Checking to make sure he had all he would need for his studies, Calix swung his pack over his shoulder before shutting his locker. Making his way down the hall, he ignored the chatter coming from the rest of the student body because it had been the same for the past three weeks.
Curfew.
The bill had been issued for such a thing shortly after it had been brought up at the soirée and then was passed and made into a law the following noon. Too soon did the lower ranking officers set to work at enforcing said new decree, leaving a few dozen people to be fined or arrested within the first several nights. A small percentage of the ones to fall to the law were individuals amongst the students at his school. Some, being the delinquents they were, put up a fight and wound up getting thrown in jail for several nights. However, the lesson wasn't exactly learned, leaving the students that had been arrested to believe that they had bragging rights, especially the ones that managed to escape them.
Thus started the games.
They were simple really. One just had to do something at night, after curfew, and get it on video. Extra points were earned to those he managed to get away from the police that had spotted and attempted to arrest them. So far, only three of the at least twenty students that had been sent to jail had managed to actually get away without being traced, luckily, and thought it was only right that they were entitled to bragging rights, to power.
Hell, they thought they ran the school but all they did was become nuisances.
Assholes really.
You know, the ones that thought they could do whatever they wanted. That being anything from the pick of girls at school to harassing other students-the nerds, geeks, dweebs, dorks and so on- to getting those same people to do their studies afterwards and thank them afterwards for letting them do said homework.
It was really quite childish really and the raven couldn't find the appeal to it but he couldn't quite tolerate it either.
Glancing at the watch on his wrist, Cal slid his sleeve back down as he heard the sound of books hitting the tiled floor. Lifting his gaze, it then shifted towards a male that had knelt down in front of his locker prior to drifting over to larger male that was looming over him with an arrogant smile on his face. And guessing the outcome of what was eventually going to happen; Calix set his bag down as he walked over, taking a knee beside the smaller male to help him out.
"You ok, Evan?" he asked as he grabbed his classmate's Physics textbook.
Said person nodded, taking the book. "Um, t-thank you."
He gave a one shouldered shrug. "No thanks necessary," the teen replied as he grabbed Evan's advanced Calculus book. "Can't just let some stupid bastard do whatever the hell he wants, right?"
Nervous eyes flickered towards the larger classmate standing over them before looking back at the one helping him. "Um…h-he's right there, y-ya know?"
"So?"
"So, that means I can fucking hear you," the other snapped as he slammed his foot down onto the raven's hand.
Flinching slightly, brown eyes focused on the shoe stepping on his hand before looking up at the owner of said shoe. "I know. It was meant to be heard," Calix stated before kicking his leg out to catch the taller male in the shin. Once his hand was free, he stood up rubbing the back of it before cracking his knuckles. "I think you need a little rundown on how things should work here at school."
"What, and you're going to be the one to teach it to me?" he said with an false mirth.
Calix gave a one-shouldered shrug. "I don't see why not unless you want to fight the locker behind me."
Rolling his own eyes at the remark, the upperclassman cracked his knuckles before taking a swing at the raven that had shoved his hands into his back pockets as he resumed talking to the one he had knocked over. Stooping down to assist his classmate if needed, Calix looked up as he heard the sound of a fist hitting the locker. Diverting his gaze towards the other's face, he leaned forward, pushing himself off the reverberating metal in favor of catching the other's foot as it tried to step on him.
Pulling the leg forward, Calix kicked the other's leg out from under him before moving out the way as he lost balanced to hit face-first into the locker. Giving a smile as Evan tried to stifle a chuckle, the dark-haired teen signaled him to get going. Watching as the one in glasses finished getting his things together, Cal waved him as he got to his feet prior to feeling a fist collide with the side of his face, knocking his head into the locker.
Slumping against the cool metal, listening to it echoing from within, Cal brought up a hand to catch the next punch thrown. Slowly turning his head to stare at the other from the corner of his eye, he shifted slightly to watch the other fist go by. Feeling the captured hand pull back, Calix released it in favor of watching his opponent stumble back prior to sidestepping another swing and sticking his leg out in the process.
