Yuri: Before we proceed to the last installment of the triplets' side of Cinco, I'm inviting everyone to check out my earlier works on the Trinity Realms Anthology story I recently moved to AO3. It's one of my originals that I've been working on together with some collaborators so I hope it also gets your support.
Katrice was telling everyone to wash off properly after the service, stating that it was most important to not source disease, the first preventive always needing to come from the Furniture of the House. Cadense had another question altogether however, and waited for them all to line back into the kitchen area for when he could have at least one of the Trinity of the Palace aside.
"Why is he like that? The Pet?"
Katrice was in-charge of them at the moment and could only smile. "If you are referring to his personality, he is simply such an outspoken being.
"But if you are referring to the other matter" the Beta paused this time, meeting the Floor Leader with his equally intent gaze as if in scrutiny before he tucked that emotion away. "He just isn't like other pets.
"Had you not heard of his history? You are a Blondie's Furniture, you should know, correct? Master Riki was born from Guardian too, and it is a fact that he was a mongrel before he became Neu-Jupiter's Mated Pair."
Kantre and Katrice were on cleaning duties while Katron went off to take care of their Masters' bath details. At about this time, Neu-Jupiter would be preparing for work while the Pet would be prepared for another day of routine learning, his education, as Iason put it, in the wonders that were the System...
Briefly had their guests passed the Triplets' set of personal suites, which were actually a group of rather large and quite high-ceilinged rooms at the lower floors of the Palace, complete with anything they needed to fulfill their duties as the Furniture of this mighty household.
They had a workshop, tools of the trade, a seemingly endless chamber of materials and treasures, keys and access unheard of to other servants such as the group which accompanied them now, who were of the same title as the triplets were in the Eos Towers yet, in truth, were really just a far cry from the reality that these three lived in.
The latest of technologies, textiles, jewels, among others, which they used to make costumes for when the Masters have need...it was in total a venerable collective that even lower level elites didn't have.
This much to their name. The Palace treated the Trinity beyond extremely well.
They even toured one of the brothers' personal vaults where the twins showed them the many state attires they had created, everything Master Iason Mink and his Exclusive had worn to many important gatherings as a couple.
"This was the wedding ensemble. It was spun in pure white," said Katrice to the excited crowd, spreading the fabric of that iconic garb out to show them the finer details. There were other notable attires. The three also curated these very expensive pieces...
These rooms were not for lowly servants with its closets that bore many matching uniforms of opulent designs. These spaces were reserved for little nobles. The Trinity were equally spoilt it seems, and they show their gratitude by doing above excellent work...
It was back to the chores after the brief sojourn into the triplets' personal quarters. They returned upstairs to review the bots and what they have accomplished.
Kantre was peculiarly severe with this. "Though everything is programmed to be automatic in most areas in the Palace, we still have to take charge with following after," he'd noticed something off with the covers and tucked a sheet corner that was out of place. "There will always be near-misses."
The new Furniture notice another thing: "Ah, Mr. Kantre Sir, what is Mr. Katrice doing?"
With a hovering digi-screen, his PVT, and a ton of drones at his disposal, he was scrutinizing wall per wall. He was also taking snaphots of the whole area it looked like as frame upon frame of the sections being inspected were appearing and being saved.
Kantre replied, "Scanning the surroundings for bio threats. We do it on a regular basis here."
The Palace had such expanded balconies. From the rooms they were helping tidy, they see below that Neu-Jupiter was off to work, as the three excuse themselves for a daily observance of bidding their Blondie Master goodbye.
Riki was being the sort of brat. "You promise to come home early?" His sable wings were nowhere in sight; obviously he'd retracted them already.
Iason kissed him on the forehead. "Yes. So be patient," he chuckled.
"When have I never?"
More kisses and embracing. A show of affection he'd hated doing before. Now he was very reluctant to let him go. He eventually had to. But only after a long kiss from his lover.
The three bowed with Katron on the lead: "Have a safe day out Master Iason."
Iason does not acknowledge that. He instead slid on his visor and got in the Aircar, leaving the Palace and the Pet to their care. This was taken as a sign of his faith in them.
Cadense in observance speaks to the newbies, "There is a belief amongst the elite, that the Blondie Master, Neu-Jupiter, never has the need to leave final instructions. His trust is great upon his Furniture that he never reminds them how to run his House.
"When he leaves, he leaves knowing that it and his beloved are in capable hands, fully confident that they will take care of things in his name.
