Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Enslaving the Heart ❯ Acts of Kindness ( Chapter 5 )
[ 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: 09.22.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 1.9K | Visits: 342 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.22.2002 | Pages: 4 | Words: 1.9K | Visits: 342 | Status: Work In Progress
LSE // 9-22-02
(Enslaving the Heart - Chapter Five: Acts of Kindness)
rated: R - adult language, content
shounen-ai/extreme AU
Acts of Kindness
"Where are you staying?" Sarilyn asked during one of the rare breaks
when they were waiting for the next batch of dirty dishes.
"With the field hands."
"Not all of them work in the fields, so the title's kinda pointless,
isn't it?"
Heero frowned, looking to the girl with renewed curiosity, "What do
you mean?"
"A handful, okay, more than a handful. I'm not sure of the exact
number. Anyway, they work at the machines. Making cloth, you know.
Peacecraft cloth is famous around here. Milord brought back one of
the machines from across the ocean, from Cycenne, so the Peacecrafts
are the only ones in the whole country with such a machine."
"What sort of machine is it?"
Sarilyn shrugged, "I've never seen them myself. Supposedly, there are
six of them now. I guess that is a handful. Anyway, they're huge, the
building that keeps them is three floors tall, only it's all one
floor. Massive, dangerous things. Slaves that work the machines often
end up getting maimed, or killed."
A passing serving maid paused hearing Sarilyn say this. The maid, a
pretty slave with a gold hoop through one ear, tucked her tray under
one arm and said, "I heard there was an accident today. Rumiard got
caught up in his machine. Ripped his bloody arm clean off, poor
bastard."
"Back to work, Attile!" Mistress Holt shouted, raising her rolling
pin threateningly. The serving maid rolled her eyes and hurried off,
mumbled rather unpleasant things about her mistress.
"Bloody hell," Sarilyn said in an awed sort of tone, "Rumiard use to
be a spit-boy. Poor guy, he's useless now."
Heero wondered what sort of machine was powerful enough to
accidentally rip someone's arm off. "What will happen to him?"
"If he's lucky, Lady Relena might be able to sell him. Damaged goods,
though. I'm not sure what sort of labor he'd be able to do. He
couldn't wash dishes, what with just the one arm and all."
"Speaking of dishes, Sari," an undercook said with a smile as he
deposited an armful of items in question.
"How wonderful. Thanks ever so much, Owyn," Sarilyn said with a heavy
sigh, picking up her pumice stone again and submerging her hands into
the soaped water. "It's getting late, Heero, when are you supposed to
quit for the day?"
Heero shrugged, taking one of the pots from the stack and scrubbing
away. "I'm not sure. What happens if they can't sell him?"
"I'm not sure," Sarilyn said in a tone that made it clear she knew
perfectly well what would happen, but wasn't willing to share. When
she was washing, Sarilyn rarely spoke unless forced to. She was
singularly focused on her one task in life: washing.
Heero shuddered at the idea that he would spend the rest of his life
in a similar manner. However, he was suddenly struck with the
realization that none of the slaves he had seen were past middle age.
Most were around his age or slightly older. Odd.
------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
"I'm fine."
Duo effortlessly brushed aside his friend's hands and reapplied the
damp rag to the cut lip, gratefully noticing the blood had stopped
flowing from it. Besides the cut and swollen lip, Wufei's face was
miraculously unscathed, but Duo could see a developing bruise across
one of his fair cheeks. "I know," Duo said quietly, "you're always
just fine."
Wufei didn't say anything in reply, but the boy looked worried about
more than just a mar on his beauty, for what little good it did him.
Duo lowered the rag, satisfied that the lip was not about to open up
and cry crimson again.
"What do you think will happen to him?" he asked suddenly, both of
them knowing precisely what he was talking about.
The other boy shrugged slightly, "Unless he crawls to Mistress Po's
room and she miraculously cures him and reattaches the arm in perfect
working order..."
