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Post by Dorian Gray on Mar 12, 2013 21:30:04 GMT -5
The affairs of the court were nothing to be engrossed in, and this he knew. Dorian was not much for stately happenings and comings and goings, but he was a Duke, and by right and duty Dorian was obligated to attend. Before he'd met Ruby, all these events he had to attend alone, but now he had her in his sights and they would soon be married. So now, she would go everywhere with him. He did not have to rely on the bores of court for entertainment. In such a clean court, there was never enough gossip, never enough women willing to take a risk in the evening to see if they would wager his money agaist their chastity.
Sometimes it could be eventful or entertaining, but there seemed to be tonight an unfortunate array of boring conversations and events, none of which he particularly wanted to chat about. He was not one to interject in such pointless, stupid conversation, anyhow--and tonight, all that was going about was a convening with officials of another kingdom, where there seemed to be a great display of military wealth. All the officials of the other kingdom were highly decorated in military medals, honors, and sashes, looking dandy in their getups and quite pretentious in their faces. Dorian scoffed, laughed at them and their displays; he might be a vain, egotistical immortal, but Dorian would never be so pompous in presentation. It was unlike him. He liked to go about his affairs in quiet, because he knew that his charm was strong and extremely hard to resist. Few had ever been able to--Ruby excluded.
He escorted his fiancee into the ballroom, her holding his arm and he with his head high enough to look important but uninterested in simple conversation. She looked stunning, as usual, and he handsome, with his hair falling freely but tamed and his attire spotless as his skin. He wore a red rose in his pocket; it was a symbol of his station. He had given a matching rose to Ruby for her hair--a rose the colour of her name. When they were well in the ballroom, he greeted the nobles, made his bows, and went off for a glass of wine. He brought Ruby back one as well.
Dorian leaned into her ear and whispered arrogantly, "I'm bitterly sorry that you have to come with me to such fiascos. But you are the loveliest lady of all, and I do get to show you off now." He watched as some other courtiers passed by, some dancing but most simply talking, laughing, putting on that facade that so many courtisans wore. He nearly rolled his eyes. There were, however, some pretty faces that caught his attention, that knew him from forbidden nights or days, and they would occasionally send him winks or laughs or glances, their look altering when they saw that he was accompanied. He felt nearly sorry for them. No woman had ever been able to hold him like Ruby.
"This is terribly silly," he remarked, with a sip of his wine. "I think I would much prefer Chopin and Plato as my company than nobles."
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Post by Ruby on Mar 12, 2013 22:25:25 GMT -5
Ruby despised such things, but she had encountered them a thousand times before. Snow, was forever begging her attend, whether for protection or company it mattered little, she was expected to behave perfectly regardless and she could play the facade to perfection, had owned a great deal of practice, of course Dorian had never seen her in such a proper setting, was unaware of how much of a liar she could be at such events, she was curious how her lover would react to seeing her so refined. It went against everything her character stood for, and it sorely wounded the wolf's pride. Ah, but she best not think of monsters and demons at such affairs it was unbecoming of a lady of her stature, especially now that she attended such an event on the arm of a Duke no less. She would need to be even more of a symbol of society. It was a challenge, and one she sorely did not wish to take, but alas.
Ruby dressed to match her lov- fiance to perfection. The gown an elegant reflection of the colors that peeked through his jacket. Her hair remained in flawless, elegant curls that spilled to her lower back, pulled back and away from her face and bouncing animatedly as she walked, the rose within her hair, a perfect match to the one upon Dorian's breast. Just a touch of make-up adorned her face accentuating her eyes and the gentle curve of her lip. Tonight, she was as flawless as her lover and every eye that was not cast in his direction was cast upon her, and all eyed them with curiosity. She knew of Dorian's vast affairs inside this chamber of supposedly proper gents and ladies, actually delighted in some of the stories he had told her about them. While Dorian would entertain just about anyone, Red had denied them. Time and time again she had been asked for a dance, to be courted and time and time again, Red had turned them down, retreating to the Queen's side and watching with eyes keen upon the gathering.
