The minimalist smooth white exterior of the building contrasted nicely with the artful array of plant life that grew down the side. In a world of excess, this was a surfeit of a different kind. Calix cast his eyes up as he approached, imagining Anthix in the penthouse, a small forest's worth of garden above their head on the rooftop. 

 

Calix crossed the threshold, walking briskly, as always. He moved through the living atrium of his sibling's apartment building without slowing. 

 

“Penthouse,” he stated simply as he stepped inside the elevator. Almost as soon as the doors closed, Calix felt his impatience mounting. He hated standing still, especially when he had places to be. Anthix had seemed unusually animated when they had messaged him about the investigation into Rhys's pet.

 

The elevator stopped and the doors opened onto a small vestibule that ended in an ornate, oak door leading into Anthix’s home. As Calix reached the end of the hallway, he tried to remember what Marin had changed the passcode to this month. 

 

“Don't leave me ad-Marin the scenery,” Calix said loudly enough for the security system. His delivery was only half-sarcastic.

 

The security system answered immediately. “Voice recognition confirmed.” Its voice was calm and almost emotionless. “Welcome, Calix Sweetmeadow.” Once the doors started to open, Calix stepped forward and pushed them the rest of the way. 

 

Except for his own hard-soled footsteps, the apartment seemed almost too quiet. Calix was so used to having servants around him that Anthix’s minimal staff complement caught him off-guard sometimes, even as often as he was over. Anthix hated waste, though they weren't above opulence for beauty's sake. 

 

Calix's rush to catch up with Anthix was completely forgotten when Marin stepped out of a side room, yawning. Marin wore a wide, oversized shirt that hung off their frame as they wiped at the corner of their inner eye. This revealed their scarred forearm, the neat vertical lines that they had refused to have erased a sign of their long-lasting pain. The scars were a greyish, shiny white that stood out starkly against their warm brown skin. His shirt was raised above the soft swell of his stomach, terminating a few inches above his navel. Their shorts were a skin-tight, stretchy material, showing off their small, well-formed package and pert ass. They looked utterly delectable.

 

"Cal! I didn't know you were coming over until I heard the door!" Marin smiled sleepily and wrapped their arms around Calix's broad waist. Their face pressed into Calix's neck, their breath tickling his skin. Calix only rolled his eyes a little. Anthix had probably left them a message while they slept, and the absent-minded pet hadn't checked yet. 

 

The big Coin wrapped his large arms around them and picked them up as they gave a squeal of surprise and delight. He then repositioned his hold so that Marin's legs wrapped partway around him and their ass rested against his forearm. His other arm slung across their back, holding them close. "Good to see you, Blue-Eyes. You excited to see me?"

 

"Of course I am. I even got up early for you," murmured Marin, nuzzling Calix's throat.

 

"Eleven is hardly what I would call early, but when you have pyjamas like that, who am I to complain?"  

 

Marin chuckled softly, lips grazing Calix’s skin. “What a tragedy that it’s too cold on the roof for sleepwear.” 

 

Marin slipped a leg out from around Calix and gently slid themself to the floor. Smiling, Marin stepped back and lifted their shirt over their head as they turned away. They stretched their arms upward, their shirt hanging from one hand, and walked back into the room they came from. “Go on up. I’ll be right behind you.”

 

“Sure,” Calix answered. He didn’t take a step until he was done watching Marin walk away, moving his gaze up to the shifting muscles in their back, and down to the ass that fit so perfectly in his hands.

 

Once the pet was out of sight, Calix finally turned away and kept walking down the hall. ‘I’ve got to try and pull that little temptrix aside later.’

 

Anthix’s balcony ran the full perimeter of the building, so Calix just went out the nearest outer door. The wind filled his ears this high above the ground, though they were still mostly shielded. The tall Coin looked down at the flower bed filled with high-altitude alpine flowers. The planter was only as wide as his arm was long, but it ran the entire length of the balcony, as did the almost invisible glass wall that acted as an aegis from all but the worst windstorms. With no ceiling overhead, Calix sometimes felt as if he was in a terrarium.

 

He walked along the balcony’s edge. Each edge of the building had an angled path upward, positioned in the middle so that they didn't interfere with Anthix's full-size windows. Each path was a little different. One was a simple ramp at a gentle incline, lined with trees that clung to the earth and grew in the direction of the wind. Another, designed well over a decade ago with Thamyris Fairmount in mind, was a climbing wall made of natural materials. There was also a forest path, the steps made from carefully engineered roots and stones. The last one, the one that Calix habitually took, was a set of broad stone steps, the risers at a comfortable height, the foliage kept short and neat. 

 

After ascending the steps, Calix found himself in blissful near-silence. The garden's trees were planted just so to block the wind, their roots shaped by the gardeners to encourage them to cling strongly in the relatively-shallow earth. The sunlight dappled through the trees. It was still cold, but somehow the fact that it looked warm and sunny made all the difference. He strode down the garden path confidently, knowing exactly where he would find his twin.

 

And there they were. Anthix was sitting with their legs up, balanced in the arms of a large weeping willow that had been transplanted there from the Sweetmeadow family estate. Calix remembered the problem this had posed for the engineers. Its existing deep roots and weight had required the roof to be built with an extra cavity below this point, with reinforcements to the structure that held it up. Anthix had of course turned it into a display piece. You could see the living roots, nestled in attractive layers of multicoloured dirt through a transparent cube in their workshop. You could also see up through the pond feature that had been installed to supply the tree with the constant moisture it required. The effect was unique, just as Anthix had intended. Since they were children, Anthix had called the big tree their 'thinking spot'. Their mother had been convinced that Anthix was half-Dryad, with the way that they spent so much time out in the tree. 

 

Anthix gave a leisurely wave that was the antithesis of Calix's fast-paced movements. "Hello, Calix. Thanks for indulging me and meeting me in person. It seems like one of the players in this little game we find ourselves playing is a skilled hacker."

 

“Oh?” Calix raised an eyebrow. “How’d you find that out? Am I to assume that you spent the last few hours wiping and restoring your personal systems?”

 

Anthix swept their silver fishtail braid forward and began to comb their fingers through the end of it. "Nothing so dramatic, though I did have a security expert check my protocols once I realized there might be a need."

 

With all the grace that Calix would have expected, Anthix dropped from the tree branches, then stood. "I've been in contact with some people who I have every reason to believe know Jasper professionally." 

