Hi all! Herewith chapter ten of challenging hope. Sorry I'm a day late. It's a very busy motnh for me, but I'll do my best to be in time next week.
Thank and warnings in earlier chapters, nothing special for this one.
10: Prejudice
It wasn't often that the princess came to Prince Quatre's quarters. They usually met the other way around. Princess Relena only stopped by when she wanted something and hadn't had the time or opportunity to ask her husband to stop by later.
It was always a surprise to see the princess in the prince's quarters. For some reason she seemed out of place there. Her own room was filled with furniture that seemed to have been made by artists, with their flowery designs and soft colours. Quatre's room, on the contrary, was practical, his furniture rather simple. The funny thing was, if Quatre entered the princess' rooms, he seemed to fit there just as well as he did in his own rooms, but apparently it didn't work the other way around.
It was not Trowa's place to judge. Instead he stood in the shadows and watched as the two spoke, ready to move if anything was needed.
"My wife, what is bothering you?" Quatre queried, greeting the princess with a kiss on her forehead.
"Always the perceptive one." The princess smiled. "I wanted to discuss our arriving guest."
Quatre raised an eyebrow, folding his hands behind his back. "Wu Fei of the clan of Chang?" He asked and the princess nodded. "What is it?"
They were speaking of that high lord from far off to the west, Trowa realised. King Peacecraft had decided that he was still too busy getting his own country under control to deal with a man whose ways were obviously so completely different from theirs. Prince Quatre had explained that this was why the king had opted to send him here, to his sister as she had more patience in dealing with people than he had.
"Well, I feel that his arrival comes at a... an unfortunate time." The princess turned away, indicating that she was not happy about making that confession.
The heir apparent frowned softly in concern. "How so, my dear?"
"Since the coming of Katherine everything has changed. I feel like... like I've only just managed to get back to living my life and she needs me so much. This man, this Wu Fei, from what my brother tells me he knows nothing of our ways," the princess explained.
The prince responded. "What is it you're worried about? I'm certain he will adapt."
"I'm confident he will eventually," she agreed. "But I fear that I just don't have the time he deserves to be guiding him. And it would be unfair to him if I just left him to his own devices."
Quatre sat down. "I understand how you feel," he said, frowning. "But honestly, what do you expect me to do? Your brother doesn't have the time for him and I don't think he will appreciate being pushed on to yet another country."
"Can't one of your sisters take him instead?" The princess pleaded, but Quatre shook his head.
"From what I understand, his culture does not allow him to take instructions from women. You would be alright as you are the wife of a crown prince, but anything less…"
"I see. That is unfortunate." They were both silent for a moment, pondering their options. "Then what about Heero?" Princess Relena suggested. "You told me Lord Heero Yuy is always looking for new challenges."
"Heero, huh?" Quatre mulled the idea. "I don't think this is the kind of challenge he means when he speaks of them," he responded slowly.
"But it would be perfect," Relena clasped her hands. "I mean, Wu Fei of Chang would be less than an hour's ride from the castle and from what I understand, his people are mostly farmers anyway. He would probably feel more at home on the countryside than he ever would in a big castle in a big capital. And I'm certain Heero wouldn't mind, if you're the one to request. After all, you're friends, right?"
"We are," Quatre acquiesced. "Well, I suppose I can make the suggestion."
Trowa frowned at the thought of this stranger coming to live in Heero's house. Lord Yuy was not going to be pleased.
The heir to the High Seat of Chang had to admit that the dragon killer's city was quite impressive. Where he came from there were no such things as cities. At most they had what these people would call a 'town', though perhaps these people would not even consider it more than a village.
Then again, it was dangerous to stack so many people together. It made for easy attack by enemies. The walls would protect for a while, he guessed, but they wouldn't last forever. These people must not fear many enemies. Within his homeland there was always the threat of the neighbouring clans. The longer the peace that lasted, the stronger the war that would follow. It had always been so, for as long as their history recorded. He'd have to find out about the history of these people, if they so carelessly put hundreds of individuals together in one place.
Being surrounded by servants and luxury was not at all new to the heir of Chang. Though the castle was much different from the houses he was used to, he felt remarkably comfortable as he followed the servant who'd been sent to meet him and guide him to the king and his son and daughter-in-law. He easily dismissed the few servants they came across in the hall, ignoring their bows, which he suspected were made extra low so that they would have more time to stare at him. Honestly, it was as if they had never seen a guest of the king before! Then again, they had probably never seen a guest from the west.
