Twenty-Six

Just when everyone at the Pet Auction thought the great Iason Mink would be by himself for the night, a black-gold vehicle slightly altered in its appearance compared to the limousine Neu-Jupiter exited from much earlier, carefully landed itself outside, escorted by three other Aircars of the same colour, occupied by the same horde of synthetic guards, an entire army of them, executing a similarly well-organized scheme of defence, albeit it was more efficient, more profound...

The hangers-on at the entrance were first to make a buzz, something which immediately washed into the venue, making Iason himself wonder as to why a commotion of whispers was erupting from the crowd, people pointing and eyeing towards the main of all entrances, the entire palazzo in Mistral at Midas stalled.

A stranger clad in black velvet was making his way into the venue, a rather graceful figure on the blood carpet, flocked by security, his own dashing Furniture just a short distance beside, dressed in a double-breasted vest of the House's signature gold, holding his Master's hand both as a means of leading and supporting him as his fever had just broken. He was not supposed to be here yet, but then he had been too persistent, and who was the Furniture to tell him otherwise?

He was tight all over, the bare-back top doing nothing but show off such finely-chiselled features, his rock-hard muscles complementing his determined eyes, smooth hair and expensive regalia hand-chosen to match his astounding beauty. It was actually a pampered pet who had arrived, unlike any ever seen to walk Tanagura, and he was none other than Jupiter's own…

"I feel like a bird in a cage," whispered Riki to Katron, noting the intrigued glances cast his way as he went forward deeper into the venue, some manner of excitement exploding from this or that arched corner as he passed them by.

"You look striking Master," Katron all but smiled, which was no lie. It was the reason why so many people just couldn't help but stare as his Master progressed through to the very inside of the site.

The Furniture took quiet pride in the effort he had put to deck his Lord in such fineries, enough to be confident that all the other pets even those in the auction would be cast in the shadows by the end of the night, especially when he at last delivers this amazing specie of gorgeousness to the throne where he is to sit, right beside Neu-Jupiter himself.

With a theme of black and silver in mind, the Furniture had chosen nothing but the best, the rarest and most expensive, the choicest in venerable lengths, everything to make Tanagura's Master Riki a sight to behold, not that he needed it. His silken skin and flawlessness - save for the noticeable love bites here and there - called for little to no extra work at all. In fact, his black hair had been too soft that the Trinity all voted that it would be a transgression to brush it all back and secure it with chemicals, deciding instead to use the same band, this time, black unlike that of their Master Iason's, to adorn the Pet's head as a crowning piece.

"This way, my Lord," Katron directed.

Upon entering, the whole congregation seemed to have gasped in unison. Riki saw his reflection in the mirror before he left their Eos Palace, was curious even and certainly excited to see just how far he would make other people respond, but this, this was quite overwhelming. All eyes were fixated on him, enough that he blushed rather uncharacteristically, though thank goodness his Furniture had nudged him the right way.

"Master Riki...Master Iason is on the VIP balcony up front," whispered the younger doll and Riki's eyes immediately shot up, seeing his lover from where he was amongst the members of the Syndicate-or-Council, a debonair of an aristocrat himself in his tight blue clothes, his noble appearance and demeanour, though not a faint trace of smile played on his lips as he all but noticed Riki the instant the latter walked in.

The Pet wondered how Iason saw him now. Hopefully it was a good impression. Though based on the way everyone stalled, even the other members in attendance were impressed.

"Looks like he wanted to be here after all, Iason," Orphe commented, leaning over, a hand on the shorter rails of the decorated balcony, utterly speaking on everyone's behalf.

The superior Blondie kept quiet, inwardly amused, looking at Riki as if this was the first time he had ever seen him. So completely beautiful. Tightness from top until the very bottom. Iason wondered who put the ensemble together…

Katron had chosen an elegant pair of soft leather pants to curve around Riki's pelvis, cut lower than usual to make souls wonder as it appeared to be too constricting for any underwear for sure: not even a thong would do…Iason could practically see the junctures heading to his Pet's member between perfectly-sculpted legs, the appendage itself emphasized, as if the mere arousal of it would rip the fabric of the attire completely.

The top was a rare-weave made of black gold threads, cut to a triangle that wound around the back to clasp just beneath his pectorals, fastened by the thinnest of chains, bare to purposely show off his skin and endless skin, cut higher up front to reveal a work-of-art in hard abs and trained muscles. The Jupiter Mark was left obvious as it should be...the mark of his Exclusivity as were the other marks left on by Iason during their lovemaking, confirming what other people already knew to be happening between them.

