Kovan steered them towards the smaller disk next to the curtained one, landing smoothly by releasing the air from the air-sac.

From there, they got out the jet-sedan, and crossed a narrow, five-feet-wide connecting path to the wide, circular disk that was Kovan’s main living quarters. Pushing past a smaller set of heavy drapery, they came into the section that was the common space.

Here, there seemed to be nothing of value that reflected the wealth an Upper class was worth.

The massive Obsidian column on the inwards, was completely bare of decorations or furnishings, save for a four feet-wide shelf flushed along it, which held some books, pottery and various assortments of nick-knacks. And aside from a few giant sack of cushions piled around the floor, a throw rug near the hearth and some potted plants, the common room was virtually empty.

In fact, the only marker showing Kovan’s status, was the Silica finished flooring, in gradient colors of rose and pastel violets.

Tyler was thrown for a loop the first time he had entered, almost gawking.

Such a space was not much different from the freemen living the Middle quadrant. In fact, the Middle class probably filled their homes with more furnishings and decorations.

Tyler often wondered if Kovan was truly frugal, or if he was simply facing a hard time. He itched to ask, but it sounded rude in his head no matter how he tried to phrase it. The thought still ate at him, even after two weeks. The scenery between their neighbors and this, was just too drastic a difference.

“Something bothering you?” came Owner’s question when Tyler remained rooted near the archway.

He shook his head.

“I’ll take a shower, if that’s alright,” he quickly added, not wanting Kovan to press him for his thoughts.

“Of course. You should catch some shut-eye after that as well. It will be a long party tonight.”

Tyler nodded stiffly, nearly forgetting about that.

He left the common room, gingerly crossing another narrow walkway that connected to the bath. There were no Link-ores that provided lighting here. Instead, a curtain of gossamer beads surrounded the ten feet wide disk, allowing light rays to spill through the semi-transparent facets, whilst blurring the silhouette of whoever was showering inside.

A network of pipes and such, brought water out from the valve overhead. The water was cool, drawn from an underground spring. As Tyler swallowed big gulps of water whilst showering, he felt grateful – he had never tasted anything as sweet and refreshing, nor had he experienced such convenience.

Where he came from – originally from the Lower quadrant – water was piped from the lake that ran across the Lower and Middle quadrants. There were cleansing filters and pumps at the mouth where the lake entered the settlement, so it was safe to drink and was clean overall. However, the water drawn up still had to be heated and filtrated first, as there was too much salt in it.

Now, bathing became a luxurious pleasure he could fully enjoy, taking his time cleaning the dirt and sweat from every nook and cranny of his body. He even hummed to himself, gradually bursting into song, not realizing that he was singing at the top of his lungs.

Then suddenly, the beaded curtain parted, letting in a sharp ray of sunlight that hit Tyler’s eyes and momentarily blinded him.

He let out a tiny cry in shock and retreated a few steps into the dimmer area, hunching over as he rubbed his eyes.

“Did something happen?” Kovan suddenly cried at his side, tones frantic.

He placed a hand on Tyler’s shoulder, hot palms uncomfortably searing against his cooled skin. In reflex, he shrugged him off.

“No, nothing –just, my eyes!” Tyler couldn’t keep the agitation from his tones.

Kovan cupped his hands along his jaw, turning his head towards him.

“Let me see.”

Lucid green, too big, too bright, threatened to swallow him – it was too close for comfort. Especially since Tyler was still reeling from the flashes of glaring reds and oranges that pounded above his lids.

He pulled away roughly. “I’m fine, let go!”

In his haste, he struck Kovan – somewhere around his neck. Tyler gasped, and froze.

“M-My apologies!” Tyler rasped, withdrawing his hand and hugging it against his chest.

Kovan retreated backwards a few paces as he braced his Adam’s apple, half-coughing.

Uh-oh. Tyler had struck along the delicate cartilage. He braced himself to face Owner’s wrath.

“Ehem – it’s okay,” Kovan dismissed instead, in between clearing his throat, “I shouldn’t have gotten into your space.”

Green eyes fell downwards, sweeping over the rest of Tyler.

Kovan’s lids widened, as if suddenly just realizing he had entered at the most inappropriate time.

“S-sorry!” Kovan stammered, “I’ll be outside. Lunch is ready when you’re done.”

Owner quickly retreated out the shower, sending a slew of perplexed thoughts raining inside Tyler’s head.

Pleasant mood gone, Tyler didn’t linger. He turned to washing and scrubbing his sweaty pants worn at the race, and once satisfied that it was clean, he wrapped his hips with a clean towel and left the shower.

He headed back to the common area, where the main curtains facing the outer flight zones, had been drawn open, allowing plenty of sunlight to enter. He noticed Kovan getting up from the cushions on the floor, crossing over to the hearth, where a bubbling pot hung. Tyler then registered the tasty aroma, and suddenly felt his stomach awaken.

But first, he crossed the common area, rounded a little way off, to the outer rim. He pushed past another set of curtains, locating the clothes line. They were thick twines connected from their floor, to the ceiling that reached over ten feet – or in other words, the disk right atop theirs. He gave his wet pants a good flick, then pegged them onto the clothes line. The garb fell limp without any wind blowing, but it would dry all the same under the strong sunlight.

Returning to the common area, he found Kovan seated cross-legged on the throw rug, with a bowl of steaming soup on the floor before him. Another bowl was opposite – assumedly Tyler’s.

Owner gestured to the space before him, inviting him to sit. Tyler stiffened, taken back yet again. Bondsmen never sat in the same dining space and at the same time as their owners. And whoever heard of an owner who waited for his bondsman to dine together?

Tyler was troubled, but he sat down anyway, not able to contest to his growling stomach.

“Thank you.” Tyler bowed his head before lifting his bowl, gingerly digging in whilst keeping his gaze on Kovan, struggling to figure him out.

Kovan’s ponytail had slipped a little, allowing short, fly-away hair to spill past his ears. His fringe escaped too, falling in slight, wavy tendrils over his eyes. It was an odd combination, since the rest of his long hair was straight.

“I apologize for entering at the wrong time.”

“Uh, I don’t mind. That didn’t particularly bother me.”

“It was just that I thought I heard a wounded desert wolf. So I thought I should check.”

Tyler wasn’t expecting an explanation, much less one laden with criticism.

“I’m not a terrible singer!” Tyler spat, then bit his tongue, cursing himself inwardly for his rude tone.

Kovan stared at him, silent, eyes blinking for a few seconds.

“Were you tone-deaf? It obviously sounded like a poor beast was being skinned alive!”

“I have excellent hearing!” Tyler refuted, huffing slightly, “And I know my notes, I just… I’m just not able to control my notes well.”

“So you admit, you are bad at singing.”

“Well, instead of insulting me, what about you? I assume you are a fantastic singer then?”

“I can hold a note, but I don’t think I sound good. Which is why no one, will ever hear me sing.”

Tyler swallowed a big gulp of hot breath, losing his cool. He forgot about the importance of being pliant, and obedient towards his owner. Subservience flew out the window the instant Kovan twisted the wrong threads.

He enjoyed singing, and was envious of others who had good voices. He was particularly sensitive over the fact that he didn’t sound as good as he wanted to. If there was anyone who wanted to rub him the wrong way, nothing did so faster than commenting on his singing.

“Screw you! I don’t care what you think, but I’m going to sing my heart out around here, and you can’t stop me!”