Hello.
"Ai no Kusabi" belongs to Rieko Yoshihara
I borrowed and used few ideas, places and characters from AnimeFaeMoon's fanfiction "Blondies have more fun." It's amazing story and I recommend it to anybody. Spoilers warnings ;)
Unfortunately I can't post here any links, but you can find it on FanFiction (parts 1, 2, 3) or on Archive of Our Own (parts 1, 2, 3, 4)
Big shout-out to CallieParis for correcting my mistakes. ❤ English isn't my first language, so it was extremely helpful. I'm still learning, so if anybody saw any other mistakes, please let me know.
Summary:
At Dana Bahn, Katze drag them out of the burning building. Iason was severally injured and didn't want to face Riki like this. He just kicked Riki out. They both walked their own ways. A lot of things happened in their lives. And then they meet again under very unexpected circumstances, over 20 years after.
The Round was an enormous object. It had a capacity of over 10 billion people. It was an elliptic structure which orbited around a nearby star. Basically it was a new-built-planet. It had fifty sectors each with independent power and water supplies. All of them had a stadium, hospital, entertainment center with museum, amusement park, bowling, swimming pool and countless number of hotels, bars and restaurants. Finally, every sector could be undetached from the rest and transformed into a giant spaceship. All sectors were centered on The Great Hall. It was the biggest spot in the place. It could hold representatives of all the planets during the deliberations. It had over 1 billion seats each with camera, microphone and place for the staff.
It had been built specially for MMCDLIII Supercluster Intergalactic Trade Conference. Costs of the object was expensive. It took almost half of Tempestas Galaxy budget. But it was a place for the most important people in The Universe. Splendor was everywhere . There was no place for any kind of modesty. Gold and diamonds were the cheapest materials used to internal finishing. And it needed the highest class security. Dignitaries will conclude the most crucial trade agreements there. The conference was all over the news.
The building was filled with VIPs, their consultants, advisers, lawyers, guides and servants. All of them with pockets full of money. Such occasion doesn't appear every day. Celebrities brought great profits. Everybody worked all day and all night to sell as much as possible.
It was an occasion to debate about the current financial and political situation, but also for the hottest gossips. Everybody wanted to show off their power and money. It was a fashion show with the most expensive dresses, suits, shoes and jewelry. Ruthless eyes of critics watched. Every fashion faux pas was detected immediately and brutally stigmatized. Everybody wanted to look their best. The speeches were practiced, expenses for clothing multiplied and hairstylists scolded for imperfect haircut.
One of the representatives wasn't exactly happy to participate to the deliberations. Riki the Dark and his right hand – Yiela Donbraah were preparing to leave the spaceship. The man was in a horrible mood. He tried everything to get off the event. He pleaded, complained, argued and sulked. All for nothing.
"Fuck… Do I really have to go? Mother can go herself or we can just send Desmond. He is much better with diplomacy than me. I'll probably offend some big fish or make other scandal. And I hate this shit."
"Maku, you have to fulfill your duties as the Heir of the Throne."
"Riki, not Maku. We are alone. Stop calling me by title. And please don't mention that damn throne, or I will go insane. Shit. This conference is so boring. Everybody has a stick up in their asses. Nobody laughs." It also reminded him pet parties he had to attend years ago. Just be nice, smile, nod and be a decoration. Only difference was that now he was an Elite.
"Fuck it. Let's get over with it."
"You really should watch your language Mak… Riki."
"If you want somebody who is always perfect and "I love everybody and everything" find someone else. That's not me." When he saw her concern face, he quickly added: "Don't worry. Around all those big heads, I'll behave. I promise. Now let's go."
"You are really impressive."
Meanwhile Iason Mink, Raoul Am, Orphe Zavi, Aisha Rosen and Giedeon Lagat were walking towards the The Great Hall. Four Blondies had an intense discussion about current political situation, but Iason kept silent.
Since Dana Bahn he had been a shadow of himself. Twenty years ago Katze drug him and Riki out form the burning building. Nobody knew what exactly happen and how they survived. He assumed Jupiter had something to do with it. Iason lost his legs in the accident. They were reconstructed but didn't function. He couldn't face Riki like this. He was imperfect. He decided to give him up forever. The mongrel wanted to know why and what happened. Although Riki pressed, screamed, threatened, and wanted to know why Iason would let him go, the Blondie didn't say a word. He was a bit worried Katze will babble out but he glowered at him and black market leader kept silence. After the biggest protests, Iason just kicked Riki out. It was horrible. He said many things he never meant and he hurt his pet a lot. But he had to make sure Riki started hate him and never come back to him again.
