"Thank you, good sir. Now, I must go get changed. I believe there is a promotion ceremony I'm missing." Talas reached up behind his head and untied the knot on his ribbon, letting his mask fall into his other hand. Red irises and pink sclera looked out from beneath his black-streaked face, bony ridges poking out from his cheekbones and running back into his hair. "Not exactly what you expected, huh?" Talas turned around and walked away, removing his jacket and shirt before he even got into the room.
* * * * * *
Talas stepped out in an outfit that was perfect for him. White silk shirt, tailored black jacket and pants, black tie with an emerald pin, black silk gloves, freshly polished black leather boots, and his hair free but still styled impeccably. A small bubble of nervousness rose up in him. "Time to go reintroduce myself to my family."