For this, for everything, we are out of tune;

[hisheartsdesire]

WHO: Tobias Matthews and Dorian Pavus.
WHERE: Some expensive and fancy-schmancy Japanese restaurant.
WHEN: Sometime in October, after the misfires, Toby getting back together with Dorian Gray, and the swear-in, but before Toby gets killed.
WHAT: A dinner that Toby cannot actually partake in, but that Dorian will hopefully enjoy.
WARNINGS: Toby is a vampire, and while this Dorian isn't immortal, he's known for a variety of other things. Will update as necessary.

"Somewhere nice, preferably not French, but otherwise surprise me."

Based on this response, Toby was almost certainly sure his messages had reached Dorian Pavus. His Dorian probably would've figured it all out and was unlikely to continue the charade after the last few texts. Still, Toby had been willing to go through with the date anyway just because it may be worth getting to know the other Dorian. That, and sometimes he thinks it's unfair that his Dorian had gone to Rome so soon after he had finally returned home.

However, it's quite difficult for Toby to plan out a dinner date since he hasn't actually eaten food for over two and a half centuries. So he'd needed to postpone their little date until he was sure... Since he wants it to go well, if not perfectly, he's poured much effort into this endeavour and taken time and pains to craft it. After some talk about food with Riku during the swear-in event, and plenty of online research, Toby opted for a Japanese restaurant and sushi bar with a more traditional-style dining area in the back. He'd managed to reserve one of those rooms for a quiet and intimate meeting with Mr. Pavus. Hopefully the other man will appreciate it, though they will be seated on the floor at a low table.

After an early dinner with his own Dorian, Toby left for the restaurant ahead of time to make sure the arrangements were underway. With everything all sorted out, all that's left to do is wait, knowing this Dorian has no idea what the mysterious Tobias Matthews even looks like. Well, he'll finally know when he arrives, won't he?

Comments

[selfpraise]

If there's one thing Dorian's learnt from this, it's that Gray likes French food which is disappointing to hear. There's pretentious and there's the pretentiousness of Orlesians which takes it to a whole different level without any of the features of Tevinter aristocracy. Their masks are silly and they can't even murder someone properly without making it a convoluted affair.

Dorian looks the place over with a carefully cultivated look of idle curiosity. In reality, he doesn't know what Japanese food is and is trying to figure that out. Fish seems to be a large part of it which reminds him of home. He also has no idea who he's meeting and relies on the staff to direct him to the room.

There's a bemused smile at the paper door before he slides it open to greet whoever it is.

"I presume you're my mystery correspondent?"

[hisheartsdesire]

Of course, Toby wouldn't know the first about defending Dorian Gray's taste in cuisine. However, he shouldn't find it too different from attempting to defend Dorian in general—usually, this means Toby apologizes for Dorian and acknowledges he could be a horrible person. After that, people often wonder how Toby can stand to be with him.

Not that he's doing this to compare the two Dorians to each other. Though why shouldn't he be curious?

When Dorian slides the door open, there's a small, depressed part of the floor where a pair of expensive, Italian leather shoes are neatly arranged. Wearing a dark, fitted crew-neck sweater, fitted blue denims, and a leather belt, Toby was already seated at the low table but rises to greet Dorian in return.

"I am. Tobias Matthews, but please. Call me Toby." Flashing the other man his sweetest smile, he extends his hand for a shake. If they make skin contact, there's an unusual coolness to Toby's skin. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person, Dorian."

[selfpraise]

Dorian's tastes tends to run extravagant and in comparison to Toby's more subtle style, he wears a lot more accessories and belts. He doesn't even need to do anything, his new power here ensures that he'll look good in even the ugliest of outfits.

He shakes the offered hand and any differences in body temperature go unremarked upon. "The pleasure is all mine. I confess I've never had this sort of cuisine so I'll be entirely at your mercy for recommendations."

He's often unwilling to follow them, but he does notice cues and removes his own shoes to leave them next to Toby's.

[hisheartsdesire]

For this particular occasion, Toby hadn't really been sure what to wear. Not to mention he has a tendency to make questionable fashion choices since he doesn't have a reflection. So when he wants to look good, or at least decent, he either has his lover pick something out, or puts together an outfit that had been approved sometime before. As it turns out, this subtle outfit is one that meets such standards. Though now that he's seen the other man, Toby wonders that he should perhaps have attempted a fancier outfit.

"Awkward as this may be, I also have a confession, because I owe you as much. I brought you here based on careful research, as I, too, have no familiarity with this cuisine, or any other, for that matter. Due to a condition I've had for many years now, I'm incapable of consuming human food."

He's not really sure whether he should be so upfront about this. After all, what if Dorian asks questions? Well, Toby supposes he could deal with it, depending on if (and what) Dorian asks. More than that, Dorian wants to try a different approach with things; wouldn't it be strange if this Dorian responded similarly to his own?

[selfpraise]

Human food as if he merely had a humanoid shape. Dorian considers demon, but as far as he knew possession didn't prevent them from eating. With the worst case scenario being unlikely he takes it rather well.

"So you're saying there's a chance the food here is terrible."

Nothing ruined a night out more easily than bad food. The company and service could always be salvaged, but bad food left its mark longer than the taste.

"Wouldn't it have been better to go with something you remember?"

[hisheartsdesire]

"Ah, if only it were so simple. If only I could remember the taste of food at all..." He sounds genuinely regretful, namely because of his recent brush with humanity at the recent swear-in event. If only he were human this very instant, he might try so many things and come to appreciate them

"However, I did say that I did research to the best of my ability. Even still, I understand the responsibility lies squarely with me, in the end. As such, I am desperately hoping my sources were reliable."

Having returned to his seat, he flips through the menu.

"Obviously, this cuisine has everything to do with fish, but I should be able to narrow things down. In theory. What sorts of tastes do you have? Besides genuinely expensive and fancy, that is."

[selfpraise]

Dorian follows Toby's cue and takes his seat also. He glances at the menu, but it is filled with foreign words which doesn't help.

"Oh, it's been a while since I was close enough to the sea for fish." Sure he had ready access to it in the supermarkets, but Dorian didn't know the first thing on preparation.

"Spices were always very popular in my homeland, we also grew a lot of grapes and olives so a wine will be necessary."

He's drawing on his memories of Tevinter rather than what he liked in Fereldan because heavy stews and broths are hardly something that should be eaten at establishments such as this.

[hisheartsdesire]

"From what I know, you'll have to start simple and work your way up. Hopefully you've come with a voracious appetite?"

He's armed himself with recommendations from others and by googling sushi for beginners. Apparently there are many who are disturbed by the idea of eating raw fish; it does unsettle Toby for reasons he can't place, but also piques his curiosity. As a result, he is a little jealous that he can't partake this evening.

"The menu has some assorted sushi sets," and here, he indicates where in the menu and what they're called, then suggests trying maki or sushi rolls first. Apparently tuna, salmon, and shrimp are good to start with and are in many different rolls. "We'll see if you like any of those before perhaps moving on to any of their specialties, I suppose."