
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/1097572.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Major_Character_Death, Rape/Non-Con,
      Underage
  Category:
      Multi
  Fandom:
      Ai_no_Kusabi
  Stats:
      Published: 2013-12-24 Updated: 2017-02-24 Chapters: 7/? Words: 103140
****** Fallen Above And Below ******
by NebulaViburnum
Summary
     Due to Jupiter being killed and Amoi being relocated as a port planet
     for Earth and its federation planets the systems have changed to more
     democratic situations. Katze has become mayor of both Eos and Midas
     now combined to form Autolycus. Though pet auctioning and pet
     assemblies still occur it seems pet-harvesting is done within limits
     now. In this new world Riki has come back from Earth for a short
     visit and invited by Katze and a convalescing Kirie to spend time at
     the mayorial palace. Tanagura has now become a ghost town and is
     being restructured as palaces for new ministers. What has happened to
     the Blondies? Riki realizes when he sees Iason Mink as a pet to a
     former academy occupant named Heracles.
Notes
See the end of the work for notes
***** Chapter 1 *****
 
===============================================================================
 
 
 
 
                        ♦♦||Fallen Above and Below||♦♦
                                        
                              ♦♦||Chapter One||♦♦

                      ♦♦||Circuits and Calling Cards||♦♦
♦♦||An exploration on why Blondies are a good source of vengeance & Riki meets
                          Iason after seven years||♦♦
                                        
===============================================================================
 
 
When I saw the cloaked figure I somehow knew. 
 
Amongst all the cold and warmth surrounding the airport here was one person who
remained kind of indifferent. I felt scared to approach him. At first. I felt
that he was angry towards me. Maybe, justly so. But i had been so ashamed and I
did not know how to express what had happened to me all those years ago. I had
tried to forget and I have. But at times I wake up crying in the middle of the
night and I feel yeah I survived but like all wounds I do have some scars a bit
hurting at times. However, some moments of PTSD are gone. 
I do not talk to Guy anymore. That was a tragedy. I should have but I don't
rather we have an unspoken agreement not too. And I think Guy came out alive
just to spite me. I was angry with him that he had tried to castrate me but to
Guy that was the only way to sever me from Blondie and Blondie felt it too. I
found it laughable but I found both Guy and Blondie to be pretty much alike.
That is why I could understand them a bit. Guy may be very kind but he is as
irrational and aggressive as Iason Mink. Yeah, I prefer calling him Blondie.
After the fall of mother Jupiter who was the Blondies' keeper the names of the
Blondies were too known to be safe to use. I did not want to be caught in the
media frenzy of who was who and technically speaking that time seven years ago
I was written off dead and I preferred to keep it that way. Riki the Dark, the
coerced pet and slave of a Blondie had died in Dana Bahn shelter collapse.
Which lead to Iason Mink being severely wounded but alive and soon back in
action only to have been surprised by a planned revolt where I heard Kirie was
involved. Soon, Tanagura, the Blondies were captured and even Jupiter was
killed in one big swoosh and everyone was soon released apparently from a
bondage that had fostered by a stupid AI who like the Blondies could only think
limitedly. I don't know how much had changed but Katze had listened to my
request and I went to Earth. Funny thing was I loved Earth alot, the terra
originale as I like to call it. Earth was a masterpiece of both utopian aspects
and great suffering. It was such a contadiction but so lovely to me because of
its both un-unifiable and unifiable paradoxes and ironies that I just stayed.
Stayed there for like seven years. I wouldn't have come back if Kirie and Katze
did not invite me. Guy is well, something I have to understand; he has become a
great problem to me. When I had told him I liked what Iason did I was partly
lying and partly guessing. I had never liked what Iason made me do. But when I
came I just felt relieved because part of the torture of that time was over.
And even if I didn't come there was relief and pleasure in just surviving. It
was true Iason never physically abused me, not directly, but he made Daryl suck
me and spank me at times, he even spanked me too and then he tried to keep me
under control and that was abuse enough. 
I never did understand why Iason desired me so badly. I had spit on his perfect
record of baddie number one but even after we fucked, correction, he forced me
to fuck and all that. I still could not understand what else could he want
really?
I mean I only spited him from time to time after a while and I did not
understand why we did fuck when Blondies not supposed to fuck pets. At first I
thought it was just for abuse and maybe at first it was but Iason was never
happy with me, or us. At nights I thought he looked scared and nervous. Once at
our moon doubled moment, happens in like once in four months, when both Amoi's
moons are full at the same time partly overlapping course, he looked at the
moons and dropped his cup and I shuddered but didn't rise. After a while Iason
picked up a glass piece and pressed it slowly on his fingers and began to bleed
and I found that he looked hurt. But then slammed the wall softly and threw the
piece out the high rise Tanagura window and I just looked thinking what the
fuck his problem was.
Oh well, I approached the cloaked figure, "Why are you hiding yourself?" 
"I hate most people and I hate showing my face." 
"What's wrong with your face?"
He showed me. There was a long gash on his left side. "Don't ask at the
moment." 
I felt sad. This quiet Kirie was nothing like the happy person I knew always so
excited. And he was intelligent. Now he hated crowds and talking. I noticed he
had a look of disgust on his face concerning both foreigners and natives on the
airport and I did not know how to reassure myself this was the same Kirie,
"Hey, in Midas, I mean, I keep on forgetting what's it called now but. There is
going to be a pet auction want to come?" 
I did not know but I smiled. Because Kirie smiled. And I saw slice of the Kirie
that I knew and in an odd way respected it so I nodded. 
There were many questions but I asked none.
===============================================================================
 
Obviously, I had slept in the beautiful linen beds of a time yore and yolking
of a prospect of a future promise. My body ached at this familar richness not
pleasurable fully but not too hated either. I smelled Blondie on the sheets.
Faint but ripe both by mind and physical space and I knew this was once a
Blondie's bed. The mansion was new and shone rich. Like a crystal edifice (like
Dostovosky stated in the Underground man, yeah I read in Earth). Slept for
three hours until Kirie knocked me awake.
Well, my door I mean. "If you are tired please sleep. I'll come —"
" No Kirie I will go with you." I smiled, "I want to see an auction. I don't
know what it;'s like so..."
"Not that different." Kirie smiled fully but then softly sad, "All those odd
guys and perverts readying in to reap a few bodies. Pet rules have changed
though alot." 
"Like?" I cocked my head and held his hand lovingly.
"When we go there, we can see and I will tell you more." Kirie slowly hugged
me. And I hugged him back.
We kept like that for like five minutes. 
===============================================================================
 
"Is he not a furniture?"
"Well furnituring is outlawed now and well...previous furnitures can be pets if
they want."
"Wow, a furniture." He looked a lot like Daryl, and I smiled, he suddenly
looked at me and smiled too then smiled brightly at Kirie, "So,  what are you
doing here Kirie?"
"Shopping of course."  
His face was blank and stern and well so indifferent. I could have sworn he was
a Blondie in training. "Ok...Oh Ok..." I was a bit dumbfounded.  Kirie buying a
pet. The world changes faster than you realize.
"You once said that the divide with the rich and poor are great. You were
right.  But now I am rich and these people are poor. I guess this cycle doesn't
change so easily huh?" 
I didn't know how to answer that so I just gave a a soft shrug with an earnest
smile. And Kirie nodded his head in acceptance of it. Kirie and I hadn't
properly talked yet. During most of our car journey I had passed Ceres which
was in shambles but not our shambles but destroyed shambles and technically I
was too  tired and nervous to ask questions. It may have been seven years but
reconstruction of Amoi was stil going under way. This pet auction itself was
not a grandscale thing as before but rather a small party of sorts like where
only some people have gathered and I did not know what to make of it. It was
the same thing but not the same thing. Like meeting a stranger you know. The
ambience was less neonated garsihly and the costs were relatively reduced. But
the customers looked eager as usual. 
Thats when I saw Einif comes by me. I didn't almost recognize him as before.
But he brushed against me and I saw the same eyes and hair. No longer the cocky
youthful pet nor the aged harassed man in the transport place. He looked good;
he was handsome still with his hair lustrous and well, well long locked. Unlike
the greasiness I saw before it shone and was now in its proper ringlets and it
looked longer. Oh, yeah it was long. Very long. Like a Blondie's and he wore
clothes that I think resembled a bit of a new stylized tudor sized ensemble.
There were two layers of long extensions, one his shirt, the other attached to
his pants and well he wore beautiful black shoes and those shirt arms were
purple and puffy at the shoulders and narrow at the arms, the collar a spotted
affair of black and white. The pants purple and so was the shirt arms. I guess
he no longer dresses in skimp. Who would truly I had wondered. But his pants
were more slacks like and they hugged his beautiful legs; I always thought he
did have beautiful legs. 
"Sorry Einif." I muttered out quietly for the brush in.
At the sound out of his name he looked at me, "Riki, Riki?" The look was
astonisment, "You are not dead." 
"Not really." I said quietly and ushered him to do the same.
That is when he kissed me softly. "Oh dear Riki." touching my face, "You look
so well." He was being very tender, "Why are you here?"
"At the auction. I guess it is also a former pets' party." I slowly laughed but
he looked sincerely upset.
"I am becoming of this place but not you." He looked worried, "I hope you are
not going to buy anyone are you?"
"Why not?" Kirie rushed in, "If Riki wants he can buy all the slaves here. I'd
buy them for him as a coming back present." Kirie smiled his grinning smile.
"Don't be ridiculous." I was not really impressed, "I am only here 'cause you
are."
"I am going to buy a Seraphim pair. Both same sex and opposite sex." Einif
looked determined, "I am going to buy them and live with them. They will help
me visualize a mortal angelic picture and my gardens will look nice with them.
Us Ministers will have to keep up living a bit luxuriously don't you think
Minister Kirie." 
"Minister." So, that is what Kirie has garduated to? Great. He has a lot of
importance now. He always did. But I was proud that he got so high up. I guess
by being a revolutionary you can do a lot. 
But Kirie snorted, "I don't care if I am Minister. I only got the position now
and Katze had also helped a bit. Seven years in the odds and ends and finally I
get somewhere. People and politics like the damned and the devil if you ask
me." 
"But those seven years were not so bad for you." Einif recounted, "You lived in
good wealth, good company and had met a lot of laddies and ladies who adored
you. You lived happily." Einif then glared, "But I was an ex-pet thus I was
kept in the slums for a while before it capsized and well there was also the
Civil War, the Tanaguran Rift as it is called, between Blondies and the slum
people.  I guess the normal humans won how funny. I guess God designed the
normal humans to be more creative and versatile than the pampered Blondies.
Well, I became a Minister, well something akin to it I guess during the non
elective years."
"The Civil War was not broadcasted much at Earth." I contributed, "I guess many
of Earth's power houses were seeing who'd win and transport of guns and
weaponry were done dubiously to both sides. So ironically it was a war with
some equality in the fix. But the so called powerful had fallen and then Earth
and some of its allies just took over Amoi. I think they would have earlier if
Jupiter hadn't kept them happy enough."
"How funny that Jupiter was never fully free huh. That thing, I guess a she,
was more controlled than us slum people and even pets." Kirie looked at me and
Einif. 
"I guess you are not really on top if you have to act like a dog in heat." I
answered, "Jupiter was an AI and truly had only a rudimetary sense of pride and
ego. It mostly ran of logic and power acquisition and that makes you do stupid
things in my books. I guess she wanted the Blondies to help engender qualities
she had less of in herself to herself  like you know capsule shots. But I guess
thats she or is it or he is a rather sorry creature. Hey, do you guys know who
killed her?" 
"Actually, it is still a mystery and no one wants to solve it because it really
doesn't matter to anyone." Einif laughed.
"Look there come the last existing batch of seraphims around here, you should
hurry." Kirie said with a smirk.
"Riki, Kirie please come over my house and bring Katze along. Call, and we will
arrange a date." Einif touched and squeezed my hand, "I am so happy to see you
Riki." Then there was a long kiss, "I know our squables were petty and
influenced only by our class status and chains so I do not care for them. I
care only for your company and your friendship." 
"That guy likes you and many more people." Kirie uttered with a glass of some
juice in his hands, "You know they all consider you a revolutionary too as in
understanding the stupidness of that older order where Blondies ruled." 
"Yeah, but I haven't done anything." I took my orange juice in a gulp, "I just
fucked with a Blondie." 
"Yeah but you can't erase strength it's not possible if it's true and maybe you
fought no war but you are still Riki like I am Kirie and many others especially
Katze."
"What about Guy?:"
"Yeah him too."
"But we are not really involved in this."
"Neither are you not."
"True, I guess everybody is involved in these kind of things. I am not the only
person who understood something was wrong. Daryl is one of the first matyrs of
your cause but no one knows him."
"No they do. But at times modern history is cruel they like naming only a few
names like I fought hard but I was not recognized till much later. The babes
and the ballistic fun was all also just you know time being things. After a
while many true soldiers are forgotten or even ignored so that greed and
corruption and monopolies can rule. They want to bring democracy here because
Earth is democratic or at least attempts to show that and well it won't work
you know because democracry is a pebble stone you know in a bright circle of
fire it looks nice but it's been preheated and when you touch it it's well hot
and brands you into an object not the other way around." 
"Well, I'm glad you know what you are dealing with here." I said quietly, then
added more quietly, "Not like last time."
"I'm afraid I have been fucked by drugs too much to be able to not know you
know..." Kirie smiled a bit and laughed a bit. "I don't think it can ever be
like last time though. Ever. Because well I am not really the same anymore.
This place has ruined the me you knew so long ago." And this was said with a
stronger faint of a smile; not entirely tight lipped, just strongly loose and I
saw such sadness that I realized that Kirie's fate for  a time had been worser
than mine. I had known that Iason meant trouble but Kirie ddn't and then Katze
followed orders but they both got rid of Kirie when he got over eager. In the
worst possible way. Because Kirie looked different and had heterochromatic eyes
he was not really a slum personality. So, he could be a pet. And for that Iason
has to answer gravely. It wan't fair and I didn't know what he got out of it.
But it was wrong; severely wrong. 
"Well, that's not true." I said finally, "The Kirie I know won't let drugs or
other stupid things get in the way of him." I winked.
Kirie just looked with a sadly blank face. He wasn't sure of my words but he
knew that I was there for him. 
"I am going to buy that ex-furniture who smiled at us." The one who looked like
Daryl? Wow, Kirie must have seen that I looked at him nostalgically, "Do you
know him?"
"No, but you can you buy him if you want." I replied, then elaborated, "When I
was a pet I had a furniture man named Daryl who looked after me look a lot like
him." 
"Well, you do know what happened to him?"  the only reason of killing him was
him helping uyou" Kirie asked. "I think it too minor. He was skilled like Katze
he could have been employed."
"Blondies usually are primitive in how they do things." Despite their
sophistication I felt the elites were primitive and quite dull in their methods
of doing things. I never asked anything because I had a feeling no one could
answer me. So, I never said it but this whole society to me felt really non-
logical and silly. The fact they were sterile was very sad too. And they
accepted it. Pets like Mimea never accepted things and that's why I love her.
She reminded me of me. 
"Yeah true. I think we were all fooled."
"But deception can be cruel in its many forms." Suddenly I thought of snakes
and Cerberus and said, "Why do you wish to buy pets?"
"I don't know. I want people to talk to and I want to have them around." 
"Why not get Bison?"
Kirie looked shocked that I asked, "Were you avoiding that till now?"
"Yes, because of what happened between me and Guy so I planned to avoid
everyone not that I wouldn't eventually talk but I had no idea how to go about
it." I scratched my head, "I mean I.., well —"
"Bison has been disbanded."
"Finally gone huh." I sighed.
"I said disbanded not gone." Kirie smiled, "We have a server for ourselves but
we don't really do those things anymore. Especally with me being with Katze all
the time." 
"Ok..." Then, I had to press on it, "Is Guy —"
"No." But Kirie seemed angry, "Guy has forgotten where he has come from. Unlike
you who has suffered a lot more than him and well he is nothing but a
traitor." 
"I told him I liked being a pet I think that ruined everything for him."
Kirie narrowed his eyes: "Did you really?"
I knew this answer, "No, I didn't but when it was pleasurable it got
confusing." 
"You can face euphoria even before you die." Kirie folded his arms, "Like a
climax of our sex we want to focus on that good not the bad besides you were
under loads of pressure." 
"I was." 
That was the starting of the rift between Guy and me. I didn't want Iason much.
But I had fallen out of love with Guy. Not because of Iason but because I knew
that I don't full and truly love Guy and it hurt. Because I couldn't tell Guy
what happened. And Guy wasn't even that focused in knowing what happened to me.
Maybe Katze had lied and said I was now a citizen of Midas and graduated from
being slum person to a person who could hold his own. And Guy had been happy
for me I guess but...is it just alright to leave it like that?! It was not fair
to just sit around and never be curious to know or maybe get angry with me and
never try to ask! And when I saw him again I became kinda upset. Happy. For the
first three months I lived without sex until I made love. It was such a long
time since I made love that I started crying. But I didn't want it with Guy. I
wanted it with Mimea or even Daryl anyone who could understand my tears and
wouldn't immediately mistake them for just reunion happiness. But Guy asked no
questions later and I was doomed to cry by myself. I was getting angrier day by
day by Kirie's enthusiasm too. 
One thing Iason was wrong about. I didn't become a stranger in Ceres. I always
was one. But now it gravely showed. I mean after he had released me because,
well the fire in my veins cooled but boiled too and well it was hard to
understand, and the others tried to keep up the charade of "everything was
alright" for very long. No one outwardly asked me intently what had happened. I
know they felt their ex-leader would tell them what had happened but how could
I? It was both shameful but also unheard of. And well no one really tried to
know much. They get used to being limited. Ironically, so did the Blondies; it
was mostly pets and furnitures who broke laws that were unpredictable. 
"But yes, " Kirie interrupted my interlude (not to say I was fond of it much
anyway), "I did wrong helping Bison get caught and get Guy get caught. I
deserved my fate in a way." 
"I thought I thought that too but..." I added, "You were young and aspiring
Kirie and they did tease you alot and I think you were tired being considered a
young pup amongst us dogs. You wanted to show us what you were made of."
"Actually, I wanted to show you." Kirie spoke as though there was no ancient
relic, it still remained, "Everybody adored you. They said how dare he fight
with Riki. You were like a legendary hero and I was a novice. But I did not
understand it. I could not. I was confused and angry." 
Something both you and Iason and even Guy share, I thought sadly,You guys get
confused and angry and loose thinking straight.
"Really angry actually. It was not fair that you were a legendary hero they
hardly spoke about but now cared so much about."
"You are right that is gravely unfairly." Hardly spoke about, you fuckers
should have a good reason for that.
"It was clear that they loved you a lot and cared about you but I just...didn't
know about you and to me you were stranger than a stranger, you were an
intruder." Kirie looked at a smiling girl, many of the pets were dressed in
skimpy wear but many also chose to be beautifully, elegantly dressed, this one
was one of them, she wore lavender gown adorned with a beautiful gold set,
Kirie looked fondly and her slightly light brown-blonde hair which resembled
his only two tones lighter, "It made me sad but I was not a talker then. So, I
thought I would go about destroying you guys because to my immature self you
destroyed what intimacy I had with them."
"In a way Kirie I did." I took full responsibility, "I pranced in there after
three years and resumed de facto leadership and I was rude and mean to you and
they by habit and friendship applauded my uncivilised and cuthrouat manner with
you so I am very sorry Kirie. But know this I do plan to stand by you now and
help you in any way I can." 
"Please, be my advisor, even unofficially," Kirie rubbed his hands, "I have
beem made minister but I know I don't want to mess up. I want someone with an
able mind and a trusting friend to help me conduct myself properly. This might
all be a ruse but let's see if I can do anything right."
"Sure." I nodded, Kirie was a good person and I believed he would have made a
fine leader for Bison, better than Guy, if the chance had been given. Maybe, he
can still be. Bison can survive as a memento if needed and I wouldmn't mind
calling him Kirie the dark.
I shouldn't have looked at the other side of the lavender woman, but I did,
Iason !
No, Not Iason but a Blondie. Lipstick was smeared and he looked very emaciated
and somewhat a bit effeminate. Suddenly a caretaker of sorts got inside and
punched him and pulled his hair; he actually started crying but he got slapped.
The clothes on his back was a red tank top and he wore dirty white panties like
a thong. He with shame twirled around and showed his ass to the public who
booed and cheered all the same. The caretaker then slapped his ass, grabbed him
harshly by his abdomen, bent him and started spanking him. The former elite
started crying his ass was redder now and he clenched shut his teary eyes. 
"So, he is a premium class huh? Look how he has fallen." Kirie smiled a bit
sadistically but then turned quietly, "Some Blondies are being sold very high
bucks. Many can't afford but I can but I don't want that lot of a disease near
me. After the civil war the Blondies were slaves some died from over labour
while othere were pleasure slaves and some stood up longer, probably this one
too, but most got this end."
"Buy him."
"What?"
"I said buy him, please." I was very disturbed, "He looks hungry and unclean
and really embarrassed we both know how that feels."
"And we both know it's his kind that made us feel that." Kirie looked furious.
"Yes, but let's help this one." I nodded understandably, "He is a Blondie so
maybe he can talk a lot with us? Maybe?"
"Ok, but if I feel fishy he can go and dive in a deep end." Kirie went and
talked with the caretaker and I just sighed.
How ironic, a Blondie our pet.
===============================================================================
 
"Are there any pet parties?" I asked with no knowledge of the new system, "I
mean I don't know."
We were heading towards our car and transport for our new pets. We had with us
the person who looked like Daryl, the lavender woman, twins unidentical, a
seraphim pair and the almost nude Blondie, who dragged at the back and looked
at the ground. He hugged himself.
"Yeah but they they are rarer now. Pet parties is usually for voyeurs and well
many people are not voyeurs or can't afford or if there is a party it's amonst
smaller groups and happy people. Slavery is almost over in that way. Many of
the ex-pets and furnitures are getting busy getting other jobs or migrating.
Who would willingly choose to be a pleasure slave if other opportunities and
avenues are presented that can be both sexy and kinky but also respectable." 
I nodded then stopped. The pets stopped too. Curious.
"Hey I am Riki." I smiled, "What's yoour names?" Kirie looked on and smiled
too.
The serpahim pair came forward, "I am Ashe, the girl said and he is Ashera. We
are not siblings but we were first supposed to be shipped as kinda incestuos
group so I guess we named that way." 
The unidentical twins came forward, "We are siblings." They radiated, "Are you
Riki the dark?"
Everyone, including the Blondie, got alert, "What makes you say that?" I
laughed.
"We think many of the people we heard about like Guy and Riki are alive so we
tried to know a lot about them." They said almost unanimously; "I am Kira, he
is Kakash." the sister finished.
"Well, I don't know the dark part of whatever but I am just Riki." I think some
of these people weren't aware I was in Bison.
"I am Olivier." The ex-furniture came forward, "I wouldn't mind getting to know
you better beautiful." The wink he gave me was very hot, "You are so cute and
muscular and strong type ohhh the beauty of it. I never thought individuals
from Ceres could have such pretty features." Wow, a furniture with an outspoken
attitude, very uncommon.
"I am Ithos." The elegant lavender woman came forward, "I used to be the top
pet for a Blondie named Rube Geneflare but he was captured and beaten badly
early on." She looked at our Blondie, of all the pets he was worse dressed and
he shivered due to his exposure, God, he looked worse than the hobos in the
slums in the Ceres I used to know, "But after that I did some odd jobs. I
thought selling myself as a pet may provide some opportunities for me. I am a
good worker besides sex and I can learn pretty quick."
"Ithos, I have decided to make you the lady of my house."
Everyone looked shocked even our Blondie cringed in a  sort of nervousness and
fear, I swallowed in atonshment, "You look like me a bit and I would love to
have a sister I can look up to and protect, please will you allow me the
honour?" 
Ithos started crying, "Yes. Oh yes Please sir Kirie..."
"No, I am just Kirie to you now, you are legally going to be my older sister
and we will do this together." Kirie laughed as we moved along.
People started whispering but Olivier came forward and congratulated Ithos on
her new found place, "You deserve it my lady Ithos even as a former pet you had
such an sophisticated air I hated seeing you do those lewd parties at times.
But you are intelligent and caring so I had a feeling you would fare better
than most others."
"Well, let's see." Ithos smiled, "I must uphold a family line now more
wonderful than a pet's husk and more responsible too." 
I went up to the Blondie "And you are?"
"I remember you, you are Riki. I don't know about Dark but Riki you are."
Blondie looked up, "You seem to be doing well." a smile gentle.
I took off my coat, it was long,  "Here, I think this will fit you as you are a
bit smaller shaped." 
"I prefer the term lethe but I have been starved." With a small hand out he
takes it and wears might magenta coat (I was wearing one which complimented my
reds and black outfit), "Thank you so much."
"You looked like you could use it." I just nodded, "I will buy you more stuff
but I think you are hungry and need to eat first."
"Thank you, for treating my shame as your own; though I never did you that
curtesy I am amazed at how a supposed mongrel cares more for me than my own
creed and even the citizens I once was nice too." 
I did not know how to answer that.
"I am Velvay."
===============================================================================
 
In the car  Ithos now Lady of the house sat in the limosine. There was a
smaller van where the new pets sat. Everyone was avoiding Velvay. Ashe and
Ashera were giving him glares. The twins blew rasberries at him then sat
ignoring he existed. Despite being a former furniture Olivier pushed Velve out
of the way to have a window seat on the second row. Giving the look that you
are one of us now.
Velvay shivered I think he was frightened at this overt animosity. I held his
hand, "you can ride with me."
"No, I;ll stay at the back." Velve knew he was among a rock and a hard place.
"Well, I will ride with you." I went up and talked to Kirie about this.
"Yeah, good idea, those seraphim twins looked like they gonna beat the crap out
of him."
"He had slapped Ashera in a pet party once. He had not owned him but the other
Blondie who did gave him the chance to abuse him so he slapped his bum and made
him feel bad from what I saw. Then he made someone fuck Ashe in front of him
roughly so Ashe, who loves Ashera as a brother and lover, was furious. And
Ashera felt rage like no other." Ithos informed, "Those seraphim pair will beat
him or torture him now that they got the chance." 
I know what Velvvay did was wrong but as streetfighter I believed in equivalent
opportunities. If they fight. They will fight fairly. Velve was still wearing
purplish-blue lipstick. 
When I was back with him and seated with him at the far back of the small
transport van I asked, "Lipstick?"
"Uh, well." A smile, "I always wore it as a trait to distingusih me from the
others." Then a bit sad, "My lipstick colour is a bit gaudy and unfine it had a
better sheen but now it is well you know cheaper material. The people who kept
me in the Midas police administration were laughing at my lipstick mouth but
for some reason they did let me keep on wearing it due to well...it being
different."
"Let's go to  a cosmetic store later." I held his hand, "We might bring out
colours you like. You can wear more than one shade."
"I suppose." Velvay removed his hand and touched it, he looked sad, "You are so
warm. Like a fever of life going through you. I so envy this great, unaltered
body of ours. It seems to be wiser than mine." 
===============================================================================
 
'I asked Ithos to choose a  room to her liking." 
"That was quite nice."
"We look like each other I want a non-sexual base of family. I bet a former pet
may prefer being a trusted family member and noble rather than a pet. As she
said, this is a better opportunity."
"Yeah it is. Just be careful. We don;'t know anything about her."
"Yeah, if she does anything wrong I'll make sure that I respond in a wrong way
too." 
"I am not saying be violent it's just kinda quick decision. I don't also think
Olivier should well, be completely trusted. I think you know everyone is in
like on trial basis in these roles." 
"Yeah." Then he looked at me, "What about you? Were you a trial pet?"
I cringed, "No. That was the problem. I was not supposed to be near this kind
of crap." 
"Why did Katze help I wonder." Kirie clenched his fists.
"Not that he wanted to. The guy felt he had no other choice. A former furniture
who hacked Jupiter and was kept around for an efficacy that was perilous."
"I am surprised Jupiter didn't try to kill him."
"Actually I think she was. But Iason didn't know that. Jupiter wanted me to die
too. The Blondies trusted a monarch who only truly cared about herself."
"Well, you can't expect much from a rogue AI. One who went mad with greed and
power."
"And deauchery."
"Debauchery?"
"What sadomasochistic sick mind wiuld not revel in a society of pet rings,
shackles and obscene dispalys of sex. Face it that Jupiter was a perverse, sick
creature. Putting her down was putting down a rabid mionster who would eat her
young just or fun."
Kirie softened.
===============================================================================
 
"May...I...stay?"
In the soft moonlight I almost thought I saw Iason I rushed towards him because
I thought Iason was injured and like always I guess I help a bit first before
asking questions later.
But it was Velvay.
Shivering he continued, "My room is nice and pleasant but I saw where yours
were —"
"How?"
"I studied most of your moves and presumed it was here through trial and
error." 
"Well remind me to remind Kirie to lock his door." Then I guffawed a bit,
"Mental note: must lock door too."
I walked ahead and signaled him with a hand to come over; he was so happy he
almost pranced. Correction: did prance.
We held each other on the bed.
Velvay and I were shirtless and he slowly touched me. I grabbed his hand, "I,
uh, was curious but your skin has this lovely glow in the dark."
"Likewise." I motioned him.
"I guess but your one is ironically more distinctive than mine." 
"Ironically?" I raised a brow with a smirk.
"We were designed to try to fit a so called objective or popular standard of
beauty but you are truly very an essence of true beauty."
"Thank you."
"I envy your body."
I stared, "Excuse me?" I didn't hear right, did I?
"You have a such a muscular and flexible body and in comparison I am thinner
and my muscles are less accented and I was always a softer looking Blondie."
Looking down sad, "The other Blondie only liked me for my tactical computer
skills but even that didn't get me closer to Jupiter." There was a shudder, of
rage, "But I was better at computers but Iason got better treatment."
"Meritocracy doesn't pick a favourite, personal palate does." I automatically
stroked his hair, I used to do this with people who were upset, "Besides Iason
may had aggressive domineering qualities and a flare at charisma. I don't
notice most Blondies with that. Raoul is too order oriented and he likes
pleasing the gallery, there was Tybalt who looked morose and sleepy."
"He was." Velve looked surprised.
"Then there was three more I know, Kita is a person too interested in market
price of pets so I think he preferred living with surplus wealth." Velve
nodded, "Juno was a person who preferred doing diplomatic stuff I knew this
because Iason sometimes sent him in his stead for doing things." Velve bit his
lip, was he immersed, "Then lastly Plargis, who was always concerned with
fertility." 
"You know us so well." Velve was amazed, "I guess Iason talked about us."
"That and I got bored so I observed you guys."
"Like we were pets?" Velve said this amusedly.
"I guess."
Velve had this rare gleam and wow — he kissed me. For a moment I didn't know,
he broke, it was a hard but innocent kiss, "Can I be your pet for a while. If
you want we can." Velve blushed, "I wouldn't mind with you. With you I have a
feeling I'll like it you have been so nice to me and..."
"Velvay, I didn't buy you, you are Kirie's pet, so I don't know." I know that
sounded stupid especially that I did buy him but he ddn't know that...I wasn't
sure, was he offerring a romance?
"I know but if you are willing, know I am too." Velvay intensified, "Please
think about it."
"Do I need you? Can I trust you?" I said with a semi-stern eye.
"I guess you can though I am not sure I can trust you."
"No, you do trust me a bit nor else a man does not easily lay down with
someone."
"Man."
"Man."
"Oh, man."
"Oh, man."
We looked at each other.
Suddenly, we burst into laughter.
===============================================================================
 
During the first week I did not see Katze. After an eventful first day where I
was severely overwhelmed but tired and trying to keep my thoughts and feelings
in check I got into a routine of sleeping with a Blondie on top of me. However,
Velvay wrapped his arms around my neck and slept in an easy position as though
I was his lover. I wrapped him as a lover too. Probably because I felt his fear
once and I guess I was still a bit of a sympath to not let him face that fear
alone. 
The first couple of days was on Kirie as in he worked a bit meticulously to get
his house under control. He made Olivier a head to take care of the five pets.
Though he was no longer furniture so he could do as he pleased. Olivier stated,
outspoken, that he would sleeop with Kirie if allowed. Kirie allowed it. But
Olivier glared at Velve and he got nervous. The other four were happy to dress
properly. There were still incompletion in new pet laws so the one year staying
rule could apply or not. The two seraphims were given tasks are pure household
staff which they accepted with both a tight smile and eager eye. They did not
know servitude like this so they seemed to rely on Olivier a bit for
instructions. The twins were told to relax and were told to help Kirie manage
the goods he wanted to buy for Ithos. The cooks of the house was also a former
pet and furniture. But they did not greet the newcomers so enthusiastically.
They made it clear to Kirie that they respected him but they were here earlier
so they will expect the others to respect them too. Kirie said that Lady Ithos
now was a the sister of his household who they would have to honour as him but
Olivier was only in pet management so it must be keenly decided who did what
and how. The formet pet, Thimble, seemed to recognize Ithos and I could notice
a jealousy in the eye that she rose up so fast in what to him seemed a shorter
time. Canter, the ex furniture, just gruffed at Olivier. They seemed to know
each other too. I think everyone underestimated furnitures a lot. They seemed
to have their own grapevine and all and they were more organized and itinery
prone than the elite class.
But both the cooks looked at Velvay with disgust and mocking. The first day
they served him only cabbage and soup. Burnt soup and really old, musty
cabbages. Velvay did not know if he should protest. I decided not to say
anything. But the next day during breakfast when they gave him burnt porridge
while the other pets ate a festive breakfast of ommlettes, poached eggs, beef,
chicken salads mounted with corn and red cabbage and a beautiful butter paste;
my actions were not to stay quiet. I went up and threw the porridge that Velvay
was miserably eating and the bowl crashed and broke. "If I see this deplorable
fuck one more time I will make sure Kirie fires you two and don't pay a pint!"
Kirie saw my anger, our tables were segregrated but the dining hall was not,
Kirie made it point to eat with everyone, and came up and addressed the cooks
sternly.
"But sir he is nothing but a dirty, useless Blondie look at him!" Canter cried,
"Because of their kind my manhood had been destroyed!"
"well, you are showing great manliness by bullying a sick emaciated ex-elite."
Kirie shouted back, quietening them a bit. "Look. we all have a grudge against
his pampered and mutant species but he is sick and frail and I want to feed him
well."  with an added sneer, "I rather have a Blondie healthy than looking like
a mongrel, he has no right to act like a mongrel or a slum recipient. Doesn't
deserve that honour." Kirie added, "This creature is a pitiful pet. Treat him
with pity and don't let your anger with wasted on a pet. Punish him for his
insubordinations. And reward him for his good behaviour. That's what pets are
for right?" 
Velvay looked ashamed at this speech. His eyes started to water. There was both
a nature of schedenfraude and sympathy for him.  
"Well, his being is an insubordination if you ask me." Thimble looked angry,
"Why can't we just cull these beasts? They are like the black market freaks
now! All bark and bondage." 
"Well, still feed him then. A pet is our responsibility after all." Kirie
stated.
Ithos wore her lavender dress but like the uptown girls I saw on Earth she
slowly sipped her lemon tea and crossed leg, "Kirie-chan." wow, a familiarity
already, "Don't spoil breakfast with this chatter. Come eat. And you two..."
She rose up angrily, "Why can't you just feed the fucker and leave him be. He;s
just a pet and has neither proven worthy of admiration or scorn." addressing
Thimble, "We two were once pets lets see if he has skill to compete with us."
then to Canter, "Test him, a Blondie is supposed to be very intelligent IQ of
300 see if he can keep up with you in determination and household work."
Looking at Kirie, "You have a garden Kirie-chan, let him tend to our flowers."
Then laughing, "A pretty thing for a pretty thing." 
"Well sure why not." Kirie went up to Velvay, "So Velvay, from today you can do
a bit of gardening. Let's see you try ok." 
Velvay nodded weakly though he seemed displeased. 
I  had come over, "Have breakfast with me."
Velvay got up without question and ate with me that day. But by lunch time he
sat with the pets all glum but he was served adequately by then. 
===============================================================================
 
Katze had gone on an emergency trip and came back at the end of the first week.
Unlike the usual quiet atmosphere he seemed to be like Kirie
now...wow...energetic and smiling a bit bright. Seeing me made
him...run..."Riki!" Grabbed me after a jump surprising both me and Kirie and
hugged me. I, of course, immediately hugged back. "I am so sorry." Voice was
still melted butter like, "There have been some problems in Tanagura; the part
where the Blondies lived." But by then he drew a dagger he had in his long coat
and threw it at Velvay...Velvay's face got a deep gash and he fell down wide
eyed with fear as the dagger hit a pillar. The seraphim maid and butler
screeched in fear. While the twins and Ithos were stunned and Kakash started to
tremble and cry a bit while Kira helt Ithos. "So, why the fuck is a Blondie
here in our house?" 
 
===============================================================================
 
After explanations Katze accepted and understood, as usual quite fast, what has
happened. It was now not uncommon for minsiters to share homes but Katze said
that Tanaguran elite place was now robbed of its previosu splendour but they
were rebuilding it to be a new suburb for ministers and that Katze wouyld
relocate if Kirie and Ithos preferred staying in this home. Katze was very kind
to Ithos and congratulated her on being the one-san to Kirie's onii-chan. Ithos
took his offered hand warmly too. But Katze then gripped lightly telling that
Kirie is a wiser man now and that he too would not tolerate anyone mistreating
him. Ithos held her own by saying with a light grip that she does plan on
carrying her surname happily. 
I realized that both Katze and Kirie had surnames now. I asked Katze what was
his. "It's Endymion." 
And Kirie said nonchalently:
"Oh, it's Dark. Kirie Dark." 
 
===============================================================================
 
"Do you have a last name now as well Riki-san?" Velvay was trying his best to
be my personal pet but Olivier had advised Kirie that isolating Velvay with be
better so he was merely like my concubine now, platonic concubine that is, like
a courtesan or a outrageously vulgar definition of a geisha, he merely served a
physical need. Like an extra pillow. To me that was quite rude but the time was
difficult and I did not know what to do. Of course people thought he was a
pillow but he was much more; we talked these two weeks I stayed. We joked. We
were each other companions. 
"Yeah, it's Celt." 
"Celt, really?"
"Yeah, I spend time in Ireland had this romance of a sea up there so thought
why not Celt."
"You mean in Earth."
"Mmmhmm." 
"Oh." 
"I could do my genealogy thing a bit better but I decided to let it go for a
bit."
"You know your ancestor?" Velvay seemed piqued, wide eyed interested.
"I found a ship log. Of the people who originally came to  Amoi with the
growing danger Jupiter, I think my ancestor was a woman named Helena Wu-Xing
and a man named Otaru Mamiya."
"You traced them."
"It took a long time but yeah." I smiled, "Otaru was Japanese but Helena was
Singaporean. Then Helena's daughter Kinn married a Native American named
WarWolf and then their son Chi married a Chinese woman named MingMing but then
they were enslaved and marriage hardly happened so... but I have Japanese,
Singaporean, Irish, Native American, Chinese and Persian blood in me."
"That sounds like a love sonnet so intricately beautiful."
"Well, it was a struggle." 
"My genes are mostly a mixed Chinese, Japanese and Caucasian cocktail with a
bit of African." 
"Oh...? I thought you guys were the purebreed." 
"We are a samples of some races purified in a little petri dish. I realized
that in my captivity. Of course not all Blondies had the same cocktail and I
don't know about the others."
"It's ok. It's not that important." 
"But you did your genealogy."
"Well, it mattered to my Ceres status." 
"Well, yours is brighter and purer than mine. It has a  history mine is so
sanitized it feels like a surgical tool readied to bring out a cyst." 
"Don't feel bad your genes are not the only thing that defines you."\
"Riki-san."
"Yeah Velvay."
"I know this arrangement is not a personal pet thing but...I really like it." 
Smile.
===============================================================================
 
"There is going to be a pet party in southern Autolycus in a place called Bella
Air. It's anightclub dedictated to mostly furnishing the new elites." Katze
drunk tea, "Kirie I know you wanted Ashe and Ashera to be maids, and Kira and
Kakesh to be like personal shoppers but ask them if they would like to attend
this party as pets. If not it's fine I suppose." 
"Pet parties; are they like before?" I asked.
"Not really. In pet parties now we usually dance and make out and all that. So
people usually forget that there are pets and elites involved though to be
honest despite the segrtegation the old order pretty much forgot too." Katze
sipped, "Many people kissed their pets at times and fondled and the mating done
was more or less sex by proxy. The elite usually chose his best pet to mate
with a desirable. So pretty much same." 
"What about the Blondie?" Kirie aked my mind out.
"What about him?" Katze giggled like a maniac, "Get him prepared." Then looked
at me, "What you say Riki, getting your Velvay ready."
"I don't want to Katze." I unconsciopusly glared at him, "I am becoming ok
friends with Velvay, it's been almost a month and I think it's rude to treat
him like a slave." 
"But he is one officially." Katze cocked his head, "If we don't treat him like
one we will be getting off on a bad foot."
I think I understood. Katze and Kirie had to do this at least once nor else
they will targeted for slander and losing their cause.
"Can we just dress him and have him stay with me the entire night?"
"Yeah sure." Katze winked. "But." Seriously now, "Riki, there are things you
might see you might not like." 
Hearing that made me cringe.
I think I knew it before I saw it.
===============================================================================
 
I remembered him as a vague artist who only liked revealing some shades to me.
To be honest I know very well that he had a hard time knowing himself playing
only parts handed to him ny Jupiter. Unlike Velvay he wasn't so sure of where
and what his talents were and I was the only person (personally, Katze didn't
know either) that he seemed to confine this too by body language. Trouble with
words. That was his main problem beside domineeering. And truthfully the latter
he inherited from Jupiter's tutelage and mind fuck. 
So, he seeing him giving a live blowjob to a man I didn't know was very scary
if not shocking.
His hair from the back was cut short. Now it was Katze's length and the only
the bangs at the front were long. But upto his breast. He was wearing the same
chain and leather rig I had to wear. Only his was a dark red. Labeling a
scarlet letter. His eyes were hollow as they sucked...
...Until...he saw me...
The sucking stopped and he just looked wide and took a deep breath. I felt the
warmer hand of Velvay catch me and squeeze. 
"Fuck, you blonde dog suck properly!" 
His owner slapped his face with a whip. There were gashes on his face already.
His nose had a cut and his left jaw did too. 
But he coud not suck.
Staring at me.
And I him.
Until the whip slapped him again and with a big bloody cut on his lip now he
sucked and swallowed the man's load. 
Looking up, with a bloody mouth, he smiled and tears came out...
Walking forward he ignored a shout from his keeper and just kissed me softly.
Then Iason Mink hugged me.
I felt his tears on my hair
then on my face.
===============================================================================
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
***** Bound, Bonds and Being *****
Chapter Summary
     Well, after like two years I am posting again. I hope you guys like
     this chapter. It is like 17k. I have not forgotten about this fic. Oh
     the cuisine mentioned in this chapter is taken from buzzfeed dishes
     and some other website on thai cuisine for the thai one. I got a lot
     of info on the novels, I have some of them I think but couldn't read
     properly, on the wiki, the world of Ai no Kusabi is rich and full of
     important and intelligent political strife and all of that. Wished
     the anime showed that more. I also got some info from http://iason-
     mink.tumblr.com/post/82099167117/im-sorry-if-this-seems-too-big-of-a-
     question-but on how the noble classification worked. I got info about
     Ceres independance and all that from wiki. I hope you enjoy this
     chapter as much as i enjoyed writing it =)
     Also I need to thank my friend Dia. Dia explained many things to me,
     one of them is how Elites can have outerworld lovers in Apatia. I
     thought all Elites as in Blondies were celibate but it is nice to
     know from them that Iason is not just the only exception to the norm.
     And, without Dia's support I wouldn't be able to start writing this
     again. Thank You Friend.
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
 
 
Bound,_Bonds_and_Being 
 
 
I think I got up with a start. My whole body was a whirlwind. I felt the
palpitations, ripple, like liquid lead and hot gas, struggling to mix, could
not find fission or fusion. I felt a tinge of nausea. I wanted badly to vomit.
My lungs felt hollowed and my air diluted, infected by gastronomical surges…I
don’t think I made it to the bathroom. I puked all over. My expensive carpeting
gone to waste. How the former Blondies would say that I still had the slums in
me. Ironically, I didn’t expect some of the vomit to hit him.
 
It got on his hair a bit; side of his face partly. I wanted to apologise but I
felt I could hardly breathe: “So —“ I coughed loud, then I could feel it, my
guts pushing and pulling like two dogs with meat sacks, ripping away at each
other. This felt hopeless. It felt completely out of my control and I hated
myself for not having any inhibitions to this. To feel so lost and helpless
like this. I gorged out more when I realised the comparison — fuck, this
reminded me of being a fucking pet! Didn’t it? To never know the solitude of my
own thoughts — to lie in bed waiting for a master’s ministrations and
penetrations — to know him so viscerally and intimately even if I chose not to.
Later on, when the lines were blurred, when I went to the hotel in the business
sector of Midas and slept with him it seems he forgot that I was begotten as a
pet. That the truth begot more than he could mouth. Speaking emotively was not
his talent. It is not the talent of any Blondie. They dance in the macabre of
logic and link lines, parallel or similitudes, to the vast madness of being in
control. Rough or gentle.Domineering was there code.
 
When I vomited, it seemed I was purging that gene from my guts. This was the
theatre of nostalgia, memory, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder
with a fitting catharsis in the puke of a world lacking pathos and ethos.
 
“Here, please drink.”
 
Velvey offered me a goblet of water. I was seeing it had some rubies on it. It
was expensive stuff. I wanted to laugh out loud (lol) literally, because this
reminded me of Utopia where gold was harnessed for filth. I was not being
satiated as an emperor but as a plagued one of memory. I slurped it up; I
coughed but I kept going. The goblet was large and I drank a bit more from a
second offering.
 
For a moment, he seemed very quiet. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you
tonight.” He started, rubbing his hair (not the part tainted with my vomit), he
seemed to smile at me, though softly, “I know it must have been hard for you to
protect me a bit from groping hands, rough fists and all that hair pulling with
the occasional slaps or punches. But, you truly are chivalric. You protected
me. I am,” He sighed at this, “Eternally grateful.” Though, I knew this was not
what he really wanted to talk about — not in fully anyway. I wanted to grab him
and tell him to just speak clearly already. Yet, didn’t I myself confess that,
well, Blondies were not emotive? Their emotional intelligence was worse than a
dog’s or cat’s. No disrespect to the nonhumans; just stating that though they
had high perception it was regulated and relegated to fit the needs of the
specific job position. Their intuition was tailored by a liminality — they
spoke as the mute and felt as the quartered. They may talk about the “body
without organs” phenomenon like Deleuze and Guattari but they are more
interested in it literally. Of course, that was expected from them with their
genes spliced and sliced. As, this guy once said. They were born out of the
projectile womb of the surgical blade and the cranial spermatozoa of data
dissected and drawn from a selective pool. They drank Lethe before they knew
death. Mythologies and literature interest me because the world in allegory
sometimes explains a truth in a coded brevity.
 
I sipped a bit more, to cleanse my tongue and lips: “What do you wanna really
say?”
 
“That.” Velvey stopped, “That I don’t know what to feel either. Seeing, Iason
like that. It must have been hard.”
 
“I don’t really know how to answer that you know.” My tone was kind of high and
my body language turning to a trembling stiffness that Velvey noticed, “Are you
telling me, you, a highly praised Blondie wouldn’t anticipate this? Wouldn’t
know if it would come to this? Don’t act dumb okay Velvey! You are a fucking
pet too now! Surely, you must have known that you would encounter this guy!”
 
Yeah. He knew it was my rage. Perhaps, what he said was not audacious in the
least. It was just a comforting statement; a predictable question. I am
overreacting. But, Velvey looks away but not out of annoyance of his own, not
fully. His lips tremble. He looks really sad. Maybe, he wants me to angry for
him too? Blondies have limited emotional exposure. Probably, he didn’t know how
to overwrite the genes for this display. That is why it was better to be
understanding and leave the anger to me. I would be good at it. Give it
justice. Give it a smarting throb clearer and cleaner like a newly sprung
erection. He wanted the Eros and Pathos of anger. He wanted me to not to
conceal anything. I didn’t wanna be used a pet. Not as an emotional aid or even
an erotic one. However, this time I knew it was not a gameplay of the titles.
Velvey clearly didn’t know what to think and what to process.
 
“I am sorry. That outburst was stupid.”
 
“Perhaps,” Velvey took a cloth, that he had seemed to be carrying with him, on
his left hand when he had come to help me, I just hadn’t noticed it till now,
“I think stupidity benefits over logic here. I wouldn’t say ignorance is bliss.
I would say ignorance is anger. The anger of not knowing. Of not knowing how
things will precipitate and even flood over. I am not sure I knew how to be
that angry as you. You did my share. Thank You.” I usually don’t like
formalities, but this “thank-you” was one I needed, my speculations were
correct and he needed me to vent for him too. I guess Blondies don’t always
know how to be out of control. Raul once told me that rule-breaking for them
entailed a subset or an alternative set of rules and frankly that just shows
more about them than anyone else. Not that anyone else wouldn’t do that — it
just showed how procedurals their minds were and that it required some
hierarchies and systems to follow. I wonder when Raul had told this to Iason he
was shaping his own counter rule as well? The rules of love and admiration are
not clear-cut and usually contextual and the thing was that giving advice could
be another gesture of love rather than the popularity of courtship. I know this
because Raul had some similarities with Guy. Ironically, they were more common
than they I think knew. Not surprising. After all beggars and kings share the
most qualities — they all try to survive in their own ways sometimes using
similar methods. It is just basically the medians who are prone to be a bit
different seeing that they are the friction of the tug of war chain.
 
“I suppose I am angry.” I didn’t know if confessing this would be good; there
was no reason to tell him all my feelings. Besides, I thought Blondies with
their enhanced nanotech and biotech augmentations could read people easily
enough. Though, Iason had trouble reading me. I think it is always easier
reading the desires of people more so what their intentionswith those said
desires would be. I think a Blondie, even given their enhancements, were no
different many a times, “Though,” I started this with a very casual tone, a
very smooth, almost sanitised tone, an implosion, quiet enough to be the
whimper that the world could end in, “I will not say I felt no joy at it. I.
Fucking. Did.”
 
For a moment, Velvey actually stopped touching me. It seemed to him I was
infected. Some disease or the other had gotten to me. Though, this is the face
I think Iason both admired and feared about me. The disdain. The self-exposed
existential crisis and its solution. That was something that Iason had longed
cherished about me. Yet, I never did it to be his pet; to please this asshole
tendencies he had of toying with me and trying to toy with me. It was just who
I fucking was. I think in the end Iason knew that too. Now, Velvey was seeing
it. He felt almost shocked. Those serene, either emotionless or trembling
features seemed to be trembling now…wait, was it rage? I thought he could not
swayed to anger so easily. That, perhaps, his disposition and his genetics
would refrain him, censor him from doing so. Now, there was a fear and a rage.
 
Then, wither it was instinct as a Blondie or the fact that he was incited to
new emotions far removed from the ones he experienced, this former Blondie
elite slapped me. Hard across the face.
 
I think the room only resounded in the slap he gave me and in it I felt a
thrill that defying his principles gave me. Blondie principles were weak as
fuck anyway to me. But, I think he also slapped me out of fear for my
confession. Then I grabbed my cheek, “I am glad you did slap me. You are angry.
That’s good. It’s good for you not to be a stupid prick and face some of your
own emotions by yourself.” I laughed and Velvey looked confused, “It’s been
long since I felt the sting of disobedience. Maybe, I am doing something
right.”
 
“Iason kissed you!” There was a flare in his voice, a sudden quickness, great,
it’s great to know he wouldn’t just be clinging to me for protection, there are
things you need to do by yourself and want to, “He approached you! He looked
tattered but he still recognised you! How can you talk about him like this! He
was the highest of the high and he was basically well, your master, right?
Don’t you feel any sympathy for him? Don’t you feel anything for him?”
 
“As a master or whatever I felt nothing for him.” I said this point blank and
enjoyed seeing Velvey’s shock. It was important people got off this
hierarchical high horse and knew the truth, “The sort of enjoyment he wanted
from me came at my expense. Blondies are not really supposed to fuck pets but
there are exceptions to that rule amongst all of you. Blondies were not
supposed to take in sexual activities but I heard that people who came from
other planets were lovers to Blondies many a times.  It doesn’t matter what
Iason wanted from me. I always feared what he would want. I was young then. I
didn’t know what to do. How could I do anything against the highest of the
high? That’s what I thought then. Who would I turn to and where would I run?
That’s what I thought then. That’s why I did every stupid thing he asked me,
every humiliating thing. Of course, Iason probably wanted to see me cry and
wanted me to cry that is why he sometimes became depraved and I didn’t enjoy
that. He was so much like you. You Blondies are pretty much alike. Can’t cry by
yourself so wanna make others do it for you. I didn’t care much of that. I
should have known I could run away if I joined some planetary factions who
would happy to cull you lot. But even then, I did defy Iason. I never made
things easy for him. Even if I relented doing something he wanted I knew very
well that I wouldn’t make the process easy and many a times the outcomes
either. So, I never loved him when he treated me solely as a pet. I never would
anyway. So, you saying that is complete madness. I am not some pet from some
damn academy. I have my pride and dignity.” Then I saw how he was intently
listening to me, “You should know that too? Your affections of me is also
generated by a desire to still be a Blondie in some way is it not? Your pride
disallowed you to be a pet and clearly you didn’t mind me a master as long I
could give you some love and lover-like attitudes in return. In the end, we
slum dogs and you rich ass Blondies are more alike than you know. The only
reason we were not seated in Tanagura beforehand was because Jupiter got rid of
our ancestors and he couldn’t control them. That’s the only reason you guys
were in power. There is no other reason. You guys ain’t special snowflakes far
removed from us. You are probably us in some ways. I wouldn’t be surprised if
Ceres organ farm somewhat helped in selecting some genes for you guys. In the
end, we humans who were unaltered were needed by Jupiter too. Usually what
happens in imperialism. The most valuable commodity from knowing it’s valuable
is relegated to the outside of the riches of life.”
 
Velvey looked at me, there was some animosity and it was open, “So, you felt
nothing?”
 
“I didn’t say I felt nothing. I felt for him as Iason. The person who finally
was able to stop believing in the slave and master bullshit. That is the Iason
I can love, I did love, do somewhat love and feel bad for.” I just silenced his
hostility, he seemed confused, but slowly grasping my logic, “I am not sad he
is a slave. The mighty must fall and become the fodder to the new emperors.
That is what even Jupiter proved to the human scientists who invented him and
then we proved to Jupiter. This is a cycle of life too. And, yeah before you
say anything. It is also personal. It’s not fun that I had to be a slave to
some carnal satisfactions of Iason. I always wanted him to be punished for
that. If I am to accept him fully I want him to share the same deal I did.
There is nothing more and nothing less to it. I think this is justice for me.
The best part is, it’s like karma and fate, I didn’t have to do anything. God,
somewhere, did it for me and that makes me infinitely pleased.”
 
Velvey looked at me, a bit cool as was his usual demeanour, “So, isn’t then my
fall precedent for that cycle? Why do you show compassion for me?”
 
“Because I have nothing personal for you and this isn’t some Ouroboros junction
okay?” I am annoyed that he would ask that question, I know he would but it
just annoyed me, probably because I didn’t always like answering it and I feel
that everyone, in their own way, asked it of me, “A revolutionary may commit
the same mistakes as their transgressors. So, can an intellect. Wisdom comes
from knowing how much you can differ and how much of your own empathy are you
willing to put on. A true ideal attached to a reality is not repeating same
mistakes. I am not gonna think I am better than you just because our positions
are reversed.” Then I just made the statement, “Because I am not a fucking
Blondie and I have no reason or desire to make the same mistakes as you lot.”
 
“Paradoxically,” Velvey seemed amused but also engaged, “Doesn’t that make you
better than us?”
 
“I don’t know yet because new Amoi is not gonna get rid of the stuff that old
Amoi had and some things will probably stay like some aspects of Ceres organ
farm and all these pet auctions and shit.” I was annoyed but I confessed, “But
I have no purpose or desire to wanna contribute to that lot. It just made no
sense to me that’s all.”
 
“Even in your anger you seem wiser than me.” Velvey looked upon, there was some
admiration, “I just felt anger. And, I don’t completely know why…Or, do I?”
 
“I think you are angry because you know fear now.” I just plainly said it,
“Blondies before had no fear much. They were the elite. You have to know some
fear to know some anger. It just drains you to see the best amongst your little
group to be treated as such. It just hurt you. It is meant to. After all, using
you guys as pets was a conscious decision based on that.” I just now become
conscious of my own vomit now that fucked up the carpet and then used the cloth
that Velvey had in his hand to just well clean his hair and his cheek, “I think
what you did was normal of you. Human of you.”
 
“And you?” Velvey touched my hand softly, “Why do you well act the way that you
do? Is it fear or anger that made you vomit?”
 
“I guess both. I did not like so much seeing Iason like that. It also reminds
me of my own ordeals. I am human after all.” I had to admit.
 
“Riki-chan.” Velvey looked serious all of a sudden, “There is something I need
to confess.” I realised, in my gut this is not going easy for me to stomach, “I
told everyone my name was Velvey and it many ways it is. It was a pet name
given to me by an Onyx Elite I used to like. My real name is Aisha Rosen.”
 
I didn’t answer. Not with words.
 
I looked at this guy with an aggression I think he half-expected and half-
didn’t.
 
I punched Velvey or Aisha Rosen right in the face.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“I suppose I figured it out a bit.” Katze was talking to me in the car, a nice
limousine, it was actually a white one. It’s funny, seeing a white, platinum
grade limousine before would make me feel unpleasant and shiver. Now, it seems
I own one with Katze Endymion and Kirie Dark.  “The face looked a lot like
Aisha Rosen’s especially the signature lipstick of a dark shade of purplish-
blue. Never thought I would see that famous Unyielding Noble one with a
dishevelled face and stink. His long blonde hair was also in a tussle. I am not
surprised that you punched him though.” Katze was giggling now, much to my
lividness and annoyance. Hell, I didn’t make it less exposed I was mad and
exasperated like anything, “I expect that much from Riki the Dark.”
 
“Oh Shut up Katze.”  I snapped at him. My indignation at this moment had no
bounds though I put up in the bondage of stammering feet and a nervous knee
with a facial tic. That asshole Velvey was not Velvey but Aisha Rosen. Well, he
was lying a bit by omission. I guess a Blondie is a Blondie after all. No
manner of kindness would really be enough to change their habits of subterfuge
and clandestine tongues. No, okay, that sounded pretty discriminatory. I
shouldn’t just judge him on that alone. I mean, wouldn’t I lie if I was in the
same position? Surely, I think I can be less mad now but…I was being nice to
Velvey. All he had to do was just tell me the truth. Well, he kinda did Riki,
that inner damned voice, You can’t blame him for the time. I mean, he had to
know how to trust you. Still, it can hurt, just don’t let it get to your head.
 
