They arrived in Bournemouth just in time for luncheon, which they took at the Pier, while their valets transported their luggage to the hotel and checked in.
"Oh, Basil, it is so different from my imagination!" The boy cried cheerfully. They had had a good laugh upon exiting their carriage near the hotel, when Dorian first smelled the sea and remarked on the peculiar smell of fish and salt in the air.
"But you appear rather positive about it." Basil remarked, taking a sip of his lemonade.
"Quite, quite! Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine such vast masses of water! I wonder what dreadful kinds of monsters lurk in the darkness, beneath the surface…" he boy said dreamily. He had hardly eaten anything on his plate, but instead rested his chin in his hand, and looked dreamily out onto the open sea.
"My dear boy, have you never been to the Museum of Natural History?" Basil laughed.
"No." Dorian pouted and looked him in the eye. "What do I care for dead animals?"
"Well, you would know all about the creatures of the deep, had you payed a visit to the museum. I believe I shall take you there one day. They exhibit a great many specimen there. For instance, the angler fish, which has so many long and sharp teeth, it is hard to count them. It lives so far down in the ocean, his realm is perpetual darkness- however, it has a light attached to its head- not unlike a lantern is attached to a carriage, and it uses it to lure its prey directly into its awful fangs."
The gruesome tale seemed to absolutely fascinate Dorian. His glistening eyes were fixed on Basil and his mouth slightly open, as his imagination created a thousand pictures of the monster his friend had just described. Once the tale ended, he looked back out into the sea, as if he had not expected such monsters to exist in reality and he felt betrayed by his new friend. Some things are perhaps more romantic, if they are left to the imagination.
"The sea is a dreadful place, Basil." He said suddenly in a most serious manner, and finally decided to interact with his luncheon. "I will not so much as set a foot into these waters. Don't laugh at me, Basil. I said, don't! I do not wish to encounter any of those awful creatures! How does anyone enjoy the sea, if it is so dangerous?" discontented at having his excitement spoiled so heartlessly, he ate a chip and looked at all the people down on the beach, who were enjoying the sun and swimming in the sea.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Dorian." The artist said with some good humour. "I said those fish dwell so deep down, no light ever reaches their realm. The light on the surface would cause them considerable pain, if they have eyes at all, that is. Besides, they care about nothing that it not a fish."
As the boy slowly regained his trust to the sea, the conversation turned to eyeless animals and their biology, and eventually to art. Basil had promised to visit a local art-collectors gallery. The two of them enjoyed themselves greatly. The place invoked the desire in Basil, to make yet another drawing of his lover. The beach would be the perfect occasion to do so. They left the gallery with linked arms and laughing. It was one of those rare moments, when one is in a state of such bliss, that one fails to notice one's own happiness. Those are the only times that qualify as true, untainted happiness.