Another Day

Chapter 7

Introductions

Judy woke him up the next morning. "Wake up, Kai, it is a new day and we must be up in case we are called for. You never know when the masters will be wanting their breakfast. It is our job to carry it up to their rooms, and to help them get ready for their day."

Kai blinked sleepily at her, but crawled out from underneath the warm blanket and began to dress. Rei was already on his feet, although he too yawned and looked like he would much rather curl back up and go to sleep.

Judy showed them two bells on the wall, tied to strings that disappeared into holes in the wall, and told them that these were connected to Tala and Danielle's bedrooms. The two of them could at any time pull on their end of the string to activate one of the bells and alert their servant that there was something they wanted. As if on cue, the bell to the left began to ring. "Oh, looks like you have some work to do, Kai. You had better get going." She urged him on his way.

Once in the hallway, Kai paused outside the door that led to Tala's rooms, once again contemplating the benefits and drawbacks of ignoring orders, but in the end, cursing himself for his cowardliness, put a hand on the handle and pushed the door open; if nothing else, he was not about to be polite and knock first.

Tala was propped up in his bed with a book in his lap. He had a four poster bed with silk covers and lots of big pillows. The rest of the room was small, but Kai could see several more rooms through an open door in the opposite wall. It was tidy, which said something about the young resident's personality. There was a tall bookshelf and a dresser, but not much else crowding the room, so Kai guessed that this was not the room Tala usually spent his time in.

A large, shaggy, grey dog lay by the foot of the bed, and it raised its head and studied Kai for a moment, before returning to its nap. Kai didn't like dogs; in the slum dogs meant cops. They showed up in his nightmares sometimes, snapping at his heels and barking in his ears, and he would see their shadows everywhere. Luckily, this dog did not seem interested in chasing him, but Kai was not about to go over and pet it anytime soon.

After a while he raised an eyebrow at the boy on the bed, who was not showing any sign of being about to acknowledge the slave's presence or to stop reading. He turned a page and kept on his intellectual activity, and with the small smile gracing his lips, Kai knew that he was simply being toyed with. It was also a taunt to the fact that Kai could not read, as he had never needed to and had had no one to teach him. Kai cleared his throat once and then again when there was no response. Finally, Tala picked up a bookmark from the bedside table and placed it carefully on the page, before closing the book and putting it on the aforementioned table. Then he got out of the bed, on the opposite side of where Kai was still standing, and started walking towards the open door on the other side of the room.

Kai cleared his throat again, and this time Tala turned, looking at him for the first time that day, "Having problems with your throat, Kai?" Once again he said Kai's name with a little added insult. Kai didn't answer as he was busy trying not to look at Tala's long, white legs which were showing quite well under the short, crème-coloured robe he was wearing. The redhead did not wait for an answer though, "Come along."

Kai followed his master, taking a large turn around the dog, through a couple of rooms until they came to a bath, and a rather grand one at that. A big tub was built into the middle of the peach-coloured floor. Three mirrors hung over a white sink, and clean towels hung on a handle. Tala gestured for Kai to remain where he was and walked over to a door on the right wall. He knocked and opened it partially, "Danielle, are you dressed?"

A girl's voice answered him from the other end, "Not yet, dear brother, but you may go ahead and use the bathroom first." Kai could not see anything of the other room, but by her voice the girl sounded young and not a tad arrogant. Tala closed the door and shook his head, like a big brother who knew his sister's behaviour.

Tala opened his robe and let it drop to the floor. Kai's eyes widened in surprise; the young man had been naked beneath it! Kai's temperature skyrocketed. He had known all his life that he was gay, but had never met anyone that he had wanted to get close to. Now, it seemed he wouldn't have a choice. Luckily, Tala was standing with his back to Kai, but the sight of his slender limbs and smooth skin made the slave nervous anyway. "Um, sir, what did you need me for again?" Kai said, his voice a couple of notches higher than usual. He even forgot his impoliteness in his haste to get the heck out.

Tala laughed at the blue haired boy's obvious distress, "Hasn't Eddie explained the bath-rules in this family to you?"

Kai swallowed as he remembered Eddie's teaching, "But, but you can't mean that I am supposed to do that?" Tala laughed again, and Kai realised that that was just what he expected.

"Don't worry; it's not like I am making you come into the bath with me." But then he turned and walked up to Kai, who backed away until his back hit the wall. The redhead smiled suggestively, completely unabashed, "That is, unless you want to." Kai shook his head forcefully, his eyes wide as saucers. Tala shrugged and walked over to the tub. He sat down on the edge, and pointed to a low stool, that was stacked under a shelf of colourful soaps, "Why don't you sit over there then, and I will tell you if I need anything."

The tub was filled with water and Tala sank into it, sighing as the warmth seeped into his bones. He watched his slave from the corner of his eyes, and smiled to himself; the boy had his weaknesses, and his charms. The stubbornness would disappear in time; once he realised that this was a fight he could not win. The redhead grabbed a sponge and began to clean himself, putting on a bit of a show, simply for the pleasure of embarrassing Kai some more.

