Disclaimer: Please refer to chapter one
Chapter 3
The rushing wind whipped through the ends of his hair, and under the visor of his helmet Riki smiled brightly. With a downward twist of his wrist the motor bike zoomed quickly up ahead. Riki was relishing the feel of absolute freedom. Jupiter had given permission for the bike as well as allowing no chains while he rode his newest toy. It wasn't that he wasn't protected. He glanced up above and could see the sun spiking off the metal of the droids, Punisher and Nine. They easily kept pace high above. Riki noticed a turn off and decided to stop and stretch his legs a bit. He'd been riding for hours going further and further from the city.
The motor died and a slim leather clad leg slipped free from the bike. Removing his helmet, Riki left it on the bike and ran his hands through his hair. He breathed in deeply and looked around. Nine spoke from behind him.
"Sir Riki, will you be returning back to the city soon?"
Not answering for the moment. Riki walked towards a rocky cliff area that banked against the edge of the dirt road, he could see out for miles. It was desolated and barren just like most of the planet of Amoi. Riki replied absently, "Sure, I just wanted to stretch a bit before we go back."
Riki turned to face Nine, Punisher was still above scanning for possible dangers, "You know I've never been this far from the city before. It's really depressing."
"There are no natural resources for life on most of the planet, Sir Riki. Jupiter provides everything for the inhabitants." Nine factually stated.
Riki said under his breath, "Yeah, except the Mongrels of Ceres and Midas." Still, Riki was grateful to be Jupiter's pet. He lived in a high rise penthouse with lots of food. There was hot and cold running water and a soft warm bed to sleep in. He had all the credits he wanted, and the freedom to spend it and go wherever he wanted. What wasn't to like?
After six months Riki finally felt he'd come home. The teachers continued to come three times a week to tutor him, and as his reading and writing skills improved, he began to enjoy it more. The first time he entered a library it took nearly four hours before he left. He'd gone through dozens and dozens of titles in the hunt for something to read. The library of course didn't have books, as those were rare, but they had unimaginable amount of disks with tons of information regarding any topic you could think of, and many with stories on them. Riki had checked out a handful of disks where the summaries had looked interesting. Soon he was reading one disk every three days, and enjoying it. Riki was soon a regular in the library. He loved the fiction stories, and there were even times Jupiter would advise him to check out a disk for something she wanted her pet to learn.
"Nine, how can water be so scarce but it rains nearly every day?"
Soft beeps sounded. "The water is not clean as it's filled with elements that would lead to illness in humans or other species. Even the plant life on the planet is affected by this abnormal occurrence. That is the reason that the majority of water that is captured into the city is picked up through the drainage systems under the streets and walkways. Even on the roofs of Tanagura and other major cities have drainage pockets in order for it all to converge into the filtering plant that purifies it before being released back into the water systems for consumption and use."
Thoughtfully Riki nodded, "I get that, and I don't remember in Midas, but in Ceres, there are no drainage systems there, and we have water." He could also remember as a child sticking his tongue out to catch the rain. He hadn't become ill. "Plus I don't remember being ill from drinking it."
"Small amounts of rain water will not harm humans, but if you had to depend on that as your main source, you would become very ill and without medical help, you would probably die." Nine allowed that information to sink into the pet's thoughts before adding, "Jupiter allows a small percentage of purified water to be drained into those areas. It is mostly the excess because as you stated, Sir. Riki, it rains on Amoi nearly every day." The small droid explained.
Riki turned and took another long stare into the vast emptiness, but far in the distance he could see the tall sky scrapers looking small and bright. "I bet at night the city looks fucking unreal here."
"That would not be allowed Sir Riki—" Nine began to state.
With a glance towards his companion droid Riki smirked. "I know my friend. I was just making a remark." Riki lifted his arms to stretch and bend slightly backwards to remove the kinks from his muscles. "I think it's time to return home." Lifting his helmet and settling it back on his head. Having settled onto the bike a small roar sounded. The droid lifted back into the air and the bike made a sharp turn in order for its rider to return from where he came.
--Iason&Riki--
Computer sounds echoed softly in the room where the glowing form of Jupiter stood on her platform. The seated Blondie, Lord Mink, Head of Jupiter's Syndicate sat in a soft chair while the implant translated the conversation directly to his brain.
"Iason, I can sense the unease of your thoughts." Jupiter continued to watch and evaluate her favorite child.
"There is no need to concern you about it Jupiter," came the swift reply. Quickly Iason changed the subject, "Did you receive the reports from the most current sales? I had them sent to you prior to this meeting."
