Before the Fall

[mayfairmonster]

There's a timid and pampered-looking young man in the plaza today. People have explained to Dorian (graciously, and with a level of patience he's grateful for) what this place is, how he might have found himself here, and what to do now that he is here, but it's a lot to take in.

After reading as many brochures as he can get his hands on and wandering around to find his bearings, he's still... overwhelmed. How can it be that such a place exists, and other people --smarter people, many of them much more worldly than him-- back home don't already know about it? For a moment the romantic thought strikes him that perhaps he was chosen for this on behalf of his world, and that's why he's the first. The idea makes his cheeks flush and a nervous, excited energy pulse through him.

But no, that can't be right. He's nothing special, really. The grandson of a Lord, yes, and a gentleman, but he couldn't be chosen, as if he were someone comparable to the heroes of his favorite stories. What an immodest thought. No, he decides, what he needs to do now is be practical-- practical in the way his 18 years of strict governesses and training at his aunt and uncle's hands demands: He must return home, get a good night's sleep, and a change of clothes that aren't quite so ostentatious and brazenly tailored as the set he woke up in. He needs to pull all of his thoughts together so that when he comes back (if the Nexus still even exists then) so he can explore this place properly.

But in order to do all of that, first he needs to figure out where he's managed to find himself. There's a hesitant pause as he stops to search for familiar landmarks and, finding none, he decides to try his luck with the locals instead. He approaches you, touching you gently on the arm to catch your attention, and then speaks in a soft and excessively polite tone of voice:

"I... excuse me, but I'm afraid I've lost my way. I'm trying to find my... portal, is it? Would you happen to know where it is-- or, ah. The best means of returning to England?"

[ooc: Yet another event post! This is LOL-ified Dorian Gray, which means he's a freshly de-sinned and innocent manchild... who looks exactly the same as he did pre-LOL. Hooray, satanic anti-aging curses!]

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[rogueinladysclothing]

The touch startles a rather modern (and practically) dressed - except for the belt of weapons and pouches hanging from her hips, that is - young woman, who jumps but doesn't pull away completely. Once the initial shock has fallen off, she looks up at the young man with a guilty look on her face.

"Ahh, I'm afraid I've never heard of England before. But... perhaps if you retrace your steps you can find your way back home?" She frowns. That's not a very helpful answer for someone who's obviously as out of place here as she is. "Did you... want help looking for it? A second set of eyes to keep you from missing it?"

It's not much to offer, but it's something. The poor man seems so completely out of sorts that Amelia can't help but the desire to make sure he's all right. He's so... innocent compared to many of the others she's met today and that alone seems reason enough to help him find his way home.

[mayfairmonster]

What a helpful young woman. Her unusual dress and the collection of weapons at her side earn a short glance, but rather than the suspicion or wariness his older self might have felt upon seeing a heavily-armed teenager, this Dorian wonders what a girl so young could need so many weapons for. She's offering her help, though, and that welcome kindness in a strange place easily overcomes any objections he might possibly muster related to dress, or bearing.

"I would be most grateful for that, yes." An apologetic smile pulls at the man's --really more of a boy, given the hesitant, quiet way he carries himself-- lips, lighting up his pretty face in a bright way that he seems altogether quite unconscious of. "--If it wouldn't be too much trouble. I fear the way I woke up here has left me few helpful memories to offer, or steps to retrace. It's been rather vexing."

Not to mention, most irregular. But given the other people he's stumbled across, and if the admittedly wild brochures he's read are all true? He's far from the only one to have woken up the way he did.

[rogueinladysclothing]

His bright smile is infectious and she finds herself smiling in return in spite of herself. This man (or boy perhaps?) reminds her of the nobility back home - beautiful, well-dressed, and, most notably, well-practiced speech. He uses proper phrasing and eloquent words when he could be direct without causing any harm. It's a strange thing to hear, but she'll try not to judge. Given his clothes, he's not from her world - or one like it at all - which means she has no basis to even begin to guess his story.

When he explains how he ended up here, she blinks up at him in surprise. Seems she's not the only one having a strange day. "You mean to say you woke up here with no memory of how or why?" Best to ask for clarification before she makes a fool of herself. "If that's the case, you'll find yourself in good company as I've had a similar experience today." It's little comfort, but perhaps it'll be something for him.