By his standards all these Easterners were tall, but to their standards their king must be of average height. He looked impressive, clothed in his formal costume, even Wu Fei had to admit that. It was, however, not the kind of costume that was designed for easy movement, as his clan chief would wear. It was yet another sign that these people did not fear an enemy attack. Instead it was their custom to show off their riches, judging by the heavy jewellery the king wore.
The prince was the one who addressed him, though. Prince Quatre stood nearly as tall as his father, but his skin was pale even for a dragon killer. His hair was so light Wu Fei wondered if the sun itself could compare to it. His clothes, though like his father's showing that he was an important figure, seemed much more practical, as they were less heavy and fewer jewellery pieces were added.
By now Wu Fei had become used to seeing the women dress in an entirely different fashion from the women back home. In his country, women tried to hide their figure, making it look as flat as possible. Big breasts were considered shameful and were concealed and broad hips were made to stand out less by the women wrapping towels over their middle under their clothes. Back home showing certain parts of skin, such as at the wrists or ankles was how women flirted with men, when they were at an age of marriage and found someone of their interest.
Here things were definitely different. The women dressed to accentuate that strange shape the female body had, the clothes pulling tight around the middle and then left loose above and below. The skirts were often wide and flowed as they walked, which they did especially to make their skirts move if they wanted to flirt with a man. But what perhaps astonished Wu Fei the most was that not only the young and available women dressed this way, but older women tried to look like they were still at an age of marriage as well. Even the princess herself wore a dress that was tight in the middle like that and everyone knew she was married to the prince. Her dress looked –again- more expensive than anything any other in the room wore and the hair was put up in a way that seemed as if hours had been spent on it. And yet, at the same time, the way she dressed, the way she wore herself was more concealing than many of the women in this room, though Wu Fei was quite sure it had more to do with her position than with her state of marriage.
"I thought I would be residing here." He did his best to keep the irritation out of his voice, but was unsure on whether or not he fully succeeded.
"You will be less than an hour away from the capital," the prince explained, sounding almost apologetic. "Lord Heero Yuy lives a more... common life than we live here in the castle. I pray that you do not be offended by this, for as I understood it was your assignment to learn about the way we live. I just feel that we live much too secluded to really teach you about our ways." It didn't sound practised at all and yet it did. "Of course, if you prefer to stay here..."
"No, it is alright." He had made himself sound attentive and though Wu Fei wondered if the consideration he had put in the words were true –with people so different it was hard to tell- he realised he could not refuse or he would risk insulting these people. "I shall go with this Lord you appointed."
"Great." The blond prince smiled and even the princess looked satisfied. She had not spoken much other than introducing herself. It seemed like the rumours of how much women were involved in politics in these countries was not true after all. "Lord Yuy has an estate in the countryside. As I said it is not far from the capital so you may, of course, visit at any time. You will fall under the responsibility of Heero Yuy, son of Lord Yuy. Heero governs the nobles who are in charge of the agricultural lands."
The heir of Chang had no idea how far up that brought this Lord Heero Yuy exactly. He did not know the culture well enough to judge at this time whether he was sent away to some meaningless lord to be dealt with or whether they actually did him honour by sending him there, but he would find out soon enough.
"It sounds interesting, Your Highness," Wu Fei replied with a bow. "I shall do my best to bring honour to your people and I shall learn attentively." It was the most proper reply, or at least it was in his country. From the puzzled looks on some of the faces attending the meeting, it seemed like it was not something they were used to hearing.
The prince, however, was still smiling as if he understood. "I am certain you shall, Master Wu Fei of Chang."
She was not so reluctant to be going into the room that held the Shinigami as she had been that first time. She'd been told to gather Master Yuy's laundry again and she knew he wasn't going to harm her. First off, he would be secured to the wall and second, he hadn't made a single hostile move towards her the first time they'd met. And perhaps he was asleep again as he was last week when she'd come to get the laundry.
Everybody knew of what the Shinigami had done to the butler, Mister Geoffrey. Hilde wondered why he'd done it, but she knew she wouldn't dare to ask anytime soon. Some of the servants had tried to convince her to ask questions, but she'd just refused, saying that was not the job she was being sent up for.
