggle. It wouldn't be long until he found them. Two men were down below in an alleyway, whaling away on an older guy. Ben recognized him as a butcher. A kindly man in his 60's with thick glasses that now lay shattered on the ground.

"Look, Lou. I didn't want this. You think we wanted this?" Said the tallest of the thugs. "But you don't pay your debt to Mr. Jameson and this is what happens. We can't let you off easy. We'd look weak."

"I told ya, I'll have the money tomorrow...please, Tommy...I just need time." Lou said weakly, his face bloodied and starting to bruise.

The tall one, apparently named Tommy, laughed. "Times up, old man." He gave an upnod to one of his cronies. "Pauly."

Ben heard fists impact flesh and groans of pain escape Lou. He surveyed the situation a moment, seeing another man posted as look-out at the entrance to the alleyway, a cigarette hanging from his lips. Ben slipped down to the fire escape, quiet as he could possibly be.

The lookout, scanned the area, listening to the sounds of the beating, his pistol tucked into the back of his pants, just in case. He hated this duty. Stuck standing around watching for any of the Watch who might interfere. He'd rather be there, getting a work out in on the old man's face. That was much more exciting than this. He barely heard the sound of two feet landing behind him.

Slowly he glanced back, a figure clad entirely in black standing behind him like a specter. He moved quickly, his arm reaching back to draw his firearm. But Ben was quicker. He redirected the gun and slammed the man into a wall. Again and again, he bashed the man's hand against the bricks until the gun dropped. The arm released he threw vicious punches to the lookout's ribs, the hard knuckles causing more damage than his bare fists ever could. He didn't let up for a second, moving from the torso to slam his fist into the man's face. The tubby thug slid down to the ground, out cold.

Lou was beaten badly and fading fast when he saw the figure standing behind Tommy and Pauly. Pauly wiped the blood from his knuckles on Lou's shirt. "Ah, what the ****...you see that' You got your blood all over me, you messy ****."

"Please..." Lou said weakly.

Tommy shook his head. "Ohhh no. We're not done by a damn sight, old man."

Tommy brought his fist back the hit Lou when he was grabbed from behind. Ben threw him into the wall face-first, moving immediately on to Pauly. The man was built like a brick **** house , and he was pulling a gun. Ben grabbed his wrist with his right hand and spun into him, throwing an elbow back into this gut, the gun going off harmlessly into the wall across the alley.

Tommy was on his feet and moving toward Ben with a lead pipe in his hand. He swung hard at Ben, but the masked fighter ducked, letting the pipe hit Pauly across the face, the burly mobster hitting the ground in a daze. He grabbed Tommy's arm and twisted it, the pipe clattering to the ground. Ben threw a series of kidney shots to Tommy's back.

The tall thug threw a wild punch back at Ben. His fist connecting hard with Ben's masked face. Ben stumbled away, getting his bearings quickly. Pauly was on his feet, a gash on his cheek. Tommy was heading right for him, throwing a wild right that Ben ducked under. Quickly, he moved onto Pauly, grabbing him by the shoulders and throwing quick knee to his gut. As the big man doubled over, he slammed his face with two more shots from his knee and threw him into the garbage.

He turned just in time to see Tommy grab him. Ben was lifted off his feet and put up against the wall, his attacker trying to strangle him. He struggled for a moment before dropping his elbows against the man's arms, drawing a howl from him as he let go. Ben shoved him away and ran, leaping into the air and bringing that armored fist down with the full weight of his body across the man's face.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ben saw Pauly getting backup. His shoulders dropped a bit, good GOD these guys could take a beating. He lunged for Pauly, but Tommy grabbed him from behind, pinning his arms down. Pauly was now running for him, but Ben thought fast. Both feet came up and kicked him in the chest, sending the barrel-chested mobster back into wall, and making Tommy stumbled back and trip to the ground. Ben threw his elbow's back into Tommy's ribs, breaking from his grasp. Pauly was already on his way back over. In quick succession, he punched Tommy in the face, Pauly in the groin, Tommy in the face again, and pushed off the ground with his legs, throwing a vicious upper cut to Pauly's jaw.

The burly man dropped, unconscious. Panting, Ben stood over Tommy's dazed form. He leaned in close, grabbing the man by the thinning hairs. His vocie was a low, growly whisper. "Listen to me, you son of a bitch. Tell your boss, Lou Franchezca's business if off-limits. This place is protected. You come back again, I won't be so nice." He slammed the tall man's head back against the concrete, knocking him out.

