eachdraidh | 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]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[She seems so upset, he can barely make out some of the words. He catches 'scared' and 'wolf' and 'aggressive' and bits and pieces, but it is way too fast.]

I'm—I'm sorry, I don't mean to distress you more. But what did you say?

[Kara took a deep breath and made herself slow down.]

...I was scared and you were scared. My wolf tends to turn fear into anger. You were an easy target.

Sorry.

[Oh.

This time, it's easier to parse it out. 'Her wolf' must be her way of talking about being in wolf form. And the fear escalated. It all makes sense.]

It was—it was startling. But of course, we were all startled. [He tries to smile to reassure her.] I think we're all owed a little leeway, don't you? [It is a restating of what Loras told him, but then, that is Dorian: he cannot help but pick up bric-a-brac from those he meets.]

I hope so. I didn't mean to hurt you.

You did not, I assure you! [Another one of those attempts at a reassuring smile, and he holds up his hands to show he is unblemished.] You see? Not even a scratch. I was only a little frightened for a time, but that is passed now, so all is forgiven.

...but I smelled blood. Fresh blood. Do you regenerate?

[Dorian frowns, more confused than he even was by her saying she was a wolf. Regenerate? That's ridiculous.] No, of course not. You must be mistaken.

[The problem, Kara found, with the locket was that she couldn't really tell if someone was lying over it. She wasn't skilled enough to tell from sound alone, needing her nose to help her still.]

...I thought I smelled blood when you fell.

[He looks down at his hands again, but there is no sign of blood, no sign of a scrape. Not even a touch of redness. He thinks of how he fell, and he wonders if he was hurt somewhere he couldn't see. But he sure isn't going to tell a lady, 'idk, maybe I scraped my butt.'] You may be right. Perhaps I bled where I didn't notice. [He meets her eyes to reassure her.] But as I didn't notice, it can't be so great a harm for you to trouble yourself over.

Oh... Okay. Might have just been my nose. I can smell blood from a decent distance. Maybe it was someone else.

Possibly so. At the least, either way, it is nothing to be sorry for.

[He smiles at her again, that sweet expression that hasn't yet lost its innocence.] May I ask your name, Miss?

[He was kind of a weird guy...]

Kara Beckworth.

Well, Miss Beckworth, it is a pleasure to meet you properly. I hope—[a pause and a frown]—I hope the problem of, of your wolf, won't trouble you again.

My wolf is always there. But since you know, maybe you won't be so scared next time. She's calmer when there aren't scared humans around.

I promise not to be frightened. [And he means it, with all his childish sincerity.] I wouldn't want to cause you or her any more distress.

[He was so weird.]

Okay. Um. Cool.

video ∞ both courts, dated to Dec 2nd

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