"Such deep confidence..."
They were beckoned to go downstairs after the Transport took off, arriving as Katron was conferring with his Twins.
"Is the space ready?"
"We did set it up earlier," Katrice confirmed.
The Pet's brows met. "What is it now?" To which Katron answered plainly much to his disdain, "It is time for your lessons, Master Riki."
That frown was evident. "That again," he sighed. "Why do I have to actually do such a thing?"
Everyone knew what pethood entailed. Whenever lessons for pets were mentioned, what comes to mind for the Furniture almost always were sexual acts like masturbation, displays of debauchery, mating and such perverted practices fit for a resident plaything. However, the Palace would prove their expectations wrong.
Perversion here was only reserved for either of two things: one, in the bed chambers of Neu-Jupiter where coupling was prerequisite and a pleasure; and two, to those tasks related to the System and Tanagura of course.
To the other Furniture's surprise, they found a com link with the pet seat instead.
"Master Riki, this way please..."
Katron led the Exclusive to the interface they had set up on one of the garden tiers, their guests with them observing. The machine was in the midst of so many crawling flower vines whose tangles made this small and shady alcove. It was such a cozy little nook, perfect to calm the mind.
His Nurse inspected the gear, checking if everything was in the proper order. There should be no problem with the link to the System from here.
Meanwhile the Betas were propping the pillows on the pet chair, draping sheets over to make it even more comfortable. They likewise did a sweep around the space, just to make certain that there won't be anything to disturb their Master Riki when he gets into that stupor later.
"Our lessons today will be some of the documented works by the Blondie, Master Raoul Ma," Katron was informing him.
Riki sat down with a huff. "Why do we have to study him anyway?"
The other Trinity could only smile as Katron was adding, "Because he is the premiere scientific mind of Tanagura and the entire planet -not to mention he spearheads the research on Jupiter's Lovers.
"You may find interest in his pursuits."
The Furniture notice the Exclusive sulking. "I hate interfacing. And I hate Raoul," said the Pet.
Katron only further chuckled, "That is the crux of the matter then? Do not worry. This is just a simple data slate we'll be checking into."
Here they saw the Exclusive, the machine humming with further signs of life as he turned his attention to it, lying down and getting comfortable in his pet chair. They began to hook him up to the gear, a curious thing taking place when they witnessed what was known as the Interfacing, mainly involving the Pet going into this trance-like state as projected calculations and encrypted data ribbons burst around him. He then slowly fell into a deep sleep as the information began revolving, reflecting their glow all around, being tousled by him in a way unseen by them all.
Katron covered the Exclusive with a light blanket, the gesture very respectful, next checking his PVT to moderate temperatures. Kantre had turned to their observers, "You were expecting something else?"
The newlings were indeed rather surprised. "He studies?" they had whispered amongst themselves.
"He is the Pairing Partner of Neu-Jupiter. It is imperative that he knows the System he domains over," Katron could only sigh. "Master Riki should take a while to finish this session. It should be enough time to finish the scans."
There was a load of other chores and everyone was busy, dispatched to every corner of the House to complete them, the fledgling Furniture wondering how on Amoï was it even possible for only a staff of three to manage these tasks when they're barely even able to do the manual labours themselves. True, there were bots that catered to the repetitive aspects of the Palace, but the Trinity insisted they do a following after in the way that they always have...
So they scrubbed courts, dusted the many antiques scattered around to decorate the area, some of which were taller than any of them, and took care of the various plants and animals. There were also the preparations for lunch, the harvesting from the edible gardens, and then a possible sojourn after the Exclusive finishes his studies. The Pet is known to walk around Midas when he fancied it...
At the end of the scanning procedure, Katrice noticed an anomaly that he immediately showed Katron. They called everyone back to deal with it immediately. An infection, as they revealed the results of, has begun to spread from one end of the House. It was so infinitesimal however that, unless the Trinity pointed, the other Furniture had not really noticed.
Fernand wrinkled his brows. "A Biohazard?"
Kantre retorted, "Worse. It is biowarfare."
Katrice was on his PVT immediately. "You do not know how many of these attacks are aimed here on a regular basis."
Katron clapped his hands for attention. "Everyone step back please. We need to eliminate it," the disposal droids were released from their holds, hovering like a swarm towards one spot. "We eradicate all threats even if it means destroying a section of the Palace."
