maskormenace | video;

[ Dorian's sitting down on a small, jet black armchair, tucked in the corner of an all too busy bedroom. There's a bookshelf stacked to the brim with books to the left and a medium sized oil painting hanging on the wall, a Romantic seascape with more emphasis on the clouds than the water, clouds painted in dark, stormy, gray brushstrokes. Dorian gives the camera a small nod, then starts to read from a book, in an even, measured tone, perfect for audiobooks. ]

"It was the strangest book that he had ever read. It seemed to him that in exquisite raiment, and to the delicate sound of flutes, the sins of the world were passing in dumb show before him. Things that he had dimly dreamed of were suddenly made real to him. Things of which he had never dreamed were gradually revealed." [ There's a pause, while Dorian flips the pages and continues reading. ]

"'I am so sorry, Harry,' he cried, 'but really it is entirely your fault. That book you sent me so fascinated me that I forgot how the time was going.' 'Yes, I thought you would like it,' replied his host, rising from his chair. 'I didn't say I liked it, Harry. I said it fascinated me. There is a great difference.'"

[ Dorian closes the book, as he looks to the camera. There's a hint of a melancholy tone in his voice as he continues—somebody's obviously been lost in memory. ] Words written by Oscar Wilde—today's his birthday, by the way. Wear a carnation and take some absinthe in his honor. But the words of the post aren't what I want you to think about: the content is.

Let's talk about books, network. What's your favorite book? Or perhaps your favorite author? And, if those are questions you simply can't answer, what's your favorite genre? And finally, has there ever been a book that so captivated you the way the one Oscar wrote about captivated me?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've done most of my reading since leaving my clan, since we don't usually have the room to keep a lot of books in our aravels, but when I have time at home for leisure, I've enjoyed Brother Genitivi's work. He's a Chantry scholar, but he's interested in the world beyond what the Chantry teaches and he actually has a sense of humour. He writes non-fiction, though.

[ a beat, then a small shrug. ] Here, I enjoy awful romance novels. The stupider the language, the better. .. I also picked up a few fantasy novels out of curiousity, but they didn't really leave an impression on me.

Pardon my ignorance, but the Chantry isn't a thing in my world. What's it like?

[ terrible romance novels, however, get a little grin out of Dorian. ]

The best thing about those romance novels is you know exactly what you're going to get. When you pick up "Seduced by the Millionaire Scotsman," you'll get a seduction via a millionaire Scotsman.

The best thing I can find to compare it to in this world is the.. Catholic Church? I think? They share a lot in common, from what I can understand, though the Church seems to be more progressive than the Chantry. [ if that tells you anything. ] Me, though, I'm a wicked Dalish heathen, so I don't know much about their internal practices or the like. Cullen might be a good one to ask about them.

[ salt? what salt. there is no salt to be seen here.

the comment earns a return grin, though. ] I'm especially fond of all the flowery prose found in love-scenes. Something-something love rod, something-something blooming like a tender flower..

But then you get the terrible flowery prose. Something-something thrusting shaft, something-something throbbing member.

[ Dorian waggles his eyebrows seductively. ]

And don't worry. I'm a wicked heathen myself. I don't give a shit if you're wicked or not.

--Which is hilarious. I get endless entertainment out of these books. It's a guarantee-- if there's a shirtless human man on the cover, you know you're in for a good read.

[ he'll take your wiggling eyebrows and raise you some dramatically fluttering lashes.

anyway. ]

I don't think I'm especially wicked most days, despite what the Chantry might think, but I'm happy to accept heathen. [ a gesture to his vallaslin. ] I wear one of my gods on my face, after all.

From one heathen to another, glad to hear you appreciate the...uniqueness of the prose.

[ Dorian just can't help but smile. ]

I assume your tattoo is some form of religious symbol?

I actually have a friend at home who writes similar fiction. He has a sense of humour about it, so after all, why shouldn't I?

[ the question earns a quirk of his lips and a nod. ] It's the symbol of my people's mother-goddess. [ a beat, then a puzzled glance that's edging toward mildly offended. ] .. Though someone I work with mentioned she'd seen it recently online as a sort of makeup trend.

I'm afraid the makeup trend is par for the course. We're celebrities here, after all. It wouldn't surprise me if someone does their hair a la Dorian.

[ a beat, then: ] Well, you do have nice hair. It's only natural.

Thank you! [ compliments!!! Dorian loves him some compliments. ] You can try and explain the significance behind your markings if you wish, but I guarantee you some will still ignore it.

Besides, it at least shows they like us.

Oh, I've stopped bothering. It doesn't seem to make a difference, and I'm still going to get offensive questions. But you're right-- most of it comes from simply not understanding that they're being offensive rather than any actual malice. For all my complaints, I still prefer how I'm treated here to how it is at home.

Let me guess: your Chantry's not too fond of us heathens?

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