Just under an hour later, Aether found himself standing in front of a glamorous building signed ‘Red Paper Pavillion’.
“This is the place, right?” he asked himself, opening the holographic screen on his button-like device. Confirming that his destination matched the map on the screen, Aether closed the device. Exhaling a quiet sigh, he entered the building.
The moment Aether stepped past the double-rotating doors, he was greeted by the ostentatiously decorated interiors. The large, lobby-like area held queues of people waiting in line to enter the facility. Finding himself a relatively deserted column, Aether waited in line.
While waiting for his chance to enter, Aether scanned his surroundings with his eyes. He found the people around him gaudily dressed wearing colourful, light-padded jackets (jackets that had actual strips of neon light sewn into them), chrome-coloured clips, piercings, chains, and other ornaments, with their air-filtrations being either a mix of the two features or unique.
Being amongst such people, Aether felt himself to be lacking. Compared to the others, his attire was plain, dark, and dull. This depressed him a little.
Fortunately, the depression was not to last as Aether’s turn to be inspected by the facility’s security came. These security guards, who resembled large industrial weight-carrier robots, were positively massive and grizzly looking. They seemed to intimidate the people outside with their sheer presence.
Aether, however, did not feel intimidated in the least. His face –hidden by the mask– carried his signature, ubiquitous smile. “Hello, gents! Busy day today, huh?”
“Do you have an invitation or are you looking to enter by yourself?” Asked one of the two bouncers.
“Invitation,” replied Aether, pulling out the button-like object and showing them the invitation sent to him by Gocks. After verifying the validity of the invitation, the guards moved aside and ushered Aether in. “Please enter. If you’d like to, you can hand over your mask to the ‘Mask Storage’ station at the entrance, for free storage and maintenance while you occupy yourself.”
“Thank you for the reminder,” after thanking the helpful bouncer, Aether entered the long, dark passageway. He walked for a few dozen seconds before arriving at a marked area.
[Please step inside the marked area to begin decontamination.] said the robotic voice.
Following the instructions, Aether firmly stepped his two feet into the marked area. The floor underneath his feet whirred to life, as he found himself being elevated while metal walls enclosed him on all sides. Used to such occurrences, Aether calmly waited.
Jets of pressurised air and other substances blasted at his body, ridding it of all the contamination and radioactive particles which might have been plastered onto him. The process was the same as the one that happened back at his house, instead here, it was more flashy.
Just as Aether felt the lift come to a halt, he found the gases surrounding him slowly dissipating and the door before him open. Aether, who had already removed his mask at some point, immediately felt his senses assaulted.
Loud music! Bright lights! Strange scents!
The ‘Red Paper Pavilion’s’ identity as a ‘palace of relaxation’ immediately shone through.
Everywhere his eyes looked, he found blinding neon lights shining at full capacity. Speakers playing the latest electronic mix blasted at full volume drawing the space in a deluge. Pillars of colourful mists and fantastic hallucinogens were scattered around as people partook in its pleasure.
Large stretches of colourful dance floors occupied most of the space while individual stages and sofas occupied the rest with partitioning curtains. Occupying all these spaces were hundreds of people indulging themselves in their pleasures and letting go of their frustrations after a hard day’s work.
Seeing the people dance, catcall, and act unrestrained, Aether felt a smile appear on his face. He always felt happy from seeing other people act happy.
While keeping an eye on the ongoing revelries, Aether followed the guiding lights and arrived at the manned counter signed ‘Mask Storage’.
“Is this where I leave my mask for a free maintenance check?” Aether politely asked the young lady manning the counter while extending the hand with the mask.
Taking his mask off his hands, the young lady gave it a look over and said, “Want some colours or refills? It will cost you.”
“I’ll pass on the colouring and take the refill. How much will it cost me?”
“Market rate. Two of these cans are empty while the third one is on its last stretch. I can have them replaced in half an hour.”
“Perfect. Just in time for me to finish my business. I’ll leave it to you then,” nodding his head in thanks, Aether left the station. He then arrived at the edge of the dance floor, stood upon one of the higher steps and indulged himself in the space’s atmosphere.
Aether was not the sort of guy to go out of his way to seek such small pleasures. However, should the opportunity present itself before him, he wouldn’t mind partaking to a lesser extent. Of course, that was as long as it cost him nothing.
