"then worry about the crease in your forehead becoming permanent if you don't use the time here to relax. let me worry about my work." for this was as much his as it was lasaru's. his father designed and constructed, but it was ramón editing, adding and subtracting as needed. when the diamond of the season walked through the ball, it would be his skill on display as much as his father's
and then he hears his name.
his hands still. only for a beat. nearly imperceptible. in the next breath, the world moves as it should. "you will not be still for long, aera." a first name for a first name, societal demands be damned. "i will be flexible on that for you."
and he does, for as he finishes pinning, his feather-light touch guides them to spin on the pedestal, catching the natural light through the windows. he counts each pearl, assuring symmetry. "no, this is not overstepping anything. and you are no giant; when you feel that, remind yourself you are the diamond this season." a foolish practice in his eyes, but he swallows that criticism as he lifts his face to theirs. "there's leeway in that. and power, to set trends as you wish."
ramón gently spins them back to face the mirror, hand hovering at the small of their back. "so if you want to move around those eggshells with more, i will gladly assist in shaping its look. though this look does look exquisite with the inlay, if i do say so myself."