III. But I don't like scenes, except on the stage.

[epigrammatical]

[In which Lord Henry treats the text feature as if it were a telegram service.]

[Text, private to Dorian Gray]
[This message is sent after two days' discreet waiting after Toby's arrival. Henry is not blind and definitely noticed Dorian's reaction, but (wisely, probably) did not interfere, and has allowed time to pass before approaching Dorian—and has also been studiously avoiding Toby. He has no idea whether his friend will answer, but even if he doesn't, that will tell him much of what he needs to know.]

Are you well? I do not wish to intrude, of course, but I could not help but notice a certain amount of recent excitement.

[Text, private to Alcuin nó Delaunay]
I hope this finds you well—would you be available to dine or for a drink sometime soon? I should like to hear of your progress with our yellow book.

[Open action nice choice and not so nice, post-trainwreck choice]

[ETA: Disturbing conversations about murder and possible eventual bad behaviour within.]

Comments

[epigrammatical]

I believe there is such a place a few doors down from here.

[He gestures in that direction.]

Would you to care to join me? If you are not averse to company, that is.

[monstrous]

I'm grateful for any friendly face. [uncertainly] But you're sure? If you had something to do I wouldn't want to get in the way.

[epigrammatical]

At this hour of the night, no gentleman has plans that cannot be changed at a moment's notice; I certainly do not. Shall we?

[He puts a hand on "Jim"'s shoulder to lead him in the direction of the bar—a quiet sort of drinking establishment where people tend to meet to have relative confidential conversations in dimly-lit corners.]

[monstrous]

Yeah, sure. ["Jim" gives Henry a friendly and grateful smile] Cheers.

["Jim" allows Henry to guide him. He is wide eyed as they walk into the bar, cautious and curious as he takes in said confidential conversations in dimly lit corners. He stares a little too long, and seems to force himself to look away whenever a stranger does happen to meet his gaze. He leans his head towards Henry, his voice hushed and filled with a fascinated awe, ever the tourist] You're sure we're all right in here?

[epigrammatical]

[Henry puts a reassuring hand on his arm and guides him to a booth.]

Safe, as the saying goes, as houses, although whoever coined that proverb never suffered the depredations of petty crime. No, it is quite all right; the owner does not tolerate scenes.

[He signals for service, and a bottle of wine and two glasses are brought over shortly.]

[monstrous]

[wide eyed] Have you been the victim of crimes like that?

[Toby smiles at the wine before them, then fishes around in his pockets, putting some crumpled bills on the table and sorting through them] I'm still getting used to the currency here. What would I owe you?

[epigrammatical]

Oh, a minor burglarly once. [He waves away this uninteresting fragment of the past with a gesture.] And please don't worry about the bill; I shall ensure that it is settled. [He can't help a small look of distaste at the subject of money; such a vulgar necessity without one's older brother through whom to channel all such affairs.]

[monstrous]

[Toby's eyes widen even more, momentarily seeming to forget about the money he's put on the table] What'd they take?

[epigrammatical]

[Henry frowns a little; why the curiosity? He gives Toby a brief, searching glance, looking for clues in his expression as he answers. His reply sounds as lightweight as anything he ever says.]

Do you know, I only recall a very ugly silver trinket-box that belonged to my wife. I am sure there was something else, but even Victoria thought it no great loss, which is why I recall that particular detail.

[monstrous]

[Toby pauses, considers this, and then smiles] Then they might've done you a favor. Were you able to collect anything on the insurance?

[Toby looks at the scattered money on the table, as if just remembering it] Let me give you something. I wouldn't feel right with you taking care of the entire tab. [Toby smiles sweetly] Please?

[epigrammatical]

[Insurance? What a silly thing to ask about. Henry's really beginning to wonder about this fellow.]

I suppose we must have, but really it was quite a while ago and ultimately a triviality.

[That smile, though. It's not something a man can resist, particularly one as out of sorts as Henry actually is at this point. And it reminds him of...something he doesn't want to think about. But it's not unpleasant, for all that.]

If you really must, I suppose a juulan or two would not go amiss. Really, though, it is nothing.

[monstrous]

[Toby takes some of the money and gives it to Henry] There. Was that so difficult?

[Toby takes a sip of the wine, then puts it down making a face] Wow! They make their drinks a lot stiffer here, don't they?

[epigrammatical]

[The money vanishes neatly, as if it were never there; when he does have to handle it, Henry has the gentleman's knack for making it come and go discreetly.]

And here I'd been prepared to enjoy an exercise of generosity. Well, another time, dear boy.

[He drinks a little.] The local wine does run strong, yes—I do apologise, I ought to have warned you. You've not been here long, have you?

[monstrous]

[Toby ducks his head, an embarrassed sigh escaping before smiling up at Henry] That obvious, huh. I suppose getting lost was a dead giveaway.

[epigrammatical]

It is nothing to be ashamed of; I have only been here a few weeks myself, and I agree that it is quite easy to find oneself turned about on these streets. Where do you reside?

[monstrous]

[Toby rolls his eyes and gives a self-deprecating smile] See, you're still able to enjoy exercising that generosity without even sacrificing a juulan! I was always terrible at being a tourist. Whenever I ended up on the continent for holiday I'd always turn myself around until I was hopelessly lost in some backstreet of Barcelona, and I'd started off in Madrid. [He takes another sip of his drink] Earth Sector. The statues there are pretty. Have you been? Or do you live there yourself? I just assumed you were living around here with how well you know your way around.

[epigrammatical]

[Talkative fellow, isn't he?]

At least you remain on the continent; worse, you could have found yourself in America. San Francisco, perhaps, where everyone who vanishes is found.

[He sips his wine. Truth is, he's not so young as he used to be and is starting to tire, but he's determined not to show it. Still, he seems to have slowed down a little.]

I have had the fortune to see the sights in the Earth sector, but I live in this sector, some short distance away.

[monstrous]

[Toby raises his eyebrows] Yeah? Well maybe...never mind. [Toby stops, ducking his head again and scratching at his bangs. He takes his drink and downs it quickly, wincing, before putting the glass back on the table]

[He looks up, smiling a little too widely] You aren't a fan of the states? Any particular reason?

[epigrammatical]

[That "maybe" gets a focused, searching look, but no verbal response. Yet.]

My brother married an American girl. It was quite the thing to do that season, as I recall. [Though, well, she was an heiress and her money kept the marquessate solvent, so he can't be down on her that much.] I have nothing in particular against them; though in the main they can be depressingly forthright.

[monstrous]

You're not a fan of the direct approach?

[epigrammatical]

[A graceful shrug.] It has its place, but brute reason is hitting below the intellect, is it not?

[Yes, he's recycling an epigram. Horrors. It should give a fair indication of his state of mind.]

[monstrous]

[Toby laughs] That one's definitely from a book, it sounds familiar enough. One of those ones they force you to read in university, you know the sort.

[epigrammatical]

[Just for a second, a sharp look. Blink and you'll miss it. Then it's back to the good-natured lightness.]

If I have stolen it, I can only hope I have unwittingly borrowed from one of the best. If you recall the source, please tell me so that I may knowingly improve it with paraphrase.

[monstrous]

Not one of the best since I can't quite recall it, but it's a good line at least. Just goes to show that sometimes something quite nice can be found even in the most boring of things.

[epigrammatical]

[Not one of the best? Boring? Feelings about Oscar's temerity aside, Henry's vanity very nearly gets the better of him, and is only mastered by his powers of discretion. Mostly.]

One may find virtues in the most unexpected of places, although sometimes it is preferable to find vice instead.