[ it's very unbecoming of a housekeeper to present himself to his master while he's untidy. and yet, it's also unbecoming of a housekeeper to not present himself at all to his master, especially to report on his current standing in games.

lycaon's fur, despite having avoided the arrows and left the arena unscathed, is still covered in chalk powder from handling the arrows, the material very much finicky to handle and clings to his fur like sprinklings of colored powdered sugar. he tries to brush them off, but all the chalk does is spread, proving itself to be an annoyance through and through. it doesn't help either that he's starting to feel slightly dizzy, a heat rising within him that he's not felt since ...

since—

he has to stop himself, closing his eyes and tilting his chin downward to acknowledge his current master, one hand resting against his chest. ]

Master Six, please allow me some time to clean myself before I accompany you back to your quarters. [ he swallows thickly, gritting his teeth as he pushes down that thick, cloying taste rising at the back of his throat. ] It would viewed as unseemly behavior if I were to allow myself to be seen in such a state while next to you.