aladdin_sane

OBLIVION ▋ a linear superhero roleplay

Count me in.

I'ʟʟ Bᴇ Tʜᴇʀᴇ Fᴏʀ Yᴏᴜ | Hɪɢʜ Cᴀsᴜᴀʟ

Always down for some collaboration. If anyone wants to craft a shared history just hit me up.

I'ʟʟ Bᴇ Tʜᴇʀᴇ Fᴏʀ Yᴏᴜ | Hɪɢʜ Cᴀsᴜᴀʟ

@Silent Whispers Hope you enjoy your birthday.

I'ʟʟ Bᴇ Tʜᴇʀᴇ Fᴏʀ Yᴏᴜ | Hɪɢʜ Cᴀsᴜᴀʟ

Dorian

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Dorian Elias Scruggs

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Faceclaim: Gyasi Hues | LavenderBlush
“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” ^___ Oscar Wilde

---

| NAME |

Dorian Elias Scruggs

Rory Rhinestone is his stage name and acquaintances often address him as Rory.

| DATE OF BIRTH |

May/ 23 (Gemini)

| AGE |

25

| GENDER |

Male

| SEXUALITY |

Homosexual

| RELATIONSHIP STATUS |

Single

| PLACE OF BIRTH |

Erwin, Tennessee

| APPEARANCE DETAILS |

HEIGHT: 5’ 11”
WEIGHT: 132 lbs
HAIR: Strawberry Blonde
EYES: Brown
SKIN TONE: Pale

CLOTHING STYLE: Dorian loves to wear bold and attention-grabbing outfits that incorporate elements of vintage fashion with a modern twist. Possessing an impressive wardrobe is to him a matter of pride. On stage his signature look consists of a rose gold jumpsuit bedazzled with sequins, rhinestones, and other sparkling embellishments; it hugs his slender frame like a second skin. He pairs the jumpsuit with bedazzled platform boots or high-top sneakers, and an assortment of jewelry.

OTHER: The tattoo on Dorian’s inner left arm is a striking image of cascading diamonds that appear to be flowing down his arm in a fluid motion. The larger diamonds at the top of the design are more prominent and defined, while the smaller gems towards the bottom of the design are more abstract and scattered.

| PERSONALITY |

Dorian can be described as a confident, charismatic, and energetic young man with a flair for the dramatic. Despite his keen social graces, he is never above demonstrating his sharp wit and sense of humor should the situation call for it. He absolutely adores performances and thrives on the attention of others. At times he can be a bit of a drama queen. He has a larger-than-life personality that is both colorful and charming, and he's not afraid to push boundaries or take risks in his life. Despite his outgoing demeanor, Dorian has a vulnerable side that stems from his tumultuous upbringing. He frequently struggles with feelings of abandonment and of insecurity, which he tries to mask with his glamorous stage persona. Deep down he's also an emotional person, and his music at times dispenses with the pageantry to mirror his innermost feelings.

He's not always the most responsible person, but he genuinely cares about his friends and family. This craving for attention and acceptance means Dorian is hard pressed to turn away those toxic individuals offering empty platitudes who just wish to take advantage of him. Despite his reluctance to do so he can be self-serving at times, crushing those in his way under his bedazzled heels.

| LIKES |

Singing and creating music with his bandmates.
Experimenting with different fashion styles and looks.
Digging through crates of vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs in order to find obscure gems from yesteryear.
Supporting various LGBTQ+ charities and causes.
Hanging out in various art installations or clubs at odd hours.

| DISLIKES |

His deadbeat father.
Closeminded people.
Feeling uninspired or stuck creatively.
Having to deal with the business side of the music industry, such as having endure prolonged contract negotiations.
Having to deal with the drudgery of having to toil away at jobs unrelated to his passion.

| HABITS |

Has a tendency to play the most esoteric music when handed the Aux Cord.
He is known to indulge in illicit substances before going on stage to help calm his nerves and get into the right mindset for performing.

| FEARS |

Compliancy: Dorian fears reaching a point in his musical evolution where he is unable to create anything unique or meaningful thereby become part of the status quo.

