IV: MARS

the reception.

If there was one thing Sol knew how to do flawlessly, it was throwing a party.

It was actually quite annoying how good she was at it. She can't do tax returns, can't keep Mercury from running in the hallways, can't go to bed without a glass of wine, but she can get everyone in the galaxy to line up outside of the Milky Way Stadium. No one hated it more than the Patrons themselves. Being forced to judge over 100 contestants and then having to dress up and mingle amongst said contestants isn't exactly anyone's ideal Friday night. But it's required because they represent the Milky Way and blah blah blah.

Pluto was already on Sol's bad side, and as much as he likes staying on that side, he didn't want to push it. He originally planned on staying in his room and drinking until he wakes up on Monday, but a certain someone had other plans.

"You don't have to stay long, just stay with me for the weird introduction part." Neptune pleaded.

"Fine. But I'm not dancing or singing kumbaya."

***

"You're looking for him, aren't you?" Venus inquired.

"Who?" Malakai responded.

"Dakota. You're looking to see if he's here." Venus stated tentatively.

"So what if I am?" He said defensively.

Venus tried holding back a giggle and brought her glass up to her lips to cover her smile.

"I just don't want Dr. Panoma to prod me with her ridiculous questions."

"Sure." Venus said raising her eyebrows.

"Stop looking at me like that."

Pluto, for once in his life, saved the moment by stumbling in.

"Hellllo! Are you two lovebirds having fun over here?" He sang.

"Oh my god, you're so drunk that you forgot I'm a lesbian."

"And I'm gay." Malakai said while pushing his elbow off his shoulder.

"And I'm seeing four of you..." Pluto slurred.

"Where's Neptune? Hopefully you didn't leave him in the middle of awkward small talk." Venus said craning her neck to see over the crowds of people.

"What the fuck is up with that? Why'd you keep calling him Neptune? He's got a name!"

"I know, I know, but Sol wants us to use our official titles during business hours, whatever that means." Malakai said, trying to keep him from shouting. The last thing he wanted was to get Sol's attention.

"I'm going to find him, stay here with him." Venus announced.

Oh great. Oh how fucking great. Now I'm babysitting a drunk.

"Why did you bother coming here?" Malakai spatted.

Pluto shifted to get his balance. His face was unreadable, almost looking lost.

"I had no where else to go...I don't have anything left. Except for Bailey. I have him."

Malakai didn't know how to respond. He felt a sort of heaviness takeover, and the party seemed to slow down. Pluto's pitch black eyes reflected the lights and the golden chandeliers, and for moment, Malakai saw a human standing in front of him.

All at once the noise of the party came back to him and when he blinked Pluto was staggering through the crowd. He called out to him and tried to slip past the crowd of people, but the farther he went in, the louder the music got. He was standing in the middle of the ballroom and all around him were the party-hards from Ganymede. He gave up the search and decided it'd just be better to step out and get some air.

The night was still young and the faintest of red hues drew the horizon. Out on the veranda there wasn't a person in sight. Probably because it's freezing, but he wouldn't know. In addition to having blood that kills people, he also has an unusually high body temperature. Not nearly as interesting, but still useful. He enjoyed the quiet for however long it lasted. He heard footsteps behind him, but already knew who it was by the sound.

"I was wondering where you snuck off to."

Venus stood next to him, watching the sky.

"Sorry I couldn't keep Pluto. I asked him why he was here, like at the party, and he got all weird. Then he left and I lost him."

Venus hummed, shrugging slightly.

"Neptune is fine. He's hiding under the dessert table with Mercury." She added.

It was quiet again. Malakai contemplated bringing up what Pluto said, but he didn't want to pry. But Venus knows how to read the silence between them. She looked over at him waiting for him to share what's on his mind.

"I can't remember much from my childhood...so I don't really remember how Pluto knows...Bailey."

Venus nodded slowly before looking back at the sky.

"They grew up together. Pluto's father was...mean. I don't know if you remember that much about Pluto's family but it was not an ideal situation. But Bailey's family adored him. They loved him like he was their own son."

She paused, feeling sentimental about a memory that wasn't hers.

"So when they died they only had each other. Until Sol-" she bit her tongue.

"What? Until Sol did what?"

She shook her head of the thoughts and brought her hair over her shoulder to comb through.

"I can't give details but Pluto's family was exiled soon after. Ten years later and here we are. Pluto's got a drinking problem and Bailey is the only one left in his bloodline."
It was quiet again, but not that kind that comforted. Out of impulse he asked another question.
"Sol said he's gone all black, that there's no good left in him. Do you believe that?"
Venus didn't look surprised by this question, and she tilted her head to the side.
"I don't think anyone has it in them to be purely good or bad. I don't know Pluto very well, but I know that if he was all bad he wouldn't have come back."
Malakai took her response into consideration. She shifted slightly, leaning forward a bit to read his face.
"What do you think you are?" She asked gently.
For a moment, there was a flash of doubt that Venus had never seen in him.
"Mostly bad." He answered quickly.
"Do you believe that because it's what you've been told, or because you know it to be true?"
Malakai didn't know what to say. He was drawing a blank and he knew he looked dumb just standing there, as the sun set faster than it took him to respond.
"My job is to kill people. I don't see how there's any good in that."
"That's a valid point. Who are you when you're not working?"
Her words echoed in his head. Maybe the drinks were finally kicking in, but everything became fuzzy. He didn't remember opening his mouth, let alone giving her a response. He didn't know how much time had passed but when he looked over, she was gone.