Very often he wondered what Riki was doing. He even sent Katze to spy on him, but there was no news. The trail went cold. After a long investigation he only got to know that, a mongrel with black hair and eyes had been seen near the spaceport. Well, Riki was smart. He never made the same mistake twice. He made sure he wouldn't be tracked or chased. If Iason knew where his pet was, he would probably capture Riki again.
After the accident, Orphe Zavi took up his position. Iason really didn't mind. He was tired of it. He needed to retire. He spent most of the time just sitting at the balcony. At Riki's place. He had nothing better to do. He just stared at the sky and stars. Somewhere, there was his love. He missed him so much. Was he safe? He wished that. Most of the times, he was just there, grabbing a glass in his hand. Sometimes wine. Sometimes stiff drink. Maybe too often and more bottles than it was recommended.
Katze and the Furniture were helpless. They couldn't force their Master to anything. All they could do was to serve him another drink and medication and watch their Master's collapse. Finally, Raoul took the matter in his hands. "Pull yourself together. You are pathetic." Iason didn't want to cooperate, but Raoul didn't care. He restricted his drinking. He forbade him mixing alcohol with painkillers. He forced him to rehabilitation , to exercise. When Raoul wasn't there Iason didn't do it. So Raoul came by every day. He made his friend stand up. He still needed a cane, and walking was very painful. Mostly because the exercises were started too late and done properly only when Raoul was watching. Iason was obstinate. If he didn't want to recover fully, he wouldn't.
Finally, he came back to The Syndicate but didn't get his position back. Orphe did everything he could to keep his job. He made some crucial changes in the Amoian foreign policy. He wanted to make it more expansionary and increase its influence. So far Amoi had neutral policy and avoided all conflicts and wars. Orphe wanted to change it. Iason doubted it would end good, but didn't interfere. He kept representing Amoi on some events and sometimes had few guests.
One day Iason got a pet as a present from very important Amoian's partner. Jupiter had to interfere herself to make sure Iason won't offend the guest by merely rejecting the gift. Very unhappy Iason brought him home, sulking. Nobody knew Blondies can sulk. He ordered to keep the pet from his sight. Sometimes, he took him to pet parties (if he decided to attend, which didn't happen very frequently) paired him with other pets, but gave him minimum attention. One day when he and his Furniture left Amoi for a few days, nobody remembered to feed him. Fortunately Katze arrived at the penthouse after three days so poor Barthandoll didn't die of dehydration. After the incident, a fridge and a bathroom were installed in pet's room, but Katze started visiting the penthouse regularly.
"Iason! Do you even listen for the Jupite's sake?!"
"Yes, I heard you very clearly. I agree with your point of view.
"No, you don't. I know you miss him, but it's time to move on. You can't live in the past. You have a new beautiful pet. How is it doing?"
"Bennel behaves good."
"Bennel? Lord Nicollothidiss didn't give you Barthandoll?
I mean A-9457. I should purchase a pet with an easier name. Who thought about calling a pet with such an extraordinary name ?. It suits an Elite."
"You can always rename it."
"That's too much paperwork."
"It's one command to the furniture!"
"See? Too much paperwork."
Raoul sighed. He would never understand his brother. And those feelings he developed to that filthy creature. But he decided to go on.
"Iason "I'm very glad you got interest in pets again. We should buy a new one immediately. Unfortunately here it's impossible. This conference has some restrictions. Well… Orphe doesn't listen at all. He brought his whole harem. I doubt it will end well. On conference there are delegations and representatives of all kind of planets. On some of them Pets and Furnitures are banned. It's one of those modern vegan thinking. They don't terminate their staff when it becomes useless, and ban corporal punishments. They even pay their servants. Can you imagine it?! Anyway, after the conference, we should visit Zanox. They have the most famous in pet auctions in Tempestas Galaxy. I also need to…"
Iason wasn't listening. This "vegan thinking" reminded him about Riki. He always treated Daryl and Cal as an equals. Got mad if they called him "master" and never titled anybody. Very often he behaved good only because it was their responsibility look after him. He knew they would be punished for his mistake. Riki really cared about the furnitures. He checked how they were doing, and if they slept properly. Ate with them. He preferred furniture's presence than Iason's. Riki used "please" and "thank you". Surprisingly only towards the furniture. He rarely got a good word from his pet. Except during their very special times in bedroom. All those times when he was left alone with him, Iason could read him as an open book. All those beautiful moans when he touched him in proper places. Sweet kisses. He goes lower…
"And this is Del Fendro Pedradra. He represents Galathia."