Numerous nobles approached them and Red maintained a perfect facade of regality, allowing Dorian to speak and only voicing her own words when asked, just as society dictated. Her words, for once, were perfectly eloquent, polite and reserved. Introductions were quick and fast, and Ruby breathed an almost inaudible sigh when they stopped approaching, she did not enjoy so many attentions. Dorian left her side to retrieve a glass of wine, and she bade him a swift goodbye, also a part of societies standards. She was used to such stares, but unaccustomed to the whispers, and with Dorian, a prize seemingly untameable and she, seemingly immune to all wit and charm arriving arm in arm, the whispers were many and her sensitive ears picked up each and every one. One woman dared call her Dorian something foul and it was all she could do not to start something. She bit her lip with enough force to make it bleed and calmed her nerves.
Dorian returned to her quickly, offering her the glass and she took it with a soft thank you, biting back the urge to kiss him, but that was horribly improper and she settled for standing next to him, much to her charigan. She murmured back just as softly. "You forget I am forced to attend such standings whenever Snow commands me too." Despite the deceptive calm of her voice, she smiled genuinely as his compliment. "If their eyes do not linger upon me, they are upon you... not that you need to be reminded of your appeal. You look stunning in anything you wear. It simply isn't fair to the rest of these poor gents." Amusement colored her tone, but her face never left the perfect picture of a gentle smile filled with innocence, not even her green eyes glittered. She paused but a moment, glancing about the room, her gaze instinctively drifting to royalty. Snow's gaze was upon her questioning, curious... she probably should have told the woman of her engagement.
A few of Snow's guard starred at her as well, they too were unaccustomed to her mingling with the court, and their eyes lingered. This would be a long night and one that would likely not end in the highest of spirits, at least for her, but she wasn't here for her, she never attended these things for her sake, she sipped the wine, willing them to look elsewhere to no avail.
Her eyes flickered back to Dorian as he spoke to her once more and a gentle smile tugged at her mouth, soft laughter falling from her larynx. "Chopin or Plato? I believe I would choose another troll. At least if it twisted my body I would be rid of such torture." She murmured just loud enough for him to hear, soft laughter coloring her tone.
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Post by Dorian Gray on Mar 13, 2013 20:30:19 GMT -5
Yes, well, these sorts of social gatherings were not exactly Dorian's cup of tea. He would admit to liking parties, to enjoying social gatherings that were meant for drunkenness and a good time--but this was not one of them. Rarely were such things held at the castle. Here were all the state affairs, those pesky political events that he was required to attend only because he had to power to summon up an army for to protect Aledon. He did not ever take his title that seriously; he'd never really had to use it for anything other than impressing potential bedfellows. And that was something that he used to do quite often--now, not so much. He had a fiancee now, and he was trying to be as faithful to her as he could be with his curse instigated.
Och, and she looked so lovely tonight. The belle of the ball, for certain. In the green dress she wore to match his attire, and the pretty red rose accentuating dark hair and startlingly emerald eyes, he was surprised that she was not getting plagued with offers of courtship already. But of course, it could be that he was sometimes a bit of an imposing figure, and now more protective of her than ever he had been. No other could have her now. If she so chose to take other lovers later, after they married, he would never stop her nor have qualms to take up. Because he knew that eventually he would do the same. But for now, no one was going to touch her.
He was in a decent mindset right now; sound and reasonable, without the pangs of too many pleasures whirling about. It was a nice place to be, for a little while. It would wear off, but he was fairly far from the painting and hoping that would have some sort of mellowing effect. However, it did not mean that the glittering mischief left his eyes. His words, thoughts, actions might for the time be acceptable, but that never left the look in his face and he knew it. Perhaps it would draw in unwanted attentions... Yet, it seemed like all the men and women who casted glances upon him were more or less repulsed. They saw him now taken to another. "Ah, but I have never been the one to drag you to such a going-on. And for this, then, I must apologize." He smiled gently to her and was sorely tempted to brush a piece of her hair with his finger. But he refrained and continued, "We are the choice of many conversations, I do believe. From my peripheral, I see many lips moving and tongues wagging--and a great many glances in our direction. This is why I detest such events--no dancing. Just political correctness." He sighed.
