Benjamin Dobinbough - Blog Posts

To Dr. Harebrayne,

Your transportation device thingy is impressive and all, but the real important question is:

can it run DOOM?

To zhorrot,

I don't know what you mean by this question, but I have been informed that Barok feels an immense sense of doom whenever he hears loud noises as I reconstruct my machine!

Despite the fact that I have quite expert help in the form of Enoch, Sherlock, and Iris, no science is without its own flaws, and bumps, scrapes, and minor blowings-up are rather common.

Thank you for your question! Albert Harebrayne

To Albert: What compelled you to visit Enoch Drebber at prison after all that has happened between you too? What are your feelings regarding him?

Dear anon,

That is quite a difficult question, if I am being perfectly honest. I felt as though I could not move forwards with my life if I did not discuss with him what happened.

He was a large part of my life for a great many months. I thought the two of us were friends, that we could continue to be friends, and I sympathized with his plight. While I hate that he did what he did, that cannot be changed. All I know is that the two of us were a fantastic team.

Furthermore, he is a very smart person, and I needed advice in some social scenarios I found myself in. I am hopeless when it comes to such things, but Enoch seems to find a way to the center of every problem. I have been coming back regularly... it seems he simply wanted someone to listen to him, and I have endless time to do so!

With care, Albert Harebrayne

To Albert and Barok let’s just say you two had twins a boy and a girl what would you name the kids?

What a delightfully difficult question, anon!

As may not surprise you, I haven't put much thought into having children. I hope I do not need to explain why. That being said, I brought it up with Barok and we both have some things of note about names. I personally believe that twins should have names beginning with the same letters, and he truly enjoys the idea of naming children after plants.

I suggested Henry or Henrietta, and perhaps Harold. Maybe Harry. He thought that perhaps we could go with Heather and Hyacinth. I don't believe I can narrow it down from that list without any help! I have a hard enough time making other, even less important decisions.

What a thought, though. I love it! Albert Harebrayne

benjamin if barok van zieks were a worm would you still like him

Dearest Ribbonroad,

I am already quite fascinated by Barok in his human form, I would be only more interested if he suddenly became a worm! I would have to examine how different he is as a worm, what it was that turned him into one (a woodland faerie, perhaps?), what his favorite foods would be, how he reacts to rain.

I love him quite a lot, and I would still very much love him in any other form! Especially if that form was a worm.

With love, Benjamin Dobinbough

Hi!!!

Albert what is the nicest thing Barok van Zieks has done for you?

Hello, anon!!

Having been asked this question twice in such few days, I have been reflecting on the relationship between the two of us. All my life, I have never had a friend like him. He understands me in a way that no one else does. And, I know that he does not judge me for who I am, how I act, and, most importantly, how I feel.

And so, it is with this knowledge that I brought up my particular feelings towards him the other night. The two of us were laying in comfortable silence in the morning, as we often do, when I expressed the depth of my affection towards him, how much he means to me.

I can now say with confidence that the nicest thing Barok has ever done for me is to return my affections, and enter into this exciting new part of my life. I cannot wait to see where our experiment goes from here.

With a heart light as a feather, Albert Harebrayne

Benjamin, what is the nicest thing barok has ever done for you?

Dearest Anon,

I must admit, it's rather hard to figure out an answer to that question. Not only have we had a lot of happy memories together, I also often have trouble remembering what's happened in recent times. People have joked that I have the memory of an ant... Hah...

I suppose that may be the nicest thing he's ever done. I am a strange man. Everyone who meets me knows that I am rather eccentric. Barok does the simple task of not poking fun at me. He accepts me as I am, and he is my truest friend.

I also appreciate his generous offer to let me live with him, rather than having to pay for lodging now that I have chosen to return to London. I will always be grateful for such things he does for me.

yeahhhh Ben it might be a good decision to talk to Enoch or someone about it

Dear anon,

I fear you may be right. The moment I received this, I made up my mind to go and visit Enoch, not only to discuss his treatment of me, but also simply to... reconnect. Believe it or not, the two of us were friends, in the amount of time that we knew each other.

He and I never talked much about our personal lives, though, and discussing my feelings and life experiences with a man who hurt me so feels... odd. I know he had his reasons, but, even still... Perhaps when I share my thoughts with him, I can share how he made me feel, what he made me go through. It seems as though it could be cathartic.

Thank you! Benjamin Dobinbough

Dear Benjamin, when you say Barok treats you well, what do you mean? He must be unfathomably rich.