Taking a few steps back, the raven rubbed his jaw before turning to see that the taller male was slowly picking himself up off the floor.
"You think you're all high and mighty, huh?"
Cal ran his tongue over his teeth, checking each one, before giving a fleeting smile once the other was on his feet. "High and mighty?" Brown eyes looked about prior to focusing on the classman. "No, not high and mighty, Derek," Cal said as he turned to walk away. "Well, just high and mightier than you." Coming to a brief stop, he then turned in time to see the fist a few hairs away from his nose. Leaning to the left, he raised an eyebrow. "Will?"
"We need to talk," she replied, pulling the would've been attacker aside by his long hair.
"Kind of busy, Calix replied as he watched the newly named Derek peel himself from the opposite locker.
"You little bit-"
Wincing as the female pulled her fist away from the man's face, dark eyes watched as the taller male dropped down to his knees prior to receiving a boot to the chest.
"I dare you to finish that statement," Will hissed as she dug her boot into Derek's torso. "Now go the hell away. I have business with Lefay."
Said person merely glared at her before catching a peek up her skirt. As a lewd smile started to creep along his face, the lower classman didn't hesitate to dig her heel into his sternum, giving him a good look before kicking him hard enough in the side to make him lose his breath.
"Damn, girl." It was said more jokingly, more perverted. "Didn't think-"
Will merely kicked him in the side again, hard enough to keep him quiet much longer before pulling him up by the shirt to punch him in the stomach. "Stop being a dick and leave," she snapped before shoving him away. Calix merely watched the angry glare of the man before he slinked away. Setting his sights on Will, he stepped back as she cracked her knuckles. "We need to talk."
"I kinda don't have time, Will," Cal said as he collected his bag and headed down the hall. Hearing footsteps following after him then a hand to the shoulder, he sighed as the hand tightened. "What is it, Will?" he asked jadedly as he turned to face the other.
"Renyx."
"Ok?" Brown eyes searched the other's face finding it guarded. "Will…what happened to Renyx?" Furrowing her brow, Will slowly averted her gaze. "Will…?"
"He…he was arrested last night."
- † -
His face hurt.
Annoyed beyond compare, Evren did quite well at hiding his irritation behind the curtain of an amiable grin. His eyes were shut from the intensity of it and he was sure he could feel the muscles in his face twitching every time he pulled his mouth back into the foreign gesture. To further his humiliation, the majority of his clothes were replaced with similar attire he wore nearly three weeks ago.
"Evren."
"Coming, sir." Walking into the sunlit room, the white-haired officer bent forward at the waist to present a glass of soda containing three cubes of ice and straw. "Here you are," he replied, smile in his voice though disdain was starting the plaster itself along his face. Expression gone as red eyes landed on his form, Evren tilted his head at a slight angle. "Is something wrong?"
"There's two cubes of ice," Tyson replied as he stood to pour the beverage over the shorter man's head. "Go make it again."
Inhaling slowly, deeply, mismatched opened to stare out between the now dripping, light brown tresses clinging to his face. "My mistake, sir." Bowing slightly at the waist, Evren turned to take his leave before feeling a hand grab hold of his sleeve. He then shifted by a fraction to look at the leader of their team. "Is there something I can do for you?" he asked. Being turned around suddenly had him on defense. "Ty-"
"That was mean, huh?" The other kept up his wary stance, eyes narrowing little by little. "Heh, it was just ice. It probably just melted was all, right?"
"Sure," Evren said as he pulled free from the other. "If you don't mind I'm going to my room to change my clothes."
"Why?"
"I'm sticky."
"So?"
"I'm not walking around in wet, sticky clothes, Tyson."
"What happened to sir."
"Bite me," came the reply as the paler man turned, heading towards then door.
Pausing as he felt something wind itself around his waist, Evren sighed bitterly before jumping as he felt a nip at his neck. Turning to pin the other with a deadly glare, the smaller officer startled when a tongue laved over the bitten area as if to say sorry. Feeling the appendage glide over his cheek, Evren grimaced inwardly as he was hugged into the warmer body.
Unfortunately, things like that had slowly started to become the norm of his daily routine.
