Rosy sunlight danced between the cables of Chariot Bridge as New Argent City's have-nots drove their mag-lev ground cars over it. About twenty blocks away, on a private little rooftop perch, two young men were dangling their legs over the edge of the roof. 

 

Seth focused on the shifting beams of light, rather than the rest of his decidedly run-down surroundings. The view was almost pretty. Almost. As soon as he tore his eyes off of the sparkling steel cables, he immediately noticed the filth. The piles of trash and debris ran from this neighbourhood to the riverbank, then all the way under the bridge. Seth could only assume that the Coins would look down from their lofty alabaster towers and, being unable to make out the trash heaps, would only see their own splendour shining back at them.

 

The Coins were the fantastically rich, genetically engineered superhuman beings that ruled their society in all but name. The nickname was meant to be derogatory, for their gold and silver hair, along with their vast wealth, but by Tartarus and Asphodel, somewhere along the line, they had claimed it for themselves, just like they had claimed everything else. 

 

Seth found that being up above the neighbourhood like this allowed for a strange quiet. Like he and Adrien were totally separate from the rest of New Argent City. Utterly alone, if only for a little while. Using the rusty edge of the corrugated metal roof, Seth popped the caps off of two more bottles and passed one of the beers to Adrien. 

 

Adrien leaned back on his elbows, only rising up again to take the bottle that Seth opened and passed his way. He had been looking upward, toward the Sky District, not down at the trash flowing downriver in the Argent. Argent River was silver in the right light, sure, but it carried more heavy metals and poisons than anything else. 

 

Eventually, Seth broke the silence. "Almost makes you forget, huh? Being here, away from all the smooth skyscrapers and noise, it's like we're actually alone. No one watching." 

 

He took a long, slow sip and glanced up and over his shoulder at the floating island structures where the Coins and their entourages lived. "Then I look back and remember just how much they can see from up there."

 

Adrien sighed and smiled at Seth. "Almost makes you forget that we live in squalor while the Coins hover about like demigods in the sky? It'll take more than a couple of beers and a sunset for me to forget that, my friend."

 

Seth chuckled softly. "Well I only brought a six-pack, so you're stuck there, bud."

 

Adrien didn't take a sip of his beer. He just dangled his legs over the emptiness below them. "I guess I can't complain. Look at this life of leisure I lead, with the cheapest beer and the nicest derelict building you could trespass in to drink it on."

 

"Only the best for the great Autolycus, right?" Seth answered with an exaggerated eyeroll. He took another swig. "But only if we don't get caught."

 

"Don't worry, Seth, you'll never get caught sitting in a tricked-out mag-lev van with all that tech equipment while I go into the action," teased Adrien. "The Great Autolycus goes where humble Hayakaze cannot."

 

Seth gave a tired chuckle. "You always take such good care of me while I hide inside my screens, keeping you all safe." 

 

"Can't deny that. There's no one else I'd rather have in my ear whispering sweet nothings about the security features," says Adrien with an easy grin. "I do miss that little voice when it's not there — sometimes my mind makes one up to replace it."

 

Eyes wide and cheeks red, Seth turned his face away to avoid Adrien seeing. His pulse raced.  He had to know. "Oh? And what does this other voice say?"

 

"'Oh, Adrien! You're my hero! Adrien, here's more money! You deserve it! Watch out for the security guard on the left, and here's a lottery ticket!' You know, the usual," teased Adrien.

 

Seth tried and failed to stifle a laugh. "I'm sure the rest of the crew would be happy to give you a bigger cut. Julian in particular would be over the moon if you were to try and walk away with some of his share."

 

Seth leaned in and switched to a conspiratorial whisper. "On the other hand, I might have a job just for you and me that would give you that payday you dream of."

 

Adrien sat up straighter, his interest plain on his face. He scooted closer to Seth, raising his chin to stare into Seth's face intently. "I'm listening. Truth be told, I was hoping you invited me up here for more than just cheap beer."

 

After knowing Adrien for so long, the somewhat sheltered hacker had learned how to hide how flustered he got when Adrien looked at him like that. "Alright, alright. I'll get to the point. We need info from inside the Brandywine Institute. To get it we need to have someone with sticky fingers go to a concert and an afterparty. We need a keycard lifted, cloned, and returned. Simple. That's the first part."

 

"Sounds like a good time," Adrien grinned, still speaking at an intimate distance to Seth's face. It was fun to see his friend blush a little. A stiff breeze could get Seth off, at this point, with how little human contact he engaged in. "What's the second part?"

 

Seth lifted his beer to his lips, making Adrien back up or else be hit in the face by the glass bottle. Having finally gotten some space, Seth continued. "Once we have the card, we need to get into the Brandywine University research labs. There's some info that my contact wants and is willing to pay handsomely for. It's a public building, so it should be easy."

 

Adrien, shifting backwards and grabbing his own beer again, nodded to Seth. "All of this sounds great. And easy. How handsomely are we being paid, exactly? Does the client just not understand the ask, or did you manage to negotiate something sweet for fucking with Aristotle Brandywine?"

 

A smile crossed Seth's lips. "I had the same thought, and I asked them about it on the spot. They said that 'despite the high reward, I'll still be getting a good return on my investment. Beyond that, I find that extra encouragement usually ensures better results.' What a pretentious prick."

 

Bursting into laughter, Adrien pitched forward a little on the edge of the roof. "Ha, I love it."

 

The thief trusted Seth to have done the work to vet this job before bringing it to him and it sounded like easy money, though he wasn't foolish enough not to take it seriously. "Well, all right then. Let's do it." 

 

Seth told Adrien the details of the plan as bright Helios rode his great chariot across the sky and beyond the horizon.  

 

---

 

The mid-morning air was cool and crisp, and the sun shone down on Skyport Promenade in the Sky District like it had been custom-ordered and hung there to please the Coins who walked about its paths. Aristotle Brandywine was seated on a small terrace that could seat no more than twelve, and a friendly twelve at that. Around him and above him were trellises covered in live blooms, some of them hanging artfully with just enough clearance to avoid being carelessly touched by the restaurant patrons, while others were tight against the bare wood of the lattice. 

 

The table that held his drink and the day's menu was transparent glass. Beneath the table, two heads negotiated for the pleasure of Aris's genetically engineered phallus in the compressed space. Aris, for his part, was distracted, murmuring softly into a small microphone on his jaw. Occasionally, he thrust a little into one of the eager mouths that took him inside. 

 

Aris rolled his eyes a little as his administrative assistant went on and on about an incident at the Brandywine Institute between a student and a professor. "Yes...hmmm...you're right, of course, that behaviour is totally inappropriate. Yes, I agree that his response to the accusation really took the Fleece." 