The first time she'd been quite scared of him throughout the whole encounter, even when he showed her the pretty sparkling crystal he'd gotten. But once she was back downstairs again and had some time to think about it, she realised he had only been trying to be nice to her. The only people he ever saw up there were the master and Miss Maxwell. He was probably just looking for someone to talk to, someone to fill his boring days of waiting.
Therefore, despite knowing what he was capable of, she actually smiled when she saw he was awake this time and grinning at her.
"Hey you," he said, though in a playful tone, not a mocking or threatening one. "Laundry day again?"
"Yes," she answered. "Someone has to do it, right?"
"I guess." He watched her as she collected the laundry. "Can't have Heero running around in dirty clothes. What would the other nobles ever think of that?" The sarcasm was impossible to miss.
"Everybody has their jobs." Hilde had figured he was this kind of slave, the kind that just couldn't accept what he was. She could understand it, but still it was a little sad. Especially since there was nothing that they could do about it.
"Some just have more important jobs than others," he retorted snorting.
Hilde sighed and gathered up the last piece of laundry. She was not in the mood for this kind of conversation. Best just get out of here and let him wallow in his own self-pity.
She was surprised when, as she was about to leave, he called after her. "Can't you stay a little?"
She turned back to him, giving him a look that clearly showed she didn't see any point in lingering if he was just going to speak ill of their master anyway.
"Okay, I'm sorry. I won't be like that, just... please stay a little longer. I'd like to have someone to talk to. If you have the time." The last part was added as an afterthought.
She considered it. She was a housekeeping slave, therefore she did not have to serve on anyone. She had to help keep the house in order and the only thing left for her after laundry was cleaning the downstairs floors. It was a short time until dinner anyway, so she could just do that tonight. Miss Maxwell, who was in charge of the housekeeping, trusted her enough not to inquire about her whereabouts all the time. As long as she finished her work on time and stayed out of trouble doing it, the head of housekeeping would not inquire. And the master never inquired, just left it up to Miss Maxwell. Though Hilde had been bought by Master Heero, she rarely had to deal with him. The only times she ever saw him was when she was working in a room he wished to use and then he just shooed her.
"I have a couple of minutes, I guess," she offered hesitating, as she put the laundry basket aside. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I dunno." He considered it for a moment. "Can you tell me about how things work in this house?"
He was irritated to say the least. It wasn't often that Prince Quatre would actually demand something of him, but this time he had. Actually, it was Heero's own fault. He could have just accepted when Quatre first asked, but instead he was foolish enough to question whether or not this was a request he could turn down. It wasn't. And now he was stuck with some lord from some faraway country. A small lord with a big title and, by the look in his eyes, even greater arrogance.
The Lord Wu Fei, who practically insisted to be called 'Master' rather than Lord, demanded a certain amount of respect Heero was not one to give to anyone who had not earned it. Of course, the outlander wouldn't just come straight out and say such a thing, but it was clear from the way he held himself that he thought he was better than anyone he could see around him. And that annoyed Heero more than just a little.
When he had the outlander appointed to quarters that had been made ready at a moment's notice, he'd seen the clear disapproving look on the smaller man's face. What did he expect, that his servants could just whip up a paradise in mere minutes? They weren't gods. And the crown prince had been deliberate in not telling him in advance that this man would be staying with him –for perhaps as long as a year!- because that would have given Heero time to try and dissuade him.
So when Heero headed up to his bedchamber early to feed the slave he kept locked up there, he was ready to be set off at even the slightest miscalculation. Seeing how Duo had company from that slave girl, Hilde, was enough.
Hilde was quite obviously startled by his arrival, which Heero could only interpret as her not having to be there at that moment. Realising his anger was not towards her, he just stepped away from the door and threw her an ice cold "Out." She hastily gathered her laundry before scurrying out of the room.
When the door was closed, the irritation continued as the slave indignantly asked if the girl was in any trouble. "That is none of your business," Heero snapped, placing the food on the table none too gently.
"It's my fault." The slave merely glanced at the food. "I asked her to stay. If you're gonna get her punished, you better punish me too."
