AU takes place in an industrial setting.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything! If I did everyone would have nosebleeds because of the yaoi hands of death! (Seriously those hands are HUGE!)
When addressing the Ren's the last name goes first because of their cultur...blablablabla- I wrote it like that deal with it!
The first thing I noticed was that today was plodding along smoothly, which was fortunate for my trillion dollar company, yet as I tinkered with the metal device in my hands, I found the activity rather wearisome.
"Brother." A voice called followed by a quick knock on the aquatex glass.
"Come in." I called recognizing Koumei's voice, clearing my desk I folded my hands together, resting my chin on the back of my hands I leaned forward on my elbows; Koumei -unlike me- was known to be very unattractive; he had his shaggy red hair tied back, and acne scars on his nose and cheeks- and his disheveled clothes did not help his appearance; wearing a faded sweater over a white button up shirt, and beige trousers. "What is it?"
"Rashid Saluja would like to speak with you." My brother smiled with a grin that could signify mishap for everyone. "Do you wish to listen."
"No."
"Come in Mister Saluja!" Koumei announced flashing him one last smirk before leaving.
Writing a mental note to self to invent a doorknob that would keep Koumei out...and keep myself from killing him later; he gestured for the old man to sit down.
"My apologies for the intrusion, but an urgent matter arose." Rashid began his graying blonde beard spread out on his chest, and long hair falling down over his suit, and his long goatee curled at the end. My silence was a signal for him to continue. "As I am sure you know I have fallen I'll, and you should have full ownership of the company once I pass."
Feeling suspicious, I listened intently, waiting for further explanation.
"I have found my third son."
I frowned, displeased at the knowledge. "I see. So you're asking me to pass your authority down to him." I concluded.
"Not necessarily, but I do not want to leave him nothing if I die sooner than expected." He admitted, his eyes downcast. "Besides Alibaba is resourceful, I doubt he'd be a burden."
"You seem to be entrusting a lot to this kid." I quickly contemplated the benifits I could reap from the situation if I agreed. Maybe he'll say my goateee is cool. No, the coolness of my goatee is unquestionable. Don't I look good with it. Peeling myself away from my thoughts I looked back at Rashid who was waiting patiently. "I'll meet him and consider it."
Exiting the office, striding into a large glass hallway; there in front of one of the large windows way a boy- presumably in his teenage years, staring down at the orange buildings below as the sun set, solemn copper eyes glowed in the light.
He was lean, with blonde hair, and an ahoge sticking up from his head, additionally he had a red rope tied around his neck, and a earning on his cartilage; the green dress shirt was loose, as was his red tie as he gazed out the window in his yellow school pants with a small smile, as if he was recalling a sad memory.
I was almost immediately taken with by the sight of the gentle curves of his rounded face to think twice about saying no- soaking in the sight as I was careful yo remain placid.
"Alibaba." Rashid patted his shoulder reassuringly. "This is Ren Kouen."
He lowered his head putting his hands together to give a small bow. "I'm Alibaba Saluja, pleased to meet you." He smiled earnestly.
While I couldn't sense anything shrewd about the way he carried himself, there was a mix of determination and uncertainty in his honey colored eyes.
I frowned internally, hoping he was not another indecisive idiot. "What was the latest model released of the A18 Vehicles?" I inquired, testing his knowledge.
"I believe it was the 340bk87, the ones that can withstand 200,000 kilograms (440,000lbs), right?" He answered, scratching his cheek sheepishly.
Letting out a thoughtful sound in the back of my throat, musing how adorable the boy in front of me was as he timidly played with the rope around his neck. Maybe he'll think my goatee is cool. No, he'll definitely think it's cool. "Alright." He glanced at Rashid. "I accept your proposal." Turning back to the boy, Alibaba I added, "I have a meeting in the morning, but I do expect you here at eight- go to the reception desk and ask for Ren Kouha. I'll be back at Ten, and I expect you to be there." Sternly, I did my best to show him my -I-won't-deal-with-bullshit expression, pleased at the nervous expression he returned with a stuttered 'yes sir'.
