Besides the varying races, there were also other activities one could busy himself with at the Airbike Arena. A Convention is being held with the contests in fact to showcase the latest in Airbike technology from top merchants from all over the world and even as far as the distant galaxies, traders flocking in from all corners of the stars to get a piece of the action. This in turn has Riki, being the enthusiast that he is, hurrying about like a child in a toy shop to check the units available, the disguised Blondies following his heels at a much more relaxed rate, slow in their strides as they discussed certain matters and observations for the day, even when Riki urged them on.
"Come on Ia!"
Iason just waved him along with the barest of smiles, taking stock of his brother who seemed to be soaking in the situation with much better acuity compared to earlier, "You seem to have enjoyed yourself."
Raoul was still in expected denial, stating, "I am, as you suggested, treating this as an experiment. Observing something different from time to time is an acceptable way of performing tests and qualitative evaluations."
Both their eyes fell on Riki, now conversing perhaps regarding the extensive features of an Airbike with one of the merchants. Raoul tossed his head up a bit. "You rather like to spoil your Pet, Ia."
"Because I'd rather have him smile than curse me," said the Top Blondie. "It's much better to deal with him when he is in this temperament."
Iason's state had the Biochemist watching him, still thinking about a way to perhaps measure the affection called 'love' which binds both the Pet and the Master together. What was it about that emotion? What was it about this feeling? Is there a means to analyze it to its very base, to see its many intricate sequences and define it in a more totally understandable way? They reach Riki's side with these questions and more still in Raoul's mind.
The Merchant was in the middle of an upsell. "It's the fastest one there is in the market today!"
"You like that one, Pet?" the redheaded aristocrat asked to which Riki responded, "It's a beautiful piece…" though with hands in his pockets, he eyes other models around the hall, some on pedestals and amply lighted for showcasing drama. "Ah! That's the Neu series!" And like a pirate finding greater treasure, he ran off again towards the grander centrepieces in the lot, prompting the merchant to scratch his head. "Quite the enthusiastic Pet you have there Masters."
Raoul volunteered, "My Friend gives him a rather lengthy chain." Iason could only smile at this truth. Beyond them, Riki had already begun discussing the specs with another merchant, paying close attention to the selling points of the unit that took his interest yet again, the hidden Exclusive beaming over the Airbike, checking its many features.
About the same time, Platina Derek Zen was passing on by a short way off, moving towards the same area with a caucus of his velvet-clad acquaintances accompanying him. Things had picked up rather quickly, taking on the wrong turn, as upon the notice of a Pet of the hair colour he did not like, the elite suddenly hatched a plan.
While the two unnoticed Blondies were watching, the Platina all of a sudden staggered forward then collided with Riki, causing the latter to trip, if not for his apt reflexes, could have ended up on a heap on the floor. Zen's friends somehow found humour in all this and laughed, trying their best to be discreet, as on the pretense of being offended, Zen grew incensed, "Watch it!"
Riki scowled at that but then decided this was not the place where he wanted to pick fights, showing his maturity beyond that of the Platina. "Sorry," his features softened, though everyone who knew him was aware he could be so easily angered. Just not today. He was in his elements and was not wanting to be plucked out of this place anytime soon.
The Blondies narrowed their eyes. Zen was not about to give it up: "Don't you ever look where you're going?" having taken a gander at Riki's pretend Pet Ring around his neck, a necklace with a ruby stud on its pendant, visible through the loose robe. "Whose pet are you? Weren't you taught manners?" He drawled the last word. The rest of his proud entourage this time laughed out.
Riki cursed under his breath but sighed for calm, clenching a fist behind his back, "I'm really sorry." Twice on the apology already.
Iason came on over to steal his own hand over that fist, sensing how the Pet tensed and then relaxed at his touch, his voice breaking through as he stood there behind the Pet, "What seems to be the problem?" Just as Raoul joined him beside, a flash of cape and longer hair length the indication of their status.
Zen, upon noticing the gleam of their red hair immediately piped, "Ah, so this inbred is your Pet? He has no manners at all!"
