Pegasus' training wasn't complete, but he had learned enough to start holding up his end of the bargain. At least, this is what Giovanni decided after the umpteenth time of having to drag the man away from a card game of some sort. Pegasus seemed to be a natural at analyzing others through the small decisions they made; simple little things like when they folded and when they raised and when they asked for more cards and when they tried to cheat. Pegasus always knew when they tried to cheat; it seemed something had been awakened within him to notice and read others. Which was very good for the both of them; Giovanni could bet on Pegasus during games and win some money, and Pegasus could feel like he learned something. But now that his student seemed to be obsessed with annoying people ("Gio-Boy" wasn't just a one-time thing, or something he only did with Giovanni), playing cards and second-guessing them, Giovanni decided it was time for Pegasus to come through on his end and help Giovanni move up.

When Giovanni told him as much, Pegasus seemed to be happy to oblige. Maybe a bit too happy, and Giovanni slightly feared for his quality of life now that Pegasus was in the position of power. He had a vision of Pegasus saying, "If you want to succeed, you'll have to be like me! From now on, you'll do what I do." And after that they would spend all their time together like some sort of horrible buddy-comedy and they'd learn about each other and form a friendship based on their mutual differences that somehow mesh into something complimentary.
Pegasus didn't say that, however. Instead, he ordered Giovanni to bring him a newspaper with a section on the stock market and they spent several afternoons going over the different numbers and columns and how they worked. On the fourth day, Giovanni was tired of the whole process.
"How long are we going to waste time on this? I asked for contacts to move up. I'm not like you where I had to learn to act human," he complained. "Just let me meet someone with money."
Pegasus sighed in exasperation.
Giovanni was very happy he had broken him of that sniffing habit.
"You, sir, are quite impatient. I could just introduce you to my acquaintances, but I thought you wanted to move up? As you are now, you might be able to get money but you wouldn't get much else. You'd still be a guitarist. You wouldn't move up, you'd just be a highly-paid puppet."
"What do you mean by that?"
"You rush into everything; you're too blunt and you only think about women."
The smug tone just came from telling Giovanni off and not because Pegasus felt it was a long overdue dose of truth. Giovanni was sure of that.
"The first two are vile lies and the last one is just your jealousy speaking."
Pegasus stared at him, thinking.
"Maybe you'd learn better by doing something…Alright, let's try an experiment. Pick a stock, the two of us will watch it and speculate a bit. Let's see if you or me can make the most money."
Giovanni gave him a derisive stare. "As if I have the money to spare for something like that."
Pegasus smiled, "Don't worry about that. I'll spot you for it."
"No."
Knowing why he wouldn't accept the money, Pegasus went on. "It's not my money, it's what I won in last night's game. So really, it's money you showed me how to make. I'm going to do the same for you."
Reluctantly, Giovanni agreed.

Three weeks later, Giovanni was almost out of cash and didn't understand how. He and Pegasus had both picked and watched a stock Giovanni had picked at random (some military-supply company) and Giovanni had tried to buy low and sell high, but it never seemed to work for him. And meanwhile, he had watched that insufferable Pegasus do nothing for almost the entire time and suddenly, two days ago, he had a lucky guess and bought an enormous amount of stock for next to nothing and it was already rebounding at astounding rates on the market. And Giovanni hated him, because he knew it wasn't a lucky guess and he wanted to know how he did it. He wanted to know more than anything, but also more than anything he didn't want to ask Pegasus how he had done it.
But at the end of the week, he knew he would have to swallow his pride and beg an answer. He had started assigning points based off the NASDAQ to the women in his audiences. He didn't even know how the numbers applied, they just appeared in front of his eyes; floating above their heads and indicating their desirability. With arrows moving up and down over invisible charts throughout the evening; tracking how many points they gained and lost by silly little actions like how drunk they were at the end of the set and how many times they rolled their eyes when they laughed. It made the whole thing too analytical and took the fun out of the chase for Giovanni. He needed the capriciousness back.

