Episodes and parallels

[foreshadower]

WHO: The Shade and Dorian Gray
WHERE: Heropa, and then onward to the bar
WHEN: 07/06, late evening
WHAT: Oscar Wilde Appreciation Club
WARNINGS: None for now!


[ Residence number two was hardly difficult to find, considering Shade was in residence four, right next door fom a Mr. Dorian Gray. It was ironic, considering in his world, Oscar's inspiration had been Merritt, a killer Shade had allowed his hand to tip -- help Matt O'Dare and Jack Knight defeat the killer, and release the souls, the pictures he'd captured to preserve his immortality, into Opal. It would be interesting, to see if in this man's world, it wasn't quite so much pretense, or quite as much allegory.

Charles had been similar to Oscar, in that way, heavy on the implication, to keep others from reading the real truth from their words, or rather the inspiration from them.

Shade moved, took a walk, even, to the other man's residence, knocking on the door to introduce himself. He had a suspicion that his lack of boundaries would likely not be so welcome as they were with Jack -- but Jack was fun to pop in and say hi unannounced to, others, not so much. And even then, it was really his position of power that kept Jack in line. His knowledge that he could save Opal, not so much here -- and Shade wished to see who this man was, that called himself Dorian Gray.

Figure him out, and his version of Oscar out, of course.

He waited, after knocking, leaning on the eagle-headed cane, dressed in his usual attire -- a black suit, white shirt, vest, ascot, and even his spatterdashers were pristine and white, hat on his head rounded the entire ensemble off. He looked the picture of a man out of time. ]

Comments

[foreshadower]

A shame. [ He shook his head, but his smile was, as well, fond. His fingers itched for his pipe, but he held off for the moment, out of politeness. ]

I met him around that time, after he started publishing and came in my circles. Met him through another author, actually. [ As Shade was wont to do, author groupie that he was. ] He was much different, when he passed, I think.

Everything having finally come to a head, and things had finally seemed to...catch up to him.

[brushoff]

They did, [ Dorian responded, nostalgia creeping into his voice. Of course, the last time he saw Oscar...other things had happened (such as the wallpaper literally trying to kill him but Dorian was not mentioning that to Shade). And it was different. Same old Oscar, of course, but so much had changed between meeting him in England and that ratty old hotel in Paris. ]

And he was. He was certainly trying to not let it show, at least around me, but it was obvious that things had changed. [ There's a pause as Dorian takes a sip of his drink. ] Still, I'm glad I got to see him before he passed.

[foreshadower]

Indeed. He valued his friends quite dearly. I'm sure your presence was well-appreciated.

[ Shade did know Oscar, after all, and knew his sensibilities. Green Carnation though it was, he had his suspicions, but...well, it was hardly any of his business. ]

It's a shame, that you didn't see him in the in-between, perhaps we could have met, if there is a version of myself in your world.

[brushoff]

Who knows, [ Dorian remarked, with a little laugh and a shake of his head. ] I've been doing a little bit of reading here--and really, it's interesting what sort of people are consistent across all universes.

[ he certainly had no goddamn clue why that happened, at least. ]

[foreshadower]

Indeed it is. Who would have thought we'd both be close friends of Oscar Wilde, hm?

[ He shook his head, and sipped at his drink, like the question was a normal one to consider. ] While there are a few, I've also found the differences to be even more fascinating.

[brushoff]

The superhero one is the most fascinating to me, [ Dorian admitted, with a little grin. ] My world had the supernatural, but none of them thought that dressing up in tights and a cape to fight crime was a valid career choice.

[foreshadower]

It seems to be an interesting...phenomena. I will admit, in my world, it was quite normal, and has been happening for some time, but in others, it doesn't seem to work. I can't say what encourages it, unfortunately.

Maybe with enough time, and talking to enough people from worlds where it didn't happen, perhaps I could come up with an idea.

But I did enjoy the advent of the hero quite a bit.

[brushoff]

[ Dorian couldn't help but laugh at that slightly, grin on his face. ] Well, I can think of something that might encourage it. It looks like fun.

[ Or, at least, it looked like something that Dorian hadn't tried before and frankly, wanted to give it a shot. What's the worst that could happen, after all? Somebody try to kill him? Ridiculous. ] And besides, I bet it's cathartic. Taking out your anger at the world on some poor part-time criminal.

[foreshadower]

I should assume so. I was never really one for beating up the criminals.

[ His laugh was a touch dark, a touch revealing. ] I preferred the life of the supervillain myself.

[brushoff]

Oooh, that would be fun, [ Dorian admitted, with a little chuckle. ] And, at least that could help me replenish my failing wardrobe a bit.

[foreshadower]

Indeed. You could hardly say it's not helpful for that at the very least.

The book collection, as well. That's how I came to such an extensive one, back in the City.

[brushoff]

I'd need some sort of dashing costume, though. As well as a mask. [ And, based on how Dorian's face scrunches up, he's not too fond of the idea of a mask. ]

[foreshadower]

You may not necessarily need a mask. I never wore one.

[ No, don't take tips from Shade he's from the old school villain camp. ]


But the costume is required. I always preferred black.

[brushoff]

[ Dorian frowns for a moment, thinking. ] Either that, or I think I'd get one of those full face masks. Something to help take the brunt if someone decided to punch me.

[ because God forbid Dorian Gray get a bruise on his face. ]

But yes, black is good. I'd like to wear something dark, like blacks or, ironically enough, grays.

[foreshadower]

Grays are not quite so dramatic, I found. You want colors that will pop, quite well.

[ He smiled, while he sipped at his drink. A touch fondly. ]

Although a mask wouldn't be too awful. Something that won't mess your hair too much.

[brushoff]

[ Dorian leans in, listening intently. After all, Shade had experience doing this sort of thing. He'd know more anyway. ]

I suppose I could use spirit gum, though that would be a pain to remove.

[foreshadower]

That's what many do, or they use other ways to attach it.

I always found it to be a little... bland, to do so. Why hide your identity when all you really need to do is simply...,live far away.

[brushoff]

Not all of us can teleport, [ he laughed, shaking his head. ] Some of us, unfortunately, are stuck in the area where we live.

[foreshadower]

Then perhaps you simply need a good friend who can take you there whenever you feel like it.

[ The offer, of course, was implicit. ]

[brushoff]

[ Dorian couldn't help but laugh a bit, grin on his face, obviously recognizing the offer. ]

I suppose this makes me Bonnie to your Clyde?

[foreshadower]

Would you mind going by Bonnie? [ He asked, with a laugh. ]

I can assure you, we would be untraceable.

[ You can just tell he's bored with Heropa. ]

[brushoff]

Well then Clyde, we'll have to do that someday. [ and there's a wicked grin on Dorian's face. He's used to a certain standard of living, has absolutely no qualms with robbing people to get to that certain standard of living, and is too goddamn proud of his immortality.

Hell yeah he's gonna rob people with Shade. ]

After I find the proper attire, of course.

[foreshadower]

Yes! You can't do this without the right clothing.

[ And the smile mirrors Dorian's. A wolfish, excited thing. Shade didn't care about stealing, he didn't care about any of it, mostly because he thought his hands more experienced and far more loving to hold onto treasures than anyone else's. ]

And if you need assistance...

Well, I have dressed the same way for over 200 years, and they don't make clothing for me anymore. I'm sure I could assist you.

[brushoff]

I've got a few tailors in mind to visit first and foremost--but if I'm stuck, I'll gladly give you a call. After all, you've been here longer than I have.

[foreshadower]

Indeed, but hopefully they will be able to fit you properly. [ He paused, and shook his head. ] The modern fitting techniques never fit quite right.