We're off to meet the parents, the wonderful parents of Zhil!

[zhilbar]

Deep within one of His halls, Zhil adjourned His Day of Appeals; there was enough for one day, and while much had gotten done much remained to do. One thing in particular weighed on His mind as He spruced up, having His scales offer a particular shine before stepping across the worlds to where He might seek His fiancèe Naoko, but He tried to shake

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[mistressnaoko]

Naoko twirled in the mirror, checking her reflection. Her sister nodded in approval, though she pursed her lips at her sister's worried face.

You'll do fine.

"You don't think the leggings are frivolous?" Naoko frowned at the printed leggings.

You look just fine, Onee-sama. Sukina was grinning. She had never seen her sister this flustered before.

Kishan heard the knock at the door while Naoko and Sukina were getting ready. He simply nodded at the Dragon God and called over his shoulder, "Naoko!"

Inside, Naoko panicked till her sister grabbed her hands and forced her to look into her blue eyes. There was mirth in them, but also genuine warmth and kindness.

Breathe, Onee-sama. It'll be alright.

Naoko steadied herself, and took a deep breath. A few seconds later, and she was her old self again. I hope this outfit's fine... she thought.

Then she stepped out of the room with Sukina following her to meet her fiance, looking like:

[zhilbar]

Zhil's pleased, He's cool, He's good to go! ...And He's just a bit too obviously Not Grinning at His lady.

Instead, He'll just go ahead and kiss her on the cheek, nodding with a merry eye to Sukina. "Interesting choice, love. You might even cause a stir as we go!" Of course, manufactured fabrics are all one really needs to do for that, when you get right down to it..

Ducking His head a little, He nods with ostentatious gravity to Sukina. "I accept this jewel you charge Me with, and shall return with it safe and sound. Until that time, she shall be Mine to guard and ward." And then He winks at Naoko, grinning. "Assuming, of course, the jewel in question agrees?"

Sure, He's ready to go. But where's the harm in a little silliness first?

[mistressnaoko]

See that you do!

Naoko said nothing, merely blushing at his compliment. She was far more nervous than she really ought to be, but this was a first, even for her, and so she was quiet.

At his question, she looked up, gave a shy smile and put a hand on his. Her voice was soft and demure as she answered it.

"Let's."

[zhilbar]

...Okay, at that He'll just stick His tongue out at Su. Honestly, did she REALLY think He was about to let things happen to His fiancèe?

But at the touch of her hand, Zhil paused. He dropped the silliness, simply gazing at Naoko for a few timeless moments...

Dear IO, she's beautiful like that. I just want to hold her close, and create a little world for the two of us alone where nothing bad can ever touch her ever again when she's like this... Ye fishes, I'm a sucker for this girl.

And gradually, a slow smile spread across His scaly lips.

Now normally when His darling's feeling all disproportionately bashful, Zhil's response is to kiss her into toe-curling oblivion! (He considers this an excellent way to distract her from overly worrying about a situation, and feels that results to date have bore this out.) But this time, He'll just enjoy her as she is, unaltered by any action of His.

And so the two of them fade out of view, appearing on a spire-girdling stair in a land vastly, VASTLY unlike the place they left.