video; Seelie locked

[depicted]

[Dorian Gray has been doing a great deal of growing up. When he addresses the locket, his expression is set firmly, and his famous youth is only in his features. This is war. And he does not wish for death. So he is short, to the point, avoiding all of the excesses of his normal speech patterns.]

I've produced protective stones as a product of my research in warding magic. [He holds up one: a simple stone, with runes carved in, small, lightweight, very portable.] I have made as many as I could as quickly as possible. It will guard the bearer from the first strikes set against them by taking the damage in their stead, but it can only bear so much—up to a broken bone, perhaps, or a deep but non-fatal cut. Still, it is one more chance of survival.

If any wish for one, you may come to me in the library of Caer Glaem, or I can deliver it to you anywhere in Seelie territory.

Comments

video; seelie locked

[typemoonmoon]

Why have you made these? [ It's an innocent question from a seemingly innocent maiden. ]

Delaying the inevitable is a waste of your talent.

video; seelie locked

[depicted]

[You are such a strange girl.

He looks a little aghast; in a moment, it turns into the pinched brows of a frown. (Although he may be a little pleased by her reference to his talent. Yay, she thinks he's talented!)]

I have friends who are going to fight. If there is anything I can do to protect them, I shall.

video; locked

[thole]

[Remus appears with a tired smile, and a couple of curious questions for him.]

It's a kind offer, sir. I would take at least one, for a friend, perhaps two, for one more as well, if I may.

There is a question I must ask you though, in private conversation if I could. [He's not quite sure that even this would count as that, given what he's heard about the lockets.] Would you prefer meeting in person? In...the Caer Glaem Library, did you say?

((ooc: oops sorry about that mispost i always hit the wrong comment button sob))

video; locked

[depicted]

Of course, they're yours.

[He can't help but feel a little cautious, but if it's privacy, so be it. They are on the same side.] Yes, there is a room set aside for the purposes of magecraft there. I can meet with you there.

[ooc; no problem!]

[Video]

[dragonring]

[Wow, that sure is a change in attitude. Is this effect that war has on people? Dave doesn't like it one bit.]

Sweet. Dorian, that's amazing. You've really gone all the way with that research, huh.

[Video]

[depicted]

[A little more of the Dorian whom Dave knows appears in the ducking of a head, a familiar and shy movement. He does love a compliment!]

It was the method that came most naturally to me, I suppose. How are you, Dave? You're still away?

video;

[parallels]

Now that's some proper magic.

No need to deliver, I'll meet you in the library.

[Yeah, she's impressed. But that's about as much as she's going to give you for now.]

video;

[depicted]

[OH OKAY Clara always manages to bulldoze over him.] I'll, uh, see you shortly?

video.

[impeaches]

You offer quite a gift. [ He raises a brow. ] And you seek nothing in return?

video.

[depicted]

I seek a better hope of survival for our soldiers, and so a better hope for myself. Surely there can be no greater return on my work than that.

[said like a true rich bitch who has never had to work a day in his life, honestly]

video; seelie locked

[babbylon]

[Ah... this person... their face and their voice are familiar. Gilgamesh has no need for trinkets and baubles, but that Dorian possesses some degree of magical ability surprises him, especially considering what he sensed from him.

Or rather, what he didn't.

He's set to march any day now, any moment now, but this may be a worthwhile pit stop. If only to see the look of a Dorian Gray so very different from before, so very stern and so very grown up all of a sudden.]

I never took you for a bookworm. Or a bookworm with a penchant for silly rocks.

video; seelie locked

[depicted]

[Gilgamesh affects an immediate response of displeasure. While Dorian's moods are often theatrical, sometimes deceptive, they have all the earnest openness of expression of an actor on the stage. Stern and unflinching though this war face is, still Dorian's upper lip draws up in an expression that could become a snarl, were he closer to his animal origins.

But he tempers a smile out of it, keeps his voice in that musical sweetness. All the better to show his teeth.]