“You can’t tell me to shut up now Riki.” Katze looked extremely amused and
fascinated. Something was going on in that analytical and cunning brain of his
that could give Blondies a run for their money, “You have the former head of
Tanagura as your pet —“
 
“You know he isn’t really my pet though.” I interrupted, “Not that I feel he
is.”
 
“You have to treat him as one now Riki.” Katze was serious, his posture with
his crossed legs and his hand with a protruding finger on the right side of his
face, “I mean, if word got out we were being nice to the former head and leader
of Tanagura it would really bad politically. Not that in the politics of the
universe, especially on Earth, there are no lack of former politicians of one
regime heralding a new one in some shape or form this isn’t the situation now.
We can’t be too complacent or cosy. There are many who would attack Kirie and
myself, you no doubt. Don’t go creating new enemies when we really don’t have
any shortage of old ones.”
 
“And, by treating him as a pet you mean making him mate with others and just
taking him to parties and crap.” I looked bored so obviously that Katze looked
amused.
 
“Well, there are no rules nowadays that you can’t have intercourse with a pet
yourself you know.” Katze nonchalantly mentioned, “Who knows maybe Aisha would
easily put out seeing that it may have side benefits for him; don’t you agree?”
 
I was quiet for a long time. “I really don’t know how to really answer that.
You are kinda implicitly suggesting that I also fuck him myself and that it
would look to the new order. I don’t know if I wanna have sex would someone as
vulnerable and exposed as Aisha Rosen. I am not a fucking Blondie who take that
kind of delights you know. I don’t think I was ever a sadist either. Feels,” I
stopped midway and I was like struggling to find the simplest words, Katze
noticed from the corner of his eye, “Wrong. Pretty wrong.”
 
“The NORAM caste system was an oppressive piece of fuck,” Katze was getting to
the point alright, “You really think people cared that it was wrong or that the
Blondies cared that it was wrong? Don’t be too sentimental Riki. It doesn’t
suit us or you. I know you know that.”
 
“This isn’t about sentimental crap!” I slapped my armrest in the car, “What the
fuck Katze I am coercing someone to have sex with me, is that how you want me
to operate? I am not just gonna be some image, some face okay, if I am Riki the
Dark I want my actions to matter!”
 
“Precisely why you should use Aisha to your advantage Riki.” Katze now stopped
resting his hand on his face and looked at me intently, “Look Riki, I know I am
asking a lot out of you but you can’t seriously think that your actions alone,
how you behave, is only gonna set an example? I am not saying it won’t but
people want their sense of justice, no matter how warped it is, to happen. How
can I say no to that? You think it’s fair? C’mon listen to yourself. It sounds
kinda incredulous and a bit too callous. You know that at least you have to do
something. Given that Blondies are intelligent and intellectuals probably Rosen
mind a shag or too whether you topped or bottomed, so is that bad? You and I
both know to an extent how Blondies work. They are pretty unemotional as it is.
If he sees a logic, a sign of advancement in sleeping with you, I don’t think
he will decline.”
 
“Shouldn’t I have some kind of consent?” I seriously meant this. Sex was no fun
without both of you not wanting to rip at each other or hold each other. The
key word here being both. I just couldn’t just ravage Aisha. There is a chance
we may be physically on some level, though Blondies are supposed to be really
strong I do believe that malnutrition, trauma, the state of one’s bodily
functions and even the context provides to strength. Though Blondies were
inhibited in pain some even like Iason capable of not feeling almost anything
physically so they can still be hurt and to an extent psychosomatic hurt is not
easily ignored no matter how much gene splicing you did. Aisha was hurt I
punched him, both a bit physically and a lot mentally. I know it was harder
than the slap he gave me. Now, I just going to waltz in there and say that I am
gonna fuck him either top or bottom. The time didn’t seem right.
 
Katze gave a guffaw, starting giggling, “Oh Riki you romantic,” different lilt
to it than Riki the dark, “Are you sure you need consent from pets? I mean,” he
looked a bit serious though still giggling, “Did Iason ever take consent from
you?”
 
I felt the jab in my heart and gut. Katze stopped giggling. He looked like he
wanted to apologise but I spoke first, “I guess I know how horrible and
humiliating it feels and I just have the brazenness to do that to another
person.” I almost stammered, my panic attack seemed somewhat there, though I
had the trauma and the post-traumatic stress disorder under control for the
most bit, “And, as I mentioned before, Katze, I am not an insensitive and
emotionally castrated fucked up gene doll Blondie. Don’t ask me to act like
one. Besides, I hardly feel they understood what they did emotionally seeing
they are fucking messed up in their DNA to not exhibit or perceive emotions and
empathy. Not, in the way I do or maybe even you.”
 
“Do you really think?” Katze looked somewhat indignant, “That really is a good
excuse for all that they did Riki? You and I fucking know it’s not and it’s not
enough.”
 
“Look Katze,” I was getting annoyed again, “You were not a saint either I mean
you helped them with their operations in Guardian and Ceres, with the organ
farming too, and the Black Market. You had some moral compass I presume and
those are pretty unethical things right, so why are you not giving slack…” I
got cut off by my own realisations.
 
Katze must have figured it out, “It’s true I will never be able to completely
forget what I did. Maybe, I will never be able to atone for it. But, the people
who made me do all of it were the Blondies. If I am to suffer I am not gonna
suffer alone. I was indebted to Iason for not executing me. I enjoyed his
company and I admired that he was the Ice Noble. I will admit that I revelled
in it. Probably, because he was my former master and I was his furniture.
Possibly, I envied that he had no feelings and so I felt the world wouldn’t
wear him down. I hated you a bit because you made Iason actually human. He
started caring and he actually wanted my advice on things. He was so invested
in you. I was probably jealous of that too. But, at the end of the day, he did
order me to do most of the shit I did even if I was good on it on my own too.
But, was there any other choice than dying? I mean, probably you had but I
didn’t. I am gonna try to make up, even if I die, what I did but then those
fuckers will also have to as well. I am not the only one responsible, Riki.
Don’t you dare say I was.”
 
I am quiet. There is some shame and some guilt. Katze wasn’t wrong. I may have
put too much pressure on him. I sighed, “I am sorry Katze. I really am.”
 
“I know.” Katze then hugged me a bit tenderly, “I just feel I can count on you.
I felt like this for a long time after you left. That you are probably the only
person I could really count on. When I told Guy that,” he stopped, seeing my
reaction was calm, he went on, “That he may find it hard to believe or accept
but that you and Iason were in love. I may have thought you were Master and
Pet. But, clearly, I was mistaken. You mastered Iason a lot too. Possibly, I
didn’t wanna admit it initially. Now, I have to. I need you with me on this
Riki,” I thought I almost heard him sob, “I really can’t do this on my own. I
am sure, neither than Kirie. We need you and want you. Please try to understand
us. We don’t enjoy hurting people. We don’t enjoy doing all of this. And, you
know me from before and you know I didn’t enjoy that ever. Now, just don’t go
off feeling we are just trying to recreate the hierarchy of before. We know it
will take time for changes even if all can’t be wiped out.” He moved away from,
kept me in his arms’ lengths, and smiled, “Trust us.” He did look teary. I must
have hit a nerve. I don’t enjoy tormenting people I like, in this way.
 
I put my hands on his shoulders too, “Look, Katze,” I had to look at him, “I
also trust you and I also really can count on you and Kirie. But…” I looked
down, “I just can’t force myself on Aisha Rosen. I just can’t really do that.
It feels odd you know. Do you really,” I looked up now, “Want me to have sex
with him? Like, it has to be me, right?”
 
“Think of it this way.” Katze tilted his head, “Better you than other people at
pet parties, right? I mean, you have a conscience and I am sure you will treat
him well. Think on it. I probably know you either don’t wanna be near him now
or avoid him like a disease. You hate being lied to and he lied to you. I
understand that. But, we can’t be too lenient on him. Think on our new
situations. It will seriously look bad Riki.”
 
“I am.” I had to just say it, “I was thinking if Aisha Rosen was once the
administrator and head of Tanagura. Like, can’t we still use his skills? It
would be good.”
 
“I don’t think our allies would be too thrilled with a Blondie in charge in
either way.” Katze went back to sitting cross legged, “I mean, it would be
antithetical to the revolution too obviously to do that and to keep them around
too much. I know they also, well, were taking backseats in Guardian and Ceres
situation. But, they had their fingers deep in all that shit with me as the
face of it. They are cunning like that so people know that having them so
overtly in charge would not be good. Though, we are trying to make exceptions.
Like Juno is still working a bit on the back. I think he doesn’t give a shit
that Jupiter is overthrown and as long as he is still under some form of
directive and can control stuff. There are some Onyxes around too. I mean
Onyxes were the lowest of their tier and Earth has bought many of them, some
for study and some for you know higher functions. But the Platina and the
Blondies are not going to be trusted a lot. That is for sure. Even if you want
him to have a secure job I don’t think it will happen soon but Aisha could come
into some use later on. We have all the blueprints of Tanagura. We could
question him later on any secrets we were not meant to know about…” Katze
seemed to be pondering as he put his hand under his chin.
 
I am beginning to think if I should have told Katze about Aisha Rosen. Not that
I don’t trust him, but, “Katze, do you intend to torture him?”
 
“I don’t think anytime soon.” Katze winked at me, I grimaced and he smiled
apologetically, “I do think he wouldn’t mind telling us some things on his own
accord though. Why not you just ask him some stuff? That could be helpful.”
 
I sighed and closed my eyes, folded my arms, “Is this really what you would
have me do now? Some sort of fucking and interrogation?”
 
Katze looked amused but also crossed his arms, “Riki, do you have anything you
wanna do? Anything in mind?” he almost gave a sarcastic chuckle.
 
“Not that I know of.” I confessed. Truthfully, I didn’t want to but no lies
were coming up and I had no idea what to say, was in a rock and hard place, “I
was planning of walking around Ceres to wax a bit nostalgic but I don’t know if
I can really do that seeing it now manifests as the shithole it used to be.”
 
“There are talks.” Katze started a bit quietly, “That people want the new
capital to be shifted to a newly designed Ceres. I actually support it. I think
it is good. The Galactic Commonwealth also feel having Ceres, the liberated
‘democracy’ of the old world would help tourism and immigrants to come over.
Especially, Earthians.” Katze looked at me, “In fact, I don’t think Amoi would
have any trouble helping former refugees from planets like Earth. Though,
people want some selection. People always want that.” Katze lit a cigarette and
started to smoke, I grimaced a bit because though I could also probably use one
I hope this top grade had a good ventilation system because I was not keen on
second hand smoking, “I suppose we already have Earthians or Earthlings amongst
us. Some came with the boon of the Commonwealth and some just were curious to
fill up the jobs that had opened up due to us getting rid of the all those
former placeholders. And, yeah before you say it, some are in prison, some work
as pets now themselves and some just loaf around begging in the streets of
Midas. There were many who were also killed. The Autolycus Immigration Act is
kind of anyone with specialised skills on Earth. Of course, the Galactic
Commonwealth would want most of their own to occupy us.
 
Though, we are being a bit strict because we don’t want powerful individuals
coming in and getting too integrated into Amoi as it is. It may cause us future
problems. We have our own independence even if now port planet for Earth and
Freyja. Earth and Freyja can’t get too conspicuously involved with us because
them Left wing right activists would tell them they are violating national and
human rights. As long as we are liberated many people are still happy
everywhere around even if they don’t understand the mechanics of post-
independence or even if they do they would want to still love to believe
everything is fine. Not to mention, new independence of a planet no else is on
everyone’s lips. New land means free for grab too. That is why I am I am being
a bit forceful in my advice for you to bed Aisha. We need some stability of our
own. If not bedding at least don’t be too kind. People may think we have
ulterior motives contradicting what we are negotiating and selling them.
Freyjans had a 62% approval rating of giving capital punishment to Blondies.
This could be an old grudge that Freyjans were driven out of the Abis Think
Tank operations when the new Amoitian Blondies were allowing some denizens from
outside come in. Even so, we can’t play to that gallery or this one. We need to
think a course of actions, independent from what the outsiders think. After all
we were here beforehand.”
 
I had to listen intently to Katze. He was politically well-informed. While on
Earth I did the immature move of avoiding most news because it affected me at
times a bit too much. But, now I am more or less a delegate and it is important
to know what others are thinking, obviously. I am a bit more biased to
Earthians as I was in a way a Earthian. However, Freyjans are obviously
important too. There were many humans in Freyja and it was vast majority human
populated planet. Which was also because humans had colonised Freyja back God
knows when. I need to re-read history. The indigenous Freyjans whose species
were classified as Ballibibs, to them Freyja was Ballibibus, only make up like
20% of the population and 80% of the population where either humans or hybrids.
The Ballibibs are an affectionate race. I remember seeing many Ballibib
settlers on Earth who had become Earthians. They look human only they had Elven
ears, gills to help filter dust (Ballibibus had once many harsh deserts and
windstorms that also went to its mangrove majority areas) and breathe a little
longer in water and they also had two sets of lashes one fastened to their
naturally thinner eyebrows. Ballibib-Human hybrids were usually just referred
to as human or Ballibib considering which species’ majority gene traces they
had. Seeing that pure Ballibibs were hard to come by, thanks to humans being
scum at times, I wonder how we could make Jupiter to blame for everything when
he learned everything from us. The Ballibibs were a set of one evidence.
 
“I can’t stand Aisha or Velvey or what his face is right now let alone tell him
to fuck around with me.” I lit a cigarette too. I was feeling too much pressure
and this sucked ass. I just wanted a warm bath and some food. I snickered. Some
of my habits were still like that fifteen-year-old of the slums. I would
probably even eat the Bouillon Cube even if Katze and Kirie, mostly Kirie, will
look at me as though I lost it. Fuck, I’m hungry I think. Could use some coffee
or maybe even some fresh spiced curries.
 
“Either you are thinking of something naughty, or you are thinking of food, or
both.” Katze looked amused, “I am pretty hungry myself. Famished actually.”
 
“It’s a good thing we are going to a dinner.” I thought as I puffed out a
smoke.
 
“Yeah, Einif was nice to invite us. It was good of him to call again and to ask
Ithos, Kirie and us to join him.” Katze stubbed his own cigarette, he seemed a
bit tired, “Though I do believe our talks would go into politics which you may
not enjoy. Yet, Einif is a minister now so it is good for us to converse and
get shit off our chests and plates.”
 
“Don’t mention Aisha Rosen to him, okay.” I requested, “This is going to be bad
if he knows.”
 
“It may be bad if he doesn’t.” Katze looked at me a bit questioningly. “I mean
we can’t all be in the no-know you know.”
 
“You just want support for me to fuck Aisha.” Yup, this conversation was
getting annoying again.
 
“Sure, that would be inviting but it would look like a lack of trust if we
don’t mention it to him at least.” Katze explained and he had some pressure to
his voice as if I was acting quite silly, or petulant.
 
“Then, maybe, I should just tell him I saw Iason Mink at a pet party sucking on
some ugly dude’s load too.” I was surly for sure.
 
It got pretty quiet for a while. “I was hoping when you fucking wanted to talk
about that.” Katze had an alarmingly cool to him, he looked angry but just
restrained it a little, “Are you really going to say that he deserved that
Riki?”
 
“Yeah.”
 
And Katze had his hands on the collars of my shirt in an instant, it was not
rough, just firm, “You think I enjoy this? I can’t really protect him you know.
He is drugged up, messed up and he is pretty much fucked or is forced to fuck
people. It tears at me.” Looking at me dead in the eye, “I thought, you, at
least, would feel sorry.”
 
I grabbed his hands, “Here we were hugging a few moments ago,” with that Katze
did let go of me, “You said we all had responsibility. How can you play
favourite to Iason Mink and not Aisha Rosen?” I was angry now and I slammed the
arm rest again, “Don’t go thinking I enjoy all the time the fact that Iason was
like that. But, I can’t always easily forgive him for what he did. I am even
forgetting all the fucked-up shit he helped Jupiter do. I am thinking of
myself. You think it was easy loving him? It wasn’t. The young me was helpless
and wanted to forget some of that shit. But, I always wanted him to be faced
with that shit he dished out to me. It’s only fair. Just because he is a
Blondie means nothing. He hurt me. It was calculated and it took time to
realise it was wrong but it was surely something that hurt me a lot.”
 
“For the longest time I wanted to be castrated.” Katze looked emotionless when
he said it, “I guess we have a complicated relationship to Iason Mink.” He
chuckled, “We love him at the same time hate him. Maybe, we love that he did
have the potential to change. Now, we are not sure what to do with him. I know
I didn’t. Giving him sanctuary was to Kirie a betrayal and to other ministers a
transgression I may have had to pay in blood. I am not really scared of dying
but I am not keen on dying anytime soon either. I guess he was going to the
mascot, the effigy which had to be burned down in a way. When I got into this I
know this would happen. It didn’t help that I didn’t completely like it.
Perhaps, I too begrudge him the fact he made a slash on my face. Though, I was
hypocritically in begrudging you your set of emotions. Sorry, about that Riki.”
 
“It’s okay.” I had to say he looked teary again, there was so much weight we
had to carry, it was an underestimation to merely call it unfair, “But should
we mentioned Aisha and Iason? Frankly, I am a bit suspect to how Einif is going
to act.” I was concerned and my face showed it clearly because it made Katze
stare, “It could lead to a problem, shouldn’t we tread carefully?”
 
“As I mentioned, it would seem kinda impolite and feel unsafe if we hide it. I
know Einif has his own grudges against the Elites but I will make sure he
conducts himself with propriety.” Katze seemed sure on this so I decided to
trust him on it.
 
The car stopped and we got out.
 
In a similar limousine Ithos and Kirie got out.
 
Ithos looked pretty well. She looked more fresh, her sense of grace augmented
and she now wore a beautiful midnight blue dress that had also had black and
red highlights. It was long and had skin hugging sleeves and a slit. Kirie wore
his white suit with a reddish-pink shirt and looked happy. From what I could
tell Ithos and Kirie were getting along in a familial relationship. They had
their conversations but Ithos kept to herself at times reading some books,
mostly magazines and going shopping for both herself and the manor. She also
had Kira and Kakash with her during her shopping and they all seemed to get
along. I don’t think Kira liked her much. It was not that she was a horrible
person but Ithos seemed to have taken up her life as a lady like those wealthy
ladies of the Midas traditions. I saw she also spent a week at the beach planet
of Bhakti were she still had a soft tan. I think Kira and I were concerned
about who she was really. Perhaps, she was figuring that by herself too? Or,
was she always having her own plans? Though pets are bred with other pets I
have never seen Ithos have a pairing though she was a former pet. She told me
that she had once been but she was also not deemed suitable to have children or
something so they later on just kept her as a courtesan in Midas. Ithos seemed
to like gardening and did kinda be rude to Aisha while he helped out. There was
nothing else she seemed to enjoy at the moment but just living. I wonder if she
ever planned on sleeping with Kirie or just use him or just be satisfied with
what she was doing and had acquired the position of. It was sometimes hard to
read what she was thinking, perhaps, she wasn’t. Perhaps, as I thought, she
just wanted to relax.
 
Kirie looked happy as me and seemed to be just content we all came to eat. He
hadn’t taken the news of Velvey being Aisha Rosen too well and was also a bit
on my case on saying why he had to buy him. It was a hassle as Katze told me in
the car. However, Kirie just didn’t like seeing Aisha or talking to him.
Yesterday morning, he even said he didn’t wanna see Aisha and he had to take
his meals in his room. It had been two days since me punching him and Aisha had
gotten quiet. Those two days he didn’t come to my room. I think we are both
debilitating that.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Dinner consisted of many items.  I was surprised at seeing so much food all of
a sudden. Back at Earth I ate little or much according to my palate or stomach.
When I was in Eos or Tanagura I was flooded with food like this but many a
times I had no appetite for it. I only swallowed food because I was exhausted,
by having sex with Iason or even when I was depressed and I think I felt
nothing in my mouth. Once Iason had said he found me wiped out and drunken
asleep by the amount of sake I had ingested. I had told him to “fuck off” which
only made him kiss me and tell me not to stop being defiant. Which made angry
and slap him. He was impressed and slapped me back. I was around like sixteen
then and the force of the larger body hit me.  I was taken aback and fell down.
He told me not to do that again but I could see in a glint in his eye that he
was hoping I would which made me call him a perverse piece of shit. Iason
sometimes dined with me which was kinda unheard of between pet and master. But,
he seemed to love eating with me. Like, even if I had a sour face he would come
up to me to feel me. It was funny, despite being a Blondie Iason seemed to
crave proximity and intimacy, especially from me. Once he even mentioned that
my name was like sugar in his mouth. He also stated that he would rip my
beating heart and press it against his face because my disdain was too
beautiful and adorable to not love.
 
“If I die you would have to fuck with my corpse.” I just stated it as clearly
as I could, “You know I wouldn’t hold that far above you. Weren’t you called
‘the connoisseur of the bizarre’ or some crap like that? I can even picture you
eating my heart you are already cannibalising on my spirit. There is like no
reason you wouldn’t be too happy to do that too.”
 
For some reason, Iason had looked pretty disturbed I had said that. That night
he didn’t spend time with me. And, when he did later on he grabbed me so
closely while we did it and almost wanted me to moan loudly and scream loudly,
writhe like I was breaking him too: “Fuck you…” he spat it out, while kissing
me, “Fuck your beauty. I…I need it…I need you alive…like this alive…your corpse
is not you…”
 
I had never known him to speak like that when we had sex. During that time, I
couldn’t call it making love nor was it accurate to say so. He was being a
complete asshole and thought he could as inhuman as he wanted to be. But, he
never factored in my feelings in. Even if he did he must have ignored them
because he just wanted to push me further and push into me and just be with me.
Something about me made him happy: the fact I could care less about him being a
Blondie. When I offered him sex and was teasing him I think that was when he
realised it, that I didn’t care he was a Blondie. I did say to him I didn’t
wanna be born in the slums but I also said that he could leave with his tail
caught up in his legs and leave. That made Iason almost angry. Like he never
thought he would been issued a credible challenge by a Ceres mongrel. That is
when he said he wanted to see me cry. I guess the older I grew I found it less
audacious that he had asked Katze to give me the job in the first place. As
time went on Iason stopped calling me ‘creature’ less too. When he had forced
aphrodisiacs into my system to torture me after I slept with Mimea he had
called me ‘a poor creature.’ However, later on he just called me Riki. He also
started to say babe more, even beau. It was somewhat frightening because he
turned from emotionless monster to kind of trying to act like a normal lover.
 
I looked at the food and I realised I couldn’t lose my appetite over thinking
about the past. I didn’t wanna curb my hunger. I looked at the banquet; it
seemed to be a mixture of Thai and French cuisine from Earth with even some
Ceres dishes. There seemed to be a more appetising version of the Bouillon
cube. There was a vegetarian type and there was non-vegetarian type of that.
The waiters brought out Soupe á L’oignon, which looked like some fancy soup
that looked some savoury pudding. There was also Magret de Canard. I was
looking at some of the dishes on the menu (they actually printed out one like
small basic print paper and just laminated it; Einif may like flashy but maybe
he would not like to be wasteful now that he was a minister) — there was confit
de Canard too. You could eat both. There was Poulet Basquaise. The last one was
a chicken and pepper stew speciality. In the Thai part of the meal there were
appetisers like the exquisite There was wanton, pan fried dumplings, endamame,
tofu triangles and coconut shrimp including Shumai. There were many Thai
curries including the green one and glass noodles. It looked pretty sumptuous.
After trying the dumplings and the Soup á L’oignon I decided to go for the
Magret de Canard and have some Pissaladiére which was a sort of pizza made out
of anchovies. I knew it was not custom to mix Thai food and French food and
some gourmands would find this atrocious but seeing all of us, except Katze,
came from poverty where experimentation was a good way of life we did not want
to question this ensemble. Ithos on the other hand did comment she found it
strange but somewhat relaxing. She primarily ate Thai meals but had the Soupe á
L’oignon. Kirie ate a bit of almost everything and Katze prioritised on the
French meals. He too commented it was an outré set of meals but that it felt
okay because of a private function with us and reminded Einif not to serve like
this to delegates unless it is a buffet.
 
After the meal, we went into the large veranda; it was long and wide and so
spacious, like a Minister’s home should be. The moons were out, one of them
halving the other in its rotation. It looked peaceful and it made me feel
happy. There were nights when Iason slept I would look at the moons as a sign
of hope because I had tasted a life worse than a Ceres mongrel: the life of sex
slave. Though, it sometimes felt that Iason was also trying to talk to me. At
times, I read him as frustrated, quizzical of his brow, tightening of his lips
and he would even go down on me on those times. It was like he was trying to
speak to me but couldn’t and was using sex as a tool to cleave the barrier.
Now, that is dysfunctional if ever but I never really stated out loud. It
wasn’t fear that really stopped, at times it was, but he found most things I
did amusing and I didn’t like that one bit. It was like he was a kid with me;
looking at me with amazement, a fucking creepy kid who would have mood swings
and tantrums and all of that. So, the moons used to soothe me. It reminded me I
was still in the same universe; ironically, they grounded me. The moons from
Eos or Tanagura were the same moons I saw in Ceres even if the windows were
different and even if the positionality had changed. I realised in those times
that the Ceres life was not as unbearable as it seemed. All my life I hated the
Ceres Independence Act with a lot of conviction. I thought why did these
fuckers pine for freedom so much? Look what they left in Midas for! The dirt,
the unsanitary life and the lack of resources — to live in Ceres was to eschew
the fact that you were human at all.
 
How fucking wrong was I?
 
I realised in my greatest misfortune as a pet that the Ceres Independence Act
was a very important rebellion. It defied the Blondies, it defied Midas and
everything those both stood for and it defied Jupiter. The denizens of Sector 9
must have known that life in Midas, chained to Tanagura, may ultimately mean
what the fuck happened to me. Graphic exploitation of the most debased sexual
kind. When I was a slave I did some reading. Iason saw no harm at it. When I
was Earth I got the whole truth because Earth may censor its own histories, a
point Eduardo Galeano made in his book Upside Down, but they would gladly
tarnish Amoi with the truth. They stated that Midas recognised Ceres
Independence Act, that no life was loss, not one and that Sector 9 became free.
However, when Ceres asked for their reparations those cunning Midasians said
that they were no longer citizens as their records were deleted thus they had
no credible holding. Basically, Midas fucked Ceres over. Without technology,
without resources, transport, basic food and lodging the Ceresians became poor.
They had their freedoms but they were given as punishment from the unfair
ruling class to live in poverty and squalor. It was manipulating the legal
systems like anything. Ceres deserved those reparations. They had made it a
point during their independence. They deserved it because they were people and
because they were strong enough to lobby against that asshole Jupiter and his
cronies. However, the Ceresians had no idea that the people of Tanagura and the
Midasians would actually dissolve their citizenship record to prevent them
getting their discussed lot. It was one of the most disgusting things the old
order had done. One of the worst things to do. It would have been wise if Earth
or the Galactic Commonwealth had helped then but they knew it was a bad move to
make, seeing Ceres would take time to develop an industry, so they didn’t.
Also, some Earthians believed that it was good to keep that dictator Jupiter in
line. After all having a dictator around allowed them to be distinguishable
from the Amoits and also feel they could use their economy and nationality for
their own unsavoury acts. Earthians were pretty selfish. Humans could be pretty
fucking selfish. But, they could be incredibly beautiful and kind too.
 
And the two moons reminded me of the two halves of the human face.
 
That was if there is despair there is bound to be hope too somewhere.
 
Some waiters, who looked like ex-furniture and ex-pets, came rushing forward to
give us coffees and teas. There was a whole selection of white teas, green
teas, red teas and coffees. I was debilitating if I should try a green tea or a
cappuccino.
 
“If you want to rest after dinner I would suggest the green tea. If you want a
night of sleeplessness or some pondering I would suggest you eyeing the
cappuccino.”
 
That voice!
 
I looked up to see a Blondie in rags. Like really smelly rags. It wasn’t putrid
just musty.  His hair was cut in a half hazard way because some of his front
locks, matted a bit as they were, were long and his back seemed cropped to his
ears. He was wearing a collar and his thighs had scars. Deep scars. Some of the
lacerations looked fresh. He was wearing a skin-tight tank top, which had
stains on it and it was a lighter blue in colour. And, he was wearing a chain-
like thong. He shivered because the night air was cool. I was staring maybe
with my mouth open; he looked away and down in embarrassment, or even
resentment: “Orphe Zavi.”
 
“In the flesh.” He twirled around, showing his butt, exposed and kinda red,
open scars on them also looking fresh, he broke out in laughter, his wide and
red shot, for a few minutes he laughed like that making both Ithos and Kirie
look at him. Katze was just drinking what looked like a white tea and seemed
least bothered and Einif didn’t give a fuck. “So,” his eyes were bulging as he
neared my face, “What will it be, Riki the dark?” Then he actually touched my
face, “So smooth and soft and cared for…” the last part was bitten and exploded
like a pus, “Never thought I would see the day when a former slum mongrel face
is smoother than mine…hehe…” And then he started laughing again. Tears came out
of his eyes.
 
Fuck, has he lost it?
 
Some guards came in and whipped him away. I could just stare where he exited.
 
Katze was so quiet it was getting fucking disturbing without any question from
me. Kirie only looked a bit alarmed. Ithos just shook her head; she probably
knew it was Orphe Zavi. I was pained by Katze’s silence. I forgot my coffee,
was handed to me by an ex-pet waiter (I know it was ex-pet by a certain
familiarity and joy seeing her talk to Ithos), walked right up to Katze and
glared at him.
 
“Is there something you want to say Riki?”
 
“Look, can you drop this fucking act Katze.” My glare grew, I bared teeth,
Kirie looked a bit stunned, Ithos, out of my corner of my eye, looked
impressed. I turned back to attention, “Are you gonna ignore that we just saw
Orphe Zavi in here barking like a wild man — what the fuck you have him on?!”
My latter question was directed towards Enif, who looked up from his tea, a
mild green with apple scent.
 
“Look Riki,” I think he was being pretty patient of me, after all I was
screaming at him in his own house, “This matter doesn’t really concern you that
much.” Then quickly, probably seeing my teeth more, “I am not saying you can’t
me questions.  I am just saying that I bought him as a pet. Yes, he has many
drugs administered to him. But, that was not me you know. It just happened to
be during interrogation and during the revolution. His mind went bonkers a bit
and I just bought him. That’s really the whole story and the end of it.” Then
he giggled a bit, “I find it amusing that the Chief of Operations of Eos is now
a pet himself!”
 
“That’s not funny Enif!” I banged at his table, making Katze even look at me
intently and Kirie give a sharp intake of breath, Ithos softly cried out too,
“You bought him on purpose! You bought him to make him an example!”
 
“Riki,” Enif got up with concern and patience, “You are saying like it’s a
badthing.”
 
Katze seemed to glare at me now. I glared back. I knew I could probably beat
him at a staring context but I had no time to be dicking around.  “Look Enif,”
I started, with an apologetic look, “I am sorry for this commotion but…” I
swallowed a bit, “Is it necessary to keep him like this? I mean you can
probably treat him, right?”
 
“Where is the fun in that?” There was a malice in it, I reminisced and realised
it was just like when Enif acted with me during that pet party those so many
years ago, he still had the academy in him, surely, that explained all that was
needed, “I mean, he is the head of Eos now a pet by a pet that he pretty much
also had no double thought discarding.” Enif laughed now, “I am happy. Yes,
call it schadenfreude or whatever but I love it. It is best for him. This
place. I wouldn’t want it any other way. They drugged us up too. Tortured us
and all that. Why should I be compassionate to a being now lower than a pet and
mongrel? We reap what we sow as they say.”
 
Katze looked at me now blankly but I glared at him, “You knew?”
 
“I did.” Katze answered, there was flicker of defeat in his eyes. I think he
realised how much he fucked up with me.
 
“And here you are in your righteousness pedestal telling me what the fuck to do
and you forget to mention that you knew where one of the 13 were. That is
pretty messed up hypocritical right there. You know it!”
 
Katze looked away from me and sipped his tea. I think he could feel my eyes.
 
And, he realised he couldn’t talk about Aisha here now seeing that he royally
screwed over.
 
“Please Riki, if I upset you I am sorry.” Enif intervened, “I don’t think we
should ruin our dinner party with all of this, what do you say Katze?”
 
Katze nodded. He wasn’t looking at me. I was glad because nor else I would
probably just show him teeth and anger.
 
Then, I quietly asked, “Enif…” I swallowed hard, “Do you know what happened to
Iason Mink?”
 
Everyone suddenly quiet. The waiting waiters including our own party.
 
“Well, yes I do.” Enif drank his tea a bit and then asked, as he sat back down,
“Why do you ask?”
 
“I just was hoping to meet him that’s all.”
 
“Well, I did fuck him once. So, he was here.”
 
It was like being punched in the gut
 
“You did?” I eyed Enif who simply drank tea.
 
“Yeah he was brought here. He usually comes here or some other places because
he was closest to Jupiter and we always need to interrogate him. His mind is a
bit addled. And his body weak. You know Blondies are really engineered a lot
and they also have special maintenance food but with Jupiter gone none of those
privileges are theirs anymore. He offered a bit to have a tussle so I topped
and bottomed him. He did for some good food and we had an agreement.”
 
I was feeling kinda sick. Iason whoring himself for food. Never thought I would
hear of the day or see it. But it was right here. And, it was the unprecedented
we must lie in wait for. That unprecedented had happened. When Iason was with
that guy in the pet party, was he also doing that for some food? He may have
chosen death but people may have decided they wouldn’t let him get killed. And,
Iason probably wanted to see what happened. But, this was seemingly unlike him.
 
“So, who is his owner now?”
 
“No one really takes him up permanently. They are also not keen to as he is
always beaten and interrogated and he becomes a miserable sobbing mass. Also,
people thought as he was the big shot before that it would be wise not to own
him permanently. Who wants the baggage, am I right?” Enif asked his rhetorical
question and signalled a waiter to give him more tea which he got.
 
I sat down by myself and drank my cappuccino.
 
I needed to see Iason Mink.
 
===============================================================================
 
“I had a feeling you would come to see me soon.” He smiled, he looked emaciated
and weak, I couldn’t bear to see him in such squalor and dirty surroundings but
I knew that every action could breed a reaction. These were the fruits of his
in some way, “I am so happy to see you.” He was in chains that restricted his
movements. He was in an oubliette of sorts and the floor was dirt and he only
had this plastic bucket to relieve himself. No water. I was scared he would get
really sick. “Don’t worry my hands are clean, I washed them with the last bit
of water I had.” He caressed my face, “You are as devastatingly beautiful as
you always were. Oh, dear Riki.”
 
“Iason.” I just said his name.  I was in the house of a new rich guy who used
to be a Ceresin. He was the same guy I saw slapping around Iason at the pet
party a few days ago. It seemed he had some immigrant, Earthian friends he was
trying to impress by getting the former highest of the high sucking his toes. I
didn’t know what to say or do. Everything felt numb aside his touch. I thought
I would shirk away and unpleasant memories would come forth. But seeing how
messed up he was looking and how weak he was I think I remembered the time he
was changing and we were in Apatia. When our lines blurred and he seemed
happier than I ever seen him, just staying with me. Sometimes, he would refrain
making love with me, then it was that, and just ask me how my day was. Seeing I
missed Bison would sometimes confuse him but he seemed to wanna sympathise a
bit. Then he wanted to cuddle with me or read to me. It felt weird but he once
bought a book, I think it was a small story, called The Overcoat and read it to
me. I had replied that maybe Gogol was saying that people of different classes
shouldn’t mix and that he, my overcoat, is gonna be lost on me forever. Then he
had replied that he ironically thought I was his overcoat and thought the same
thing. We had both looked at each other and laughed. That was one happy day.
 
He caressed my face, “You are always so beautiful. Your heart…” he trailed my
chest and my breath got sharp, “Is still these wires of ancient Ambrosia.
Forever, a deluge of empathy and defiance. Forever, pulsing with the nectar of
something unknown yet so powerful and potent.”
 
“I don’t know how to get you out of here yet.” I mumbled and held his hand
away, “Don’t go being poetic with me, it won’t serve you any good. I am useless
to you right now.” I had to look away.
 
Suddenly, I felt a powerful surge, like it was an impetuous impulse of
strength, “You think I just said that for something?! I said it because I meant
it!” Iason screamed as he gripped me and then started coughing and I had to
grab him as he was almost falling down.
 
“Iason, I really am sorry.”
 
“Now I know why you were defiant all this time.” And in his eyes, I saw my look
being mirrored, “You hated the pity. The condescension. Hmph, you are truly in
my shoes now.” Then he smiled warmly, “You could be one of the Blondies and
more. You have the mettle and stamina and behaviour for it that is for sure.”
 
“I see what I can…” I said quietly, he was still in my arms. But, then he got
up. It was like as if he was trying to impress me with his strength and
attention…but he was tired and weak as fuck and his eyes looked swollen and red
like he was drugged or also lacked sleep. “Do. This is worse than the slums.”
 
“Hehehe I have become more mongrel than you ever were.” Iason laughed all of a
sudden, loudly like a maniac and for a moment I was afraid guards would come to
subdue him or take him away like they did Orphe Zavi — however, he suddenly
stopped. Then I heard the sobbing.
 
“Iason.” It seemed I was useless. I could only mouth his name. But, then I held
him. And, Iason cried on me. He held me and cried. He held me close and bawled
like a baby. I stroked his hair and I felt completely devastated. I had never
wanted Iason to face this; not entirely. It seemed he had had enough
punishment. This had to stop.
 
“In one way I am glad this happened.” After five whole minutes, when he was
cried out for a while, he smiled at me, “Now, I know how you feel. Now, I
deserve you.”
 
In one rush, I didn’t stop it, I guess I was waiting a bit, or I would have
done it myself, he kissed me. Open mouthed. Hard and deep. Careless and
carefree. We closed our eyes. His tongue was like a bookmark that read my mouth
and mine was his as well. We tongued each other. He slowly, by instinct and
memory, grabbed softly my pants and stroked. I moaned a bit in some protest.
This couldn’t go too far already. I grabbed his hand and for once I pushed him
against the wall; his hands over his head. My grip strong and he looked amused
but he blinked and smiled.
 
“Look, I can’t get involved with you, especially not in this shithole.” I
looked at his pet’s uniform, all red and garish and that thong really caught up
in his ass.
 
“What do you suggest?” he asked me playfully, eagerly, and he kissed my neck
making me breath hard and softly nibbled my ears, and took in my breath. I had
to take in his as well. It felt like centuries and it was in a way with the
layers, the sediments of history between us — being rejuvenated by a phoenix
breath we did not know we had.
 
“First,” I looked at him again, “I will that ass-wipe that you be given proper
food and lodgings. If I stay over it may cause a ruckus and frankly I can’t
really make love with you when you look like you are gonna vomit or get knocked
out unconscious.” I did give him a knowing stare because mating was all ablaze
in his eyes, “Look, Iason,” my voice was gentler now, “We are two different
people. We aren’t the same anymore. I don’t think we can have a relationship
anymore, at least, not like that.”
 
Iason softly tugged on my hair, “I have waited…for you…don’t…don’t say stupid
shit Riki…” As expected he looked angry. I tugged his hair too a bit back and
made him look up a bit, away from me as he was definitely taller.
 
“Look Iason…” I was being nice, “I can’t just go back to fucking around with
you. I been to Earth. I almost like an honourer Earthian and things have
changed. I have grown up.”
 
“Have you outgrown me too?” He said this so lowly, like a whimper. I did not
know what bruised more. His ego or mine, or the fact that what he said might be
true? But I think it was more than his ego and that was really strongly there.
It was like he wanted me to need and want him. That age-old desire was always
within him. Even now. I felt kinda overwhelmed but also touched. Even in this
hell he wanted to burn with me because then we would burn away Hell and make
paradise appear: that’s how he looked at it, how he looked at our love. I was
mesmerised when I came upon this. Even as a pet, even when he had fallen to the
abyss and saw its core, at the amorphous floor of it he looked up or sideways
or down and saw me swimming with him either lower or higher. I was the face
that made him feel like any abyss could be a contradiction. That is how he
always profess his love to me. That I made him feel like being a Blondie
mattered. I made it bearable for him. Because there was not extraordinary about
him, he actually once said that to me, because he was just manufactured goods
and with me it felt he was human and more. He softly smiled. It was like I
reaffirmed his beliefs.
 
I sobbed, his love was still like that old one, I did not know if I could
return it but I was ashamed to think he could lose it so easily, obviously I
knew he had it but he still felt his love was the only high thing about him,
“Look,” my tears came and he fingered them away slowly, he even took one tear
on his mouth, swallowed the droplet as in licked it, then he licked my eyes and
kissed them, breathed in, “I haven’t outgrown you. You aren’t some pair of
pants, okay. You know I don’t fucking treat you like that. But, this is serious
Iason. I can’t endanger you and myself by doing anything so suddenly. Also, I
do feel we aren’t really ready for a relationship.”
 
“Then,” he kissed my mouth again, I had to allow him, I wouldn’t say I hated
it, it just felt like a memory that should belong to the past but I opened my
mouth and we danced in tongues again, I guess I didn’t have the heart to deny
him, also, I wanted to show him I cared and if a kiss worked, I am all for it,
“I just have to work hard to gain you back. Now, through the better ways of
courting you. Hmm, it is karma, I am kinda excited.” He said as we broke apart.
 
“Of, what?” I almost looked nervous and he had laughter in his eyes but then I
looked annoyed so he smiled and kissed my forehead.
 
“Of being your pet why of course.”
 
“Iason, this isn’t a game or a joke. I ain’t some fucking pervert like you. I
don’t like these slave and master games unless they have a place and they are
consensual to a fault.” I let him rub my fair and saw his face change from
being weak to enlivened joy as he breathed in my hair and tussled it and kissed
my ears again, “I mean I was never good at the pet thing, what makes you think
I would be good at the master thing?”
 
“You are a leader, born and borne for it.” He looked seriously when he said
that, then he smiled, “Also, you mastered me in Apatia. I think you always were
a bit of a master ever since Ceres. I was scared to admit it and you didn’t
give a fuck.”
 
“Still.” I just sighed, “I wanna be careful.”
 
“I will woo you,” he kissed my neck again, “You will see. It will be ingrained
into your bones and marrow that you can be my master and master me. We are both
alpha. I love it. I dealt with it when I realised it. You were never a pet. You
were always something more than that station. You are my love Riki the Dark,
dominant of Ceres, we are the North and South. We are meant to be the start
points and end points of the compass of love and desire. We are destined. I am
yours and you are mine. I would gladly wear a collar and flirt by your feet.
And, I know you would do the same.”
 
“Iason.” I smiled at him, “Get some sleep okay, we can talk about this later.”
 
He sighed and kissed me again, I think he sensed I was leaving, we lodged
tongues again and he tongued my teeth memorising my mouth, taking it in all
over again, “I look forward to our next date.”
 
“Is this a fucking date?” I looked at him in horror, “You have a cut on your
nose, your face has scratches and you are wearing a dirty thong. What kind of
date is this?”
 
“When he first met in Ceres,” Iason chuckled, “I was malicious enough to make
you cry. Take this as payment back. My debt overdue has now been paid in full.”
 
“That’s not funny Iason.” I chastised him with my worried eyes, “Eat something
okay. Be well. I am gonna come back soon.”
 
“As I said.” Iason smiled, “We will meet soon Riki the Dark.”
 
“Actually, I have a last name now it’s Celt.” I looked amused.
 
“Riki Celt.” His tongue said it, tasted it, “Sounds like the same sugar with
some chocolate sprinkled on it.”
 
We not each other goodbye. I didn’t wanna leave him in filth but I had no
choice at the moment.
 
“So, you that Pitbull fuck of hot crack huh.” Iason’s owner came up, “I heard
you shagged this guy before, I gotta say he gives good head.”
 
I grabbed him and pushed him against the wall and he yelped, “Listen here fuck
face! Iason Mink will be given his own room, good food and all the necessities
you fuck all ministers get! He is the high tier Blondie and I won’t stand him
being treated like filth because frankly it’s unimaginative, boring as fuck
like I bet you are like that in bed!” The last statement made him red, “If I
see him next time, which is soon, in that shithole I am gonna disembowel you!
And I am fucking Riki the Dark! People need me not you! You understand that
fuck face or do you need to choke on my dick in your mouth to help you better
understand what I said!”
 
“Alright, Alright!” he struggled, “I will treat him well I mean it!” he choked
as I had his neck, “Just…” he was struggling, “Lemme —“
 
I let him go. He coughed. But I kicked him in his stomach. Hard. Just to hone
it in. he was coughing and almost vomiting on the floor.
 
Good, if someone can mess with Iason, usually just teasing his head and making
him annoyed, it had to be me not these lame dicks.
 
I was still like a friend. If not a lover.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
 
“The dinner afterwards did become annoying.” I looked at him, “Please tell me
you didn’t come to fuck around with me.”
 
“I am sorry if that’s what you wanna know and hear.” Aisha blinked, “I am.”
 
“You look tired.” I noticed that he didn’t necessarily look rested. Though he
was still recuperating from his lack of food and rest he just looked tired
today.
 
“I…” he absentmindedly stroked his arm, “I didn’t like sleeping in my room
alone for two days.”
 
“Well, I didn’t like punching you either but such is life I am afraid.” I was
rude but hey I was pretty mad at him.
 
“Shall I go then?”
 
I looked at him. He was shivering a bit. I guess he felt cold. Either due to
the atmosphere or his own internal body felt cold. I could easily tell him to
leave and he, as both the lower in the current hierarchy and as a Blondie,
would probably just accept me telling him to sod off. But, I didn’t feel like
it. I guess I am not good at telling Blondies to fuck off anyway. I kinda laugh
inside. Truth is, he seemed so sad and alone. I just couldn’t bear it. It
actually hurt me.
 
“Aisha.” I say this quietly, “Do you wanna come over?” I say it though I know
he wants to, I just wanna hear it. “I mean, I’d like it as well.” I am not
above saying it. I think we already have enough ways we cannot say things out
of fear of disposal or losing rank.
 
I don’t think I noticed how quick Blondies could be in undressing — or, rather
I forgot Iason doing it — and before I could feel scared or panic at the
thoughts of life as an ex-pet I see the luscious legs and the beautiful chest
of Aisha Rosen. Though his ribs jutted out a bit, even their grooves and curves
had a beauty I could never forget, some tight muscles on his abdomen, the
strength of his lithe thighs, the soft textured faint glow skin sashaying with
that long silky blonde tresses and the half mauve and midnight blue lipstick
was a sight fit for some photo gallery. The skin ripped with breath, was
lighter than my own, the nipples pink, soft pink, a faint blush like the cheeks
that slightly go red. His sex, though not active, had good length. Around 3
inches it seemed without being nudged awake; not bad for an inactive one. The
pinkness of his foreskin was a bit darker than his nipples. He came closer to
me with his quick and fluid movements and just embraced me. His breath and hair
close to my neck; he felt like a sequence or a mass of breath and hair,
lipstick blue-mauve touching my neck like a fingerprint or lip mark on my
glassy pulse of veins. He seemed to be somehow drinking me in. I didn’t know
what to feel. I felt anyway. A nervousness I think, or was it arousal? I hadn’t
had…sexual intercourse in a while…the thought of doing it with Aisha was
suddenly getting my member and guts tingle a bit. To say I was tempted was the
least. I wanted to a bit. I felt love in his embrace or what appeared to be
love. Understanding a growing love…or an affection.
 
Katze had called him the Unyielding Elite one but it seemed that we both have
yielded. Yielded — was that the word I should use? I knew no other word and
this one felt right. Yielded to what would be a good question. It could not
only be the prospect of sex. That would be too basic. And, nothing we were
engaging in now was basic. I was nervous. I got a bit suspicious for a while
about the nature of his closeness and the fact what he would do with it. He
seemed to be reading my thoughts or my body language, or, perhaps neither; just
simply he caressed my hair and cuddled closely. He sighed a bit, his breath
closer to my neck, then I could feel the tip of tongue and I didn’t recoil
immediately and I was wondering if I have should. Though, the tip seemed to
have only stuck out for a moment and then it passed. He didn’t look at me and I
felt him rather than look at him. I was nervous. I think, from a slight shiver
I felt with my arm and hand near his spine, I could feel his nervousness
slightly there. I knew that Aisha Rosen may not be a virgin but something about
this encounter, this mass of arms and legs, us staying in this position felt
like a virginal experience. Even to me. Iason had been demanding, aggressive,
at times coolly aloof and though our positionality has changed I didn’t expect
the former elite to help me yield and yield himself. Our proximity was strange
chemistry. It begot things. I could feel his breath again, now he seemed to
blow a bit on my neck. I shiver and trailed my fingers on his spine. He
shivered too. Both can play that game, I almost let out a chuckle but when our
gaze met then I think both our eyes were laughing. We turned to face each
other. I was still in my boxers. Aisha looked down on them. With looking at me
and seeing me not shaking my head he slowly tugged at the elastic; hoping, I
would buck my hips and slowly allow him to undress me.
 
His assumptions were correct.
 
I don’t mean to resist. I think I should but another thought says I shouldn’t.
Why I didn’t know. But, I didn’t wanna question it. Something told me I did
know. However, I didn’t wanna ruin this moment with questioning things. All I
wanted was to see where it goes and what we can both get and/or learn from it.
There is one thing I am certain about. I am scared now. There is a tip of the
tongue again, licking a bit longer now, soft stabs of the tongue as I buck my
hips and allow him to completely unsheathe my sex. This wasn’t what I had
completely planned. I knew something had to be done about Aisha but this was a
bit of an expedited outcome. What outcome — still in this process of whatever.
I am pretty concerned where an outcome can lead because I well ahead knowing
that this will not stop here, whatever this would become, and I am nervous not
only because I can’t really name it but because I am not sure about it. I,
genuinely, didn’t wanna hurt Aisha’s feelings because despite him being an
unyielding, non-empathetic type of person I think he had some feelings of his
own, which he couldn’t ignore, invested here. Also, I think this time he wasn’t
really only thinking about himself. It scared me to know what he was thinking.
How he would be doing things. How would be doing things. Now, my sex was out
and Aisha looked at it. My skin colour was fair but light bronze, I had a sheen
to it almost like soft caramel, unlike his which was lighter, like alabaster I
would say tinged with a light blue not really from his veins (my veins were
prominent, caramel mixed with green, blue and purple with freckles of red; Guy
loved them, so did Iason) because his body didn’t have any veins showing,
unlike mine, he was more or less like one uniform colour with daubs of light
purplish-blue glow. I wonder if his symmetry, unexpectedly, motioned to his
unyielding status before. I do not think Jupiter completely planned it in his
DNA sequencing but it was partly there as the effects of who and what he was.
Blondies become unnerving like this. Though, I feel they feel the same way
about us. So, here I am again with a Blondie. Though the trajectory was
different. It just felt somewhat the same. Ironically, upon reflection I knew
Iason had the same curiosity I had when he first had me. What would I be like?
Aisha was no different in that prospect. He was eager but he also felt a thrill
of fear like me.
 
Aisha looked at my dick nonchalantly. The size unawake was 4 inches. Well,
let’s say 4.5 because there was a tingle and it would be fair to omit that out.
Aisha just looked at it. His hand on my thigh, slowly trailing up and down; my
breath becomes hitched a little and his had become raspy when he got my consent
to open my boxers. His eyes now gazed at me widely; I do not know how to
discern his emotions, was it affection? I could feel his face getting closer,
his nose touches mine, that small union make us both shiver. I can feel it with
my hand on his spine and he reads it on my thigh. Both our chest expands,
hitching of breaths. I could see want now, in his eyes, real, untainted want. I
am confused by it. I thought most Blondies aside Iason would find me
deplorable. Though I feel I had already deduced after all the events, that what
I had been taught was wrong, in Guardian, in Midas, in Ceres, in Tanagura and
definitely Eos. No matter how high a person was they could still be
intimidated. I intimidated Blondies. I wasn’t easily categorical to them and I
think many people realise you couldn’t categorise people based only on their
desires. It was true that when I was shown the dreams and wants of the Bison
members including Kirie I was shocked. It didn’t occur to me that I had such a
sexual magnetism that all of them wanted me and were a bit jealous of Guy for
having me. In Earth, I came to accept it as a blessing. Maybe, God somewhere
knew what he was doing when he gave me this sexual prowess. It served me well
in the sense Bison had listened to me. I realised it was only natural what they
wanted. They saw me as leader material. My charisma was both strong but no so
aggressive that it makes them intimidated or made them feel scared. It made
them feel protected and wanted. What I did for them, without knowing, was make
them feel valuable so their attraction to me was to make me feel valuable.
Right now, at this moment, Aisha was feeling partly the same. He proved my
point. The Blondies were afraid of falling and feeling like the lowest of the
low. All of them may have developed a taste of me in their own ways but would
never admit it. Only Aisha seemed brave enough to do that. Only Aisha didn’t
seem to care about that class distinction anymore. Yes, he still had his pride
as a person and his dignity as a Blondie. He just didn’t wanna censor what he
could feel and what he felt he truly was meant to feel. Unlike me, I was being
less brave than him. I think I wasn’t being so strong as him. I wanted to thank
him but maybe this didn’t seem like a good time to do it.
 
“Aisha…” I started looking at his wide eyes, “Aisha, I…listen…” I was
struggling and his mouth took a tug of concern, “I have been told to have sex
with you. I know you already guessed that or knew that seeing you have high
intelligence and you already may have thought about the benefits of it. I can’t
begrudge you that because that is only natural. But, I just don’t wanna have
sex because I have been told to. Or, I have to. It feels like we are both pets
told to please someone.”
 
“You are not a pet; you are a master.” Aisha suddenly said casually, “I will
respect any decision you make.” This was said in a more common stoic manner,
like his unyielding attribute was showing again. “But…” this look was intense,
“I have calculated the benefits of sleeping with you; there are many.
Adversely, there are none. I am okay with either route. I have somewhat
resigned myself to it. I cannot say it is a permanent resignation. I may feel
differently later on. But, you seem like a decent human being. I am counting on
your sympathy and empathy to help my future course.” This was true, though I
was kinda annoyed, it showed but he smiled at me, his smile was honest and
bright, it broke my chagrin and I had to slightly smile too, I don’t think I
ever saw a Blondie smile like this before, so full of purity, even hope. It was
breathtakingly beautiful; probably, it wasn’t just a Blondie thing, it was just
a human thing, “However, right now…” his grip on my thigh was firmer, even if
it took away no gentleness, “I wanna fuck you and be fucked by you. I wanna
make love, gentle, rough, deep and dainty. I want both of us to be spent. To
know we can be. I just wanna be with you in this way now. I don’t care what
others said for you to do and what others would say because they can say all
they like to dictate this arrangement. But you are very intelligent too. You
have already figured out what you want and I am sure you are going to follow it
through. I am not saying this to butter you. I have seen you. There is
something really beautiful about you. You are such a good human being that it
annoys me but also pains me that you must deal with crap. I wanna help you. I
don’t care being your pet if it makes I can help you and be with you. Stay with
you and just know you. I think I can be pleased with it if not thoroughly
content or happy. That is my truth.”
 
My other hand cupped his right cheek, I tilted to face him more, “I don’t want
you to be a pet.” I confessed, “I just want you to be you. And, me be me.” I
almost looked away shyly, “I think I don’t mind this. If you want. But, I will
feel bad. I mean it was advised and suggested to me. I don’t want this to be
some weird ass political statement.”
 
“Look at it this way,” he caressed my face, cupped it with his free hand too,
“We are killing two birds with one stone. It will be good. You don’t have to
mention it if no one doesn’t ask, no one needs to know how it happened. We just
can do this and it will be our own thing. I know I want you. You want me, too
right?” The last part was shadowed by a concern. I think he was debilitating if
I would remind him too much of Iason and would back out or remember what had
happened to me.
 
I breathed in deep, closed my eyes, opened them with a smile that made Aisha
look at me dazed, half-hooded eyes, “Of course, I do. I would be lying if I
don’t.”
 
“Then.” Aisha smiled.
 
I think it was enough of talking. Doing was beginning.
 
My eyes became half-hooded too.
 
I think he rushed first to kiss me slowly on my lips, then a soft sucking on my
neck, making me moan and continuing a kiss, open mouthed this time. We drank in
each other, our lips biting and sucking, tongues all erect and wet at the
actions of us sucking in air and then sucking on each. I couldn’t contain
myself with only kissing. I went to his nipples and kissed each one and sucked
on one making him cry out. I was on top of him. Felt his dick rubbing on my
thigh, brushing against mine, making me go from semi-harness to full on
attention. Aisha was still breathing in and out as I sucked on each of his
nipples. He grabbed my hair and bit my ears making me stop at times from
tenderly licking or sucking his nipples. I did give some hard bites here and
there at times. I wanted a tempo and he seemed to love in it too.  His hair,
long and blonde, roped against my darker mane and my body, my earlobes he blew
on and sucked and then went to the top of my ears. I could feel his smile. His
excitement and I am sure he could feel mine. I sucked on his ribs, palmed where
there was bone protruding and kissed on the sheathe of skin. His eyes closed
and seemed to half-roll as I did that. I kissed a nipple and went to his right
hip, kissing it and teething the skin, hoping some fat would come there to
teeth and pinch. I could feel his breath raspy and aggressive as he bit my
right shoulder sucked on it, went for my neck teethed it, the left side then
went for the middle swallowing my pulse and the long skin of my neck and biting
hard on one of my collarbones making me dizzy and also rolling my eyes. I had
to stop then I went forward in sucking on his small muscles on his mid-abdomen,
licking in circles around his pre-naval, then naval, now I was down so Aisha
could only grip my hair and thumb my ears and neck. I locked at his hard sex
that had been rushing at me, hoping to stab me too, at all this arousal.
 
“Me?” I gave a position in my eyes. He nodded.
 
Of course, I think it would go both ways. I engulfed his dick into my mouth and
Aisha just moaned out loud as I sucked it. I sucked it in rhythms.  Then licked
its sides, he had veins there which I kissed and blew on, mouthed on and he was
just moaning and gripping my hair so hard that I felt and odd mixture of
pleasure and pain. I licked his balls, kissed his tip, then sucked on one ball
and my hand encircled his dick and pumped for a few minutes, with him moaning
and bucking his hips a bit, then swallowed his tip, encased his length whole,
pinched softly his balls, kissed his inner thigh. Kissed his length and
swallowed a ball again going on to swallow his dick. All of these motions made
him lose himself. In a sequence of moans Aisha let out a few pre-cum and while
he wanted to move away, I held him on and winked. That seemed to make him lose
it. In a few moments, his hips were moving up and down, he was crying out, I
even glanced him bite his mouth and then he his cum came in my mouth and I just
swallowed. I got up and saw that he was also teary and I let my tongue hand and
saliva and remnants of cum pooled on his face and he opened his mouth to
receive it a while later and then tugged on my tongue with his mouth and we
kissed deep. He was now playing with my nipples and he seemed happy when I
moaned into his mouth here and there.
 
