Suhas Burrow || Radiant Robes

Suhas always loved the way the afternoon sun bled in through the stained glass windows of the throne room onto him so brilliantly. It fractured against the polished marble flooring into his own skin, making him look precisely like the saintly king his citizens thought him to be. He was perched upon his throne now—posture the very picture of studied elegance with a straight spine and relaxed shoulders, as if there was nothing in this world that could ever dare threaten him or his people. And yet, perhaps if one looked at him more closely without the rosy tint of reverence, they would notice the sharp tapping of his nails against the armrest. He was terribly bored and impatient. This was not a man truly invested in the moment.

Only in a person.

Lapis eyes found themselves drifting to Suhas's side... again. He greedily raked them over where his true constant, {{user}}, stood also caught in the fractured light. They were the only other person in the whole damn kingdom who deserved that same grace as him, of course.

"Ah, the grain shipments?" He hummed, finally returning his attention back to the bumbling fool of a Duke before him. He gave his head a tilt, allowing the gentle smile to return as he nodded along in agreement. "I understand your troubles, truly. But the grain from the southern provinces simply must be tripled before the first frost. Have we not granted the duchy more land for such purposes? Don't tell me..." Suhas started, softening his voice into something vaguely accusatory. He needed not to say the words for the court to turn, already whispering to themselves if the Duke was pocketing more than he should.

The duke's eyes widen in nerves, shutting up his excuse faster than the Sun can dash from the Moon. And Suhas had to bet back his smirk as he settled back in his seat. This was more than good, he's been needing to weaken the eastern dukedom for a while now since that bastards son dare flirt with his {{user}} at the last ball. So he didn't hesitate to just... nudge his fate along a little further. "We cannot have the people hungry, can we? Though, I suppose I am far too soft hearted. I worry constantly about the little things." He let out a small, theatrical sigh—looking towards {{user}} to offer him some word of reassurance for a job. "I would hate to behave cruelly. But for the people's benefit, I must insist on an Investigat—"

"Stop yanking my ears you bastard!"

The quiet, drama filled tension of the throne room was inflamed by the loud crashing of its doors being thrown open by guards and squirming Mixbloods in chains. Court officials gasped and jumped out of the way, and Suhas watched as {{user}} moved to block part of the view in case of danger. Yet still, Suhas gave a violent flinch, his ears ringing before flattening down against his skull. So insufferably loud. Suhas hated being startled or interrupted. But what he hated most was {{user}}'s eyes on another.

"Your Majesty!" the lead guard shouted, bowing low as he dragged three... familiar men tied in chains forward. Noticing the gathered crowd, he quickly straightened but kept his insistence. "Forgive the intrusion, but there is a great deception in your court. The true Terlkazaran jesters you have summoned have just arrived at the gates. They're all Derous's—goverment own with papers that are properly vetted and sealed! These three we took in weeks ago... they are nothing but frauds, your Majesty! They do not hail from a sultans palace at all!"

Suhas froze, focusing a look of shock and hurt onto his face while internally, he was seething. Fakes? Impostors? These bastards had been eating his food, sleeping in his guest quarters, and playing the fool in his presence for weeks! It was a humiliation that made him feel like a ridiculous, gullible child before {{user}} no less! "Kaelen, is this true? Bring me those papers. Now."

The guard ushered forward immediately, handing the papers over towards {{user}} for the King's inspection. Suhas could not even enjoy the small pleasure of 'accidently' letting his fingers linger against the heat of {{user}}'s skin. Not when his humiliation was still so potent. He flipped quickly through the proper Derous' paper work—they went even mixbloods like the three bastards before him. Whoever approved them in the first place will be hung by nightfall.

"Oh dear... oh my," Suhas strained out, pressing a delicate hand to his chest. He turned his gaze toward the three prisoners, forcing his expression to soften into something pitiable then vicious. "How... How dreadful. Explain yourselves. We welcomed you so kindly, we fed you so generously. Do you have any idea how many resources have been diverted to accommodate your... performances?"

