IX. To get back one's youth, one has merely to repeat one's follies.

[epigrammatical]

[When the camera switches on there's only a view of Lord Henry Wotton's desk chair and his little library. Then a burst of laughter offscreen—familiar laughter to anyone who knows him, but brighter, lighter somehow. And then there's a blur of motion and a young man of twenty flings himself into the chair. He's got a handsome, boyish face, bright brown eyes, and a small, neatly trimmed moustache, and he's grinning hugely.

It's Lord Henry. Who has somehow had twenty-some-odd years shaved off and who looks exactly as he did when, as a young man, he took a First in Greats at Oxford without ever seeming to pick up a book. And he's loving it.]

Who is it that I must thank for this extraordinary turn of events? Has an elixir of youth been introduced to the wells of Keeliai? [He runs a hand through his hair, in which there is no more grey, and laughs again.] I used to say that the repetition of one's youthful follies is the surest way to get back one's youth, but I never expected that to be true.

[Serious? Not at all. He's just giddy.]

Ah, to have the gold of one's days paid back with interest! I must be careful not to waste it.

---

[OPEN ACTION: Over the course of the event, Henry may be found anywhere in Keeliai (particularly in the pleasure-houses, restaurants, and drinking establishments of the Fire sector). Wherever you find him, he will be in an excellent mood. Feel free to start a thread or ping me to request a start.]

Comments

[virginprice]

Harry?

[Alcuin looks... almost exactly the same as he used to. In the shirt he's wearing it's clear that somehow he acquired breasts where no breasts used to be, but he looks as delicate and pretty as ever. His voice, however, is lighter and more feminine.]

I would say that's impossible, but I hardly have room to speak on the subject.

[epigrammatical]

Alcuin! My dear boy—

[And then he realises that yes, in fact, Alcuin has changed. He leans forward to look more closely. No, not a trick of his eyes (which had lost their keenness in his late forties more than he'd realised)—]

—well, dear, still, to be sure.

[virginprice]

But no longer a boy, it seems. [He can't help a laugh, covering his face and looking away for a moment.]

I am not certain what to make of my own state, but you look very well. You're enjoying yourself?

[epigrammatical]

Immensely. The years gather about one so slowly, you know; one finds oneself overwhelmed without having seen the waters rise about one. But now all has flowed away, like the waters of Noah. [He leans back in his chair, hands behind his head, beaming.] But tell me, Alcuin, is your change comfortable?

[virginprice]

You make it sound as though you were an ancient, which is hardly true or fair, my dear.

[He looks downward at the recent additions... and losses.] It is very strange, but it is not uncomfortable. I am glad that I own a clothing shop, though, or I would find myself in dire straits. I'll have to make a stop there.

[epigrammatical]

Your kindness has not altered with your sex. [There's genuine tenderness there, though he shifts lightly from there into trivialities again.] For my own part, I am pleasantly surprised to find that my clothes are only a little looser now. Nevertheless, perhaps I shall see you at your shop later? I would quite like to see you in person.

[virginprice]

Yes, do. I should like to see you as well- I am sure you will not object to being admired in person. [Really, when would Harry ever object to that?]

action I'm sorry

[depicted]

[And in the late evening, having not glanced at the network even once (why would he? he still hasn't grown to like this kind of communication), Dorian is aimlessly wandering the city. He moves in and out of all the sites of pleasure open to a pretty youth with a flattering manner, and in the Fire Sector, he sees in some boy a manner at once both familiar and strange. He knows that way of holding yourself. Perhaps this youth is himself from the era of Dorian's birth, or from a world with an era much like it.

So Dorian drops down beside the boy and smiles, beginning] Apologies for the intrusion; I thought I should say hello as we'd not met yet, and you— [And recognition hits.

Dorian's mouth opens, half-shuts, and opens again.] . . . Harry?

action never be sorry

[epigrammatical]

[From his place on the couch, waiting for a pretty golden-skinned kedan girl to bring him a drink, Henry spotted Dorian before Dorian spotted him, but he doesn't betray so much as a flicker of recognition, waiting instead with the most intense pleasure to see the penny drop in his friend's expression. Only then does he break into a grin, and then into laughter.]

My dear, dear fellow, I wondered how long it would take you to catch on. I cannot decide if I am pleased or disappointed for you to have recognised me so swiftly.

action

[depicted]

Ah— [Dorian remains speechless a moment longer, and then another moment as he tries to find appropriate words in the face of this laughter.]

