Riki leaned against the balcony, smoking a cigarette from a pack that Cal had put into his bag from Eos. He was free from his cast, but he required someone to hold onto when he walked, and was reassured it was normal to do so for awhile. Riki was itching to go out and explore their new home, but Iason said he was busy needed to make phone calls, so he was waiting patiently and hoping that once he was done they could go out.

He inhaled deeply, listening to the tune coming from the console that Iason had purchased for him when he was stuck in the cast. He would tell Iason to just let him sit out on the balcony, and he would waste away the day listening to music, smoking and inhaling the pure air.

"I wish you would give those up," Iason sighed, wrapping his arms lovingly around the young man. "They're no good for your health."

"Being a pet wasn't good for my health," Riki countered, throwing the finished cigarette over the ledge and slowly turning into Iason's hold. "But I'm still here, ain't I?"

"Yes, you are," he agreed, leaning down and kissing the tanned neck. "But I still want you to be healthy by my side."

"I know."

Iason inhaled the young man's scent that was mixed with cigarette smoke. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah," Riki answered, leaning his head into Iason's chest. "I'm fine."

"Shall we go out for awhile today?"

Riki couldn't deny the feeling of excitement that rose up within him. "C...can we?"

"Of course." Iason pushed back softly, then planted a kiss on the tanned forehead. "I'll go inform Cal and have him prepare what we'll need."

Raoul approached the redhead's office, scanning a card and then entered. He watched the young man turn to him, his eyes narrowing but everything else about his remained cool and calm. "May I help you, Sir?"

"Ah, yes," Raoul answered. "Your Master had been forced into a situation which has left him no choice but to abandon Amoi."

Katze's eyes widened, but his stoic expression remained. "I beg your pardon?"

"He left you in my care," Raoul continued, sitting down on an office chair and crossing his legs.

"Where is Iason?" Katze demanded. "I only listen to his commands, as he is my Master."

"That is to be expected of Furniture," Raoul nodded. "However, I will not tolerate you doubting me and not obeying me. I am an Elite just as Iason is, and I demand you obey me." He watched the redhead glare slightly. "I have already explained that your Master was forced to leave Amoi, now he has left instructions on how you are to go about this situation or you will be killed by the other Blondies. Do I make myself clear, Katze?"

Riki stared around at the green, vibrant canopy that surrounded them. "Wow..." he breathed, leaning against Iason as he lost his balance. "It's even more beautiful up close." There were numerous kinds of plants and trees all around them, and within the vegetation were animals running freely, which was in itself a miracle.

"Yes, it is quite a difference from the barren lands of Amoi," Iason agreed.

"Wait!" Riki pushed off from Iason, hobbling over to a tree that had a bright orange and yellow fruit hanging from a vine and ripped it off. "Wow..." He broke it open, examining it's seeds as juice poured out from it's ripe insides. "What is this?"

"That would be a qariopaya," Iason answered, walking up behind and steadying Riki. "They are ripe and in season currently. They have a very sweet taste and the seeds are very bitter, so don't eat them."

Riki brought some of the fruit's inner flesh to his lips and took a bite. "Oh...my God..." he moaned, then held it up for Iason to try some. "It's so good..."

Iason grinned, enjoying a bite of the fruit. "Mm...yes, quite a sweet yet nice flavor."

Riki's eyes shot up to the tree, counting how many were hanging and looked ripe like the others. "Can we pick some on the way back?" he asked, spotting a few other fruits hanging alongside the qariopayas.

"Of course," Iason agreed. "We can try any of the ones that are safe to eat."

"Mm..." Riki took another bite of the qariopaya, savoring it's unique flavor that was unlike anything he'd ever had. There was never fresh fruit, vegetables or luxuries like that in Ceres, so this was a memorable experience and privilege. Sure, there would be fruit cut up and served while in Eos, but nothing beat the freshness of one pulled straight from the vine and wasn't imported or full of chemicals to help it grow or be preserved.

Iason grasped onto the young man's free hand, carefully pulling him closer so Riki wouldn't fall as they made their way deeper into the forest. He was extremely pleased that Riki had taken an immediate liking to this place. But he could tell that there were still feelings that needed to be dealt with. Riki was just been excited that they were no longer in Eos, but how did he feel about him now? Would Riki forgive him for all he had done? Or would he try and run away still? Did his heart yearn to be free from him completely, or just the role of pet and Eos? Perhaps he could find a way to show Riki that the Master and pet status didn't apply anymore. But how?

"Firstly," Raoul started. "Pack up your valuables, because you are moving into a closer proximity with me."

"You must be joking..."

"Far from it," he snapped. "Secondly, as per Iason's orders, we are to close off any accessible resources from off planet that were coming into Amoi through him. They all must disappear so the other Blondies struggle to meet their demands."

"There are hundreds of connections through Iason," Katze protested. "I can't just..."

"You must make it happen," Raoul denied. "Each connection must be closed off temporarily, but not abolished. And if cannot be, then you must ensure that any of the connections are exceptionally limited."

Katze leaned back into his chair. "Why would he need the connections closed or limited?"

"Our brother's lifestyles are rather lavish," Raoul answered. "Iason was a mediator as to how much they had access to, which prevented excessive use and possible war."

"And now that he's gone they're going to take as much as they want until there is nothing left," Katze realized. "And that will lead to a war between the planets if the ration is increased drastically."

"Yes, it could and it will," Raoul agreed. "That is why if it is harder to get, the chances of having wars with other planets will decrease. If they need a resource from off planet, they will have to create new connections that have limitations on them as all of them do to start out. And they will not be as foolish as to pick a fight with someone they need something from to keep Amoi functioning." He added. "Granted, because of this the people might experience an increase in prices, but in order to prevent conflict, something will have to be sacrificed."

Katze was quiet and then finally answered, opening up a screen. "I'll see what I can do."

Raoul nodded. "And when you are done, you are to come to Eos."

"What?" Katze looked over to the Blondie.

"After this is done, you are temporarily dismissed as Iason's assistant and shall become mine."

To Be Continued