open: the very pin of his heart cleft with the blind bow boy's butt shaft

[bymyheelies]

For those that care to spend time with Mercutio; they may note that today he is conspicuously hard to find. He is still reeling from the recent news of Romeo's fate at the end of their story, and not entirely sure how to proceed with it. Ideally, at home, he would find some way to take his mind off of pressing matters: spend time with his friends (friend, now, singular) or find someone entertaining to harass about the town and make merry. If he was in a particularly snappish mood he would invariably end up picking a fight with Capulets, one in particular.

That is not the case today. Someone attuned to the general sounds of the mansion might hear a steady sort of thunking noise coming from an out-of-the-way bar. It is there that Mercutio can be found, various bottles of alcohol open at his side. He has clearly been there some time by the looks of it, and is currently engrossed in throwing a small selection of daggers at the wall. Despite his intoxication, he is doing a reasonably good job at it; but judging from the stormy look on his face, he does not entirely wish to be bothered.

Comments

[bymyheelies]

He takes a few bites of his pancakes and makes a small pleased noise. "Does she herd anything here? I have not seen sheep or cows or anything of that like."

[sagramore]

"Sanyi-- Aleksander has been making them for her out of shadows."

[bymyheelies]

There's a slight smile. "That is kind of him."

[sagramore]

"He's a kind man."

[bymyheelies]

“He is,” Mercutio agrees, taking another few bites of pancakes. “Also incredibly handsome.”

[sagramore]

"He is, but thou shouldst notice less of that."

[bymyheelies]

He shrugs. "Can a man not notice when a person pleases them?"

[sagramore]

"A man may notice whatever he likes," with a significant lift of his brows.

[wickedwit]

A rather mature response, in Claudius's opinion. Older men that Mercutio (named Shen Yuan) would sputter and deny their affections for much longer. It makes him rather proud, an inexplicable but fond feeling. "I'm often right. Now," he says briskly, "what canst thou tell me about chemical reactions?"

[bymyheelies]

He has known for some time now that he prefers --anyone, really, but Tybalt was always the most fun to tease, aside from Benvolio. It was terribly easy to get under his skin and attract some notice. "Oh --" he says, kicking his heels as he thinks. "They signify that one thing has changed to another, is 't so?"

[bymyheelies]

"Then may I not do the same?"

[sagramore]

"Sweet-- thou art young. Thou shouldst look to thy fellows. Don't give thy time to old men who can hardly remember what it's like it to feel things as thou dost."

[bymyheelies]

"He is not so old." Well, at least he doesn't look it. Mercutio takes a few more bites of his pancakes, frowning. "The young ladies are fine enough, I suppose, but none hath overly charmed me yet. 'Tis all a fancy, anyhow." He does not intend on getting involved in anything close to a relationship if he can manage it. He has seen how those end, and it's never good, in his experience.

[sagramore]

"Thou hast time. Thou needst not set thy heart on any one yet, man or woman or otherwise."

[bymyheelies]

He makes a dismissive noise and continues with cutting up his pancakes. "I do not plan to."

[sagramore]

"And know that anyone twice thine age who'd have thee isn't someone thou shouldst have."

[bymyheelies]

He raises his eyebrows. “I can look out for myself.” He does appreciate it, somewhere deep inside; but he’s never going to admit it.

[sagramore]

"Of course thou canst." Have another glass of water, Mercutio.

[wickedwit]

"E'en so," Claudius says, in an approving tone. It's the tone of recognizing an apt pupil, or praising an attentive lover. "The basis of transmutation, with which alchemy is concerned. Thou see'st it in the twelve processes, in the four stages of a Magnum Opus, through which substances are changed from one form to another. But none of the change's energy can be created nor destroyed. It's often released in steam, in heat, in light. These are chemical reactions. I'm going to show you a chemical reaction, and then I'd like you to reproduce it."

[bymyheelies]

He grins a little, though there is very little mirth in it. "And in mine."

[futaille]

"A fine nature to have, truly."

[bymyheelies]

"Oh, I think I am here, as well. But not so if I were to go home."

[tallyyoungblood]

"Well. Good thing you're trapped, then."

[bymyheelies]

He shrugs, short and sharp. "Do as you like."

[bymyheelies]

Of course. That’s why he chose it as his current occupation other than drinking. “Ay, alright.” He gives Constance a nod, and a little wave of his hand. “Ladies first.”