The one-sided banter he could ignore.
The small caresses and kisses, were acknowledged, hated, but never reciprocated.
The minor fondling was where the line definitely had to be drawn.
"Tyson." Hiding the daggers in his gaze, he clenched his jaw as he looked up at the raven towering over him. "Let go," he ordered as the man's hands slipped lower and lower still.
"Why?"
Pushing his good hand against the raven's chest, Evren stepped back, scowling as the other held tighter. "Let go."
"No."
"I wasn't asking."
"And you're in no position to make demands either, Evren."
Stomping a well-polished heel on the other's bare foot, the white-haired male pushed away from the other before fixing the collar on his starched, button down shirt. Observing the brown coloring steeping the crisp white material, he sighed mentally as he turned, heading towards the door. However, the only thing to stop him from actually leaving the stifling confines of his leader's room was the unnatural warm hand that had grabbed a hold of his injured one. And figuring how this could've ended, Evren clenched his hand into a fist before trying to pull away.
"Let go."
"No."
"Let. Go."
"No."
"I wasn't ask-" Feeling the pressure added suddenly to his hand, Evren choked down a startled sound when he felt the bones in his hand shift. "Tyson." The name was carried out on a strained yet steady note. "Let go."
"No."
Squeezing tighter, dark eyes watched as the muscles in Evren's jaw jumped then relaxed as he slackened his hold. Repeating the action for a while, Ty listened to the suppressed grunts and perhaps whines that were slowly starting to escape the man as he was pulled into a kneeling position. Hearing a faint hum, coming from his right, the raven grabbed a hold of his subordinate's wrist and pinned the hand down against black tile.
"Let go of my hand, Tyson."
"Sir."
Mismatched eyes narrowed up at the man as a scowl placed itself on the paler male's face. "Let go, Tyson." Curling his fingers to form a fist, Evren attempted to reach out to touch, even graze, the other's face. "Let g-"
Lifting the officer's captured hand, Tyson slammed it down, watching as the other winced in the process. "No." Leaning forward, he watched as Evren leaned back. Releasing his injured hand, Ty pushed the other onto his back before grabbing it once more before leaning down to be a few centimeter apart. "When I say no, just know that you should accept it."
The one on his back narrowed his eyes before having his injured hand squeezed. "Let go."
"You're in no position to make orders, remember?" Shaking his head slowly, red eyes focused on the pair glaring daggers. "Princess-"
"Don't call me that."
"I can call you whatever I want, Princess." Watching the small rivulets of cola running down the other's pale face, Tyson leaned down, swiping his tongue along his subordinate's cheek, collecting the sweet substance. "Princess?"
The other narrowed his eyes before trying to free his hands again. "Disgust-" Squeezing his eyes shut as the other sealed his mouth over his, Evren squirmed about, wincing as his injured hand was held tighter. Stop it! Tasting cola, he tilted his head in the other direction, only to have the other follow. Let go…! Turning his head in the other direction, turquoise slowly revealed itself. Jade soon followed before both tried focusing on the blurred red pair above. Air…!
Parting slowly, Tyson listened to the sharp intake a few seconds after he had moved. Smiling down at the pink tint darting the other's face, his mismatched eyes hazy, Ty leaned down to give the other a quick kiss to the brow before brushing aside a wet, pale brown tress. He knew the other had too many thoughts racing through his head to form a coherent sentence. It left the white-haired man, the one with a quick tongue to judge, completely speechless and loveable.
Well, even more so to the raven.
"Isn't that better?" Tyson asked quietly, watching as the haze slowly started to dissipate. "It's so much easier when you're not using that silver tongue of yours to bark orders, no? Not having to think anymore, not having to worry about what plan to execute. All you have to do is worry about what to do at the precise moment you're told, yes?"
When Evren went to speak once more, he flinched the moment he felt lips brush against his. Trying to get his hands free, at least his good one, he felt his fingers curl to form a fist before he began to taste the faint trace of soda on his leader's person. Turning his head, he grimaced inwardly as the other followed. Coming up with the solution of shocking the other, Evren stared up in confusion when the other didn't reel back in surprise or pain. Instead he was greeted by the raven's natural warmth, and not just that of his body temperature. Finding his thoughts starting to scatter, the paler officer tried getting away, failing more miserably than before. And when he tried his previous attempts of negation, only to have them thwarted, his thoughts slowly began to come to a close around one possibility.