After being dismissed by Kouen I did my best to steady my shaking hands. My father, who walked beside me spoke up; "Are you alright, son? Ren Kouen can be very intimidating occasionally, but he is a very good man."
I grinned with a shaky laugh. "I can tell...actually, he seems really cool to me." I sheepishly admitted- playing with the rope around my neck I slid into the the passenger 299zkA59 mustang; despite being an old model from the year twenty thousand six hundred, the restored vehicle functioned better than one of the new cars that sped across the sky- with the addition of the custom black leather seats that the diver could sink into it was no surprised that I had put ninety percent of my affections into the car.
The penthouse where my father resided with his two other sons was no short of glory either, with large white pillars, the Arabic garden styled terrace on a large patio overlooking the city or a relaxing drink- whilst the interior decor consisted of beige drapes and curtains tied back with silver string, and white couches on lustrous tiles that one could see their reflection in a quick glance.
As I entered his room, which had a very different atmosphere with its dark walls, plain bed, with only the clutter of books on a glass deskdesk, black curtains prevented any light from the city glow from seeping through, and the soundproof windows made the room seem isolated from the outside world. Changing into my ripped jeans, and skull shirt, I called out that I would be back as Rashid worked in his office.
"Alibaba." Sahbmad twiddled his fingers shyly, wearing a plain silk white dress shirt, and black trousers- his long black hair tied back with a ribbon.
"Uh, yes Sahbmad?" I inquired raising my eyebrows in mild surprise, for my step brothers rarely spoke with me, because of my birth status.
"There's a book I really want, at the bookstore by the Ocean Blue Sushi Bar, could you get it for me?"
"Sure!" I whisked my GCAIMS (global computing analysis of international machinery system) out of my back pocket opening the notes section. "What's it called."
"Gone with the Wind."
I looked back at him surprised. "By Margret Mitchell?"
He nodded, bashful as he stopped playing with his hands. "You know it?"
"I have it, one second." Going back into my room, picking up the book carefully, I handed it to him.
He hesitated accepting it with a greatful nod. "You don't think I'm weird?" He almost whispered. "For being so obsolete?"
I smiled kindly at him, putting on my hat as I walked towards the door. "Men who forget the past are doomed to repeat it, how will we walk forward if we have nowhere to walk from?" I offered, leaving the thought lingering in the air.
Despithe the large air filters that hovered around tediously, the air was still rather polluted; ignoring the strange looks I was getting for my strange style of dress-for these parts- I strollled into the central elevator that lead to the lower levels. The first floor of civilization: The slums, where I was raised had dirt roads, rustic cars, and loud radios playing out various different stations through their static.
Since the year two thousand three hundred radio's were required in every household, and the news station had to be played at least twice a week or the offender will receive a fine, and if the offender did not pay the fine after a period of two weeks a police bot will make the arrest. The police officers worked in the higher levels, for the dictator deemed the lower levels too dangerous for upstanding citizens.
The slums weren't actually slums though. People just called it that because it was old.
The small wooden, urban houses beside the roads, and run down shops had been there for the last ten centuries- falling further away from the industrial future that the above ground offered. I liked it here; despite the asphalt road that had been worn down five hundred years ago, the retro setting had an alluring feel to it. Walking into the diner, where a group of six teenagers, and young adults sat by the old copper juke box.
Mara, a middle aged waitress with long wavy hair smiled at me as I passed. "The usual, darling?" She asked with a thick southern accent.
Admitting- albeit reluctantly- to myself that I had always found her voice nice, since nobody had such a strong accent these days, I nodded, smiling back. "Thanks Mara."
"Sure thing, sweetie." She wrote down the steak and mashed potatoes I usually ate whenever I came here.
"Alibaba!" Aladdin exclaimed waving his arms wildly as Sarah taught Morgiana how to braid hair, using Aladdin's chin length blue hair as a example.
James; a dark skinned man who just graduated from high school, stood to greet me with a handshake- bumping our chest together afterward, he stepped aside for Damien- a shorter less muscular teenager with tan skin and white hair. "Yo, what's up, man" James inquired as the sat down in the red and white booths.
