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]

[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.

[monstrous]

Look at you! I wouldn't have thought you had it in you. And just what sort of vices would be preferable for you, [Toby holds up his empty glass] besides this of course?

[epigrammatical]

["Wouldn't have thought—" Henry is trying not to bristle now, instead smiling.]

Oh, only the the most interesting ones, to be sure. There is no point in pursuing an indulgence that one may regret if it is dull.

[monstrous]

Oh! I get it now. You're a - [Toby pauses, snapping his fingers as he tries to remember, and then with a triumphant smack to the table he smiles at Henry] - a Decadent, yeah? That quote from earlier, it was Oscar Wilde I bet! What was it, The Importance of Being Earnest or something along those lines? You'd know better though, Wilde-maniac that I'm sure you are, quoting him and the like.[Toby smacking the table earlier got the attention of one of the waiters there, and Toby signals to his drink for a refill. When he looks back at Henry, Toby's smile is guileless, as if he has no idea what he's saying]

[epigrammatical]

[Henry reacts visibly to the mention of Oscar's name, and immediately curses himself for it. Some kind of unease is starting to take hold and he wants very badly to make a graceful escape—or perhaps even a graceless one; at this point he's caring less and less about elegance and more about his personal discomfort. But he can't let it slide altogether—]

I have had the personal acquaintance of Mr Wilde, as a matter of fact. He is a fine wordsmith, to be sure, but I leave the true sycophantic devotion to his younger acolytes. [Calm, still calm, but there's a coolness now to his voice and expression that wasn't there before.]

[monstrous]

[Toby notices the visible reaction. He bites back a smile, instead his brow furrows in concern as he bites his lip, a hand reaching across the table, stopping just short of Henry before pulling back] Hey, sorry, did I say something amiss? You're all right, yeah? If I stirred up something, I - [Toby looks around the club uncertainly before looking at Henry again.] Should I go?

[epigrammatical]

There is nothing keeping you here; you have paid your portion of the bill, after all.

[It's not quite a brush-off, but Henry certainly would not complain in the slightest if "Jim" chose to take his leave, and he's not going to expend any further effort of politeness in retaining him here. Perhaps it's the lateness, or the wine, but he is now full of misgivings and, uncharacteristically, afraid of what more he might say.]

[monstrous]

[Toby pulls back in his seat, sitting up and smiling politely] Yeah I have. [Toby stands up, walking so he's standing over Henry,smiling down at him] Cheers again, Lord Wotton, sir. Sorry if I said the wrong thing. [Toby extends a hand for Henry to shake] It was a pleasure meeting you.

[epigrammatical]

[Henry stares at the hand for an eyeblink, in that instant regretting his own rudeness somewhat, but not enough to encourage the young man to remain.]

It is quite all right. [And he offers his hand in return.] Good night, Mr Kirk.

[monstrous]

Night. I'll see you around. [With a final smile, Toby releases the hand. He stops to ask someone near the door for directions, before making his exit]

[epigrammatical]

[And Henry finishes his drink alone before hurrying home, feeling—for no real reason that he can articulate—that he's stayed out too late and had better get to safety sooner rather than later.]