video + (possible) action ;

[tobeseeking]

[ When he arrives, Dorian isn’t entirely disoriented. In fact, he is so intrigued by the wonderment of this place, that he spends several long minutes touring the corridors and hallways. The moment he last recalls - a blink, a turn, and he had been here - does not surface in all the excitement, fingertips lightly touching the smoothness of the walls and the decor of the tables. By the time he discovers the device in his pocket, the enthusiasm has cooled to curiosity and a calm demeanor that eventually reflects on the video feed that appears. A moving picture? How ingenious. ]

Hello. [ There’s a twitch of a smile, something easy and inviting. ] As things do not seem to have any particular order here, an introduction would be proper in this situation. [ But the very idea of it almost causes him to laugh. ] I am Dorian Gray.

[ His fingertips fill the view as he touches the screen with a somewhat speculative expression. Then, there is nothing but a full, gentle smile. ]

The questions that this place originally instill are not as intriguing as some of the others that immediately come to mind. So, I extend this invitation to you and anyone willing to discuss these... finer details with me. [ A tilt of his head and the thank you is unspoken. ] I look forward to it.

[ Before it ends, the video pans to take in his location: the main entrance hall. If anyone happens to approach him there, he may be somewhat distracted by details of the architecture, hands clasped loosely behind his back. ]

Comments

the most pleasant girl ever on video.

[snarly]

Did you seriously turn a 'hi, how are you, what's going on' into an eight-billion second long speech? How? ( she looks confounded and disgusted all at once because why would you make so many words unnecessarily. )

[tobeseeking]

[ This is charming. ] I find that every word should be chosen carefully and spoken with intent. It helps to differentiate between those who hold a certain value of interest over those who say nothing at all.

video

[forworse]

[ Oh look, piercing blue eyes, dark lashes - it's everyone's favourite vampire. ]

You're not going to look forward to it for long.

[ Damon is a pessimistic, but could anyone blame him? ]

[tobeseeking]

[ Whether or not this man is pessimistic, Dorian finds the comment interesting enough. His smile is slow. ]

And why is that, I wonder.

video;

[anotherdid]

[Vanessa had met enough people since her arrival to have a tentative grasp on how to use her device now. It had been explained to her that she needed to keep it far enough away from her to give the viewer a better angel of her face, and while she had been shown the text feature, she preferred the ease of a video.

She wouldn't say she was surprised to see Dorian Gray's face flash across the screen, Victor was here, too, so it wasn't entirely impossible that people from her home would show up in Wonderland. And, while she lacked a feeling of astonishment, she couldn't help but feel a kind of resigned trepidation at his appearance.

The entrance hall was near her, but she didn't want to meet Dorian in person right now. She wasn't sure he'd want to see her, but, whether he did or not, it didn't matter. Vanessa knew keeping her distance was best for her, for everyone really. However, she could speak with him through the device, and still remain perfectly detached. She hoped.]

Mr. Gray. [She opted not to address what he had said, and decided to extend an arrival greeting of sorts.] It seems many from our home, and time, are being brought here.

Welcome.

[tobeseeking]

[ It is a face and voice he has most longed to hear. Yet, it brings to mind their last conversation, so fresh in his thoughts that Dorian considers not replying at all. But manners dictate the rudeness of such behavior, and while he fears (if momentarily) another rejection, Vanessa speaks nothing but kindness to him. He could, at the very least, return it.

Dorian's expression remains neutral. ]

A place that also appears to lack a name as well. It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss Ives. [ Have a bit of a smile. ]

action;

[what_he_needs]

[Michael had his head down, eyes pointed towards the ground. He was lost in thought, and not paying attention, something he wasn't usually prone to doing, but there it was. He was walking fast, wanting to get outside, and into the air as fast as he could; he was feeling a little cooped up today.

He saw the flash of color out of the corner of his eye, and stopped just quickly enough that he didn't run into the person. Michael narrowed his eyes, even though it was his fault that they'd nearly collided, and spoke a little harsher than was needed.]

Excuse me.

[tobeseeking]

[ Dorian, of course, is entirely too distracted by the architecture of the entrance hall to have noticed until the apology is being spoken. Then, of course, his gaze settles on the other man and the peculiarity of this situation. He is, by no means, in his way, and yet, somehow, this person had found his way into his company. ]

Please. [ The slightest tilt of his head, a gentle smile, and he takes a step to the side as if offering Michael the right to bypass him without any explanation whatsoever. ]

video;

[onsilksheets]

Rather calm for someone who has been taken from their home and deposited here. [A beat.] You're either used to odd situations or very good at hiding behind a veneer of tranquility.

