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

[dragonring]

[That's... a very good question. Dave still has a hard time thinking of Merlin as "family", but that's what they are, right? Mmh.

Since he doesn't have an answer for that question, he tries to distract Dorian from it. He touches the ring and after concentrating for a second, he pulls back when the metal starts moving to show the rings dragon form. It even flaps its wings at Dorian. Hi!]

[depicted]

[A great success! Dorian startles back.] How can it move? Is it magic? [MAGIC!]

[dragonring]

[Dave nods as an answer, glad to see he did distract Dorian from the question, but now he's a bit lost in thought because the first time he saw the dragon like that was... wow, those memories sure feel different now he's in another world.]

Ah, yeah, that's magic. When my master offered it to me, it was in that form and-- [A pause to swallow.] --suddenly, it moved to close around my finger in its ring form, confirming I was-- [The one.] --a sorcerer. I was just ten.

[depicted]

[He notices that first swallow, and his eyes flicker up from the distraction to his friend.] Are you all right, Dave?

[dragonring]

-huh? Oh, yeah, sorry. [A shake of his head before he rubs his face.] That day was--- kinda hard on me and like I said, I was just a kid so... I don't know, it feels weird to think about bad moments from home when I'm here now getting ready for battle.

[depicted]

[Dorian watches Dave closely, tries to read signs that he has never truly been trained to interpret. But he smiles then, little curves at the corner of his mouth, and he sets his hand on Dave's arm. The gesture of consolation comes naturally to him.]

Ten wasn't a very good year for me, either.

Thank you for showing this to me.

[dragonring]

[He can't help chuckling at that - well, it's more like a chuckle mixed with a snort. Nerds just can't have a nice childhood, can they?]

Ten, eleven, twelve... the "not very good years" lasted way too much. [His expression softens at the gesture and he returns the smile, patting Dorian's hand in his arm. He really appreciates it.] It's nothing. Thank you for listening. And for the stones. If you want to see more magic, you just have to ask. I know we complain about being dragged to war a lot but I also have to admit....

[He offers his finger to the dragon again, and it closes around it back in its ring form.] ...it's kinda nice, being able to use magic so freely.

[depicted]

Although I have not had that fear in my life . . . There is a sense of freedom here. Even as there is the weight of chains more oppressive than I ever wore at home.

But I am most grateful for the friends whose company I could only here keep.

[sickeningly sincere right there]

[dragonring]

[Dave doesn't see anything wrong with this, he can be quite a sap too. Sickeningly sincere is actually quite touching.]

I know exactly what you mean. Free but chained... Me, socializing? My roommate would never believe me. But know what... making friends definitely makes it better. [Dave offers his fist and when he realizes Dorian won't get it, he gently taps the other man's hand with it. Now they're cool.]

[depicted]

[ . . . What just happened? He looks at his hand. He looks at Dave's hand. Okay?]

Yes. It truly does.

[So he hesitantly attempts to tap Dave's first with his own in return?]

[dragonring]

[Chuckling at Dorian's reaction, Dave grabs his friend's wrist and shows him how to do it properly, making their knuckles tap again.]

We call this a "fist bump". It can be used as high-five or a handshake. Kinda like "let's do this" or "yes, we did it!".

[depicted]

[Aww, yeah, he now gets the fist bump! But wait.]

And a 'high five' is . . . ?

[dragonring]

That's just for celebration. You put your "five" up... Open your hand.

[And just like before, he proceeds to show how it's done, pulling his hand back before high-fiving Dorian's. This isn't just a tap like the fist bump after all.]

[depicted]

[Dorian obediently follows along. And the high five is accomplished.]

We never did anything quite like that in school. Isn't it rather . . . fleeting? Brief?

[dragonring]

What--? Oh, nononono, it's not supposed to replace everything in a celebration. [Now he doesn't have to teach any more, he can gesture like usual.] It's just a gesture you do in the moment. Like a hand shake! Your introduction is more than touching fingers, right?

[depicted]

Oh, yes, I understand that, but . . . [He doesn't know how to articulate it, which means his flailing hands join Dave's in a cacophony of expressive limbs.] I suppose the laudatory emotion can be conveyed in its immediate excitement, but I just—

—Oh, never mind.

[Dorian will end this conversation by attempting to fistbump again.]

[dragonring]

[Laughing, Dave gladly bumps back, glad to see Dorian likes the gesture.] Don't worry so much. [Look who is talking.] I doubt there are many people who are gonna ask you for a high-five around here.