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

tru

[cagedinflesh]

[Of course he follows easily, without a thought as to how very gay the armlink is. whatever.]

Ah, he must be about a year younger than yourself. A very kind and gentle young man, with such ideas and worldly knowledge beyond his years. [Jekyll might be a bit biased, Tatsumi is not that smart.]

I consider myself very lucky that we should be friends and allies. Though rather easily distracted by young women. [The thought of which means he just has to laugh, and smile to himself. Maybe that's why his Master was so upset when so many were staring at him in the city?] The photographs he takes are absolutely marvelous - that technology has moved so far, it requires but an instant!

[depicted]

Oh, my! [What a flirtatious young man the friend is! It must be fun.

BUT DID SOMEONE SAY NERDY TECH] How incredible! To be spared hours of sitting around—why, I don't think I'd even have had my portrait done if that were possible. And yet it must be different. Is painting still done in future years?

[cagedinflesh]

[No, not flirtatious. He doesn't get to the stage of flirting, he's too much of a loser for that. Actually he can hardly talk to girls, at least, starting the conversation first. And that's what's endearing.]

Naturally, such a medium could never die out. Although I have no experience with which to draw on to state the frequency or how the style may differ. You've had your portrait painted?

[depicted]

[Dorian smiles a little, ducking his head in that coltish way of his.] A friend of mine, Basil—Basil Hallward—he is a painter, and so I would help him with his painting when he needed a sitter, and eventually he said that he would like very much to gift me a portrait of myself. He completed the picture just before the fairies brought me here, it truly was a marvellous work of art. I didn't really much want a picture of myself at first, it seemed so ostentatious, but if you could have seen it and known what Basil could do with a paintbrush, you would understand my change of heart!

[cagedinflesh]

I understand entirely. I myself have never had my portrait painted, and truly would not have wanted my photograph either, were it not for the influence and insistence of friends. Yet a painting of any sort is a true work of art, especially in catching the human form. How could any deny such a gift, much less from one so talented, as you say. I should like to have seen it, and praise his genius more sincerely.

[depicted]

Yes, I think I love it more than myself now, even though I am bitterly jealous of its youth. [But look: a nice table. Dorian unhooks arms so he can set up a chess board.] Will you play white or black?

[cagedinflesh]

Putting the choice on me? Then I shall play white. Unless you have a preference yourself.

[Jekyll waits to be seated until Dorian too is ready.]

You mustn't be jealous of your portrait, Dorian. You've not yet earned the wrinkles to hold that jealousy. Not for quite some time. But even then, there is no shame.

[depicted]

No, I'm happy to play black. [He sits with Jekyll and smiles a little at Henry's chiding.] It is already days younger than I am. Have I no right for jealousy? As time wars against me, it sits satisfied to do nothing to my picture. That picture will be beautiful when I am ugly and terrible, and you may say what you like for legacy and wisdom, but I would trade anything in the world to stay young as the picture ages. It is only paint and canvas; I am flesh, and would put immortality to better use.

[cagedinflesh]

[He smiles, shaking his head.]

I take some delight in becoming youthful again, admittedly. But that delight is not at all the same as jealousy. You must realise and experience the difference. I maintain it is far more enjoyable to turn those negative thoughts and feelings into something on a more positive note.

[depicted]

I would welcome any example, for I can see no good purpose for my ageing. [Poor baby.]

[cagedinflesh]

Hm, let's see then, why not in terms of chess? Do you believe the Immortal Game would be so important, had it lasted much longer? Does it seem an absurd comparison?

[depicted]

I think the comparison is apt, but not as you intend. The Immortal Game was beautiful and quick and then it were over. If it had gone on—if it had aged and withered and grown tired and weary—then it would not be the famous game it was. Your analogy would seem to furnish my side of the argument, Henry.

[He doesn't add anything about killing himself when he grows old—it was a thought of passion, and one he isn't likely to say now—but the logic carries through.]

[cagedinflesh]

[He pauses, and soon laughs, well and full.] When you say it that way, it most certainly does! Yet as I see it, the game did not come to a premature end, as sustained youth, or youth alone, would make of a life. It was brief, in that way a life is brief. Short, but so full of activity and experience, and when the time came, perhaps too soon for some, namely the one suffering loss, simply ended as it sould.

[depicted]

I can accept your point, Henry, for in truth I think we do not argue so differently. If life must be brief, I will take that brevity, as long as it does not lose its beauty.

[cagedinflesh]

For the same reason, I can accept yours, as well. Simply a difference in...shall we say, priority. No doubt coloured by the personal experience of each. Which is something that can never be argued. Personally, I would rather have my life returned in its proper form, than as I now am. I admit it affects my opinion.

[The proper form being without Hyde, of course.]

[depicted]

[Oh, Jekyll.] You mean you'd like to be an old man again in looks? [Dorian can't help that he is trying to bury a smile. Because that's so funny. WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO BE 50, SILLY MAN.]

[cagedinflesh]

It is not that I would prefer to be aged, necessarily! I have certainly made my share of mistakes, just as every man. I would rather be able to take back those actions, or else the chance to atone, which is something that now cannot be done properly. What I mean, I suppose, is that I would rather have continued living than to be given a second life, even with its youth and vigour.

[depicted]

You mean you have regrets?

[cagedinflesh]

Naturally. It would be impossible to have lived and not to regret.

[depicted]

Then you too would like to be the Immortal Game, brief and perfect?

[cagedinflesh]

Yes, you could say that. Though perhaps a little less brief than my life was. I have always held a special interest in what we consider to be perfection in humanbeings.

[depicted]

[Unsurprisingly, Dorian is very interested in Jekyll's ideas, and he leans forward over the chessboard.] What do you mean by perfection in humans?

[cagedinflesh]

Society's perception of perfection and goodness. I will be the first to admit our society's ideals are something rather hypocritical. All too strict and impossible to truly follow, always. Even so, I have always held a deep desire to become the sort of man who would be able to embody those ideals. Truly it would seem that for the most part, I succeeded. Still, as I said, none is without his regrets and shames, and so I could never consider myself 'good enough' - certainly not perfection.

[depicted]

You think it hypocritical, and yet you wish to embody it? Why?

[cagedinflesh]

Several reasons. I have always held a strong interest in the ideas of justice and 'good', as opposed to 'evil'. Furthermore, as you may well be able to guess, human lives are of the greatest importance to me. It's for these reasons I studied laws and medicine.

...If I may confess a more private truth to you, Dorian, I should say the most prevalent reason is for having a great love for stories of knights as a boy.