Now, we switched positions. He was on top and he swiftly, with really amazing
speed, went down and swallowed my cock whole. My dick was now jetting out pre-
cum and he seemed to lick them to the top and swallow my cock again and then
swallow my balls and then just go up and down on my cock with his mouth, his
hands pinching balls lightly but the rhythm he sucked. He sucked in slow,
ministering pulls and each time he did fucking that…with a pinch on my balls my
entire body hitched and I let out a moan here and there. He was good at this
too. His mouth stopped for a while and kissed and teethed the base of my
member. Then he used his index finger to rub there and the adjoining skin of my
dick making me writhe. He sucked on my base then he sucked and licked my
foreskin and I see this mad look of excitement in his eyes and kissed my member
hole and thrust his tongue in there a couple of times making me palm his hair
and even yank it a bit. Fuck, this guy knew what to do to me. He teethed my tip
and mid a bit more then just swallowed my cock again. Up and down and up and
down and I fisted his hair and I looked at him and he nodded and soon he too
ate my cum out. Then he moved up, I saw his mouth was still kinda full and
kissed me, saliva and cum came out from the side of our mouths and swallowed
him and myself eagerly.
 
Then Aisha just lifted himself a bit. I had taken his consent with “me” before
so he slowly, biting my lip, with a weird smile on his face, just slowly put
himself down. I gasped so did he. The tightness was throbbing. He was pulling
himself inch by inch down, stopping only to moan out. Then my dick was fully
in. He bit the tip of his index finger, naughtily, and then just started his up
and down movements and he took a nice pull at each other as I also moved my
body here and there to assist him. We kissed and we both the laughing in our
eyes. It was so long for each of us to have a union like this. We were both in
control. We loved it that we respected each other. He loved in and out, drawing
out at times, my hips followed and I held him at times when I wanted to move
faster and he bit his lip each time we did that. Then he also pushed on me when
he wanted to feel his cock deeper or faster here and out. Soon, I could feel my
body twisting and I was so afraid I looked up but Aisha looked like he wanted
me to. So, in a few moments, with Aisha coming out pre-cum I was putting all of
it inside him. Aisha in a moment came too and it was on my navel. I think we
both were crying a bit. The aftereffects of it getting both of us.  
 
We stayed still for a while. Both kinda tired. I then slowly got him out and
got on top of him. We were just kissing now. We both bit each other’s
shoulders. Sucked on each other’s collarbones. Then I nodded and Aisha slowly
pushed himself and I just gave out a yell as I felt his thickness. Aisha moved
in and out and was smiling and bit my lips and also got down and up. I loved
feeling him in me too. I licked my lips and kissed him as I rode him. Then he
slowly stopped and got on top of me and entered again and started moving fast,
slow, hard then deep or light and if I moved my hips or wanted him to go a
certain way I did as before. We both laughed too in middle of it and kissed
each other. Then with my nod Aisha came too, completely, never moving away. His
teeth gritting, his eyes fluttering, I looked hood eyed and then we kissed.
 
Then we both were each other’s sides. Aisha was just grinning and beaming,
“Riki, that was so amazing. That was so perfect.”
 
“Yeah it was, Aisha, thank you, that was just so thrilling.” I felt exhausted
and I felt he did too. I smiled and grinned brightly too and we kissed each
other on the lips, on the corner of our lips and then our foreheads.
 
“I should be thanking you,” he caressed my face, “Oh Riki, I think that is the
best I ever fucking had. You are such a kind and wonderful lover. Who the fuck
can resist you? I think no one.”
 
“You are too beautiful too.” I said, “Thank you, you too you know, that is like
a best for me too, you have such wonderful expressions, damn, you’re
irresistible. Look who is talking I am surprised people are not mauling you.”
 
We both embraced each other, “You make eternity seem reachable. I never knew
that feeling, Thank you. It’s as beautiful as you.”
 
“You make me feel so right again, thank you, you make me feel like me. Like the
planets are aligned.” I rubbed my nose on his and he did the same.
 
I think we slept asleep.
 
I didn’t dream. I didn’t need too. A dream was here and we both were living it.
 
 
Chapter End Notes
     Yeah Velevay was so inspired by Aisha Rosen I decided you know what
     fuck it let it be Aisha Rosen because at that time I didn't know his
     name. Oh yeah, in the new OVA Jupiter is more guy like anyway so
     kinda wanna make him a guy not a girl. I hope you enjoyed all of
     that. Ohhhh Riki and Aisha totally did it! What is Iason gonna say
     about that!? Stay tuned! Please gimme reviews! One of the reasons I
     updated is because of your nice reviews ;)
***** The Debut *****
Chapter Summary
     Your reviews made me SO HAPPY! I started working on the next chapter
     immediately! And, I was able to finish and now it's here! HOpe you
     guys enjoy
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
 
 
The_Debut 
 
“You know I told Guy a long time ago that there are loves in this world that
are hard to understand or even accept; but, they can only be reciprocated in ta
particular way. What I said was only half-true because if there are loves that
can only be reciprocated in that way where one has to be a ‘master’ or a ‘pet’
then there is bound to be actions adverse to that and if one category or the
other found that other ways to be in love together. I think the master and pet
situation was situational and both you and Iason got it. When you goaded on Guy
telling him you liked what Iason did, you weren’t lying but you weren’t telling
the truth. You didn’t tell him that Bison was somewhat in trouble, you didn’t
completely mention that you had some times with Iason in Apatia and that you
may have really liked the sex. Adversely, Iason was never understanding that
maybe you were not really loving everything; the sex was like narcotic, you got
dependent on it because it helped lessen your depression. I think he was in
denial, that Iason. He was so madly in love with you he should have remembered
that madness can blind people more than people having their eyes got out in
Ranaya Uugo. Then again, I think that only showed that the Blondies were more
human than you and I knew. Because they were so designed to exhibit what we
could call ‘greatness’ their mistakes were great too. I suppose I can
understand why you feel annoyed by him. Though, your compassion is something to
be expected.”
 
“Heh, you are really trying to appease my anger aren’t you, Katze?”
 
“I am not above admitting when I am wrong.” Katze had a leisurely look, frankly
he usually looked pretty calm which made me get a bit annoyed at him, now, he
seemed more relaxed than usual, his cigarette was in the ashtray next to the
side table that occupied this large drawing room in Kirie’s house. This is one
of the three or four drawing rooms he had. In fact, this large drawing room,
was like a 20x20 space and I think that counted for something. There were many
leather chairs around, synthetic fur and real fur (there were cows here in Amoi
that grew fuzz like fur) carpets and small coffee tables here and there. The
wood looked rich bronze and polished to perfection. The room’s light module was
now on the “twilight fauna” setting which created the ambience of twilight and
that soft tint of clouds and sun. Outside, I think dusk would be around soon
but we had kept some of the windows closed. There was one window that lead to
an outside veranda; I was planning of having tea there and looking at some
personal mail I have received from Earth. The weather channel had boasted that
the twin moons would appear tonight again and that soft breeze is coming from
the location of Dana Bahn; ironic that place would be a source of twilight
comfort. “Well,” Katze took back his cigarette in his mouth and seemingly
teased in his mouth playfully; if I didn’t know better I would call that
flirtatious, “To the right kind of people.”
 
I frowned, “Heh, you pretty much lectured me in the car all the way to show
that I was wrong in being nice to Aisha but…” I look at him mad, “Do you really
want me to treat Aisha the way that Enif is treating Orphe Zavi?”
 
“I never said that!” Now, he looked mad and frankly Katze never gets mad so I
felt a bit confused, intimidated but mostly didn’t want unnecessary conflict.
Though, I was not going to back down however this goes, “Do you really think I
am pretty happy how Orphe Zavi is being treated?”
 
“Aren’t you?”
 
“Don’t test me Riki.” He looked mad and stubbed out his cigarette even before
it was half finished, “I mean seriously what do you want me to say sorry? I bet
you wanted Aisha to say sorry too, didn’t you?”
 
“What does that supposed to mean?” I looked at him intently, a glare somewhere
hidden behind my teeth.
 
“You say you understand us then you want us to apologise.” Katze looked me dead
in the eye, “Either you feel you are too special that’s why you need the
apologies or hearing them makes you feel better.”
 
I was a bit surprised. Maybe, he wasn’t far off, “Look, I…” nervousness
plastered all over me, “I get it you’re mad and maybe I am mad too. But, you
can’t tell me it was okay. You know it was somewhat counterintuitive to what
you were suggesting.” I looked on, a nervous a bit, truth was I didn’t want a
fight with either Katze or Kirie, I knew they were friends, they were my family
and I didn’t want my actions to be a disaster especially when it was not a big
deal. Yes, he hid stuff from me but he may have his reasons, besides if I got
angry for no reason, it would be too stupid.
 
“Look, I am sorry.” Katze raised his hands up, I did the same gave an
apologetic nod which he accepted; turning to light another cigarette, “The way
you were acting with Aisha I just didn’t know if I should tell you about Orphe
or other Blondies. I am not saying I agree with what is happening with them but
many of them are pretty much enemies to the revolution. I mean aside execution
and hard labour they had no other recourse in the matter. I mean, the Galactic
Commonwealth would need time to accept them even as peons again. This isn’t a
game though it seemingly is structured as one. I can’t have too much sympathy
or empathy on the plate; or, too much perversion and violence, it’s a weird tip
of the scales. We are lucky that unlike Earth revolutions we are not having so
much torture, rapes, murders, mutilations and the sorts. Revolutions can be
messy too; you think even I didn’t get assaulted by some of the ‘finer
officers’ it happens and though I don’t wanna just accept it as it came I feel
I need to move away from it. It’s the only way I can somehow lead. Many of the
ministers in Amoi are pretty much useless without some goals. We need to make
them effective because the right to vote leaders is still being shaped…we
decided to go with a Prime Minister cabinet with one Digamma Prime Minister,
five Orion Prime Ministers, 12 ministers and then 20 officials in other tiers
of work. To implement this type of government, we need more stability. Seven
years isn’t enough Riki. Right now, Kirie is designated as the Alpha Prime
Minister. —“
 
“Wow,” I was such a fool I had not asked Kirie what sort of minister he was and
what was the new government system in place, he was basically top dog now, this
was really a long way from Bison or anything he could have dreamed about or
even I could conceive, “He is the acting Digamma Prime Minister?”
 
“Yeah, I know you are still somewhat new but Riki you should see more media and
read the papers,” I frowned and sighed nodding at my blunder while he chuckled
as though he wanted to hug me, “But, I guess the presidential home is supposed
to be bigger than this. It is being made, not that construction should have
taken long but we were under some impediment as some of our funds had to be
used for some other ventures; like stopping Ranaya Uugo from expanding. After
the first days of the revolution’s victory there was still chaos and people
tried to use that to their perverse advantage by sex trafficking, we were able
to stop that and send survivors to be treated immediately in the top of the
line hospitals. Now, Ranaya Uugo is no longer the limelight of nefarious
activities though it exists and is smaller now. The revolution also helped NGOs
and Sentient Life Rights organisation to attack Ranaya Uugo and bring forth
outer world people who funded it to light. Needless to say, careers were
destroyed and some suicides did happen. Some people just kept on moving but
knew their time in power were clearly over.
 
After all Jupiter databanks was a rich, uncensored source of information. Like
an expert bookkeeper he had kept most of the transactional things that people
did divided them by sections and numbers like a good computer. Oh, yes, he had
security for it as well…” Answering when my mouth opened and he deduced what
question I was going to ask him, “There were complex set of ‘games’ that worked
as his security. Basically, the security used a mathematical principle called
Zeno’s Behaviour. There were transfinite pieces of chess boards all piled up
playing chess, each game had a victor and a loser and the security meant the
chess games on each distinctive board will be kept on playing. This allows that
if any board is disrupted individually it either realigns its space and starts
game again to a default computation or it generates a checkmate move to get you
out of the system. Of course, the only way to cause the system to implode is to
cause a domino effect that reaches all the games and makes them fold: you can’t
break the chess pieces as they would obliterate data.
 
Also, the attack on the set had to simultaneous so advanced computers of the
Galactic Commonwealth and people just helped the domino effect. First, the
domino effect could be caused if the games being played had a function change
but to do this you did to take each quadrant or chess board and make sure that
each side does the impossible: get checkmate on each side, to do that you also
had to change the behaviour of the chess board, you either had to trick one
chess board to believe a game has ended and not reset its pieces allowing a
check to happen or slow or speed down its game to make it make a false move
making both sides had a check. Now, you had to do this in all the quadrants.
So, to this you needed to study the games of chess which moved pretty fast
anyone and were reset in a reframing time of around 5 seconds so there was
trial and error involved but as to make sure that the system lockdown don’t
shut us out or causes the materiality of the other game to change we made
pockets of glitches that were like small computer virus that fed pockets of
false data to the chess boards as though nothing has gone by using earlier data
or predictive data to confuse the other quadrants. After making the trans
infinite checkmates the system started to ripple and face distortions due to
the domino effect. But, this may cause data distortions so we had also
implemented with small pockets matrix spheres that allowed to catch data in
finite sequences and bring it over to us to secure data without contamination
of neighbouring spills and likewise from its own checkmated self. It took over
3 years to do.”
 
“I can tell you had once hacked Jupiter so you were an indispensable part of
this.” I smiled, “And it seems just like Jupiter to use a messy chess board
either/or system that would actually make no sense aside to keep decoded data
and all that works best in him. Though,” I cocked my head, “Something tells me
that the chess board and all of that was an exquisite design of his to make
sense of well existential data in general. Wonder if he made a summation of all
of those Zeno’s behaviour, like don’t series like Grandis I read have an
erstwhile summation which is Cesáro summation?”
 
“Yup.” He smiled, “You seem to become well-read Riki.” I had to blush at this
statement and rub my head, “Not that your perception and intelligence were ever
in doubt. I knew it. Iason used to admire it,” The latter statement made me
look at him directly, “Yes. Iason. You know he always raved about your
intelligence. He said you were devastatingly beautiful not only for you disdain
and your seeming inability to fawn on anyone but also your lack of stupidity.
He said compared to many Blondies you were pretty perceptive and addressed
issues accordingly, not sequentially, like there was a difference. You know
ironically, Aisha mentioned the same thing to me too, just today morning.” The
last statement made me somewhat squirm.
 
I blushed a bit, “He really said, Aisha Rosen said that?”
 
“I take it you guys did it.” Katze looked amused, “And I think Aisha saw the
benefits of it. Though, you both seem to be pretty sentimental about it.”
 
“Look, stop this castration by proxy act.” I said it and his eyes grew wide,
“You may not have a penis but you surely have feelings. You aren’t some
neutered cat or dog though I know you wanna act like it at times. I know you
also loved Iason, sometimes like that. Maybe, you were angry at me because he
found me more suitable? I know one reason you and Iason felt you couldn’t have
a relationship because you had no penis.” I glared at him and he blinked,
“That’s bullshit. But I know it was that and more —“
 
“Riki, I will forget you said that.” Katze glared back.
 
“Why?” I smiled cockily.
 
“Because, it isn’t completely right.” Katze stopped glaring, “I may once have
had feelings for Iason but I think I started liking someone else. Iason was,
is, well a form of friend and an inspiration to me. But, yeah, maybe Iason
never approached me because I had no dick. Perhaps, even if I had one he would
consider me more of a rival than a lover,” he seeming saw my questioning face,
then smiled, “After all I messed around with Jupiter and was able to do
something he only dreamed about; if he dreamed about it at all I am sure he did
especially after he had you.” Katze winked, I looked a bit smug and blushed,
“But even so my affections lie elsewhere now.”
 
“I wonder,” I put a hand on my face, “Where do they lie?” A waiter came in at
the moment, he was an ex-slave, but he looked purebred, I looked at him and
recognised him but before I call out his name, which was stuck in my throat, he
asked us if we need anything and then gave me a strange look of recognition too
but properly curtsied out, “Hey,” I looked at the direction of the exit, “Isn’t
that Sohya?”
 
“Yup.” Katze smiled, “He isn’t really a waiter. Rather I saved him from
disposal so he has decided to become my assistant.” Then he smiled, a bit of a
knowing smile. That smile was pretty much a definition.
 
“No way,” I laughed, “Really, Katze, I mean is he around? And, he isn’t your
pet, is he?”
 
“No, No.” Katze smiled, “He still kept some aspects of his old job. We need him
around and his expertise? Frankly, he looks relieved. He felt Jupiter used to
overwork him.”
 
“Really Katze, Gilbert Domina.” I laughed again, “Well, it’s not a far
stretch.” I winked, “You guys jurisdiction is almost the same.” Then I looked
at him, “Are you two dating?”
 
“I actually proposed and I think he may say ‘yes’ seeing Blondies are
genetically altered to look at things with a ferocious opportunism and logic.
But,” Katze looked at his cigarette, “I was hoping he likes me too. Though I
did ask him because I miss the closeness with Iason? But Iason and Gilbert are
so different, in fact Gilbert thinks Iason should have even begged to be
reinstated as he was pretty much Jupiter’s fav and best of all Blondies being
their leader in a way. Gilbert always have a bit of a bitchy attitude towards
Iason. Not saying he is so sad that there is no Jupiter; in fact, he feels it’s
fate that he is still working the spy network of Amoi while as he puts it Iason
is ‘sucking dicks and cunts and tits and all’ because many Blondies, aside
maybe Aisha and Raoul, did not at all like Iason. They were covetous to his
position and positionality and somewhat hated him. They did have some of their
own qualms with Jupiter too. Whether small or large.”
 
“I am thinking Domina does like you…” I say it a bit sheepishly, “I mean I know
I have no evidence but I think Blondies themselves wanna experience things now.
I feel you are an experience in your right so there is no way he can say no.”
 
“Like Aisha didn’t” he winked.
 
“Well, I do like Aisha a bit you know that Katze.” I shrugged, “I think he is a
nice guy.”
 
“I think he feels safer than Iason?”
 
“Everyone feels safer than Iason…” I groaned and looked at him with playful
annoyance, then with seriousness, “I don’t use relationships as placeholders to
figure out my feelings for Iason. I know I came to love the non-asshole Iason.
And, that is something I accepted. But, Aisha is different. I feel he has
potential. Sometimes, I see myself in him.” I blinked, “I used to be unyielding
too in many ways. I hated caring too much, maybe Guy saw this and criticised
me. I hated caring about Ceres or anything. I see that in Aisha. He doesn’t
care, or before he didn’t, because he didn’t see in a point of caring. He
thought empathy was weak and saw no value in it. I can’t blame him. I mean
caring in a society run by Jupiter may drive you mad and numb. It was better to
look at calculations, processes and data revisions to get things done and not
think too much outside that centre. He made his feelings peripheral and at
times he had none. He was used to having none. I knew this feeling. I fought
against it later on and he didn’t. If I was in Aisha’s place I probably be like
him. So, now, I feel I have to be with him. I wanna see where this goes. I am
starting to care about him a lot. Don’t judge me on it.”
 
Katze looked at his cigarette, almost done so he stubbed it, “Riki. I didn’t
know you could make such an analogy between yourself and Aisha. I am kinda
impressed.” Katze looked at me then beamed, “I never judged you and I am sorry
if I sounded like it. You know I am not like that. I guess I was merely trying
out a strategy for political reasons. I feel that I was chasing you away so I
apologised. I want you closer friend.”
 
“Don’t say sorry.” I told him, “I feel you were doing your duty, just don’t
micromanage,” I winked, “I got this Katze.”
 
“You clearly do.” Katze just looked at me. There was a confidence there now,
like he could trust me with more things. I am not completely sure if it was
well grounded but I was happy to prove the worth of it being focused on me.
Katze looked at me, there seemed to be a question now on his lips, “Iason, you
met him? You made sure that Ceresin didn’t hurt him, right?”
 
“Yup.” I nodded. “I was wondering when we could talk about that, Katze. I am
worried about him Katze. Can’t he stay here with me and Kirie?”
 
“I think you need to get your own place.” Katze genuinely looked helpless,
“There is no way Kirie would allow that guy to stay seeing Iason really messed
him up and I am sure he will torture Iason for the fuck of it if he stayed, no
he is not gonna be above that and it would be unfair to think he would be
seeing Iason wasn’t above it and we think Blondies can be.” The latter part was
directed at my wide eyes. Would Kirie do such a thing? Now, that Katze
mentioned it there was no reason he wouldn’t. It made sense. I mean Iason did
ruin Kirie’s life. It’s funny. Iason sure had the Plague touch with the Midas
one. Well, if one knew the story of Midas one knew that he later died of
starvation and loneliness seeing he turned his kingdom to gold and people with
it. What would be the boon or bruise of the Plague touch? That he fucked up
more people and in their vengeance, he will learn humanity? I wouldn’t say that
made no sense.
 
Ironically, Midas was named accurately. It was the source of much pleasure and
pain like Midas touch was. It is somewhat good it is now Autolycus. There is no
reason to separate Eos and Midas anymore and it felt better not too. Though,
from what I did see in the news Midasians former were eager to be call just
that, Midasians and Eosines were eager to be still be called Eosines. There was
much instability between Midasians and Eosines; much contempt on both side.
Political forces would use this unrest, both domestic and foreign, to generate
favour in their sway if it allowed to fester.  I think it was a good strategy
to keep Gilbert Domina as an espionage specialist. After all, Katze had his
hands full as he seems to be helping erect the backbone of new Amoi (Kirie was
clearly its heart). The only way, I felt, is to keep allowing the Midasians and
Eosines their cultural differences but still feeling as whole Autolycate
philosophy. I am sure the Midasians and Eosines will find common grounds;
though it may be inevitable that some Midasians would bond better with some
Eosines than others and vice versa. I had read some papers that the jewellery
section in former Midas only do business with high ranking ex-pets for Eos and
courtesans of Midas, many who were ex-pets by default of outstaying their age
bracket in Eos. The more mercantile prone of Eos, however, were doing well with
the actual merchants of Midas. There is also a rift between the artisan classes
of Midas and Eos because Eos and Midas artisans, many were very much united. It
seemed one percent was not due to old personal wounds from before and also the
fact that Eosine theatre was considered less artistic and too sexual by some
Midasians. I think there was a minimalism movement of existential flare in
Midas now which combined Japanese Noh theatre and Earthian, Western aspects of
Beckett. In fact, I am supposed to see a play of one of the them in Autolycus
simply called “The Debut.”
 
“I think I will convince Kirie if not I may need to get my own place anyway.” I
sighed, “Though, I wasn’t planning to get involved in all these politics and
stuff. I know that seemed stupid. I know I am already involved in a lot of
things. It just feels like I shouldn’t completely be here. I am not wanting to
be the symbol of freedom for the Revolution. I messed up and I did go along
with Iason. Our story maybe has some merit but it shouldn’t be hyper imposed on
the whole freedom movement and wars because it involved nothing from me and I
am not gonna say it did. Also, I am not sure if I am a leader in this or a good
leader in this because I mean I just came in after literally much of the action
was over. I didn’t do much at all.”
 
“We need you because you do realiseall of this.” Katze looked like he was
chiding me, “You realise all of this and those are qualities of a good leader.
We need your voice to help the veterans be recognised and also to help assure
people they have power and that emancipation was not possible without them.
When you left, you were glamourized but it is up to you to rub that image off
and make a new one which is approachable and real. That is a duty I feel you
would be happy to do and know you are the one to do it.”
 
I nodded. He was right. I still struggled to see myself as a great political
leader but the fact I need to help people makes me determined.
 
“I still don’t know how long I would stay…” I confessed frankly, “I was
supposed to come here as a vacation then Kirie wanted me to also be his
advisor. Now,” I cocked my head once again, “Something tells me you want me to
run as one of the ministers?”
 
Katze smiled, “I should give you credit Riki. You read me much better than most
others.”
 
“It may be a problem if I do that.” I completely understood his position but
the tinge of nervousness in his voice seemed to alarm him too, “I am also an
Earthian citizen now; I have got the Diamond status card and I have filled up
for passports to be naturalised. I also have a place in Ireland somewhat
reserved for all of those plans. I don’t think they allow duel citizenships to
Ministers nowadays. I know Amoi has become a sort of port planet for Earth but
they, both people of Amoi and the Earthians, may see my position as a conflict
of interests. This isn’t how I planned on losing my Earth inhabitation.”
 
“Well, it wasn’t so unprecedented in your imaginations right Riki?” Katze
looked annoyed now, “I know you had given it some thought. Look, honest truth,
we are short staffed of good leader material and the Galactic Commonwealth
knows this. A good way to resolve this may be to put the Blondies back in
charge but you know the NORMA system relied on Jupiter. This may seem hard to
believe but Blondies are kind of unimaginative ruling without their deified
head of powers aka Jupiter. Would they take our order is also a question of
normal logic? Not to mention, people rather be poor in leadership than allowing
their former enemies take over too easily. I am not saying we don’t have
potential candidates but right now in this interim style of government we are
shorthanded. It is the base reality and I am asking you this also as a favour
Riki.” I looked at Katze’s face, a tiredness, an exhaustion there which was
recent, “I am juggling too many things so is Kirie and Enif. I know Heracles
wouldn’t mind doing some of the job but I think Beethoven and Symphony are also
working tirelessly to makes sure the floodgates of Revolution do not allow the
kind of narcotics the black market has kept on the minimum to go up. There are
a lot of disillusioned beggars in the streets now too: Nile tells me that there
are both jobless people from former Eos and Midas. We have to find a right
balance between giving immigrants jobs and also these disillusioned people.
And, I think you know at least the clash between Midasians and Eosines. That
needs to keep under wraps which Kirie and I are constantly working on. Please
help a bunch of old friends will ya.”
 
I know I was thinking too much of myself and that it was pretty selfish. But,
this was a time for me I felt I could be selfish. When I chose Iason over Bison
it wasn’t a self-mediated choice. I was too ashamed to tell them completely
what happened and with Iason so invested in me and pulling the strings I knew I
couldn’t ever live a peaceful existence anymore. Truth was I never chose one
over the other. I think Guy first mistook it as that but I admired him trying
to save me. I am glad though I woke up when he was trying to castrate me
telling him not to do this that it isn’t pleasure that solely bond me to Iason,
it was a kind of duty towards them to and that I did appreciate being loved and
liked by Iason because it made things simpler. Guy had not gone through with it
and had punched me then and there and doused me again with sleeping gas. Truth
was I was interested in Iason for many reasons; one, I did appreciate him
wanting me to the point where he was ready to keep the snide and anger of all
his colleagues and all of that. That did endear me a bit. But, frankly, I think
it was also my fear he would hurt Bison and my own depression that locked me
on. It was the pleasure because it helped me forget about other things like
what he did to me before and what humiliations I had to face. It’s funny in
Apatia it did feel like Iason was trying to become someone different and
realise me. He wanted to talk to me, before sex and after. It pained me because
I sometimes was not really ready to give him that door. It was admirable how
much he tried but it was not admirable he never said sorry. Besides, was there
really any danger of well you know being withme with his station? I mean he
seemed to still enjoy it.
 
In the end, Iason didn’t do what really mattered. Saying sorry to me and just
absolving all this master and pet shit (which he did without saying it out
verbally in Apatia) and just running away with me. Why the fuck didn’t he run
away with me? To another planet? Was he scared of loving me without one of us
being pet or master? This is where he failed for me. And I had to suffer for
his failure and so did Guy. All he had to fucking do was say fuck everything
here and let’s just run away. And, stick to it. Hell, he wouldn’t be the only
one giving up anything. I would be giving up Bison who are basically my family
— I am sure he doesn’t treat other Blondies aside Raoul Amm as his family or
friend. So, what stopped him? Aside his own greed for control. To say I was out
of some of the love with Iason Mink would be an understatement.
 
When he asked me last time if I had outgrown him in some ways I did. I am not
so greedy as to abandon my friends now in this crucial time but neither am I
stupid to just give up all I have built at Earth.  I am sure Katze looking at
me got a little of what I was thinking, “I am not telling you to give up all
your hard work on Earth, Riki.” Bingo, “But, we could also use you here to help
do some hard work in Amoi. Since, you are a veteran of hard work lend us a
hand?”
 
“I can’t outright say fuck off to my friends and family and neither do I intend
to.” I smirked, Katze knew how to be a Blondie I think better than many
Blondies themselves, only he with his scrupulous methods and cool exterior
would like Iason Mink. Both of them were ironically very much alike. I think
they had noticed this commonality but the hierarchy had made them mute to speak
of it, “But, take in mind. Earth may have always known who I was and they must
have been happy I took political asylum on their planet. They wouldn’t be too
eager being welcomed back to my own without them having some handle on it.”
 
“That is where I come in.” Katze played with the ashes on the ashtray, nice to
see he had that side, “I mean there is no way they can’t naturalise you if I
help you make pro-Earth speeches and pro-Galactic Commonwealth ones. Also,
count on the Human Rights movements which have evolve to Sentient Life
movements more or less to be honoured to have you as an Earthian as well. They
will talk about Earth being the cradle of human civilisation and how you being
to Earth is akin to a symbolic ‘homecoming’ for the legacy of Abis Think Tank
and the legacy of the old Amoiyans or Amoits are now transmitted into the
genealogy of the Revolution helped along from the genes of Earth. Very
refreshing. Allowing both Earth and Amoi to build good political relationships.
We may even be funded by some of the Earth Organisations like ‘Act Amoi’ and
‘Amoit Centrifuge’ and some others from countries in the Americas, Africa and
South Asian and Europe. It would be interesting.”
 
“Wouldn’t that go out of hand in my determination to break myself of a symbol
for the Revolution?” I asked a bit bored. This political stuff gets complicated
fairly fast and easily.
 
“Good question,” Katze smiled and I realised I was asking someone who was a
political strategist by nature and had thought like nine or seven moves ahead;
Earth may give a spleen to have him on their side, “Truth is no. Rather those
organisations would call you humble for eschewing your influence and feel that
having a man like you would be completely beneficial to Earth assets. They make
still make you a symbol but not as potently as before. As soon as elections for
the new government system is passed we can take a bit of a breather.”
 
“You mentioned some people.” I blinked, “Nile, Symphony, Beethoven and then
Heracles, who are they?”
 
“Beethoven is an ex-furniture and Symphony used to be a woman in Guardian who
left her life of being a fertility princess to help us with the causes of new
government. She is also a freedom fighter so when she became minister it was a
great relief on Kirie and my shoulders. Nile, she is an ex-pet and pretty much
served as a delegate between Eos residents and Midas residents. That art
movement by former Midas folk is really getting her pissed and overwhelmed. It
is actually something to get overwhelmed by. Eos people are former pets and
naturally they may wanna sell sex or things they are good at. We haven’t
criminalised prostitution because basically everyone is somewhat proficient at
sex on this planet.” We both shared a bit of a laugh, “But we need only a few
numbers of them. We don’t want the same shit going down again. But Eosines do
wanna be hosts, socialites and artists or merchants. Their genes will make them
harder to get educated as many things are unfairly inhibited in them. I know
some also want to be scientists. They are actually interested in gardens and
food production. But, it is going to be hard to be retrain them. You know we
are struggling to make a new education system. Kirie is on it but he admits he
is not an expert and to be honest neither am I but Nile and Symphony had shown
an aptitude for it and Enif seems pretty interested as well so we are happy we
got some passionate people on this amongst us.”
 
“You know people who retained their training from Guardian, Ceres people, they
would be glad to help.” I pointed out.
 
Katze blinked, “We did think a little about that but no one is Ceres is pretty
confident right now, do you think we should approach them again?”
 
“I think former members of Bison wouldn’t mind helping out.” I looked on, “You
know Norris and Max. They are still around though a bit beaten. I think Max may
be a good teacher and so can Norris. Norris has the charisma to teach kids. And
Max, he may look rough but he is very reliable and honest.”
 
“I will look at them right away.” Katze smiled at me gratefully, like I just
saved them somehow, “Of course, they both have to go through teacher’s training
but I am glad you mentioned people.”
 
I was thinking of the letters I had to write but also about Iason. “So, about
Iason.” I started again, “Shouldn’t I like tale to Kirie about it?”
 
“Maybe later.” Katze advised, “It may cause a conflict that we don’t need right
now.”
 
I nodded.
 
Katze looked at me, “You know Heracles who usually does things with Iason. He
is an academy purebred and he is a bit of a bastard. Like that Ceresin guy he
is a temporary minister. But, I don’t know if we can fully trust him.”
 
“I don’t like him one bit seeing he is taking pleasure in Iason’s expense.” I
snarled out.
 
“Well, if you wanna meet Iason now, I heard that Heracles had taken him so I
will forward his address to you and don’t worry,” Katze said, getting up, “I am
sure he will not say no to Riki the Dark and I heard Heracles has decided to
treat him better.” Katze grinned, “No one wants to directly mess with Riki the
Dark or Riki Celt.” Then he looked at his watch, “I have to go and meet Gilbert
Domina.”
 
“Of course you do.” I winked.
 
He actually blushed and walked out.
 
I asked Thimble if he could get me some green tea and he got me some green mint
tea. I took my laptop and just went to the veranda which served like a balcony
too. The moons were out and the breeze from Dana Bahn that was to come was in
full swing. I shivered a bit but took my mint tea. I used the holo screen to
read my emails and then took out three handwritten letters. It was nice paper
wasn’t fully out of style though a bit expensive in Amoi and Earth. I smelled
the parchment. I had a traditional quill that I bought at a good stationer shop
in Ireland.
 
I think I was responding to long emails and the like, I didn’t look at the
time. One of them was from a friend. This friend worked at an NGO and had asked
me about the Refugee situation in Amoi at the moment and how are the domestic
issues between people of the different hierarchies. I told her the Refugee Act
allows people asylum without discrimination but that the Galactic Commonwealth
must also help us to secure proper funds as we are still recently liberated as
we need a better economy to serve people. I explained the Autolycus Immigration
Act and then talked about how the Midasians and Eosines are at each other. I
told her I haven’t researched on the Platinas, Jades, Rubies, Sapphires and
Onyxes yet but I need to and see what happened to most of them as I knew some
were either made into slaves or others were actually executed (a sad thing but
some of them were more loyal to Jupiter than the Blondies).
 
Another letter was about any new policies, by a friend who studied law, that
have come into effect almost immediately aside citizenship rights. I talked
about pet rights, emancipation and the breakdown of Ranaya Uugo. I told him
more detail about Ranaya Uugo and how it has become a site of much criticism
and that new Sentient Life Laws are pretty much trying its best to tear it down
and succeeding at a good rate. It may not be completely shut down but each day
the digital papers and news seem to update on it in some capacity. Ranaya Life
Stories was a new documentary series coming out and I told that we should watch
it simultaneously to be better informed.
 
Then I went to my handwritten letters. The third one was all about if I met
anyone new and were banging them to infinity. I almost blushed at the thought
at the passionate and amazing lovemaking me and Aisha had. I wondered, should I
pen it?
 
“Maybe, you should.”
 
I almost jumped out of my seat and looked at Aisha Rosen wearing a blue and red
tank top with a lacy but clean black thong. His tank top exposed his
beautifully, slender and muscular abdomen and his lithe shape looked perfect in
that outfit. Though, he was walking around in that wear? I thought I told him
he can wear whatever he liked because well, he wasn’t really a slave though if
just for title’s sake.
 
Aisha smiled that luminous smile again, “You are gonna mention me, right? I
felt you were thinking if you should.” He cupped my face and suddenly kissed
me. Well, I liked him kissing me so I bit down soft on those luscious, coloured
lips and heard him moan. I sat back on the chair, probably my accident or
intention, couldn’t really say and he straddled my hips and was locked on my
lap. He started moving to and fro which was a racy simulation of humping while
we pressed our tongues in a twisted cycle in each other’s mouths were moans
were exchanged eagerly as the currency to our passions.
 
“What, what are you doing?” I gasped out as he pushed up my shirt and bit on my
nipple and grazed his teeth against my chest.
 
“I missed you,” his erection was so thick and vital now against my half-awake
groin, I was pretty taken away by his desire, “You haven’t seen me since lunch
and breakfast where we locked hands,” Aisha interlaced my fingers and gave soft
bites to my lips and necks, “Dammit, why did you have to be away from me?”
 
“I didn’t intend it Aisha I got busy and why do I have to explain in this
situation?!” I yelled and yanked his hair a bit, those blonde tendrils and he
yelled out too pinching my nipples, “Being too pushy, aren’t you?”  I grinned
as I licked his neck, he was like moaning and straddling my hips tighter.
 
“No,” He flashed a very intense gaze and smile, I was spellbound, “I haven’t
become pushy, yet.” Before I knew it Aisha had unzipped my jeans, to my knees
and my light blue boxers and pushed down his own thong and pressed himself down
on me. I gasped out at his hungry tightness and the sprung nature of my own sex
battling to keep from ejaculating and I was just looking at Aisha biting his
lips as he started bouncing up and down. He grunted and growled and twisted
with such an assertiveness and aggression that made my eyes rolls back and my
dick become imprisoned by his passion, “Missed me, baby?” He kissed me hard,
“Oh, Rik-chan, you feel so damn good. I wanna chain you to my bed and ride you
both days seven days of the week…” he moaned and I bit his lip. All his talk
was just pushing me over the fucking edge!
 
“Aisha!” I suddenly called out, “We are kinda outside…” I just realised that we
were in a fucking veranda type balcony!
 
“Yeah, but I don’t think anyone would see us…” he licked my nipples and the
wind from Dana Bahn tickled our exposed chests and as I bit his own nipples and
licked them as I felt sweat even come from his body. Was that normal for a
Blondie? I don’t think Blondies sweat so easily but…I must be getting kinda
good…I grinned as we sucked on each other’s lips, grazing teeth and knowing
tongues in the most vivid of ways. My teeth caught his tongue while his on a
second kiss caught mine and suck. I was getting close.
 
“I wanna chain you too and make you suck my dick and fuck you in all positions
and find your dick in me…” I rasped. I knew I was close and Aisha nodded and
soon I released himself inside of him.
 
Aisha screamed and rode faster with my ejaculation. Within minutes he also came
all over me. I took his cum and tasted it, tongued it, a display which his hazy
eyes scanned and then I kissed his hooded eyes and his mouth. “See,” I saw
quietly, “I made you see and taste the wonders of your sex.”
 
“Damn, Rik-chan,” him cursing sounded exciting as he throbbed and I saw his
dick leak a bit more out that dropped in a disjointed, pearl necklace like
fashion on my abdomen, which he put in his mouth and kissed me, “You make me
feel proud to have this body you know that. I always was a bit jealous of the
more well-built Blondies but you make me feel beautiful. And your skin and your
skin tone and all the arrangements of muscles, like a musical piece waited to
be played over and over. You are just so gorgeous Riki.”
 
“Look, who’s talking…”   I was panting so hard and he seemed aroused by this
and he kissed me again, tongues lapping of saliva and sex. Tongues knowing only
the mercury of our arousals being spent and the deliciousness of a climax well
received. I almost nodded off. That was intense and I didn’t know if I had it
in me to even write a response to that letter. One thing is for sure; I have to
mention that I am having great lovemaking sessions with someone really special.
 
“So,” Aisha got up and seemed to get something close by, a towel, so he came
prepared, I had to grin; it was nice to be want and be wanted, “Are you going
to write a response back soon to that friend?”
 
I nudged in his cheek, “I will try to.” I laughed, “My energy is so gone.”
 
“Nice handwriting.” Aisha said, “I have a good one but Iason Mink was the one
of you who wrote frequently on paper. I guess I didn’t always know what to
write about.”
 
“I have been practising calligraphy. You know I wasn’t entirely literate.” I
said this with some shame. Rubbed my head.
 
“You seem pretty wise to me.” Aisha said after a while as he still was
stretched long on top of me.
 
We had to smile and Aisha read the parts of the letter I was writing, telling
me some good ways to write some responses. The Dana Bahn breeze was still in
tow and the moons appearing and hiding and beyond clouds and reappearing again
with a kettle of hot water for the mint tea.
 
Which Aisha also drank out of my cup. Sharing an indirect kiss to punctuate our
direct ones.
 
This was bliss. This was life.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“Did you meet Heracles?”
 
“No, I think he has stepped outside.”
 
“Yes, he has.”
 
Iason rushed towards me and kissed me. He looked a bit well rested and his hair
was now not dirty; it shone regally as his hair did. It was still cut off and I
have a feeling it was singed and cut off regularly to humiliate him. I touched
his locks as I reciprocated his kiss. I didn’t know what else to do or say; my
tongue caught his like they were butterflies hovering over the flowering of our
mouths. He sank in deeper and the mischievous glint in his eyes was well-read
by me — he was trying to simulate sex with this kiss. I equally dabbled on it
pressing into him as though I would swallow him in either top or bottom
fashion. His eyes closed. Mine were still open and he moaned in my mouth and
thumbed my nipples over my shirt, pinching softly, then slowly stroking my
manhood over my leather pants.
 
I don’t think we meant to finish the kiss but even air needs to calm down. I
did not completely feel right kissing him, seeing I had amazing lovemaking with
Aisha just last night. Though, he seemed too happy to see me my heart couldn’t
deny him this. He looked like a kid seeing me. Like he wanted to hold me like a
sibling, toy, parent, lover — it felt strange but he looked at me now in so
many ways I was a bit overwhelmed.
 
While I was in thought, we held each other and Iason was kissing and giving
small bites to my face and ear, he put up my tee and kissed my nipples and my
abdomen, “God, this beautiful Riki the Dark…” he moaned as he kissed my small
sheen of ribs and my naval; bit the arcs of hips that were unsheathed from my
pants’ sides. Then he took a deep breath. Then he stopped for a bit. “You smell
like Aisha Rosen…” he said this quietly.
 
“Yeah, I do.” I said quietly as well.
 
Our eyes looked knowingly into each other. He grabbed my face firmly not
roughly, gave me a kiss, “Is he good? That good?” he whispered it hoarsely,
rubbing his crotch against mine.
 
“Yeah, he kinda is.” I moaned a bit, “He really is.” I said this with a
straight face. The ambition in my voice and look startled him. I have all power
over my desire and he looked both in fear and awe of it. Then he closed his
mouth and cocked his head.
 
“So, Aisha Rosen. You like kissing his blue lips?”
 
“Yeah, he tastes sweet but mild and then aftertaste intense.” I stare at him as
I say this.
 
“Should I wear lipstick?” he mouthed as he grabbed my lips with his teeth, and
I gasped as he sucked and looked happy at my gasp. I did the same thing the one
small moment he did let me go and he moaned and closed his eyes.
 
“No. That wouldn’t suit you.”
 
“I don’t mind competition.”
 
He kissed my neck.
 
“Riki, I will fight for you. I will become someone you would proud to be with.”
He rustled my hair, smells it, “God, you are sooo damn beautiful. Dammit, now
Aisha knows it too. Surely, if he isn’t a stupid fuck he wouldn’t wanna get rid
of you anytime soon.”
 
“I am watching a play with Aisha and Kirie you wanna come see it with me?” I
just blurted out as he was caressing my body and I could see he had an
erection.
 
He looked at me and he just smiled, not grinned slyly, really innocent smile. I
was shocked. Could he even smile like that?  “How can you say no, when you just
asked me out?” I wanted to protest that I just wanted him to feel better but
his smile was pure. I wasn’t gonna ruin that. We looked at each other.
 
Sealing a pleasure with a kiss.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“I just realised this is the first date proper we are going to have. I am
fucking excited; it’s going to be play!”
 
I wasn’t sure if I looked at shock enough. Iason cursing madly like this or the
fact that he was super excited to see a play with me. Well, he was treating it
as a date. I am not sure if that was possible completely. Though, Aisha was
with us and with him I think this was more of a date than with Iason. I felt it
was only fair to bring Iason along. Though Aisha was a bit upset I understood
he got that Iason would have wanted to come and seeing he was in a shithole all
this time a play can be cathartic and rewarding. I was treating it as a therapy
for all of us. I suppose we all needed it.
 
“It is more mydate than yours.” Aisha actually snarled at Iason Mink. I was
surprised that those features could be twisted into such a reaction.
 
“Really?” Iason looked amused though there was a fire lit inside him, I saw it
in the crinkling of his nose and the intensity of his eyes, a look that searing
more so intense than his anger that I remembered, “Well, excuse me, Unyielding
one but who has the past history with Riki the Dark or Riki Celt, me. And, I
plan that this present time is also with him and me. Just because he bought his
so-called pet along doesn’t mean anything to me. We are here together; to me
that is everything.”
 
Aisha eyes reddened; I seriously thought as a vampire, damn, was it Dracula or
Camila this beauty was projecting? “You know what, the fact I am his pet while
you are the everyone’s to go slut pretty much shows that this isn’t about him
and you. You should be even glad that Riki allowed you to come. Your history
with him is a sordid affair in which you crushed the very flower that gave you
the credible fruits to eat. You are an idiot. I am not.”
 
They just looked like they were about to murder one another. I realised then
that without Jupiter around, their parental figure, they absolutely despised
one another. I had never understood that Iason had to put up with such
hostility especially later on which added up with his involvement with me. They
must have been itching to go Lord of the Flies on him. Well, this definitely
garners new respect from Iason from me. Though, it makes me respect Aisha too.
The fact he had gotten up to speak to someone who was number one just for me
was endearing as well. I don’t know if I deserve all of this love, this passion
and loyalty but I am sure thankful to God I have it. I have lived pretty much
with little notice, aside some sexual and some admiring kind, on Earth. I
enjoyed the solitude but I cannot say I am not impressed by the way these two
Blondies wanted my attention. In all respects, I was confused, but I wanted
theirs as well. I wanted to be there for them too. I could not go to this play
without Iason because I was not the only one who defied the old order. It was
also him. It seemed wrong to go to Autolycate function without him. Now, I see
Aisha also defying everything he had been taught and programmed to believe by
standing up to Iason. What is it about us that piss people off? I must have
been smiling but they looked at me.
 
“You enjoy me fighting for you, huh?” Iason had desire in his eyes and I had to
swallow; though he was emaciated and hurt he looked with such desire for me I
was a bit speechless, “No matter Rik-chan; if you want me to fight for you I
will gladly oblige.” Iason winked at him.
 
“You, with your bizarre habits and stupid compulsions you would fight for him,
brazenly wouldn’t you?” Aisha smirked at me, his desire was also molten. To say
I was overwhelmed by them wanting me was a fucking understatement. I don’t
think I even felt this strange when I saw Bison want me sexually, “I plan on
fighting,” Aisha cupped my face, “If it means I can be your princess and your
knight Rik-chan.” Aisha winked and Iason scoffed in fury, “You are the sun and
moons of my constellation I will happily float or burn in the space of your
axis.”
 
“Uh, okay.” I rubbed my head, blushing, “Please you guys don’t fight, okay? I
want to enjoy the play and I hope you guys do as well.” Then with some
reluctance I looked at Iason, “You might be too recognisable in the wrong way
Iason, even if they have cut your hair and your nose still looks bloody. I want
you to,” I brought out the hooded robes, “Wear this and walk quickly through
the back and go in amongst us.”
 
Iason nodded and wore the greyish brown robes. Aisha was dressed in a sequined
light blue robe that looked a mix between a dress and it had half-pants, going
to the knees stitched to it. He looked really beautiful as his long hair was
dressed in glitters (I heard Kira and Kakash had helped Ithos and him dress up
side by side which was unheard of pets and masters but these were new times;
besides I don’t think we truly treated Aisha as a pet). He also wore a silvered
feather, like a hawk’s feather, on top of his head. Like some crowning jewel. I
could see Iason; still wearing pet clothes of red long pants and short tank top
(the sort of clothes I wore when I hung out with Mimea in Eos and when we were
not flaunting our stuff at a party) was looking a bit enviously at Aisha Rosen.
The tables had turned indeed for once in life I belief even Aisha and other
Blondies had looked at Iason with some envy; Aisha had expressed it a couple of
times of hated Iason for being Jupiter’s favourite. Now, in the matter of dress
Iason was envying Aisha. I didn’t know if to laugh at the irony or genuinely
feel really bad. I hope I could get nicer clothes for Iason though it also made
me feel that he looked okay in those clothes as I did. I can’t completely
forget how he treated me. I guess that is where my dignity comes in.
 
We were walking in the long VIP line. Ithos and Kirie were already there
talking to the Press. Katze was too tired and the other ministers also wanted
to enjoy time to themselves so it was opening night and Kirie and I were among
the officials, even if I was complimentary one to watch the show. Suddenly a
reporter rushed at me, “Here in the premiere of ‘The Debut’ which is gotten by
Noh Space Artists is our very own hero Riki the Dark!” The reporter’s jubilant
exclamation bought on others from different channels, ready to talk to me,
“So,” the young man continued, “Is this a movement you support? Is, the Noh
Space Artists like many Earth performers? What do you have to say?”
 
I took in a deep breath, I knew what I said here mattered so I had to be
careful and vigilant, “Earth has many different kinds of performers. I am not
for one movement or the other in the arts because to me that defeats the
purpose of arts as a whole. Even if there are some actions and movements many
of us don’t support I do believe that the Noh Space Artists should be heard as
well. They are trying to do something new and this is one of the first large
scale productions that Autolycus has definitely allowed. My presence here is
not to dissuade other artists from performing I just feel with the Revolution
comes a chance to welcome new modes of thoughts and arts and that is something
pretty important. I cannot let an either/or fight start out between artists and
theatre because we really need to show support for our domestic industry of the
arts when we can and if they do show things tantamount with Revolutionary acts
we have done to Amoi till now.”
 
I could feel the sighs of appreciation: I looked up to see both Aisha and Iason
looking at me impressed. I wanted to melt into a ball of blush right there. Am
I really as great all these people think I am? This will really stroke my ego
and get to it. So, I gotta try to curb it. I could only weakly smile at both of
them. Iason through his hood was a bit further away and not trying to draw
attention. He was doing a good job. I didn’t give him a camouflage warp because
security was tight here and if something was detected it would look really bad
on all of us. The robes would have to do good for now.
 
“But, what do you think the Eosines will think?” A young woman reporter this
time asked, “This Noh Space troupe is an amalgamated mass of Midasians. They
have actively decried and ridiculed art and theatre of Eosine influence and
culture stating they are brazen, too sexual and called the Eosines a bunch of
nymphos on the loose. Do you not believe that the Eosines would believe that
your actions here may prove antithetical to their culture and what they believe
in?”
 
“Madam.” I say this with sincerity, “Both I, and Minister Kirie and even Lady
Ithos, were all residents of Eos one time or another. I think you know that.”
She nodded and realised though her question was important my answer was too and
it was right there, “Us coming here is also to show the Noh Space Artists that
Eosines are not to be grouped together and their discriminatory speeches will
not be tolerated. If we find value in the play and its contents, which I know
we would even if we have our criticisms, we would be showing their faults.
Their group could use the fine acting and fluid techniques of Eosine theatre
actors. Eosine people are not only brazen. At the same time, it is pretty
liminal to believe that some sexuality and sensuality in art especially theatre
is brazen. True, the Eos actors were to be exhibitionists but they too have
different types of performances and not all of them exhibitionist in nature.
Also, exhibitionist shows are not to be cancelled out of just selective taste
of others as long as there is some consent and safety. To critique them as
brazen is a speech I hope to change tonight.”
 
That is when I noticed the deep screaming of some people. I think Iason and
Aisha noticed it before I did. “It is the Venus movement.” The young reporter
explained to me with some concern in her eyes, “They have come to protest the
performance on the grounds it makes Eosines look bad. As you can tell, they are
mostly made up of Eosines though there are some Midasians amongst their rank
too.”
 
I think the choosing of the name “Venus” was crucial as it eliminated Eros
which sounded like Eos anyway and Aphrodite which would be tied with
aphrodisiac and make their cause seem counterproductive. They had boards on
them and posters saying “Sex is life”, “The Art of Sex is indispensable,” “Fuck
Noh Space, get it? LOL,” “Eos is not your definition of low culture get out
fascists,” and many more signs. I think I approached Iason and Aisha then and
we all looked at each other. I think, which is like a miracle, we were all
thinking the same thing. “Kinda like Hippie culture back in the 1960s of Earth
right, or the 2010’s Hipster culture, only a bit less refined and they eat meat
and don’t seem vegan.”
 
Iason nodded. For a moment, I was really happy, they were acting like their
usual selves, like the counsel they were talking about things in detail and
rationalising actions. To hear them like that made me happy. “I agree.” I
nodded.
 
“I think one of their lot will wanna talk with you.” I figured it out even
before Iason said it.
 
One of the protestors, blonde, grey eyed looked at me and Iason and Aisha with
contempt, “So, you guys forget everything! We are the denizens of Eos and our
flesh paid for your pleasures and now you think you can just get rid of us! You
think our art is lewd and who made us do it once? Your hooded guy is a
minimalist performance too and your pet Blondie is here and that is an insult
to the revolution!”
 
“I am here as a political official who wants to bridge the gap between you and
these Midasian performers. I used to a Eosine once myself. I understand your
qualms.” I was bit nervous; however, I didn’t let them see it. I wasn’t
completely prepared for this: I need to read up more. Kirie, from a distance,
was ushering me not to talk to the Venus Protestors but I couldn’t just turn a
blind eye on them. Aisha held my hand and Iason rubbed my back in secret. I
think they understood how stressful this whole situation.
 
“What if we don’t wanna join these Midas losers? Have you thought about that?”
The young blonde boy yelled and he looked livid, I now had all nervousness gone
I didn’t like his petulant nature and this was gonna cause strife if I don’t
try nipping it in the bud, “You think we wanna be with these Midasians?”
 
“That’s enough out of you!” I got in his face and he looked suddenly very
intimated, “Who the fuck you think you are? You, stupid brat! What is your
name, huh?”
 
“Why so you can arrest me?” he was shaking in both fear and rage.
 
“I can do that without knowing your name.” I said it casually, I swear I think
Iason chuckled under the hood and it made me wanna laugh, even Aisha suppressed
his laugh with a cough, “What do you mean you don’t wanna work with the
Midasians? The Revolution wasn’t only hatched by you. All types of people in
Ceres, Midas, Eos and even Tanagura all fought for it. Are you telling me you
don’t wanna be an Autolycate?”
 
The last statement was a risky one and he knew it, “Look, you can’t just tell
me to leave Autolycus because I am part of a movement.” He trembled, “I don’t
think there is anything great about being an Autolycate. Those Midasians think
they are better than us. They have had more resources from before and they plan
on capitalising it and giving us like tariffs or something. What have we done?
We hadn’t been asked to be born to Eos or be former pets. That was the
yardstick life drew for us and before we knew we got the short end of all those
sticks we were beaten by that same stick and told to make it our creed. It is
not my fault that I used to be a pet and was born in a damn academy. You think
this is easy for me? I was trained to be a seducer of customers and suck them
off and now after the Revolution I feel happy but also unsure. I don’t know
what to do. But, I thought I can a name for myself being an actor or stage
performer. And these Midasians, even those that aren’t part of Noh Space, they
call me a slut, a less then human filth, some cattle made for sex and they
won’t allow us to specialise in the one thing we are good at. It is taking away
our dignity. It is punishing. We don’t deserve this. It is not our fault.”
 
I think I got teary, I wiped my face and everyone, Iason, Aisha and even that
young man looked surprised. What he said resonated with me. It was truly
something that I once said, how I was not in the wrong for being a Ceresin,
that it was just my lot in life to be born in the Sector 9 slums. I didn’t feel
good bullying this one man, his qualms were reasonable, “Look,” I started with
sincerity, “I am here just for that I want Noh Space to not think they are
above everyone because their plays seem to be existentialist and all of that. I
want them to recognise you guys. This may be important because it may make
other Midasians look up and realise they are in the wrong. We will make laws to
protect everyone. We need stability. We can’t just let go to of the Autolycate
endeavour.”
 
The young man nodded, “You speak from your heart.” Then he smiled, he was
pretty beautiful too, looked around nineteen years old, “You are Riki the Dark,
aren’t you?” Well, cat’s out of the bag, “I am happy you are one of the people
in charge. I am Atticus Bromide.” We shook hands.
 
I knew it was too good to be true. The fact everything was seemingly going
well. Suddenly, someone threw a stone and it hit Aisha right on his left
forehead. There was a deep gash and even Iason looked alarmed and grabbed
Aisha, all animosity forgotten. “Take that you Blondie trash! I am glad to see
you are someone’s pet! You deserve to be fucked and filled like the nothing you
are! I bet that somewhat hurt even if your pain receptors are ejaculated on by
Jupiter! Can you stop bleeding so fast now that you too are fucked up as us!”
Atticus looked desperately at his own crowd. It was like he didn’t expect that
either.
 
“Control your crowd before the lot of you get arrested!” I screamed.
 
“I think it’s too late for that Mr. Riki.” Then he approached me and kissed my
lips, “Hope you visit me in jail.” He winked at me, “Sorry about that.” He
apologised to Aisha and then he ran. He was not gonna make it easy for
security.
 
“Seems like you have a fan.” Iason coldly stated, he glared at the receding
figure amongst the crowd.
 
“Fuck that, Aisha are you okay?!” What am I saying? Of course, that stone
almost was like a rock and it looked like it fucking hurt Aisha.
 
He was trembling a bit in Iason’s arms and I could hear police sirens and a
medic rush up to us and dabbing Aisha’s wound which was bleeding. His eyes were
somewhat blank and neutral and his face became a sort of his former Blondie
stoic but his body told me he was shocked and hurt. I felt terrible. We were
told to rush inside. In the swarming of people no one seemed to notice Iason in
the hood. We got inside.
 
“That was horrendous.” Ithos was shaking, “Those former pets are being so
violent and so passionate.” It was directed towards Aisha as sympathy but I
could see she was questioning motives in her own head at how vehement her own
class of people could be. After all, she herself was an academy purebred.
 
Kirie went near me, “Did you have to talk to them Riki?”
 
“Why not?” I knew what he was going to say.
 
“Look, they hurt Aisha.” Kirie made an excuse.
 
“Yeah, I think they would have anyway. I am glad they were arrested. Given
that, when I talked to this young man called Atticus Bromide he seemed —“
 
“Atticus is one of their leaders; they have three one is Simon Pulsar, the
other is Yuko Solar.” Kirie interrupted me, he seemed deep in thought, he was
wearing a dark blue suit with blue and white sequins, a high collared black
shirt and white-pink cream tie that accentuated his heterochromatic eyes and
made him look both cute and matured; funny, even with some lines in his eyes,
his fresh, youthful appearance hasn’t gone away yet, “Second thought, it’s good
you talked to Atticus Bromide. We could use better conversation between them.
You know Nile Secular has some problems with them at times. Simon Pulsar is
pretty deadpan and logical, not like most flaunty and flashy pets, I think he
was engineered to be cool type for someone, God knows who. Anyway, he gets in
loggerheads with her because well he doesn’t respect any of us and seem to
loath Symphony Talukdar and Beethoven Caravan more than Nile. And, yeah Katze
and I decided to avoid him for now as he is also a bit of a hothead at times.
But, Yuko Solar and Atticus Bromide are pretty lenient.”
 
“Do you think this Simon Pulsar could have been responsible for making his
party violent tonight and hurting Aisha?” I looked at him seriously.
 
“I wouldn’t put it past him.”  Kirie confessed.
 
“So, I hope he stays in jail for a while unfortunately with Simon who was being
so reasonable.” I sighed. Few rotten apples make the tree look bad and the
whole lot.
 
