Dorian could hardly deny that sense of intrigue that had settled upon him for this very dinner. He was, by nature, a decidedly curious being. The idea of a WerePanda and another vampire in their home for the evening so readily speaking to those very parts of himself that were still inclined to find a sort of wonder in the world. He had never, in all his life, so much as seen a Panda of any kind, red, black, white or otherwise and too- he found himself distinctly curious as to this other vampire Sebastian had befriended so thoroughly. After all, his fiance, while decidedly charming and entirely capable of captivating an entire room should he choose to do just that, was near notorious for how few friends he kept of any kind. Not that he found he blamed his lover in any sense, he himself had but a handful of people he might afford the title to in turn and yet that this one single friend had persisted enough within Sebastian’s life to be invited not only to their wedding but to dinner at their home was surely enough to inspire the Fae King’s inquisitiveness. Dorian, perhaps, equally as intrigued in some fashion by the idea of a vampire whom fed upon other vampires. The Fae King content to find the notion of Arlo feeding from Sebastian a truly bizarre idea in any sense. The man quite undecided about what he felt over it at all and yet, truly, if Sebastian was content to permit it he saw little need to disagree with his lovers decision. Although what on earth they had been going to serve for dinner to such a vampire and a Panda had been a distinct worry for the man all the same. Dorian so finally having left those decisions to Sebastian and Elizabeth alone. The Monarch trusting his lover and that housekeeper to find something appropriately pleasing for the pair. After all, it would never do to have them leave tonight having enjoyed anything less than a suitable meal.

“Oh, is that your new shirt? I quite like that.”

His silver hued gaze drifted readily towards his lover then as Sebastian so came to occupy that mirror beside him and straighten the shirt he had chosen. Dorian himself applying the last of that cologne to his already dressed figure. Sebastian, this evening, having proven decidedly difficult to coax from the bath. His fiance’s love of that warmth having near threatened to make the men late and yet he could hardly deny he had perhaps been equally to blame for the extended time they had spent in that glorious water. That soft simper tracing his lips at the very thought, Dorian leaning abruptly sideways to place that singular kiss against Sebastian’s cheek in that simple affection before making his way toward the door. That near impish grin still in place as he paused within the doorway. Dorian smoothing that fine italian dinner jacket a final time as he regarded the vampire once more.

“I quite think I can hear our guests downstairs and because it is so that I am a wonderful fiance, I shall go down to greet them and afford you an few extra moments to get ready. The Lord Brownlow and future Prince of Italy- late. Whoever would have thought it?”

His head shook softly in that faux gesture of dissatisfaction, that teasing grin still in place. Dorian distinctly aware that it was entirely by his doing that Sebastian was late in every sense. The Monarch having taken a decidedly great pleasure in tugging his lover back into that bath when he had attempted to leave. Dorian so affording the man a singular final look of amusement as that soft chuckle rose within his throat and he moved to step out into the hallway, leaving his lover in peace to finish dressing as he made his way down that grand staircase. His demeanor so readily shifting then. That near teasing, impish nature so permitted to be seen by Sebastian alone. The Monarch effortlessly finding that far more professional demeanor he had become accustomed to wearing at near any social function over the extent off his terribly long life. Friends or otherwise those first impressions mattered, Dorian wholly determined to at least make some effort to appeal to Sebastian’s chosen companion and the lady in his company. After all, was it truly terrible to desire Sebastian’s friends might like him in turn?

He strode easily down those stairs then and into the foyer, his gaze readily falling upon a rather tall young vampire man whom appeared slightly….disheveled and a woman in a truly striking red dress that would have induced several bouts of fainting within his own court. The Monarch finding his gaze near readily drawn to that young lady and yet her companion was perhaps equally as unique if only for how decidedly….odd he appeared. Dorian’s features remained distinctly impassive in that moment, affording no true indication off his opinions of either as that ready smile found his lips. His own head dipped politely in response to what he would only presume was some attempt on Arlo’s part to afford him some sort of...bow perhaps before any greeting he had so been about to offer was readily halted upon his lips as Arlo spoke. Dorian staring at the man near blankly. Why on earth was he speaking like that? Sebastian had not informed him of any sort of...speech impediment. Dorain’s features so blantalty displaying that utter surprise as the vampire took his hand, the Fae affording it that firm shake all the same as Arlo so attempted to compliment him on their front garden. Perhaps the fellow did not speak English as his first language? The poor man appearing to be attempting to sound out each of those words yet surely Sebastian would have told him were not some other language preferable? Dorian offering him that smile all the same, the Monarch largely oblivious to any fashion in which the scent off his own blood might appeal to the other vampire.

“Thank you, Arlo, is it not? Sebastian should be down in a moment. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Perhaps not enough. What a terribly odd man he was. That look of shock on Arlo’s own features was hardly missed and yet it was that sudden light, feminine voice that so distracted the Monarch then. That striking young woman, with her cheeks quite aflame, promptly declaring her enjoyment of those New Guinea Impatiens. How glorious to be in the company of one who knew flowers! That delight upon his own features surely clear then as he turned to regard that panda entirely. The woman appearing nothing at all like an animal in any sense and yet truly Dorian hardly knew quite what he expected, his curiosity off her remaining entirely intact as she commented upon the blue of those cornflowers and the sure quality of their soil. The girl largely oblivious, as near all were, to his own talents for coaxing those plants into life even within the dead of winter. His and Sebastian’s garden an utter sight to behold in all seasons.

“Do you enjoy gardening? I have done most of our gardens myself, with the assistance of our housekeeper and manservant. Sebastian is not so inclined to gardening I fear, but he enjoys sitting within them and reading or watching while I work. You are the first guest we have ever had whom knows the names of those plants though. You must be Abigail.”

Dorian so extend his hand to the young woman then, taking hers gently in his own, before smoothly lifting it to his lips to afford the back of her hand that ever subtle kiss in that age-old gesture that had once been so common among those higher classes. The Monarch softly releasing that hand in the same moment, the sound of Sebastian descending those stairs assuring him off his lovers presence. His attention remaining largely upon Abigail all the same in that simple politeness. His hand gesturing slightly towards Arlo, his voice distinctly soft and for the woman alone.

“Is your companion quite alright? He appears a little- stressed.”