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Kajjex's memories leading up to a peaceful darkness were hazy at best. He was aware of the rain, of his own soaked clothing, and of Preek's hand on his upper arm, but the lights and sounds of Rata Sum went nearly completely unprocessed. If Preek had said anything, he hadn't heard it. The last thing he remembered was being led into the lower levels of the city and into a door, before it all went dark.

When consciousness returned to Kajjex, it was slow and reluctant. His ear twitched, and a bleary eye opened into a dimly-lit room. Over several minutes his exhaustion faded away from his mind, if perhaps not his body. Eventually he shifted around onto his back, staring up at an unfamiliar ceiling as more complex thoughts started to return to him.

Though quickly coming to the conclusion that he was not back in this room, he felt no sense of alarm, and so he continued to stare at it for about a minute before sitting up. As expected, he found himself in an unfamiliar environment, laying in a hammock that was far more comfortable than his own. He stared around at the completely foreign location, trying to figure out where he was, and quickly noticed the banner of the College of Dynamics on the opposite wall. Below it was an inactive console, drawers and a table upon which rested a collection of books and manuals, not all of them scientific in nature; a few, he noticed, appeared to be works of fiction and even a title he recognized as erotic literature.

Other than these items, there were no other clues he could immediately see; but as he recalled being guided back to Rata Sum by Preek, and he had mentioned studying at Dynamics, it seemed a reasonable conclusion that he was in Preek's apartment. Taking a moment to stretch out and yawn, Kajjex threw the blanket he was covered in and swung his legs over the side, hopping out of the hammock.

And quickly realized he was completely naked.

It was a mirror next to the bed that brought this to his attention, his body completely bare and his large, flaccid cock and heavy balls completely out in the open. He gasped, quickly looking around to make sure he was alone and settling down with a sigh once he was sure of his privacy. Preek had likely pulled his soaked trousers off while he was asleep, or helped him out of them in his exhaustion, though there didn't seem to be any indication that anything untoward had happened. But as Kajjex gazed at the mirror he found himself taking keen noticed of his own form, dimly aware that it had been years since he'd bothered to look at himself in the mirror.

Back then he had been relatively thin and gangly, not unlike most asura, though taller than many and with a slightly larger build than average; his genitals had remained the same, but his musculature had clearly developed since then, his chest broader and his arms and legs thicker. It was a body type he'd only seen in some asura who had served the Vigil order or the Lionguard of Lion's Arch, but among those in Rata Sum it was practically unheard of. A part of him wanted to curse the development as yet another symbol of his failure, but another part was drawn to it, somewhat pleased and even attracted to what he was seeing. He lifted an arm and curled it, watching the musculature with mild interest as he flexed.

"Not bad, I guess," he muttered, giving the look a half-smile.

"I agree."

Kajjex gasped and fell over face first, his face going red as Preek laughed. The younger asura whipped around, futilely trying to hide his cock and balls behind his hands and only succeeding in wrapping his forearms around the shaft. "How long have you been there?!" he cried out.

"Easy, kid, I've been here only half a minute," Preek said, holding up a hand and a bundle of clothes and a coat beneath his arm. "You don't need to be shy - hell, _I_wouldn't. But here you go, if you want to cover yourself up. I checked your size and calculated your dimensions before buying, so it should fit fairly well even if you decide to bulk up along the line."

He tossed the package neatly between Kajjex's legs and leaned next to the door, leaving Kajex to unroll the bundle. The trousers and pants were fairly standard work-issue clothing, but the coat was another matter entirely. On a casual inspection it was simply a black longcoat, but when he peered closer he saw that it had a flexible armored chestpiece, a soft cotton interior beneath a light yet sturdy synthetic leather, a pauldron with a kinetic shield emitter, and an energy capacitor on the back. He arched an eyebrow at this piece, then looked up to Preek.

"I doubt you purchased this in Rata Sum," he said pointedly. "This seems almost like a designed piece of armor."

"After the fights you've been in, I figured you could use something like this," Preek chuckled. "I made a few modifications to it while you were asleep."

Kajjex got to his feet, the admission making him too curious and confused to be worried about his nudity. "Why?"

"Because you need it more than I do," Preek said with what seemed like complete sincerity. "Try it on, tell me it doesn't look good." He paused. "Or don't. You've got a nice ass, I don't blame you for being a little vain and showing it off a little longer."

The tease put a burn in Kajjex's cheeks and he turned away, quickly throwing on the new attire and almost immediately noticing the shirt seemed designed to be snug. When he donned the coat the coat, the capacitor on the back began to hum almost silently, the pauldron emitter glowing with a dim gold light. He looked at the mirror again, adjusting the coat and raising his eyebrows - the accouterments looked good.

"Thanks, Preek," Kajjex said softly, turning to him. "I don't know what to say."

"Say nothing for now," he suggested, putting on his own jacket. "I know you had an eventful day, so wait until the end of it before you decide on what to say. I said I was going to show you the club, and you look perfect for it right now."

"Right now?" Kajjex said, a little unsettled by the abrupt invitation. "I dunno if you heard what happened, but it's not a great time for me to kick back."

"Now is the perfect time to kick back," Preek insisted. "The last thing you want to do is spend a rotten night alone with your thoughts beating you up, so we're going to have some fun tonight, instead. When you're down, it's better to share drinks with a friend than drown in a bottle alone."

There was a half-second where Kajjex felt like arguing the point, but it died down quickly when he looked back at the mirror, smiling at his new look with the coat.

"Well... alright. Lead the way."

It turned out that Preek lived just down the walkway to the club on level Lambda, near the midline of the undercube - not so deep as to be ancient and forgotten like the lower levels, yet just deep enough that anyone who traveled there did not do so by accident. They were there in less than three minutes, a bright holographic sign flickering above the doorway leading in. At the door was a tall, muscular felinoid, a black-furred charr with a set of large horns, who was eyeing the line carefully, giving the closest patrons an overbearing look to keep them quiet.

As the asura pair neared him he gave Preek a casual salute. "How's it goin', Boss?" he said, each of his four ears twitching with the smile.

"We'll have to see in a bit, Raxio," Preek replied. "This is my friend, Kajjex, I brought him here to improve his day. Make sure you remember him, he's free to come and go as he wishes, no charge."

"Wait, what?" Kajjex looked between them, surprised. "Oh, no, you don't have to do that, Preek, I'm just--"

"I insist, my friend!" Preek said in a friendly yet no-nonsense tone. "You get the VIP treatment until I say otherwise. Consider this a home away from home, anytime you need it."

"VIP, eh?" Raxio chuckled. "Got it. Welcome to Preek's, kid."

"I-- er... thanks," Kajjex said awkwardly, as Raxio stepped aside and let the two in, much to the displeasure of those still waiting for the club to open.

It was a well-kept, triple-floor establishment, energetic with lighting and yet not overly complex in the typical asuran aesthetic of neon lighting and geometric shapes, with comfortable seating around large circular tables and what appeared to be a stage at the center of one of its walls. A few other asura were busy wiping down the tables and seats, stopping to wave at Preek as they made their way to the bar, where a female asura with a blonde fauxhawk was stationed. She brightened and waved them over.

"Heya, Preek! Who's your friend there?"

"Good evening, Mikks. This is Kajjex," he explained, patting him on the back. "Kajjex, Mikks. She's the primary bartender for our first shift, so if you ever need anything you let her know. Drinks are on me for tonight."

Again, the generosity startled Kajjex. "Preek, you don't need to go this far."

"Probably not," he said fairly, taking a seat at the bar. "But something tells me you need it, and another thing tells me you're worth it."

Kajjex tried to argue the point but Preek would hear none of it, and pretty soon Kajjex resigned himself to leaning against the bar and enjoying the drink, deciding that as long as things were going to be even slightly positive, he was going to take it. After a few minutes, Preek spoke.

"So... I heard about what happened."

Kajjex nodded, sipping his drink. "Did you."

"I have a couple of former colleagues that still work the upper office levels at Synergetics, and I went snooping around. Torkk wasn't very quiet about it. I didn't know he was your... you know..."

"Most don't," Kajjex said simply, his finger circling the rim of his glass a few times before elaborating. "We don't like being associated with each other. He considers me an embarrassment because of my scientific interests, among other things." He shook his head, sighing. "He approached me early last year with an offer to secure me some better work if I did a few jobs for him. Digging around the lab was one of them, and you saw how that turned out. Honestly, I should have known he was never going to uphold his end of the deal."