These were marks that had never actually left Riki's skin from the beginning…

Then silk. It appeared to be a lengthy drape, replacing chains as the ends were clasped by black platinum circles around the Pet's wrists, dropping to the back like some splendid train, the idea obtained when the Pet held the towel near the pool in the same careless fashion…

The Blondie Master was curious to know, this part of the ensemble, was it a sign of some form of acceptable confinement? Coupled with the thought that although his Pet had all of freedom, he still chose to be here willingly, voluntarily...no collar by which to lead him with present it appeared.

Riki seemed to have resigned to his fate, was more open to it and more contented. No matter. Iason could not be happier himself as he continued to look his beloved over.

High boots with straps, as equally dark, where has the Pet been keeping these? Riki even had jewels on: an arm bracelet resembling an old Earth cross, intricate studs to one ear, and rope upon rope of black diamonds, strung with darker rubies to the silken train of his outfit. A show of grandeur. Who was Riki trying to impress? Was this all for him?

They all waited, for something.

Everyone's breath seemed to have been caught as the Lord and his notoriously unyielding Pet locked eyes, anxiety near-exploding as the people and other humanoid visitors alike around them waited for any form of reaction, if the Exclusive's decision to come here all by himself that is, would be acceptable behaviour from his master. Even the other Pets present were stunned. Most felt rather envious as the Blondie's attention was commanded by no one else but this one…

Riki was beginning to worry, knowing that he had succumbed to some manner of illness earlier within the day and certainly had surprised Iason now, though Katron assured him, "He's enjoying this, Master," whispering some other little bits of notice.

The Furniture was rather correct in his sentiments as Iason was intensely pleased, and ultimately, was as intensely proud though he'd been good at keeping it in the wraps. His heart actually sung in his ears, soaring in pure delight though he'd held that detail by its reins and kept it at bay...for now.

So Riki in his current state could stop a grand assemblage and shock people. He could carry himself in any crowd. What's more is that his beauty overthrew everyone else's present, his natural air of defiance enticing as he balanced an impatient hand on his hip, frowning rather seductively, proof of the very nature that surrendered to no one else but he, Iason Mink. Only he had the power over this amazing creature chosen by the old Jupiter.

The Blondie finally smiled, rising from his seat to everyone's attention only to extend a hand, palm open, to the being below.

He beckoned, "Come here Pet."

Riki gave a quiet sigh of relief, taking that as a sign that he had done this right this time and as Katron had instructed, letting him go, proceeded to play a part of obedience, the same way the Furniture played his own with a bow, moving back and ordering the guards to retreat. The Pet was safe. This was it. His younger master would commit to the role they had planned, and from here on end will seduce the populace with the idea of his master's power…

With a few steps forward, Riki took the spotlight, stealing it completely when he arched his back gracefully, a majestic expression on his face and - to the entire crowd's surprise - unfurled his dark wings. The feathers were a surprise, opening beautifully on either side of him, the purpose of his top clothing's design further uncovered.

Magnificent. Seraphims no matter how much the cost they put into it for the Auctions, could never receive such extraordinary blackness, the effort to make them such a colour never ever achieved even with DNA manipulation.

Seraphims' wings were always white for some reason, unlike his, which were as black as pitch yet slick like a raven's.

So the rumours were true. The Blondie Iason's former mongrel of a Pet was transformed into such an exquisite being under his protection…

The Pet's wings was the handiwork that Katron was most proud of, him and his brothers painstakingly putting in all their efforts to braid the special gossamers through each feather, completing the freshly-watered look of the wings which now glistened as if it had been sprayed by stars.

Katron, when he was tasked to do an inventory earlier in the week, found spools of these exquisite threads in the treasure vaults of the Palace. They were engineered silver, made to look like those delicate strings spun of spiders, every inch or so decorated with a small bead of flat diamond that's been fused to the said strings, making them appear, if the venerable lengths were ever connected, to be a web sprinkled by an early morning's dew.

The Furniture got this idea when the Pet rose from the pool yesterday, his wings kissed by the water, causing Katron to think in the instant that if they could replicate this effect, the wings would become even more breathtaking.