 

“That was fast. Good. Before you go into detail, should we wait for—” Calix glanced over his sibling’s shoulder. “Ah, there’s Marin.”

 

The knees of Marin's pants were already scuffed with dirt even though they had just put them on. They must have used the climbing wall access point. The smiling pet walked over with his hands hidden inside the pockets of his long sweater, blue-grey eyes shining and awake. "Hope I was worth waiting for." 

 

"Fishing for compliments again," said Anthix dryly, but with genuine warmth, moving toward a cluster of padded benches with a low table in the middle. "My answer is always the same. A thousand times yes, my little sand dollar." 

 

As Calix turned to keep pace with Anthix, he briefly and blatantly ogled Marin up and down, then winked at them. “Now that Hypnos has released our little Marin,” Calix said. “How did you find the hacker?”

 

“Oh! Finally! You've been keeping me in suspense for days.” Marin padded over, closing the distance quickly, and was the first one to take a seat. “Tell us everything!”

 

Anthix dropped onto the bench beside Marin and loosely slung an arm around his waist. "I visited the Garment District message boards and let people know that I was looking for information about Jasper. I strongly implied that I had access to him and had some concerns. Although I left a burner address to reach me at, someone reached out at my personal coordinates instead, asking for a virtual meeting."

 

“I can see why you had your security reviewed,” Calix said as he took a seat across from the others, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Was your security expert able to identify this person? Or did they say anything more about the meeting? You have me intrigued now.”

 

Marin allowed himself to be pulled in a little closer. They put a hand on Anthix’s chest and looked up into their eyes. “I know you’ll go to the meeting, but are you sure it will be safe? You don’t know how good this hacker is.”

 

"I don't know who they are. They're good enough for that, so far." Anthix smiled down at their de facto pet, tucking a strand of Marin's dark blue hair behind his ear. They looked between Marin and Calix, their face turning serious. "I have to assume that they will deal with me in good faith and do the same. They know exactly who I am and they have made that clear. Anyway, what could they possibly do to me in virtual reality with both of you to watch over me and make sure the safeties stay on?" 

 

Marin nodded, peering up at Anthix. “Even with us keeping watch, promise me you'll be careful.”

 

The message had been intended for Anthix. More bodies might scare off the source, so it made sense for Anthix to go in alone. That didn't mean that Calix had to like it. He hated being sidelined. Being able to watch their back from the outside only made it marginally better. “So, what’s the plan then? We could just try to get information, but this seems like an opportunity.”

 

Still playing with Marin's hair a little, Anthix shrugged their elegant shoulders. "If our goals align, I'm open to collaborating. Otherwise, just information about Jasper will do. Maybe we can get a name to look into. This is primarily an introductory meeting. I know that neither of you has ever had an actual job interview, but try to imagine it like that, if you would. We're each feeling out the other."

 

“Hey! I’ve had a job interview before,” Marin pouted. “...Once.”

 

Anthix smiled at their friend. “Be that as it may, I think I could still use some help choosing the right ‘interview questions’ for such an unusual situation.” They turned to Calix. “Stay for lunch so we can put our heads together?”

 

---

 

"Styx, you'd think he could have told us before contacting a gods-damned Coin," fumed Julian as he shouldered open Seth's door, carrying a large bag of groceries for their reclusive friend. He held it open for Nova who was coming behind with two more bags. 

 

"He's been distraught. But we have to trust that he knows what he's doing," replied Nova, his tone soft as they entered Seth's living room. Lying down on the meagre couch, Seth was wearing noise-cancelling headphones and had a VR headset on. 

 

Not wanting to surprise Seth, Nova called out as he walked over to the fridge. “Special delivery, bud.” Seth groaned softly as he pulled the headset off. He’d been using it for far too long anyway. “I heard that, Kaze. What, are we interrupting something?”

 

Seth sat up and turned to his visitors. He caught Julian’s eye, who was scrutinizing him from across the room. “No, not this time,” he said with a smirk.

 

Placing the bag of groceries on the table for Nova to put away, Julian whirled around theatrically on Seth. "Haya-fuckin'-kaze. Want to tell me why you arranged a meeting with a Coin without saying a word to us first?"

 

As Julian waited for an answer, arms crossed, his eyes roamed over Seth. He was looking less skinny and drawn ever since Julian and Nova had started to make sure he had a fucking vegetable and some carbs once in a while, and the bags under his eyes were receding. Maybe the pain of losing Adrien was less acute, though Seth seemed no less committed to getting him back.

 

“Well, when our first break in weeks came in the form of this Coin suddenly asking around for people who worked with ‘Jasper,’” Seth held back a scowl. “I couldn’t let the opportunity slip away. I don't think this one's totally incompetent, actually,” He shrugged, put his hands behind his head, leaned back and just gave the biggest shit-eating grin he could. “Of course, I slipped by their cybersecurity, but it wasn't half bad.”

 

"High fuckin' praise indeed, coming from you," laughed Julian, joining Seth on the couch. "So I guess that means you know all about them, doesn't it? Who is it? Not Fairmount himself, I gather?"

 

Seth chuckled softly. “No, don’t be ridiculous,” he said. “But I’d rather not say everything twice. Let’s just wait 'til everyone’s here.”

 

Nova lifted an eyebrow. “What do you mea—”

 

There was a knock at Seth's door. Seth nodded to the door, and Nova, being nearest, walked over and opened it. Behind it stood Iskios. He was wearing a dark brown jacket that reminded Seth achingly of Adrien's. The sunglasses that Iskios was wearing hid his eyes, but his mouth was pulled into a wide grin.

 

"Hi, I'm here for the job interview?"

 

Nova and Julian looked between each other, and then at Seth. Did Iskios not realize the loaded implications of him even joking about replacing Autolycus in their little crew? But Seth was still smiling. 

 

“Iskios here has some info to share with us,” Seth said, answering the question no one asked. “Besides, we could use another set of hands for now.”

 

"I always thought that Iskios was an apt alias for you. Always in Autolycus's shadow." Julian spread his hands and shrugged. "Lucky you, now you even get the chance to work with his crew."

 

Iskios's face was impassive beneath his sunglasses, his grin only slightly smaller. "Wow, the legendary Julian, already insulting me. I feel like part of the crew already!" 