"I'm officially working as Ren Kouen's assistant." I answered sheepishly.
Sarah cooed as she continued to braid Aladdin's hair. "Somebody has a man crush!" She sang.
Aladdin who was nonchalantly letting Morginana tie pink, glitter coated accessories into his hair as he cheered; "That's great Alibaba! I'm glad you can learn more about being a better mechanic-"
"Assistant." James interjected. "Assistant, not an actual mechanic-"
"Guys!" I whined, any hopes I had were shot down like a world war two military blimp. Dejected, I sunk deeper into the seat. "I have to be there by tomorrow to learn the ropes."
"Alibaba." Morgiana finally spoke up.
"Yeah Morg?"
"Wear protection."
The entire table- excluding me and Morgiana- burst into a howling fit of laughter as my cheeks inflamed out of embarrassment.
" Morgiana!" I stuttered, scrambling over my words as I frantically tried to shut everybody up. "I- it's- why?!" Letting out a sigh I decided not to give a shit an laugh along, as Mara returned handing me a strawberry smoothie and a plate as she wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.
Screw you too life.
Aladdin, James, and Damien, and me all took the central elevator to level three- the third junkyard belonging to the early two thousands, shifting through all the scraps left behind. Aladdin held a soiled teddy bear, missing one of its button eyes, in his small hands. "It's sad to see what was left behind for us to move forward."
" Not really." Damien grimaced as he threw aside some dismantled lingerie.
"Gross." They all shuddered.
Finding a broken CD player I opened it, ecstatically I pulled out the scratched disc- wiping away the dust I cheered; "I found one!" Scanning the disc with his GCAIMS as the others pushed aside the grotesque objects.
The search for music payers, old radios continued until Aladdin in pulled out a large metal head, the Iron thicker on the back of the head than the front. "Alibaba, I found something!"
Crawling closed I scrutinized it, clawing away at the layer of dirt partially covering an engraving. "Amon." I read aloud, beaming as I recalled what it was. "It's a scrapped project, called MechArmor- machines that would fight in the war that happened ten years ago- but they were hard to operate so the canceled the project right before the international trade treaty was signed. It's the seventh model built by Ren Kouen! Well a piece of it." I pouted at the last part.
"Then we'll find the rest of it." Aladdin assured shifting through the large mound once more.
"And if not, we'll rebuild it from scratch!" James asserted, with a large grin. "This pouting mess of estrogen isn't the amazing pile of testosterone that spent ten months building me a Lamborghini."
"James, if you're telling me- Again- that I look like a girl in a nice way, I'm going to introduce your car to a sledge hammer" I put a hand in his shoulder with a malicious smile.
"That's so mean." He sobbed crossing his muscular arms over his dark green Bob Marley T-shirt with a pout. "Teresa is my baby."
"I found a drill!" Aladdin chimed in mischievously.
"Monsters!"
For once life decides to be an asshole to someone else, I mused continuing to dig through the mess.
The most we could find were a leg, and scraps of a torso, hand, and waist; I worked diligently pulling out tangled wires from it internal structure; fixing dents with magnets that would eventually screw with the worlds magnetic field and result in an astronomic apocalyptic era- yep, because I'm great at making scientific predictions. Just great. Eventually the steel shined in the dim light as I studied the empty husk proudly. Scanning the mess, I activated a three dimensional blueprint with my GCAIMS, strapping on my goggles I grinned as I connected new wires to the circuit board; more information presenting itself to my finger tips.
The missing power core was going to be my biggest issue, but I could work around it- breaking apart the metal fragments of the robot that towered over me, I began replacing wires when my GCAIMS started ringing.
"Answer." I called out, and a holographic image of my father appeared.
"Alibaba, it's seven in the morning." He stated sternly as I dropped the metal arm in a panic.
Cursing quietly I shoved everything aside, hoping Kassim wouldn't mind the mess. "I'll be there in ten." I shouted, grabbing the device, and my hover board.
