Fate II

CCVII

Placing their arms through the sleeves of their freshly cleaned and ironed gold-and-white royal uniform, they stood in front of the dressing mirrors as they put on the finishing touches. Straightening up their appearances and wearing their uniform properly, they tidied their bangs or slicked back a part of their hair, the royal badges and accessories upon their uniform shining under the chandelier light. Though weapons were not allowed, the retainers carried their white jade tassels by their side as Ja'far skillfully hid his assassination weapons underneath his attire. With a hint of lavender and lily fragrance, the five of them looked entirely different from their usual appearance. They were attractive people whose beauty made everyone's heads turn but when they put effort into formal events like these, their beauty was unparalleled; as if they were celestial beings. Ja'far, too, was quite eye-catching, his current appearance catching the attention of Tomoyo who rarely complimented others.

"You should put your hair up more," she noted. "It's a shame to hide those deep, emerald green eyes."

"I'm fine with this kind of getup once in a while," Ja'far blushed slightly in embarrassment as he played at his hair which Tomoyo quickly flicked away in anger for she hated to see her masterpieces be ruined. "It's uncomfortable."

"Well, you are an assassin," Tomoyo remembered. "Is that a trait all assassins are born with?"

"I think it depends on the individual. If needed, I'll put up with such an eye-catching appearance."

"Suit yourself," Tomoyo fixed her skirt, smoothing out the wrinkles in her cape-like jacket. "I just wanted to say you look nice."

Ja'far widened his eyes in surprise before chuckling. "Thank you. Tomoyo-dono as well. You look lovely tonight."

"But of course!" she said proudly. "Why wouldn't I look the most lovely when I'll be standing by Lucy-sama's side tonight? There's no way I would allow Lucy-sama's image to be tarnished! To be the retainers of someone as powerful and beautiful as her, one has to be just as powerful and beautiful!"

"Is that so?" Ja'far chuckled, a bead of sweat rolling down his face.

"Then again," Tomoyo's smile fell, "I suppose beauty is no longer one of the criteria ever since the monkey joined."

A tick mark appeared on Wu Kong's face. "You sure have the guts to say that straight in the person in question's face."

"What does it matter? It's the truth."

"You really are a handful, you know that?"

"And Lucy-sama loves me for it."

"And it's truly amazing how she could still love you despite all of that."

Tomoyo glared at him with murderous rage as Wu Kong averted his gaze, fixing the sash around his neck. But, he soon gave up and tossed it to the side, further earning Tomoyo's ire.

"Why did you just toss the sash to the side?!" she yelled at him.

"It's uncomfortable," he bluntly answered.

"Simply because it's uncomfortable doesn't mean you don't have to wear it. It's a formal event. It's necessary."

"Who said that it's necessary to wear such stuffy clothes? Isn't it good enough that I only have one button unbuttoned?"

"No!"

"Even if Masrur dressed the same way?"

"Wha-?!" she turned her head towards Masrur who was busy helping Masud with his uniform, Kaede coming over to take over after finishing up his own attire. "Masrur-sa-!"