He tried to match where her gaze drifted, but could not seem to match it. Ruby seemed a little out of it, actually, and he pursed his lips. "Oh do not wish such things! I could not stand it." He was half-serious, with his tone mocking but his meaning not. Just as he was going to see if he could get away with whispering something fairly tabooed into her ear, they were approached by an old whore of his, a pretty no-longer-so-young thing with fiery red hair and dull brown eyes. She hung far too close to Dorian, and in his slight discomfort, he grinned broadly at her and took Ruby's hand in his own, saying happily, "Tis indeed nice to see you, Cordelia. Have you acquainted yourself with my fiancee?" He loved to be the center of conversation, but even more the one who made others squirm.
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Post by Ruby on Mar 14, 2013 4:24:18 GMT -5
Ruby would never be at ease, relaxed in such a setting. There were too many eyes, too many bodies, too many lies, and too many curiosities. She liked being the center of attention but only when it suited her. This arena did not suit her. She had not been crafted to be the picture of perfection. She was meant to be bare, gallivanting through the forests, a beast, a monster, and while she fought that side of her more often than not, She felt like a traitor to her own soul here. These people they were everything she wasn't and it made her dreadfully uncomfortable, out of place, out of touch. She would never admit as such to anyone, but her anxiety and her own self worth were quite questioned here. Snow's guards shifted, even murmuring amongst themselves, they were too far away and Red could not hear their words, her jaw tightened. She didn't wish to deal with them, not now, not ever.
She was broken from her thoughts at the feel of his stare and she turned her head to gaze back at her lover, onyx pools were tracing the length of her figure within the gown. She did not have to drop her gaze to know that he was flawless, when he had walked in upon her in the assemble, she had taken him upon their dresser, and then, of course, in retaliation he had taken her upon the floor. It was why they were so fashionably late. She had made him promise to keep the fancy dress up for a later affair. Dorian was practically radiating sex appeal, but then again, he always did. She tried to focus on him, truly she did, but the whispers, they reached her and she forced herself to take another drink of wine.
She shook her head, disguising her discomfort well enough. In her eyes the sooner she could leave the waggling tongues behind, the happier she would be. It was so very difficult not to lash out. But she could shatter bone and crack skulls, and she doubted such a thing would be looked upon as proper. They meant nothing to her, meaningless faces, she would never take another lover no matter how much they pursued her. Dorian was her only, would be forever the keeper of her body. They could look all they wished, they would never have her. "You needn't apologize. I believe you well rewarded me before we arrived, twice if memory serves. " She smiled for him, a hidden secret smile that was for his eyes only before it faded away, back into the perfect mask of complacency. Her eyes, however, hardened as he continued. "We are, I can hear them." There was a hard edge to her voice, anger simmering just beneath the surface of her flesh. She would speak no more of the nobles lest she do something foolish and rash.
At his chastising tone to her teasing words, she chuckled lightly. "I only jest, I have no intention of leaving your side so soon." She murmured softly, the words barely escaping her before a creature approached them. Her scent... she smelled of so many men and women.She was a harlot, a whore. The night simply kept getting better. Her jaw locked and her green eyes blazed with aggression as she lingered too close to Dorian, if she had once been pretty that day had long since past. Pot holes littered her skin, age spots marred her flesh, her eyes were droopy and sagged and even her hair did not shine. Dorian, seemed to share her sentiment when she felt him move closer to her, twining his fingers with her own. He spoke her name, he knew her. Fantastic.
She glided forward, the perfect picture of grace and fluidity. If they were only beyond those grand double doors... green flickered to gold and then back again. Red's voice dropped several octaves, not in a seductive way, but to a level that was too serene, too calm, and just a touch too soft. Her patience was well being tested. "No... she hasn't. My name is Red." She did not give her, her other name, the whore would not need it. She half hoped the whore would lose interest, vanish back into the crowd, but rarely was she so lucky.