Either way, she feels even more compelled to help him now. Amelia knows she can defend herself well enough with the weapons hanging from her belt, but the man standing next to her? He doesn't looking like he could even lift her slingshot, let alone hit anyone with a single shot. "My name is Amelia Ronsam, by the way," she tells him after a moment. She holds out a hand for him to shake with a bright smile to go along with it. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, even if it's under such strange circumstances."

[mayfairmonster]

"How wonderful--!" he cries with impulsive joy and relief, as Amelia reveals she's in the same confusing situation he is. Dorian only realizes his boldness and the strangeness of his outburst a moment later, his cheeks flushing at once. "T-That is to say... Not wonderful as in good, but ...I ... um. Yes, I... I mean that I woke up the same way."

Clearly, finding out that he isn't alone in this strange predicament is more of a relief to him than Amelia might expect. Younger than him as this girl is, as much as his upbringing dictates this should be his responsibility as both the man and the elder between them to take charge of this, the desire to stay with this girl creeps up on him. She seems so earnest and friendly, and they're both struggling with the confusion of waking up in an alien place and in clothes that don't belong to them.

"Dorian Gray," he accepts her hand, willing himself not to stammer or blush further. "I'm pleased to meet you as well, Miss Ronsam; I ...had not heard other people were suffering from this same affliction as we are. It is a great comfort to know there are others."

[rogueinladysclothing]

His stammering and soft-spoken manner only lend themselves to her earlier thoughts about the kind of person he is and the lifestyle he must lead. Dorian likely doesn't get out much into the world and would be very easy to take advantage of. Luckily for him, Amelia has no reason to deceive him or want anything from him and her help is offered wholly without a desire for anything in return.

Her father would be so proud of her for not turning her nose up at such a well dressed young man right now.

She takes her hand back after a firm shake and gives Dorian warm smile. "Did you want help then, to find your way back? I find myself without anything to do while I take a break from my own search that isn't sitting down with a cup of tea and staring idly at the crowds passing by." The last bit is said with a small laugh. What an impractical use of her time that is when she could simply find other things to occupy her time with.

[foreverfritz]

"England? Why would you want to go there?"

It dawns on Fritz that this could be considered as rude. "Oh. Right. Uh---you probably just need to go back the way you came."

Ohay! :D Long time no see.

[mayfairmonster]

Manners are the cornerstone of polite Victorian society, and while Dorian is used to less than sterling ones among the destitute people he plays his piano concerts for, rudeness is still not something he encounters regularly. So when this boy asks such a direct question, it does surprise him a little-- but still. He's younger than even himself, which means rudeness isn't entirely to be unexpected.

What's called for in this case, is for him to set a good example.

"That's the difficult thing, I'm afraid; I woke up here. I wouldn't know where to return to."

hiya! :)

[foreverfritz]

Fritz made a decision to play nice.

"Ah. Okay. Well, there's the trial-and-error method. But, your best bet is to probably look for someone dressed like your home and ask them."

Hi! Erk, sorry for my epic slowness.

[mayfairmonster]

A wise idea, Dorian decides. And then he considers the clothes he found himself in when he woke up: slick black trousers and a long jacket, all touched in places with embroidered filigree details and ostentatious accessories. Everything from the tips of his shoes to the dainty ear cuff on his right ear is elaborate, flamboyant, and tailored too close to the skin in a way no gentleman ever should tailor his clothes.

The reminder of it makes him squirm slightly.

"I should like to, but... these aren't mine-- or I rather hope they aren't." A beat, as an uncomfortable feeling of helplessness comes over him and he laughs anxiously. "Is that something that happens often here? ...People arriving to the Nexus in clothes that aren't theirs?"

no worries!

[foreverfritz]

"Oh. I don't know. I haven't had that issue, but, with magic, sometimes it has a sense of humor."

Fritz drummed his fingers against his leg. "I wouldn't rule that out, actually..."

[red_room]

"There's plenty of ways to return to England. The better question is which one."

A woman in a red blouse and black pencil skirt is watching the young man from across the plaza. Her accent pegs her as a New Worlder, despite it not being her home. She tucks a strand of wavy red hair behind one ear.

