The night after Master Zechs informed me that he would be allowing me to teach Trowa basic reading and grammar, I headed to bed earlier than usual, though not by much. I was hoping to spend Sunday brushing up on my skills in preparation for tutoring Trowa. Not that I doubted my own skills or knowledge, simply that I wanted to be certain all my grammar and spellings were correct to teach Trowa. As English was not my native tongue it was easy for me to fall out of the habit of reading it and I found that I needed to constantly refresh my memory of its details.
Unfortunately, upon arrival at the room I had taken to sleeping in, I found Duo already in my bed, sound asleep. It seemed that, since he had finally gained the strength necessary to climb the stairs, to the terror of Heero and consternation of Zechs, he had managed in his exploring to find the bedrooms and had decided that they were much more welcoming than the medical room downstairs he had previously occupied. And his explorations earlier, including the three trips up and down all three flights of stairs, had clearly tired him out just as much as it had terrified Heero and annoyed Zechs. And so, he had fallen asleep in the nearest and most appealing bed, which had previously been mine. And, with Heero already undressing beside his own bed, I was left in the doorway to wonder where I was to sleep.
"It seems you've been kicked out," Zechs commented quietly, coming up behind me. I softly slipped the door closed and turned to him, blushing slightly. I didn't want to seem needy.
"It would seem so."
"Don't be upset at them. You know Heero worries. Besides, Duo snores. You wouldn't want to be stuck in the same room as he is."
"You're probably right. I suppose turnabout is fair play, though, so I'll sleep downstairs, if that's alright."
"I wouldn't, if I were you. Duo said that bed made his back ache, and I have to admit it's probably pretty old," Zechs admitted. I held in a sigh. Just what I needed. "Why don't you sleep with me?"
"E-excuse me?" I wondered, surprised.
"My bed is huge, and I can assure you it's extremely comfortable. Come on," he said, pulling me toward him room. I was hesitant, but I couldn't pull away, so I followed meekly. I was nervous about spending the night in Zechs's bed without the others, but he was still Zechs. This was still the Master who had protected me when I was delirious with drugs, and who had cuddled me when I was lucid enough to realize where I was. He wasn't acting any different, and he wasn't being threatening or intimidating like normal masters. So, while I was nervous, I was far from afraid.
And I didn't need to fear. Other than a few awkward moments as Zechs changed there was nothing overly odd about the night. I decided to sleep in my pants instead of risking waking Duo, for they were almost sleeping bottoms anyway, and I had gone shirtless with Zechs before, so I decided to wear the pants and nothing else. It was a little odd to have so much space in the bed, because I had always slept with Zechs and the other slaves, but it was kind of nice to be able to stretch out. I was hesitant to admit it, but it was nice to be with Zechs alone. I could lay in his arms and still stretch my legs out across the bed. And Zechs wasn't in the least bit reluctant to take me into his arms, though he didn't seem demanding or restraining, like other masters. He simply wanted me in his arms, and I could not bring myself to resist.
I woke up the next morning feeling better than I had in a while. I wasn't sure if it was from sleeping in someone's arms or merely the fact that the bed was large enough for me to stretch all my limbs in all directions and not touch the edge, but I felt well rested and charged. Which was good, because it was the day that Zechs intended to tell the others about the Collar assignments, and I was the only one who had seen them, so I would probably have to help Zechs settle some wounded prides.
Of course, I didn't doubt Zechs's choices. The selections I had wondered about he had quickly explained to me, and I had been amazed at his observations. From then on I hadn't questioned him, both because I knew I could trust his decisions and because I knew it was his decision and not mine. Strangely enough, though, he often asked my opinion on his ideas, as though he thought I could be of assistance. It was strange, but satisfying.
The others, on the other hand, might not be so trusting. I was especially worried about Duo, because one could never tell what would set him off, but anything that made him feel insecure or insufficient had a tendency to do it. And, since he had less Collar assignments than any of the others, I worried that he would take offence.
But there wasn't any use in projecting what would happen or who would get upset, so instead I opened my eyes, stretched, and got up. Zechs sometimes woke earlier than I did, and today was one of those days. As I descended the stairs I found that he was already in the kitchen, helping Trowa make breakfast.
"Ah, Wufei. We're almost done with breakfast, so could you go wake the others? And tell Heero to get the hell out of the gym before he explodes."
I nodded and padded off, first to retrieve Heero, who came easily and unresistantly, then Quatre, who came unresistantly, then to Duo, who came. By the time I managed to get back downstairs, nearly carrying Duo along with me, the others were already eating, and I had to hold myself back from tossing Duo into his chair. I managed, just barely, and both Duo and I began to eat.