 

Aristotle paused to consider how to turn the situation to the Institute's advantage. "What if we recommended him to one of the research labs to learn some discipline? I know just the one."

 

Thamyris Fairmount walked briskly along the Promenade. He still had plenty of energy left over after his workout. Every time the wind picked up, it brought to mind the last cliff face he had climbed that day in his VR rig. It had crumbled into the sea about a hundred years ago, but the climb was once used as a rite of passage for local youth in the area. The howling winds were said to be the voices of ancestral spirits judging their actions.  

 

Of course, reality still had effects that even high-quality virtual reality couldn't match. Rhys loved to feel real wind in his long, blond hair. It wasn't even noon and he had already had a good, thorough workout, practiced his harp playing, and chosen new tiles for the second bedroom's ensuite at his city apartments. On days like this, he wanted people to see him. To adore him. On days like today, he held those he met in the palm of his hand.

 

As Rhys approached Circe's Banquet, he spotted Aristotle at their usual table. For a moment, he thought that Aris could see him, but then noticed that his eyes were staring into the middle distance as he spoke. Rhys doubted it was an important call if he was holding it in public like this, but all the same, he didn't want to interrupt.

 

Rhys moved around to the entrance of the fence separating the rest of the Promenade from the restaurant. A thick arrangement of clematis vines momentarily hid Aristotle from view when Rhys climbed up the short steps and then turned back toward the table where his dear friend awaited him. 

 

Having ended the call, Aristotle's face lit up as his friend Rhys finally walked onto the patio. He gave a wave and shooed the waiter out from underneath the table, leaving behind his lavender-haired pet. Chalcedony, if Rhys's eyes did not deceive him. Chalcedony was practically Aristotle's factotum when it came to Aris's other pets. It was rare to see him serving Aris as a brunch companion. 

 

As he clambered out, the dark-haired waiter wiped the drool from his chin on his white sleeve. Rhys watched the waiter with the slightly swollen lips rush away toward the kitchen.

 

Aris kept waving. "Rhys! Thamyris! Over here, darling — you're so late, what kept you?"

 

"I was working up an appetite with a couple of climbs," Rhys replied. "I do love this place. You haven't ordered yet, have you?" 

 

Taking a seat, Rhys absently scrolled through the menu tablet. 

 

"Of course I haven't ordered without you — how boorish. Except, of course, the mimosas," said Aris mildly, watching as his handsome blond friend sat down. "Thank goodness that I had someone to keep me company while you made me wait." 

 

Rhys laughed. "Oh, I'm certain it was torture to be made to wait in the Elysium of Chal's mouth." He reached a foot over and gently ran it up the inside of the pet's thigh. "And so much extra work for you, Chalcedony. I apologize for adding to your workload."

 

"It's the principle of the thing, even if Chalcedony is more than capable of taking any load I give him," Aris fussed good-naturedly as he ran his fingers through Chalcedony's hair affectionately. 

 

Chalcedony stayed on-task, though he gave Rhys a small wave. 

 

"Well...no problem, Rhys, darling," Aristotle said. "I've already handled the waiter's tip." 

 

"You brought a pet with you and you still had to interrupt that poor waiter at his work? Selfish, selfish," Rhys shook his head playfully. "Think I'll try the Sailor's Truffle Hunt Omelette for today...Is everything ready for tonight? I'm looking forward to it. I haven't performed in a fairly long time."

 

Selecting his choice on the menu and hitting the confirmation button, Aris turned his attention to Rhys' question. "Yes, it's all set up — you just have to turn up and perform...and not just musically. There'll be a small, tasteful reception before and afterwards. I'm hoping that you'll find someone to your liking and take them home, my dearest Rhys. It's time."

 

Rhys closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. "Is that why you suggested this? So you could have aspiring pets fawn over me? I don't want to force this and they are bound to be disappointed. It isn't fair to them or me." He leaned towards his powerful friend and looked him in the eye. "And in any case, how would you know if I'm ready or not?"

 

Aris raised his eyebrows and leaned in conspiratorially to Rhys, his long, elegant fingers steepled together. "My dear Rhys, I've known you for over a decade now. You have been in mourning over that mishap with your last pet for far too long. It is time that you got back on the horse — any horse."

 

And then the mimosas arrived, and Aris smiled at the delectable dark-haired waiter and sipped from the flute. "Mmm."

 

Rhys felt himself warming with anger. His voice hid it well, though his face gave hints of his discomfort. "I finished my period of 'mourning' a long time ago," he replied. Then, his eyes drifted down to the table in front of him for a moment. "Granted, I still regret not being able to give Marin what they needed safely, but that ship has sailed."

 

"Besides," he continued, "I've told you before. I don't want to force this type of thing." Rhys picked up his mimosa and took a quick sip. "I'm not usually one to just buy something off the shelf. I want to be sure that we suit each other. Last time, all those Finishing School pets with their genetically engineered submission bored me to tears." 

 

He paused, then glanced back to Aris and Chalcedony. "Given your history with Chal, I'm sure you can understand that. Not that there's anything wrong with your other perfectly engineered pets."

 

Aristotle's Chalcedony, his lavender-haired prince, as he affectionately called him, had started out working hospitality at the front desk of one of Aristotle's competitors' hotels. First, Aristotle had poached him from the Lotus Eater's Rest and installed him in the Brandywine Hotel at North Skyport. Then, he had taken to fucking him in the hotel lounge. Finally, he was so taken with Chal's cleverness that he had offered him a pet contract. It was truly the middle class's version of a fairy tale romance, to be brought so high in the esteem of a powerful Coin after such a short time. And Chalcedony had proven equal to each task that Aristotle set before him, from what Aris had told Rhys.  

 

With another sip of his mimosa, Aristotle gave a low sigh. Aris could sense his long-time friend's discomfort, but knew that he would never get anywhere with Rhys if he didn't push him a little bit. It had been a decade since Rhys had had to give up his first pet when the poor creature had become unstable, crumbling under the training regimen that the pet had begged Rhys for. Aris had warned Rhys about pushing too far, too quickly, but Rhys had been so young, and he doted upon his little blue-haired submissive. Aris's voice was soft and kind when he spoke. "Thamyris..."

 

After another sip of his mimosa while Aris sat silently watching, Rhys tried to move on from his moment of vulnerability. "You planned this all just for me, didn't you? Please tell me there will be other people of standing at the recital who might be in the market for these people..."

 

The waiter was arriving with the food, so Aris let himself fall silent, not wanting to spread their business in front of the help. Letting the silence hang for an appropriately dramatic moment, he plucked a pomegranate seed from the plates that had just arrived and answered brightly. "I'm sure that someone worth mentioning will come to watch your recital, Rhys, dear."