Autophobia: His father exiting his life for good when Dorian was only five years old was a particularly traumatic experience, leading to a deep-seated fear of being abandoned by those closest to him.

| BACKGROUND |

Dorian was born in the small rural community of Erwin, Tennessee to parents Otis Scruggs and Harriett McCarthy. Otis was one of the mainstays of a local country-western and bluegrass collective known as The Cumberland Ramblers. The Ramblers were mostly a regional success, with their only national exposure occurring when their signature track "Whiskey Tears and Barroom Fights" briefly entered the lower rungs of the Hot Country Singles for a scant few weeks; as an unabashed braggard Otis would loudly remind everyone within earshot of this rather hollow accomplishment. Despite this modicum of success, The Ramblers were never a particularly profitable venture due in no small part to Otis’s volatile temper coupled with his overt narcissism; any the money Otis earned from gigs on the honky-tonk circuit rarely found its way back to his family. Otis was known to leave for extended periods of time to tour with the group or embark on solo outings, often leaving his wife and young son alone for weeks or even months at a time. In addition to raising their child Harriett was forced to work long hours at a local factory to stem the family’s slide into abject poverty. When he was not on tour, Otis refused to seek gainful employment. He was often found hanging out in seedy bars with the rest of the local riffraff where he would regale them with his oft exaggerated exploits while also indulging in his twin vices alcoholism and adultery. When Dorian was only five years old his father supposedly left on a national tour to support his recent solo album “Backroads & Byways”, despite the tour never materializing having been canceled weeks prior, it was one in which Otis would intentionally never return from. The last memory Dorian has of his father is of covertly watching him late in the evening meticulously pack up his fiddle and other travel essentials into a shabby duffel bag before departing their modest home for what was unbeknownst to his son the last time. Otis is very much alive but is most likely living under an assumed name in order to dodge the financial responsibility he owes the numerous children he allegedly fathered when on the road.

Despite the ensuing financial struggles in the wake of Otis’s departure, Harriett was determined to give her son a good upbringing and encouraged his burgeoning interest in music, even buying him his first guitar from a flea market at the age of ten. As a teenager, Dorian, struggling with his emerging homosexuality, found solace in the glam rock music of the 70s. He was inspired by the flamboyant stage presence and androgynous fashion of artists like David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Marc Bolan. It is around this time Dorian started experimenting with makeup and fashion, using them to both express his individuality and rebel against the traditionalist norms of his small town. He spent countless hours practicing his guitar and perfecting his stage presence, dreaming of one day becoming a famous rock star.

After barely graduating high school, Dorian moved to Los Angles to pursue a career in music. He has been playing gigs at local bars and clubs ever since, attempting to build up a following with his energetic performances and glittery, androgynous style. His music blends the theatricality of glam rock with the twang of country music, creating a rather unique sound. It is here in the City of Angels where he met group of similarly passionate and eccentric musicians. Together, they formed the band " Rory Rhinestone & the Cosmic Cabaret" and quickly became known locally for their high-energy performances and over-the-top costumes. The band consists of lead guitarist Blair Bexley, bassist Adrian Fitzgerald, keyboardist Asjad Mian, drummer Bruce Douglas, and saxophonist Levi Keswick; Dorian is the charismatic lead vocalist and primary song writer. Their manager/agent is the perpetually overworked Dominic DiMorra, who oversees a lot of local acts for somewhat reasonable fees in the hopes that one of them makes it big someday thereby netting him a huge windfall. This has yet to happen. He often books the band at the most random of places and often times they are not even the featured players on the marquee. Dorian and his bandmates are currently workshopping songs to be included on a debut album should they ever get signed. It can be said that the band in its current incarnation has not yet hit their stride and are certainly an acquired taste.

Like many aspiring superstars living in Los Angeles Dorian works a variety of odd jobs to cover his living expenses. It is not uncommon for him cycle through a variety of positions in a matter of months. He is currently working as a clerk in a record store, which is one of the more rewarding positions he has had in terms of the corporate world. His measly earnings allow him to rent a rather modest apartment inside the city limits. Dorian made fast friends with the other tenants that occupy the building and feels a strong bond forming between them.

| MISCELLANEOUS |

The oddest instrument that he can play with any degree of proficiency would be the hurdy-gurdy.

| The Band |

The Cosmic Cabaret

Blair Bexley

Blair Bexley (Age 24, Birthday: June 10th): Blair is the lead guitarist of The Cosmic Cabaret, and she's known for her virtuosic solos. She's developed a guitar tone which is rich, searing, thick and conversely both heavy and delicate. Unlike a vast majority guitarists, she kept her left-hand fingernails on the longer side to create unique sounding vibratos and bends. She plays a Les Paul black custom with the finish removed on the front so that it exposes the wood finish beneath.