"Hurry Alibaba."
Running out of the house I jumped on the board soaring over Mara who wished me good luck with a wave. Dodging the cars that would most certainly impale me if I wasn't careful, I made my way to the skyscraper of a building my father lived. "I'm here!" I shoved my keys into the lock opening it. Rashid patiently sat on the couch with a mug in his hands. Jumping to his feet he shoved me into the bathroom, and activated the Artificial Intelligence system I despised.
"Good morning Alibaba, quick rinse today sir?" Rashid left as the Machine started to run.
"Yeah." I answered, feeling the effect of drowsiness from my all nighter.
"Right away sir, please be careful, and refrain from falling asleep in the shower again."
"Screw you Dave." I mumbled as the machine transported my clothes into the laundry hamper.
When the water turned itself off five minuets later the AI asked; "What fragrance do you want today, young sir?"
I rolled my eyes irritability. "Oh I don't know, unicorns, or maybe freaking windex if we're going artificial."
" Was that what you call sarcasm, young sir?" It inquired.
"No it's what I want to sell like." I snorted.
"I believe I do not have that fragrance in my memory."
Groaning I told him that Aqua Do Gio Pour Homme would smell better than sarcasm, and I figured I didn't like Dave because he was only used when I was exhausted.
"Alibaba." Sahbmad called out from the kitchen where he an Ahbmad are breakfast.
" Yeah?"
"Good luck."
"Thanks."
In the car I stared impassively out the window, occasionally glancing at the clock that read seven thirty six, the down at my dark hued ensemble which I had accidentally programmed Dave to call; "rich emo freak" much to my father's silent horror. The Kou building shimmered in the morning light with it's reflective glass as it rose above the other buildings that cowered in it's greatness- similarly like the pictures of the ocean that once shined with such a radiance that is now stained with an ugly brown hue, and stinks of pollutes.
Biding my father goodbye, I walked into the building approaching the reception desk- I felt my heart stop as a familiar voice called out to me. "Yohoo!" A woman with brown hair styled in a pixy cut skipped over to me from where she walked with Koumei- her heeled shoes clattering against the tile floors. "James told me you would be working here."
I'm going to puke out my insides and die a horrible death inside this beautiful tower, but after quickly deciding I won't give her that satisfaction just yet. "Hello Amanda. You look wonderful today." I stated flatly, offering a million dollar smile that looked like it could eat any shit that somebody shoved down my throat with a rusty spoon. I need to work on my shit-eating voice.
Koumei approached as I said that, deciding to remain oblivious to the tension between me and the gold digging human being called a respectable woman by misguided people. "Miser Saluja, you're early this morning." He inquired pushing up the sleeves of his blazer.
" Funny, I had assumed you were up all night in your workshop since you weren't home when I visited your house." Amanda mused, not hiding her spite towards me any longer, her pink lips twisting into a scowl.
Silently agreeing the time for bullshit was over I returned the glare with even more intensity. "I see no reason as to why it's a concern to you." I almost growled.
"Well seeing how we're coworkers now, I assumed we would be seeing a lot of each other." She snarled.
"Well- wait What!?" I stared at her horrified.
" Coworkers." She repeated, annoyed. "I am Ren Koumei's assistant, after all."
Thanks for the thousand years of Fucks, life, you asshole.
Unlike the older Ren brothers, Kouha was very outspoken, greeting me with; "Your Rashid's illegitimate son?" He laughed after I introduced myself. "I guess that makes you noble garbage, huh?"
Hearing this I laughed too, not thinking much about what he said. "Basically."
He seemed surprised for a moment, but then he grinned. "I like you. I was going to tell the girls to educate you, but I'll do it myself." He lead me to the one hundred eighth floor, starting the tour from to top , and back up. During this entire hour we talked about various things, from machines, to flood, to clothes- which he had a sudden fit of laughter when I told him about Dave calling one of my outfits; "Shitfaced", apparently his was called "I Woke Up Like A Beautiful Mother Fucker". Eventually we returned to Kouen's office when I asked the question:" What kind of music do you listen to?"