Iason narrowed his eyes briefly at that before speaking in a calmer manner, "Didn't he apologize to you twice already? And from what we saw, it was you who wasn't looking."
"So you're saying I'm a liar?" the Platina would not have it, turning to his companions who continued to snicker in some manner of mockery. "You god-darned Rubies think you're special…"
"So do you apparently," Iason smirked. "I can't believe a Platina would do such nonsense when left with much time on his hands."
Derek Zen could not believe that a lower class elite was speaking to him in this way. It was as if his entire status as a silver was being mired and dirtied, dragged onto the floor. He could be seen visibly clenching. His face wrinkled by the seething anger building within his person.
If only he knew, he would not have challenged those words.
"Why the nerve!"
Indignity makes one lose grace faster than any immorality.
The Platina took a step forward towards the redhead, raising a hand, about to connect a palm with the unchanging expression of Iason's face, the face who now looked at him with such pride and sternness. He was almost to the point that the hit would go through, Riki himself getting over some initial shock and was in the same manner ready to strike back.
Except nothing happened. Or rather because nothing was allowed to happen, Raoul cutting the confrontation off, grabbing the silver by his wrist and throwing him easily to the carpet. Zen staggered, catching some of the displays in his imbalanced stupor and even knocking a few of the presentations down before he collapsed entirely.
The Platina stared up at the Biochemist with stun in his eyes before that shifted to even more fits of rage. "Why you-!"
"You'd do well not to pick an argument with this person…" Raoul said coolly as the Platina's face became infected with outrage by the scandal he himself orchestrated, the other guests in the area now stopping to spectate the happenings with raised brows and whispering.
Iason touched his hand upon his brother's shoulder this time, stepping to cover Riki with his form, "Ra, leave it. He's not worth your time." Like a signal that it was better for them to leave now, made clear by a slight squeeze upon that shoulder.
The Platina managed to get on his feet as the three Rubies turned, assisted by his cohorts who muttered their own string of raged encouragement not to let this pass. "Where do you think you're going?" he confronted the trio. "Low-level scoundrels like you should be executed!" he pointed an accusing finger and with a grin, his own failed attempt to regain composure, added. "Maybe I should have you all turned to Sex Dolls for the brothels!" His voice was fast to rise over the other noises in the hall, making certain the threat was audible to as many of the onlookers as possible, exerting his authority over these lesser elites.
But that was the last straw. Iason stopped. And despite Raoul stopping him, the Top Blondie turned to the silver with calm anger; only to shove the Platina back on his rear, down to the floor from where he was cast earlier. Raoul sighed and shook his head. Riki half-gaped but then frowned as his lover looked down at the disreputable elite.
"What authority have you to issue such an idiotic threat?" Neu-Jupiter asked, taking on the tone of power.
Zen bit back, furious, "You have no right to treat me like this! I'm a Platina!"
The Top Blondie knew this would be brought to the case. So as to not let the standings be confused anymore, Iason undid the clasp which held his hair back, "Ah, but I have all the right…" and to the shock of everyone, the gasp heard washing over to the very corners of the hall, what was a splendid mane of red slowly lost its colour to become the brilliance of blond, the pin clanging against a hard surface somewhere, stunning not only Zen and his companions but the staring attendees.
He was a Blondie!
"Iason…" Riki whispered more to himself, a bit worried. Raoul clipped the bridge of his nose with gloved fingers to ease his exasperation, "I was hoping this day would end without incident, but I guess it can't be helped."
With that, the Biochemist released his own clasp, letting the pin drop, his length of hair changing into its natural blond colour. Only then was it understood that these two were just disguising themselves, for whatever purpose it served them, walking amongst this gathering with ordinary citizens.
Zen's companions stammered, "T-they...they're...Tanaguran Blondies!"
The Platina himself cannot believe it. "They're not just Blondies...you're Iason Mink and Raul Ma! The Tanaguran Top Two!" his eyes became round as saucers. "But...b-b-but I thought Blondies never go to these events!"
Iason had a hand to his hip, throwing his hair back over his shoulders. He sought to clarify that. "We don't...but my Pet loves the thrill of Airbike racing."
