35 Thirty-Five

Hood up, chained collar on, Riki was ensconced in an Aircar and from Eos One was brought to Midas, with both Gideon and Aisha as his stunning escorts. At first, he didn't have a clue as to where they were taking him, but, upon arrival, upon seeing the myriad of elites and pets choking the venue, Riki realised exactly where he'd been thrust into…

"Should've known it was another Soiree," Riki mumbled out loud. "You Blondies are hopeless!"

At that Aisha laughed mildly. "Brings back fond memories doesn't it Pet?"

He could do well without the sarcasm. Everyone knew Riki thought of his experiences with these Coming Out's as utterly terrible. It brought really loathsome recollections - his initial taste of aphrodisiacs the first, being terrorized by the Pet Ring during his second...thankfully, now that he's the Exclusive, he is never going to experience a third of this harrowing ordeal. And here now he didn't need to do anything really. He had the right to refuse, an elite in his own right and on a different plain of standards.

Somehow that made him forgive his Blondie keepers…at least as far as being civil was concerned.

"Master Gideon, Master Aisha…"

Francois Hugo was the Sapphire who was having his Pet debut tonight. She was a Purebred from the newest breeder, Axania, a name rising to acclaim for the shocking vividness of their pets, types like those with changing hair colour depending on the light or glowing body markings as a result of the manipulation of integrated organic fibre optics in their bodies. They were reminiscent of the extinct chameleons.

"I am honoured you've both made it."

The two superiors made a little bow of courtesy. They were actually here in behalf of Orphe, the organizer of all events, who was now occupied with the affairs at Eos Two and therefore, could not be present.

"The honour is ours Francois. Is that Amisa?" Gideon gestured.

They all eyed the redheaded beauty in her gilded cage in the very centre of the floor, her information flashed prominently on the virtual screen directly above her. Already she was in heat, showing off her splendid, manufactured features to watching elites and guests. Her skin had strange exotic markings that seemed to gleam beautifully under the glare of the neon positioned about her. Really lewd. Really shameless. Riki felt like he was going to hurl. He wished he was home…

"Lovely pet," Gideon smiled, but his eyes were on the hooded beauty they have covered behind them instead of the bitch. Riki was certainly feeling giddy again. It was easy to tell.

Francois stopped for a moment. Speaking of which, the lack of pets on both Blondies was noticeable enough.

"Are you not accompanied by your pets today Masters?"

It was a Soiree, a Coming Out, a Cotillion to show off one's personal possessions so everyone in attendance had their belongings in tow when they attended, including the best of the Capital's Furniture and the pets which they will escort by the leash. Blondies always had top-notch bitches or studs for show, those that cost more than any other, but now, the anticipated guests had come in empty-handed...or so everyone thought.

Gideon: "Ah, something came up that required us to leave them."

"Was it the contamination at Eos Two by any chance?" Francois pried, knowing that the number of Blondies had taken up residence in the same place as Neu-Jupiter, and of course, the earlier dilemma could have affected them.

But then maintenance had been done hours ago, and all pets had been discharged as clean with no trouble. In fact, the other Masters were already here with their lovely nuisances.

"Ah, it's not that Francois," Aisha replied with a cool flourish, making eaves-droppers curious as to the reason. "We're actually pet-sitting someone else's beloved today," he added and smiled.

"Pet-sitting you say?"

At that Riki sighed. So this was what they wanted to do? Where had the times of no one wanting to be associated to a mongrel gone?

The bastards…the Pet could only curse.

But then he was aware he'd have to make the appearance eventually; he didn't want to stay hidden under this burdensome cape all night. How hard was it to dine earlier with the pesky hood on. Exclusivity did carry with it its own weight…figuratively and literally. The collar was equally bothersome.

As much as Riki was dismayed, Gideon was feeling rather proud, and so was Aisha for fact who was secretly sharing this thrill and immense elation, that they had on a leash the one being everyone was so interested about…

So this must be how Iason felt every time, especially now? Having a fine-pedigree pet was one thing. Having a pet borne of Jupiter was a whole new experience altogether. Riki was a seducer, was he not? He had an appeal akin to none, whether they admit to it or not.

The Blondies both stepped aside as they graciously urged forward, almost theatrically, the hooded one who'd been diligently silent behind them, carefully removing the black velvet cape he had on.

"Time to flex your wings," Gideon whispered, more of requested, and this time, Riki did roll his eyes as the outer layer of his costume was undone, both Blondies assisting to pull over and off of his shoulders the heavy mantle.

Riki raised his head, revealing his obsidian eyes that were more in the line of black diamonds. And he watched as everyone visibly stopped.

"Is that…?" the Sapphire gaped, almost not believing who it was before him.

Even the pets in their play had halted, eyes rounding… Most of them had heard but did not know Riki. To them, this was a dark, alluring creature that had come to join them and they wanted to get to know him better, although of course that will no longer be permissible.

Riki was aware he'd have to play this game in public. He obliged Gideon in his request then and stretched his tired arms, glad that he was allowed to flex his well-sculpted muscles and the wings which magically slipped out from within his anatomy, again, powdered by the trademark jewels, the weave and the diamonds in them glinting, before he folded them back in his signature way.

He wore his soft cotton red top in a halter, coupled with black leather pants and boots, a simple arm bracelet…plain enough for a costume but elegantly put together. And very sexy as the ensemble did nothing to hide his unnatural qualities.

Amisa was drooling. She was whispering to the other females that he wanted this one to ride, noting the bulge encased between his legs.

Francois felt excited. Everyone was curious as they looked him down, looked at the marks on his skin, the Jupiter Branding at the bottom of his spine and love bites alike.

"I thought he never left Iason's side?"

"Beautiful…" among other such murmurings.

The Pet just denied his better self from becoming angry. He was no pet who admired throwing tantrums at every opportunity. He knew better. Hadn't even Jupiter instructed him in sleep that for the sake of the Neu-godhood which now entailed them, Iason's very title, he needed to behave from time to time?

"The Exclusive! What a surprise!"

Riki sighed and looked away. Guess he's stuck here. A Pet in the midst of other lascivious pets. He couldn't help but feel worried, though of course he knew he didn't have to do anything that he didn't want to. He is the Exclusive after all...although...without Iason he seemed to doubt.

When Gideon noticed this, he smiled in understanding. But what he didn't understand however was why he was becoming an unusual gentleman, promptly offering his hand to the Exclusive again, the expression on his face that of assurance to the Pet.

The Blondie had that look which seemed to tell Riki that he need not worry as he'd take care of him in Iason's place. "It's all right," and he did whisper the thought, but gently this time, the words taking on a more intimate tone. "I got you."

This surprised Riki. Gideon Lagat was being nice to him…really? Or was this another one of those stupid games they played? Didn't they all like to do it? Even Iason had a mean streak close to the devil's and he let it out every now and then.

He turned to the Blondie with the question, but even before he could utter a word, he'd found himself being led forward, that hand taking his, a light, encouraging squeeze to it.

"Your best seats in the house, Hugo? And your best service," Gideon insisted. "The Exclusive has the reputation of being difficult to please.

"We wouldn't want to disappoint him."