every king had a story, of ancient glory,sweetly told

That the party they were to attend within Barcelona was far more of a festival then it was a true dinner party readily saw that glimpse of inquisitiveness trace the Monarch's features once more. Italy itself was near famed for several varying festivals, the majority of them religious to some extent and often involving an appearance by the Pope himself. Dorian largely inclined to suspect this would not at all be the case in Barcelona. The Monarch so making a note in that moment to query Sebastian later on just what this festival was celebrating. The idea of large-scale parties was still something of a mystery to the near ancient Fae and yet his attention hardly lingered long upon that very idea as the pair finished dressing. Sebastian's insistence they were on some sort of list to enter a nightclub readily seeing the Monarch glance toward his companion once more. That one was required to be on some sort of list to even get into a 'club' was something of a new idea in itself. Dorian inclined to find several more questions tugging at his thoughts in relation to this Club Otto Zutz they were to visit. What did one do at a Nightclub? Was that another festival? Why might a list be required? Heavens but he would need write such questions down to ask Sebastian off later! Dorian, for now, merely inclined to accept such ideas. The Monarch trusting his husband entirely with such plans for the Spanish city. Sebastian, after all, had never yet presented him with an idea he did not find enjoyable in any sense.

It was only once Sebastian too had finished dressing and seen to the application of his shoes that the pair made their way downstairs and into the glorious lobby. Several footman rushed forward to open those double doors and omit them onto the street outside, Dorian eagerly stepping into that chilled Stockholm air. The sheer amount of layers his lover seemed content to wrap about him assuring none of that chill managed to find his figure in any sense. The Monarch eagerly reached for his husbands hand to lead the way towards that morning church service. Dorian so having come to discover that he thoroughly enjoyed merely walking around those cities he did not know, even when they held no plans or no true idea where they were.He enjoyed the exploration, the discovery and too that ready sense of wonder and awe that seemed to find him over even the simplest of things. How his curious mind so relished such exploration! In seeing things he had never seen before and too- experiencing those cultures so different from his own. Sebastian, it seemed, content to ever patiently wander beside him on such days and merely allow the Fae to go in any direction he pleased. Dorian, today, readily content to pause at several of those passing storefronts and eye those products within, else allow his gaze to dance over those words he was determined he would learn to read one day. The King slowly having begun to pick up on several phrases even if he remained far from fluent.

That small line of shops so eventually omitted them into Old Town with its coloured buildings and lit windows and neatly decorated Square that seemed to be a central crossing point within the city itself. That light dusting of snow upon the ground eventually giving way to the cobblestones underneath as people crossed back and forth in their hurry to move from one place to another. Dorian instead entirely content to linger, even if only for a few moments. His gloved hand reaching up to stroke the nose of a stone horse whom decorated that brightly light square- as if the creature truly deserved some manner off affection. The Fae content to afford his lover several facts of knowledge he had gained upon the city itself from those brochures in the Hotel Lobby and too, that pocket guidebook he so enjoyed carrying about. Those very Nobel prizes themselves perhaps hardly intrigued the man and yet- the very discoveries that perpetuated their awarding was of endless fascination to the Fae. He had missed so desperately much of the world and all within it. To see how far those fields of science had come was of great wonderment to him. Even if Sebastian hardly shared that same fascination. The vampires mention of that Opera House within Oslo readily piquing Dorian's interest in turn as his silvered gaze glanced away from that stone horse and back towards his companion.

"Did you? It must have been a terribly grand show to inspire such travel. What did you see?"

Those very shows, of any sort, were an interest the couple surely shared. Dorian positively adoring theatre in every sense. Sebastian's own love of music surely equally passionate. His fingers traced that bridle a final time, his curiosity with the statue readily sated for now as they moved to continue onward, that quaint little church coming into view but a moment later. How small it was! How on earth did they intend to fit the congregation within it? That look of concern upon his features surely as clear as the note of worry that afflicted his accented tones as he queried that very thing. Sebastian's soft chuckle only further prompting that look of disbelief. The vampire insisting he somehow doubted all the people would be attending. Dorian regarding such words with suspicion all the same. Perhaps not all the people would attend and yet such a church look like it might not hold more than two hundred people! Surely more then that would come? The very idea that religion was not nearly what it had once been utterly lost on the Monarch. His own overly religious city perhaps a poor example of the world at large and only further adding to his confusion as he moved to follow his husband once more.

He allowed himself to be coaxed up those steps to be greeted by that enthusiastic priest. Sebastian and the man exchanging several words as Dorian merely afforded the man that ready grin and polite nod off his head before they were ushered inside. The Fae King content to find them seats beside a Swedish family whom seemed equally as excited to greet them both, the husband leaning over to shake their hands with a decided enthusiasm. Such enthusiasm perhaps, incling the Monarch to shift into those Italian words then. Dorian offering Sebastian the very curiosities that had lingered within his mind these past few days. Stockholm, after all, had proven to be unlike any city he had ever been too if only for its simple lack of.....prejudice. The people, the city, the very country hardly seemed concerned by their shared gender as so many others were. Indeed, people here so barely even glanced when they passed by. Even his own Italy had not yet made such peace with its King and Prince. The very notion was refreshing and yet too- almost curious. His gaze inclined towards that ardent blue of Sebastian's own as the vampire made that effort to explain those varying cultural views. Stockholm, it seemed, a city that simply did not care whom one chose to love. Dorian unable to help that warm simper that found his lips in response- at least until the mention that such things, in some places, remained punishable by death as they had once been within his own time. The world, in some thing it seemed, had not travelled any further. That look of alarm upon his features shifted into a frown.