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Post by Dorian Gray on Mar 14, 2013 22:09:59 GMT -5
Dorian was meticulous about the way he dressed often; he liked to look modest enough to look proper, and yet daring, dashing enough to be the devonaire lover of passions that he was. He was bold but never too much. And especially not at events like this, where the focus was on the state and the military. No dancing, no excessive drunkenness, no tempting fellow courtisans into bed for the evening. Dorian would actually be quite content to blend in during a gathering such as this. He had no great physique, no great military capabilities, and was only here so that he looked the part of a good, faithful duke, one that was grateful for his position being given to him. This was his show of gratitude and no more.
He knew that Ruby probably felt similarly. She came to state affairs too--strangely, he did not remember ever seeing her at one. But she seemed to be the reclusive type in the public eye--unlike when they were alone. And they had been late for it. But he did not mind, and since he did not want to be here anyway, it was all the better. Ruby was his now, and his to show off and take where he pleased. And if he had to go to things like this now... Well, she should have known that taking on the title of Duchess would lead to more and more of these things.
He leaned to whisper in her ear, to tell her things that he knew the onlookers would be questioning. But he did not give a damn. "Your memory always serves you right. And shall for as long as we are together. There will be more to come, my dear." He liked to say things like this, for his sanity and for the more egotistical, pleasure-fueled side of him, because he knew that Ruby would always keep his secrets and always be good to him. This was the reason he kept her. The reason he decided to take her into his manor. The reason he chose to offer his titles and his hand in marriage to her. She was, for the most part, very good for him, he thought. "Do not fret, Ruby. This is nothing uncommon. The jealousy of the masses toward a duke and his to-be-duchess will always be insatiable." He grinned, trying to quell her irritation. Perhaps more wine would do Ruby well? He laughed to himself and tried not to take the crowd around him too seriously.
He offered her an overdramatic sigh of relief. "Thank the heavens for that!" he said too loudly, taking then another sip from his glass. He smiled to her to let her know that he was only trying to have a bit of fun despite the boring, dull evening. He had to find something to do, rather than just stand around and take the glares and glances of the court. He hated them all, pretty much. At least... they paled in comparison to the woman now at his side.
Their fingers were intwined as he mercilessly teased and goaded this former lover. How long ago had they been acquainted? Not long... then again, he always looked the same age. Ruby's voice was so ironic, so gentle. Dorian furrowed his brow but it worked itself out again and he decided to match her tone when he answered, "Duchess Gray, if you will, please. The title will be bestowed soon enough." He cocked his head and nodded, and the woman was very put off by both of them, by the way she looked. Would she leave? He gave off a little chuckle, tightening his fingers around Ruby's and pulling her slightly closer.
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Post by Ruby on Mar 15, 2013 3:09:13 GMT -5
Ruby willed herself to calm. The lingering stares, the whispered words, she was accustomed to them all, she normally was stationed among the Queens guard, blending with the seamless silver warriors. The only female to take up arms aside from Snow herself, people spoke of Red often and Snow was quick to shut them down. Snow knew exactly what she was capable of, and it was that knowledge that had brought about her stature as Snows personal bodyguard. She had been her best friend for years, Snow was one of three that trusted Red so entirely, and she had always been willing to endure the whispers so long as that held true. Of course each and every one was silenced by Snow herself. Nobody, it seemed, wanted to piss off the Queen.
Dorian seemed perfectly at ease with himself in such a setting, his charm and humor ever present, bewitching even the most stoic of nobles. Red remained the picture of perfection against his arm. The trophy wife. She, for the first time, was truly envious of her Duke. He took this all in stride, laughing, smiling, becoming the devenair gentlemen society demanded with seemingly little difficultly. Red could never do that, it took every once of her willpower and control to attend these festivities, but she would do so without complaint, because her Dori had asked her to attend, and was hard pressed to say anything but yes when he asked her for something. It was so very rare he did so.