 

Julian scoffed. "Don't get used to it." 

 

“He’s lying,” Nova said, trying not to show his amusement. “Get used to it. He’ll never give you a day of peace.” Not wanting to dwell on small jibes longer than necessary, he continued quickly to block Julian from responding, “What do you mean, he’s got ‘info’ for us? About Autolycus?”

 

Nodding, Seth’s expression slowly turned more grim. “He spoke to 'Lycus just recently. I wanted us to get all the info we could from him.” He turned to Iskios and waved him inside. “So how about it? Tell us what happened.”

 

Iskios took off his sunglasses and folded them carefully, slipping them into a case and then into his pocket. He sat down between Julian and Seth on the couch. "Friends, I fear that I bring unhappy news. Autolycus and I met in the slums near the riverfront. He was with a Coin. He was very protective of the Coin and he also told me that he was out of the game for good. He wished me well in my endeavours, and we parted ways."

 

Julian crossed his arms. "So, you saw 'Lycus alone with a Coin in the slums? No security? And this doesn't end with the Coin robbed and rolled into the Argent?"

 

Seth put up a hand. “Hold up. I didn’t bring him here without poking around a bit first. There are a few assholes around bragging that they almost beat a Coin down so they could ransom him. This checks out.”

 

There was something about Iskios's story that didn't check out, though, if only the thought of Adrien giving Iskios his blessing to move in on his jobs or whatever the fuck. "Somehow I doubt that you confronting him with the Coin ended in him wishing you well. What makes you think Autolycus wasn't just acting for the Coin's benefit? How do you know he was protective of him?" 

 

"Well, he's not back here with us, right? He could have used the situation to escape," said Iskios with a shrug.

 

"Or he's playing a smarter, longer con and he didn't want to leave with nothing just because the opportunity presented itself," countered Julian.

 

“Yes, exactly,” Iskios responded without missing a beat. “The long con of pretending to be a pet. A few years of getting pampered, fed ambrosia, and properly fucked, and then when the Coin gets tired of him, he walks away with a fortune that would make Menelaus blush.”

 

That thought quieted the room. None of Autolycus’s friends wanted to admit that possibility. Nova didn’t look up from his beer, Julian looked like he wanted to rip his throat out, and Seth was staring at him intensely. 

 

After a pregnant pause, Iskios continued. “Look, I don’t know him as well as you do, but the guy seemed pretty set on staying with the Coin. I genuinely think he’s not coming back.” Iskios took an uncomfortable breath before speaking again. “But I'll still help you. If he comes home, then you get your buddy back and I get to make a Coin’s life worse. If he doesn’t, then maybe you'll like my work and consider bringing me on in a more permanent capacity.”

 

When no one answered immediately, Nova filled the silence. “Seth, this is your show. What do you think?”

 

Julian nodded his agreement with Nova, keeping silent for once. 

 

Seth's eyes looked a little redder than they had before, but his voice was even, almost too flat, when he spoke. "Iskios is wrong about Autolycus, but I did bring him here to help. So let's get Autolycus back. That starts with me telling you about Anthix Sweetmeadow."

 

"The fashion designer?" Iskios's voice betrayed genuine surprise. 

 

"The very same," said Seth, and brought up a display on his dingy wall. 

 

---

 

Lit up by the glow of his elegant, curved display, Rhys's face showed signs of worry. His handsome face looked a little tired and drawn. His research into Autolycus had turned into Charybdis's maw, sucking him deeper and deeper into unknown waters. It had eaten up all of the last evening, and he felt as though he still barely knew anything.

 

The first entries in the public databases were not especially concerning. Puerile, teenage acts of defiance. Defacing property with slogans, tagging buildings with his handle. But, with more work and a little help from Aristotle to access private databases (without telling Aristotle what he needed access for), Rhys found worrisome rumours of Autolycus's involvement with more major crimes. Autolycus had never been brought into custody as an adult, but the notes in the report and the vague descriptions painted a portrait all the same. 

 

Petty theft had turned into elaborate heists as Autolycus perfected his skills. That was to be expected. He began to specialize in information rather than just the acquisition of valuables. Many of the reports told stories of a charming figure who had disarmed his targets with his wit and was said to not even carry a weapon. Some intrepid investigator had flagged files with Autolycus as a possible suspect based on similarities and physical proximity, but that was all the evidence there was, in most cases.

 

Rarely, there was security camera footage. Usually, this was "mysteriously" damaged, or the figure in the video knew the exact locations of the cameras and how to avoid them. There were a few still shots that confirmed to Rhys that Iskios knew exactly who he was talking to when he called Jasper "Autolycus". But Jasper had confessed to being a thief. Rhys was almost proud of him for at least being a credit to his profession.    

 

What troubled Rhys was the clear revolutionary bent to both some of the targets and the tactics. Autolycus was rumoured to take a hit to his pocketbook if it meant that he could strike at the Coins and what they stood for. There was a clear progression from graffitied messages of  "Midas learned his fucking lesson; so will you" to becoming a rogue who went out of their way to steal exclusively from Coins and embarrass them in the process whenever he could. Did his Jasper hate him?

 

‘That can not be,’ Rhys assured himself, ‘We have bonded so well, and he obviously enjoys his new life here.’ Despite his best efforts, Rhys couldn’t help but dwell on the thought that his pet might be lying to him.

 

What if it was all an act from Jasper? He could still just be trying to avoid imprisonment, as had been the case at the start. Worse yet, he could even be planning a more high-value theft, just waiting for the right opportunity to take some of his Owner’s wealth and run. This would explain the rapid change in behaviour since becoming a pet and even Jasper’s violent outburst at the Golden Lattice Ceremony.

 

Rhys’s heart was telling him that Jasper wasn’t lying, and he truly enjoyed being a pet. However, his mind would not let go of the thought of his pet betraying him. Dr. Constantine would have said that his anxieties about losing Jasper were tied to having had to give up Marin. But Dr. Constantine didn't have a thief living under his roof, hadn't fallen hard and fast for him. 

 

As Rhys sat at his console, rubbing his chin in thought, the screens darkened. They were going to sleep since he hadn't entered any new inputs in some time. Perhaps he ought to speak to Jasper about his worries. But verbalizing his concerns felt as though it might make them real, and what if Jasper confirmed his suspicions? He pictured Jasper laughing at him, at his foolishness. He pictured the scandal that would follow if Thamyris Fairmount lost yet another pet, and so soon. 