"You must tell me the names of these countries later, I shall cease to do trade with them. If they do not like us then they do not like Italy's trade I am sure."

His arms folded near stubbornly across his chest, his thoughts upon the matter, it seemed, decidedly clear. That frown remaining upon his features for several more moments before the sudden shift in that music seemed to draw his attention away from that consideration of trade deals and exports. His thoughts instead inclined towards those memories of that little church in Belton, of that first christmas and to all those things that had come with it. His hand so gently squeezing his lovers own. The soft return of that very gesture so having a way of obliterating but any disdainful thoughts. Dorian instead simply relishing that touch of his lovers hand in his own and the glorious manner those candles seemed to capture the light of the stained glass as Sebastian positioned that hymn book upon their laps. Dorian's own lip quirking in amusement at the realization each of those songs was printed in Swedish once more. For this service, it seemed, he might so be reduced to simply humming. God, he was sure, would not fault him for that.

That service so carried on for the next hour. Dorian holding little idea of what that sermon had been about and indeed he had been late several times on those responses he near knew by heart, yet, that very Mass was entirely peaceful nonetheless. That small church had a decidedly glorious feel all its own, that small congregation proving to be entirely welcomed if only for the further intimacy it afforded the service in turn. Dorian assured it was by far one off his most favoured masses he had ever attended. Even if that bread and wine had tasted slightly curious to the man. The Monarch assured he felt distinctly satisfied in the completion of those religious duties. The Fae content to linger upon those Church steps for several moments afterward as several of those parishioners came to great Sebastian and himself and inquire and to the pleasantness of their holiday.

"Do you know, Bastian? I quite think I could live here. I like this city and I like it's people. I even liked it's church."

That warm grin remained upon his features as they made their way back across that square. The hotel no more than several minutes walk away and yet the monarch found that short stroll nothing short of enjoyable all the same. That utter lack of sun hardly perturbing him in any sense, after all, he had become decidedly used to the night. Dorian having become a nocturnal creature in every sense. The Fae King paused at several more stores on that walk home before those doors to the hotel were opened for them again, the exquisite warmth embracing the pair readily as Dorian removed that hat and scarf, one hand run through his brunette locks in some effort to order them before turning to his husband, only to gesture toward that cafe.

"I shall text you when you can come upstairs. I shan't take long, I promise."

That impish grin so readily danced upon his features once more. Dorian's lips pressed teasingly to the vampires cheek in that single, sweet kiss before he gestured once more to that cafe. Dorian turning then to make his own way back upstairs and to their room. How foolish it was that he should find disdain in even this short moment of separation! A part of the monarch assured he felt positively out of sorts without Sebastian beside him even when it was wholly required to so see to that surprise. The hotel, it seemed, had managed to understand his distinctly struggling efforts to explain what he had desired. Several baskets of those chocolate easter eggs, in all varying sizes, having been left on the dining room table for him. Dorian assured he need thank those people at reception once he learned the words for such things. The Monarch, for now, content to see to carrying out that very plan. As childish as it surely was. Sebastian's love of chocolate was a decidedly well known thing. Dorian assured they need celebrate easter entirely properly. Even if he himself had not participated in such things as an easter egg hunt since his own childhood!

His own coat was removed and hung away, along with the rest of those winter layers, affording him that freedom of movement he was assured he might need to hide those chocolates in such a fashion as to provide the vampire with an actual challenge in any sense. Sebastian, he was sure, held the ability to smell those easter treats and yet Dorian was determined to hide them all the same. Several of those treats were placed in far easier locations upon tables or shelves. Some, after all, had to be easier if only to afford the vampire a near false sense of security on his own talents. Dorian moving to hide those next few in more difficult locations- concealed beneath the fruit in the fruit bowl, hidden inside shoes and underneath the bed or inside cupboards. The Fae steadily making those treats harder and harder to find. Several were concealed inside the pockets of those pants or coats in the wardrobe, several more of those smaller eggs placed inside books upon the bookcase. Dorian proceeding then to stand upon the bed itself to place a larger egg on top of the blades of the ceiling fan.

"Let him find that."

Such words were uttered easily to himself. Dorian positively relishing such a task as this. A chocolate bunny placed behind the curtains beside the TV. The Monarch having assured a variety of eggs in all sorts of sizes and flavours had been collected, including that mix of dark, white and milk chocolate- if only to assure Sebastian might have at least one of each. Those final few eggs were hidden inside the pots within that small kitchen before that final easter rabbit was placed upon the bed. Dorian eyeing his work for several moments before glancing towards that clock. A full half an hour so nearly used up, Sebastian sure to worry if he took but even a minute longer. His phone was plucked easily from his pocket then, that text message dutifully sent to request the Prince came back upstairs as Dorian removed the tie from his own neck and returned it to the cupboard, the top button off his shirt loosened into that more comfortable state before the Monarch sat himself upon the bed. That final easter rabbit tucked neatly behind his back for the vampire to undoubtedly find last. Dorian crossing his legs in a distinctly boyish fashion then as he so waited for his husband to return. That door opening a few moments later to omit that undoubtedly baffled vampire. Dorian so proceeding to hold out one of the very easter baskets that had held the eggs before they had been hidden, so gesturing for his lover to take it. That impish grin bright upon his features.

"I do not quite know if this is something the English do like it is done in Italy but I thought perhaps, that since it is so that it is Easter, that you might enjoy to go hunting? I have hidden all the chocolate eggs and you shall have to find them all if you desire to have them. I shan't tell you where even one is."

dorian ellington-aragona