Knowingly Jupiter allowed the topic change, "Yes, and I was pleased to see the full shipment of new Pets arrived safely and complete." There was usually a full section of product missing due to the black market, but it seemed this time the new measures put in place for such theft had been avoided.
Iason was fully aware that pets stolen were usually filtered down to whore houses and slave traders that had clients willing to spend a little less than top market value. Pets stolen were rarely left un-abused or sexually used before being sold. As a man that had his own agenda in the black market, with his ex-furniture Katzue, he could turn a blind eye here and there. Not that he would ever inform Jupiter, but that wasn't to say the mainframe computer didn't already know of Iason's less than honest side hobby.
"I did mean to ask you a question regarding the new tenant, the one that took over the penthouse under my own, Jupiter." Iason began.
Eyes fixed themselves to the handsome Blondie, "Ask your question."
"Some months back I attempted to meet the new tenant that moved in, but found myself unable to access the floor. It's continued to deny me entry." Blue eyes focused on the A.I., as if to give credible evidence of his honesty.
"I can forward your regards, Iason." Jupiter offered. Inwardly she was attempting to force Iason to voice his true intent. Iason was rather good at keeping his secrets, but the answer would come.
Tapping his fingers lightly on the arm of his chair Iason offered a slight nod before answering. "That would not be necessary, Jupiter. However, I also had a need to ask him a question regarding his pet."
Ahhh…now the truth was coming out. "I've been meaning to ask you something myself, Iason. You are in charge of all new pets, and yet my records do not show you having purchased a new pet in some time." Eyes narrowed, "In fact, not since you disposed of that mongrel pet…what was the pet's name again …oh yes, Riki."
Iason managed to withhold a flinch at hearing his pet's name. Since that short conversation he'd tried everything to locate the name of Riki's owner. Katzue had searched and continued to search for any information that could be found. It looked as if the owner was not real. No one had seen or spoken to the man since the penthouse had been rented. It was like the information had been deleted, except for the pet living there.
The sound of the door sliding opening had Iason turning towards the sound to see a floating android robot entering the inner sanctuary of Jupiter. Iason didn't rise to his feet until he noticed a small dark haired young man following behind. The voice from the droid and young man caused his fingers to curl in reaction.
"So why does Mistress want to see me, Nine?"
"Jupiter will inform the pet."
If Iason hadn't had such a firm hold over his emotions, his mouth would have dropped open when the full view of the pet came into focus. The comments from the two speaking escaped meaning before everything suddenly became crystal clear in his mind.
Jupiter was the owner of Riki!
When Riki walked closer, Iason was stunned by his beauty. His clothing had been selected to seduce and entice. Had Riki known Iason would be there that evening?
An impassive face turned quickly towards Jupiter, the now angry eyes focused on the A.I. computer as wild thoughts raced across his mind. Iason finally bit out, "Why?"
Riki froze at the voice and looked to see Lord Mink, "Oh shit."
--Iason&Riki--
Riki took the stairs from the garage up to the main plaza to stroll towards the row of elevators that would take him up to the penthouse. The two droids kept pace with the pet and their sensors continued to evaluate for any dangers. Punisher paused and internally zoomed his high powered lens towards the left. The droid focused to a condensed bunch of humanoids that visited the tower in order to shop, or sought entertainment. Focusing on a peculiar male that continued to stare at the mongrel, the droid caught the fleeting look of panic before the male quickly turned away. The droid scanned his memory banks for the past few weeks.
Un-noticed was when Nine held Riki back and began its own scan for any threats. Riki stopped when Nine tugged lightly on his chains to stop. "Is there something wrong?"
"We are seeking to find that out, Sir Riki, patience," was the reply.
Sighing loudly, Riki shuffled closer to his protectors and attempted to see what had riled them up. Absently running a hand through his hair, he watched for any Blondies, and unable to fix on anything that could be considered a danger, Riki waited. While waiting he spotted an announcement sign in the front window of a store signifying a special art show and bazaar would be arriving this coming weekend. It would be set up in the largest park in the city. According to the poster, there would be art works from other plants as well as food and exhibits.
Punisher's data banks informed the droid that the male was a Pet. The pet's number and owner and any other pertinent information were transmitted. From the information gained the droid couldn't find any past indication that the pet was dangerous. However, from its memory banks Punisher began to process that each time Riki made an appearance in the Plaza, this same pet would suddenly appear soon after, or would already be situated near the elevators as if waiting. There was also the indication shown in the past visuals of the same pet being always around. Transmitting his findings to Jupiter as well as to the Nine droid. "The pet must be returned to his home."