[tobeseeking]

Why dwell on a choice that has obviously been made for me? There are far too many beautiful things to admire instead.

action;

[onlyhomemade]

[Little did he know that Dorian ran into his twin (nearly literally) just moments before he left the mansion. He'd been swooping in to land when Michael took off, he didn't think anything of where the other came from. He's grown accustomed to not having to tuck his wings away the moment his feet touch ground. It was refreshing that in Wonderland people didn't generally freak out at the sight of him.

So, he's got his large, glossy, black feathered wings folded neatly on his back as he saunters through the front and into the entrance hall like it's just a normal day. He spares a glance to Dorian as he's eying the architecture curiously, finding it a little odd that he's so fixated the walls and things to the point he touching everything. He continues on his way, a gentle swagger in his step and his wings slowly pull into his being, shrinking down till they disappear into his back.]

[tobeseeking]

[ He has his hand somewhat settled on a table when he notices the other entering, and it's the presence of those wings that has Dorian stilling almost immediately. There is no mistake as to what he must be, though the very thought of it is as questionable as the rest of the place. His qualms with God do not extend here, and thus, it should have no bearing on what he does and who he sees. He's seen the paintings, knows the stories. A blink, and he might have missed those lovely wings had he not immediately given them his full attention.

He wishes to touch them, to possess them. There is always a price, he knows, and rather than pursue, he requests an audience by turning his body just so and calling after the other before he leaves the room. His fingers curl loosely atop the table. ]

How do you manage them? [ It's an opening, and he takes it with pride and purpose. ]

[Video]

[formerlydangerous]

[Oh, the face in the video is so unimpressed and somewhat obnoxious, but then he wouldn't be Spike otherwise, would he?]

Sorry mate. I don't accept just any personal invitation these days. ['Days' being the key word here. Perhaps if it was a bit less 'daytime' and more 'moonlight' he might just.]

Not sure I can offer much in the way of experience, but I won't sugar coat the answers I know like the rest of these poor sods. And it's your lucky day. I'm just bored out of my friggen skull enough to play Twenty Questions.

[tobeseeking]

[ Dorian, bless his heart, isn't at all put off by the expression on the other's face. In fact, he's more interested in what he offers than anything else. ]

And I am only allotted twenty? [ His smile curls wider at one corner of his mouth, almost amused. ] For all the questions I may have, I would be content to know your name first.

action;

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn O'Connell is thrilled about the recent influx of folk hailing from Great Britain, particularly because they seem to be from a time much closer to her own than everyone else's. She can hardly contain her friendly excitement in replying to the third newcomer in the past week, all meticulously-chosen words and a discreet air of amusement over the network.

It is a refreshing change of pace from the usual harried threats and accusations that arrivals make. An Englishman has a sense of decorum.

Already on the first floor, the library being of decent proximity to the main hall, it takes her a couple of minutes to leave her things tidy in the stacks before engaging in her plans to introduce herself, a book still tucked under one arm. The man she encounters is clad in the casual wear of the 1880s or 1890s, she is reminded of the tintypes and image-captures of her grandparents. His back is turned to her, but that is hardly a deterrent.]

Hello.

[The cut of her dress is likely scandalous in length, form-fitting without a corset but apropos for the chillier weather since the leaves began to fall. Frankly, Evelyn is glad she decided on something sensible today.]

I saw your missive, I do hope you don't mind my introducing myself in person.

[tobeseeking]

[ He is always about a sense of propriety. Even as adventurous as he could be with certain activities, Dorian finds himself drawn to the contained intricacies of society and how one presents themselves in public. This, of course, follows to this new place, and as he is particularly invested in the trimming bordering the length of the room, it is obvious enough in the slight turn of his body when she greets him that he hadn't been expecting anyone at all despite his clear offer.

Dorian looks and doesn't find himself disappointed, gaze falling to the style of her dress but not at all lingering. It can be made clear just how much he enjoys what he sees without being obvious about it. ]

Not at all. [ His hands loosen from behind his back, fingertips skimming the back of a chair as he addresses her. ] I would not have extended the invitation otherwise. [ And even if he had mentioned it already, he is not above saying it again for one so lovely as this woman before him. ] Dorian Gray.

