Green Forest Castle, Leech's room.
"What do you think?"
The one dressing Leech was Bode's personal valet. Leech had his own formal attire, but it was considered too plain; attending the ball in it would be a grave insult. So, Bode had sent his valet over.
Leech stood before the mirror, gazing at the courting peacock staring back at him.
"You will be the most dazzling gentleman at the entire ball," the valet said earnestly.
"No, I think this makes me look like one of the girls from a brothel," Leech said, reaching up to remove the flamboyant tail feather of some unknown bird tucked into his shoulder. It was still fresh, and even the perfume couldn't mask the smell. "I want something more understated. It can be a bit colorful, but without all this random junk."
'He suspected he wasn't going to a ball, but to a night market to sell trinkets. Otherwise, why would he be wearing so many clanking odds and ends?'
