Nature or Nurture Ch. 60-61

The man acknowledges Adison's gaze with a short bow, and seems to wait patiently for something. Maybe he wants to talk to one of the players, some people have already left but there are still plenty waiting for their turn to have a moment to chat with members of the cast, or with Mr Wilde for that matter.

Vincent is still talking to their friends, Catherine on his arm, though the other George, Mr Alexander, has now joined the group and is in a lively conversation with Victor, George and Paul. Lukas and Mina are listening in, as Vincent looks up, searching for her, Adison guesses, and rightfully so for when his eyes meet hers he smiles happily and comes towards her.

Is this a scene in the making? Well, Catherine is with him, and Vincent likes his new job, so he'll keep up appearances. Adison decides to just let things go as they will.

But Vincent doesn't even recognize Mr Grey, as Catherine gestures she wants to be with her mother and Adison takes her in her arms, Vincent kisses Adison with intense love and observes, 'You've met another one of your gentleman patients, will you introduce us please?'

Apparently he notices Adison's surprise and yes, her dismay, for he takes another good look at the middle aged, tired looking man talking to his wife and exclaims, 'My God, Mr Grey, it's you, I'm sorry I didn't recognize you at all. I just assumed you were one of Adison's patients...'

'Because I look like Hell, I know, Vincent, would you please call me Dorian again? I feel less like Mr Grey than ever.'

Months of quiet living and yes, the triumph of a successful premiere undoubtedly, have mellowed Vincent considerably towards Mr Grey, and to the latter's intense surprise Vincent takes him in a bear hug and just holds him. Mr Grey is overcome with emotion and dazedly rests his head against Vincent's solid shape, something Adison had never expected to witness after Vincent's adamant rejection of the slick young seeming man.

Though she could understand her husband's reaction, Adison always regretted it, not forgiving someone does not just harm the remorseful offender, it harms the person holding on to his reproofs as well. But if Mr Grey's professed intention of bettering his life didn't mollify Vincent at all, seemed to provoke him even more in fact, the clear signs of really sticking to his predetermination do have the effect Mr Grey so desperately desired but didn't expect to get.

'I really liked you, you know, Dorian,' Vincent says softly, 'you really hurt me taking advantage of me.'

Mr Grey does not say anything, he is caught up in the moment and besides, what is there to say? He admitted to his guilt, professed his deepest regrets, but he couldn't undo what he had done, and Vincent wouldn't let him make up for it but just sent him away with icy formality.

As Adison witnesses this touching moment of forgiveness, she can feel someone standing behind her. It's Lukas, and he lays a hand on Adison's shoulder.

'I hoped Vincent might speak to him, formally at first, but I didn't expect this. Can you feel what is going on?'

Lukas has a very soft expression, he is not a cheeky boy at this very moment, but a wise mature man, and it almost seems as if he has planned this for some time. But he is right, there is something going on in front of her, it almost seems as if Mr Grey is looking less tired already. He is holding back tears, and from behind her Lukas says, 'Let them fall, Dorian, there is hardly anyone left besides us and the cast, and no-one will recognize you anyway. All they see is an actor reunited with someone he cares for.'

And as Mr Grey lets his tears roll down his cheeks, Lukas observes to Adison, in a low voice, 'He does indeed look less tired, look at them.'

She's been looking at them for five minutes, why do old people, even if they are in fact rather young, always talk in riddles?

Of course, Lukas means look at them with sight. Since they haven't been in danger lately, Adison has stopped using sight as much, she really should stick to the habit to keep in practise.

In sight, the cause of Mr Grey's improvement becomes very clear. Somehow, a lot of magic power is being transferred from Vincent to the man he is holding, and Adison is already leaning forward to free her beloved from falling back under the bemusement spell.

A warm breath in her neck causes her to shiver and pulls her attention back to Lukas, who is standing very close to her by now.

'It doesn't harm Vincent, Adison, he has more power than he could ever use, it's replaced as soon as it is spent. Dorian needs it so desperately since he stopped taking lovers, and if you take a few more moments you'll see Vincent is giving it voluntarily, maybe even consciously.'