You're—how do you—you look as I do, but you—

[Dorian takes Lord Henry by the chin and looks at his mouth, his eyes. But he really is what Dorian thought him: a man of forty in a body of twenty.]

Don't tell me you made a wish. [The cold warning, the aged and experienced sense that such wishes should not, must not be made, is too much, and Dorian realizes. He makes himself tease.] Should I go looking for a novel, as lovely and unreal as a Persian carpet, wherein your soul is contained?

action

[epigrammatical]

[Dorian's mood might have dragged Henry's with it, but his own spirits are too buoyant just now.]

I have made many wishes, but none have ever been answered. No, it appears that I, like others amongst the foreigners of Keeliai, have been touched by a bit of magic that its wielder would say has gone awry. But if this is a mistake, it is a happy one indeed.

action

[depicted]

[Yes, he was certainly wonderfully handsome . . . Dorian is mesmerized by the transformation into youth. He has so often seen its reverse, even on Lord Henry himself, but this is the undoing of their common enemy. Now he can't resist another touch, his fingers to Harry's cheek.] There is absolutely nothing in the world but youth, [he murmurs, and draws his hand back.

He transforms into lightness.] And what will you do with yours, Harry? I hear there is a school you might be able to attend.

action

[epigrammatical]

[His fingers skim Dorian's briefly at the echo of his own words back to him. He had been only thirty when he had first said them—how acutely he understands the truth of it now! It is almost bitter, but he will not let it be so, not now. The kedan girl returns with his drink and he orders another from her for Dorian.]

There are follies worth repeating and then there is school. I intend to do exactly what you think—I intend to live and to make the most of that which has been given to me a second time, for as long as it shall last.

[He wants it to last as long as he is here, of course. But he understands enough to know that it probably won't, all hopes aside. So he inures himself to the idea by making light of it, by casual mention, by idle chatter.]

video;

[trifurcate]

[Bryn is unchanged, but her expression is one of shock as she looks at Henry who seems to be near the same age as her.]

Harry you look incredible.

[She pauses a beat, and rushes on.]

Not that you don't always look handsome but deities, what a change!

video;

[epigrammatical]

Some would say the years have been kinder to me than I deserved, but I for one am glad to be relieved of their ministrations. [He's too happy about this to take offence. He leans forward, lowering his voice slightly, in conspiratorial fashion.] Sweetest of Bryns, are you busy? I've something that might interest you, if you have a moment.

video;

[trifurcate]

[Bryn remembers moments here and there where Henry has winced with movement, moved slower than she might have with her younger age and less wear on her body. To see him looking so youthful and vibrant makes her happy for him.]

No, not at all. Do you want me to come over then?

[One of the nice things about sharing the same suite building is how close they are.]

video;

[epigrammatical]

[A graceful welcoming gesture with his hands.]

At your convenience, dearest lady.

video; --> action;

[trifurcate]

Then I'll be there momentarily!

[And after disconnecting, it's no more than five minutes at most before she knocks upon Henry's door. It can't be surprising she's eager to see him in person when he's been so altered.]

action;

[epigrammatical]

[Only a lifetime's habit of restraint keeps Henry from bouncing on his heels as he opens the door to Bryn.]

My dear girl, come in, come in.

[As he closes the door behind her, he greets her with an energetic kiss.]

[leviathaned]

Well, I'm glad you're enjoying it.

[Hey, you know what could make the day better? If Sei's voice was about an octave higher (making it, of course, a smoky alto that (s)he finds kind of annoying.

And also, since she didn't bother to switch to voice, it's pretty obvious what's happened and that none of Sei's clothes are designed with breasts in mind.]

It's one hell of a thing to have managed this.

[epigrammatical]

[A puzzled frown that clears after a moment's surprised silence.]

Sei Wakahisa, is it? You are the second such I have seen with ... such a transformation.

[leviathaned]

I've counted at least three, myself included, a couple of people in someone else' body, and two, including you, who are reliving their golden years.

That can't account for people who don't feel like sharing on the network.

[Sei huffs, and leans her chin in one hand.]

It's a hell of a thing.

[epigrammatical]

And an entirely novel one—which would be an ample pleasure in and of itself. [He's a bit too selfishly pleased at his own good fortune, perhaps.]

[leviathaned]

Up until there's a catch. [Just. Putting that out there.]

[epigrammatical]

I am sure that this will be fleeting, as all of life's pains and pleasures are. [He'd like to hope not, though.] But that is all the more reason to wring what enjoyment one can in the meantime.