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[deniles]

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[deniles]

[Niles lets out a sigh as he feels Ryoma wrap around him. The voice is soothing. Taking a long breath, he finally relaxes. The tailor does too. Ready to prove he was right.]

Take a look at what Saizo has.

[Giving the scissors to Kagerou who only holds them. They can be given back if needed.]

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma looks, patiently, studying the pink garment with a perfectly neutral face... though there is just the slightest crinkle in his brow.]

Oh. Were they showing you one of Sakura's robes as an example piece?

[deniles]

[Niles just looks at him. Pausing for a moment.]

No.

[The tailor looked far less sure he might win here.]

[lightninglobster]

Oh.

[Ryoma's brow is doing a thing--it's a very subtle thing, but it anyone who can read Ryoma can see the displeasure writ clear on his face, eyes narrowed and lips quirked ever so slightly downward.]

... so why is it here? Where is your actual robe?

[deniles]

T...this is his actual robe, Lord Ryoma...

[The tailor looking nervously for some support as Niles let out a small sigh.]

I was hoping to match yours. Black and red look so good together.

[lightninglobster]

[The thing Ryoma's brow is doing is getting more defined. More frowny.]

Black and red look lovely together, especially if you accent it with bits of gold and white. Pink is a good color, but... we're announcing our engagement in the fall. It's hardly appropriate.

[And here, Ryoma's head cocks ever so slightly, arms folding over his chest.]

How did you arrive at pink as a color for the robe?

[deniles]

I... I just thought black... would not look nice for the engagement.

[The tailor getting more and more skittish as Niles just looks at Ryoma again, sighing.]

I would not have an issue if you wanted me to wear it.

[If Ryoma liked it, Niles would wear it, no questions asked.]

[lightninglobster]

It would look perfectly fine if you put the color offsets and decorations where they'd been requested--the robe itself would be dark, with bits of color around the neck and shoulders and lower hem to keep it bright.

[Ryoma had seen the sketches, damn it. And now the Slight Frown has turned into an out and out frown as he looks between Niles and the tailor.]

I don't want you to wear something that makes you unhappy.

[deniles]

[He looks from the robe, and then back to Ryoma.]

And it would make me unhappy to even try it on.

[The tailor truly looked unhappy with all of this. Looking from the robe back to Ryoma.]

Unfortunately, Lord Ryoma, due to the other outfits I have, I'm unable to-

[But before he could finish what he was saying, Niles looked at Ryoma.]

Please. Get Oboro to do mine. I trust her to make us look similar. She did yours, right?

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma is frowning--and it deepens to a scowl as Niles outright rejects the garment, and the tailor begins to ply excuses.]

And if those obligations are so important you cannot successfully deliver custom from the royal family, perhaps I should release you from my employ. I wouldn't want you to miss on such golden opportunities.

[Ryoma's tone was sharp--almost mocking, as he took Niles' hand and turned for the door.]

Come. Let's find Oboro, beloved.

[Ryoma would beg if he had to, pink robe held in his other hand.]

[deniles]

[As the tailor continued to try and make excuses, Niles turned and left the room with Ryoma, sighing.]

You know. I really tried to be decent. You can ask Saizo.

[Please believe that he wasn't going out of his way to cause problems. Please.]

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma marched like a man on a mission, Saizo following the royal couple at a quick clip with only the bare minimum of murmuring directions as Ryoma made his way towards where lady Oboro would have been sewing, if she weren't serving Takumi. The tailor laid forgotten--and would be visited by a severe ninja with a severance of his contract before the night was out.]

I don't need to ask Saizo. I believe you.

[He glances back to give Niles a smile, face softening from the vague edges of irritation that'd taken root on it. He firms back up, though, when they find Oboro's workroom, Saizo pulling the door so that Ryoma won't have to let go of Niles' hand.]

Lady Oboro?

[deniles]

[Niles wasn't sure if this was all going to end up being a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, however, he knew that he would have to be on his best behavior when he entered Oboro's quarters.

She looked up from what she was working on, a robe for Lord Takumi for the event tomorrow.]

Lord Ryoma! ...Lord Niles.

[Even in her disappointment, she showed more respect for Niles than most people.]

Is everything alri- what are you holding?

[She narrowed her gaze to the pink think Ryoma was holding.]

[lightninglobster]

[Ryoma bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement, letting go of Niles' hand to hold to robe by the shoulders, letting the full thing drape out and show the extent of its... pinkness.]