[ He gives the slightest nod at her, moving a little closer. ]

video.

[ganking]

For someone who has just been kidnapped to another world, you seem way too damn cheery, man.

[ enough with the weird gentle smiles, creep. and no way is dean meeting this dude anywhere, thanks. of course, that clearly hasn't stopped him from speaking up. ]

You can get the finer details in print too, y'know.

[tobeseeking]

[ Oh good. Another roguish foreigner, very clearly American by the way he addresses him. As if he hadn't had enough delight in conversing with Ethan, the universe has deemed it proper to give him another one. Just for that, Dean gets another smile. ]

I haven't had the pleasure. [ Of finding it in print, that is. ] Are the details so difficult to explain?

action;

[gadjos]

[Peter isn't in the habit of checking the network. Generally, he doesn't give much of a shit about social networking, and there are only, like, six people here he keeps up conversation with anyway. He misses Dorian's introduction completely, and it's by sheer chance that he happens upon the guy in the entrance hall a while after the post.

He's patting himself down, evidently searching for something he can't manage to find in any of his pockets, and he's got a joint hanging from his lips.

Finally, he seems to give up on his search, and raises his eyes to glance around the room. Dorian's the closest person in talking-distance, so he paces forward a foot or two.]

Hey man, you got a light?

[tobeseeking]

[ The movement is something that catches his attention almost immediately, half-turned as he's still examining the design of the trim along the upper wall so that he can better get a view of the person in question. For a moment, Dorian is thoroughly reminded of Ethan, and he's torn between amusement and curiosity.

There's a slight curl to his lips at the question though, fingers quick as they slip into the pocket of his vest to extract the slim cigarette case tucked inside. It's purposes far extend beyond that of its immediate use, and he flicks it open almost delicately, removing one of the small matches inside and replacing the case just as quickly. He steps toward him, using an edge of the table close by to strike the head and cup his fingers around the flame that sparks to life as he leans closer in offerance. ]

Dorian. [ Not man, though he isn't at all put off by the lack of manners. ] Is this how you choose to bide your time?

[ Talking to strangers, smoking in the hallways. The people here were fascinating. ]

[audio]

[thepointisdolphins]

...Dorian Gray. Really. [So dry you'll get dehydrated.]

[tobeseeking]

That is the name I was given. [ Not exactly sure what you're implying, sir. ]

the latest to late [video]

[hybrida]

That's a change in tone from our typical new arrivals.

[ Not even going to start the conversation with a hello. Greetings can be so pedestrian at times, and he's in the mood to change it up a bit. Granted, his moods tend to swing wildly from one to another in a moment's notice, but right now he's being relatively pleasant. Intrigued, even, since anything other than outright confusion or anger at arriving gets his attention.

Also, that name is familiar enough to him that naturally he will engage in conversation. ]

I assume you were bombarded by our local Good Samaritans. We've plenty of them about the place.

[ And maybe he sounds a little judgmental about said people. ]

don't worry, not as late as me

[tobeseeking]

I have heard it from a few others already. It must become so repetitive over time.

[ And how Dorian dislikes repetitive. Still, he isn't going to turn this person away and their potential helpfulness. He stares almost intensely at the man in the moving picture for a moment and then offers a soft smile. ] They were as generous as you claim them to be. [ Dorian turns his head, expression soft and almost coy. ] But not quite to my tastes.

video »

[skjalf]

Ah, a fellow countryman! I bid you welcome to this place, sir. I am Elizabeth Plantagenet.

( she wonders, somewhat idly if he might have heard of her. his state of dress, while formal, is quite different from what she is used to and points to one thing: this man is from the future. or such is what whoever has brought her here might wish her to believe. in any case, she effects the perfect image of a good god-fearing medieval woman, she bows her head and lowers her lashes.

the mask yet has its uses, she has found. even outside of her uncle's court. )

I have been reading extensively about this place. I would be pleased to discuss it with you, sir.

[tobeseeking]

It is a pleasure, Miss Plantagenet. Please call me Dorian.

[ The overuse of sir isn't something he's terribly fond of, and given this woman's demeanor, he wonders if it might be too forward. Then again, nothing fascinates Dorian more like testing boundaries and stepping over them. If he has heard of her, he dismisses it immediately to pursue other another course of conversation. ]

Discussions, I find, are best done in the same room. Perhaps we can arrange to meet.