14

The Pleasure Planet was unlike anything Ianto had ever seen before. He had heard of these places but it's not like someone like him, on his salary, could ever hope to go to one, let alone walk the place like a boss. Jack took the lead, making Ianto feel emboldened to march slightly too. It kept some of them from approaching as they saw the walk of a Regulator.

Full of brightness and bluster, the place was like a never-ending carnival but the sideshows were… exotic. Dax kept a hand on Ianto's arm like he was afraid he might be snatched away and by the way several people stopped to look at the pretty young thing in the group, he might have been. Jack had given him a large coat, similar to the old Regular uniform one he himself wore, this one was black instead. Back before full body armour was developed, these coats were the only defense with the Kevlar woven into the fabric like an extra thread. Lightweight, seemingly innocent, these coats were like wearing an armoured tank. Not that it gave Ianto a lot of confidence these days. He had been in a few of those recently and it didn't end so well for the occupants. Also, the coat was black which made it non-regulation. This was a specialist job. Ianto suspected it was John's but it did not smell like him. It smelt unworn. Maybe a gift that was unwanted? It fit perfectly though, the misty, dank smog filled streets were chilly and it was a welcome addition to his wardrobe.

A man was on every corner trying to sell them everything form alcohol, pussy, arse to drugs. Ianto knew about those patches, he knew the danger of them. Addictive things and so many different ones, people had mixed and matched them or years creating monsters. Those unable to shake the habit appearing more like patchwork quilts covered in the little plasters like fucktards. Slumped in doorways and in amongst the trash that piled in the alleyways, dregs. No, Ianto steered clear of those.

Dax simply removed his blaster from his hip and silently pointed it at each salesman as he walked past, not breaking stride and more than one called him by name as they bowed and stepped aside politely. Respectfully. Guy's got game.

They came to the Flesh Quarter, like a row of store fronts but in each dimly lit window was a woman… or man… or… well… a tentacled thing had Jack doing a double take before he tapped the glass and it waved at him, clearly recognizing him. It was a grotty, sleazy feeling place and everything Ianto thought it would be. Except for the smell. It smelt wonderful. Fresh bread… flowers… one they passed smelt like cedar wood. He remembered the smell of that from his childhood and he was amazed. The money spent here, the craft.

They finally came to a purple storefront and the woman in the window was already exiting it with a flourish of skirts, the CLOSED sign coming on as the front door to the side of the window opened to allow them in. Dax was first to swagger in calling out "hey toots."

Tic was instantly taken with the baby, cooing and clucking as she lifted her to the breast, then sighing softly at the familiar tug as the baby hungrily drank. She looked to be a good mother, deft at it. Ianto saw a softness to her, a gentleness that made her so warm. He looked around and saw many expensive things that told him she was not a low ball kinda gal. Oh no, she had taste.

"So, if you can express a few bottles, we can then program our Replicator to repeat each feed" Dax was explaining as he walked around her little home touching things. This was distracting and Ianto was a little annoyed with the familiar way he did this, then revised things as he stopped to lean over the baby and kiss her softly, like they were…. Oh. Now he did not see THAT coming.

"You are a pair?" Ianto asked politely.

"Yeah, she's me bird. Tick-Tock is her full name, but the punters prefer to call her Tick as some don't do spoken words so well" Own said with pride, hoisting his pants up more.

Ianto was not sure how to deal with this, sitting back to ponder the fact this man and woman were so different it was like night and day. Ianto could see her features were dainty, her almond shaped eyes alluring and her voice soft and pretty. He knew she probably had a special clientele that preferred her and she could pick and choose them but still… it felt… wrong.

She left the room and Ianto leaned in by Dax to softly ask "But she is not your mate, Owen?"

Dax glanced at him and gave him a look that told him more than words. This woman was not his true mate. No. somewhere was another, his true love and he kept her hidden and safe. This one was a distraction. Another trick. A beard? Good. Ianto understood that. He sat back and let the woman gush and cluck, then hand over three full bottles of her milk.

"So… I need to ask" John pointed at her breasts as they were preparing to leave "If you don't have a bub and looking at your body you've not had one for several months at least… why are you still lactating?"

Everyone stared at him, even Ianto and he blinked as he got it "Really? Sorry, tired. Wow. How much for a suck of your tit then?"

"Believe me sailor, you don't have enough" she purred making him roar with mirth. They stayed for refreshments as it was only polite. The small bag of credits Jack dropped into her palm as they prepared to leave also politely done.

The walk back to the ship was in silence, all of them thinking their own thoughts and Ianto's kept going to the babies. How many had she birthed in that room? Sold? Was she careful with those sales? As much as she had warmed him with her motherly ways, loved the little girl… wait a second… was it any of his business to judge her like this?

As they prepared to take off John turned to Jack and told him that he wanted to come back some day, with some of his 'takings' to have a go at that. Pretty little minx that she is, he bets her milks is sweet.

"Spicy" Owen muttered as he fiddled with something and John looked at him with interest so he clarified "Diet affects taste. She likes to and spicy so… yeah. Not so sweet."

"Huh" John sat back with surprise, filing that one away. Dax was never this talkative, or friendly. This was a side to him John had never seen and he knew it had everything to do with the other rare cat sitting next to him talking so quietly it was unable to be heard from across the room. More than once Dax smiled as he answered, something that was also rare.

John pondered the fragility of their mission, the need for it to work and as he also watched Jack hungrily watch Ianto's every movement he wondered if they were compromised. For all his pretty ways, this was a soldier. A bloody Regulator, fully active and in top shape. They were about to enter a place where he would either shone like a fucking diamond…. Or burn like coal.

And they were depending on him to shine.

Or they were all gonna burn.