 

Having seen enough, the Coin pushed his seat back and let out a long hard breath as he stared through the ceiling. Rhys felt his mind running in circles and needed to make a decision to keep himself focused.

 

Jasper was clearly enjoying his new life, and even Iskios, who would all but certainly have heard something about Jasper’s disappearance, appeared to know nothing about where his old competitor went. Rhys convinced himself that his pet didn’t hate him. He felt sure of that.

 

...However, Rhys would be remiss to not keep watch for possible signs either way. Once he had done his due diligence for a little while, he could then ask Jasper about his earlier exploits. He wanted to find out why his work focused on Coin targets. But that could wait for now.

 

Rhys rose to his feet, neatening up the desk. As he turned, he unwittingly made a gesture that turned the display back on, waking it from sleep-mode. As he swept dramatically out of the room, Rhys never noticed. 

 

But someone did. Lemon came in to clear away the teacups and dishes that had accumulated as Rhys was deep in study. And though he was a discrete man, he could not help but see what was on the screens before him. Nor could he help worrying that his employer and dear friend was playing a dangerous game. 

 

----

 

“Julian, stop staring at Nova’s ass and get over here so we can get started already.” 

 

The blonde man had been helping Nova get his VR gear on, and stepped back after Nova put the headset over his eyes. In his screen’s reflection, Julian’s normally-discrete ogling was plain as day.

 

"Yeah, yeah," muttered Julian, eyes still on Nova as he checked the wires. "Just checking the connections one last time." 

 

Seth almost instantly regretted being cruel to his lovesick friend, and he chalked it up to nerves. After all, they were about to make contact with their first lead. He tried to put it out of his mind, to concentrate on the task at hand.

 

The speakers and displays were on, the recording and tracking software was prepped, and the security on Nova’s avatar was checked and rechecked. They were ready. 

 

"Good to go, Nova," said Seth.

 

"Starting the connection in three...two...one..." Nova counted down as planned so that Seth could simultaneously get the private network redirections bouncing and the other security features in play. 

 

Inside the headset, all Nova could see as the connection booted was a familiar three-dimensional grid, bright teal lines on an endless dark space. Even the cheapest virtual reality equipment had haptics and sensory input these days, so when the calibration screen loaded, Nova felt his fingertips brushing up against a field of tall wheat, the mud beneath the soles of his shoes. Then his avatar loaded in, and Nova was dressed in a ragged chiton, dirt on his knees and arms. He knew his face would be wrinkled. He was dressed the way the Coins saw people like him, as a beggar — and not just any beggar.  

 

As the meeting space loaded, Nova put on a neutral expression. Sweetmeadow wouldn’t be here for another minute or two, so he had time to slip into the background.

 

Nova took stock of Ancient Ithaca's sunny agora. The air smelled of sea salt, fresh-cut wood, and a hint of rich earth. Like the Sky District, the notable lack of smog here was almost a pleasure in itself. People moved along the sides of the hard-packed dirt road. These were background characters; NPCs. Artisans opened their stalls to present their wares and common folk with goods for bartering and moved about their newly-generated daily lives. Nova knew that he wanted to blend in and surprise Anthix, so turning his palm upwards, he approached a bearded man in a fancy chiton, mumbling about his hunger.  

 

‘Get ready.’ Seth’s voice sounded softly in his head, ‘Our contact is logging on in 5, 4...’ Nova almost smiled. This was perfect timing. He held out a cupped palm to the man as he neared, mumbling softly and waiting for the inevitable rebuke.

 

---

 

The virtual room where Anthix waited for the meeting space to open faded. The Coin, their face covered in a smiling mask, found themself in the agora of a small island community. The place was animated with artificial townsfolk, which was an odd decision for a meeting such as this. There were even scripted scenes playing out between them – here a merchant and customer haggling, there a noble of some sort turning his nose up at a beggar.

 

This wasn't a standard meeting room. Anthix wondered what their contact was driving at. Then, the beggar, having been turned away by the other man, approached them. Anthix knew that the old gods favoured those who showed kindness to such unfortunate people.

 

The unwashed, filthy man looked at them meekly, hand upturned to receive. “Traveller, welcome to fair Ithaca. Forgive a poor old man, but could you spare a little food? I haven’t eaten since yesterday morning.” He looked Anthix up and down briefly. “Perhaps in exchange for some directions, if you are looking for something?”

 

Maybe this was part of some kind of puzzle that would lead to the actual meeting place? 

 

"Of course," said Anthix, pulling out a satchel of obols from code-space and depositing them in the beggar's hand. "I'm seeking the emissary of the Fast Wind, Hayakaze. Do you know them?"

 

The beggar’s eyes widened at the sight of the satchel. Taking it in both hands, he tied a leather thong to it and hung it around his neck, under his ragged tunic. “Such gifts to just a beggar! You must be of noble birth. Or at the very least a wealthy merchant. Perhaps a god in disguise? For your kindness, I’ll guide you as much as you like.”

 

The beggar’s gaze lowered as he considered Anthix’s question. His eyes brightened with a sudden realization. 

 

“Maybe your wind emissary is at the altar for the Anemoi?” He offered. “The sailors should have mostly left port now, so it would be a private place to talk. Please, follow me. I’ll bring you there. This way, if you would.”

 

Had Hayakaze programmed this entire place to test them? It was novel to be treated that way and Anthix was more intrigued than annoyed. This NPC seemed to imply that the altar might be the actual meeting place. "Yes, please take me there."

 

Moving down a path that led closer to the water’s edge, the beggar beckoned Anthix along. “Your clothes look foreign to my eyes, Stranger. From what lands have you come? And for what purpose?” He glanced down at Anthix’s finely crafted shoes. “Someone of your standing should be meeting with a lord, not a go-between.”

 

Giving a little laugh, Anthix thought about how to explain. "I come from a place that still pays tribute to the gods with many hecatombs. There is a river that cuts through the land like a silver ribbon, and the land is larger than all of the islands of the Aegean Sea put together. We call this place New Argent City."

 

“Of course,” the beggar smiled, “Only fools don’t pay tribute, and you are no fool.” He pointed ahead to a small cliff edge, with a statue before it. It depicted four gods dancing together. The Anemoi. “Here we are. I’m sure your emissary will be here soon.”