He looks familiar, Natasha's certain she's seen him about the Nexus before. A different version perhaps? This place is notorious for that. As well as populating the Nexus with children, for some reason.

[mayfairmonster]

It's a comforting answer, and very to the point. (So many people here are so helpful!) He's glad for it, and visibly relaxes a little.

"Which... one?" He echoes her words as he puzzles out the meaning. The brochures had been very clear --if bizarre and improbable-sounding-- but the idea of multiple versions of England still takes time to wrap his head around enough to answer. "The real England, I suppose? O-or, um... they're all real, aren't they?" A soft, self-consciously nervous laugh. "The England of the year 1880, then? Does that sound more likely?"

[red_room]

"Much more accurate." The redhead agrees and so outspoken for a woman. Also showing a lot of skin for 1880s sensibilities, but no one else seems to mind. Natasha clicks over to him in her high heels and studies him for a long moment, her gaze sharp.

"Do you know where you arrived here? How long have you been wandering?"

[mayfairmonster]

It's an imposing gaze she directs at him, and it quickly puts Dorian in mind of several of the more firm governesses he's had. None would have dressed themselves so... impolitely as this woman is dressed but perhaps, he thinks, in her bright reds and blacks, this woman is in... a costume of some sort? How strange.

"I woke up in a house outside the plaza-- I've never seen it's like before. It was filled with sculpture and paintings and looked more a museum than a house, to speak true." A pause as he stops himself in the middle of his own building excitement. She probably doesn't want to hear his fumbling. "B-but I left there to find my portal and found myself here." He smiles nervously as she studies him, trying to the polite and gregarious gentleman he was raised to be, but it's hard.

"But... please. I don't mean to interrupt, but perhaps we should introduce ourselves before going further?" he offers her a hand. "My name is Dorian Gray."

[red_room]

His name is exactly who Natasha suspects him to be and she nods, offering a perfectly manicured hand of her own. Her grip is strong, though less severe than her gaze.

"Natasha Romanov. it's a pleasure, Mister Gray." If he's asking about 1880s England, then he's certainly not the version she's seen around the Nexus before. Another version seems more and more likely. It doesn't occur to her that he may also be affected by the ageing disaster falling over the Nexus, precisely because he doesn't look to be any older or younger at all.

"I've seen whole places transported before." Han and his ship, for example. "Though it's more rare than simply a person being displaced. That may pose a problem getting back.."

[auspex_caelo]

"You could try clairvoyance," suggests a boy of about fourteen. Maybe fifteen, although he has the air of one trying to act older than his age right now. It doesn't help that his worn (and rather medieval-styled) coat is a little too big for him, though it fits better than the strategically tucked-in clothes beneath.

Following this authoritative suggestion, he has to pause however, correcting his initial assumption. "Well, unless you don't know how to do that."

He might not. This man doesn't really look like a mage, more like a courtier. But courtiers sometimes know simple spells: they can afford the books.

[mayfairmonster]

Despite this boy's dress, that he's a little closer to himself in age makes this encounter less disquieting than some others Dorian's had. He also surprises himself when he realizes he understands what Stratos is talking about. It seems like his uncle was wrong-- all his voracious reading did have a use after all.

The confidence boost makes him feel less helpless.

"I'm... afraid I don't." And... back to feeling a bit useless. "I apologize for imposing myself upon you like this, but... if you know how to do such things, would it be terribly bold if I asked that you show me? I fear I'm ...really rather lost in all this."

[auspex_caelo]

"Oh, well-" He is still a legionnaire, right? Helping lost citizens (or... non-citizens, as the case may be) is his duty. And just what you're supposed to do. "I suppose I could. It's not hard if you're good at illusion." Probably not something he wants to suggest about himself but oh well, he's not thinking about that.

The boy frowns hard for a moment, then peers at Dorian again. "All right, you have to tell me your name. And the place you want to find."

[mayfairmonster]

Dorian perks up at once, smiling brightly as his mood turns over as easily as a child's. He can't guess what 'illusion' might mean, but this boy sounds very certain and he's willing to help without asking anything in return. So many things about this place haven't made sense to him, but he's hardly going to turn down help, even if it's of a sort he doesn't understand.