Ben Graves

Date: 2016-04-05 10:49 EST
Katja Morozova had a small social circle. She was without a lot of distraction, and moreso since she became seriously involved with one, Ben Graves. Poor Ben Graves. He was to become the object of Katja's attention. Fed up with his on-and-off attendance, Katja made an appearance at his apartment. Tonight, she wore a pair of yoga pants, a loose button up, a scarf, and a pair of ankle boots. KNOCK! Just once, one big one! "Ben Graves! You have three seconds or I am walking through this door!" She sounded half-way between a joke and the truth.

He was in the bathroom, washing the blood off his face when she knocked "Oh ****", he thought. In a panic, he dried his face and grabbed a shirt, pulling it on quickly. He rushed out to the bedroom and kicked his gear underneath the bed. Finally, he rushed over to the front door and pulled it open, looking exhausted with a fresh shiner at his right brow and a cut at his cheek..."Hey! Hey, what?s going on?"

In an instant, her eyes became big as saucers. "BEN GRAVES!"

Uh oh. His full name. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Little Russian hands came up to gently examine him. "What has happened" Who did" Who' Tell me!" Gently, she touched the shiner and the cheek. Then, she walked through him into the house towards the freezer, muttering away to herself in Russian. Eventually, the muttering stopped and she said, "WHO would do this to you?!" The freezer door slammed and she came away with raw meat, walking back towards him.

"Whoa, whoa...easy, easy." He chuckled holding his hands up. "It's nothing. Just had an accident..." He flinched as she slapped the meat against his face. He arched a brow to her.

"Nyet. What is this" Why, Ben, why?" Terse, but she leaned in and pecked a kiss on his lips.

A laugh escaped him. She was in a frenzy of extremes, accusations followed by kissing, followed by accusations, followed by more kisses and fawning. "Look, not that I don't...appreciate the love in...but it's really not a big deal."

She stepped back and furrowed her eyebrows, arms crossed. He was hiding something. She would wait.

His brows raised as he stared right back, a smirk on his lips. "What?"

She opened a hand as if to say, 'Well"' Part of him just wanted to tell her. But another part felt he shouldn't. Partly for her own safety and partly because she might try to stop him. Plus, what do you say' I go out and fight crime" It sounded ridiculous even thinking it.

After his silence, her eyes searched him. When she spoke, her voice was smaller. Less terse. "....Why are you keeping secret?"

He sighed, deciding to meet her halfway. "Look...I was jumped on the way home. Alright' Some guys cornered me in an alley and we fought. There it is." Technically true. He'd just left out the part where he sought them out and started it.

Stepping towards him, she reached out, then pulled her hands away. "Get undressed. I will tend to you." She walked away into his bathroom. "Did they tell you why' Did you know them?" She called over her shoulder.

He grimaced at that. He didn't like lying to her at all, but carried on. "You know how it is out there. Bunch of scumbags looking for an easy score." Also TECHNICALLY true...from a certain point of view. When she stepped into his room, she noticed one of his arm pads sticking out under the bed.

Katja went silent in the room, piecing it together. "....From a man so athletic?" More silence. His story didn't add up.

"Hey, in my usual clothes, I look pretty scrawny." He said with a chuckle. He WAS a slim man, she had to admit, right"

More silence. "Ben."

"What's up?" He called from the living room, sliding his shirt off. His body showed signs of bruising along the ribs and his back...but these were older. Had he been fighting again? It sure as hell looked like it. Those eyes looked to her and she could see the hesitation there. He knew she didn't buy his story at all.

She walked slowly back into the room, returning with some cloths. "You are sure?" She lifted one leg, tucking it under her bottom as she sat upon the couch, the other leg hanging off. She motioned for him to lay nearby, that she could tend his wounds.

"Ben." Her voice was strained. "I am torn. I want to believe you....But I..." She sighed, looking into her lap, folding the towels, shaking them loose, and folding them again. "I see the bruise that is old. And another, near to being completely healed. This is..." She looked up to him, still with her head down. "This is where you have been. You are fighting again."

He remained silent for a moment, his face reddening as he blushed. He simply looked up to her, his mind racing. In a short amount of time the Russian had become very important to him. And she was very, VERY observant, apparently. He simply nodded to her.

She looked back down into her lap, her hands idle. "The alley, then....It was a lie?" She did not look at him.

Then he looked up to her again. "No. No. That was true."

Her head snapped up, and her eyebrows furrow. Clearly, she did not expect that answer. "What?"

"It's not..." he cleared his voice. "It's not prize fighting."

She shot up off of the couch. "What!" Her eyes were wide, but her mouth was not stern, nor was it angry. "Keep going. What you mean?"

Ben decided it was time to lay his cards on the table. Tell the truth, as ridiculous as it was. "Last week, I was walking home, and hear this woman. She's...she's screaming, begging for help. And nobody was doing anything. Because nobody ever does anything. So, I stepped in." he looked upset, not at her, just about what he was talking about.