"The way I hear it, it seemed like he was looking for _any_reason to pin it on you."

"It's how he got ahead in life," Kajjex said dully. "He just needs a scapegoat."

"What_really_ happened, today?" Preek pressed.

If it had been several hours earlier he would have been in no mood to impart the tale, but after Preek's immense kindness and understanding Kajjex found himself willing to answer. For the next hour he explained the incident, how a trio from the realm of Ivalice had chased a moogle through the asura gate; Kajjex fighting two of them and nearly getting killed in the process; and Shara and her clan-mates turning up to capture the trio and heal him. Throughout it all Preek listened intently, never interrupting unless to clarify a detail, waiting until Kajjex had finished imparting the ultimate punishment his father had threatened him with.

"So... that's it," Kajjex finished. "The likelihood of him being voted into the Arcane Council is just about absolute, and he has no qualms using me to cushion the blow. Pretty much everything I've learned and studied these last five years has been pointless," he said, sighing and peering into his drink.

"Not for a moment," Preek finally said, pushing his empty glass aside. "If it had been useless, you'd be dead already. What it really sounds like, Kajjex, is that you have a talent for kicking ass even against opponents three times larger and with more experience than you; and that if you hadn't stepped in both today and yesterday, three or more people would be dead. That took a lot of courage, standing up to them."

"I appreciate you saying that," he said, and he meant it. "But it won't change the fact that my dissertation will be thrown out, or that I won't be able to join any krewes without convincing credentials. Fact is... I just feel like a failure. Studying the art of war and self-defense didn't get me any friends - present company excluded - and it certainly hasn't gotten me any financial stability. I've no interest in applying for the Peacemakers, not when they're pretty much at the beck and call of the Arcane Council. Anything I might be able to offer a krewe, a golem could provide for cheaper and with complete obedience. I'm just not marketable."

"You really need to re-evaluate your self-worth. Forget what that cantankerous bastard told you, it doesn't matter if he's your old man. If anything, be glad that you no longer need to try to prove yourself to him or anybody else. Take this opportunity to try being satisfied with yourself, for once."

"I don't know how," Kajjex said. "I don't even know what I really want anymore."

"Sounds like you need a severe injection of self-confidence."

"Probably," he chuckled humorlessly. "Let me know if you find a vial and we can test to see if I'm allergic to it."

The doors to the club opened, drawing their attention. In seconds a line of customers started to file in, and the lights brightened, music blaring from overhead speakers. The stages stirred to life, sliding out of the walls, though there were no performers to be seen. A few employees appeared from one of the entrances leading back into what appeared to be a kitchen, but what struck Kajex as odd was the form-fitting attire they wore, which seemed to accentuate their body types.

"Preek, what kind of performances do you have here?" he asked suddenly, a wild thought occurring to him. He turned to see the older asura grinning.

"Well, we have all kinds of performers. Weekdays we'll have some standup, but for most of the acts... well, maybe you'd better watch and have that question answered in full."

Kajjex nearly started to ask what he was talking about, but something in Preek's smile told him that was as much an answer as he was going to get out of him. As it was, it didn't take long for the evidence to pile up as the club filled to capacity, with younger, provocatively-dressed asura taking seats; some older patrons that had one or two other asura hanging on their arms; even some non-asura were making themselves comfortable in some of the larger booths. Not everyone seemed to be invested in the performance stages, with most of the patrons farthest from the platforms engaged in talking, eating or drinking, but those closest to the stage were clearly waiting anxiously for an act to begin. At some point a thick mist had appeared over each of the stages, veiling the walls behind them. Kajjex's ears started to burn strangely as several figures appeared seconds later, and even before the performance started he had guessed correctly what he was about to witness.

Three walls, three stages, and thus three performers. All of them were asura, and save for dark blue leggings and arm-length gloves none of them were clothed. Two females and one male, all nude, all of them smiling shamelessly at their audience as they began to move to a fresh surge of music blaring overhead. Kajjex's breath caught in his chest as he stared at the nearest one, a honey-haired male with a handsome face and hair, an agile and lean body, beautiful green eyes, and a half-flaccid, ring-pierced cock; though why Kajjex had bothered to notice this last detail put a red burn in his cheeks. His movements were smooth and graceful, drawing all eyes to his movements as he performed erotic, acrobatic maneuvers that Kajjex had only ever heard of; gyrating against the pole and sliding his hardening shaft against it, or sliding it between his buttocks as if it were a dick to tease and grind against.

He grabbed the pole at one point and leapt onto it, his legs clinging around it while he hung upside down and slowly spun around it, never losing his smile or his balance for even a fraction of a moment as he performed. To either side, the females were putting a spirited performance of their own, even grinding their bare clefts against the shafts, no doubt to simulate the act of teasing a long, hard member between their legs. Kajjex looked back to the male, going rigid as his eyes seemed to meet the performer's.

In that half-second Kajjex could almost feel the confidence radiating off the male performer, a calm and satisfied aura of someone who was fearless and proud of who they were, what they were doing. The crowd's cheers seemed to be of limited value to him, like it was just another day to him; but it was clear he was enjoying himself on a level that only someone on the stage doing what he was doing could ever understand. And yet, despite his attractiveness, Kajjex got the sense that he was not simply an air-headed, body-flaunting fool.

"Flitt was one of the first dancers here," Preek said, leaning over. "He's a talented field researcher and animal handler, but when I met him he was timid as a mouse. Now he performs here every weekend, plus a few free nights when he feels like it. Despite that, he still finds time to study and make time for his friends and krewe."

"He's cute," Kajjex said quietly, fidgeting in his seat - the trousers he'd been given had unexpectedly become tighter in the crotch.

"He's also in a relationship," Preek said with a chuckle, pointing to one of the female asura on the left, violet-haired and beautiful, with perky breasts. "That's Myrreah, his girlfriend and krewe leader. She's the one who encouraged him to perform."

"So... this club is for erotic performances?"

"Often, but not always," Preek explained. "It's adult entertainment, but that can also mean standup, performing bands. Sometimes even games of chance. The real draw is-- hold on, you're about to see it," he said quickly, pointing to Flitt and Myrreah.

The platforms had shifted, now connected by raised platforms that bridged the open space between them, and Myrreah left her platform with a sashaying step that drew the audience's gaze to her supple, cute ass. She paid them no mind, her eyes focused on the pole-suspended asura, taking his face in her hands and giving him a sweet kiss.

Preek grinned, looking back over the bar. "Mikks, give them the green light."

"Got it, boss," she said with a returning grin, reaching beneath the counter where a single click could be heard.

It was as if a signal had been sent, as the two performers moved in unison. Flitt loosened his leg-grip on the pole just enough to descend a few feet, as Myrreah leapt up and grabbed the pole just above his leg to spin around it once, neatly sliding around him such that his face was staring directly at her bare pussy, while his cock was only a few inches from her nose. Neither of them showed any signs of shame as they began to treat each other with oral attention, Myrreah greedily slurping down Flitt's cock while he buried his mouth and chin between her legs. Neither of them slackened their hold on the pole, remaining in the same position even as their bodies moved, twisting and flexing.

Kajjex gaped at the sight, completely red-faced. "You do live sex shows here?"

"Only when the crowd gets rowdy enough," Preek replied. "And only when the performers signal that they want to go for the 'big finish.' It brings in plenty of gold."

The younger asura couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing, yet made no attempt to look away. Everything about it was entrancing, almost addicting to watch, from the genuine acts of sloppy oral sex the couple were giving each other, to the looks of complete poise and confidence they exuded as they committed to the carnal act, without a hint of discomfort or embarrassment. They only stopped a few minutes later to change position, Flitt twisting and flipping off the pole and leaning against it while Myrreah spun around it and straddled his hips, ready to descend and take his length into her sopping-wet snatch.

They're actually going to do it, Kajjex thought. They're really going to have sex in front of everyone! Why? How are they able to act so brazenly? Don't they have careers and krewes? What if they found out about... this?!