Duo shuddered slightly, well aware that a similar fate would
eventually come to him as long as he worked on the machines. He could
easily see his own body in place of Rumiard's. Twisted beyond repair,
one or more limbs torn free by the awesome power of the machines.
"You think he'll die?"
Wufei hesitated slightly before nodding. "Master Trieze..." somehow,
he managed to inflict anger, concern and pain into a simple name, "I
highly doubt he'll go back on his decision to leave the boy there. As
punishment," the concern and pain faded, leaving Wufei glaring darkly
out into the empty air between them.
"I know," Duo said reassuringly, "it's very unfair. Life isn't fair,
Wu. Never has, never will be. Don't you think slavery is an
injustice?" he asked in a near whisper, for such words could easily
get him a flogging, or far worse.
"It is," Wufei said with great conviction, "one of the greater
injustices I must sit by and let occur before me."
"You try, Wu. Some of the other slaves really respect what you're
doing. Uhm, you know, with Master Trieze..." Duo let the statement
die into an embarrassed squeak. He never liked talking about Wufei's
special relations with Trieze, but it was the truth. Wufei acted like
a buffer between the violate Trieze and the slaves he wielded power
over. Sometimes, Wufei won the spats over injustice.
"Yes, and the rest of them think I'm a traitor," Wufei added
bitterly, his dark eyes obscuring the actual emotion lurking beneath
the exterior. He sighed and stood, offering a hand to assist Duo up.
"I should get going. Maybe Trieze will have cooled off by now..."
Duo nodded slightly, looking out at the deserted building. Since all
the machines had been shut off and it would have been impractical to
start them back up for only a few hours worth of time, the six
operators had been released back to their barn, as Duo referred to
it. Night was quickly falling, however, and soon the other field
hands would come shuffling in under Trieze's watchful eye.
Fumbling through his pockets for his massive key ring, Wufei smiled
slightly at Duo before leaving, making sure to securely lock the
door. Duo had never thought to impose upon Wufei for freedom, but it
suddenly occurred to him how easy it would be to make a run for it,
assisted by Wufei.
They had Hilde, though, and that thought alone successfully smashed
whatever temptations he might have about leaving. Although he called
Hilde his sister, she was really only a close childhood friend, both
having lived in the same orphanage until sold into slavery. It was
common practice to sell orphans when money or space ran low.
Hilde had been bought by the Peacecrafts, but Duo had gone to a
different estate before finally ending up here, no doubt after some
careful influencing from Hilde.
No sooner had Wufei left than the door opened once more by his hand,
leading in the boy Duo recognized from the morning as Heero. Heero
wore the same homespun as all the rest of the slaves, however, and
he had a gleaming ring in one ear. On reflex, Duo lifted a hand to
his own copper ring.
Wufei whispered something to Heero and left once again, no doubt to
check on Trieze's temperament. Heero looked around as if lost, but
his eyes locked on Duo's in grateful recognition. Duo smiled as
brilliantly as he could and waved the boy over.
As Heero neared, Duo could see the gold glimmering of his earring.
Gold? What the bloody hell?
"Hey," Duo said to cover up his stare, offering another little
half-wave. Heero stoically nodded back, sitting on the floor and
looking around expectantly. "I guess the Lady took a liking to you,
if you managed to get some gold out of it," Duo said lightly, trying
to humor the serious looking boy.
To his surprise, Heero's face darkened at the words and Duo barely
caught him mutter, "You've obviously never met Lady Relena."
Interrupting further conversing was the rush of air and bodies as the
door swung open to allow the rest of the field hands entrance. Since
it was Thursday and they all only bathed on Sunday, the smell was
interesting, to say the least. Trieze glared darkly out at them all,
Wufei standing by his side with downcast eyes. Duo felt a pang of
worry for his friend and mentally wished him good luck.
"Settle down! Sleep, you bloody bastards," Trieze growled, kicking
the nearest slave to punctuate his words. The boy scrambled off,
shooting a glare to the slave master's back and careful not to be
seen doing so.
