Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Enslaving the Heart ❯ A Noble Encounter ( Chapter 3 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Violet_Nyte 
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.19.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 377 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.19.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 377 | Status: Work In Progress
LSE // 9-18-02
(Enslaving the Heart - Chapter Three: A Noble Encounter)
rated: R - adult language, content
shounen-ai/extreme AU
A Noble Encounter
Having been ignored by the stout woman, Heero obediently shuffled
over near the pot washer. The frail girl didn't look up from her
work, but resolutely bent over a great tub of soapy water, which she
dunked and scrubbed in. As quick as the girl moved, the stack of
dirty dishes around her rose as the instruments used to prepare
supper were hauled off the fires and delivered for cleaning.
"Hey," Heero called, sliding over towards her.
The girl looked up with a slight glare, but nodded to him with
acknowledgment and bent once more to her task. "What is it?" the girl
said, pausing long enough to brush back strands of pale red hair.
"Can I have some of your water?"
The girl's eyes rolled off the dishes and over to him, "Pardon? What
have you need of soaped water?"
"No, the rinse water beside you."
The dishwasher glanced over and set again to her task. She finished
one entire pot before answering, "If you wish to drink it, yes, but I
warn you it's not very pleasing to taste. If you wish to take it, no,
because I need it and I have little fondness for refilling it from
the pump."
Heero looked at her quizzically for a moment, then carefully tasted
some of the liquid. It was cold, but slightly tepid. No matter. Heero
drank deeply, setting the bucket back beside the girl.
The washer shrugged slightly, "You would be new. Has the Lady looked
you over, yet?"
"She bought me."
"That means little. You haven't even your ring."
"My ring?" Heero looked to girl's submerged hands.
"Not there," the girl said impatiently, one dripping finger lifting
out long enough to tuck back offending hair and gesture to her ear.
A simple silver loop adorned her. Heero took a long glance around the
kitchen and noticed all of the other slaves had similar rings in
their ears. Even, he noted, the males.
Did the field hands have earrings? Heero tried to search back through
his memory, but a strong sleepy haze obscured his thoughts. Duo might
have had an earring, but it certainly wasn't silver.
"It's a ranking system amongst us, and makes for quicker
identification than the brands, at least here on the estate. The
domestics have silver or gold rings and the laborers have copper. I'm
sure they would have iron, but it would surely rust and promote
disease," the girl explained as if reading his mind.
Heero nodded slightly. First branding, now piercing?
"Are you going to be in the kitchens? Working, that is. If you could
call this work," the girl added with a sigh. She lifted her hands
from the water and dried them carefully on her homespun apron. Heero
stared in fascination at the deep creases caused by almost constant
immersion in water.
"I don't know," he replied, tearing his eyes from her hands as she
resumed dishwashing with a frenzy. Heero looked around for the sudden
cause of this energy and saw Noin standing there, frowning down at
him.
"Would you be the new boy, then? Come along," she ordered, turning
neatly at the heal and walking out from the kitchens with an
authoritative air. Lesser servants threw themselves out of her water,
but showed no such respect for Heero.
Noin led him across the kitchen and through a covered walkway which
led towards the house. Instead of going immediately into the main
house, Noin led him off into a side chamber of cold cement. There
were two buckets of water and a cake of soap lying on the floor.
"You two, get to work. Never mind the shackles, just wash around
them," Noin said, gesturing sharply at the two slaves standing in the
corner. They leapt into action, seizing Heero and quickly removing
him of his rags.
Noin stood in the doorway and appraised his body with a critical eye,
"The lash mark across your back, is that new?"
"Yes, Madame."
Noin muttered something profane about Trieze, which caused Heero and
the two other slaves to jump slightly. Heero didn't like the feel of
the other slaves on him, but there was little to do as they scrubbed
up a thick lather from the soap. It was simple lye soap, but still
preferable to river mud.
The water was cold and he shuddered slightly as they dumped the rise
water on him. The ordeal was over and he stood there, dripping but
cleaned of mud and straw. The slaves patted him thoroughly with a
towel and slipped back into the shadows, anxiously looking to Noin
for approval.
Noin paid them little attention, however, and nudged a pile of
homespun cloth towards Heero. He crossed the small space and took up
the fabric, unfolding it to reveal the same breeches and shirt the
other slaves he had seen so far wearing. The cloth felt nice against
him skin despite its coarseness.
