With an appointment like this, punctuality is a flexible concept. Thomas was there a bit early, time enough to meet with Mulligan and let him know some of the basics of the event, point out a few likely fabrics, etc., and to catch up with him -- it had, after all, been a few years since they had spoken.

By the time the bell rings to show that Burr is there, Thomas is seated in the room, with a glass of Madeira, a charcuterie set out next to him.

"You'll see what I mean," he tells Mulligan, "but he would be very well-suited to a warm purple, especially dark."

"A plum, you mean?" asks Mulligan, and then he turns to see Burr walking in, and he bursts out with a laugh -- at the shade of his sweater. "At least he's willing to wear it!"

Thomas suppresses a smile, himself. "Aaron, this is Hercules Mulligan," he says, rising to make the introduction. "Aaron will be accompanying me to, as I said, a charity event next week."

"Let's get you up here," and Mulligan ushers Burr up to the mirrors. "Thomas was just telling me he thought you would look good in more or less this exact color," with a touch to the sweater. "Thomas, are you sure you won't let me make a velvet? Black lapels, a black vest underneath..."

"It's summer," says Thomas, appalled.

"Linen comes in mauve, at best, not plum."

"Wool will be fine," answers Thomas, primly. "A light wool."