This procedure was somewhat over-exaggerated for a threat so miniscule, but the other Furniture who got behind the line supposed that, for the House of the Lord of the Realms, anything that endangered their peace was never to be treated lightly at all. Cadense and his group were told to watch.
To keep from disturbing their Master Riki, Katron shielded half the Palace where the Pet is while the said eradication process took place.
The bots had swarmed completely now and raised their guns at this plateau where the infestation was starting. There was a countdown, then blasts of light were fired. Everyone had to briefly shield their eyes, the heat vaporizing the tier completely, crumbling it to dust that the cleanup droids had flown in to vacuum. It was all instantaneously and efficiently executed.
"Scan Katrice?"
Katrice was already on his PVT doing just that. "0.00% trace. We have done it."
Katron nodded. "Seal the Palace and run a disinfection routine. If any other areas are affected, send them to disposal. I'll keep Master Riki under the Shield for now."
At the press of a button, a domed force field was seen to cover the Pet while he was still interfacing. His little nook was preserved. Which had been the aim.
"Now to clean ourselves."
The Furniture are all off to shower, their visitors amazed that the House has its own quarantine facilities in the premises, Cadense, Phelipe and Fernand surveying the area, equally impressed.
"This is routine?"
Katron was already stripping with his Betas, preparing to shower, a towel slung over his shoulder.
"Not really. Only when necessary. We self-quarantine often in many instances though," said the Alpha.
Katron further explained how it is not only their role as the Furniture of the Palace to keep the House of Neu-Jupiter clean, but also to make sure that they themselves were cleaner...
They went into the baths then, a quick soak to clean up with the use of disinfectants and other advanced cleaning cures. After that it was off to dry up in one of the fascilities' lounging dens, their guests noting their castrated selves in the lengthy mirrors there, including that of the Neu-Trinity's forms. The earlier enthusiasm died as everyone fell silent.
Kantre with his usual calm asked the group, "It was not a choice you would have made was it?" Everyone turned to look up at him. He smiled. "Don't worry. You can be confident that whatever we speak of here will never reach any of our Masters' ears."
He was combing his hair casually, airing it out to style later on. The Trinity were the only Furniture who could actually grow their locks to any length. The standards never applied to this House.
Meanwhile everyone waited for Cadense as if what he would say was the representation of all their own opinions.
"You are aware of what happens to us who've come from that place. We just suddenly find ourselves in this way and cannot go back," the Floor Leader said.
Everyone seemed crestfallen. The sad fact they forced themselves to actually deny. They were all from Guardian, the slums, vermin in everyone's eyes. This was strange and unacceptable when they were thrown into it. Heartbreaking when there was not a choice. But was here any better in spite of these...privileges?
Cadense noted the continued silence, and the Trinity likewise with all their cleanliness. They seemed even more, how would you say, superiorly cut than any of them ever was. Had they been thrust into this life as well? How did the Trinity even start?
"How about you three? You are not from Guardian obviously. How did you end up…?"
Katron surprised them with his answer. "It was a choice. To be able to serve fully, we wanted to be born this way," he said simply.
"Come. We need to prepare the noontime meal."
The Furniture's clothes needed to be destroyed. Following procedures, even that was not spared. So now they had to be dressed in the signature gold of the Palace, the triplets needing to make minor adjustments here and there to fit them all into what was appropriate, down to the detail of gloves. Katron surveyed the small army over. They all looked very regal in the uniform of the House...
Well then it was off to prepare the Pet's meal and the meal for them all present in the space that is. The triplets asked a few to help them in the kitchens, while the Floor Leader and his two right hands wait upon the Exclusive.
Katron's request when the sleeping Pet was almost done with his interfacing sequence, "Mind watching over him while we prepare everything? He should be awake in five minutes."
The three bow as the Trinity passed them, the other newlings at their heels to help.
As estimated, the Pet awoke at the time indicated, obsidian eyes gently blinking out of sleep.
"Katron?"
To his disappointment, it was Aisha's Floor Leader and his lackeys that greeted him.
"Good afternoon Master Riki. Mr. Katron had gone to the kitchens."
Riki realized the time. It was almost lunch wasn't it? He sat up.
They wanted to help him but Riki dismissed it. He really didn't like being waited upon most of the time. To the Exclusive who has a background linked to the slums and was always independent, he thought it counter-productive. He settled comfortably on his pet chair.
"So the lesson was Biosystematics and Logical Engineering…" the data ribbons still swam around him as he pulled some virtual slates out of thin air to get to his tests, beginning to ponder the appearing questions.