Adrian Fitzgerald

Adrian Fitzgerald (Age 26, Birthday: October 18th): Adrian is the bassist of the band, and he's the one who keeps the rhythm section tight and grooving. He constructs his bass-lines to be tasteful and interesting, without detracting from the melody of the piece. Adrian is considered the most level-headed member of the group and often tries to rein in some of the excesses that his bandmates revel in. Outside of the context of the band, he dabbles in amateur woodworking and is quite passionate about it. He plays the Fender Precision Bass.

Asjad Mian

Asjad Mian (Age 24, Birthday: March 5th): Asjad is the keyboardist of Issac's band, and she's the one who adds the lush textures and melodies to the music. She traces her linage to Kurdish refugees who fled from Iraq in mid-seventies and eventually settled in California. Her love of music has its origins in her very early childhood where she would watch her grandfather playing traditional Kurdish folk songs on the Tanbur. Though she did not discover her love of the piano until grade school when at home sick she through happenstance saw she archival concert footage of Sir Elton John on VH1 while channel surfing. She has been hooked ever since.

Bruce “Posy” Douglas

Bruce “Posy” Douglas (Age 23, Birthday: July 24th): Bruce is the drummer who provides the driving force and energy to the music. The son of a rather infamous shipping magnate, Bruce grew up in the lap of luxury. However, it seems none of his father’s business acumen or the years of prestigious private school education rubbed off on him. He is a Momma’s boy and uses her unconditional love to ensure father never permanently cuts off his personal stipend of a few hundred dollars a month. His personality can best be described as cavalier, carefree, and leisurely. He’s played in a variety of bands over the years and been kicked out of most of them once they realize his wealthy father refuses to bankroll his son’s band into instant stardom. He has a passion for drumming partially because it allows him to avoid the spotlight his father has been urging him to stand under his whole life; it also allows him to vent his frustrations by banging on something.

Levi Keswick

Levi Keswick (Age 21, Birthday: December 12th): The baby of the bunch Levi is the saxophonist of the band, and he's the one who adds soulful flourishes to the music. He's been playing saxophone since he was in Marching Band back in middle school. He's studied jazz theory and improvisation extensively. In almost all regards he embodies your stereotypical band geek. He is unabashed about his love of Larping and is an active member of a few local communities. He is the nephew of band manager/agent Dominic DiMorra, which probably contributed to his inclusion in the unit though he has since earned the respect and friendship of his fellow bandmates. He has on multiple occasions privately rebuffed his Uncle’s suggestions that he allow himself to be reassigned to one of DiMorra’s more hotter prospects.

Dominic DiMorra

Dominic DiMorra, (Age 59, Birthday: December 24th): He is the charismatic manager and agent of The Cosmic Cabaret. Dominic is always at the heart of the conversation, sometimes annoyingly so, interrupting topics to make it all about himself. He is a loudmouth, always talking about how much money he's making or the latest hotshot he's landed. His morality is sketchy at the best of times and the talent often finds that his checks are prone to bouncing. He has burned a plethora of bridges in his lifetime and has many detractors. Despite his sometimes-grating personality and less than ethical business pratices, Dominic is an incredibly hard worker, perpetually overworked and underpaid. He's constantly on the phone, negotiating deals and booking gigs for his ever-expanding roster of clients. Dominic's nephew is Levi Keswick, the band's saxophonist. While he tries to remain objective, it's clear that Dominic is partial to the band and especially proud of his nephew's success. Despite his flaws, Dominic is a valuable asset to the band, and they rely on him heavily to navigate the often cutthroat music industry. And while he may sometimes drive them crazy, they know that he always has their best interests at heart.

I'ʟʟ Bᴇ Tʜᴇʀᴇ Fᴏʀ Yᴏᴜ | Hɪɢʜ Cᴀsᴜᴀʟ

I am okay with either. I personally enjoy using discord for ooc chat and brainstorming purposes, but I understand it is not everyone's cup of tea.

