InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "subliminal messages!"

[The Picture of] Dorian Gray (seemysoul) wrote in colligo_threads,
@ 2011-04-05 16:23:00

Current mood:	romantic
Entry tags:	dorian gray, emily wotton

WHO: Dorian & Emily
WHAT: A romantic evening
WHEN: Tuesday 4/5
WHERE: Their apartment
WARNINGS: We shall see...

While Emily was out taking photographs, Dorian was at home, slaving over the stove. Or rather, he was following the directions on the back of a frozen pasta dish, slicing a loaf of take-and-bake bread, and steaming vegetables in the microwave. It was a bit of a change for him, but then, there was little about Colligo that had not forced him to change--like water flowing around rocks. Or perhaps he was just feeling a bit Zen after having died, been resurrected, and losing his immortality while he yet lived, all in a few short months.

He wondered if Emily had noticed anything different. He almost hadn't noticed himself, except for the fact that he had given himself a half a dozen, nasty little paper cuts on the cards that he had left her around the house. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a paper cut--probably not in a good eighteen years. After all, if he healed from knife wounds almost instantaneously, a paper cut was hardly worth noticing. Until he was mortal again, and even the salt in his own sweat made it sting like nothing else.

He also flattered himself to think that he was becoming more attentive to those around him ever since he'd offered to forgo his own comfort and sleep on the floor while he was bound to Toph, so that she could 'see' and rest more easily on the floor herself. But who could really tell? The picture was nowhere to be seen, and in fact, it had been weeks since Dorian had even given it a thought.

What he was thinking now, as he set the table, drew the drapes, turned the lights and music down low, and lit candles in the dining room was that he was really, really looking forward to romancing his lady-love.

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	seemysoul 2011-04-06 04:43 pm UTC (link)
	Dorian nodded, and released her to go wash up in the kitchen himself. He was waiting to pull her chair out when she returned, the gift box with the key shaped necklace sitting hopefully on top of her plate. "There you are, my dear," he said, smiling. "I have something for you. You can open it whenever you like." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

msemilywotton
2011-04-06 06:48 pm UTC (link)

She thanked him as she sat, her eyes falling to the box when he mentioned it was for her. She should probably wait, but she had to admit she was always curious when it came to gifts he bought her even if he didn't have to purchase any of them for her. When she opened the box a quiet gasp left her lips. To some it may seem a little strange, but to them it really was not. It meant a lot and really did have links to their past.

"Dorian it's beautiful," she said with a smile as she lifted it from the box. "Could you clasp it for me?"

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seemysoul
2011-04-06 09:10 pm UTC (link)

Dorian smiled back at her, his face lighting up like Christmas at her reaction. He knew the significance of it would not be lost on her, and he hoped to be able to live up to the statement he was making along with the gift.

"Of course," he replied softly, gathering her hair in his hands and running his fingers lightly through the strands as he laid it aside, over her shoulder. Fastening the ends of the chain, he rubbed her shoulders gently, admiring the jewelry as it hung about her neck. Then he bend down and brushed his lips softly against the hollow just below her ear.

"You're beautiful," he whispered, "And I don't ever want to lose you."

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msemilywotton
2011-04-06 09:49 pm UTC (link)

Her eyes fluttered closed at the gentle touches, both from his lips and fingers, as the chain came to rest around her neck. Reaching up to touch the key, she tilted her head to recieve the intimate kiss with much pleasure. However his muttered words had her turning her head to look at him. Reaching up with her spare hand, she ran her fingertips through his hair.

"I don't intend on allowing anything like that to happen."

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seemysoul
2011-04-07 04:56 am UTC (link)

Dorian's smile softened, and he captured her hand in his for a moment before turning to serve their dinner. He really was doing his best to go all out with the romance. Making up for lost time.

"Neither do I," he promised, as he placed the pasta before her, seating himself and passing the other dishes as she was ready. "I don't want there to be any more secrets between us."

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	msemilywotton 2011-04-07 09:49 am UTC (link)
	She watched him move as he served dinner, her eyes following every movement he made. He seemed slightly different but she just couldn't tell why. Tell what it was that was new, changed. "Is this your way of asking me to partake in a session of truth telling?" she teased. Though honestly she had little problem with that. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	seemysoul 2011-04-07 12:09 pm UTC (link)
	"No..." Dorian countered, "Or, well, yes but I think I'm the one who ought to be doing the soul baring." He swallowed, and took a sip of water to try and cover up his nerves. Even if he didn't have a soul to bare...that was almost worse, now wasn't it? And yet he forged ahead. "Is there anything you've ever wanted to ask me...but didn't?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

msemilywotton
2011-04-07 12:17 pm UTC (link)

She continued watching him, rather curious about the apparent nerves. She had never really seen him this nervous before it was odd. And it made her feel a little worried about what she should expect and it certainly wasn't what he said. Yes she had been curious about many things, some were easier to ask than others, but there was one that she really did doubt he would ask her about if she asked him when he was unwilling to talk.

"You still look the same as when you knew my father. How did you manage that?"

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seemysoul
2011-04-07 04:31 pm UTC (link)

And as usual, she went right to the crux of the matter. Which was just as well. Better to get it over with. Like setting a bone. He set the glass down and folded his hands in his lap, looking Emily in the eyes.

"I nailed my soul to the devil's altar."

That was all. No sarcasm. No blame-shifting. He glanced down at his plate for a moment as the weight of the realization struck him, and he let it sink in.