He whispered into the shell of her ear and she blocked the voices surrounding them, focusing on only the low timbre of his voice and his breath wafting against her flesh, warming her to the core. It was not fair to her Dori that she behaved so coldly, he was not the one she wished to push away. "I would grow worried if such distracting rewards ceased, you make them so entirely... satisfying." She murmured back just as softly, stroking his ego in her own unspoken apology. She was not angry with him in the slightest, no, in fact she had felt honored that he had wished their betrothal so widely known. She would have been content with such as a secret. She would not let this evening be spoiled by her own anxiety. "I am terribly sorry my heart, I am too accustomed to their whispers about myself, but not of you. I wish never to hear your name breathed unless its spoken with reverence. You are amazing my love and you deserve only to be seen as such." Her words were soft, meant only for his ears and she meant everything she spoke.
She was vaguely aware of Dorian's fingers coiled around her own, squeezing gently as if to asauge her own aggression. To Red's charigan it worked. Soothing her, with every gentle movement. She knew Dorian was only toying with the whore, but she also knew that the whore sought something more, and she had so boldly approached him when clearly she was something of importance to him. His whimsical voice was a visible balm against her anger and she relaxed, squeezing his hand back and relaxing into the length of his body, but that calmness ended as soon as it began as the harlot snorted rather loudly, successfully gaining the attention of a few onlookers.
"Her a duchess? Don't make me laugh! An uncouth bar wench, a beast no less? Come now Dorian, you could do so much better. I mean just look at her! Her first fiance killed himself to get away from her and I cant say I blame him!" Thick laughter spilled into her tones and Red's body drew wire tense. her jaw clenched, eyes hardened, her spine turned into iron stone and every line on her face went utterly cold. Not a spec of emotion colored her. She never spoke of Peter. Never. She had torn him apart, limb from limb so how in the hell had this common harlot come upon this knowledge? Reds thoughts teetered on the edge of a lust for blood and she remained utterly silent and as still as a stone, a horrible sign to anyone who had known her longer than a few day. She was never silent, never still.
Anger festered beneath her flesh but she did not let it surface. She had to be perfect, she had to be socities definition of perfection. Dorian's reputation depended on her reaction and it was already slow in coming. "My last suitor... was torn apart by a horrible, wretched beast, and he was a good man, I would ask you do not soil his good name, let the dead rest in peace." Perhaps not the most eloquently phrased line, but good enough.
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Post by Dorian Gray on Mar 17, 2013 20:38:23 GMT -5
Dorian could tell by her tenseness and her facade that Ruby was certainly not enjoying this. He knew also that it was really his fault she'd had to come; he did not think that Snow would have invited her otherwise. But there was, also, something in him that had told him she had to come. Some sort of pride in that he was going to 'settle down' as much as he could, that he had someone at least that would always let him call her his own. Someone that he could argue with and yet know that he would see her again in the morning and she could never stay that angry with him. It was something incredibly different. It was a feeling unlike any he'd felt before. And it was wonderful. Thus... he had to show her off.
She probably hated it. But he was going to try and make this as non-boring as he could--which would be no easy task. He had gotten them wine already. If they were both a little drunk, it might calm their nerves and selves and put them at ever so much more ease. He was not fond of politics, of talk between armies and ceasefires that did not truly concern him ever. He had no army. Sure, if there was some major conflict here he'd be expected to assist in the recruiting, but... he doubted that would ever happen.
He would have kissed her there if he had not thought it through and realized that it was entirely inappropriate in this setting. Instead, he let that sinful grin grace his face, the wisdom still lingering in his thoughtful eyes, and whispered back to her, "You shall be well rewarded for this time, as well. I must give my sincerest apologies, whether you would have been called here or not. For now you must deal with many from my past, who judge and dislike who I am." He turned solemn, serious at the end. It was true. There was hardly anywhere to go that he would not run into someone who knew him from the past, from nights tucked away in secrecy or days of the same. Or at least, drinking mates. How few of those he seemed to have now! It was a pity, for sure. He shook his head. Her compliments were uncouth. "No, no, Ruby. do not be so naive. You know me as I really am and yet choose to idolize me. Let them do that, not you. They will always speak of me, and rightfully so. Because I have done much wrong. Get used to hearing my name so ill-spoken. Yours, too, once they find out you've decided to tie the knot." His face was grave.
