Ferro adjusted the links on their cuffs. Leaning back on the spacious seating of the Wagons plush interior. They eyed down their body, still not used to being fully clothed. Let alone in this spotless, creaseless attire. “Hey Cyan, how come my suit is so much more brighter than yours?”
“Dark furred Verlings are supposed to wear white suits. We were lucky we got it tailored in time.” Cyan gaze remained fixed out of the window, at the rolling hills and vast estates that sculpted Noonforge’s wealthiest community.
“I don’t understand why we couldn’t buy a premade suit...” Cyan just laughed at the comment. They didn’t really feel comfortable, and not just because of how tightly fit the suit was. “There seem to be a lot of rules. I thought parties were supposed to be fun...”
“We’re going back to my Father’s estate, it was never going to be fun.” Cyan sighed.
“What! I-I don’t think I’m ready to meet your parents Cyan, I mean I-”
Cyan hushed Ferro, “Relax. We’re getting you out of jail. You’re not my lover here. Remember your cover story?”
“Yeah, I’m a male doctor or something…” Cyan scoffed at Ferro's lack of confidence. All of this was way outside of their comfort zone. And Cyan had been so different ever since he got the news. Sober, writing letter after letter in his office. Ferro wanted to talk about something that made Cyan less serious. “So umm… It’s pretty crazy this wagon is pulling itself!”
“It’s a prototype, given to us by Master Artificer Amadeus...”
“Oh so it was a gift?” Ferro smiled at a more pleasant topic.
“No, it was a threat.” Cyan rubbed his eyes. “My father is Talonite Redline. He owns every train, rail-line, and station in The Iron Tide. A self pulling wagon hitting market might destroy our empire.”
“Oh…” Ferro didn’t know that at all. “I’ve known you for months, how come you’ve never talked about stuff like this?”
Cyan closes his eyes as the wagon slows down to a stop. “I don’t know anything about your family either. I guess things just used to be easier between us.”
The conversation was over when the doors opened. And Ferro was just stuck wondering what the hell that was supposed to mean.
*****
The entryway was a massive ordeal of gold and pearl stretching back further than the entirety of the Driftwood. Crystal hung from the ceiling, an impressive array of perfectly shaped glass housing beaming magical lights. The only door open was the east wing ballroom. Through it they could see a far vaster room, filled with Verlings in flowing dresses and tight suits.
Cyan led Ferro into the ballroom. The doorman made a move to stop Ferro. But Cyan simply waved his hand and he dispersed. He led Ferro into a quieter corner of the party before speaking again. “We’re looking for Solder Grey, big old Verling that runs the Tide’s penal system-”
“Cyanide Talon Redline.” An uptight sharply dressed white and pink Verling came storming over. “Finally decided to show your face here again?”
Cyan let out a long sigh before answering, “Hello, father...”
“And who is this you brought with you? Surely you didn’t bring more of the trash you lay with here to embarrass me, again.” Cyan’s Father looked at Ferro with a great deal of disdain.
“No it’s not like that, father. They are more than just. I mean he’s…” Cyan stuttered over his words. They could tell this was painful for Cyan. He couldn’t even bring himself to misgender Ferro.
Ferro decided to jump in. “Pleasure to meet you, Mister Redline. I’m a friend of Cyan’s, Doctor Ferro, son of Muntz.”
“Cyan? Still using that juvenile nickname, boy?” Cyan closed up, it was the first time he ever looked so out of control. “I’m accustomed to Cyanide’s tricks by now, Your suit fits far too well for you to be a doctor, Ferro.”
This was bad, only thing Ferro could do now was lie out of their ass. “Ahh you’ve noticed. I spent a small fortune on a new suit for tonight. In truth I came here in hopes of meeting a suitor, and perhaps marrying up.” Ferro wanted to vomit, but it seemed like it was working on Talonite. “It’s the duty of every good son to seek higher status for one's family, after all. Mayhaps I could get a last name too!”
Cyan’s father nods, “You could learn a thing or two from your friend, boy. Give me a noble grandchild, Cyanide. You're my sole inheritor after all, you have a responsibility.”
