The Sun Also Rises

That Sebastian did not readily know why it was those of this modern day so chose to wear ties momentarily saw Dorian's own curiosity return- his features again shifted into a look of inquisitiveness though he offered no more words upon it. The Monarch content, if this moment, to merely contemplate this oddity. After all, the tie seemed to have no true purpose in any regard at all other than to hang from the neck in a neat fashion. It was not, he supposed, a decidedly obtrusive item of clothing and yet the very why of it seemed to intrigue him all the same. Dorian distracted from this inner contemplation only by that slight furrow that had so worked its way onto his lover's features at his own words. The vampire so seeking to assure him he hardly expected any of this and yet Dorian remains content to merely offer the softest shake of his own head, gently dismissing any such concerns. He was a generous being by nature- at least in some respects and yet truly this had little to do with any sheer generosity on his part and far more to do with his simple affections for his companion and indeed a desire to so indulge within something he was assured his lover might enjoy. It was perhaps, simply another way to so display that love he had for the man beside him. It brought him pleasure to see Sebastian enjoy himself, such a desire so unusual for the Fae and indeed entirely new and yet he could hardly deny it all the same. It pleased him to be able to take his lover somewhere, it pleased him to so indulge in these evenings together and too- in being able to surprise the vampire in any sense. That soft simper adorning his features now to so match the one he was presented with in turn.

"You are not supposed to expect it- that is the very idea of surprises."

He chuckles softly once more, one hand running loosely through those tousled brunette locks before the Fae moves to exit the car, stepping out and into those lavish gardens set aglow by the evening lights and the gentle hum of voices of those others whom had gathered tonight to make their way up and towards the hall that was their destination. It is the very nature of this public space however that so sees the Fae hesitate as he had done so before. Public affection was still something of an oddity for the man- one he knew well Sebastian himself was more than willing to indulge in and yet those age-old habits are distinctly difficult to assuage. That such things were no longer criminal still difficult for the Monarch to overcome. Tonight however, Dorian is nothing if not determined, the man bold by nature in most aspects and it would seem, in this- he is content to grow all the bolder still. His hand so reaches for the vampire own, entangling his fingers with his companions in a gesture that was becoming habitual and one Dorian found he enjoyed. There was, after all, a very simple perfection in simply holding Sebastian's hand. It was perhaps possessive, in a sense. Dorian, for all his genteel behaviour and impeccable manners hardly immune to those more instinctive of emotions that so came within that tangle of love. A part of the man enjoying the very notion that Sebastian was his- and he hardly cared who should see it. Dorian assured his boyfriend consort was the most striking man here. Ah- but how even that gentle squeeze of his hand so delighted him! That soft reassurance all the Fae found he needed to so lead the way up and toward the hall.

It is only once they reach the steps of that building that Dorian pauses, affording Sebastian several moments to so understand just where they had come and why, his silver gaze searching the other mans features for any indication he was pleased with what the Fae King had prepared for them tonight. The almost giddy grin that dances suddenly across Sebastian's features is entirely the reaction the man had so hoped for, a relief of sorts spreading through him that he had, it would seem, correctly remembered just which minstrel Sebastian had been so taken with that night he had spoken of them. Those softly whispered words see the faintest trace of that roguish grin grace the Monarchs lips as he stepped ever so slightly to the side and away from the crowd passing through those doors. One finger reaches up, hooking softly within Sebastian's tie to so abruptly tug him behind those nearest of pillars- Dorian's own affinity washing rapidly over them to so conceal them from view as his lips press sweetly to the vampires own before stepping away and so returning them to view. A grin upon his own features now.

"Ah, but I have discovered the true purpose of the tie, it seems."

It was, surely, entirely designed to allow him to pull Sebastian all the more easily towards him. A soft sound of amusement passing his lips. It was, after all, his turn to so provided Sebastian with anything he desired tonight. A kiss a decidedly easy request to fulfil. The vampire proceeding then to speak more words then Dorian is assured he had ever spoken before, his excitement in this evidently clear, Dorian understanding desperately little of anything the man was saying and yet his features soften readily all the same. This evening after all had been designed wholly with Sebastian's wants in mind, regardless as to whether the vampire so expected such things or not. It had surely been far to long since anyone had engaged the man in his wants outside the bedroom. The brochure Sebastian is handed only seems to further inspire the man- Dorian pausing only to hand over those tickets Samantha had helped him obtain before his silver gaze returns to his lover. Sebastian speaking with such animation once more. How ridiculous it was- just how much pleasure he might take from simply hearing the vampire speak with passion about something he loved. Dorian understanding next to nothing of the man's words and yet he hardly dares interrupt him with questions upon it. It is Dorian's turn, this time, to simply nod- his inquisitiveness clear all the same. After all- he had hardly heard the piano played since the 1700s the notion of a full orchestra as equally lost upon him and yet he grins readily all the same. Sebastian's accent seeming to noticeably thicken in those moments as it so tended to do whenever the man became excited.

"I have not heard the piano played in many years, not since it was invented, I look forward to this greatly. I did not know of this Chopin Competition however, I shall be interested then to hear this Kate Liu and her interpretation of it if she was splendid enough to place third. A well-handled instrument does indeed sing though- perhaps we might be so fortunate tonight as to hear that. You must play your Chopin for me one evening though- so I might too hear the man himself play even if but a recording."

No matter the years between them, in this moment, it hardly mattered. The Arts were universal and wholly transcending of time. Dorian born and raised in an era that appreciated music and culture as much as Sebastian's own. This pleasure something they were entirely capable of sharing within as they so made their way into auditorium, the usher directing them towards their seats this evening, so perfectly placed within view of the stage. Dorian's gaze drawn upward momentarily to the ceiling above painted in red and gold, carved like the sun- the walls about them adorned in alfresco of all colours. The Fae so seeking to draw Sebastian's attention upward to admire it for even a moment before his gaze so rapidly fell upon the assembling orchestra. So many of these instruments utterly unknown to him! The entire atmosphere utterly captivating to Dorian alone well before the music had begun.

"Have you heard this orchestra play many times before, Bastien? What is to be played first?"

He so inquired of his lover, that brochure still nestled in the vampire's hands as Dorian settled back within his seat. The lights at last beginning to dim.

Dorian Aragona