There are few things that can lift Istredd's spirits higher than fresh discovery, and Hayle is full to the brim with it. The day that they've had to explore Hayle has restored him temporarily to his eager and bright self, happily perusing through any parts of the university they allow, curious about the arcana decks and exhibits around the city. There are magical devices being sold that would never be thought of back home. There is a part of him that always thought Hayle would be glorious for someone like him, and it's living up to that expectation.
His fear is less when he can be this distracted and there always seem to be people around. Istredd has been putting a shield around himself more often than not when leaving the room which takes up a lot of his power and focus, and it is dropped here. If Lucifer isn't with him, someone else from Thorne is, and he is never actually alone. Istredd's happy, in truth. Josselyn Creed is dead. Hayle has never-ending details for him to admire. And the angel he fell in love with is his now, somehow.
Until now, clothes for these events has always been something he just has to endure. Istredd has two tunics and both of them are very simple and helps him hide in plain sight, something he prefers. He tells himself he is getting a full set of formal wear so he doesn't have to again. Hayle is the epitome of fashion, they have a spending allowance, and if he gets something here, he can wear it to everything they do from now on. It is logical. Pragmatic.
It definitely doesn't have to do with if his partner would care how he looks in fancier clothes. Lucifer's never indicated that he would care about that. Istredd feels very much like a male bird showing off his bright colors for a mate when he looks at himself in the mirror. He normally wears subdued blues and blacks, and he feels very foolish standing out like this. Yet the suit is fitted perfectly to his tall and lean frame and it is more comfortable than he expected, having thought he would be stiff all night. It was pointed out to him that this shade would make his already vivid blue eyes 'pop' and he has to agree that it does. They'll probably be visible across an entire room reflecting off of this.
Confidence plays a part in this, he knows that, and he has never had much of it but today he is feeling good. There were so many books. He got to chatter at too many fellow scholars, acting extroverted for the first time in his life. Istredd has planned an illusion show for this event, a way to put himself on the map intentionally. And he cannot deny that looking like this will help accomplish that among the snobbish Thorneans.
Those are all the things he told himself. And not that he is secretly hoping that Lucifer will like what he sees and be glad to have chosen him. They are not supposed to be at the event yet and he told Lucifer he would meet him in the room before they go. Mostly as a chance to center himself before being in public, and maybe get a boost of confidence from his partner.
The room at the inn is beautiful, of course, everything here is. Istredd is inside and unlike him, he is pacing the room back and forth, waiting but also trying not to chicken out and slip into one of his other tunics.
I'm cheating. - takes place pre-banquet
His fear is less when he can be this distracted and there always seem to be people around. Istredd has been putting a shield around himself more often than not when leaving the room which takes up a lot of his power and focus, and it is dropped here. If Lucifer isn't with him, someone else from Thorne is, and he is never actually alone. Istredd's happy, in truth. Josselyn Creed is dead. Hayle has never-ending details for him to admire. And the angel he fell in love with is his now, somehow.
Until now, clothes for these events has always been something he just has to endure. Istredd has two tunics and both of them are very simple and helps him hide in plain sight, something he prefers. He tells himself he is getting a full set of formal wear so he doesn't have to again. Hayle is the epitome of fashion, they have a spending allowance, and if he gets something here, he can wear it to everything they do from now on. It is logical. Pragmatic.
It definitely doesn't have to do with if his partner would care how he looks in fancier clothes. Lucifer's never indicated that he would care about that. Istredd feels very much like a male bird showing off his bright colors for a mate when he looks at himself in the mirror. He normally wears subdued blues and blacks, and he feels very foolish standing out like this. Yet the suit is fitted perfectly to his tall and lean frame and it is more comfortable than he expected, having thought he would be stiff all night. It was pointed out to him that this shade would make his already vivid blue eyes 'pop' and he has to agree that it does. They'll probably be visible across an entire room reflecting off of this.
Confidence plays a part in this, he knows that, and he has never had much of it but today he is feeling good. There were so many books. He got to chatter at too many fellow scholars, acting extroverted for the first time in his life. Istredd has planned an illusion show for this event, a way to put himself on the map intentionally. And he cannot deny that looking like this will help accomplish that among the snobbish Thorneans.
Those are all the things he told himself. And not that he is secretly hoping that Lucifer will like what he sees and be glad to have chosen him. They are not supposed to be at the event yet and he told Lucifer he would meet him in the room before they go. Mostly as a chance to center himself before being in public, and maybe get a boost of confidence from his partner.
The room at the inn is beautiful, of course, everything here is. Istredd is inside and unlike him, he is pacing the room back and forth, waiting but also trying not to chicken out and slip into one of his other tunics.