"At least your hair looks presentable enough. Dismissed," Noin said
rudely to the slaves, who rushed out like Death himself rode on their
heels. Noin walked out without another word, assuming correctly that
Heero would know enough to trail along at a suitable length.
The covered walkway curled from the kitchen and around to the back
entrance of the main house. Serving maids sat about chatting, but
immediately snapped to attention when Noin walked in. The girls
nearest the doors slipped off into the house while those caught
without work tried to look as busy as possible.
Noin ignored them all and continued through the room and out into the
actual living areas. Heero let his eyes wander off the back of Noin's
head and take in the rich adornments that sprinkled the Peacecraft
manor. They passed down a wide hallway lined with portraits,
apparently those of the Peacecraft family. Before he could see all
the paintings, Noin ducked into a side door and Heero found himself
in the Lady's parlor.
Lady Peacecraft sat elegantly perched on a stuffed chair, a small
table tray before her carrying morning tea. "Bring him in, Noin, and
then you are dismissed."
"Milady?"
"Did I stutter, Noin?"
"No, milady, but do you think it safe to..."
"Are you doubting my judgment?" the Lady asked in a soft yet
dangerous voice.
"No, milady..." Noin said, shooting a glare to Heero as if it were
all his fault. The look also clearly said, "Try anything, and I'll
rip your bloody eyes out and use them for billiards."
After Noin left, the Lady completely ignored him as she polished off
the remaining cookie with her tea. Once she had sufficiently showed
that he was waiting on her, and not the other way around, the Lady
set the tray aside and took him in.
"I must say, you clean up rather nicely."
"Thank you, milady," Heero said, try to affect the same respectful
tone he'd heard Noin use in apology. Remembering Trieze's orders, he
kept his eyes firmly on the ground, not even daring to look in the
Lady's direction.
"I haven't really much need of a new slave in the fields."
Heero met this remark with silence, unsure of how to respond. He did
not want to offend the Lady, for fear she might return him to the
market. He would have a much better chance of escaping if he stayed
on the estate.
"Nor have I need of a domestic. What use them, are you to me?"
Heero was so surprised that he looked up, forgetting Trieze's strict
forbidding of looking at the Lady without permission. Crystal blue
eyes met his gaze evenly, a small smirk lighting across her features,
"How daring," she murmured. "Did Trieze forget to explain the rules
of your slavery?"
"No, he explained them."
"Ah," she breathed softly, staring at him with frank curiosity, "and
yet you still look upon me as if you were a freeman? I could have you
flogged, murdered if I so wished."
"I know."
"Such insubordination..." the Lady laughed to herself, rising from
her chair and walking over to him, her skirts swishing together with
silken perfection. Heero quickly dropped his gaze back to the floor.
"What land are you from, where slaves may look upon the form of
nobility?"
"Far away," he answered curtly, but instantly regretting his sharp
tone. She would surely have the skin peeled off his back by the
lash.
"What is your name? Heero, is it?"
He nodded, not wanting to trust his rebellious tongue.
Soft hands grasped his chin and gently forced his eyes up to meet
hers. "Perhaps I have use for you after all," the Lady whispered, her
eyes void of emotion and cold as ice. In contrast, her voice caressed
the words in such a way to cause shivers down Heero's spine.
"What..."
"Shh..." the Lady admonished softly, releasing his chin and trailing
her gloved fingers along the ridge of his ear, "you must learn to be
respectful, and address me properly."
Heero swallowed, but there was no moisture in his mouth. He knew he
had to look away and break the contact, but blue hues locked into
him, pulling him deeper into the forbidden moment...
"My name is Lady Relena Peacecraft. Say it."
"La...Lady Relena Peacecraft..."
Relena's eyes half closed as she stepped away, a low sound, like a
cat's purr, issuing from her throat. "You shall do," she said in a
satisfied tone, ignoring his trembling form and ringing the braided
cord by the door.
Within moments, Noin appeared, casting a suspicious look to Heero,
who locked his eyes firmly onto the blue and gold carpet. "Milady?"
"Gold," Relena said, echoing his thoughts. She turned away from her
attendant and glided over towards the window. "Don't you think so?"
"Milady?"
"Perhaps a doctor should investigate your hearing, Noin, as it seems
to be amiss. Have the boy branded and ringed at once."
