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]

He just stares, waiting on an explanation for that last bit there.

[bymyheelies]

"Thou hast already seen one, in fact. The gentleman that was with me when you arrived? That is Bacchus."

[keep_the_peace]

It honestly takes him a while to remember that there was even someone with Mercutio at first, considering being face to face with Mercutio pushed pretty much everything else out of mind. But that's right, there was a gentleman there. "Meanest thou actual Bacchus?" It's not really any harder to believe than being in a faerie world, or his friend being back from the dead.

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, I do. Apollo is here as well -- likely inside, he does not like the cold."

[keep_the_peace]

"Thou'rt being serious?" Of course he is, this is Mercutio's Telling The Truth face, and not his Making Up Bullshit face. "Thou hast not yet been turned into a flower or tree?" He grabs Mercutio's arm and starts making a show of inspecting it for leaves or whatever.

[bymyheelies]

He snorts and bats at Benvolio's hand. "Nay. He is -- pleasing to look at, ay, and kind enough --but mainly we speak on poetry and archery."

[keep_the_peace]

"No, no," he says, matter-of-fact as he grabs for Mercutio's arm again. "I believe I see thy leaves beginning to sprout! Right here--" Benvolio lifts up Mercutio's arm and quickly pinches at the side of his abdomen.

[bymyheelies]

"Ah -- knave, go to!" --He's going to attempt to tackle Benvolio and wrestle with him.

[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.