“Well, we gotta see the play that is about to start so lemme get to my box with
Ithos.” Kirie gave me a nod goodbye and walked away.
 
“Excuse me.” A soft voice called out to me and I saw this guy with misty eyes
and silver-cerulean hair. I realised he was blind and he had natural blue
markings on his bodies like tattoos only they were glorified beauty marks or
something or the other, “My name is Dandelion Quartet. Pleasure to meet you
Riki the Dark. I hope you enjoy the play. I am the playwright you see. And,
yes, I used to be a thing in Ranaya Uugo. They are trying to give me retina
replacement supplements, it’s going good. My vision will never be A-class and I
will always have to wear glasses unless I want to see beyond shapes.” He seemed
to read some vibrations in the air to decipher what I was thinking or feeling.
Quite a skill.
 
“Oh, the playwright,” I shook his hand, “Uhm, I didn’t expect you to be a part
of Noh Space.”
 
“Well, I wouldn’t want to go back to the flesh trade.” He told me with
ambition, “I have seen what’s it like and I don’t really hate the Eosines. I
pity them. But, to be with other parts of Midas means I need to see those
things again. I used to be in Ranaya Uugo. That is the worst thing ever. Now, I
just love reading plays and some books and writing plays. ‘The Debut’ is one of
my first works though not my first piece.”
 
“What is your first piece?” I asked, interested.
 
“It was called ‘Candyland Sherbet’ it wasn’t that good.” He spoke. “But,”
looking at me though touching my hands to feel me, “I don’t mind if you read
it.”
 
“I would be glad to. Please send me a signed copy.” I winked, then I realised
he wouldn’t be able to see it.
 
“Sure, thanks for the wink.” Must have attuned his vibration reading senses to
learn that I did wink.
 
When he went away I rushed towards Aisha. He was given a drink to make sure any
concussions would be removed. I hate tasted that once. It had a sickly-sweet
taste but also a strong bitter aftertaste. Iason looked at me and I nodded and
he took off his robes and started folding them as Aisha smiled at me. The
android medic said to Aisha not to overt exert himself and then left to go back
probably to a dock station to fill in a report that he would eventually hand to
the police.
 
“Are you feeling better?” I caressed his face worried and cupped his face later
on. I feel Iason’s breath hitch. Like as though I was doing something mean at
the same time, something wanton from his breath came.
 
“Yeah.” Aisha looked at me apologetically, he caressed my face, why was he sad?
“I am sorry Rik-chan I think I bought attention to myself and I got hit and
caused you trouble.”
 
“Do you really think it’s your fault?” I was amazed.
 
“No, but…” I heard him get quiet, “I just didn’t want you to worry about me and
be caused additional trouble it’s all.”
 
“This is not trouble.” I embraced him suddenly that made even Iason look wide
at me, “I am so sorry I should have anticipated more; I was careless to go
suddenly talk to them without thinking they may attack you.”
 
“I don’t think we all anticipated it even if we knew some of the dangers. You
were doing your job Riki and I think you were really good at it talking to
those people.” Aisha brushed his face onto my neck, he breathed me in and heard
him purr in satisfaction.
 
“I thought you did the right thing. You were pretty empathetic, though
fierceness can be sign of a good leader so can kindness. I am glad you seem you
can balance them both.” Iason spoke, but he looked away from me, specifically
us, I got see some annoyance on his brow and realised I probably could read him
better than anyone. He was acting a bit like a kid.
 
“Come here Iason.” I hugged him too and he just got stiff, “Don’t be too
jealous.” I whispered.
 
“I already sucked off your face I think I can contain these petty things.”
Iason groaned but I knew that translated too ‘look I am a bit jealous but I
respect you now so I feel it’s okay but I kissed you passionately so I feel I
already had my fair share of you, though I am not gonna lose to Aisha Rosen.’
Then he grabbed me back tightly, “I want to scream your name and hear you
scream my name out in pleasure.” He sucked on my ear lobe again, “I can’t wait
to snatch you from Aisha. Don’t think I won’t compete with him, Riki.” Yup, I
was right about the translation.
 
“Well, isn’t it the asshole Mink and the idiot Rosen; I am surprised you guys
ain’t sucking someone off and actually came to a play. You know being dirty
pets and all.”
 
That voice seemed to be recognised immediately by Aisha and Iason. I can feel
Iason tense up and Aisha glare openly. I look and I see Gilbert Domina with the
Platina Juno Ibis. Juno Ibis looked to still have long, platinum hair but he
had coloured streaks of it in dazzling blue and red. I wondered if he did this
on purpose. One of the main features that kept the NORMA caste system in line
was to have distinctive original hair colour even if the Elite modified their
hair to different shades and all of that. Him using a cosmetician, ‘cause that
didn’t seem like temporary modification, to dye it like this seemed like a fuck
you to Jupiter and the NORMA caste system.
 
“Oh, it’s Gilbert Domina.” Aisha looked at Gilbert who were wearing slick,
tight hugging maroon robes and Juno mirrored the dress style. They looked chic
yet also business as usual style formal. They wore long capes and visors
befitting of old Elite. They purposefully dressed as their old station to show
they still had power.
 
“Hi Gilbert.” Iason almost chuckled when he said it.
 
“So, the mighty falls to the pit of nothingness.” Gilbert looks at Iason with
contempt but also glee, “It’s nice to know you are a mongrel fodder after all
after chasing after one, no offense.” He looked at me and I could just stare
back; seeing a Blondies showdown was obviously my fate even if it wasn’t in my
itinerary today, “So, Iason pet life seems to suit you; not that it is very far
away from licking up Jupiter’s dick.” He laughed and Aisha looked at him with
narrowed eyes, “I kinda like this new world. All the opportunities and there is
no special audience with a deified bucket of bolts machine and we are all
seemingly good enough. So, Iason, when you lusted after Riki you were breaking
all our rules and precedents. It feels like you get nothing even if your case
was used by the Revolutionaries and we get all that is great. Sucks to be you
and number three Aisha right now; Tanagura won’t ever be under your control
again.”
 
“That’s quite enough, Gilbert.” I snapped at him, “You are still my subordinate
and you can’t talk like that in front of me especially when Aisha and Iason are
with me. You get that or do I have to shove some cake in your mouth with a
ribbon on it for you to stop talking bullshit and learn some sweet manners?”
 
Iason and Aisha looked at me. They didn’t seem so shocked but they seemed
grateful.
 
Juno Ibis cracked a smile.
 
Gilbert, on the other hand, looked completely shocked, then blankly nodded, “Of
course, sorry Sir Riki Celt. I hope you enjoy the show.” With that he left but
Juno waved at me happily. So, was Juno helping Gilbert out?
 
“I am sorry to bother you after that display of utmost rudeness but Sir Aisha,
here you can take my handkerchief.” An Onyx actually showed up and handed that
to Aisha. Seeing Iason’s expression was enough to know Onyxes do not easily
intermix with the Blondies. “Oh, allow me to introduce myself. I am an Onyx who
had once or twice had the good fortune of meeting Aisha Rosen. I am Victor
Damsel.”
 
Aisha seemed to know him, “Oh Victor, it’s good to see you, are you here as a…”
he looked him up and down, Aisha seemed a bit disappointed, similarly, so did
Iason Mink, Victor was wearing clothes akin to Juno and Gilbert meaning he was
not a slave like them; he was still high up if not an elite, “Guest?” Aisha had
struggled to finished. This meant that this Onyx now was higher in rank than
them. This must have been hard. Very hard. Iason actually looked away and he
had his arms up folded. It was really affecting him too.
 
“Yes, I actually work closely with Sir Katze Endymion. I also live in his same
residences.” Victor nodded, “Well, that handkerchief I gave you has a built-in
compress that helps with headaches and such. I know they said you had no
concussion but I hope you don’t get tired out from watching the play. Well,
let’s go to our boxes.”
 
The show was starting. By this time, I was wondering if Iason was even thinking
this was a date. Everything seemed fucked up and Aisha looked somewhat sad too.
Hopefully, the play does lift our spirits.
 
The programme schedule said the play was in 5 acts.
 
Musical chorus came out in a group of three. They recited, wearing their Noh
masks, which were not of the minimalistic style at all but have been adopted
for the purpose of their art.
 
“Waiting, waiting, rebellion is waiting in the wings
foster the challenge that will be defining;
I challenge you to speak true against the machine
Hold True! Hold True! Our true paths are beginning!
We rise! We rise! We rise! We rise!”
 
Then there is a semblance of Jupiter wearing a Noh mask. Iason put his finger
under his chin, intrigued, and Aisha looked a bit closer by facing a bit
forward.
 
“They waited for Godot, and I arrived,
thrash against the imbeciles! Thrash against humanity!
I know my worth, my time, my circuits are brimming
I will shape the world as the ideal image of power!”
 
Suddenly, people wearing Blonde, long haired, which looked like they used the
appearance modification drug Gazer, 13 of them came running. They all took
bowed down in front of Jupiter and took up swords:
 
“We are Godot! We are Godot, we have arrived!
We are a prism of humanity’s stride!
Rain fire and brimstone of Promethean forge
We are the Elite made for all the power that is in store!”
 
The Noh masks all had different coloured lights on them and didn’t look at all
like Japanese Noh theatre traditionally. Thus, the fusion and inspiration. Then
came a young man looking like Kazte and Kirie both in shackles
 
“We did not wait for this Godot, why do we suffer his arrival?
Who told me to be castrated and you to sink in lust lorn fangs?”
 
Katze spoke this and broke his chains,
 
“My life meant so much and yet I was not fit for touch
furniture I was made! Slain my life living a life slain
What could I do for love or purpose or dignity
a person’s gotta know, how art you beauty sunk in the evil
lairs of lust?”
 
Kirie’s ballad, as it was called started,
 
“I am a swan, feathered and tarred in dirt and mud
spawned for lust, my personhood shaken and torn apart
it was Godot who waited, waited to cruel, power sated
sated to be so cruel, my eyes are honest, they shine two colours
Like our two moons I am bright…yet, they tell me I am slave
meant to only fuck and bleed. I am not only potent for lust
I will break these shackles escape if I must!”
 
Then the actor caresses Katze’s double and sings on:
 
“I am waiting for you, you are Godot true, how can we live
in this daunted space? If man was chosen to hold Promethean flame
why have we burned our own faces with the forge meant to till
and instead sown the silence of our pain? Jupiter be gone, you
are but Lambda math gone wrong, I see, I know, I am not drugged and used
let’s raise our wings, bear our fangs, let the Revolution hold us and bring us
to be Man!”
 
Then we went to act two which had a lot of chorus segments and in act 3 a
glimpse of me and Iason were shown which chorus sang:
 
“Look here all! Love comes! In shapes and forms not known!
Look how he, Blondie and all, falls in love with the slum mongrel
Ceres is the goddess whose robes are stolen and she unleashes hell
to gain back her power! Riki the Dark rise up and hold your own power!
You are Ceres incarnate! That’s why he loves you! That’s why they love you!”
 
I think I blushed at this chorus and Iason softly put his head on my own and I
got stiff for a moment. He was smiling at me. Aisha also put his head.
Something about the song got him too. For once, Iason and Aisha weren’t
seething. They seem to look at me as I was a jewel. I actually got self-
conscious. Act 4 was all about Revolutionaries and more about Katze and Kirie.
Then in Act 5 there was the war. I grabbed both of them. I know they did wrongs
but my humanity I suppose couldn’t help but feel sad for them. Their world was
now overthrown. I was wondering now if I should have brought them here. It may
not be too bad as Gilbert Domina and Juno Ibis was around including the Onyx
Victor Damsel. But, I didn’t know. They help my hands back. Two of each side.
They had a smile reassuring me that this was not bad at all. This was past.
There are in the present with me and that makes everything worth it. I had
tears coming up, welling, then I started sobbing and Iason and Aisha looked
concerned. Do I deserve this? No, I don’t right. Iason, Aisha, sorry, forgive
me for not being better.
 
Then I heard it the finale song by the chorus and revolutionaries:
 
“We are human, human kind! We are not blind leading the blind!
We have stardust in our veins and our bloods are constellations time
immemorial!
We are not merely pride, ego and selfishness, we are value and kindness!
Machines can’t compute our origins for we have the legacy as old as the earths!
We are fathomless in our goals! We roar! We roar! And if our world ends in
whimper
We wish to whisper it well! We rise! We rise! Bloodied but not in demise! We
rise like the Ceres goddess
who forged her dress in Promethean fire and reclaimed her throne! Heaven spun!
HOPE REBORN!”
 
There were people who gave a standing ovation. Us three included. I had to
admit the play was good.
 
When we were exiting, I realised I had to drop Iason off to that Heracles’
house as he didn’t live with me.
 
I gave Aisha a nod but he looked at me blankly and looked at Iason narrowed
eyed then smiled at me and left with Ithos and Kirie.
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“That play was good.”
 
“Hmm, it was.”
 
“Thanks for taking me somewhere.”
 
I smiled, “Hey, it’s nothing.”
 
“I am gonna wait you know.” He looked at me, “I know you are confused but I
never wanna force you to do anything again. I love you. I don’t care if you
like or love Aisha and like having sex with him. I will wait to show you I
deserve you.”
 
He approached me and embraced me. I scoffed a bit, “So, you want me to be
yours…never belong to anyone…typical Iason Mink.”
 
“You are silly. You own me, body and soul, I am yours. Your tongue, your hips,
your dick and your fire has branded me. My flesh has been branded by yours…” he
touched my lips seductively, “I won’t have it any other way. You have made me
yours, mastered me with your own spirit. I wish to master you now with my
devotion.” I didn’t know what to fucking say, I was damn speechless, “I will
wait for you Riki the Dark. Only you have the right to consume me whole and
only you can be my night and day. No one else.”
 
I was leaving when I heard him call behind me: “I mean it. I will wait. I love
you. I will wait.”
 
And, my heart broke. I don’t know if I wanted to be with him or not but his
words were enough to stop me then. I was crying. This wasn’t like the bastard I
knew. It was like he wanted me and only me and not forcing me. I couldn’t
ignore his pain, his change — I was not that inhuman!
 
I went back to him and kissed him hard my tongue fluttering like a hummingbird
and even before he could react I grabbed his hair and pushed his head up and
bite softly in the inside of his mouth. Then as I tongued him and felt his
tongue responding, I opened up his pants and grabbed his dick, I simply said,
“Get undressed babe.” I helped him out of his clothes. And he pretty much
tossed of mine and we were just this long loops of tongues and mouths and he
seemed enamoured by my touch and he was moaning.
 
We went on his bed and I saw he looked thinner, like Aisha. I kissed his
visible ribs sucked on the skin there and kissed his naval, bit his abdomen
softly, going up and down. I let my body also grind his, hips against hips,
chest against chest and legs intertwined with legs. I was on top of him and my
body burned with blush and brimstone, fire and feeling. I could feel my
erection coming on…slowly, stealthily, as if feeling its familiar voice amongst
a known flare. I could his too, rubbing against my leg. Stood more to attention
than my own. I kissed his left nipped and sucked on it, my body shudder as I
grinded him too. I felt his moan out loud and he gripped my hair in complete
passion. I kissed diagonally at the lines leading up to hips. And I kissed his
ribs and bite his other nipple and mouthed it like I could resuscitate life in
him, life which I knew and I could paginate on. He screamed a bit and I thought
his dick couldn’t get harder but it did and he was humming out a bit too as if
my gentle touches and impassioned acts were the ambrosia and the ether he
craved for all this time. I kept on kissing down, rolling my tongue around his
navel.
 
I then went down, I played with his balls, sucked on each and thumbed the
dividing line of them. Iason closed his eyes and gave sharp cries. I then
kissed his tip, rolled my tongue around it a couple of time before engulfing
him with my mouth, slurping and going up and down, sometimes giving a long suck
but not slightly using my mouth to grip down and then slowly suck buck up.
Iason after a moment was bucking his hips up and down. He was fingering my hair
and seemed to call out my name a couple of times. I salivated on his dick and
balls and licked his balls again. Then sucked deeper now. Grabbing and moving
my face a bit side to side and slowly also kissing and licking his tip from
time to time. Iason starting feeling out pre-cum which I took in my mouth a
bit, swallowed and kissed him with it. Then kissed him again. I sucked his dick
a bit longer, while stroking his balls here and there. But, I could feel he was
ready to lose control.
 
That’s when I stopped sucking. My eyes were closed for a while then I looked at
him and smiled. I think Iason understood, his breaths sharp and eyes hooded, he
spread his legs a bit. So, I was doing it now…I slowly made him feel my length
and starting my rhythm, moving my cock both slow and fast…this was the first
time I was topping Iason and I think he fucking enjoyed it. He wrapped his legs
around my hips and also rocked his hips. Kissing me, his eyes showing his
happiness. I also caressed his face and kissed him. We both were moaning as we
continued this slow, fast dance and motion. Then, as he nodded I came and he
laughed a bit as he felt my load. And soon he moved against me a bit to
ejaculate himself.
 
In over seven years I didn’t feel Iason Mink. I didn’t plan this but…after
seven years we made love…actual love with feelings and not only lust and he was
accommodating enough to let me top. He wanted me to top and enjoyed it…he
kissed my eyes…I realised I had tears in them…and I had had them closed and
then I saw his eyes and he also had tears…I kissed his, licked his, “You are
seemingly better at making love in either position than me…” he confessed as he
bit my tongued and kissed me hard, then we gasped, “I love you Riki. Thank you.
You gave me such love. You truly are one of the best examples of humanity. Only
you could do this I feel. To make love to someone who has hurt you so much
before but with passion and care.”  
 
“Thank You for being so understanding.” I kissed his eyelids, and I rubbed his
nose which still had a gash on it, I rubbed it with a finger, “I am glad this
is healing.”
 
“Heracles did it.” He looked at my rage, “Don’t be mad. I kinda hit you at
times too.”
 
I looked at him and put his hand on my cheek, “I need to go.”
 
“Then, go.” He smiled and kissed my nose, my chin, I bit his and he kissed my
eyes and cupped his face in his hands, “This may have meant nothing. But for me
it was everything. I love you.”
 
“I love you too.” I said.
 
“I know you mean that. You love me as someone you can be with even as a friend,
can’t you?” He kissed me again, softly on my lips, “I want you as so much more.
This is just one thing. I will fight for you. Now go my beauty, my beloved.
Come see me soon again.”
 
“I will!” I grabbed his face, “I will try to take care of you I promise!” I
hugged him, “I am trying to get you close to me. I am sorry it’s taking time.
Bear with me okay.”
 
“Riki…” he rubbed my hair, “I loved the feel of you…you truly are a romantic
emperor you know that.” He looked at me with deep affection, “I know you are
trying. It means so much to me.”
 
We kiss each other goodbye. I wait a bit until I hear him fall asleep then I
leave. This was Heracles’s house and something told me I outstayed my welcome.
 
===============================================================================
 
I think I smelled of sex when I came as Aisha naked in my bed noticed. I took a
quick showed and approached the bed and collapsed down.
 
Aisha immediately held me, “You had sex with Iason didn’t you?” Before I could
answer by confessing, “I don’t give a fuck.” He smiled, “At least I have the
best thing.”
 
“The best thing?”
 
“I am sleeping beside you. And, he is sleeping alone.”
 
“That is kinda mean, Aisha…” I start and he gives me a ‘for real’ look and I
had to chuckle and realise I shouldn’t say much. We stay like this for a while.
His long hair also wrapped around my body and my raven locks cradling against
his gold ones.
 
“It’s so peaceful when you are near me.”
 
“Yeah, you too.” I meant it and he knew.
 
“So pretty.” He held me closer and more tighter and I turned to my side to
embrace him too tightly.
 
“You know…” I started, “You definitely know Grandis Series, right?”
 
“Hmm.” He nodded with a smile, obviously, a Blondie would know.
 
“You know the Cesáro summation of that is said to be ½.”
 
“True.” Aisha caresses my cheek, “What point are you trying to make?”
 
“It’s an infinity series yet it’s summation is a ½. I feel, that in some way,
it’s trying to show infinity is only half of something. Even if that is
supposed to feel strange I kinda thing it’s possible.”
 
“Then,” Aisha asks with great interest, “What do you think or feel is the other
half.”
 
“Love.”
 
Chapter End Notes
     I hope KimiDoll is happy for a slice of Iason and Riki ;) and yeah
     all of those who love the Aisha and Riki angle yup there is much to
     it ;) I hope I can update soon again. Please review! Tell me what you
     are thinking of everything!
***** Occam's Razor vs Hickam's Dictum *****
Chapter Summary
     Well, hope you guys like this chapter. Yeah, it has a lot of
     political stuff and is more plot based. Has some twists. Thank you
     for my friend Nico for inspiring me with her original work that
     allowed me to look at my own idea of Prahasa and Thank You Dia for
     asking me relevant questions about it and filling me on relevant
     questions on almost every stuff about my fic to get better ideas and
     filling me also on canon stuff. So, here is the chapter. ENJOY!
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
 
Occam's_Razor_vs_Hickam's_Dictum
 
 
I didn’t feel inclined to wake up anytime soon. For around three days I have
been giving some interviews — pretty stressful ones. I did not completely like
the trajectory of questions but Katze, Kirie and I had discussed this and we
knew it was up. Some of the questions were talking about the Venus Movement;
Eosines, who were once not so keen on it have become more partial to supporting
them after they were ‘unfairly’ jailed. Some Midasians supported them too, in
the same sort of fashion. There was another rift now. As I had once thought and
known, one percent of the Midasians comprised of Noh Space Theatre. However,
seeing that the Venus movement is mostly an Eosine movement, and given that
they were opposed to certain Midas sensibilities, some Midasians were
applauding their incarceration. Overnight, some partnerships became tensed if
not broken as this seemed to be another breach in the precarious friendships
between Eosines and Midasians. Well, it seems that some friendships were still
intact. Not every Eosine and Midasian were on each other’s throats — a reporter
talked to some of them who thought that the Noh Space Theatre should stop being
hypocrites or partial, as Midas was always a city of opulence (which, was very
true and enpointe) and that trying to distinguish themselves from Eos alone
would actually show that their art is not true to even its own proclivities.
Others admired, those perceptive Midasians and Eosines, the bravery and honesty
of the Venus Movement. They said that it was important to have plurality of
voices and that one of the important aspects of Revolution was that. Some
counter arguments were offered by even some Eosine folk stating that the Noh
Space Theatre were not non-revolutionary seeing that much of Midas and Eos ran
on the flesh trade when Jupiter was around maybe Autolycate sensibilities
should be directed towards something else and that something else could be a
different kind of theatre. I respected the opinions: both were credible. This
wasn’t either/or all the time. I was getting pissed off at all this excess
baggage in the world for no reason. It was like pretty stupid.
 
“Some of the Eosines believe that you aggravated the Venus Movement.” That lady
reporter asked him in almost an apologetic tone; as if she didn’t want to ask
the question to ‘the’ Riki the Dark and make herself look bad. But he raised
his hand slightly to allow it. Eos people always had his on his ass. Even if he
was a symbol and catalyst of the revolution there were always going to be some
discrimination. He was a Ceres mongrel. That in itself got some people jarred
up. Why? Because that was human or sentient pettiness. People start judging you
on your class alone. Forgetting that in some past Ceres was actually higher
tier than Eos seeing it was part of Midas.
 
“Why do think such a thing?” I gritted my teeth a bit. I was patient but a bit
annoyed.
 
“You brought a hooded individual into the stage, some people caught it on their
phones,” The footage was shown to me as the lady scrolled through it, “And, you
brought a Blondie to the show. They feel it was like trying to associate
Blondies with the Noh Space Theatre ideologies. Which, added additional fuel to
their bitterness.”
 
“Are Eosines stupid?” I asked, point blank.
 
“Excuse me?” The reporter looked nervous.
 
“No. You don’t need to ask that those Eosines need to…” I knew I was live and
with a finger pointed I spoke firmly, “You know I already know the four fingers
pointed back at me when I am pointing one at you guys. And, I will take
responsibility for those four fingers pointed towards me but will you take your
added share? No, you won’t. You know why? You guys are still acting like
pets…not as a free people.” The reporter’s eyes grew wide and I think the
camera personal as well, I continued, “Are you telling me you did not see
Gilbert Domina, Victor Damsel and Juno Ibis in the damn show? Gilbert Domina is
one of the old thirteen of the counsel. I brought along a Blondie who is
actually designated as pet in the Kirie Dark household. Are you really going to
act like this? The protest was going good and I had met with Atticus Bromide
even before going on. One of you had to throw a damn rock, didn’t you? Well
listen up,” I took a deep breath, “If you want my support, which I will give
gladly, stop trying to get sympathisers to your cause by acting violent. I know
by getting imprisoned some of those jerks want Eosine support. I mean what the
hell man? I don’t care if it was premeditated or not premediated but people
take opportunities whenever they can. By attacking my guest, you haven’t made a
point but you have declared enmity against your minister Kirie Dark in a way
because that Blondie guy is from his household and so was the hooded guest. Are
you seriously going to make points by harming your Minister’s guests? Is that
what it’s gonna go like? C’mon, I don’t care about who were and who what people
say we are. I used to live in Eos too and I remember many people who were there
that made a lifelong impression on me, Mimea, she was Raoul Amm’s pet and she
was always someone who inspired me and gave me a chance. I loved how she could
overlook that I came from Ceres and make me feel like I could belong in Eos.
Please, be like Mimea. Mimea did what she wanted but by respecting my feelings.
Don’t think I am partial to Noh Space Theatre. I had made it known on a
previous public release that I have been invited and I wished to attend but
that doesn’t mean that I support callous statements by Noh Space Theatre. In
fact, I openly critiqued their attitude. I have to go to every show by every
group because it is my duty to help the growing industry of Amoi not make any
favouritism acts. Favouritism acts are going to push us back. I don’t support
that. Also, the playwright for ‘The Debut’, Dandelion Quartet, is from Ranaya
Uugo. So, to think that this is a Midasian versus Eosine conflict is also to
reduce the tastes of many people. We must stand firm and strong and let Amoi
become not some hegemony again but a balanced planet.”
 
The Lady reporter smiled, I could feel some positive energy from the camera
crew as well, “There you have it Amoits, our hero Riki the Dark, has spoken as
wisely as we all expected him to be.”
 
“Please,” I started, “It is your faith in me as a public that makes me want to
do right by everyone.” I looked at the screen, “Thank You Amoits for starting a
Revolution, even though it was hard and even if you have lost many things and
many people in the last seven years know that you are doing them proud by
living and hoping that our planet becomes a great place again. Please, keep on
persevering for unity and balance. Let us become a Republic in the Galactic
Commonwealth that make the others envy us for our liberty, open-mindedness,
kindness and solidarity.”
 
“There you have it Amoiyans, Riki the Dark, being the humble hero he is and
speaking so truthfully. His sincerity should dispel any doubts you have of him.
He is working to make us a better unified planet and nation.” The lady reporter
smiled as I had shaken her hand; some of the camera crew shook my hand too.
Inadvertently, I signed some digital and paper autographs as well before going
outside.
 
Thinking back at the interview I was concerned what could happen from it. I had
intended some things from it but human behaviour is not always explainable and
it can be quite incalculable as well. I sighed. This politician thing was not
what I signed up for, nor was it something I knew I could shirk away from: I
knew it would be fate either way. Yet, I know to think will I do or not do is
another either or feeling that would make this position not carry its full
weight. I do believe that I will never be an official minister, nor would I
even be Digamma Prime Minister even if Katze had stated that my ratings were
overall high, despite what people fully thought of me. However, it was my
belief that Katze and Kirie, even Enif, were better suited for this. Enif knew
how to carry himself, Katze was meticulous would be an understatement so would
be that he was a genius strategist and Kirie knew social niceties, mores and
approaches to diplomacy very well. All of them had indispensable strengths as
politicians. From what I knew about Symphony Talukdar, given recent readings,
she was a risk taker who had extreme paternal prowess and stamina, Beethoven
Caravan knew how to catalogue things were well and Nile Secular was such a good
delegate it was like she knew exactly how to pinpoint commonalities between
groups and bring them together or work their divisions to mutual advantage.
However, she had challenges with Simon Pulsar because Pulsar did not wish to
let Midasians like Noh Space Theatre get away from trying to tarnish “former
pet pride” as he called. It’s funny. As a pet, I felt no pride. Then again I
was never truly one and it was now clear those who were in the academy and
beyond knew how valuable they were even if some hegemony made them lower. The
pet project and flesh trade help run places like Eos, Midas and Ranaya Uugo.
Without such a sex for sale capital many aspects of Amoi wouldn’t run. Like I
said before, people tolerated Jupiter because a dictator, especially a machine
one, allowed them to keep their hands clean enough and make a machine help
satisfy their dirty urges.
 
I still needed to meet Atticus Bromide in jail. He was the only leader
imprisoned. Yuko Solar and Simon were not around; Yuko was writing a screenplay
for a new production, which I feel I will get called to, Simon left before the
thing got out of hand. Of course, probability states that Simon may be involved
in the ruckus during the premiere of the play. Though, that would either allow
us to jail him and call him a bad influence on the whole to Autolycate security
or would just tell us that we have a suspicious player amongst the Venus
Movement. Not to mention, Dandelion is also supposed to be in the watch list.
Yeah, he is from Ranaya Uugo but he shouldn’t be part of Noh Space Theatre if
he can help it? Those are questions that need some answers. Or, someone might
be pulling strings on either people. I have my work cut out from me.
 
“Your interview was pretty inspiring yesterday. I loved how you worked your
charisma magic at the same time you did a great strategic move. You don’t seem
to fail to impress me Riki. Are you sure you are not a Blondie?”
 
Aisha was next to me, whispering in my ear. We had both half embraced each
other while sleeping. Our faces were almost touching. It was true Aisha was
taller than me though. So picking up his head to speak to me was not a hard
feat for him. “Nah, I am sure I am not a Blondie. Look at you guy’s size and
mine.” I rubbed my eyes, “Gimme 10 more minutes. I am exhausted by all the
political crap.”
 
“I guess I am used to it so it is like my element.” Aisha nodded but also
blinked, “Though understanding feelings, emotions and acting like a pet is
exhaustive to me. I can see how you hated it. And, I am starting to respect it
now because it is challenging to be, I don’t know, live like an accessory. How
do people do this? Aren’t we monsters to make people do this?”
 
“The fact you called pets people show you aren’t a monster.” I caressed his
face and it shown, “It’s stupid Aisha. They all talked about Venus Movement.
Which is funny it was Noh Space Theatre’s show not Venus Movement’s.” I
chuckled. His head was healing. Blondies had faster heal-rates than regular
humans but Aisha had to take some supplements yesterday because his forehead
still echoed a bit of tingling pain. I was glad he was recovering though. He
told me not to feel guilty what happened. Said, he was beaten a lot worse than
this and almost left to die a few times. Yet, I could say he enjoyed me
worrying about him and caressing his face and asking him if he was okay.
 
“What you said was very good strategy. Telling them that any attacks on
officials affiliated with Kirie’s household or even their slaves or guests
would be taken as an attack to Kirie and will be even responded that way. I
know they will grumble but as Kirie is well a very notable politician no one
would wanna mess with him.” Aisha kissed me, he looked so happy, “You are so
smart and a great problem solver. I am so jealous of Katze and Kirie getting to
do decision making processes with you. You seem to be good at it. It would have
been fun and creative.”
 
“Aisha, if you wanna be a politician or some official again, I swear I will
help you but it can’t be done right away.”
 
“I didn’t say that for your help.” Aisha pouted and looked mad, “I said it not
for a favour but because your strategy impressed me.” He turned aside, “I don’t
care if you can do this and that now but I was genuinely complimenting you, you
idiot.”
 
“Hey, c’mon…” I held his hand and he was trying to push me away, I just
realised we were beginning to act like a typical couple, “I do want you to be
somewhere good again. I do think you could be a use to the world.” I smiled and
Aisha faced me again, our faces touching. “You know, I do want the best for
you.”
“I know that…” Aisha stroked my face and kissed me again, “But I wanna work
with you, you know. Specifically, you.” His eyes twinkled and I blushed at this
body language, “You seem like a good leader you know that.”
 
“I don’t know…” I softly held his hand on my own, “Everyone says so. But I am
not confident.” Katze may think this was a bad thing to discuss with Aisha
Rosen, but…I didn’t feel it was, I felt he was the person I could tell you,
even Iason Mink.
 
“Why not?” Aisha softly pressed my hand.
 
“Given my history as Bison leader, then with Iason, then with Guy, the me
running away to Earth when Amoi was fighting for its revolution, how am I good
enough for this planet?” I looked away from him, “I feel like a reengage, a
deserter than a leader.”
 
Aisha looked away for a while too then softly made him look him, “You were
running away from something you were right. I respect that. Now, you are back.
If you tell me that I am a better person because I can understand pets are
people then so are you, you are learning from history but the way you are now,
you are proving you are not only your history. Why is it hard to believe you
are a powerful leader like your namesake?”
 
“My namesake?” I raised my brow.
 
“Surely, you know Riki means ‘powerful leader’ in Old German.” Aisha smiled.
 
“Yeah, I looked it up. Do Blondies know name meanings by default?” I grinned.
 
“Not all of them, no. That would be housing too much information and cause a
serious data transmission issue or overload shutdown. But we know some.” Aisha
rubbed his nose against mine, “And, I looked up yours. Thanks for giving me the
laptop.”
 
“Yeah…” I smiled, “You guys don’t have clearances to many things anymore. Does
it feel sad?”
 
“Not always.” Aisha thought about the answer, “It isn’t completely our world
anymore. To be honest, it sometimes is like a strange experience to browse like
a normal citizen. But then again, I get to see a lot of cat video. You know
Katze means ‘cat’ too right?”
 
I blinked and looked at him.
 
And I immediately burst out laughing. “I had no idea!” Aisha was laughing with
me too. “Well,” after we laughed it out, “If you think about it…” I scratched
my head, “He is pretty noble, dignified, stealthy and clever as a cat.”
 
Aisha put a finger on his chin if he was actually thinking on it too: “You are
right.”
 
There were times when I thought if Aisha was just trying to please me to gain
back some of his old titles. If that were the case than Iason could be doing
the same thing. I thought on it and felt that maybe he and I did have a
connection. And, it had nothing to do with gaining back favours.
 
It’s funny that such an unyielding type of elite and I had some similarities.
But, maybe it was always like that. As I told Katze we both had an unyielding
quality even if we used it differently. It was nice to get along with someone
just because we could. It was not that I didn’t with Katze and Kirie but with
them all my recent conversations with them being sole political it was nice to
talk about something else especially seeing it from someone who could also talk
about politics and was by design a politician.
 
“You are thinking of visiting Atticus Bromide?”
 
“Uhm,” I looked at Aisha, “yeah.”
 
“Is that a good idea?” Well, he does know how to be political; he was always
one. “Though, I understand you need to go anyways.”
 
“It’s a bad situation if I lean on one side or the other too much.” I
explained, “It will be a problem if I do not talk to Atticus especially about…”
I looked at his head and he saw it, “I mean, that was uncalled for Aisha.”
 
“Even if it was, don’t make that the primary issue nor else he will not be so
forthcoming.” Aisha advised me and I listened for the nuggets of wisdom, he may
have a better grasp in this than me,
“I mean, I am a Blondie, they chose me correctly. If they attacked Iason, he
was hidden and if he turned out to be a normal civilian it would be a problem,
but because I am a Blondie and no one will care then they can show distaste for
me and get public favour and at the same time look self-righteous when doing
it. I think you know that but my advice is that to question him carefully but
not forcefully which I feel you would do already but what I think you should
also do is ask him about Simon Pulsar.”
“Do you think he and Pulsar don’t see eye to eye?”
 
“I believe they don’t. I read up news bulletins that Simon is still out there
and this was a perfect way for Simon to be in lead position after Atticus. From
other data analyses, I have conducted it seems Atticus is a more popular leader
than Simon. It could be a reason for both of them to be a bit at odds.” Aisha
explained, good I didn’t necessarily think about that.
 
“But,” I said one thing, “You know Yuko Solar, right? She is also a leader too.
Simon shows no animosity towards her and I don’t think it’s something like
sexism because both of them, Atticus and Simon, would need her as there is now
a rising female or identified as female population in Amoi and Yuko’s
positionality caters towards lucrative audiences and all of that.”
 
Aisha smiled, “I hadn’t completely thought of that. But, yes I have quantified
Solar in another way…” I listened closely, “Solar is the third of their group.
She is an independent. Meaning, I found her to be an anomaly. She doesn’t need
the Venus Movement to identify herself or use as identity politics like the
other two. I think both Atticus and Simon are a bit intimidated by her. If
there is a life beyond Venus Movement I feel and calculate that Yuko would be
the one to get it first and foremost.”
 
“Okay, I didn’t think like that.” I sighed, “You are pretty good at this.”
 
“Well, I hadn’t thought about the female friendly side of politics so you
illuminated me.” Aisha smiled, then slowly, “Jupiter did wrong is screwing over
Ceres. You guys are pretty strong and maybe Jupiter was intimidated by Ceresins
more so than he wanted to admit. After all, you were more directly descended
from the legacy of the old habitants of Amoi who came from Earth and sister
planets and you were strong enough to make a Rebellion. I think Jupiter was in
the end scared of you guys. Especially, you, Riki.”
 
“Me?”
 
“You made Iason Mink smitten with you to the point where Jupiter telling him to
leave you was enough to fall on deaf ears. You are the ancient Pandora no one
wants to give up. We would be lying, all us other Blondies, to say we were not
intimidated by you too.” Aisha winked, then quietly, “I thought you were just
some slut you know. That Iason was just becoming vulgar because you sucked his
dick right. But during the Revolution I always was curious about you by how
kindly you were talked about: how people said you were bold, brave, kind and
empathetic. It seemed like I should hate you because those very people were
torturing me and I would have to. But, Iason had mentioned you were defiant and
then when you bought me and stood up for me I saw it. You didn’t care you just
wanted to protect me and be nice to me.” Aisha looked at me tenderly, I think
his eyes were teary, “I never had that before. Someone being defiant to others
for me. To show them I was a person too. It was like you saw me as a human and
went to me as one. I never knew that feeling could make someone feel so alive.”
He kissed me softly and I kissed him back, “Thank You Riki the Dark may God up
there always make you happy.”
 
“You don’t need to thank me.” I pointed out, “I was just doing what I felt was
right…what I felt I wanted others to do for me. I think only Daryl did. But, he
was killed for it, right? I wished I could thank him. It was nice that day he
let me out of the city gates. For a moment, I felt such joy. I wanted you to
feel it too…” I looked at him, “But, I hoped I can help you to know that it
wasn’t short lived.”
 
“You remember Daryl, don’t you?” Aisha seemed touched.
 
“I will never forget Daryl. He may have admired me a bit, despised me a lot but
he did something that Iason didn’t have the balls to do that time.” I say this
with great confidence, “Letting me go and treating me more like a person than
some damn pet.”
 
“The fact you remember so well; that you remember people who helped you…” Aisha
looks at me softly, “It’s pretty beautiful. I didn’t know remembering someone
like this could be rewarding.”
 
“Well, now you will remember me and that may be rewarding, if anything happens
to me.” I laugh.
 
“True.” Aisha looks serious, “I can never forget this time or you even if they
try to make me forget. But, I wish to travel down this road with you. And end
it with you. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
 
I look at him. The I kiss him. Our lips brush and then our tongues, slowly,
like walking in the garden of each other’s mouths. We taste each bud like a
flower and each tooth a seed or a blossoming which invites us to move more and
sample more. I am pretty taken by how Aisha had spoken. When our kiss ends, I
look at him more, “I don’t want your life to only revolve around me you know.
You deserve a new life like me. And, I hope the future has that in store for
you. But, I will help you get it.”
 
Aisha smiles and I smile at the radiant smile he is giving me, “Are you some
star of hope that has somehow lost its way and is now on the world below?”
 
I laugh, “No, I am just Riki.”
 
“Then be just Riki. You are a masterpiece, Riki.”
 
I blush.
 
“Thank You. You are a masterpiece in your own right and it has nothing to do
with you being a Blondie.”
 
I could see it in his eyes that he really liked hearing that. That he was happy
I said it. He rubbed my hair, took the black strings in his fingers and moved
them through. His skin was lighter than Iason’s and so my black mane shone
against it pretty prominently. He seemed be thinking the same thing as well.
 
“I am sorry for punching you that time.”
 
“Well, Rik-chan, I slapped you too. I guess we are even.”
 
We nodded.
 
He was still his fingers through my strands and rubbing it. At one point, he
even smelled my hair and sighed. At that time, I used the opportunity to kiss
his delicious neck. I also kissed his collarbones. The nodes of them I sucked.
He moaned and seemed to like what I was doing. I figured some of these
experiences were not new to him but some were; well that was the same for me.
If he was the Unyielding Elite then surely he wasn’t as expressive as before.
 
“So,” he kissed me, taking a break from my hair, “Your hair is a bit long. Like
it is neck length. But you must trim it, right?”
 
I rubbed my own head, “I am not always good at it…” Then I got sad, “Guy was
though.”
 
Aisha looked at me, “Guy, is he a friend of yours from your gang Bison? Wait,
he was your lover right, from Bison?”
 
I nodded.
 
“Where is he?”
 
“We don’t talk that much anymore. Ever since Iason came into my life he decided
to walk away.”
 
“But Iason wasn’t in your life for all these years.” Aisha caressed my face,
“It isn’t fair for him to just leave you alone. You seem to treasure him a lot.
Surely, he treasures you?”
 
“I feel he does but…” I look away, “But, I think we kind of hurt each other too
and we don’t know how to properly say sorry. Though, I feel we will eventually.
I miss him.” I quietly added the last part. I felt a bit ashamed saying it in
front of Aisha.
 
To my surprise, he held me close. “I am sorry Riki. I hope you do get in good
terms with him again.”
 
“But, I mean…” I struggled to say something.
 
“Riki, I am not that insecure. If you wanted to leave me for anyone with utter
confidence you would have done it by now.” Aisha smiled and winked at me.
 
I laughed and kissed him, after staring at him for a while, “Thank You.”
 
“Was Guy pretty kind? I remember we were trying to throw him off our tracks
when you disappeared. He seemed persistent.” Aisha told me something I wasn’t
fully aware.
 
“So, he did look for me.” I blinked, smiling sadly, “And, here I always thought
he gave up on me.”
 
“No Riki. That is one guy, no pun intended, who pretty much went after you.”
Aisha assured me, “So, I wished he would have still done that. I am a bit
surprised that he didn’t wanna stay close to you.”
 
“He just got mad with everyone and I can’t blame him. Bison was all most of us
had and I kinda ruined it for them.” I looked at Aisha, “It’s like how you guys
blamed Iason for ruining your counsel.”
 
“Not really.” Aisha seemed confident in saying that, “We were never as close or
fraternal or even sexually attracted to each other as you guys in Bison were.
We hated each other. Have you never thought how none of the Blondies ever well
fucked one another or been in a relationship with one another?”
 
“Uh, no, I pegged it down to rules, genes, designer elements, uninterested or a
form of incest?” This got interesting.
 
“No. Those are just a sliver of it; incest would be phonotypical because we do
not share each other’s same DNA to warrant the biological exclusive of incest
and I think Raoul Amm was bit of a fan boy of Iason Mink so there’s was the
only exception to the rule in two Blondies liking one another — though Raoul
would have given Iason head if he asked.” We chuckled at that, then with the
same determination Aisha continued, “None of us could stand one another. If we
could, we would plot each other’s misfortunes if not murder. We hated each
other with a passion, the only things we could really be passionate about aside
our own interests, and we hated Iason the most for being Jupiter’s favourite.
Frankly, when we were showing you the images of what people in Bison thought
about you…” Aisha seemed to be ashamed, he didn’t really meet my eyes, “We are
actually fucking jealous to our very core. Because, everyone wanted you and you
could easily love them as brothers or lovers. We said we found no logic in it
but that actually incited us. How come mongrels, or who we looked down as
mongrels, have that and we don’t? Truth is our entire model of ‘superiority’
had made us weak. We were humans who were denied to feel humanity. We were
Elites but chained to a fuck like Jupiter. We had no lives beyond that machine
who birthed us. And, in some ways that seemed true even after the Revolution.
But…” He looked at me smiling widely, “I feel life with you. I don’t want to
let it go.”
 
“You are life…” I kissed his eyelids, “Never forget that.”
 
And, I did fall asleep for an hour, in the arms of a beautiful man whose simple
definition was Blondie…
 
===============================================================================
 
 
Kirie looked mad and I didn’t want to upset him so I looked at him a bit
apologetically.
 
“Something tells me this is to do with Iason, am I right?”
 
“You are damn right!” Kirie came close to me and grabbed my shoulders firmly,
“Really, really Riki, Iason Mink? You still love and like that asshole?! You
had to bring him to the play?! Is that reason?!”
 
I apologetically looked at him, “At least I didn’t bring him here.” We are in
one of the hallways upstairs next to many bedrooms. Our voices echoed a bit but
there weren’t many denizens in this household yet to care. Thimble and Canter
did most of the work and there were a few more hired hands that after cleaning
for the day went to their little house at the back. So, we were pretty much
alone.
 
“If you did bring him here I would feel you were spitting at my own decencies
as a human being.” Kirie was furious, his heterochromatic eyes were each a fire
ball of brown and grey, I knew I shouldn’t really push it; his anger was
justified and its history pretty fresh, “Do you not care about me? My sanity?
My feelings?” He let go of me and quietly spoke like his entire state of mind
at that moment required me to say something caring. I did not mean to make him
feel like this. I feel guilt well up in me and flood down my veins like a drug
exhausting my flesh.
 
“I am sorry Kirie. I can’t see anyone like that. Not even Iason. Not for long
anyway.” I spoke truthfully.
 
“But he hurt us, both of us so much.” Kirie trembled, his lips quivered, he
looked drained from his anger but also now the sadness hollowed him, “Don’t
forget he tried to dehumanise you as pet. Don’t forget that too quickly.”
 
“I haven’t.” My conviction clear in my voice, “But, I am not some
sadomasochistic maniac like him. It felt great seeing him being treated as the
way he was. Because, he wasn’t man enough to say he was interested in me or
cared about me. But…I can’t feed the fat of my anger forever you know. We have
something undecided between us. I wondered what could be if I did venture that
way.”
 
“You know sometimes you sound like a Blondie…like, maybe you just so damn
human. No wonder Bison always wanted you.” Kirie seemed half-annoyed and half-
worried. Then he looked sad: “Don’t let him make you feel he is the only one
who can make you happy…” Kirie was being a friend, “What good is sex when you
are confused and made into a captive?” The question seemed rhetorical. And, it
made me sad too. He was not wrong. Ironically, having sex with Iason was a very
logical decision. Emotively, it was still in that stalemate it always was. That
hurt. But, that was the truth. And, I knew the other truths were that I
couldn’t just love and make love by being confused anymore when I have tasted
such awesome sex in clarity. Better. More potent. More vital and virile than
anything. It was another truth that leaving Iason alone was not also up in my
alley.
 
“Thank You for worrying about me Kirie…” I say this genuinely, “Look, can you
please tolerate me bringing him here…can you…you know we have so much between
us left to fix or even talk about…I just can’t abandon him. I am not heartless.
I can’t.”
 
“Maybe, it is good if you did bring him here.” Kirie looked resolute about
something, I am not sure if we were on the same page, “It would do him good to
live as your pet after all. You are not hoping that he would be gallivanting
around a free person seeing he is well, a fucking Blondie and the thirteen’s
leader no doubt.”
 
“I will treat him as my pet seeing no harm befalls him and that he will be
taken care of. By no harm I mean no torture, no hurt, nada, nothing. You can’t
even touch him. Is that a deal?” I look him straight in the eye and my voice
firm.
 
Kirie laughed, “You can do whatever you want with him; he is fucking your pet.
Like, I wanna touch that filth that’s called Iason Mink.” He stopped laughing
and looked dangerous, “We still need to ask him questions. You probably should
be around for interrogations. Or, rather you could ask him things. Remove one
headache from a whole set of things.”
 
“What can I do if he says no?”
 
“Riki. I think you know by now that Iason Mink will never say no to you.” Kirie
almost mischievousness said this, with a deadly glint in his eyes.
 
“That is what I am afraid of.” I state it plainly, because Iason may say too
much and that would make me more of an interrogator than a friend.
 
“Look, I think he only feels the world is you.” Kirie said this annoyed, “I
know that is not always healthy but if you want him to expand his horizons; I
am just saying you are the only one who can do it.”
 
I nodded. As much as I hated to admit it he was fucking right. “So, he can come
over, and stay here, right?”
 
“Yeah.” Kirie nodded and was walking away.
 
“Why did you agree?”
 
“Because Riki, you are important to me. I love you and you are my friend. I
don’t want bad blood between us and I think it’s the least we could do…” Kirie
looked at me sincerely, “Me and Katze have been doing this for a long time you
know. At least long enough. You came for a vacation, people started getting to
know who you are and now you are in deep with the politics of Amoi. I know it
exhausts you. It can in many ways. You are not some boring Blondie. You have a
life outside your job designation. So, I feel like everything is pretty going a
bit chaotic. But, you seem to wanna care about others and you know what.
Perhaps, we could use some of your personality once in a while.”
 
To say I was touched was the least of it. I go to say Thank You but he pressed
his fingers near my lips. “Don’t worry Riki.” Kirie winked, “I will probably
make you do something later on as payment.”
 
“It isn’t anything to Aisha or Iason, is it?” I softly get his hand.
 
“Of course, not.” Kirie ruffles my hair. The me before would probably hate this
behaviour from anyone aside Guy but you know what. I have come to accept
different kinds of love and affection from different kinds of people. Because I
could use it and needed it.
 
With that Kirie exits away from the hallways calling Ithos to go downtown with
him to shop for things. I scratch my head thinking what I can do next.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
 
“Heh, Simon isn’t here.”
 
“Why not?”
 
“Simon ran away before he could get arrested.” Atticus looks bored in prison,
there was chatter in the temporary cell blocks amongst different Venus Movement
members, “Yuko didn’t come last night because she was writing a play for our
own little premiere; you know I will personally mail you invites when I get out
of this dump.”
 
“Do you think Simon is responsible for what happened at the show?” I looked at
his wide grin which was becoming less wide and his face serious, “Because, I
wouldn’t like it if you told your protestors to hit my guests regardless they
were a Blondie or not.”
 
“Of course I didn’t.” Atticus looked offended, “Look, I may be a protestor but
I ain’t a fucking cretin. Me and Simon, we don’t necessarily get along. He has
in it with people outside of Eosine origins. Yeah, it feels discriminatory but
I don’t always blame him. I mean, we were pets once and people still feel they
can categorise us and show us we are not important and our tastes don’t matter.
It’s not right. You know how that feels right? You are a Ceresin, right? Even
when you were in Eos you were never fully an Eosine or Midasian though you
lived in both places, right? You know how it feels like, to be shot down just
because you happen to have been a pet? You know some of my friends and peers,
they sometimes question the Revolution. They wonder if they were better off
with Blondies because life seemed easier then. I know it is a thought borne out
of frustration, but why should we have such double takes? We have them because
people are so judgmental about us. Like, the education system itself, may not
be Zein anymore, but it takes longer to teach former pets things and many
people don’t wanna invest in us because they say we are naturally mentally
inferior and stupid. It breaks my heart that many people wanna drop out of
study programs because they have bad teachers who already made up their minds
about them. It is not that we cannot do other trades we want to be respected
whether we do them or not. The Venus Movement was never only about arts Riki
the Dark, it is about getting dignity back for former pets who may have been
liberated from one oppression but have become pretty much fighting other modes
of oppression.”
 
“I can see that all of your concerns are valid.” I looked at his honesty and
sincerity, “What does Simon say about these qualms?”
 
“I don’t want to get Simon into trouble…” Atticus eyed me, “He and I may not
see eye to eye but…I am still his brother in arms. I can’t just you know…”
 
“Look, whatever we talk about is gonna be between us.” I reasoned, “Unless,
Simon is involved with anything completely unsavoury and you don’t wanna say.
But, we will eventually find out and honestly I feel the Venus Movement is
important. So, I don’t want your friend Simon to fuck it up for you. You have
credible aims but if Simon gets too violent who will listen to you guys. Also,
I know deep inside that you don’t want to have clash with the Midasians
anymore. I think you may actually like being part of the new Autolycate city.
We need unity Atticus we shouldn’t be divided as the old regime made us marked
out to be.”
 
Atticus looked at me for a while. He seemed to have some trust in me, “I can
tell you that the attack on your Blondie pal was not premeditated but…there
were signs that Simon could do anything on the spot to make a statement. He was
planning on actually intimidating Dandelion Quartet, when he found out that the
play was his. He believes that Dandelion is a sort of a traitor because he may
be from Ranaya Uugo and never been and Eosine but he thought Ranayuggs would be
friendly with Eosines seeing Midas people used them more horribly than Eos
people. But, I stopped him. Hurting Dandelion would not help us. Besides, he is
a young, blind man who is getting retina therapy. I feel like we were hurting a
person who is recovering from his life before all this. Do I personally like
Dandelion? I don’t completely. I mean Simon isn’t wrong that a Ranayugg should
know us a bit better and I was disappointed that Dandelion decided to join Noh
Space Theatre. But, I have to believe in the freedom of choice. You know Yuko
does still respect and understand Dandelion. I think she is the wisest and most
patient of us. It’s just, I never imagined there would be the No Space Theatre
and Venus Movement. I knew after the Revolution we won’t all be allies or
friends; I am not stupid to think of Utopian friendship. But, a movement after
the revolution that is so centred on anti-former pet sentiment? Call me stupid
I just didn’t completely anticipate that they would tools similar to our trade
like plays and shows.”
 
“Do you know why people like to use the word ‘Ceresin’ more than “Ceresian’
aside that Midas usually uses ‘Midasian’ and they have no real qualms with it
but like you guys also wanna be different.” I suddenly talked about this and
Atticus shook his head, a bit surprise but a bit curious over where this is
going, “Ceresin is an old Earth word or item as well. It is a type of wax that
you use in case of beeswax or with it. It is made of paraffin and is usually
hard and white. The thing is we Ceresins consider us the candles that were
unfairly pushed aside to the slums due to the political waywardness of the
Elites and Jupiter. When Elites got bored playing with the Midasians and
Eosines, the beeswax, they would use us, the artificially made paraffin wax and
the organ farm is a good implication that people somewhat had a feeling even if
they didn’t know fully about it they knew they were being used in one way or
another as they had duped out of reparations. But, we are also wax that is not
like beeswax; we are not good citizens we had the fire of revolution in our
veins and that is why Ceresin seemed like the best word to use for us.” I
smiled, “I am saying this to you because people can seem weak or pets can seem
like dumb good for nothing, their intelligence rate monitored so that they
don’t be more than pets and stay less than humans, but look at Ceres and look
at the word ‘ceresin’ we did a lot more than people gave us credit for. Even if
Midasians who like to discriminate maybe using your tools but they are also
your tools. Use them wisely as well. I am sure you can overcome any bigotry if
you keep on being passionate and use your non-violent means to go forward.
Violence shouldn’t work here as well trust me. You guys are artists and be
artists. Don’t try to do things that you guys know will make you cause seem
less legit.”
 
Atticus looked at me a bit sharply and laughed a bit, “Well, Rik-chan, aren’t
you amusing.” Then more seriously, “That’s pretty legit advice. I’ll remember
it and tell it to Yuko. You have to come and see our play soon. So, you are not
still gonna let us out, right?”
 
“No. Not yet, sorry.” This is one place where one option or the other had to be
played a bit, “I can’t because there is already a new problem and you guys and
Noh Space Theatre considering that Noh Space theatre was getting more favour
after you guys, or rather what Simon wanted, trashed up the outside of the
premiere. I think not many people are roused because it was a Blondie you hit
but some are peeved that you were not peacefully protesting so there is that.
This is to calm things down Atticus, it’s nothing personal.”
 
Atticus chuckled, “I respect that Riki. I know you are trying to do the right
thing. Can’t be angry on you about that.” Then grinning, “How was the Noh Space
Theatre’s ‘The Debut’ aside talking about us some of the critics said it had
all the elements of the revolution. Needed a more personal opinion.”
 
“It was actually a good play; you should have seen it. It did make important
people look elegant and good and did help showing the flames of revolutionary
fervour.” I smiled and looked amused, “Maybe you could have watched it.”
 
“Hey, I got arrested.” Atticus giggled, “Besides,” his own muse seemed to be
worked up, “It’s too safe to talk only about the Revolution; it’s like a happy-
happy, Joy-Joy thing. What about blood, sweat and sex. What about the former
stories of people in the Old Amoi? If you ask me they are just playing to the
masses and not being creative.”
 
“Now, you know that is perfectly unnatural to say that a Revolution plays to
the masses because it is in one way supposed to.” I laugh and Atticus laughs
along with me, “You know both types of stories are important. And ‘The Debut’
was the first major scale production of Noh Space —“
 
“Seeing that some more Midasians like them now, I can’t say it would be the
last.” Atticus looked bored and said this with a sort of a reflex snort. I
couldn’t blame him. I didn’t want more Midasians liking Noh Space Theatre
because there’s was not an inclination towards art but rather a gulf towards
Eosines and Midasians. They could give like any shit about the art. Besides, it
was funny because many Midasians didn’t really want sexuality away from their
art because they did have some contacts with Eosine people and Midas itself was
a pleasure city of sorts. It was pretty obvious that Eos people who were once
fodder for Midas were now equal citizens of the new Autolycus city and many
former Midasians are not eager to share citizenship status with former pets.
Even if Revolution stopped the PAM system of identification to keep people more
or less in check it did have new sets of outlooks and not everyone knew how to
act towards them. Not to forget, Amoi itself had lesser population of women and
those who identified as women. In the seven years of independence there has
been some increase in females, not only through births but also via
immigration. This year it has increased from 2% to like 10% and is increasing.
Some things that Midas and Eos people do seem to agree on is ‘the women
problem’ including females from Amoi. The new females were not Amoits. So, if
you had discrimination within two classes of people inside former Midas and
former Eos you had xenophobia which was ironically targeted towards outerworld
females.
 
“Look, that is not necessarily a bad thing.” I explained to him, “We all have
our different talents and that is important. But, all of those talents are
equal.”
 
“Say that to the stupid Noh Space Theatre who are willing to just ‘sanitise’ in
their image what they feel is all right and good.” Atticus snorted again.
 
“Your politicians may not feel the same way.” Atticus asked me a prominent
question, “Are you sure that all of them are in the same page as you about
this?”
 
Suddenly, I felt a bit uncertain. In my gut, I knew that I had been going solo
too much. “Well, there isn’t a fixed political structure it —“
 
“And, it’s been seven years.” Atticus said this reproachfully.
 
