TEST DRIVE MEME #5

[fairyfoes]

TEST DRIVE MEME

Considering apping to EACHDRAIDH? Why not give the setting a test run here! OPTIONAL SCENARIOS 01. ARRIVING IN THE DRABWURLD. The Seelie and Unseelie courts welcome you with mirthful revelry and hearty food. After you have been briefed on your purpose here, you will find an endless feast and a night filled with entertainment to placate your concerns. Mingle with new arrivals, sneak down the castle halls and make sure your eyes are always on your glass; fairies and imps have no bias when it comes to tricks! 02. THE STATION. Looking for a little slice of home? The Station gives you all that and more. Take advantage of the wifi, have a cup of fairy-brewed coffee (the one they didn't spit in) or sit back and relax on the patio. You can even move your things into one of the available rooms! 03. WILDCARD. Your own scenario! Explore the Drabwurld or simply take advantage of your Locket!

Comments

[depicted]

[Dorian stutters in his shock.] To—to abandon responsibility, or steal, or manipulate? I couldn't—to yield to a sin for the sake of the soul is one thing but to deliberately fall to such an act as if it's—as if it is natural—! Why would you suggest such a thing to a perfect stranger? We haven't even exchanged cards!

[monstrous]

You're right, aren't you? [Toby shuffles his feet, ducking his head and scratching the back of his hair. He looks up at Dorian with a helpless smile] I apologize. I - I am not quite myself as of late. [He pats down his pockets] And I'm afraid I am all out of calling cards to boot. [he holds a hand out to Dorian] Maybe a handshake could suffice? Tobias Matthews.

[depicted]

[Dorian has no cards on him either, of course, and he takes the handshake, although he himself is a little shaken. It makes his handshake, which is already dubious for his lack of practice, even less acceptable.] Dorian Gray. I suppose to be a little not yourself is not strange. You have been through a troubling event. [His laugh is a little nervous as he adds] Two I suppose, having come here as I have so recently. [He draws back, the frown on his face a little less frightened than before.] I think perhaps I could do with taking a moment to freshen up, if you don't think—perhaps you might too?

[Attempt at subtlety: crashed and failed. You need not bloodstained clothes, Mr Matthews.]

[monstrous]

That is not a bad idea. I am just slightly a mess, aren't I? [Dorian gets a sweet and shy smile, and Toby's not even trying to be a manipulative jerkface on purpose] Where does one freshen up around here?

[depicted]

There is a changing room on the left side, and perhaps—I could ask around for clothing you might borrow?

[monstrous]

I don't know, I wouldn't want to put you out. You've got your own fie problems already.

[depicted]

It isn't any trouble! [Dorian rushes to assure Toby on an instinct he doesn't understand, but it's an instinct that makes his tablet and what has happened to it absolutely insignificant. He wants to be near Mr Matthews. He wants to hear his beautiful voice and see his beautiful face. He is more enchanted by this boy than he was by his own painting, and he doesn't want to lose his chance to know him.] I can find a way around it, use my charms, as you said—[His laugh flutters at the idea] I'll find something.

Please, let me help?

[monstrous]

[halfway between shout and growl] No!

[he pauses, slightly taken aback by himself. taking a deep breath, he offers Dorian an apologetic smile] I mean thank you, but don't. Don't deliberately fall to sin as if it were natural. Not for my sake.

[clapping his hands together, his smile is forced but there] So! Let's sort out your problem first, then we can worry about mine. We'll even give it a go without charms or deceit, yeah?

[depicted]

[It startles Dorian back, and his shoulders, drawn back in fright, are slow to lower again.]

As you say. But, ah . . . I still don't know what to do about it.

[monstrous]

Yeah, I don't either. We could try honesty. Maybe they'll have some mercy in them. And if that doesn't work, then we can try your charm. [because then at least it wasn't their natural instinct, so it somehow makes it better, maybe, he doesn't even know]

[depicted]

That may do it. [He looks at Toby, and he feels faint-headed all over again. That blood.] But perhaps you should see to your appearance first. Unless you want to intimidate the clerk. [He gives a nervous little laugh because no, intimidating people, never.]

[monstrous]

[Toby looks down at himself and then laughs] Do you really think I would? I thought I was sporting the attacked look more than the attacker.

But you're right. I want something like you're wearing. [less because he likes the style, more because it doesn't look like anything he's seen people wear, and that is intriguing]

[depicted]

[Dorian reflexively reaches for his cravat to loosen it and then he realizes what he's doing. Was he really going to just hand off his clothing to Mr Matthews? That is utterly mad. Dorian quickly drops his hands, blood at his cheeks again, and shakes his head.] I'll look about for something. I'll meet you in the rest room when I find it?

[monstrous]

[the fact that Dorian almost handed him the clothes off his back alarms Toby a great deal. What alarms him more is the small thrill he gets from how easily influenced Dorian is]

Yeah, I'll meet you there.

[and that's just what Toby does, finding the restroom and waiting for Dorian to return with clothes]

[depicted]

[So what happens is that Dorian can't ever seem to find any Victorian clothing. But he does manage to barter a favour in return for some Drabwurld clothing, rather medieval for his tastes. And then comes the dilemma.

Thus when Dorian shows up before Toby, he is dressed as if a native of the Drabwurld, and he is actually offering his own clothing, all folded up neatly, for Toby to wear.] I couldn't find any, I'm sorry—but I thought if you liked, you could have mine. If you want.

[monstrous]

I - you don't have to do this, you know.

[depicted]

[Dorian smiles one of those famous smiles, in all its youthful and unpolished glory.] It is my pleasure to help you, Mr Matthews. You're—very engaging. And I should like the pleasure of your company.

If that's all right.

[monstrous]

I can't. Put your clothes back on, Dorian.

[a beat]

Don't worry, I'll wait for you here.

[depicted]

[The use of his Christian name makes him feel like he is on intimate terms with Toby, which is thrilling in every sense of the word.] Are you certain? You said you liked them. I can if you want, I've no objection.

[monstrous]

You should. I mean, they're your clothes. You barely know me.

[depicted]

[It all blurts out in a fit of childish earnestness.] But I should like to. Your—your beauty, it's a form of genius. I've never seen anyone so beautiful as you.

[monstrous]

I'm not - [he rubs his face, then lets out a sigh] Relatively speaking, you're much prettier than I am.

[depicted]

[Dorian shakes his head.] It's good of you to say so, but I know beauty—I mean, I know it now, I've seen my own—you're even more beautiful than I am, and your voice makes Harry's—that's my friend—sound like a violinist missing a note.

[He knows he is being over effusive, and he draws back into himself just as suddenly as it all came pouring out.] I'm sorry, I just—I don't know what came over me. I apologize for my outburst. Of course, I won't force them on you. I'm so very sorry for all of that.

[monstrous]

I'm not though. And my voice isn't anything that great either.

[he grabs Dorian's arm to drag him over to the bathroom mirrors]

If you'd just take a second and actually -

[except there's Dorian alone in the mirror, despite the fact that he's standing right next to Toby.]

What? Where am I?

[he waves a hand in front of Dorian's face, yet Dorian's reflection remains unobstructed]

[depicted]

[The touch is itself electrifying, but it is impossible not to notice how cold it is. And then Dorian looks from Toby to the mirror, and from the mirror back to Toby again. And he can't understand.]

Is it . . . is it some magic of the fairies here?