 

"Thank you, beggar." Anthix stepped forward. They had nothing to give to the Anemoi on them, but then they had access to whatever they wanted in here. They reached into their clothing and found themself carrying an amphora of wine, somehow. They poured out the wine into a (they reached into their bag again) small silver bowl and put it on the altar.

 

As Anthix stepped back from the altar, they caught a glimpse of movement in the sky. A great owl was flying up and to Anthix’s right. "They say such things are a sign of good fortune from the gods."

 

“You may be right,” said an oddly familiar voice, deep and confident. 

 

Anthix turned to the beggar only to find him transformed. He was taller and clean. He wore gleaming bronze armour and held a shield and a long spear. The ‘beggar’s’ soft smile was more than enough to put Anthix at ease, despite his garb. “I’m impressed. I was expecting you to treat the lowest man in the city like something you had just scraped off of your shoe, but instead, you were patient and kind. You are a rare little obol, aren’t you?”

 

"But you already knew that, didn’t you? After all, we’re having this meeting, O fair Odysseus. I see that you were living up to your reputation and evaluating me before we spoke. I was wondering why this wasn't a regular digital conference room." Anthix adjusted their mask. "Let's get down to it. The longer the connection is open, the easier it will be for someone to track. So, then, you're a former associate of Jasper's?"

 

Odysseus nodded without taking his eyes off of Anthix’s. “That’s right. Would you care to explain your sudden interest in them? Or, are you just jealous that you didn’t make it to that ridiculous ‘ceremony’?”

 

"I have a history with Jasper's Owner, Rhys Fairmount, and I'm concerned that something may be...amiss. Jasper has no pet training, and yet he seems to have taken to the lifestyle faster than a stain to a shirt." 

 

The ancient king raised an eyebrow at the comparison. “Yes, I’ve noticed,” he answered. “I know the man you call Jasper well enough that I can assure you his recent behaviour is wildly out of character, to the point that he seems like a completely different person. Something is wrong.” Odysseus took a step closer to Anthix, gauging every small reaction around the edges of that mask. “Tell me what it is you want to do about it.”

 

"I wanted to speak to someone who knew him to see if my concerns were founded. It seems as though they are." Anthix's face remained placid beneath the mask. "I want to figure out why he's behaving this way, and if Rhys Fairmount is responsible for it. What do you want to do about it?"

 

“Before anyone considers more drastic actions, I want to speak with him face to face,” Odysseus answered. “I want to engineer a situation that separates him from Rhys, giving me and mine a few minutes alone. Unmonitored. That should get me all the information I need.”

 

Anthix considered this. It was a reasonable enough request, so long as they held to only doing what he was proposing. "I can do it. But what assurances do I have that that's all you'll do?" 

 

Odysseus shrugged noncommittally, “You came looking for Jasper’s old contacts, so if anyone should be asking that question, it's me. After all, how risky is this for you, really?” He pointed Anthix’s gaze towards the palace up the hill. “If everything goes colossally wrong for you, what happens? You get socially isolated and live in a slightly less grand estate? What happens to me if I am caught?”

 

"Your point is well-taken, Hayakaze. What I risk is harm to an already-tenuous relationship and to your associate." Anthix removed their mask to show their simulated face. "I don't know what would happen if you were caught. It depends on what you're caught doing. If it's just trespassing, and your associate vouches for you, I imagine I could pay any fines or bail." 

 

The king let out a derisive laugh. “That’s only if one of you Coins doesn’t decide to trump up the charges, and if you don’t turn on us. But I’m sure that type of scheming and politics would never cross your mind.”

 

Odysseus stepped forward toward Anthix. 

 

“Let’s consider what you stand to gain here, exactly,” Odysseus said as he looked carefully into Anthix’s eyes, trying to read their face. “I would potentially be taking a large step towards freeing... ‘Jasper’, which has inherent value to me. What are you getting out of this?”

 

Anthix's expression, without the mask, matched the face they were making outside of VR. They pressed their lips into a carefully neutral line, unsure how much they wanted to say about Marin and Rhys. "Reassurance that neither your Jasper nor my friend Rhys Fairmount is being taken advantage of, from either side. This is not a matter of public record, but Rhys's previous pet, who is, technically, from a legal standpoint, my pet now, was injured when Rhys made a...miscalculation. That's the truth of it. Take it or leave it, clever Odysseus." 

 

Great Odysseus took a deep breath and turned and approached the shrine, looking out past it over the water, deep in thought.

 

---

 

“Will you two shut the fuck up!?” Nova barked. “I can’t make out what you’re saying with you yelling over each other! I can hardly hear myself think as it is.” 

 

Julian and Seth, who had been coming at him rapid-fire with suggestions of what to say to their 'rare obol', both fell silent for a moment. Then, they both spoke at once.

 

"Fuck that, we can't trust them—" That was Julian, of course, leaning over Seth's shoulder heavily to see the display.

 

"Yes, tell them yes – we need this connection to have any chance of success."  

 

Seth pushed Julian’s arm off of his desk. “Take a step back, damn it! Give me room to work.” He turned back to Nova. “Sweetmeadow is all in, Nova. Time to bring them in to start planning. We have to take a risk somewhere.”

 

---

 

"I have decided to accept your help. My associates and I need a safe way in, time alone with Jasper, and a safe way out. Which of those can you provide?" Odysseus had taken some time to answer. Anthix knew now that Hayakaze was not alone on the call, and that his associates must be listening.

 

Anthix looked over Odysseus carefully, even knowing that they couldn't divine anything. Crossing their arms, they thought carefully. "I can provide the distraction to give you time alone with Jasper. I can also provide information for you to map your own safe routes in and out. I doubt you would trust mine anyway."

 

Odysseus nodded in agreement. “And getting us in there? You should be able to get us better fake credentials since you would be working from the inside.”

 

Anthix nodded, too. "I'm going to need facial scans from you and your associates for that. In your position, I might be reluctant to provide them, but security protocols in Sky District have just been updated."

 

“Well,” Odysseus sighed, “I suppose this means you may as well meet the others.”

 

---

 

The living room of Calix's city apartment showed Anthix's touch. It was still very much a room that put Calix's personality on display, but with an elegance and simplicity that was not native to the bulky, short-shorn Coin. 

