Private Roleplay {WP} Only if for a night

Osamu watched with great interest as the wolves of Tianlong bustled through Verdant's Grace, all of them seemingly concentrating their efforts around a singular space decorated in ornate florals and the heady scent of fresh meat and herbs.

The sights and smells were intoxicating; more than that, he found himself curious. This clearly wasn't attached to the wedding itself, but something... different. He'd caught a few scattered conversations here and there regarding something called Ancestral Day, although he'd found himself increasingly distracted by glimpses of Izumi through the ebb and flow of the crowds.

Gods. He remembered that night together - their first night - here, only several days ago - Osamu wrestled with himself, wracked by guilt and unable to bring himself to speak of the moment or even say anything to his Empress beyond idle pleasantries and observations. He hid behind them like a shield.

Osamu stood off to the side, stiff as a board and seemingly wholly absorbed in the preparations unfolding before him.

But his mind was somewhere else.

a teahouse attendant, iufni had learned to be seen and not heard. the throng seemed to only grow larger with each passing moment; he tried to fade back toward the boundarylines but was buffeted by shoulders and elbow. frowning but not deterred, he instead tried to catch sight of the royal family.
among the other servants he was most comfortable; he helped where necessary, carrying trays in jaw or escorting a guest to their seat. there was the emperor, there were other heads of state. many languages were represented as well; the boy's ears twitched and lifted as his natural inclination toward learning exerted itself.
Ancestral Day was quite important. for this, red and white petals had been tucked against the fur of his shoulders.
these were cast from his pelt as he bumped into someone's elbow yet again. iufni had been trying to bumble behind and tripped right into the guest, glancing up the powerful forearm of ivory smoke in trepidation. this man was strong and strange, and the boy bowed low in apology. sorry, he said in heavily accented common. it was his third tongue and the most unsteady. can i bring you anything?
but who was he? iufni's gaze was not quite able to restrain its admiration.