If I had expected master to be different once we arrived at Collar, I would have been disappointed. He was still his same, overbearing, affectionate, somewhat mothering master that I had come to know in the past week. He still watched over me as though I would break. He still made sure I had everything I could possibly need. He still hovered as though my health was in danger. He still tried to let me have input into his decisions. But, most of all, he still cared for me.

I had been afraid that master would see how well groomed and lovely the rest of the slaves were and reconsider his ideas about me, but I was very wrong. While I did catch my master looking at some of the other slaves, he never once seemed to consider trading me for one, nor did he shown any interest in making me look like them. While he did take control after my first fashion blunder, he seemed more concerned that I was stylish and comfortable than in the most trendy outfits. Even after he found my lack of taste, he still tried to allow me some say in my clothing, though to be honest I was too overwhelmed to ask for more than my modesty to be covered, which I did with some rather embarrassing wording.

Even when I went to train at the gym, master still hovered like he always did, giving me a stern warning about overdoing it. I know he also said something to the trainers, but I was unable to overhear the conversation. Then he left.

Once master was gone, I ended up falling back into the rhythm I had used with my first master and forgot what master Zechs had told me. I didn't quite pass my limits, but I was very close. I felt bad when I returned to the room and master had to help me into the shower, then I fell into an exhausted sleep as soon as I hit the bed. It made me feel worse that master didn't say anything, simply helped me shower then put me to bed. He deserved better than what I could give him.

The next morning, we spoke at breakfast about the parties at Collar. I was in no rush to attend any, but I knew that master would need to if he intended to get more slaves. Once I told master that we would not need to rush, he initiated a bout of sex. I was eager to participate, both because I wanted to make up to my master for last night and because I wanted it for myself. My master was beautiful, and I had no qualms about lusting after him.

We had to rush to get ready for the parties after that, as we had taken too long with our fun. Master dressed in one of his military, princely outfits that made him look refined, masculine, and commanding all at the same time. He did not look like the kind of person anyone would disobey.

Master allowed me to choose my own clothes as he went to brush his hair, and I decided against the Victorian outfit. I decided that it simply wasn't sexual enough, and my master would come off looking overly possessive. Instead, I opted for the harem outfit, which showed enough skin, but not too much.

It was strange to go to the parties with my master. On the one hand, he was still controlling and caring, as he had always been, but on the other I had to be careful to guide him and make sure he wasn't led astray by some other masters trying to do him harm. To do this, I had to remain almost constantly by his side, always aware and alert of what others were saying and doing. Despite my skills as an assassin, it was quite trying. I almost thought I wouldn't manage.

Luckily, the opening parties were always very sedate to allow new masters to get the feel of things. It was mainly just appetizers and beverages while masters chatted and showed off their slaves, most of whom preened under the attention. I must admit, I preened a bit myself, but a I was also rather shy. I liked that master Zechs wanted to show me off, but, at the same time, I didn't really want to be shown off to these people. They still made me nervous and uncomfortable.

Master had gained his balance by the end of the night and had managed to make an impression on several other masters. One of the masters had noticed master Zechs had the bearing and accent of nobility and questioned into master's affairs. Master had quietly refused to comment, but the interest sparked in master Marcel's eyes hinted that we would soon be invited to some of his parties. He had also struck a cord with Master Scrub, an older master with something of a germophobic nature. My master's clean pressed dress had impressed him, along with the care he took in his hair, and master Scrub had mentioned a party he planned to have in two days. Another master named Zephyr had caught master stroking my hair and giving me an affectionate look. When master kissed the top of my head, thinking no one was looking at us as we walked out the doorway, master Zephyr had sent his slave, for he had only one, to invite us to tea. He said that we should feel free to stop by any time, but manners dictated that master would send a message first, to alert our host. I wasn't certain of master Zephyr's motives, but master Zechs accepted immediately, so there was no way around meeting him. I only hoped he didn't criticize my master for being too affectionate.

"How do you think we did, master?" I asked as we readied for bed that night.

"Oh, extremely well. You were amazing, Heero. If it hadn't been for you I probably would have agreed to go to the knife man's party," he said with a shudder. There was a master named Blade at the party who had a particular interest in long hair and knives. Unfortunately, he tended to use the knife to take the hair, then rape the victim and keep the hair as a trophy. As a master, master Zechs probably would have been safe, but master Blade was extemely volatile, and it was not worth taking the risk. He was not well liked, as well, and would have done more damage than good to my master's reputation.

"Not all master are as kind as you are," I told him. I knew he would take it as a compliment, but in truth I meant it as more of a fact. I had known many masters who had not been kind at all, so I relished master Zechs' kindness.

"Flatterer. One thing did bother me, though," he said, as he climbed into bed and pulled me down beside him. "Why weren't there any girls at this party? I mean, not everyone is gay."

"Collar was originally created by a male for other homosexual males. In the beginning, females were not allowed to be a part of Collar. The Owner did not want unwanted pregnancies, as he, for some reason, did not believe that anyone should be born into this. As it is, one must be at least thirteen years of age to become a slave."

"You said originally. Is it different now?"

"A little. The ban on female masters and slaves has been lifted as technology in contraceptives advanced. You should know, all slaves are sterile, along with being free of diseases."

"I suppose I can understand that, but then why haven't I seen any girls?"

"Male and female slaves are kept in separate parts of Collar and compete in different competitions. There are very few female masters with male slaves, though there are quite a few male masters with female slaves. Since you requested a male slave it as automatically assumed that you would enjoy other males. If this is incorrect..."

Master laughed, deep and loud, but I wasn't certain what was so funny. If master decided he liked girls better than me...

"Don't worry yourself about that, angel. I'm completely gay, and have been for a long time."

"Oh," I said, honestly terribly relieved.

"You need to stop worry so much that you'll lose me," master said softly, seeing through my mask. Quietly, he shifted me closer and I buried my face in his shoulder. I trusted him, but somehow the fear just wouldn't fade. We were quiet for a long time.

"You said the youngest slaves are thirteen," master commented as the silence dragged on, "What about before that?" he asked.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything? Who raised you? What happened to your parents? How did you get here?"

"I've been an orphan as long as I can remember," I told him. I think he anticipated this to be painful for me, but it really wasn't. I had already lived it once, what more could it do? "I was raised by an assassin named Odin. He started my training, hoping more for a successor than a son, I think. When I was nine, he was killed on a hit. When I returned to get the money for the hit, the scientist who hired us offered to take me in. I didn't have anywhere else to be, so I said yes. He began to train me and to modify my body after that. I was trained to be a soldier, assassin, hacker, mechanic, and slave. His training was harsh and his punishments were brutal, but he was fair. When I was thirteen, he registered me with Collar. Then he died. You know the rest."

"So how old does that make you?"

"Seventeen, by his calculations. I don't know how accurate they are, but Collar is very particular about the age constraint, so it must be pretty close."

"Hm. Seems strange not to know how old you are," master said, then let it drop. "Is that how all the slaves get here? Are they all orphans?"

"No. A lot of them are homeless kids, picked up off the streets. Some are convicted of lesser crimes and have no family, so their governments sell them here. I heard a few slaves say that their families sold them to pay for food, but that's very rare. Most are picked up because they have no family, no one to miss them."

"You know you do have someone who would miss you, right?" he asked. I gave him a confused look. "I'd miss you very much if you went missing, silly," he told me. I couldn't help but give him a grin. My master was so sweet, and such a sap.