Jupiter Ascending /Caine Wise

Chapter 12 - RegeneX is People

Titus looks down at his apparel checking it for anything out of place. He is dressed very modestly in black, compared to his usual attire, which usually includes a cape draped fashionably over one shoulder, not unlike a Roman Commander, and multitude of silver chains, rings and bracelets with intricately carved designs. The only jewelry worn presently is a silver arm band fashioned in the shape of a dragon, his personal signet.

Titus once again goes over the plan in his mind. Gain her trust, through whatever means necessary. Once she sees me as an ally and the only viable option. I can gain control over her assets and no longer be the spoiled youngest child of The Late Queen Seraphi, but the biggest share holder of Abrasax Industries. Even though Jupiter's stock did not include a seat on the board, it would still be enough to tip the balance of power in my favor. My life will change irrevocably. And I will finally be able to put Balem in his place. Titus smiles slyly as he prepares to meet Jupiter for the first time. Walking casually, his bare feet touching the cool surface of the long suspended bridge which connects the hangar to the rest of the ship, Titus comes to a stop just in front of the grav beam which Jupiter is descending slowly. Bowing lowly, Titus observes his mother's recurrence carefully. Even though he knows she would be identical to Seraphi, if a little younger, it was still distracting. Breathing slowly, he remembers his plan.

Jupiter eyes him cautiously as he begins to introduce himself. "Welcome, Your Majesty," says Titus. "I am Titus Abrasax, third primary of the house of Abrasax, and it is my profound honor..." he says slowly, taking her hand in his and kissing it gently, "to meet you."

Jupiter's eyes narrow as she observes his affected display of politeness. "You are aware that by detaining me without consent," Jupiter says recalling the numerous laws and codes she researched while being abducted, "you are in direct violation of statute twenty-seven-b-stroke-six."

Titus pauses for a moment, "Your Highness is a quick study of the entitled code, I see," he says with an impressed air but deep down he is displeased with her awareness of the codes.

"I also know," Jupiter continues undaunted, "that I can file a tax grievance against you unless you take me directly where I want to go." Jupiter hoped that she seemed more confident than she felt. In truth, she felt very alone and had no idea what his true intentions were, yet. She could only try to hang in there, until the Aegis tracks her down, however long that takes.

"I'd be delighted to take you wherever you'd like."

Eyebrows arched, she stares at him, "I'd like to go home."

* * *

Titus returned to his private chamber to dress for his dinner with Jupiter. Not that he would ever admit it to anyone, even Famulus, but coming face to face with the recurrence of his mother was unsettling. Although different in many ways, her mannerisms and general attitude was strikingly similar. Rather than be taken back by this, he determined to try and use this to his advantage. He thought back to before his mother's death, almost 200 years ago. She didn't look near as young as Jupiter did now. It had been many decades since she last underwent a complete rejuvenation. In some way that helped him to separate the idea of his mother from the woman he met earlier.

"Ahem," Famulus cleared her throat as she entered her masters' chamber. "Dinner is nearly ready, as is Her Majesty, Queen Jupiter." Famulus scrunched her eyebrows for moment as she paused.

"Excellent," says Titus, turning to study her expression. "Is there something wrong, Famulus?"

"No, my lord," she says, "...Her Majesty is just unaccustomed to having assistance with her wardrobe and has been... less than cooperative. She will be ready in time, though."