"Alright." Heero touched the crystal and, totally caught by surprise the slave fell to his knees and doubled over, only managing to bite back the cry after a few moments. Heero let go of the crystal, cursing himself. He shouldn't have done that, but he really had no patience left. "Don't try me again," he told his slave coldly.
The slave needed a moment to catch his breath and Heero watched him, trying to calm down. It wouldn't do to make this one pay just because he was angry. Luckily Duo seemed to catch on because when he spoke, it was in a much more submissive manner, even if the words were not. "Geez," the slave responded, getting to his feet. "What got the Master in such a cheerful mood?"
"Again, not your business," Heero replied impatiently, deciding perhaps it was best not to wait around for the Shinigami to finish his food this time. He turned back to the door.
"Is it because of that stranger that you had to take in?" The Shinigami asked suddenly.
How the hell did he know? That slave girl. "She told you?"
"Her name is Hilde," Duo retorted.
Heero glared at him levelly. "I know."
"You do?" There was suddenly that innocent surprise on the boy's face, which was all that kept Heero from punishing him again. "Hadn't pegged you for the kind to remember your servants' names."
"Then you pegged me wrong," he answerred coolly. "Eat."
The Lord of Chang had expressed that he preferred to spend the first evening alone to get acquainted with the feel of what would be his home for a while. His words made little sense to Heero and his ways even less, which was why he had not bothered to try and change the smaller lord's mind. Instead he had decided he would retire early. He'd calmed down from the initial anger of being forced in this position and though he was not fatigued, he knew that tomorrow would be a long day.
He got his slave to help him out of his clothes and into his nightgown. Heero was tense every time he let him come near, fully aware that this boy was the Shinigami, but he also realised that as much as the slave needed to learn about Heero, the lord needed to start trusting his slave. Besides, it couldn't hurt to give the boy more chores and there weren't many of those to choose from, considering that he wasn't quite ready to let the boy out of his chains for any extended period of time yet. He was certainly never out of his chains when he helped Heero dress down. That took a little more trust than Heero was as yet willing to give him. He was the Shinigami, after all.
So far, the boy had not made a single move to try and harm Heero since the incident with the butler. In fact, now that Heero let him out of those chains every so often, the boy seemed intent on showing his Master that he could be trusted. He still made remarks that were not very suitable for anyone -much less a slave- to make, but he obeyed most of the time. And when he dressed Heero down, the worst he ever did was make snide remarks about his fancy clothes.
This evening he was silent, though. Heero wondered if that had anything to do with what had happened when he'd come to bring him dinner. In fact, he didn't speak at all until he held up Heero's night robe.
"Master?" It sounded subdued, tentative, as if he was unsure of Heero's mood.
"Yes?" Heero tied the robe himself. He wasn't going to sleep just yet.
"Is Hilde... Did she get punished bad?"
So that was what was bothering him. He was worried about that girl. "Not if she finished her chores on time," Heero answered simply.
It took him a moment to figure out what the master as saying. "You mean you don't know?"
Heero shrugged. "She's for housekeeping. She's Helen's responsibility."
He seemed relieved at hearing Helen's name. Heero wondered how much he trusted her. "Then... you didn't say anything?"
"No." He seemed relieved at that. It dawned on Heero that the slave probably had no idea how he was with his other servants and slaves, being locked up here all the time. Heero wasn't about to tell him either. He did not have to explain himself towards a slave, nor did he need to inform him on how the household was run. Besides, he doubted if the Shinigami would believe him anyway.
Heero was just seated in his comfortable chair when the boy spoke again. "Master... why exactly am I here?"
"You live here." Though Heero figured the slave meant something else.
"No, I mean, why did you buy me?" Duo clarified.
"Because I wished to," The noble answered simply.
"Well, obviously," the slave retorted, though again he managed not to sound too disrespectful. "But why?" When Heero didn't respond, he elaborated. "I mean, you haven't used me to get yourself off, you haven't paraded me around to show off that you got me, you're not making me do much and you're not beating the crap out of me either. You just feed me and have me keep your room tidy."
Heero had wondered if and when the boy was going to ask. He certainly had the spirit to do it, but Heero hadn't been sure if he was going to bother. The insecurity he voiced with that question was a weakness that could easily be exploited by an owner and Heero intended to use it. He knew his answer would be crucial, though. Therefore he took the time to come up with the right words.