Obviously everyone has heard of the infamous mongrel-turned-Pet and now Exclusive Riki. The being that was thought of to be useless trash, but had found favour in Jupiter's eyes. Everyone knew the story of how he rose to power, only now just coming to realize that the other creature found together with these two was none other than him.
Derek Zen looked wide-eyed at the form of the Pet he had singled out earlier, as with a graceful hand Iason beckoned him to come to his side. "That must mean he's...he's…"
"Pet," the Top Blondie loosened the cape and let it fall, the darkness of the outfit beneath fully revealed alongside flawless skin and amazing curves. "Yeah? What is it?" Riki met the stare with a confident one all his own.
Iason pulled him closer, hand running down that smooth back shown off by the lack of any other cover besides the minimal which was his normal attire. A question, "Seen anything you like with the Airbike models?"
Riki shrugged the blush that had rose to his cheeks, in all honesty admitting, "I guess. But then I can't tell you really since I haven't looked at everything."
Neu-Jupiter hummed in understanding, "It's all right. I'm considering a new transport next week so how about we arrange a private viewing at Eos Palace?
"Raoul?"
The other Blondie nodded, a PVT drawn out in his hand and pressing keys. "Of course. I'll have Orphe organize it."
Iason was still fixed upon Riki. "It's settled then, for now, we'll need to cut our visit short," he told him.
There went that kiss, the Blondie Master placing a tribute upon the juncture between Riki's ear and jaw, using this trigger to transform what was once red to a stunning raven. "Rose doesn't suit you after all," Iason chuckled. Riki rolled his eyes. "Now you tell me…"
Zen crawled onto his knees as his cohorts were silenced, some collapsing to the floor in their shock , "You're Neu-Jupiter's Pet! No!" Iason's smile was obviously pleased as the Platina groveled, reaching for the foot of the gods, "F-Forgive me...I didn't know!"
Raoul still with the terminal in hand cut at that again, stepping on the Platina's hand, making the silver wail as the weight alone crushed fingers, bones, the strength of a Blondie never really measured in full. The Security was swarming in now, going for crowd control as a sudden surge of watchers rushed in to witness the confrontation, wanting to see what was happening.
"Raoul…"
"It's all right Iason," said the Biochemist, pressing that foot in causing the silver to whimper, thumbing some details on his control panel. "Doesn't the Pet Law have capital punishment now for touching the Exclusive without permission? I'm doing him a favour."
"Don't be so heartless." This was made to be a jest, Neu-Jupiter holding Riki close, the Pet eyeing them both, thinking that obviously they were supposed to be this way. Ruthlessness makes Blondies what they are. It was by this said ruthlessness that he was here now, in their presence.
"Your transport is here," Raoul spoke with a sigh, folding his PVT as an automated Aircar descended, the hall space allowing such a feat to be executed. He gestured to his brother and the Pet. Iason asked, "...aren't you coming?"
Raoul finally slipped his foot off, smoothing his cape as if the debacle has creased it. "I'll follow after I personally sort this mess…" he looked at the now writhing Platina. Which meant they will have to go ahead.
Understanding and preferring it anyway, Iason conceded without trouble, "Suit yourself. Come..." and he guided his Pet towards the waiting transport, motioning for him to go on ahead first. Riki complied, as the god cast a glance over to the other Blondie before slipping in beside him, "See you at Eos."
The doors locked. The chauffeur with programmed orders gunned into speed and left the weary gathering, Raoul now in the middle of the fray attending to the trouble still cringing before him. He addressed Derek Zen with such ice. "Now let's see. Disturbing the peace, looking down on your fellow elites…" his eyes narrowed as he made a list of offenses. "...and angering Neu-Jupiter himself by making his Pet apologize twice to your haughtiness.
"Disgusting...
The Platina once more resorted to pleading. To which the Blondie only replied, "But I'm not the one you need to ask it from...a waste you had not accepted Riki's apologies earlier. It would have been a good opportunity…"
The System needs cleaning. The Caste, its discipline. What would Iason do to correct the torn world left to his charge? Stay tuned...
**Erratum: This was sloppy. I edited it out and cleaned it up. Should be better to read now. Sorry my dearies.