"Thank you; I'm most grateful for your kindness." A beat as he straightens himself, trying to present himself with a little more dignity, and then he offers this helpful boy a hand. "You may call me Dorian Gray. I have never met an 'illusionist' before --truthfully, I wasn't aware such things existed-- it is a great pleasure."

[auspex_caelo]

Stratos brightens up despite himself at being treated so politely - being returned to the status of a mere boy has been an unpleasant shock so far. He straightens his back and clasps the man's hand formally, bowing slightly. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, sir. My name is Stratos Caelus... although I'm not really an illusionist, just a- well, an apprentice mage, I suppose."

He's a little sour at that. But he has to admit his magic definitely isn't at his adult level - else he'd be disguising his childish appearance right now.

"...Are you from one of the worlds where magic doesn't exist?" he adds.

[ixis]

Dorien clearly didn't get a good look at who's he's asking or perhaps was that bold (or desperate) to approach such a bizarre figure. The bearded mage looks over the young man with undisguised annoyance, rolling the fingers closed around his gem-topped staff in equal vexation. However, as the question takes form...

"Hah! Well, you're certainly fortunate, aren't you?" Ixis Naugus turns to face Dorian properly with an intentional swish of his cape to look that much more majestic, though this might just be giving the poor kid a proper eyeful of what exactly he's dealing with here. What a monstrosity. "I happen to be an expert in conjuring and anchoring portals! So why bother finding when we can simply create, hmmm?"

[mayfairmonster]

Dorian didn't get the best look before, but there's no denying he's being given one of Naugus now. Startling, he takes a reflexive step back from the swishing of the cloak before he can stop himself. He's seen strange things in the Nexus, even started to accept some of some of them (because what other choice does he have?) but he doesn't know what to make of what looks like a gargoyle.... troll... crab...?

But oh, he's saying he can help and that he's an expert, and this is welcome news. Dorian isn't suspicious Surprised and uncertain, yes, but not suspicious; To a boy raised with governesses and servants and a sense of his own distinguished importance, it only seems natural that someone should step in to assist.

"I-is that so?" A beat as, self-conscious of his own nervousness, he tries to straighten and speak more firmly. "Then I'm very pleased to meet you-- and very fortunate." He starts to offer a hand politely... pauses awkwardly at the sight of the claw, unsure what the protocol is there, and then just lets it hang so Naugus can decide for them. "My name is Dorian Gray, Sir; I'd be pleased to accept any help you can offer if it'll help me get home."

[ixis]

Naugus sees the hesitation once the claw is noticed and the temptation to reach for Dorian's hand with it is so powerful. Palpable, even. But no, no, good impressions are vital here when it's coming down to business! So he switches his staff to that pincer and instead offers his normal hand to shake. Firmly. Maybe a little too firmly.

"Well, young Gray, as I said; you're quite fortunate to have thought to reach out to me today! Why, who else can handle your quandary so soundly and simply? It's no effort, really, and I'd be more than happy to assist you with finding your way back home! A painless process, I assure you, that will secure you a doorway back to this London of yours. Interested? Of course you are."

[mayfairmonster]

Dorian's eyes linger on the pincer until it accepts the staff, and relief sets in at once as Naugus offers him his more familiar-looking appendage. And if Naugus is trying to overwhelm the timid, soft-spoken boy, he's succeeding; Dorian feels himself being pulled along by the powerful current of the being's --creature's? he still doesn't know-- personality and his own building curiosity.

What a kind, helpful, and well-intentioned stranger.

"You make it sound so simple." A shy, gentle laugh. "I'm very grateful, and of course I should like to commission your services, but... I've never done anything like this before. Do I pay you with money from my world?"

Because this is a business transaction, after all. ...Isn't it? He hopes so, because at least that he understands the etiquette for.

[ixis]

"Money? Oh no, no, no material payment necessary! The only thing of that nature that I would require is an object from your homeworld, and that gets returned to you at the end of the process. All I really ask is an agreement; a gentlemanly shake of hands to agree that you'll not do anything foolish like tamper with the portal, break it or hurt yourself, and then blame me. Just covering my tracks, really, little more. And you seem a bright lad; you know better than to meddle with powers beyond your ken."