'Master, has Ally finally got to you at last?'
After a month of seeing Jon and Ally grow ever closer in their relationships, Pethant finally mustered up the courage to ask as the trio of them stepped through the barrier separating zone five and six and onto the transit train into the more inner districts.
'What-do-you-mean-muscle-head?' Ally asked with a raised voice and hugged Jon's arm even tighter in her arms, 'you-jealous?'
'I suppose she has.' Jon said with a chuckle, ignoring the act that Ally's putting up, 'we are together now.'
'Understood, master.' Pethant said, 'I...I guess I am happy for both of you.'
'We haven't had such a chance to go around town together for a little while, so I am just glad we are all able to go to this event together.' Jon asked, as Ally dragged him to a double seat on the train, 'I heard the training business is going well? That's why you are invited too, right?'
'One of my client and friend was invited, and he asked me if I wanted to come too.' Pethant said, though aware of Bone's preference of not being explicitly named, 'he is a strange one with...certain access.'
'And-I-am-a-model-at-the-event!' Ally said, whispering into Jon's ears and tickling it with her warm air.
'God do I feel inadequate.'
Looking down at this journalist's license, Jon's primary role at this event is to be a paparazzi and snap down shots of some celebrities, though over the past month, the agency head has gotten used to the....particular style of perfectly captured journalistic footage that Jon tends to provide.
A month has passed since their first arrival at S Prime, and Pethant's personal training business in zone six has gotten him into contact with a variety of semi-powerful figures at least in zone six, excluding his first client and friend Bones Skinner, the Right Pinky Finger and the newest member to be inducted into the TEN FINGERS. So when Bones was invited to this event and allowed a plus one, the anti-social private investigator had no one in mind but his gym and training buddy.
Ally, on the other hand, has become one of the most popular fashion models thanks to her rapid learning skills, poise, body control and her unique appearance. With her rise in popularity, she started using the artist name of Androida, which was a last name given to her by Jon when they first met, and she was eventually invited to be part of the modelling team for this event.
Jon, on the other hand, had a journalist's license, and he should be able to get in without an official invite, or he could just sneak in like a true paparazzi.
So what the heck is this event even?
Imogen NeShaun, the Left Index Finger of the TEN FINGERS, works as a designer of many things utilizing her power to create constructs out of her imagination.
Recently, she has decided to step away from being a freelancer all the time and buy a gallery to house some of her more spontaneous creations, which leads to the event of the grand opening of Imogen's Gallery at Zone 3. All of those people living in the more inner zones all have access to the outer ones, while those in the outer zones won't have to go through too much trouble to come and visit.
Of course, the day of the grand opening is only reserved for the few.
Jon had little doubt that Freya would have been there too, and this is he chance to speak to her at last about the RED BLOB after their little....skirmish.
As the transit train rattles to a stop and Jon's journalist's license warns him of being in zone 3, the time to split up is here. Ally leaned in for a kiss as the tips of their tongues gently tapped against one another.
'See-you-later-my-love!' Ally said, waving her hand and headed to the gathering point of the models. Jon waved back before turning to see Pethant texting Bones.
'Master.' Pethant was slightly hesitant about something but didn't say much, 'I....see you soon.'
'No problem.' Jon nodded towards him, 'also, you can call me Jon now, since you aren't a cameraman anymore.'
'No.' Pethant shook his head, 'I still want to be one. I am just in the midst of getting much stronger than before. Then, I will continue to learn from you.'
'Of course!' Jon smiled, 'I look forward to it.'
Bowing his head slightly, Pethant turned around and headed towards his meeting point with Bones, leaving Jon standing on the platform with nothing but his camera in hand, just like the good old days.
Letting out a sigh, Jon disappeared from the platform and made his way towards the event venue.
'Yo!' Bones waved his hand with a coffee in hand before tossing the cup of coffee towards Pethant. His eyes widened as he held his breath ever so slightly, immediately tuning up his concentration as the red haired muscle man maneuvered his body around the flying coffee cup and traced his hand's movement around the flying cup before grabbing it at last.
Not a drop was spilled.
