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]

"We could get her opinion on the matter," he says before turning to Szari and asking, "Would a crown of vines suffice, dear one?"

[sagramore]

Szarka, at being Addressed, lifts her head, her tail thumping against the floor. "Oh!," Sagramore says. "Did I introduce her? This is Szarka." He fishes through in his pocket for a squashed bit of her favorite dried liver. "Here, have her do a trick for you, and you can give her this."

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio takes the bit of liver and asks Sagramore, “Can she do a twirl?”

[sagramore]

"Why don't you find out?" he says, in a tone that makes it absolutely clear she can.

[keep_the_peace]

He grins, then says, "Canst thou twirl?" to Szarka while moving the treat in a circular motion above the dog's head.

[sagramore]

Szarka knows Spin! And Benvolio's hand gesture is illustrative enough. She shuffles around in an agile circle, then looks expectantly up, tail wagging.

[keep_the_peace]

Well that’s the cutest thing Benvolio has seen in a while. “What a clever lady thou art, dear Szarka!” he says to her, handing over the treat.

[sagramore]

She gobbles it down ecstatically, licking his fingers to make sure she hasn't missed anything, and Sagramore laughs. "My fast daughter! Well done."

[keep_the_peace]

"'Tis gone, good lady! 'Tis gone!" he says with a laugh, holding his hands open so Szarka can see there's no food left in them.

[sagramore]

Just In Case, Szarka sits at his feet to keep an eye on him for the rest of their conversation.

"So as you can see, she's the queen here," Sagramore remarks.

[keep_the_peace]

“Oh yes, clearly!” he says to Sagramore, then bows before Szarka. “Forgive me, your majesty, for not recognizing such sooner.”

[sagramore]

As Benvolio's face comes within reach, Szarka hops up and licks it, which earns her a stern, "Szari"; she backs away guiltily as Sagramore scolds, "Would Lan Wangji be proud of thee if thou greeted Wei Wuxian so?"

[keep_the_peace]

"Truly I do not mind it," he says, grinning. "A kiss from the queen of this place is surely a good thing, is it not?"

[sagramore]

Sagramore flashes him a smile. "You don't mind it, but another might. She knows she's supposed to mind her manners unless someone gets down on the floor with her." On the floor is, of course, the Sunny Loophole.

[keep_the_peace]

"Is that so?" In that case, he lies down on the floor. "Have you other dogs, or just her majesty the queen?"

[sagramore]

Szarka immediately flops down, paws on his chest, and begins licking his face enthusiastically.

"Just the one so far. And my lover Asmodean has another."

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio starts petting Szarka as she's licking him. "And what-- what -- oh yes your majesty I know -- what doth her dog look like?" he asks, because he's newly arrived enough to assume that whoever this Asmodean is must be a woman, if Sagramore is openly referring to 'her' as his lover.

[sagramore]

"Oh! His dog is a perfect little cloud-- that's his name, Dhakdi, it means cloud. The smallest full-grown dog I've ever seen in my life. No manners at all."

[keep_the_peace]

His dog. His. Right. "He! Many apologies, I am not yet used to ...how things are here, and that men may ...care for one another in that way." If it looks like he's blushing you're clearly imagining it.

[sagramore]

Sagramore softens. "Yes, things are easier here. There's no need to be anyone but who you are, or love any way but how you love. There's freedom."

[keep_the_peace]

"It seems... near too good to be true."

[sagramore]

A laugh, in spite of himself. "Aye, I know. Well, the trick of it is there's no leaving. The freedom is all in the customs."

[keep_the_peace]

“That bothers me not. I would rather be here than in Verona.”

[sagramore]

"You're not the only one. --Wait, Verona? Are you one of Mercutio's friends? --or I suppose enemies--"

[keep_the_peace]

Benvolio perks up. "Mercutio is one of my dearest friends. I am ...much relieved, to have found him alive and well here."