"I am no different from any other owner you've had," the young lord started. "When I heard you were back on the market, I was as curious about the one with such an interesting reputation as anyone else would have been. I wanted to have the one with that reputation, to see for myself if the rumours were true." It was not an affectionate answer, but then affection was not what Heero was offering the boy.
The boy considered the words carefully, his expression dark. "If that's the case, then why haven't you fucked me yet?" Ah, the bluntness of the question
"Would you rather I did?" Heero asked, equally straightforward.
"No." The answer was quick enough. "It just... doesn't make sense."
"Anyone can tie a slave down and use him," Heero answered with a shrug. "There's no bravery in that." He was again reminded of his initial plan to make the Shinigami lay with him willingly, but he knew he couldn't confess that here.
"Bravery?" The slave asked. "You want to be brave?"
"Not exactly." Heero got up to sit on the edge of the bed, facing the slave. Again he thought carefully on how to best explain it without revealing his plans in detail. The metaphor came to him.
"There's a country far away from here where they have a delicacy known as a blowfish." He started, looking at his slave, who was seated on a blanket and looking up at him with some apprehension. "They are a type of fish that can only be prepared by the best cooks, because their liver is extremely toxic and if it is not removed correctly, the one eating the fish will die." His father had told him this one one of those occasions he'd insisted Heero share a meal with him. It seemed a fitting metaphor here.
"That's what I intend to do with you, cut away the poison while taking care that the meat is still good to consume."
The Shinigami seemed puzzled at that for a while and Heero gave him some time to figure it out. Just when Heero thought he seemed to be getting the idea, the boy's face changed to the sort of scowl he'd come to label as preceding a complaint and the boy leaned forward. "Did you just compare me to a fish?"
Heero leaned forward as well. "A blowfish," he corrected, slightly amused.
Duo glared at him for a moment as if insulted, then looked away.
Heero knelt down on the floor in front of the boy and cupped his chin, turning the head back to look at him. "As long as you're with me, you won't have to kill anyone again." He was not making promises that lasted beyond his possession, knowing he would not be able to keep them. But he made this one pledge as he had made it before.
Duo had heard it before and he'd had time to come up with a response now. "And what makes you think I don't want the kill?" He asked darkly.
That was easy. "Your eyes," Heero answered, letting go of the slave's chin and seating himself back on the edge of his bed. "I've trained among the knights long enough to recognise the eyes of someone who joins hoping to kill." Every son of a noble had to train with the knights for four years, between their twelfth and sixteenth year. "You don't have that look."
"You think I'm not capable of killing?" Heero had never asked if the boy had actually killed his previous owners. Someday he would, but not until he was certain he would get an honest answer.
"I think you are capable of doing what you need in order to survive." He was sure the boy had killed at one point. That showed in his eyes as well. Heero pushed himself back on his bed, ready to get under the covers and sleep, but the boy wasn't finished just yet.
"Is that why you're going so careful about it?" He asked. "With these chains custom made and all. You're afraid I'll see you as an obstacle I need to remove for my survival?"
"I take it easy because I have ample time and no desire to break you." Heero yawned, wondering for a moment if he was revealing too much. "Without your spirit you'll be practically worthless."
"You mean to sell me when you're finished then?"
"I don't mean it for the coin." Heero blew out the candle. "I mean it like the blowfish. Now go to sleep."
The boy muttered something about blowfish, but Heero heard the rustling of the blankets being moved around and soon the boy fell silent.
princess/rlyblue
So, halfway through the story already. It's going fast! Again, I love hearing your opinions! What do you think of Heero's comparison of Duo with the blowfish? And do you like the idea of Wu Fei staying with Heero or would you rather have seen him as Quatre's guest instead?
Also, I hope you don't hate Relena's characterisation. A lot of 1x2 fans hate her. I don't particularily like her, but I don't think she's the total idiot girl she's made out to be in a lot of fanfiction. In fact, I think her character grows the most in the series (and it helps watching the Japanese version where she sounds intelligent instead of the English subbed one where her voice is like that of a 7-year-old). When she is forced into the role of queen of the world, I think she handles it brilliantly, taking the little bit of freedom she's given to turn things her way, just like a queen from 800 years ago would have been able to do. What do you think? Like her or hate her?
