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No, my Master would never ask that of me. ...I haven't told him of those options to begin with. It would be too upsetting for him.

[Well, the murder would be upsetting, the sex would be...differently upsetting. Embarrassing.]

Another might try to force it. All the more reason that I am fortunate in my match.

[When he reaches his work station, Jekyll smiles to Dorian before dropping his arm to decide which medicines to offer.]

[Wow look who's talking then. Don't judge his number of names.]

I suppose I chose Edward Hyde for myself. Otherwise, however, it is out of my control. Jekyll told some woman his name was Lanyon, for some reason or other. [What an idiot.]

You would have us all be cats. [Well, gotta respect that dedication to her roots.]

[Dorian takes a position to watch Jekyll work without being intrusive.

But he can't stop himself from being curious.] What are those methods?

[There's a fairly long pause as Jekyll debates saying it. His heart pounds in his chest at the mere thought, but then, Dorian's asking...]

...The first is to drain the soul of a human being. Which means killing them. The other is, ah, through the transfer of certain bodily fluids...

[He just can't directly say it's sex.....]

[That sounds horrifying—though for a brief moment, Dorian has the wonderful thought that perhaps it cannot touch him.

The second—] Oh, as in a transfusion of blood?

[Do you think he would do it to you, Dorian?! Or anyone for that matter!!

He chews the inside of his lip, shaking his head.] No, what I mean is semen.

[There is no other way to say it and this is awful.]

[I don't know. WOULD he kill Dorian? That's an interesting question for us to answer.]

[But. Oh. Dorian's eyebrows shoot up. He does turn scarlet, but he holds himself together remarkably well, considering.]

I can see why that method would be untenable.

[Well.....]

It is not exactly ideal. Luckily as I do not have any sort of powers as near every other Heroic Spirit does, I would have little reason to require more.

[He focuses only on what is before him, so he doesn't have to look Dorian in the eye after admitting such shameful things. Even though he's said he takes no part in either, and intends not to! It's still too shocking for him, so he imagines Dorian must feel the same. The flush of his cheeks is partly embarrassment, and largely an anger he must hold back, in thinking of those who would kill for the extra prana. Still, he sets a couple small jars of liquid in front of Dorian.]

Still, it will be an interesting experiment to see whether I'm able to become ill. [And there the smile returns.] If you catch a cold, come cough on me.

[Dorian takes it far better than Jekyll might expect. Indeed, Dorian is thinking over what he has learned of magic, and the idea that it would be transferred through life fluids doesn't seem at all strange. He actually thinks that it would be a fun way to share prana, before he scolds himself for the thought.

And then a moment later, he remembers what Lord Henry said to him. He wonders if it isn't such a terrible thought after all.

But that's aside. He laughs and shakes his head as Jekyll offers the liquid.] I disagree. I don't wish to see you ill. Who knows what this place might do to you?

[No Dorian you're a baby you can't know about this stuff yet. Stay innocent.]

I should think I would manage well enough! Truly, it would be some help. If I knew how I am affected, it could be applied to others in similar situations. Or else as a whole. Such information is worth any illness for the good it would do.

You cannot control the course of an illness. Wouldn't it be better to simply cut open your skin and see if you heal as you ought?

[That suggestion came way too naturally to Dorian. He doesn't notice.]

That is entirely the point, to then find the best way for it to be treated in others, so we might control the illness.

[But the idea is a good one, really. He pauses, thinking it over.] That is much better than waiting to be injured. Perhaps I should...

[Which clearly means he should look around for something sharp.]

[Jekyll forgot: Dorian didn't just get that idea from Ratatosk. Dorian draws his cutlass and offers it to Jekyll.] You may use this, if you like.

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?

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

No, it's only . . .

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

...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.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

[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.

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.]

And what's wrong with that? Cats are admirable creatures.

[ Because cats. But she snorts. ]

Why is he making up new names?

Nothing but that we are not cats.

[He shrugs. Actually, if this is how cats are, then sign him up for it, it's better than humans.]

It isn't made up, exactly, the name of a colleague. The point was to avoid the obvious questions of 'Berserker', but fear of a true name being recognised. But hiding the true name is the point of the title. Frankly it's hardly better, as that man was used in the novel, it would be simple to see through.

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