Balem watched as Kalique floated in, projected, in his office at the Jupiter Refinery.
He leaned back, aware, he knew of the image he represented to his Secondary. Lean lines, carefully sculpted, face clean and calm. He was just aged, slightly, nothing extreme like her's. Just a touch of grey at his temples, just a slightest wrinkle at the corner of his eyes. He was tempted to use a fresh round of RegenX but refrained because he was busy setting up for the next Harvest. Perhaps afterward, in near twenty-years time, it would be acceptable. It wasn't quite socially acceptable to bathe so frequently as every other year, and he would never disgrace himself as Titus did. It screamed too much of social climbing, to be flippant with his RegenX. And he was the Primary of House Abrasax, the inheritor of one of the greatest Houses.
He would never allow to the extreme his sister showed, however. Her hair was streaked with grey and white, her eyes and lips lined with deep, hideous gouges. Her dress was elegant, her stride still powerful and not a hobble, but it still made something in his stomach turn to see his sister like this.
"Kalique," he rasped, with a respectful nod.
She was one of the few people that deserved that much from him. He did not stand, however, he was, after all, her Primary. His rank was above her within the House, equal in standing as a Lady and Lord respectfully, but not functionality. So he did not need to show her that much more respect than his dipped head. With Titus, he would have not even moved.
"Balem," she said with a nod of her own, a smile curved on her painted lips, pulling at the sharp lines around her mouth.
Balem suppressed a shudder. He knew it to be a tribute to their Mother. But Kalique had never known the reality of what aging to that extreme had meant. And despite his discomfort, he would not tell his sister of it. He would allow his sister to keep her comforting illusion of their mother.
"I greet my Primary with much respect. I also came to applaud you, for your handling of Titus."
Balem smiled.
"So, you are in agreement with my treatment of him?"
"He is too eager to ruin our reputation by fits and ugly displays," she said, a sigh in her voice.
Always the Artist, Mother would say.
"And here I thought you got on well with our Third," he rasped, raising a single brow.
Kalique laughed, sweet and joyful.
"He may be fine to converse with, Balem, but he is such a child when it comes to serious matters."
Balem tilted his head.
"You truly approve, then?"
"Your judgment is impeccable. Best we embarrass him privately before he embarrasses us to society. He pushed it at the last Event. If House Sayze had wished too, they could have pressed their own charges, minor with the evidence they had gathered, of course. But it may not be so next time. I would rather he lose to you than anyone else."
She is the closest thing to true alliance I will ever have in my life after Mother. Near perfect as a Secondary.
"Was his actions that much of an embarrassment?"
Balem had been aware of the mistake, but not its extent.
"I mediated the situation, of course, but appears that Titus has decided to test his mettle, sweet Primary. Make him understand his limits."
"Further than I already have?"
"Do not just throw the book at him, Balem. Beat him with it."
Balem smiled, true, warm. His sister was excellent. He inclined his head again, in farewell.
"Kalique."
She inclined her own head, smiling.
"Balem."