Dear uniquartz,

It is hard to overstate how much happier I am with Barok at my side. He provides money for my experiments, takes me on regular walks around London, even brings me to fine dining restaurants with seemingly endless options for food. I can hardly believe how long the menus are. A few weeks ago, he bought me a pet canary, as he knows I adore birds! What a fine man.

He has measured me for new clothing, and I am pleased to announce that I now have some more proper suits. He also bought me new lab coats, goggles, gloves, tools, and various safety gear. He has given me a room of my own wherein I may conduct all of my experiments--even some of the rather explosive ones--provided I keep water within the room to put out any fires I may cause.

He also offered me my own bedroom, but I felt as though that would be imposing too much. I offered to sleep on the couch, but he asked if I would prefer to sleep in his bed instead. I couldn't say no to such an offer... his bed is very comfortable. And on occasion, he wraps an arm around me and pulls me close. I believe it's because he's so cold all the time...

Fondly, Benjamin Dobinbough

Dear Benjamin, I’m glad to hear that Barok is treating you well! I do hope you don’t mind my curiosity, but what do others think of your, uh, friendship with him? All the best, Ivy

Dearest Ivy,

Yes! Barok treats me incredibly well. I could never have imagined living in such luxury, he is the perfect gentleman. As for your question...

I am not entirely understanding why you are talking about our relationship in such a way. Why do you hesitate to call it a friendship? As for what others think of it, well... despite my love for my screwdrivers, it is hard for them to formulate an opinion that is not my own. I rarely speak to anyone else.

You have me worried now. Should I talk to someone? Who should I talk to? What should I say to them? What do I do? Do you think Enoch would know something about this? He seems intelligent...

Concerned, Benjamin Dobinbough

to Benjamin- you sound very fond of Barok. What made you want to get back in contact with him after ten years?

Dear Uniquartz,

You are quite the astute observer! I am rather fond of Barok... The two of us were very close friends in our years at university. He is the closest friend I've ever had! One of the only friends I've ever had...

Oh, my... I can think of only three friends... well, that is to say, three human friends... that I have ever had. That is rather worrying. Perhaps I should get out more. (Not to mention one of those friends tried to ruin my dreams...)

That being said, I had missed him greatly. He invited me to visit him in his home and I could not turn down such an offer. I have struggled with money in the past, and he is helping me to save my pennies. As I said, he is a very, very kind man. I care deeply for him.

Best, Benjamin Dobinbough

Benjamin, how is living with Barok? - 🌹

Dear 🌹,

I love living with Barok! You would not believe the amount of money one saves when he need not pay for housing or food. I have put on a tad bit of weight--something I previously thought impossible, as my food was rather inedible. And yet now I have time! And food! And funding! And though Dr. Drebber may have had a point about my scientific abilities, well... I still enjoy my projects!

I am quite seriously considering visiting him. I do not know how long his sentence will be. There was something comforting about his presence, his designs, the whir of the robotics upon his hand. I do believe the two of us would make quite a formidable scientific pair, if given the chance.

And, Barok takes wonderful care of me! He buys me clothes, gives me allowance, he even allows me to sleep in his bed! What a kind man.

Scientifically, Benjamin Dobinbough

To Albert and/or Barok- Are you fond of desserts? If so, which ones? Signed, Ivy

Dear Ivy,

Can you believe! That there are some people who don't enjoy desserts? Preposterous! What could be more delicious than some sort of sweet treat?!

Since the dawn of humanity we've been searching out fruits for their incredible taste, and now there are some people who, when given the chance, turn down the opportunity to eat such things? Whenever I try to cook something it ends up horribly burnt, tasteless, terrible! And yet! Although Barok has people to cook for him, who do it well, who never burn anything, he turns it down! Cakes and pies, biscuits and jams, all sorts of flavored ices and small candies!

It baffles the mind! It boggles the brain! I must off to go take some desserts now, all this talk has upset me...

Signed, Albert Harebrayne

To the aspiring scientists Albert Harebrayne, what are your thoughts on the phenomenon known as vampires?

Dear ace-chaser,

V-vampires?? A frightening concept indeed!

I've read the novel Dracula and have, of course, heard rumours about my close friend Barok, insinuating he may be one of them. I have had a close eye on his activities for a while--I have been visiting him since the Professor ordeal has finished--and can say that he has not done anything out of the ordinary.

How Romantic a concept, though. A creature who thrives upon death... I shudder to think of it.

Signed, Albert Harebrayne