He swallowed, eyes locked on Flitt's cock as Myrreah's glistening slit grazed against it. The tightness in his trousers was almost stifling by now, his fingers clinging to the stool he was sitting on, his heart racing. It seemed completely insane. And yet, when she finally slid those few inches down, her cuntlips spreading apart and swallowing more than half her lover's cock, Kajjex could not help but feel a pang of desirous resentment, a distinct feeling of jealousy, though he could not fathom why. Her cry of bliss was clear enough to reach the bar in the back, making Kajjex shiver. It was a sound he'd never heard anywhere save for restricted, adult holo-recordings, and it brought out a feeling of longing he could not understand.

"Enjoying the show?" Preek asked.

Kajjex jumped, remembering that he was in friendly company, swallowing and nodding before finally managing looking away. "It's... they're a cute couple," he said quietly. "And very bold, too."

"They didn't use to be," Preek said. "But they brought it out of each other when they met. I'm glad they came to work here, they're good people."

"What about their krewes? What if they found out?"

"Kajjex, half of their krewe are probably here for the show," he laughed. "This is something they love to do, and they don't care that some people might judge them for it. It's because they know there's more to them than what they do as researchers, just as there's more to them than what they do during performances. They're just sharing that with the rest of us, two sides of the same coin - they're still the same people, not matter where they are."

Kajjex brought his gaze back up, noticing as the pair looked into each other's eyes. He'd seen asura in love before, and this was no different other than being locked in the middle of coitus, with Myrreah's legs wrapped around Flitt's waist, riding his cock as he bucked up into her, using the pole to keep upright.

"What are you thinking, Kajjex?" Preek asked. "Are you too uncomfortable? I won't keep you here if you need to get some fresh air."

"Huh? Oh, no," Kajjex said quickly. "It's-- I'm just not used to this." He paused. "I wish..." He trailed off, not certain that he wanted to finish his thought.

"Wish what, Kajjex?" Preek pressed.

"I... I don't know," he said quietly, watching as the couple kissed and rutted, the sounds of their lovemaking soft but audible even from a distance, even above the crowd's murmurs and cheers.

"You know, we do offer one-on-one services, too," Preek said, nudging his elbow into his arm. "You could meet them after this, and get to know them a little more personally."

"Preek... why are you showing me this?" he asked. "What's your game, here?"

"I'm not playing games, Kajjex," Preek said solemnly.

"Then why?"

"Because I think there's more to you than you might know," Preek answered. "And I want to see if this might help draw it out of you."

"But why?" Kajjex repeated.

Preek didn't answer for a few moments. Then, without warning, he reached out and put his hand on Kajjex's shoulder, speaking in a voice with a despondent undertone.

"Because more than anything, I don't want to see wasted potential."

It was enough for Kajjex, who took a deep breath and nodded, feeling moved by the unexpected touch. He focused on the couple again, who seemed to be reaching the end of their act together, their groans and gasps becoming more desperate, the movements gaining in speed and intensity. Suddenly, Myrreah arched her back and cried out, her thighs trembling violently and her grip around Flitt's waist tightening as she rode out her climax, a brief splatter of feminine nectar pooling on the floor. At almost the same moment Flitt went rigid, bucking into her a few more times and gasping, his balls visibly twitching as he unloaded them into his girlfriend, his groans quickly stifled by his krewemate's lips as they kissed again.

The crowd cheered, a sight that baffled Kajjex as much as the fact that he joined in on the applause, breathing heavily as he watched the platforms slide backwards, a curtain concealing them a moment later. The act over, the overhead lights brightened and the atmosphere relaxed into relative normalcy.

"It'll be about an hour before the next act," Preek said, squeezing his shoulder. "Mikks?"

"One second, Boss, gotta serve a couple customers!" she replied, shaking a pair of containers around. After a few more seconds she drained each of them into separate glasses, quickly serving the pair. "There you go! What's up, Preek?"

"Got anyone slated for a Sweet Meetin' with Flitt and Myrreah, tonight?"

Mikks triggered a console on her side, scanning through the readout. "Hmm... no, they're free tonight to fill any no-shows tonight, and every other performer is here and accounted for, including that quaggan stand-up comedian." She sighed, giving Kajjex a wink. "My shift is continuous, otherwise I'd like to entertain your friend here."

"Maybe another time, if he's open to it," he suggested, thumping the blushing young asura on his back and knocking him out of his stupor. "Pass a note, tell them I'd like them to meet and welcome a new friend of mine. So, fancy meeting the stars of the first act?"

"W-wait, like actually meeting them?" Kajjex sputtered. "And doing what, exactly?"

"You don't have to do _anything_you don't want to, but maybe this can help open you up, you know?" He gestured to Kajjex's trousers, which still held a noticeable bulge. "Besides, while I'm sure you can handle most two-handed weapons on your own, I don't think you can handle _that_monster by yourself."

Kajjex swallowed, feeling equal parts dizzy and excited. The longer he thought about it, the more he wanted to say yes - for that feeling of inferiority to be buried by something more base and carnal, to feel like he was worth it. "It's just, I've never... with another person..."

"All you need to do is sit back and let them take care of it," Preek said, squeezing his shoulder. "Like passing out in a dentist chair, except you're the one with the drill."

Kajjex took in a deep breath, more to stave off giving an answer than to calm his nerves. When he had stared up at the couple, rutting on stage without a care in the world, he had wondered what would have happened to their reputation. And now, as someone who likely soon would have no positive reputation to speak of, Kajjex started wondering what he had to be fearful of.

... Nothing. I have nobody I need to impress. I just... need this. To know. To find out.

He looked up to Preek and nodded.

"Alright. I'm game."

The three-floored club was a little larger than Kajjex initially thought, with backrooms and hallways connected to the facility. Kajjex guessed that many of these used to be abandoned labs and corridors from over a century prior, repurposed into isolated rooms where private get-togethers and one-on-one meetings could be held. The more he saw, the more he was curious as to how Preek came to own the establishment in the first place, and why he hadn't heard of it until recently. But Preek guided him through the halls he seemed more than happy to provide the answer without being asked.

"My mentor actually owned this property about forty years ago, using it as a meeting place for geniuses to get together and unwind," he explained, leading Kajjex around a corner. "Over time he introduced spirits, good food, and adult entertainment, and made the place something of a hot spot on Lambda-level. People on the upper levels like to pretend it doesn't exist so you'll rarely here anyone mention it by name, if at all. Still it's here when they have a free night to decompress from the stress of scientific research. I've even seen a councilor or two sneak in here, before I had Raxio eject them."

"How did you come to own it?"

"Well, he didn't stop his experiments and research while owning this joint, so I got it when my mentor passed away in an accident," he replied, bearing the smile of someone experiencing a brief and pleasant recollection. "The bold old man went out in a blaze of glory, just like he always wanted - creating a new explosive compound and reducing himself to ash, getting himself a post-humous publication through peer-review."

He stopped at a stone door, pushing it open and leading Kajjex inside. The room was dimly lit and small, but comfortable, with two large, soft cushions that were, to an asura, perfectly suitable as makeshift couches. The moment they stepped in Preek began to take off his coat.

"Get as comfortable as you'd like, but you might end up taking off everything in the end," he warned with a smirk.

The suggestion for Kajjex to strip was daunting, but he followed suit, setting his new longcoat aside. "You don't do this with all your employees, do you?"

"Of course not! We have about thirty employees, ten paid volunteers, and a dozen golems, I wouldn't have enough time for all of them!" The unexpected joke got a genuine laugh out of Kajjex. "Joke's aside, Flitt and Myrreah are an open couple and along with Mikks they're all good friends of mine, so I've been known to share the sheets with them now and again."

"Are you not in your own relationship?" Kajjex asked, unable to help but stare at the older asura's bare butt as he kicked off his pants; it was attractive well-toned, the kind that came from traveling much farther than the next lab.

"Me? Nah, but I'm good where I'm at," Preek said. "I have friends with benefits and friends without them. I don't want to pin anyone down in a relationship with a retired genius like me, when they could bond with someone with fresh ideas and perspectives."

He faced Kajjex and it became immediately apparent that the younger asura had underestimated how physically molded Preek was. Beneath the coveralls and jacket was a middle-aged asura who looked like he had served a decade in the Vigil or taken training tips from a mountain-dwelling norn, with a firm and flexible musculature. Between his legs swung a set of genitals that most erotically-minded beings would have been proud of, a flaccid prick and pair of proud balls that would have made most erotically-minded asura self-conscious.

"Damn," he blurted out.

