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

[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?