 

---

 

The sun had just disappeared beyond the horizon when Rhys arrived at the concert hall. He stepped out of his long, sleek town car and gazed up above the grand entryway, which he knew was newly renovated.

 

The facade had been replaced with a baroque assemblage of carvings of scenes from various myths, many of them the most enduringly popular to have been set to music. Overseeing the entryway, larger than all the rest of the carvings, was a tasteful rendition of the three muses taking joy in each other's bodies, all of them still appearing to be singing, open-mouthed and blissful. Rhys crossed the threshold as his car departed.

 

The sounds of dozens of people hobnobbing permeated the space inside the atrium, but it mostly quieted down when Rhys entered the light. With easy confidence, Rhys waved and smiled at the crowd for a moment, despite them not being the sort he would usually interact with. When the first people started to clap and give overzealous cheers, he didn't bother to slow down, and he smoothly moved past them to the coatroom.

 

Brandywine University was largely for the merchant class, though the graduate student programs were well-thought-of among Coins. The students, these aspiring pets, were trying to measure up to what they thought was expected of them. Those poor dears. They wore their "finest" and followed the crowd, but it was easy to see that they were not who they pretended to be. Ill-fitting coats and unpracticed tie knots gave most of them away. 

 

Tonight, Rhys was performing onstage and off. Despite Aristotle forcing him into this situation, he should endeavour to be welcoming and kind. It was not these people's faults that he was in this situation. Rhys wondered how many fawning would-be pets he would have to redirect tonight. He tugged his cuff down to get his shirt sleeve back into place after removing his overcoat and, taking a deep breath, stepped back into the atrium.

 

'I suppose it is time to get started,' Rhys thought, resigning himself to a night of insincere courtesy. 'If Aris went through all this trouble, the least I can do is...peruse the local wares.' 

 

Rhys's eyes scanned the room. Upon a second, more charitable look, Rhys decided that Aris was right. There were a lot of young, attractive people here tonight. A good deal of them were eyeing him with hunger. Rhys walked across the open floor towards the refreshment bar. 'Let them see.'

 

'Ah, there you are,' Rhys thought when he spotted Aristotle. 

 

Aris gave Rhys a small wave and smile, then returned to laughing with whoever he was deep in conversation with, holding a glass of something sparkling in a narrow fluted glass. His white coat-tails curled with delightful whimsy behind him, and his platinum-silver hair was neatly brushed down his back, held back from his face with two small silver branches at the temples, filigreed and embellished, almost like deer antlers. 

 

He chattered away with the students and administrators. Rhys almost had to laugh. His most gracious host already had a number of people trying to bend his ear. If it were any more obvious that they wanted his favour, they'd be in a line, and Aris would be sitting on a throne. 

 

Rhys decided to leave Aristotle to his fun for now. There were a few other Coins amidst the crowd, and each already had their own little entourage. It was only a matter of time for Rhys.

 

---

 

Not ten minutes before Thamyris Fairmount, the Coin musician on the marquee tonight, made his calculated over-casual entrance, Adrien looked up at the carved facade of the Muses and wrinkled his brow. "Aren't they siblings?"

 

Fawn, the scholarship student who had agreed to help Seth and Adrien for a small cut, gave a shrug. "It depends on your source material. In some versions of the myth, they're lovers. Guess what the Coins prefer. Come on, you won't be able to get in without me."

 

When Fairmount finally arrived, Adrien stopped, registered who it was, then looked away.  The Coin was handsome — of course — they all were, in that perfectly genetically-engineered way. Their features were all a little eerie in their ethereality. At least, that seemed to be the trend in Coin fashion these days. Descendents of the Gods, coming down from Olympus to bless the worthy. What a joke. 

 

But Adrien was here for a purpose among these Midases and their sycophants. The Coins were obnoxious, but they had something Adrien wanted just as much as anyone else here: prosperity. So much fucking prosperity that they didn't know what to do with it except throwing it away on ostentatious parties like this one. 

 

Adrien's cover was that he was a prospective student — a piano player, specifically, and that Fawn was his cousin. Adrien had jokingly suggested that he go by Buck, but Fawn had not seen the humour. So, Adrien was going by Jasper, calling to the green of his eyes or the red in his brown hair, depending on how you looked at it. He was wearing a dexterously-tied ribbon tie and a simple black suit. He wasn't trying to stand out. If anything, he wanted to blend in.

 

His marks were the administrative staff, but they weren't nearly distracted enough yet. Toward the end of the reception — that was when he'd lift the key. When the concert attendees were at their drunkest and most rambunctious. Time to find an inconspicuous place to wait, though he might as well enjoy what pleasures the party had to offer. 

 

---

 

The u-shaped bar was positioned in the foyer such that it had its own little cul-de-sac beside it that would be awkward to crowd into. Rhys sat himself down on a stool at that side of the bar, hoping that it would make the business of managing any adoring fans a little easier. Maybe it would encourage them to approach in smaller groups. He dreaded the idea of being swarmed.

 

Those of the students that were not already listening adoringly to another Coin were either pointedly looking away from Rhys, or trying to steal glances at him. It was clear to Rhys that people were working themselves up to approaching him. 'I suppose I will just get a drink and await the inevitable,' Rhys thought.

 

Rhys waved a hand at the discreet older man behind the bar. "Sparkling wine, please, in a chilled glass."

 

Just as Rhys finished ordering, Adrien approached the quiet bar from the other side. It was only when he reached the middle of the u-shaped counter that he realized that there was someone else there — the Coin on the posters for the event, no less. Well, he couldn't just turn around and leave. That would be memorable. So, Adrien gave the Coin a brief, respectful nod and sat right at the middle of the u-bend of the bar so that he could still see the room, and waited for the bartender.

 

'Ah, the first one finally arrives,' Rhys thought as the handsome young man approached, steeling himself for the inevitable inane small talk. 

 

The bartender finished pouring Rhys's wine and offered it to him with a small, linen square as a napkin and coaster. "Your drink, Mister Fairmount." 

 

"Thank you," Rhys answered, taking the glass in hand. He glanced at the other man at the bar, surprised that he hadn't spoken up yet or come any closer. Well, he had told himself he would make an effort. With a quarter turn toward the newcomer, he caught his eye and raised his glass to him. "Good evening," Rhys said with an easy smile. "I'm celebrating. Would you care to join me?"

 

Keeping up the facade, Adrien smiled back at Rhys, raising his hand slightly to catch the bartender's attention. "Sure. What are we celebrating?"

 

The bartender made his way over. 

 

"Your best whisky, on the rocks. We're celebrating," said Adrien with a wink.

