Ranking ceremonies were a big deal in Prequel days. You’d fly in a bunch of people, or make them all fly somewhere, spend a day changing outfits, taking pictures in a variety of places, and spending money that nobody had.

In the collectives, they taught about the hedonism and spectacle of “wedding” ceremonies. They were supposed to be examples of everything wrong with Prequel relationships. Pre always thought they sounded kind of fun.

It took Windfall about 30 minutes to do their ceremony. Most of that time was spent reviewing the Connext ranking contract. The Diamond version of it included a specific section that prohibited any mention of "benefits" from being a Diamond. Since it was common knowledge how rich and famous Diamonds were, Pre assumed this clause was referring to their newfound abilities.

She realized then that Vian wasn't giving off an aura anymore. It had been there after they kissed, but it wasn't here now.

Once Windfall explained the contracts to them, he asked them to verbally consent. There was an option to read and review the contract first, but Vian skipped theirs so Pre followed suit. Better to get it over with so she could sleep sooner.

Windfall turned to Vian. "Do you take Preah Devisana as your new ranked partner?" The words sent a shiver of terrified ecstasy down Pre's spine.

"I do," Vian said. Their thumbs were looped through the short belt loops; their face was nonchalant. They looked like they had just agreed that the weather was nice, or that buildings were tall.

Windfall turned to Pre. "Do you Preah Devisana take Vian as your ranked partner?"

Pre tried to swallow the lump in her throat, all fatigue erased now as the single most important moment of her life was here. This was it. This was really it.

"I do," she croaked.

And that was that.

Windfall's only reaction was a single nod. He began patting his pockets. "Where is… uh… one moment please." He opened his com and called someone. "Hey I forgot the box can you send it in?"

Seconds later, a thin box materialized on the table in front of him. It was ivory-colored, flat, and long. Windfall took the top off, revealing two glimmering Diamond bands.

Vian lifted their wrist and removed the Diamond band that was already there. "Not gonna need this one anymore," they explained to Pre. They dropped it on the table and picked up one of the new bands.

"Yes, thank you, Vian," Windfall said. He took the band and put it in his pocket, then held the box out towards Pre. She took the other band out.

All other bands were stiff, fabricated plastic that changed color instead of being a real substance. The Diamond band was very real, made almost entirely of the diamonds and held together by delicate platinum links. It sparkled fiercely as Pre held it up, throwing radiant shimmers in every direction.

"Unlike other bands, these ones are not fabricated," Windfall explained. "These will not fade when or if a partnership is broken. Should you choose to end your partnership, the band must be returned to Connext. Take care of them too, as these are the last real diamonds from the Prequel era." Behind Windfall's back, Vian was making blah blah blah gestures with their hands. Pre snorted but tried to hide it with a big fake yawn.

Windfall looked at Vian who immediately resumed their pose of absolute boredom. "Please band with your partner," he said.

Vian reached out and took Pre's hand. Their skin was cool like winter velvet. Pre wanted to put it against her face.

Holding the band open with their fingers, they slid it over Pre's hand and onto her wrist. As they let go, Vian looked up and held her gaze. You're mine now, their eyes said.

Ok, Pre thought.

Copying Vian's motions, Pre put the other band on their wrist. As she finished, Vian actually smiled, soft and fleeting. "Not so unranked anymore, huh?" they asked.

"Guess not," Pre grinned.

After that, Windfall packed up his documents and left the room. Now that it was over, a drowsy haze settled over Pre again. It was late. The whole night felt like a long fever dream. She felt herself dozing off.

"Hey," Vian snapped. "We don't have much time. Pay attention."

There was an edge to their voice, something new. More real, like when Pre first met them earlier tonight. Mentally pinching herself, she focused on Vian.

It was like looking at a different person. Their aura was back. Pre could see it clearly now. Wispy, vine-like tendrils of light danced around their head in every direction. Longer vines flowed out of the room, up into the ceiling, and out through the walls.

One of them, Pre noticed, disappeared right into her own body. Right around where her heart would be.

Vian snapped again, this time literally clicking their fingers together in Pre's face. "Yo, listen!" They were whispering now, quickly, urgently. "When they take us to meet the bosses, just nod along and agree with everything they say. Let me do the talking, and agree with everything I say too. Got it?"

They held intense eye contact with Pre as if to confirm her understanding. It had an adverse effect though as those eyes made it very difficult for Pre to think straight.

“Yes,” she said, latching onto the ‘agree with everything’ part. “No problem. I’ll follow your lead.”

This seemed to satisfy Vian. They stepped back and put their indifferent mask back on. "Good," they said. "Remember, this is for your own good. These are not people to be fracked with."

They're coming for you. Run.

"I know," Pre said. Xinder's thing must have dulled that memory from her too. But Vian's words brought Zer0's message back loud and clear.

"Thanks for looking out for me," she added belatedly.

Vian's face softened as they grinned. It was a tired grin, maybe a little nervous or unsure, but a real one. Not an expression from the mask.

"No problem," they said. They reached forward and touched Pre on the chin, right below her lip. "After all, we're partners now."