open / and I've been putting out the fire with gasoline

[brushoff]

Who: Dorian Gray & others!
What: body horror, creepy portraits, murder???
When: early May & onwards
Where: Milton, Lakeside

Content Warnings: NPC murder, will edit as needed

( open & closed starters in the comments! )

Comments

[gildedlife]

[The hand on his chest is a little weird, but James doesn't immediately think as much of it as he might've otherwise, as he's still catching his breath. Surely Dorian just thinks James is at risk of falling down, which to be fair is entirely valid.

He's recovered enough, though, that Dorian's remark earns an unimpressed look.]

It did try to kill me.

[Though it's not trying to kill both of them, he supposes, so still an upgrade from usual.]

[brushoff]

Yes, but it wasn't killing me. Besides, now I get to hang out with with a remarkably attractive and chiseled man, [ Dorian points out, with a saucy little wink. ] And frankly, I'd consider that a net gain.

[ Is the flirting blatant? Yes. Does Dorian care? No. ]

[gildedlife]

[...Oh. Well. This is not at all subtle, especially not to James, who is of course Victorian and used to this sort of thing being done in a far more discreet way when between a man and a woman, let alone any other type of pair. Of course, he's also gotten used to how many here come from another time, and how that comes with very different social norms.

And it's also not the first time he's been flirted with here, so he's a bit less surprised than he might've otherwise been. In fact, shameless flirtation or not, 'remarkably attractive' is a nice thing to hear, even if he's less sure what the 'chiseled' part means.

He weighs, briefly, how to react to the situation, and decides for the moment to simply not react to it. He's curious if Dorian is trying to get at something--besides the obvious--and just how long he might keep up such brazen behavior.]

Seems an unbalanced arrangement.

[He makes the comment dryly, almost a joke, because it is inherently humorous in a morbid sort of way. But he supposes that at least Dorian doesn't seem to oppose James' presence; he doesn't really know what he would've done had this affliction required him to make contact with someone who refused to assist, so if Dorian wants to also compliment him at the same time, James can't bring himself to be too bothered.]

[brushoff]

[ Mostly what Dorian's trying to get at is a little fun. It's been so dull here lately. Murder confessions, having people bother him about murder confessions, the fact that torture and mindfuckery is becoming routine (thanks, aurora!). It sucks. Dorian doesn't like it. So sue him if he wants to indulge in a little flirting and get his groove back with this handsome officer! He deserves this! He's only done a little bit of murder. ]

Then we'll have to balance it somewhat. Surely there's something I can do to make your stay with me more...pleasurable.

[ there's a saucy wink after that last word. ]

[gildedlife]

[Not subtle at all. And, for that matter, not very skillful; as much as James enjoys flattery, and may or may not also appreciate the ego boost of someone clearly desiring him, those feelings are certainly dampened when they don't feel particularly individual. With how bold and shameless Dorian is being, James thinks this behavior is probably not a particularly rare occurrence.

So he gives Dorian a flat look, unimpressed.]

Do you have anything to drink?

[Alcoholic or otherwise. It's both meant as a distraction--to see how Dorian will react--and a genuine request, as now that James' attention is no longer mostly taken up by the stress of potentially suffocating, he finds himself very tired and a bit dehydrated.]

[brushoff]

[ The blatant dismissal of his flirting earns Fitzjames an annoyed little frown. Rude. People are supposed to flock around Dorian! Still, this is only a minor setback. He's certain he can charm this man into liking him by the end of the evening. He's Dorian Gray, after all. That's what he does.

So the annoyed frown lasts for a moment before being replaced by a breezy, easy-going little shrug. ]

I have water, that horrid pine wine, and some Crystal Light packets that are probably at least ten years old. I've got something vaguely liquid made from serviceberry that I'm trying to brew in a mason jar I've found. It might be wine, might be juice, or might be toxic—I've mostly been letting it do it's own thing.

[gildedlife]

[It's hardly the first time that someone's given James that look, and although typically James would not be pleased with someone being annoyed with him, in this case it's the goal. He demands Dorian put a little more effort into this if James is going to even pretend to entertain it.

But then at least he's answering the question, even if the options only get worse as Dorian goes on. James hates the pine wine--he could barely convince himself to drink it at the last sunset party--and he has no idea what a Crystal Light packet even is. And some sort of at-home attempt to make wine that may simply be poison is not appealing for many reasons.]

Water will do. Thank you.

[Though, as James says it, he realizes there might be a problem; if Dorian goes to fetch the water, what will happen? Do they have to remain in contact?]

[brushoff]

[ Dorian doesn't realize there might be a problem until he's a few steps towards the kitchen. Just how long is this tether between them? If he goes into a different room, what will happen?

Might as well explain, ]

If you suddenly stop breathing, there's a little apartment off the side of the church right there, [ said as he gestures to a door. ] It's got a kitchenette. I know you've got eyes and you'll see where I'm going, but just to be safe, I'll be inside, getting the water.

[ Please don't die, dude. Dorian continues to walk towards the door to the apartment, listening to see if Fitzjames suddenly stops breathing. ]