 

The furniture was simple, well-crafted oiled wood, showing off the grain and knots of the material to best advantage. The cushions were thin but webbed, luxurious in their Spartan qualities. Other rooms were less showy, but this one was meant to receive guests, and so there were some adornments here and there. Mainly, there were abstract sculptures, made of a kinetic metal that moved with its own rhythm, occasionally chiming softly, and a larger driftwood piece that hid many faces. Marin had given it to him as a housewarming present, saying that the many facets made them think of him.

 

Marin was here, now. They had toyed with the idea of using Calix's sauna, but Marin had quickly become engrossed in watching the kinetic sculpture, lost in thought. That wouldn't do. Calix's job today was to distract them, so he pulled Marin into a bear hug from behind and growled playfully in their ear.

 

"I want to spend time with you, not just around you, Marin. Come sit with me," said Calix, his voice turning uncharacteristically gentle when he spoke.

 

"What do you think they're talking about? Do you think they're talking about me?"

 

Calix had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. The Coin couldn’t picture himself feeling this way, but it didn't matter what he would have felt. Holding Marin close, Calix took a deep breath, considering the question. “No, definitely not,” he said. “It’s the first time they are meeting up and talking in ages. They’ll avoid sensitive subjects at first. Anthix will get to that later when the time is right.”

 

Marin grimaced, trying to push away the thought of having to wait even longer to have the tension of reconnecting with Rhys settled. They knew that this visit was so that Calix could distract them. They decided to take the distraction over continuing the conversation. "...Calix, play with me." 

 

A playful grin spread across Calix’s face. “I thought you’d never ask.” With one hand he tilted Marin’s chin upward, and he leaned down to meet Marin’s lips with his. A long, sensitive moment passed as they held each other until Calix finally pulled away. He tried to keep a straight face as he spoke, “So, board games or VR?”

 

With a groan of annoyance, Marin pushed ineffectually at Calix's big chest and pulled their lips into a pout. Then they smiled. "Well, I'm sure VR Calix will be more than happy to fuck me."

 

With that, Marin slid out of Calix's lap and slowly headed toward the two-person VR suite that Calix kept for when Marin came over, almost begging Calix to catch him before they got there with that pert little ass.

 

Calix chuckled and did just that, soon reaching his favourite lover. He dropped an arm around Marin’s shoulders as they walked. “Ambitious little pet, aren't you? Sure,” Calix reached out and caressed Marin’s neck, “If you really want two of me, let's go use the rig."

 

Flushing, Marin leaned into Calix's touch, exposing their neck in such a delectably vulnerable way. "I want you. I need you to help me stop thinking about Rhys."

 

Letting his hand and fingers drift through Marin’s hair, Calix locked eyes with the pet. “Don’t worry. When I start playing with you,” he gripped Marin’s locks, gently tilting their head back and bringing his lips within an inch of Marin’s, “You’ll think only of what I tell you to.” 

 

Marin gave a shiver of delight and clear arousal, his pupils dilating as he felt Calix's breath on his lips. "Yes, Kyrios."

 

Calix scooped Marin up in his arms, kissing him passionately as he carried the blue-haired pet down the hall.

 

Marin let themself be carried away by Calix's strong arms and fierce kisses. Already, his holes were both growing slick, his cock also hard and leaking. This is what he was made for; what he had trained for. And Calix knew exactly which spots to touch to distract him.

 

“Normally, I’d be asking myself what should I make you do first,” Calix started as he stepped through the automatic bedroom door. “But this time, I think I want to play with your body. I’m going to lie you face down. Don’t move too much, and just enjoy this.”

 

As Calix carried them through his bedroom, which he also used as a private playroom, Marin's eyes roamed over the familiar bed, inset into the floor, with wide low-rise steps leading down to it in a circle around it. The mattress was round, inviting from all sides. The steps were the same oiled wood as the rest of the apartment, with a subtle nanogrip texture applied overtop to make them safe to walk on. The sheets were dark blue, the bed neatly made up. 

 

When Calix walked down into the recessed area, Marin felt his stomach flip with every step, eager to see what Calix had in store. As soon as Calix put them down, Marin crawled forward toward the centre, then lay flat on their stomach.

 

As Marin positioned themself, Calix was watching their ass and stripping off his shirt. He wondered if Marin realized just how much they were shifting and squirming with anticipation. If Calix’s Colossus hadn't been half-standing to start with, this would have brought it at least to its knees. 

 

After spending only a moment watching his little lover writhe, Calix stopped teasing at his own treasure trail and climbed onto the bed, straddling Marin’s thighs. The Coin placed a hand on the mattress close to their head and leaned far forward until his pronounced, etched pectorals were inches from Marin’s back. “Do you realize how hard you make me all the damned time?” he nearly whispered. “I’ve been waiting for days to find just the right opportunity to make you mine.”

 

Pinned beneath Calix, Marin's every thought of anything but the man above him seemed to flee. They bared their throat and moaned with need, pushing their little ass back against the bulky Coin. "Now you have me. So what are you going to do with me?" 

 

“I think I’ll start with this,” Calix answered as he spread out his fingers and slipped his large hand under the back of Marin’s shirt. Just barely touching Marin’s skin, he ghosted the fingers from side to side along the pet's sensitive lower back, then slowly ran his fingertips up his spine. He smiled as Marin’s back arched at the sensation. ‘Just the way you like it.’

 

Marin was easy for Calix to overwhelm, and Calix loved to give him more tactile sensations than he could handle. He leaned down close to their ear and whispered, “Try not to thrash too much, my needy plaything.” Calix slid the tip of his tongue along the helix of Marin’s ear, wetting it before he began to gently blow over the area. “I’m already enjoying myself. Do you want me to bite the back of your neck like last time?”

 

Still squirming despite the order not to move too much, Marin bit their lip. "I want what you want, Kyrios. Whatever you want to do to me is fine." 

 

“No,” Calix said firmly. Whenever Marin got too aroused, rather than choosing for themself, they would start to put their Dom’s needs and desires before their own to the point of not answering honestly. Forcing a choice from them was an oh-so-delicious way to tease them further. “If you want me to play with you, then I want you to tell me what you need.”

 

Marin pouted into the pillow, but he knew what Calix was seeking. He held the coverlet underneath him in his tight fists. "Mmm...Want you to rub your big cock up against mine...rub them together...Compare sizes..." 

