video ∞ both courts, dated to Dec 2nd

[depicted]

[A youth appears across the screen. He isn't quite comfortable with the device, holding it low and a little away from himself as one might a snuffbox or cigarette case when admiring the work in its design. Also, the image might be just a little shaky, but it's rude to comment on that. The boy musters a smile, an expression that seems to flicker in its uncertainty.] How do you do? I'm Dorian Gray—is that—is that how these are used? I'm so sorry, I can't tell if it is better to use one's manners for introductions or for telegrams.

[There's a fluttering laugh as Dorian tries to inexpertly use humour to diffuse the point. Of course, for lack of a person before him, the strategy doesn't actually make him feel any less awkward, so he tries to move to his reason for talking.]

I was wondering if there were any players here of chess? I mean to say, I'd like to play chess—not that I'm much good, of course, but I'm very much fond of the game—if there are players already and a third would interfere with things, I'd be very happy to just watch. If it isn't trouble. It is only with all of this talk of competing factions, I can't help but think of a game of chess, and it has made me crave the sport.

[Dorian's face falls as he turns the locket away, not in misery but in an awkward embarrassment, and there is the faintest start of a mutter at himself as he accidentally shuts it before he is finished his message.

Smooth move, Dorian Gray.]

[ooc: + permissions for fourth walling for any characters who would know the name]

Comments

video;

[boutant]

[ She's traveling, but- chess. ]

I play. I mean, I'm on the road right now, but we can always meet up later if you want.

[ She smiles. ]

I'm Ariadne. Welcome to the Drabwurld, I guess.

[depicted]

[Dorian smiles back, although a large portion of him is wondering why so many people don't have surnames how can he possibly address them by their Christian names, by God.]

Thank you for the kind welcome, Miss Ariadne. [It's the best he can manage, okay.] If at any time you return to court, or if some grounds where I might ride out to meet you, it would be my pleasure.

[cagedinflesh]

I should have known you played! I would be pleased to meet with you for a game or two at any time.

[depicted]

Ah, of course you do, Henry! I would love to try against you. Are you in court now?

[Look at that innocent boy who trusts you'd be Seelie side! Just look at him. Look at him and feel your shame.]

[Video]

[dragonring]

[Dave (who is now wearing local clothes and seems to be outside) also laughs at the telegram joke while considering the offer. Mmh, why not.]

You're doing fine. [For Dave's phone standards at least.] If you still need an opponent, I can play.

[depicted]

[Dorian's smile brightens and becomes more confident at the familiar face; let it never be said that he doesn't warm up to people quickly, and Dave has only given Dorian cause to take to him.]

I imagine that anyone who wishes to improve in a game will need an opponent. When you have a moment, I would meet with you wherever we might find a chess set.

video;

[aureinsof]

[Hey look it's his favourite jackass.]

Don't look so anxious talking to these. You need to look strong in front of the other court. Pretend you're talking to someone you hold no fear of and then try again.

video;

[depicted]

[Oh, it's—Aster, he guesses! Dorian starts back.]

Right here? You want me to try again right here and now?

video;

[individualist]

[That name.....]

Yeah, I do! I wouldn't mind playing with you sometime.

video;

[depicted]

[That awkward moment when you meet the guy you sold your soul to, only you don't know you've sold your soul and you don't know this is the guy.]

[Wow, there are more women interested in chess than he expected.] I should enjoy that very much. [He inclines his head to her, which is awkward over a locket, but you know. Manners.] May I ask your name, Miss?

video;

[liven]

What a carefree reaction.

[ talk of war inspires him to want to play chess...shijima isn't good at normal reactions to things, but she's fairly certain this isn't a normal one. maybe. her ability to tell is sketchy at best, but she's leveling a neutral stare at the locket.

from upside down, since she seems to be holding her locket that way as she sits sprawled in a chair, legs over one arm and head drooping off the other. ]

Do you plan to play by mail?

video;

[depicted]

[Disorientating as fuck. Dorian frowns at the locket because ahh, upside down, so he flips it around so he can see her properly.]

I should think that there is no need to play by post when we might play in person for those who can meet, or over locket for those who cannot.

video;

[notyetlegend]

Mam tried to teach me how to play.

[Keyword, tried]

I mean I'm not that good myself but I know a bit.

video;

[depicted]

[Oh! He blinks back a bit, but then he smiles.] If you're interested in taking up the game again, you would be most welcome.

Video

[starspangled]

It's been awhile since I've played. But if you don't mind a rusty opponent, you can count me in.

Video

[depicted]

On the contrary, I don't think I could decline one such. [He smiles, slight but friendly.] I am not at my most practiced, personally.

Video

[roses_in_winter]

[Here is a young teenage girl looking terribly guilty.]

...I'm sorry.

Video

[depicted]

[Dorian of course has no understanding of why. He blinks back; his head tilts a fraction.] Pardon me, but I cannot imagine what you have to apologize for.

voice.

