Spring had come to Kar with all the grace and dignity expected of a battering ram. Trees shook their white blankets and burst into bloom in a display with the intensity and beauty of a fireworks show. Windows were thrust open to let the still too cold first airs of spring into the house to nip at the ears and fingers of bustling servants as they put away heavy velvet table runners in favor of lighter silks or stewards who hung old rugs from lines in the side yard as gardens arrived to tend to the awakening plants.

The house felt more alive then it had in months. The investigation of the body’s had been determined to be the results of a street mugging gone wrong. Even though the Temple refused to accept that answer, they had gone quiet and allowed the city to embrace the turning of the seasons.

Warren had seemed like he’d slowly shifted back to normal. The books had been locked away and he seamlessly returned to his duties. He walked the streets, making sure that fixtures were secure and roads weren’t in need of repair. He kept Gil busy, sending him to tax collectors and bankers and offices to collect this or distribute that or make official requests on behalf of the Governor’s office. Gil was content to settle into normality.

The night of the equinox came swiftly. The spring parties were some of the best in the empire. From street block parties to lavish soiree everyone was celebrating the coming of my new seasons. The home of House Salphus was no exception. After the uncertainty around the young Lord’s behavior over the past few months, Warren had decided to throw a generous party to make up for the lost time. He had always loved parties, so Gil was quite happy to be knocked side to side by the waves of excitement that came with planning the event.

The afternoon of the equinox Gil had just finished up his errands and was making his way into the house. Servant’s were buzzing about under the direction of Mrs. Windsworth who used her every breath to make sure this party was more beautiful than the last. Sometimes the servants joked that she hadn’t retired yet because she loved to feel like the lady of the house when putting together these events.

On his way into the house, Gil nearly tripped over a caterer who was trying to set up plates in the parlor. Maids and housemen gave little thought to jostling him left or right in the hall. Jealousy was the right shade for Spring but the aid didn’t pay it any mind. He was the servant that got to attend the party after all. While the rest of them only got to mingle amongst the well to do when they were serving the food or drinks, Gilbert got to stay beside the young Lord and enjoy the finer things House Salphus had to offer.

Gil quickly dropped off a few papers in Warren’s empty study. When he did so something on the desk caught his eye. He stopped to look again at the envelope that was opened with a letter half hanging out of it. At first, he could've sworn he saw it addressed from Lord Ross, but his eyes grew blurry for a moment, and after rubbing the tiredness from them he looked back to see it was just an average report from the northern part of the state.

Paying it no mind after that, he made his way out of the study and to his room. He only had two suits that were suitable for a party like this. He wasn’t a Nobel himself so he didn’t call for such clothes very often. Both a different shade of blue, he pulled the newer one from his closet and laid it across his bed to get dressed.

As he did he couldn’t help let his mind drift. A small smile came to his lips as he thought about how sweet and serene life had become. Happiness filled him like a light air these days, lifting him off his feet. No matter the work or the errands, he didn’t mind doing them, because Warren had kept to his promise. The threat of danger seemed to slide away. Soon it would be gone for good. He knew that.

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Once he had finished dressing he left his room. He had to go check on Warren and make sure he was actually getting dressed and that he hadn’t gotten distracted halfway through the process. Gil smiled to himself and laughed a bit. For a Lord, Warren was practically useless without him.

A tray of table linens rounded the corner, forcing Gil to duck as he exited his room. The maid who had almost beamed him with the tin tray didn’t even look over her shoulder at him. He could hear her scoff a little as she muttered under her breath about how some of them were busy.

No matter. Gil trotted down the hall towards Warren’s room. The sun was setting, food was being placed out, and the dissident ping of a string quartet in the main hall warming up echoed across the house.

“Warren, your guests are going to be arriving soon,” he said, entering the young Lord’s room. He closed the door behind him as he entered, catching glimpse of the fact Warren was still dressing. Gil couldn’t help but take a moment to wonder how Warren managed to keep his body so healthy with how much he lazed about.

“Guests don’t need me to help themselves to wine and sweets,” he answered, pulling on a silk dress shirt. Before he could get far, Gil’s fingers found the buttons, fixing them into place as Warren reached back to comb his fingers through his hair, trying to guide it back into the ribbon tie with little luck. He smiled down at Gil. A snide comment bubbled up in his mouth, but he bit it back. He didn’t want to stop him.

Gil ignored Warren’s eyes as they fixated on him for a moment. The young Lord let out a small, disappointed sigh. “You should branch out every once in a while, you only ever seem to wear blue,” Warren commented, giving Gil’s suit jacket a disapproving once over. “I like blue, what’s wrong with blue? ” Gil responded, grabbing the vest that had been laid out across the back of a chair. A distinguished design of green and gold checks.

“Blue is just fine. It compliments the black tones of your hair, matches your eyes, and is absolutely the only color you own,” he taunted, letting Gil slip the vest onto his shoulders for him.

“No one else has ever minded the amount of any color I’ve worn,” Gil said as he handed Warren the ring and gold pocket watch set on the table.

“Mmm, I suppose, but I am the one who has to look at you in it all the time. Blue is such a subtle and subdued color. It does you just about as much justice as a waistcoat does a robin.”

“Well then. What is it that you, in your all knowing wisdom, suggest I wear,” Gil asked, leaning back on the table where the pocket watch once sat and resting against his arms as Warren finished dressing.

His companion pondered the question for a moment. He kept his back to Gil as he did, fixing the ring onto his finger and slipping the pocket watch into his vest pocket. He let out an unnecessarily drawn out “Hmmmmm,” as he fixed his cuffs and cufflinks, before looking over his shoulder at Gil. He gave him a look so sly it could alarm a fox.

“Red.” He said, satisfied with his answer. “You should try Red. A bright, alluring color is much more suited for you,” He said, tugging his vest down and checking himself in the mirror. Gil felt a tint of heat in his face.

“Red?” he asked back, turning his eyes away from Warren and looking out the window. His face felt warm. Warren hadn’t opened his windows to air out the room yet.

The young Lord gave a small chuckle. “Yes, Red, the opposite of blue,” he teased. Before Gil could think of a comeback, Warren had seized his jaw and turned his head so he was forced to make eye contact with that upsettingly smug expression. “Red, Just like your face right now.” Warren’s eyes sparkled with a frustrating amount of amusement as he snickered.

Gilbert smacked his hand away from him, bringing only more laughter out of Warren. “The party hasn’t even started and yet you’re already insufferably drunk,” he said, yanking down his coat and pulling his collar back into place. “I’m going downstairs to greet YOUR guests,” he huffed, leaving the room with a little slam of the door.

Warren couldn’t help but grin as he left, leaning back on the wall behind him as he did. He’d be down in a moment after Gil had a chance to cool off.