-One Month Later-

"Shut up! Back off!"

Daryl clung to the towel, frantically wishing that Riki would comply to save him any trouble. "But Sir Riki, this is an order from our Master -."

"Like that matters!" Riki barked, silencing the Furniture whose eyes were begging Riki to obey. "Is a Mongrel from the slums really that rare? Stop crawling all over me!"

Daryl stepped forward in another, more assertive attempt at cleaning Riki off. How could he present to Lord Mink a dirty Pet? But Riki either believed that he wasn't dirty or he simply wanted to cause trouble, which wouldn't have surprised Daryl in the least. "It's my duty to look after your welfare, Sir Riki. It's my job. It's what out master has decided! Here in Eos, our Master's words alone are absolute. You don't understand that."

"I do get it," Riki spat, folding his arms stubbornly, taking another step back from Daryl. "Me, you, him, everyone – we're all shit!"

"No," Daryl protested. "Sir Riki, you still don't understand how terrifying he can be -!"

Daryl quickly closed his mouth, to Riki's relief, as Iason Mink walked through the door into the apartment. Riki's relief quickly subsided as he watched Iason walk calmly through the room, obviously having something in store for Riki.

"Welcome home," Daryl said with a low bow.

Without one glance at Daryl, Iason fixed his stare on Riki who averted his own gaze towards the balcony where he often spent countless nights pondering his diseased fate. "He'll be participating in the Great Pet Exhibition on the 21st," Iason rolled the words off his tongue, as if it was just an ordinary event like any other, although it filled Riki's whole body with dread. "In the meantime, rest awhile. Make sure we're left in privacy."

Daryl bowed once more. "I understand. I'll check on you later. Excuse me."

Taking the clean, untouched towel with him, Daryl left the room, shutting and locking the door behind him. Riki kept his forced glare locked on the balcony, pretending he didn't see his Master approach him slowly.

"Like usual, you see to be burning everyone's hands, Riki. It's been almost a month now. I thought you'd have become a bit more settled by now but it seems I've only taken off the first layer of your surface."

Riki watched as Iason went to sit down in his armchair, noting how Daryl had already set out a bottle of wine and a glass, knowing his Master would arrive soon. Iason gracefully landed in his armchair, moving one leg over the other, his eyes never leaving his Pet.

"I wipe my own ass," Riki barked back. "I have no intention of changing my way of doing things now."

Iason sighed and closed his eyes, pretending that he was tired of Riki's attitude but he was, in fact, thriving off it.

"I should have expected no less from the leader of Bison. However," Iason pulled the bottle of wine off the table and unscrewed the lid, examining the juicy liquid that swayed inside. "In spite of that, it's quite possible that you can become a proper Pet."

Riki averted his gaze from Iason again and scoffed. "So why don't you buy someone else? The Blondies of Tanagura have a lot of trash to pick and choose from."

"There's no point in saying that now, since the rumours have already become clear," Iason said, carefully pouring the wine into his crystal glass. "Once I've made you a suitable Pet for a Blondie, I'll show you off at the party."

Riki's heart leapt into his throat as dread flooded over his body. The horrifying thought left Riki speechless and terrible thoughts of what Iason might make him do rushed through his mind. He barely heard Iason speak to him.

"Come here, Riki."

Riki snapped his head to face his Master, where he simply glared at him in defiance.

"I told you before not to make me repeat myself," Iason's voice became more stern and Riki decided it was best not to try his patience; not now, anyway. Riki hesitated before making his way slowly over to the sofa opposite Iason, where he sat on its arm.

"No, on my lap," Iason chuckled as Riki reluctantly moved from the sofa and stood before Iason, not quite giving in just yet. "What are you afraid of? If you don't want to do it on your own, I'll call Daryl."

Riki slowly sat on Iason's waiting lap, cursing him with gritted teeth. "You shithead."

Iason smiled as he took a sip of his wine, enjoying Riki's torment. "I've heard that slums mongrels have not one shred of morality… Am I wrong?" He placed his wine glass back on the table and began to stroke Riki's leg softly. "What happened to all that influence you used in inviting me along when we met? Have you started over as an innocent virgin? Don't think I'll always be this gentle."

"Hey," Riki snapped. "I'm not an exhibitionist or a nymphomaniac."

"It's common knowledge that a Pet's pairing belongs in the public eye."

Riki forced a short laugh and tried to get a little more comfortable on Iason's lap, although Iason's hands were now keeping him firmly in place. "Are all you great Elite's a group of perverts?"

"The party is in two months," Iason said, his eyes moving away from Riki's and over his body, his hands exploring his Pet. "Until then I'll have to teach you some manners."

"What a laugh," he replied, attempting to ignore that Iason was taking advantage of him. "Slum mongrels are all -," he gasped and Iason smiled, knowing he had Riki where he wanted him. "Vulgar… foul… apes…"

Iason leaned into Riki, his free hand stroking his hair and pulling him closer to him. "Even a rude, fundamentally sinful ape must have some good points," he whispered as Riki gasped again. "I'm going to find out for myself. When I show you at the party, I don't want to be shamed. You are Iason Mink's Pet, Riki. Perhaps I'll have your body remember that."