"I've always wondered how it happened, exactly, but your father and I were having a discussion in Basil's studio, after Basil had finished the portrait. Harry made a suggestion, and I made a wish, and..." He shrugged his shoulders. "Here I am. Outwardly unchanged."

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msemilywotton
2011-04-07 10:16 pm UTC (link)

She just stared when he spoke at first. What was that meant to mean? It sounded insane and she was about to ask him to explain but she could tell he needed a moment then he would. And he did. His explanation was just as insane to think of, and yet she wasn't surprised her father was involved. He was a good father, yes, but she had heard talk of his past plus her mother had been in the midst of a divorce from him when she died.

"You'll never change?"

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	seemysoul 2011-04-07 11:41 pm UTC (link)
	"I don't know," he said softly, "Not unless I can find a way to undo the spell, or whatever it was." Maybe talk to a priest, or an angel. Certainly not Crowley--the man was insufferable. And fascinating. Which was dangerous, considering Dorian's track record. "I want to change, though," he said, "I don't want to go back to where I've been." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	msemilywotton 2011-04-08 12:39 am UTC (link)
	"And where have you been?" She dreaded the answer really, she wasn't sure why. There was just this feeling in the pit of her stomach that told her what he was talking about was not good. She was starting to dread the question now and she quickly took a sip of water to keep herself occupied. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

seemysoul
2011-04-08 02:29 am UTC (link)

"Everywhere," he said, poking at the food on his plate more than he did actually eating it. "Sex. Drugs. Alcohol."

He swallowed, closing his eyes a moment, then forcing himself to look at her. "Emily, I'm not a good person. I've..." He didn't want to say it. He knew--he just knew--that if he told her everything, it would be all over between them. She'd rip the pendant from around her neck and throw it back in his face--and rightfully so.

"I've done such awful things."

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msemilywotton
2011-04-08 05:11 am UTC (link)

She had heard as much through whispers and, to be honest, knew that most men partook in those three things and quite heavily. But to her knowledge, he hadn't been recently. At least not to the extent he seemed to talk about.

His tone of voice made it clear these awful things were something he did not want her to hear, but also they were things he wanted to forget. He was boasting about doing them.

"Things you asked to get away from, and start again with me. And I intend to keep that arrangement."

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seemysoul
2011-04-08 04:00 pm UTC (link)

It was true, Dorian had abandoned the drugs some time ago, about the time he'd collapsed on the floor of Emily's sitting room, in her arms. The alcohol he still indulged in, though less frequently, and the sex,well, that had only happened once since he'd arrived in Colligo.

The fact that it hadn't been with Emily was a niggling reminder to Dorian of how ugly he was on the inside. He'd been unfaithful, and it was an ugly thing to do. But was it any real surprise? As the proverb said, out of the abundance of the heart...

"I don't think I can do this on my own," he said finally. "I need help."

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	msemilywotton 2011-04-08 04:17 pm UTC (link)
	"What sort of help?" She really should eat the dinner he had prepared for her, but she was too focused on him. She cared deeply for him and wanted to do everything she could to helo him if that was what he wanted. She longed to make him happier, she wasn't sure if she had really seen him smile that often. At least a smile that didn't look forced. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	seemysoul 2011-04-08 09:40 pm UTC (link)
	"I don't know. Spiritual help? Maybe psychological." He poked at the pasta on his plate a bit more, and finally started eating, if only so that he could stall for time. "Anyway," he said, "I'm going to do my best to get things taken care of. I just wanted you to know." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

msemilywotton
2011-04-08 10:47 pm UTC (link)

Emily nodded, looking down at her pasta and taking a small bite just for something to do for a moment. To stop her from staring at him and give her a chance to think and take it all in. After all, this must be very difficult for him to tell her and it was certainly hard to hear. Any normal person would take this as an excuse to leave, say they couldn't handle it, but she wasn't ready to leave him. She didn't want to leave him.

"I'll help you," she finally said before looking up at him. "In any way I can. Even if it's just support."

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	seemysoul 2011-04-09 01:18 am UTC (link)
	"Thank you," Dorian said softly, offering her a faint smile. It really did mean a lot to him that she wanted to stay, even if it still scared the hell out of him that she might change her mind. "You make me want to be a better man." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

msemilywotton
2011-04-09 10:44 am UTC (link)

Emily nodded before looking down, partly wanting to say he shouldn't thank her. But there was her father's voice in her head telling her she should walk. He always turned his back on difficult situations; either that or watch them with joy. But her father was involved in this in a way and if he couldn't be here to help him see past it, she certainly would.

What he said next had her gaze once more shooting up to look at him. Now she certainly couldn't step away from him, not when he was relying on her in such a way. Reaching across the table, she gave him a smile as she took his hand.

"And I will support you throughout everything you have to do to get to that. To get what you want."

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	seemysoul 2011-04-14 04:48 am UTC (link)
	Dorian smiled, sliding his chair a little closer to hers so that he could raise her hand to his lips. Finally, he sighed contentedly, and said, "We should try to enjoy our dinner before it gets cold. Just don't forget to save room or dessert." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	msemilywotton 2011-04-18 05:06 pm UTC (link)
	Emily smiled when he moved closer, his lips on her skin sending a slight jolt through her. He always made her feel so many things that, at times, she became incredibly confused. Confused over what feeling to focus on. With that thought in mind, she leaned in to press her lips softly to his. Maybe it would prove that she wasn't going to leave him. (Reply to this) (Parent)

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