Chapter 13
Hades after finishing preparations for breakfast and setting the table for two, braced on the stove to keep himself upright. There he was preaching to Iason and putting his life on the line when he himself wasn't in a better situation. When last was it that he had wink of sleep? He couldn't recall, he was losing his composure and losing it pretty damn fast.
"Fuck," he sighed, Riki was definitely rubbing off on him.
After a moment he stood upright knowing he had to be firm in his resolve. By now if it wasn't contractions it was temper tantrum or telekinesis with Riki it was now a battle field, a fight for survival no less. The delivery date grew closer each day and it didn't take much to know that both parents hated to face up to that reality. After the ultrasound though they refused to hear a gender and cared to listen on the number present Riki's condition had grown only worse and with how Jupiter responded on hearing the news Riki wanted nothing short of going to Ceres one last time before being imprisoned here for all eternity.
Sending a rescheduling of Iason's meeting all whom it may concern he proceeded to the bathhouse assuming that by now the Blondie should been through with his bath and had enough to time to decide on a punishment for his unruly behavior earlier.
"Master Iason would you prefer coffee or tea for-," Hades spoke as he entered only to have fallen into silence at the sight before him.
The towel he had folded neatly over one arm slipped out of his grasp as he stood in awe at the parade of colors and the soft fluff of images that hovered about the room. Glancing back to look for the door he had entered through much to his dismay it had already vanished replaced by a vast land of evergreen meadows decorated by flowers of the likes he had never seen that stretched as far as the eye could see.
Turning on his heels he tried to find his bearings but much to his fear he couldn't get a handle on the situation. The fell of the sun over head, the wind against that played through his hair even the grass under his feet all feel so real.
He brought back to where ever this was at the sound of, now that he thought about it what did that sound like?
Cautiously he followed the sound up and over the subtle curve of a hill and if he thought that this place, that materialized out of thin air was bizarre, what he saw next tipped his world of its axis.
Little blond haired bundles crept around like sheep in a pasture, creeping, sleeping, or nibbling at whatever they could get their little hands on. Bewildered he all but leapt a mile away when he felt a tiny hand landed on the tip of his shoes.
Recovering smoothly he picked up the babe that looked no more than a few months, though he had a full head of white gold hair and wide shinning blue eyes. With little fear as though he had known Hades for a life time, the little one rested its head against his shoulder and closed its eyes ready to call it a day.
"What in the world," he puzzled holding the child with care as he bent beneath a cloud that was carrying two sleeping blond babies cuddled closely together.
If he was sure he head was screwed on right he would have thought this place to be real. Catching the eyes of a tall figure that stood a head and half above him that seemed to have materialized out of thin air a wave of relief found him at the thought of not being in this peculiar place all on his own.
"Master Iason," he breathed, drawing closer to the figure donned in satin hold two little ones snoozing away in his arms.
"Hades what are you doing here?" his stoic face was as expressionless as ever as a little bundle of beautiful life tugged at his hair from behind.
"Forgive me but I don't even where here is," Hades stated as the baby snuggled closer to him neck.
All over Eos Blondie after another woke in a start both bewildered and horrified all together. Dawn had not yet cracked open her eyes and most of those in bed were still fast asleep but for a certain group of Blond elites slumber today would not be so merciful.
Amongst the many struggling to come to their sense Aisha sat up in a start causing the pet that had been laying next to him to stir ever so slightly. Breathing heavily, perspiration causing his night ware to cling to him, he raked a hand through his damp hair.
Climbing out of bed he woke the resident furniture instructing him to fix him a bath and something warm to ingest. Watching the furniture departed he sank back onto the edge of the bed bracing his elbows on his knees as he covered his face with his hands.
What in Jupiter's name was that?
He stared at the wall, the touch of soft bundles of joy hugged close to his chest still tingled at his finger tips and hummed warm against his chest. The memory of bright blue eyes gazing up on him seemed so fresh in his mind he could almost smell touch of lavender at his nose. Bright smiles everywhere plucked at emotions he was too frightful to discover and yet in the midst of bewilderment who else would he seemed that would akin those images in his stream of unconsciousness a nightmare.
Iason Mink.
He had sat there attending to each little beaming bundle of joy as it came creeping by before he had its fill and crept of again round rumps clad in nothing but a shirt that even covered their toes. And in it all in spite of the floods of unfamiliarity Iason simply sat there unperturbed and in that moment it all felt so right. A feeling of absolute bliss struck him as the little one cooed in his arms pulling at his hair and for the briefest of moments he had wished that it had all been real and that the child in his arm was his. And in that moment, despair raised its ugly head as bit of envy managed to claw at him.
What the hell had he been thinking?
Even now longing gripped his heart longing to have his pet be the one large and round and filled with life that would make Jupiter ever so proud and protective of the unborn babe.