'Thanks for this.' Pethant said, gesturing the cup towards Bones and took a sip.
'You have no idea how well you are moving now, man...' Bones said, cracking his neck and standing up from his seat, 'sorry to ask you to do this, but I literally don't know anybody else.'
'I am not complaining.' Pethant said, 'plus, it's lucky that this event is on a rest day.'
'Yeah....yeah.' Bones said, and that's when Pethant realized that he has ditched his usual long dark colored jacket for a pretty slick looking formal suit with black shirts and a pair of white gloves. Only hints of his tattoo are seen around his neck and wrists area.
'You are well dressed today.' Pethant commented, and Bones turned around.
'Is there any glaring weaknesses?' He asked with a slightly nervous tone.
'Not that I can think of.' Pethant said, 'you sound....stressed.'
'She might be there today.' Bones said, lowering his voice to just slightly beneath the ambient noise level of the train station, 'had to leave a good impression.'
'Oh really!' Pethant exclaimed, 'If you need a wing man of any sort, just give me the signal.'
Then, Pethant dropped into a split stance and pumped his bicep.
'If you do that, I will come to your aid no matter what.'
'No chance in hell!!!'
The gallery is located in the middle of zone 3 by the river which runs through the entirety of S Prime city, and it was a restaurant that was re-purposed for Imogen. She was the one that took care of all of the design elements, and the results are that the building itself stands out even amidst all of the architectural marvels of the zone 3 river sides.
The building is shaped like a flower with each pedal being it's individual wing housing creations of Imogen of various themes. Those themes are not only reflected in the exhibits, but also in the building's color, material and interior design elements.
There had already been crowds of onlookers, journalists, robot cameramen and others gathering around the area. A red carpet is set up after the security and identification checks, and Bones had to go through the route despite him being one of the TEN FINGERS.
'I just don't think they will recognize me...' He murmured, showing the standard guest pass for both him and Pethant.
'Welcome to the event, and have a good day with your partner.' The security guard said, moving to the side and letting them through.
Pethant and Bones shared a weird glance before both cracking up. I mean...the guard ain't really wrong.
Gym partners are still partners.
The end of the red carpet directly lead them into the stem of the flower, where the main hall for socialization before the start of the event is at. The majority of the people invited to this event are either in Imogen's personal circle, her usual customers and high society members and a handful of select others, Bones being in that select others for sure.
Despite their prompt arrival, the main hall has already been rather crowded at this point with certain familiar crowds already forming certain circles. There are various stands and stations for snacks and drinks as a holographic demonstration in the middle of the room is propped up to entertain those less inclined to talk.
Without saying a word, both Bones and Pethant headed straight for the snack stand only to be disappointed by the lack of protein options in it.
'God damn it, I told Immy to put some protein in this.' The voice of a girl came from beside the two gym rats, and Bones turned to see a girl with red hair and a muscly build wearing a black reflective crop top standing next to them.
'F...Fre....Freya?' Bones felt himself struggle as his heart started beating so loud that he is almost feeling a little dizzy.
Freya Freed, the Left Middle Finger turned around to see Bones, and her expression is one of perplexity.
'I swear I have seen you somewhere before....' She said, pointing a finger into her dome and trying hard to recall, 'You are...'
'I am Bones.' He said, 'I am the new Right Pinky.'
'That's right!' She exclaimed, 'So I see you are also invited?'
'....I would think so.'
The conversation stagnated quicker than a puddle of mud, and Pethant knew he had to step in.
'Is your red natural?' Pethant asked, pointing to her vibrant red hair, 'or is it the result of a great decision?'
'Oh, it's just so that blood won't be staining my hair.' Freya said, looking up and down on both man before taking the initiative in being the conversation starter here, 'you two looked like you lift. Want to go a few rounds?'
'What...' Pethant murmured, 'I thought this is a art gallery opening...'
'Why does that matter?' Freya shrugged, 'a fight can go from busting cities to spilling drinks. What do you think, Right Pinky, I don't think I have seen you fight before...'
'Yeah, we only met at the induction meeting once.' Bones replied like a student answering a teacher's question as he looked down and hoping that his long hair will cover his bright red face.