Catching the glare, Wufei spoke in a soft but powerful voice, "Show
respect for Master Trieze." Heads turned as the snap of leather rang
out as punishment was swiftly delivered by Trieze. Duo stopped
himself from staring at his friend, who did not look pleased with
having been the instrument of Trieze's cruel operations.
"Is it true, then?"
Duo looked to Heero in surprise and made a wonderfully articulate
response: "Huh?"
"One of you got caught in the machines."
"Yes, how did you know?" Duo asked in amazement. Then he thought
about it for a few seconds and added, "Wait, someone told you. Of
course something like that can't be kept secret."
"Well, yes, I was told. You also have blood all down your front."
Duo glanced down and laughed slightly, "Oh, yeah."
Amazingly, Heero broke out into a little smile as well. Duo scrubbed
at the stains with the damp rag he'd been using on Wufei, but dried
blood wasn't inclined to be removed that easily. "Oh well. I'll ask
Wufei to get me a new set of clothes tomorrow or something."
"Lights out!" Trieze roared, turning on one heel and all but stomping
out. Wufei followed almost timidly, closing and locking the door
behind him. Instantly the room was submerged into almost complete
darkness.
There was a massive shuffled of bodies and fabric as all the slaves
laid down and curled into their blankets. Heero realized that he
still didn't have a blanket and settled on to the straw floor with a
slight sigh. Not that he needed the flimsy scrap of wool, but it
would have been nice to have.
"Here," Duo whispered suddenly, moving daringly close to Heero and
tossing half the blanket over him. Heero was so stunned by the action
that all he could do for a few moments was breath, feeling the warmth
slowly spread over his skin.
"Thank you," Heero whispered back, startling even himself with the
amount of sincerity in his voice.
~*~*~*~*~*~*End*~*~*~*~*~*~*
< br> Author's Notes: Woohoo, I got this out MUCH faster than I would have
thought! Wow, it's three in the morning. Oops... I'll probably do my
homework tomorrow... (yeah, right!) Can I dare hope to finish chapter
six by Monday? OoooOOOoooOOO....*waves hands mysteriously*
Let's see, I feel as if I should say something...hmm...
Do not microwave body parts.
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 Five: Acts of Kindness)
rated: R - adult language, content
shounen-ai/extreme AU
Acts of Kindness
"Where are you staying?" Sarilyn asked during one of the rare breaks
when they were waiting for the next batch of dirty dishes.
"With the field hands."
"Not all of them work in the fields, so the title's kinda pointless,
isn't it?"
Heero frowned, looking to the girl with renewed curiosity, "What do
you mean?"
"A handful, okay, more than a handful. I'm not sure of the exact
number. Anyway, they work at the machines. Making cloth, you know.
Peacecraft cloth is famous around here. Milord brought back one of
the machines from across the ocean, from Cycenne, so the Peacecrafts
are the only ones in the whole country with such a machine."
"What sort of machine is it?"
Sarilyn shrugged, "I've never seen them myself. Supposedly, there are
six of them now. I guess that is a handful. Anyway, they're huge, the
building that keeps them is three floors tall, only it's all one
floor. Massive, dangerous things. Slaves that work the machines often
end up getting maimed, or killed."
A passing serving maid paused hearing Sarilyn say this. The maid, a
pretty slave with a gold hoop through one ear, tucked her tray under
one arm and said, "I heard there was an accident today. Rumiard got
caught up in his machine. Ripped his bloody arm clean off, poor
bastard."
"Back to work, Attile!" Mistress Holt shouted, raising her rolling
pin threateningly. The serving maid rolled her eyes and hurried off,
mumbled rather unpleasant things about her mistress.
"Bloody hell," Sarilyn said in an awed sort of tone, "Rumiard use to
be a spit-boy. Poor guy, he's useless now."
Heero wondered what sort of machine was powerful enough to
accidentally rip someone's arm off. "What will happen to him?"
"If he's lucky, Lady Relena might be able to sell him. Damaged goods,
though. I'm not sure what sort of labor he'd be able to do. He
couldn't wash dishes, what with just the one arm and all."