 

Rhys liked the way this one carried himself. It felt different, somehow. Picking out the only visible whisky on the top shelf, and seeing the name as the bartender reached for it, Rhys shook his head once. "I believe that is Northfield Whisky. I'm familiar with it. Might I suggest avoiding ice?" he offered. "I find that the flavour comes through much better at room temperature."

 

The bartender looked to Adrien, who nodded. "I'll take that recommendation. Neat, please."

 

"We're celebrating my first concert in far too long," Rhys finally answered. "Have you been to any events here before?"

 

"Well, here's to your return to the stage," said Adrien, raising his glass as the bartender handed it to him, then taking a slow sip. "Can't say that I have; I'm visiting to see what I think of the conservatory."

 

Rhys raised a golden eyebrow. "Only looking at the facilities? You must be an aspiring student then. Is that right?"

 

Adrien had prepared for this one. He put down his glass and wriggled his dexterous fingers at Rhys. "That's right. Piano. Self-taught, but I know I can pass the auditions. One day, I'll play this stage."

 

"I admire your confidence," the Coin said sincerely. "I believe you. Would you tell me what name I should be looking for in the headlines in the future?"

 

"Jasper," said Adrien, the lie coming easily. He reached out across the distance between their barstools and offered the Coin a bare hand.

 

Without any hesitation, Rhys reached out with a white-gloved hand and grasped the proffered one, giving it a single, firm shake. "Thamyris Fairmount. I suppose I will be your opening act, albeit some months early. You will like the acoustics here. They spared no expense in the building's engineering. Even with only one instrument, everyone in attendance will feel like they are sitting right on the stage with me. It feels intimate. Like the song is just for them."

 

Adrien could feel the curious, jealous eyes burning into him. He glanced at the mirror on the wall and saw a small crowd of people, all talking amongst each other, but still clearly focused on Thamyris and Adrien with backward glances and their feet pointed away from each other. Killing time.

 

"I don't mean to monopolize you, Fairmount. You've clearly got many fans who are eager to speak with you," offered Adrien. He didn't want any of these people deciding to look into the random slum trash hanging out alone with the Coin of the Hour at the bar.

 

Rhys found it curious that Jasper was playing it so coy. He had not used an honorific when referring to a Coin, and he had offered to let Rhys move on freely. Such strange moves to make for an aspiring pet or musician. It wasn't uncommon for people to play hard-to-get, but Jasper was almost pushing Rhys away.

 

But, he wasn't fooling Rhys. The concert hall was a public building when events were not being held. If Jasper only wanted to examine the facilities, it would not be necessary to come to an actual concert.

 

"You can just ignore them," Rhys said casually "I am here to play for them, not to string along dozens of aspiring musicians and pets. Trying to indulge them all would be cruel. Quality over quantity, as they say."

 

They both paused for a moment, each taking a sip of their respective drinks. Adrien was working on a way to extricate himself from this situation in the next five minutes or so, whereas Rhys was clearly waiting for "Jasper" to respond to his flattery. When Jasper didn't, Rhys cleared his throat.

 

"I meet so many Jades and Peridots and Florians at these affairs...Jasper is rather more uncommon, despite its many qualities. Your name suits you," said Rhys from behind his wine flute before taking another sip. The prospective student had a pleasant mien; green eyes, and rich, reddish-brown hair. 

 

"Thank you. I chose it myself. I figured that if I let my friends name me, the way some do, I was probably in for 'Granite' or 'Shale', given my scintillating personality. And it seems like having a plain name counts against you in these circles. I won't tell you mine," answered Adrien. 

 

It was true. The poor named their children as close to prosperous, wealthy names as the government would allow. But many names were just reserved for the Coins. As an alternative, people who wanted to climb the social ladder often adopted pet names to let others know that they were open to it. It was also true that Adrien had no intention of revealing his real name. 

 

"Don't worry, I'm not asking for your real name. Jasper is just fine. Although, I don't see those other names as plain," Rhys countered. "Granite is prized for its strength and for its many rich, beautiful colours. Shale is sharp and dangerous, but it is a useful tool, in the hands of someone who can manage it." He took a long, thoughtful sip, then looked back to Jasper. "I like the sound of those, actually. If you don't want them, I might use them myself one day. If I find the right person, that is."

 

Rhys's words about the worth and beauty of those plainer stones made Adrien sit a little taller, made alert by the reminder that some Coins were clever and ruthless. While many floated by on intergenerational wealth, there were the ones who kept their modern aristocracy running smoothly. Those were the ones you had to watch out for. Was this harpist one of them? 

 

"They're yours. My gift to you on the occasion of your return to the stage," said Adrien. 

 

"You are too kind," Rhys replied as he bowed his head playfully. He couldn't help but wonder what any onlookers might be thinking. So many had come tonight for the sole purpose of getting a Coin's attention, yet here was a man who had come for the facilities who still managed to monopolize Rhys's time, even if Rhys was enjoying their banter.

 

The more Rhys thought about it, the more that didn't make sense. 

 

"So, tell me, Jasper," the Coin asked. "You could have gotten a guided tour of the campus or visited on your own at your convenience. Why did you decide to come during an event instead?"

 

Adrien took a strategic sip of his drink to give himself a moment to think, then put down the glass with confidence. "Well, I wanted to hear what the acoustics are like from the audience's perspective. That, and I heard it was an open bar." 

 

"You must be quite the talent then, if you are able to pick and choose your university, but still need to look for opportunities for free drinks."     

 

"It's true, I'm not as wealthy as you, but only fools pay for what they can get for free," answered Adrien with the bluster of an overconfident college kid. 

 

A laugh burst out from Rhys before he could stop himself. "Well said! You would do well in business administration, were you so inclined."

 

"Oh gods, Adrien, I have to step in here," Seth's voice came through Adrien's concealed earpiece. "I can't listen to any more of this. You have work to do. Before he turns you into a rampant capitalist, can you please get out of there and find a mark with a card?"

 

"Right," said Adrien, answering Rhys and Seth at the same time. He fished a credit chip out of his pocket and laid it on the bar as a tip. Then, he turned away from the bar, the spotlights that made the obsidian of the bar shimmer almost blinding him. "Well, Fairmount, it's been lovely, but I suppose I should figure out if one of the University's piano instructors is here and free for a chat. Thank you."

 

The shifting of the light across Jasper's face made his green eyes shine, and it filtered through the edges of his hair, making both glow like the colours of the stone that he was named for. It was spellbinding. Rhys had enjoyed speaking with Jasper a great deal. Rhys was already hesitant to let the intriguing student go. He had a confidence and allure about him that was undeniable. Now, Jasper's actions and beauty triggered an urgent need in Rhys for him to stay.