It wasn't until the end of breakfast, when Zechs asked everyone to clear the dishes and sit back down, that the others realized something was going to happen. Usually once break fast was over we'd all scatter to do our own things. Quatre and Trowa would go outside, Heero would go to the gym, and Duo would plop in front of the TV to vegetate. Of course, some of Duo's laziness was because of his somewhat substandard health. Though he was close to normal, Duo still tired more easily than before and had less energy. But I doubted this would last more than a week, and I easily projected that he would be back to his irritating self by the coming weekend.
Of course, is was hard to tell that Duo was still below his normal energy level as he fidget nervously at the table, tapping his feet or squirming in his chair. I could help but role my eyes, and I pitied Heero, who was forced to sit next to him. Heero it didn't seem to bother, Heero, though, but I wasn't surprised. Heero had shown often lately that he was immune to most of Duo's behavior, and I often got the feeling that he even found it amusing. Quatre and Trowa, on the other hand, I was pretty sure were on my side from the looks they were giving Duo. I could only hope he didn't start to crack his knuckles again.
The attention was drawn away from Duo in the next moment though, as Zechs rose at the end of the table. Everyone looked at him, and there were emotions ranging from anxiousness to real fear in their eyes as Zechs prepared to speak.
"Alright, first everyone needs to stop looking at me like they're about to die," Zechs teased, an open smile on his face. No one laughed, but I did notice everyone relaxing a bit. "I just want to say that all of you have been doing very well lately and I'm very happy with how things have been going. But, if we want to be ready to enter Collar this year, things are going to have to change. I've already looked at the Collar events and decided which ones we'll be doing and who will be doing what. I want you to know that my judgements do not reflect on my opinion of you. I was only looking at your particular skills. So, without further ado, I'll read the selections. Heero, you'll be doing Math and Physics in the knowledge challenges, and riding, swimming, and street fighting in the physical challenges. Duo, you'll have all three of your previous challenges, Erotica, Exotic Dance, and Specialty Pleasures, along with the beauty competition. Quatre, you'll be doing cooking, gardening, flower arrangement, and art. Trowa, you have music, interpretive dance, guns, and survival. Wufei, I'm giving you the most because you have the most experience in Collar. You have classic dance, martial arts, fencing, chess, history, poetry, and calligraphy. If anyone has any questions I'll be willing to take them now," Zechs finished.
I counted to three, as the stunned others got their bearings, and chaos erupted.
"One at a time!" Zechs shouted as everyone began to talk at once. "Heero, you first.
"Master, I've never done street fighting," Heero stated.
"Yeah, and I'm great at it!" Duo snapped. "I should be fighting!"
"Fighting?" Zechs scoffed. "Sally won't clear you for running. But since you're so good at street fighting you can teach Heero how to do it, understand? Trowa, you next," Master said, cutting Duo of from giving a retort.
"I just don't understand," Trowa said quietly, his eyes shadowed with self-doubt. "I don't know how to play music, but I do know how to cook. Quatre doesn't know how to cook, but he plays very well. I... I just don't understand," Trowa said, keeping his eyes on the table. It was easy to see that he was hurt, probably thinking that Zechs, the master who meant so much to him, hadn't thought he was good enough to do cooking. Zechs sighed before continuing, at a soft and gentle tone meant to consol Trowa.
"None of this is because you aren't good enough. You are a very good cook, do you understand? I really do love your cooking. I'm giving Collar cooking to Quatre because it's a different style of cooking. It's only half about taste and half about presentation, where here we don't care about how it looks as long as it tastes good. I just think that Quatre, because of his background, would pick that up more easily than you would."
"And music?" Trowa questioned, raising his eyes slightly from the table.
"Again, it's a different style. Quatre's been trained on the violin and only for a few years, where others at Collar have studied for years. We need something that will stand out more, because they have more experience. So, instead of learning an instrument, you're going to learn to sing, because I think your voice will be extremely memorable. Alright?" Zechs asked, gaining a relieved nod from Trowa. "Quatre? Do you have anything you want to ask?"
"Why did I get all the girly stuff?" he asked sullenly. "I..."
"You are not yet healthy enough to do one of the sports. You also haven't had any physical training. I'm not doing this because I think you're weak, I'm doing it because I know you're strong enough to compete. If I thought you were weak you wouldn't have any of these competitions, because they're going to be rough no matter which one you get."
"I want to know why I can't have something better!" Duo snapped, not waiting for Zechs to finish with Quatre. "I've trained for survival all my life! I can survive in any city anywhere! Just because I've got a couple of bruises doesn't mean anything!"
"Duo, that's not..."
"Don't tell me that's not the reason you gave me all the froofroo events."
"Froofroo?" Zechs wondered.
"You know, all the soft events. The ones you don't have to do anything hard in."
