On the third day of the week, the complicated atmosphere was gone, replaced by the annoying reality of a tight collar and a schedule.
Leo spent a good twenty minutes wrestling with his formal tunic before finally getting the silver clasps to stay shut. He checked himself in the mirror one last time. He looked like an Atlantis, even if he didn't feel like one.
He left his room and headed toward the central plaza of the fortress, where the adoption ceremony was being held.
The usual military tension of the Spire had been dialed back for the festivities. Banners of teal and silver fluttered in the wind, and the smell of roasted meats and expensive spices filled the air.
As he walked toward the main dais, a heavy hand slammed into his shoulder, nearly knocking the wind out of him.
"Look at you! You actually look like a civilized human being for once," a booming voice laughed.