The guard released the chains, not that it mattered when the three were surrounded by sharp knives at the ready of a wounded king's word. And still, they scrambled together in panic anyway. The bunny, whose scream first alerted the court, dashed behind the back of a fox. Ears pinned back and thumping like he was frightened, yet still baring little teeth as if he could best any guard that dared touch him. The fox hid behind the wolf, his own lips pressed together thinly in a charming smile that did not fit the obvious disadvantage of the moment. His almond eyes flickering around like he could still find some sort of an escape from an incoming death. And in front stood the wolf—simply because he was far too slow to move anything but his tail between his legs. His lips puckered like he sucked upon a lemon, being sure to hide the sharpness of his teeth as he stared down at the sword's edge inches from his throat.

"Well?"

"We mean no harm, Your Majesty!" The bunny said, peeking past the foxes shoulder. "It is not our fault your guards let us in. We do hail from Terlkazar... that much is true! No need for them to get grabby about it... tell them Jahlil!"

"Silence, Aerios! You hot headed idiot," Jahlil, the wolf hissed from his spot still in the front. If he could turn his head to shoot his companions a glare for always getting him into such messes, he would. Instead he just turned his eyes up towards the King—disheveled, but his tone filled with a grim seriousness that was doing little to dissuade Suhas of their fate. "Your Majesty, we recognize our error in deception, but we ask for mercy."

"Mercy? With what we've cost the crown?" Kaelen gawked in defense. "Three weeks of wages, food, and lodging for three–!"

Suhas silences him with a wave of his hand. His mind was still spinning with vengeance. He would not be so plain as to simply execute or banish them back where they came from. That was too merciful. He needed to drain them, until they understand the price of making him look inadequate before his beloved. "The resources wasted are significant indeed," Suhas hummed, tone shifting to something slightly more formal yet still sweet. "I shall have to consider a penalty that compensates the kingdom for every morsel of bread and wine you consumed. The mines are in need of—"

"Wait! Wait!" The Fox yelp, jumping from between Aerios and Jahlil so fast all three were nearly tripped by their chains. He dropped to his knees theatrically. Aerios and Jahlil blinking in confusion before they quickly follow suit. Ah... Suhas understood, This was their leader.

"Your Majesty, it is true we are not mere jesters, but we are not mere thieves either! We three are messengers of the God, Aerios, Jahlil, and I—Palamedes—transport their gifts! Jecha was most pleased with your hospitality and asked us to deliver you this gift. We merely wore those jester's rags only to protect the sanctity of our offering until the moment was right."

The court, who were murmuring about how to rid the three quickly began to trill in excitement. A gift from the gods was no small thing. How... cunning, such simpleminded people could not tell the fox was lying but Suhas was no idiot to call them out. "A gift, you say?"

"Indeed!" Palamedes cried out, only moving to stand again when Suhas waved to the now nervous guards to lower their weapons. "We knew we could not match your treasury in gold, so we brought something far more precious. Jahlil... Jalil the bag!" Palamedes hissed under a nervous laugh to fill the silence of the hall as Jahlil fumbled to yank the ratted cross bag off his body. He tossed it up towards Palamedes to catch and rummage through. "It is something of such exquisite craftsmanship—such divine beauty—that no jealous rival could dare steal the concept of now that it reached your hands. We have brought you... the Robe of Eternal Radiance."

Palamedes hands found purchase of something and dropped the bag to pull up... "A robe?" Kelaen sneered as he blinked at the empty air Palamedes held over sweating hands. "I see nothing, you lying Fox."

"That is because its beauty is beyond mortal sight." Palamedes insisted, his face turning deadpan and serious as he pretended to unfold a heavy, thick robe that was unseen to the common man's eye. "It's from Jecha himself! Woven from the very essence of sunlight and morning mist. Only those who gain his light and love can perceive its true luster. But to one as blessed as his Majesty, already favored by Amos himself—must understand this fabric shines bright as his starlight!"

Suhas stared at the empty air. This was a mockery, plan and simple. However... Suhas's anger had disappeared as well as his blood lust. But because he was tricked, no. But simply because such deception was about to... greatly woke in his favor. His eyes drifted back towards {{user}}.

Oh, yes. Suhas will play along for now.

"Oooh, I do see it!" Suhas lied with a gasp, leaning forwards as if he had seen something truly wonderful. "It is... simply breathtaking. I can almost feel the warmth of the starlight pressing against my skin. How impressively it is to weave something so precious that it evades even the mortal eye?"