"Thank you," Preek replied, grinning as he fell backwards onto one of the cushions. "But if you really think that, then you should be the one boasting with that build."

"Er... right. Thanks," Kajjex muttered, taking off his trousers with some reluctance and trying not to let his eyes stray as he took a seat. "Though I think you're the first one to say so."

"You either don't meet many people who are attracted to you, or you do a good job covering yourself up," the older asura suggested. "So, how are you feeling?"

"A little better, and a lot confused," Kajjex admitted. "This morning I was hoping I wouldn't suffer through a half a day of asura gate recalibrations, and eight hours ago I learned my dad is more than ready to gut my academic life before it's even started. And now? Now I'm in a room completely naked, with the kindest person I've ever met in my life, waiting to have an intimate night with a pair of cute asura dancers - and I can't help thinking that there's some catch involved, some ulterior motive." He cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to suspect you of being anything but a great guy."

"I don't blame you for being wary. If you'll allow me to later, I'll explain," Preek said sitting up. "But we've got visitors, so let's not spoil the moment."

Both of them felt the surge in magical energy in the air moments before a pink-hued portal lit up the floor several feet away. A pair of flashes illuminated the room, bringing with it the asura couple Kajjex had seen not ten minutes earlier, still completely disrobed. Myrreah was the first to move, letting out a pleased squeal and launching herself onto Preek with a hug.

"Boss! I didn't think you were coming tonight!"

"Neither did I," Flitt said, sitting next to him. "We thought tonight was your night off from the club."

"It was and it still is, but who says I can't spend it with my friends?" Preek said, leaning over and giving him a hug. "By the way, you did great tonight, you guys. Stealing the show, as always."

"So what made you want to come in today?" Myrreah asked, climbing over his lap and beaming at the new guest. "Did you find yourself a new friend?"

"This is Kajjex," Preek explained. "The poor kid has had a bad day, probably the worst an asura can have - the kind you're both familiar with. I was hoping you might be open to taking his mind off things."

"Aww, one of those kinds of days?" Myrreah said, her ears drooping as she hopped from Preek's cushion to his, sitting beside him. He nearly drew away, his nerves on a hair-trigger from the completely alien situation. "Believe me, we know what that's like, Kajjex."

"I'm sure the both of us can help you relax," Flitt said, kneeling on the floor in front of him. "No need to be nervous. Is this your first time?"

"Y-yeah," he replied, trying not to get overwhelmed. "I'm just _completely_new to this."

"We were the same way too, hon," Myrreah said, giving him a friendly, one-armed hug. "Just tell us if it's going too far or too fast, we have all night to enjoy ourselves."

Her other hand reached down, hovering an inch above his slightly engorged prick for a few moments until Kajjex realized she was waiting for his permission. He nodded to her, taking a sharp breath as her fingers slid around his girth and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Have you really never been intimate with anyone else before?" she asked in a tone of soft awe. "It's a shame, you're very gifted."

"It's longer than Preek's," Flitt agreed, getting in closer and sliding his hand under one of Kajjex's balls. The red-faced asura let out a groan, his own fingers taking a handful of the cushion beneath him. Flitt lifted the hand-filling orb, treating it with a look of admiration. "Some asura just don't see others for the value they really have."

"Did you still want a hand, Preek?" Myrreah asked. Kajjex looked his way, seeing the older asura with his cock in hand, giving it slow-paced strokes as he watched.

"Nah, I'm good for now. Maybe in a bit," the older asura said, smiling at Kajjex. "Our new friend here needs the attention more, believe me."

"You don't need to be shy," Flitt said, leaning in and smiling up at him. "We don't do this with many people, but if you have Preek's vote of confidence then we trust it. Just tell us what you want."

"Can... can you just work me up a bit?" Kajjex asked, still hesitant but unable to deny how good their hands felt.

They nodded and set to work, Myrreah getting behind Kajjex while Flitt knelt directly in front of him. Her hands slid up the center of his back, pressing firmly along either side of his spine. Almost immediately she found a knot, squeezing and kneading the spot until he felt a dull pop. The tension melted away, sending a shiver through him. Another few seconds passed and she pushed her knuckles in again, releasing another knot lower down. "You've got plenty of strength in this body, but you're so tense, hon," she whispered into his ear. "No apologies or hesitance tonight, you _need_to relax."

Even if he'd wanted to slow things down, the moment Flitt's lips touched the base of his cock that apprehension disappeared into nearly nothing. With one hand cradling his balls and another on the shaft, he began to stroke his palm against the throbbing length, sending flutters of intense bliss through Kajjex's loins. He drew in a deep breath, trying to process the pleasure he was subjected to, which in the past had only ever been experienced in involuntary incidents, never with any deliberate intent. Through his lust-clouded vision he could see an oversized bead of preejaculate bubbling from the untouched tip of his cock, swelling size as Flitt pressed a thumb against the 'neath and stroked it upwards. The tip of Flitt's thumbnail brushed against it and it burst, breaking apart and trickling down the head and shaft.

His lips trailed down and started to tease Kajjex's balls, sending another hot shiver through his back. His hand smeared the viscous lube across the surface of his shaft, while his suckling little kisses and licks coaxed more of it from the tip. In under a minute Kajjex was nearly at full mast, his full set looking robust enough to be more at home on a well-endowed human. When Flitt lifted his head back up and pressed the flat of his tongue against the pre-slickened underside of his nearly hardened prick, Kajjex had to dig his fingers into the cushion to keep his mind even halfway clear, and nearly lost his focus when Flitt began to slurp up the the throbbing pole. He nearly swayed and fell back, only for Myrreah to keep him upright, her arms reaching around him to begin massaging his cock.

"Don't be afraid to cum, hon," Myrreah murmured in his ear. "If you haven't even been spending the time to tend to your own needs, you shouldn't be holding yourself back, even if it feels good."

"We're not going anywhere," Flitt added, flicking his tongue against the swollen head of his cock. "We'll get you there however many times you're comfortable with."

With their combined efforts and Kajjex's lack of stamina training, the apex of sexual pleasure was fast approaching. Still, for the sake of enjoying the sensations of having two cute asura giving him their full attention, he tried to hold out as long as he could, even as both of them worked their hands on his shaft. Soon, their own needs started to show as they both removed a hand each; Flitt started to jack away at his own dripping hard prick, while Myrreah took one of Kajjex's hand and guided it behind him, sliding it between her legs. He understood immediately what she wanted, curling his fingers up and penetrating her slick folds, using touch alone to explore her. She moaned behind a bit lip, resting her head on his shoulder. "Listen to my voice while you work, hon. You'll know when you're doing something right."

Muddled as his thoughts were he managed to keep this in mind, using it as a distraction to keep himself from blowing to early. His finger circled in her pot, grazing the roof and getting an excited squeak from her, her hand reflexively squeezing his shaft in turn. A slight stretch and he'd drilled his fingers deeper into her cleft, getting a heady moan from her. A ripple of humor got a smile and slight chuckle out of him, as he became dimly away that this was sexual experimentation in its truest, scientific form. It was testing the technique and recording the reaction, then repeating the test again and again, comparing the result, and forming the conclusion; and then using it in a practical application. It had its intended effect, with Myrreah gasping and squeaking, even as she struggled to keep stroking his girth.

A new sensation brought his attention back to Flitt, as the smaller asura got up just enough to come head-level with the head of Kajjex's prick, angling it down and licking the tip again. He paused, giving Preek an inquisitive look.

The older asura grinned. "If you think you can handle it, go for it."

Kajjex was a half-second away from asking what they were talking about when Flitt leaned forward and swallowed several inches of his cock in a single, effortless movement. The resulting surge in ecstasy along his cock caused him to arch his back with a strangled cry, but with an enormous amount of effort he managed to hold back the majority of the tide, a brief yet generous spurt of hot cum spewing from the tip and into Flitt's mouth. The oral treatment ceased for a few moments as Flitt moaned around his shaft, easily swallowing the load before continuing.

"Flitt's going to get you prepped for me," Myrreah told him, gasping into his ear. "Is that okay with you, or would you prefer him first?"

"Y-yeah," Kajjex moaned, reflexively rolling his hips into Flitt's face. "That'd be perfect..."

