Struck By Lightning

[Benjamin Chase]

At already nine o'clock PM, Benjamin was feeling intellectually drained. Really, he did not want to think of more financial statistics, strategies and additional information because for the entire day, all he did was that. To make things worse, his father had started to frown upon him because of his ability, or lack thereof, to come up with decent and mature strategies. Benjamin wanted to defend himself, since he was so young to be expected to come up with business comebacks that will shake the entire empire of architecture. But as a Chase, he had to learn fast. His ways around the world of business were an amateur's and if Benjamin did not exceed his father's standards professionally in a few years time, he was sure he would find his ass kicked out of the company like any other incompetent being. The thing was, Benjamin believed he was competent than anybody else. He was the son of the company's CEO and the least thing he wanted to be called was stupid and unqualified for the job. That would be a massive jab to his ego and future. Overall, thinking about all of these made him want to kick himself. To say that Benjamin Chase was tired was an understatement and anyone who could see his ruffled hair and scowling eyes would second that.

He took the floo going home and was greeted by the small corner of the Chase library. It was dark and Benjamin could smell the ancient texts that were not afar from where he was standing. He wanted to drop everything and fall asleep on the carpeted floor, curled up like a fetus. However Benjamin figured it was best if he went to his room instead and drop his things before he could fully be at peace with his thoughts. He exited the dark library that thrummed with old magic, looking forward to the sight of his room. He walked down the corridor and passed by the master's bedroom where he was sure his mother was. He would have greeted her if he still had the energy not to snap any doting she would make so consequently he skipped the massive room with his head bowed down. When he reached his room, he caught sight of the other doors that led to the bedroom of his respective siblings. Victoria's was nearest to him whilst Lucas' was the furthest and Benjamin had little energy to even blink an eye at them. He entered his own chamber and flung his suitcase on his desk whilst loosening up his tie. He wanted to be freed of the damn thing and Benjamin eyed the bed warily. He doubted he could ever sleep with a quarreled mind so he had to relax in some other way. An idea came to him swiftly and he quickly stripped off his suit jacket. A little far away from where he was right now, there were the gardens of his mother under the soft moonlight, dancing with the soft, warm breeze. The gardens at night were a peaceful sight to behold and staying there with his favorite pet would do be a good stress reliever.

Benjamin jogged to the gardens and whistled for Aurum, his English Foxhound. The dog approached ever so lively, its tongue out to pant the excess heat. For the first time in the entire day, the young man grinned and stroked his beloved dog's head. This guy was his second best friend and even if his parents hated his pet with passion, Benjamin could not allow himself to simply let it go. He approached a bench and instructed the dog to climb and sit on it, so he did not have to bend down to make physical contact. Benjamin's love for domestic animals was not known to a lot of people and it was moments like these that made him love them even more. "Stay, Aurum. Now that's a good boy," Benjamin uttered and and the dog playfully bit on his necktie with little force. At least his companion at the moment was not one to bark orders and insults regarding his skills. Benjamin was tired of being around his father, so the presence of an animal was refreshing and certainly entertaining for him. Plus, the serene scene around him put him under a tranquility spell. The flowers were out, its petals grazed with the moonlight. Some of the plants had magical properties and a few weakly glowed under the light of the lunar globe. All of it put his troubled thoughts into a distant hum at the back of his mind, whilst Aurum continuously sniffed on Benjamin as his master was so close to his dog.
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[Dominique Grimm]

Dominique had leaped at the chance to spend her time with Victoria. She loved Vee more than she did her own sisters - in fact, if she had a sister like Vee, she would be very pleased indeed. Her sister, Francesca was not the sort of sister she wanted. Franny was a boy, and that was that. She did not stay up late giggling about cute Quidditch players, or talking about the latest fashion robes. No, instead, Franny would want to talk about playing Quidditch like a little brute, and mention how pants were more practical. Dom liked muggle things, they were nice, but she would only ever wear robes, or dresses. Not pants. She was a lady and a fashionable one at that, she would not hide her legs under something as ghastly as pants. The only pants-esque thing she would ever be caught wearing would to stockings, and that was only if she had some hideous blemish on her legs at that point. Dominique liked more sensible things,and so did Vee. Shoes, clothes and boys. Sure, Vee could be a little... nastier than Dominique, but Dom loved her all the same.