But that was the problem wasn't it he wasn't thinking. It had all felt so much like a dream. But that couldn't have been possible could it have? No it couldn't! After all Blondie's couldn't dream.
Raoul staggering tired, from the recent preparations for Riki delivery, entered Iason's quarters after he was compelled by the idea that they were busy with Riki. When the furniture was nowhere in sight he assumed that his suspicions had been confirmed however after hesitantly entering the bedroom to find Riki sound asleep a wave of concern took him as he silently left the room not wishing to wake the sleeping mother to be.
After a thorough search of the living room, dressing room, the lounge, the study, the kitchen and even the furniture's residence he deduced that Iason had not yet departed. So what exactly had happened? He had been up all day and after work ended he came straight here. The message Hades letter on his Com system relayed that Riki's contractions were getting worse and his new abilities were as active as ever, assuring him that it was a matter that was worthy of his attention though it was not life threatening…well not yet at least.
His examinations after the ultrasound predict a few complications that may become detrimental at the slightest slip up.
Finding the bathhouse to be second to last of his places to find both Master and Furniture he announced his presence at the door. When no response came, he entered only to be taken aback as the door slid aside to garnet him access. A bit taken aback but not entirely surprised. Feeling, for some reason, a sudden sense of relief a small smile tugged at his lips at the sight of Hades fast asleep on the floor next to the bath that hosted a sleeping Iason.
How far the Blondie had fallen, he wondered, smiling despite himself as he went to check on their health status. The Iason he knew before the days of Riki the Dark would have never allowed for such a development. But now he had more to think about, more to worry about, more to value. Regardless of the being a man of such regal standings even he had days when the armor had to fall especially now when he seemed more mortal than ever.
Not wishing to wound his friend's pride he departed in silence to the Bed chamber where Riki was, checking up on the mongrel before leaving.
On the way back to his quarters he found himself worrying. Riki was close now to giving birth and by now they all felt the anxiety. What would Jupiter do if they, the off springs, were mongrels, wouldn't this have equated into the greatest form of disgrace to mix a pedigree like Iason with a lowly mongrel from the slum. Of course it's a great accomplishment that Riki is actually pregnant for Iason but why would Jupiter not object to the contamination of a pureblood line that each Blondie represented. The epitome of flawless beauty and perfection she had maintained for so long. Why choose now to approve of the mongrel's existence.
And there the question stood again as to why she allowed Riki to be brought back to life and continuing standing at the side of her most treasured child. A child whose death he had caused. Was it because she had foreseen this predicament? And if so then how? Riki's conception, Iason's growing abilities which they had yet to relay to the others. How could she have foreseen such a phenomenon?
He gritted his teeth, he respected Jupiter with every ounce of his being and if ever she told him to jump for which ever reason, all he would ask would be how high. But there were days that he felt as though he was more of a pawn to her chess piece that aided in her goal. If anything he would be a night to shield Iason and Riki, the king and Queen in this whole fiasco. He was sure why but he was certain like the pied piper she was playing a wicked tune filled with promises that could lead them to paradise of immense oblivion.
===================that afternoon==================
Katze at Orphe private request found himself in Ceres seated in the brilliantly lit room that comprised of only a table and the chandelier hanging overhead, ten minutes early with one of the representatives of the man responsible for the new reform project that had taken over the slum in Ceres.
According to Orphe he had received a message requesting a meeting with a representative of the head of the Trading and Foreign Affair branch, formally known as Iason Mink. The request itself had been preposterous but their presentation of a strong argument had Katze playing messenger boy to hear the proposal. Being a former member of the slums and the one in charge of all involvements in the Black Market they had no qualms selecting him for the Job.
"I apologize if I've kept you waiting," a voice began as a figure entered the room.
"No need for apologies I was the one who was early," Katze stated getting to his feet to greet the man with a firm handshake.
If anything else the man looked refined at least much like the rest of the slum. He had almost lost himself getting around to the designated location. The streets were downright spotless not a cigarette bud or wasted drunkard insight. Even the delinquents that usually hung out at the local hotspots were nowhere in sight. He had to admit whoever was in charge had done well for the place. However, dark water rippled to find this level of serenity.
"Where the hell's Louise? He's supposed to be with the scouters today," Katze questioned irritated checking over the amount of hands he had to spar, in essence were a lot less than he needed to go around.
Illium seemed hesitant but he relented, "I'm surprised you didn't know but Louise was killed last night. No one knows who did it or why," he was glancing from one side to the other cautious of straying eyes
Katze could tell by the guy's eyes that he was hiding something and he had all intentions to pry but in this business he knew that discretion was everything, "maybe we should take this to my office."
Katze turned, knowing Illium would follow.
"I need you to tell me everything?" Katze stated as he closed his office door behind him.
Illium seemed to hesitate yet again, "if I get found out for this I'm not gonna be any better off than Louise. But I guess after awhile it ain't gonna be that big a secret."