"Speaking of dishes, Sari," an undercook said with a smile as he
deposited an armful of items in question.
"How wonderful. Thanks ever so much, Owyn," Sarilyn said with a heavy
sigh, picking up her pumice stone again and submerging her hands into
the soaped water. "It's getting late, Heero, when are you supposed to
quit for the day?"
Heero shrugged, taking one of the pots from the stack and scrubbing
away. "I'm not sure. What happens if they can't sell him?"
"I'm not sure," Sarilyn said in a tone that made it clear she knew
perfectly well what would happen, but wasn't willing to share. When
she was washing, Sarilyn rarely spoke unless forced to. She was
singularly focused on her one task in life: washing.
Heero shuddered at the idea that he would spend the rest of his life
in a similar manner. However, he was suddenly struck with the
realization that none of the slaves he had seen were past middle age.
Most were around his age or slightly older. Odd.
------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
"I'm fine."
Duo effortlessly brushed aside his friend's hands and reapplied the
damp rag to the cut lip, gratefully noticing the blood had stopped
flowing from it. Besides the cut and swollen lip, Wufei's face was
miraculously unscathed, but Duo could see a developing bruise across
one of his fair cheeks. "I know," Duo said quietly, "you're always
just fine."
Wufei didn't say anything in reply, but the boy looked worried about
more than just a mar on his beauty, for what little good it did him.
Duo lowered the rag, satisfied that the lip was not about to open up
and cry crimson again.
"What do you think will happen to him?" he asked suddenly, both of
them knowing precisely what he was talking about.
The other boy shrugged slightly, "Unless he crawls to Mistress Po's
room and she miraculously cures him and reattaches the arm in perfect
working order..."
Duo shuddered slightly, well aware that a similar fate would
eventually come to him as long as he worked on the machines. He could
easily see his own body in place of Rumiard's. Twisted beyond repair,
one or more limbs torn free by the awesome power of the machines.
"You think he'll die?"
Wufei hesitated slightly before nodding. "Master Trieze..." somehow,
he managed to inflict anger, concern and pain into a simple name, "I
highly doubt he'll go back on his decision to leave the boy there. As
punishment," the concern and pain faded, leaving Wufei glaring darkly
out into the empty air between them.
"I know," Duo said reassuringly, "it's very unfair. Life isn't fair,
Wu. Never has, never will be. Don't you think slavery is an
injustice?" he asked in a near whisper, for such words could easily
get him a flogging, or far worse.
"It is," Wufei said with great conviction, "one of the greater
injustices I must sit by and let occur before me."
"You try, Wu. Some of the other slaves really respect what you're
doing. Uhm, you know, with Master Trieze..." Duo let the statement
die into an embarrassed squeak. He never liked talking about Wufei's
special relations with Trieze, but it was the truth. Wufei acted like
a buffer between the violate Trieze and the slaves he wielded power
over. Sometimes, Wufei won the spats over injustice.
"Yes, and the rest of them think I'm a traitor," Wufei added
bitterly, his dark eyes obscuring the actual emotion lurking beneath
the exterior. He sighed and stood, offering a hand to assist Duo up.
"I should get going. Maybe Trieze will have cooled off by now..."
Duo nodded slightly, looking out at the deserted building. Since all
the machines had been shut off and it would have been impractical to
start them back up for only a few hours worth of time, the six
operators had been released back to their barn, as Duo referred to
it. Night was quickly falling, however, and soon the other field
hands would come shuffling in under Trieze's watchful eye.
Fumbling through his pockets for his massive key ring, Wufei smiled
slightly at Duo before leaving, making sure to securely lock the
door. Duo had never thought to impose upon Wufei for freedom, but it
suddenly occurred to him how easy it would be to make a run for it,
assisted by Wufei.
They had Hilde, though, and that thought alone successfully smashed
whatever temptations he might have about leaving. Although he called
Hilde his sister, she was really only a close childhood friend, both
having lived in the same orphanage until sold into slavery. It was
common practice to sell orphans when money or space ran low.
