"Are you sure about this," Raoul asked as he followed Iason into the same club he had been at before. "This place is disgusting."

Iason sighed as he walked towards an empty table of towards a corner. "You are welcome to leave at any time, my friend," he said as he sat down. He scanned the room to see if his prize was present but didn't see any indication.

Raoul stared at the chair before he took his seat. He carefully made sure that his cloak covered the full chair. "This place seems like a –"

"Raoul," Iason warned. "You are here as a friend, not anything more. You are to remain silent and not voice your opinion," he said as the server walked up.

"Welcome back Sir," the man said with a smile.

He glanced at the young human and nodded slightly. "Two glasses of red wine," Iason said firmly, still looking around.

The man bowed. "If you are looking for him, he will be out on the stage shortly," he said before walking away to get the drinks.

"He?"

"Silence," Iason warned.

Quietly Raoul looked away as the glasses were set before them. After taking a sip of the wine he looked back at his friend. "On a different note, my friend, it is the opinion of our brothers that you should take a new pet as soon as possible. You have gone three years without one which makes all of us look bad."

Iason smiled before taking a sip of his wine. "I do agree, which is why I plan to have a pet before the night is over."

Raoul raised a brow to this statement. How would his colleague complete this task if they were not at a pet auction…unless he intended to make a privet purchase? "Ias-"

The lights went out as a person walked on the stage. "For your enjoyment tonight, Master Mandrin is welcoming any willing person to partake in tonight's events," the young man said before bowing and walking back off stage.

After a moment, the curtain raised to show three beings facing the audience, two males and one female, standing on the stage with no clothes on. All three turned around and got on their knees while someone else assisted each one of them in being attached to the stage by collars and ropes.

Iason narrowed his eyes when he saw his mongrel on the stage. Each time he moved, Iason was sure he heard a faint clicking sound. Slowly he stood up as he looked around for Mandrin in the crowd.

"Surely you're joking," Raoul spat.

This time the Blondie didn't reply as he made his way towards the stage. As he got closer he noticed someone had beat him to the stage, but lucky for the little human, was going towards the female.

Once on stage, he kneeled next to his pet. "Riki," he whispered softly. He looked into Riki's eyes and was surprised to see how empty they were, as if they looked right past him. "Riki my love," he repeated.

He waited a moment then looked over his pets' position. His eyes instantly flashed red when he saw the cord wrapped around Riki's member. Reaching forward, he released the cord from the locking mechanism on the stage. As well he broke the chain holding the collar to the stage.

Quickly he removed his cloak and used it to cover the mongrel. "Come my love," he whispered as he tried to pull his love up.

"Excuse you," a voice called from further back on the stage.

Iason looked up at the Onyx. "Yes?"

"I would request that you unhand my employee," he said firmly. "I do have security on hand but I would rather not call them in."

"Your mongrel security team won't be enough to take me down, Mandrin," he said firmly as he stood. Without looking back he knew that Raoul was behind him. "I have full intention to leave with Riki regardless of what you may or may not want."

Silently the Onyx stood staring at the Sapphire before him. He noted the second one but wasn't too concerned. "One-hundred million credits and he's all yours."

Raoul rolled his eyes. "That is outrageous for a used slut," he mumbled.

Turning, Iason glared at his friend. "Watch your tongue," he said firmly. He turned back to Mandrin and looked him right in the eye. "No, you will release him to me as a good will gesture in order to keep your position as well as your business."

The Onyx started laughing, holding his sides. "You sir, are funny. I've never heard such a bold Sapphire in all of my life," he continued to laugh.

"Your establishment has retina scanners. I would advise you to use one on both myself and my colleague before you continue to think I'm joking," Iason said as he glanced down at Riki who had fallen to lay flat on the stage. The black eyes stared up at Iason though still showed no sign of knowing.

Clearing all emotion from his face, he snapped his fingers. Immediately the bartender Iason had been speaking with was on stage, holding a scanner.

Slowly he walked up to Iason and stood on his top-toes to take the scan. Immediately it kicked back a reply that had the young man shaking. "I'm sorry," he quickly blurted out as he bowed deeply at the waist.