He also felt Ruby tensing at his side in the presence of this vile creature, who was apparently out to wreak havoc on his life. Ha. Little did she know, Ruby already knew him for what he really was, and he did not eally give a damn what anyone thought of his choice in relationships. He was not a conventional man, and would not do conventional things. He smirked, Ruby's hand still tight in his grip.
"Ha!" he said rather loudly, drawing a great deal of attention as he kept his face light and joking. She would look the fool this time. "You think that I'm any better? Come now, get yourself away. I'm unworth you... whatever you are." His sarcasm fell in droves from his lips, smooth as champagne and sharp as the teeth of a dragon. Oh, he knew how to manipulate, and he would use it all to his full advantage. Ruby's reply was a bit defensive, a little to personal. He tried to quiet her with his hand and a look with raised eyebrows. "What she'd trying to say, Cordelia..." he drawled, pulling out all his tricks this time, "Is that you really don't need to know any more of our relationship and go mind your own bed--I mean, business." He smiled charmingly and led Ruby away from the woman.
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Post by Ruby on Mar 18, 2013 16:33:24 GMT -5
Ruby was not uncomfortable in her own skin, these people had all heard the rumors of the beast that lay beneath the pretty face and whether or not they believed such stories varied from person to person. She was accustomed to the soft whispers, insults, the lingering stares. They no longer phased her, but she was foolish, had stupidly agreed to attend such a facade on Dorian's arm. She might as well have painted a target upon his back, his own name would be dragged through the mud right along with her, and he did not deserve that. Guilt crept along her spine as she heard there calloused words, wishing she could dispose of them and be done with it, but alas.
Her eyes drifted back to her Duke, unable to stray for long. She did not care if it was improper, if she could not touch him, she was damn well going to stare and remember what lay beneath those insufferable layers. He looked stunning, a perfectly handsome gentlemen whose image might as well have been cast from stone. Each muscle that rippled made her mouth water, each sip of his wine that pulled at the muscles in his throat made her tongue yearn to trace it. It just wasn't fair. She wanted him always. His voice, his laugh, his touch, his fingers tracing down her body... He had claimed her not even an hour ago and still she wanted more. Even when she did nothing more but curl up beside him while he read, fingers brushing through her hair, she was so entirely content and at peace she needed nothing else in the world. Addiction, did not even brush the surface of what he was to her.
A quiet evening in his study, his voice murmuring his favorite quotes and poems from various tomes while she stretched out beside him sounded wonderful, hell anything involving him outside of this damnable castle sounded wondrous, which reminded her, she needed him to pack tomorrow they would be gone for a good weeks time. His voice brought her from her thoughts of stealing him away back to their home and back to reality. "What ever should I be rewarded for? I have done little more than look gorgeous upon your arm." Soft laughter like the chorus of tinkling bells fell from her mouth. "Perhaps instead of rewards we should talk punishment? I do believe I broke first when your gorgeous self walked in on me. Of course you did not help the second time." Emerald eyes glittered with mirth and amusement, murmuring just loud enough for him to hear, a coy smile tugging at the edges of her mouth.
The smile fell as his tones turned serious and she righted herself to face him proper, her green eyes seeking out his own, she did not like the expression he wore upon his face, that grave solemn look did not suit her Dorian and slowly, hidden to viewing eyes she gently threaded her fingers with his, stroking his knuckles absently with her thumb. She would never hate him, never be ashamed to walk as his wife, and never would she look down upon him. For some unfathomable reason, he still did not believe her when she spoke that she loved him, that her devotion and her loyalty both were his, she wished she could lean against him, speak to him in low soothing tones, but she couldn't, not here. "Dorian, beloved, look at me." She did not keep speaking until he had. "I love you with every last piece of my heart and my soul. You own me, I am yours. They can say whatever they will about me, it is not my name that I am concerned for, their opinion means nothing to me, yours is the only one I care to impress. They do not see the wondrous man beneath your stunning face and it is their loss because he is perfect and I get the chance to call him mine. It upsets me only because I know how absolutely beautiful you really are Dorian." She looked down, shying away from the intensity in that ebony gaze, a touch embarrassed, she had not meant to confess so much to him.