[metalica]

[ chess aka erik lehnsherr's mating call. he's not going to comment on the name because - well. it's a popular book. it wouldn't surprise him if some idiot named their child after the titular character. ]

I play. It's been some time, but - I have indulged, in the past.

voice.

[depicted]

[In the years to come, Dorian will get very good at deflecting comments about how cruel his parents must have been.]

If you would care to repeat the experience and so the moment [there he goes accidentally paraphrasing Lord Henry again] it would be my pleasure to indulge with you.

[Aster better be proud of Dorian's efforts to be more assertive in his offers of chess games.]

Video

[huntedby]

[She looks as if she has seen a ghost.

Dorian--

This is not her Dorian, no. He's younger, something more innocent in his eyes, something less calculating. But still, the way he speaks, the way he holds himself...the soul is the same.

Still, she has to close her eyes for a moment, to gather herself. There are so many worlds. Multiple ones, if the people here are to be believed (and she believes them--she has always had a gift for belief).

So when she opens her eyes once more, she gives a careful smile.

This is not her Dorian.

He will not know her.

So perhaps things would be better than before.]

I can play.

[She does not need to let him know that she knows him. No. It is better, most likely, if she does not, for now.]

Video

[depicted]

[Dorian watches the woman—beautiful, striking even, in a way that can't help but captivate his attention—and he doesn't understand. Why that shock? Why that moment of shut eyes? What in a simple offer of the game of chess could invoke such a reaction, such a vividness of sensation? If Lord Henry were here, he is certain that he could explain it, but Dorian is on his own and of those he has met, none seem to have a mastery of the human mind the way Lord Henry does, so he cannot ask.

So he answers her smile by offering one of his own, an expression as pretty and as fragile as a summer flower, and when he speaks, his voice is cautious with kindness.]

If you would care for a game, I would welcome the challenge. But I would not wish to trouble you.

video »

[herotypical]

Chess! Is that, ah, the one with the dice and the snakes? [ she's teasing, of course. gentle(ish) and very very bored teasing. buffy knows what chess is. she just...really isn't a fan. ]

[depicted]

[Unsurprisingly, the joke goes right past him.] No, it is played on a checkered board. Is that an Indian game? [IT SOUNDS INDIAN.]

[noirant]

You've quite got the hang of it, no call to worry upon that count. It's a strange sort of informality that these call for, isn't it? Nothing at all like a letter.

[ Felix shrugs, with a languid smile. He doesn't have the faintest idea what a telegram is, but for the comparison, it's not difficult to guess. ]

Peculiar, too, the sorts of things that persist between worlds. I'm no deft hand at the game -- [ That's one way to put "unsure of half the rules, likely to upend the board when frustrated". ] -- But I much doubt that you'll lack for opponents. Sometimes it seems that sport and metaphors are all we have between us.

[depicted]

[This world seems to insist on presenting Dorian with people of striking beauty, something that in the hours since he first saw his own portrait, he has grown to know and appreciate. And this man is beautiful, almost startlingly so, such that Dorian must blink back a moment before he replies. He isn't yet accustomed to masking his responses to other people.] Thank you for your assurance. But do you mean to say that this 'war' they mention is more a tension between nations than a matter of combat?

video »

[baseborne]

[Wow apparently everybody but Jon knows about this chess business, clearly he should get in on it.] What is chess, my lord? [A game, yes, obviously, but if the war and its factions makes Dorian think of it... well, Jon does have no small love of swordplay, so. He assumes.] If it please you to say.

video »

[depicted]

[Dorian makes a little moue of discontent at getting another 'my lord.' Insisting that he doesn't have a lordship of any kind if very frustrating, and he is sure that it is precisely why introductions and Debrett's were invented. Thus it is with a touch of petulance that he explains,] I am no lord, but a Mister. Anyway, that isn't important. [He pauses the second after he says it. Important address isn't important?

Well, it isn't, is it? It doesn't matter anymore. London is very far away. Dorian shakes his head, and his pout blossoms into a smile.] None of that matters. You'd like to learn about chess? [Chess IS what matters. Dorian is far more into chess than he is into proper titling.] It is a strategy game, played on a chequered board. Each side is given an assortment of pieces that can move about the board in different ways and thereby capture enemy pieces. The goal of the game is to capture the enemy king.

video;

[cerebral]

[Despite himself, Charles can't help but find the awkwardness a little endearing.]

It's been a while. [But it was a past time he enjoyed, even if comes with some certain associations. All the more reason to find someone new to play with, really, and he's still curious about Dorian.] I wouldn't mind picking it up again, though, and I am nearby if you're free in the evening.

video;

[depicted]

[Dorian, who enjoyed his conversation with Charles, lights up at seeing him again.] I would be delighted to play against you. This evening suits me perfectly, and I can meet you where you would care to.