I'ʟʟ Bᴇ Tʜᴇʀᴇ Fᴏʀ Yᴏᴜ | Hɪɢʜ Cᴀsᴜᴀʟ

Dorian

---

Dorian Elias Scruggs

---

Faceclaim: Gyasi Hues | LavenderBlush
“Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” ^___ Oscar Wilde

---

| NAME |

Dorian Elias Scruggs

Rory Rhinestone is his stage name and acquaintances often address him as Rory.

| DATE OF BIRTH |

May/ 23 (Gemini)

| AGE |

25

| GENDER |

Male

| SEXUALITY |

Homosexual

| RELATIONSHIP STATUS |

Single

| PLACE OF BIRTH |

Erwin, Tennessee

| APPEARANCE DETAILS |

HEIGHT: 5’ 11”
WEIGHT: 132 lbs
HAIR: Strawberry Blonde
EYES: Brown
SKIN TONE: Pale

CLOTHING STYLE: Dorian loves to wear bold and attention-grabbing outfits that incorporate elements of vintage fashion with a modern twist. Possessing an impressive wardrobe is to him a matter of pride. On stage his signature look consists of a rose gold jumpsuit bedazzled with sequins, rhinestones, and other sparkling embellishments; it hugs his slender frame like a second skin. He pairs the jumpsuit with bedazzled platform boots or high-top sneakers, and an assortment of jewelry.

OTHER: The tattoo on Dorian’s inner left arm is a striking image of cascading diamonds that appear to be flowing down his arm in a fluid motion. The larger diamonds at the top of the design are more prominent and defined, while the smaller gems towards the bottom of the design are more abstract and scattered.

| PERSONALITY |

Dorian can be described as a confident, charismatic, and energetic young man with a flair for the dramatic. Despite his keen social graces, he is never above demonstrating his sharp wit and sense of humor should the situation call for it. He absolutely adores performances and thrives on the attention of others. At times he can be a bit of a drama queen. He has a larger-than-life personality that is both colorful and charming, and he's not afraid to push boundaries or take risks in his life. Despite his outgoing demeanor, Dorian has a vulnerable side that stems from his tumultuous upbringing. He frequently struggles with feelings of abandonment and of insecurity, which he tries to mask with his glamorous stage persona. Deep down he's also an emotional person, and his music at times dispenses with the pageantry to mirror his innermost feelings.

He's not always the most responsible person, but he genuinely cares about his friends and family. This craving for attention and acceptance means Dorian is hard pressed to turn away those toxic individuals offering empty platitudes who just wish to take advantage of him. Despite his reluctance to do so he can be self-serving at times, crushing those in his way under his bedazzled heels.

| LIKES |

Singing and creating music with his bandmates.
Experimenting with different fashion styles and looks.
Digging through crates of vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs in order to find obscure gems from yesteryear.
Supporting various LGBTQ+ charities and causes.
Hanging out in various art installations or clubs at odd hours.

| DISLIKES |

His deadbeat father.
Closeminded people.
Feeling uninspired or stuck creatively.
Having to deal with the business side of the music industry, such as having endure prolonged contract negotiations.
Having to deal with the drudgery of having to toil away at jobs unrelated to his passion.

| HABITS |

Has a tendency to play the most esoteric music when handed the Aux Cord.
He is known to indulge in illicit substances before going on stage to help calm his nerves and get into the right mindset for performing.

| FEARS |

Compliancy: Dorian fears reaching a point in his musical evolution where he is unable to create anything unique or meaningful thereby become part of the status quo.

Autophobia: His father exiting his life for good when Dorian was only five years old was a particularly traumatic experience, leading to a deep-seated fear of being abandoned by those closest to him.