Since it was by Gocks’ invitation that he had come here today, Aether didn’t mind hanging around and having a little fun for himself.
Just as he found himself tapping his legs to the music blasting out of the speakers, Aether heard a soft, feminine voice speak up near his ears, “Has Sir found any young ladies that interest him?”
Surprised at the sudden query, Aether turned around and saw a beautiful middle-aged woman dressed in a low-collared, revealing dress. Her eyes possessed a misty look that would enchant any man and her long, gloved hands partially hid her charming, inviting smile.
“Or would Sir perhaps be interested in the ladies behind me?” She continued, extending her hand to show the lineup of ladies behind her. Each lady possessed a unique temperament and demeanour, wearing attires that most suited their temperament. Seeing Aether's eyes land on them, they immediately got to work, doing their best to highlight and show off their charms.
At this rose-coloured sight, Aether gave out a harmless chuckle and put on a languid smile. “Such lovely ladies,” he complimented. “Unfortunately, I cannot hope to afford any of them.” He shook his head with a bitter smile.
“Huhuhu~” The enthralling middle-aged lady laughed a foxy laugh. “I’m sure the handsome Sir is only joking.” She then suddenly paused and blinked her large, watery eyes, and showed off an expression that would melt most men’s legs, should they have the fortune to see her expression. “Or is it perhaps, someone of my flavour that interests Sir?”
“You are a beautiful lady, madam. The most beautiful one that I’ve had the fortune of laying my gaze on, so far,” answered Aether, honestly. His eyes remained clear while his demeanour stayed polite and apologetic. “Still, my answer is the same. I really can’t afford any of your fine establishment’s services.”
“Though,” he immediately continued, “if it is my interests that elude you, I can give you an answer. I find the company of PleasureBots to be more satisfying than that of a fellow human. Strange taste, isn’t it?” He asked in self-depreciative humour.
“Not at all. Handsome Sir is a man of fine taste,” replied the lady. Her hands imperceptibly waved at her side, signalling for the ladies behind her to look for other customers. While the lovely ladies left, the mesmerising lady herself kept Aether company, “So what brings handsome Sir to my establishment, then? Surely, you aren’t just here to tap your feet? While there’s not a lot, I’m sure my establishment can provide you with other means of pleasure.”
“To think that the Madam herself would come to greet me. It is my honour,” Aether presented a slight bow in greeting. From her words, he learnt that this middle-aged lady was the owner of this establishment. The Madam, as the locals would call a person of her stature.
“The pleasure is all mine. I can’t simply stand and ignore the entry of a handsome young man into my premises now, can I?” She laughed a foxy laugh. “Now then, seeing that you aren’t here to partake in our entertainment, are you perhaps here to meet someone?”
With the Madam’s intelligence and experience running such an establishment, it was naturally easy for her to infer the meaning of Aether’s arrival.
“Madam is very correct,” replied Aether. “I’m here to meet a friend of mine, Gocks.”
“Gocks ‘The Lucky Hand’?” asked the Madam, in astonishment.
“You are familiar?” replied Aether, feeling a similar surprise.
“Of course! How could I not know the name of my most frequent customer?” laughed the Madam in reply. She then asked Aether, “Would you like me to guide you to him? I believe you are the guest that he told me to look out for.”
“Thank you,” answered Aether and followed the Madam. The pair made some small conversation on their way to Gocks. Aether made a few of his signature old-fashioned jokes along the way, earning a few genuine laughs from the Madam. Hearing someone laugh at his jokes restored Aether’s confidence in his ability.
“It is only those brats that don’t get my jokes. Real adults appreciate my quips just fine…” He mumbled to himself underneath his breath. Finding himself in front of a closed, private room, Aether heard the Madam say, “Do go in, Aether. Gocks should be waiting within.”
“Thank you, and sorry for not partaking in your services. Those young ladies really were quite lovely. Not to mention, yourself.”
“Oh, it’s fine! I’m sure you’ll find your requests met one of these days,” answered the Madam, her face carrying a strange smile. Aether, however, missed this and entered the private room.
Pushing open the door and entering, Aether was immediately met with a cloud of colourful gas, hitting on his face. His brows slightly furrowed but immediately smoothened once he saw the person inside.
