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]

So this is an afterlife, and Benvolio's death is merely delayed, because he's probably not going to survive this conversation! "It seems there's any number of dark-haired athletes here. Joyful news indeed for connoisseurs of dark haired athletes."

[wickedwit]

"Such as thyself."

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio considers something for a moment. "Would red hair be considered dark? I know not. I do not think he hath met Gideon yet, either."

[keep_the_peace]

"Nay, I believe red hair is generally considered fair, is it not? Must be one of the fair-haired athletes not previously considered worth considering."

[wickedwit]

Claudius clucks his tongue. “Why are men so determined to stint themselves? I tried for thee, Mercutio. Thou wilt have to win thine own compliments from Benvolio’s mouth.”

[bymyheelies]

He snorts. "O, ay? Would that Romeo were here--" he says teasingly, with a wink to Benvolio. "I have heard him compliment a lady so a courtier would blush."

[keep_the_peace]

"I wish he were here, alive again just as thou art," Benvolio says, unable to keep the sadness out of his voice, making this painful conversation even worse.

[wickedwit]

Claudius sighs. This is why he shouldn't abandon conversational responsibility -- try to start a light-hearted banter about a boy's taste in other boys, and someone will veer so hard from the subject they end up bringing up dead friends. Easy to do, Claudius thinks, when you're one of those dead friends yourself. "Perhaps in time he will be. You learn never to rule out a possibility, in a place like this."

[bymyheelies]

"Ay!" Mercutio says, more than a little guilty now. "I am sorry for bringing him up, I had -- ah. Forgotten."

[keep_the_peace]

"'Tis fine," he says quietly, wrapping an arm around Mercutio's waist and resting his head on his shoulder. "Thou wert not around for that."

[wickedwit]

‘Reading the room’ is depressing. It makes Claudius feel dreadfully old, and shut out of conversation for factors outside his control. “Thou needst time to catch up,” he says, quite reasonably. “Time I was about to hand thee, Mercutio, ‘til thou badest me stay and question thy friend.”

[bymyheelies]

"And now thou wouldst shame me for introducing mine own Benvolio to thee," he replies, playfully overdramatic --because why not, it's a fine enough distraction. "I only wanted him to know my alchemy teacher."

[keep_the_peace]

"I should like to learn alchemy, if you are willing to entertain another student sometime," he says. Mostly he would like to learn alchemy because then he gets to spend more time with Mercutio, but they're friends, that's normal. It's normal to want to spend time with your friends. Though -- damn, what if this Claudius just keeps making comments insinuating Benvolio has feelings for Mercutio while they're trying to learn alchemy? He should have kept his mouth shut.

[wickedwit]

"Thou wouldst be quite welcome," Claudius says with a smile. There's a joke about chemistry he could make, but he'll wait until Benvolio has the proper educational grounding to appreciate it. "'Twas a pleasure to meet thee, Signor Benvolio. I'll be in touch."

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, I am sure thou wilt," Mercutio replies, still somewhat flippant. "Must needs only look for me and you shall find him, I warrant."

[keep_the_peace]

"Ay," he says. He doesn't plan on letting Mercutio out of his sight for very long, now that he's alive again. "'Twas a pleasure to meet you as well." Now please leave him alone so he can talk to his friend in peace!

[wickedwit]

Claudius turns, and rolls his eyes once his back's to them. "Fare thee well!" And he's gone.

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio is, quite promptly, going to flop against Benvolio. "That was my lord Claudius."

[keep_the_peace]

"I hope I did not make too big a fool of myself..." He means in reference to the whole 'husband' thing.

[bymyheelies]

"Nay, I am sure he has seen stranger things than thee, my Ben."

[keep_the_peace]

"Thou knowest what I meant. I never considered such a thing might be possible."

[bymyheelies]

“Nor did I. There is much still to learn, even for me.”

[keep_the_peace]

"I am ...happy to hear of it..."

[bymyheelies]

“…Dost not sound it. Art well?”

[keep_the_peace]

He blinks, and shakes his head. “Sorry, I am happy, truly. Happier than I have been in some months’ time.” Specifically since Mercutio died. “There is simply much to consider. Everything is so different here. But thou’rt here, and to find out I will not be expected to seek the affections of some lady for marriage doth make me very happy indeed.” And those two things are completely unrelated to one another, for sure. Absolutely. Two equally true, unrelated statements.