 

Calix grinned. “There now, was that so hard? On the other hand...” the Coin whispered as he slipped a hand down along Marin’s ass, and then up the almost non-existent leg of their short shorts towards their cock. “I suppose I am about to find out.”

 

When he felt the bulge in Marin’s underwear, Calix's arousal grew further. Marin was wearing a tiny little scrap of fabric that Calix had given him. It was custom-made to accentuate Marin’s package when it started to harden. Any Dom would always know just how hot Marin was feeling at any given time. 

 

“You loving, needy little fuck toy,” Calix said, using his fingertips to feel the outline of the dick through the fabric “You’re wearing the gift I gave you. It’s so damned hot to know how badly you wanted me to take you before you even got here.”

 

Hopping off the bed for a moment, Calix unbuckled his belt and dropped his pants to the ground, all in one practiced motion. Finally free of its confines, his erection sprang up and started to fully harden. With a standing leap, Calix was standing astride Marin’s ass again. The surface of the flexible, top-of-the-line mattress barely moved when the very large Coin landed. Kneeling down with his hips almost even with Marin’s, his chest almost touching the pet’s back, Calix dropped his whole length along the pet’s lower back with a meaty thud.

 

Gasping and moaning in surprise and arousal, Marin arched his back upward into his Kyrios’s shaft. Calix let them enjoy the sensation for a moment, and then shifted back. He put a hand on Marin’s shoulder and hip and roughly rolled him over. The wanton expression on their face was worth a Coin’s ransom. Before Marin could recover, their eyes still fluttering, Calix grabbed their shorts by the hem and pulled them down to Marin’s ankles in a flash.

 

Marin was a sight to behold with that euphoric expression, the halter-top riding up to reveal one side of his chest, and that wet spot on the skintight fabric stretched over his visibly twitching cock. It was no wonder that before the incident with Thamirys, Marin was sought after by Coins and pets alike. They never lacked for a partner.

 

Just as Marin seemed to be getting his bearings, Calix laid down alongside him. The big Coin started to gently stroke Marin’s cock while he kissed him. Calix luxuriated in Marin’s response. A whimper from their lips, their hand in the Coin’s hair, and the other wrapped around Calix’s broad back.

 

Not for the first time that day, Calix was struck by just how much Marin’s comfort and happiness meant to him. At that moment he would’ve done almost anything for Marin.

 

After pulling Marin’s cock out, Calix moved between his legs and brought his dick down on the pet’s. Taking both together in one large hand, he started to rub them against each other. 

 

“Look down at us and tell me something,” Calix spoke matter-of-factly, “What is it exactly that makes you want to compare your tiny dick to mine like this? I’m easily twice your thickness and, well... How much bigger would you say I am?”

 

Marin licked their lips and gazed up adoringly into Calix's eyes before looking down at the huge Coin cock beside his small one. "It's like...it's like seeing the ocean or a big damn mountain. Sublime. So, so big compared to my little cocklet...three times the length, easily...Mmmm..." 

 

Reaching a hand down, Marin ran a finger down Calix's cock as the Coin rubbed their shafts together. Their precum mixed together, providing slick lubricant for the task. "And I know you like it, too. Seeing me get so hard, showing off my little arrow beside your spear. Don't you?" 

 

“With an arrow this beautiful and shapely, much like the archer wielding it, why wouldn’t I?” Calix asked. Continuing what Marin started, the Coin ran a finger up his own cock, forcing out an enormous bead of precum. He neatly placed it just under Marin’s glans, then used his cockhead to smear it down the shaft.

 

Calix's thrusts were careful and slow, with the soft skin of his tip gliding easily up and down Marin’s length. Marin inhaled sharply at the sudden pleasure, making a low surprised noise, and then thrust their short length against Calix's. 

 

“You know how I love mixing our flavours together,” Calix said. “Why don’t you give us both a taste?”

 

"Yes, Kyrios." Marin's voice sounded almost dazed, thick with pleasure. Concentrating, he shifted positions and slowly folded himself in half, his genetically-modified body allowing the articulations of his spine to rotate around each other far more than a typical human. He lowered his mouth to the tips of their cocks, and swirled his tongue. It was strenuous to keep this up for long, but it was always a fun parlour trick. He hadn't done it in quite some time in front of Calix. "Mmmm...tastes perfect. Better together."

 

Calix looked to Marin impatiently. “Then I certainly hope there is some left on the tongue for me,” he said. “Give me a taste, too.”

 

Their whole body trembling, Marin carefully squeezed out a few more drops of precum while they were folded in half and then gathered them on their tongue. Pulling himself carefully back up to Calix's mouth, he held his tongue out carefully. Calix's sexual requests always made the heat rise in his cheeks, made him feel ready to burst with embarrassment. 

 

Calix leaned forward and took Marin’s tongue into his mouth, sucking it clean. He rolled their juices around on his tongue, tasting it like a fine wine. “Mmm hmmm. Delicious,” he said. “There is one other thing I want to taste. Lean back and I’ll start working on that next.”

 

Fairly certain of what Calix had in mind, Marin leaned back on the mattress and parted his legs, exposing the slick slit that began right under his balls. "Is this what you want, Kyrios?" 

 

Calix shifted back just enough to see, smiling confidently. “It’s always difficult to choose which of your holes I should take. They both offer so much, but I want a change of pace today. Spread yourself wide for me, slut.”

 

The Coin took his thick, greedy cock in one hand and lined it up with the tight slit hidden under Marin’s balls. Resting his tip against Marin, the Dom’s glans was almost comically oversized in comparison to Marin’s entrance, but he knew just how wide that could stretch. Seeing the physical evidence of just how wet his pet was, Calix started to push.

 

"Y-yes, Kyrios...please take my slutty hole!" Marin spread their legs and felt as their slick spread around Calix's glans. He held his breath as he felt that feeling of stretching and expansion centering his whole being on his crotch. "Mmm...feels like you're splitting my cunt open, Kyrios..."

 

When the glans finally slid home past the head, Marin squirmed, willing his body to adjust around the thick cock. "I'm not ready, but I want you to move so badly..."

 

Calix reached his hand down and started pumping his fist up and down Marin’s cock. “You know I’d never hurt you like that,” he said. “Let me loosen your hole up. You are engineered for this, after all.” 

