Back inside, Benton walks towards the kitchen when he sees his daughter Frieda lead Spencer and Eric to her room. Coughing to get their attention; Benton can clearly see Eric’s arousal quickly shrink and fade as his member deflates and hides back in his sheathe.
“Before you three have your fun for the night,” Benton calmly speaking; “I need to speak with Eric for a few minutes.”
Frieda, knowing her father wasn’t going to take no for answer, just places a paw on Eric’s shoulder. Letting him know it will all right.
“You’ll know where to find us,” Frieda grinning; ”just let our bond guide you to where Spencer and I are eating each other out.”
Eric growls as her can sense Spencer and Frieda’s arousal. Turning around to see Benton patiently waiting for him; Eric silently walks as Benton leads Eric to his study.
“Before we talk,” Benton speaking; “I must apologize for what Liz Baker tried to do. It was uncalled for a beyond reproach.”
“Talk about what Mr. Knight;” Eric asking as he sits down on a chair.
“Two thing really,” Benton taking a seat behind his desk; “Firstly I still owe you an explanation for my actions last Friday.
“And the other matter;” Eric asking.
“We’ll get to that in a bit,” Benton pausing for a moment; “first off, I am a prideful were-panther Eric. I dislike showing weakness and I refuse to be cowed by fear. In the past I have used my size, advantage and wealth to bully, belittle and outright crush those I despised. Or those that have the stones to challenge me.”
“Last Friday,” Benton getting to his explanation; “while I knew Frieda was hanging out with you and Spencer, I had no knowledge as to when she would get back. Or if Frieda would be alone or with you three.”
“Are you saying,” Eric speaking up; “that Frieda is the reason why you attacked me as I got out of Mike Lawson’s car?”
“No,” Benton sighing; “despite our faults, I can’t shoulder this on my daughter.” Looking at Eric and then getting up; “the fault lays with me. Despite the fact you came to my home in a vehicle I wasn’t familiar with, I in my own typical pigheadedness as Frieda likes to put it; I decided to lash out, over some desire to defend and protect what is mine.”
Benton heading to a bookshelf in his study; presses a hidden button, revealing a panic room.
“The second item I want to talk to you about. When my father built this house, he had this installed;” Benton shrugging. “Why I’ll never understand. As weres, no home invader would last more than thirty second before being mauled to death. But my father would just say ‘we need to pretend to be normal for the sake of the world’. Hence the panic room.”
“So why do you still have it around;” Eric asking as he gets up to see Benton enter to room.
Benton flips a light switch to reveal photos of Frieda at various ages adorning the walls; as well as several mementos. One being a pair of bronzed baby shoes, another item framed and noted as ‘Frieda’s art age four. The entire room was filled with objects revolving around Frieda Knight.
“I keep this room to hold what is most precious to me,” Benton looking at a photo of him holding Frieda shortly after she was born; “Frieda means the world to me Eric. Despite our issues, I would do anything for her.”
“Does Frieda know of this,” Eric looking around trying to find the right word.
“Obsession,” Benton finishing the sentence; “I don’t think of this as an obsession, or stalking.” Benton putting down the photo he was looking at; “This is a father doing what he can to remember the good times with his daughter. If Frieda does know of this room, she has never said a word to me about it.”
“Don’t you think Frieda should know,” Eric looking at a photo of his girlfriend blowing out a birthday cake with six candles on it; “perhaps her seeing you keeping all this might help repair the rift between the two of you.”
Benton is silent for the moment before responding; “never thought of that. But getting back to the first issue. I have anger issues; if this is a result of my bipolar disorder; that I can’t answer. I’m due to meet my therapist just after noon tomorrow.” Benton leading Eric out of the makeshift vault and closing it up; "couple my emotional issues with my desire to keep Frieda safe-“
“You can sometimes act like a sow bear protecting her cubs,” Eric answering.
“Not the conclusion to my explanation I was leading to,” Benton looking at the watch he is still wearing despite in his fursona; “but it does fit.” Seeing it’s time to take his medication and then head back outside to check up on the gathering and catering staff, Benton looks at Eric; “I guess we are done talking. I’m sure I don’t need to guide you to Frieda’s room. But try and not stay up too late. It is a school night. Oh and one other thing,” Benton asking; “will your parents be at the courthouse tomorrow for Julie’s arraignment?”
“I don’t know,” Eric thinking; “I could text them, but I might not get an answer until morning.”
“Okay,” Benton thinking; “I’ll see you, Spencer and Frieda in the morning then.” Benton watches Eric quickly leave his study; leaving to take his meds and then head back outside, Benton thinks ‘shit what do I make for breakfast?’