For the next few minutes the couple worked in unison to keep him near the edge of complete bliss, though Kajjex could not fathom how they were able to do it without saying a word. The subtle downward bend of his dick as it slid down Flitt's throat, the gentle caressing and squeezing he gave his balls, the continuous massaging Myrreah provided for his chest and back while he grazed his fingers along her inner walls - it was almost too much for him to handle. Yet at no point did he tell them to stop, or that he could no longer keep going, determined to last as long as he could.

The entire time Preek oversaw the trio, looking content to watch and and masturbate, and to Kajjex it seemed like he was keeping himself on edge too. "You're doing great, kid," he groaned, nodding to him.

"I'm not... doing anything," Kajjex managed to groan.

"You've got your fingers buried to the knuckle in Myrreah and you've held out longer than ten minutes even with Flitt sucking your dick - you're holding out pretty damn well," Preek countered. "I think you might be ready."

"I'm just... trying to make this last."

"Now's not the time to hold back," Myrreah told him, getting up from behind him just as Flitt pulled away fully, a thick string of saliva and precum connecting his lips to the tip of his cock for a few moments before breaking. "You've already outlasted most of the lucky clients who have gotten a night with either of us, by at least twice as long."

Flitt got back up to his feet and moved to Preek, climbing into his lap and giving him a brief kiss before spreading his ass-cheeks apart and taking the entire length of Preek's cock in one go, letting out a moan Kajjex would have expected to hear out of Myrreah. He wasn't able to dwell on it any longer as Myrreah straddled his lap, just in front of his prick; a vantage point that gave Kajjex a clear idea just how deep he was about to be buried into the female. There seemed to be a moment of excited hesitation for her as well, her eyes widening slightly, but after a few more moments she got back up and gently pushed Kajjex onto his back. He watched as she positioned herself directly over his cock, hissing slightly as the head grazed her gash. When she started to descend down the throbbing pillar, her netherlips spreading apart to accommodate the massive intruder, it was heralded by a gasp and shaky moan.

It felt like every inch of his cock was slowly being sucked into a velvet-lined tube, one that trembled and flexed around his girth. Were it not for the lubrication Flitt had provided, Kajjex doubted he would have been able to get even a third of it inside, yet Myrreah did not cease her descent until her ass had settled into his lap and her pussy lips were wrapped tightly around the base of his shaft. With what little biology education Kajjex was able to recall, he breathed in and clenched his stomach and pelvic muscles, halting the flow before it could start long enough for Myrreah to adjust and adapt to his cock. Her feet braced against the cushion and she rose up from his lap, a slurping sound and sensation emanating from their loins as she started a slow pace.

He was thankful for the slow beginning, able to handle and savor the sensation of her inner walls bearing down around his throbbing shaft. What compelled him to do it he was not sure, but seconds after she started his hands went up to her hips and squeezed around them firmly, giving him some limited measure of control over the pace. It also gave him the opportunity to contribute, raising his hips up to meet her descent, timing their movements for the best possible effect. By now his reluctance and shyness had faded away into nothing, his focus centered on enjoying her body. Her hand touched his face and he looked up at her, managing a smile.

"You're doing well, just guide me the way you want me," she said in a soft voice.

It was enough to coax more activity from him, keeping a tight grip on her waist and controlling her movements to be faster. The roiling waves of hot bliss did not cease as he set the pace higher, though he felt a strange semi-numbness, not altogether unpleasant, tingling along his shaft. His breathing became more labored as he started putting more of his body into the act of lovemaking, and at roughly the same time Myrreah's panting and moaning started to intensify as well. It was a sound he'd heard only once, while she on the stage, and he quickly identified it as her reaching the same sexual high that only an orgasm could provide.

"You're close," he groaned.

"Y-yeah, you're just so big," she whimpered. "I can't... I--"

Her balance seemed to shift and she swayed to the side, but even in his arousal-addled state he reacted quickly, sitting up and sliding his hands up her body to keep her upright. With the shivering asura cradled her in his arms he started to shift their positions, placing her on the cushion with him above her while still buried in her cleft.

"You've got strong legs," he said softly, wiping his brow. "But you've been at it for a while, and I doubt you took a break after your performance." He grabbed her calves and pulled her legs apart, feeling a bolstering warmth in his chest. "Please, allow me."

The mechanics of coitus were not a branch of study he ever investigated, but a brief glance to the side gave him something to work with, as Preek bore down on Flitt and worked his hips into the younger lad's upturned ass. Indeed, the moment Kajjex started to move and replicate what he was seeing, something deeper than acquired knowledge seemed to kick in, a base impulse that almost felt like guidance to his efforts. His back and thighs flexed, plunging his cock into Myrreah's sweltering depths, the weight of his efforts pushing her deeper into the cushion as she moaned and writhed beneath him. Her back arched and she squealed, and he felt a brief surge of warmth as her orgasm hit. With his sheer girth continuing to plunge into her quivering quim her nectar dribbled down her legs and his balls, leaving a patch of dampness beneath them.

It had the added effect of her inner walls rippling around his cock, sapping away much of what remained of his sexual endurance and nearly making hims sway. Despite this he held firm, groaning and bracing his hands on the cushion as he rutted away at her, feeling the head of his cock reach the depths of her tunnel and bottoming out just as it brushed against the end. The thought of an unprotected womb less than hand an inch from the instrument that could breed it caused his arousal to swell, nearly bringing him to the edge. He grit his teeth, determined not to show that he was lacking, until Myrreah's hands grabbed her shoulders and her legs wrapped around his hips.

"You don't need to prove anything, Kajjex," she whispered. "It's okay, you can let it out. Let yourself go." She raised her head, breathing her next words into his ear. "_That_is the secret."

He could not fathom what she meant by it, yet he understood the permission he was being given. His back flexed and bent, his hips jerking and going rigid as he let himself going, a moan pouring out his mouth and a wave of pure relief washing over him as his balls let loose. He could almost envision the thick ropes of virile seed erupting from the tip, the pulsing of each pump as he drained every ounce he could give into her womb, his mind trying to stretch out the moment as long as it could to savor it. Whether it was mere seconds or several hours before the tide finally ebbed into a trickle, it left him nearly immobile, save for just enough strength to flop to the side next to Myrreah. Across from him, on the other cushion, Preek was holding Flitt close in what appeared to be a post-climax hug, the younger male looking exhausted but ecstatic.

Kajjex shivered, the afterglow feeling strangely lonely as he curled up, until Myrreah moved next to him and wrapped her arms around his chest, burying her head beneath his chin. "Silly. You can't just curl up by yourself after. Cuddling is the best part."

Kajjex found himself laughing weakly, glad for the embrace and quickly agreeing with her assessment. "I'll have to remember that next time."

"Good," she said, kissing his nose. "Because Flitt is next."

His ears perked up, and through his fuzzy vision he spotted Flitt nuzzling into Preek's chest for a few moments before the older asura released him with a smile. Still basking in the afterglow of fucking Flitt's girlfriend he tried to sit back up as Flitt got to his feet and approached, but only managed to roll onto his back. He tried once more, only for Flitt to place his hand on Kajjex's chest and smile.

"How was she?" Flitt asked.

"She's amazing," Kajjex admitted, his cheeks burning. "You're very lucky to have her."

"I am," Flitt agreed with a grin, as he sat next to him. "But I love watching other guys fuck her. Just the thought of her getting knocked up by someone bigger than me is..." He shivered, his eyes locked on Kajjex's cock. "I love it. I wouldn't be surprised if a stud like you managed to pull it off."

A surge of alarm coursed through his body and Kajjex glanced back at Myrreah. She was hiding her face and giggling, shaking her head. "Oh stop it, Flitt! I always take contraceptives when we expect to fool around with clients." She paused, looking to Kajjex with a sultry gaze. "Or at least... that's what I tell him. I took them tonight, I'm not interested in scaring off a cute guy like you. But if you start sticking around, who knows when I might... 'forget.'"

"They're riling you up," Preek intoned from behind her, grinning. "But it looks like it's working, the idea must really appeal to you."

Kajjex followed his gaze back down to his cum-slickened cock, the length still slathered with warm seed. Only half a minute ago it had softened to about half its total length, and now it was completely firm once again. In the next second it had disappeared into Flitt's mouth, the shorter asura hungrily slurping and sucking his shaft, working his lips and tongue with a skill Kajjex wasn't prepared for. The brief, kinky talk had already been enough to reignite the arousal in his core, but it was Flitt's oral skills that stoked that arousal and put that beautiful ache back in his balls once again. It took all Kajjex had left not to begin jerking his hips to face-fuck the cute lad, his trembling hips flexing slowly to meet the bobbing motions.