However, not right now. Her best friend, her virtual sister, was will. Dominique had tried to be helpful, to hold her hair out of her face when she buried her face in a bucket, to rug her up in bed with a warm blanket and a cup of tea when she was cold, and she even tried to entertain her with some light reading, but it was no use. Victoria was sick and the last thing she wanted to see was her uber-healthy blonde friend, Dominique. In fact, she was getting very upset at the fact that Dominique was perfectly healthy, and quite frankly, Dominique had to admit that Vee looked dreadful, and Vee was not pleased to be seen in her disheveled state. So, after letting her friend rest, Dominique tied her blonde hair back unto a messy bun, put a jumper on over her pajamas, and tied up her joggers. She was going for a late night jog around the garden.

It was a very big garden, and while she would not often go out and jog at night, she was quite safe here and there was little else she could do. The youngest Chase, Lucas, was not one she spent much time with. She had no interest in spending time with eleven year olds, not that she held anything against the boy, she wasn't going to wake the kid up and have a pillow fight or anything. She smiled at the flowers, and plucked a small daisy from its family, and placed it on her ear, now slowing her jog to a walk. There was little point in jogging, otherwise she would miss this view. She admired the garden, and grinned at the glowing plants. "How precious," she murmured, caressing a plant affectionately. She paused when she heard noises, and looked around. She tilted her head slightly, and walked out of the shadows to approach the two figures. She loved animals - especially dogs. She loved cuddling dogs and braiding their fur (if it was long) and taking them for walks and bathing them. She paused when she realised the person was Victoria's big brother, Ben. She had never really interacted with Ben because he was older than her, and thus rather intimidating. However, knowing that she had probably made enough noise in her approach to have alerted him to her presence, she tucked a loose strand behind her ear and smiled. "Hey, Benjamin. What're you doing out here?"
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[Benjamin Chase]

Benjamin patted Aurum affectionately and laughed. The dog was a loyal creature even if Benjamin left it to its own devices most of the time. Aurum definitely recognized his own master and for some reason, the foxhound hated his parents. Aurum dealt well with the elves they had - in fact, he liked how the elves paid him attention. Benjamin put a loose arm around it and realized his dog suddenly stiffened. Benjamin rubbed its back softly and asked softly, "What's wrong? Smell something?" He raised a good-natured brow. Benjamin did not feel the need to be alert yet, but his wand was ready anytime he needed it. Benjamin had learned that dogs had sharper senses compared to humans and Aurum made a good guard dog. If Benjamin wanted to bite someone, he'd flick his arm and Aurum would follow suit. The dog started to shift and that's when Benjamin heard the strange noise. Ben closed his eyes, hoping it was not his mother who followed him down to the garden. He faced the source of the unexpected footsteps and winced in surprise. It was a young, blonde lady and Benjamin almost cursed in front of her when he remembered that the mansion had a special visitor. Dominique Grimm, Victoria's seatbelt in life, was having a sleepover at their place. Here she was now, approaching Benjamin which was highly unlike her. He did not talk to immature people but since he had no choice, he had to keep her company.

"Dominique," Ben greeted formally and nodded stiffly. Even for someone who looked so young, Dominique was undeniably beautiful. She had that certain grace and poise that could attract any man when she became older but as far as Benjamin knew, he himself was not interested. "I'm just keeping Aurum company. It's been a long day with my father." He decided to keep it at that, because opening her to any details will just confuse her. Benjamin was unconsciously underestimating her, but he was blinded by her age and the fact that she was Vee's best friend. Firstly, why would a gentle person decide to be best friends with someone so irritating? Secondly, why was Dominique in the garden and not with Vee? Benjamin knew her for a long time, but he barely knew Dominique as an individual. Benjamin only thought of her as the number 1 person who can tolerate his sister for one month straight. Where did she get those skills?! "Hm, are you already bored by my sister? I bet she's just been babbling about her romance novels," Ben dryly uttered and his lips quirked. What if Dominique really was bored? "Is that why you're here in the garden? Trying to get away?" By this time, Aurum jumped off the bench and placed himself next to his master by the feet, facing Dominique as if to question her identity. Benjamin noticed the flower on her blonde head and he wanted to laugh, but suppressed his laughter with a cough.
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