He was right. The threads themselves were indestructible and are hard to cut without the aid of lasers, so they will adhere to the design throughout their use, only the triplets knowing where exactly to loosen the entire web to get them undone.

Riki at first wondered if it was possible to tuck the wings in despite being stringed with the gossamers, unbreakable though fragile they appeared, but surprisingly enough, once the ornamentation stuck to his feathers, they slipped in as easily with them, as if they were part of the wings themselves, appearing intact even as he retracted then unfurled them over and over…

The Blondies were all impressed, but those who knew about what was to happen next were certain that the crowd has not seen anything yet. Riki was in the mood to show them some more so with a flap, two, his feet left the ground as he was lifted gently upwards by the very wings now protruding from his back. The crowd was an echoing mass of murmurs, gasps, the gust the powered extensions produced ruffling them into awe: "He can fly!" and were swayed to astonishment like so.

Yes. It was something Seraphims were not capable of but Riki could achieve all but effortlessly. He loved flying as much as racing now, the speed the one that got him hence enamoured, as with the heights allowed of him. For tonight however, much careful control and calculation was needed as he didn't want to rise any higher than where he was intending to be. Which was Iason's balcony.

Riki eased to a stop just as he reached the place where the superior Blondie stood, spreading his wings and displaying their marvelous span so as to cushion the halt, the light curiously catching the diamonds in the strings weaved through his sable feathers and making them glisten in a wave from the base of the wings to the tips at a clap. For a second he hovered, before reaching a hand to accept his master's extended invitation.

He was welcomed with Iason's full smile as he gently descended to terra firma.

"So you were aiming for a grand entrance?"

Riki shrugged as his beloved enfolded him. "You did say you were going to show off; I figured might as well."

Gideon laughed behind them with a remark, "Your dear one loves a challenge Iason!" which everyone heard, making the Pet blush on cue again, simply adorable. Iason just shook his head.

Leaning in, he felt for Riki's forehead with his own, "You're a bit warm. Are you sure you're all right?"

"Been better, but as long as I am with you, I know I'll be okay."

Then to Iason's surprise, Riki held out the one thing that was missing in the equation of his pethood, from where, the Master had no idea, though the thing had been clasped at his hip the whole time. It was the notorious collar, the black leash and its chain which, with a saddened face, the Exclusive bared his neck for and waited.

There was another pause for the moment, silence, before the Blondie took the lead, frowning at it himself and...merely dropping the implement to the floor. Everyone was shocked. Even Riki did not hide his reactions.

'Shouldn't I be collared?' his face seemed to ask.

"You won't need it," the Blondie smiled at his Pet. "Aren't we on a date?"

Again, that uncharacteristic blush. But just as Riki was to turn his head away, the Master stopped him, firm fingers holding that chin in place. He wanted the Pet to look him right in the eyes, at the desire just swimming beneath the surface. Iason wanted him to feel just what exclusive really meant and what belonging to him was all about. No collar though was necessary now to prove that.

Their lips met, Iason's possessive arms pulling Riki intimately close enough to make him moan lowly into the Blondie's mouth, the Master's hand running to finally still on top one of his buttocks where Riki could feel his slight squeeze there.

Hot, hot, hot...there was such a fatal attraction, an undeniable lust, a love there that weakened the Pet's knees as he honestly melted into that connection. He opened to it as his Master probed, and they stayed locked for a minute before the latter let him go.

Riki was breathless, quickly burying his face into Iason's shoulder after the kiss.

"Hold me," he panted quietly. The Blondie chuckled and nuzzled his hair.

"Let's sit, my love," and he guided them both down onto the VIP seat behind, a large half-cut circle which could be occupied by three but was better for two. Blood Red and silver…

Iason flicked the side of his cape open, inviting his beloved in which the latter took and sat right on down, grateful that he could rest as he had suddenly felt woozy. Indeed, he was still feeling poorly, but because he couldn't stand breaking the date with his Master, insisted he come and did. Gladly there was the Blondie's hand that had aided him, and there was likewise Katron. He had the Furniture to thank.

Gideon took that as his cue, nodding to the Auctioneers below. He urged his hosts to proceed as the crowd excitedly settled, the Council taking their seats behind, beside and around them, the show Riki put up dressing their minds with even more confidence than already was. This is Tanagura's Exclusive, and they were not afraid to confirm it to the world.