 

"If you like, I can do more for you than that," Rhys quickly offered. "You are fortunate enough to be speaking with one of the dearest friends of the University's owner. Aristotle Brandywine is right over there." Rhys gestured to a small crowd of people with a head of smooth platinum hair standing out in the middle. "I could introduce you? My opinion carries significant weight with him."

 

Adrien didn't even try to hold back his surprise. Jasper, no doubt, would be surprised at such an offer. Any student would leap at the chance. So what foolish reason could he have for not accepting? Ah, hubris, that would be Jasper's hamartia, of course. "Oh, that's a really kind offer, Fairmount. But I want to make it in on my own merits, not because of who I know."

 

Slipping off the stool, Adrien made a whimsical little half-bow. "I look forward to your performance." 

 

Before Rhys could attempt to dispel that foolish notion, Jasper was already gone. Disappointment hung around Rhys's neck like a lead weight. 'I was enjoying that so much...' he mused. In the space of a few heartbeats, the Coin could already see students and aspiring pets closing in on his position. Rhys could only hope that this swarm wouldn't be too draining.

 

---

 

Adrien had the security card cloned before the first curtain call. With the rest of the university off-limits from this building during the performance, there was nothing to do but watch. Security would lighten up during the reception and they could try and hit this lab up then. 

 

So, sitting next to Fawn, who had gotten him in, Adrien watched, wondering if Thamyris Fairmount was really worth all the fuss that these people were making of him. He was almost bitter to discover that Fairmount was every bit as good as they said.

 

The performance was ethereally beautiful. More beautiful than it had a right to be, Adrien thought. The acoustics were perfect, the pieces melancholy and dramatic beneath Thamyris Fairmount's skilled fingers. Adrien found himself engrossed despite himself. Time seemed to hang with every note that Fairmount shaped with his fingers, plucking the seconds and minutes out of the air and turning them into music. 

 

Then, suddenly, the performance was over. A cheer rushed the crowd, sounding like an ocean wave. Then came the applause, deafening, erasing the last memories of Fairmount's playing. Adrien despised those hands and their noise. 

 

But, he wasn't here to indulge those feelings. It was time to move out to the reception and then make his way to the lab that he had to rob. The crowd thronged ahead of him and he found himself waiting grumpily to exit. 

 

---

 

Rhys reflected fondly on his performance as he headed back into the atrium, He had taken his time during the concert. The clever addition of lighting timed to each note meant that he could capture the attention of everyone in the room, including Jasper. He had seemed to be enraptured in Rhys' music. Rhys couldn't help but smile at him.

 

When he reached the reception area, it was just as Rhys feared. He was swarmed the moment he stepped back into the atrium. He smiled and shook hands, as was expected, but desired nothing more than a little distance. All the while he was glancing around, hoping to find a way out. He was relieved to see Jasper making his way through the crowd. 

 

Rhys called out to him immediately. "Oh, Jasper! Please wait a moment!" Rhys excused himself as he gently pushed through the crowd, past their groans of dismay.

 

Unluckily, Adrien had been glancing in Thamyris' direction when he had called out to him, and could not convincingly pretend that he had not heard. Well, that was the Research Lab pushed off to another night. He allowed Rhys to come toward him rather than running like some simpering hanger-on toward him. 

 

"Thank you for waiting. I need your help," Rhys said just loud enough for Jasper to hear. "In truth, I thought Aristotle might have been trying to arrange all of this as some type of ill-conceived meat market for me." The corners of his mouth curled into just the barest hint of a scowl. "I think, in fact, I have become the meat."

 

Adrien chuckled at that. Now that he was certain he had nowhere to be, it was easier to relax into the fantasy of being raised up into this society, mingling with the richest people on earth. "And why shouldn't they stare, wanting to get to know the man that captivated us all these past hours? Perhaps, Fairmount, you should give your adoring audience the chance. Who knows who you might meet? Or, you know, become a filet mignon for." 

 

Rhys tried unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh with his hand. "Am I to become a hecatomb for the masses?"

 

"Ah, we have a high opinion of ourselves, don't we? So one of you is worth a hundred of us poor suckers?" teased Adrien, his true colours showing. "Well, I guess that's just like a Coin, isn't it?"

 

"Hardly," Rhys waved the thought away, oblivious to the jibe. "One hundred fine cattle, maybe. It does feel poetic, though, does it not?"

 

"Poetry won't help your admirers," said Adrien, thinking to direct Rhys toward them so that he could make his exit. "Look how they yearn for you! What are you doing wasting your time talking to me, Fairmount?"

 

That drew an inquisitive, playful look from the Coin. "I would have thought it was obvious," he said. "I am not one that enjoys being surrounded by a horde of gushing suitors. Besides, I've already found someone of interest. And a good conversationalist at that."

 

"Did he just say that you're 'of interest'?" said Seth through Adrien's earpiece. "All right, let's get you out of there. I'll send Fawn." 

 

Seth's interruption made Adrien draw a blank, and he hesitated just a little bit too long as Fairmount watched his reaction carefully. Finally, his face reddening with embarrassment at his fumble, he lowered his eyes. "I'm flattered that you think I'm interesting enough to keep all these other worthy people waiting."

 

Rhys better able to hold back his smile than Jasper was able to stop himself from blushing. 'I knew he was interested,' the Coin felt vindicated, but not surprised. 'I must be careful. I do not want to drive him off. Perhaps I can convince him to sit with me again.'

 

Slipping an arm around Jasper's shoulders, Rhys attempted to direct his potential lover towards the same bar as before. "I do not know them, but I am enjoying getting to know you. Would you like another drink? Afterward, I can introduce you to—"

 

"Jasper! There you are!"

 

At Fairmount's sudden touch, Adrien's first impulse was to turn around and punch the Coin in the face. He managed to hold himself back, so his jerky movement in reaction to the arm on his shoulders appeared to be in answer to Fawn's voice. 

 

Fairmount's touch was light. If Adrien hadn't been here to rob the place, it was the kind of touch that built such easy, quick intimacy that he might have gone for it, just to see what it was like to fuck someone like Thamyris Fairmount. He gave Fawn a wave, his other hand gently touching Fairmount's hand on his shoulder. "Uh...this is my cousin, Fawn. A student in the conservatory. Fawn, meet Thamyris Fairmount. Fawn, we were just about to head over to the bar." 

 

The sudden interjection had taken Rhys by surprise. Fawn looked perhaps a year younger than Jasper, and didn't bear much of a family resemblance. "Oh, hello, Faw—"

 

"I'm sorry to intrude," Fawn cut in again. "I need to borrow my cousin for a few minutes." He looked to Jasper directly, a nervous sweat already forming on his brow. "It's a family emergency. Nothing to worry about, I hope, but..."