Hilde had been bought by the Peacecrafts, but Duo had gone to a
different estate before finally ending up here, no doubt after some
careful influencing from Hilde.
No sooner had Wufei left than the door opened once more by his hand,
leading in the boy Duo recognized from the morning as Heero. Heero
wore the same homespun as all the rest of the slaves, however, and
he had a gleaming ring in one ear. On reflex, Duo lifted a hand to
his own copper ring.
Wufei whispered something to Heero and left once again, no doubt to
check on Trieze's temperament. Heero looked around as if lost, but
his eyes locked on Duo's in grateful recognition. Duo smiled as
brilliantly as he could and waved the boy over.
As Heero neared, Duo could see the gold glimmering of his earring.
Gold? What the bloody hell?
"Hey," Duo said to cover up his stare, offering another little
half-wave. Heero stoically nodded back, sitting on the floor and
looking around expectantly. "I guess the Lady took a liking to you,
if you managed to get some gold out of it," Duo said lightly, trying
to humor the serious looking boy.
To his surprise, Heero's face darkened at the words and Duo barely
caught him mutter, "You've obviously never met Lady Relena."
Interrupting further conversing was the rush of air and bodies as the
door swung open to allow the rest of the field hands entrance. Since
it was Thursday and they all only bathed on Sunday, the smell was
interesting, to say the least. Trieze glared darkly out at them all,
Wufei standing by his side with downcast eyes. Duo felt a pang of
worry for his friend and mentally wished him good luck.
"Settle down! Sleep, you bloody bastards," Trieze growled, kicking
the nearest slave to punctuate his words. The boy scrambled off,
shooting a glare to the slave master's back and careful not to be
seen doing so.
Catching the glare, Wufei spoke in a soft but powerful voice, "Show
respect for Master Trieze." Heads turned as the snap of leather rang
out as punishment was swiftly delivered by Trieze. Duo stopped
himself from staring at his friend, who did not look pleased with
having been the instrument of Trieze's cruel operations.
"Is it true, then?"
Duo looked to Heero in surprise and made a wonderfully articulate
response: "Huh?"
"One of you got caught in the machines."
"Yes, how did you know?" Duo asked in amazement. Then he thought
about it for a few seconds and added, "Wait, someone told you. Of
course something like that can't be kept secret."
"Well, yes, I was told. You also have blood all down your front."
Duo glanced down and laughed slightly, "Oh, yeah."
Amazingly, Heero broke out into a little smile as well. Duo scrubbed
at the stains with the damp rag he'd been using on Wufei, but dried
blood wasn't inclined to be removed that easily. "Oh well. I'll ask
Wufei to get me a new set of clothes tomorrow or something."
"Lights out!" Trieze roared, turning on one heel and all but stomping
out. Wufei followed almost timidly, closing and locking the door
behind him. Instantly the room was submerged into almost complete
darkness.
There was a massive shuffled of bodies and fabric as all the slaves
laid down and curled into their blankets. Heero realized that he
still didn't have a blanket and settled on to the straw floor with a
slight sigh. Not that he needed the flimsy scrap of wool, but it
would have been nice to have.
"Here," Duo whispered suddenly, moving daringly close to Heero and
tossing half the blanket over him. Heero was so stunned by the action
that all he could do for a few moments was breath, feeling the warmth
slowly spread over his skin.
"Thank you," Heero whispered back, startling even himself with the
amount of sincerity in his voice.
~*~*~*~*~*~*End*~*~*~*~*~*~*
< br> Author's Notes: Woohoo, I got this out MUCH faster than I would have
thought! Wow, it's three in the morning. Oops... I'll probably do my
homework tomorrow... (yeah, right!) Can I dare hope to finish chapter
six by Monday? OoooOOOoooOOO....*waves hands mysteriously*
Let's see, I feel as if I should say something...hmm...
Do not microwave body parts.
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