The hivemind is conquering for me?

After Kathrine informed the driver of the vehicle to take us a clothing shop, I spent 20 minutes playing mannequin with Kathrine as she endlessly brought outfits for me to wear.

“Kathrine can we stop? Everything you have brought to me is fine.” I urged with boredom. “Seriously, mom, we should not keep Rhea waiting, its rude” Nathanos added before going back to his communicator.

Kathrine looked at me pouting in her already bought dress. The dress was a sexy emerald green noble slit dress that curved to her form well and matched her noble position well. The dress had a collar like design that wrapped around her neck and left a large eye-catching boob window that may give some older patrons of the restaurant we were going to a well deserved end.

“Fine, you look handsome in that outfit I suppose, lets get going I have already taken care of your suits cost dear.” Kathrine said smiling.

I thanked her sincerely for the suit instead of complaining about how I would have liked to pay for it. The suit cost a lot and I could have afforded it with my mercenary pay, but Kathrine is beyond rich and the suit cost less than a percentage of what money she had.

On the way to the restaurant, I began to fidget with the suit. “Apollo, what’s wrong?” Nathanos asked as he spotted my discomfort. “It’s all this padding. I feel like I should be on a sports field somewhere with it all on. Especially the shoulder pads…”

Nathanos looked at the Arcon in front of him inquisitively. ‘He does not act like any Arcon I have ever met. Its like he is not one to begin with and all this seems foreign to him.’ Not knowing he had just hit the nail on the head, Nathanos asked.

“So Apollo, would you care to tell me about the planet you are from? To have become an Arcon so young, something interesting must have happened.”

Still fidgeting slightly, I reply. “Can’t tell you much about it sadly, my planet was destroyed by the swarm almost 19 years ago, from my family only I and my sister survived. Technically I am an Arcon without a planet, hence why I don’t like being called as such as its a baseless title to me.”

Kathrine looked at my face of indifference and mistook it for silent sadness. She placed her hand high up my thigh and squeezed. “Its Ok Apollo, we dont have to talk about your planet any more, I understand it would be a hard subject to talk happily about. Though I hope you took plenty of vengeance on the oversized disgusting insects back on former Alexandria.”

As I closed my eyes and clenched my fist, Kathrine slid in her chair closer to me and rubbing my back with condolences. ‘She was not singling out the hive like that, she was trying to console me.’ I kept on repeating in my head like a mantra so I would not get angry at her.

After a minute or two I opened my eyes and smiled sweetly at Kathrine. “Thanks kat, I’m fine now and yes, I got plenty of vengeance.”

Nathanos was intrigued by what his mother meant. Like every good Spartari, even if he was a noble, Nathanos liked a good war story against the enemy. He wanted to ask more about it, but his mothers hand so far up the mans leg made him look away in silence as it was too much to process on top of all the other weird things that had happened.

Instead he just gave his condolences to Apollo’s world and stared at his communicator for the rest of the journey.

Descending to the ground below, our vehicle had made its way to our destination. Once the vehicle made contact with the ground, Its doors were opened automatically, which in my case was good considering my past experiences with people and letting me on and off vehicles, and Nathanos was the first to leave as he pulled out a type of cigarette and made some distance.

I got out next and turned around to help Kathrine who smiled at me kindly before looking over at her son who had not so subtly moved his entire body as he checked out a passer-by’s ass. “He takes after his father alright.” She muttered, her brow furrowing as she began rubbing out any wrinkles in her dress from sitting.

While waiting for Nathanos to finish his smoke, I scanned over the restaurant just down the road. It was 3 stories tall with a sleek rectangular base design. The restaurants exterior exudes sophistication as from this distance it was easy to spot many well off people dining and drinking outside.

The restaurant itself was made out of tinted glass that could not be seen through from the outside and had metal beams in intricate places to form both support and an appealing to look at design.

The top floor of the restaurant had normal glass windows, but I could not see in from my current position. “We will most likely be dining on the top floor handsome, but the interior of the first two floors are spectacular.” Kathrine said in a tone that implied she would not give away the surprise.

A couple minutes later, Nathanos was finished with his smoke and we made our way to the restaurant. As we got closer, some of the outdoor patrons of the restaurant seemed to recognise Kathrine and attempted to come closer to say hello. Kathrine, who was having a family meal was having none of it and simply raised her hand up politely, in an act that had many a man sit back down disgruntled.

As we entered through the main entrance, I was blown away by the interior. On the ceiling of the cocktail bar lounge that was the first floor, A holographic projection of space moved and rippled. The floors, tables and chairs, alongside the bar itself seemed to reflect the ceiling and it looked like you were surrounded by space.

“Oh wow. Its beautiful.” I could not help exclaim. “You have been in actual space and you think this gimmick is beautiful?” Nathanos blurted out. “Well I agree with Apollo, Space is always there and it itself is beautiful, but having this artificial space is most pleasant to the eyes.” Kathrine said as she smiled at my reaction.

It was as I was appraising the view, the manager of the restaurant scurried over upon witnessing a VVIP. “My lady Kathrine Hyllus, It is my utmost pleasure for you to join us in our establishment once more.” The well kept 50 year old said. “Did you have a reservation this evening? Or are you simply here for some drinks?”

“I am meeting my daughter here this evening sir. I believe she is already here and has a table upstairs. Rhea is her name as I doubt she used the family name for peace sake.” Kathrine said regally.

I gazed upon her for a moment with a look of whimsy. ‘A woman with such a slutty personality in the bedroom can act so regal and noble when the time calls for it. It is a funny comparison.’ I could not help to think.

My thoughts must have been evident on my face as Kathrine looked at me a moment and then turned her gaze away as a small blush crept upon her face. “Ah yes there Is a Rhea Firstborn who booked a table a short while ago on the third floor after having a few drinks with her friend, is that who you meant?” The manager said as he looked over the reservation list.

After hearing the last name his sister picked, Nathanos could not help but scoff. “Two minutes apart and she still rubs it in.” Kathrine giggled a moment at the sibling antic and replied to the manager. “Yes sir, that would be my daughter. If you could be so kind to escort us to her?”

“It would be my honour” The manager said as he ushered us to an elevator. There were some nice functional steps across the way, but I suppose nobles just refuse to use them.

The elevator was made out of glass, most likely to prevent naughty shenanigans, so as it passed the second floor I got to witness the beauty of the cocktail bar continue as the cosmic theme was prevalent there as well.

Upon arriving at the third floor however, the atmosphere took a drastic turn. The colour scheme had changed to a regal red and black theme with low hanging lights and open booths. The air of the room screamed ‘Rich SOB’s only’ as a band played quiet melodic music in the corner for the patrons.

The manager then acted guide through the crowded dining area over towards the more private booths. Upon reaching the edge of the area, the man stopped. “I wont go further as to not spoil the ambiance, but the woman you are here to meet is sat just over there with her friend. Take care my lady”. The manager said as he took his leave.

Looking over to where the manager had pointed, there were two figures sitting in a booth. One with red hair and the other had an unusual colour… pink.