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]

"Better than anywhere else, because thou'rt here."

[bymyheelies]

"Ah, thou thinkest too much of me. I am nothing so great."

[keep_the_peace]

"Speak not so poorly of thyself," he says with a frown. "Thou art -- my dearest friend, and I have been in much agony these last two months, with thy... absence." You know, the dying and all that.

[bymyheelies]

"I am sorry," he says, with unaccustomed seriousness. "Know thou, I did ...not mean to."

[keep_the_peace]

He absolutely can't hold it back anymore, and wraps his arms around Mercutio, leans his head down on his shoulder, and starts crying.

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio...doesn't quite know what to do here -- how does one console their best friend about their own death, anyway? But even so, he holds tight until Benvolio has settled some, stroking his back tentatively.

[keep_the_peace]

"I am sorry," he says into Mercutio's shoulder once he can speak again, "that I was not able to prevent it--"

[bymyheelies]

"Oh.." His hand stills for a moment, and he tightens his hug on Benvolio again "'Twas not thy fault. 'Twas...pride and foolishness."

[keep_the_peace]

"Not my fault, but the fault of my family, of which I am a part."

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, but...I baited him, knowing I would get a fight."

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio lifts his head from Mercutio's shoulder. "Blame not thyself."

[bymyheelies]

He shrugs slightly. "'Tis not blaming if it is the truth. I wanted to fight him."

[keep_the_peace]

"Couldst not have known what would happen." He tries to shove the memory of Mercutio's face, pale and still, from his mind, and his arms tighten even more around his waist.

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, I suppose not." He had some idea, of course. There was always the chance a duel could turn deadly. Perhaps he didn't care, at the time -- or cared a little too late, in his case.

[keep_the_peace]

"Thou'rt healed now, 'tis all that matters."

[bymyheelies]

"Ay. Ay, that is so."

[keep_the_peace]

"Please... do not do that to me again..."

[bymyheelies]

"I have no plans to, fear not."