I didn't feel like going to another party, but I certainly didn't feel like spending the evening alone. Unfortunately, with Quatre in the hospital and Heero spending much of the day with him, my options were limited. Knowing this, long after Heero was gone I dragged myself out of bed that second day to dress and head to the party.
I was early to the party, which wasn't entirely unexpected, but I was surprised to find that Nanashi was not waiting for me. Upon asking where he was, I was told by another slave that he was bathing, and that he would come to me as soon as he was finished.
"Here to pick up your slave already?" the Duke asked with a smile. "Aren't we a little anxious?"
"Bored is more like it," I responded lightly, "and ready to take my new acquisition home so that we may become... better acquainted."
"But you will stay for the party, won't you?"
"I certainly wouldn't want to insult your hospitality, but you mustn't blame me if I duck out a little early."
"Excellent. I'm sure you'll enjoy the cuisine. One of my slaves is in charge of all the cooking. Of course, all the slaves can cook, including yours and- ... Oh! I almost forgot. I meant to give this to you," he said, handing me a small remote with a large red dial in the middle. I stared at it for a moment, unsure of what to do, as the Duke continued. "Nanashi will show you what to do with that," the Duke said as a slave wrapped in bright red ribbon and nothing else came up beside him. I put the remote in my pocket as his attention was diverted, resolved to ask Nanashi about it later. "Ah! Have you seen my newest pet? I get one every three months or so. Actually, Nanashi was my last pet, but he didn't work out as I had hoped. Perhaps you will have better luck. Well, anyway, this is Ribbon," the Duke said, taking the red-haired boy by the hand. I looked closer at the slight boy and made a shocking realization.
The ribbon, which I had previously thought wrapped around the boy, wrapped through him!
Removed for content.
"I must admit," the Duke continued, "that Ribbon has much exceeded my expectations. A marvelous piece of work, much better than Nanashi. Ah, speaking of which, good luck with him," the Duke said, then moved away as Nanashi moved toward me. Like most slaves, Nanashi knelt in submission at my feet in greeting. I stifled the urge to roll my eyes and motioned for him to get up.
Nanashi looked tired and more worn than he had been when I last left. His face was pale and pasty. Upon closer inspection I noticed make-up partially hiding bags under his eyes. He looked ill, almost faint.
"Are you alright?" I asked before I could think of my words.
"I'm fine," Nanashi responded, never meeting my eyes, "Merely tired."
"Ah," I said, not truly understand what could have made him so tired but knowing that it must have been the Duke, "We will leave early, then, as soon as dinner is over. Until then, come sit with me in the library."
"You are too kind, master," Nanashi replied. Though his voice was only vaguely grateful his face told me what I needed to know as I saw the lines of relief standing out on his brow. My new slave had been through a hard night and deserved some rest. With that in mind, I led the way to the library, which had been so peaceful the night before.
Unfortunately, we were not the first there this night. Instead, the library had been converted into an arena for this night's entertainment, with all the furniture having been pushed to the walls, leaving the center open. A long-haired slave was tied and gagged in the middle of the library's large rug.
Removed for content.