502, Tuesday Evening

[withoutverona]

As a rule, Romeo did not notice dates, days, the endless passage of time. He knew Yurika's birthday because it was the Ides of March, his own because it was his, and registered his class and work schedule well enough to show up, mostly more or less on time.

He knew, though, that it had been the middle of July, a year before, when he met and wed Juliet, and it was mid-July again. Another hot day, too, although it found him in a city not his own, on the shores of a stranger sea.

Pondering all of this, he pulled out his long-neglected journal and picked up a pen. He wasn't sure what to write, only that he needed to.

[OOC: Door closed but knockable, and of course open to Teyla. Phone call thread is first chronologically. And, because I am a geek -- intersecting Juliet's canon birthday with Romeo's FH timeframe dictates he met her July 15, 2007. His wedding anniversary would be July 16, she died (and he attempted suicide) July 19. My Shakespearean will be emo this week even by his standards.]

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[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

Verona Beach may have been thousands of miles divided from Fandom, but it too was subject to the passage of time, and at least one in the city sensed that this week was of some import to one exiled from its walls.

Romeo's phone rang, the sound itself no portent of ill will.

[withoutverona]

His phone was ringing, which at the moment portended no more than that Romeo needed to put down his pen and fumble for his phone.

He glanced at the caller ID long enough to register it was his cousin. "Good e'en, Benvolio, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

"God gi' good e'en, fair coz, I pray I do not find thee too late," replied Benvolio. "I feared to rouse thee from thy bed, though from slumber or fairer pursuits."

As conversations started it was a feint, as much greeting as essaying to learn Romeo's disposition.

[withoutverona]

"Neither from slumber nor from any fairer pursuit didst thou rouse me, coz," Romeo said, falling into the old rhythm. "A conversation with thee is far an improvement on mine own devices, and pleased I am to hear your voice."

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

A faint chuckle carried over the line before Benvolio spoke again.

"Wouldst thou purloin such pleasure from me? If so, be content with such success and tell me instead: does this mid-summer evening find thee well?"

[withoutverona]

Romeo hesitated before letting his guard down. This was, after all, the man who knew him better and longer than any other living.

"It finds me well enough," he said, "as I would hope it finds you, my father, and fair Rosaline."

"Though perhaps not quite so well as a similar night, some twelvemonths' time ago."

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

"Well as any may hope," answered Benvolio, "though more I fear to say, for 'twould not be wise to tempt the fickleness of fortune."

As well Romeo knew -- this left unsaid, lest civil speech turn cutting.

"To say such gloomy thought had darkened not my mind would turn me perjurer, and that would become me ill, fair coz," he added, gentler now. "And as it my dear hope that thou wish'st not upon me a guise so unbecoming, I must needs ask: art thou truly well?"

[withoutverona]

"Alas, fortune, who may bestow a mound of gold upon a man one day to snatch it away the next," Romeo agreed. "'Tis best not to tempt her by boasting of her gifts, though I do hope thee will pass along my wishes for their continued happiness."

The number of words it took him to say that gave him time to consider his answer to the other question. "In truth, gentle coz, I know not. All is well -- school, Yurika, my work -- yet my thoughts turn to last July. It fills me with amazement that I am here, when so many are gone."

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

"Amazement perhaps, but on my own part gratitude," answered Benvolio evenly. "We would be poorer by far for your loss, and 'tis keenly felt even from such a length."

A moment, silence weighed down by lingering guilt, and he ventured, "Her loss is mourned as well; I would not have you think't otherwise. But glad I am of your continued health."

The implication was again left unspoken, though it was clear.

[withoutverona]

Romeo could take a hint, and he knew the question his cousin was asking by not asking.

"Continuing, Benvolio," he stressed. "I am safe from all harm from any source, I swear to't."

He pushed his hair back with one hand. "We might have a child, you know, in some other world." Which was as close as he'd ever come to telling Benvolio about Seraphina.

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

Though Romeo couldn't see it, Benvolio's seat had become somewhat uncomfortable, and he shifted in it slightly.

"This talk of other worlds reaches too far into th'ether for me, good Romeo, and I would be content to know thou art well and happy in the present sphere. It eases my mind to know thee safe."

[withoutverona]

Romeo always had lost Benvolio when his flights of fancy took him too far afield, and he sighed just slightly.

"More than safe in this sphere," he stressed. "Well, happy in both senses, and if I am pushed a bit off my path by sad memories at this time of year, I hope to regain my footing soon enough. But I thank thee for thine concern."

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

"Then I am pleased to hear these tidings," decided Benvolio, "and would sooner trust to thy orienteering than many a seaman."

An exaggeration, perhaps, but his intentions were good.

"My best to thy Yurika, coz; thy father will be glad to hear these tidings."

[withoutverona]

"Ah, cuz, put too much trust in me and we'd both be wrecked on some distant shore," Romeo half-laughed. "But all my best to my father, too, and to your bride and to all who ask after me."

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

"A message it pleases me well to courier," Benvolio assured him. "But anon, 'tis late, and perhaps 'twere best that I leave thee to the whims of thy own devices."

[withoutverona]

"Tis late indeed," Romeo agreed, "for thee as well. Sleep well, Benvolio, and I shall be in contact soon rather than late."

[time-flyer-5.livejournal.com]

"Soon rather than late indeed," said Benvolio just before he hung up, "and may sleep find thee pleasant company this night."

[[*facepalm*]]