The Flaw

Thank you Kiix, Anon and Lena for your encouragement. I am glad that it has been somewhat interesting so far and I am also happy that there are some Katze fans out there. By the way Lena you are a goddess and a real authority when it comes to AnK and I am so happy that you reviewed my little attempt at an Ank fanfic. That said, here is the next chapter. I try to write at least a 1000 words a week and I would love to update weekly. I hope this will not compromise the quality. I have the plot pretty much figured out and know where I am going (there might be some slight changes and opinions always matter). This next chapter is a little slow moving, partly because I still need to set up for more plot and also because some of the scenes that seem sort of redundant will actually show up later (I can't hint any more without wrecking it). Let me know, if you find something just intolerably too long (though this story is meant to move rather slow and will be long). I know the talks with Daryl drag out, but I want to show a little more of their interaction and the way Katze thinks. But if you find it too long or some stuff redundant please let me know. Now this chapter has not been checked to any great extend and I still don't have a beta. I hope the work is not too substandard, but I thought, some of you would rather have the update now. I will probably get around to correcting it tomorrow, but I always need to take a break from writing for a fresh look. If you would rather have a "better" more corrected version up right away let me know, but you will wait longer. Please help me out with errors (especially inconsistencies with the AnK universe and within the story). Before I bore you with more chatter(that you can skip by the way), here is the new chapter:


DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN AI NO KUSABI OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS, THOUGH I WISH I DID (SIGH).

The next morning when Katze woke up Daryl had already left to deal with his charges. Katze couldn’t help, but remain lying on the floor stroking the soft blankets around him. He hadn’t slept this well in a long long time. Everything was so soft, the bedding clean and smelling of sandalwood. He hated the idea of leaving this comfort, but he realized it was time for him to go. He had bothered poor Daryl enough. Hoping the furniture would not get into trouble with his master, he knew it was unlikely that Raoul would find out. He wouldn’t waste time supervising his harem that tightly. Katze slowly got up and found some fresh clothes lain out for him, a note on top of the heap. He blinked the sleepiness away and took the note. Daryl had taken his clothes to be washed and replaced them with the much showier ones of furniture. No, furniture were no pets, but looking decorative was their prerogative. He looked at the dark blue one piece made of some elastic material, small silver threads woven in. Oh Jupiter, he was getting way to old for this. I guess there was no other choice and if he was per Daryl’s instructions to join his friend in the kitchen, he couldn’t go out just in the borrowed pyjamas and probably looked a lot less conspicuous in proper clothes. He had to admit, he had started to look like the homeless person he was. A sigh came across his lips. He would return to that life after breakfast. ‘I might as well enjoy it while it lasts’ Katze thought. Deciding to follow Daryl’s not too subtle suggestion to have a shower - “Katze, you know I respect you and like you and I am telling you as a friend take a shower.” – He took the little map Daryl had drawn to find the servants’ washrooms in the maze of corridors. It really pained him that he had become so run down. He had always been self-conscious about his body or better he had since becoming furniture, but had always been proud of the fact that he took decent care of himself. Yes, his body had been at war with him for the most part and yet had always been clean and well-dressed. He pondered over the intricacies of his personal hygiene in the last little while, when he entered the communal washroom. There were a couple of sinks in front of a large mirror and 3 shower stalls. He took the one furthest from the door grabbing some small pre-packed soap on the way. Once behind the closed doors of the stall, he got out of his or better Daryl’s pyjamas, put them carefully on a hook and started the shower. The warm spray pounding on his shoulder was heaven. He turned up the heat a little more, warm water being such a luxury. Spray on his head, he moved forward to allow it to massage his neck and back. What was it about water that felt so good? He turned around letting the water drip down his face, eyes closed, slowly opening his mouth to take some lazy sips, but really to just let the water run down the corners of his gaping lips, his throat his chest. Jupiter, was he really starting to feel human again? He must have been leaning with his palms against the wall for 15 or 20 minutes before remembering why he was really here. He hoped nobody noticed how wasteful the uninvited guest was. Quickly he lathered up head to toe with the minty smelling soap and rinsed watching the stream of dirty soap suds disappear down the drain. He turned the shower of and the dryer on. It had been more than a year, since he had had delighted in that. His small apartment in Midas had not had such amenities. It must have been during his time as Iason’s official furniture, that he had last used a body dryer. Iason, his master, the man he hated and respected, adored and despised - one cold man or better Blondie. A year after his death and he still affected him so. Damn him, he had always known the effect he had on people, using every ounce of it.
Freshly showered, dried and dressed in the too tight shiny blue concoction Katze stepped in front of the mirror. His hair had become shoulder length now and he hadn’t even noticed. He picked up a brush that was lying on the counter next to the toiletries. This length would do as well, he thought as he absent-mindedly brushed his rust brown strands. Finished he threw a last look back into the mirror before he left to join Daryl. The scar covered nicely as always.

