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[thirtybits]

"This is Judah's voicemail, no need to leave your number, I'll reply as soon as I can."



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[thirtybits]

Oh, well in that case, just no. Not exactly my thing, sorry. It might be hard for you to play like that, after all.

[depicted]

You'd be surprised. [This time, he just kisses Judas briefly.] I'll play something a little more traditional.

[thirtybits]

[He smiles.] That would be nice. I really did love watching you play. It's nice seeing you so into something.

Is it sacrilege for me to listen in my shirt front?

[depicted]

[Dorian smiles.] I think I can permit it.

[thirtybits]

Are you sure? I can climb down and get my jacket if you'll be offended.

[depicted]

It's a sacrifice, but I will endure.

[thirtybits]

You're too kind.

[Grinning, he kisses Dorian's cheek.]

What have you got to play?

[depicted]

[Dorian smiles involuntarily at the gesture, as if he were a boy again and such things carried twice their weight.] What are you in the mood for? Something cheerful or lighthearted, sorrowful, contemplative . . .

[thirtybits]

Well, I do like to brood. [His smile grows.] But a little more cheerful might be wise.

[depicted]

Hm, let me think . . .

[After a moment of sorting through his options, Dorian decides to work through Variations brillantes Op. 12 for Judas, in part for the simple pleasure of the piece.]

[thirtybits]

[Judas considers leaning against the side of the piano to listen, but worries about unbalancing it. So instead he sits on the branch and closes his eyes.]

It's nice. Calming, really.

[He doesn't say just how good that is for him.]

[depicted]

[Dorian smiles, eyes closing as he moves across the keys.] Mm, it's a good piece. Chopin. Chopin is always wonderful.

[thirtybits]

One of the few names I recognise, too. Do you have any one favourite?

[depicted]

A favourite for playing, a favourite for listening, a favourite for ill moods, a favourite for happy ones—something for every occasion. Except perhaps birthdays, but as I've mentioned before, I don't celebrate those very often before. Chopin even has pieces for revolution. But that would be politics, not art, and I refuse to give you the satisfaction.

[thirtybits]

Sure it's art, if it's a classic piano piece. You could play it and I won't even say a thing about oppression of the lower classes. Or how seeing them as the lower classes is a problem in and of itself.

[depicted]

[oh jfc. Dorian rolls his eyes.] You're a ruthless monster. Just for that, I won't play you the Revolutionary Etude. You can have Liszt instead. [Dorian decides on the "Mazeppa" from the Trancendental Etude No.4 In D Minor, and he starts to play.]

[thirtybits]

[He laughs.] Am I? But yet, you like it.

[Still, he won't interrupt. So Judas listens without making a fuss about the choice.]

[depicted]

[Dorian comes to the end, and when he stops, he lets his fingers rest on the keys. He smiles at Judas, and in that expression, he is warm and genuine.

And then:] Playing pretty piano pieces for the working class. I've ended up exactly where I started.

[thirtybits]

[Judas laughs again, covering his mouth.]

You went in for philanthropy. My spirits are lifted already, now I can go on with my otherwise miserable life, thanks to the service you've done.

[depicted]

How glad I am! I hope this will give you second thoughts about staging a socialist revolution.

[thirtybits]

Oh, yes, now I see the merits of the gentry. They're good people after all, I'll spread the word and work happily.

[depicted]

I am relieved to hear it. [Dorian picks his away out from the piano, and settles down beside Judas. He looks at him almost shyly.] We can stay here, you know. We don't have to go back to the hotel ever. We can live in Nature for as long as we're in this knockoff Inferno.

[thirtybits]

You don't like living in nature, do you? I'm rather accustomed to the modern indoors now myself.

[He strokes Dorian's hair, offering a smile.]

I like it here, but you don't have to do it for me. Besides, others would miss you and I can share your time. You'd get sick of me otherwise.

[depicted]

[Pleased as only a feline can be, Dorian leans into the touch.] I don't like living anywhere, and the hotel is a far cry from my standards of civilization. I want to be where you are.

[thirtybits]

[Judas laughs, partially for Dorian's statement, partially for his reaction to the touch.]

You might find it frustrating to be exactly where I am for very long. I'm restless at night and sulk even more than you see.