Dorian nodded idly at her explanation of the book shop, actually somewhat interested, but it was never in his nature to appear too eager about anything. “Consider me there, then. The next time I get the chance to be out and about while it’s open.”
Dorian hummed in thought, licking his lips and tilting his head, though never breaking his gaze from her. “The community, the people involved… the very atmosphere. I suppose you could say everything intrigued me. I was curious to see how I might fit in,” he said, unsurprised when she rushed into an explanation of why it was she was there. As per usual, he listened, and this time didn’t hide the smirk at her disappointment in the slaves Geamana had to offer. “In hoping I don’t state the obvious, most of the slaves here seem to be relatively new, and were put here against their will. I’d be rather surprised if the first reaction wasn’t to feel a bit of disdain towards those like you and myself living a significantly better life than they are.” He shrugged. “Don’t worry. Give it time, they’ll be broken in eventually. You may even break them in yourself, if you’re so inclined.”
Once Martha began to go on a tirade about the masters, however, his eyebrows lifted in surprise. At what point, he wondered, would she realize that there was a different problem at hand when you were treated a certain way by everyone? He knew some of the fault had to be on her, but he didn’t say as much. Instead, he said, “What a shame. I’m sorry to hear it hasn’t been what you’ve expected. On the contrary, I’ve enjoyed myself quite a bit thus far.” He smiled slowly at her, leaning in a bit closer. “And I’m very pleased to hear I’m an exception to that.”
Dorian grinned, feeling a dark kind of satisfaction when he noted the look in her eyes. He always took pleasure when someone hinted that they wanted him, even if the sentiment wasn’t returned. Honestly, it rarely was. “I’m glad as well. We should set up a time to see one another again. Outside your work, of course,” he added, allowing his tone to be purposefully ambiguous. He’d let her mind fill in the gaps however she’d like. “Oh, a bit of everywhere. London, Budapest, San Francisco,” he laughed. “My parents have similarly powerful friends, which you would know with your family being one of them. They’ve enjoyed sending me to different colleagues to learn from. I’ll have to take you to one of the places you desire, sometime.”
Dorian had to actually think about her question. He still wasn’t entirely sure what his first focus would be, but his interests were inherently… dark. He wasn’t sure whether to admit it or not, despite his family’s notoriety for it. He hadn’t been decietful thus far, so… “My interests lean towards hemokinesis, compulsion, and obtenebration,” he said casually.