“Hey, Aether! You’re finally here! Sure took your time didn’t you, ya bastard!” exclaimed Gocks, his outstretched arms hugging and fondling a pair of coquettish beauties sitting on his laps.
Waving away the gas hitting his face, Aether took a seat on the opposite side of Gocks and replied with a teasing smile, “I only wanted to give you enough time to enjoy yourself, Gocks. You wouldn’t want me interrupting your fun session now, would you?”
“Damn right, I wouldn’t!” exclaimed Gocks. With a lewd smile on his face, he continued, “Still, I managed to have quite a few sessions by the time you came!” When he finished, Aether saw the faces of the two beauties faintly redden.
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Exhaling a helpless sigh, Aether continued talking with a smile on his face, “Does your wife know how much you are spending here, huh? ‘Red Paper Pavilion's Most Frequent Customer’?”
“Brother, you know I met my wife here! Hahaha!!” Gocks quaked with laughter with Aether joining him out of politeness.
The two then entered some small talk when Gocks exclaimed, “Where are my manners!? To leave my guest unattended.” His hand then reached for the terminal by his side, intending to invite a few ladies to keep Aether company.
“Don't bother,” urged Aether. “Besides, you are familiar with my tastes.”
“Ohh~ I forgot that we have a PleasureBots purist here.” mocked Gocks. A worried expression overcame his face as he continued, “But, you know, as an elder I cannot help but warn you of the path that you are walking. I understand that the pleasures sought from a PleasureBot are irresistible, however, for Grade 0 citizens like us, we can’t afford more than three or four visits a year. And that's a good year!”
Rolling his eyes, Aether replied, “The last person that I would be needing advice on related matters would be you, Mr. ‘Most Frequented Customer’. Unlike some people, I have proper restraint.”
“You know, I’ve always found it to be a mystery how you manage to get through every day. You don’t gamble, you don’t seek entertainment, you always, always work! Are you even human?”
“No,” Aether replied, his expression suddenly turning serious. An almost tangible air of suspense and mystery blew from his person. “I am… an iron man!”
Gocks, the two beauties, and Aether all stared into each other’s eyes for a few seconds before breaking out into thunderous laughter.
“HAHAHAHA! AN IRON MAN! A MACHINE PERSON! THIS GUY!! HE ALWAYS COMES OUT WITH THE FUNNIEST JOKES! HAHAHA!!”
Gocks cried with laughter.
“Hehe,” Putting his laughs to a difficult stop, Aether complained, “And Mei called my jokes ‘elderly’ and ‘borderline obscure’ the other day.”
“She isn’t wrong, you know. Your jokes do tend to be of an older nature. I wouldn’t be surprised if most teens and even adults don’t get them. Hell, being an elder myself, I don’t get them half the time!”
“Hey! You just said that I told funny jokes all the time!”
“Obviously, a lie! Now, what kind of friend would I be if I don’t tell a white lie every now and then to compliment a fellow friend?”
“An ‘unlikely one’!” replied Aether with great confidence. He then caught the confusion on Gocks face and explained with an angered breath, “‘Unlikely’. ‘Un-Like’, as in ‘you don’t like me (my jokes)’? Come on, you’re simply pulling my leg! That one was obvious!”
“Case in point,” Gocks shook his head with pity. He then adopted a serious face and asked, “Anyway, what was that matter you needed my help with? Are you in trouble?”
“Am I the kind to get into trouble?” rebutted Aether.
“Should I start listing events from this year? Or do you want me to begin from the day we met?” asked Gocks, unfazed.
Aether looked stunned. He then exhaled another sigh and said, “No. I’m not in trouble, Gocks.”
“Good. Now, tell me what you need?”
“A job. I’d like a job that would pay well for an appropriate amount of effort,” answered, Aether, honestly. This was his reason for meeting with Gocks hence he had no reason to lie to the elderly man.
“A job? You’re asking me for a job in exchange for your current one? No, knowing you, you’re asking for a job in addition to your current ones!” Gocks pronounced the plural nature of his statement. “Financial problems? Is it Mei?” asked Gocks, worried.
