Do y'all know who Ali is? If so, you know what he's like...

"Are you sure this is the latest fashion?" Virgil asked hesitantly. "It seems like it's changing all the time."

"Trust me," Janus grunted. "The party we're going to has a historical dress theme and I'm wearing this, especially since it's starting to become popular again. It's the perfect mix of historical and modern, trust me."

Virgil hesitated. It was one of the first times for ages he had been able to be back with Janus since he was... busy a lot. And now, when he came to see his friend, it turned out he was going to a party with a new item of fashion. The corset had long since faded from fashion but, recently, it had started to be popularised again. And, obviously, his friend would never let an opportunity pass him to wear something new.

He had golden hoop earrings and his hair has been brushed tidily, styled so it hung lightly around his face. He had a beautiful necklace on a black chain with translucent diamonds studded across it, shaped like smooth teardrops. His shirt was a pale yellow, warm yet cruel at the same time. His trousers were black and creaseless, making him seem taller and he had polished boots that went halfway up his shin. They were laced. However, the centre-piece of his outfit was the dreadfully tight leather corset, with orange topaz studded across the front, encased in a semi-flexible silver band. Virgil was tightening it for his friend and he didn't like it in the slightest.

"Are you sure you want it this tight?" He asked nervously.

Janus nodded. "One more tug and then it should be ready."

Virgil hesitantly bit back a protest and followed his friends' command, tightening it once more before tying the strings into a neat bow. Janus experimented taking in a few deep breaths before deciding it was fine.

"Alright," He hummed, scooping up a light, decorated folding fan which had snake scales lining the handle and thin, golden, lace-like fabric between. Janus turned to his friend and posed, opening the fan with a small flourish. "What do you think?"

Virgil fought back his jealousy. No matter how much he - platonically - loved Janus, his beauty was infuriating. It just seemed to constantly tease Virgil, constantly reminding the servant that he was ugly compared to the radiant noble boy, who was littered in exquisite jewels and heavenly gems, with angelic eyes and a perfect smile. Sometimes, Virgil just wanted to snap at him for making him insecure. But he didn't. He had to repress that, for the sake of his best friend.

So he smiled instead. "You look great. As always, of course."

Janus laughed and turned back to his mirror. "Hmm, yes, you're right. Honestly, I'm glad you said that or else I'd probably start on a whole new outfit. Really, Virgil, where would I be without you?"

Virgil shrugged awkwardly. "Still getting dressed?"

"That's it," Janus laughed, turning around. Then he noticed something and his smile was replaced by a surprised and happy expression. "Hey, you're still wearing that ring I gave you!"

Virgil's ears went red and he glanced down at his left hand, where the ring his friend had gifted to him fitted neatly on his index finger. The amethyst and jet sparked back at him. "Yeah, it's really pretty..." Virgil smiled.

"Do you like it, then? One second, I've got a matching necklace and bracelet somewhere, let me find them!"

Before Virgil could protest, Janus had darted across the room to a fabulous array of jewellery and opened a birch box carefully. He rummaged through it and then darted back to his friend, taking his wrist and clipping a very similar bracelet around it.

"Here!" He beamed. "Now see how much better it looks? You can keep it, too, just look after it. I couldn't find the necklace, though, I'll have another look soon."

Virgil stared, mouth agape at the fabulous bracelet. "Woah... Are you sure?"

"I mean, yeah, you've got the ring!" Janus laughed before his smile died out slightly. "I should probably go and wait by the door... I'll see you after the party, Virgil."

"R-Right."

Virgil watched his friend scoop up his fan and then leave the bedroom. He sighed softly and then looked back down at his newly decorated wrist. No matter how jealous he was of him, Janus was a great friend. That's why he'd never step out of line.

Janus stood at the door and glanced at a clock. His parents were still yet to join him and he was starting to struggle when it came to air. He hadn't noticed it originally when he was back in his room with Virgil, but now he was really starting to feel lightheaded.

Carefully, he opened the fan and leaned helplessly against the wall, wafting the air into his face as if hoping it would help him feel better. It did a bit.

That was when his father walked grandly down the stairs. He was dressed similarly to his only son, just in orange instead of yellow, and the corset wasn't as tight. He didn't need a fan. He was far better at this sort of stuff than Janus. That thought made him close his fan. If his father didn't need it then he didn't either. He was just being dramatic.

"Hey, kid," Greeted his father, patting him lightly on the back when he approached. "Good to see you're on time. Where's your mother?"

"Right here!" Lady Adders called out, gliding elegantly down the stairs in a dress popular in the same time period her husband and son had dressed from. The skirt was bushy and ruffled, a texture at the bottom looking like crushed rubies. Its' neckline did not cut across her chest, for once, closing instead around her neck, where a golden shoulder added a hint of pattern and beauty to the plain red. She kissed her husband on the cheek and smiled at her son. "Let's go, hmm?"

Janus obediently nodded. This was, hopefully, going to be fun. This was, most likely, going to be dreadful.

Upon arriving at the party, Janus was instantly ushered out of the grown-ups' way and he took it with dignity as he went to join other children of aristocrats. There was a small group of them, all in the corner, in which he recognised Logan Croft and Valerie Drake, the daughter of a wealthy heiress and her modest wife.

He approached them, briefly fanning himself to be rid of the lightheadedness, before joining their group.

"Good evening," He introduced himself with a sweeping bow.

Valerie grinned at him. She was very full of life and energy, much like her mothers, who doted on her relentlessly. "Hi, Janus! I love your costume."

Janus straightened up with a proud smile. "Yes, isn't it wonderful? I love the gems on the corset, I've always had a fondness for topaz."

Logan glanced at the corset and frowned slightly, eyes travelling over to the fan in his hands that he had left open by accident. "Isn't that a little... tight?" He asked, trying to sound respectful.

Janus shot him a sharp look and shut the fan with a snap. "I don't know what you mean."

"Hey!" An unfamiliar voice spoke up and a boy, possibly a year or so older than him stepped forwards and picked up his necklace. "I like this. The chain is cool."

If there was one thing Janus hated, it was people thinking they could touch his jewellery. "Uh, yes," He said, coldly and subtly swatting the boys' hand away. "And you've gotten too close."

"Ah, sorry," The boy stepped back and Janus looked him up and down sternly. He had an old fashion from the mainland instead of fashion from the island and Janus wondered why he'd want to wear such dim colours. "You look really nice."

"Uhm. Thanks."

Logan cleared his throat and Janus didn't miss the stern look that the nerd shot the mystery boy, or the glare Valerie was giving him. "Janus, let me introduce you. He is the son of one of my fathers' new business partners. His name is-"

"Ali Castlefire," The boy interrupted. There was a cold glint in his eyes but a warm beam on his face. "It's a pleasure to meet you."