Flitt dipped in lower with a moan, easily deep-throating the length without a hint of discomfort on his face. Kajjex lifted his head slightly to witness the sight, with Flitt looking back up at him with a lust-glazed gaze as he held himself in place. The feel of Flitt's tongue swirling around the base of his shaft made him shudder, and he nearly broke on the spot when Flitt pulled himself off of his length, a thick string of precum and saliva connecting his lips to Kajjex's cock for a few second before breaking. It was enough for another surge of lubrication to spill from his cocktip, though this leakage was cloudy with a little extra seed.

"That... was delicious," Flitt panted. "Not trying to stroke your ego, but you've got plenty to be proud of with your tool. Bet it holds up well against constant stress-testing."

"Heh... I'll be glad to take the words of those with more expertise," Kajjex managed to say as Flitt got onto the cushion and into his lap.

"You don't need to take my word for it," Flitt corrected him, and before Kajjex could ask him to elaborate the smaller asura leaned in and gave him a deep kiss. A moment passed where Kajjex went wide-eyed at the act, before his eyes glazed over and he returned the kiss in its intensity, tasting his own seed on Flitt's lips and tongue. Never before had he shared such intense affection with another asura, much less a male, nor had he expected it even after laying eyes on Flitt; but as new and alien as the situation was, it was not unwelcome in the slightest.

His ear twitched as he picked up on the sound of Preek and Myrreah beginning another round of lovemaking, giving them a brief glance just in time to see Preek sheath every impressive inch into her cum-slickened snatch. He couldn't focus on them too long, the ache in his balls beginning to throb throughout his cock as well, just as Flitt broke off the kiss and looked briefly at his girlfriend being plowed by the much larger male. In seconds Myrreah was moaning shamelessly, her legs wrapped around Preek's waist as he started a spirited rhythm that caused her voice to jump with each thrust, accentuated with the clap of his balls against her ass.

"Kajjex, please... I want it too," he whispered into his ear, his ass-cheeks sliding around Kajjex's shaft. "I want you to fuck me like you did her, like Preek is doing now. You don't have to be gentle. I can take it."

Whether or not it was an act didn't matter to Kajjex in that moment - the cute look Flitt was giving him, mixed with the genuine tone of his voice as he begged to be rutted, was too effective as a combination against Kajjex's resistance. Before Flitt could say anything else to coax him Kajjex had sat up, flipped Flitt onto the bed face down, and mounted the smaller asura. It took only a moment for him to line the tip his cock against Flitt's pucker, and then it was gone, buried in his backside. Flitt's voice rang out through the room, and for a moment he sounded exactly like Myrreah, their voices melding into one as they were both pinned down and fucked.

As before, there was no method or memory in Kajjex's movements; it simply felt right, the roll of his hips and the flexing of his legs as he drove his cock deep into Flitt. The slickness of saliva, precum, and Preek's prior load from earlier provided the perfect lubrication for Kajjex, his shaft gliding smoothly through Flitt's ass without compromising the pleasurable friction along his length. In minutes Kajjex was matching Preek's rhythm, his balls bouncing against Flitt's with every thrust, the sound of their hips swatting against flesh timed perfectly. With Flitt's upper body and face pushed into the cushion and his ass in the air, Kajjex was in a perfect position to drill the smaller asura from above, leaving Flitt with little to do but squeeze around his girth every time it buried into his ass, though it was enough to wring a little extra stamina out of Kajjex with each thrust.

It wasn't until Flitt cried out that Kajjex realized how close he was to the edge of bliss, the sound drawing him out of his sexual stupor. Flitt clenched hard around the base of his cock and with a groan Kajjex stopped short, savoring the feel of his pucker trembling around his throbbing cock. Flitt let out another moan and pushed his ass firmly into Kajjex's hips, and though Kajjex couldn't see it he was sure his lover was experiencing a mind-shattering orgasm. A gasp tore through Kajjex as the act brought him past the edge, his balls drawing up slightly as he drained every rope of jizz into Flitt's upturned ass. After several seconds his legs trembled and gave way, causing him to stagger a half-step back and fall on his backside, panting as he watched his seed leak out of Flitt's hole.

"I-I can't... it's too much," Kajjex panted, smiling down at Flitt. "I'm sorry."

"N... no apologizing," Flitt whimpered, smiling back at him. "That was... fucking amazing. How is it... you've never done this before?"

"I just... did what seemed right," Kajjex admitted. "And it sounded like I was doing the right thing." It took moderate effort for him to simply raise his head again, looking to Preek and Myrreah, but it seemed at some point in the middle of his romp with Flitt, the pair had finished up and were snuggled up in the middle of their cushion.

He tried to get back up, but Flitt reached him first, draping himself over Kajjex and resting his head on his chest. "Just... relax for now. Nap a little. I think we both need it."

Kajjex nodded, as glad for the respite as he was for the cuddling and affection. "Yeah... besides, Myrreah is right," he said, wrapping his arms around him. "This is the best part."

For the next two hours, and with considerable breaks between each round, Kajjex and Preek swapped partners. While they said nothing on the subject it was clear that neither Myrreah nor Flitt were strangers to entire evenings of intimacy, though Kajjex suspected they also weren't as affectionate to clients as they were to friends. It was hard not to see them as friends, even with a meeting as unusual and uncommon as the one they'd shared.

Now they were curled up together on either side of Kajjex, basking in a shared afterglow that he was reluctant to get up from, at least until Preek appeared at the end of the cushion, a towel wrapped around his waist and a smile painting his features. Kajjex managed to rouse himself, sitting up and ready to thank the older asura for everything, only to be silenced with a finger to his lips.

"Not yet," he said. "Wanted to talk to you, but you'll probably want to clean up before then." He jerked a thumb over to his shoulder. "There's a sanitation golem in one of the booths, a quick thirty seconds and you can dry up - if you're up to it," he added.

Kajjex understood what he meant by that, that Preek was ready to let him stick around for a little longer if that was what he wanted; but while it was tempting to at least snuggle with the couple for a few minutes longer, his head was much clearer now than it had been all day. As such, he recalled Preek wanting to explain a few things, as well as having a few questions of his own. He nodded and turned to both his new lovers, giving each a quick smooch on the cheek.

"Thank you, both of you, for tonight," he said.

"Mmm... our pleasure," Flitt said.

"Keep in touch, in and out of the club," Myrreah yawned.

"I will," Kajjex assured her.

It took less than five minutes for him to rinse up and dry off, donning his clothes once more (and taking a few more moments to admire the coat Preek had given him) and then heading out. Preek waited on the wall opposite the room, gesturing him to follow.

They reached the end of the hall and he pushed the stone hatch open, the exit leading to an isolated balcony that appear to jut out of the side of the undercube, giving them a wide view to the south. Many miles away one could spot the Rata Sum docks leading out into the sea, with dim pinpricks of light visible along the waterway. Above them the clouds had started to part, and a few stars peeked from behind the gray veil. They reached the end of the balcony and Preek hopped onto the railing, sitting on it.

"I like this balcony," Preek said. "It's a good view and I don't have to feel stifled by everyone on the upper levels. The perfect place to just sit back and think without any distractions."

"It's peaceful," Kajjex said, nodding and leaning against the rail. "I could use a place like this, especially after today."

"Then you're welcome to it when you need it. So, what'd you think of them?" he asked.

"They're nice," Kajjex replied. "I guess I anticipated them looking down on me, for some reason, but they were patient and careful." He smiled, glancing back at the room. "I hope to see them again soon, and not just in an intimate capacity."

"They're good asura, I'm sure you'll get along with them. In a lot of ways, you remind me of what they were like when I first met them."

"How was that?"

"At the end of their tethers," Preek said heavily.

Kajjex looked back up at him, certain there was a story to hear. "Yeah?"

"I met both of them when they were in situations similar to yours," Preek began. "Flitt is a talented zoologist, he loves working with animals. He worked in multiple golem krewes, the 'Big Four' in fact: Hydroponics, Incinergen, Aeronotics and Terranexic. But each of those same krewes hired him for his knowledge, let him stick around for a few months and then make 'cuts' to the krewe based on 'financial limitations,' preventing him from receiving any credit for the advancements they made. By the time he'd finished with Terranexic, he'd been locked out and without a direction to a new krewe."