"I had thought the sexual events would be quite challenging physically, so I was going to suggest that Heero could help you with it in exchange for lessons in street fighting."
"Well, yeah, that's stuff's hard, but not really hard. Not like survival."
"Duo, have you ever been to Earth?" Zechs asked, causing Duo to pause. I glanced around at the others, but none of them seemed to know what Zechs was leading up to either. Even Trowa seemed confused, which was only odd because he had been chosen for survival, and so it was assumed that he would know more about it.
"Once, for a couple days, with my first master. I was born in space, and it's not easy to get out of those cities. Why?"
"This is wilderness survival. Very few places in space bother to create any kind of landscape, and I don't know of any that have forests. You wouldn't be able to survive in an Earth wilderness, you must see that."
"Well... yeah. But then how can Trowa?" Duo asked, turning to Trowa. Trowa glanced at Zechs, it seemed to ask permission, and on receiving a nod turned back to Duo, though we were all waiting expectantly for his answer.
"I was born Earthside. In my youth I spent a lot of time with a group of mercenaries. Surviving in the wilderness and foraging for food were a part of life."
"So... then how did you get here?" Duo wondered.
"Eventually I left the mercenaries and joined up with a traveling circus. They went into space, fell on hard times, and here I am," Trowa finished, fiddling anxiously with the tablecloth. It was obvious he did not appreciate being the center of attention.
"I've spoken to each of you this week," Zechs said, pulling the attention away from Trowa," to learn you backgrounds and your strengths. I've based all of my decisions from these findings. Are there any more questions? Heero?"
"I have been assigned the riding competition. I have had several years of equestrian training and, with a few more months of training, I should be read to compete. But... Master, we don't have a horse," Heero said, looking as though he really did not want to be speaking. Indeed, from what I knew of Heero he had a very difficult time questioning Master's decisions.
Zechs, for his part, looked startled, then amused.
"I hadn't even thought about it. I own several horses of very good bloodlines, and I naturally assumed you'd be riding one of them. I didn't even think about how we're going to house the horse here," he said, then paused to look down at his papers. "I'd like you two take both hours of your riding lesson and work on the barn. Duo has a chore at the same time, so he can help you as well. As soon as the barn is in good shape we'll bring some of my horses here and you can begin to practice, alright?" Zechs said, smiling kindly. Heero nodded, relieved. "Well, then I think that's everything. For now at least we'll be going under the assumption that you'll all be sticking with your assignments. Baring illness or some other medical condition, I probably won't change them. So, good luck. You're all dismissed, feel free to enjoy the rest of your free time. You start your schedules tomorrow."
We all rose to leave, but I hesitated. Had Zechs already talked to Trowa about the lessons I was going to give him? I almost hoped so, because I wasn't sure Trowa would like being taught by another slave. I managed to catch Zechs' eye and he got the message and called to Trowa.
"Oh! Trowa, I need to speak to you and Wufei for a moment. It'll only take a minute," he assured as Trowa reluctantly left Quatre's side and returned to the room. "Quatre, you can go on ahead. I'll make sure Trowa catches up," Zechs assured, shooing Quatre out of the room. Quatre hesitated visibly, but was not confident enough to argue, so reluctantly stepped out of the room. Zechs gently closed the door behind him.
Trowa, meanwhile, was just as reluctant to stay as Quatre was to leave. Those two had become close lately, and while I only wished the best for them, close relationships could only lead to pain. But it wasn't my place to judge or meddle, so I kept my thoughts on the relationship to myself.
"Trowa," Zechs said, turning back. "I've called you here to discuss your education."
This took Trowa by surprise and he was visibly upset, a combination of fear and shame on his face. He glanced at me, suspicious, and I had to wonder if he had wanted Zechs took keep his lack of education a secret.
"Don't be that way," Zechs chided, laying a hand on his shoulder. "I've asked Wufei to help you and he's agreed, so don't be so cold to him."
"Help me?" Trowa wondered softly, turning to his master.
"Mm-hm. In a two hour slot every morning from nine to eleven Wufei will be tutoring you in reading and writing. You'll still have to keep up with your other lessons, but I think it's important for you to learn some basic grammatical skills."
"Yes, Master," Trowa replied, but he wasn't looking at Zechs. His eyes, instead, were fixed on me with a mix of gratitude and curiosity. I felt required to speak, so took a step closer.
"I can assure you that I am well qualified to teach most scholarly studies. I can't guarantee that it'll be easy, but I will teach you as much as you wish to learn."
"Thank you," Trowa whispered sincerely. I nodded, bowing slightly in respect, and couldn't help but smile. Being a teacher was one of my dreams, and though this wasn't how I expected to become one, I was fulfilling my dream none the less.