Introducing Benvolio

[keep_the_peace]

Waking up in a strange bedroom, in a strange house, was bad enough, but then when Benvolio finally made his way to the front door he was greeted by snow outside. Summer might be coming to an end, but it definitely is not snow weather yet, nor is Benvolio dressed for such, in his black silk doublet, black and blue trimmed trunk hose, and black stockings. He does have shoes on, thankfully, though he can't imagine how he would have fallen asleep wearing shoes. It's not like he's had much opportunity to celebrate to the point of blacking out lately, after all.

Regardless, he takes one look at the snow outside and decides to shut the door and instead turn his attention to the table covered in different pamphlets and papers. He has many questions.

Comments

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio is, of course, going to attempt to wrestle back, which mostly involves a lot of laughing and ends with him on the floor pinned under Mercutio. He's not as good at fighting, you see.

[bymyheelies]

Perhaps he was only caught off-guard by Mercutio's quickness in pouncing. He grins, triumphant, and leans down to boop Benvolio's nose; but otherwise makes no move to get up. "O, I have missed thee."

[keep_the_peace]

His heart is pounding, and he's pretty sure he's blushing, but it's clearly just adrenaline from their wrestling. That's what he can claim, anyway, should he need to for any reason. "I have missed thee too," he says, quietly and oddly serious for how much they were just goofing off. "Losing thee and Romeo in such short order has been... intolerable."

[bymyheelies]

It's a good thing Mercutio is still on top of him, because now is the time for another hug.

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio wraps his arms around Mercutio's back, returning the hug, and sort of burying his face into Mercutio's shoulder as best he can. It's kind of a struggle, they are still lying on the floor after all, but it's close enough.

[wickedwit]

"Mercutio!" There's a brisk clap of hands that usually signals the arrival of Claudius with a newly-hatched hypothesis or chemical formula to test. He stops at the door, however, before launching into let's walk and talk, and leans against the doorframe with a spreading smile. "Why, what a surprise. I didn't know you had company."

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio is very tempted to bite Benvolio’s ear, just for the fun of it; but the sudden arrival of Claudius thankfully (?) distracts him, and he clears his throat, disentangling himself.

“My lord!” He brightens a little, and nods towards Benvolio. “‘Tis Benvolio, newly come from Verona.” Clearly what they were doing is—greeting each other. Somehow.

[keep_the_peace]

“Newly come from Verona, where it was summer,” he says with a grin as he hops up to his feet to properly greet the newcomer. “All the same, ‘tis a pleasure to meet you I am sure, if you are a friend of Mercutio’s.” And judging by Mercutio’s whole demeanor he’s pretty positive that’s the case.

[wickedwit]

"Ah, Verona in the summer. Beautiful, if you can bear the heat ..." There's a bright and wicked glint in Claudius's eyes, as he smiles at Mercutio. "If nothing else, a mansion in the winter must be more comfortable for reunions such as these. Don't let me interrupt. I've been a young man caught reuniting with a friend before -- I'll give you your space."

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio scoffs and turns to help Benvolio up, hoping that he is not turning as red as he thinks he is. “I shall bite thee for that,” he tells Claudius, arching an eyebrow. “Go to, thou knowest he is one of my dearest friends.” Maybe he can play this cool. Probably not.

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio is trying (and failing) not to blush at what the newcomer is implying. That is... not what was happening, clearly, they were just goofing off as friends, because as Mercutio just stated with his own words, they are friends. He can't figure out what to say that isn't going to sound ...foolish, and not in a purposeful sort of foolishness, so he stays quiet and lets Mercutio handle this.

[wickedwit]

"Bite me! Do you hear this?" he asks Benvolio with an affronted expression, hand to his chest. "A menace to good society. Not if I bite thee first," he tells Mercutio.

[bymyheelies]

He gives Claudius a flirtatious wink in answer. “A challenge! Dost mean it?” But then he glances to the side, and —right. He hasn’t even finished introductions yet; has he?

“Benvolio, this is Prince Claudius of Denmark. He has been here some time; and teaches alchemy to those who are willing.”

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio gives a little bow - enough to be polite, as this is a prince apparently, but not too much. Mercutio's talking about biting him, so he clearly isn't someone Benvolio has to worry about being overly proper around, or anything. "Mercutio told me you would know when the --" what was it called? "refrigerator is from."

[wickedwit]

"Oh, I've no idea," Claudius answers blithely and readily. "They're a must for marital happiness, or so the magazines tell me, but I've never had to convince my husband to buy me one when they're so abundant already. I do know every generation is better than the last. You do not want to be stuck with a Frigidaire '35 when the Frigidaire '37 is on the market."

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio nods as though that means something to him. It doesn't, of course, but he is ready and willing to entertain any sort of nonsense at the moment; it's a wonder how much your mood improves when your best friend shows up out of nowhere.

"I should hope thou'rt happy," he adds, laughing. "Art still a newlywed, or near enough."

[keep_the_peace]

Wait wait wait, hold on a second. "Husband?" Benvolio asks, staring helplessly at Mercutio for clarification.

[wickedwit]

"Yes, my dear and beloved husband Galahad," Claudius says, clarifying what may be a slightly different point. He puts his hand not-too-inelegantly down his blouse and fetches out an opal inlay locket, snapping it open to show off the inside. "This is his portrait miniature. Is it not cunningly done? He drew it himself, at my request ... you see, I've a preference for opals, but I teased him once that his face was dearer to me than any jewel imaginable. Newlywed talk. A man shouldn't be so handsome, devoted, and talented all at once, and yet he is, and he's mine."

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio nods, shrugging a little. "Ay. 'Tis -- quite common, here, there are some few married couples. All of them are men, or ...shaped like them, anyhow. I knew not what to make of it as well."

[keep_the_peace]

"I... see..." Does he though???? Good question. "And -- 'tis not... looked down upon? Nor against any law?" He does sound almost hopeful as he asks that.

[wickedwit]

"The mixed-sex couples are less eager to marry because it's what's expected of them. That's my theory. There's no particular law here, so we can do as we like, and what people like depends on --" An airy wave of the hand. "Oh, so many things. Anyway, I was inviting you to compliment my husband -- that was the subtext. It can be on his looks, his thoughtfulness, or his artistic skill, but you do have to say something."

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio rolls his eyes fondly. “Yes, thy husband is an excellent artist, thou knowest. Art satisfied now?” His words are light; but it’s to hide the fact that his traitorous stomach did a slight leap at the hope in Benvolio’s voice. Surely it means nothing.

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio is still a little too full of emotions he isn’t quite sure how to process, so his response to Claudius is, “Aye, he seems a most accomplished and handsome man,” and then he immediately wants to be anywhere but here because what kind of response is that????

[wickedwit]

"Now this is a man of taste," Claudius says. "Mercutio, thou hast not told me enough of thy charming young friend. Let's get to know each other better." Claudius abandons any intention of leaving and leaving the boys to their wrestling.

[bymyheelies]

“Tush, I have told thee plenty.” He has, actually; but they were both quite drunk at the time, so it is understandable that neither of them remember much about it. “And as he is here now, ask him thyself.”