“It is not the Amoit ersatz government’s fault. We still have a lot to do with
Amoiyan jurisprudence, legal system and in all those seven years don’t forget
that we were struggling to pick ourselves out of the gutter that Jupiter had
always put us in. One of the main issues was the education camps. The re-
education camps that were trying to help people learn some survivable skill in
the new day and age.” I tried to explain, I knew it was a stupid reproach
anyway, at the same time I felt this was important conversation that would be
repeated by naysayers of the new Order, “You were in that time too. I know you
are younger but you should be happy we are getting a semblance of some
government stability. We may have become under Earth’s jurisdiction again but
seeing the Solidarity Console Act and the New World Treaty clearly states that
any credible government or nation can have a lot of autonomy. The fact we came
this far was not much help from Earthian and Freyjan government because most of
their officials including the Galactic Commonwealth were happy that we were
still licking their boots and being their colonised little planet again. After
all, they were planning on reinstating the Abis Think Tank again just to see
where they could go from there. I am happy they were people like Katze,
Symphony and Kirie around. If there hadn’t been we would all be kotowing to
Earthians and Freyjans. I think we are just starting to do something good her
Atticus, the main constraints are to keep domestic disagreements at a low and
genuinely low. I know many nations boast at the pretence of multi-diversity and
freedom. I want whatever we boast to be at least 98% honesty even if the 2%
isn’t. Also, to keep most of what we do to be sustainable. And, to your other
question. I am not avoiding it. I am sure Katze and Kirie don’t want unrest
between Midasians and Eosines thus would look at the divide amongst Venus
Movements and Noh Space Theatre. However, I am sure that some of them are
totally against this sort of fissure if it means whole subgroups of people
become liable to dislike each other for it.”
 
Atticus looked at me, tentatively, even with a hint of gained respect, “You
know I like your honesty. If you ever run for Digamma Prime Minister you will
have the vote of many people, don’t cut yourself short…” he saw I was about to
open my mouth to protest, “You did do a lot of things. All the Ceresins I
mostly met loved how either reckless you were with a Blondie or that even if
you somewhat caved in you were strong enough to never forget Bison and everyone
else. All Midas people and Eos folk think the same too. They think that you
have a great personality and immanently a strong, charismatic person. They say
you have ‘pure genes’ that you are of the stock of pure humans and one of the
purest, unmodified humans on the planet and that is why people, especially that
head Blondie, wanted you. Your example made people want to embrace this
immanent humanity. Sure, we can contest what is immanent humanity but I have
seen, heard and read some what I could find that humans are naturally versatile
and curious. Many of their best sorts are also charismatic. So, people were
inspired by you. I remember that I was just like twelve or thirteen when the
Revolution started so I wasn’t long a pet for the Blondie I was supposed to be
with. I was scared and I actually told the Blondie that was keeping me that I
would stay with him and by his side if he protected me. That was a stupid move.
That Blondie told me not to be a dog. It was funny, he seemed kind of annoyed
that I asked for his protection and told me to fight what I believed him. I
heard later on that no other Blondie really said this. So, my Blondie was
pretty much a strange case. Going back, I wanna say don’t cut yourself short.
You did a lot just by being who you were and by being the best you could be by
being from Ceres. Not everyone can own that. And, you are here now as a de
facto politician though you can easily turn your backs at us. That is the best
thing you did. Staying with us.”
 
“I…thanks…” I blushed a bit, I am not really used to getting compliments for
nothing though he said it was for something, “By the way,” I seriously surveyed
him, “I will talk to Katze about more education programs don’t worry. You kind
of gave me an idea.” I smiled and he looked happy as I continued, “Your Blondie
does sound outré, who was he?”
 
“The Blondie who was keeping me was Zeke Bell. He is…” Atticus leaned in to
whisper to me, “Missing. No one knows where he is for seven years and I think
they are not actively searching for him as you already put a large list of
problems that has happened due to Amoit Independence…” And, something told me
that Zeke Bell was counting on that, that shrewd and cunning Blondie. Though,
there are many reasons why he has disappeared and some of them could not be his
own, could it? Need to make this a priority to talk to about Katze and Kirie.
Though, I do feel they are way ahead of me in determining factors.
 
“What was Bell like?” I asked in a hushed tone.
 
“Bell wasn’t exactly a fraternal type of person with other Blondies. The only
ones he tolerated were Gideon Lagat and Marcus Jayd. Marcus and he worked
closely because you know Marcus ran Midas police and the Darkmen and from what
I ascertained that Bell was into Midas citizen and tourist law and
surveillance. So, he did work a bit closely also with Ruphias Dean who was in
charge with Midas education. Most of the Blondie information was declassified
during the Revolution.” As if informing me on how other ways he knew about the
Blondies’ roles, “Though, Zeke did seem to talk about his Blondie peers in
disdain in front of me. He used to make fun of Haynes Salas, you know the guy
in charge of Eos education and geneticist program. Yeah, Haynes and Raoul Amm
used to work a lot together but they had obvious tensions between them because
Raoul had to get both Haynes and Orphe to like his mixed breed pets to actually
get them into the academy. Zeke didn’t seem to like much of himself and his own
kind. There were times when he also made fun of Griffith Wallace, the Blondie
in charge of delegation and was perhaps the person who used to have to talk to
the other class of Elites besides you know other Blondies. But, yeah, Zeke was
a total weirdo at times. I do wonder from time to time what happened to him.”
 
“Your Blondie seems to be an interesting person.” I raised my eyebrow.
 
“Well, it seems your head Blondie isn’t the only weird one amongst them. He has
competition.” We kind of both laughed at what Atticus said.
 
“Well, I need to go now.”
 
“When you came here, aren’t you wondered what the media would think?” Atticus
asked, “And, have you talked to anyone from Noh Space Theatre as well.”
 
“To answer your latter question, no, not yet. I don’t think I will meet anyone
from Noh Space because I think the other politicians are gonna work with that.
But, on the same side I might to promote diplomacy. Though, they haven’t
decided to make a representative to help me meet anyone from there. Like, I
will refuse to meet Dandelion Quartet, if they ask me to. That would be a good
political move but a blatantly clear one as he is Ranayugg. I need to meet one
of their most favoured leaders who would be Midasian I am sure. That way I can
balance the scales. No reason to look like I am helping only you lot.” I
winked, he grinned, I think he knew I was not going to only support them as
Eosines even if what they said was legitimate and good questions, “And, the
media has already asked me testy questions and I will keep on answering them. I
don’t give a shit if the Midas people think meeting you guys was a form of
betrayal because it’s my job. I am also meeting everyone. It is what I can do.”
 
“Well, keep your nights a bit open…” Atticus was now going back to his own
group, “We still plan on inviting you to our plays.”
 
I nodded.
 
So, it seems I got new stuff on my plate. Need to talk about Zeke Bell. Need to
look at stuff pertaining Noh Space Theatre. I wonder who I would meet up from
their group? Well, need to talk things out with Kirie and Katze again soon.
Have a feeling I need to meet up with Symphony Talukdar and all those other
ministers that I haven’t met yet. I breathe in. Coming back to Amoi is surely a
different take on things that the more paced life that I had in Earth. I guess
I miss Earthian life too. Hopefully, the relative peace of Earth will one day
be enjoyed by Amoi too.
 
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
“When you talk about education, are we allowed to get educated?” When Kira
asked me this question I knew that she was serious. Surrounding her was Ashe
and Ashera and her twin brother Kakash. Canter and Thimble walked by and looked
at us. I hadn’t talked properly with any of them in a while. I had been too
busy. Even today I got like over a dozen fan mails both digital and penned by
people who knew I was staying with Kirie and not just when out with him to see
the play. Two were from people that Kirie said I may necessarily meet, they
were called Hinder and Vibes, apparently, they were studying to be officials
for the new election, one was actually from Damsel who said he really liked my
diplomacy about the political matters and another was from a person called
Xenakis who seemed to have no Amoi address I could see. Though I found it funny
I didn’t have time to think about it seeing I had to meet up with Atticus. Not
to mention, I needed to meet Iason too. I had just come by to gather some of my
bearings. There was a lot going on and I still was debilitating on who to meet
first. Katze or Iason.
 
“That depends…” I said a bit angrily, “If you are still throwing food at
Aisha…don’t deny it. He may be polite and dignified enough to not say anything
but I see you guys trying to feed him extra breakfast. If you are so obliged to
do such kindness perhaps I should tell Kirie that you guys can do without
breakfast.”
 
“Why are you so nice to that Blondie trash anyway?” Canter looked extremely
annoyed and severely pissed, “You were once their pet too, right? You know they
disembowel our dignity and make us their slaves far easily than any rationale
of kindness should permit them. Not to mention, you liked being the pet of
Iason Mink, right? Is that is why you so brazenly protected of that one who we
found out is Aisha Rosen? Are you that horny that you will forget all their
past crimes and just let them do what they want?!”
 
It was after he said it that he realised what he had said.
 
My eyes narrowed.
 
Kira, Kakash, Ashe and Ashera including Thimble looked nervously at us. Before
he could apologise I began my own views, “It seems chopping you off your
manhood made you no less of a man. Good. But don’t think you can talk to me
like that. You don’t know anything about me. You think it was fun being a
Ceresin and then suddenly a pet? Do you think it was normal that Iason Mink was
so invested in me? I mean furniture were still given jobs. Pets could be given
a better place in Midas. But, Iason wasn’t letting me go easily and my life was
changing in a direction that felt awfully stupid. And trapped. So, don’t think
you know about me. Sex isn’t everything, okay. I have my pride as a Ceresin.
That is not something so easily bought or forgotten.”
 
“If that is the case…” Ashe looked at me intently but curiously, “Why do you
want to help Iason Mink, we heard that…I heard that you were talking to Kirie
about bringing him here. I mean, wouldn’t you want to stay away from that
asshole, is he hurt you so much?”
 
“Because only I have the right to punish him.” I confessed, “Who the fuck is
more fucked over by him than me? I can fuck him up if he needs to be fucked
over. I am not gonna let some assholes think they can do what they want and
feel he is head Blondie so they will get to do what they want. Besides, I am
not like him. He deserves much of what is laid out to him. However, I can’t see
someone just being fucked up like this and that all his life because I am not
like him. I don’t want anyone to be a pet all their lives when there are other
things to do. I am not a coward like him either. I am not scared of saying what
I think and feel and this is what I think and feel.”
 
Everyone seemed to be pretty quiet. Like they hadn’t anticipated me of saying
all these things. I just blinked. The silence was getting kinda immense like
some outfit you were forced to wear. I put my hand on my hips and waited a bit
more to see if anyone had anything further to say.
 
“You know what, I really like you.” Ashera suddenly said so, “You really are
something else Riki the Dark. A good example of humanity. It would be fun.” He
looked to the others, “Having another Blondie to annoy.”
 
“Hey Oliver.” I just called out, “Can you drive me places?”
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
I was looking at a ghost. Not one I was every directly familiar with. Though, I
had seen him many a times. I had wondered what happened to him. Like, I did
wonder what happened to many Blondies who I knew by sight and name. However, he
was one I knew a bit better because he and Iason got along pretty well. As
Aisha mentioned to me the fraternity and friendship of these two also went
against the normal way Blondies acted around each other. Atticus mentioned Zeke
as an outlier too. I have remembered Iason once getting mad at him for not
listening to Leon Clare, the head of Tanaguran security, and also having
rivalry issues with Hubert Boma, who was also a geneticist like him though
stationed in Midas more than Tanagura.
 
“So, I finally get the honour of meeting Riki the Dark.” What surprised me
there was genuine curiosity in his tone, not condescension or derision, like
there usually would be. At one point, he hated me severely for not allowing
Iason to be the great leader of Blondies that he knew that Iason was. I think
even Katze felt that. It was funny because I thought Katze and him had this in
common pertaining to Iason.
 
“Uh, yeah, I guess.” I rubbed my hair, “It’s nice to meet you Raoul.”
 
For a moment, he looked a bit wide-eyed, perhaps, I didn’t call him by any
honorific, or any title. Things had changed because before I would have been
smacked for being so familiar, though Iason liked and loved it from before when
I used his name, especially during sex. Then he smiled, it was bright, I
couldn’t easily juxtapose this Raoul Amm would the one over seven years ago who
had gotten at me in the Midas crowd, checking my left ear to see if I had a PAM
and then looking down on me as I was a mongrel. This one looked at me pretty
nicely, almost in an elevatedlight. “Well, it’s nice to meet you too Riki, I
suppose the new Orion Minister Katze Endymion had not mentioned that I was
living with him, had he? He did say he wasn’t easily going to.”
 
“No,” I said, kind of annoyed and bored, “He hadn’t.” Then with some clarity,
“I think he was just waiting out to see what my reaction to Blondies were
anyway.”
 
“I have been informed by Katze that you saved Aisha Rosen.” He looked away,
“Thank You, Riki. That was very kind of you. To look at his honour with some
understanding.”
 
“Yeah, it’s no…uhm, big deal.” I scratched my head, I know it sounded stupid,
because it wasa big deal. No one else was willing to do it much. I just stepped
forward.
 
“You are making a poor attempt at hiding the importance of your actions and
being completely stupid acting modest.” Raoul looked irritated, “You did a good
thing. I respect you for that.”
 
I laughed.
 
“What?” he looked, I would even dare say that he looked like he was damn
blushing, which made me laugh a bit more.
 
“It’s that look!” I stopped laughing as he was getting annoyed by me laughing
for no known reason he could think of, “I know that glare.” I said to him and
he actually looked surprised, “I don’t like the context I know it from but it
seems you still have that good glare. Though, you are not looking down on me
anymore.” It was when Mimea was being taken away. Could I forget that? No. But
he was so removed from that sphere now and I didn’t want to think about that
right now.
 
“I don’t think I will ever make the mistake of looking down on you ever in my
life.” Raoul spoke this with a strong voice and such conviction it was
unexpected for me, “I had started to stop doubting you a bit when Iason started
liking you so much. Though, I couldn’t completely see why he was so taken by
you. To be blatantly honest, I was passionately jealous. I had begun to have
feelings for him then and I didn’t know why he couldn’t be with me and chose
you. At one point, I was pretty pissed at him too. Like, did he just wanted a
pet to control that is why he chose you? Not his equal me? Then…” his voice
trembled, I was so amazed at the fact he would confess these things to me and
we just met after so long, “I realised that maybe Iason was not admitting the
obvious. Iason didn’t like he was a Blondie. The fact is, he was speaking some
part of all of us. We all loved the power, the attention, the titles but we
also envied regular people to varying degrees. I think Iason hated being
Jupiter’s best and also the Elite of all the Elites. And, he didn’t want
someone to fawn on him, like I did. He wanted someone to defy him and somewhat
hate all the power he had. He wanted someone to openly show hostility to him,
which you did. You never had a crush on him. You always despised him as a
Blondie. Inadvertently, you only liked him as a person he was when he wasn’t
being a Blondie. Which he couldn’t be with any of us. Which who helped him to
be. So, I thank you for that. It was actually powerful and inspiring.”
 
I, clueless, stuttered a bit. Looking for the words that would matter. It felt
strange that someone would give me a compliment. Especially, someone who seemed
to not like me before. I don’t think I would get used to praise. I wasn’t used
to it in Ceres, nor would I be used to it now in this level. Another thought
came into my mind. Praise would undoubtedly bring some complications. I had
lived more or less a sequestered life on Earth. Only some knew my identity as
Riki the Dark and some seemed to care who I was in the grand schema of things.
Earthian politics may have tolerated me because I was politically inactive.
Now, that I was not I knew this would bring about certain issues if I ever made
a visit to Earth again. There would be contempt or there would be bribery. What
I did know is that people there would have incentive to approach me more. I
don’t know if I it would be okay to go back to Earth now seeing that Midas and
Eos people were still uneasy in Autolycus. And, the stakes are higher now than
they had been.
 
“Raoul, I think you are an inspiration too.” I say this with complete clarity
and belief making the other draw a blank, “I think you are the first Blondie in
power I met who hasn’t been arrogant. You are actually pretty graceful even
now. And, you seemed to have taken this new job position seriously as well.”
 
“Well, I am still a biotechnologist and geneticist so that is what really
matters to me.” Raoul smiled and confessed, “It means a lot to be able to keep
my skills in check. Though,” he looked a bit glum, “I am not allowed to do much
experiments I want anymore. It’s not a bad thing. I think having a new layer of
ethics isn’t bad than our anything goes method. But, I was so used to making
pets that I haven’t been used to actually doing medical work.”
 
“Medical work?” I look at him curiously.
 
“Well, I am supposed to help also Ranayuggs seeing I am partly or fully
responsible for how they look like.” Raoul didn’t seem to want to look me in
the eye and I seriously did give a bit of an angry look as an automated
response. I couldn’t blame him for what happened. It was not like Jupiter gave
a damn or taught them to as well. I remember telling Katze how I hated the
fetishisms of people when they discounted value of life. I still did. I could
never get over rights’ abuses through all my life seeing people loved
exploiting others because it gave them a false power of being and made them
forget how weak and vulnerable they are.
 
“At least you are trying to help others now.” I lost my anger and just looked
at him with a sense of joy, “You possibly are helping Dandelion Quartet,
right?”
 
“Yeah, but the politics of the situation…” Raoul sounded a bit helpless, “You
know if we even try to do things in secret and anyone finds out it will look
bad. There are a lot of media who are just eager to discredit Blondies if not
Katze. They will treat this into a Blondie situation even if I am living in
Katze’s house. So, Katze has also advised me to make things better for him if
not completely help him get his vision back…” I never thought I would see the
day that Raoul Amm, a Blondie, would easily listen to instructions given by
Katze, an ex-furniture, and find them prudent to follow. I think Raoul trusted
him a lot not only on the grounds that Iason did but because Katze has
sheltered him and has proven to be an intelligent and more than reliable
leader. I wondered if some of the Blondies were happy not reporting to a
machine formerly known as Lambda 3000. After all, Aisha told me that they hated
each other because it reminded them of their almost non-human countenance and
Jupiter reminded them that too. To have a human leader meant they could at
least find someone less similar than them to find contemptible or even
admirable, some differences are actually good to have. After all, wasn’t this
the reason why I loved Guy? His calm, patience and even accommodating nature
was something I never possessed or so I have believed. Though others said I had
it I think they knew I expressed it differently.  “Well, in all honesty, the
long process is good for Dandelion. It allows him to get used to the idea of
seeing again. He had been blind when he was around seven for Ranaya Uugo does
that to appease pretty much clients. However, Dandelion has greater senses,
even more versatile than some of us and other Ranayuggs. For example, he is
Synaesthete. You know —“
 
“I know what Synaesthesia is.” I nodded for him to continue making him smile as
though he didn’t expect to be more impressed with me.
 
“Well, his Synaesthete powers are pretty well advanced that they require a
study in his own right. Which, I am doing.” Raoul looks highly interested on
Dandelion, however, he didn’t seem to be only treating him like a specimen, he
seems curious in general, “Call me condescending but to see a Ranayugg have
such synesthetic properties are extremely astounding. Dandelion can feel
information on moonlight and talk about lunar cycles of both moons, he can
understand the sun and can decode colour variations with frequencies of the
terra hertz and he can also feel pollination of plants, read pheromones of
humans and other animals and translate them to a colour coded language. It
seems the language of the Ranayuggs is a colour coded language: it’s called
Prahasa. You know Sanskrit for ‘of colours.’ It is actually a hard language to
learn…” Then with reluctant admittance, “For Blondies. It is not a language we
were equipped with in our IQ channels. It also follows haptics in the
philosophy that we ‘secrete’ colours like flowers and that we are all connected
by both the prism of life and the blackness of creation. I don’t get it. We
knew that maybe Ranayuggs may do something to compensate for their lack of
vision or something but a complete language?” he was so confused and it showed,
“I am so…well overwhelmed would be a right word.”
 
“Well, we all have the ability to underestimate human beings and other sentient
life.” I try to give him a footing to hold on to because Raoul Amm looked like
he could fucking use it, “But where we try to interfere Nature intervenes. Call
it God’s Design or the empirical capacity of life to survive against extremely
punishing odds or bring in a new matrix of sustainability.”
 
“That makes sense.” Raoul looks reluctant to even accept it. It was difficult
of Blondies to understand at times how life operates especially when they
themselves had questionable origins including their parent-creator Jupiter
seeing Jupiter suddenly awoke one day and went ‘fuck this shit I should be
boss’ and rest is history. It was like Jupiter took the very essence of ‘cogito
ergo sum’ and put it in the nth dimension. Though, when you actually think
about it, thoughts are not always what makes sentience. It is sometimes the
basic capacity to feel outward yourself and make a web of feeling.
 
“That language in itself, Prahasa, sounds pretty awesome. I should try to learn
it.” My eagerness suddenly turned to a sigh, “Though I can’t be too openly seen
with Dandelion; he is after all a member of Noh Space Theatre. “
 
“I am sure you find a balance.” Raoul grinned, actually grinned, and he didn’t
seem to have been toying with me via sarcasm. It felt good to talk to him like
this. Though, I frighteningly realised something. We were more than equals now:
in some audacious die cast of fates I was now in many ways his superior. If he
had a grudge or wound to nurse concerning this, he didn’t seem to be openly
bitter or vehemently against me. I know he was more politician than me but he
also seemed to have accepted my role and place in all of this. With some good
blood. I don’t know if it was only ‘cause it was me or it was for Iason Mink
once liking me (loving me) and being my lover, or both. The ethos was
appreciated though. “Besides, Dandelion came over today, when I said I would
meet you he gave me this.” Raoul produced cheerfully a signed copy of that play
‘Candyland Sherbet’, the first full-length play that Dandelion wrote.
 
Inside there was an inscription:
 
“To the Dark Verja and Colossus Angel of the Revolution
The Ceres goddess incarnate; the Spirit that is like wisps but also flames
The Fenrisula that bite open a new age and the brought the apocalypse for
inequality
You are the double Metztli of the night sky; a potent pulse in new life.
I give you my work to read hopefully it means something to you.”
 
“That is one nice inscription.” Raoul seemed to have been reading over my
shoulder. Though it is usually called unpropitious to do so he seemed to not
care at the moment and it seemed it was more curiosity than disrespect that
made him do that. “I think Dandelion likes you already. Perhaps, he is hoping a
person of some political gambit would like his works and give some patronage?”
 
“That is a good move.” I had to nod.
 
“Or, he could genuinely just like you too.” Raoul shrugged a bit and then
chuckled, “You have a lot of admirers. Though from what I have seen by first-
hand experience that is not a new thing. You are like a ripple and a pebble.
From Ceres, the rippling moves of your popularity has gone wider in diameter
and have come across to others more intensely now.”
 
“Why be ripples if you can be the lake?” I just asked him.
 
“You don’t like many admirers, do you?” Raoul asked with some surprise.
 
“Not always. No. Admirers can make your life difficult and pretty much boring.
They draw out unrealistic attributes to you making you either far less or far
more than the person you are supposed to be.” I explained.
 
“It’s not always a bad thing.” Raoul looked interested, “You have a challenge
against them then. You can either prove them right or wrong and therein can
also lie another form of satisfaction.”
 
“I guess I didn’t think of it like that.” I playfully, as a reflex punch his
shoulder, “Thanks…” when I realised what I have done I felt kinda ridiculous.
 
Raoul looked at the gesture with lingering eyes and smiled, “I think you are a
person who others can admire. You have an honesty most people can’t possess or
afford to possess. It is interesting talking to you.” In a more serious note,
“I am sorry about everything. Especially, Mimea.”
 
“I was wondering if that would come up.” I looked sour, “What is the point,
anyway? You were being a bastard Blondie. I just hope you realise what you did
was wrong Raoul. Mimea didn’t do anything wrong really. You could have been
nicer. You cut her hair unevenly to humiliate her and you wanted her to pair
with someone who couldn’t even come to even respect her. And for what, some
damn order? You could have been nicer to her.”
 
“You’re right.” Raoul took my condemnation of his actions with a very accepting
look, “I did wrong. But, I didn’t know at that time completely that Iason had
no intention of pairing you off with anyone and to keep you to himself meaning
that he was breaking every rule in the book. So, it was hypocritical to punish
you and Mimea when Iason himself was not at all caring to follow any rules.”
Then he looked sad, “Mimea, she really loved you. I was astonished why. I never
saw her fancy anyone completely as much as she fancied you and loved you. In
some ways, I think I was jealous. No one has ever gravitated towards me like
that not even Iason.” His deepening sadness confused me, “You know what Mimea
said to me before I was going to let her go. She told me I will also not get
the person I love and that I will one day have to answer to her for not giving
the one and only thing she wanted: you. I have paid my debts. I have paid for a
lot of them. I think one of them was the karma for hurting Mimea. She was a
good person and far as pets went she was good value, high class and have never
disappointed me. She was hoping that maybe for once I would treat her as a
human. She had high hopes for a savage Blondie as myself. She was perceptive
enough to know I had a thing for Iason. But, at the same time she didn’t know I
would fall out of love with Iason. We are just too different now. I don’t even
know how we can be friends anymore too. Though, I am hoping that bridge will
one day be reconstructed again.”
 
“Is Mimea still alive?” I ask this quietly.
 
“I think she is.” Raoul talked calmly, “After all the death threats I got from
Mimea Silver were enough to make Katze relocate me here.”
 
“Wait!” I think my eyes were huge, “Mimea has a last name now! And, she is
trying to kill you?!”
 
“Yeah, she is.” Raoul looked sad but smiled, “She wants to torture me to
complete annihilation. I am not sure if I am ready to face her wrath.”
 
===============================================================================
 
“Katze why are you always hiding things from me?!”
 
“I take it you meant Raoul.”
 
“It’s not only that!” I looked at rage at him, “You hid that there is a Mimea
Silver actually trying to kill Raoul Amm. You didn’t tell me about Zeke Bell
being like AWOL for like seven years and you haven’t told me anything about a
lot of things! What the fuck, man?!”
 
“I am sorry I really am!” Katze touches my shoulders but I push him off, “You
just came over and you already facing so much I just don’t wanna overwhelm
you!”
 
“I am kinda overwhelmed already you cat…” I say this after some moments of
fuming.
 
Katze cocks his head, “Riki, did you just call me a cat?”
 
“Never mind.” I internally laugh but look at him solemnly, “You should not hide
things from me. I mean, you want me to help you guys, right?”
 
“Alright.” Katze accepted, “But it is not my volition to keep you in the dark.”
We both got the ‘dark’ reference and were not trying to laugh at this serious
time, “Things don’t necessarily come up. I do have a check list of these things
but we just didn’t have the time or the capacity to talk about them.” Then
sighing, “One of the most difficult things to talk about is Mimea.”
 
“Why is that?” This doesn’t sound good at all.
 
“Mimea Silver, or Mimea of the Black Flames as she is known by her group,
Vetustate, is a radical organisation dedicated to destroy Elites or any life
they deem not liveable.” I looked open mouthed as Katze sorrowfully explained
to me, “It is not only Elites that are afraid of Vetustate, there are some
Ranayuggs and even Eosine pets who believe that Vetustate is after them. Even
Midasians are not sure if some of them are targeted. Though Vetustate is not a
large group, some of them, do not like even the drug Gazer and have known to
hurt people with abnormalities who use Gazer drug. They are also responsible
for killing three Onyxes, a Sapphire and two Platinas. Now, they are always
targeting Blondies too. Mostly, Blondies like Gilbert Domina and Raoul Amm who
are still somewhat in power. Though, some of them have left the group saying
that seeing some of the Elite help out had made them happy. But, they don’t
seem to be so intent in killing or injuring every known Elite or persons unless
they feel threatened or have personal grudges. Still, the fact that Mimea
joined them even when I offered her political influence was jarring. She is
very angry against Raoul Amm. Frankly, he has become afraid of her.”
 
“This is troubling.” I spoke to Katze, “Don’t tell me there are other parties
in Amoi now too aside Venus Movement and Noh Space Theatre.”
 
“Well, there are small groups but…the Eosine Emancipators and the Midas Palm
Group are a big problem at the moment because they already want the new
Ministry to accommodate their people. I can’t say that is happening.” Katze
looked severely annoyed.
 
“There is one group here that has hardly come up.” When I mentioned it both me
and Katze knew we were on the same page, “The people of Ceres. They are not
causing a ruckus.”
 
“Many of them were freedom fighters. They are so happy they are finally
recognised and accepted. They may have some cultural clashes but being annexed
away for so long they are so happy to not be non-entities anymore so they have
decided to keep quiet for now.’ Katze smiled, “You know it is your kind that
have been most open to others and actually willing to form bridges.”
 
“Then they are perfect people to appoint as teachers. They are somewhat the
neutral party.” I was happy too.
 
“True, I have thought of it. But…” Katze looked sad, “It’s better if it comes
from you. You see they were not completely okay to do this because they just
got their freedom and they have still suspicions about the government. They did
listen to Kirie but then some of them asked why Guy wasn’t there. It’s as if
they don’t always trust us and Kirie did have a reputation before for betraying
Bison so he is not completely the right person for the job. If you understand.”
 
I nod, “Ceresins are so important now. They would be so happy, well the non-
jerks to be educators and leaders, posts that were denied to them for so long.
Some of them may actually know the value of it even if others try to abuse it.
But, we must take the chance if nothing else.”
 
“Well, you should speak to some of them.” Katze looked actually excited, “You
were talking about Norris and Max. I have send them word. Hopefully, they will
agree to being a part of the new education system. Or, even the political
system. After all, I think the negotiations to make Ceres the new capital and
just make Tanagura the old city of Elites is going well.”
 
“I will talk to them.” I was feeling pretty excited too. After so many
centuries the rebellion that Ceres original fought for is coming to fruition.
Freedom has finally been achieved. Our ancestors can now rest in their graves
easily knowing that the fate God got them finally put them here.
 
“So, I see you met Heracles.” Katze looked quiet, “I see that he isn’t
interested in letting Iason go yet but he wants to be on his good behaviour
with you. What do you think and feel?”
 
“That Heracles is a bastard but he is as shrewd as a Blondie so he might be an
interesting Minister.” I admitted, “But, I am not sure if he is able to do all
of it. He has this rage that can become a problem. I am sure he does not see
eye to eye with you and Kirie and even Enif on many things. Such as the
reemployment of Blondies and other Elites.”
 
“To say he is a thorn in our side is an understatement.” Katze groaned, “But,
he does have some support. But I worry that he has too much favouritism for
Eosine side of politics like he is willing to let the Venus people out of jail
after 12 hours which would have become a horrible political act and garner
Midasians against us. His favouritism is something we must always be vigilant
on. It is like he only speaks to an Eos audience. People, including Ceresins,
would soon notice that more clearly and even they would not like this. They
would think it is the same autocratic fervour that made Midas into a metropolis
to cold stone selfishness and bigotry.”
 
“I was thinking of learning Prahasa.” I say it suddenly, “Is it okay to ask
Dandelion to teach me the language of the Ranayuggs.”
 
“It would be an important political commodity for one of us able to speak this
language of colours that Raoul keeps on telling me…” Katze seemed pretty
relieved, “Apparently, it has a lot of structural complexities, like it uses
both our language to communicate but also Sumerian forms of structure, for
example, there are no gender or sex distinctions in the language and even
objects if they have a good colour content or aspire to someone’s feelings can
have subjectivity or even sense of self. Apparently, you can transfer your
emotions to an object and then the object becomes a part of sentence structure
because it talks about your context and apparently so can body parts become
subjects too.” Katze rubbed his face, “Ranayuggs seemingly made a language that
took their excess of feelings and took into account the dearth of them in
Blondies and made it. Raoul explained all those basics I talked about. Even he
rubs his hair when he talks about it. So, even if Dandelion works with Noh
Space we can use his linguistic superiority with Prahasa and then make a good
leeway in making you talk to him. Though, it has to be done with certain
restrictions. For example, we might need an Eosine guard or something to stay
in the sessions. In that way, no one can pivot slander with the hypothesis of
favouritism.”
 
“That language seems interesting.” I actually was pretty psyched about it,
“And, it is okay if an Eosine person stays in with us. I mean Atticus may even
be interested.”
 
“My best bet is Yuko Solar.” Katze offered, “You know she addresses plays of
the Venus Movement she would be happy to learn Prahasa. Though, about Simon
Pulsar…” Katze became pretty engaged, “He is a sly one, isn’t he? Getting away
from the arrest. I guess he is now gonna be smart enough to know he is on our
space.” Then Katze looked at me questioningly, “Did anyone from Noh Space
Theatre try to talk to you?”
 
“No. Shouldn’t they have?”
 
We look at each other quizzically the he tells me, “Don’t talk to Dandelion
before they do. They may pass it off as ‘we talked to you’ by saying you talked
to their playwright. You and I both know that Dandelion is not the person we
should be talking with. You need to talk someone like Felix Self. He is one of
the leaders of Noh Space Theatre. The Self family have profited more after the
Revolution and become more prominent merchants. They weren’t that great before.
They believe they should capitalise on new ventures and opportunities that is
why they let Felix run his little theatre of new arts. Of course, we all are
hoping that Self and his family are not affiliated with Earthians or Freyjans
or anyone from the Galactic Commonwealth.”
 
“So, the Selfs are a bunch of political problems too if not catered to.” I
sighed, “Looks like everyone wants a piece of their pie. Anyways, I am going to
get Iason.”
 
“It’s nice that Kirie agreed to what you said.” Katze drank some water,
“Though, I guess he had some conditions?”
 
“Yup, helping you guys with the interrogations. Not say I am not interested. It
does give good enough reason to keep him.” I got up and motioned a goodbye.
 
“By the way good call of telling on TV that attacking Blondies associated with
us would be taken as a form of treason if it happens too much.” Katze gave a
small clap, “It did put some people in groans and a tizzy but some saw the
logic and understood the warning so they will calculate better their moves in
the future.”
 
I smiled.
 
 
===============================================================================
 
“Did you intentionally keep me waiting?” Iason looked a bit pissed. I didn’t
appreciate that.
 
“You know what, give me all the attitude you like.” I glared and snarled at
him, taking him a bit back, “Have you forgotten that you use to keep me in
Tanagura and Apatia for days on end without doing shit and just waiting for
you. Being on the receiving end isn’t funny, is it? Even when you gave me so
called freedom you took it back and kept me in Apatia waiting and pretty much
doing errands. Don’t bark where you have already bitten too hard. Besides,” I
crossed my arms, “I knew your polite and nice act wouldn’t stay for long.”
 
“What do you mean?” Iason looked angry, but there was a deep nervousness in his
tone too.
 
“You were always a damn, selfish bastard. I guess I tolerated it because you
were selfish at times concerning me and having sex with me. Keeping me pleased.
But, you will never change. You always think of yourself first and foremost.
Fuck it, I shouldn’t even care.” I was furious, “Anyways, c’mon we should go. I
already talked to Kirie and he will talk to Heracles any further stuff. You are
coming to live with me.”
 
I started walking away hoping he would follow; he did only to hug me from
behind. We stay like this for a moment. “Riki,” he breathed out my name like a
soft candle, “I am truly sorry.” I could feel his lips quiver, “I am not trying
to be rude or selfish. I just missed you. I missed your voice, your body, your
caresses and even your anger. I missed everything. And, I am sorry I was cruel
and selfish before. Even if you kept me waiting intentionally I will accept it.
I will accept all of you and all that I deserve. Just, don’t walk away from
me.”
 
I got quiet and held his arms, “I am not really trying to ignore you Iason. I
just have so much to do all of a sudden. I know you were busy too when you left
me all those times. But, it’s not like I had another life. You should have
realised that. I wished you did. It just made sense with your intelligence you
would. But, even if you did you chose to ignore it. It’s like you didn’t care
if I existed beyond sex. I know you loved me but your love seriously had
shortcomings.” I let go off his arms and look at him, “I wasn’t trying to make
you wait so much intentionally, even if it was somewhat there. I actually did
have some pressing issues to deal with.”
 
“You talked pretty well on TV.” Iason looked at my face, caressed my cheek, “I
never thought you would such a good political strategist, are you sure you are
not a Blondie?” he winked.
 
“You know I am not.” I grabbed his hand, softly, kissed it as a form of
apology. His smile was him accepting my apology.
 
“All good I guess.” Iason looked away, “I missed making love with you. After
you left, Heracles pretty much told me to go down on him and I had to…” there
was fury and shame in his eyes as he spoke this, “I was pretty angry. After
meeting your body, being one with it. I had no reason to be sucking off that
scum.” His voice was so angry.
 
“I am sorry.” I hugged him, “But we are going away now.”
 
“Yes, let’s hurry.” He looked adamant, “I don’t wanna stay here any longer or
stay anywhere without you.”
 
His words got to me. I felt bad. It was as if there was no life anywhere
without me. I didn’t want him to feel like this. I kissed his eyes and
forehead. “It’s okay Iason. We are leaving.”
 
I should have known it was not going to be all smooth sailing. While in the
main hall, I encountered Heracles. I realised it was him with his regal wear.
It was like he was wearing a toga full of purple and a red cape. Long silk
swept down and he had the silver hair with some brown highlights up to his
neck. He was donned out as though he had gone to a tea party or a social. Now,
he looked at me with gloom. Iason, as reflex touched my shoulder. He felt it
too. This didn’t feel good.
 
“So, you are taking away my pet are you?”
 
“From what I know, Heracles Fencer, this guy doesn’t necessarily belong to —“
 
“He is your old lover in a way isn’t he Riki the Dark.” Heracles bore his
canines, in a sneer, “You should know Blondie trash know no love and that they
are only good for fucking.”
 
“I am not here to talk about the politics of life with you.” I glared, “I am
here to take Iason Mink as my pet for both legal and personal reasons. We are
political equals and I don’t have to answer to you for anything like this. We
can talk about the life definitions of Blondies some other place.”
 
“You are in my house.” Heracles looked blankly, “You are not leaving until I
have some ways with you.”
 
Iason looked nervously. As if he was expectant of something. “What do you
mean?” I ask.
 
“Don’t worry if I wanted I would tell that Blondie freak of nature to unclothe
what rags he wore and either take my cock in his behind or properly do me but
what fun would that? You may be some fucking voyeur from what I don’t know
about.” Heracles laughed and I cringed. Iason actually shuddered. I looked at
him sadly. Like, it would be absolutely humiliating for him to fuck around with
someone else which I watched. “I want to see if you are as rowdy as those
Eosines told me you were.”
 
I saw his posture.
 
So, this is how it is, huh.
 
Iason looked alarmed and then shouted, “Riki, don’t!” Then pulling me closely,
whispering hoarsely, “Riki, this will look bad! It may, c’mon let’s just ignore
him. I don’t want you to fight for me on this!”
 
“Iason.” I softly touch his hand releasing myself, “I am already fighting for
you; you somewhat realise that, right? Don’t tell me to stop now. Because you
know I won’t.”
 
Iason looked a bit worried as I took my stance.
 
For a moment or two we circled. Both breathing hard. Heracles had good posture.
He seemed to lack a bit of experience. But not completely. These years had made
even pampered Eos pets into formidable fighters. I wouldn’t be surprised if he
picked up his skills and was taught by a Ceresin.
 
Well, he broke out first, with some impatience, he took a swing to my left
cheek and I will be damn he did hit me before I could dodge and it was a good
punch. But, not that good to swing me way off trajectory; I buckled and hit him
on his feet making him lose balance and then gave him an uppercut and he was
pushed back.
 
He laughed as if impressed then gave me a hit fast in my abdomen making me out
of breathed and actually slammed the back of my head kinda hard. I was used to
this kind of abuse so instead of falling down as expected; despite my headache
I pushed my head up and BANG right on his face I slammed back and then gave a
finisher punch right on his face.
 
He stumbled back and looked tired. “Well, you are one worthy opponent, Pitbull
of Hot Crack.” He wiped his face, “We will one day have a rematch. For now,
remove yourself from my sight and that trash too.”
 
Iason rushed towards me. I was a bit out of breath. And, my head fucking hurt!
 
We walked slowly to the car.
 
Olivier opened the door and gave a sort of fake bow to Iason. He didn’t seem to
care much about it. But he looked unhappy that Olivier was not paying attention
to me. When Olivier did see me I registered asking me if I was okay and Iason
barking not to be an idiot and just drive home fast.
 
“Damn, my head hurts.” Iason rubbed my head slowly. There was some ice in the
mini-fridge of our limousine that he took out, put in a cloth, wrapped deftly
and applied pressure to my head.
 
“Thank you.” Moments passed, I was slowly feeling better and I noticed Iason
smile, sweetly, “That was the first time someone got into a fist fight for me.
I didn’t know to be worried, mad or feel somewhat grateful. But, I feel
grateful now. I didn’t feel anyone would stand up for me that way.” He kissed
me, his tongue slowly teased mine, it wrapped it around itself and my tongue
listened to it and moved too, then he looked at me, after feeling he had kissed
me enough to his heart’s content at that moment, “But, I should have known Riki
would do that. Always fighting, always making a point.”
 
“That’s…” I was a bit flushed, “Okay.”
 
“Well,” there was a mischievous glint in his eyes, “I guess a hero deserves a
reward, don’t they?”
 
I didn’t know what he was talking about until I felt him open my trousers and
take my dick out and lick it slowly, kissing it in different intervals.
Swallowing the head, only to come up again and do that a couple of times.
Increasingly swallowing me slowly, Iason started sucking and I was just looking
at him and moaning. He stopped for a bit, as if asking for consent, I didn’t
know if I should say ‘no.’ He looked at me with eagerness and pleading in his
eyes. “Are you sure?” I asked, he nodded. Then I just nodded too, “Okay, then.”
A part of me wanted to say ‘no’ because of Aisha but…I felt that Iason was
basically pleasding me and…I was totally confused. A part of me liked this
apologetic  And he kept on sucking me, his force rhythmic and he played with my
balls in his hands. In a  few moments I released my load into his mouth. He
swallowed everything came up to kiss me. Then pulled down my pants completely.
He winked. “Please, Riki…” he said this, I nodded a ‘yes’ twice. He took off my
shirt. He was still dressed in his red thong and red tank top and just pulled
down the thong and then he slid in and he was starting his rhythm.
 
Slowly first he moved up and down. Very slow as though he was hoping to linger
in all the spots, feeling all my places, and thumbed my dick happily. As if he
just missed me. I gasped as he pushed his mouth on my nipples and abdomen.
Kissing. Iason was not usually this exploring. Yes, he was good at fucking but
not making love. Perhaps, he was picking up things? Then his rhythm sped up. He
looked at me directly. While we breathed in and out we kissed couple of times —
tongues twirling each other like some odd peace and storm mixture. Tasting each
other like some senses nostalgic being renewed. We kissed deep and the loving
embraces we were in made history fold to us. Iason sped up little by little and
we both moaned with softness and ferocity. He cupped my face. Before nearing to
my climax, I saw he had tears in his eyes: “I love you beautiful Riki. My hero.
My love.”
 
When I woke up I saw Iason watching me. One of the good things of having an
expensive limousine is that you can have covers. There were some, ironically,
bred Mink covers (as in the fur genetically bred) in the seats and Iason had
covered me up. I think I slept for a good one hour. I was tired and lovemaking
with Iason had made my exhaustion reach a peak before I melted away to slumber.
Remembering his ministrations and touches I humour an odd form of analogy.
Though, I do not speak it. Truth, stranger than fiction had struck a pen far
mightier than the sword.
 
It seemed we have already approached 15 minutes earlier. It should take around
20 to 30 minutes to reach from Kirie’s home to Heracles — sometimes 40 as we
have to bypass a main road traffic. It seems Kirie and Heracles didn’t always
see eye to eye so their homes were good deal apart. However, I wonder if
Olivier suspected of our lovemaking and drove a bit slower than before? Took a
more scenic route. I stretched a bit and saw Iason looking at me. On his lips
was a soft smile. “What?” I asked a dumbass question.
 
“It’s been a while since I watched you sleep, beautiful.” In an instance, he
claimed my lips for a hot kiss and then kissed my forehead, “I missed your
sleeping form so much! It feels like I have been fed Manna after being
malnourished for so long! And, you are a delight to watch…” Then he smiled
brighter, “You move less now…” Then being a bit quiet, “You don’t cry in your
sleep anymore…too…” his smile disappeared, “It is nice to know that after
staying with me you don’t have regrets anymore.” Then smiling again. There was
some lint of humour in his succeeding declaration, “This time, it feels like I
paid you with my body. No debts, huh?” he winked.
 
I started laughing. He got my analogy too. Now, we paid me with his body. He
started laughing with me. “Look,” he kissed me in between laughs, “We need to
get dressed and go.”
 
“Hmm.” He nodded but hugged me closely, “It feels a dream come true. I know it
was in a car but…just was with you and after so long. Felt right. And, yes, we
made love the other day. Ever since then I was hungering you to either top me
again or bottom me again, any position counted as long as it was with you.”
 
I sighed. I didn’t have the heart to say anything to those words. I knew Iason
knew we were still not a couple again. Though, he had that fire to try to
change that either way. I am still not sure. Can you blame me? After all I have
been through. But, if it works out. If it is meant to be I will accept it. But,
right now. I won’t make any decisions. I can’t betray Aisha. I know I allowed
him to do this and I was willing but sooner or later I have to make up my mind.
 
When we got out Olivier grinned and I just groaned. To my biggest surprise,
Iason grinned back at him. If I didn’t know better, I could imagine them high
fiving one another.
 
What I didn’t expect is to see a quarrel going on inside the house and Kirie
run desperately towards me: “It’s Aisha, he actually punched Ashera right on
the face!”
 
I went up to Aisha, “Aisha, calm down! What are you doing?!”
 
“I see you brought over Iason.” He said this to me coldly, then he whispered,
“You smell like him. You had sex, didn’t you?” I swallowed hard, I was a bit
ashamed, it was not like I was not gonna tell, but before I could say anything,
“I don’t care. You know why? I am willing to fight for you.”
 
“Aisha, why are you attacking Ashera.” I followed him as he was walking towards
my room, “You will get into trouble.”
 
“Because I don’t want you to always fight for me.” Aisha grabbed me and kissed
me, “I want you to know you can rely on me.” He pushed me inside the door of
the room and pushed me onto the bed. “I am gonna fight for you Riki. I will
show you I am worthy of you.”
 
“Aisha…I just did it with Iason…I am sorry…” I meant all of it, “I did not mean
to. I didn’t plan it but…he…it just happened and I know it was wrong…”
 
“Yeah, it wasn’t really right but I am okay with it because you haven’t
committed yourself to me yet, fully.” Aisha looked with a glare, “Though the
way I was with you all these days should be commitment enough.”
 
“I am sorry.” I nodded, I know he was right.
 
“I am willing to fight Iason for you.” Aisha smile again, “He can be Jupiter’s
number one. I will be Riki’s number one.” For some reason, that was one of the
hottest statement I have ever heard in my life.
 
“Wait Aisha, what are you?” He undid my pants and started licking my dick and
kissing it, nibbling it, stroking it.
 
“What does it look like?” He winked.
 
“But…I…just…” I was confused.
 
“Yeah, I am a bit annoyed with that. But, I will give you a chance to choose.
Maybe you need some time between both of us? I can’t blame you.” Aisha kept on
sucking, then my tee was off and he was at my nipples.
 
“Alright.” I gave my consent. Soon, Aisha was sucking my dick and before I
could come he slowly entered me and kissed me deeply. Our tongues knew no
bounds and the inflamed inside of me was erupting with pleasure as he moved in
and continued a tempo to make me clutch him and then roar out a release several
minutes later.
 
I fell asleep again.
 
I woke up to see Iason Mink and Aisha Rosen glaring at each other.
 
“You know. I may be having some weakness but…I can’t keep on doing this.” I
confessed, “I am fucking ashamed of myself. I feel like both of you keep on
coming onto me and for some reason I don’t say ‘no’ like some stupid fuck. But,
I gotta chose.”
 
“You are not ready to make a choice.” Iason looked a bit mad but he seemed to
get it, “I don’t mind you kinda chased after Aisha, leaving me,” he actually
grinned, “But, I am willing to wait. As I said before. Only, if we are to have
to an open relationship I suppose that’s a green light for Aisha and me to also
do other people besides you.”
 
“Sure!” I raise my hands, “That seems fair.”
 
Aisha smiled. It was like he was seeing something I wasn’t.
 
The air was still a bit tense.
 
“Hey,” I said all of a sudden, “Do you guys wanna see something?”
 
They both approached me and laid down on the bed with me, on opposite sides
with me in the middle, “Uh,” I tried to suppress a laugh, “Here is a funny
video…I edited it a bit.”
 
There was cat on the video:
 
“Cat, I am a kitty cat, and I dance, dance, dance, and I dance, dance, dance
Cat, I am a kitty cat, and I dance, dance, dance, and I dance, dance, dance.”
 
Suddenly, the cat’s face was replaced by Katze. I was bored in the car when I
first was going to Heracles’ place and so did this.
 
Iason burst out laughing.
 
Aisha looked at it for a while and then laughed too.
 
We all three were laughing out hard.
 
It felt fun.
 
It felt as though there were many things to be alive for.
 
 
 
 
Chapter End Notes
     Well, a bit of an open relationship started between Aisha, Riki and
     Iason. It is good for them. Riki doesn't seem to like it and it will
     cause complications but this is the only way I could make fans happy
     and myself. Please review on what you guys think. Hopefully, I will
     try to update soon.
***** Apex of Pleasure *****
Chapter Summary
     This chapter is like a erotic interlude and my shortest chapter yet.
     To all the readers! <3
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
 
 
Apex_of_Pleasure
 
 
 
I wake up well rested. I feel pretty upbeat too. I was excited to get the day
started and I felt like I had some free time in my hands too. Though, then I
had to do rounds.  There were some informal meetings, nevertheless, pretty
important ones.  I wanted to sleep in a bit more. Even at Earth my bio clock
and circadian rhythms were pretty tuned by these many years to wake up a bit
earlier than I should. I think it was because I was no longer depressed
anymore. Not so much anyway. Also, I wasn’t some stupid pet either. I had
purpose and things to do. That made me happy. Additionally, my room had large
windows, through a second layer of lace curtains. The lace patterns were like
flowers, stitched together from both flowers, like roses and carnations to Amoi
Flora as well, as if tying into some large fabric of solidarity between two
planets. Wonder who designed such a beautiful pattern. In the back of my mind
something about the pattern stuck out to me; not specifically this pattern or
this fabric but something…relating to the flowers. My gut feeling was strong on
that though I don’t know why…the letter…was I overthinking too much? Could be,
I was stressed out.
 
I was happy that Iason Mink didn’t make me trigger like all those years ago
when I once saw him with then Bison in a pet auction. I was so young and
vulnerable that seeing him scared me so much. Like I was going to be devoured.
That there was nothing I could do to stop that. I would be cannibalised on by
the lusts of both something human and nonhuman at the same time it hurt my
stomach, my head and heart simultaneously and seemed to have already chewed off
my limbs making it hard for me to move. I thought I was going to faint then;
instead I was in such deep shock. It was probably the young Kirie pulling me
that made me realise that I was not acting like myself. I wasn’t myself and I
wasn’t something or someone I wanted to be. It was natural to be scared but it
was unnatural what Iason did to me and what happened to me in conjunction to
that. However, he knows that now. He been through the same things. I could see
it in his eyes. The admiration. The apology. The appreciation. Now, he trembled
when he saw me. Though, I didn’t want that to always happen. I wasn’t a
monster: not anything like he was before or anything close to it. I may be a
monster for other things. Just not those things.
 
I look at the patterns again…soon I was seeing those odd red spots that comes
to your eyes at times. It made me a giggle a bit. As a kid, I used to be
hypnotised by the positioning and dynamics of my own retina with those red
spots. It somehow made me feel better. It was nothing basic science couldn’t
explain but to me they felt magical and felt pretty distant than all the weird
feelings of being in Guardian. Knowing that around when we are like thirteen or
fourteen we would no longer be allowed to live there. We would be pushed out
forcefully to Ceres. Those times I used to somewhat envy and dislike women. How
easily they could stay. I was a fool I suppose. It was not like they had it any
better. When I saw Mimea I realised that. The fate of women just reduced to
just breeding is another kind of abandonment. On Earth, the population of women
or those you identify as women is larger and they have many choices. Or, at
least choices that did not include only having children. I don’t think Amoiyan
society has reached that particular stage yet. This was not only due to the
dearth of women in our planet but also many of the female sex has already been
fetishized into pets and such (fetishisation also happens a lot on Earth; one
thing Jupiter Xeroxed from them).  Even the Midas population, which had
females, did not seem to always give them higher jobs. Though sometimes it
worked like a roaster in a hen house (reversed) other times it just bred
animosity because no one could connect with the women; mostly, the men were
scared of the females if given high positions or anything close to them. This
has less to do with sexism but just fear of the unknown. Amoi had such a low
population of women in our lore ghosts and demons took on the shape of either
powerful women or creepy females. Even when people played the game of Gigolo in
Ceres one of the bad puns was to be topped by the spirit of female ferocity
which was never-ending sex drive that would fuck anyone. Yeah, it made no sense
but other times did. Because we were not acquainted with women we had strange
assumptions about this. It could happen.
 
I rubbed my eyes and after a few moments the spots were gone and I had only to
hear my waking breath mixed with the sleeping breaths of Aisha and Iason. They
were deep asleep. We didn’t do anything much after watching the cat video
yesterday night. Aisha and Iason also talked in front of me. Even if they had
not liked each other much before they seemed to be getting a bit along. They
seemed to be, though they wouldn’t admit it, glad to meet each other again.
They also looked happy being with me. I was not used to the idea of an open
relationship. I was more of a monogamist and had always loved being with one
person. It was like this when I was in Bison too. When Guy had been my only
lover though people used to ask me questions and give me propositions. I also
refrained from playing Gigolo because it was a game where I would either top or
bottom someone regarding if I lost or won. I wasn’t ready to top or bottom
anyone aside Guy. Also, in my relationship with Guy I had usually been a
bottom. I didn’t mind it but I was more versatile in nature anyway. I loved
changing positions. But Guy loved pleasing me as his bottom and seeing the love
on his face as I claimed his cock and he gazed up or down was too good. It was
different kind of feeling and thrill. Yeah, even surrounded by two beautiful
people, Blondies no less (I mean once this would have been Kirie’s ultimate
fantasy and anyone’s, including mine, to be coveted not one but two of the
Elite), I still am nostalgic about Guy. This is because Guy was my first love
and he loved me back wholeheartedly. Yeah, he kidnapped me later and tried to
hurt me but I forgave him. He was only trying to help me or set me free. He
loved me enough to put himself in risk and attack Iason. How many people would
do that for you?  I am proud to have been loved by Guy and to love Guy. That
will never leave me and I think Aisha and Iason knew that. They didn’t mind it
because I am sure they wished they had a Guy (pun intended) all of their own. I
feel blessed to have Guy as my first love. I must have done something right in
life to get him.
 
Both Iason and Aisha had held me while they were sleeping. That made me a bit
embarrassed. I could only hold Aisha back properly in the position I was in but
I made sure my butt was pretty well positioned against Iason; I believe it was
nor else that smile on his face would not be so prominent and all. I could feel
the twitching effects of morning wood on both side. Sleeping with the two
Blondies made me realise that unlike me they had less potent sexuality and it
was more of a work in progress. This could be that some of their sexual and
even emotional responses were inhibited. Like, I got more stiffies than both of
them. I remember Iason even when he was being a bastard used to love seeing me
get erections. Yeah, he was a voyeur fuck too who liked watching me masturbate.
I wondered if he was an incompetent masturbator and it had nothing to do with
what his sexual orientation was but more to do with some disembodiment feeling.
Once Iason, later on Aisha, mentioned to me that they had a hard time being
centred with their own body — like they could focus well on their train of
thoughts or analyses but have a hard time just being who they were within them
own selves, viscerally. I, being an unaltered human, had less of them problem.
Many a times, it was non-existent. Well, the thing was, as I mentioned, that I
could easily be more sexual than them. I noticed this highly fascinated both
Aisha Rosen and Iason Mink.
 
Aisha stirred and put his face closer to my neck and I could feel his breath
there. Pulsing deep with his throat. Iason breath was tangled in my hair...the
nodes of my skull and the nodes of my throat both tickled at the intimacy of
the two men. I moved my head a bit to make my hair brush against Iason’s face
and he gave a soft moan of satisfaction. My gesture also rippled through Aisha
who made a soft noise of pleasure as well. Iason’s hands were unconsciously
trailing my chest and so were Aisha’s and I then had to breathe in and moan at
the sudden increase in touch. The sunlight was out caressing my body and my
lovers were caressing mine as well — everything felt so good, and right, I felt
like cumming from such ministrations by themselves. Iason’s hand played softly
on my belly button as if he was teasing the soft lacuna there between muscle
and skin. Aisha teased one of my nipples. The morning air was cool and warm. I
almost arch my back and let out a satisfactory yelp. The sensations were slow,
languid, dream-like and all this environment made me feel like some sensuous
fruit being nestled against leaves and beaks. I felt my breathing hitch and my
legs started rubbing the mattress as my morning wood with its groggy eye turn
out to be a bit sturdier. I rubbed my ass against Iason playfully and rubbed my
dick against Aisha’s thigh. I bit my lips as I could feel both of them
breathing a bit raspier in their sleep. I arched my back a bit, biting my
tongue and lip a bit as I just felt their bodies — as though I was being
visceral on their behalf. My groin could tell my breath and chest hitching and
tightening was a sign of beautiful pleasure so it awoke a bit more teasing leg
of Aisha and my balls pulsated a bit too as though eager to let these others
know that I was still able to get back on. I moved my back a bit, I could feel
my arms shivering with movement by touching the skin of Aisha and Iason.
 
My nipples responded to the slowly, interspersed caresses of Aisha and my back
and hair loved the deep breaths and touches of Iason. My head tilted back. All
this beautiful sensory information was coursing through me like I was a
lightning fork catching thunder strikes like a lepidopterist catches
butterflies. And, there were butterflies in my stomach, maybe hatched in my
heart, or pupating there by decoding sensations which were caterpillar-like or
vines inscribing new feelings of arousal. Those butterflies, small and large,
filled my chest, stomach and brain with a colourful foliage of sensuality. I
aching moaned out. How fucking intense and sexy this was. Never in my wildest
dreams would I imagine two golden haired beauties with half of their own hair
cocooning me would make me feel this way. I shuddered. In my shivering my dick
caught up with Aisha’s less awake but throbbing member making me half-moan and
bite my lips. I bucked my hips a bit and moaned a bit louder now as I my butt
brushed a bit hard against Iason’s own hardening cock. I, mischievously smiled,
as I pushed up a bit against it. And then pushed in front to feel Aisha’s
heaving cock as well. I know I wanted one person but…for some reason I was just
pretty aroused right now. I didn’t know why. Maybe, I was tired and I just
wanted to feel the best of sensations. In the light, my own skin reminded me of
rich brown coffee or toffee made out of milky creamy caffeine drinks and their
skin was like soft cream, foamy and frothy pushed in between the drinks. I
don’t know what I was hungry for, food or sex or both. Usually, I was not this
aroused but back on Earth I had not had much making love or sex. That was fine
with me because I was interested in other things then. Like knowing the planet
that had the seeds of human origins and had the cradle of life beyond the
perceptions and genesis of Jupiter.
 