Kai studied Tala in the bath. Now that he had calmed down a bit, he could scold himself for overreacting like that, and for the second time as well; it was not as if he had never seen another boy naked before. He promised himself not to let the redhead's advances get to him, and to never ever panic like that again; he had made a complete fool of himself and given Tala an edge against him, he would have to even the score somehow. This was the second time he was caught up in an embarrassing bath-scene. What did the element of water have against him anyway?

It took quite a long time before Kai was needed. He was getting beyond bored when Tala finally called for him. "Scrub my back," came the simple request. Kai gritted his teeth, but grabbed a sponge. Then a little devil of an idea came to him, and he hurried over to the sink. Tala, who was sitting with his back to the mirrors, would probably have been rather scared if he had seen the evil smirk on Kai's face, but as it was he had no warning as to the sudden feeling of an ice cold sponge being rubbed on his back. He cried out in the girlish way that most do when assaulted with cold water, and spun around.

Kai was smiling in fake pleasantness. "Oh, I am sorry; was that too cold?" And with that he squeezed the sponge over his master's head, so that he was showered in ice cold water. The second high-pitched scream, and the complete shock on Tala's face was simply too much and Kai burst out laughing.

"Why you...you!" The redhead began to climb out of the tub, murder written all over his face, so Kai ran for it, out the bathroom and Tala's quarters, until he could shut the main door behind him and sink to the ground, clutching his sides and laughing.

Some time later, Kai came down the stairs to the kitchen. It was quieter there now, as breakfast had been served and the family was eating. The cook was sitting in a chair when Kai came in, but when she saw him she came over, "Hello there. You must be one of the new kids. I'm Tylia, and I am in charge of the kitchen." Kai nodded politely. "You must be hungry," the woman continued, "you are all skin an bones, lad, but don't you worry; when the masters are done eating, the leftovers will be for us, and it is usually quite a lot of food left so we are well fed. I am sure the others will be here any second so I had better start readying the table. I tell you there is never a moment of peace to be found." She laughed good-naturedly.

She didn't leave much room for replies of any kind, but she was friendly enough. She started taking plates down from a closet high on the wall, but then she turned and realised that Kai was still standing on the same spot, looking around on the benches and the shelves and the closets full of tools and food. "Hey, boy, what is your name?"

"I'm Kai."

"Well, Kai, why don't you help me set the table?" He agreed and grabbed a stack of plates, placing them on the long narrow table that stood a little away from the stove and the sink. The tablecloth was green and white, and the chairs and table were of cherry wood. Kai marvelled at the beauty of it, simple as it all was; he wasn't used to chairs and tables and beds, or of such bright colours, or even of the cleanliness of it all. He had to admit, the level of comfort this life provided him with was much greater than that of his previous life. He proceeded to provide every plate with a knife and fork, placing them in positions that Tylia showed him. Together they managed to get everything ready in good time, and a little while later the kitchen was filled with people. The food was brought down, and soon almost the all the staff of the Ivanov mansion was gathered around one table.

Kai was ushered into a seat by Tylia. He ended up between Rei and Enrique. The blonde had searched him out and deliberately sat down beside him, while Rei, after nearly being crushed in a welcome hug by Tylia, had been placed beside him by the motherly cook. The feline had come down the stairs with Eddie, and Kai had overheard the black haired boy complaining that if he had to help Danielle button up one more dress then his fingers would fall off.

Even though no one had shown any negative feelings towards him so far, Kai felt like an intruder; everyone knew each other and they were chatting about the day's upcoming events as they ate, while Kai was not much of a social person and didn't really know what to say to get close to people. He hated to admit it, but Rei's presence was comforting, as it meant that Kai was not the only one new, but even this pleasure was dampened as Rei seemed to know most of the staff already and he spoke and joked with them as he ate. He was quite the opposite if Kai; outgoing and confident.

The slate haired boy ate silently, listening to the others and thinking the previous day through. It seemed like it had been forever since he was brought up on the platform and the worst day of his life officially begun. He was also busy looking at all the food; he had never had the possibility of eating so much before, and all the different tastes were exciting.

When the meal was finished, and while Tylia, and the children that Kai had seen helping her before, cleared the table, Judy rose and called the attention of the fourteen individuals gathered. "Everybody, I know you have all been patient, and your waiting has come to an end; I think it is time that we all get to know Kai and Rei a little better, and let them know who we are." She smiled at the two new slaves. The cook and her helpers came back and sat down, and Judy continued, "Why don't we go in a circle around the table? Steve, you can start." She gestured to the boy beside her.

A strong-looking, green haired boy in outdoors work clothes nodded politely at them, "I'm Steve and I am the gardener. I came here with Eddie a couple of years ago." He didn't sound like the brightest pea in the pod, but if he was Eddie's friend he had to be nice at least.

Eddie sat next to Steve, "Oh, but you know me and Steve already." Kai nodded affirmatively. The two men shared a grin. They seemed very good friends, and the kind that would get in trouble with the cops for no more reason than the thrill of the chase. Kai called such foolish, but he knew very well why they did it.