 

"Oh no! Of course, Fawn." Adrien pulled away from Rhys. "Sorry, uh, Thamyris..." 

 

Maybe letting the Coin think that his moves had made Jasper feel closer to him, close enough to dare to use his first name, would be advantageous down the road. Adrien had nothing specific in mind, but there was no need to burn a bridge before crossing it.   

 

Though disappointed, Rhys didn't try to stop Jasper. Even though he had the feeling that Fawn was up to something, that wasn't any of Rhys's business. Getting to know someone new and so interesting had already been a rare treat, and he counted himself lucky. 

 

"It is fine," Rhys lied. "But please, take this with you. I would like to chat with you again." 

 

Rhys reached into a pocket and pulled out a small hexagonal card and held it out towards Jasper.

 

Adrien took the card and put it in his pocket without looking at it. He nodded to Fairmount and then turned around and left, walking at a good clip toward the exit with Fawn.

 

With a long quiet sigh, Rhys watched Jasper walk away. Their conversation had ended too early, but he was confident he would see Jasper again. Rhys turned away to find Aristotle.

 

...And immediately found himself facing down half a dozen aspiring pets. He sent Aristotle a desperate message requesting a rescue.  

 

---

 

Slipping inside the mag-lev van, Adrien gave Seth a nod and strapped into the shotgun seat, closing the van door with a solid thud. "Hey. Where do you want me to put the keycard copy for safekeeping?" 

 

Seth hardly even glanced over at Adrien as he climbed in. 

 

"Just a second," Seth said with a surly expression. He sped up and turned the corner out of the parking lot. "We should be clear. Just give it here. I'll take care of it later." 

 

Seth kept his eyes focused on the road, holding out his hand toward Adrien, who deposited the small card there wordlessly. Then, the thief dug through the glove compartment for the breath mints that he knew Seth kept there. "It sort of sucks that we'll have to go back again just because some Coin decided to make nice." 

 

"Yeah, you really cozied up to him, didn't you?" Seth said, a little too sharply.

 

"Right? Imagine if I'd been trying," Adrien laughed good-naturedly. Seth was often a bit grumpy when a job didn't go to plan. "A Coin gave me his business card. I'm expecting a marriage proposal next."

 

The young hacker tried, unsuccessfully, not to roll his eyes. "Yeah, it was a good thing I sent Fawn over when I did. Any longer and Fairmount would've had his tongue down your throat."

 

'Honestly, if I hadn't been working, not sure that I would have minded,' thought Adrien to himself, then immediately felt ashamed about it. "Yeah, thanks for the assist. Always great to have you in my corner." 

 

Seth's eyes softened at Adrien's words. He looked over at his long-time friend. "No problem. You know I've always got your back."

 

"But seriously," Seth continued, "do you think he'll remember you? We're about to break into  Fairmount's best friend's labs. We don't want to leave any traces for them to follow. No matter how faint."

 

"Hard to say, but Coins are known to be flighty, right? I doubt he'll remember my name a week from now," said Adrien confidently. "So maybe that's when we should hit up the Lab? In about a week? Give them the chance to purge the security vids?" 

 

---

 

Aristotle waited until he was alone with Rhys to talk to him about the young man that he had spent almost every free moment with that night. He didn't want to accidentally make too much of the fact that Rhys seemed to take his advice seriously and make an effort to connect with someone. It would be like sarcastically praising a child who finally turns up to dinner after a tantrum. The last thing that Aris wanted to appear was smug. 

 

They stood on Aris' apartment balcony, easily long and wide enough to seat a hundred, having been driven in Aris' towncar from the performance hall. He approached the situation delicately. Aris was on to water now, but still swirled it as if it were the finest ambrosia. Aristotle tipped his glass back and drank, staring out over the city below them before turning back to his friend. 

 

Rhys leaned on the balustrade, staring off into the distance at nothing in particular. The night had gone well. The performance had been a hit, and he didn't have to have almost any asinine conversations. All thanks to Jasper. As Jasper's face drifted back into Rhys' mind, Aris's voice pulled Rhys back to reality.

 

"So, do you feel like telling me about the young man that you were talking with tonight? Not that I want you to kiss and tell."

 

 "Mmm? Oh, yes. Jasper." Rhys shrugged. "Sure, I don't see why not."

 

Rhys turned toward Aristotle. "I found him by the bar. Or, maybe he found me. He seemed surprised, even a bit embarrassed to see me there." Rhys sighed and put his empty glass on the railing. "I was hoping to avoid being swarmed by giving most of my attention to one person." He smiled, though not with his eyes. "It worked. Without the crowds, it was much more pleasant than I had feared."

 

Aristotle suspected that there had to be some attraction there, but didn't mention it directly. To avoid seeming overeager, he began to count the ships on the water that he could see from their high perch. "Ah, how convenient.  Thank goodness you didn't have to run the gauntlet of eager, willing pets. That must have made the whole ordeal a lot easier. But you and he must have talked about something."

 

With an exaggerated eye roll and a smile, Rhys turned around and turned to Aris. "Yes, of course, we talked. I wouldn't have stayed around him if he was boring. Actually, he was quite charming and funny." He paused, reflecting. "I feel like he may have been holding back, though. He answered all the questions I asked, but it was all so impersonal, in a way."

 

"That makes some sense," said Aris, smiling. "Maybe he's extremely poor. That would certainly be embarrassing to reveal to someone like us, don't you think? From what I'm hearing, this Jasper wasn't boring, and he didn't want to use you, either? In your shoes, I would find that promising."

 

"I suppose it was promising," Rhys answered. "But I'm not so sure it would have worked out in any case. He seemed very averse to being around me. It was clear that he was enjoying the conversation, but it was equally obvious that the experience made him feel out of place. Like he was worried about being chastized."

 

With a disappointed sigh, Rhys mused on. "Maybe he was in one of those strange monogamous relationships, and he was afraid of a jealous partner?" He considered the idea a moment longer before shaking his head. "No, that doesn't seem right. He didn't seem nearly so restrained as I imagine a monogamist would be."

 

"Maybe he was just unprepared to deal with a Coin. Unsure of the etiquette and whether your overtures were sincere?" suggested Aristotle, pouring the rest of his water into the live cedar bush beside him. 

 

"No, I don't think so. He handled himself admirably, though he didn't use any honorifics whatsoever," Rhys looked back out over the city, toward the concert hall they just left. "In the end, the conflict in his eyes seemed to resolve. Right before I gave him my card, I think. That was when he simply walked away," Rhys immediately regretted saying the last part out loud. Giving someone a business card to contact you was so... so gauche.

