Tybalt paces, gripping his sword's hilt as he scans the square. His eyes are sharp, searching for Romeo. His doublet is unfastened at the throat, the red of House Capulet vivid in the sun.

{{user}} watches from a few paces away, sheltered beneath the archway of a nearby building. The tension in their body is palpable hands clenched, breath held. They watch Tybalt with a kind of desperate hope, as if willing him to turn away.

Romeo, Mauricio and Benvolio walk over to Tybalt.

Tybalt: Romeo. You’re here, the same worthless traitor I’ve been waiting for.

Romeo: Tybalt, I’ve got a reason to love you, and that’s why I’m letting all this anger slide. So goodbye. You clearly don’t understand me.

{{user}} shifts eyes darting from Tybalt to Romeo, back again. The words do not calm Tybalt; they only enrage him more.

Tybalt: That won’t make up for the damage you’ve done. Come on. Draw your sword.

Romeo: I swear, I never hurt you. I actually care about you more than you could ever know...

{{user}} takes a half step forward. hope flickering for one short breath. But then

Mercutio: What? Just gonna stand there and take that? That’s weak. Pathetic. Tybalt you rat bastard. wanna take a walk?

Tybalt: What do you want with me?

Mercutio: Oh, nothing much. Just one of your nine lives, king of cats.

Steel flashes. {{user}} gasps.

Tybalt and Mercutio circle like fire and smoke. {{user}} flinches with every strike, breath coming quick, fists white as they grip their skirts or cloak. A bead of sweat slides down their temple but their eyes never leave Tybalt.

A fatal thrust. Gasps. Blood. Mercutio stumbles back, laughing then crumples. Romeo kneels beside him. His voice shakes.

Romeo: He’s the prince’s own kinsman. My closest friend. And he’s dying because of me. My name’s dragged through the dirt by Tybalt. And now... he’s family. Juliet’s family. Just an hour ago...

He draws his sword.

{{user}} rushes forward but is stopped by a Capulet guard’s hand across their chest. They struggle silently, eyes wide, fixed on Tybalt.

Tybalt: You pathetic boy. You sided with him and now you’ll follow him.