chapter 2

[hideous-soul.livejournal.com]

I had wondered at first if this place was accustomed to social gatherings, and I see that I was somewhat right.

{Dorian pauses to light a cigarette}

I'm sure that it was a lovely soirée, but for it to be open to only women seems a waste. I do not mean to insult the gracious women here, of course, though I have met so few of you. Ah, to be honest, I have met far fewer of my fellow travelers than I would have liked. It takes getting accustomed to, this place, but its charms are innumerable. And we are travelers, are we not? I think how lucky we must be for the chance, at times, yet I cannot help but wonder whether our gracious hosts think of it as a chance or a curse? But my cynicism is disenchanting, and I digress.

Rather than a limited party, I propose an enchanting evening for all of the travelers here. I had thought that perhaps a costume masquerade would be popular, but I am admittedly ignorant of the customs of the other people here. If you would be so kind as to enlighten me to a sort of party you may like, I would be glad to do my best to oblige.

After all, there is no reason that we should be strangers, is there?

Comments

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

Yeah? Haven't had a dull moment here myself, but then, I've never had much of a dull moment anywhere. [pauses] I'm the Doctor, by the way, don't think we've met.

[hideous-soul.livejournal.com]

Ah, so you're...one of them, I believe he said? I met the Master a while ago and a man named the Doctor came into the conversation, though he mentioned that there were multiple.

{But still, he offers his hand} But it is a pleasure, Doctor. I am Dorian Gray.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[shakes his hand enthusiastically] Nice to meet you, Dorian! And yep, I've got a few selves around here...Time Lords have got the ability to regenerate into a new self, sort of a trick for cheating death. [he looks a bit haunted at that] Doesn't work around here, though.

[hideous-soul.livejournal.com]

Many a man has sought to cheat death, but how lucky that you seem to have found it. {oh you, dorian}

But why doesn't it work?

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[he laughs at that] Wouldn't say I found it, all Time Lords have got thirteen lives. [unless you cheat, like the Master :|]

Dunno why it doesn't work, I just know that it doesn't...just died and came back looking exactly like I did before. I've got the feeling it's 'cause this place is sort of a temporal anomaly.

[hideous-soul.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't have any idea what a temporal anomaly is, but it is interesting nonetheless. Immortality is an odd thing, even if it wears different guises, isn't it? I'm quite fond of the authors that explore the idea.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

It's a temporal anomaly 'cause it breaks the laws of Time. Mucking about with all these timestreams in one spot ought to cause some sort of paradox, but it doesn't. [he pauses, then grins] Which authors d'you like the most?

[hideous-soul.livejournal.com]

{aw hell I have no idea, so let's just pretend Dorian says some obscure authors from his time} They're the ones I've ordered my own copies of anyways. But what you mean, it seems impossible to I. But it is the consequence of being...out-dated, as it would seem, in comparison.

[charmandsmiles.livejournal.com]

[that works!] Fantastic! I'm a big fan of -- hang on, when are you from, exactly? [and then he shrugs] No such thing as being out-dated when you're talking to a Time Lord. All dates are in, far as I'm concerned. [winks]

[hideous-soul.livejournal.com]

1884, in London, England.