eachdraidh | video ∞ both courts, dated to Dec 2nd

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video ∞ both courts, dated to Dec 2nd

[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]

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[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.

[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.

Thaaat would depend on the game. [Let him tell you about vidya, dude.] I'm on the bailey now, we can meet at the castle's entrance and start searching there? Maybe the, ah, castle workers can help us. They're always eager to answer my questions.

[He says with a shrug of a shoulder - he still hasn't realized his room gives him a tiny bit of status.]

[Don't tell him about vidya. Don't give him vidya. DON'T LET HIM BECOME ADDICTED TO VIDYA.]

Certainly; I can be there shortly. The servants are a wonderful idea of where to start. [They are servants, Dave. Servants. Accept your due.]

(Wait until Dorian sulks about his class status compared to Dave's here.)

So Dorian will mount up and ride back in to the front entrance. Fortunately, he hadn't wandered out too far before deciding it was time to come back to the warmth for chess.]

[Good thing Dave's phone doesn't work in the castle then, huh?

When Dorian arrives, Dave closes the book he borrowed from the library and picks up the empty plate next to him. It seems he was having lunch while reading outside when he saw the video post.

The horse gets his eyebrows raising as he walks to meet them half way.]

I see you've made a, ah, "new friend".

[As Dorian slows the horse to a trot, then calls on her to stop, he laughs.] The stablehands said that we Shardholders [still a weird word] have free use of one mount.

[Dorian dismounts with easy grace, feeling somehow more himself in this moment, as if he were at his country estate again and meeting a friend. It is such a mood that sets him to step forward in a mock-introduction of his two companions.] Saoirse, if I may introduce you to my friend Mr David Stutler, a physicist of what is yet to come. Dave, my great aid: Saoirse the horse.

Edited 2014-12-01 21:10 (UTC)

They'll really give us whatever we may need, huh.

[The mock introduction makes Dave laugh too, he's not gonna complain and consider this weird when he's the kind of guy that talks to his dog every morning. And the fact Dorian calls him a friend is also a reason to smile, even if they just met - more friends are something Dave could do with.]

Nice to meet you, Saoirse. [He offers a quick bow.] I take it you two have already been outside the castle?

Just exploring the grounds. This is something of a fairytale; it seemed worthwhile to go see what enchanted lands surrounded us.

[Dorian takes a sugar lump from his pocket and holds it out to Dave.] A lady always appreciates a gift from a charming young man, if I may advise. Ad I'll have to take her back to the stables before we can go asking around for chess sets.

[He takes the sugar lump and offers it to Saoirse with a chuckle.] There you go, "lady", just don't tell my girlfriend I'm "charming" you.

[Thinking of Becky makes his hear ache a bit, and he tries to pick up the conversation again quickly before he gets too sad over missing her.]

Ah, sure, we can do that. I should learn where the stable is, shouldn't I? [He looks a little sheepish now.] I admit I've been curious about the fairy lands too, I just... don't know how to ride.

[And after seeing that map, going out on foot doesn't sound like the best idea.]

I'm sure she will keep her silence.

[Dorian looks at Dave with a little surprise—and the Cambridgean illusion is shattered. Of course Dave wouldn't know how to ride a horse. An American of the country might, but no doubt Americans of the city are far less informed. Besides, Dorian begins to have an intuition that Dave isn't off the horse-owning class.] If you like, I could teach you. It isn't too difficult, although no doubt the riding will be rough at first. [The corners of his lips twitch.] Certainly, it isn't astrophysics.

Thank you for the texts, by the way.

[He gives Saoirse a nice pat on the muzzle before taking up the reins to walk them to the stable.]

[Dave walks next to Dorian as he tries to pay attention to the direction they're going - if he could learn to navigate New York, then this shouldn't be that much harder, right? And he ends up stumbling a little in surprise when he hears that offer.]

Really? You wouldn't mind? That would be great, seriously. Thanks. [Having someone he's at least familiar with to an extent to teach him makes him feel better than the idea of asking some stranger from the castle. And his little smile become a chuckle when he hears about his books.] No problem. How were they? Too boring, too interesting, too futuristic?

[Dorian reaches a hand out to catch Dave on reflex.] I wouldn't mind at all. It is the least I can do.

[That, of course, is because of the physics books. Dorian becomes animated instantly, delighted at what he got to read through.] Too interesting! Of course, some of the terminology and ideas were entirely foreign to me, but physics isn't really something I have studied much—I haven't been long at Cambridge and am only really reading mathematics and languages right now, and I don't think I'll finish taking my degree—but the ideas are truly incredible. The proposal of chaos is a truly revolutionary idea, on par I think with Mr Darwin's proposals about the descent of species, and indeed in its proposition of randomness I see support for his comments on variation. Is this material commonly taught at schools in the future?

Don't forget those words when I fall off the horse later. [He has no faith in himself for physical things, not at all.