He had reached the kitchen about half an hour ago. The chef had stared at him questioningly, but he had only told him that he was waiting for Daryl and sat down at the small table in the corner again. It was about an hour to midday, which explained the presence of the cook. Daryl was capable furniture, but preparing meals for all these pets and some of their more exotic dietary needs was impossible. Every once in a while the chef still glared at him trying to coax more information out of him no doubt, but he tried to be invisible and succeeded until Daryl joined him.
“I hope you didn’t have to wait too long, Katze. Did you have a good sleep?”
“I couldn’t have slept better.”
Daryl rewarded this answer with another big, warm smile.
“You look at lot better. I know, you must be hungry, but I have to serve the food. I should be back in a half an hour though unless there is a problem.” Daryl moved over to the kitchen counter looking through different glass heating domes to inspect the food.
“Sure take your time. I really don’t want to negatively impact your job.” Katze replied again stressing that he did not want to impose.
Daryl looked back at his mentor with a slight grin. “Mmmh, I could make you work for your food. Why don’t you help me? It would probably speed things up.”
“Sure. I owe you anyway.” Katze was glad. Daryl really understood his dilemma. He was not the kind of person to take help easily and he already felt very uncomfortable that Daryl was doing so much for him. Also it would probably be better than being around the chef that still swayed between staring him down suspiciously and pretending to be his best buddy.
They had served the food within about 15 minutes. The pets seemed to be fairly calm and getting quite easily used to their new environment. There were no tantrums, no fights for dominance or other of the common problems. They seemed rather tame and Katze admired how Daryl handled them. It was a balancing act, he knew well. Furniture were technically below pets in status, even though both were a commodity. They were not pampered like pets, they did not garner as much attention from their masters and they were much more expendable. Yet they had authority over them. They were supposed to serve, but also to control in the master’s best interest. Daryl was charming them into doing what he wanted, which caused little conflict and the pets always felt like they really had the upper hand.
Now they were back in the kitchen over desert. The moonfruit looked mouth-watering even though Katze was quite stuffed. It was plumb and ripe. Daryl was not paying attention to the food or him. Katze knew something was up with his young friend. The other might have thought he was sly for furniture and he probably was, but Katze had dealt with hardened criminals and most of them were trying to hide something. He looked up at Daryl questioningly slowly and methodically licking the purple juice from his fingers.“Spit it out Daryl. What’s going on?”
A deep sign was heard. “Promise me you won’t be angry. I know you don’t like people trying to be too involved in your affairs.”
“Daryl, just tell me!” Katze was getting a little agitated; he didn’t like being left in the dark.
Daryl looked hesitant, but then whispered. “I… I was thinking about how I could help you. I know you don’t need any help. I know, you can make it on your own, but I thought maybe there was something I could do.”
Katze had an idea were this was going and he was not sure how he was supposed to feel. “OK.”
“I will be straight with you. I am glad to have you here with me. There were so many changes and it feels good to be with someone familiar, so this is not only for your sake, but mine.”
Katze nodded encouragingly.
“I talked to Raoul about getting some help to deal with his new acquisitions. He gave me permission to look for someone suitable.”
“Daryl, this is kind, but… .” The older man was shaking his head at the table top.
“You are the most suitable, Katze. There is nobody better than you. You taught me everything I know.” The boy’s voice had gotten more forceful now.
“The most suitable? Don’t make me laugh. I wasn’t exactly furniture of the year! This.” Katze pointed at his scar. “I got this for something you know and I wasn’t really furniture for that long.”
“Come on, that has nothing to do with your capabilities. You are great with pets and that is what counts here.” Daryl retorted, green eyes blazing.
“OK, let’s assume that I am … was good furniture. You don’t need help. You managed just fine. I don’t want your pity. I don’t want you to make work for me.” Katze snorted, he was not going to budge on that one. Daryl sure had some convincing to do.
“But Katze I need the help. Raoul has this new project he is working on and he has been buying many new pets lately selling them again after a couple of weeks or so. He told me that he will be very busy and informed me that he is planning on keeping a fairly large harem. He said he is looking for some very special pets for a great collection. You know how much prestige a good and exotic harem can bring! Since he has become more influential, he wants to show it. These pets need to be well trained. At the same time, he needs someone to serve him and I can’t be at both places at the same time.”
Daryl looked at Katze and Katze knew he wasn’t lying. The ex-furniture was feeling more and more torn. He needed a job and a place to stay. He wouldn’t make it out on the streets of Ceres much longer, there was no place for him in Midas anymore and there were certainly worse places to be than in the service of a blondie. He knew he had been there this past year. But to work as furniture again, to obey a master’s every whim, to lose every ounce of autonomy, was that worth it? He hadn’t taken well to that lifestyle to begin with. Always thinking too much for his own good. He did not want that lifestyle again and he was sure he did not have it in him to have his day consist of “Yes, master. No, master.”.
As if Daryl had seen his thoughts, he said, “You will be hired as a consultant or pet trainer if you will and you would only be working here at the harem. This way I can return to my duty’s serving Raoul. You will not be furniture again. You are a citizen now and that can’t be taken away from you anymore.”
“Yes, ‘cause I really never had it.” Katze interjected sarcastically. Daryl stared at him a little annoyed.
“Be that as it may. Your new status gives you certain rights, if only on paper. Raoul doesn’t care he just wants the job done. He was already pondering this option before I ran into you yesterday. Katze, you are doing me a favour too. I am not that selfless. I get to be around an old friend, I have full confidence in the person that I am dealing with and I won’t need to check up on you. I also don’t have to deal with an annoying citizen that thinks he is better than me. Raoul would have gotten tired of this situation sooner or later. He would have doubted my ability and thought about getting rid of me. Heck, he was even thinking of buying another furniture! You are no competition, since you are a citizen and there is no one else I trust more. Think about it!”
The strong reasoning was certainly persuading a sensible man like Katze. The furniture had certainly thought this through. Maybe this wasn’t a bad option after all. He needed a job.“Ok.” He grumbled.
“Say what?” Daryl stared at him with eyes wide open.
“OK, I will work for you master, but I can’t guarantee anything yet.” Katze lowly growled at the table top again.
“I’m glad. I thought I would have had to convince you more.” Daryl smiled his disarmingly attempting to tame the prickly man.“Don’t worry, it will work out. I will deal with Raoul and you with the pets. You get free room and board.” Daryl was elated, reaching across the table and patting Katze on the shoulder.
Katze looked straight at him. When had the little boy become this sly?
“I have to admit one thing though. The pay sucks, but hey you are lucky to get paid at all. Not like me the lowly furniture!” Daryl laughed and his eyes sparkled in the fluorescent light. “Now let’s set you up here.”

