8/19/2026, 5:56 PM
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.
![[Image: ZvwmV36.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ZvwmV36.png)