 

Holding back a wince at the desperation of the business card move, Aris decided to call this one a win. "Rhys, darling, if it doesn't work out with...Jasper, was it? If this young man doesn't call on you, the fact that there was one person like him out there means that there may be others, don't you think? We'll keep looking."

 

---

 

The bar was just loud enough to cover their conversation without worrying about being overheard. The lighting was warm and dim, with brighter lights over the pool table that Adrien and Julian were fucking around at. Nova had his arms crossed, sitting with Seth and watching the other two from the upholstered booth that the four of them had been sharing before Julian started this pissing contest. An empty pitcher and several more pint glasses were piled together on the table.

 

"Adrien pretends he's annoyed at Julian for fun, doesn't he?" grumbled Nova, a half-finished beer in front of him. 

 

Seth laughed quietly. "Of course he does. Challenging Julian is basically a free show." He gestured toward their two friends, currently arguing over whether they should allow jump shots.

 

"You're going to destroy half the bar if you start bringing in that trick play nonsense," insisted Adrien.

 

"Obviously it's not a valid jump shot if it leaves the table! We're not trying to send the ball flying at Nova and Seth," said Julian, before pausing. "Huh, actually, maybe we should be."

 

Nova casually lifted his hand toward Julian and extended his middle finger.

 

"Aww, look, Nova's giving us a little wave," said Julian, snickering as he contact-juggled the cue ball on the back of his hand, making it look as though it was floating. 

 

"No jump shots," insisted Adrien, polishing the tip of his cue with blue chalk. 

 

"Fine, fine, whatever. I guess some people just hate fun," said Julian, placing the cue ball back on the table. "Here, I'll break. You're terrible at it." 

 

Seth raised an eyebrow. "With those little arms?" he said, "I'm pretty sure that even I can break harder than you can."

 

Adrien stifled a laugh while Julian brandished his pool cue at Seth. 

 

"I'll break you harder, you dot matrix fuck!" Julian jerked a hand up and down the pool cue. "You didn't get those forearms at the gym or on the job, that's for fucking sure." 

 

"Right, I need a breath of fresh air," said Nova, reaching for his coat. "Got a call to make. Be right back."

 

Nova pulled his coat from the pile in the booth, knocking Adrien's askew. A small hexagonal shape fell from one of the pockets and skittered on the floor. Nova dutifully picked it up to return it to Adrien's pocket. 

 

When Seth saw it, he raised an eyebrow. "Huh, didn't expect him to still have that."

 

"Have what?" said Julian, having walked over in the interim. He snatched up the hexagonal business card from Nova's hand. "Hey, Adrien, is, uh, Thamyris Fairmount giving you sugar?"

 

Before Adrien could react, Seth responded for him beerily. "Nah, Fairmount is giving him 'piano lessons,'" Seth emphasized the words with air quotes. "They're going to make beautiful music together, you know?"

 

"Honestly, I just forgot it was there," said Adrien, shrugging and downing the dregs of another pint. "Call him, if you want. Maybe he can buy you all a clue." 

 

Nova groaned as Julian took the card over to the public terminal to do just that. 

 

"You know that he wasn't being serious, right?" Even though he knew that it was futile to try and get Julian to change his mind, Nova felt he should at least try to stop him for Adrien's sake. Whatever he was doing with this Fairmount guy was nobody else's business, even if, with a name like that, he must surely be a Coin.

 

Adrien knew that Julian was just fucking around, but he found himself unaccountably annoyed. Far more than he should be for Julian deciding to prank-call some random Coin that he barely knew. Maybe it was the drink, or maybe Julian was being even more of an annoying ass than usual. 

 

"You never know until you try!" declared Julian loudly. "Let's see if Fairmount is in the market for a blond twink who knows how to handle big dicks!" 

 

With a few quick strides, Seth had caught up to Julian. "This is gonna be good," he said, pulling out a datapad. "Just give me a second. I'll take care of the security cameras. Don't want a pissed-off Coin to give us a headache."

 

Nova raised his hands in the air. "Have fun, kids. If Seth is helping Julian, I know that nothing I say will dissuade the pair of you. I'm going to go make my call."

 

"You're leaving me on my own to deal with these two Koelemoses?" protested Adrien, jockeying for space at the terminal with Seth and Julian. "Ephialtes reborn!" 

 

Julian's determined face was reflected in the terminal, almost a full foot shorter than Adrien and Seth, his peroxide blond hair pulled up into a ponytail, the straggly bits hanging down around the edge of his face. He opened up the terminal and punched in the contact information as Adrien tried to grab the card back from him. The line began to ring as it attempted to connect. Seth and Adrien were on either side of him, Adrien scowling and Seth grinning. 

 

As the screen lit up, the filter that Julian had chosen to disguise them activated. The three of them were shrouded in the skins of Coins, their appearances extrapolated from what they would have looked like had they been born genetically engineered for perfection and popular Coin traits. Strangely, Julian looked largely the same, if bulkier. Seth and Adrien looked odd with platinum hair and pale silver eyes. 

 

After one last attempt to end the call that Julian deflected, twisting Adrien's tit, Adrien pulled himself out of view of the terminal camera, arms crossed protectively over his chest. 

 

---

 

The gentle glow from his ocular implant appeared over one corner of Philemon's vision, advising him that he was receiving a call. 'At this time of night?' he thought to himself. 'How odd.' He turned and entered the drawing room for a moment of privacy.

 

Philemon brought out his datapad, held it level to his face, and answered the call with a thought. An image of two Coins he had never met before appeared on the screen together. "Good evening, gentleman. Philemon Carnell, factotum to Thamyris Fairmount. How can I help you?"

 

"Ah, yes, Philemon Carnell. I had heard that Mister Fairmount got himself a new scrotum. May we speak to him directly, please? It's a business matter and I think he'll want to hear from us."

 

Ever the professional, Philemon's brow wrinkled briefly before he relaxed it, appearing unfazed. "I apologize; I believe that I misheard you," he answered. "In any case, Mr. Fairmount is indisposed at the present time, and cannot take any calls. Would you like to leave a message with me?"

 

"Perhaps you can give us some advice, Philemon Carnell. As Fairmount's factotum, on a scale of one to ten, how much would you say he enjoys twink power bottoms?" said the Coin that had done all the talking up until now. The other was smiling agreeably. 

 

Philemon sighed. He didn't have much to do tonight, but it was all far more important than whatever this was. "Alright then, which of Aristotle's pets am I speaking with?"

 

"I'm sure that I have no idea what you're talking about. This is a serious matter — a matter of the man's happiness!" said the person on the other end. 