"That's a pleasure to meet you Del Fendro Pedradra. Forgive me my distraction. I was thinking about something."
"Lord Iason Mink, I heard a lot about you and always wanted to meet you. I have few questions to you about extraction of titanium on Amonian colonies. If I may ask."
"If course. I will answer them the best I can."
It was a typical day. Handshakes, smiles and other forms of greetings. Presidents, Admirals, Ministers, Commanders, Kings, Lords and Ladies. All of them blurred into one. He dreamt about nothing but going home. The furniture would bring him his bottle of wine. No - two bottles of wine. And whiskey. And he would sit on the balcony in peace with nobody to disturb him.
And then he heard very familiar voice. Was he… laughing?
"Denas, I'm dying!" Riki chuckled. "But watch out. That fat old chick can hear you."
The event wasn't that bad. Riki and his subordinates were back biting other bigwigs. The main meeting in The Great Hall was to start in about an hour. Most of the representatives took the opportunity and exchange courtesies. He wasn't fan of the small talk.
"Don't worry. She is probably deaf."
"And this is Amonian representation." Riki froze. Amonian? 'Impossible. You're shitting me.' Hasn't he just misheard? He used all his willpower and looked at pointed direction. There were few familiar faces, but no sign of one particular Blondie.
"Amonian? Is it one of those places where they sell people on the auction as pets?"
"I heard it's ruled by a supercomputer!"
"And there is a segregation system!"
"Not segregation but casts system! There are Blondies, Platinas, Jades, Rubies…"
"That's what I'm talking about!"
"Shhh! They are coming!"
"This is Orphe Zavi. The Head of the Syndicate. And these are Aisha Rosen and Gideon Lagalt. One of The Thirteen."
"This is Ceil Riki Pendragyn. Prince of Avalon and his right hand –Yiela Donbraah. These are Jonas der Hannah, Vanetha Silvortion and Denas Nathienes. His councilors. They represent the
Community's department of Avalon."
"That's a pleasure to meet you Ceil Riki Pendragyn." 'Orphe was shaking his hand?! What the hell?' Well… That was predictable. Nobody would remember a pet after twenty years. But why the hell he had Iason's job?! What happened? Did he retire? Was his term up? And the most important question. Was Iason here? He wasn't sure, if he wanted to know the answer.
"That's a pleasure to meet you Orphe Zavi."
"I heard Avalon is very beautiful planet. With such an unsolid nature. I dream to see it one day."
'You wish. I will never let to come to my home Blondie. You won't put one finger on my people.'
"Yes, it's very green. We don't have such an advanced technology nor giant crowded cities such as the ones on Amoi"
"Amoi is famous for its modern society solutions. Such large population needs special treatment. We developed very advanced NORAM caste system which regulates population and role of every inhabitant.
'Modern society solution? Really? That's how you call your sick system? And are you sure everything is perfect organized? What about mongrels? When I was gone, you got them out of slums? Or they are still trash and don't matter ?'
"I'm especially proud of our Pet Breeding. Amoi is reknown for its specimens all over the Universe. Nobility from all around the Supercluster comes to purchase pets."
"Oh really? I didn't know."
"I see you are not acquainted with this idea. I know you, on Avalon, have different human management."
"Yes. We have a different view of the universe."
"But I think people from other planets can see the allure of our products. I would like to offer you a very special gift. It is one of our newest breeding. Vinn, bring here Innez."
'Perfect. All I need is a brainless slave. If it's not a Blondie wrapped in paper I won't be satisfied.'
Few moments later a Furniture brought a girl with a red blush on her cheeks. She had long, braided, ginger hair. She looked so sweet and innocent. She couldn't be older than thirteen. Riki felt a lump in his throat. 'Shit, she is still a child.' He looked at her clothes or rather at the lack of them. She wore almost the same "suit" as Riki had on his first coming-out party. He tried keep his face as neutral as possible and not throw up.