It's not every day that Dave can find such an enthusiastic partner to talk science with, so of course he's as happy to add more to this topic of conversation.]

Depends on what you call "commonly taught". I'm a physics students at college, so you got some advanced texts there. But the basics, like Darwin's theory of evolution, yeah, they're taught at high school. Chaotic dynamics isn't so basic, but some concepts related to it became popular thanks to science fiction, like the Butterfly Effect. [And then it hits him.] Your degree... I just realized I haven't, ah... what were you studying in Cambridge?

I hope very much that you don't give a horse cause to get rid of you, as you shouldn't fall off of one otherwise.

[Oh Dave. But Dorian is interested in the subject, the terms reinforcing what he has read. But when Dave asks about his studies, he shrugs.] Oh, I'm doing the Old Tripos—[At a glance at Dave, he clarifies]—mathematics. I started in Divinity but changed my mind. Is Mr Darwin's work so widely accepted as that? He would be delighted. I love that you term it the Butterfly Effect, it is such a wonderfully evocative name.

Trust me, my own body will probably find a reason to fall without needing to bother the horse.

[He knows what Old Tripos are, but he still appreciates the clarification. It's the other word that has him tilting his head.] Divinity? Is that anything like Theology? [Because then Dave understands that change of mind.] There are still some people who won't accept it, religious ones mostly, but yeah, it's all around a very... [Waaait a minute.] Mister Darwin? Did you... actually meet him?

[That makes Dorian laugh, and he has to cover his mouth.

But at the question about Divinity, Dorian nods. Then he laughs again.] Heavens, no! You might see him in town now and then, but we have never been introduced.

[Dave may be... pouting a little bit at the laughter. Thanks for that bro. At least he got the meaning of Divinity right, but what comes next makes his mouth hang open.]

You were neighbors with Darwin?! [If it wasn't for the things he's carrying, he'd probably be flailing.] That's just-- oh my god, I think I'm kinda jealous now.

[Somehow, that makes Dorian laugh a little bit more.] It isn't so grand as that! It isn't as if we ever spoke. I promise, if I do, I shall—oh, I suppose I can't bring you up to him, can I? [His face falls.] You're from such a different time. I wish I could. I should like to bring you back to London to meet all of the people I know, especially Lord Henry. I think you would get along so well. [That is dubious, but Dorian has dreams]

[As they come up on the stables, Dorian hails one of the stablehands to help him with the horse.]

[Dorian, please stop laughing, living near Darwin is a Very Serious Matter! Though Dave has to admit, being told he would be introduced to him if it was possible is amazing.] I wish I could actually show you the science I've talked about, so we're even. But hey, thanks for the thought. This Henry guy... [So informal, Dave.] You mentioned him before, who is he? One of your teachers?

[While Dorian takes care of his horse, Dave takes a look at the others, wondering how to approach them.] Heeeey, horsies. You guys can't be that different from the ones in Central Park, right?

Not formally, so of course he is the best kind of teacher. He is a friend.

[He intercepts, handing Dave another sugar lump.] Approach from the side as best as you can, and be certain to talk so they know you're coming. When the horse lets you pet it, offer it this.

[Friends are the best teachers? Dave can't help arching his eyebrows at that, shake a finger too.] If for some reason my roommate ever shows up, you better not tell him that, because his so called "life lessons" are just...

[He shakes his head - oh, the memories of wolf metaphors directed at his hermit habits. But ok, let's concentrate on the horses instead. He takes the sugar lump and follows Dorian's instructions, saying random things like "easy there guys" as he approaches them... and manages to feed one with success!

Dave laughs as he pets the horse.] Look, I did it, I did it!

[Dorian smiles his approval. He would applaud, but well.] A marvellous start. Try not to be too loud and startle it.

Although these lot seem a well-bred group who can handle themselves with strangers and loud noise, so perhaps that won't be a problem.

Ah, right. Sorry about that.

[He doesn't get praise often, so it excites him when it happens. Wanting to try this again, he asks the stablehands for more cubes so he can get to know the rest of the horses.]

That's actually a pretty good point. You went outside, right? Saw any magical creatures? Monsters? [He wants to go, too, but he has to wonder if the horse will take it.]

No, and yet, it felt as if the woods themselves were full of magic. [There is a caution in his words, something almost like a reverie. The forest had an effect on him.] It felt wonderful in there.

[Then he snaps back to himself.] There are some paths, but a forest is dangerous riding if you aren't accustomed to keeping an eye out for obstacles to your mount. I could take you if you like.

They probably are. In fact, there's probably magic everywhere around here...

[A mix of the stuff he's been reading about and his own conclusions, because he's still not that good at magic to be detecting it himself.

He gives the horses a last look before nodding. He reminds himself again they aren't dogs (or giant metal eagles!) and having a guide for his first time sounds like a good, safe idea.] If you really could, it would be great. I would own you big time.

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