Katja closed the gap between them, her hands flat against his bruised body. Her touch was tender, careful, and completely adoring. "....You saved her?" A whisper, her eyes not looking away from him anymore.

He just looked to her and nodded, a grave expression on his face as he shook his head. "I'm so sick of seeing the garbage of this place preying upon people without consequence. These thugs are bleeding this city dry and we just go by day after day, ignoring it. Looking away because it's easier than doing something. Two men attacked a defenseless woman. I had to do something."

Katja trembled gently, her fingers curling into fists against him, and her eyes growing wider - her lips becoming a giant smile. "Ben....You..." She yelped and jumped away, coming to lay down on the couch, on her back, completely without bones. "....I thought you were causing trouble, that someone hated you! Someone tried to hurt you because you were not the man who is so good and kind and caring..." She brought her arm up over her eyes, shaking her head. "And as it happens!" Her arms splay wide! "You are super hero!"

He reeled back at that word, his hands coming up almost defensively. "Whoawhoawhoa...Superhero' No...I'm...really?"

She nodded, still looking him over, serious. "Da, superhero." Offhanded, as if she was on to the next. "Who teach you how to fight' You fight like cage fight or...?" Eyes tick up to his.

"Well, you know, the whole boxing thing. That's pretty much it-you are taking this INCREDIBLY well..." He said. "And...I might have made some people angry tonight..." He frowned. "I beat the hell out of 3...mob..looking...uh...guys." He said, thinking back to the men he'd roughed up tonight. They mentioned a name he'd not heard of, but they were going on about money owed...

Her seriousness softened. "This news is much better than I thought. Plus..." She blushed, giggling to herself. "I get to bed a superhero! Me!" A shimmy of her shoulders, teasing him, but they paused hearing his story. There was that word again. It made him blush. "They will come for you?" she asked.

He shook his head. "They might *look* for me, but good luck to 'em. I covered my face, so I don't think they'll know it's me specifically." He couldn't hide the smile at her excitement (and, of course the whole bedding her thing.)

"Your face." She nodded. "You will need to cover it. Your identity is at risk. You cover it?"

Ben nodded, his brows raised. "Oh, hell yeah..." He walked into the bedroom and reached under, grabbing the mask. He brought it out and showed her. It covered everything but his eyes. "Plus...it's a fight, we're not really taking longing looks into each other's eyes over tea and crumpets."

She grinned, taking the mask with a wink, "That is my job." And a wiggle of eyebrows. " She leapt from the couch towards him again, and her smile softened, just a touch more serious. "You will need to train, Ben. Your body, eh, it needs to be stronger." She nodded, looking him over. He looked pretty beat up.

He smiled to her, unable to hide his laughter. "You're amazing, you know that?" That look in his eyes was her's alone. She nodded, pressing the mask into his chest as she snatched up the towels again. "Ben, it is not amazing to support you. This is what you want. I do worry, yes, but I want..." The sound of water running - she was getting the rags wet. "....I know the feeling of walking away from a victory. It is addicting. It is unstoppable." She squeezed water from the cloth and returned to him. Tenderly, she took his chin, dabbing at his lip. "Plus, you are fighter. You are not a fool, flailing at people who could kill you." A smile for her Ben.

His body definitely showed the signs of abuse. His ribs were bruised, a slash at his arm had scabbed over. Across his back she could tell he'd been hit with something hard. Even his knuckles showed signs of wear from his first fight. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you right away. I didn't want you to worry."

She shook her head, blinking slowly. "It is fine. It is fine. I wish you had told me, but I understand." She pecked a kiss on his forehead. Then back to treating him. "You need to rest for a long time, Ben. If you keep pushing yourself, you will be caught short, okay?"

"I *need* to get better. I can dodge well enough and I'm fast, but I don't have much technique to go off of. It's pretty much just brute force that's gotten me by. I got lucky tonight." Those green eyes showed the signs. He loved it. He loved the thrill of a fight. the way a victory pumped the blood through his veins. He loved the impact, the sound of it. Mostly, though, he loved making a difference.

Katja nodded. "Yes, but you need to heal, Ben. You cannot go into fight feeling any pain. Adrenaline will hide it, sure, but you cannot afford to break down." Thank goodness for Katja. She would help heal him, help him make a difference. "I will draw a bath for you. It will relax your muscles." A pause. "And I will join you." A poke to his lower hip, teasing him before she released him and went to do just that.

One corner of his mouth upturned watching her walk away from him. She was handling this all FAR better than he had expected. Katja remained full of surprises. With a relieved sigh, he moved to follow after her.