"Scan my colleague as well," Iason ordered.

"Yes, my lord," he squeaked as he ran over to Raoul, who was standing on the ground instead of the stage. He quickly repeated the scan and wanted to scream when he saw the results. After all, two Blondies coming into a club like this and being in a situation like this was unheard of.

Mandrin rolled his eyes. "What does the scanner say, Zander," he ordered.

Afraid to speak, Zander ran over to the others side and showed him the results.

Iason wanted to take his turn at laughing when he said what little color the Onyx had drain from his face. "B..Blondies," he whispered. "You have to be kidding me."

"Alas we are not. Now, once again, I will be leaving with Riki," he said as he bent down to pick his beloved up with one arm. With the other he wrapped his cloak around the naked body, then adjusted to carry him bridal style. "Lucky for me, per Jupitar's decree, you are not able to own a mongrel thus you do not require payment for him," Iason said as he started down the steps of the stage.

After a second quick glance, Raoul followed close behind his friend as they left the club. "All of this for a mongrel," Raoul mumbled as he watched the young man be laid in the back seat of a hover car that had arrived at Iason's summon.

Iason turned to the other and shook his head slightly. "No, all of this for happiness," Iason replied softly. "Would you like a ride back to Eos or would you rather walk," he asked as he sat in the driver's seat.

Thirty minutes later, Iason carried his sleeping mongrel into the penthouse. At first when Cal ran up he wasn't sure what to do or say. "Welcome home, Master," he said with a bow.

"Prepare the bath in my room," Iason ordered as he walked deeper into the apartment.

"Yes Master. Would you also like a guest room prepared," Cal asked without thinking about it.

Iason paused and turned to the surprisingly bold furniture. "No," he said as he started towards his room. Once the door opened for him, he laid Riki on the bed. "Wake up now, Riki. You're home."

At the request Riki didn't move a muscle. His chest continued to raise and drop though, showing he was still breathing at the very least.

"Cal," he called when he heard the water turning on in his bathroom.

"Yes Master," Cal asked as he ran into the room. He was surprised to see the new person lying on his Masters bed.

Iason ran his hand down Riki's face and sighed. "This is Riki; he will be living with us as my new pet from now on. For the time, he is allowed full reign of the penthouse; he may go where ever he wants so long as he doesn't leave since he doesn't have a pet ring."

Cal looked over the man quietly. "As you order, Master."

…

Silently Cal walked around the penthouse, setting up for his Master to return for lunch. He was slightly surprised by the menu request since it was so different from the normal requests. Because of this strange modification, he had to rush to get the rest of the things he needed.

Stepping into the living room, he froze. In the middle of the room was Riki, wrapped up in only a sheet. He was staring blankly out the door leading to the balcony.

"Master Riki, is there anything I can get you," Cal asked softly. He waited for a few minutes and spoke again. "Master Riki?"

Finally Riki slowly turned to look at Cal, though his eyes were still empty. Slowly he looked away and stared at the doors again.

"Would you like to go outside," Cal asked as he walked over to the balcony doors. He slid the door opened and stood off to the side. "Master said you are to have no restrictions. Please go outside if you wish," he said with a bow.

Riki stayed still for a few moments. Taking one step at a time, he walked around the couch to the doors. "Ma..ster…" he whispered. Slowly he walked onto the balcony to look over the city and sat down on the ground even as the sheet slipped around him, revealing some marks on his skin.

"If you need anything Master Riki, please ask," Cal said after seeing the marks. He stopped when he heard the chime signal. "Welcome home Master," he said as he ran to the door.

Iason nodded as Raoul walked in behind him. "Wine Cal," he ordered. "I believe Orphe was speaking about this the other day," he said as his friend entered the apartment.

The other Blondie chuckled. "He requested if I could create a female version for him," Raoul said as he removed his cloak. "He doesn't seem to understand that it's still up in the air as to if one can be or not," he mumbled.

"Understandable," Iason said as he accepted the wine from Cal. "Has Riki asked for anything," he asked softly.

He glanced over his shoulder at the balcony. "Nothing Master. Master Riki is sitting out on the balcony."

"Master Riki," Raoul snapped. "You're joking, right?"