| BACKGROUND |

Dorian was born in the small rural community of Erwin, Tennessee to parents Otis Scruggs and Harriett McCarthy. Otis was one of the mainstays of a local country-western and bluegrass collective known as The Cumberland Ramblers. The Ramblers were mostly a regional success, with their only national exposure occurring when their signature track "Whiskey Tears and Barroom Fights" briefly entered the lower rungs of the Hot Country Singles for a scant few weeks; as an unabashed braggard Otis would loudly remind everyone within earshot of this rather hollow accomplishment. Despite this modicum of success, The Ramblers were never a particularly profitable venture due in no small part to Otis’s volatile temper coupled with his overt narcissism; any the money Otis earned from gigs on the honky-tonk circuit rarely found its way back to his family. Otis was known to leave for extended periods of time to tour with the group or embark on solo outings, often leaving his wife and young son alone for weeks or even months at a time. In addition to raising their child Harriett was forced to work long hours at a local factory to stem the family’s slide into abject poverty. When he was not on tour, Otis refused to seek gainful employment. He was often found hanging out in seedy bars with the rest of the local riffraff where he would regale them with his oft exaggerated exploits while also indulging in his twin vices alcoholism and adultery. When Dorian was only five years old his father supposedly left on a national tour to support his recent solo album “Backroads & Byways”, despite the tour never materializing having been canceled weeks prior, it was one in which Otis would intentionally never return from. The last memory Dorian has of his father is of covertly watching him late in the evening meticulously pack up his fiddle and other travel essentials into a shabby duffel bag before departing their modest home for what was unbeknownst to his son the last time. Otis is very much alive but is most likely living under an assumed name in order to dodge the financial responsibility he owes the numerous children he allegedly fathered when on the road.

Despite the ensuing financial struggles in the wake of Otis’s departure, Harriett was determined to give her son a good upbringing and encouraged his burgeoning interest in music, even buying him his first guitar from a flea market at the age of ten. As a teenager, Dorian, struggling with his emerging homosexuality, found solace in the glam rock music of the 70s. He was inspired by the flamboyant stage presence and androgynous fashion of artists like David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Marc Bolan. It is around this time Dorian started experimenting with makeup and fashion, using them to both express his individuality and rebel against the traditionalist norms of his small town. He spent countless hours practicing his guitar and perfecting his stage presence, dreaming of one day becoming a famous rock star.

After barely graduating high school, Dorian moved to Los Angles to pursue a career in music. He has been playing gigs at local bars and clubs ever since, attempting to build up a following with his energetic performances and glittery, androgynous style. His music blends the theatricality of glam rock with the twang of country music, creating a rather unique sound. It is here in the City of Angels where he met group of similarly passionate and eccentric musicians. Together, they formed the band " Rory Rhinestone & the Cosmic Cabaret" and quickly became known locally for their high-energy performances and over-the-top costumes. The band consists of lead guitarist Blair Bexley, bassist Adrian Fitzgerald, keyboardist Asjad Mian, drummer Bruce Douglas, and saxophonist Levi Keswick; Dorian is the charismatic lead vocalist and primary song writer. Their manager/agent is the perpetually overworked Dominic DiMorra, who oversees a lot of local acts for somewhat reasonable fees in the hopes that one of them makes it big someday thereby netting him a huge windfall. This has yet to happen. He often books the band at the most random of places and often times they are not even the featured players on the marquee. Dorian and his bandmates are currently workshopping songs to be included on a debut album should they ever get signed. It can be said that the band in its current incarnation has not yet hit their stride and are certainly an acquired taste.

Like many aspiring superstars living in Los Angeles Dorian works a variety of odd jobs to cover his living expenses. It is not uncommon for him cycle through a variety of positions in a matter of months. He is currently working as a clerk in a record store, which is one of the more rewarding positions he has had in terms of the corporate world. His measly earnings allow him to rent a rather modest apartment inside the city limits. Dorian made fast friends with the other tenants that occupy the building and feels a strong bond forming between them.

| MISCELLANEOUS |

The oddest instrument that he can play with any degree of proficiency would be the hurdy-gurdy.

| The Band |

The Cosmic Cabaret

Blair Bexley

Blair Bexley (Age 24, Birthday: June 10th): Blair is the lead guitarist of The Cosmic Cabaret, and she's known for her virtuosic solos. She's developed a guitar tone which is rich, searing, thick and conversely both heavy and delicate. Unlike a vast majority guitarists, she kept her left-hand fingernails on the longer side to create unique sounding vibratos and bends. She plays a Les Paul black custom with the finish removed on the front so that it exposes the wood finish beneath.

Adrian Fitzgerald

Adrian Fitzgerald (Age 26, Birthday: October 18th): Adrian is the bassist of the band, and he's the one who keeps the rhythm section tight and grooving. He constructs his bass-lines to be tasteful and interesting, without detracting from the melody of the piece. Adrian is considered the most level-headed member of the group and often tries to rein in some of the excesses that his bandmates revel in. Outside of the context of the band, he dabbles in amateur woodworking and is quite passionate about it. He plays the Fender Precision Bass.