Their meeting had been set up for a café near to Pegasus's house, which meant for Giovanni that even with a sleeveless shirt under the vest, he looked out of place. He claimed a chair behind Pegasus's own, keeping up the increasingly futile charade of pretending not to know each other. It was a one-sided charade, but one he held on to.
"I wanna ask you something. Let's ditch this place," he half whispered as he leaned back in his chair.
"Just sit in front of me and ask, it's so much easier."
"Don't make a scene, Pegasus. Everyone's looking."
"They're looking at you, Gio. Don't you own anything with sleeves? Stop behaving like an animal and sit down at the table while I finish this tiramisu."
Giovanni slid as quietly as he could into the chair in front of Pegasus.
He watched in disgust as Pegasus ate the dessert; Pegasus had explained what tiramisu was on another occasion and it made Giovanni sick thinking of all that sugar and chocolate together as a mushy, pudding-like substance. He tried to look away and his gaze landed upon Pegasus's mug.
"Please tell me that's coffee. Black coffee."
"Chai, good sir."
Giovanni pretended chai was a blend of coffee for his own sanity, and lapsed into silence once again. He struggled to find the words he needed to say. Pegasus waited quietly; he knew what was coming. Finally, he burst out, "You're a filthy, no-good, cheating, girly, giggling, money-making idiot and I want your secrets."
"Does that come with a please?"
"Bite me."
Pegasus smiled while Giovanni grew more frustrated.
"You did nothing, NOTHING, and I watched those stupid columns change and it didn't help," he lowered his voice to a growl. "Teach me what you did." It was almost pleading. A pleading growl.
Pegasus sipped his chai-concoction. "I'll teach you only if you're willing to listen to everything I have to say."
A quick nod as an affirmative.
"Good. The problem you have, Gio-boy—"
"I stopped being a boy at sixteen, so drop that."
"Your problem is you're just too impatient. I had only shown you half of what I wanted when you got annoyed and tired of everything. For example, did it ever occur to you to find out who owns the company you invested stock in?"
"…No."
Pegasus tsked tsked.
"If you had done some basic research, as I was going to suggest and show you how, you might have noticed a certain article in the business section—"
"I don't read the business section."
"Well, you would have started to read the business section, and you would have noticed an article about how the company was just taken over. And not just a take-over, a hostile take-over. By the original owner's young son! It was quite the upset."
Giovanni opened his mouth but was interrupted.
"And then the father killed himself. Naturally, the whole company is in an uproar and selling out left and right. But the son has to be somewhat competent to pull something like that off," He sipped his infernal drink. "At least, that's why I hung onto the stock."
Giovanni could only stare at him.
"I take it school can resume, then?"
Giovanni nodded, and silently followed him out of the café.

Weeks later, Giovanni had to admit that the stock market was nothing but a series of numbers; hard numbers. It was the ever-fluctuating variables of world events, public opinion and the board of directors that made the game interesting. He looked forward to the day when he could meet those variables in person and wield some influence. But until that time, it seemed he would be at Pegasus's command, learning ridiculous amounts of useless information so he would lose his intelligence.
And his virility.
"For the last time, Gio, when introducing yourself to a lady, you don't tilt your head to look at her rear!"
Though it was a result of his good breeding, Giovanni deducted points from Pegasus for using a four letter word instead of a more appropriate three-letter one.
"Oh, come off it. I looked at her eyes first this time. And then her rack, and then her "rear". I'm not a complete animal."
Pegasus waved his maid out of his room. He was running out of them quickly. Not because they were upset at the strange treatment they were receiving or because they were offended (Giovanni could personally assure Pegasus that some of them were far from offended) but because Giovanni behaved perfectly well the second time he met them. Once he had inspected one, he was capable of pretending to respect them. It was that critical first meeting that he was blowing—over and over again. Mostly for his own enjoyment. Pegasus collapsed into a stuffed-chair and sighed dramatically. Giovanni dragged a regular chair (imported all the way from a thrift store) near Pegasus and turned it around so he could sit in it the wrong way. Because it annoyed the rich kid.
"C'mon, Pegasus. I'm not going to make a fool out of myself in front of people who matter."
"Everyone matters, Gio."
"Some matter more than others," he insisted.
Pegasus tried to explain again why this was important. "I understand that you might have enough self-control to not ogle a female CEO—"
"It's not ogling. It's appreciating."
"—And you might be able to resist undressing the hostess with your eyes. But could you hold off on someone' secretary? Or any waitresses that might be there?"
"Everyone is deserving of appreciation."
Pegasus threw up his hands in frustration, "Don't you understand that in society, that kind of appreciation isn't welcome? They're not used to it!"
"Then they'll be happy someone finally notices them. That I notice them."
Pegasus tried to think of a way to reach this—he didn't want to call him a man. Though, if he thought about it more…that's what he was. A man.
"Listen, they're not used to it because…These are women who appreciate money and power. More than good looks; more than smooth talk. And if you want them, you can't be looking at them like you're desperate."
"I never look desperate."
"That's how they're going to take it. And if you ignore them but still look at the hired help, you'll look desperate no matter what. You'll never get the time of day."
"Are you telling me that no one in high society gets any action?"
Pegasus shook his head. "You just have to be more subtle with it…When I introduce to you to my friends, I guarantee that they made their money with patience and waiting. And also some sizable inheritances, but they expanded with patience."
Giovanni looked unconvinced.
"Try this," Pegasus suggested. "Play your set tonight, and whatever lady—"
"Woman."
"Lady you choose, instead of your usual possessive self, try ignoring her."
"And go home alone?!"
"The challenge," Pegasus said conspiratorially. "Is that you still have to pick her up. The indifference is an act."
"I think—"
"Just do it. Tell me how it went tomorrow. And I will be very disappointed—and surprised-if you fail."

