[closed]

[devoutish]

WHO: Alfie Solomons, Dorian Gray, The (Twelfth) Doctor
WHERE: Heropa, Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Late December
WHAT: Chance meetings
WARNINGS: n/a; will edit if anything comes up

A - a shopping mall - Heropa

[Alfie does as much of his shopping as possible in small stores. They're much less common here than they are in his time, which makes it difficult, but over the months he's found a bakery he likes, and a greengrocer's, and a butcher's shop. He'll poke his head into the supermarkets and megamalls every once in a while - but he doesn't like them, he's not used to them, and, honestly, they're overwhelming. He doesn't need a store with an entire aisle filled with nothing but various flavors of breakfast cereal. It's ridiculous.

Still, while he avoids them like the plague when he actually wants to get some shopping done, he'll sometimes pay them a visit when he's in the mood to just be a tourist. There's so much to boggle at when he's just looking to kill some time. So that's what he's doing today - just wandering around Heropa's biggest indoor shopping mall, a few days before Christmas. It's a lot more chaotic than usual, but hey, he isn't planning to stand in any lines.

He's just on the cusp of getting bored and considering leaving when he spots a familiar face in the crowd. He isn't actually planning to stop and chat, but then eye contact is made, and... well. Okay]

Doctor.

[He tips his hat.]

Out braving the mad rush, are we?

B - a bar - Maurtia Falls

[Alfie likes this little place in particular, because it's conveniently located near his flat, and it serves this seasonal spiced rum drink that really is very good. He's not a heavy drinker, but he does indulge from time to time, and tonight seems like a good night for it. He's on the way back from services at his temple, wearing his yarmulke under his hat, and it's a quiet night - not completely empty, but close to it. There are a few patrons at tables near the back... and one very morose-looking guy sitting at the bar. Alfie opts for a bar seat himself, taking a stool a couple spots away from this sad specimen. And when his rum comes, he lifts his glass to him in a half-toast.]

Comments

[devoutish]

If they were here and were sent home, I'd be glad for it.

[He says it evenly, and completely confidently.]

[brushoff]

Then congratulations: you're a less selfish person than I am.

[ Dorian is 100% bitter about his current state and can't help but roll his eyes at Alfie's statement.. ]

[devoutish]

You said yourself you'll go back to them eventually. Yeah? This is temporary.

[brushoff]

[ He can't help but roll his eyes at that. Dorian Gray, wrapped up in his self-pity as always. ] What a rubbish way to comfort someone, 'it's temporary.' Pain is temporary and yet it still hurts

[devoutish]

I'm not trying to comfort you.

[He doesn't sound hostile, or even particularly unfriendly.]

I don't fucking know you.

[brushoff]

[ At that, Dorian just looks downright confused. Because what. Everybody should know him! He's Dorian Gray, he's one of the more famous imPorts at that.

At least it's egotism that's slowly snapping him out of his funk. ]

What do you mean you don't know me? Everyone knows me.

[devoutish]

[Alfie raises his eyebrows.]

Introduce yourself, then.

[brushoff]

My name is Dorian Gray.

[ said with the sort of expectation that Alfie would recognize the name, if not the face. ]

And you are?

[devoutish]

[He does actually recognize the name, but he pretends he doesn't, giving Dorian a semi-polite but rather blank look.]

Solomons. Have you been trapped here for very long, Dorian Gray?

[brushoff]

I've been here for over two years.

[ Dorian's a BIT put out that Alfie doesn't have a visible reaction to his name. Honestly, he's writing it off as this person being uncultured. Because come onnn, he's Dorian Gray. ]

And yourself?

[devoutish]

Nearly three months.

Have you given up on going home, then?

[brushoff]

The problem is, until a few days ago, I didn't want to go home in the first place.

[ Toby was here. Why would he want to leave Toby? ]

[devoutish]

Ah - you're one of those.

[Alfie sounds incredibly dry.]

[brushoff]

One of those what.

[ Dorian's tone suddenly gets a bit icy. Alfie had better be careful with his answer because whatever it is, Dorian's expecting not to like it. ]

[devoutish]

The ones who like it here. The ones who want to stay.

[It's not a very careful answer. His tone is even a little mocking.]

[brushoff]

Considering that I'm married here, no shit I like it.

[ Dorian deliberately flashes his wedding band as he takes another sip of his drink. ]

I've been here for over two years. At this rate, I doubt I'll ever truly leave this world.

[devoutish]

Two years isn't so long.

[Or rather, it both is and isn't, in Alfie's mind. He considers it a horrifically long time to be stuck here, but a ridiculously short time to make peace with giving up home forever.]

Is your wife from your world?

[brushoff]

My husband is, [ said with a little raise of his eyebrow, as Dorian took another sip from his drink. ]

Naturally you can see why I'd rather he be here.

[devoutish]

[He raises his eyebrows at the husband part - that's something he's still getting used to - but makes no comment on that.]

No. No, I cannot see why you'd rather he be here. I don't understand why you wouldn't rather be home with him.

[brushoff]

Because we like it here.

[ Dorian just can't help but look at Alfie, absolutely confused as to why that's a question to begin with. Here, there's less hiding. It's so much easier to be a vampire or immortal when you're surrounded by other people just as freaky as you. ]

[devoutish]

There are more people like you than there are people like me, and I do not fucking understand it.

[brushoff]

What's not to understand? They love us and they treat us like celebrities. How could you not like that?

[devoutish]

[In response to that, he just gives a dismissive snort, and takes a long pull of his drink.]

[brushoff]

[ Dorian just can't help but give an over the top siiiiiiigh, rolling his eyes at Alfie. ]

It's not a crime to enjoy being liked, you know. I don't know why so many people think it is.

[devoutish]

If you like it so much that you'd give up your home for it, there's something wrong with you.