Nothing but a gloomy theme, by acaramelmacchiato (G)

[carmarthen.livejournal.com]

Fandom: RÓMEÓ ÉS JÚLIA
Characters: Mercutio, Tybalt
Length: 700 words
Author on Tumblr: bro-stoevsky
Author Website: fic on AO3
Why this must be read: Prompt is: "Mercutio meets Tybalt in a bar during Carnival" -- and literally that is it plus a bewildered bartender trying not to get knifed.

What makes Mercutio Mercutio in any version of Romeo and Juliet is his biting, sometimes bitter wit. Although this story is short (as are many of the stories in this tiny fandom, we're not big on epics just yet), acaramelmacchiato packs an incredible number of layers into the simple scenario of two enemies encountering each other in a bar.

The language is gorgeous and clever, the verbal sparring enormously fun, and the deeper hints at the relationship between the characters intriguing. The ambiguity of the setting--is it historical? modern? space Verona? echoes the ambiguity of the show's production design. If you're only familiar with the original Shakespeare play, you may still enjoy this one.

Mercutio acknowledges him with a lift of his eyebrows, and speaks to the bartender: “My friend,” he says, his tone friendly and expansive enough to include the three of them. “Please bring my lord Tybalt a death’s head, upside down so it serves as a cup, and fill it with,” he squints to look at Tybalt very briefly, “well, either the blood of a virgin or something like Soave,” he concludes: “Whatever is convenient.”

The bartender stares at him, unsure of what to do. After a moment he reaches for a clean glass, and Mercutio shakes his head and holds up a finger.

“Death’s head! If you please. Or god help us we’ll never get him to drink it.”

Nothing but a gloomy theme

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