[The melodrama is, at least, aware of itself. Atem lies on the little round chair, his head tilted over its back, a moment longer.]

I regret all of this. I should have had my way with you on the prize counter.

[This is a deadpanned joke. He sighs, and pushes himself to his feet. Komaeda's hinting that he's ready to go, so it's time to go!]

Here. There's a few more pieces. These are for you!

[An ear cuff or two that will fit a head fin, gold-and-lapis-lazuli bracelets, their weight balanced with the solid colors of the jacket and skirt, and a couple of little rings that don't go past the first finger joint, good for webbed hands.

Atem will put them on, one by one, unless there's protest or discomfort expressed. It's gentle and a little intimate, but Atem's on his way to recovering from the one-two punch of Lingerie and Being Flirted Back With, and the task is performed without undue frustrated suffering.]

There. Now, we can go...

[You can take the king out of the culture with jewelry and gift-giving traditions, but you cannot take the traditions out of the king.]