"That's awful," Kajjex said, his brow furrowing. "And Myrreah?"

"She had a respectable posting in the Medilance krewe, creating a holoprojection scanning system that could analyze and copy any carbon-based life-form, but halfway into development her prototype and its blueprints were stolen and destroyed. A week later the Inquest submitted a near-exact replica as their submission for the Snaff Prize, and while they didn't win that year they did manage to gain favor from the Arcane Council and several inventors that made use of it." He shook his head. "It almost destroyed her. Most attempts to produce a new system and offer it to other krewes fell through, and Medilance was mostly disbanded, with its few remaining members joining the Inquest. Her former boyfriend ended up being the one who stole her life's work, just to get ahead."

"Why didn't she appeal to the Arcane Council?" Kajjex asked. "Surely she had evidence, patented the system?"

"She did, but she lacked the same thing Flitt lacked - self-confidence." He looked to Kajjex, giving him a sad smile. "It's the same thing I see in you."

The younger asura scoffed, shrugging. "No surprise there. I don't exactly measure up to the standard of most geniuses."

"Kid, stop." Preek said it with a note of annoyance, and for the first time Kajjex saw his face harden fractionally. "I've seen too many asura conform to the norm when you can tell it's not what they really want, and even more of them throwing in the towel when it seems like there's no hope left. Myrreah and Flitt gave up on everything because life screwed them over. It's why I stepped in and helped them get back on their feet."

"How?"

"I gave them jobs serving drinks and helping me maintain the club, at first. It gave them the chance to distract themselves from their losses, to reconnect with people through interaction. The hardest part was rebuilding their confidence, but once I decided they were ready, I made them an offer that helped them get it back - by putting them on the stage."

"You mean through erotic performances?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I know what you might be thinking, 'isn't that taking advantage of them?'" Preek said. "It wasn't. It's not as easy as ripping off your clothes, cranking up the music, and spinning around a pole while waving your dick in people's faces. It takes skill and being able to read the audience, and it _requires_you to be able to appreciate and love yourself to cultivate the confidence it takes to stage on stage."

He mulled on that for a few moments, inwardly admitting that he didn't factor in the mentality it took to perform. "How did they just agree, though?"

"I offered to teach them as a way to get their minds off of their troubles and make gold during the evenings, all while learning what I could about them. In the end, I didn't change a thing about them - I just opened them up to a part of themselves they hadn't known about." He grinned. "When they finally met it was pretty much love at first sight, and it didn't take long for things to get better for them once they had each other's support. Myrreah eventually formed her own krewe with him. She used her knowledge in forming holoprojections to create golems that could scanned entities, while Flitt developed a bestiary and algorithms for golems and holoprojector movements to simulate animals. It allowed them to break into an untapped market of surveillance golems, letting others scout out the wilderness and analyze fauna without risk. Now they have twenty people on their krewe, combining golemancy, holomancy, and wilderness survival."

"That's amazing, even a little inspiring," Kajjex muttered.

"It is, but I don't know if it ever would have happened if I hadn't done something to step in and help them."

"Is that why you're trying to help me?"

Preek nodded. "You haven't even been truly tested yet. I won't doubt for a moment that you've had it rougher by having a prestigious genius like your father constantly belittling the things you're passionate about. But the _last_thing you need is for you to assume that your ideas are worthless and stop believing in them, when you haven't even had the chance to see how much that knowledge is really worth." He turned in his seat, giving him a serious stare. "You've already saved lives by putting that knowledge into practice. Do you honestly think your skills and studies are useless?"

Kajjex didn't answer immediately, mulling on the words. "I don't think they are, no. But I'm not the one I need to convince, and neither are you." He looked up, seeing the soft glow of Rata Sum's upper-level lights, knowing somewhere above them, his father was likely brooding. "I give myself two or three weeks at most, when the Arcane Council takes votes for filling the vacancy, before my work gets purged from Rata Sum's servers and my accreditations from my college are removed. I won't be allowed to work in a krewe even as labor." He sighed, laying his head on his arms and staring out into the bay. "Even if I worked my hardest, I wouldn't be able to get the results I needed."

Preek said nothing for a while, the two of them sitting in silence, save for the quiet sounds of the waves far below. After a few minutes he spoke.

"Want to hear a funny story?"

Kajjex cocked his head to one side, curious.

"My first submission to Rata Sum was the honeyed elixir enhancements, but from the start my hypothesis wasn't taken with any real seriousness, not even with the krewe I was working with. The College of Dynamics kept my research because the replicated tests suggested I might be right, but nobody wanted to actually investigate that avenue of study. In order to test my theory in full, I had to gain access to the hives of the Northern Shiverpeaks arctic bees. So once I had a source of funding secured - something that wasn't easy to obtain, of course - I made the trip across Tyria on foot. I stopped by other apiaries maintained by the sylvari and humans, but while they did produce some tasty honey they lacked what I was looking for. I eventually had to make the full trip to the Shiverpeaks by myself."

"Getting the honey was harder than you might think. Most of the Shiverpeaks are wild and dangerous, so wild arctic bees evolved to be aggressive stingers. Domesticated hives are much more passive, but only a handful of races actually cultivate them. The jotun are often too hostile to deal with, and the kodan will give you some tripe about 'balance' as an excuse to refuse, so my only access was with the norn. Since they use the honey for their mead, they're fiercely protective of their hives. The easiest place to travel to for them was in the foothills near the norn city of Hoelbrak. A lodge owner named Adalstenn had a large and well-maintained hive, but he refused to let me study his bees and his hives unless I could best him in an arm-wrestling contest. No golems, no science-y tricks to boost my size or enhance my strength - just pure asura muscle against his."

"That's... insane!" Kajjex blurted out. "The average norn is three times our size, you can't just challenge them to arm-wrestling!"

"Oh, believe me, I was very well-aware," Preek said with a smile. "But he told me that was the only way he would help me, so I agreed anyway. It was over in less than three seconds. Once he'd won, though, he welcomed me to stay at the lodge for a few weeks, so he could give me another chance to challenge him. I had nowhere else to be, so I took him up on it, using that time to learn more about the culture and day-to-day life of the average norn. I also got into a bit of training, hoping it would help for the second round. Things like running in the snow, helping the lodge by carrying barrels, cutting wood, learning how to shoot with a bow and hunting, weight training - by the end, I was a bit tougher and stronger than when I'd arrived, and it showed. I challenged Adalstenn once more, got the table out, and showed him the fruits of my labors. The struggle ended in ten seconds."

"So you won?" Kajjex said, surprised.

"What, are you insane? Of course not!" Preek laughed. "He's a norn, he was literally three times my size, of course I was going to lose!"

"But then how did you write your paper?" Kajjex pressed, confused.

"It didn't matter to Adalstenn whether I won or lost. The fact is, he_expected_ me to lose the second time as well. What _did_matter was showing how determined I was to get what I was looking for, to put in the time and energy it would require to _earn_that knowledge." He pulled up his coat sleeve, showing the norn writing on his arm. "In their old language, it's supposed to translate as 'little stone,' a reference to a norn adage about how even a pebble can cause an avalanche. In a way, it was accurate. I only needed to change _one_mind - his - in order to start turning heads. Once I did a thorough study on the hives and tested their honey, I found the compound that augmented most common healing elixirs. It added a nice, sweet taste to them, too. My submission ended up gaining a lot of attention, and I was able to rebound from my slump and run my own krewe for a couple of years."

"That's amazing," Kajjex said.

"Anyway, the reason I'm telling you this is because it's too soon for you to give up," Preek continued. "Most 'geniuses' prefer to just tread the path everyone else has walked on, but it takes a lot of strength and confidence to forge a different path. I know what it's like not to have your work taken seriously, to feel lost and alone while treading new ground. Sometimes the first step is the hardest,especially when you don't have a path to follow, and when the unknown can be frightening."

"So what is the first step?" Kajjex asked.

"In this case, it's changing minds one at a time." Preek reached out, patting his back. "And you've done it, by changing mine. Besides, it's easier to explore new ground when you have help."

Kajjex gave it a few moments of thought. Still, he had questions.

"Was there any other reason you brought me here tonight?"