Noin glared daggers at Heero, taking immediate offense at the boy's
mere existence. "Of course, milady. Might I inquire as to what you
have decided to do with him?"
Relena turned from the window and skimmed her gaze delicately over
the slave, then entwining her eyes with Noin's, "For now, he may
sleep with the field hands until more convenient arrangements can be
made. I trust that will not be a problem." It was not a question.
Noin curtsied low, and Heero followed suit a split second later, but
not quick enough to escape a hiss of disapproval from Noin. If Relena
heard it, she chose to not acknowledge it. "After he is branded, let
him eat lunch with the domestics. He may assist in the kitchens until
the field hand come in."
"Milady, I do not question your decision, but would it not be more
convenient for him just to stay with the other domestics?"
"Perhaps, but you forget there would be no room for him. Tomorrow I
shall attend the matter further. Do not bother me about it until
then." Relena waved away any future comments and glided out between
them with a gentle swish of her skirts. As she passed Heero, she
brushed her gloved fingers across the back of his palm.
"Of course, milady," Noin said to the disappearing swish of fabric
that was her mistress. She turned her eyes to Heero with a scowl,
"Gold, she says, bloody gold!"
Heero didn't quite know what to say to that, so he wisely kept quiet.
Noin sighed and reached for the braided rope, but she hesitated and
looked once more to Heero, a small smiling slowly crossing her face.
"I'll take you to be branded myself. I'm looking forward greatly to
your screams...please don't disappoint me."
Iron, red hot from the fire, being pressed into his thigh... Heero
had no doubts that he would not disappoint Noin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*End*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author' s Notes: Shh...don't let the muses know I finished another
chapter! ^^() Hmm... After I finish my homework, I'll get started on
chapter four... I realize my characterization might be a little off
for the purposes of the story, but this is extreme Alternate
Universe, so I guess it's okay. I love how this story is turning out!
What do you think? Should I keep going? Oh, and by the way for anyone
who is keeping track, this is also going without a beta. So, any
grammatical errors are my fault entirely. Oops.
Feedback/reviews are very much appreciated! More chapters soon.
copyright 2002 - Gundam Wing and characters copyright other people.
LSE - "Violet" (ManzokuBiscuit@aol.com)
Email me to join my Update ML (be alerted when I add new stories)
www.geocities.com/manzokubiscuit/index.html
(Enslaving the Heart - Chapter Three: A Noble Encounter)
rated: R - adult language, content
shounen-ai/extreme AU
A Noble Encounter
Having been ignored by the stout woman, Heero obediently shuffled
over near the pot washer. The frail girl didn't look up from her
work, but resolutely bent over a great tub of soapy water, which she
dunked and scrubbed in. As quick as the girl moved, the stack of
dirty dishes around her rose as the instruments used to prepare
supper were hauled off the fires and delivered for cleaning.
"Hey," Heero called, sliding over towards her.
The girl looked up with a slight glare, but nodded to him with
acknowledgment and bent once more to her task. "What is it?" the girl
said, pausing long enough to brush back strands of pale red hair.
"Can I have some of your water?"
The girl's eyes rolled off the dishes and over to him, "Pardon? What
have you need of soaped water?"
"No, the rinse water beside you."
The dishwasher glanced over and set again to her task. She finished
one entire pot before answering, "If you wish to drink it, yes, but I
warn you it's not very pleasing to taste. If you wish to take it, no,
because I need it and I have little fondness for refilling it from
the pump."
Heero looked at her quizzically for a moment, then carefully tasted
some of the liquid. It was cold, but slightly tepid. No matter. Heero
drank deeply, setting the bucket back beside the girl.
The washer shrugged slightly, "You would be new. Has the Lady looked
you over, yet?"
"She bought me."
"That means little. You haven't even your ring."
"My ring?" Heero looked to girl's submerged hands.
"Not there," the girl said impatiently, one dripping finger lifting
out long enough to tuck back offending hair and gesture to her ear.
A simple silver loop adorned her. Heero took a long glance around the
kitchen and noticed all of the other slaves had similar rings in
their ears. Even, he noted, the males.
Did the field hands have earrings? Heero tried to search back through
his memory, but a strong sleepy haze obscured his thoughts. Duo might
have had an earring, but it certainly wasn't silver.
"It's a ranking system amongst us, and makes for quicker
identification than the brands, at least here on the estate. The
domestics have silver or gold rings and the laborers have copper. I'm
sure they would have iron, but it would surely rust and promote
disease," the girl explained as if reading his mind.