When Giovanni didn't return for three days, Pegasus was disheartened that he hadn't been able to help Giovanni as he thought he could, because he really did like enjoy his company and did want to help him. Also, while he had learned much about the lower ranks of society, he knew his training wasn't done and now he would have to find another instructor. Giovanni wouldn't be returning after he had failed the test. A part of him was sad that thing had to end like this.
A knock at his study door snapped him out of his thoughts as Giovanni barged in, pushing the door open without waiting to be invited in and walking in front of the maid who had tried to announce him.
"Send her away," he said to Pegasus, flopping facedown onto his couch. Pegasus did so. Pegasus waited for Giovanni to speak. Which he did, after ten-minutes.
"Training can continue…when I'm done sleeping. I tried your ignoring thing…and they wouldn't leave."
"For three days?!"
"I'm very good at ignoring, it turns out. Now shut up."
At that moment, Pegasus was sure that everything would turn out well.

A month later, he wasn't so sure. They had both taught each other as much as they could and the time was coming for them to part ways. Giovanni had taken him to several bars that were even rougher than the bar he performed at, and Pegasus found that he could make his way around them without causing more of stir than he could handle.
He, in turn, had taken Giovanni to a couple of casual brunches hosted by people he had met in his university days and Giovanni had made a favorable impression. But none of them were the kind of contacts that Giovanni wanted. For that, they would have to move higher. And that's what Pegasus was worried about.
"Gio, have I steered you wrong before? I know you did fine at those brunches, but they're part of our generation. If you want to impress the big-wigs, you'll have to commit. You have to wear a suit—with sleeves—and cut your hair."
Giovanni said nothing, just continued staring into Pegasus's mirror. That's all he had been doing for the past fifteen minutes.
"I can lend you a suit."
That seemed to shake him out of his reverie.
"No, that won't be necessary. I've doing okay on the market lately, I'll buy one."
"I'll help you pick it out!"
"Please tell me you're joking."
Pegasus gave a laugh that could have meant anything and Giovanni decided to ignore it.
"…There's really no other way?" he said, swishing his hair.
"I know how much it means to you, but they won't take you seriously any other way. I get away with it because I'm already rich. You can always grow it back out."
Giovanni suddenly walked toward the door.
"I'll see you tonight."
Pegasus watched as he left, unsure of what the future would bring.

That evening brought Pegasus waiting outside the mansion where the party was being held, waiting nervously for Giovanni and coming close to crossing over the fine line of "fashionably late" and "plain late". It was when he had passed by this odd-shaped crack in the sidewalk for the one-thousandth time (literally) that he heard Giovanni's voice say, "She stand you up?"
He turned around and saw him standing in a well-cut orange suit and short-cropped hair. He had gone the full distance and slicked it back. Very short or very long, it was the two extremes. Giovanni did nothing by halves.
"Shall we go in?"
"You first, then me."
Pegasus nodded. Their plan was for Giovanni to enter by himself and then Pegasus would introduce him to contacts. Pegasus had acquired an invitation for him so he wouldn't be regarded as a flunky of Pegasus. Neither of them wanted that.
Waiting a few minutes after Pegasus, Giovanni entered and surveyed the party. The air was different than the brunches had been. He could feel that the people in this room were different; these were those variables he wanted to meet—wanted to be. His skin prickled with energy. Or maybe it was nervousness. Either way, he was excited to be there and looked for Pegasus so he could start making contacts. They spotted each other, and just as Giovanni was making his way over to him, a woman—lady—stepped in front of him.
"I don't think I've seen you around before," she said.
"I'm new in town," he replied.
"Oh, from whereabouts?"
"Ah—that is—Everywhere. I travel extensively."
He was suddenly interrupted by a Siamese cat rubbing up against his legs. He looked down at it, as it sat next to him and started washing its face.
"She doesn't usually like people, you must be special."
"Is she yours?"
"Yes, I adore Siamese."
He bent down to pick up the cat, stroking it and listening to its loud purr.
"You have a very nice—cat," he supplied at the last minute, preventing himself from making a double entendre. That was part of the rules for disregarding. "She has beautiful blue eyes, almost as beautiful as your dress."
He handed the cat to her. "If you'll excuse me," he said, making his way once again to Pegasus.
Observing the hostess watch Giovanni walk across the room, Pegasus knew that the evening would be very good for the both of them.