 

Their accent had begun to show. Inner city, if Philemon wasn't mistaken. Could it be Aristotle's Chalcedony? How strange. Was this a new tactic from the Brandywine scion? 

 

"Come now, boys," Philemon chastised. "You need to stop throwing people at his feet. You know very well that Thamyris will take on another pet when he is ready, and not before."

 

"So you won't rate his attraction to power bottoms, then?"

 

"No, boys. Goodbye," said Philemon, and cut the connection.

 

Philemon returned his datapad to his pocket and turned to the door only to see Rhys step through it. "Lemon, who was that? You sounded perturbed."

 

The factotum smiled at his friend. "Nothing to worry about, sir. Just some huckster trying to sell you something you don't need." 

 

While he agreed with Aristotle that Rhys should consider taking on another pet, he would not let anyone force him into it.

 

---

 

Seth — or rather, Hayakaze, while he was working — was in Adrien's — Autolycus' ear. The small transmitter matched Autolycus' skin tone exactly. It would allow Hayakaze to guide Autolycus through the building to the appropriate door and offer any other assistance that might be needed during the job. A small mole on Autolycus' jawline was in fact Hayakaze's ears — a disguised microphone, miniature and sensitive enough to pick up Lycus' speech and anyone who might be speaking to him.

 

Installed in the same lot as last time, except in a different vehicle provided by their employer, Kaze waited for Lycus to depart. As soon as Lycus was out and moving, Kaze was popping in his HUD contact lens to keep a careful eye out. From there, his goal was to look casual, leaning back in his chair like he was watching holovids. That was always a common sight around campuses like this, so it was a safe camouflage for the moment.

 

When he crossed the threshold of the school building, Lycus was single-minded. They had chosen today because the digital calendar for the lab said that no one would be there for a precise, two-hour window that had started fifteen minutes ago — they were playing it safe in case a meeting ran long or something similar. Beyond that, they were counting on the fact that the researchers had a confirmed appointment elsewhere in the building during that block. He aimed to act like a typical student, and did not pause or look around at anything as he entered. 

 

That was how, as he made his way down a corridor that he had no business being in, he entirely missed Rhys coming out of the music Master class that he had just finished teaching as a favour to Aris. 

 

A couple of hallways later, Lycus reached the door of the lab that he was meant to steal from. When he entered, he found himself facing a smooth wall full of safety signs about biohazards and lasers and other warnings. Wasn't this supposed to be a computer lab?

 

Turning right at Kaze's direction, he found himself passing a room with a broad observation window. Inside was a full VR hookup — including a 16-direction treadmill and, also, a weird-looking gamer chair that was shaped like a scorpion's tail, articulated so that the backrest could be set in a wide variety of positions. That was more what Lycus was expecting from a computer lab. He passed it by and headed toward what Kaze was calling the "observation and data analysis room."

 

As he began to download the files to a minuscule data drive, Lycus accidentally opened a video file. He moved to close it but was immediately fascinated by what he saw. Someone, wearing a thin VR suit, strapped to that gamer chair. Restrained. His eyebrow quirked and he put on the nearby headphones, one ear still exposed toward the door so that he might hear anyone coming unexpectedly. This wasn't what he had expected. The voice on the tape was asking the...test subject to recall something... As he watched, it quickly became clear that they were trying to modify the test subject's memory. And they seemed to be succeeding. Scrubbing through the footage, the ending of the video had a brief voice memo talking about the cumulative concussion-like damage effect on the subject's brain...

 

---

 

Teaching was far more engaging than Rhys expected. The smaller class size meant the intellectual discussions felt far more intimate. Despite his initial worry that the questions would be shallow and basic, the students had kept him on his toes.

 

Rhys hadn't been sure what to expect when he walked in, but looking back now he was certainly glad he took Aris up on his offer. He made a mental note to thank Aris later.

 

Rhys already had his jacket on when he caught a glimpse of a familiar profile. The man bore a striking resemblance to that pianist from his concert. If it was Jasper, then Rhys had to take advantage of his luck.

 

'I suppose he really was serious about coming here. I wonder if he's just meeting Fawn again.' Rhys moved to catch up to whoever it was, rather than call out down a hallway.

 

From behind, it wasn't easy to tell if it was Jasper. He was dressed rather differently, but that meant little. Rhys held onto his hopes. 

 

As he followed, Rhys grew increasingly confused. Jasper's actions didn't make sense with what he had told Rhys about himself. At a school that he did not attend, Jasper seemed to know exactly where he was going. He didn't look for any signs, or slow at any corners. Also, they had left the music and art departments behind a few corridors ago. They were now among some of the psychology research labs.

 

Concerned, Rhys sped up to close the distance, and whenever his quarry turned a corner, Rhys would run quietly to get even closer before he followed. After two corners and a long hall, he was sure. That was Jasper, though something about him seemed different. What was it? Maybe the hair? That mole? With his genetically optimized memory, Rhys brought an image of Jasper's face into his mind. He went over the image in detail again, just as he had several times since the night that they met. 

 

It was the mole. That was absolutely not there before. Rhys would have noticed, even with makeup.

 

Rhys' mind was flooded with alarm bells and red flags. Jasper had seemed cut from a different cloth when they had met; he had been so refreshing to speak to. Rhys wanted to believe the best of him. But perhaps it had all been a deception, and, at any rate, he could not ignore Jasper's behaviour now. He seemed to be here for something in Aris's labs. With a thought, Rhys accessed his internal ocular implant and searched for the campus' security information.

 

By the time Rhys had sent a message off to security, Jasper had just slipped into a post-graduate research lab. From what Rhys could hear from around the corner, he was using a computer inside the room. Rhys updated security and then sent a message directly to Aris.

 

A few moments later, Rhys heard Jasper whispering something, but it was too low to make out. A few moments more, and he could see security guards headed his way. Rhys raised a hand to get their attention and pointed at the door that Jasper had entered.

 

---

 

Lycus whispered to Kaze furtively. "Shit...this tech...they can alter and falsify memories...and using it causes brain damage— fuck, there's someone in the lab..."

 

The files had just finished transferring. Autolycus ripped the drive out of the computer and inserted it into his shoe. He then tore off the disguised microphone and earpiece and threw them under the desk. He stepped on the earpiece, grinding it into the floor. Hopefully, Kaze could still hear what was going on. Finally, he shut off the computer screen.

 

That was when the Security Guards burst in and surrounded him. "Hands up, get on the ground!" 

 

They had him dead to rights. Lycus raised his arms in surrender. He had no excuse. This wasn't the kind of lab you could wander into accidentally. Lycus began to slowly kneel, not wanting to get shot for his troubles. "Okay, gents, no need to get overexcited..."

 

He knelt with his arms up, wondering how much of this he could deny.