"Affirmative." Nine responded and turned to the mongrel, "Come Sir Riki, we need to leave."
"Sure, but what was—" Riki begin.
"Not here, Pet. Return to the penthouse." Nine insisted.
Riki cut off the foul response when he realized where he was. Such words voiced in the plaza would surely earn him punishment if he hadn't bitten it back. He winced just remembering the last few lessons.
*Flashback*
Who knew that his owner could come up with such inventive ways to make him hurt? That one initial first time had opened his mind that there was punishment and there was punishment.
When he entered the room in order to receive his corrective punishment, he had nearly laughed. In the middle of the room had been a metal sheet, as he'd stepped closer he noticed it was layered with rice. Riki recalled the confused look he cast towards the Punisher droid. "What's this for?"
Jupiter had answered. "That is the form in which we will teach you to obey my orders, pet."
Riki's lips pressed tightly together in order to hide the smirking grin that wanted to form on his mouth. "Okay, Master. You're the boss."
Punisher beeped than voiced, "Remove your clothes, pet."
With a shrug indicating the pet would go along with their idea of punishment, he removed his clothes. When Riki was naked and standing he looked to his owner and the droid. "Kneel on the tray, pet," said the droid.
At first Riki had felt silly to be kneeling naked on a hard tray layered with rice, but after ten minutes the aching sensation on his knees began to reflect that the feelings could change. After fifteen minutes he started shifting to ease the discomfort. Not that it helped, it only seemed to help the rice gouge deeper into knees like tiny needles.
"Remain still and straight, pet." Jupiter ordered.
It wasn't until after thirty minutes that Riki decided this was becoming torturous if not inhuman. Riki bit back the words he wanted to curse at them. His face grew damp under the throbbing sensations of pain. The stinging pain seemed to streak up and down his thighs now. Helpless to control his pain,
"Please, Master." Riki begged with watery eyes.
"Have you learned your lesson, pet?" Jupiter asked.
"Yes, Master. Please, the pain—" Riki whispered.
"The pet is allowed to stand now." The permission was finally granted by Jupiter.
Riki raised slowly, his legs shaky from the soreness, but immediate relief had him closing his eyes in gratitude. Riki bent over a bit to brush the embedded grains from his now red knees. From the excruciating tenderness he'd felt it was almost shaming to not find open bleeding wounds.
Jupiter seemingly to have read his mind, "This is only a tame version of what I can have done to you, pet. Pain can be very selective, and the human body has many pressure points if not limits, that if properly executed can cause an immeasurable amount of pain to you without causing any type of permanent damage."
Riki suddenly realized that his owner wasn't going treat him like Iason used to, and while the pain was on another type of level, it still hurt. Rubbing his arms against the chill, Riki waited for permission before pulling his clothes on. "Yes Master, I'm beginning to understand."
"You may dress and eat your meal, pet." Jupiter graciously allowed. The punishment was over, and she would not return to the subject until the next infraction.
*End Flashback*
Nine's comment drew Riki from his thoughts to find himself in the elevator, "Sir Riki, all will be explained later this evening. Jupiter commands your presences tonight."
Riki nodded. "Did she say what time?"
"The Maker will contact you when she is ready," was Nine's easy response.
When the elevator doors opened, both droids and pet walked down the hallway to enter the penthouse.
The doors opened and Riki hurried inside. "Emiis I'm home!" He called out as he made his way to his room.
The young male furniture came into sight and grinned towards his charge, "Dinner will ready monetarily Sir Riki." Emiss followed behind Riki to inform him of orders from their Master. "Sir Riki, Jupiter will allow you to complete your dinner, but commands you to the tower this evening."
Riki opened the door to his room and paused, "Yes, Nine so informed me just moments ago. I just want to take a shower before dinner. Will I have time?"
"Of course Sir Riki, Master will call when you are to go up to the tower."
With a swift grin, Riki quickly moved to clean up. After his hot shower and a towel wrapped around his waist, he moved to see what clothes would be worn. A truly wicked smile crossed that expressive face, and he pulled out the pet clothing he'd purchased on impulse.
Nine hovered above silently as it watched his charge.
"Nine, I'm thinking of going to that art show this weekend. It sounds like it could be fun."
The droid accessed the information quickly, "That will be acceptable, and the date will be placed on your planner so our maker will be aware of your schedule."
"Thanks, I'd appreciate it."
