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]

The remnants of his smile fade. "Aye, it has been the longest two months of my life, without thee or Romeo."

[bymyheelies]

"It hath been a year for me," he says quietly, and hops down from his perch to give Benvolio another brief hug. He doesn't quite deposit himself on his lap, he is too sober for that; but he's definitely considering it.

[keep_the_peace]

“A year?” he asks, not really sure how that works out. Does time move differently if you’re dead? “Thou hast been here a whole year?”

[bymyheelies]

“Ay, I arrived in the middle of last winter. The seasons are odd here; much like everything else.”

[keep_the_peace]

"Odd in that they do not line up properly, or odd in yet some other way?" He sips his Pepper PhD.

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, there is that, but there are extra months, and the seasons are longer. 'Tis a different world entire."

[keep_the_peace]

"I suppose it foolish of me to assume this world would match ours."

[bymyheelies]

"Not foolish, I was as confused as thee when I arrived."

[keep_the_peace]

“So what hast thou been up to this whole year? Aside from learning to cook,” he says, gesturing to the sandwich which was definitely more assembled than cooked, but whatever.

[bymyheelies]

He waves a hand. “Many things. There is a gentleman here that is teaching me alchemy, there are many people to train at fencing with; most anything one can think of. I hath even met a god or two.”

[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.