"I hope she will please you. Maybe you will change your mind about human selling. Maybe Community would consider lifting the embargo to able-to-think-abstractly-creatures. The pet and furniture export is crucial to Amoian economy. Community is our very important business partner and I would like to…"
'Fuck, I can't refuse. Or I'll piss off another Blondie. Mom will kill me if I make another scandal.'
"Hello! You are Innez right? Now you will be living with me."
"Yes, Master." Orphe was watching his every step. Riki had to be careful. He decided to be as professional as possible and explain her everything later.
"I really appreciate your gift. She is very beautiful person."
Orphe smiled and brightened. Riki continued.
"However, I am not the one who can lift the embargo. Such extensive decisions need proceedings, voting and mutual agreement of whole Community."
"I'm very happy you like the present. Nonetheless pet's intelligence is very low."
'No shit Sherlock'
"I think I should inform you how to care about the pet. Recommended use by time is about one year. After that time purchasing a new one is recommended. The old models can be used to a new breeding. The biggest revenue is from first labor, then it goes lower in exponential function. Finally it can be sold to more suitable palace. Lifespan of pets is rarely longer than 18 years. My Furniture can instruct you and your staff on how to do everything properly if you wish so."
Riki looked at Vinn.
"Thank you kid. Could you bring her to my ship? Sector 15, level B parking number – 0-83257. Big signature "Avalon." You can't miss it. And when you are there just give them that damn book with instructions. They will read it later. Probably. And find and ask Maian about some good meal. For yourself. Roast turkey, beef, chocolate cake or whatever you want. You are so skinny. When the last time you ate something else than old porridge? "
Furniture didn't know how to respond. And how this mysterious prince knew what was he eating? Probably it was standard meal for the servant all over the universe. He couldn't ignore the direct question. He was starving. But he couldn't say one bad word about his master.
"Come on! You don't have to answer if you don't want. Just go. And don't forget about the food! That's an order!." Vinn bowed, thanked and left room with Innez. Looking at the steps of a trembling boy, Riki wondered if he made the good decision. Kid will be surely severely punished for his order. But at least he will taste a little of normality.
Riki looked back at a stunned Orphe. The Blondie couldn't believe somebody ignored him. Moreover the prince of Avalon only paid attention to the Furniture!
"It was a pleasure to meet you Lord Orphe Zavi. But I have few other things to do."
Riki watched Orphe while he was leaving. Yes. He offended the snooty Blondie. But he didn't give a shit. Nobody on Community liked Amoians, so it won't have any political consequences.
He looked at his subordinates who just finished talking to Aisha and Gideon.
"Why you didn't help me?" Riki snarled to Yiela.
"Maku, it's your duty to talk to heads of other planets. They would get offended if a counselor spoke to them."
"They would get offended if anybody except their Blondies assholes talked to them."
"Ceil!" Yiela hissed.
"Why do you hate them so much?" Jonas asked.
"Wait… Oh Great Godhead! Wasn't Amoi the place where Ceil was captured and tortured?"
"Well, kind of…"
"That's horrible! Shall I inform the security? The Round has the best quality precaution, but still according to situation…"
"That's not necessary. Van, don't panic. I managed it then and I'll do it again this time."
"But Ceil…"
"Just shut up."
"I'd like to ask you. How was it like on Amoi? I mean… Shabby slums, ruthless Elites. Was it really as bad as they say?"
"Denas! He doesn't want to talk about it! How could you ask about such terrible…"
"That's fine! Vanetha, relax. He is just curious. Yes I've never much talked about it, because it's a hard topic. And there isn't much to talk about. It's past." He thought about those terrible years of training. First when he was chained, forced to perform for Iason and then was taken by him. Shame. Endless humiliation. "It wasn't as bad as people say and think. It was much worse." After a pause, he added "It was a pure hell."
"Excuse me; may I join to the conversation?" – Riki felt shivers down his spine. He knew that voice. He turned around and familiar cold blue eyes met his.
'Iason'
To be continued…
I posted only corrected version. Soon I'll upload Chapter 2 but I'm very slow writer so I don't know how long it will take.