The Sun Also Rises

He had surely anticipated some level of skill in Sebastian's musical aptitude, after all, his companion's love of such an art form was hardly lost upon him. The vampire's passion for this as clear as the day itself was bright and yet still Dorian had perhaps failed to anticipate just how skilful his lover truly was. Music was a glorious thing in every sense and one that had, at it's core, hardly changed from his own time. The instruments had been altered in appearance and sound, there were seemingly endless ways of so commanding music into ones home without the need for an entire orchestra nowadays and yet people still responded to music just as he had remembered. They still adored it, still sought it out and many, it seemed, still retained that ability to play it. Ah, but how such music as this might remind him, in some fashion, of his own time! Several of his sister had been taught to play just this instrument, though a much earlier, cruder version, Dorian inclined to recall long summer evenings spent upon terrace or within the receiving rooms to listen to his sisters play. Though none of them had been this masterful. It had been of great importance once, that a woman be capable of dancing, singing, reciting poetry and too commanding at least one instrument so she might entertain her guests. Men too had quickly proven an aptitude in the musical arts and truly Dorian found himself delighted at the notion that this had not died out in all those centuries even if the music itself was new.

His gaze so continues to linger upon Sebastian's fingers, watching with a clear intrigue as the man's touch graced those ivory keys over and over in a pattern committed to memory, it would seem. Dorian content to marvel at the skill and ease and grace with which the man so seemed to flawlessly produce that sound. It was perhaps, in some sense, hardly surprising that Sebastian might so have developed an affinity in this. The Fae King long since having come to suspect that in many cases such affinities developed through desire in a fashion or else as a result of a need that being held in some way. That brush against his own emotions however is hardly missed, his awareness of it perhaps, preventing his becoming entirely overwhelmed with it and yet still such power was more powerful than he had truly anticipated. The Monarch inclined to feel each and every note of that song, his own emotive state seeming to readily respond to that wholly pleasing song as it embraced him. Dorian so inclined to wonder as to whether all such emotions were his own or indeed that some might bleed in a fashion from the vampire to himself. Yet too- how sensible Sebastian had been in choosing such a song as this, if only to provide him with but a taste of that power without pressing heavily upon him nor stirring any more distressing emotion to the surface as Dorian was now entirely assured was within his lovers capabilities whether intended or not.

It is that passion entirely that sees such a comment reach his own lips, a soft simper tracing his own features at those dying notes. After all, it was a rare thing, entirely, to see Sebastian caught within such a delighted embrace as this. To see the man genuinely excited. Any activity that crafted such a response from his consort one Dorian was entirely content to embrace in turn. Music so mutually enjoyable after all. It is that soft utterance of Sebastian's mother however, that so readily caught him off guard. Dorian hardly having anticipated the sharing of what was so evidently a truly precious detail to the man beside him, his own head simply nodded softly though indeed he found intrigue stirring within him once more. Had it been his Mother whom so encouraged this love of music within the beginning? For now, at least, the Fae King hardly presses upon such a topic. Memories of family, after all, have so often proven to be distressing conversation amongst those gifted with immortality while loved ones are left to die and as such he holds little desire to so ruin this moment should such question prove to upset his lover. That simper remaining all the same.

"I am assured your Mother would have adored to hear you play as splendidly as you do."

It is that very affinity however that so seems to ensnare his mind more readily. Dorian assured Sebastian might never learn to master it without anyone to practice upon, the man hardly concerned with so offering himself in that fashion. After all, what was truly the worst such a talent could do? Reduce him to tears? All things considered the Monarch was entirely assured tears were hardly so terrible. Indeed it was of far more import that Sebastian learned to manage such a power as opposed to merely allowing it to run rampant to afflicting any and all whom hurt it. That surprise in the vampires voice bringing a soft chuckle to his own throat.

"Indeed, we, I should think it is a terribly difficult talent to master without anyone to practice it upon and I am hardly opposed. I do not fear feeling and too- you might enjoy such a talent more without having to worry it might somehow afflict everyone near you."

It was nothing if not sensible to his own mind. For all his curiosity in the world and indeed his creativity there was a distinct part of the man that remained entirely practical. Sebastian's assurance that he would like such a thing met with that simple grin and nod of his head, entirely pleased his consort might take up such an offer. After all, to fear playing when one held such a talent was but a crime in itself! It is this talk of affinities and talents however that readily stir an idea within his own mind, Dorian rising from that bench to return but a moment later with paper and pastel in hand, settling himself beside his lover once more, his own eyes rolling in distinct playfulness at such a comment upon his own 'all powerful' status, his response soft all the same, tainted with those strings of amusement.

"I suppose there was little need for any further talents to present themselves when I did nothing but wander my palace for centuries. Yet, do you know, almost all of them developed after I met you? Perhaps it is your fault I became all powerful- as you say."

Another chuckle hums within his chest before he requests his lover play once more, Dorian content, this time, to allow his own power to embrace that page, allowing each and every emotion Sebastian might afflict him with to guide his strokes and the tone of those colours. Dorian so representing that very song in a plethora of blended colour and light and shade until he is assured it has been captured. The Fae King displaying his work only once it is completed. The manner in which Sebastian reached to so gingerly touch that paper saw a smile tug at his own lips once more, Dorian finding himself afflicted with a distinct sense of pleasure at his lovers curiosity in this- those fingers shifting to settle beneath his own chin. A pleasing flush of warmth at even this subtle touch of affection seeming to stir within him. How hopeless he was when it came to this man! Sebastian's lips upon his own a mere moment later readily sees the Fae respond in kind. Dorian unable to prevent that simper that found his lips even now. Such a kiss decidedly affectionate and intimate in nature, the King relishing each moment of it before his lover pulled softly away. How it delighted him to know his companion might like to keep such an artwork! His head nodded now.

"Of course."

He hands that paper readily to the vampire before settling beside him once more, one finger lifted to trace those ivory keys before him, Dorian pressing down on but a single key to so achieve that sound. This but the first time he had ever truly touched a piano, delight evident upon his features before his attention return to Sebastian in whole. Perhaps when they returned to his own Naples he might show to his companion that worlds first piano that rested within his own gilded halls.

"Would you like to play further or shall I show to you how you have been misusing several sturdy surfaces in your home?"

Dorian Aragona