Preek shrugged. "I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk and give you a little hope. I wanted to cheer you up, get you out of your funk. Hopefully it worked."

"I feel like it did," Kajjex said.

"At the same time, though, I saw how you were watching the performance. And you seemed to say that you wished for something, before saying you didn't know what it was." He hopped off the railing and leaned against it, giving Kajjex a considering look. "What was it that you were wishing for, when you were watching?"

A slight flush of warmth rose in his cheeks. "Promise not to laugh?"

"Promise."

He stared at Preek a few moments longer, then spoke. "I wished that I could know that feeling Flitt and Myrreah had. That complete confidence, to be able to get on a stage wearing nothing but a smile, and still be able to perform skilled maneuvers. Well... not just the maneuvers," he admitted. "But to also be able to do it in front of dozens of eyes and have the moxie to just smile back."

"You wondered what it would be like if _you_were on that stage?" Preek said.

A long moment of hesitation lingered before he nodded reluctantly, unable to prevent a smile from breaking across his face. "You're right, I'm lacking in self-confidence. I want to get it back, or build it back up. And when I saw both of them on stage just... letting go of all that fear, I got a little envious. I would love to know what that feels like, if only for one night."

"Well, I'm not gonna lie - that was _definitely_not what I expected you to say," Preek said with a chuckle. "But I think I understand." He paused, looking over Kajjex for a few moments before nodding. "You have a good foundation to start with. Good strength, reasonable flexibility, and very attractive on a physical level. Considering that you've been in a couple of fights, I'm pretty sure you must have decent endurance, too. So... what if I were to give you that chance, in addition to helping you get out of your current conundrum?"

His eyes widened at the offer. "T-to perform? O-oh, well I-- that is... I was only saying it as..." he trailed off, looking away.

"Just a little advice, Kajjex," Preek cut in. "The first step is usually the hardest because we're usually too afraid to take it. You don't have to stick with it if you discover it's not really what you want. But if you stop before you even try, you'll never know for sure, and it always be in the back of your mind. If you want me to help you, you need only ask."

Kajjex hesitated, tapping his forefingers together. It was happening so fast, but it was happening whether he wanted it to or not. Logic suggested that he hit the ground running to keep up with the pace, and his curiosity was motivation enough to see where this would all go. In a week, he would likely have nothing else, anyway. This was at least one step forward into discovering something about himself.

"What are you offering?" he finally asked.

"Come in during the mornings, when the club is closed, and have me, Myrreah and Flitt teach you how to open up and perform," Preek said. "It's not a job offer, unless you want to make it one down the line. More than anything, it'll be a distraction to get your mind off things and maybe help cultivate a little self-confidence. And in the meantime I'll see if I can set something up with a krewe using some of the contacts I've made over the years, or at least help you land something that will appreciate and make use of the ideas you have."

"And... if at any point I feel like backing out?" Kajjex asked slowly, reluctantly - the last thing he wanted was to feel like he was wasting Preek's time.

The older asura gave him a warm smile. "Take a day to consider it, and then two weeks to try it out if you're still up to it. If you're still not sure it's for you, then you can back out - and either way, we'll both come away with a friend," he said, holding out his hand.

The younger asura smiled back and took his hand. "Alright. And if there's anything I can do to pay you back, just let me know."

"Just let me tag along for the ride," Preek chuckled as they shook on it. "I get the feeling I'll be quite entertained."

Back at Ulta Metamagicals, the krewe had started to settle down and finish its evening routine, consisting of filing away reports, making preparations for the following day, and general clean-up. Tekki had procured sanitation golems for the last of these tasks after the incident that had left dust, rocks and glass littered across the main gate chamber. The rest of the lab's clean-up had been swift, as little testing had been performed in the wake of the cross-dimensional incident that had taken place, with the Arcane Eye putting a temporary cease on all gate-based research until a proper investigation could be achieved.

"Stupid lizard thugs and their stupid human," Tekki grumbled, sitting on one of the bedrolls with her arms crossed. "We could be making_huge_ strides right now, if it weren't for them."

On the other side of the tent, Glaxx looked up from his book. "First of all, based on yours and Kajjex's report, I conjecture that the reptilian bangaa race resent being referred to as 'lizards,' possibly considering it a slur. So if you're adamant on doing further experiments on those coordinates, you might find it useful to omit it from your vocabulary. And second, there's little that can be done about that, given how violently those intruders acted. If Kajjex hadn't intervened we'd have had multiple bodies to clean up, and one of them would be yours."

"I suppose you're right," she sighed, flopping down on her bedroll. "I should probably send him a gift basket or krewe recommendation. It just _sucks_not being able to conduct any research because of it."

"Tomorrow is supposed to be clear of rain. We could try going to Rata Sum to appeal to the Arcane Council," he suggested. "If nothing else, take this as some time to relax. All work and no play makes Jakk a dull genius." He perked up. "Hey, try finding that club on the Lambda level, the one on that card you found. Could be fun."

"Ah, what the heck, I may as well," she said. A tone rang out from several nearby stationed golems and she sat back up. "Alright, lights out everyone!" she shouted to the other tents, before returning her attention to Glaxx. "Are all the golems on standby?"

"All except for the heavy lifter, he's been set to continue cleaning up the cave-in," he replied, setting his book down and laying back. "We should really build some support pillars in there, something with pozzolana cement and treated steel reinforcements."

"We've got enough saved up and the Arcane Council will probably add funding for our discovery," she yawned. "I'll check with my contact in the Black Citadel, see if they have good steel for sale. G'night, Glaxx."

"Night, Tekki," he sighed, easing into sleep.

Within minutes the tent lights were dimmed and nothing save for the sound of snoring could be heard among them, leaving only the sounds of Duskstruck Moor's fauna as ambiance outside of the valley.

Had they not been so tired they likely would have realized what was amiss, as the still-active golem continued to gather debris at what should have been a reasonably high volume. It was only the presence of a sound-dampening unit installed on its frame that silenced the noise in its immediate vicinity. For roughly an hour after lights-out, it continued to work, unnoticed and unheard by the krewe. Then, without any warning, it flinched and went rigid, it's central command crystal converting from blue to red. What should have been a tremendous crash was reduced to a mere thud as it dropped an armful of rocks onto the floor. It turned and marched to the center of the vacant main gate chamber, a port in its chest cavity opening and depositing a flat, mirror-like device on the floor. The device glowed pink for several seconds, then flashed several times, as six black-armored and face-covered asura leapt from its portal, each holding a shield and a pistol, scanning the room.

One of them glanced to the other five with a nod before addressing the golem. "Golem, stand by the entrance and await further orders, Inquest-access only."

The golem turned and marched away, as one of the asura quickly entered the control booth and activated it. The asura gate hummed to life and its typical violet swirl of arcane energy appeared. With a few taps on its keys and a pull of its handle, the swirl became a deep blue.

"Have you copied the coordinates, Agent?"

The asura at the booth raised a glowing red data crystal. "Right here."

She turned to other four, pulling her goggles up and gazing at them with beady, fuchsia eyes. "Are you all equipped with your tranquilizers? Detection visors set to filter out ambient magic?" They nodded. "Good. You were briefed that this was a search-and-secure mission. We will be using the asura gate coordinates to infiltrate Ivalice. Our primary objective is to procure one or more specimens identified as a 'moogle' and bring them back to our labs for analysis and vivisection. Other races with high magic concentrations are an acceptable secondary goal. Be on the lookout for possible ley line paths."

"How long is out window of operations?" one of the agents asked.

"Six hours. If we miss tonight's exit window, we continue the operation until the next exit window. We will have a week to get this done, at which point the Arcane Eye will have finished its investigation. Agent Plikk will remain behind to maintain the gate during the exit window and close it before the krewe wakes up." She jerked a thumb over her shoulder to the asura manning the booth. "Keep in mind that we're to keep a low profile during the operation. We don't want the locals in Ivalice to later report on our presence. Fortunately, they seem weak enough that a no-name novice was able to dispatch two of them, so our numbers should be sufficient. Any questions?"

None of the remaining four asura spoke. The leader slid her goggles back on. "On me, then. Let's get this done, agents." She turned back to the gate and drew her rifle as the agents equipped their shields and pistols, then marched to the gate, pausing for a moment before walking through.

Seconds later, the gate flashed and they were gone.