Within the tailor's room, Mimosa was deep in work.

Bright lights lit overhead--not Voidlight, but plain white--revealed the true colors of the cloth hung over tables and on the loom. Little birds were flitting to and fro, bringing threaded needles and sheafs of cloth here and there.

Mimosa held the Kooru leather--neatly stitched into a fashionable jacket, complete with metal studs--high. They looked to the door, and blinked, smiling. "Just in time! The leather was cured yesterday. It was just enough--well, almost. I added a little padding," they said. "The dye on kooru coat will be interesting! The stripes might still show through, dimly, so I kept the blue to the outside--it was purple you wanted, yes?"

They made their way forward, taking the bit of tinsel--the Rainbow Titanium dye was for Hunter's hair so they didn't touch that. It was unrelated to this jacket.

The tinsel, though--this they held up, examining it with a critical eye. "It... it's unusual, but it should do," they mused. This piece was handed off to the mice, who rapidly chewed it into a thousand tiny pieces--and this was then mixed into the rich, dark purple dye Mimosa had so carefully prepared. "Hunter did come by. We have the fitting all sorted out, and I think you were right! Stars on purple will do nicely. He gave me his preference for the shade."

"Right-... This process--dying the leather, cleaning the studs--it'll take some time. And those studs needed polish! But I think if you come back tomorrow--it'll all be done." They beamed brightly.

Part of him was impatient to get going--to create the children, and prepare for their arrival. But another part of him considered the possibility of another night sleeping peacefully (relatively speaking) in the palace, and balked.

It was, truth be told, an excellent excuse for a good night's rest. "It will return in the morning, then," he replied, and turned. Perhaps--the theater, first. Where he'd encountered the Creator, or his echo-... And the kitchen, with Nedies.

And then... a bed. A nice, clean, uncorrupted bed.

---

The next morning he'd collect the jacket--examine it, and deem it worthy for Hunter's wear. It didn't occur to him to thank the tailor, really, but he'd express his gratitude--his appreciation, at least--nonetheless, and with the peaceful air of the well-rested.

And then-?

Off to Draco to prepare for Hunter's arrival.

He was almost... excited to see if he would like it.

exit Sentinel