A porcelain face stared back, startling green-blue eyes glittering beneath a heavy veil of black lashes. The symmetrical face looked as though it were painted by a master artist, one side mirroring the other perfectly.
All except that damned birthmark.
It'd placed itself ever so noticeably high up on his left cheekbone. Even with the white mask, it stood out defiantly, determined to be seen. Some of Lord Hoshi's guests commented that it was a charming feature, a beautiful flaw in his perfect visage, but others saw it as just that; a flaw. A crack in the mirror that couldn't be ignored. So much a blessing and a curse. But nothing could be done for it, he'd simply have to deal with it, and those around him as well. Despite the opposing comments it attracted, some of the other boys seemed jealous of Ro's birthmark. He heard their poisonous whispers, the threat of them cutting it out of his pretty flesh while he was sleeping. Lord Hoshi adored the birthmark; found it rather becoming on the boy. The others were so plain, so...boring. There was nothing unique about them, and even behind their painted faces, they were all alike.
So very odd... Ro mused, how such a simple thing could cause so many disturbances... Smiling in spite of himself, he gathered his robes and stood, checking every hem and fold of his clothing for anything that might marr his appearance. Lord Hoshi had chosen this kimono specially for Ro, favouring the autumn colours against the boy's complexion and delicate frame. The small, hidden smile on Ro's lips hadn't dared to budge as he adjusted his obi and readied himself to head downstairs.
. x . x . x .
The mere sight of him forced his concentration to break. In walked Ro, head bowed in respect as he approached, dressed in one of his finest kimonos. I remember buying that one... Hoshi cracked a small smile not too often seen.
"I see you've upped your standards, Hoshi." A rough voice chuckled beside him.
"He's quite fetching."
Nodding in agreement, Hoshi kept his gaze on Ro, watching as the boy greeted the guests with his smooth movements and honey-dipped voice. He'd done nothing but shock Hoshi since the day he arrived. There'd been no hope for the boy when he'd come in, streaked with tears and blood after being beaten so badly just outside Hoshi's front gate. Empathy and compassion drew him to the boy, offering good food, a warm bed and a spot at his side. But the defiance in him was what made Hoshi ache so furiously for the boy. He had a heart full of fire and a tongue set aflame. Hoshi had grown so tired of the others, so odediant and ready to see to his every whim. Ro had been the wildest ride Hoshi had ever been on. He hadn't been able to remember when someone had spoken back to him so passionately.
"He's a young one, eh?" The voice came again, growing rather unwelcome to Hoshi.
"What he lacks in age and experience, my dear friend, he more than makes up for in his own ways." Before his guest had the chance to open his mouth to reply, or possibly question Ro's intriguing qualities, Hoshi excused himself and greeted the boy with a smile.
"I'll never tire of those colours on you, dear one." The affection in his voice quite surprising to his own ears.
"Come, there are many more to meet..."
With a gentle hand placed on the small of Ro's back, Hoshi guided the boy through the throng of crisply dressed men and invited them all for tea and hearty conversation. But behind the Lord's dark eyes simmered impatience and a quickly dying interest in that evenings festivities.
Soon enough, Hoshi... He reminded himself, stealing a gaze at the sweet boy pouring tea. Soon enough...
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