The three look confused. They've never seen a pet so well educated before, and one who knew what he was talking about it looked to be as he submitted one correct answer after another. Riki told them about this process.
"Katron always leaves these about after the lessons for me. It's practice he says," he finished in record speed, but was surprised to be greeted by a single mistake which he'd glared at definitely. "Damn it, why must there always be a trick question?"
Cadense smiled. Not your average Pet in all respects.
Most of the day passed by in relative peace, the new Furniture becoming trusted by the Trinity around their Master Riki more and more, as the former found him very fascinating and quite unafraid to speak what was on his mind. About his origins, and about Iason Mink whom he was married to. Their relationship was rather very strong. They caught the Pet calling the top Blondie a few times or, the other way around, the Master checked up on him, their conversations long and very loving.
Come dinner however, there was a slight touch of chaos, Katron arriving to the scene with the group of Furniture worrriedly pacing about, waiting for them to come.
Upon checking, he'd determined easily what the cause of all this agitation was. And chuckled amusedly at what they were panicking over, calming them all down. It was just the Exclusive fixing his Airbike.
This was normal to Katron, "Master Riki, what are you doing?"
"Yo Kat. Hand me the pen laser will you?"
He was down on the marble nearest one of their fountains, just seated on a cushion, getting dirty with his favourite transport after he pulled it out from their garage level. A bird had sat on his head awhile, before the friendly fellow flew away.
His Nurse did so like it was the most natural thing. "I thought Master Iason already said that the company will have a new one sent over in exchange?"
"And ruin a still perfectly good Airbike?" the Exclusive reasoned. "I told Iason he need not spend for something I can fix up myself." And fix his bike he did. He easily spliced connections here and there, rewiring part the whole thing, before he asked his Nurse. "Rev it up Katron?"
Katron reached in at the request with a hand tucked behind him. He cranked at the grip and revved the machine full, squeezing gently as he did. The beast gave off an absolutely gorgeous purr.
"Hm...that sounds just fine," Katron remarked after some thought.
"See? I Was correct.
"Want to take it for a spin now?"
Katron would rather not, and made that clear enough. "With all due respect Master, remember what happened the last time?"
Riki chuckled suddenly. "Oh yeah…" he definitely does. "But then, who if not you?" he queried, the exchange quite familiar as it was natural between them.
Kantre just came up to announce that dinner was ready. "Ah! Kantre! Let's race!" the Exclusive grinned up at the other Trinity, cleaning his hands.
Katron pushed his brother to it all too eagerly. "You go ahead Kantre. Just please make sure he does not get himself injured," he said.
Kantre did not take a minute to decide. He actually seemed to be very happy riding shotgun for the Pet. They shot off and built speed through the gardens.
Cadense whispered to Katron, "He has such peculiar hobbies."
To which the Alpha replied with a sigh of relief, "That he does."
Nightfall. At the borders of Ceres. The three members of Neu-Bison were riding royal class with Katze, their current patron, as he went to make his last major delivery of the evening.
He was meeting up with his client at the apartments of Apathia, but stopping short to turn towards a secret facility built adjacent to it instead. This was among the newest of the labs constructed for the use of the Blondie Raoul Ma.
They were here to meet him in fact...
As Neu-Bison's top three exited the pod car and whistled to the greetings of such a well-constructed complex, the Underground Broker led them inside one of the waiting chambers with its ample lights. More like a luxury room actually, but very clean and very sterile that, with how they looked at the moment, the three mongrels seemed out of place.
"Why are we fucking here again?" asked Noch.
What the Subarctic Scarface actually told them was that Tanagura's Iason Mink was going to need them to be his Generals. He didn't tell them the fine print of the contract they were about to get themselves into.
"You had made sure your territories are all well guarded in Ceres have you not?" asked Katze again, the same question, four times now as if that was of the most importance.
"You keep repeating that as if it's relevant," said Gear when he noticed.
Versail was beginning to doubt as well. Something felt off. "Why is our domain in the slums that interesting to you anyway?"
Katze wasn't about to say it, but the many ruthless residents of Ceres were going to play a vital role as these three would also take their part; he was just safeguarding the resources these three already built up.
"It is all in accordance to the plans of Neu-Jupiter," the redhead retorted without a trace of emotion on his face. There was no stopping this now as he stepped aside.
When Katze did this, the door suddenly opened to reveal Raoul Ma, Biochemist to Tanagura, from the wall just behind him.
And the Blondie was not alone...