Maybe I…
He shook his head mentally to stave of that mindset.
There was just no way that he could like this.
Having his head tilted back, he slowly uncurled his finger before feeling something trying to pry its way into his mouth.
Like anyone, the surprise made him gasp allowing a warm, yet sweet-tasting tongue work its way into his mouth. Feeling his cheeks heat up, Evren squeezed his eyes shut even more as he felt the other take the time to explore each and every crevice hidden. And the odd thing about it was that he couldn't bring himself to bite down. Feeling something on his cheek, the white-haired officer cracked his eyes open to see red eyes staring down at him thoughtfully.
"You're blushing," Ty commented with a chuckle as he leaned back down. "Hmm, why is that?"
Chuckling once more as the pink darted across the bridge of his follower's nose, darkening in the process, the raven grinned inwardly when the other made no attempt in moving, negating, or rejecting him in other way.
If anything, it was safe to say that he finally won his sought after prize.
Something in the man's gut told him to reject it, to get rid of the other's presence yet Evren lay almost motionless as he the rest of his skin heat up to match that of his face. This wasn't his first kiss. That had been taken long ago, and not under the best of circumstances, leaving the man to wonder why this was happening.
This wasn't right but…
…why does it feel…nice…?
Knocking on the door soon had Evren cracking his eyes open to see red eyes looking towards the entrance. Him moving then had Tyson looking down, an amused but pleased smile in his gaze. Another knock had mismatched eyes going towards the door before flitting back up at the raven that was in the process of sitting up. Reaching up to grab a hold of the other, Evren stopped himself before looking over to see that his hand had been released. For how long, he did not know but the confusion on his face managed to make the other chuckle aloud.
"What's wrong, don't want me to go?" Ty asked, watching as the smaller male looked elsewhere while sitting up.
"Someone's at the door, Tyson," Evren replied, skirting around the question.
"Ah, ah, ah." Pushing the man back down, dark eyes stared at the startled expression followed by the blush darting along his face. "Don't I get an answer?" Evren looked at him them towards a black painted wall. "Fine, don't then." The old leader glanced at him before having his chin caught between the other's thumb and forefinger. "I'll stay right here," Ty said before giving the other a kiss.
Going to pull away, Evren stilled the moment his sticky tresses were gently brushed aside a warm hand. Raising his hand by a fraction, he lowered it bit by bit until it rested along the black tile. Feeling a bit lightheaded, he began to close his eyes as his thoughts began to scatter. The thing that brought him back to reality however was when he made at the sound of the door sliding open. Slowly tilting his head back, his eyes opened little by little before growing larger as he saw the impassive green pair widen by a fraction.
Scrambling to get free, he squirmed about, only to have the other try to keep him still. Balling up his good hand to form a fist, he didn't hesitate in letting it connect with the side of his leader's face. Sitting up quickly, he clambered to his feet before resituating his sticky apparel and hair.
"Alexis."
Said person looked at her previous leader, her mild surprise long gone before she turned to her current leader signing away.
"Is that so?" Tyson asked as he rubbed the side of his face. The young woman signaled her reply. "I see…well, tell the Director I will look into it."
"What are you going to do?" Evren asked after watching the silent member walk away but not before catching the semi curious glance she sent his way.
"Don't go worrying yourself on such things," he replied, offering a half smile as he made his way over to his underling. "Don't think of anything, 'kay? Leave that to me." He then pressed a kiss to the man's brow. "No more thinking."
Cheeks burning at a soft laugh, Evren punched the man in the chin before stepping back to glare at him. When none of the usual ire flickered in the red gaze, he stepped back once more before turning to leave. Not hearing anything, no complaints, no footsteps chasing after him, he came to a halt beside the door to see the raven just rubbing his chin, his unblinking stare focused solely on him.