Iason ignored his friend and walked towards the balcony. "Riki," he said as he walked out into the open air. "My love," he whispered as he kneeled next to his beloved. He closed his eyes for a moment when he saw the empty stare.

Looking down his pet's body, he froze. Carefully he pealed back the sheet and stared at the marks and bruises covering the tanned skin. "Raoul."

"Yes Iason," the biochemist asked as he walked up. "I don't recall such marks on its body last night. Have you been training your new toy?"

He glared at his friend for a brief moment. "It appears someone was trying to hide these marks. I would like a healing chamber session for him, Raoul. I know you have one in your lab, if you would oblige."

"Iason, be honest with me. Why have you taken this mongrel? Why have you brought him here of all places, and are doting on him," Raoul asked before sipping his wine.

He had to think about how to answer the question. It was beyond clear that no one remembered the battles he went through to keep Riki. If he tried to defend with them, it may turn out bad for him. "When he holds a conversation with me, I will answer that question for you. For the time though, I would like his health maintained."

"Mas..ter…" Riki whispered, closing his eyes. He fell sideways into Iason's waiting arms.

Iason caught his beloved and smiled as he covered him with the sheet. "Yes my love, I'm here," he whispered so only Riki could hear the words. "I love you Riki."

Waiting a few seconds, he stood, picking up the sleeping mongrel in the process. "Let me put him to bed, and we will have lunch."

Cal swallowed hard at the lump in his throat. "I'm sorry Master. Because of the menu change, lunch isn't ready yet. I understand if you wish to puni-"

Iason turned and started towards his room. "Billiards while we wait then, Raoul," he asked as he passed his friend. "Cal, return to the previous menu as Riki will not be joining at this time." With that he kept walking, entering the master bedroom.

Carefully he placed Riki back on the bed and kissed his lips. "Please come back to me, Riki. I'm not sure how long I can go on without you," he whispered as he stared at the sleeping man. Turning he walked out of the room. "Apologies, Raoul."

Raoul looked up from his spot on the couch. "Would you at least tell me your intent? I don't want to waste time taking care of him if you are just going to get rid of him when your fancy is done," Raoul said as he swirled his wine glass. "What brand is this?"

"You would have to ask Cal, I don't know what's in my wine collection these days," Iason mumbled as he sat down. "I plan to keep hold of Riki for a long time to come."

The other was silent as he stared into the wine in his glass. "I feel as though I might be missing something. But I will honor your request. Bring it to my lab tomorrow and I will run a chamber round for you."

…

As gently as possible, Iason placed the sleeping Mongrel in the healing chamber and allowed the door to close. He watched silently as liquid filled to cover the others body before he walked over to Raoul. "Thank you again, Raoul."

"I still want the answer to my question," Raoul said as he tapped on the screen a few times. "I see no reason you cannot answer the question now."

Iason chuckled as he sat down. "If I said now, you would believe I was crazy."

He sighed as he looked over the screen. "And if I said I believe you are crazy now?"

They both froze when they heard Riki screaming. Instantly Iason launched at the healing chamber and pressed the emergency release button. "Riki," he called when it started to open.

"Ias…n…Ia…n," Riki cried as he held his head.

"I'm here," he whispered as he pulled the other close, not caring as his clothes got soaked with the remaining fluid. "You're all right, Riki. I have you," he whispered when he felt Riki trembling in his arms.

Riki used all his strength to grip Iason's arm. "Help me," he cried. "Please."

He was surprised to hear his pet speaking in such a way. "You are safe with me."

"Hurts," he cried.

"What hurts my love?"

"My...my head," he panted before he closed his eyes. After a moment, the body in his arms went limp.

"Raoul," Iason called out.

Silently Raoul checked Riki's neck for a pulse. "He's fine; just passed out. Lay him back down and we will continue."

Iason was hesitant. Riki had woken up long enough to ask for help as if this was hurting him. "No, I'll heal him the old way," he said as he picked up Riki.

"You do recall that can take days, correct?"

"I'm aware, Raoul. Thank you anyways," Iason replied as he carefully wrapped his love in the sheet again before walking out of the lab.