He made a funny face at that. "What do you mean, there's only one kind of music?"
I grinned whipping out my GCAIMS. "There's plenty if you know where to look." I said as I picked out a song I thought Kouha would like.
If I leave tonight, will you care to say goodbye?
Would you cry? So beautiful are your tears that capture the light.
I'm a man, who lives so far away from the sky,
a broken bird who lacks the wings for flight.
He listened intently grasping onto every single word that was spoken.
And yet here you are, this beautiful girl with the will to fly.
Singing to me, this beautiful birdbird, the forbidden lulyby ment to sing children to sleep.
And as the weak man I am, I weep.
Because you gave me such a beautiful goodbye...
He gazed out the window in a daze, as I he was watching the scene before him.
I don't want to say goodbye.
For I fear in thethe morning if I woke,
you'd be gone foreverforever, and I would never again hear the sad song you spoke.
So tonight let's not say goodbye...
When it ended he turned to me with the most serious expression that I ever saw in my entire life. "What was that?"
"It was music, I think it was by a band in the twenty thousand two hundred." I answered. "It was a nice band." I agreed solemnly.
"Music." He repeated. "Do you have more like that?"
I bowed teasingly. "Your wish is my command."
By the time it was ten me and Kohen were prancing through the hallways singing arm in arm; "Sorry I'm a fuck up! Yeah! I can't do noting right!"
A teenager with black hair and blue eyes glanced back at us as we skipped past. "Kouha?" He titled his head in confusion. I noticed half of his face was scarred.
"Hey Harkuyuu!" Kouha exclaimed. "Check it out Alibaba has the best thing ever! Real music!" He held the device closer to the taller boy's ear so he got an earful of the line: 'my girlfriend told me that she wants a break, and that being with me is what turned her gay'.
Despite looking startled Harkuyuu seemed rather curious, ignoring Kohau fussing over his boring taste in clothes, that even I had to admit he looked rather plain in his basic sweater, and dark pants.
"There's a lot more, but Kouha really likes this artist." I explained. "I'm Alibaba Saluja."
He held out his hand with a polite smile. "Ren Harkuyuu."
Kouha jumped up and down excitedly. "Oh, and there's dancing! Alibaba is really good at it! Its really fun, Alibaba was teaching me!"
"Dancing?" He repeated clearly puzzled.
"Yeah, and I have to say I'm pretty good at it too." Kouha boasted crossing his arms over his chest proudly.
"You're learning quicker than my friends did." I agreed. "Though your cat daddy needs a little work."
"Your red nose sucks!" He laughed punching my shoulder.
I chimed in with a small snicker, nodding my head. Laughing harder when I saw the complete confusion on Harkuyuu's face.
"Shall we enlighten him?" Kouha teased, poking my side.
"Enlighten with what?" A girl with red hair and pink eyes wore a pink kimono, the long sleeve raised to cover her face, as she walked with Kouen- and I'd be lying if I didn't say that he looked good in a suit- and another woman with black hair and blue eyes in a suit.
"This dance that Alibaba taught me, but I'd rather not scar my dearest older brother for life, so let's go Alibaba!" Kouha pulled on my arm running down the hall dragging me behind him.
He lead us to a small garden on the thirtieth floor, with a heavy sigh he tree himself down on a bench. "Ah that was a close one."
"Huh?" I glanced down at him, fiddling with the beautiful flowers in the garden.
"Kouen, I mean, he doesn't like it when I play with his toys." He pouted resting his head on his arms. Long red hair falling over his face, obscuring it. "Sometimes I get really bored, so I want something new." He muttered so that I almost couldn't hear it. "And Kouen gets mad because I borrow his things." Kouha jumped to his feet suddenly stretching. "Well enough of that! You're a good listener, you know?" He waved me goodbye as he walked towards the exit.
Stunned, I stood there dumb folded for a few moments. Listening to the soft sad song that was playing from my GCAIMS.