Adison is very aware of Lukas' enticing musky scent, and his old man attitude makes him even more desirable. She wants to kiss him really badly, but she still has a precocious toddler on her arm and besides, it would be very improper and harmful to Vincent's career, so she carefully suppresses her inclination.

Lukas smiles his broadest, cutest smile, back to his cheeky self instantly.

'Our time will come, Adison, I'm pretty certain of that, maybe your talented husband will permit me to join the two of you some night. I find him devilishly attractive too.'

'I heard that!' Catherine says indignantly, 'I have eyes and ears you know, even though they're smaller than yours, you randy billy!'

Lukas merely takes her from Adison's arms into his own, kissing her chubby cheeks, and Catherine melts against him, little arms around his neck, her face against his bare throat, undoubtedly enjoying that musky scent, too. She still manages to speak, though.

'All right, you can have them, does anyone ever manage to refuse you anything?'

'Paul stuck it out for nearly a month until I had softened him up enough to have my way with him. That is why I admire him so much.'

Vincent and Mr Grey are talking by now, but Vincent is still holding Mr Grey's hand, and power is still transferred at rather an impressive rate. He must be aware of what he is doing, holding on to that hand on purpose. Transferring power to Mr Grey is very likely easier than to other people, even herself, for apparently more intimate contact than just holding hands is not needed. But of course the spell on him is probably still looking for power around him and harvesting it wherever it can. Vincent must be its wildest dream come true.

Though Adison is very proud of Vincent, and glad he has found forgiveness for Mr Grey, she also worries what kind of mess they are setting themselves up for this time. Mr Grey is trouble, and it felt so good to be without for a while. She was hoping to just enjoy life and see if having her own baby was at all possible.

'If the enemy was still strong Mr Grey would be dead, mum,' Catherine says soothingly, 'I'm sure dad will be fine.'

'Listen to my favourite toddler,' Lukas adds, 'for she thinks things through. I've come to know Mr Grey really well in the last months, I paid him regular visits or he would not have survived. He absolutely refused to love anyone, said he could never be sure whether they really cared for him or were victims of the enchantment laid upon him. Except I convinced him it had no power over me, since he is rather old he knows more tricks than anyone, and when he takes the time he is really a very good and caring lover.

I didn't mind giving him some love, and he had plenty to give in return, but I didn't give him all he needed, it was much more credible if he suffered a little. He aged a lot and felt tired all the time, but he lived, for one purpose only, to be there when we confront the Master and free himself and Vincent from someone who has pulled their strings for years. Mina too.

Well, and he wanted Vincent's forgiveness, but he never expected to get that, so that is not what kept him alive.'

Still holding an adoring Catherine in his arms, Lukas returns to his friends, who are really enjoying themselves chatting with George Alexander, and most of the rest of the cast.

Adison joins her husband and Mr Grey just as the latter has found his voice back.

'Thank you, Vincent, for your forgiveness most of all. You were superb again, I'm sure you'll become quite well-known with this part. I'll visit the show more often, but I won't be allowed in here again, that man over there helped me get in and he wants to have a word with you now. If you ever want to do something about the Master, you know where I live. Thank you so much, I feel almost young again, you have great power. Fare well.'

And after a last hug, Mr Grey leaves the room quickly.

Staring after him for as long as he is within the room, they unconsciously reach out to each other and take the other's hand. Vincent's hand feels as strong and as cool as ever, despite the weird thing that just happened.

'Mr Vincent, may I congratulate you on your superb performance?'

A sonorous voice gives them both a little shock, but Vincent smiles and turns to face the speaker.

'Father Nicholas, you came to the premiere! And you got into this reception, you must be either a quick talker or more influential than you presented yourself. This is very important people only!'

Vincent shakes the clergyman's hand vigorously, he is truly glad to see this man from his past, the same man who according to Mr Grey gained him entrance to the reception.

The Father, a tall man with friendly eyes and the weathered complexion of someone who spends a lot of time outside in the weather, replies, 'I am both, and I'll explain later, but first let me tell you how pleasantly surprised I was with your representation of a reverend. I enjoyed the entire piece, such wit, such lovely language.'