The ruby-headed hosts on the platform cleared their throats, themselves caught in the moment but then reminding themselves that the Auction must go on, "Well, isn't that a rather breathtaking display? Master Jupiter, we should say, what a stunningly dazzling Pet."

Iason gave them a sly nod, a small smile of approval for the observation, Riki sharing his happiness as he snuggled to his Blondie, feeling elated that he was able to pull the stunt off despite some obvious difficulties. He felt a possessive arm circle, pulling him closer and he obeyed.

"Let's begin the Auction! I guarantee that although you wouldn't find a Pet with the same bravura as the Exclusive, you'll find our stunning series of the finest pedigrees to at least come close to such high standard!" and the first black-haired Pet was brought out, in a decorated crystal tube.

This surprised Riki.

Gideon leaned in from his seat just behind Iason and whispered, "Our finest raven-haired pets. Surprisingly, it was rather difficult to achieve that sheen for their black hair; we made tons of blunders.

"Not to worry. They don't come anywhere close to the figura of your Exclusive."

The other Blondie tapped Iason's shoulder in a congratulatory manner, eyeing Riki though the latter scarce noticed. Neu-Jupiter was well aware about this triumph of course, he'd been informed of the Academy's attempts to breed these rare Blacks. But he'd long paid no mind even as he was shown their outrageous loveliness, their haughty stares of no charm that he craved. To him, any other pet would be unsatisfying by comparison to his own.

He watched however as Riki's expression changed from slight stun to sadness before he asked him, "Why that face my love?"

"They're...all beautiful..." the Pet admitted, sounding somewhat defeated as the hosts iterated how refined the first dark Pet's mane was, of black gold in quality, the engineering achieving only seven others like him ever manufactured and all to be entirely pure of blood.

"Are you threatened?" Iason lifted Riki's face. "The option of obtaining a new Pet is no longer a possibility..." he drew their lips close and breathed. "Not when I have eyes only for you."

They shared another long, deep kiss, the Blondie flicking his tongue into his Pet's willing mouth as the numbers began rising for the first Academy Pet being auctioned, the mania to obtain it coming from the crowd brought about by the presence of the only other notable Pet in the VIP seats. But senseless, all this. It didn't really matter somehow.

Iason only released Riki when the Pet was already breathless, when he was entirely satisfied that the other was no longer distracted by what was happening or by the participants or by the other under-classed pets. The Exclusive will be on a league all his own from tonight onwards. This Riki will come to understand and accept, even if it meant he had to pound it into his very marrow once more.

Content, the Blondie stretched his arms to rest on the curve of the furnishing, leaning back, crossing his legs as his beloved lounged beside him, surprising the whispering Blondies as he folded his wings and cast them low behind him in a manner of obsequiousness he wasn't really famous for, a servile compliance brought about more in actuality by his feverish state than the real feeling of it, arching up to the Blondie, hand and head rested on his master's chest.

A beauty in night blackness, completely in contrast with the powerful Neu-Jupiter. They painted a magnificent portrait that the patrons kept stealing glances towards.

Katron, with full privilege and standing, has eased in to stand a distance to the side of them, before approaching and leaning down to offer the tray he was now carrying, decorated with a bottle and two golden-rimmed goblets.

"Vintage sent from Sir Katze, Master Iason," the Furniture spoke.

"Excellent. Some fine wine..." the Blondie retorted, taking one of the goblets and eyeing himself on the glass.

He could see his Pet with that lovely, heated expression on his face. What remained of the fever had become a lovely flush on his face. "Some fine wine" and he toasted, before bending in again to capture his Pet's lips with his own, very pleased at the outcome of everything so far.

Katron settled the tray on the small table floating beside the chair. Upon the Blondie's orders, he stayed nearby to serve, head proud and in his usual top behaviour, having already picked up the leash and collar to tidy aside and now once again in attention to complete any further tasks that might require his care though silently, just silently, feeling as satisfied for a job well done…

--

He had been eyeing the magnificent couple for the last few instances now, ever since Riki made his rather dramatic entrance and up to now when the Pet had taken seat beside his doting Master. So the two are out, he signalled his comrades with a call, proceeding to the exit of the venue in order to begin the next phase of their plan...a plan to eliminate Tanagura's Neu-Jupiter.

"Neu-Jupiter...the god..." the name had an intense and rather humbling ring to it that even someone like him felt chills, especially when met with the very image of the most powerful Blondie in Tanagura. The unnamed antagonist however, laughed to himself. "...not for long…"