“No, no, no, nothing that serious. Mei’s also fine,” Aether immediately cleared up the matter, not wanting to cause any misunderstandings. “It’s just that… you know, Mei’s going to complete her promotion in a month, right?”
“Uh-uh. And that you intend to let her pursue Level 4,” Gocks’ face suddenly flashed with the light of understanding. “This wouldn’t be related to that, would it?”
“Partly. I’ve already gathered most of the money. I’m only missing a small portion of it.”
“How small?”
“A hundred thousand and some change.”
“How much change?”
“Thirty thousand.”
“O’ Father in Heaven,” Gocks immediately let out a word of prayer. He then looked at Aether, complaining, “I told you it was a stupid idea! Why are you so strangely fixated on doing this!? It’s not like the world is going to come to an end if you don’t do this! You–!”
“Gocks,” Aether calmly interrupted him. “No matter what you tell me, my mind is fixed. I am determined to see this through. Just tell me if you’ve got a job or not.”
Taking a deep breath, he continued with his request, “It would be good if it can net me upwards of 250 credits a day. I don’t care if it's taxing or laborious or dirty. Just nothing that’s too dangerous. I’m not ready to part with my life, just yet!” He finished with a joking tone.
Staring into Aether’s earnest eyes, Gocks felt a well of curses spring up from within him. However, Aether’s silent urging and one-natured stubbornness caused those feelings to die out. He simply released a heavy sigh.
“I might have a job. It’s taxing and dirty, and nothing ‘too’ dangerous. However, there are risks!” Pausing to take a deep breath, Gocks heavily said, “The job is near the wall!”
The sentence caused the two beauties to gasp in surprise while it caused Aether to unconsciously frown.
The wall. Even without any explanations, everyone within District 4 knew what it meant.
It referred to the sky-high wall separating District 4 from the sanctuary of God; Eden!
“What’s the job?” asked Aether.
“Clean-up. A large bunch of crazies apparently threw themselves at the wall. You know how well that goes,” Gocks spat in disgust. “Blasted limbs and scattered body parts everywhere. The higher-ups are putting together a team to clean it up before the folks from within the wall notice it. If you want to, you will be joining the team.”
“How’s the pay?”
“Very good. 40 credits an hour for a maximum of twelve hours. Long employment too. If nothing goes horribly wrong, you can expect to be done in about 2 weeks.”
Receiving the information, Aether immediately began calculating. “6,720 credits at most, 5,600 credits at least. Very good pay.” Nodding his head, Aether answered, “I’ll take this.”
“I’ll put in a word for you. The job should start the day after. Don’t be stupid and get your head blasted off. Keep your head down and hands on your body!” Gocks advised.
After a few more rounds of meaningless small talk, Aether bade his goodbyes and left the private room. His objective in coming here had been met. It was now time to return home.
Just as he was about to leave the section containing the private rooms, Aether found his path to be blocked by the Madam.
“Madam?” asked Aether in doubt.
“Come here,” she gestured at him and ushered him into a separate private room.
Just as he was wondering where the Madam was taking him, Aether felt his body stiffen. Sitting on the long sofa inside the private room, directly opposite him, was a young lady.
A very beautiful young lady.
Bright peach-coloured skin, large black eyes that blinked with innocence, a head full of black hair that cascaded down her back… she was a stunning beauty by every measure.
Turning around stiffly to meet the Madam’s proud eyes, Aether asked, “This is?”
“A dish that meets handsome Sir’s tastes.” She then pointed at the innocent-looking young lady and introduced, “This is Mystique. Red Paper Pavilion’s very first and very own PleasureBot.”
Seemingly having heard the Madam’s introduction, the android rose from her seat and bowed in greeting. Wearing a reserved, coquettish smile, she spoke, “Good evening, mister. I am Mystique. Your servant for the evening.”
“Fufufu~ I’ll leave you two to do it then. Handsome Sir will be the first one to taste this new product,” said the Madam.
Replying with a bitter smile, Aether helplessly said, “Madam. I seriously cannot afford this.”
“I know. This one’s on the house. Consider it a gift from me for a first-time customer.” Saying so, the Madam bowed in greeting and left the room, closing the private room’s doors behind her.
Finding himself stranded alone in the misty, dimly-lit room with a PleasureBot, Aether speechlessly stared at the closed entrance door. Just as he was thinking about how to prudently proceed, he felt a ‘soft-as-a-cloud’ body press against his back.