Asjad Mian

Asjad Mian (Age 24, Birthday: March 5th): Asjad is the keyboardist of Issac's band, and she's the one who adds the lush textures and melodies to the music. She traces her linage to Kurdish refugees who fled from Iraq in mid-seventies and eventually settled in California. Her love of music has its origins in her very early childhood where she would watch her grandfather playing traditional Kurdish folk songs on the Tanbur. Though she did not discover her love of the piano until grade school when at home sick she through happenstance saw she archival concert footage of Sir Elton John on VH1 while channel surfing. She has been hooked ever since.

Bruce “Posy” Douglas

Bruce “Posy” Douglas (Age 23, Birthday: July 24th): Bruce is the drummer who provides the driving force and energy to the music. The son of a rather infamous shipping magnate, Bruce grew up in the lap of luxury. However, it seems none of his father’s business acumen or the years of prestigious private school education rubbed off on him. He is a Momma’s boy and uses her unconditional love to ensure father never permanently cuts off his personal stipend of a few hundred dollars a month. His personality can best be described as cavalier, carefree, and leisurely. He’s played in a variety of bands over the years and been kicked out of most of them once they realize his wealthy father refuses to bankroll his son’s band into instant stardom. He has a passion for drumming partially because it allows him to avoid the spotlight his father has been urging him to stand under his whole life; it also allows him to vent his frustrations by banging on something.

Levi Keswick

Levi Keswick (Age 21, Birthday: December 12th): The baby of the bunch Levi is the saxophonist of the band, and he's the one who adds soulful flourishes to the music. He's been playing saxophone since he was in Marching Band back in middle school. He's studied jazz theory and improvisation extensively. In almost all regards he embodies your stereotypical band geek. He is unabashed about his love of Larping and is an active member of a few local communities. He is the nephew of band manager/agent Dominic DiMorra, which probably contributed to his inclusion in the unit though he has since earned the respect and friendship of his fellow bandmates. He has on multiple occasions privately rebuffed his Uncle’s suggestions that he allow himself to be reassigned to one of DiMorra’s more hotter prospects.

Dominic DiMorra

Dominic DiMorra, (Age 59, Birthday: December 24th): He is the charismatic manager and agent of The Cosmic Cabaret. Dominic is always at the heart of the conversation, sometimes annoyingly so, interrupting topics to make it all about himself. He is a loudmouth, always talking about how much money he's making or the latest hotshot he's landed. His morality is sketchy at the best of times and the talent often finds that his checks are prone to bouncing. He has burned a plethora of bridges in his lifetime and has many detractors. Despite his sometimes-grating personality and less than ethical business pratices, Dominic is an incredibly hard worker, perpetually overworked and underpaid. He's constantly on the phone, negotiating deals and booking gigs for his ever-expanding roster of clients. Dominic's nephew is Levi Keswick, the band's saxophonist. While he tries to remain objective, it's clear that Dominic is partial to the band and especially proud of his nephew's success. Despite his flaws, Dominic is a valuable asset to the band, and they rely on him heavily to navigate the often cutthroat music industry. And while he may sometimes drive them crazy, they know that he always has their best interests at heart.

I'ʟʟ Bᴇ Tʜᴇʀᴇ Fᴏʀ Yᴏᴜ | Hɪɢʜ Cᴀsᴜᴀʟ

Will have my sheet up tonight or tomorrow. Looking forward to this.

Casual, small group, friendship roleplay

I am always down for a comfy slice of life roleplay.

Qrowdell Academy (magical school RP)

This looks quite intriguing. I would be game.

RETRO Slice of Life - 1988

Dorian LaValle

Location: Shogun Sushi (Team Sushi)