The party went very, very late. Pegasus introduced Giovanni to those interested in the music business, and anyone else Giovanni wanted to meet. Giovanni spent a long time talking to businessmen with different levels of legality (from real business men to "legitimate" businessmen). He spent an even longer time missing from the party (along with the hostess). Pegasus, at this point, just accepted that it was a part of him.
Leaving the party, Giovanni suggested they go to another bar he knew of. Giovanni never wanted to be seen with Pegasus anymore than necessary, so he was intrigued enough to agree despite his tiredness.
He was lead down many criss-crossing alleyways and through puddles that he was sure wasn't always water. Eventually they ended up at a large oak door.
"Take off your jacket," Giovanni said abruptly. "And try to look a little more normal."
Pegasus thought he looked more normal with the jacket on, but he knew what Giovanni meant. He took off his jacket and tie, and then un-tucked his shirt. He didn't go so far as to rip off the sleeves. Only Giovanni had the arms for that. He pushed the door open, nodded at the bartender and made a motion towards Pegasus. The barkeep made a motion indicating (something) was okay. Giovanni brought Pegasus in with a jerk of his head. They melted into two chairs in the corner of the room and ordered the house draft.
Pegasus tried to look around at the room, but found he couldn't. It was a dark and hazy place. A place where privacy was guaranteed. Pegasus could see why Giovanni liked this place.
Their drinks arrived and they said nothing, just sipping in silence.
The silence was broken by the next table over, who started calling out to Pegasus.
"Hey, gorgeous! Why don't you come over here?"
They apparently could only see Pegasus, who was sitting in a less dark corner than Giovanni.
"Are you lonely, fabulous? I can help you with that. I treat your kind real nice."
Giovanni sighed and started to get up to deal with the problem, but Pegasus motioned him back into his seat. "I'll take care of this," he said.
He walked (sashayed) over to the table and got right up into the man's face. "What's that you say, Pretty-Boy? You want make me feel good?"
The man grabbed Pegasus by the shirt.
"Hmmm? Oh, you are nau~ghty. Not right here, saucy."
Pegasus was shoved toward the wall.
"Freak!" The man screamed in his face.
Pegasus stared at the man with an intense gaze; one that froze blood and brought an other-worldly glitter into his eyes.
"Want to see how freaky I can be, boy?" He growled.
The other man looked frightened, and then let Pegasus go. "You're not worth my time, freak!"
He quickly left the bar.
Returning to the table, Giovanni was impressed at…whatever that was.
"I think you'll be okay after all, Moneybags."
"Same to you, Punk."
They drank in silence again; this time there was an almost companionable air between them.
"I got to talking from some guy from out of the country tonight," Giovanni started. "And from what he was telling me, there's a lot of untapped potential for business there. I was thinking of taking the band over and checking it out."
"So you'll be growing your hair out again?"
He shrugged. "Maybe. Or I might just be the manager. It'll be a new start for us, either way. Team Rock-It is goin' to Kanto!"
He cheered and chugged the rest of his beer, then signaled for another.
Pegasus said, "I might as well tell you I'm leaving as well. Going to Egypt."
Giovanni just grunted. Pegasus never had told him what his dream was.
"I don't even know if what I want is there…but it seems to be the best place to start."
"So, this is finally over?"
"It seems so."
The silence descended upon them again, now uncomfortable. Neither could think of a smooth way to say their farewells.
Giovanni unexpectedly looked up and behind Pegasus.
"…Wanna sing a song?"
"What?"
"They have a karaoke machine here. I assume it works, though I've never heard anyone using it."
Pegasus looked at Giovanni carefully before replying, wondering if this was some sort of trap.
Giovanni just started at him back and put out his hand. Pegasus looked down at it, and then back at Giovanni.
"Good luck," Giovanni said simply.
Pegasus took the hand and shook it once, "Good luck," he repeated.
They didn't stop singing until it was dawn, and when they were done they were so hoarse they could no longer speak as they parted for the last time.
But, there wasn't anything left to say, either.