Vincent thanks the Father profusely, and they talk about the play. Taking a look around, Adison can see that most of the room is empty of people, there are several groups left among which their friends. Mr Wilde is telling them something exciting, for he gestures broadly and has raised his voice. Lord Douglas seems to agree with him, Adison hopes they'll go for a drink nearby until Vincent is ready to go home, so they can tell her what is going on.

Now the Father asks her to come a little closer, and he says, 'We've discussed the play enough, I'm actually using this as an excuse to deliver a warning and a proposal to the two of you.

Vincent, you were right that I am more influential than you may think from my work among the very poorest of Londoners. I'm actually the head of the Council of Liturgical Purity of the London branch of the Anglican Church. You will not find this council in any registry, nor is it, or my role in it, even known among most of the clergy. To all intents and purposes I am Father Nicholas, shepherd of the hopeless. I am him, but I am more than that.

Your friends over there know the Council of Liturgical Purity quite well, they call us, rather unflatteringly but quite accurately, the Witch-hunters.'

He pauses here, probably to give the two of them some time to gape in horror. This clergyman is on to all of them, he knows every one of their friends is a mage, they can all be tried and hanged tomorrow, even George.

'Don't worry, I've known about the highborn practising magic for more than a decade, I know which families, and which individuals. I also know they have saved the city from evil magic-users time and time again, most of our members have sight, but virtually none have real talent, they would be helpless against the likes of say, Mrs Poole.

Which is why I have a professional interest in keeping the benevolent magic-users in this town safe. My superior within the church, a very enlightened thinker, supports me in this.

I also know about the practitioners of a less exalted rank, and they are harder to protect because they do not have their own estates to practise in seclusion and no political power to protect their own. I want to battle against magic that is used for evil purposes, but most of my underlings are very zealous and want to destroy all magic-users.

I tread a thin line, but I ever since I have risen to this position I have hoped to find a liaison among the mages that work on our side. I never saw a possibility but I have known you for a long time and I have a perfect excuse to visit your play, or drink a cup of coffee together, or soothe the soul of one of your wife's patients say once a month.

Then I can warn you of upcoming raids or information my underlings are about to ferret out, and you can warn practitioners to keep from their clutches. Meanwhile, I will set my people to concentrate our efforts on those who use magic for evil purposes and at the cost of innocents.

You are not suspects of witchcraft, your talent is well-hidden and Heathcliff was never able to use his dormant powers. The master that you served was high on the list of my Council, but we never got a firm hold on him, he had allies everywhere, even among our superiors. He's weakened lately, and I'm hoping to bring him down for good, which is why I helped your sorry admirer get in here just now. I hope he will hand us the way to get to his master.

I cannot stay any longer, I beg you to tell your friends what I have just told you, and to be very careful with any new people they admit into their ranks. Maybe we can have coffee this week, and talk some more, I'll hand over my information and ask your help to end the Master's hold over this city once and for all.

My dear Vincent, you told me you don't remember much of your former life, please believe me when I say we were good friends, please do not fear me, I'm your ally. And please warn your benevolent friend first of all, to keep moving and bring some fake medicine when he does his healing, to convince the people he is using mundane methods. His reputation for working miracles is spreading among the poor, soon my underlings will find out, and though they will not see any talent in him at first sight, they will if they start to follow him around.

I will not let him come to harm, he has saved many lives, people on the streets, people I have known for years and love, but if they find out about him he will have to move or lay low for at least a year, and I guess he will be hard put to see suffering and not be able to do anything about it.

Well, everyone is gone, so I'll leave too, can I visit two days from now? Or do you prefer to go to a restaurant?'

Vincent is surprisingly cool and makes an appointment at their own place, he has no illusions about keeping anything a secret if someone is on his tail despite Father Nicholas' assurances there isn't. All the memories he has of Father Nicholas indeed prove him to be principled and just.

