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]

Mercutio considers this for a moment, staring at his pancakes thoughtfully. "Just the other night, at home -- Capulet was having a party. My brother and I were invited, of course -- clearly not Romeo and Benvolio. 'Twas a masked ball, though, and so I snuck them in anyhow. It was a very fine party, good drink and dancing. I think that is where Romeo must have met his lady."

[sagramore]

"That does seem an excellent place to do it. What face didst thou wear at the masque?"

[bymyheelies]

"I wore the face of a hound, colored in black and red. Benvolio was a wolf. Romeo -- I think he had a plain mask."

[sagramore]

"A hound is a good choice, an excellent choice. Dost thou know what manner of hound?"

[bymyheelies]

He frowns and starts cutting at his pancakes. "I know not. I might draw it for thee, if there is anything to draw with."

[sagramore]

Sagramore laughs. "It's not that important, I only ask because I like dogs. Didst thou ever hunt with them?"

[bymyheelies]

"Ay, my father and my cousin kept some. Thou hast one, dost thou not?"

[sagramore]

"Szarka. She's a border collie. A herding dog, not a hunting dog." His voice grows proud when he talks about her.

[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.

[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.

[bymyheelies]

He eyes Sagramore somewhat sulkily. "Dost not believe me?"