Arizona had disappeared into the crowd ahead of Cozhlin, and Cozhlin enjoyed the bustle of the crowd, snatching a few dollars from a woman's purse and tossing it into the cup of a few kids wandering around for money with a kind smile. He tucked his hands in his pockets, searching for his little friend again. He spotted Arizona ahead, and groaned loudly. Arizona was on the ground, pinned against a bread stall, two large guards standing over him. He had the back of his hand pressed to his nose, blood trickling from his fingers. Two little kids stood off to the side, one of the guards meaty hands clamped on their shoulders, a few rolls discarded on the ground. “You are standing against the Queen’s guards publicly. This will be punished with servantry. Offer yourself willingly and we won’t beat you up… too much.” the guard smiled behind a bushy moustache as he said this, a bloodlusting glint in his eye. Cozzy laughed, walking up behind the two men. 

“WOW. Can you do that? Put someone in serving position under the Queen who’s already a servant? Maybe you could give him a better job than seamstress.” Cozhlin chuckled, patting the man on the shoulder before punching the other one in the face, letting the two children go running off. 

“Stupid Rebel goat. This isn’t your place to speak up.” The guard snarled, his companion wiping blood from his lip. Cozhlin tensed as a fist glanced across his jaw, smacking the sunglasses from his face. He gasped in pain, rubbing his jaw as he stumbled back, blinded from the bright light. A sharp kick to the stomach sent him to his knees, doubled over in pain. 

“STOP IT!” Arizona shrieked, grabbing the man's arm as he pulled back his arm for another punch. 

“You are worthless, you goat. Your kind has only ever taken from others!” The guard snapped. Cozhlin felt his ears droop, the words piling on top with the insults he frequently got from others, but he shrugged it off for now, pulling himself to his feet. “Arizona-RUN!” Cozzy cried, kicking the guard in between the legs, and booking it for the castle gates. Arizona was right on his heels, clutching his chest as he gasped for breath, perhaps wishing he didn’t have to wear a binder at the moment. The two exploded into laughter in the servants hallway, collapsing on the floor. 

“I-I can’t breath.” Arizona huffed. 

“Why!? Why were you so stupid?!” Cozzy groaned, the realization hitting him as his ribs screamed in protest from being bruised.

“They were going to hurt those kids! They payed, fair and square, for those rolls, and the guards said otherwise! How could i just stand back and let them get hurt?” 

“Ugh! Everyone has to learn eventually! The world isn’t fair little lemon boy! You have to get over it!”

“I CAN’T! Cozzy! Those were CHILDREN!” Cozhlin flinched. It was rare for Arizona to raise his voice. 

“Just forget it.” Cozzy huffed, wincing as he stood, heading off down the hallway to the dressing rooms. Arizona sighed, angry with his thick- headed ex. 

Cozhlin threw open the door to the dressing rooms, almost smacking a surprised Bay in the face. Bay slid out, sharing an are you okay look with Arizona before leaving. Ladin stood before several mirrors, spinning in her perfectly tailored slacks and vest. She caught Cozhlin’s grouchy face in the mirror and spun on the both of them, worry etched into her face. “What happened to your face?” She said, gently brushing a feathered hand over his cheek, gasping when he flinched away. Arizona kept his head low, grabbing his suit from the hanger with his name on it, slipping into one of the changing rooms. 

“I’m fine Ladin. Just got in a spat. My ribs hurt really bad, but nothing broken.”

“Shirt off.”

“What?”

“Let me see. Olivia should fix you up if it’s really bad. Now.” Cozzy begrudgingly obeyed, hissing in a sharp breath when he saw the dark bruise across his side. Ladin groaned.

“What did he get into this time?” Olivia asked, stepping out of her changing rooms in a long silver dress, deftly braiding her hair with magic sparking fingers. 

“He got in a fight-”

“With guards.” 

“With GUARDS?!” Ladin looked ready to administer more bruises to Cozhlin herself before Olivia stepped between the two. “Woah, calm down Ladin. Cozhlin, sit still.” She murmured words under her breath as she hovered her fingers over his side. After a few minutes, she stepped back, purple sparks flickering from her fingers. 

“Thanks, that feels so much better.” Cozhlin said, slipping behind a curtain to change. His clothes lay across the small bench, with a box sitting on top of them. 

“What’s this box?”

“Oh! It’s from Keo.” Ladin called. Cozhlin flushed, popping it open. A pair of suspenders in Bi flag colors was nestled in the box next to a letter written on silver paper. 

Can’t wait to see you tonight! Enjoy the present! -Keo. Cozhlin smiled at the note, little hearts drawn around the border. He quickly changed into the fresh white shirt and slacks, securing his cute suspenders neatly across his chest and shoulders. 

“You look adorable!” Ladin squealed when he drew back his curtain, sunglasses perched on his head between his horns. He flushed. 

“Looking good, Narcissus.” Arizona chuckled, patting his ex on the back. Cozhlin smiled down at him with sharp teeth. 

“Thanks. You too.” Arizona adjusted his Trans bowtie self consciously, then thanked Cozhlin for the rare compliment.

“Well? Let’s go, let’s go, let’s go! The parties not going to wait for us!” Ladin squealed, grabbing Arizona’s hand to drag him from the room. Cozhlin rolled his eyes, but followed them all the same.