After Eddie came a young boy with lilac clothes and brown hair, "Hi! I'm Antonio. I work here in the kitchen. I got here by stealing an apple, but life here is much better than on the streets anyway." He smiled at them, "I am very friendly, but a little silly, or so Tylia says anyway." The cook nodded affirmatively.

On the other side of the table sat a girl with orange hair and huge spectacles. She smiled smugly at them and adjusted her glasses, "My name is Emily, and I also work in the kitchen. I was doing just fine until some cop came and picked me off the street, deciding that I would be better of as a slave. I still say I could have done just as well, but I guess this life is ok too."

Antonio laughed, "That explains why you were half dead from starvation when you were brought here." Emily stuck her tongue out at him.

Tylia shook her head fondly at their banter and then she turned and introduced herself, "I'm Tylia Gelder. I work here for pay. It's a busy job, but I don't complain. I am also living here until I can buy a house of my own."

Next to her sat a young blonde boy with a huge smile plastered on his face, "Hi there, I am Max. I live here with my mom," he gestured to Judy, who smiled. "I sweep and wash the floors together with Tyson here. Welcome to the Ivanov mansion!" he laughed, and Kai could not help but smile at the kid's enthusiasm. The one called Tyson sat next to Max. He had long dark blue hair in a ponytail and a red jacket with blue shorts that stopped just below the knees. He gave Kai and Rei the thumbs up.

Enrique looked like he was dying to talk and now it was finally his turn, "I was brought here by my parents; we lived on the street for some years, but then one day they walked me to the doorstep of this house and told me to wait for them. I waited until nightfall and then I was discovered and brought inside. After that I have been working here, first as an apprentice to the old stable master, but when he died I took over his position. Seems my parents were never planning on coming back, but I guess you always have to leave someone behind, and I have found new friends here. Besides; I know that they brought me here in the hope that I would be taken in, and I was! So everything has worked out just fine for me." Enrique smiled proudly, while most of the others rolled their eyes at the blonde's life story, which they had heard a million times before, in different length and detail. Then they turned to Kai expectantly. All eyes rested on the boy who was staring at his empty plate.

He sighed; he was not too exited at having to pour his own story out to these strangers, but he could hardly ruin the nice mood they had tried to set. He decided to keep it short; no reason to give away too much, "My name is Kai, and I am master Tala's new toy. Rei got me arrested for stealing."

Rei groaned, "You just have to flaunt it, don't you? You would have been caught sooner or later anyway, so stop complaining." When Kai just snorted Rei shook his head and began telling everyone the same story he had told Kai and Eddie the day before. When he was done he looked across the table at Adria, "It's your turn angel, now you can tell Kai all about yourself."

Kai did not know where the feline had picked up the nickname, but he figured Rei had spoken to her some time earlier, and he gave Adria a sad smile, "I'm afraid I have already heard your life story from Mr. loud-mouth over there." He pointed at Enrique and everyone laughed, except Adria who pouted, and Enrique, who looked miffed.

So the ball was tossed to the one sitting beside Adria; a small boy with green hair and a large nose. "The name's Ian, I work here as the second gardener. I became a slave in much the same way that most people do; I was arrested for trying to survive. It's cruel, but it is life, and surviving is much easier here. I was lucky, as I did not really have anyone back there and Mr. Ivanov is a better master than many others."

The next person to speak was a black haired boy with a red bandana and blue clothes. He sneered constantly, even when he turned to the new slaves and introduced himself, "I am Carlos. I do all sorts of things around here." He did not say anything else, and no one asked him to either. Kai realised that this was probably another one of those people he would simply never get along with; the black haired teen was radiating negativity.

Judy finished of the round by explaining that she also worked for pay and that her husband had died a long time ago, which was why she and Max lived in the mansion.

Tylia broke the ensuing spell of silence by standing up, "Now. Time to clean the tables, and then we'll rest a bit before it's time to make lunch. So, get out, out, out all of you, shoo!" She ushered them all out of the kitchen except Emily and Antonio. Kai was one of the last to go and as he turned one last time he saw Emily scraping food off one plate and into the trash. Rei saw her too.

"What are you doing?" he yelled and ran back into the kitchen.

Emily stood up and regarded him quizzically. "I am throwing away the last of the food. What is wrong with that?" Kai didn't understand what was upsetting the teen and so he lingered in the doorway to see what would happen.

"But, but how can you do that? How can you throw away so much food? Do you know how many people would kill to get their paws on that food? Do you know how many kids would be alive if they had only had that amount of food?" Rei was shouting.

Then Tylia came up behind him and put an arm around his shoulder, "We know that, Rei, but how could we give those kids this food, eh? Believe me when I say that we've thought the same many times, but it can't be helped. There are only a few beggars in this part of town and we can't go all the way to the slum to give our leftovers to poor people every day. It is a noble idea, but it just won't work. I am sorry, dear, I am, but there is nothing we can do for them." The feline sighed and left the kitchen with a hanging head. Kai studied him in wonder as he walked up the stairs; perhaps there really was more than selfishness and arrogance to that boy.