I can't say that I grew any more fond of Collar after my first day, but I was getting used to it. I had feared at first that naked boys would line the walls, horribly battered and bleeding, and that I would be asked to put Heero amongst them. I had been afraid that I would have to watch while others used Heero's sweet body, while I used the body of some other unfortunate boy.

It was much different. Heero was right when he said that most punishments were dolled out in private, as I had yet to see a slave garner anything more severe than a sharp crack to the rear. Masters openly held and touched their slaves, as well as complimenting and bragging about them.

Still, it was not a good atmosphere. Too many times had I seen a boy flinch in fear of his master, or turn away from an affectionate touch. There was an air of repression that hung over many of the slaves, and I was dedicated to lifting that. I knew, in order to do that, I would have to get in the top five of Collar. I already knew that I would enter Heero, but I worried about getting more slaves. I had promised not to risk losing Heero, and I was not regretting that. Still I needed a chance to gain more slaves without endangering Heero.

I never thought a chance would come up so quickly. The day after the introduction party, a redheaded slave showed up on my doorstep about noon with an invitation to meet up with master Marcel. Now, to be honest, my first impression of this man was that he was nothing more than a brown-noser, interested only in my title. Still, I wanted this alliance, and I had learned early on about how to deal with his type when I became a prince.

We met Marcel at about two, as we hadn't gotten back until nearly four in the morning and Heero had needed to do his exercises, while I had taken the private time to type up a report. After a quick shower and change of clothing, which found me in a more Victorian style dress to match Heero's outfit, we quickly made our way down to the cafe Marcel had specified.

Marcel we inside sitting at a small table when we arrived. About eight slaves were kneeling on a line of red mats behind him. There was also a red mat behind my chair and, as I sat down, Heero knelt on the mat behind me.

"Morning, my friend," Marcel greeted. He had a deep, richly accented voice which complemented his large, somewhat brutish body.

"Morning?" I questioned, "It's almost dinner."

"Ah," he dismissed, "You'll get used to the times here soon enough. So many people used to prowling the nights, it's hard for them to stop. Still, will this be breakfast for you?"

"Lunch, more like it," I told him.

"Well, then you must try the fish. I swear, they breed them in the toilets and catch them themselves," he said, laughing deeply. We continued on this strain for a while, making idle chitchat. Marcel told me several things I had not known about Collar, but nothing of great importance. When the food came, I felt a quick stab of regret for eating in front of Heero, but he had only had breakfast a few hours ago, so would not be too hungry.

When the fish, which was good but a bit too heavily seasoned, was cleared away, Marcel stopped trying to quietly get me to reveal where I was from and turned his attention to more lucrative conversation.

"So, you have not had many bets yet, yah?" he asked. "You perhaps would make a bet with me?"

"Of course. What kind of bet?"

"Pshh. First we decide the wager, then I tell you the game."

"That doesn't seem fair."

"Is your first year. As such, I may take advantage of your newness."

"I see," I said, deciding to humor him.

"So, what shall our little bet be? I know you're in need of slaves, and I seem to have an overabundance of them," he said, casually waving toward the group of slaves kneeling behind him.

"I couldn't possibly bet Angel," I said quickly, not wanting to lead him on. "I don't want to make it too known, but I've already begun to train him for Collar," I said, certain that it would spread well enough that no one else would try to make a grab at Heero. If there was one thing I had come to know, it was that slaves in training were off-limits, and no one questioned it.

"Ah. I see. Well, then, I'll bet one of those slaves for something else of yours," he said. I could tell, then, that the slaves kneeling were not his better slaves, if he was willing to risk them. He had probably, wisely, left his training slaves at home. "How about that little bauble?" Marcel asked, pointing to my ring. It was a small gold ring with a rather large ruby. It was elegant, expensive, and ancient. Had I sold it, I could probably have fed a small country for a year. I gladly tossed it down on the table, far more ready to part with it than I was with Heero. Marcel lifted it at once, admiring the craftsmanship.

"It's lovely!" he gushed, then set it back down, though his hands twitched to lift it again. "Now, which slave would you like?" he asked. I glanced at the group of kneeling slaves. They were all beautiful, with a variety of skin tones and hair colors. One, in particular, caught my eye. His hair was a light blonde, and his skin was pale, as though he hadn't been outside in a while. He was thin, but not so thin as Heero had been. Still, while the other slaves were patient and relaxed, this one tense and would not lift his head.

"How about the little blonde one?" I asked before I could stop myself. The boy looked up at me with such terrified blue eyes that I wished I could stuff the words back in my mouth, but it was too late. Marcel laughed uproariously, then slapped the table.

"I feel almost a little bad about this trade, for you will get the worse end of the stick no matter what. That boy is good only for his hole, useless as soon as he is not filled. Too bad for you, my friend, but bet is a bet," he said, signaling me to follow him as he turned to leave the restaurant. I hadn't thought about where the bet would be held, but I wasn't surprised we were leaving. I wondered what kind of game I had entered.

I glanced at Heero to try to get his opinion about the slave. The boy hadn't looked like too much trouble, but Marcel was making me think he might be a handful. Heero could only give me a shrug, as he didn't know any more about the boy than I did. I expected we know more very soon.