awkward!teenage!speculation!

[thanitohercules]

They're teenagers in the court of Denmark, young men who are boys more than men-- boys who are perhaps thirteen and fourteen. We'll say that Hamlet, the crown prince, is fourteen, though he's still a child who teases courtiers, who runs through the fields and jumps into streams, who is curious about girls but a little afraid of them too

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[truant_horatio]

*Horatio, on the other hand, is a shy and quiet thirteen. he's the child who hides in the library, in his room; of whom the adults are the fond but the children are disdainful; and if he's in a position to bump into Hamlet, it's probably while sneaking outside to dip his toes in the stream and read his favourite book. if he's ever ridden a day in his life, it was unwillingly and with difficulty, and he's afraid of big dogs*

*upon running into the Crown Prince of Denmark, he flushes pink, lowers his eyes, and bows, probably more damaged than Hamlet if damage of any kind has occurred* Your Grace! My Lord!

[thanitohercules]

*he'll smile, then, unabashed, and he'll glance at Telemachus to make sure he's not going to bother Horatio (perhaps this is the puppy that Hamlet gave Horatio, that Horatio's father returned--)*

*wipes his forehead with the back of his hand, pushing longish hair out of his eyes* Ah, Horatio. *pokes him in the shoulder-- joking, teasing, they're friends, aren't they, and friends tease* You are most pale. *a rakish grin; Hamlet's not quite a tan, for he doesn't tan, but he is an attractive few shades darker than usual*

[truant_horatio]

*(that might well be the case, and it's embarrassing in and of itself--) and he gives Telemachus a very, very nervous look*

P-pale, my Lord? *pinks further, and it's debateable whether it's caused by the comment or the rakish grin*

[thanitohercules]

*(ah, but Hamlet loves the dogand the feeling is mutual) and Telemachus is standing by Hamlet's leg, wagging his tail but not advancing-- though to put Horatio at ease, Hamlet will issue a command:* Sit. *and he does!*

Ay, ay, most pale. Have you no sun this morn? The wind, it is well for walking.