It gets old after the third time; You can take my word on that. But I'm glad you got something from your glimpse of oblivion. [The words are flippant, but the tone is not.]
So. You're back, you're refreshed with a new perspective, and you've had your own personal Jesus moment, including being held captive by, I presume, your enemies.
[An impressively chaotic few weeks, if he says so himself.]
Well, if something happens with them again and you want a hand, call me. Two against two are better odds, seeing as they were enough to manage to capture you in the first place. [Grayson can handle himself, Dorian knows, but they've shared too much for the vampire to not be someone he's willing to put skin in the game for.
[And honestly? That has the potential to be a lot of fun with Dorian's devious mind on board.]
One of them has magic that's particularly useful against my kind. Even so, he had to get reinforcement from somewhere else. I'm still working to track down the specific dweomer.
[He will find it.]
The sort I think might appeal to you. Encouraging people to find their inner sadists, or masochists. The selves they keep hidden and refuse to accept. No drugs beyond alcohol. No excuses.
If someone has an advantage over you, the solution is to dampen it, take it away from them completely, or to catch them by surprise. [By any means necessary.] I suppose you're aiming to feel out your possibilities there by finding whoever helped them? Or is it something else?
[The revelation of genuine, unacceptable for whatever reason, desires? Yes, that does appeal.]
Honestly? You had me at 'party'. But this sounds like it's going attract a more interesting crowd than the usual dance floor set to house music.
Pass me an invitation when the time comes and I'll be there.
They'll abide by it, because they'll sign a binding contract at the door, or they won't come in.
[He won't be having any of that.]
Yes. Attendees can wear predator or prey masks. If they wish to take on both roles, they can pick the mask most suited to their inclinations and wear additional cuffs.
Contractual non-consent? [He laughs lightly. It's ingenious, but still absurd to say out loud.] Or more like a waiver, I suppose: The first three rows will get wet.
[Duly noted on the attire. Dorian knows what he won't be doing, at least.]
All right. And any special benefits to being part of the host's VIP circle?
[That's amusing, but ALSO UNSETTLING, yes. Grayson has felt a little different to him at certain points in this conversation, and after the Born Again Positivity at the start of all of this, another moment's happening now. He's not sure what to make of it.
But as usual, he'll slap some bravado on it.]
You know how I know you're telling the truth? No witnessing of someone in extremis when they're dead.
Very true. Besides, you've said you've been there, done that, so what good would come of it for you? It's not a new experience, not a door I could open for you.
[His smile comes through his voice.]
Is it really that you can't die? Rather, can't stay dead?
The deaths don’t stick, [he confirms.] I’ve been immolated a handful of times myself, and popped up like a daisy as fresh as you’ve ever seen me within a half hour or less after.
I’ve never been able to pinpoint the recovery time. Melted watches and all.
[Dorian hums thoughtfully.]
Which brings up a salient point: If I’m injured at your party, it’ll give away my healing. I can avoid some amount of that myself by not putting myself in obvious harm, but I don’t suppose you’d be able to help me there somehow?
[There's a drollness to it, the idea of a melted watch being more trouble than the burning to death.]
I can shield you from the magic that heals you for a time. Take that to heart. Things you'd normally be able to shrug off you won't. Blood loss will make you light headed. Deep wounds will send you into shock.
Inconvenience is only the beginning, Grayson. Try taking anyone religious seriously ever again once you've confirmed, more times than you can count, that there's nothing on the other side.
[As Grayson describes how the magic works, Dorian hesitates. If the portrait's grip is kept off of him, does that mean his body would revert to the way it should be? Horrifically disfigured, and a creature beyond recognition? If that's even a remote possibility, it's unacceptable.]
No. A shield may not be the right way to go about it.
Think about it this way: the wounds that happen to me still exist after I've healed from them. They're being held in waiting for me by the magic. If that healing is taken away, the dam could break all at once and release everything that's happened to me, upon me. [He can't suppress his shudder at the idea.]
[He adores playing Devil's advocate, even if he hates faith and the faithful.]
If you're bound in some way, perhaps your soul simply never makes it to where it could be destined.
[There's an undercurrent of amusement in his supposition. True faith's effect on him is no proof of God, as far as he's concerned, no more than the existence of demons is a proof of Hell.
That is more of a challenge, but not insurmountable.]
A draught to slow it. It won't cut you off. It will simply delay the effects. Like putting a kink in a hose.
Touché, but my soul is housed in my body. [Since 2015. Not that he's sure how much ownership he really has of it, as the portrait's gifts of youth and beauty still hold.] The magic that touches me would have to be powerful enough to outstrip whatever governs the forces of the universe.
[It's possible that Lucifer's that powerful, but Dorian's skeptical.]
How would it work? Would it only touch the magic, or would it affect me in other ways, too? [Now he's curious, not skeptical.]
My 'aura'. [He doesn't doubt that it's something to Grayson, but the word's too tied up in New Age flimflammery on his Earth for his eyebrows to not rise.]
