It had been three months since his encounter with the mongrel. Omaki had gone into Midas several times, hoping to catch a glimpse of the young man but there was no sign of him.

He had even gone to his pool hall Depravities several times but the young man didn't seem to be a regular visitor like most mongrels were.

One day, he suddenly had the idea to ask Katze, as Katze was often in Midas and Ceres on Black Market business and would likely know most of the mongrels living there.

He quickly got out his phone and dialed Iason Mink.

"Iason Mink speaking".

"Hello Iason", Omaki answered.

"Ah, Omaki. And what pleasure do I have for this call?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you could arrange a meeting for me with Katze." Omaki answered smoothly, though his heart was pounding at the thought of seeing the pretty mongrel again.

"Katze?" Iason was surprised. Omaki and Katze had never really spoken to each other much. "Of course. Where would you like to meet him?" Though Iason was curious as to what Omaki wanted with Katze, he decided not to pry, as he was sure Omaki had his own reasons.

"Can he meet me at Depravities at 7 tonight"?

"Yes, I will call Katze and tell him" Iason answered.

"Thank you".

Iason cut the transmission, leaning back in his chair, musing, deciding he would ask Katze himself later what Omaki was up to, knowing Katze would not refuse him.


That evening at 7 sharp, Katze walked into Depravities, quickly finding Omaki sitting at a table in a corner.

"Ah, Katze! Glad you could join me!" Omaki greeted the red-haired eunuch.

Katze nodded at the Blondie and took a seat across from him.

"Care for a drink?" Omaki offered. "It's on me".

"Thanks, I'll take a glass of White Moon". Katze answered.

Omakin flagged down an attendent, who came running up to the table eagerly. After giving his order, the attendent ran off and Omaki turned his attention to Katze.

"Now, I'm sure you're wondering what I called you for, so I'll get to the point quickly. First, you are well acquainted with most mongrels, are you not?" Lord Ghan inquired.

"Yes, I know most mongrels" Katze nodded.

"Good. So do you know of a mongrel with long black hair named Vincent?" Omaki asked, hoping the name sparked recognition in the former attendent.

"You mean Saint Vincent?" Katze asked, surprised.

"Saint Vincent?" Omaki queried, brow furrowing.

Katze nodded. "Vincent is well known for being rather, well, prudish. He has rejected the sexual advances of everyone and also refuses to resort to stealing to survive, unlike many mongrels. The other mongrels started calling him "Saint Vincent" in derision for this".

Omaki felt a slight flicker of disappointment that the pretty young man was frigid.

Katze noticed and giving a knowing smile, went on "Well, to be honest, most mongrels are not very attractive and venereal disease is well-known amongst them so it's entirely possible that he is not so much as prudish as he is choosy on who he fucks." Katze studied Omaki's face. Are you, by any chance, attracted to him? Not that I'd blame you. He IS very pretty for a mongrel."

Omaki smiled. Katze was really good at reading people, just as he expected from the notorious leader of the Black Market.

"You are very perceptive. Yes, I am quite interested in meeting him again. Eager in fact. He saved Aki's life a few months ago and I never really got a chance to really thank him. I was thinking of sponsoring him." Omaki answered, sipping the drink the attendent had brought him.

"Sponsor him?" Katze exclaimed, surprised. Months ago, Jupiter, the AI who ruled Amoi had decided to allow mongrels a chance to become Midas citizens after Riki, Iason's mongrel pet, had stood in for his master during the Public Whippings. Since then, Jupiter decreed that any mongrel who wanted to become a citizen could agree to spend one year as a pet, provided they could find an Elite that would sponsor them.

So far, very few Elites were willing to sponsor a mongrel, as they had been conditioned their entire lives to view mongrels as scum. It was surprising that a Blondie of as high a standing as Omaki would be willing to sponsor one. But then, Omaki had always been something of a deviant, always doing what he wanted with little to no thought on how others viewed him.

"So you are truly willing to sponsor him?" Katze inquired.

Omaki nodded. "Yes, I think it would be a good way to thank him".

"But suppose he is not willing?" Katze asked.

"I'm sure he will be. He looked quite thin and cold when I saw him. Maybe the idea of being able to live in comfort and not have to worry about where his next meal is coming from will persuade him. I can at least try".

Katze leaned back in his seat with his drink. "Then I will try to find him for you and arrange for him to meet you here. I will call you if I find him. Just to warn you, mongrels tend to be distrustful of Elites so I can't make any guarantees".

"Yes, do that. But perhaps you could not mention that it's an Elite that wants to speak to him. Think of some other pretext to get him here.I'll take care of the rest".

Katze nodded his affirmation, draining his glass. "Should I start now?"

Omaki also finished his drink and gave a wave indicating Katze was dismissed to do what was needed. "Yes, just call me and let me know. Thank you Katze".

Katze turned and left Depravities while Omaki rested his head on his hand, a small smile on his lips. "Vincent, soon. Very soon. I wonder what your voice will sound like underneath me in my bed?"