Riki also felt he was ready to view a few pet shows, and perhaps seek out a pairing partner. In fact he would relate his thoughts to Jupiter this evening. After all, she did say to him that when he was ready, he needed to only tell her.
Regarding the art show, he had to admit in the beginning that there had been plenty of fun purchasing whatever he wanted. Riki also knew that he was sick of shopping, and he couldn't believe the thought was even there. However, there were a few more items needed to make his penthouse home. It needed a few pictures, and he was curious of what other things he might find.
Tossing the towel to the floor he began to dress. The black pants for the pet outfit were tight, barely allowing him to breath. He sucked in a deep breath and exhaled when they settled around his hips. Stretching his legs and bending downward in an effort to force the material to give, he stood straight and relaxed. The clothes had been expensive, and mainly because the cloth to make this outfit was from another planet. The sales person had claimed it was top of the line, and would mold to his body like a second skin. He hadn't been joking.
The grinning scamp turned in front of the mirror and mentally agreed because he looked damn hot if he said so himself. Adding the matching loose shirt, Riki gazed into his reflection to notice how it fit together. The pants were tight, the top of silky material loose and easily removable. It even allowed a certain amount of flesh to peek out at times when he moved.
A soft laugh sounded. "Damn clever of them to make it near impossible to get a piece of my ass without my permission," Riki tugged at the top, "and yet allow someone to slip a hand under my shirt and caress my skin."
Emiis knocked on the door and softly called out, "Sir Riki, dinner is ready."
"I'm coming," was the response.
Riki hurried and put on his boots before exiting his room. He found Emiis dishing up his plate, and he quickly sat down. "I'm starved, what's for dinner?"
Two droids entered the kitchen behind Riki and took their places high above. Both Riki and Emiis ignored Jupiter's guards when they were at home. Nine would only open conversation if Riki initiated a discussion, or if their Master was relaying information for her pet or the boy furniture.
"It's just a pheasant dish from a recipe I recalled having the other day," Emiis looked up and blinked when he noticed Riki's clothing. "Are you going out tonight, Sir Riki?"
He poked at this food with a fork, "Isn't that some type of bird?" Riki looked up at the question and grinned, "You know I'm going out, didn't our Mistress summon me?"
"I'm sure she will be moderately surprised at your dress tonight." Emiss said with wide eyes and a soft chuckle. "Yes, it is in the fowl family, and I found it delicious the first time I tasted it, "Emiis added when the first question made sense in his mind.
Riki laughed under his breath, "It's my hint that I'm ready to visit a few pet shows."
Emiis grinned, "And maybe you want to try finding a pairing partner?"
A small smile flashed on the Pet's face, "Maybe, and I still have to let our Mistress know."
"Good luck, Sir Riki. I'd eat up quickly because I'm sure our Master will be calling for you to visit soon." Emiis dished up a place of food for himself and took a seat across from his charge. With approval from Jupiter it had been allowed that Emiis could eat with the pet while they ate in the kitchen, but during formal dinners, the boy furniture was to serve at the main dining room and eat in the kitchen alone. It was an event that hadn't come to pass.
The conversation was intermittent between eating. Emiis asking Riki if he'd completed his homework assignments, where the response had been positive. Riki asking Emiis if he needed any more credits for the household accounts only to be assured that there was plenty of credits available in the account.
The call arrived long after dinner had been eaten and the dishes washed and about to be dried. Riki had been watching a show, but hurried to take the incoming call.
"Riki here."
"Pet, were you notified that you were to come to the tower tonight?"
"Yes, are you ready for me Master?"
"Yes, and there is no need for chains tonight. Have nine escort you." The transmission was cancelled immediately after the pet confirmed that he would be leaving.
"On my way, Master," Riki turned towards his personal droid. "You heard her, no chains tonight." A smile played around the pet's mouth. "I don't really mind the chains, but I won't complain because I don't have to wear them." Slender fingers caressed along the collar necklace he wore, knowing that would never be removed unless he was sold or released from Jupiter.
"Acknowledged, Pet you need to leave now." Nine responded.
TBC
A/N: I'm not totally happy with this chapter and the later parts were rushed. The dialog was quickly done in order to post it today, so don't be surprised if you later see changes. Sorry it's taken me so long to get back, but real life has been a bit busy and I haven't had much time to write. This next week I'll be on vacation from November 22nd to November 29th. I'm happy because it will be the first time we're on a cruise during the Thanksgiving holiday. No cooking or cleaning up! That's a thanksgiving all alone by itself.