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]

[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?

[monstrous]

Yeah, that's probably it.

[he finally lets go of Dorian, still looking at the mirror]

Go put your clothes back on. I'll wait.

[depicted]

[He's so shaken, so confused, that he has to obey.] Yes, of course. [He moves fast to one of the stalls, feeling he should change in privacy, but he pauses and turns back.]

Mr Matthews? I think you may be unwell.

[monstrous]

[laughs] I think you're right.

Do you believe in monsters, Dorian?

[depicted]

[His voice becomes quieter.] I think I must do, being here.

But I mean—Mr Matthews. Your skin was cold. So cold. You felt as cold as death.

[monstrous]

Call me Toby. I'd like if we could be friends. All my friends call me Toby.

[depicted]

You think we could be friends? [That smile is so hopeful.] Then—Toby. Please. We should get you to a doctor after we're through.

[And Dorian steps into the stall to change back.]

[monstrous]

I'm not sure a doctor would be much use.

Have you ever been hungry, Dorian? I mean really, truly hungry.

[depicted]

[um...]

Once my housekeeper locked me in my room and wouldn't give me supper.

[monstrous]

Really? I can't imagine you doing anything to earn a punishment.

[depicted]

[Thankfully, he has this changing stall to hide his physical response.] We have only just met, Mr Matth—Toby.

[monstrous]

[laughs] Does that mean you're really a scoundrel underneath it all? It's always the innocent looking ones.

[depicted]

No, it isn't like that, it is only that—no one is free of sin. And I know I'm not.

[In future years, Dorian will be able to undress in fifteen seconds and put himself back together in thirty. Sadly, baby Dorian has had less practice and so takes more time in the process.]

[monstrous]

Yeah, but some sins are worse than others.

You shouldn't want to be my friend. You're a good person, Dorian, and I'm - I am not.

[depicted]

[Dressed in his own clothing, he steps out. He looks at Toby with those wide, innocent eyes. Horribly trusting, impossibly enamoured.] I cannot believe that of you, Toby. [He holds out the Drabwurld clothing he found.] Will these serve?

[monstrous]

You don't, you don't understand. I'm a monster, Dorian. It's not just an expression either. You said it yourself, I feel cold, like death. And you saw the mirror. And I have these...urges, these terrible, grotesque urges.

[quickly, he takes the clothes from Dorian] Cheers for these. I'm going to get changed now. Think of what I said. If you decide to leave, I won't take it personally. It might be best for you if you did.

[depicted]

[Shock widen's Dorian's eyes, exhilaration expands his pupils. But cold skin, nothing in the mirror—]

Urges? What kinds of urges?

[Unthinking] Resisting a temptation makes the soul grows sick with longing. The impulses you strangle poison you.

[monstrous]

[Toby laughs, and there's a strange mixture of guilt and excitement. He can almost swear he can feel Dorian's pulse quicken with exhilaration, even if Toby is behind a closed stall door and Dorian is on the other side] And the impulses I don't strangle poison others. Besides, I'm not even sure monsters have souls, so what's the difference?

[depicted]

[If he can hear that pulse, he can hear it become something more, faster and stronger. The animal prepares to fight or run.]

I don't understand what you mean.