A small hand pat Ivan on the cheek. His lid was pried open, focusing his gaze on a blonde child sitting upon his chest. Braginski grinned sleepily at the curious youth.

"Young master." He greeted, voice broken. "How nice it is to meet you."

The boy smiled wide at his words. He moved aside, allowing the man to sit up.

"Quite right. What is your name?"

"I am Ivan Braginski, young master."

"You are very tall, like a giant!" Stated Toby, climbing onto Ivan's back. His thin arms wrapped around his neck.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. In fact, those gits at school would think twice before messin' with me if I brought you in for show and tell. I can imagine their faces, I can!"

Ivan chuckled.

"Should we wake Mr. Jones, sir?"

"Is that, that, ones name?" The child pointed over to Alfred who was still fast asleep. His backside was high in the air, laying facedown in a pillow.

"Da." Nodded Braginski.

"Does he always sleep like that?"

"Da."

Toby laughed.

"That is so lame!"

Ivan stood, the child still clinging to his nape. He swung his legs about the man's waist.

"Wake up, servant!" Yelled Toby, hopping down.

"What?!" Alfred rolled out of bed, landing at the child's feet. Tangled in his sheet, he wiggled free a hand pulling away the cover. "Oh." He sighed, looking up at Toby groggily. "Just you."

"Just me?" Mocked the lad, crossing his arms. "Servant, know your place!" He lifted his foot, bringing it down quickly. However, just before it was to hit Alfred in the stomach, the youth was snatched by his father.

"Don't you dare!" Kirkland roared. The man was half dressed and grumpy. His eyes were bloodshot and lined with dark circles. A good portion of his morning had been spent with his head in a toilet. "If this is how you will treat your new toys, I will donate them to the iron mines!"

"You would not." Gasped the child.

"I WOULD!" Arthur released his son, casting a cold look down upon Alfred. Braginski watched, intrigued, wondering what had transpired the night before to deserve such harshness. Jones pulled himself up from the floor. "Now then, here, tag them."

A metal device, was placed into the hands of the youngster. Kirkland covered his mouth with his had and quickly exiting the room to the nearest bathroom.

"Fine." Sighed Toby, shoving the object into Alfred."You, hold this to your ear and pull the trigger, do the same to him." He walked away, arms about his back. "Be ready to go in five minutes!"

"Nice kid, huh?" Grumbled Alfred.

Braginski laughed and leaned in close to his comrade.

"Left ear, do not be forgetting."

The tagging was quick and relatively painless. Alfred looked in the mirror that hung on the wardrobe door at the large silver earring. Engraved on it, was a eight digit number too small for him to read.

"Did you just notice you are handsome?" Braginski cooed.

Blushing, Alfred smirked, playfully hitting the Russian on the shoulder.

"Shut up."

They laughed, Ivan the first to leave the bedroom. Alfred took one last glance at himself, adjusting his spectacles and followed after him. Toby was waiting impatiently at the front door of the mansion. His small arms crossed and one of his polished shoes tapping at the tiled floor. Next to him stood Arthur Kirkland, wearing a pair of oversized sunglasses to hide his obvious hangover.

"About time!" Spoke Toby.

"Yes, well, your limo will be here shortly. I must be going, I am already late for my flight." The Englishman grumbled, leaving. The outside air was chilly.

Alfred stepped back. His mind spinning, curious and hesitant about the world outside the massive house's walls. He had only seen in photographs the foreign world and only briefly experienced for himself. Braginski brushed against his companion.

"The sky is still blue and the grass still green." He whispered. "Do not fear."

"Shut up, I'm fine." Alfred spoke, chewing his lip in uncertainty as they waited for their ride.

Ivan frowned. He knew when the youth was lying and hated it. There was no reason to lie to him.

"Young Master, may we wait outside upon the porch?"

Ivan's words were like velvet, causing a shiver to creep down Alfred's spine. The American gritted his teeth, knowing that Ivan was trying to get under his skin and he was succeeding.

"Yes, please, master!" Alfred roared and tore open the door, holding it for the child.

The outburst startled Toby. He nodded, quietly walking through the doorway. Pleased with himself, Ivan walked proceeding him. A grin directed at Alfred as he passed.

The mansion sat in a rural area, surrounded by farmland. Not far past the iron gate the city could be seen along the clouded horizon of the cornfields. Small orb-like objects flew between the tall skyscrapers. Ivan watched from the concrete steps, trying to remember from his studies what they were called.

The corners of Braginski's mouth upturned as Alfred adjoined him, casting a resentful glare. A black vehicle came up the drive and parked at the steps. The tall, well dressed driver came around the side and opened the door. His skin was olive in color and his dark hair hung out from under the hat he wore. Toby was quick to get inside followed by Ivan and Alfred.