#collozart

Wolfgang shrugged on his new coat—bright scarlet and glorious. He could outstage even the Emperor in this.

“So? How does it look?” he asked, dancing a few steps meant entirely to flare out the coat as much as possible whilst he moved.

Colloredo held his place in his Bible with his thumb as he looked Wolfgang’s way. Wolfgang stood straight, bowed, and gave Colloredo his best smile.

His employer looked him up and down, frowning in what Wolfgang hoped was concentration.

“Not bad,” Colloredo murmured, and went back to his reading.

“Not bad!” Wolfgang repeated in a high voice, marching up to Colloredo and yanking his Bible out of his hands. “This coat makes me shine brighter than the sun, and I’ve been so kind as to let you enjoy my company, and you say ‘not bad?’”

Colloredo’s frown deepened before breaking out in that wide, frightening smile of his. “What would you rather me say? My dearest servant.”

Wolfgang ignored the term of address. “Hm, something like, ‘Oh, Mozart, that coat is so beautiful, yet it only enhances your natural charm and attractiveness.’”

Without hesitation, Colloredo said “Oh, Mozart, that coat is so beautiful, yet it only enhances your natural charm and attractiveness” with all the passion of a dead fish. “The Good Book. Now.”

Wolfgang immediately found himself heating up—both with rage and foolish pleasure. Of course, he chose the emotion that came most naturally, and…