The robe Niles is to wear for our engagement party. The tailor decided that he didn't know what he wanted and that this would be a much more fitting piece for him to wear.

[Ryoma turns, making his way to where his own red robe was sitting on display, draping the pink garment over the shoulder as if he meant to compare the two and how... not fit together they were. Ryoma's red was too deep, too heavy, and the pink was... bright. Almost eye-searingly so.]

[deniles]

Ugh! No no no! I let the tailor see my exact outfit so he could match it!

[She took the outfit and looked at it, and then back at her own.]

This is not going to be an easy job... I'm still not done Lord Takumi's outfit, and I don't have much time to do Lord Niles's outfit.

[She looked at the outfit and then back to Niles and Ryoma.]

I'll have to go off the measurements from this outfit to do something for Lord Niles. That's the only option I have.

[She sighs, but nods.]

Lord Niles. Stop in tomorrow morning before breakfast so we can make sure it fits. This is all I can do.

[lightninglobster]

[A wise man knows when to keep his peace... so Ryoma keeps his mouth shut, watching the emotions play out in Oboro, arms folded over his chest as she comes to the desired conclusion with minimal effort. It's surprising, almost--Ryoma was sure he was going to have to beg to get even half of her input.

Still. Polite is polite. He bows before Oboro, fixing her with a look brimming with gratitude.]

Thank you, lady Oboro. Even half of your effort will be more than the amount the tailor gave to Niles' outfit. I truly appreciate you taking some time with this.

[deniles]

[Niles thought so too. He bows as well, before standing back up.]

I will be here.

[They both get shoo'd from the room, Niles leading Ryoma out as they standing outside. She's probably very frustrated, but Niles is still... satisfied, at the least.]

Well... that went better than expected.

[lightninglobster]

I was prepared to grovel on my knees, even.

[Ryoma takes a moment to wrap his arms around his fiance, face pressed into his hair as he just rests against him, hiding him in the voluminous fabric of his robe's sleeves.]

I'm sorry it came to this. I never thought that the tailor of all people would behave in... such an odd manner.

[deniles]

Don't apologize, Ryoma.

[He sighs, and lets himself be held. But smiles all the same, placing his head on Ryoma's chest.]

I'm more sorry that you had to take time out of your busy day to deal with it. You have to go back, right?

[He knows Ryoma is busy, so he's not going to fault him for needing to go right back to things.]

[lightninglobster]

I can't help but feel responsible for the choices made by the people under my banner. It's representative of me as a leader.

[ At least he doesn't say sorry a second time. He presses his lips to Niles' temple, finger-combing his hair with a soft smile on his lips. ]

I can make some excuses to linger a while longer. The world turns without me, doesn't it?

[deniles]

Not my world.

[He laughs, moving to take his hand and curling his fingers into it.]

True, but if you linger, it'll be longer until I have you for the rest of the day.

[Smiling towards him, and moving to place a kiss on his cheek.]

So. Go back to work. I'll have dinner ready for when you're done.

[lightninglobster]

[ Oh, Niles. You know how to warm Ryoma down to his bones, to make him soft and shy. He curls his fingers with Niles', bringing the hand up to his lips to ghost a kiss over his knuckles. ]

I'll be yours alone as quickly as I can, my heart.

[ He smiles, soft and sweet, the emotion writ bright on his face just for Niles. He then lets go of his beloved's hand, dragging himself away on the force of his will alone as he goes to finish his day's tasks with Niles ever on his mind. ]

[deniles]

[He lets out a chuckle when his fingers are kissed, before moving in to kiss him on the cheek before allowing him to leave.]

See you shortly.

[When Ryoma's gone, and heads back to his office, he lets out a little sigh and looks around for a moment.]

...I should have made him stay. Damn, I'm bored again.

[He knows Saizo is nearby. Maybe he'll suggest something.]

[lightninglobster]

[ Saizo gives a grunt, watching Kagero depart with their lord to finish the day's work, eye lidded as he switches his attention to Niles instead. His arms are folded, posture as relaxed as it gets--which isn't very, but it's slightly more than usual. Slightly. ]

Perhaps you should busy yourself with something.

[deniles]

Any suggestions then?

[Looking towards him with a chuckle.]

It's not as if I have much to busy myself with. I could train some more, but it almost seems like a waste.