Then the Father leaves, and Adison, Catherine and his friends leave, they will wait for him at a nearby pub while the members of the cast change and maybe spend half an hour among themselves. Something exciting happened just before the play started, and they are all curious what it was. Vincent is quite certain it had to do with Bosie's father, and he can see his friend is very eager to tell him all about it. Adison will warn Lukas about his healing excursions, if Vincent doesn't get the chance himself after they're done here.

They all move back to the stage, where George Alexander and Mr Wilde start with complimenting them all on their acting, and promise to spend some time on evaluating tonight's show before the show tomorrow.

For now, George observes, 'I hope neither of you was disturbed by the major upheaval tonight, when Lord Douglas' father tried to gain entrance to the theatre to offer Mr Wilde a large insult. He is convinced Mr Wilde is leading his son astray, when in fact Oscar is merely helping Lord Douglas to become a writer himself.

I am very glad my staff managed to stop the Marquess of Queensberry from entering, he is not an easy person to withstand, but they stood firm and protected the dignity of our premiere and of our talented playwright. I stand behind Oscar in this and feel that no-one has to accept such slander, not even from one of the highest ranking nobles in the city.

It is an admirable action for a writer to support others in their wish to improve their own skills in that field, and I will support Mr Wilde and Lord Douglas in their collaborations.'

Vincent cannot credit what his ears tell him, George Alexander believing the abject lie that Bosie and Mr Wilde are only professionally related? And Lord Douglas a writer? That brash young man whose thoughts don't go any further than fencing, drinking, riding and laying any pretty boy he can manage to attach himself to?

How can George not see the intimacy between those two, in their body-language, but also in their constant bickering? This cannot in any way end well.

Looking at the other players, Vincent can see disbelief in very few faces, Mr Wilde has his face schooled to neutrality, Bosie is looking at Vincent with slight alarm. Can it be that Vincent is the only one here who knows what is really going on? Come on, how naïve can professional actors be? Looking around once more he truly believes no-one realizes George Alexander is being played for a fool by Mr Wilde.

Well, Vincent doesn't approve at all of the way his society treats people who love their own gender, they are not going to get any wiser through him. But he does feel a bit sorry for George, who is just now describing what happened exactly, so they all know about it in case they read it back in the reviews.

Lord Douglas moves to stand behind Vincent, and whispers in his ears, 'Will you please give me a few minutes of your time after George is through? Before you join your lovely wife?'

George doesn't talk for long, everyone is tired, he must be exhausted, playing a role, directing the play, and being responsible for everything else that is happening in the theatre as well. They all shake hands or hug, tomorrow they will know what the reviews say, and from then on it is hard work every night to stay sharp and even improve.

As everyone files out, Lord Douglas puts an arm on Vincent's shoulder and leads him to a corner of the hall.

'This must all seem very strange to you, Vincent, I have been frank with you because I see you as a friend. Society demands Oscar and I keep our true nature carefully hidden or become outcasts, fortunately we have our own little world in which we can be ourselves, and you have been admitted to that world quite naturally.

I only realized just now that we never asked you permission to do that, somehow it never occurred to me you might find my preferences offensive. Seeing your surprise at George's speech just now, and all the others including George just accepting Oscar's explanation, I beg you to keep our secret, or Oscar and I will both be ruined.'

He truly seems to love Mr Wilde, Vincent still finds the nature of their relationship very strange, Adison and himself never bicker, or fall in love elsewhere so very easily as Bosie seems to do. But it takes all kinds of people to make one population of London, and the strangest ones probably gather in the small world of the theatre.

'I thought you knew me by now, Bosie, haven't we spent enough very intimate moments together for you to know that I don't care with which gender you find your love? Or with how many individuals of said gender? You treat me like a human being even though I come from the streets, and that is enough for me. No-one will hear anything from me.

But I do wonder why you never told me about your literary aspirations, I love literature and would have happily discussed it with you.'

Besides relief, Lord Douglas now shows some embarrassment.

'I wanted to look tough before you, you're such a great fighter with so much real fighting experience, and so incredibly strong, I thought you'd find me weak if I admitted I wanted to be a writer.