Cyan closed his eyes. It looked like he wanted to vomit now too. “Yes, father…”
He took Ferro’s wrist and started walking away quickly. He muttered under their breath, only loud enough for Ferro to hear. “Thanks for throwing me under the wagon with that marriage shit!”
Ferro was confused. “I’m sorry, I was just talking how I thought fancy people talked!”
Cyan rolled his eyes. “Well you stumbled onto the one thing my dad will never shut up about. Our family has all the money in the Tide, but not an ounce of royal blood. So my entire life here revolved around getting a bride from some established Tidal family.”
“Sorry…” That was another thing Ferro didn’t know. This night was making them wonder, did they really know ANYTHING about Cyan?
Cyan began dragging Ferro again, this time more excited than angry. The two of them made they’re way across the hall to a fat monochrome Verling with grey spectacles. “Solder Grey, I wanted to speak with you. I’ve been hearing the strangest rumours about you and your house.”
He turns around with a scowl. “I’ve heard that all night, but I assure you it’s all poppycock. My house is unquestionably noble, and none of my sons are as disgraced as you, Cyanide. The young gossip as they always do.”
“It’s not a rumour of your nobility. It’s about your finances.” Ferro could swear they saw Cyan smile. His first genuine smile since he came here. “It's a simple observation really, every year the prison population grows, and the penal budget gets lower. How much are you even pocketing these days?”
Solder leans in conspiratorially, “All right keep your voice down, I see what your doing. But what do you want, I don’t have any daughters for you to wed, Cyanide.”
Cyan chuckles, “Please I don’t want a noble line like my father. I just want to make coin. You know The Cage in Escada right? Well-” What was Cyan even talking about? Everything tonight hurt Ferro’s head, and they couldn’t even fathom what Cyan was doing. Was this even the same drug addict they spent so many amazing nights with? Perhaps the only thing they ever met was Cyan’s drug fueled libido. The rest of Cyan felt like a complete stranger. “...of course there would be ethical concerns of doing that here. But a Train Scion can do what they wish with his money.”
Mister Grey seemed impressed, “Things have been quite bad, the estate is falling into disrepair. So this is just what my family needs to regain our former glory. I’ll be more than happy to work with you in the future!”
“I need something from you right now though. Grey status for me and my friend here.” Ferro was lost. They never really understood what the plan was, mostly due to Cyan never explaining it further than going to a party.
Solder was in a huff, “Cyanide, Grey status is for my family and close contacts! And you haven’t even inherited yet. There’s no reason for me to give it to you right now.”
Cyan smiled. A long predatory grin that made Ferro feel uneasy. They finally realised why Cyan had been writing so many letters. “There is one reason. Those rumours about your wealth are likely to spread even more now that you’ve told me how bad it really is.” Solder looked shocked, staring into Cyan’s gaze finding no mercy. “So how about it, family members, close contacts, and a future business partner and his friend?”
*****
Silent, sitting in the automated wagon again. Cyan seemed more relaxed, sprawled out on the seat loosening up his suit. He stares up at the still tense Ferro, “What’s wrong with you? You’re off the hook. You should be celebrating!”
“If the guy was so hurt for money, why didn’t you just bribe him to get rid of the court order.” Ferro asked as they fidgeted with their cuff links.
Cyan reaches under his seat, pulling out a small bag of Black powder he cuts into lines on his seat. “I mean, that’s what most people do, he gets so many requests the guy usually just does it by mail. No, Grey status is way better.” Cyan lights his rail of powder, leaving scorches on the expensive seats. “Means we can break the law as much as we want, and never go to court.” Cyan sniffs up his rail. Basking in it for a moment before offering one to Ferro.
Ferro get’s up reluctantly, perhaps the powder would help with their nerves. They knelt down to snort off the seat. Cyan took the opportunity to grope their ass. It was just like normal, again. But they understood what Cyan meant when he said things used to be easier between them. Ferro was finally learning who Cyan was. And they weren't sure they liked it...