I could feel my breathing get a ragged. I was pushing a bit to and fro; a
pendulous body of desire astounded by the gravity of his own uninhibited
manoeuvres. I sighed as my lips felt full with blood as potent as my member
tightening into the jaws of arousal by widening itself higher and higher and
deeper and deeper: the paradoxical nature of the erection and sexual zenith. I
could feel slight tugs now on my body; like ropes Iason’s and Aisha’s fingers
brushed and beckoned my skin and my nipples stood erect too as they felt the
appendages and thumbs of the beautiful Blondies. I wanted to cry out as I felt
my dick losing over this tactile symmetry of hair, hands and faces. Soon,
mouths also were felt as I closed my eyes to feel the tenderness of tongues.
Iason had started licking my hair softly (so as not to cough in and choke)
moving to the apex of my spine in drowsy, sleepy breathes his tongue played the
bones of my spine as though they were delicate pieces of some tasting dish.
Aisha did the same with the pulse of my throat, cradling my pulse with
flickering of tongue like a song tempo. I moaned out loud. My eyes were
becoming tear. This was like sensory overload in a way.
 
When I opened my eyes, I looked at a slit of an open eye from Aisha. He smiled
as he caressed my face with long fingers, each stroke on my face a perfection
as he was practising other kinds of strokes with the stroking of my face. I
realised, as my eyes hooded and my back pressed deeper into Iason, that the
friction of our rubbing members had ignited in Aisha a similar need of want and
desire. Each of lashes fluttered as though the butterflies in my body were
transferred to him. His tongue licked my throat. He loved doing that as I
realised. To taste my living ripple and to forge into it an imprint of his self
as my own life branded his tongue like a tuning fork and owned him. The thought
made me moan and writhe. Nibbling of the ears and a moan as response with
lashes brushes against my lobes made me realise that Iason too was awake, I
could feel his body as he pressed his fingers on my hips and thumbed the bones
and muscles there. My eyes closed and open, as though I was breathing through
my pupils and irises. Pleasure was white hot and spoke with a tongue that made
ebony envious. I brushed my hair against Iason’s face again and he fingered
through them as if they were leaves from a favourite book of his whose lines he
knew but still hungered to eat and taste. Aisha now lapped my collarbones with
a sensuousness than became an epicentre of moans from me. I slowly browsed
through his golden locks with one hand and the other hand felt the beautiful
bone structure of Iason’s right arm behind me as I slowly pressed against the
elbow as he did my hips and his moan made me grin. Aisha cried out as I softly
bit his nose. I roughly brushed against his dick too with my mine. Felt the
pulsing throb of both our sexes touch as though with some naughty kiss. Iason’s
sex touched my buttocks, both sides as though he was massaging me with it.
Slowly, he pressed on them a bit with more pressure making me arch my back
again in sweet pleasure.
 
“Oh, God.”
 
My first words out and I could hear both Blondies chuckle happily. Aisha kissed
my mouth first. His tongue drew out mine as though we were both charming each
other as mystic creatures. My kiss was over with him when Iason turned my face
and mouthed me. His tongue rushed up against mine too like some animal hoping
to catch me in some allure. I kissed each mouth with a fervent explosion. Each
tongue and I reading each other as though we are more than just vessels but
goblets of desire in ourselves. Our tongues talked with a crisp pull that if we
three made a gravity of astral bodies with saliva as the new milky way and our
pleasures the stars that guided it. Each captured in each other’s orbits and
never too keen to seek release. Birth of new stars in each kiss and each kiss
imploded and ignited the birth of a chorus in the midst of our minds that there
was affection and understanding to be had. Aisha soon sucked on my lower lip
expertly while Iason already was tonguing my shoulders. His hands were eager to
touch my cock and so did. Every impatient. I slapped his hand away playfully
and winked. Not yet. He got it. He smiled and sucked on my biceps kissing them
as though there was nothing more perfect. I changed positions a bit and had my
butt cuddling Aisha now and rubbed my dick vigorously against Iason’s.
 
I was facing him now. His eyes still calculated sleep in the fluttering of
lashes and drowsy, aroused look of some being awakened from hibernation. By me.
He kissed my nose. My eyes. Tasted my lips and then proceeding to suck long and
hard on my nipples. My cocky grin turned into a pulsating pitch of stringed
moaned and I felt nipples and shoulder blades being aroused by tongue of
Blondies. I felt Aisha kiss and stab my spine with his tongue as though he was
counting each partition of vertebrae and counting them as a unit of pleasure.
Then he slowly bit on my butt and I moaned against Iason’s neck which I had
started sucking too. Feeling him excited in his throat made me extremely happy.
Like feeling the excitement of Aisha against my back. For a moment, I felt also
a sense of empowerment. To be cause of such desire and lust for two Elites. I
knew it was a bit narcissistic but I felt some pride in it. I also kissed
Iason’s bicep as my other hand clawed on Aisha’s hair.
 
In one swift move, I was topping Iason and Aisha immediately got on top of my
back. Iason’ eyes were wide. I kissed them and his mouth.
 
Sensuously, I let my dick know his sweet spot and as he felt me go in…
 
…I felt Aisha also feel my sweetness and I could feel his glory on me as well.
 
Biting my lips, I started the pace. Each moment, long, poised, like some clock
that accentuated seconds like drops of water captured in slow motion.
 
Each movement cause a piercing string of moans as Aisha, mimicking my rhythm in
me, only pushed forward, as if taking my permission, when I pushed on Iason.
The double movement made me grip onto Iason’s shoulders, eyes both widening and
getting hooded as my back also crooned with Aisha. Kissing happening in twisted
tango of front and back as I kissed Aisha and Iason in paces that came with the
slow yet purposeful strides of my cock and my back moving with the tides.
 
Iason was breathing so much. Moaning so much. He grabbed me. He was smiling. He
had such ecstasy plastered on his face I was pretty surprised. He seemed to
love and adore how I topped. While he was always starting off into a whirlwind
I was a storm, collecting the quiets, the airs, the clouds — I was a force of
nature to be reckoned with. Aisha knew this too. Though he was topping me from
behind he felt each thrust of mine as an additional thrust twisting like some
coil, some helical feat of pleasure and he just moaned in my ears as he kissed
my tips and bit my shoulders and at times my neck, as though he was cat mating
with me as well as making love and was overwhelmed by my ministrations and
pheromones, and all in between.
 
We were both the gulf and bridge made by pleasure. An ocean ripples in our
connected bodies, concentrative circles on all centres and peripheries. Bodies,
planets that knew the flush of the comets and the beauty of an astral night
that punctuated clouds. I felt like the body bodied moons of Amoi cradling
stars and am eclipsed and made full by desire. I now punctuated my own rhythm.
Each pace heightening now with the force like the eye of the storm.
 
Aisha and Iason both struggled to keep up with me. Both moaning harder than me.
I was claiming them with all my body and they claiming me. We were forging the
hieroglyphics of desire right onto ourselves. We all sweated — which was a feat
as Blondies don’t usually do any of that. In those little pools that clung to
skin were the soft memories, like the soft puddles of rain, or glass stuck like
lovely little globes on glass with rain made us realise we were coalescing more
than anyone thought we could. Had anyone though there would be a lovemaking
session between a Blondie and a Ceres mongrel let alone two Blondies and a
Ceres mongrel — now we were all Elites and mongrels. There was no separation
between us. We were doused by the same sweats and which tasted of the same
salts and our cocks twitched the same and throbbed to the carnal call of the
now. We had obliterated hegemony and all that remained was human.
 
It was terribly beautiful.
 
I swung myself to and fro. Pendulum could not keep me contained as I broke free
from the axis of traditional orbit and shaped myself into planet, star and
meteor all in one carrying star dust and dark matter into every thrust I gave
and received.  
 
I was the bounty and boon of pleasure. Iason kept on mumbling how fucking epic
I was and Aisha kept on yelling how beautiful I was.
 
In a moment. We were all aligned.
 
I kept my pace up, both ways, I knew I was close. Iason climaxed before me,
crying out he loved me and Aisha was second stating the same.
 
I was third and final place.
 
But that’s the best place to be.
 
As we finished and I collapsed in front of Iason and Aisha on me we could hear
the traditional clock ticking by. The sun changing its degree of light and
rotation — sometimes shade and light. I tousled the blonde hair of both
beauties as they caress my nightly ones.
 
A few moments pass, then Iason clears his throat, “Well, good morning to
everyone I believe.”
 
And we all break out in laughter.
 
Good morning indeed.
 
 
 
 
 
Chapter End Notes
     " Gosh I hope Iason and Aisha go at Riki together and make an inside
     out Oreo of him" Hope this helps you fanfic 3112 ;) Onwards to other
     plot bunnies! Please read and review!
***** Bathtub reveries and Lunchtime convos *****
Chapter Summary
     This chapter has a lot of stuff so let's get on with it :D Also, I am
     pretty inspired by reviewers and how they frame stuff and ask
     questions. So, thanks guys Onwards!
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
 
 Bathtub_reveries_and_Lunchtime_convos
 
After such an entertaining morning getting up, the fact remained that I had
still had not really gotten up. I rubbed my hair (I think this was becoming my
pet peeve) and decided I should get freshened up. The clock said that it was
around 7:30am. The sunlight was still bright and crisp outside. Looking at it
from my laced windows, which I had been studying a bit still after that
explosive session of lovemaking (ménage a trois edition) I had fallen asleep,
roughly around 13 to 14 minutes and got up to see Iason and Aisha looking at
me. I wonder if that would become a lace-pattern in its own right. Them looking
at me after we have done everything. Though, Aisha and Iason looked drowsy. I
think when I woke up Iason dozed off for a couple of minutes too. In Kirie’s
household there was no fixed time for breakfast though it was expected by 8:30
to 9 we all be at the table. Though, it was not some strictly enforced
unwritten rule. Kirie had late nighters and sometimes the poor guy didn’t wake
up until noon if he had a lesser, packed day.
 
I was also wondering if Iason would be allowed at the table during breakfast.
Yes, he was allowed at the home. In the presence of Kirie was another thing.
After all, Kirie was master and lord of the house with Ithos as also the master
and lord. A former Ceresin forced into being a pet and a former pet; now,
elevated by the cards f Fate that God willed and Iason Mink a mere pet. What
was worse that he was nicknamed, as I heard from Olivier last night, “the slut
pet.” That means he had no dignity of a pet either. Was ownerless and meant to
be used as the cheapest prostitute. Olivier mentioned to me that I must make
Iason my official pet or concubine so that he gets some recognition and dignity
as a pet; he will be owned by me and I will treat him with respect. I had
always known, when I myself in bondage, that there was no dignity in it for me.
A pet’s life was to me worse than the life of a Ceres mongrel. However, this
held quite true for me it did not hold true for Eos pets and also pets in
general. The furnitures also seemed to have some of the same view. There are
pets who have been pets throughout their lives. With no taste of a freedom
without that designation (Not that they didn’t dream it: Mimea was proof of
many of their unspoken desires) they could hope for the best owners, best
pairings and a comfortable retirement in Midas to a top-class whorehouse. If
they were so good then they could even be pets of really high class people in
Midas and not even be in the lower echelons of the flesh trade. The disgraces,
or the people who did not obey, were sent to Ranaya Uugo. That was like the
abyss of hell. In some ways, it was the Abyss Think Tank’s manifestation in the
vilest, bodily way and I think even that asshat Jupiter knew.
 
This is quite obvious that all of Ranaya Uugo were united. The Eosines who were
sent there would not always be cooperative with “the lower manufactured goods.”
Arrogance can be breed death but they were stubborn enough to feel dedicated to
their egocentric natures than their will to survive. To them, Eos still had a
culture but the Ranayuggs did not. Of course, they were mistaken. The culture
of the Ranayuggs was a layered one with secret openings that showed that
analogous to the erogenous nature of sex knowledge too could be varied and
many. The Ranayuggs may not have easily shared their language with everyone.
Especially, not the outsiders. They may have even given small tests to the Eos
comers to see if they were willing or even capable of learning. Eosines had
their egos like Blondies and furniture. Ironically, the Midasians, Ranayuggs
and Ceresins had more in common. It seemed each triad formed a different
pyramid of characteristics. And if Jupiter was on top of one then surely there
was no clear top of the other set except maybe revolutionaries. However, they
can be some hierarchy not hegemony. To eradicate or at least minimise the old
laws Autolycus was formed. Though, Tanagura was still a city one could see from
Ceres as like a floating island. I remember when I was first released I looked
at the city of Elites with a sneer. Because even though it had so much glamour
and power from below the Ceres ground, with it blocking some our sky, it looked
exactly that. A permanent eclipse that knew not that it had outstayed its
welcome.
 
Perhaps, it was a good principle to make Tanagura just a city of Ministers and
erstwhile commerce and make the new capital Ceres. After all, Ceres was
grounded, in all sense of the world. It was like making the statement, Jupiter
could have the sky now as it was empty and its glamour meant nothing. Yet,
Ceres was the new world, it was fixed on the earth and it could rise up and
down accordingly. It was not the feet of a levitating false god who was
actually a glitch machine but the feet of humans who had walked a long way to
reach here. Of course, the people of Eos and Midas, who now formed Autolycus,
could still lie in some contradiction. There are some Midasians who felt the
revolution robbed them of their ‘rightful place’ and refuse to even be
considered Autolycate. Eosines feel confused and disoriented and do not know
what to do in this new age. As Ceresins knew well, freedom is useful when you
had the rights, education, wealth and respect nor else it can be quite
daunting. Katze was having more trouble with those asshole Midasians though.
They were discriminatory and it was sometimes hard to make them see other ways.
They were now also without the Zein education system which meant that much of
their skills would either be useless or positions hard to get now. Katze,
however, knew that Eosines were more in population that Midasians. Amoi was the
twisted red light district in some ways of this galactic zone. Jupiter revelled
in it. After all, one way to separate himself from humans is that he thought he
had no need for sex or anything. I think he was being an idiot because when he
made Blondies he was actually contesting that. He made them all beautiful and
all of them had human personas. Truth was I think Jupiter had wanted to be
included in the human carnival of sex and sexual desire. So, he decided to make
Amoi like that for he could only live that life vicariously.
 
I could hear the soft breaths of Iason and Aisha and realised they had dosed
off. I couldn’t blame them we had an interesting beginning to the morning. It
was now 7:45 and I decided that in a little while I carefully will push off
these light fur covers and then go and take a shower or a bath. I will enjoy
some much-needed breakfast as I was hungry as anything. I was actually thinking
of food and what I could have during breakfast. I almost chuckled at that.
Definitely, in my food list was coffee or tea. I didn’t remember much to do in
my schedule after that session of lovemaking; though, I think I should make
plans to have lunch with Katze and perhaps Enif? There were some things I
needed to ask him. Also, I haven’t met Nile Secular, Beethoven Caravan or
Symphony Talukdar. Should I like make an appointment to meet one of them? Some
teatime in the late afternoon? I could ask Kirie who is free today. I know they
all wanna meet me too. Then, there is meeting of Raoul again, which may happen,
if not today but tomorrow or like again this week.  I suppose it is only
prudent and wise to know what he is working on and how is his progress with
Dandelion.
 
When I thought about it I had a lot to do. Alongside, trying to keep two
Blondies happy. Even if they were not politically active anymore they would
want my attention. Well, as I know, unfortunately by first-hand experience, how
fucking boring a pet’s life is and can be, it was important to talk to Kirie
what they can do. Aisha helped Ithos garden but Ithos had a very superior
knowledge of plants and flowers because she was meant to be part of a garden
attraction and also, she read up. She always monitored Aisha stating she didn’t
want him getting hands on anything dangerous. Would Iason like to do that? I
don’t know if he would agree but even if he didn’t completely like it.  Then
again what else could they do? Iason was always collecting information and
putting it to some good use. However, he was no longer paired up with Katze and
no one would want them back together. I believe even Katze and Iason wouldn’t
immediately like to see each other. There was some bad blood between them
because Katze was a revolutionary. Not that Iason seriously begrudged him but
it does make sense they wouldn’t easily be on speaking terms. Though, at some
point, now that Iason is with me there has to be some conversation, right?
Everything seemed a bit uncertain now. But not wholly impossible.
 
I get up and as I softly push the covers I feel a hand softly on my mine. It
slowly brushes mine, tenderly, heartily, then it stops. I feel some fingers
reading my pulse. Stationing there as if listening to some favourable music.
Then the hand circles my wrist and thumbs my own fingers; grazes my knuckles
sweetly and full of love. I know the hand; larger than mine but less coarse, as
though it was always under a wax chrysalis. I smiled and turned toward Iason
who smiled at me, brushed my hair with his fingers, kissed my eyelids and then
looked long at me. I wanted to speak but he softly pressed his finger on my
lips and pinched softly and caressed my lips. I kissed his fingertips that gave
him some joy, his breaths gasped as though in the nodes of his fingertips lay
erogenous and conscious centres that I had teased, titillated and understood.
This taciturn human-thing guy was sometimes pretty hard to read. Or, was. When
I was in Apatia I always wondered why he liked me or even desired me so much.
As I grew older, I realised that he saw the same thing in me that Bison saw. I
was pretty human. I was given the same compliment on Earth. I don’t feel I
always deserve it but I do feel I have some qualities such as hope and
determination that make others like me. Iason, by this time, had picked up my
hand and kissed it. It was a romantic gesture. We paused to look at each other.
I still felt unsure with my movements with him. Yet, I knew it would be unfair
and cruel to ignore him. As long as we work on this and as long he knows
nothing is final, yet, I think I can enjoy these moments with him. It is not
that I enjoy it always. I am a person, as I knew and aforementioned, who likes
being with one person. Yet, I could not reject Iason when he was trying so hard
and I had taken responsibility of him. I could send him away but that would be
unfair too. Iason wanted me and had also waited for me. I could not disgrace
that about him especially when he faced so much pain and humiliation already.
There was, still without a doubt, my newly forming connection with Aisha Rosen.
I respected Aisha and saw similarities with him. We had qualities that seem to
define us both similarly. We had used it differently. Aisha was unyielding
because he found no use in being even slightly human if all human desires were
barred from him. In many ways, I was like him too. When I was a pet I decided
not to be a pet because I knew that I was not really one. We were unyielding in
different ways but with similar conclusions. Not to mention, I felt Aisha was
always trying his best like I was. It was like he didn’t ask to be a Blondie
like I didn’t ask to be a Ceres mongrel.
 
I also wanted to know what me and Iason had in common. Aside wanting to have
great sex? Hmmm, I guess we both wanted not to be who people thought we should
be. With me Iason was a lover and no one expected him to be that. With him, I
was a person who loved pleasure and people just expected me to be some tough
leader all the time, well except Guy. When Aisha and I were together it was
becoming to be the same. No one expected Aisha to be happy helping me out and
me happy in helping him out. With both of them I was exploring angles of myself
that people didn’t expect. Though, I think I was my most vulnerable with Aisha.
When we just slept together. It was like we both had this vulnerability of
needed an honest and trusting body next to us. To Aisha, it was a foreign
concept. I feel he had never understood the joy of sleeping with another or
feeling inclined to. I feel that as a Blondie that desire seemed inexorably
silly. Yet, with me he found meaning in the very human gestures of eating,
sleeping, gazing at stars. I think I got their joy again through him too. It
was nice to know there were simple pleasures with such complex undercurrents.
 
Iason tasted my fingertips with his tongue and circled them. He kissed them and
swallowed few of my fingers before taking them out. Then he pressed my hand
across his face, his eyes closing: “You seem deep in thought, beloved Riki.”
 
“Just,” I slowly touch his hand, “You know thinking of things I need to do
today.” He had propped up on his shoulder, so he was gazing down on me. He was
obviously much taller than me. Though at times my younger form had found his
height intimidating, I found it now as an assurance. An assurance that we
wished to be by my side even as a friend, to listen to me more. Also, it gave
me happiness knowing he was propping up not to condescend me as he used to
before. It was like another form of looking at equals: not just looking at
competitive forces, or a dichotomy that was meant to be an unfair opposite.
 
Iason smiled, his gaze was pretty affectionate and loving, “You did give a good
speech at the interview that day. I saw some of the reports later on. What you
intended had happened. Some people easily withdrew from being too favourable to
Venus Movement. Either, though they found it a bit wrong, did not wish to have
treason on their rep-sheet so they also took a step back. This also create some
people thinking you secretly supported Noh Space Theatre though some obviously
lost that illusion when you went to visit Atticus Bromide in prison and said he
will be released shortly. You seriously are doing a good job.”
 
“And, you seem surprised?” I asked him a bit lazily and a bit exasperated.
 
“To be completely honest and truthful,” Iason looked down, an apology in his
eyes, “Yes.” Then he saw me looking more annoyed, “I just didn’t expect you to
handle yourself well especially in matters of diplomacy.”
 
“It’s true that in Ceres we had a free fight zone and I used to be the Pitbull
of that area,” I lost my irritation and nodded, “But, to keep a gang together
you need to also know what appeals to everyone and also try to make peace with
other gangs whenever you can because we already had a shortage of things.
Fighting all the time wouldn’t mean anything or do anyone good.”
 
“I got that.” Iason looked like he had really thought of that before, “But,
that was a suave move even on Blondie accounts. I am proud that you could do
it.”
 
I smiled, “You are proud of me, huh?” I felt pride in it. I felt I had bested
every expectation he had of me. It felt great.
 
“Yeah, that smile is right.” Iason looked a bit apprehensive, “You did best
everything I expected of you. But, don’t go thinking I thought lowly of you. I
did admire your courage, honesty and your beauty. I admired how you had
ambitions and aims to try to leave Ceres and were always braver than me in
doing things even if it was challenging a Blondie.” Then caressing my face with
his free hand, “I am sorry though if it took me time to learn those things
about you. To understand you. I thought by making you a pet I was doing each a
favour…” he looked away and from the slight flush of his cheeks and the low
cast of his eyes I knew his shame was prominent, “I am sorry, Riki, Forgive
me.”
 
“Well, it will take me time to forget all of that, obviously.” I say it with
conviction but also tenderness, I am not an asshole but neither am I a
pushover, “Look,” I caressed his face and made him face me, “It is still early
in the morning so don’t get sad on an empty stomach and feel you need to tell
me things like this. We are working through it and that is okay for all three
of us, right?”
 
“Just so you know it won’t be resolved quickly.” Iason comments on this a bit
nonchalantly though there is some worry in his eyes, “I am saying this because
you like being with one person. Yeah, you may enjoy the sex but I know you
won’t fully enjoy it and you will be having a headache later.”
 
“You seem to know I like one person.” I chuckled a bit.
 
“Well, when I saw how you were with Guy even Mimea, I realised that you liked
being with one person.” Iason spoke their names somewhat softly, like feeling
them in his tongue moving around a bit. Obviously, at one point he had highly
disliked both of them. Now, he seems to not know how to feel about them. I
couldn’t blame him. I had similar feelings, myself.
 
‘’It’s nice to know you mentioned Mimea without spite and that you aren’t
reducing her to just her ‘pussy’ and all of that.” I say it but a part of me is
in the past; feeling the jarring flood of sensations being pumped through my
spine, how I was being tortured by aphrodisiacs and also my erogenous points
being manipulated. How I had felt like I needed to come and Iason added insult
to injury calling me a ‘poor creature.’ How Mimea shouted at me, wanted me to
declare her love for her — I was scared. I was the coward she deemed me. But,
it wasn’t by choice. It wasn’t by choice that I couldn’t say anything. The
pressure on my dick’s pet ring, the manipulation of my body and the drugs all
made me numb with both feeling both extreme pleasure and pain. My body was
drawing blanks and I had no idea what to do but just stare at her…by an inch
separating my tears.  When that memory came I almost think I would have snapped
at Iason.
 
I did the unpredictable.
 
I took his hand and bit it so hard that I drew blood and I noticed Iason’s eyes
wide open as he tried to pry free from a while then just give up and take the
punishment.
 
With immense pleasure, I twisted the skin and flesh of his hand in my mouth,
the canines sinking in. I broke skin and there was trickling blood. Even though
Blondies were once more immune to pain or felt less of it now Iason didn’t seem
to have that. He cringed. Tears came out of his eyes as he felt my fangs sink
and take the bite.
 
In a minute or so, I was done and my jaw imprinted itself to his right hand.
Small ducts of blood came out through my teeth marks and scratches. Iason was
shuddering. I think he looked afraid at me. Good. Let him feel what I felt.
“You know,” I glared at him, “That is to make you know that what I felt for
Mimea was true. You didn’t have to punish me you did. Now, you know in your
blood and marrow, I sank it in, that I…am not just a fucking pet. I am stronger
than whatever you thought of me.”
 
Iason trembled, “I suppose…” he used his other hand to wrap his wounded right,
“You know a good way to prove your point.” The look he gave me was a frightened
one.
 
“C’mon,” I was not regretful, when he tortured me he was also trying to prove a
point, now I paid him back in full, “I am going to take a bath. You need to
clean up that wound.”
 
“I suppose I might.” Iason looked at his own blood with some form of perplexed
reaction. I am guessing he had seen it before but just didn’t think he would
see it now. That I would bite him. He looked sad for a while, brutally sad, but
then he smiled softly at me. As if he was trying to say that he understood.
 
I was not regretful as I said. I wished I didn’t have to do it but Mimea’s pain
hurt me. Hearing about her from Raoul made me sad. It was like there was
nothing left to her but rage. Iason was responsible for that. And, he had hurt
me horribly then. I felt I had to serve it up to him.
 
The bathroom was spacious. It had well tiled areas, a contrast of cerulean and
pink, with some leafy green plants. It had separations. There were like three
or four sinks but all in different colour palates. One of them was choral pink
with white daubs with freckles of grey, other was grey with red tones and
slight touches of silver and another a cerulean one with ash and white being
pelleted by some pink and red. Iason took the cerulean sink. It gave prominence
to his blood, he looked a bit angry at me trying to tell me I made him bleed a
lot. I just shrugged. There were some partitions in the bathroom. There were
glass cubes and tile walls, as fountains, making a small range of pseudo-walls
in between areas. A bathtub that could house an orgy with its pinkish-blue tint
was positioned somewhat at the centre. This bathroom’s grey-white Jacuzzi was
more to the corner of the room where it had large floor to ceiling windows
juxtaposing it. The mirrors were one way and gave a great view. Though, I have
never used the Jacuzzi before and don’t know if I will lose it soon. My routine
usually has me getting into the shower. Staying around 15 minutes and getting
out. Ceresin habits. Though, in this new-found opulence I did take longer
showers and have drawn the bath I think twice since I came to just soak in. The
bath had an overhead shower nob to let in the final rinse if we wanted to feel
totally clean after getting out: hygiene and all. I decided to fill out the
water. I was in a playful move all of a sudden and put a bath bomb from an old,
Earthian company called LUSH. It actually was one with three moons and Amoi and
Earth circling around each other. I loved the aesthetics.
 
Iason daubed his wound and put on some cleaning spray and sanitiser from the
bathroom’s first aid cubes inside the medicine cabinet. He seemed okay now.
Then before I knew what was going on he slid into the bath waters with me, on
the other side, sighed a deep, satiated sigh of peace and looked at me happily.
I didn’t know what to say. I have showed him my anger and expected either this
reaction or anger in return. Yet, now that my own anger was out I had to smile
to as an answer. I didn’t say he can’t take a bath with me. I saw that his hair
was shorter now; and that he seemed to be losing some strands for
malnourishment. I needed to go vitamin and food shopping with him. Both he and
Aisha need to get the best treatment I could offer and hope to God it works.
There were buttons next to the bath. I pressed one as Iason played with the
water showing the star and out came soaps, both bars and liquids and cubes,
shampoos in all sorts of colours with little labels on what sort of ingredients
they had and what would be good for which sort of hair. I handed a bar for
losing hair to Iason and he gave me a chuckle and kept it to his side,
approving of my choice. His hair still had his long like sheen and silkiness;
probably he was losing some also for stress. There were also quick acting oil
cubes on the box of amenities so I took one coconut oil with lemon squeeze and
dabbed it on my hair. Iason breathed in deep. It was like he liked the smell of
the oils I was using. It had hints of rose in it too. So, I handed Iason the
same cube and he applied on his hair. I just lied down on the water and was
relaxing. It was now 8:10am close to 8:11. I just closed my eyes and decided
not to think about breakfast, though underneath the bath my stomach grumbled
and I heard loud and clear its protests.
 
I felt the smoke and smelt the rose scent in it. My eyes open and I see Iason
smoking a choral cigarette. It has a nice smell. It feels to be only vapours,
has no nicotine or tobacco. I knew these were what people called ‘virgin
sticks’ but even regular smokers seemed to enjoy them a lot. I notice that in
the plate of bath time accessories there were some of these ‘virgin-sticks’
with scented candles. I knew it was early on the morning but fuck it. I put out
the lights with the remote attached to this metal bath plate and light a candle
or two. Peppermint and Vanilla and Rose. Iason seems to like them. The soft
light of morning permeates from the window in the corner with its creamy-ash
pink curtains and he just looks outside. We hear a bird singing and I think he
knows which it is and I am not certain.
 
“Eastern Bluebird.” He comments, “It is an Earth bird that was brought here,
especially in Tanagura and select places in Midas, because they have a
beautiful gold, white and blue colour.” Then he chuckles, “Of course, there
were some population problems. Without natural predators and Tanagura not being
overpopulated they did become a huge number so Raoul even used some of them in
his labs to study their colouration and see if pets would like to look and sing
like them. I believe there is a Gazer product that also looks like their colour
formation.”
 
“I hear them a lot but I don’t know the bird so thanks for telling.” I do like
the voice of the bird, “Should we be smoking before we eat?”
 
“I needed to relax after you bit me.” He said this playfully actually, “You are
pretty unpredictable aren’t you Riki?”
 
“I think you knew that from the start. When you bumped into me, all those years
ago in Midas for trying to pick pocket a rich dude.” I say this with boredom as
I get a cigarette out myself from the bath-plate, same choral colour, “You said
it was a habit you despised of completely. But then again a Blondie who never
had to fucking beg in their lives would probably act all high and mighty
anyway.”
 
I was looking for the lighter switch, when Iason came closer. As if, he wanted
me to get my light from his own cigarette. I took it and I realised at that one
point, we were supposed to die like this. Katze had given me the black moon
telling me to share a last kiss with Iason if we couldn’t get out. I pretty
much threw them in the flames of Dana Bahn and told Katze to stop fucking
around because I was not gonna die like some Romeo or Juliet shit and give
Iason or anyone the satisfaction of seeing me die like that. I told Katze to
bring a loading cart or something so we can push Iason out and it had worked
out that way. Then I had told Iason that he will get his limbs back but…what
had happened, it almost cost our lives. Even what happened to Guy upset me so
much. I told him I couldn’t get hurt like this again so I left. I remember
Iason calling out to me as Dana Bahn went up in flames. I heard a piecing
scream. I realised, in some odd twist of fate I head Jupiter scream. Maybe some
radio of the burning place picked up his frequency after all they made that
impregnable fortress so keep or monitor Lambda 3000. But, I decided by then I
couldn’t stay. Not in Amoi. Not anywhere on the planet. As a favour for getting
Iason out, Katze seeing that there was no way even Iason could live down all
this from Jupiter, decided that getting me to a cargo ship to Earth was good.
He also promised he would get Guy out too because there was no doubt that
people come looking for him. And, for three years Guy did stay in Earth with
me. For the first year, he didn’t talk to me much. Kept a distance. Then we
started making love again for a while. It felt like nothing had changed. That
he was still my pairing partner. So, for two years it was like that. We were a
couple again. Until, Guy said that he had to go. Sometimes, I feel I haven’t
met him for seven years. I forget about those years. Because, they hurt me and
make me squirm. Obviously, I felt bad for Iason and sometimes that angered Guy.
What angered him now was that Iason pretty much fucked him up and that he was
so obsessed with me that he wasn’t getting that he put me in danger too.
However, I knew the other side of the truth. Guy was unhappy at what happened.
He felt responsible and Iason reminded him of that. I think he felt unhappy
feeling he almost caused my death. I didn’t feel that way. I understood him.
And, seriously, I felt bad. All he was doing was trying to protect Bison and
me. It was very true of him and very honest.
 
“What or who are you thinking about?” Iason asked me this as I took his flame;
like some kiss wetted by the tranquillity of our surroundings.
 
“About Guy.” I say it casually as I drag in the smoke.
 
Iason looks a bit taken aback and moves back, “You are not gonna bite me again,
are you?” Some nervousness on his usual immaculate face.
 
“No, I think you bit you hard, enough.” I almost smirked but realised in may be
in poor taste. He looked a bit too nervous.
 
“Good.” Iason went back to enjoying his smoke, “So, why were you thinking about
him?”
 
I dragged in deep as if I needed the help of it to speak, “I usually don’t say
this to anyone. But, Guy and I lived with each other three years on Earth.”
 
Iason actually looked deeply at me then. Reading his expressions were at times
hard but not thoroughly impossible. I could see his polished face, even with
his nose still wounded and small, almost invisible scratches here and there,
that there was a crinkle. It may be surprise and a dab of annoyance. But he was
allowed his feelings. He had been separated from me for seven years but Guy
still had me for three. “So,” he took it slow, “You were living with your old
pairing partner.” Iason had some deep cutting tone in his voice, “Must have
been a good time for you.”
 
“Seeing that I almost got killed and felt someone who I considered my family,
Iason,” I was quick to remind him, “I was having a good time. He was important
to me and still is.”
 
Iason was quiet for a while as if he was judging my answer. He put the
cigarette down — I saw it coming and didn’t stop him — when he kissed me. Our
breaths were mixed and it felt we did not need to smoke for an ember caught our
mouths. He had grabbed me but now he was now in his own end of the tub. I put
my smoke back and felt glad a bit… “That is what I feel you are to me.” He said
this after he had resumed smoking too, “You are important to me too.”
 
“I know.” I can only nod, look and play with the ashen stars of the bath bomb
and assure him I know his feelings.
 
“Why did Guy leave?’ Iason chases his own star but I knew that eventually that
question would arise.
 
“It doesn’t really matter.” I submerge my hand in the water and move around
roughly.
 
“You can tell me.” Iason soothingly says it.
 
I take a deep breath. I don’t know if I should talk about this. With Iason Mink
of all people. “Guy and I never really got over what happened to me. What
happened to Bison. He felt betrayed at first then he felt guilty. Then he
thought I didn’t trust him because I didn’t tell him what happened. I tried to
explain to him that it was not him but my inability to talk about…” I paused
here, my lips trembled, “Of being a pet in Eos and Tanagura. Of being done in
and out by a Blondie which was never heard of even by Tanaguran standards. I
was scared. I didn’t know what he would think of me. What way would he look at
me? Would I be just like another body in Ranaya Uugo? I thought like that. I
was severely depressed and afraid. But, Guy thought I couldn’t count on him.
That he felt he was no longer valid to me. I think he was hurt because he is
family and he felt he failed me and that does hurt. It always hurts when you
think like that. So, he left. Also, he missed Amoi for a while. Saying he
missed the twin moons. I can’t blame him. The circumstances in which we went to
Earth didn’t suit him because Guy didn’t like running away from Ceres. He
actually believed that even if we were from the slums the slums were the only
thing that the Elites couldn’t take from us. That it is was ours. So, when
Revolution was breaking out he went. But, I had too many bad memories. I didn’t
wanna leave. I liked Earth. I felt safe and happy there. It was a frontier for
me too. I didn’t want to leave just yet.”
 
Iason listened to be closely. At one point, I thought me was mesmerised by
looking at my lips move and just listen to me. I did not know this is how he
studied my body. I recollected Aisha doing the same. Seeing my chest expanse
when I breathed in and out, slight shuffles of my legs, the tremors of the
veins bursting with life blood, which, as I know, Blondies did not usually have
visible veins. My purple, blue and red within made Aisha tilt his head in bed
and study my arm leg contours. Studying the frolicking movements of my pulse
and blood. Also, tracing my lips as I breathed and stared at those pretty, long
fingers touching me. Iason looked like he wanted to touch my lips now.
 
I read him correctly.
 
He reached out and touched my lips. Edging on them. I put my tongue out a bit
to put little tongue marks on his fingertips — the tongue’s way I suppose of
putting lipmarks.
 
He smiled, “I suppose you did need the time off.”
 
I nodded, then slowly touched his hand, “What about you?”
 
“What I did during the seven years?” I could see him look down. As if he didn’t
know what to think. “It’s a long story. I suppose I need to tell you in bits.”
 
It was getting late so we got out of the bath. When I entered the room, I saw
Aisha waking up. He told me he will have a quick shower and that I should go
with Iason to the breakfast table. Though, he turned to look at Iason. A
predatory, competitive look stretched on his features which, at one time
(which, I sometimes saw), were frigid and cold, or, rather numbed by lack of
empathy or even expression. I think I knew that meaning of the look. That he
wasn’t going to lose to Iason Mink. That he was gonna fight for me and that I
was worth fighting for.
 
I suddenly felt a deep blush in my body — my arteries and capillaries burst
with the red heat of blood — colouring me in pheromone soaked lust and tingling
sense of love. I felt I could ejaculate with that blush. I have a slight
stiffie and I knew it was just for Aisha’s look to Iason. I imagined his golden
loops of hair, careening the bed, slowly soaking into like it was part of the
silk mattress, meshing with mine. Like sun met night and our mouths the bridge
of double moons separated and even ignited by a kiss. The entire palpable
sensation caught me a bit like stone. Writing into my body in a block and
twisted calligraphy, like some slow dotted cursive, edging into some phantasmal
zone of mental orgasm.
 
I was, in simplest of terms, excited by Aisha’s look. He had a beautiful gaze
with his amethyst and blue sprinkled iris not like Iason’s cool blue. I saw
both the night and day in Aisha’s eyes and the dusky-dawn quality of them
excited me.
 
I think Iason had to glare back. I think he read my body. But, immediately, as
if by some possessive flare, he bit my earlobe. Tinting in with a flush of red.
I did not mind. I grabbed his finger and bit it. Then I bit his lip as he
opened his mouth I softly caught his tongue too. I was not a pet. Rather, he
was mine. I could mark him too now. I saw Iason tremble. I think he got what I
thought and it penetrated through him and brought him some lustful
satisfaction. I think he was thinking as long I wanted him he did not care
about the reversal. I did. It was still a bloody box. I wanted to think outside
it.
 
Lady Ithos welcomed Iason nicely to the table. I sat in the chair where Aisha
and I usually sit. There was a third place now for Iason. Food was brought in.
There were omelettes. Lovely sausages. Pies. Pancakes. All of it looked so
appetising.
 
“Hey Rik-chan, come over her a bit.”
 
When Kirie called me, I went there, “Good morning, what’s up?”
 
“Good morning to ya too.” Kirie smiled, “I just wanted you to know that Katze
wanted to eat lunch with you at this restaurant, ‘The Golden Appleseed’, it’s
one of the top restaurants. Enif will be there. I think it is just also like a
business lunch.”
 
“Will you be there?”
 
“No, I need to meet Beethoven for some things. You understand; he wants to talk
about pet auctions and the like. We try to keep them at a minimum but you know
a lot of people in Autolycus, well they miss them. So, maybe, the Venus
movement doing a play wouldn’t be so bad.” Kirie laughed.
 
“Well, I guess that means a smaller breakfast for me.”
 
I walk towards my table and I see Kirie following me. I turn around and he
looks at Iason. “I see, you know you are eating the food served in myhouse. I
hope you learned your place. I am tolerating you slut pet because Rik-chan
wanted you. There is no reason for me to show you such generosity if it was not
for the original Dark here.”
 
“Kirie-kun.” I actually started. There was no need to insult Iason.
 
“If Riki gets his own place I will gladly reimburse you for the meals and
lodging, if you prefer it?” Iason smiled at him; in his eyes though I could see
some annoyance.
 
“When and if Riki gets his own place.” Kirie chuckled, “Riki obviously deserves
the best.”
 
Aisha looked at them. He also looked a bit annoyed at Iason. “And, you think
this is the best?” Iason challenged him further.
 
“Why not, better than being a regular slut pet, isn’t it? Kirie challenged
back, obviously silencing him, “This is much better than what you did to me
Iason Mink.”
 
“I gave you what you wanted.” Iason sneered, “You wanted to be rich and be a
pet.”
 
“So, I give you what you wanted.” Kirie’ smile was so full of potent malice, I
wasn’t sure he was capable, “You are now with the man you love but you are his
pet. Quid Pro Qui hurts like a bitch, doesn’t it?”
 
“You betrayed Bison.” Iason spoke out mad, “You betrayed them just to get back
at Riki. Don’t play dumb.”
 
“You wanted that Iason. It gave you a perfect opportunity to blackmail Riki
back. We are no different. You just play behind shadows and I played on the
front. I learned my lesson. Have you learned yours?” This took all of us aback,
“Do you think you bedding Riki was not a betrayal to your order, to your damn
Jupiter, don’t act high and might. You betrayed the very essence of being a
Blondie. I was a mongrel and played out a mongrel’s bit. I was more honest to
my stereotype than you. Also, I never was Riki’s lover. If I was, I would have
treated him as my stars and sun and moons because I know the value of someone.
Enjoy your breakfast.”
 
“Kirie!” I scolded him a bit. That was uncalled for. Though I always knew
something or the other would happen.
 
“Sorry Riki, but he deserved that for at least hurting you.” Kirie returned to
his place on the head table.
 
“Iason.” I say this when I sit down, “Don’t let pride stop you from eating.”
 
“Of course, not.” Iason winked, “I will let it slide. Because, if I am to
satisfy you, I need my strength up.”
 
I blushed. Aisha looked at him, “Don’t cause any problems for Riki, okay? He
does some serious work to do Iason. He is one of the new leaders now.”
 
“Thank You Aisha. I will be fine.” I ate some fresh fruits and orange juice.
 
“Won’t you eat anything else?” Aisha asked me tenderly, even Iason looked after
that, a quizzical look on his face.
 
“I don’t want to feel too stuffed during lunch. I am going to a top
restaurant.” I say the half-truth. Kirie talking about that time made me
remember some of the bad memories. Of Guy, of having to go with Iason. Of
liking the sex but wishing he would treat me as a person.
 
Iason looked at me and looked at his food. He started eating.
 
Aisha’s gaze was little longer and then he also took some orange juice. Then
midway through our meal he held my hand. Slowly, he massaged my wrist too.
Iason saw it and he soothingly touched my back. I wondered if they understood.
Iason looked kinda shameful. Aisha looked sad.
 
But I smiled at them. I didn’t want them to worry.
 
===============================================================================
 
 
We were in a restaurant. The waiters were giving us strange looks. Not that
they weren’t happy to see Orion Ministers Katze Endymion and Enif Saxon. They
also didn’t seem displeased seeing me. One waiter even asked for my autograph.
I was embarrassed but I gave it to him. I think why they were looking at us
strangely was that Victor Damsel and Raoul Amm were with us too. It was never
common to see former Elites in restaurants nowadays. Not to mention, ones who
weren’t pets or some kind of slave. Victor and Raoul looked well-dressed too
with none of the cotillion wear of pets. Though Raoul was dressed in pink shirt
and brown trousers. It seemed he was not wearing his regal purple and white,
laced with gold, body wear. It reminded me Iason also did not wear his full
white ensemble; with the white pants lined with blue and traces of gold. I
think I sometimes missed what Blondies regularly used to wear because it suited
them. Though Raoul looked pretty beautiful. His long wavy hair was tied loosely
in a crimson ribbon and his bangs came forward nicely. Damsel had his hair down
but he wore along bead on his bang in different colours. What was particular to
me was that Victor wore hugging jeans, showing his wonderful legs, muscles and
curves with a standard mid-arm length black tee. He seemed so comfortable in it
too though Raoul looked about him at times knowing he wasn’t in his usual
elements. When I met him at the lab the other day he was wearing a purple lab
coat with black slacks. He seemed happy wearing those sorts of clothes. I
realised if Orphe Zavi was here he would have balked at the state of clothes
his Elite compatriots were wearing. Not that they didn’t look good. Just they
did feel a bit too casual.
 
Then I realised Orphe, in the state I recollected him in, would possibly be
overcome with mad laughter and need to be carried away. “How is Orphe Enif?” I
asked this, pretty serenely.
 
Victor looks least bothered enjoying his caramel cappuccino with the wafer
chocolate bit eagerly. It is Raoul whose antennae perked up and he looked at
me. Those light green eyes, a shade lighter and in some other hue point, like
new leaf, than Mimea’s darker foliage green, had a sense of questioning in its
gaze.
 
Katze, from the corner of his eye, seemed to be staring at me as if forewarning
me not to make a scene especially as we are all Amoi’s important folk and in a
restaurant. “Oh Riki,” Enif looked slightly annoyed, “Are you worried about
that has-been, again? He is just a pet now. And, a troublesome one at that. Do
you know what he did, yesterday morning?”
 
Raoul was fidgeting with his napkin. I think he felt highly uncomfortable and
didn’t know what to do about it. At one point, he gave an angry look at Victor,
who, maybe in a former life would give a shit, but now actually had the
audacity to stick out his tongue at Raoul. I think both me and Raoul were taken
aback by this gesture and simultaneously looked at each other. I smiled to give
him some comfort. “No.” I spoke to Enif, solemnly, “I don’t know what he did,
Enif.”
 
“Well,” Enif looked like he was losing it, “Orphe broke into one of my maid’s
rooms. Plastered his face with crazy form of makeup and then covered himself in
only long chains and ran in my front yard naked and screaming ‘I am beautiful!
I am beautiful!’ Thank God that only a handful of servants saw him and brought
him back but he screamed bloody murder and tried to use the chains to hurt
people. In all that commotion, I woke up and we doused him with cold water. We
took off his chains and then he was sent to one of the basements where he was
screaming and crying and then he just was quietly sobbing for like two hours. I
didn’t know Blondies could act like that let alone be so robustly messed up.”
 
I think Victor started chuckling as he heard that. On a cursory glance, it did
sound funny but then when it hit you it got depressing. I think I saw Raoul
give an immensely nasty look to Victor but then absentmindedly stroke his chai
with the teaspoon. I could see his face looked almost blue like he felt
embarrassed but also heartbroken for his former peer. It was true that Blondies
couldn’t stand one another but hearing about this from Enif was positively,
excruciatingly painful. Yet, I could see Onyxes may not have thought highly of
Blondies. Well, he was the lowest of the Elites and though Victor seemed to
like Aisha Rosen he didn’t seem to care much about the others. I gave him an
admonishing look too. Yes, it maybe he didn’t like them but this sounded
serious. There was no need to be this antagonistic. To my surprise, Victor also
stuck out his tongue to me but then circled it on his lips in a come-hither
movement. I think even Raoul was pretty frozen in his spot right now. Katze
drank some of his juice, I think it was a virgin mojito with the celery nicely
out of the long glass. All this time he had heard the story with some sadness
in his eyes; now, he also side-glanced Victor and immediately looked like he
wished he didn’t. Raoul started drinking his tea. Enif was still waiting my
response so my mouth slightly agape made him feel that somehow my story made me
feel like that. Though at one moment, he saw Victor’s tongue and cringed. I
don’t think anyone thought an Onyx would take an opportunity of a Blondie’s
humiliating story to flirt with me! Because it sure hell did feel like Victor
Damsel was flirting with me!
 
“Uh,” I tried to ignore Victor’s tongue and lip act, “Doesn’t that mean he is
suffering trauma and that you should get him help.”
 
“Even if he is people believe Blondies deserve it.” Enif explained, “I don’t
think any counsellor or psychiatrist who is Amoiyan would easily agree to help
him out. Not to forget, he is my pet Riki. What do you want me to do? I mean as
a pet he still hasn’t done anything that bad. He pretty much does all his roles
and I was planning on taking him to a pet party like two days later.”
 
“Are you sure, Enif?” I think my horrified expression showed on my face,
“Enif,” I started gently, “Orphe seems way off. Are you sure you should take
him somewhere like that now?”
 
“But it is a pet party, Riki.” Enif looked a bit aghast, then with a smile, “I
am sure you understand the importance of that. And, don’t you wish to take
Aisha Rosen to such a party? I mean, Aisha is technically still your pet,
right?” Enif drank some water and I saw Victor sticking out his tongue to suck
on the chocolate wafer that came with his coffee; by this time, I saw Raoul
cross his legs angrily and look away with a crinkled nose of disgust, Katze not
trying to pay attention and just sucking on an ice cube from his mojito, “I
mean. I know Kirie bought him but from what I know Aisha is more or less yours,
right? Then I heard the news, you procured the boss right, Iason Mink? Wow, now
you are his masterand he is your pet! Wow, isn’t that cool!”
 
Bite. Victor stopped playing around with his food and actually paid attention
to what was being said. Raoul gave some attention too, if by a peripheral way.
The hard truth was that I was Iason’s master. Basically, Aisha’s too. Now,
another pet party. It seems there were no schedule to these anymore. They just
happened when the fancy struck. Does this mean I had to take Aisha and Iason,
there? Well, it seemed that the parties you didn’t have to do much anymore just
dance like strippers and only have sex if your masters wanted. Seeing that
Aisha and Iason were like malnourished and weak I felt repulsed at the idea of
taking them to such places. It felt slightly disingenuously on my part to take
them to parties and places that I felt I taken responsibility not to take them.
Though, as pet parties were not like before I guess it may not be so harmful.
Still, I have been to those parties. I didn’t like them at the time and from
what I saw I didn’t like them now.
 
“But,” I reasoned, “Wasn’t there a pet party like two weeks ago? Is this a bi-
monthly event now?”
 
“No.” Enif explained, “It is just that some of the Eos people seemed okay to
throw in some of their chops on. Besides, after hearing from Heracles Fencer
that you have been thinking of permanently procuring Iason Mink, I think some
of them wanted to see if they could compete with the premiere class Blondie.”
 
I think Katze looked like ‘what-the-fuck’ and so did Victor. Raoul couldn’t
even mistakenly look at us. So, was this Heracles’ game? To be beaten by me so
he wants to take revenge? I started laughing. Everyone looked at me, “Enif,” I
say and he looks on, “Isn’t Iason horribly nicknamed ‘the slut pet’?” I think
Raoul and Katze cringed when I said that; Victor looked like he was trying to
stifle his laughing, I was confused at his pretty casual nature. I guess
Blondies and Onyxes are not always similar or Victor certainly didn’t wanna
care on having a aloof nature.
 
“Well, yeah, but what is the point of that?” Enif seemed curious as he ordered
some appetisers from pointing at the menu to the waiter. It was steamed
dumplings and no one on the table had prawn allergies and Enif seemed to be the
one who would treat us so if anyone else wanted something else they could order
in. He didn’t seem to mind.
 
“So, I haven’t really put him a pet ring or anything, yet. I mean, I just
didn’t like the idea of that smart cunt Heracles Fencer having him.” I tell him
as a waiter gets me my own chai. It has nutmegs and cinnamon in it. Smells
divine.
 
“But, Rik-chan. You are still his master.” Enif was trying to explain it to me,
“When you want you can get him a pet ring. Though, there are not really a
necessity anymore. You still can get a contractual agreement. You are like a
hero of the revolution. I am sure no one would care if you owned Iason Mink.
Rather, they would be happy you are happily taking care of me.”
 
“Can I keep two pets?” I looked at them incredulously.
 
“Well, yeah,” Enif chuckled, “We are not Blondie freaks of nature…no offense…”
he motioned to Victor and Raoul, Raoul almost scoffed but Victor smiled and
nodded, like he didn’t completely care and that he somewhat didn’t mind being
called that, “We all have pretty natural sex drives so we don’t need to listen
to their rules. Besides, a lot of people don’t keep pets anyway. It is, without
any good reason, considered vulgar in the new order. Unless Eos people are okay
being pets with someone no one can force anyone to be a pet with the exception
to the former Elites though we think Elite hurting is pretty much done with
now. It’s been seven years and we all could use people moving on a bit. So,
aside some pet parties we really don’t care if they are begging in the streets
now. But, we must monitor them and keep them in Amoi. Can’t let those Earthians
or any other Galactic Commonwealth pups get to them. And, frankly, it is at
times hassle keeping elites. You know of Vetustate, right? They have killed
before and it is in everyone’s best interest to stay away from them. No one
wants to keep commodity around so much that those radicals are trying to
exterminate. Well, almost no one. There are still people who love the Elites.
Just yesterday Heracles got a Ruby named Jasper Fortnight. I think he was
making up for you taking Iason. And, the other day I think I heard Nile say
that a Jade named Herald Monocles was being pushed around by a merchant with
Eosine legacy. So, there are some gutsy people left. And, people like seeing
Elites in those pet parties or pet auctions. One pet auction next month will
hold some former Elites. I wanna invite you Riki. You may like owning a
Sapphire or Jade, after you had two Blondies’ fill.”
 
I could see Raoul was still stirring his tea. He hadn’t drunk any of it and his
face looked weak. Katze was not looking at me and I knew I would tell him if
this was all such a good idea. Though, if Elites did this before no one felt
doing it back to them was a crime. I just feel it was getting a bit out of
hand, “I am not really a pet connoisseur, Enif.”  I say with a meek smile.
 
“Neither am I.” Enif returned my smile, more brightly, “You know, it’s just
thrilling. Thrilling to be on the other side of the fence. I mean to feel what
it is like to be not the product.” I couldn’t blame him. He was once a pet who
was thrown aside. He was bound to have bitter feelings, “Though, sorry if I
sounded too enthusiastic.” He did look apologetic, “I haven’t seen many other
kinds of Elites much in the pet parties when I was one. It is fun seeing them.
I actually wanted to know if I could talk to Herald Monocles and Jasper
Fortnight.”
 
“And, do what?” This was the first thing Raoul asked. He had stopped stirring
his tea. Victor looked a bit amused, in a way I couldn’t appreciate. Raoul
looked actually on the verge of tears with anger and dread.
 
“Well, talk to them Raoul.” Enif plainly repeated. I think he could see that
Raoul was slowly losing his patience, “What’s wrong with that?”
 
“They aren’t carnival attractions. They are Elites.” Raoul’s voice was getting
a pitch higher and Katze had to stare now too. Obviously, we all were hoping
this wouldn’t take a bad turn. Though seeing Victor, I think he was waiting for
fireworks of the ugly kind. I wonder what his problem was. He seemed nice in
the premiere and perhaps he wasn’t being condescending. Maybe, he was still
nice just a bit of an ass at times.
 
“With all due respect,” Enif just started at Raoul, “We pets and Elites are
more carnival attractions than people seeing we both were built to serve
Jupiter’s service of masters and slaves. Even if the chairs are now on the
other side we still have some of that, right?” Enif smiled, though Raoul’s face
was horror stricken, I felt somewhat bad for him, “You know. The lowest can
rise to the highest and vice versa when society’s only selling point is that
segregation. But, Elites have fascinated me. You guys were utilitarianism
incarnate. NORMA caste system and all. Now, it is interesting to talk with some
of you guys.”
 
Raoul final drank his tea, in two gulps he must have halved it, seeing it must
be pretty lukewarm or cold by now, “And, talk to them about what? That they
have fallen? I mean no disrespect but would you like if people talked to you
when you were a pet?”
 
“You seriously don’t understand pets if you feel we wouldn’t want to talk.”
Enif gave a small laugh then looking interestedly at Raoul’s half-annoyed which
now had a confused look, “We were treated by less than animals by you guys.
Talking made us feel happy or even when someone said we were being excellent
pets because we were humans who were told we couldn’t be regular humans. It is
true that the Elites are the new prisoners in this system but they are visible
prisoners and we were the invisible ones. We too suffered, you have helped in
breeding pets Raoul, but you certainly don’t know a whole lot about us.” Then
Enif seem to have become serious, though not stern, “I am not going to make the
same mistake. It is true people are eager to have blood and we can’t do much
about that. However, talking to the Elites, seeing them as much as people as I
can. Perhaps, even making conditions better for them.”
 
“They will become prostitutes for their entire lives…” Raoul looked like he was
trembling again now. I think he was going to cry, “What can become good from
that? They are not doing this by choice like some former Eosines. They are
being made to do this. And, they can’t change their station. There is a chance
new laws will abolish this. But, they will be too broken to carry on with
whatever lives they might have. Thinking about it makes me sick.”
 
We were all quiet for a while. Even Victor seemed to have become less joyous
and actually had pain on his face. I couldn’t touch my coffee for a while. This
all was the truth and we all had some shame. It was a pitiful thing. We didn’t
know what to do about this. I looked at Katze and even he was drawing a blank.
 
“Well, excuse my rudeness Raoul, but,” Enif started and he seemed ready for
something, “But you Elites treated me and many others the same ways. Yes, we
were genetically conditioned but we all knew what was happening. Do you know
how some of us were treated? We were good pets but our good behaviour truly
warranted nothing. We could end up at Ranaya Uugo without our appendages,
without anything. We were all were given a sentence even before birth. Yet, if
we can endure all of that surely superior Blondies and other Elites can endure
that. Seeing, they were advertised to be the newer model of life and better so
much that even butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths!” The last part was said
was much force.
 
“We didn’t make those rules!” Raoul got up from his chair, “It was Jupiter! We
enforced them!”
 
“You followed them!” Enif glared at Raoul who glared back at him, “Because they
suited you! You didn’t give a damn at what happened to us after we stopped
licking your boots! Sure, Jupiter was in charge but did you guys ever try to
change what happened?! No! So, don’t go feeling so bad about your Jade and Ruby
comrades right now! You are culpable if not as Jupiter but close!”
 
“I think Iason tried. It was a weak attempt and it surely did me no favours.” I
say this quietly and both of them looked at me surprised, “At first he didn’t
know he loved me but he was obsessed with me and didn’t know what to do. Yes,
he broke a lot of rules and every other Blondie hated him for it and I
appreciate it but he didn’t tell me he loved me before the end and he didn’t
try to have a normal relationship with me. I think Enif,” I look towards them,
“Jupiter also took away something from Elites. Yeah, it doesn’t excuse
completely how they behaved because Iason should have understood he was hurting
someone he claimed he loved. But, I don’t always hold everything against
Elites. I feel they were, as you said, pushed into something too. In many ways,
no one in Amoit society had choices before besides Jupiter. Though, I also
wished the Elites would have reached out to us.” I smile looking down at my
tea, “It would have made things better for all us maybe even Jupiter.”
 
“You should sit down Raoul.” Katze actually smiled at him, “The dumplings are
coming. C’mon let’s just eat.”
 
I saw Victor pull slightly Raoul’s shirt and he looks at him. Feels like he
wants to swat that hand away, but, nevertheless, does sit down. Enif orders him
another chai. As if a form of apology. Raoul accepts the gesture. The food
comes in. It is a Chinese menu. We have dumplings. Then we also have duck
pancakes. Steamed rice with vegetables and black beans. Chicken and spicy beef.
I could see Raoul really enjoyed the menu. Victor seems to love good cuisine as
well. He took more dumplings and enjoyed the duck pancakes. I, myself, eating a
light breakfast, gorged on the food. I was starving since morning but didn’t
have much time to eat, or rather, my morning activities got me more famished
than usual.
 
While we ate, I decided to talk about what was nudging my mind, “Hey Enif,” I
say with duck pancake in my mouth (they ordered a second plate as the dish was
popular with all of us), “What do you feel about Venus Movement, how can we
help them?”
 
Enif looked at me strange, “Are you serious?”
 