Heero nodded slightly. First branding, now piercing?
"Are you going to be in the kitchens? Working, that is. If you could
call this work," the girl added with a sigh. She lifted her hands
from the water and dried them carefully on her homespun apron. Heero
stared in fascination at the deep creases caused by almost constant
immersion in water.
"I don't know," he replied, tearing his eyes from her hands as she
resumed dishwashing with a frenzy. Heero looked around for the sudden
cause of this energy and saw Noin standing there, frowning down at
him.
"Would you be the new boy, then? Come along," she ordered, turning
neatly at the heal and walking out from the kitchens with an
authoritative air. Lesser servants threw themselves out of her water,
but showed no such respect for Heero.
Noin led him across the kitchen and through a covered walkway which
led towards the house. Instead of going immediately into the main
house, Noin led him off into a side chamber of cold cement. There
were two buckets of water and a cake of soap lying on the floor.
"You two, get to work. Never mind the shackles, just wash around
them," Noin said, gesturing sharply at the two slaves standing in the
corner. They leapt into action, seizing Heero and quickly removing
him of his rags.
Noin stood in the doorway and appraised his body with a critical eye,
"The lash mark across your back, is that new?"
"Yes, Madame."
Noin muttered something profane about Trieze, which caused Heero and
the two other slaves to jump slightly. Heero didn't like the feel of
the other slaves on him, but there was little to do as they scrubbed
up a thick lather from the soap. It was simple lye soap, but still
preferable to river mud.
The water was cold and he shuddered slightly as they dumped the rise
water on him. The ordeal was over and he stood there, dripping but
cleaned of mud and straw. The slaves patted him thoroughly with a
towel and slipped back into the shadows, anxiously looking to Noin
for approval.
Noin paid them little attention, however, and nudged a pile of
homespun cloth towards Heero. He crossed the small space and took up
the fabric, unfolding it to reveal the same breeches and shirt the
other slaves he had seen so far wearing. The cloth felt nice against
him skin despite its coarseness.
"At least your hair looks presentable enough. Dismissed," Noin said
rudely to the slaves, who rushed out like Death himself rode on their
heels. Noin walked out without another word, assuming correctly that
Heero would know enough to trail along at a suitable length.
The covered walkway curled from the kitchen and around to the back
entrance of the main house. Serving maids sat about chatting, but
immediately snapped to attention when Noin walked in. The girls
nearest the doors slipped off into the house while those caught
without work tried to look as busy as possible.
Noin ignored them all and continued through the room and out into the
actual living areas. Heero let his eyes wander off the back of Noin's
head and take in the rich adornments that sprinkled the Peacecraft
manor. They passed down a wide hallway lined with portraits,
apparently those of the Peacecraft family. Before he could see all
the paintings, Noin ducked into a side door and Heero found himself
in the Lady's parlor.
Lady Peacecraft sat elegantly perched on a stuffed chair, a small
table tray before her carrying morning tea. "Bring him in, Noin, and
then you are dismissed."
"Milady?"
"Did I stutter, Noin?"
"No, milady, but do you think it safe to..."
"Are you doubting my judgment?" the Lady asked in a soft yet
dangerous voice.
"No, milady..." Noin said, shooting a glare to Heero as if it were
all his fault. The look also clearly said, "Try anything, and I'll
rip your bloody eyes out and use them for billiards."
After Noin left, the Lady completely ignored him as she polished off
the remaining cookie with her tea. Once she had sufficiently showed
that he was waiting on her, and not the other way around, the Lady
set the tray aside and took him in.
"I must say, you clean up rather nicely."
"Thank you, milady," Heero said, try to affect the same respectful
tone he'd heard Noin use in apology. Remembering Trieze's orders, he
kept his eyes firmly on the ground, not even daring to look in the
Lady's direction.
"I haven't really much need of a new slave in the fields."
Heero met this remark with silence, unsure of how to respond. He did
not want to offend the Lady, for fear she might return him to the
market. He would have a much better chance of escaping if he stayed
on the estate.
"Nor have I need of a domestic. What use them, are you to me?"
Heero was so surprised that he looked up, forgetting Trieze's strict
forbidding of looking at the Lady without permission. Crystal blue
eyes met his gaze evenly, a small smirk lighting across her features,
"How daring," she murmured. "Did Trieze forget to explain the rules
of your slavery?"
