IC Contact

[cagedinflesh]

lockets, compasses or action! or whatever else really

fun roulette, which personality will it be, you just can't know
unless you do know who you want, then say so

Comments

Jan 7; voice

[depicted]

Henry?

[Dorian's voice is delicate, here, a return perhaps to that shy boy that Dorian has grown out of being in the past month. He hesitates, but continues.]

Henry, did you mean what you promised to me?

voice

[cagedinflesh]

Yes, of course I did. Is something wrong, Dorian? ...Are you alright, do you need me to come to you?

voice

[depicted]

No, it's only . . .

You've heard, haven't you? They say the battle is coming.

voice

[cagedinflesh]

...Yes, I've heard such talk. They're training here, trying to round every Unseelie up to teach them swordplay.

[His voice is soft, more than usual.]

I could take you somewhere safe, Dorian.

voice

[depicted]

[For a long while, he says nothing. He feels the weight of those cast-away wards in his drawer, but he can't share them. His portrait.]

...You can't. The only safety is in protecting where I am.

voice

[cagedinflesh]

I can promise you would be very safe in my protection. That shall be another offer which remains open to you at any time. I won't allow you to be hurt, or used by the monarchs.

Yet in either case, I do sincerely hope the Seelie court will be well protected.

voice

[depicted]

No, I can't—I thank you.

I'm sorry, I should not have contacted you. I was only...

Please, keep in contact with me, will you, Henry? I need to know you are well.

voice

[cagedinflesh]

Of course I will, Dorian. Likewise, please tell me of anything I can do, and let me know how you fare. Perhaps to ask for a game of chess - anything, at any time, I will stop everything to speak with you. I care for you a great deal, Dorian, war won't change that. Regardless of whether we were enemies or not, which I do not consider us to be, as I remain firm in my stance against any side.

voice

[depicted]

[His fingers rise, come to his chest, clench. His heart hurts. There is a thrill, too, something yearning, and he thinks it must be that desire to be honest with Henry, to explain to this man who cares for him and for whom he cares for just why he can only be safe by safeguarding his home.

But how can he? The more it is known, the more danger he is in. He can't tell Jekyll. He mustn't let anyone else know.

His fingers fall, and he rubs away the tears from his eyes, so that his breathing can be steady and Jekyll won't know what is wrong with him.]

Of course I care for you, too, Henry.I—I'll meet with you for chess in a little while. You can meet the new horse Aster tamed for me! [The false note of brightness falters, and Dorian swallows back what he wants to say.]

I'll speak with you shortly, I promise.

voice

[cagedinflesh]

That would be lovely, Dorian. I've always been fond of horses, and of course, chess and yourself. It would be a fine combination, one I look forward to with such impatience.

[From all that Dorian's said, and the way he's said it, of course it's clear enough something more is wrong. But how can Jekyll push the subject? That would be cruel. If Dorian wishes to speak to him on it, then he will do so of his own accord. All he can do for now is to be some comfort in other ways.

If only he were a better person, he could have been part of the Seelie court as well, and able to help directly.]