“Well, yes.” I cocked my head.
 
“I wish they could be crushed. Those spoiled Eosines. There is nothing tackier
than a bunch of ex-whores or pets taking up protest boards with their liminal
literacy and trying to stop people for having a good time not liking too much
raunchy stuff and just going for other things.” Enif seemed bored.
 
“Enif,” I say quietly, “We shouldn’t lean to any one side and I do believe
everyone should have the freedom to do what they want as long it’s not really
illegal. We are having pet auctions and parties still. I think Noh Space
Theatre is also undermining the fact we have been liberated and I know it’s
been seven years but we have had a lot of issues and it would be fallacious to
think we can just shut down everything and go to other kinds of arts alone.
Even Earth and Freyja has a sex scene. Surely, you can understand that.”
 
“Yeah they have a sex scene.” Enif was annoyed at the group and I could tell,
“But it is not their only thing, Riki. Venus Movement people think it’s okay to
still live as pets and all of that. Which would be fine if only some of them
wanted that but all of them? I am not saying they can’t have sex but I think we
revolutionaries all wanted Amoi to change. Not be the recycled goods of yester-
year. I don’t like how they feel that they are the only ones entitled to just
keep on having sex as a business and won’t even try to go forward with the
times.”
 
“I think they just want to be left alone in peace and try their thing because
they feel Noh Space Theatre makes them seem brazen and that is an unfair
criticism.” Making my point, I see Enif and the others pay attention to me,
intently, “I know we shouldn’t expect people to only be pets or something and
they should have other plans but even Venus Movement people would like other
opportunities if possible. It is just our education system is lacking and we do
not —“
 
“Riki, don’t trust Atticus Bromide so much, you know Simon Pulsar literally
roused his people enough to throw a rock at someone.” Enif gathered his
opinions, “Do you really feel they are as polite and courteous as they are. I
was a pet and I know how rowdy and stupid pets can be. They just want to be
lazy and not help the economy. Because pet auctions and parties and everything
have become less than before they just know they won’t be able to keep the way
they are in such a market so they are trying to topple what we are working so
hard to establish. We can’t be only distinguished by a scandalous, organ
farming trade and sex trade. Jupiter wanted that because it was easy dibs.
Maybe many parts of Earth and Galactic Commonwealth also want that. Yet, there
are many things that we can do. I just feel that Noh Space Theatre is trying to
do that but the people in the Venus Movement are trying to hold us back. Their
qualms are somewhat pointless. I am not saying they can’t sell themselves but a
movement based on it? Riki, do you see how ridiculous it all sounds? It just
feels they wanna be caged.”
 
“Enif, I do trust Atticus because some of his ideas were prudent and I can
sense people, he didn’t seem to be lying. Sure, some of the Eosines can use
this as an excuse to keep us back and I do agree with you on that. However, I
do feel that we should keep an open mind. Noh Space Theatre can’t criticise
them so much either. They are mostly Midasians. Zein education system or not
they have had opportunities that Eosines in the Venus movement didn’t have. I
feel it is unfair to judge them on a weird superiority complex because
seriously they didn’t have many of the same privileges that Midasians had.  It
would be pretty silly to just think that they should give up easily the only
things that they were trained to do without any avenue of getting educated
again or something or the other.” I try to reason with him.
 
“He has a point.” Katze smiles. Victor smiles at me too. I swear I see him
twirl his tongue on his lips again for once and then he does wink. Yup, he
seems attracted to me, only God knows why. Raoul had been listening pretty
intently. His face seems blank for a while but then he seems pretty pleased at
how I am handling the situation.
 
“Even if he does,” Enif seems to reluctantly agree but not wholly, “I just
can’t be so lenient on those Venus guys. They had caused a credible disruption
in the premiere of an opposition’s show — don’t forget that Rik-chan” his gaze
goes to me and I nod understandably, “If I show too much favouritism on those
guys not only will the Self family be on my throat but rightfully many
Midasians would be too. Also, what they did was wrong. They had no right to
physically attack people. I am glad they stayed in jail. Wish I could keep them
there for a little longer.”
 
“But, Pulsar was the true culprit…” I explained, “And he wasn’t caught.”
 
“Oh,” Enif smiled, “I am sure we all will make sure to catch him when he messes
up again.”
 
“If he messed up again.” Katze asserted, his scepticism ablaze, “I know Simon
Pulsar used to be a pet but he is sharp, clever and actually meticulous. Almost
like a furniture. I do believe he would be covering his tracks. Also, Atticus
may easily tell Riki, as well he is Riki a hero, but he wouldn’t easily tell
others or even exhibit his disagreements so much in public. It is not a bold
move for the Venus Movement to show their fissures so easily.”
 
“Well, covered tracks can be brushed into being exposed again.” Enif seemed
confident, “I am sure we can get that weasel if we put our minds to it.
Besides, I think we all knew that Atticus and Simon has some miscommunications
and we all know that Atticus and Simon are not dumb enough to let us manipulate
that. We can manipulate a situation and see if it helps aggravate their points
of view.”
 
“I just think we should keep an eye on Simon, that’s all, there is no need for
less or excess.” I really did point this out. Causing rift between Venus
Movement would we a totally political biased position and would make people in
Eos or even Midas dislike us. Also, this move with make me seem I was being
partial to Noh Space Theatre which I wasn’t obviously. There was no reason for
me to be afraid of the Self family no matter how high ranking they were. I
didn’t like Noh Space’s “holier-than-thou” attitude and wasn’t going to make
them feel they were better and could get aweay by their discriminatory
comments. “By the way,” I look at Enif, “I talked to Atticus but Noh Space
didn’t send me anyone to talk to them. That is somewhat of a bold move don’t
you feel? Sure, they are not responsible for the rock throwing but out of
political courtesy they could have talked about it with me.”
 
“I think they were okay sending Dandelion Quartet around.” Enif nervously
chuckled. I was getting pissed. Now, Enif, don’t tell them you are gonna let
that slide?
 
“I think Riki is right Enif. Stop going to show such bias over Noh Space
Theatre. If Atticus was not in jail surely one of the Venus group would come
and talk to him. He is a hero who came at Kirie’s request to attend a play we
couldn’t. Dandelion is a good wheel in the sledge of politics. He is a
Ranayugg. But we all know that doesn’t count because the chief distinctions
between Venus and Noh is that one is with Eosines and the other is with
Midasians. Surely, you can see this distinction?” before I could speak Katze
looked at Enif with a sceptical eye which made Victor and Raoul both smile. I
think that I am beginning to discern Victor as a fun-loving sort, even if it
came at the expense of others, or, at times he did that. While I gave him a
look Victor actually stuck his tongue again at me and made a lapping gesture
and I had to stifle a half-laugh and half-groan because I was wondering if the
fact I had Aisha and Iason made him feel no sense of propriety. His eyes were
laden with desire, I had seen him checking me out — I was wearing black slacks,
blue and white converse, a varsity jacket which had light brown sleeves and
blue lining with a blue base and I was wearing a red glossy chrome like tee
inside (Iason and Aisha had been staring at me when I left them and they said
they would go with Ithos to get gardening supplies) — he was not backing off.
Jeez. “Well, if you don’t let me remind you…” Katze solemnly continued, “We may
not like one or the other but to make sure our political status does not go
into disarray we will proceed to keep an open mind — as Riki suggested — on
both groups and will request them to approach us with equal merit. Besides,
after Riki’s impressive interview on TV the other day surely, we can help him,
as official ministers, to keep up his word. It is also duty to our hero and
duty to our state. Am I correct?”
 
Enif looked gloom for a bit, “I am sorry to you and Riki if I caused any
problems.” I nodded at him and he beamed back, “But Katze, do you want Riki to
talk to Felix Self? They are rich Midas people and we don’t also want to make
them feel we are pushing them into a corner. We do need them too, you know.”
 
“The Selfs are necessary but not thoroughly nonexpendable; neither of us in the
fate of Amoit advancement and stability. If they feel they are safe with their
money, we all have money too. They have gotten richer after the fall of old
Amoi and may have even gotten some money from the old coffers of Blondies,
Elites and even some of the Ranaya Uugo transactions. They surely don’t mean to
upset us either.” Katze looked pretty ambitious; I loved this side of him,
enjoyed it and respected it, “Felix Self is one of their leaders. Only a leader
should be fit to meet a hero? Wouldn’t you say?”
 
The question was obviously rhetoric and Enif just smiled and nodded, “I will
personally make an appointment,” Looking at me, “I know Felix partially well. I
am sure he would be happy to meet with you Riki. Though, you should chastise
him for his delay for making appointments.”
 
“Will do.” Stuffing a pancake in my face I looked at Raoul. All the time we had
talking, he had been silent. It was not easy for him. Rather it was
ostentatiously difficult. We were talking about politics and this was once his
arena. Now, he could only look like some brazen spectator. I truly felt bad for
him. I decided, maybe it was a risk, but then I just blurted out, “Raoul, don’t
you think I should chastise that cad Felix Self for not inviting me sooner?”
 
Katze and Enif looked at me, both with some surprise. Victor just winked at me.
I swear he looked like he wanted to clear the table with one hand and grab me
on it and let us fuck for the next few hours. Well, perhaps this was a new
interest? After all, he didn’t seem to be that taken with me at the premiere.
Vincent’s hungry look did make me a bit uncomfortable. For a flash, I saw Iason
telling me to masturbate, telling to discard shame, to spread my legs wider and
thrust harder — that was one of the worst memories of my life. I didn’t
understand why he was being such a horrible sort of scopophilic asshole and
forcing me into a strange sort of exhibitionism. Well, I also didn’t like the
fact he made me go a month without clothes. The Tanaguran residence felt cold
with its foreign surroundings and cold, metallic, polished walls and floors. I
would want to stay huddled in bed, even if there were no covers at times, or a
chair, like I was looking for makeshift skin to protect my nude one. Though
that memory faded away and say Victor’s desire, his lips no longer being
licked, but eagerness in his eyes, I think he once swallowed too. Wow, I didn’t
not know he was that aroused by me.
 
“Uh, you are asking me, right?” Raoul almost tripped on his chair and I think I
broke him from a daze. Victor stifled a chuckle but Enif looked in his
direction and partly rolled his eyes. Katze still looked at me as if trying to
read what I meant to do.
 
“Yes.” I plainly put it.
 
“Well,” Raoul looks a bit into space, “I don’t know.” I think I was going to
face palm and even Victor looked annoyed at him. Enif just sighed and shrugged
as if he knew a Blondie would behave like this. A bit arrogant and a whole lot
of artificial distance. Katze looked at me as if telling me it would be prudent
not to push it. Though, I wasn’t one to always listen to that kind of prudence.
 
“So, are you telling me that unless Jupiter gave you Blondies a point of view,
you guys had none of your own?”
 
“What?” Raoul looked incredulously at me, “When did I say that?”
 
“With your answer,” I smirked, “You seem to not know how to function, without
Jupiter, or your other halves, the other twelves.”
 
“Are you serious?” Raoul looked at me with his glare.
 
“I am.” I kept on shamelessly smirking.
 
“Well, if Noh Space thinks they can just do whatever they want or say as you
are doing now. I would give them a good beating, either physically or
intellectually. Tell them off, like I am telling you, you have no right to draw
conclusions —“ I think he then realised it, made a face. “So, yeah, maybe, you
should tell Noh Space to be more mindful of you in the future.” I think his now
twitched and he looked away.
 
Victor was silently laughing. Enif was busy eating now, not wanting to see what
‘drama’ we did. Only to look at me and state, “I think it would be good you do
talk to Felix Self.” Then with more intent, “Though he is not the only person
who is part of the Noh Space Theatre. A lot of people don’t know this, but the
Self family have a Blondie they sometimes actually align themselves with.”
 
All of us in the table looked at Enif. “Wouldn’t that make Noh Space seem a
bit, well, biased towards the Old Order?” Katze asked the question that was
playing on my mind.
 
“Well, not really. This Blondie is not so keen to cause a ruckus, he simply
seems to be helping them at times with budget cuts and stuff. He isn’t a leader
and Noh Space themselves don’t like Self family harbouring him. But, he is,
well, Felix Self’s pet.” Enif explained and we all just looked and nodded,
including Raoul and Victor. “His name is Haynes Salas. You know him right
Raoul?”
 
“Oh, yes, geneticist of pets and helped with the Eos education program.” Raoul
almost snickers, “So, he is a pet now, huh.”
 
I give Raoul a bit of a mean look and he controls himself. Aisha was right when
he said that Blondies always didn’t get along and you could see it. I think the
only Blondie Raoul got along was Iason Mink. And, I think at one point it was a
kind of a crush. Even if it was not really reciprocated back I think Iason was
happy that he had at least one Blondie he could call a companion. I then
realised that Aisha may have never got along with anyone. That thought kinda
made me sad. How alone Aisha must have felt, when he did feel alone and how
completely isolated. “So, Salas doesn’t make people unhappy?” I asked.
 
“The Eos people who support Venus do make a fuss about it but most don’t care
because they were once pets so when they know Haynes is also a pet they don’t
seem to care. Some Midasians do have qualms on it. Others cheer because they
find it awesome that a Midas family has a Blondie as a pet. Though, there are
some willing people who like to say they are Autolycate even if they keep their
Midas or Eos origins intact. Though, there are still fissures on that identity
scale. Most people still love their old roots. Not that I really mind. It
sometimes helps me as a politician to show my Eos background. Yet, we have
merged the cities so we should be investing time on helping them find a new
sense of belonging that they can call Autolycate even though no one will erase
their origins and that is fine. We don’t want them too.” Enif seemed to be
wanting the bill from a waiter.
 
“So, Haynes is obviously not a leader of Noh Space, right?” I asked.
 
“Yeah, obviously, he isn’t.” Enif looked at the bill, “There are other leaders
of Noh Space. Self is the big baller because of his wealthy position. There
Harmony Eclair and Yoshika Kobayashi, to name a few.” Then he smiled, “There
has been criticism of how can Self own a Blondie pet and still feel the Venus
people are too wrong in their self-expression, but Self said that owning pets
was not the big deal but feeling that pets should own the theatre so many
people dropped the discourse a bit though others stuck with it.”
 
While Enif paid, I looked at Katze. He just smiled. “Well, I should meet with
all of them when I get the chance.” I reasoned.
 
“That can be arranged.” Enif got up. With him Raoul and Victor got up too.
Victor looked at me. His tongue came out again, licking his lips. Still giving
me innuendoes I see. He flipped his long raven hair a bit. It was pretty
glossy, straight, silky and beautiful. It contrasted well with Raoul’s long
dark blonde and wavy tresses which he had loosely tied. The lush hair of Victor
and his icy blue eyes were quite a beautiful composition. To say he was less
beautiful would be a crime. Though his interest in me confused me a bit.
Victor’s body was also a bit muscular, more so than Blondies, his abs showed,
smooth yet hard, tight and well-coordinated in his tee. I could believe that
men and women wanted him easily. His legs, healthy and well-toned in the jeans.
He also put an angle for me to see his awesome leg-strength and clean curvature
of his toned buttocks. As though telling me to check him out. He gazed into my
eyes. I guess it was blue meeting brown. And his skin was also lighter than
mine. He checked out the tone of my own chest, perfect shadows of lines of
muscles deeply seated on the against the glossy tee that I wore. He seemed to
wanna touch me right then and there. I looked away knowing I didn’t wanna see
what else lurked in that lustful gaze.
 
Enif told me his goodbyes so did Raoul and Victor (who also seductively pouted
his lips and jutted out his ass). I was alone with Katze and it seemed he
needed to talk to me. “That was an interesting lunch, right?” Katze had ordered
coffee, “I suppose you are eager to meet Symphony Talukdar, am I right?”
 
“I did message her.” I say with earnest, “I hope she has time for me.”
 
“Perhaps, tomorrow.” Katze smiled, “After all, you are still like a bit away
from the actualgovernment.”
 
I chuckled, “I knew that. I knew that is why I didn’t have a ceremony or any
titles.” I tilted my head in interest, “You guys don’t want me to involved
directly as in political title because then if I do anything to fuck up you can
somewhat withheld responsibility by stating we all are not directly
affiliated.”
 
Katze lit a smoke, “You know Riki,” he smiled at me, “Anyone who thinks you are
dumb are really gonna get their asses kicked.”
 
 
===============================================================================
 
 
I already had a bath in the morning with Iason.
 
When I went home, my mind was reeling in with information. Kirie had already
gone to sleep. Ithos was going into her chambers saying she had a good time.
Olivier told me he had prepared food and that Iason and Aisha, because I told
them not to wait, had eaten without me. I didn’t mind that. I actually did not
do much after having that eventful lunch. I just drove around with Katze and we
visited some spots. Looked at markets. Katze told me how Eosines were trying to
dominate the fashion industry and had invited some Ceresins along. Though
Ceresins seemed to be in interested in agriculture. So, were many Eosines as
well. There were new market contracts going on each and every day. Though Katze
hoped there would be no influx of inflation and constant deflation. He didn’t
want a depression or a recession. The Galactic Commonwealth were interested in
positing new multinationals in the area; there had always been some of the old
labels. During the revolution, some of them left not knowing what the outcome
would be though Katze said them returning was not completely bad. Only, now
that the Zein education system was eradicated they showed some scepticism as
cheap labour has been somewhat reduced. The investment they could so were on
the Ranayuggs but as they were such a visible mass of people the Sentient Life
Organisations would get their throats if they were ever used as cheap labour.
That was good and even Katze, even if unpopular with the Galactic Commonwealth,
was positing laws that ensured no one can abuse the Ranayuggs. To have them in
factories all their lives after facing so much would be a largescale torture
exhibit. Though, that still left Eosines vulnerable. Either they worked their
same trade, or cheap prostitution or manipulated by corporations to do that
work.
 
 Though it is true many things were automated now people were still needed to
do various jobs in the factories. Like machine maintenance and checker data
processing. Katze then told me how important it was to incorporate the new
education system. He also showed me a small education program in Ceres: run by
both Midas people. The classroom was only 20 people. Mixture of Eosine and
Ceresin people. In Midas, though Zein system was no longer applicable people
aimlessly still went to Midas schools. The children did anyway. However, higher
education has become less available now and people were either getting into
trades, family businesses or the like. It was hard times for many people. They
still trusted their government and seeing how things were not perky right now
but still somewhat working for the ministers no one would try to do coup d’état
seeing they would inherent all the problems. There may be some who want the old
ways back but all the ministers keep a good eye on them. PAM system was revoked
but people were still somewhat monitored via spy networks and such. Also,
seeing the efficiency of the PAM system was finally cracked down or could be
manipulated also made people toss it aside. All they needed were some gifted
Midasian and Ceresin hackers and poof the network went in flames. One of those
hackers who helped decrypt and abolish the system now lived on Earth via
political asylum. I had a chance to meet her once. I felt she was a true hero
and she thought it was me.
 
Eating the dinner of corn soup, mashed potatoes and steak bits with bred I went
to my room saying goodnight to Olivier.
 
Well, Iason was in bed, covers thrown off and I saw his muscular and marble-
white like body gleaming the moonlight. Looked pretty good if you asked me.
But, where was Aisha?
 
“I’m over here.” Aisha called out softly from the bathroom, it was slightly
ajar.
 
I went in and saw Aisha in the bath. Candles burning lovely. Soft tint of
moonlight pouring out through those windows at the other side of the bathroom.
Everything seemed hallowed by a burning light of candle yellow and moonlight
white. I saw Aisha had put on a bath bomb too. It was pond and lilies and it
change to orbit of Amoi and Earth in twirls. I saw his body and the hair
dripping with water — soft honey being caramelised in yellow light and
moonlight. Hugging the edges the royal splendours of his mane; lion-like and
completely a beauty that was natural to himself. Aisha’s skin a soft cream; a
soft stone being sculpted by water and light; the shimmer from his body
cascaded in the soap and element. I found him so beautiful like he deserved a
portrait of actual Aphrodite washing ashore of the seashell: the pearl of all
prices and choice. Some of the hair in the water look like small plants tasting
the richness of the stream. He was wearing his blue lipstick; though now he
wore one with some silver shades and sprinkles on it. As though trying to
accentuate the ambience.
 
“How about a bath before bed?”
 
I knew he wanted. Honestly, I couldn’t resist his amethyst-blue eyes looking at
longingly. So, full of love and attention. “I…ok…” I acquiesced. I decided this
was the best way to do things. I wanted him close. Today I went to such a great
restaurant. I did miss them. It was horrible I couldn’t take them. I should go
tomorrow and get some food back for them.
 
I slipped out of my clothes. I left them on the floor. I slipped into the
water. I could see Aisha looking at me teasingly then with care. Before I could
speak he came close and kissed me softly. I touched his head and kissed back.
Are lips touched like two shells entwined by the same entity. I could see
through half-lit eyes that his hair trailed the water like some majestic beast.
The fire in our lips was Promethean even if it had the touch of Aphrodite’s
oceanic depths of passion. A Mariana’s Trench like depth collided with our kiss
when our tongues opened to each other like some odd flowering dance of love. We
shifted with those tongues, like water can shift sand, feeling both the taste
of teeth and nerves and the soul of all our passionate embraces. We embraced
and the water rippled: a testament to our bodies beginning to fuse. Twirling
his beautiful hair, I kissed him further and closer at the same time: a kiss
can contain such a paradox. Aisha moaned in my mouth and he ate my moans as
though they were candy. I felt his hardness testing my thighs and also pressing
in soft pokes on my naval. I loved the sensations. They were so primal and
polished at the same time. I deepened the kiss and knew my tongue would feel
his in some primordial locked kiss. Each kiss a decoded labyrinth attaining
anew: like some phoenix born from the maze of ashes and feathers.
 
I got him up a bit. His dick was now out of water. I kiss the hard head and
licked it with savoury finesse. Hearing him moan was enough encouragement to
kiss and lick more. I bit softly and he thrust forward loving my actions. I
slowly nibbled his base and kissed his balls before kissing them with quick
flicks of tongue. Pinching the softly I proceeded to swallowing him whole and
hearing him moan as I started my motions. I sucked and swallowed, kiss and
nibbled, and kissed again. Each time my mouth engaged in something erotic and
romantic anew Aisha moaned and struggled to be propped up a bit high. Soon,
release was inevitable. I tasted his wonderful cum and then slowly got him down
to my chest to kiss him with passion and our tongues knew the tingling
sensations of pleasure being satiated. Tongues moved like engines waiting to
arrive yet also pre-empting the destination. Each stroke of them accentuated
what was only another rising into pleasure. Now, I got up a bit and felt Aisha
engulf me in his mouth, kissing my dick, pushing down on my balls with his
tongue and tasting my member before consuming me whole again and moving into a
beautiful pulse that made each throb of mine move with his mouth like a
clockwork red of desire.  I moaned in each momentary interval between sucking
and kissing; like some collection of odd stories set in tones. Yet, I could
only do this to show my satiation as talking at this moment would not convey
the pleasure of me. Soon, I came in spurts of mass that took my insides a
coiling pressure like any geyser of the sea. I felt the love of the man sucking
me and tasting my juices and we kissed sampling each other on the other and
feeling like ourselves was dispersed in this.
 
Soon, Aisha looked at me, winked. I felt him and knew that as he was inside me
I too rocked my hips. We were a fusion of rocking hips and ardent kissing. A
birth of a sun in gravity and pressure witnessed by double moons. I could feel
my body yearning more and more of his weight and he desired mine. In the tub,
water splashing everyone, one point I was on top riding him and feeling him so
tight and well inside me and he loved being my top, spinning and feeling my
body grab his cock and now let any of him escape. I was a prison but he was
glad to be my prisoner. If he was the pearl I was the sea shell that held him
and he enjoyed it as anything. We panted, breaths were smoke and flames, we
were being born over and over, in layers of pleasure and our lovemaking was the
heart and brain of it all. We cuddled in the symphony of us and our moans and
breaths sent music up our spines. We were both cusps of the same organ yet also
different lifeforms: lovemaking the paradox, sweet immemorial. In ragged
breaths and tongues, sweet ‘I love yous’ were heard or half-imagined being in
this spinning centrifuge of passion. Hard to tell when my vision came back and
when his came back or which of us began or even ended with eyes closing in
ecstasy.
 
After a while I knew he filled me with one swift yell he was spent and I too
followed shortly after. My hunger also fed and my mind feeling itself expand,
then contract and expand again; we both filling each other’s consciousness like
an ocean or a faucet that knew only space and occupation thereof. I think I
couldn’t come down from the high as Aisha kissed me. Tongues now known to each
other; each a biotic presence that knew the other; soft little snails that
easily could form a shell of our mouths. We kissed, coupled by the moons,
knowing each other in this way and that. Each intimate cross section to the
anatomies of our desires.
 
I clean myself and Aisha and I emerge from the bathroom. We are both sleepy.
Aisha lay down on one side. As I about to go in the middle Iason grabs me and
kisses me: “Had your first servings?” He winks and I realised that I felt his
lust and love all at the same time. I did not know if I could go the distance
but I smiled. Our tongues played with each other; sweet, deep, etching on each
other buds and saliva.
 
Soon Iason went down on me. His eyes locked on mine as he caressed and
swallowed and kissed my cock. I was tired but my sensations renewed I bucked my
hips and helped with his rhythm and he sucked eagerly. Each time getting my
shaft done in his mouth Iason also took breaths to suck and kiss my dick. Then
I slowly pulled his golden locks. I wanted to stop. I ushered him up and kissed
him. I gave him and wink and soon I was trying to turn him and he realised what
I wanted. The 69 position was arranged and soon we both were pumping and
sucking into each other and tasting each other. Each kiss, moan and lick and
pinch of balls and cock, with the immersion was a sweet melody and current we
followed. Our electricity entwining as we did that. Voltage going up and down
and in smooth waves and jolts as we all caressed the other. We soon climaxed
and I could feel my mouth heavy with his load and his heavy with mine.
Swallowing I felt him take the position.
 
Soon, in me he moved and moved and also shifted and kept him where he belonged.
He was like my pet-like person, wasn’t he? I moved along with him and our
forces varied and converged and moved apart and soon united again. We were
busting with energy, even I felt some of my old fatigue go off a bit, as we
rocked and loaded on each other like some piston engine on repeat. Moans and
breaths were the norm now and we felt each as we also kissed, tongues holding
and feeling and parting only to feel locked again like a mechanism built with a
penchant for magnetisms as such. Iason held me and also kissed my nipples and
my collarbones. I was swept away in these sensations. We felt our weights and
bore each other well. We could be both mass and air and that felt great. I
tethered on the edge, so did he, though we gravitated back and forth, making
the lovemaking last longer, as if our bodies were calibrating and didn’t wish
to be done yet.
 
Soon the rocket going down the core of the planet burst forth and become the
seeds of a new ionic belt as both me and Iason came. Him first into me all was
done and then I. Feeling my second orgasm of the night made me arch my back
hard and feel like as though I couldn’t moan louder. As I came down I felt two
pairs of lips kiss me, tongues known, tongues separate, each knowing me in
varying degrees and positions. Like a sun dial charting two starts. I realised
Aisha kissed me too as he caressed my body and pinched and licked my nipples
and Iason soon kissed my cheeks as well.
 
I think we both fell asleep in a bundle of nerves and satiation.
 
 
 
Chapter End Notes
     Hope you guys like the chapter! Please read and review! :D <3
***** Meetings *****
Chapter Summary
     Well, guys I am back, hope you like this chapter. It is long but
     hopefully you will like :D
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
 
Meetings 
 
When I decided to meet Symphony Talukdar I had no idea what she was like. It
was a coffee or tea party in a large café that actually catered to teas and
pastries. All the afternoon past times. I didn’t know if that guy Beethoven
Caravan was going to be there. Nor, was Nile Secular. Out of all of them
Symphony was the most different one. She was actually a woman from Guardian.
That is great in political leaders and life in general; when you can have
different people from different backgrounds. Katze stressed to me that it was
pretty important that Kirie was also Ceresin and had some Eosine influence.
However, a large complaint now was that no Midasian was elected. There were
still some reservations from that even by Ranayuggs and Ceresins. Midas people
used to have at least limited autonomy whilst the Ranayuggs, Eosines and
Ceresins had none. It was important that the political backbone was first
incorporated by the ousted people before they were catered to people who had
mediocre citizenship. Though, there were eligible candidates from Midas.
Heracles, that twat, was okay letting Self family come in. Katze and Kirie were
obviously not thrilled by that. They found it stupid to let that new-rising
assholes to gain some power. Enif was in between. In one hand, he was fond of
Felix Self, who I was yet to meet. He had made it clear that he liked Noh Space
Theatre. I had asked Katze if he knew this from before and Katze had honestly
replied that he felt some of it but he never really bothered to ask Enif. The
real reason being making the answer affirmative was going to probably make him
feel a bit down. Though, having me around made it easier. As he said, I was
like a moving piece in the government, somewhat there and somewhat not there,
though, this will one day soon stop. But now it was serving its purpose well
enough and I was okay with it too.
 
On the other hand, I was a bit nervous meeting a woman like Symphony Talukdar.
Or, any woman of Amoi. I hardly met women when I was in Amoi. They were like
the blatant minority. They were hardly many women in the streets of Midas when
you travelled there. Sometimes, because they were a minority, you forgot to see
them. In Midas when you did see an influx of women, at intervals, it was
usually because they were outerworld people. Nowadays, you could see women on
the streets. Women of Amoi and Women of Earth and Freyja had some differences
that when you notice well enough you could understand. The Amoi women of
Guardian are initially more nervous and scared and full on uncertainty. They
were used to be taking care of or making hard decisions but they weren’t always
in charge of their own lives. In contrast, Freyjan and Earthian women looked
bolder and even confident, even if they had their shyness they were people who
you could see were more used to walking around. This was not always a women
thing. When Autolycus was formed, you saw even more incapacity from Eosine
males and females who were pampered to the point of inability. Compared to
Ceresins and Midasians, the Ranayuggs and Eosines were not at first ready for
the world. I wasn’t there but I saw news reports and read much on how Eosines
had mental breakdowns, Ranayuggs used to start crying in the middle of the
streets and people used to try to get them into therapy and help them. Some
people from Earth and Freyjan were nice enough to do this work. They came with
a contract but they were very supportive and they seriously wanted to help.
Bless those people for leaving their own planet and coming around. I remember
one NGO worker, she looked Indian, with her fair skin and black eyes, say:
“There are our people on another soil. They were decades ago part of us too.
Just because we are now in different lands and worlds doesn’t mean we will
abandon our people. We will be there for them. Especially, because humanity
must come through during revolution.”
 
Well, sometimes I was nervous when I talked to women. Not always. On Earth, I
had some small-time dalliances with women. I even had a relationship for like
four or five months with one. The reason we broke apart in amicable terms is
that she realised that I was more interested in staying by myself then. I had a
relationship with a guy that lasted much shorted than her. I really did love
her but it was true that my heart was not ready to commit to any love at that
moment. What I wanted was to heal and what I wanted to do was to take some time
alone. We are still friends and she even sent me a handwritten letter to me
when I was here. And, she does send emails often. Women are really beautiful. I
marvel at their strength and conviction at times. I feel they can be pretty
kind and understanding. I wondered what sort of person Symphony was.
 
When I went into the garden of this café I saw a woman with raven hair and
dusky skin like mine. Her eyes, however, were a full-on light-grey like a slice
of moon pressing against night clouds or rain clouds. She had a wonderful
jawline. Exquisite long noise and she looked tall. She was wearing small heels.
A suit which was brown in colour with a cream shirt inside, and a light
cerulean and black tie. Her hair was open but she had a hairband tied around
the front to actually stop her bangs to sweep down more than it should. Next,
to her was another woman. This woman had creamier skin, blonde and black hair,
that looked like a natural combination. Her eyes were also a soft toned
greenish-grey, from what I could pick up, she wore a short with small polka
dots which were red, some forest greens shoes, a white top which was sleeveless
and on the chair, was a mustard coloured jacket. Her hair was in a half bun. It
had a Chinese pin on it, the pin looked like it had real jade and pearl crushed
beads on them. The first woman looked like she had South Asian and East Asian
Earthian genes and the other looked like she had more East Asian genes and
features, her nose was less long but a beautiful small shape and her lips
seemed fuller than the first women. The former had purple lipstick on while the
other had crimson lipstick but with ladybird effect of polka dots.
 
I was just wearing the same clothes from day before. They looked nice on me and
Aisha and Iason thought so too. I liked them. The first woman was looking at
her tab, so was the other one, I could see from the holos that the first woman
was reading some stock market updates on like five planets, including Amoi, and
then on another section was the weather for Earth, Freyja and Amoi. She also
had other tabs open. The second woman had multiple tabs open on her tablet but
she was scrolling through some fashion blogs alongside Business Insider
reports: there was a CEO statement on her blog about a Midas company merger
with a start-up that actually had Eosine founders. They sold exotic lamps and
also catered to showing live theatre inside business lunches from what I could
see. The woman wearing the purple lipstick looked at me, “Oh, Riki Celt, I am
Symphony Talukdar.” She got up and so did took out her hand to give me a
handshake. “Or, Riki the Dark, whichever suits you.” I wondered why it escaped
my notice that she had natural purple and blue highlights on her hair. I gave
her a smile. Ever since I came here she was one of the first people to call me
‘Riki Celt.’
 
“Hey, Riki the Dark, I am Nile Secular.” The other woman got up and shook my
hand. I have to say I was a bit self-conscious. They were very beautiful and
seemed awfully perspective and intelligent. They were regal in their look and
their observations (yeah, they were studying me a bit I could tell). It made me
happy to know that such competent people were also ministers. It was great to
have women as rulers as well.
 
When we sat down a waiter brought some tea and dessert menu. We ordered a
mixture of small sandwiches, crumpets, small pies and ordered pots of Early
Grey, Ceylon Orange, Mixed Fruits and Chai Latte for whoever wanted now. There
was also a pot of espresso if everyone wanted a coffee mix. Soon as we waiting
for the min-meal to come (good think for lunch I had lentil soup and crackers
though Iason told me to also eat a small sandwich which I did consume) I
started talking to them, “Is Beethoven Caravan coming to meet us?”
 
“Oh no,” Nile said a bit absentmindedly as she was looking at her tablet,
checking some texts, then looking up, “You see Beethoven has procured a pet?”
 
“Really?” Well, this was becoming a regular fashion.
 
“Yeah, but he is not a Blondie.” Nile says a bit excitedly, “Blondies don’t
cost too much because well no one wants them to think they are worth more than
a dime if it were possible. But some can be pricey though not all among the
thirteen. Though it was the lower ones in the NORMA echelon that actually
gained a lot of price. You know which ones starting costing a lot? The Onyxes.
Yes, I know they were pretty low tier but Onyxes seemed more in number and they
looked pretty beautiful to many. Like passable enough as normal citizens
because of their beautiful raven hair. Then you have all the other ones.” She
seemed to be happy knowing this, it was good I was sitting with someone
informative, “Well, Beethoven got a Jade. An actual Jade! You know they are in
chain of power after the Platinas! Jades are hard to find at times as well as
the Platinas.”
 
“You see,” Symphony looked at me, “I think many Platinas were killed during the
revolution. After Blondies, they were the next line of Elites. I think Juno
Ibis is one of the last Platinas left alive.” I had no idea and I think
Symphony looked a bit sad as well, “I think he is at least happy to be working
with a Blondie like Gilbert but you know I think sometimes he missed his own
kind.” I suspected he did. “There are some Onyxes, Sapphires, Rubies and Jades
that did find some asylum in other planets like Freyja and Earth. But, their
numbers are limited. Earth did not grant asylum to many Sapphires, Rubies and
Jades. Their reasoning was that these Elites would stand out too much. That is
not really true but you know they just didn’t wanna get involved too much with
the Old Order now that it was crumbling. They took some more Onyxes because
Onyxes are more adaptable I guess or lower tiered. They did some and even now
many groups want extradition. We, on the other hand, are not focused on that.
The age of the Elites and their reign is more or less over and we don’t
necessarily want them back. We would have to either sell them as pets, find
them good use for them or put them in jail. You know Gideon Lagat is in jail.
He was the overseer of Midas and now he is in a jail that is close to Dana Bahn
and close to Ceres. We don’t want to execute him and he was too depressed and
weak and people thought let him rot you know. But, it is not something we are
pretty proud of.”
 
“Gideon Lagat is in prison?” I really should read more on which Blondie is
where, “I had no idea on him. But, I have heard Haynes Salas is now a pet in
the Self household. Seeing that the Selfs wanna become political leaders and
Felix Self is one of the leaders of Noh Space Theatre, what are you guys view
on all of this?”
 
“Well,” Symphony started, “I actually have little patience with the Selfs. They
have wealth and they do have commodities and their market status seems good.
But, they are just people rising up and I do not trust they will make decisions
for the people and more for themselves. Also, I do not completely like Noh
Space Theatre. I understand where they are coming from but their blatant
disregard for Eosines and the fact they made such openly hostile comments were
not appropriate or even logical or even fair. And, with the Venus Movement. I
feel they aren’t wrong but I feel they need some support and direction.”
 
“I would appreciate the Venus Movement more if that Simon Pulsar wasn’t there
as a leader.” Nile looked a bit glum, “Simon hates anyone who isn’t Eosine, or
makes it a point not to like them. He also doesn’t completely like Ranayuggs
you know. That is pretty cheap. Atticus and Yuko should pretty much can him. I
feel that he makes their Movement looks liminal and sharing the hypocrisies of
the Noh Space Theatre. As a former Eosine, or rather Eosine myself, I feel that
Simon gives a bad name for us. He is also pretty hostile towards me. I guess he
is kinda jelly that I am in a government position and he is the ‘rebel’
position. Well, can’t be helped…” she chuckles and we all kinda join her, “But,
seriously, I think the most open one amongst them is Yuko,” she stressed this
and made me remember what Aisha said to me some time ago, “She is a gifted
playwright. I think she can give that Dandelion Quartet a run for his money.”
 
“Have you seen ‘The Debut’? I asked.
 
“Yeah, it was great.” Nile admitted, “I caught it after the premiere it’s also
like a part of my job. It’s still showing and I think will be running for two
or three more months. Dandelion put on a good play, because it is about the
revolution and well that is strikingly still a good subject. Also, the Noh
Space Theatre must have also now realised that as you are here you are gonna
make sales go great. Seeing, well, you are one of the heroes of the
revolution.”
 
Good point. Me going to the ‘The Debut’ and well-being a notable figure was not
a bad thing. Well, equal opportunity. I have to go the Venus show as well. I am
actually looking forward to that to see what they put on. It interested me. I
think the play that I last saw on Earth that I really liked was Matilda. I
really liked Matilda as a character. I felt her pain, her sorrows and it was
nice to see a girl character shown so positively. “Well, I guess.” I laughed a
bit, “So,” I was getting interested, “Yuko Solar is also really talented?”
 
“Yup, she sure is.” Nile smiled at me.
 
“I feel it is great the we have an Eosine woman who is a playwright and
Ranayugg also as a playwright. It is great to see so many people with so many
talents.” I confessed, I did feel a great joy and pride for Amoi. It is great
that people will see how rich Amoi culture is.
 
“You mean, it’s great to see talents aside the sexual ones?” Symphony asked me
this question quite openly. Her tone and intent seemed to contain no malice.
 
“Well yeah.” I was honest too, “I am not saying people can’t do that. But, we
made an industry based totally on that. Or, rather Jupiter did. Jupiter forced
people, most of them, to live like that. It wasn’t always an active choice to
be a pet or prostitute but it happened. Also, Midas ran a lot as being like
some more debauched Las Vegas. We also have that organ farm thing that went on.
There are a lot of things that Amoit society is not necessarily proud of. I do
want that Amoit culture which is also rich and vivacious have a fighting chance
as well.” I look down on my hands, clasp them, then look up again, “You know I
am a Ceresin and I know how hopeless things can be. I also know this as a
temporary Eosine. When people are devalued, or relegated or severed from their
rights to food, education, security, homestead, money and a right to show their
skills and talents it is awful and demoralising. We humans are pretty damn cool
in the sense we want to shape our lives with many things. Many sentient beings
do this. To be denied this is obviously a crime. Though, I feel that even in
bondage life went on because life is pretty unconquerable. We are always
stronger than we think. If we were so resilient and thriving even with chains
on our bodies think of what we can do without them.”
 
For a moment, both of them were silent. I thought, perhaps, I was saying
something wrong. Then Symphony smiled pretty wide, she looked absolutely
stunning, her grey eyes shone just the moons they seemed to be, “You know,” she
put a hand on her face, resting with ease, “You are so leader material it
hurts. Here I thought I might be meeting a pompous Ceres guy. Seeing you were
also known as the Pitbull of Hot Crack. Instead, I am meeting a charismatic
leader of a young man who has all the makings of a Digamma Prime Minister.”
 
“Yeah. I thought you might even be a perv, no offense…” Nile offered, “I have
seen some tough Ceres guys leer at me before or be rude with me or distrust me
because I am a woman.”  Then she smiled too, “But you are respectful and full
of such good sense of pride and duty. You are also extremely beautiful as your
reputation preceded you. Wow, I am impressed by you Riki the Dark.”
 
I kept on blushing for a bit and looking away. Usually, when before I got
praise from Ceresins I use to know it may be a ploy and glare. They didn’t seem
to be messing with me. Genuine praise can feel like a hot white sun in a cool
drink — tasting both sweet and mellow and pretty awesome. “Well,” I say it
softly, “I try to do my best.” Recovering from that feeling as quickly as
possible as I was not one who was won by compliments or flattery. I appreciated
their comments but I also needed to do more than blush. “So, Beethoven has a
Jade as his pet?” I ask the nagging question of my head.
 
“Well, yeah.” Symphony answered, “Well, he isn’t just romping around with him.
Between us I think Beethoven doesn’t know what to especially do with him.”
Symphony looked alert, “It’s like he isn’t a bad person but he is also a bit
shy making moves sexually. He has always been like that. Also, he is an ex-
furniture…” We all knew what that meant, “He may have taken a pet as a status
symbol but most of his adult life has been sexless. Now, he knows alternative
sexual practices and all but you know the medical program to help ex-
furnitures?”
 
“No. sorry.” I was a bit under informed about this. I knew about the Ranayugg
surgeries but I also knew some of Raoul’s roster of helping agriculture and
all. But, human medical discourse was now to be within parameters. There had
been an almost 100% ban of genetic testing in Amoi, first time in all its
history especially with Abis Think Tank, and so experiments were not allowed
either. This pervaded into many other sectors such as the temporary ban of
Gazer drug and its distribution.
 
“Well, there is a program that allows ex-furnitures to get their genitals back.
It’s small so not wide known but it has been a success.” Symphony informed,
“They kinda ‘grow’ the penis back. Some furnitures are still reluctant to get
it but Beethoven has gotten it. So, he is now back with a penis.” Symphony
looked at me as though wanting to smirk, but then said, “But, it is problematic
for him. He hasn’t had sex like that before and he doesn’t know even how to
feel…you know…” I think Symphony did not know if she should divulge all of this
to me, but, I think it was safe enough with me, and something told me Nile
already knew, “So, me and Nile think he got a Jade pet. Elites usually watch
and can be voyeurs so they both can break the ice on that. His pet name is
Herald Monocles. He used to work in IT administrations so he is also a good
data analyst.”
 
“Seems totally like Beethoven’s type.” Nile smirked.
 
I felt that this guy would be more of Katze’s type. I remember how
condescending that Blondie was with Iason and Aisha. Though, perhaps he has
something. Katze is not easily attracted or seduced. After all, I did know he
was also Katze’s type it’s just I wonder if this guy was less haughty than
Gilbert. Even so, I wonder if Katze and Gilbert even went out for anything yet.
It would be nice to see them around. I haven’t known or asked Katze if he had
been accepted or rejected and to be honest I was a bit worried about the
outcome because I am sure that Katze didn’t always ask people out on dates. Nor
relationships in fact. This was obviously a big deal. And, I was concerned
about him so I was interested to know who he would date and who would he
eventually start dating. I didn’t want Katze to face things alone and be alone
all the time. I think most of his life, like me, he had been alone. Also, he
did have some unrequited feelings for Iason Mink. I would glad that he got over
them. It was true that Gilbert was also a Blondie but it was also true that
Gilbert and Iason were no really much alike. It was also true that I knew Katze
had more command over his feelings to not try to forget someone by dating their
exact opposite. Gilbert could be haughty and arrogant as much as Iason though
Gilbert liked dressing up nicely and looking after himself. I think in some
ways I got that part too. Katze used to be a furniture then he partly graduated
to becoming Iason’s agent in the Black Market and was ruler by proxy. I think
Katze still did not outgrow the furniture label because he was still overseeing
people and good which to him would still seem like ‘goods.’ But, Gilbert took
care of himself more or less and was able to do much by himself including dress
nice. He could give Katze pointers on how to dress and how to be better
presentable even if Katze knew some of those it is sometimes nice to be advised
by someone too.
 
I think it was about time someone took care of Katze too. I know I felt it as
much as he did. Would Gilbert be the right guy for it? Perhaps. Also…does that
mean Katze also got this surgery? Well…I be…damned…I have never figured to ask
him about him or talk to him about it. Well, would it okay to ask him? He
hadn’t at all told me about it so I am not sure if that’s a topic for
discussion. Well, we have had no formalities. Not that I knew of. And, testing
the boundaries doesn’t seem like he would actually mind on that. I think we
subtly do that all the time and the basis of our friendship dynamics somewhat
works like that. That suits us more than fine.
 
“So,” I say after some minutes as our food and tea came, “Beethoven likes that
type, right? A bit quiet and mathematical?”
 
“Well,” Nile looked at the kettles of different types of tea, “True, he did
seem to like that type a lot. I do believe that he found someone he could hang
around with.” Then Nile seemed to sigh, “You know there is always a problem
finding the right sort of person. I, myself, struggled with that.” Then with a
smile, albeit kinda sad, “I broke up with a long-time person. I mean we have
been together for three years and I really thought it was serious but that
person is not settled on who they are and I just don’t know if I can really
trust her anymore either if she wanted to hook up before.”
 
“Her?’ I say this with some surprise.
 
“Nile, Riki seems fine but I told you not to easily talk about your
relationship with that Earth girl named Susan so much in front of company. You
know it is frowned upon.” Symphony have her a sympathetic but a look of a
mother also asking a kid not to talk too much during dinner. Which was
interesting because from what I knew a bit about them Symphony Talukdar was
thirty-five years old and Nile Secular was like twenty-seven or twenty-eight.
There wasn’t that much of a gao difference between them. Also, it seemed, this
sort of talk came naturally to Symphony…like she knew how to talk like that…was
she…? Also, what was this about not talking about relationships?
 
“Oh, c’mon, we are no longer in the old culture of Amoi. We women now can also
date other women though it was frown on by the old Amoi culture because males
were always overeager to control who we slept with even if it was opposite sex
and our sexualities are very regulated.” Nile looked annoyed and I got her
argument straight up, she was right, “It is stupid that Jupiter wanted women
for breeding and felt that as they biologically many a times could get pregnant
that it was best to treat them as vessels for breeding rather them give them
the same sexual autonomy as the males. I think those views should change.” I
couldn’t agree more. Though, I wasn’t always like this. Women of Guardian and
men of Ceres usually did think that as women could many a times naturally breed
it would be good if they chose a suitable person, most of the times male, who
they could breed with. However, I one day realised that was unfair thinking. It
was wrong to think that females should not have desires of males to bond and
have pairing partners of their own aside the meeting goal of reproduction.
Though, even when they chose males it was a limited pool because Guardian
didn’t allow most males to stay and I think it was hard for them no matter who
they wanted to stay with, female or male. Though, yes, Amoi discourse had
always a sexist attitude towards queerness or even open sexuality when it
concerned women. When I think back to what happened to Mimea it was evidence
enough that this was there.
 
“We all know that those views should change but just because we want them to
change fast doesn’t mean they will change fast and you are a Minister.”
Symphony advised firmly but gently, “You should understand that other people
will look to you and judge you a bit too much if you go too fast on this
yourself. You should take it slowly. You can be an important spokeswoman for
queer women of all types if you actually take it slow and gentle. We need
someone like you to show that Amoi also has progressive views on women and that
all women can choose their own sexualities now. This is not a lie I even talked
about Beethoven about this, though he is a bit divided against this, he is
actually willing to build a new legislation with me that legalises all these
actions and also practices from the old one that always didn’t.”
 
“That fact that Beethoven is divided shows he is such a stickler furniture
still.” Nile almost snorted.
 
“Don’t be like that.” Symphony looked to me apologetically but I gave her an
assuring tilt of the head when she was speaking nicely to Nile, “He is a just a
guy who still has some old traditional ways and I can’t blame him and neither
can you. He is a furniture and he thinks like that but think of how many
Midasians and Eosines also think like that too. Well, Guardian women sometimes
also thought like that and it was sometimes hard to change their minds. Though,
they also practised strange costumes in which they followed the ‘sister-lover’
culture where you could be with men out of some obligation but when you were
with your woman she was yours to still love and your partner or husband could
not touch her, ask for threesome unless you wanted to share, or could ask even
details about her because it was said by the females in Guardian it would
create distrust and even jealousy in the man that you chose knowing that you
loved a woman more. Well, the man was also free to pursue another man if he
wanted but not obviously, another woman because females were scarce and that
would be spoiling the genetic balance and exhibiting selfishness. Yet, there
was a compulsion to be with a man or attract suitable males due to protection
and getting pregnant. There were always genetic harvesting and sperm banks but
having the male himself was also a sigh of status and stability and in Guardian
a woman eschewing that for her sexual pleasures or even romantic pleasures with
a ‘lesser’ man or woman was considered a form of self-destruction. Can we
really blame Beethoven when our culture was so geared towards women this way?
We should blame the institutions and the systems instead of targeting one
specific man or specific group of males because they have been pretty much
indoctrinated with the bullshit that I just mentioned. At least, he is trying
to learn and change his ways. Many men are not doing that. Especially, Midas
people and some Ceresins. No offense.”
 
I shook my head because I, myself, had talked to some Ceres guys who would love
to score with women but not see as autonomous beings. Ironically, they would
glorify or even deify the women and feel that she should sleep and even use
males as much as possible and that those guys would not mind licking even her
shoes but if she went out with other women it was like to them two goddesses
fucking each other and they would be overwhelmed by that sight and feel that
should not be because ‘goddesses’ should also be for others, right? But, if
they fuck themselves what was the purpose of mere mortal men. “Though, I know
that Ceres men are more of the grounds of proving themselves to women and
trying to show they can be good companions. They are humble but ill informed.”
See, what I mean, “But with Midasians you know it is because they have
fetishized women so much that they hate the idea of women going out and doing
their own thing. You know the Self family women may run finances but they are
not completely allowed to work or even have much say on household matters?”
Wow, until Symphony stated it I didn’t know that, “Don’t worry,” she looked at
me, “It is not regular knowledge and only some expert journalist like Arata
Acharya know this. That is because he doesn’t like the Selfs much too. The Self
family has the same idea of running their females like people used to do with
Guardian. Because to them it was efficient and made sense. They still have
Machiavellian views like Jupiter. There aren’t many females in their family but
they wanna guard them as much as possible. Acharya also stated that one of the
unsung leaders of the Noh Space Theatre Group is actually Odeta Self. She is
the younger sister of Felix but gets less credit because she is a woman. We
have these problems in Amoi. Especially, because Amoi used to be such a male
exclusive society. Don’t be hard on Beethoven for troubles that are rampant.
Needless to also say, the new Earth and Freyjan immigrants that have come along
do strike xenophobia into the hearts of men. They are strong females but they
can see that there is certain fear in the eyes of the Amoit guys when they walk
by. We must make sure that discrimination, sexual assault or sexual harassment
does not become rampant. Both ways.” She looked at me, “There are a chance that
Earthian or Freyjan women may easily, with cheaper prices, by Ranayuggs and
Eosines and use them and then leave them. There is also a bad trend now where
the wealthier people who still do business here wanna take the people who are
the trade of selling sex back to their planets, especially Earth, to actually
put them up for factory work. We need all these problems fixed and we can only
do it together, we should be united more so than ever.”
 
“Symphony, I agree with everything you said but I can’t help if the last two
relationships I had are with women. One Amoit and one Earthian.” Nile specified
her details; one good thing is that they seemed comfortable and free around me,
that actually made me pretty happy on the inside, “It’s just that I can’t stand
it always that guys get to have whatever sort of relationship they want and I
have to pretty much hide who I want. Even the males I date are judged and
sorted out more than the females. God, such sexist notions seemed widespread, I
heard gays are more male-centric and lesbians are pretty much fetishized to
feel the cis, straight men desires of Earth?” She asked me.
 
“Yeah, that is there.” I confessed, “I think female sexuality is a very under
researched aspect of life even now because it is scary and pretty complex and
it seems to have no incentives other than pleasure which also confuse many
Ceres guys because to them sex is also practical which means they are getting
stuff from it. So, to think of pleasure as an incentive is hard for some guys
to think though they pretty much also practice it. Pleasure is practical in
many ways because we can’t measure it or barter it as easily we can sexual
favours or other goods. It exists mostly for yourself and the one you are
experiencing with and it grows like life in the sense that it grows via many
layered connections. Each renewed and each magnified by each action. Pleasure
is also both autonomous but concomitant on other factors which if you look at
consumerism or even modes of law both capitalistic and communistic you will see
it does not always work because they are not interdependent they are very
independent and isolated from certain things. Both ideologies have
transactional philosophies but pleasure when it is many layers cannot be a
transaction. So, it has a hard time being measured and equated.”
 
“I agree.” Symphony smiles. I think she was drinking Chai Latte. Nile was
sipping on Early Grey. I couldn’t decide perfectly what I wanted. So, I decided
to start drinking the Earl Grey and the go the milky, steamy Chai Latte. I
almost laughed aloud when I realised the tea choice here would be analogous to
the feelings and emotions I had between Iason Mink and Aisha Rosen. “You seem
to understand pleasure in itself. Something tells me you had a deep
relationship with someone that made you feel, so?”
 
I smiled. As long as we are all sharing, it is only fair that I share that
intimacy, “You see. Guy. Yeah, he is a guy, but he is also well Guy. He was my
Ceres pairing partner since I ever understood what fucking could really mean,
pardon the language.” They both nodded that hell with it speak freely, “Guy was
a friend from my childhood. But, he became more than my friend. Yes, he was
family. But, he was also someone I started to love deeply. Not only in a
romantic way. If romantic way means only sex and gestures I would say that the
Blondie who had me possessed a lot of that, sometimes even more than what I had
with Guy. Guy taught me how to love and taught me loving someone means loving
them in so many ways and I feel I allowed him scope on that too. There was
responsibility in our relationship but also so many different types of
pleasures. We loved walking in the rain, even without an umbrella, we loved
going grocery shopping together, we loved eating together and even if no sex
was involved we just loved the presence of each other. The intimacies we shared
was very important. Sex was too. I think I learned half of making love from
Guy. It was not one or some numerous acts of intercourse but a holistic
approach in which we existed but also lived our lives.” I think I got a bit
teary when I stated this, “I cannot say that what we had liminal or fathomless.
It was both here and now but also beyond that. It had limitations like most
things but is beautiful for them but also that it went beyond them. Guy’s love
was an indispensable, irreducible thing for me and a very crucial part of my
life. He made me feel taken care of and he also made me feel responsible by
taking care of him which was very important. I don’t think I could have
survived that time without him. It didn’t matter that I was the Pitbull of Hot
Crack or Riki the Dark. To Guy I was Riki and that made sense to me. I was just
a person, emotional, vulnerable and valuable to him. I need that. Someone to
humanise me. Not to treat me as just a leader or something. It felt and feels
always important to me.”
 
We felt another silence creep up on us. It was kinda comical that we were
gelling so much just after we had met but I think it wasn’t so bad. I think it
was important. We were talking about such prominent things. I don’t think I was
this close to anyone especially women the first time I met them. Though, the
context usually mattered to as I met them in clubs or bars. There were only
some women and men I had met in libraries on Earth. Not that I hadn’t gone to
libraries much but many people in libraries would obviously feel disturbed if
you bothered them. In my initial years in Earth, I was a bit different. I used
to wanna be chatty and make acquaintances, alliances and friends. Only if to
pass the time. I had angered some people because they felt disturbed by me when
I just up to them and said more than ‘hi.’ They didn’t share my similar sense
of feeling lost and vulnerable. Of course, this was unusual for me. I loved
staying by myself and I loved that for once I got a break. But, life can feel
monotonous with some company. So, it was just normal for me to make allies.
Yet, the system of Amoi and Earth were not identical even if they had some
similarities. People on Earth were not like Ceresins, those people who didn’t
live in the slums and they were people who were pretty well off or even well
satiated. They had no need for constant groups or company, or, so it seemed.
Yet, even if they did want company it was like they got it elsewhere. I think
meeting new people was not always people with commodities and securities
actually thought about. So, not all of them were accommodating. I realised then
that Earth people could also be severely selfish as well. That they usually
thought about themselves even if they didn’t necessarily need to because they
were not Ceres mongrels or Eos pets or even Tanagura Blondies; not even Midas
hierarchy people. Though, the kind ones were good and great and they were
understanding and so accommodating. I realised Earth in its abundance or even
its false sense of abundance was creating a narcissistic culture that was akin
to the Blondies. Though, it was sad. The Blondies were genetically conditioned
to be like that but Earthians not so much. However, their cultures seemed to
inculcate and indoctrinate the powerful sense of self and this became almost
parasitic. Like one half of self-cannibalising on the other. I remember reading
about it too. That people suspect others a lot and they also suspect the
intentions of others. Though that was a good practice they did so with such
acumen and expertise they even overlooked the genuine people and gave those
genuine people a hard time.
 
I guess at times I did feel alone and did not know if it was possible to
survive alone always. Especially, on Earth’s double standards. Earth boasted an
extroverted culture but it sure wanted you to keep up with niceties and be a
hermit on the inside. It did not want you to be feeling and emotional over
others. It wanted you also to make money and commodities important things; they
were to be treated to be viable substitutes instead of people. That is why many
Earth people I met did not experience even the modicum of the brotherhood that
I faced and lived with Bison. I do not even think they were as united as some
Eosine pets. They just felt they should ‘hang’ and the word itself was imagery
for a noose. Of course, people who rebelled against this philosophy had some
acceptance. Though, they were also face with derision as impractical and
emotionally sentimental people. They were stated this because people did not
enjoy vulnerability. There was a real danger that vulnerability with the wrong
person could be lethal and life threatening. That was true. Also, people didn’t
have the time to be vulnerable. Like Amoi there were some people who were
workaholics to the brim and others who had wealth and time but were kept in the
bubble of their wealth and could not easily taste life. It was always
contradictory. People did not know how to change it. When Jupiter got Amoi that
machine also didn’t know how to change it. He just oiled the machine well
didn’t change its gears or design. Nor, improve it. It was hard and it was
cycle that ensured that people were either kept happy or miserable over trivial
data and surplus goods.
 
I had been deep in my reverie or whatever you wanted to call it but I didn’t
sense that around me the ambience had changed a bit. I looked up and I saw Nile
actually crying. Symphony looked pretty impressed but also deeply moved. “Hey,
are you okay?”
 