But then the harlot was upon them and Ruby's attention was averted, her fury bubbling beneath the surface at her hard pressed answer, her Dorian, however, was the picture of cunning and wit. Slashing and cutting without the use of a sword or knife. If she had been in better spirits she would have laughed at Dorian's words, instead she drew strength from his dexterous fingers tightening around her own and willed herself to relax. The whore, angered and embarrassed barked off a laughable threat and vanished back amongst the crowd scattered laughter reached her ears but Dorian was wisely leading her away from the center of attention they had become. Vanishing back amongst the crowd, Red nodded politely speaking a soft hello to the various people who spoke to her, regaining that sense of regality quickly. When attention had turned for them once again, she squeezed Dorian's hand, attempting to gain his attention.
"Thank you. No one's ever stood up for me like that before." She paused drumming up a small smile for him, her anger subsiding. "A true gentlemen, my knight in shining armor." A hidden laugh slipped into her smile, knowing full well that he was anything but such things, but he worked for Ruby and that was enough for her.
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Post by Dorian Gray on Mar 18, 2013 20:42:03 GMT -5
Dorian was anxious in places like this, around people like these, but he was doing his best not to show it, and apparently it was working. Ruby seemed to be less worried because of his smooth, practised temperament, and he was glad that he could do something to quell her nervousness around a court of such ardour and falsities. It was not exactly a fun place to be, not exactly where he would want to spend all his days. It was good, then, that Dorian lived on his own large estate, more out of the way and in the countryside, where no one ever bothered him and he had plenty of time to read, write, paint, play music... It was the ideal life for any true Victorian. Trouble seemed to be that he was not a Victorian here. He was in Aledon, not England. And he had adjusted well, but still sometimes missed home. If not for the whores, then for the opiates.
Her eyes seemed to linger upon him, which did not bother Dorian. He knew that she adored his body; she said as much all the time. It was not like they were ever apart for longer than a couple days, and most of their time they spent lounging in beds, couches, floors, walls... He need not recall. He was in too pristine a mindset right now to ruin it with such impure, lusty thoughts. Then again, whenever he looked at Ruby, he could not keep those sorts of things out of his train of thought. She was too attractive, too much of a woman for him. But she was his. "And that you've done well," Dorian commented gently.
"There will be a third," he said casually.
His face took a turn for not so stunning as it grew grave and serious. Right now, he was contented in his mindset that was more or less unaffected by his picture or the curse that accompanied it, and this was coming straight from the man himself, the part that had prior been mortal. It was something that he really meant, and she couldn't deny that. She didn't seem to understand him... Och, he needed to get her to understand these words while he was able to say them. He looked at her, bowed his head a bit. "No, no. You misunderstand. What I'm trying to ask you is not to be as naive as you are and instead of telling me how good I am, just take the bad and--I know there's much--realize it. Do not keep yourself from it. That's who I really am. You just accept it. I am not the hero you carve me out to be, Ruby. They all know. You seem not to, and I am sorry if I've not been forthcoming enough." He looked away from her, unable to meet her eyes this time.
Finally, his cunning words had driven that thing away and she would bother them no more. Others might, but Cordelia was prone to gossip so maybe they would just be left alone for the rest of this evening until he could take her back to his manor. Perhaps he'd read awhile, just to get his mind off this terrible affair, and then have a nice cup of tea and to bed with himself. He needed sleep; he'd gone without too long and he was already exhausted. No play tonight; he'd be a gent and sleep soundly until tomorrow.
He nearly growled. He did not want her praise. On the contrary, he just wanted to praise her. "Not I," he murmured, "You are welcome but do not say such things as that." He was not the saint she seemed to want him to be. Why couldn't she understand--or was it he that did not understand? Surely not.
