AN: This is just kind of a ficlet I wrote for The Picture of Dorian Gray. I've finally completed it. I'm happy with it. Blah blah blah. Mildly slashy, but whatever. Take from it what you want. It's just a conversation between Dorian and Basil during tea. No biggie. Kind of angsty. Not really.
"The artist is the creator of beautiful things. To reveal art and conceal the artist is art's aim. The critic is he who can translate into another manner or a new material his impression of beautiful things."
The Critic Rehearsed
"It's nice, Basil. Really. I'm fond of it."
The painter paced the patio, chin in hand and brow furrowed. This was becoming ridiculous. His beloved Dorian had turned into the cad Henry always was.What to do, what to do… His latest painting sat on display. It was a simple piece of art; the small canvas was covered with a rather impressionistic view of the street from the perch. Bright colors mimed the technique of some renaissance artist or another. Damned if Dorian knew who.
"Dorian, don't humor me. You don't like it. Just tell me. Henry didn't like it either. He said it was too unoriginal and ridiculously gaudy. You're of the same piece of mind?"
To this, Dorian could only give one reply, "Of course, Basil. I think it's hideous. Now, may we please have our tea?" The sarcasm dripping from the words obviously wasn't caught by the painter. His expression went a bit frantic, taking up the painting and disappearing through large glass doors.
Moments later, he reappeared. The canvas had obviously been placed among the other rejects. The lithe form slipping sullenly into a seat across from him, Dorian gave a bit of a smirk. Poor Basil; so critical of everything. The blonde knew nothing though. The artist hadn't let any criticism ruin his spirit until this afternoon.
"Sit for me, Dorian. You're perfect." He regretted the words as they left his mouth.
"Of course I am, Basil. Haven't I always been? Now, leave me be. I don't feel like being the subject of another pointless piece of art."
"Pointless? Dorian, it's far from. Art is expression. You should learn to love it. And don't tell me Henry's opinion. I've heard it far too many times." Should he hear Henry's opinion one more time, he was sure his heart would break.
"All art is quite useless," came the near-silent reply.