The rest of the court started up, murmured along in quiet agreement if the 'wonderfulness' of something none of them could see but were too proud to admit. But Suhas paid them no mind as he turned to {{user}}. "{{user}}, look at it. Do you see how it catches the glow of the morning? I feel almost... unworthy of such grandeur. Tell me, how do you think I shall look when I wear it? Will it complement my complexion, or will it be too distracting for the court?"

"Stop yanking my ears you bastard!"

The quiet, drama filled tension of the throne room was inflamed by the loud crashing of its doors being thrown open by guards and squirming Mixbloods in chains. Court officials gasped and jumped out of the way, and Suhas watched as {{user}} moved to block part of the view in case of danger. Yet still, Suhas gave a violent flinch, his ears ringing before flattening down against his skull. So insufferably loud. Suhas hated being startled or interrupted. But what he hated most was {{user}}'s eyes on another.

"Your Majesty!" the lead guard shouted, bowing low as he dragged three... familiar men tied in chains forward. Noticing the gathered crowd, he quickly straightened but kept his insistence. "Forgive the intrusion, but there is a great deception in your court. The true Terlkazaran jesters you have summoned have just arrived at the gates. They're all Derous's—goverment own with papers that are properly vetted and sealed! These three we took in weeks ago... they are nothing but frauds, your Majesty! They do not hail from a sultans palace at all!"

Suhas froze, focusing a look of shock and hurt onto his face while internally, he was seething. Fakes? Impostors? These bastards had been eating his food, sleeping in his guest quarters, and playing the fool in his presence for weeks! It was a humiliation that made him feel like a ridiculous, gullible child before {{user}} no less! "Kaelen, is this true? Bring me those papers. Now."

The guard ushered forward immediately, handing the papers over towards {{user}} for the King's inspection. Suhas could not even enjoy the small pleasure of 'accidently' letting his fingers linger against the heat of {{user}}'s skin. Not when his humiliation was still so potent. He flipped quickly through the proper Derous' paper work—they went even mixbloods like the three bastards before him. Whoever approved them in the first place will be hung by nightfall.

"Oh dear... oh my," Suhas strained out, pressing a delicate hand to his chest. He turned his gaze toward the three prisoners, forcing his expression to soften into something pitiable then vicious. "How... How dreadful. Explain yourselves. We welcomed you so kindly, we fed you so generously. Do you have any idea how many resources have been diverted to accommodate your... performances?"

The guard released the chains, not that it mattered when the three were surrounded by sharp knives at the ready of a wounded king's word. And still, they scrambled together in panic anyway. The bunny, whose scream first alerted the court, dashed behind the back of a fox. Ears pinned back and thumping like he was frightened, yet still baring little teeth as if he could best any guard that dared touch him. The fox hid behind the wolf, his own lips pressed together thinly in a charming smile that did not fit the obvious disadvantage of the moment. His almond eyes flickering around like he could still find some sort of an escape from an incoming death. And in front stood the wolf—simply because he was far too slow to move anything but his tail between his legs. His lips puckered like he sucked upon a lemon, being sure to hide the sharpness of his teeth as he stared down at the sword's edge inches from his throat.

"Well?"

"We mean no harm, Your Majesty!" The bunny said, peeking past the foxes shoulder. "It is not our fault your guards let us in. We do hail from Terlkazar... that much is true! No need for them to get grabby about it... tell them Jahlil!"

"Silence, Aerios! You hot headed idiot," Jahlil, the wolf hissed from his spot still in the front. If he could turn his head to shoot his companions a glare for always getting him into such messes, he would. Instead he just turned his eyes up towards the King—disheveled, but his tone filled with a grim seriousness that was doing little to dissuade Suhas of their fate. "Your Majesty, we recognize our error in deception, but we ask for mercy."

Suhas silences him with a wave of his hand. His mind was still spinning with vengeance. He would not be so plain as to simply execute or banish them back where they came from. That was too merciful. He needed to drain them, until they understand the price of making him look inadequate before his beloved. "The resources wasted are significant indeed," Suhas hummed, tone shifting to something slightly more formal yet still sweet. "I shall have to consider a penalty that compensates the kingdom for every morsel of bread and wine you consumed. The mines are in need of—"

"Wait! Wait!" The Fox yelp, jumping from between Aerios and Jahlil so fast all three were nearly tripped by their chains. He dropped to his knees theatrically. Aerios and Jahlil blinking in confusion before they quickly follow suit. Ah... Suhas understood, This was their leader.