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Post by Ruby on Mar 18, 2013 22:26:55 GMT -5
Dorian's words had her opening her mouth in protest but she never got the chance to retaliate, the whore grabbed their attention, and after the short altercation with her, Dorian was leading her away. His flirtations and charming wit would not win this argument. Why could he not see what she saw? Why was he so confident to a stranger but tearing himself apart in front of her? His station was so much higher than her own, by societies definition alone she was little more than a street rat compared to him. She should have been groveling at his feet, thanking him for venturing into her bar, rather than sharing his bed and now, soon to be his name. For once she did not want his body as she steadily dragged him away from the crowds, for once, no lustful intent gleamed in the depths of her eyes, only raw determination she would make him understand.
The commander began to speak and attention swarmed to him, away from her and her lover. Red pulled him gently behind one of the stone pillars, massive and intricately carved and away from prying eyes if only for the duration of the toast, without hesitation she grabbed his lapels and stepped flush against him, her fingers moving swiftly to his jaw and holding him still, the commanders voice was naught but a dull thrum in the background she would have her fiancés full attention.
"You listen to me Dorian Gray. Do not think for a moment that I do not know who or what you are. Your curse, your wretched soul, your heartless endeavors with other people... I know you better than anyone here could ever dream of and I love you. Not because you are perfect, but because you are flawed. When they look at me, they don't see me they see the wretched beast that needs to be conquered, controlled, caged. They see a challenge and they want to break it. To them I would be nothing more than a trophy to mark on their wall, to say they had lain with a monster, but you... you never cared. Even after you discovered just how horrible I am you came for me time and time again for my body, for me your curse allowed you that and as absolutely horrible as that sounds, you never treated me any different and I loved you for that. I will always love you for that." She took a steadying breath and relaxed her grip upon him, seeking the words she wished to speak.
"I know how hard you fight with your demons, you know how hard I fight with mine. We work so well together because I understand you and you understand me. The ring you placed upon my finger doesn't change you and I hope to God it never does. I love everything about you my Dorian. Your curse included. I love you and I always will." She pulled him down to her mouth to kiss him quickly. Propriety be damned to the lowest layer of Hell. She kept it chaste, kept it soft, she did not wish him to unleash the cold hearted Dorian but poured the fierceness of her words into it. She would make him understand, she needed him too.
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Post by Dorian Gray on Mar 19, 2013 21:41:32 GMT -5
Dorian was immune to the talk of others. It never mattered to him anymore, because although yes, he knew it was all true, he also knew that they had few high opinions of anyone. It did not matter. They simply liked to gossip, and if that was the court, then so be it. He was not going to fall prey to the ills of the court; he was not ever there often enough for it to even matter. Why bother? He laughed at them. Thought them silly. He knew he was cursed and it made him a terrible person, but... they were bad in their own way. They were vile, socially apt creatures who sought only self-betterment. Not even pleasure. Just greed.
Ruby seemed put off by his appeals. He knew that he begged for things that were just what he wished for, and he knew that she rarely told him what he wanted. It was part of the reason he so adored her, it was why he offten kept her around as a piece of intrigue and mystery, baffling his mind and making him work to keep his curse away. The thing was, she simply appealed to both sides of Dorian. That was why he could marry her. This was why she had not been just a one night stand, a passing fancy that he moved from when he found another and grew bored. No. She had stayed quite a while with him now, and he found that it made them a nearly inseperable couple. He might be oft liscentious, but she would forever know that the man inside the monster honestly had in mind for her the best of intentions.
"Ruby..." he said lowly, looking away. He did not want to get into this in a public place. But he knew she'd never agree with him, so he responded with a heaved sigh. "Ruby, you don't understand that I'd rather you believe me a monster, but I know that you choose not to and I dare not try and alter that. Just know that I will never be able to see me as you do. I see you for beauty, but also for your monster. I see you for all the bad you are and I am horrified but I find that there is something in me that cannot help but love you. Just do not praise me so, alright?"
"Stop it!" he said, and kissed her hard to shut her up. Perhaps she could just change the topic now? Och, but he knew that would be an impossible thing to ask. For now, though he did not mind scandal, he did not need the eye of the court upon them. Perhaps they should just go home now?
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