They talked for at least another hour before Daryl had to leave to tend to his master. By the end of their chat, Katze had already signed a work contract that Daryl in his infinite wisdom had prepared, he had been shown his own room and instructed on the harems daily routine. It pained Katze to admit, but the familiarity of the environment and his tasks comforted him. He knew he could do this. He was even more relieved, when the realization sank in that he was only going to be taking orders from Daryl. Daryl would be the one to talk to, when it came to the pets and he would not need to be accountable to anyone else. After his walk through the facilities and glazing quickly at the pets’ records, he was ready to start his job. Yet there was something curious and curiosity killed Katze. Just before Daryl left him to his own devices he had to ask. “Daryl, if Raoul wants to impress with his new and improved harem, why are his pets so damn plain? I mean, I am not complaining, but will that not defeat the purpose?”
Daryl just smiled back stunned, thinking hard for a while and then shrugging it off.“I guess, it is just a matter of taste and you know blondies. No furniture could ever fathom to be capable to understand the infinitely intricate ways of our blondie ueber-beings for they are Jupiter’s masterpiece!”

I EDITED (19.11.2006)THIS CHAPTER AND HOPEFULLY IMPROVED A BIT ON IT. I WASN'T TOTALLY HAPPY WITH IT VERBALLY. THERE WAS TOO MUCH 'HE IS THIS AND HE IS THAT'. I HOPE THAT HAS GOTTEN BETTER. THERE ARE NOT CHANGES TO THE PLOT OR ANYTHING, SO THAT SHOULD BE FINE. I ALSO TRIED TO TAKE DARK DREAMERS SUGGESTION AND WORKED MUCH MORE WITH PARAGRAPHS WHEN SPEAKERS ETC. CHANGED. I LOOKED AT ONE OF MY NOVELS FOR CLUES (I USUALLY ONLY WRITE LITERATURE REVIEWS ON SCIENTIFIC STUFF SO THIS ISN'T MY GENRE). IF IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT LET ME KNOW. IF IT'S TOO MUCH LET ME KNOW.