"Goodbye, Evren." Not saying anything, said person slipped out of the room and hurried to his own to change attire. Left alone, Tyson merely smiled as he swiped a thumb along his lower lip. His smile then broadened. I got you right where I want you, Princess.
And with that in mind, he decided to grab a mop to get rid of the soda stain lest he wanted to deal with the unwelcoming company of ants.
- † -
Running a hand through dual-colored hair, dark eyes shifted to watch the raven walking to the right, a cigarette in his mouth. When equally dark eyes shifted left to observe her, Will focused on what was ahead before sighing quietly when her younger friend came to a stop to observe the courthouse gleaming in all its alabaster glory. Feeling the hate radiating off in waves, she shook her head subtly before circling around to collect Calix who was then in the process of watching a squad car go by.
"C'mon, not in broad daylight, CL."
Flicking away the butt, Cal slid his hands into his pockets of his school slacks, ignoring how his blazer fluttered open every time a breeze passed by. Exhaling the cloud of smoke he had been holding in, the teen slid his sunglasses over his eyes to block out the sight of the important people happening by.
He sneered at the thought of this section being the judicious region of Polaris.
It was laughable.
Looking over at his friend, Cal saw that she had already shed the school blazer. Her white button-down shirt was undone, tie gone to expose the black tank she had been wearing beneath. Her hair was down, shades over her eyes and ear cuff clearly in its rightful spot. Though unseen, Calix was sure the female was packing some kind of weapon on her person, perhaps just above the hem of her skirt.
Would he ask?
Probably.
Would he try to locate its placement?
Definitely not.
He wanted to live after all.
"What makes you think he's out, especially after needing bail?" Calix asked. "Furthermore, how many offenses were there to even require bail? I thought it was just a night in jail."
Will gave a subtle shrug. "Well, he's been a bit busy lately."
"Doing what exactly?"
"You'd just have to ask him yourself," she replied before rounding a corner.
"What? No, just message me."
Turning around to leave, he startled, hand itching to snatch up the knife he had hidden up his sleeve before he was pulled around the corner to be at the raven girl's side. Lip curled in her general direction, he folded his arms before hearing movement in front of them. Facing forward, he saw the redhead standing before them, hands in his own pockets while his tawny eyes were hidden behind his sunglasses. Averting his own eyes, though hidden behind his own glasses, Cal shifted awkwardly as a thick silence fell upon them.
What am I supposed to say? The teen hadn't seen Renyx in almost a month. Heh, knowing him, the bastard's still got a grudge.
"Sup, CL?" Brown eyes darted over to see the redhead giving him a lopsided smile. "Been hidin' from us lately."
"…been busy."
"Sure ya have," Renyx said as he removed his glasses to show a well-placed shiner. "Will, why'd you have to go and drag him over here?"
"Well, I thought he should know about your little escapades, thanks. That and I figured you need the help."
"…really, Will?"
"Fine, and that you two need to stop avoiding each other."
"What the hell happened to your eye?" Calix asked, staring at the mark marring pale skin.
The older man gave a one-shouldered shrug before slipping the shades back on as a black vehicle approached. "Don't worry about it," he said, turning towards the car as it came to a halt. "You comin', Will?"
"Of course," she said, watching as the driver came out to open the redhead's door then her own. "Coming, Cal?"
Watching the woman as she got in, Calix then focused on the chauffer still holding the door before taking a small step forward. When the gentleman made no attempts to stop him, merely offering a brief smile, Cal got in before having the door shut behind him. Seeing how the man then circled round to begin driving, brown eyes veered towards the redhead that was in the process of threading his fingers through his hair.
"So…um…"
Leaning over, Renyx flipped a switch, starting up the stereo within the seats just as the hovering vehicle went on its way. Slipping lower into his seat, Calix would admit that he was fairly uncomfortable as they rode off in silence, excluding the music of course. Seeing how neither of the two were making conversation, the youngest of the trio rubbed the back of his neck before looking out the window to see the passing city scene.
Centrai passed by followed by Tralli.
Twenty minutes in, they passed by the raven's neighborhood.
