Greyson Benford
He/Him
25 years old
Typical
103 kg
Personality
Quiet, workhorse, distant, and withdrawn, these are a few of the traits to describe the rather plain man that is Greyson. Deep down he's a soft hearted giant, bookworm, and driven to do well for himself and others. Prone to fits of introspective balanced by a natural stubborn-optimistic mindset, these have gotten him to the point he is at in his current state. Followed up by a predisposition to do good given to him by his dad and the choices he has made in life over the past few years guides Greyson to a certain extent, balanced by a logical state of mind... most of the time. To the outside observer he is guarded, and yet his eyes hold warmth to them yet as they study surroundings... and give away his intent. His actions are the way he has always preferred to speak, but when he does talk it is just enough most of the time, or, too much if he's comfortable. When it comes to being in any form of conflict he tries to de-escalate, though if there is no other choice or it is what needs to happen in the first place he will act accordingly yet... reluctantly if not motivated correctly. Take for example a friend getting in to a bar fight, if the friend is the instigator he will mediate or drag the friend out. If another party instigates and chooses violence he will still try to drag his friend out unless attacked, then fights back while still trying to leave.
Appearance
A pale giant of a Caucasian man at 6'5, lean, broad shouldered. His close cut brown hair and average eyebrows suit his rounded modest face, with warm, hopeful, and kind green eyes looking out keenly at the world providing some contrast to his perpetually on guard look. He speaks with a subtle South Eastern Pennsylvania accent with a strong dialect, for instance saying water as 'whuter' or fire as 'fy-er', with his rumbling deep voice bearing a neutral-leaning-towards-positive tone. His body language is subtle, though when one becomes familiar with him it speaks volumes.
Notable Skills
Greyson is capable of servicing weapons, small arms, and some limited ability to work on larger machinery. Some electrical and mechanical skill exists as given his chosen career he had to learn how to maintain as well as utilize shipboard weapons. Added to this he was taught to cook, fish, forage, and hunt growing up, but not particularly well. Enough to get by but not enough to impress others, as he seems to prefer it.
Background
Born on March 7th, 1976 to Garland Raymond Benford Sr. and Abigale May Benford in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Greyson was the third son to an aging Korean War veteran, and first child to his mom, he would be followed up by a little sister, Maeve, as the final child of the family. Growing up with his dad, two older half brothers, and little sister Greyson led a somewhat different life than most others of his time. His father, ran a gunsmithing business after the war, inherited from his own father. From refurbishing, maintaining, or customizing firearms for customers, to making replicas for the local reenacting community. All the way to acting as a small importer Benford Gunsmiths did it. It was within the walls of this shop the Benford siblings would grow in, as well as the town around it... to an extent. This town was home, surely, yet circumstance would rear it's head in the worst ways good and bad.
When Greyson was 5 years old he would visit Braddock Island, New York for the first time in August of '81 with his mom, dad, and sister. Unbeknownst to the children this was the final trip they would go on with their ailing mom. It would only be a little later that year she would pass in October, to which Maeve took the loss as well as a young child would. Greyson on the other hand managed to find some understanding in the loss, greatly aided by his maternal uncle and his own dad. Reading became his favorite way to cope outside of the support lent to him, which had put his mind at ease with distractions and eventually lessons to grow from he would take to heart. It would take time for the understanding to come along fully, and would grow in it's aspects with age as Grey matured. Each summer after Grey and Maeve, along with their dad, would come to visit the island to 'visit' their mom and extended family on the island. Given his sister's and friends' antics he would prove this learned understanding by trying to cover for them when hijinks ensued, or, helping locals they bothered. Added to this the visits to Knox County, Kentucky began when Grey was 9 to visit his older brothers in July, though he greatly preferred Braddock Island, looking forward to it each year. This happened every summer, a cycle of visiting two sides of the family, venturing out, meeting others, dealing with antics, and doing what he could... just like home in some ways.
In his day to day life of the shop and school back home Greyson found his passion for the trade his father had, but he had not found the purpose to it. Those visits to Braddock Island, and to a lesser extent Kentucky to see his older brothers in July, made the young man start to yearn for something. With alright grades and a small social life he felt there was not much he could go and do, trapped in this town he cared for despite what was on his mind. Understanding was a double edged sword as he came to accept his 'fate'. It was not until his dad opened up with tales of seeing the world in the Air Force, further stories from customers of the shop, friends, and the lives of others led had weighed on his mind as he grew older that this yearning became more apparent. Even then he always felt stuck, to stay by his dad and support him in his later years like his brothers hadn't, or his little sister couldn't to his mind in her ever rebellious 'phase'. That sentiment would die with another tragedy in the family occurring in July of '93 when he was 17. Returning from dinner one mid-July night saw a drunk driver hit their car Grey, Maeve, their brothers, and dad were in. The brothers did not make it through to the morning. Trying to carry on as he was one to do was futile for him as he visited Braddock Island after the loss, absolutely distraught. While Maeve shaped up... it took a little more to mend the damage for Greyson. To find some more purpose with the passion he held, the yearning to explore and find a calling. On that last visit things clicked in to place. A drive finally revealed itself in full.
Inspired from a variety of sources in his life culminating after the latest loss, and a need to go see the world, Greyson did the most reasonable thing someone could with his skillset. He joined the US Navy on a four year contract. Here he shaped up into a more or less balanced, orderly young man from formerly his too quiet and watchful nature. The people he met while going through training, then his posting to a destroyer in the Atlantic as a Fire Controlman, helped him come out of his partially open shell. A sense of community bloomed that Greyson had longed for was finally around him. He re-enlisted on another contract come 1998, continuing on with his duties on another similar ship. By the time February 2000 came about he was on shore leave in New York City, taking the ferry out to Braddock Island to see his little sister after a few years of writing letters. Here life would take a twisting turn, a tumultuous journey ahead... a new world to grow in to what he needs to be.
