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"Remind me again why I can't just wear my suit?" Roland asks, tugging at the bow on his collar.
"Wearing your usual outfit is by definition not 'dressing up'," Angela says. "Yesod and Malkuth have both invested a great deal of effort into this fancy dress party, so the least you can do is wear something different than the usual."
"Yeah, yeah, I know… Even Netzach seems a little bit excited." Amazing, coming from the guy who can barely be bothered to button his shirt correctly some days. "But this isn't my style at all."
"You were the one who asked for my help." She straightens his hat out for him. "Besides, you're fine. I have yet to meet someone who does not look good in a tailcoat."
It's not that Roland thinks he looks bad. As uncomfortable as he finds the tailcoat with its ribbon and silver chain, or the boots that go up to his thighs, he can admit that it's a good-looking outfit. If it were in blue instead of black, it would be exactly like what Argalia would have worn, and even at his most hateful Roland would've acknowledged that the guy was a fashion plate.
It just doesn't suit him. At any moment someone might burst in to tell him he's not refined enough to wear this - at least, that's what it feels like.
"Guess now that I've finally got it on, it'd be a waste not to show up. Can't wait for Yesod to tell me I'm wearing it totally wrong~"
Angela has that slight smile again, the one where she knows something but thinks it's funnier not to tell you. "You might be surprised."
Sighing, he pushes the door open to join the other librarians in the main hall.
Netzach spots him first and whistles. "You really went all out, Roland. Hey, Yesod, what do you think of Roland's outfit?"
"Hm? I'm sure it's…" Yesod, who had been speaking to Malkuth, looks over. And stares. And stares.
After an uncomfortably long pause, Roland rubs his neck. "You can just say I look ridiculous, don't drag it out."
"No! No, you look… you look fine. Good job." Bright red, Yesod turns back to Malkuth, who is giggling at him.
…Huh. Maybe he should dress like this more often. Especially in private where he can tease Yesod about it properly.