“I wanted these outfits to delight the wearer and the viewer alike as well,” Anwar continued.
Delight? Oh, boy, we need to show delight, Caden moaned.
And we don’t even have our Spirits to bolster us, Valerius agreed.
Raziel and Iolaire were completely asleep with Raziel curled tightly around Iolaire so that only a few snippets of the White Dragon Spirit could be seen. Their wings occasionally fluttered a little bit as they dreamed of chasing sheep or flying together. Their chests rose and fell though with perfect regularity so they were fun dreams.
Lazy bones, Caden chuckled indulgently.
Ever since the battle with the Behemoth, all of the Dragon Spirits had rested, leaving their human counterparts to mop up the material realm’s enemies. Caden was so glad of that. They deserved to rest and relax after everything. But it would have been nice if they--suffered? Endured? Bore?--partook in all of the pomp and circumstance of his and Valerius’ wedding. Caden didn’t really resent it. If it hadn’t been him getting married, he would have been glued to the screen looking for information on it. But his favorite parts were making other people--people like he once was--part of the party. So he could endure this. At this moment, Vanya ripped off the wings from her plushie and Caden hoped that wasn’t a sign of things to come.
“So I sincerely hope that you appreciate and are thrilled with what I have done,” Anwar said.
“What about the others? Shouldn’t they be here to see their delightful outfits?” Illarion’s left eyebrow was lifted and his arms were crossed over his chest.
“You’re the last to see them. The others had to see what I was doing and vice versa so there’s no clashing,” Anwar answered a little primly.
What doesn’t clash with fuschia? Caden asked.
Hush, or I will laugh. Valerius flashed a wide smile at him.
“We are eager to see, Anwar. I am certain whatever you have come up with will be wonderful,” Valerius said kindly.
Anwar beamed. Viski ripped the wings off of his green plushie. White fuzz went everywhere. Illarion produced two new plushies from somewhere--the man was wearing tailored gray slacks, a tight white button-down shirt, and matching gray vest yet he’d hid two plushies out of sight--and handed them to the dogs. Anwar frowned. Maybe he was thinking about that instead of the plushies in the dogs’ mouths that it could be their outfits being ripped apart.
“Perhaps the dogs should stay out here,” Anwar suggested tentatively.
“Why? They would mourn if they could not go in with us!” Illarion scowled.
“Mourn?” Anwar frowned. “But they are just d--”
“Shhhh!” Illarion held up a finger as in warning and his eyes flickered to the dogs and then to Anwar.
“I was just saying that they are simply d--”
“Silence! Hush! No!” Illarion hissed. “The dogs understand.”
“Understand?” Valerius’ brows drew together. “Understand what?”
“They understand when people are not treating them as equals,” Illarion remarked.
Valerius stared at Illarion then down at the dogs then back at Illarion.
“What are your concerns about what these equals will do, Anwar?” Valerius asked.
“Turn your wedding clothes into dead plushies,” Anwar answered.
“I see.” Valerius dropped down on his haunches so he was on a more even footing with the dogs. “Vanya and Viski.” Valerius didn’t yell. He didn’t even raise his voice at all. But the dogs both turned swiftly towards him. “Know this, if you touch one shred of clothing in there.” He pointed towards the doors. “That will really happen to your master.” He pointed at the Dragon plushies with ripped off wings. The dogs’ eyes widened and they whimpered, drawing nearer Illarion’s legs. “We understand one another. Good dogs.”
Valerius stood and smiled at Illarion.
“You did not need to threaten them,” Illarion said.
“They are your dogs, yes?” Valerius pointed out.
Illarion leaned his head back. “Yes, okay, maybe threatening is good.” He petted the dogs’ heads. “Do not worry, my babies, I will let you crotch-stomp Valerius again later. As revenge.”
Valerius frowned. Caden let out a laugh that he tried to change, unsuccessfully, into a cough. Valerius frowned at him, too. Illarion’s lips twitched and the dogs were happy again. So was Anwar, who believed the clothes were safe now.