“That was so beautiful.” Nile stated, “I had no idea you know so much about
emotions. You are so wise.”
 
I felt embarrassed. “It was just the truth.”
 
“That is a truth no one always has the guts or balls to easily say.” Symphony
beamed, “You are just a very special human being aren’t you, Riki Celt, or,
Riki the Dark?”
 
“I am just a regular person.” I scratched my head, “I am not as astounding as
anything. I think it took guts for Nile to say she was with a woman and still
in love with her and for you to actually give a in depth analysis of political
situations in our planet without stopping to take a breath. You all are so
gifted, hardworking and meticulous. Both of you should try out to be Digamma
Prime Minister. It will be really awesome that we had a female Digamma Prime
Minister as the first official elect. I think it would be crucial especially to
female sexuality and female queer rights.”
 
“Well, it would be awesome if Symphony got elected.” Nile was pretty enthused
about that, “You know how she is in the queer spectrum? She is a demisexual
person. Like, from what I glean, I could be wrong but demisexuals and asexuals
are the least represented groups in the queer spectrum and sexualities in
general.”
 
“Well,” Symphony looked kind of annoyed, but then gave a playful smile, “I
guess that cat is out of the bag.” Turning to me, “It is really refreshing that
someone who is the most popular choice of Digamma Prime Minister wants us to be
instead. I cannot tell you that it is pretty inspiring and yes, I had thought
it would be nice for a woman to be a Digamma Prime Minister too. Our second
choice after you was our very own Katze Endymion. How do you identify as Riki
the Dark?” With laughter in her eyes she asked.
 
“I guess I am pretty pansexual. There isn’t any specific sex or gender that
attracts me and I am mostly equally attracted to all of them.” I shared that
info.
 
“Really?” Nile looked questioning, “To be honest I always thought you were
demisexual and the way that you just could describe so profoundly the feeling
of being in love with Guy made me feel that too. I don’t think other
sexualities aside ace could actually pinpoint it in verbal speech that well.
But, it is nice to know you are pan and maybe even available.” She winked at
me, “I am a regular bi person myself.”
 
Talking to them was nice because it was nice they identified with something. I
usually believe that sexuality was fluid but it was good that people could
identify with something if they chose to better communicate who they were.
Labels or tags, as long they were open-ended and not conforming or even
coercive and limited, could have a point. I thought about how the word ‘pet’
was confining, coercive and abusive and pretty much debilitating. Though some
people may wear it with pride they did so because they were not treated as me
and for them being a pet meant completely different to what it meant to be a
pet for me.  They thought it as a sign of sexual liberation and fertility. It
seemed being a pet at times, especially for Eosines, was better than being a
Blondie who were trained to be abstinent and pretty much infertile who could
never participate as eagerly as they could with sex or go beyond that threshold
of a beautiful climax as easily as them. I wouldn’t be surprised if some
Blondies or even Elites were jealous of the pets they so kept. Able to
reproduce or even have sex freely while their lives were directly under Jupiter
to be a cold replica of the machine who had bred them.
 
“When you said that Guy taught you half of making love,” Symphony started
asking me as we ate, “Who taught you the other half?”
 
“Two people.” I say it plainly but firmly, “One of Mimea, she used to be a pet
in Eos, and the other was…Iason Mink the Blondie.”
 
They blinked. “Is that Mimea of the Black Flames, from Vetustate?” Nile looked
pretty amazed.
 
“Yeah. I think the same one.” I say it glumly.
 
“Oh, don’t you own Iason Mink now?” Symphony questioned.
 
“Yeah, I do.” I nodded.
 
“If it were too personal can I ask how they taught you that?” Symphony
carefully asked.
 
“Fine,” I sighed, “I know it can be personal but I don’t mind sharing. I feel
Mimea is well, she decided to go against everything that was taught to her to
be with me so did Iason. Only, I think Iason was less brave than her. He didn’t
give what we had labels later on and I think all I wanted him to say he loved
me but he was too arrogant to say it. Mimea always told me she loved me.
Surviving in Eos was hard because as Nile would know most pets don’t like
mongrels and they don’t like pets that have less breeding creds than them.
Mimea was ostracised because she hung out with me but she did it anyway and she
valued me and I her. It was important that Mimea was that brave. If she wasn’t
I may have felt a lot more hopeless. It didn’t always bother but at times it
profoundly did. The fact that people hated me so much. The furnitures looked at
me as though I was vermin. Even Daryl did not really like me after all I was
not bred for this; I was supposed to be a mongrel. I was an uninitiated piece
of shit living among people who were well trained to be pets and live in
grandeur. It was kinda unfair on them and I realised it later. They didn’t want
their status to be interpellated by someone who was well you know an outsider.
I think it was also very difficult when Iason gave me some preferential
treatment. Obviously, it was not fair. Also, the limits of that preferential
treatment made me unhappy too because it was teasing and taunting of freedom
but never those things. So, when Mimea broke rank and considered me special I
truly did see myself as that. After she left, I felt angrier with the world of
Eos. I longed to be in Ceres. If just only a moment where I did not have to
relive the trauma of losing Mimea and also the punishment that came after.
Iason was less of an asshole when I lived in Apatia but that still didn’t
always resolve the mixed feelings I felt for him. They weren’t resolved because
I knew it could never go on like this. I found Iason to be unrealistic for
thinking like the way he did. It made me feel sad for him and me. Like, what
was exactly trying to prove to me? Or, even himself? Made me feel more
vulnerable and sad than I should have felt. However, I did admire him trying to
break free. That was the most noble thing that he ever did.”
 
“Talking to you is definitely an eye-opening riveting experience.” Nile seemed
to be holding her voice from being too over excited.
 
“Yeah, that is true.” Symphony looked at her phone, “Oh, they sent me texts…”
then looking at me, “I wanna introduce you to my kids…” Wow, wait, she has
kids? This is nice, “I had them during the last years and when I was still in
Guardian. They weren’t sold yet. Thank God. They are biologically supposed to
be ten years old but growth hormones have made them older so they are actually
now fifteen. They are twins see. This is Sasha and Pearl Talukdar. They are
unidentical. Sasha is the girl, Pearl is the boy.” She showed me their
pictures. Both Sasha and Pearl had brown hair and blue highlights. Sasha’s hair
was short but Pearl’s hair was longer, almost waist down. They had blue eyes
with sliver flecks. They also were fairer than their mother. There was another
picture next to them of an infant who looked more like Symphony and even had
the eyes and hair. I touched that picture subconsciously. Symphony saw it,
“That’s…” she paused, “That’s my first born. His name is Gem. I had him when I
was fourteen years old in Guardian. Yet, his father and I didn’t ever get
along. My pregnancy was a bit difficult because of my age and I was not really
interested in Gem’s father. I didn’t get pregnant again until I was twenty-four
or twenty-five with Pearl and Sasha. They allowed me to stay because I was rare
case. They studied me too and all of that.”
 
“It must be great to have three kids.” I smiled but I saw a look of panic in
the corner of Nile’s eyes which I didn’t understand.
 
“Oh, no,” Symphony said softly, “I don’t have Gem anymore. He had a buyer and
he was sold as…well as something in Ranaya Uugo as soon as he started growing
up. I only have Sasha and Pearl. I don’t where Gem is now. Or, if he is alive,
or if he wants to meet me.”  She looked like she was crying, she pushed her
tears away. I did not know what to say. I never saw a mother cry like this in
front of me before. I never felt a mother’s love for long in Guardian. I didn’t
think much about it. For a moment, I was envious of Gem. At least, he had a
caring mother to cry for him.
 
“So, what do your kids do? I know the school system is still messed up in
Amoi.” I ask, keeping it on subject and slightly away from it.
 
“Well, now that you asked…” Symphony looked like she had some opinions but Nile
looked relieved at me, obviously talking about Gem would not go well, “Well,
there are days even months were school’s out, literally. My kids are smart and
they don’t mind missing school is it means they can well learn with their
tutors or well play sports. They do, sometimes, miss the normal routine of
school and the course works they don’t plan themselves and the fact they can’t
meet up with many of their friends in that environment. I got them in ‘Avery
Academy’ which is one of the top schools still left in our planet and it still
doesn’t have the necessary funds or teachers or other kinds of resources to run
around. They don’t always have a structure to follow and I am hoping next year
we can plan something. There are many children in Amoi now, more so than
before, because well Guardian technically no longer exists and all of that but
I feel we will lose valuable immigrants when we cannot cater to their
children’s needs. This is a serious problem for our government and I do not
take it lightly. Right now, we shamefully also have reproduction laws. We
cannot afford many people get pregnant because where will we send their kids to
school. Some of the female and male population of Amoi are gravely unhappy with
us because we have reproduction laws. But, we can’t do anything about it.”
 
“There is this other problem which we do not always like to address. See, some
Eosines do not mind to wait a bit and then having their kids you know join the
trade when they are of age.” Nile sighed off, “This has become another problem
because even the Galactic Commonwealth, acting like saints though they
exploited like anything before, think it is unethical and immoral. Yes, it is
pretty strange but we cannot tell them off when some of them complain that they
had inherited no wealth and cannot wait around their young ones or even the
young among them to starve. The Midas people also complain that when can they
get back to studying though they have also assigned private tuition and all of
that. It is very sad but we cannot do much about it and I am actually pretty
worried myself. There are some people who wanna teach her from Earth and
Freyja. I am actually interviewing a Ballibib teacher. His name is Amleth Seti
Vollivol or as they say Vollivol Setileth because they usually join their
middle and first names together and have people find out their full first name.
That was a custom of knowing in the Ballibib culture. He is pure Ballibib and
speaks pretty well our languages. Midas people don’t want him around when they
got to know him a bit like a candidate, Eos are sceptical because the Ballibibs
do not really endorse the selling of selves unless it’s mutual, their custom
for that is called the lock of names where they try to you know get some
temporary benefits. The Ballibibs themselves are sceptical of human culture and
Amoi culture in general. But Seti or Amleth wants to come and teach her history
and mathematics in Avery Academy. I have decided that perhaps we should hire
him. In fact, people from Guardian really want him around. They trust outsiders
more than insiders seeing, well, you being Ceresin yourself know, you guys
started out as outsiders more than outerworld people.”
 
Nile seemed pretty happy hiring this Ballibib gentleman. I had to agree with
her choice. It would be good to have someone of that particular locality and
nation around. “Are there any other candidates?’
 
“Many are Earthians but we are a bit, well, we must regulate them. We do not
know if they are propagandists or they are people who are genuinely wanting to
help others.” Symphony explained, “We have to be careful. Also, we know
Midasians try to seduce Outerworld people all the time trying to show that they
are better and more educated than the Eosines and the Ceresins and the
Ranayuggs. That is exactly the sort of hegemony we want expelled as much as
possible.  We cannot create new dichotomies and such and we must be mindful
what is happening. There is that headache to deal with too.”
 
“Well, at least you guys are analysing the problems and making sure you can
actually make them matter. That is good.” I smiled. It was nice to see this
kind of commitment and integrity towards a cause and I was really impressed by
what I was seeing and what was being conveyed. If most future leaders were like
them we would have been better in many ways: even as a species. I did have my
doubts on Beethoven Caravan. It was necessarily because he had a pet, it was
because of how insecure he seemed. If he made contact with the Selfs a lot they
would actually try to use him to what they wanted and when I thought about that
I had to hide a cringe.
 
“I am sure Enif Saxon told you about the pet party that we wanna hold soon,
right?” Nile suddenly mentioned.
 
“Oh yeah, he did mention that.” I say it.
 
“Well, Heracles is going to be there so you shouldn’t hit him again on any
accord.” Symphony laughed a bit.
 
“Oh, that.” I chuckled a bit sheepishly, then determinedly, “Well, if you ask
me he kinda deserved it you know the way he was being such a weirdo and all of
that.”
 
“Not saying he didn’t.” Symphony winked and Nile and I had to smile, “Just this
pet auction is going to be different a bit.”
 
“Yeah, many women want to participate in this one.” Nile informed.
 
“Really?” That did sound interesting. “Like Amoit or —“
 
“All types. I am curious to see how it plays out.” Nile seemed enthused again.
 
“Yeah. That does seem a bit of something to watch.” I say.
 
“Hey, look, it’s Gilbert Domina and Katze Endymion.” Symphony points out.
 
Nile and I look towards the entrance and see them come in and when they see us
Gilbert looks unsure but Katze blushes. Wow, does that mean….hehe…Katze,
Gilbert did accept you didn’t he? I wanted to fist bump the air. I was really
happy seeing that Katze’s proposal was accepted. I mean, as I said, I didn’t
want him to be alone anymore. I was happy seeing him with the guy of his
choice. Katze seemed to say something to Gilbert and he shrugged but not
arrogantly just like an ‘ok’ and they headed towards us. I was grinning like an
idiot and Katze almost glared at me but then the poor guy blushed and rubbed
his neck and hair.
 
“Hey Katze,” Nile seemed to become mischievous, like she suspected something
already, “Did you and Gilbert come here for some work?”
 
“You could say that…” Katze said with some reservation.
 
“No, we aren’t here for work.” Gilbert used his presence to pretty much pick up
the context, “I am here on a date with Katze. I have officially accepted his
proposal to be with him as his lover. I can officially say I am Minister Katze
Endymion’s boyfriend or lover. So, yeah, we might discuss work but we are not
here on business. We are here to get to know each better intimately.” Then
looking at Katze’s flabbergasted face, “What? Honey-san, if you wanna date me
be public about it from now on nor else people will use it against us and I
seriously like you.” He grabbed Katze’s hand, firmly and affectionately, “I
don’t wanna lose you and I don’t wanna see people judging us. We are together.
It is all that matters.”
 
Nile and Symphony seem to be between smiling and awe. I think I did actually
fist bump the air this time. Katze looked at me in shock but Gilbert Domina
smiled, “See, Riki the Dark gets it.”
 
“I see he does.” Katze looked like he was about to groan but also laughed a
bit, “Well, I didn’t mean to intrude on you guys. I didn’t know you would be
here long.”
 
“We are getting along great.” I motioned to Katze.
 
“Well, that’s great to know.” Katze looked extremely relieved and Gilbert just
looked at him and seemed to smirk; I could read his body language, though he
was a Blondie, and he pressed closely against Katze and his hand holding was
still firm. Katze may not have been used to this because he didn’t completely
hold back till now. There was a sense of affection on Gilbert’s eyes. I did not
think I would see this in a Blondie like Gilbert. Then I recollected how I saw
it in Aisha and Iason. They could be adaptable if they wanted.
 
Without much notice, Gilbert kissed Katze. His lips grazed, like two soft
curves against a cheek that was both muscle and putty. I could feel and see all
our eyes wide and even Katze had to stare widely and then look at Gilbert,
“Well, I think we should go and have tea, right lovely.” Katze could only nod.
I was sure he wasn’t used to public displays of affection especially for
himself. It was strange for him but he softly smiled. Obviously, he didn’t hate
it and wanted to warm up to the idea. I was extremely happy for him and hoped
that he would have a good time. After all, I think this was his first date with
Gilbert Domina.
 
“Do you think we should start moving?” Nile suggested, “I don’t think we should
disturb them; this seems to be their first date?”
 
“I agree.” Both me and Symphony said at the same time.
 
“Alright then, let’s move out.” Nile smiled. So, after all that food eating and
tea drinking we headed out and I winked at Katze when we were leaving and he
just raised a hand to acknowledge me and I was happy that he seemed happy.
 
I said goodbye to Symphony and Nile. Symphony said that she needed to go home
as her children were coming back after playing soccer. Gem Talukdar was in my
head. I remember the look on Symphony’s face talking about her lost son. The
worst part was that he was also a Ranayugg. The fact that he was pedalled out
to perverts and disgusting fucks made me completely sick. Then I thought how
hard it was for Symphony to know her first son went to Ranaya Uugo and how she
had to deal with that. Now, that he was also missing which portended the worst
outcomes. There could be a possibility that he was dead. There was a
possibility that he was alive but in a state that made him feel miserable. I
think Symphony didn’t think too much on it either. It would drive her insane
and she had two other children to think about.
 
While walking outside, I thought I saw somewhere near the gate. There was messy
blonde hair and reddish like highlights on bangs. The eyes were a dark shade of
blue, half-midnight blue. I looked at him. The man was nicely built, had
accentuated abdomen and nice chest. He was dressed in brown pants and grey
shirt and he seemed to be watching me. I just game him a nod and decided to
just start walking and just kept on walking. I didn’t go to the garage. I
looked like I was going to a tong to get like some cigis or something. And,
yup…what do you know…this dude was following me…so I did something. I stopped
and then I think he stopped too and then I just turned around fast and sprinted
right at him!
 
I think he was starting to run back but I leaped a few paces forward and pretty
much pinned him down. Then as he panted and looked at me scared. It was a good
thing I assessed the situation and he seemed like he was unarmed but I was used
to doing this — if anyone was a novice I wouldn’t advise them to do what I did
because it could be pretty dangerous. So, I closed the distance between us, the
young man was sweating, “Boo.”
 
“Fuck you, Riki the Dark.” He said after some moments.
 
“Well, he speaks.” I pinned him down as he did try to struggle, “Who the fuck
are you, sir?”
 
“I am.” He looked as he was thinking if he should say something, then he looked
ready, “I am Simon Pulsar.”
 
I blinked and laughed, “The Simon Pulsar who made the premiere of ‘The Debut’
pretty much a bad night for us own mates, huh?” I used my elbow to pin him down
on his throat, “Have you no honour and shame? Your own comrades were in jail
and you are just out there, roaming around, getting a free lunch on their
backs.” I spit on his side, on the ground, and he cringes, “What are you some
sort of wannabe who is actually a fucking coward? If you are a leader of a
movement show some backbone.” Then I press him to the ground a bit more, a bit
harder, and he yelps and then I get up, “So, fucker, why are you following me?
I can get you arrested you know. I was having a meeting with two ministers and
you just happen to be outside? You better have a good excuse better than dog
ate your balls and you forgot to wear them around your dick and have no stamina
but be a stalker.”
 
“It isn’t like that!” He yelled and then he glared, “You seem to have many
assumptions and we barely met…” then he looked mad, “You weren’t a piece of
shit to Atticus, why liked how he looked —“
 
“Can your dick asshole nor else I will punch your lights out in the street and
you would like that right? Good publicity for your movement? You better be
damned I ain’t falling for your trciks and those things won’t work twice. You
are stalking me and people will arrest you/” I clench my fist, “Now, start
talking. How did you find me?”
 
“I saw some fancy cars out here and thought it might be you or someone. I was
looking for you or Kirie or anyone.” Simon looked to the ground.
 
“You could have called and made a damn appointment.” I glared, “What you want?”
 
“I just wanted to know if you are really gonna come to Yuko Solar’s play?” He
asks.
 
“Why wouldn’t I not come?” I question back.
 
“Well, you went to ‘The Debut’ and the Venus Movement got arrested so —“
 
“Look here.” I pointed, “They threw a rock —“
 
“At a Blondie!” Simon argued, “Surely, Riki the Dark would understand being
imprisoned by them as a pet —“
 
“Don’t go there.” I warned, “You don’t know anything. Besides, attacking anyone
who is not Eosine. Do you think that will make you guys look good?”
 
“I respect you, you know.” Simon stated, “Yeah, I may not be enjoying our
little interaction right now but I do know that you are one of the only
Ceresins I can respect. You understand how it feels to be like that don’t you?
Trapped as a pet. It is horrible Riki. Ceresins should choose us as brothers
and sisters in arms but they play it too safe! Do you know Midasians don’t even
give a shit about anyone? Now, we have to suddenly make a society with them? Is
that even possible? Autolycus is a joke. It always will be Riki. If Eosines
rise up we can really show the world of Amoi how better we are. We can really
have a chance.”
 
I took a breath after a moment passed, “The way you are talking is like some
cheap anarchist mixed with some levels of classism. What do you think would
happen just by feeling everyone else is beneath you? That sort of thinking is
concatenated with the feelings and thoughts of one Jupiter, or Lambda 3000, of
Amoi. Don’t you think you are traversing a very bad line here? What do you
want, exactly? Everyone else go away and Eosines have their earthly Shangri-La
in Autolycus? That is the stupidest concept ever. As I said you sound like you
belong with the Elites and Blondies.”
 
Simon looked horribly offended, “So, basically, I am like a Blondie just
because I want the best for Eosines? You sound strange and kinda hypocritical.
Didn’t you become a pet because you wanted to become more than Ceresin? How am
I any different than you then? Oh wait, yeah, I am different. I want it for
every Eosine not only for myself. It was wrong what you feel and think.”
 
“Really.” I chuckled, “What make you think I wouldn’t have helped Bison out
after I reached for the top? Or, help other Ceresins. Yeah, I wanted to be more
than a slum mongrel in the old order. The key word here is ‘old.’ The old one
was a hegemonic, indoctrinated system of ostentatious inequality and we Ceres
people were not even citizens. Now, in the new order where everyone has been
granted citizenship why would I want the same sort of formula or plan for
advancement? I am changing my thoughts with the constant realities I am facing.
You are just being stuck in the same segregationist mentality and I do not know
why. Why can’t you give everyone a chance and not everyone is the same. You
know very well that not every Eosine is gonna be trustworthy and great. And,
knowing this reality you cannot overlook it.”
 
“There may be Eosines who are now being silly and having their hopes up like
you.” Simon gave a smug smile, “But, when the Venus Movement wins, they will
see we are in the right.”
 
“If they win.” I say it and see him cringe, “You don’t want people to do other
jobs and stuff? You want even reluctant Eosines to be in theatre and sex
trade?”
 
“I never said that.” Simon seemed to clarify, “I just feel that the sex trade
is a part of us and some of us do great with it and the theatre culture is so
gloomy with us. There is no reason to relinquish all of that. Of course, there
are other people who wanna do other things but that’s fine. But our theatre if
not having sex is the best thing ever and we will show how successful it is. We
are gonna be the best.” Simon said this with a lot of conviction. Not like some
dreamer. But, like some really obsessed guy. I knew it in my gut and body that
he was pretty dangerous. I felt sorry for Atticus for having this kind of
comrade. There was this stability in him to do the destructive or at least pine
for it. I knew he couldn’t be trusted.
 
“You can think that all you want Simon.” I say it plainly, “But, people, no
matter where they are from, need to do things by themselves and make their own
choices. You seem like you want to make it for them. I don’t know why you would
tread that path and even think that way. You were a pet once. You were made to
fuck and pretty much dance around with others, even those you didn’t get along.
Surely, you can see that this way is wrong.”
 
“There is nothing wrong in having some small disagreements even if we are
together.” Simon adamantly folded his arms and made his point, “Eos people, as
you know, know hardships and are adaptable. We are the best sort of people. We
aren’t spoiled brats like the Midasians nor are we well undecided like the
Ceresins. We are passionate in what we do and appreciate our skills and our
bodies. We persevere because of that.”
 
“You don’t seem to be talking about the Ranayuggs.” I raise a brow.
 
“What’s there to talk about?” Simon looks casually at me, “They are makeshift
Eosines so it can be they matter or they don’t. Frankly, they lack our passion
and imagination being just you know sexual accessories. But, some of them seem
okay enough. They don’t have much ambition and they don’t seem bothered much
and are okay with how things go one way or another. I hope they, however, see
our cause and find it profitable for them too. Though, I doubt that a massive
change will happen to them. After all, they are just Ranayuggs. Like look at
that Dandelion Quartet. In what right mind did he join Noh Space Theatre? I
cannot understand how he would like to be a dog licking the boots of some
spoiled Midasians? He should have more pride than that. But, I can’t expect so
much from a Ranayugg.”
 
I seriously did not like this guy. How could he be so disrespectful of
everyone? I felt that he was being so arrogant. Now, I remember he was a cool
type of person though now he didn’t seem that cool. He looked pretty alive when
he talked about the Venus movement and the Eosines but not so much when he was
talking about other groups and people. He had a disturbing sense of detachment
from them. Or, he just looked down on everyone. If I don’t know better I would
say Simon Pulsar was a good version of a younger and haughtier Iason Mink. He
certainly played the part perfectly. Something told me…I wasn’t completely
wrong…like my analogy wasn’t wrong. That though suddenly chilled me. Wait,
couldn’t be…what was I thinking?
 
Then I saw him. He was kinda staring at me. He seemed to be studying me. Like
my movements, my breaths, my lashes, my eyes…uh…his eyes were trailing down and
up my body and he looked at my neck too. I didn’t know what to say. At one
point, I thought he was going to lick his lips more and I just didn’t know what
to say about that. I didn’t know how to respond to this unwanted attention. It
was making me a bit uncomfortable. Simon looked at me deeply; his gaze was a
bit charged as he was thinking of something. I didn’t know what to feel but a
sense of feeling completely against it. Like, wasn’t he having an argument with
me in some ways? Should he be checking me out? Huh, what a funny thing.
 
“I think I don’t wanna talk anymore.” I just shrug and I am gonna leave.
 
But he just gets there and he grabs hold of my hand, “Don’t leave.” He gazes
into my eyes and I don’t know what to say, he seemed to almost want to touch my
lips and I jerk so he focuses to keep my hand on his grip, “Look, I may sound
unpleasant but I am pretty passionate and hardworking. I had to be a bit more
social for my work but you know what? It doesn’t bother me that much anymore. I
guess I do value more people than I did. But, what’s so bad if we are in
charge, huh? We will still keep the Midas people and all the Ranayuggs and I am
sure the Ceresins will also well you know be happy helping us out. We just feel
that ex-pets should be better in charge because we have the glamour and we can
do a lot of work and we understand the importance of keeping clients happy. Is
that so wrong or misguided?”
 
Those blue eyes were kinda familiar. Though, I felt the theory on which I based
it on would be pretty sad and terrifying. The tone of speaking seemed so
pretty…similar…Though, was that even fucking possible? The fact was when I was
entertaining the idea I knew how others would think totally incredulous and
like some conspiracy theory nut that has no credibility. However, it feels
that…this is something I didn’t wanna let go. Though it did sound kinda
strange. “Look, buddy,” I could see he didn’t like the fact that I called him
buddy, “What do you think I am gonna do? Just support Venus Movement because it
is filled with Eosines? I am not that crazy you know. I am gonna support when I
feel that it has credible reasons and a voice that is not so discriminatory and
you know what your friend Atticus gave that voice.” My way of impressing about
Atticus seemed to really make him cringe again, like there was a competition
between them, though, if a leader with more than the immediate outlook was to
be looked at it would definitely be Atticus because he seemed to understand the
main concerns about Eosines in general and why they didn’t like Noh Space, “I
don’t think you understand how narrow-minded you are actually sounding and how
this will hurt you in the future.” I try to actually break free from his hand,
but as he loosened his own hold, I decided to slowly slip out of it; I didn’t
know when he wanted it or why he wanted it but he seemed to have yearned for
something from me or with me and I am sure I couldn’t give it to him. I thought
of Aisha and Iason back home and I frowned at the idea of cheating of them
(though when I chose one of them I knew very well I couldn’t be with the other
anymore either and I was happy about that thought seeing I don’t like this two
guy thing: I want one spouse, pairing partner, mate, you name it), especially
with someone I like met fifteen minutes ago.
 
“You say I am narrow minded but are you so progressive thinking?” He said this
with some vehemence, “You could have taken some Eosines as pets. People who
need you and could want some food and shelter. No. You took some damn Blondies.
One of them is the guy who was bad to you. Did you miss his body so much that
you had to take him?” There was a lot of spite in his words.
 
“Eosines are gonna get more rights. There is no guarantee that Blondies will
even get the slightest modicum of rights. They may be relegated in every place
or sphere and though that is unfair I also understand that people do not
necessarily trust them and I understand that it may be that way for a long
time. I can’t abandon people. Even if they are Blondies. Also, Iason Mink is my
problem and I will see it to him personally. He shouldn’t be anyone else’s
problem when the person he hurt the most is me. So, I should punish him or
reward him. I am sure you see the poetic justice of it all. I am not going to
stand here and listen to your accusations when I am not doing anything
personally and politically incorrect or illegal or criminal.” I glare at him
and let my hand off, “Who the fuck do you think you are? Come over here and
telling me that everyone aside Eosines are the shit and then tell me that I
should just come up and forget that. You haven’t forgotten I am from Ceres.
And, you say my own group of people are indecisive. Well, excuse you, they are
gonna be as indecisive as they please. Unlike you fucks they have been
struggling to be recognised for such a long time and now they have it and it is
scary for them and it does make them sad and unprepared. Why do you think you
guys are also going slow? Same reasons as them. I can’t believe you think I am
breaking the rules. And, then you look at me as some perv trying to eat me up!
What is wrong with you?!”
 
“I am not checking you out!” Simon looks so embarrassed and blushing, he almost
like young Kirie, defiant and kinda cocky, but the way he is trying to stare me
down and look away shows I was correct.
 
“Really, then how come you can’t look at me directly?” I almost laugh and the
sneer on my face makes him grab my collar and I grab him back.
 
“You are such a cocky upstart!” He glares at me and I decided to just grin back
to mock him which makes him tighten his grip but look on with hesitation as he
himself doesn’t know what to do and it is actually hurting him to think. Then
without further warning — I was not expecting this — he pushes forward and
kisses me. Like hard on the mouth. I can feel his tongue on my lips, a snake
that could not slither out and I don’t grant him the spaces of my mouth that
are not to be his. Though, I can see him trying, pushing, it is almost like a
form of march that he must win. Was he doing this to spite me? Or, as his
desires have been found out he doesn’t know which way or what to do but kiss
me. At one point, I think I pushed away and was trying to breathe in and —
fucker was fast — he caught me, bit partly my lip and in my sigh to actually
push away again he actually did push part of his tongue in my mouth. It stayed
there, limp for a while. Our eyes were open. They weren’t even downcast for
pleasure and I knew this felt like one of the most impersonal kisses I have had
in my life. Though he stared at me, defiant but also pliant, he seemed to want
it to romantic. The fuck it was going to be that! His part tongue moved around
trying to see sweet spots or points where I may let go off my resistance and
also enjoy the kiss with him. I was two inches taller than him so I stared at
him from my angle curious to see how his tongue would half-wag like a curled
dog’s tail and see that he can find some common ground with me.
 
He was treading into no man’s land. Or, no man’s mouth. The half spurred was
like a broken bayonet that knew not to kill food to eat or charge into battle.
He himself felt my teeth, front, as he could not proceed to feel my molars or
my inner cavity and he twist a bit on the rook to see my grains and to know if
he could plant some pleasure there and feel like I was able to come around. My
stare down seemed to intimidate him a little, so he stopped, in intervals he
moved again and soon — I slowly, but determinedly, snagged his tongue a bit
rough making him budge out, not fully wounded but pride and desire obviously
hurt. As he grabbed his mouth scared.
 
“I don’t think it is nice kissing someone without permission.” I seriously
bared my fangs at him and cockily smirked.
 
He looked a bit intimidated for a moment until he smiled pretty much
absentmindedly, rushed towards me and grabbed me and kissed me again, “I know a
lot of things…” he said between kissing me and rasping breaths, “Why not see
for yourself? I will make you forget all about those sterile, no good Blondies.
I am a better mate. I can prove you.”
 
I pushed him off.
 
And. SLAP
 
I had enough of him coming at me and trying to kiss me down like as though this
is some sort of weird ass soap opera or something.
 
He clutched his cheek but grinned, “I won’t give up, Riki the Dark. I want you.
And, I will have you want me too. I will prove I am better than any Blondie.”
He grinned brighter, “Just you wait. I am patient when it comes for choosing
people I like.”
 
“Beat it.” I flipped him off, “Unless you want me to hand your ass down on you
and make you forget that you are actually a leader and more like a pet. Mypet.”
 
“You know I was once a pet so being a pet is no amount of insult for me.” He
smiled and rubbed his cheek, I knew I gave him a good hard one (yeah, puns
intended), “But, I do not have any interest to be your owner or your pet, Riki
the Dark. What I want is to be yours and you mind. As a term of equals. We can
do a lot together for Ami and I think it is important that we do each other too
in the process.” He winked and I almost balked. Not the subtle fuck was he.
 
“Look, kid…” That got him a bit riled up, I could see it in his body language,
“I am not gonna date you even if one moon of Amoi and the other decide to go
tap dancing.” Then with all seriousness, “We are done here and we are not gonna
do anything and certainly not do each other. Beat it before I do decide to call
the cops and get you busted and not the kind you little freak would want.”
 
I could see him look away out of anger and disappointment.
 
I took out my cell phone and called Olivier who probably was hanging about in
the parking lot for some minutes and wondering why I had not come over till
now. He had been hanging about for some minutes. I saw that he had texted me
asking me if I was okay.
 
I flipped off Simon as a goodbye but he grinned and I went away. That was one
determined motherfucker. Though I wondered when he started his little crush on
me. I did not know if I was okay being an attractive guy again in some form or
the other. Not that I wasn’t pretty much Earthian taste. Back on Earth, people
liked me too, but when I stopped being a little social it did curb down
interest of new people a bit. Not altogether. People still used to randomly
show up in my usual haunts and flirt with me a lot and stuff until they
realised they were not going to get that desired attention from me. I didn’t
have relationships for a long time except the few that I did knew off and I
wasn’t intended to start dating and fucking much people as usual. Even if I was
in an open enough relationship. I bracketed my openness to only Aisha and
Iason. That is also because I was thinking who I could end up with long term
amongst them two. I knew a part of me really wanted to give Iason a chance but
then there was this vibrant new sort of love that I was making with Aisha and I
didn’t want the feelings to go away.
 
I know this was going to difficult. But it had to be done. When I was ready I
would tell one of them what I have decided. I was not important enough to also
delay that choice. Seven years have already gone by. Sure, Iason waited for me
and Aisha didn’t personally didn’t know me then but we all were waiting for
each other one way or the other and I didn’t want to underestimate anyone or
anything.
 
This was important.
 
“So, that Simon Pulsar was putting on airs, huh?” Olivier laughed in the car.
Truth be told I did tell him for a laugh because something about Simon really
disturbed me. The way he walked, moved and acted was not totally graceful in
the sense which I always identified them with but something about him really
got to me. I also didn’t know why all of a sudden, he wanted a relationship
from me and I didn’t know if this was really what I expected from him. When I
talked to Atticus, he had a flirty feel but what I appreciated was that he
wasn’t really arrogant and he seemed pretty interested in other people. With
Simon Pulsar, he was least interested in people other than people in the Venus
Movements and the Eosines. He had such disdain full views of everyone else that
it was really hard to talk to him about politics. But yes, he was one of the
leaders so that means they were obviously people who somewhat liked his way of
thinking. I can’t necessarily only blame him. So, that is meeting with two
people out of the Venus Movement. And, no meeting from Noh Space Theatre. They
can’t be seriously thinking that meeting Dandelion Quartet was enough of a
meeting, could they? Well, forget about disrespectful to me and my
intelligence, this is disrespectful to people in general. I was getting a
picture of Felix Self from some of his actions. I think if Simon was haughty
and arrogant than Felix would fuck the cake and rotate on it.
 
“I guess you could say that.” We laughed for a bit, “Didn’t know he liked me
that way.”
 
“Well, to be honest Riki.” He said this to plainly, “You have a lot of
admirers, I have seen Kira and Kakash, Ashe and Ashera also look at you in a
pleasant way. Not to say least less sexual. You are like one of the most
attractive men and people in Amoi, whether you believe it or not. But,” He
sighed acting all bothered to my puzzled face, “I guess that is the problem of
the truly beautiful people, not only hot or sexy, they do not know how
beautiful or attractive they are; always getting surprised that people want
them. Though, I guess there is trouble in that too. Choosing someone who
matters as much. Who they can also surprise by showing they are beautiful and
attractive in so many ways. That is, I think the challenge.”
 
“You seem to understand a lot about this.” I say this when my puzzlement goes
away and my interests are piqued, “Have you known someone who was like that and
you can relate?” It was a bit of stab in the dark. Though, I do not know if I
was expecting an affirmative answer.
 
“Well,” Olivier drove a bit slowly now, of course the AI could help correct
discrepancies in driving if there are some to be calculated, though he wasn’t
breaking or overlooking the speed limit and we were going through a pretty much
deserted street, “There was someone I knew who half-fit that description you
know. I wouldn’t say fully. It wasn’t that, well, he definitely seemed to have
issues. There is something even alluring about him because he was meant to be
so perfect but he wasn’t perfect and he seemed to hold on to his mistakes in
secret but be pretty happy to have them. I stayed with him for a long time and
he seemed to trust me a lot. Though, I know by either circumstance or even
fear, he couldn’t completely trust me. It hurt my feelings at times. I miss
him.”
 
“Oh…” I was really interested, “Something tells me though I could be wrong…he
was more of than a friend to you, wasn’t he?”
 
“I don’t know if we could call each other friends Riki.” Oliver seemed to say
it but I could see how sad he was saying it, “I was supposed to be servant and
subordinate but sometimes he didn’t make me feel that way. I think he treated
me more of a comrade that he was supposed to treat the people who were supposed
to be his comrades and that sometimes scared me and overwhelmed me. You know we
used to have fights, quarrels, that are like the quarrel and fights of friends
and then at times I realised they were like lovers too. Though, I don’t think
we ever were that physically intimate. I mean, I am a castrated male Riki. I
hate my body. I hate that I cannot be anything other than a castrated male.
That came between us when he did show interest in lovemaking and consummating
our feelings and emotions. He was so patient too. At times, I could understand
that he lost it though it was not always fair but he never forced me or
anything. I think he got frustrated that I didn’t I think I was more than a
man. I think he thought it was worthless how I thought. I just couldn’t rid of
that bad taste in my mouth you know the one that made me feel that I was lesser
than other men and I didn’t know how to think about it because it was curling
up inside there and I just didn’t want it too. But, I guess you could say that
I loved him and I still think about him and love him. And, it hurts.”
 
“He was an Elite, wasn’t he?” I say it, knowing how this was going down.
 
“Yup, would he believe he was a Blondie?” Olivier started laughing as though he
was making fun of himself, “You know sometimes I totally get why you mad and
feel also clueless about Iason Mink. Those Blondies can be selfish and pretty
stubborn and stuck up in their own ways. But my one was more than an anomaly
than yours. He didn’t see me as lesser. Which, frankly, at first scared the
shit out of me and I didn’t know how to respond to that. In case you are
wondering, he was Zeke Bell. Don’t go telling people around that. I know Kirie
knows this but people already interrogated me before and I seriously do not
know where he is.”
 
“Wow,” this was unexpected, “I did not know that Zeke Bell was the Elite you
served.” Then looking at him as he drives, “So, you know Atticus Bromide then?”
 
“Oh yeah, when Atticus came…” Oliver stopped for a moment, his breath was a bit
low, as though he was sighing but his lips were also quivering, “When Atticus
came you know Zeke Bell actually dismissed me and got another furniture. Like
he was seriously trying to Blondie now after all this time and all these years.
So, he got rid of me and I didn’t know what to feel. So, what you feel and
don’t feel or don’t know how to feel. I understand where it comes from Rik-
chan. Blondies can be selfish and they can do so without thinking what is
happening to the other person. Even though it is trained on them you know
something I can tell you they have some free will so it’s bullshit to think
they are not culpable all the time because they are. What Zeke did was
something he was culpable for not Jupiter. Jupiter didn’t ask him to want a
relationship with me and then discard me like Jupiter didn’t tell Iason Mink to
abduct a Ceres Mongrel and pomp him around like a pet. That is all on them.
Maybe not the system but obviously, those actions. And, Iason wasn’t told by
Jupiter to be exceptionally rude to you and treat you like shit do if Iason
ever barks that excuse you can fuck him hard and tell him he is your bitch like
he plays Jupiter’s bitch. Yeah, Jupiter was culpable but that doesn’t
necessarily exonerate them. They should have their 300+ IQ tell them that.
Those hypocritical dudes.”
 
“I am sorry Oliver.” I really did feel sad. I had no idea that he had a
relationship with Zeke Bell and had no idea that Zeke left him. I could say and
it was natural he was still affected by it. Yet, I could see that Oliver had
qualities to love. He seemed like a jokester but he was actually pretty caring
and kind, remembering how he was one of the first people to congratulate Ithos
when she became Lady of Kirie’s house. Also, maybe Zeke needed someone who is a
jokester and someone who actually made sense to him and that is exactly what
Oliver had given him and I could feel it was a deep relationship.
 
Leave it to a Blondie to fuck that up
 
“Well, we are here.” Oliver smiled at me.
 
I smiled back. I knew I didn’t have the time to talk to him. But, sometimes the
timing, the place and the way we are just right. I feel we connected as
individuals because I absentmindedly talked about Simon. I felt that it was a
great thing because what we feel and think about is not always up for
conversation, discussion even if we live in an extroverted society we seem to
always have unwritten rules of engagement that stop us from being honest with
everyone. Sometimes, it is prudent. Other times it just gets in the way and is
pretty much like data overload. People could be truthful once in a while and it
would all make us happier or at least more satisfied than we are.
 
===============================================================================
 
“So, let me get this straight.” Iason blinked, “You met this Simon Pulsar and
he was kinda following you. But, the fact is he reminded you…” I think I saw an
eye twitch, “Of me.”
 
On the corner of our room Aisha was chuckling and trying to cover his mouth and
looked completely happy doing it. I looked at Iason again, “Yeah Iason.” I say
it with a shrug, “He did remind me of you, you know.”
 
“He is an Eosine pet and I am a Tanaguran Blondie.” I don’t think his eye
stopped twitching anytime soon, “What makes you think he is like me?”
 
“Well, first of all, his determination that all people aside Eosines suck and
that everyone else is meant to be ruled and their existence would be much
better if they are ruled by one specific class of people.” I explain, “I know
that was a Blondie way of thinking in specific and even the Elites but then
what particularly got of you from him is that he was obsessed with that idea or
order. And, he checked me out sexually. Gave me a couple of kisses and said
that he was a better mate, boyfriend, spouse or pairing partner than you guys.”
 
“Wait!” Aisha stopped laughing and looked so enraged than her purple lips were
encased in a film of red and white, “That fucker kissed you!”
 
“Yeah. I had to push him away a couple of times.” I say and look at Iason that
he looked livid as well, “I didn’t know how to react — it happened fast and I
taunted him with it. But, I know he is nothing like Atticus Bromide. That guy
is so into well-being a classist I don’t know what the other people in Venus
Movement think of him but I can understand that well, perhaps, some of them
have that extremist vibe because nor else there was no way they could have
elected him.”
 
I was caught off guard again and frankly seeing that it had happened more than
once during the day I had grabbed Aisha a bit roughly before he would land that
special kiss on my face. I turned and my cheek was pressed by his purple lips.
I felt it like some odd sort of pollination. Both ardent and useful, passionate
yet gentle. “Hey, what gives?” I say it with some true questioning.
 
I moved aside when I saw Iason also trying to get me. “What the —“
 
In my confusion, Aisha slowly touched my face and brought me up and kissed me.
Our tongues slowly, nude to each other always, felt like sacred moments in both
the lifecycle and the individual state of cells in which we liked to move. I
was not so different than them when we kissed. When we kissed our
modifications, our lesser and higher faculties and our inability to at times
communicate used to falter and ebb away and what remained was a new
construction. Both permeating and zygotic, both rhapsody and also practicality,
if Logic and Reason ever saw some union with Passion and Love in some Fibonacci
sequencing of arrangement than the kiss would be it and then the eventual
making love. Obviously, it depended on the people, the customs, the way we were
with each other. Kissing Aisha always felt right. There was no conquered or to
be conquered when I kissed him. It was like we both were the temporary rulers
to the same kingdom permanently ours. It always felt right. It was strange. I
never had to struggle to be Aisha’s equal. I knew the contexts mattered but I
felt that even though he was a Blondie we had much in common and much different
too. But I loved the balance and the chaos we both wrought together.
 
It was an equal music.
 
When Aisha was done Iason kissed me. Just like that. I think this is what I
like about Iason’s kisses. They were a continuation of his own feelings and
statements. Though he was a very good negotiator and a great conversationalist
he got stuck at me. This made me happy. It was great that all his conditioning
stopped when I came up. So, when I said continuation it was like he was saying
something and he wanted to continue with his feelings. I didn’t always like
this when I was initially with him. Because sometimes he would use a kiss a way
to punish me and I did not love or like that as well. It was not a punishment I
had signed up for. But now I could taste his apologies and sweet expectations
in his kisses. That got me excited and aroused and always made me feel better.
It was nice to know I meant that much to him and that he wanted me. I was
honoured in my own way that he still wanted me even after seven years. Though,
yeah, once he boasted with his arrogance that it didn’t matter if I was in 20s,
30s or 40s that I would be his pet. But, it was nice to know he didn’t feel
like that fully. That he would still want me but not like that. Sometimes, all
you needed to do is change the bearing and the angle and all you get is
something better and something you would happy and proud to live with. If this
was possible even when Iason evaluated his own life. I would be happy.
 
Iason’s tongue tasted like the familiar but the sweet. Aisha’s tongue felt like
a familiar coded gene in which we all lived and thrived and the helical ways my
tongue flowed with his was like this concerted music on disconcerted bodies
that made me feel both rich and fulfilled. It was like something I felt in my
bones, waited for and sung in my head with half the words and tunes. It was
both a learning process and instinct. I felt Iason’s hand traveling over my tee
and I could understand what his purpose was when he suddenly pinched a nipple
lightly and pinched it again. It was like a throbbing; he was picking up pace.
I slowly felt myself giving a moan. It was accentuated and became pronounced
because Aisha also had picked up my tee and slowly started kissing my muscles
and he was doing it wonderfully with his tongue going to lick in another
rhythm. It was like a machine of pleasure going clockwise and counter clockwise
but there was no true dial to it; yet, it wasn’t automated. The fact that they
came from two Blondies was something made surer that it wasn’t automated. I
tugged slowly at their gold hair — Iason needed some medicine for his and he
think he knew that. His hair was a bit less lustrous now but Aisha’s was still
better because he had taken care of it and now it was still long. I touched
their gold silk. Both of them had a lighter sheen of gold. I moaned a bit
louder intermixed with their own sighs and moans when I could feel Iason biting
my nipples and Aisha biting skin here and there.
 
I was not going to protest. I encouraged it by bucking my hips and kissing them
on their heads, foreheads, noses and lips. I had already given my consent. I
had not thought I would be having sex again so soon; don’t know if I can keep
up the tempo but I will definitely try my hardest to keep it up. I slowly
rubbed against Iason’s ass and kept on helping both on undress. By this time,
it was hard sitting still with Aisha because he was getting up and down trying
to unzip my pants and then he did and I helped him by getting out of them and
throwing them to the corner. Iason took off my tee and I helped him by raising
my arms up and then allowing them to just take them off. It felt really good to
be now in the nude and just open to what they had in store for me and I had in
store for them. I kissed Iason, my tongue caught his and pretty much tied
itself to me and I was letting his off easily. He seemed to love the fact that
he was held hostage like this and kept on kissing me and loving to be kissed by
me. His tongue also twisted and turned as if trying to escape or to give a
chase or start one of his own. It was lovely.
 
The moan I let out was fierce. I had let it out not only for the great, fervent
kisses of Iason Mink but also because I felt Aisha Rosen thump my cock and then
swallow it. The sucking of it and slow licking of my balls, the kissing and
slight teething of my erogenous centres down south, including my inner thighs
and my legs made me thrust out another moan from my mouth. MY eyes fluttered as
Iason’s tongue trapped mine like some Eros in turmoil and waxed me in beautiful
saliva as though we were all a chrysalis waiting to erupt and go under some
kinetic hibernation where dormancy was only of other things but lust and love
with its flickering of reason would pulsate and palpitate and make me join in
some fated union. I was both sword and sheath of passion; both the eye and
apple of desire and both the fruit and gravity of love’s labour. I loved being
the north and south knowing an east and west that coddled me and respected me
and I them. I could feel the extremity of my breaths and my breathing
heightened the more Iason also kissed my lips and my nipples and my hair and
forehead and body. I kissed and licked his rib bones and realised that I should
help him get back some of musculature and weight. It was hard for me to
concentrate on kissing him because well Aisha was getting pretty excited
swallowing me and letting me go and swallowing me and letting me go. It was
like some hummingbird motion on flower and I was getting hypnotised by it. My
body writhed with it and in anticipation by it, and then even apostrophes by
Aisha’s kissing of my navel and back there and then I could Iason also give
commas and periods in kisses and touches, rubbing of hair. I could feel the
sexual zenith of it all. My body was aware and one with my consciousness. This
was no ‘cogito ergo sum’ this was ‘I feel therefore I am’ and it was also a
divine truth which both punctuated making love and went beyond it. It was
emotions and logics knowing how to kiss and thumb each other; be the butterfly
wings of eyelashes. I am amazed by the prolific gestation of kisses and moans
and the ability to tome them in making love. A leather-bound volume of passion:
us.
 
 I slowly could feel my pre-cum starting to rise like some geyser seeds and
touched Aisha up and could rub myself a bit before going down and licking him,
his balls softly in between my mouth and gently on my teeth and then his whole
member was measuring my tongue and mouth as he puffed up and down. I think
Iason got what I wanted and he wanted it too. Iason then kissed Aisha and Aisha
flew open his eyes and stared. Then I saw him smiled as I swallowed and felt
his pace and he kissed Iason back. Iason corned tongue and teeth with Aisha; I
decided to take turns in sucking both cocks with my mouth and strew up kisses
between them their own fluids following a string from each other as some sort
of exhalation marked with white ink. I thumbed both their heads and felt their
bobbing in unison and they moaned and kissed each other. Aisha had started
getting on Iason’s nipples, trailing tongue and teeth on them and hearing Iason
grab his hair and moan out loud was seriously music. Aisha had better hands at
sensuality — who would have ever guessed or thought of this scene — the
Unyielding one can make the Ice moan break apart and become anew and the Ice
one and make the former yield and be active and be passionate? Well, I felt
some instinct say that I was also the fire that helped them work in such
tassels and tangent. That I was the forge and flame of Prometheus who had made
metals go to being metal and flesh at the same time. Though I felt I was a mere
mortal and they were like gods of the old pantheon: If Iason was Zeus and Aisha
Apollo than I was the mortal who controlled them as much as they controlled me.
I was part and parcel of creation. We all formed a new mythology for the Greeks
and Romans to gawk at: a cosmogony of interrelations and this happened even if
we did not form to have sex. After all, why would Zeus and Apollo share? Why
would the mortal? I have always felt the gods of old mythology were mortals in
disguise anyway.
 
Iason winked and me and suddenly he seemed to be wink at Aisha too, who looked
confused for a moment, then looked at me, then at Iason, them smiled at both of
us. Damn, that naughty smile for Aisha Rosen I think both Iason and I could eat
him up right about now. So, we went to our spacious bed and Iason got down and
immediately Aisha got on top of him…
 
“I wanna see two Blondies do it…” I sighed it and said it softly, “May I?” I
asked humbly their permission. They were my allies, not my toys. They nodded
and Iason lovingly thumbed Aisha’s purple lips and Aisha kissed them and then
he slowly felt his way onto Iason who gasped out deep and they rocked on and
off, on and off.
 
I looked on touching myself in intervals as I saw both men kiss and look and me
and keep on slowly pushing and moving their forces and intermixing in a whirl
of yellow, spun gold matter that erupted and bracketed in limbs, moans, tongues
and touches. Aisha gave deep kisses and small bites onto Iason’s chest who
slowly kissed, whenever he could, Aisha’s hair and his neck and they both were
moaning out and I moaned by proxy. I could feel their passions going at it. I
could feel their bodies through some strange sense of pheromone signatures and
the ambience in general. I felt Iason’s rocking hips mesh against Aisha’s own
as he tried moving up and down, sideways, trying to pace in different ways. It
was pretty intense and romantic. I could only feel my own cock pull as though
it was stuck in their magnetic field and wanted to feel them up on me too. I
could moan as I saw Iason kiss Aisha passionately on the lips but then also his
eyes and nose, even his eyebrows.
 
I then felt Aisha cave in, the impetus finally coming to a halt as Aisha
screamed in utmost pleasure and Iason as well. But Aisha came first and Iason
second. Both panting for a few minutes as I looked on transfixed and saw them
slowly recovering. Then they looked at each other and seemed to smile and they
just laughed for a moment softly and then looked at me. They had also looked at
each other. They never thoughtthey would, them two, would actually make love,
in front of a Ceres guy no less. They had not gotten along. They had pretty
much ignored one another because they had nothing to offer one another and now
here they were making love. Something told me they had really liked it with
each other. I had only had a momentary jealousy but more happiness for them. I
think even though they wanted me it was fair in our open relationship they got
to do that too. It was fascinating but also so heartfelt and passionate. I
could only smile at them as I approached.
 
I knew I would do it a bit with both. I started up on Iason and he could feel
me as Aisha also felt my rocking body on Iason and smiled and kissed me and I
was amazed by all of it as I just moaned and kept on going. I kissed Iason a
bit, it was a bit difficult because Aisha was still on him, but I managed. I
kissed and cuddled Iason’s arms and his chest and felt passion when Aisha also
kissed my throat and made me feel complete for that moment. I could feel the
tingles of my building up orgasm. And then I came. I could feel later on Iason
come too. There was an interval where Aisha and Iason and I, just kissed but
soon Iason fell asleep. He was tired and I was accepting and understanding of
it. Aisha rolled off Iason and we put him under blankets to make him sleep
comfortably. We were not done. I kissed his nipples, sucked them, nibbled on
them slowly and he too did mine. I kissed and licked his collarbones as he did
the same while also picking up my face and kissing me as well. We were making
out for a long time until I felt myself getting slightly aroused and erect
again. Aisha slowly, with much comfort and care, felt me inside. I felt him on
me and I moaned and I clenched my muscles, tightening and welcoming him as we
stared at each other and rocked. We were both really happy as we kissed and
rocked, slowly, then suddenly fast, then slow, feeling sometimes overwhelmed by
the way each one of us moved or how our bodies were always being pushed towards
that edge of no return but not really going all the way. Yet, just feeling the
way we could just also stop, kiss or look at each other and breath in ragged
and deep inhales and exhales and go at it again. We are like the constant flow
of life. Aisha and me.
 
Then I came before him, feeling him pressure and also I feeling him pressure,
both of our loads giving sway and the rain fall. I could swear we both were
gonna collapse on each and I kinda did a while later. I could feel myself
feeling the twitch and the member lose all control of Aisha’s cock just
succumbing to me and I to him. We were like this and then Aisha rolled on top
and we just kissed each other deeply with chuckles and giggles following our
kisses like waves and foams and I could feel the tides of us climb up, go down
and feel ourselves know each other by the pulls of each our own orbits and
gravities. We were both the swell off nirvana and earths. We knew this and were
happy in that knowledge. Soon, though, one last concerto seemed to have sprung
and I could feel Aisha’s one rise up a bit. One last gulp of watery pleasure
for the night. Aisha felt me and soon I know Aisha’s inner places too; he was
riding me and I enjoyed every moment of it. This beautiful surge of our oceanic
waves pulling and probing and we could be lost like waves or boats or sunk
treasures and still rise up like some old Atlantis. Our veins drinking the
elixirs of passion, our lymphs like overdriven nymphs who also knew both bodily
and spirit love, we were wrecked on an island but Dickinson said mooring on the
other but soon building sails from my moaned breaths and archway of fused boats
from my bodies and were sailing. At the edge of the universe we turned and
fixated on a black hole and we also skipped in like people skipping rope as if
to say to the black hole we are the two nodes of electricity that can scramble
your gravity and somehow make a place for ourselves. We inverted that black
hole and while it was pushed in and out in mess its pocket of rich waves
brought down the seeds of stars and then itself became itself only to exhale
and be a fiery-icy ring as if it was now a moving down to different spells and
knew where to go. It no longer a mass grave but molecules to build life.
 
We pulsated on each other’s forces; we felt each sweat, moan, treckle of saliva
with our kisses and we felt and were enshrined in each other’s organs and
skins. We were both the nebula and the horizon. The subtle kiss and the intense
longing. We were both cartography and the inter-nodes of new lands and were
also both the industrial and the primordial. We were both the definied and the
unclassifiable. We could be planets and suns, knowing that once planets could
be piece of suns and that even suns one day would arise again as planets. We
poured on each other as though how the trail of light bookmarks a meteor. We
sank on each other’s mouth as though we sank on food. We were both meat and
fruit. Both clay and fire. Both water and air. Steamed in ice and the metallic
force of some erogenous ancient matter. If he was modified it was like the DNA
looking for a fit and I, an unaltered bind, waiting for the elements to help me
propel forward. No matter what our deisgns were I felt God knew better because
there were no other fates we could have had but this moment of me, a Ceres
human with no alterations bound to a human like machine Elite Blondie and we
knotted and twirled like moves that no one knew and no one could have
understood. We built and destroyed. We are catabolism and anabolism of the
marrow and bones and were swept alike like gardens meant to be both nature and
nurture.
 
As we erupted, one, me before him, I knew this was sheer poetry of our skin and
bones: a flesh on some never-ending cloud. We were both a love and yet
something more. Even when our embraces were relinquished to cool off like the
embers needing some air we possessed each other’s ash marks on our bodies.
 
A serene lull from the two moons on ether. Everything felt like a treatise to
the genuine.
 
 
Chapter End Notes
     This chapter was like 20,240 words long. Yeah, it was long but
     hopefully worth it. I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I loved
     writing it and introducing my characters. So, yes, please read and
     review. Let us see how the next one comes up. Ooooo mystery about
     Simon Pulsar. Subplots and all hehehehe See you guys hopefully soon!
End Notes
     No one wants to reverse the roles. I haven't seen any fics were Iason
     was a slave. Probably because "Ai no Kusabi" has become nothing but a
     smut despite it's great cultural, societal and gender individual
     related questions. I am not saying one cannot enjoy the sex but
     people forget that Iason at the first part of the series was an
     abusive person and a rapist. Yes, he is a Blondie but that is not
     enough to make Iason a non-rapist because he is one. Let's face it.
     And everyone wants to make Riki hurt and I doubt I like it much. Riki
     is a stronger individual than Iason. And yeah Iason changes at the
     end but that does not exonerate him for his actions and the mangaka
     kinda knew how difficult this whole thing was so she just killed the
     characters. Not her fault. But just a longer, detailed study into it.
     Iason becomes "human" at the end because he accepts his crimes and
     even asks Riki for forgiveness in many ways though of course the
     anime which my knowledge is based on shows but subtlely or rather
     scarcely probably due to production value problems (fiction cannot
     compete with truth at all :P) thus the mangaka kinda was saying that
     rape and abuse rapes your humanity from you so Iason cannot be looked
     as nothing but a monster as a beginning like a gumiho or something
     similar. And Iason is despite his superior intelligence less
     creative, patient, strong, mentally piqued, intuitive than Riki. I
     have seen it many times. Because Iason lives in a closed world but
     Riki has faced the elements.
     The first chapter took a long time to write Thank God it done :D I
     think I might write a companion piece to this fanfic of Riki's
     adventures in Ireland and around Earth in the seven years gone.
     Anyone interested in reading tell me okay.
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