Chéri and Zechariah could have probably had some very interesting conversations about clothes and maybe, after they had built some trust, about Wilde and his time in Paris.

But right now, Chéri was on alert. Having limited understanding of what was being said, despite the fact that Zechariah was making an effort to be understandable, Chéri took the -generally most likely- meaning of a demand for a more “suitable” name, a reference to homosexuality and to Wilde in direct connection to themselves at the same time and, aiming for security, especially after Zechariah added something, they quickly protested.

“You know, I can’t understand your words, but contempt sounds the same in most languages” or it didn’t, but good luck convincing Chéri they were not in trouble. They got up from their chair, took a small bow and walked to Tristan.

“Sir, I think… I think your friend is not who I thought they were. And I don’t feel safe in their company. Even if you don’t have a job for me, can you tell me were I could hide, even for a while?” And just like that, Zechariah had been cast in a new role and Tristan was back to “saviour.”