Two fair arms circled around his neck while a cute, small chin rested itself over his shoulder. A pair of full, rose-coloured lips moved as Aether felt a moist breath tickle his ears.
“Is mister not going to join me to play?” Her voice sounded innocent beyond compare and equally erotic.
Making up his mind, Aether quietly mumbled, “Well, since it is free, it would be rude to refuse.”
Spinning around within her arms, Aether turned to face Mystique. His arms locked waist while his face, now facing hers, adopted a teasing smile. Aether’s eyes had the same glint as that of a cat playing with a rat.
“So~ You’re called Mystique, huh? My name is Aether,” he introduced himself. Leaning in, his face grew closer to hers as he continued, “About the game that we’re going to play… might I suggest one?”
The stunning-looking android stiffly nodded her head in reply. It seemed that her setting was that of an innocent, demure young lady.
With his lips having reached her left ear, Aether unconsciously took a whiff of her scent. A reserved, floral scent filled his nose. Absentmindedly he thought to himself, ‘The guy who invented PleasureBots. What a man you are!’
Exhaling a moist, heavy breath, Aether whispered, “How about a game of… humiliation?” He then suddenly kissed her earlobe while lifting her by holding her bottom.
“Ahn!~” A sudden, yet excited, yelp escaped Mystique’s mouth as she buried her face into Aether’s neck.
With the light in his eyes growing brighter and more pronounced by the second, Aether carried the android in his arms to the long, bed-like sofa in the room. He was positive that he was going to derive a lot of satisfaction from teasing this demure PleasureBot.
---
It was already very late when Aether finally reached his home. Running up to his apartment, he was filled with apprehension and trepidation. “Shit! I got a little too into my play!”
In fact, he had gotten so into his play that the Madam had to come by and softly remind him that it was already late. Only at her conscious reminder did Aether realise how much time had passed.
“I’m screwed!” he anxiously spat out. “Wait? Or is it ‘I’m screwing?’ Dammit, Aether! This isn’t the time to be making jokes!!” Pushing down his joke –which he considered to be amazing, by the way– Aether finished up quickly, said his goodbyes and left for his home.
Having finally arrived in front of his apartment, Aether took a few deep breaths to calm his breaths, fixed his hair, and pushed at the buzzer.
Buzz. The buzzer buzzed. After waiting for a few seconds, he heard the speaker crackle to life.
[Yes?]
“Oh, Mei! Thank goodness, you’re still awake! Please open the door.”
There was no reply. Just when Aether thought that his sister was acting up and was about to speak a few honeyed words, he saw the main door open.
Surprised but not stunned, he entered the decontamination unit. After undergoing the usual process of decontamination, he entered his apartment.
The foyer, as usual, was empty of people. Taking off his mask, he hung it at its rightful place and entered the house. Walking towards the living room with steady steps and an apprehensive heart, Aether found Mei sitting at the central table and studying.
Seeing him appear, Mei rubbed her tired eyes and said, “You’ve arrived.”
“I… have?” Aether answered strangely. The apprehension within his heart grew, as he felt Mei’s behaviour to be strange. She never asked him questions like this! At least, not in the recent few years. “You haven’t slept yet?”
Mei shook her head in denial. “I was waiting for you to come back so that I can open the door for you.”
“You didn’t have to,” said Aether. “I could’ve just slept downstairs in one of those empty beds.”
“That’s not healthy,” Mei immediately rebutted.
While still feeling her behaviour to be strange, Aether put down the apprehension within his heart after seeing that Mei didn’t look angry. His usual smile dotting his face, he ruffled her hair while saying in an exaggerated tone, “Aww~ Is little Mei worried about her big brother?”
“Who the hell’s going to– Hey, stop that!” Mei caught his rampaging hand and threw it away. Her feelings of annoyance towards Aether returning, she gathered her school’s materials, rose from her seat and headed towards the only other room in their house; Mei’s bedroom/storage. It was located on the other side of the living room.
Just as she was about to enter her room, Mei suddenly stopped. Turning around, a questioning look appeared on her face as she asked.
“What is that strange smell?”
Aether felt his heart, body, and soul freeze.