Looking over his shoulder when the car didn't stop, Cal looked over to see Will focusing on her small robot, SHU. Redirecting his attention to the redhead, Calix watched as he lazily wagged his finger to the fast paced music.
Relax…
His mind was right.
He was stressing himself over nothing really.
It was just Will and Renyx.
Nothing wrong with that, right?
Where are we going?
Brown eyes followed the ascending landscape, watching as the buildings became more spacious, more spread out from each other. Homes, estates really, dotted the well landscaped area, but only seeming to get larger the higher they went. A slow halt then had Calix looking towards the front to see a pair of large, golden gates embellished with an equally large and gilded R.
"Um…"
Watching as the metal bars parted, Cal observed the well-manicured lawn, the avant-garde topiary, gazeboes and fountains as they ascended the long driveway. Catching sight of what looked like an aviary, the raven began to roll down the window prior to jumping as the vehicle crawled to a halt then lowering itself onto the evenly paved road. Opening his own door, he stepped out, breathing in the clear air before looking over to see Will getting out followed by Renyx whose door was opened for him.
"Welcome!"
Looking in the direction of the voice, Calix stared up a grand flight of stairs leading to a door set way in the back of finely sculpted, alabaster columns and arches. Raising an eyebrow, the teen watched as the redhead began up the stairs, followed by Will. Hurrying after them, Cal looked back at the chauffer that was in the process of taking the car around to the garage.
"You comin' or what?" Renyx called back to the still raven.
"What is this place?" he asked as he made his way up to the large, well-made door-no doubt imported.
"Oh, that's right." The redhead looked at his female companion. "He's never been here before." She then looked at the younger raven. "Isn't that right?" Calix nodded. "Ren-"
"Then let's get goin'," he replied as the door opened, a man sweeping his hand out in welcoming gesture.
"Welcome, guests."
"Thank you," Will replied, following Renyx in.
"Uh, yeah," Calix replied as he chased after the pair.
Scanning the grand atrium, he looked up to stare at the large skylight that was allowing sunlight to pour through, covering everything in a warm and golden glow. Looking down at the soft, cream-colored tile, Calix followed the floor up to the marbled columns used to hold up the well painted ceiling depicting what could've been a piece from the renaissance era.
Footsteps echoing along the tile has him chasing after the sound in time to see his companions walking down a arched hall before entering a doorway to their right. Hurrying in, he slowed his pace lest he wanted to tumble down the winding staircase that led to another section of such a large place.
"Can I get you something?" Jumping, Calix looked over his shoulder to see the doorman. "Sir?"
"Oh, uh, no thanks," he said before hurrying down the spiraling flight.
Coming to a halt as red carpeting stretched the center of white floor, Calix gave the place a quick look over before chasing after his friends again.
This place was huge and seemed to go on forever.
"Calix."
"Coming!" he called as he turned down a small corridor to his left.
Confused at first by the echoing of the voice, the teen righted himself before walking coolly down the path until he reached a grand door at the end of the corridor. Seeing it ajar, he then tilted his head back to stare at the ridiculously large screen that took up nearly the entire wall.
Below it was consoles, speakers, and a collection of games that would leave even the savviest of gamers wanting more. Stepping inside, Calix looked down to see his reflection in the well-polished floor before walking over to Will who was in the process of picking up a remote that he assumed to be for the television. However, when she pressed the button, Cal was surprised to see the enormous television split into fourths before one of the smaller screens came down to hover in her direction. When it finally came to rest, a holographic keyboard beneath it, Calix had to shake his head.
"Wait a minute," he said, grabbing her attention. "What…?" He gestured around, causing her to look around curiously. "What is all this?"
"What do you mean?"
"What do I-what is this place?!"
"Ask Renyx," she said as she began typing.
Looking around for aforementioned, Cal spotted the man lounging on a chaise with headphones and a different pair of shades on. Walking over, Calix stooped down just a bit when the redhead didn't acknowledge his presence. Waving his hands in front of the shades, Calix raised an eyebrow when the other didn't respond.
"Renyx." Nothing. "Renyx." Nothing. "Anthony."
"Headphones, Calix," Will said. Looking at the headphones then the shades, he looked back at Will. "He's playing a VVG."