"Alibaba." A deep voice called me from my paralysis. Kouen waited patiently, his blazer slung over his arm, and some flower petals landed on him, only to be swept away by the wind again. "Let's go."
"Okay." Walking behind him back to his office quietly, I pondered over what Kouha had said; pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind, I sat down at my new desk- with the blurred glass and silence of the office it reminded me of my room- completely isolated from the rest of the world.
I was shifting through paper work and answering phone calls continuously, only when I noticed Kouen was standing behind me watching me work did I realized that the sun was setting. "Sir?"
"When was the last time you've slept?" He leaned closer, his face inches away from mine. "You have bags under your eyes..." A hand warm gently brushed his forehead. "And your skin is cold."
Inching away from his touch, I turned back to my desk. "I don't really see why it's a concern..." I spoke failing at keeping my voice even.
He leaned back- I let out a small sigh of relief- "Let's eat out." I opened my mouth to refuse not in the the mood to go to some fancy restaurant I would feel too uncomfortable in, until he added; "You can pick the place, regardless I'm going with you."
"Are you sure?" I asked despite eagerly grabbing my coat.
"I'm going."
Laughing childishly I pulled him along, almost skipping out the door. Guiding him through the almost empty streets to the central elevator once again checking if he still wanted to go.
"After you so kindly lead me here?" He teased joining me on the elevator.
I fiddled with the rope around my neck in the silence, waiting for the computer to say that we've arrived- after strolling through a coupe dirt roads we finally reached the diner, which was brightly lit with it's neon signs and florescent lights.
The familiar belled chimed when I opened the door, Mara who was whipping tables looked up in surprise. She walked over to us with a warm smile as she greeted me warmly. "Good evening darling, do you want a table booth or counter for you and your friend?"
"Counter, Mara." I ignored the warmness creeping up my cheeks when she gave a series of approving nods "Number six?"
"Yeah."
"Aliright sweetie, and what can I get you to drink?" She asked turning to Kouen.
"Tea will be fine, thank you." He answered.
I totally did not see Mara mouth something about picking up a good one. Totally.
"This is a nice place." Kouen leaned on the counter, putting his knuckles underneath the side of his chiseled jaw."Do come here often?"
I nodded swaying side to side in my chair. "With my friends."
"Well there's Aladdin, he's the youngest, but I'd say he's really mature, and well, he's my best friend. And Morgiana- she's really strong- she's a really good friend too, but she doesn't talk a lot. Sarah's pretty cool, but she has a bit of a...'sexy imagination' as she called it."
"Is my wifey telling people how amazing and awesome I am?" The said person said loudly wrapping her arm around my shoulder. "Because it's totally true- I'm awesome."
"Hello Alibaba." Morgiana greeted. The pink haired fanalis glanced between me an Kouen with a mischievous smile. "The ship is cannon." She whispered to Sarah.
"What?" I blurted out, wondering what that meant.
" It's okay Alibaba! We're still OTP!" Sarah cried. She laughed shedding her jacket she sat down next to me. "Let's double date."
"But you guys..." I started- terrified to hear what excuse she would come up with.
"That's not true, Morgiana is my new lesbian lover." She quipped, wrapping her arm around Morgiana.
I glanced back at Kouen who continued to watch with an amused smirk.
"Now I know you're not trying to scare away my costumers, now miss Jackson." Mara chided, setting down a large plate of fries coated in melted cheese.
Morgiana smiled whispering something to the waitress.
"All the more reason for you not to be here, shoo!" Mara exclaimed pushing them to a booth on the far side of the room. She set down Kouen's drink before once again leaving to talk to the girls.
"Intriguing company."
"You could call them that." I signed, thankful that Mara could distract Sarah before she could say anything embarrassing.
"Alibaba! Stop being such a prude and tap that ass, already!"
Thanks Sarah. You always know just what to say.
"Don't be silly, cover your willy."
"You're not helping, Morgiana!"
It was supposed to be longer but my browser decided to Be a jerk and reload every thirty minuets. Honestly I think some Characters are a little occ, but I'll work that out later. *shrug*.