I do not think you took me for much more than a 'brat,' wasn't it? After you mistook me as someone you could use, that is.

[ video ]

[falconkick]

[ magic stones, huh? it sounds useful, but sam's a little wary. ]

Thanks for the offer, man, that's real generous of you. Would you mind explaining how it works to someone that's new to the whole magic deal?

[ video ]

[depicted]

[Dorian doesn't have a technical vocabulary for it, not knowing as much as he should about modern technology except in the pure physics of it that Dave has taught him. He has to rely on more traditional metaphors.]

It works as a sacrificial lamb, a scapegoat. It takes the violent energy brought against you and moves it over to itself, until it shatters from the force.

Video

[dyingisnotdead]

If you're offering, I'll take, gladly.

[Does that sound like innuendo?]

Video

[depicted]

[Hear that fwooshing noise? That's the sound of innuendo going over Dorian's head.]

[However, he does like Loras, so he smiles warmly at him.]

Yes, of course. It is good to see you again, Ser Loras. Shall I bring it to you, or are you in Caer Glaem?

action; library

[monstrous]

[Shortly after Dorian's message, Toby just happened to find his way to the library. He wandered the stacks for a while, collecting books in an attempt to play it cool. It took him just as long to ditch that idea and decide the direct approach would be best.]

[Without much fanfare, Toby plants himself next to Dorian] So, you're dealing in rocks now?

[Toby's not fooled by the rocks that Dorian's got, he's still, he's still Dorian from the block]

[depicted]

[So Dorian yelps, because what is it with people and surprising him when he's working.] What? Dealing? There aren't deals. And they aren't just rocks!

[He's flustered, leave him alone.]

[muscovy]

Can I have two?

[There's one more person besides himself whom he wants to see safe, or as safe as possible.]

[depicted]

Yes, of course. Are you near, or shall I bring them to you?

Voice

[fairyfoes]

Could you fashion several dozen, thirty-six perhaps, in short order? You would be compensated for your time.

Ideally, they would protect creations of mine. Crystal golems. I'm an artificer myself, but my specialties exclude such protective magic.

Voice

[depicted]

[Dorian takes a moment to reply as he tries to work out how many he has left to start with. Tarz makes him a little nervous, but he tries to keep that out of his expression and voice.]

I will attempt to meet the order to the best of my ability. How much time do I have?

[He is wondering if he can call on Clara and Hermione to help him finish the job, but that will take the time of teaching them. The process may be quick enough, but it is draining, and he doesn't know if he has the energy to make so many so quickly.]

video; locked

[choreographics]

...that's really cool. [If the wind in the background is bothering him, he doesn't seem to show it. The video's mostly of Ryan's hand wrapped around the reins of a horse...and a few clouds. He's been checking in every couple of hours though to make sure he doesn't miss anything from the home court and now he's glad he did.] I didn't know you were a magician in addition to everything else.

If I sent Kelsi to you, could we get two and I'll pay you when I get back? And how'd you even make them anyway?

video; locked

[depicted]

[Nice special effects there, buddy. Dorian tends to assume it is inappropriate to locket-and-ride, but if Ryan thinks he can handle it without getting into a horse crash, he'll trust him. For the moment.]

It is a learned skill. I'll happily give two to Kelsi for you both, with no need for repayment. I used a combination of runes and song magic to forge a sympathetic link in the stones—I can show you when you . . . return? [From wherever?]

video.

[chivalrist]

[ a familiar face looms over the locket, peering at the sight curiously. ]

So this is what you were talking about before, hm? That's pretty impressive!

video.

[depicted]

[He lights up at seeing her. Because he's a sucker for praise.]

It is simple in theory, and not so tasking in the magic needed.

video;

[foraneye]

At what cost?

[She doesn't really believe anything is free.]

video;

[depicted]

The cost has already been paid, in the energy it took me to make the link.

[Because obviously she means the price of magic.]