Finding a table relatively set apart from the other patrons, Dorian opted to have a specialty tea prepared for him in lieu of a meal as he did not feel like this upcoming meeting was going to last extremely long and the cocaine he snorted earlier had curtailed his appetite for food. Much like the preparation of food, even the simple act of brewing tea has been elevated into an experience at this establishment highlighting the grace and finesse it took to create such dishes. Dorian always enjoyed needless pageantry, but today his mind was preoccupied with the forthcoming encounter as there were a plethora of variables to take into consideration most of which lay outside of control and he absolutely loathed not being in control. The tea sommelier gingerly placed a small dish of emerald leaves on the table, Dorian noticed that the older man was intently studying him as if to get some sort of read on his character. Ultimately it was of no concern to Dorian as he knew that Gyokuro was considered a luxury even in Japan and it is not too often that someone is willing to pay for it here in the states; he came to the conclusion that the old codger was probably just afraid he was going to dine and dash. Dorian cleared his throat and the sommelier began the intricate series of motions involved in preparing the Gyokuro tea, the ritualized movements were overall aesthetically pleasing and managed to pull his attention away from his train of thought serving as a momentary distraction. Afterwards Dorian took a small sip and let the liquid rest on his tongue for a few tantalizing seconds in order to experience the full flavor of the tea, it had a sweet aftertaste that lingered in his mouth. Perhaps sensing his pleasure with the tea the sommelier took off, leaving Dorian to people watch as he waited for the scheduled meeting to commence. Using his good eye to scope out the establishment he noticed a few other customers milling about, but this place was far from being filled to capacity which was unfortunate as a packed house would make discussing illicit matters easier. The loudest customers were two aged frat boys who were having a heated discussion about a yacht race the pair had apparently been involved in; they seemed to blame each other for their team’s less than stellar placement; it was mindless prattle.

Dorian took a sip of his tea and after procuring a pen from one of the servers he began to mindlessly doodle on one of the napkins, he always had time to indulge in his passions even in such an undignified way. Oh, how he wished he was in his make-shift studio right now, he had such an urge to create. He debated on going out to his car and receiving his sketchpad, but decided against it as he need not attract any more undue attention. Before he could properly flesh out his impromptu drawing, he was rudely interrupted by a woman colliding into him. What was this platinum-blonde ditz’s problem, it was only through dumb-luck that his expensive tea was not spilled. Putting down the pen he took a sip of said tea before addressing the would-be-ruffian in a condescending tone of voice.

“Hmph, I am sure the maze on the placemat can certainly be considered ‘work’ for someone possessing such tact and grace as yourself. But I suppose I can accept your pardons little lady, I can’t expect everyone I come across to adhere to my lofty standards. Now how about you gather your special friend that is galivanting behind you and run along darling, I am sure the playground at the fast-food joint down the road is more suited to handle those of your ilk.” He makes a shooing motion with his free hand dismissively to punctate his point before taking another sip of tea.

At that moment two figures enter Shogun Sushi. The first figure is an older gentleman, who despite being in his early-sixties looked more haggard than his age suggested; he has dark circles under his eyes and his style could be described as haphazard at best. To others it would seem like he got dressed in a hurry as it is clear that he is wearing a tweed jacket and pants over his pajamas; unruly stubble also suggests that he hasn’t shaved today. His demeanor is one of dejection he shambles around like a man in daze, while his eyes dart around in desperation looking for someone or something; it is almost like watching a man being led to the gallows. The younger second figure is clad in a matching denim jacket and denim jeans; he is looking much less morose than his companion and walks with a certain pep in his step. He wears an expression akin to a dog that just performed a command and is looking for a treat. This giddy man sports a black rat-tail and a patchy beard that does not fill out his face well. When the duo-move the younger man follows closely behind the older one never letting him fall behind, at one point he gives a shove as the old man attempts to slow down to talk to the two aged frat-bros. The old man puts his hands in his pockets of his suit and shambles along.

A glimmer of hope crosses the old man’s eyes as he recognizes someone sitting amongst the patrons, a freelance photographer that he once employed to photograph his nephew’s bar mitzvah; the old man felt blessed that he still possessed a knack for remembering the names and faces of those he briefly interacted with. He approaches the photographer with a renewed vigor that took his companion by surprise and before he could be stopped he sat across from Sid.

“Sid? Sid? Is that you? It is me Reuben. Reuben Hersh. You know the owner and founder of PriorArty Gallery. You see it is a play or priority...prior..art..y. Nevermind. You were the photographer at my nephew Issac’s bar mitzvah a few months back. Right? Remember? Anyways, it has come to my attention that I have never had the chance to properly tip you. Remember? So here you go.”

Reuben reaches into jacket pocket, produces his wallet, pulls out an assortment of bills of varying denominations and holds it out to Sid. It is not an exorbitant amount of money only adding up to a few hundred dollars at most, Reuben looks at Sid almost pleading with his eyes for the other man to lean in and take the money before his 'shadow' has the chance to swoop in.

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