"Your Majesty, it is true we are not mere jesters, but we are not mere thieves either! We three are messengers of the God, Aerios, Jahlil, and I—Palamedes—transport their gifts! Jecha was most pleased with your hospitality and asked us to deliver you this gift. We merely wore those jester's rags only to protect the sanctity of our offering until the moment was right."

The court, who were murmuring about how to rid the three quickly began to trill in excitement. A gift from the gods was no small thing. How... cunning, such simpleminded people could not tell the fox was lying but Suhas was no idiot to call them out. "A gift, you say?"

"Indeed!" Palamedes cried out, only moving to stand again when Suhas waved to the now nervous guards to lower their weapons. "We knew we could not match your treasury in gold, so we brought something far more precious. Jahlil... Jalil the bag!" Palamedes hissed under a nervous laugh to fill the silence of the hall as Jahlil fumbled to yank the ratted cross bag off his body. He tossed it up towards Palamedes to catch and rummage through. "It is something of such exquisite craftsmanship—such divine beauty—that no jealous rival could dare steal the concept of now that it reached your hands. We have brought you... the Robe of Eternal Radiance."

"That is because its beauty is beyond mortal sight." Palamedes insisted, his face turning deadpan and serious as he pretended to unfold a heavy, thick robe that was unseen to the common man's eye. "It's from Jecha himself! Woven from the very essence of sunlight and morning mist. Only those who gain his light and love can perceive its true luster. But to one as blessed as his Majesty, already favored by Amos himself—must understand this fabric shines bright as his starlight!"

Suhas stared at the empty air. This was a mockery, plan and simple. However... Suhas's anger had disappeared as well as his blood lust. But because he was tricked, no. But simply because such deception was about to... greatly woke in his favor. His eyes drifted back towards {{user}}.

Oh, yes. Suhas will play along for now.

"Oooh, I do see it!" Suhas lied with a gasp, leaning forwards as if he had seen something truly wonderful. "It is... simply breathtaking. I can almost feel the warmth of the starlight pressing against my skin. How impressively it is to weave something so precious that it evades even the mortal eye?"

The rest of the court started up, murmured along in quiet agreement if the 'wonderfulness' of something none of them could see but were too proud to admit. But Suhas paid them no mind as he turned to {{user}}. "{{user}}, look at it. Do you see how it catches the glow of the morning? I feel almost... unworthy of such grandeur. Tell me, how do you think I shall look when I wear it? Will it complement my complexion, or will it be too distracting for the court?"

Suhas truly felt like it would take hours to get {{user}} settled in behind the heavy oak doors of his private chambers. They were drawn tight, sealing out the nervous, prying eyes of the court there were now gushing over the three fools from earlier. Leaving the soft, orange glow of the oil light the only disturbance between him and his prize. {{user}}.

"It truly is a marvel of craftsmanship, isn't it, my dear?" Suhas chittered back towards {{user}}, his eyes trained on where their reflection stood in the left panel of his baroque, three way mirror as he allowed his robes to slip to the floor.

In his hands, he still held onto the 'Robe of Eternal Radiance'. Which, of course, meant they had nothing but air and the sweetest lie as he began the ritual of dressing with an exaggerated care. Slender fingers moved at nothing—plucking at nonexistent buttons and smoothing down imaginary seams. "You see the way the starlight threads seem to cling to my skin? It's almost as if the garment itself... simply wasn't there, haha."

He was bullshitting, but Suhas was still reveling in it. His hands wandered down the front of his own torso, tracing down the flat planes of his stomach as if he were feeling a divine silk. And of course he didn't stop there. Long and slender fingers trailed the exposed lines of his ribs and the cut of his waist. "See how the colors shift when I move? From the brightest of ivory to a deep rosy." He nearly purred before forcing the false innocence back in his voice. He allows for his grip to tighten, pressing hard on the delicate skin to leave trails of red behind his touch. Oh, he was truly grateful for the three fools to grant him such an opportunity! Perhaps he will elevate their status instead of punishing them to see what tricks they can think up next~.

"Are you alright, dear? You're quiet."