 

After the first few years they’d known each other, Calix had learned everything he needed to know about Marin’s body. Now he could coax and shape it so that he could do anything he wanted to it, and his pet would only beg for more. Yes — his pet. No matter what any pet registry might say, Calix had seen Marin as his from the moment they moved in with Anthix. 

 

"Thank you, Kyrios. My body will open to you." Marin's voice was thick with desire and his tight walls squeezed around Calix in time with the strokes, seeming to give way and relax more with every contraction. In what seemed like no time at all, their body began to tremble and they spurted out pre-cum onto Calix's hand as their juices coated the Coin's cockhead. "I'm...I'm ready for you to move..." 

 

Seeing Marin become completely absorbed in each sensation he gave them, Calix gave a delighted chuckle. “Look at you, getting this excited so fast! Have you really missed my spear this much?” With a flick of his wrist, Calix wiped Marin’s pre onto their little dick for extra lubrication. 

 

“I won't make such a good pet wait any longer,” Marin's Kyrios said, as he slid himself deeper inside the pet’s cunt, giving them about half the length.

 

As Calix's length slid inside, the head slipped past all of Marin's inner ridges, activating each in turn, lighting them up with sensations of pleasure. The little thrills coursing through his body made him gasp continuously, short little gasps as if the surprise of the sensation was renewed every time. "Oh! Please, please, keep going...deeper...deeper..." 

 

Then, Calix hit that cluster of nerves inside of Marin that extended inside from his dicklet and balls, and Marin tightened with a moan. The dual stimulation on his cock and in his cunt was overwhelming. "Ahh...!" 

 

“So close already,” Calix teased. Given that his own balls were drawing up tightly, he couldn’t blame Marin. “That’s fine. Don’t hold back. We have all day for me to use you.” Then, the Coin’s eyes flashed with a wicked intent. “In fact, why don’t we start things off with a bang.”

 

Without pulling out or stopping his thrusts, Calix lifted Marin’s hips and slid a thick pillow beneath. Then, with his dick buried almost to the hilt inside Marin’s cunt and a hand on their dick, Calix slipped two fingers into Marin’s now exposed ass. He hadn’t tried to make Marin cum three ways at once in a long, long time. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to melt his fucktoy’s mind again if he could pull off the timing.

 

It was immediately clear what Calix intended to do, and Marin's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and joy. "You're going to bliss me out with a triple, Kyrios? I...thank you—ugghn..!" Calix's fingers immediately found his prostate and he didn't even have to move them. The thrusts of his crotch pushed and pulled Marin's prostate against his fingertips. 

 

Each measured thrust just touched Marin’s deepest spot, and each pump of Calix’s practiced hand twisted around Marin’s glans. As Marin shook and twitched, Calix didn't even need to move the fingers buried in the pet’s ass.

 

Marin’s whole body suddenly tensed. His breath hitched and his eyes rolled upwards. The noise that tore from his mouth was half-wanton moan, half-desperate scream. Calix's eyes fixed on Marin's, but they were staring straight ahead, unseeing, totally preoccupied with the sensations in their body. 

 

The very idea of the three-in-one orgasm had led Marin to cum. He came hard around Calix's fingers and cock, clenching and thrusting and writhing. His little dicklet spurt between them, covering his soft little stomach. His cunt sprayed its juices around Calix's cock and onto his Kyrios's pubic mound and his ass kept clenching and quivering rhythmically, trying to milk Calix’s fingers. "It's...it's too much...fuck, it's too much, it's just so...so...unngh...so much, so full, overwhelming...!" 

 

As Marin's thrashes calmed, Calix gathered them up in his arms, leaning their face against his torso. He whispered soothingly in their ear as he prepared to move inside of them again. When Marin didn't react, Calix grinned, realizing that his darling little pet had passed out from the sensations. He pulled out and adjusted Marin's limbs more comfortably. 

 

Calix then went to the adjoining bathroom to get a cloth and some warm water. After gently cleaning Marin's soft form, Calix tucked them in and went for a brief shower.

 

---

 

When Anthix showed around an hour later, Calix was sketching the plans for his latest woodworking project, a modular coffee table that could be turned into a spanking bench with anchor points. Daedalus commissioned it after seeing the handcrafted gift that Calix had brought to the golden Lattice Ceremony.

 

A tone from an unseen speaker pulled Calix’s mind from his work. Someone had just come in the door. 

 

“Finally,” Calix grumbled as he moved to greet his sibling in the sitting room.

 

Anthix felt a mixture of emotions. Calix could no doubt read the conflict in their face. On the one hand, the meeting with Rhys had been companionable and pleasant. On the other hand, they were about to manipulate their old friend so that his pet's associates could have a chat with him. 

 

"Hullo, Calix. Where's Storm-Eyes?" Anthix folded their long, flowing coat over their arm and sank into the couch, pulling their braid out from behind them and putting it over their shoulder so that it wouldn't be trapped. 

 

“Sleeping,” Calix answered, sitting across from Anthix. “Out with it. How’d it go? Marin and I have been waiting.”

 

"Knew I could rely on you to keep them distracted," Anthix teased. "And...it went exactly as I expected. Awkward at first, but we cleared the air and talked about old memories. I'm sure he'll accept my next invitation." Anthix fiddled with their braid a little. "As for his new pet, Jasper is clever, charming, ath—"

 

Having heard the sound of the front door, a sleepy, still very much naked Marin wandered into the room as Anthix spoke. They climbed into Calix's lap. "Don't stop on my account, please."

 

"I think you'll like Jasper very much, Marin," said Anthix, speaking honestly. "He's a sincere creature by nature, at his core, even as he dissembles and puts on masks. It must be what made him such a good thief."

 

"Didn't I tell you so, Marin? See, both your favourite Coins agree on the matter," said Calix, holding Marin around the middle and leaning his face on their shoulder. Then, he turned his attention back to Anthix. "So when are you asking the pair of them over for all the subterfuge?"

 

Anthix fixed their eyes on Marin. "I was going to ask my pet, actually. Would you be up for having company during the weekend, dear heart?" 

 

Marin lowered their gaze thoughtfully, then looked up at Calix before turning back to Anthix. "If it helps to make sure nothing bad happens with Rhys or...or Jasper. Yes, Anthix."

 

"I'll make the arrangements."