"No, he explained them."
"Ah," she breathed softly, staring at him with frank curiosity, "and
yet you still look upon me as if you were a freeman? I could have you
flogged, murdered if I so wished."
"I know."
"Such insubordination..." the Lady laughed to herself, rising from
her chair and walking over to him, her skirts swishing together with
silken perfection. Heero quickly dropped his gaze back to the floor.
"What land are you from, where slaves may look upon the form of
nobility?"
"Far away," he answered curtly, but instantly regretting his sharp
tone. She would surely have the skin peeled off his back by the
lash.
"What is your name? Heero, is it?"
He nodded, not wanting to trust his rebellious tongue.
Soft hands grasped his chin and gently forced his eyes up to meet
hers. "Perhaps I have use for you after all," the Lady whispered, her
eyes void of emotion and cold as ice. In contrast, her voice caressed
the words in such a way to cause shivers down Heero's spine.
"What..."
"Shh..." the Lady admonished softly, releasing his chin and trailing
her gloved fingers along the ridge of his ear, "you must learn to be
respectful, and address me properly."
Heero swallowed, but there was no moisture in his mouth. He knew he
had to look away and break the contact, but blue hues locked into
him, pulling him deeper into the forbidden moment...
"My name is Lady Relena Peacecraft. Say it."
"La...Lady Relena Peacecraft..."
Relena's eyes half closed as she stepped away, a low sound, like a
cat's purr, issuing from her throat. "You shall do," she said in a
satisfied tone, ignoring his trembling form and ringing the braided
cord by the door.
Within moments, Noin appeared, casting a suspicious look to Heero,
who locked his eyes firmly onto the blue and gold carpet. "Milady?"
"Gold," Relena said, echoing his thoughts. She turned away from her
attendant and glided over towards the window. "Don't you think so?"
"Milady?"
"Perhaps a doctor should investigate your hearing, Noin, as it seems
to be amiss. Have the boy branded and ringed at once."
Noin glared daggers at Heero, taking immediate offense at the boy's
mere existence. "Of course, milady. Might I inquire as to what you
have decided to do with him?"
Relena turned from the window and skimmed her gaze delicately over
the slave, then entwining her eyes with Noin's, "For now, he may
sleep with the field hands until more convenient arrangements can be
made. I trust that will not be a problem." It was not a question.
Noin curtsied low, and Heero followed suit a split second later, but
not quick enough to escape a hiss of disapproval from Noin. If Relena
heard it, she chose to not acknowledge it. "After he is branded, let
him eat lunch with the domestics. He may assist in the kitchens until
the field hand come in."
"Milady, I do not question your decision, but would it not be more
convenient for him just to stay with the other domestics?"
"Perhaps, but you forget there would be no room for him. Tomorrow I
shall attend the matter further. Do not bother me about it until
then." Relena waved away any future comments and glided out between
them with a gentle swish of her skirts. As she passed Heero, she
brushed her gloved fingers across the back of his palm.
"Of course, milady," Noin said to the disappearing swish of fabric
that was her mistress. She turned her eyes to Heero with a scowl,
"Gold, she says, bloody gold!"
Heero didn't quite know what to say to that, so he wisely kept quiet.
Noin sighed and reached for the braided rope, but she hesitated and
looked once more to Heero, a small smiling slowly crossing her face.
"I'll take you to be branded myself. I'm looking forward greatly to
your screams...please don't disappoint me."
Iron, red hot from the fire, being pressed into his thigh... Heero
had no doubts that he would not disappoint Noin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*End*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author' s Notes: Shh...don't let the muses know I finished another
chapter! ^^() Hmm... After I finish my homework, I'll get started on
chapter four... I realize my characterization might be a little off
for the purposes of the story, but this is extreme Alternate
Universe, so I guess it's okay. I love how this story is turning out!
What do you think? Should I keep going? Oh, and by the way for anyone
who is keeping track, this is also going without a beta. So, any
grammatical errors are my fault entirely. Oops.
Feedback/reviews are very much appreciated! More chapters soon.
copyright 2002 - Gundam Wing and characters copyright other people.
LSE - "Violet" (ManzokuBiscuit@aol.com)
Email me to join my Update ML (be alerted when I add new stories)
www.geocities.com/manzokubiscuit/index.html