The nature of my soul, or something along those lines?
Not precisely. Everyone produces an energetic field. Part of it is electromagnetism, part of it psychic energy...the product of their minds. Different types of beings have different qualities. Shifters and fae, for example, fluctuate and have odd colors. Emotion plays a part. Magic plays a part.
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So. You're back, you're refreshed with a new perspective, and you've had your own personal Jesus moment, including being held captive by, I presume, your enemies.
[An impressively chaotic few weeks, if he says so himself.]
What's next?
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[Petty men with petty axes to grind.]
I was thinking of turning over a new leaf. Starting a charity in the Down for disadvantaged whatevers.
[A short pause.]
Actually, a further walk along the path we've charted. I'm going to throw a party.
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But a party? Intriguing.]
A party? What sort?
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[And honestly? That has the potential to be a lot of fun with Dorian's devious mind on board.]
One of them has magic that's particularly useful against my kind. Even so, he had to get reinforcement from somewhere else. I'm still working to track down the specific dweomer.
[He will find it.]
The sort I think might appeal to you. Encouraging people to find their inner sadists, or masochists. The selves they keep hidden and refuse to accept. No drugs beyond alcohol. No excuses.
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[The revelation of genuine, unacceptable for whatever reason, desires? Yes, that does appeal.]
Honestly? You had me at 'party'. But this sounds like it's going attract a more interesting crowd than the usual dance floor set to house music.
Pass me an invitation when the time comes and I'll be there.
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[Even if he never engages with that particular player on the field.]
You can be my +1.
[Although as the party thrower, he can bring and invite as many guests as he cares to.]
We'll all be leaving consent at the door.
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So no one enters halfhearted or just to be a lookie-loo. Refreshing and uncommon, if people actually abide by it. [He has his doubts.]
In that case, one question: is there any choice of which role attendees fall into?
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[He won't be having any of that.]
Yes. Attendees can wear predator or prey masks. If they wish to take on both roles, they can pick the mask most suited to their inclinations and wear additional cuffs.
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[Duly noted on the attire. Dorian knows what he won't be doing, at least.]
All right. And any special benefits to being part of the host's VIP circle?
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[A binding one.]
Oh, most definitely. I won't kill you.
[The laughter is likely not encouraging.]
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But as usual, he'll slap some bravado on it.]
You know how I know you're telling the truth? No witnessing of someone in extremis when they're dead.
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[His smile comes through his voice.]
Is it really that you can't die? Rather, can't stay dead?
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I’ve never been able to pinpoint the recovery time. Melted watches and all.
[Dorian hums thoughtfully.]
Which brings up a salient point: If I’m injured at your party, it’ll give away my healing. I can avoid some amount of that myself by not putting myself in obvious harm, but I don’t suppose you’d be able to help me there somehow?
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[There's a drollness to it, the idea of a melted watch being more trouble than the burning to death.]
I can shield you from the magic that heals you for a time. Take that to heart. Things you'd normally be able to shrug off you won't. Blood loss will make you light headed. Deep wounds will send you into shock.
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[As Grayson describes how the magic works, Dorian hesitates. If the portrait's grip is kept off of him, does that mean his body would revert to the way it should be? Horrifically disfigured, and a creature beyond recognition? If that's even a remote possibility, it's unacceptable.]
No. A shield may not be the right way to go about it.
Think about it this way: the wounds that happen to me still exist after I've healed from them. They're being held in waiting for me by the magic. If that healing is taken away, the dam could break all at once and release everything that's happened to me, upon me. [He can't suppress his shudder at the idea.]
If you enjoy magical conundrums, this is it.
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[He adores playing Devil's advocate, even if he hates faith and the faithful.]
If you're bound in some way, perhaps your soul simply never makes it to where it could be destined.
[There's an undercurrent of amusement in his supposition. True faith's effect on him is no proof of God, as far as he's concerned, no more than the existence of demons is a proof of Hell.
That is more of a challenge, but not insurmountable.]
A draught to slow it. It won't cut you off. It will simply delay the effects. Like putting a kink in a hose.
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[It's possible that Lucifer's that powerful, but Dorian's skeptical.]
How would it work? Would it only touch the magic, or would it affect me in other ways, too? [Now he's curious, not skeptical.]
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[Enough time for a small test, as well, if he decides he wants it.]
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The nature of my soul, or something along those lines?
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And none of it harmed by the addition of hot yoga, I'm guessing?
[Sorry Grayson, the impreciseness of that description made this happen.]
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[He doesn't miss a beat.]
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All right. Let me know when and where, and I'll bring the refreshments.
And thank you, by the way. It doesn't escape me that I'm the one leaning on you, here.
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It would be a shame for you to miss the party on a technicality. It's my pleasure.
[He wants to see him in action, what he'll do, not just with him but with others of similar bent.]
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action
here's a classic adhd moment for you: had this tag fully written in a tab and forgot to hit submit
The times I've done that...
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