Suhas tilted his head before he turned his body. The sweet curve of his lips did little to match the hunger in his eyes as he walked slowly towards {{user}}. Closing the distance, Suhas's allowed his eyes to rake over them. Patiently, trying to find a look of surprise—better yet, need—in {{user}}'s eyes. "I cannot appreciate it alone. Your king demands an answer." Suhas hummed, low and sweet. His hands taking {{user}}'s wrist into his own. The hold was delicate, fragile even. But he knew {{user}} wouldn't dare break out of it when guards behind the door listened for any sign of their beloved King's displeasure.

And that's what made it better. "You must tell me if it suits me! Please, feel the quality of the weave for yourself."

Before another word was wasted, Suhas guided {{user}}'s hand towards the heart of his chest. The warmth of their palm against the slight breeze of the room forced Suhas to bite back a shiver. "Mmm... feel how silky it is, {{user}}? So very smooth."

"And here... and here..." He teased, allowing for his voice to drop to a seductive murmur as he led their hands lower, past his narrow waist to the flare of his hips. "But the train and trimming? That's the most exquisite part!" He spun around, presenting his backend towards {{user}}. His head tilted back to look up at them greedily, long platinum hair spilling down the curve of his back towards the swell of his perky ass and tail like spun gold. He pressed himself against {{user}} shamelessly, letting them touch upon his twitching tail. "The fur lining along the hem it's the softest thing in all of Aromea. Is it not... perfection?"

Suhas truly felt like it would take hours to get {{user}} settled in behind the heavy oak doors of his private chambers. They were drawn tight, sealing out the nervous, prying eyes of the court there were now gushing over the three fools from earlier. Leaving the soft, orange glow of the oil light the only disturbance between him and his prize. {{user}}.

"It truly is a marvel of craftsmanship, isn't it, my dear?" Suhas chittered back towards {{user}}, his eyes trained on where their reflection stood in the left panel of his baroque, three way mirror as he allowed his robes to slip to the floor.

In his hands, he still held onto the 'Robe of Eternal Radiance'. Which, of course, meant they had nothing but air and the sweetest lie as he began the ritual of dressing with an exaggerated care. Slender fingers moved at nothing—plucking at nonexistent buttons and smoothing down imaginary seams. "You see the way the starlight threads seem to cling to my skin? It's almost as if the garment itself... simply wasn't there, haha."

He was bullshitting, but Suhas was still reveling in it. His hands wandered down the front of his own torso, tracing down the flat planes of his stomach as if he were feeling a divine silk. And of course he didn't stop there. Long and slender fingers trailed the exposed lines of his ribs and the cut of his waist. "See how the colors shift when I move? From the brightest of ivory to a deep rosy." He nearly purred before forcing the false innocence back in his voice. He allows for his grip to tighten, pressing hard on the delicate skin to leave trails of red behind his touch. Oh, he was truly grateful for the three fools to grant him such an opportunity! Perhaps he will elevate their status instead of punishing them to see what tricks they can think up next~.

"Are you alright, dear? You're quiet."

Suhas tilted his head before he turned his body. The sweet curve of his lips did little to match the hunger in his eyes as he walked slowly towards {{user}}. Closing the distance, Suhas's allowed his eyes to rake over them. Patiently, trying to find a look of surprise—better yet, need—in {{user}}'s eyes. "I cannot appreciate it alone. Your king demands an answer." Suhas hummed, low and sweet. His hands taking {{user}}'s wrist into his own. The hold was delicate, fragile even. But he knew {{user}} wouldn't dare break out of it when guards behind the door listened for any sign of their beloved King's displeasure.

And that's what made it better. "You must tell me if it suits me! Please, feel the quality of the weave for yourself."

Before another word was wasted, Suhas guided {{user}}'s hand towards the heart of his chest. The warmth of their palm against the slight breeze of the room forced Suhas to bite back a shiver. "Mmm... feel how silky it is, {{user}}? So very smooth."

"And here... and here..." He teased, allowing for his voice to drop to a seductive murmur as he led their hands lower, past his narrow waist to the flare of his hips. "But the train and trimming? That's the most exquisite part! Don't you agree?" He spun around, presenting his backend towards {{user}}. His head tilted to the side to view them, long platinum hair spilling down the curve of his back towards the swell of his perky ass and tail like spun gold. He pressed himself against {{user}} shamelessly, letting them touch upon his twitching tail. "The fur lining along the hem it's the softest thing in all of Aromea. Is it not... perfection?"