Scowling, Cal pulled the headphones off then the shades.
"Hey, what's up, CL?" Renyx shouted.
"Why are you yelling?"
"Headphones," Will answered as she continued working.
Shaking his head, CL waited a few moments. "Renyx?"
"Yeah?" he shouted.
Shaking his head again, Cal heaved a sigh. "What is this place?"
"What?!"
"What is this place?"
"What?!"
"Goddammit, Renyx!"
"You want something?" he shouted.
The raven tensed, balling his hands into fist before turning as he heard the door.
"Sir?"
Renyx hopped to his feet. "Yes?" he said as he headed over.
"You have a meeting."
"Already?" The man nodded once. "Gah, very well. I will be there in a moment," Renyx replied before waving the man off. He then threw a lopsided grin at his baffled friend. "Sup?"
"You can hear?"
"Well duh," he replied with a roll of the eyes as he headed towards the door. "Make yourself comfortable and I'll be right back."
"But…but…wait a damn minute!" The redhead and the other raven looked at him. "Why are we here?"
"Well, I didn't want to stay at the police station," Renyx said as he shed his usual trench coat.
"But why here? Who owns this place?!"
"Well, where else would I go?"
"Warehouse."
"I might spend a lot of time there but that's not where I tend to crash."
"I beg to differ," Will mumbled, gaining a pointed look.
"Who's place is this?" Calix asked.
"Rodney Anthony Desoto."
"Rodney Anthony D-" The teen's eyes widened. "We're in RAD's home? The CEO and founder of RAD Studios and Comptech?!"
"Yeah…?"
"That man has to be like the most brilliant man ever!"
"You don't say…" Renyx drawled.
"I mean, he was the guy that perfected VVG technology and…and…"
"He created the comptech Will is using."
"Yeah!" Calix practically shouted, pointing a finger at the hovering screen and projected keyboard. "How on earth did you manage to get in here?!"
"Well-"
"I mean this guy is huge! He's famous like everywhere! I mean, I remember when he helped come up with holosphere! Mine's a bit outdated but damn, this is so cool!"
"Yeah," Renyx stated as he slipped his shirt off in favor of grabbing a nicer, button-down one, "but if you don't mind, I gotta go to the meeting now."
"What meeting?" he asked. "Wait a minute! Are you going to see RAD?"
"Uh…yeah, I guess. Why?"
"You're gonna meet RAD?!" Calix practically shouted. "That's so cool!"
"Um…I see him about every other day…"
"No freaking way!"
"Sir," came from the hall.
"Coming," Renyx called.
"How do you know each other?! Are you guys friends?!"
"Not exactly…"
"Renyx," Will drawled, "stop leading him on and get to your meeting already."
"Ok, ok."
"Wait!" Calix called, following him to the door. "How do you know each other?! Are you two friends?!"
"Not exactly," Renyx replied. "Try relatives."
"You're related?!"
"Yeah," the redhead said.
"Uncle, cousin, what?!"
"Try father."
"Father?!" The teen's mouth practically hit the floor. "No way! I mean, his name is Rodney Anthony Desoto."
"Yeah…?"
"But yours is Anthony Armani Renyx-"
"Desoto."
"What?!"
"Renyx was my mother's last name," he replied. "My full name is Anthony Armani Renyx Desoto, son of Rodney Anthony Desoto and the late Annamaria Lyndell Renyx. Now, if you excuse me, I have a meeting to attend to. My dad isn't always so patient as he would seem on television."
"But…but…" Calix gestured around at the grand décor. "You…you're…"
"Yeah, I'm rich," Renyx said with a shrug.
"But why didn't you say anything?!" Cal asked. "We're friends aren't we?"
"Well, listen to yourself. You're sounding a bit hypocritical, don't you think? Besides, if I told you I was rich, you'd probably treat me different."
"Ren-"
"I gotta go, CL. Make yourself comfortable and I'll be back in a bit."
And with that, the redhead walked down the arched corridor and disappeared from sight, leaving the awestruck teen to enjoy the spoils of RAD Studios.
ns 15.158.61.6da2
