When they arrived at the building, Hanni was thoroughly unimpressed. It looked faded and rusty on the outside, crude graffiti scribbled here and there on the walls. There was even a very unflattering portrait of her master on the building across the street, though he seemed to ignore it as they passed. Hanni hadn't even mentioned it before he explained, "There are always those who despise others in positions above themselves." He turned to her with a smile. "Pay it no mind."

Tivan escorted her through a pair of burly, gigantic guards and into the rusty, dilapidated building – but it was to her delight to find that as repulsive as the exterior was, the inside was almost indescribably beautiful. The walls were a dark purple velvet with hundreds of photographs and dozens of works of incredible art, intricately carved tables surrounded by plush chairs and gorgeous beings in lavish clothes drinking booze of a thousand different flavors, some groups partially obscured by clouds of smoke in varying colors, everything illuminated by the dim light coming from the crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. She could even hear a lovely band from a far corner, playing delicate but upbeat music. Hanni had to work very hard to keep her mouth from hanging open – she had never seen anything like it. Suddenly her master was whispering in her ear, straining to be heard above the loud voices and music.

"Keep your head up," he warned, "Remember how much I paid for you – you are an exquisite being worth a thousand times what I paid." Hanni blushed and looked at him, surprised by the compliment, but he hastily added, "Well, as far as they know, anyway." He had not meant to be insulting but Hanni felt her ego deflate significantly.

I'm still a slave, she reminded herself. But at least I'm a seventy-five thousand unit one.

She grinned and gazed at her master who nodded approvingly, taking her arm and leading her to a group of drinking men and women, almost all of whom were of a different species. There were three women, one with white skin, her blue hair pleated into a braid that dangled on the side of her head and a dress that matched. Another had soft pink skin, though she was not Krylorian; it was a pale, almost baby-pink that looked even lighter under the woman's flaming red mop of hair and sharp, harsh horns that jutted out from her cheeks. The last female had green and black striped skin and a very thin strip of black hair that ran from her widow's peak to the back of her neck, where it ended in a skinny ponytail bound in beads. The five men were equally as glamorous, for the most part. There was a fat one with gray skin and long silver hair that fell to his ample buttocks, wearing a velvet smoking jacket and holding a pipe in his hand. Two of the other males were identical, with chocolate-colored skin and burning gray eyes, heads shaved completely, wearing matching golden clothes, twin patterned tattoos inked into their foreheads. Another man was thin and had watery pink eyes that matched his slicked back hair – he was pale and dressed in emerald-colored robes, with numerous thick gold hoop earrings and a funny-smelling green cigarette between his lips. The last man was a fit, though aged man with blonde hair that was giving way to silver at the temples, time-worn features, eyes nearly hidden behind tan glasses, and the faded purple suit he wore making him blend somewhat with the wall. They greeted Tivan as an old friend, though Hanni saw quite a few exchange smirks and meaningful glances. They shook hands or bowed politely, but when the niceties were done Hanni could feel their collective gaze upon her.

"Tell me, Tivan, is that it...?" said the fat man through his pipe, gesturing to Hanni. She and Tivan knew full well these people must have known she was his slave, but her master smiled and guided her forward with a grand gesture.

"This is Hanni," he said, "My new... servant."

Hanni bowed politely but said nothing. Be good, she thought. Be perfect.

"Was she worth the seventy-five thousand?" asked the green and black woman in a husky, growling voice. Hanni noticed with interest that her teeth were sharp and pointed.

"Worth every single unit," he said proudly.

"What makes her so valuable?" the twins asked in unison, their voices deep and almost hypnotic. Hanni was astonished that they were so bold in their questions of another's property and money, but supposed since they used those things for status and bragging rights that it was only natural that they made for regular conversation.

"Cleaning, cooking, and more," he said loftily. "She's an excellent cook."

Hanni tried not to look at her master in shock; he hardly ate anything. She assumed he was bluffing and continued keeping her mouth firmly shut.

"What else can she do?" the pink, fierce-looking woman asked why a coy smile. Tivan raised and eyebrow and leaned in towards his colleagues closely.

"That is for my knowledge only," he teased in a low tone, then chuckled, the group following suit.

Are they joking? she thought. Ah, she figured, but then why else would they think he had paid so much? Hanni let a knowing smirk slide across her features. Sneak, she thought with a grin.

The lot of them continued talking business or pleasure or money or news; Hanni couldn't be sure of all of it, since she wasn't really listening. Her job was to stand there demurely and look good for her master. She thought she was doing a very good job so far. Tivan had been sitting at the table with the others, drinking a little and eating even less while his slave stood behind him quietly, nibbling on fruit she had been offered. After almost an hour, she noticed Tivan was beginning to look haggard and drawn. His jaw twitched as he clenched his teeth and he had started rubbing his temples every so often. Hanni tried to catch his eye, but he was busy listening to his friends politely. Finally the fat one cracked a joke, they all laughed, and Tivan used the break in conversation to excuse himself. They began shouting and protesting, obviously in much better spirits and feeling more camaraderie than when he had first arrived, but he insisted, standing up and thanking them with a bow.

"I have much, much business to attend to," he said, shifting his golden cloak nonchalantly, the glint of it successfully catching his friends' eyes, "I must say having half my collection being incinerated was truly a blessing in disguise." They looked to him in surprise and he smirked triumphantly. Now to lay my cards out. "After all, now I have so much more room for luxuries, empty spaces to fill... I cannot wait to start purchasing more exhibits." His comrades looked at him seriously, thoughtful and muttering to each other in low tones as he bowed politely once more and held his elbow out to Hanni. She gave a small curtsey to the group and took his arm delicately with a grin.

"That could not have gone better," he practically giggled, a laugh she returned willingly as he kissed her delicately on the cheek.