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

[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.

[bymyheelies]

“Ay,” he nods. “And —hast not met her yet, but there are folk here that are …mm. I know not how to describe it; but she is male or female, and no one minds.”

[keep_the_peace]

“What dost thou mean?”

[bymyheelies]

“She is Magnus’….lover? Partner? Her name is Alex. Some days, she is a woman; and dresses as one and is called one. Some days, she is a man, and the same applies. ‘Tis…” He makes a brief face and waves a hand. “Difficult to explain. Mayhap it is because she is a demigod? ‘Tis no …shame, here, for him to go between the both. No one minds. I do think someone else might explain better than I.”

[keep_the_peace]

... "And who is Magnus?" There was a lot in there he doesn't understand, so he's going to go piece by piece.

[bymyheelies]

Mercutio barely understands most of it, it's fine. "Oh -- ah, he is one of those trapped here. He lives in the woods, most often, but sometimes out in the house over the hill. He is ...more or less of an age with us." It's more. But again, it's fine. Magnus is fun to hang out with and that's all that matters.

[keep_the_peace]

"And Magnus, who is of an age with us and lives in the woods," like, in the woods in the woods, or in a house in the woods? He adds that to his mental list of things to clarify, "has a lover, Alex, who is a demigod?"

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, so is Magnus. They are from the same world." This likely sounds relatively insane, but honestly, Benvolio should be used to that.

[keep_the_peace]

So Benvolio thinks about what he knows about mythology, then asks, "So, is it like unto Tiresias?"

[bymyheelies]

He makes a little so-so sort of motion with his hand. "Somewhat? Alex does not change forms. --Also, she is not Greek."

[keep_the_peace]

"And art thou envious of her for the ability to swap back and forth?"

[bymyheelies]

He considers this for a long moment, then nods. “….Somewhat. But that is the thing here: one might do so. ‘Tis strange, ay, as many things are here; but also much better than other places.”

[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."