The next two nights was similar in nature, except significantly less eventful. We saw a couple pairs of people, who typically spoke in Chinese or another language, but rarely english. I had little time to talk to Master, and even less to think of myself, before we were back in the carriage and headed home. I awoke the following week in my room back in the castle, alone. I let out a long sigh and returned to my books, but scarcely an hour into my reading there was a knock on my door. Assuming it someone calling me to Master, I went to the door in my usual pajamas, and opened it swiftly. However, I imitiatly regretted this decision, as it was neither a maid nor another slave, but Heather Morbum who stood at my door.
She was in a big white cloak, her hood drawn over her long silky red hair, and a shocked smile on her freckled face. "Oh, I'm sorry," I stammered out, "I though it was a maid calling me, please excuse me a moment." I shut the door again and cursed myself for my failed forethought, and the scrambled through my drawers to find a suitable outfit. I slipped into a navy blue dress and hurried back to the door, opening it to find Heather in the exact same position, but slightly redder than originally.
"Please don't apologize," She replied, "I was thoughtless and came unannounced, and to your door, it's no surprise you'd be unprepared."
"No, I was thoughtless." I said, but was interrupted by the opening of the door to the left.
"Do you have to go?" I heard Ebony's high voice ask, her exaggerated whine echoing down the marble of the hall.
"I've been called for court," Diamond replied, slipping out with Ebony still tightening his tye. She slipped onto her tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek, before shoving him down the hallway towards the door.
"Fine, but hurry back," She called after him, "Do you're best." It was then she turned to see both Heather and I staring at her, and with her usual habit of not wearing anything above her waistline, she scurried back inside, calling an apology after her.
"See," Heather said, turning back to me, "I shouldn't be here."
"No," I replied quickly, "I'm glad to have the company, honestly. I just didn't expect it. It's simply the hallway, if you're still willing to visit we could go to the drawing room, I'de hate to have you come out here just to return home without what you came for." At this she seemed happier, and so we went to the Slave's drawing room and seated in the chairs. I hadn't been in the room before, but now I saw it was hardly any less extravagant that Master's drawing room, and the only significant difference was the slightly smaller room and more lighthearted color choice.
"I wouldn't have come so suddenly if I had no reason, but I cannot say my reson justifies completely my actions. In truth, I may have exagerated them in hopes of seeing you, for I had such a wonderful time last visit, I did greatly hope to recreate such again, and as I had been particularly idle as of late, I thought of you often, and since you had returned from your trip to China, I thought it a wonderful opportunity to ask for a recount of you're tales." She said, settling into the chair across from me.
"Well, I hope not to disappoint, but in truth I cannot tell much of what it was I heard in China." I replied, watching as her face screwed up slightly in a disappointed pout.
"I suppose it would be classified, I'm sorry for pressing." she interrupted, looking slightly hurt.
"No," I said quickly, "It's not classified, and I do not wish to withhold anything from you, I quite simply, though it might sound stupid or strange, do not know much of what went on myself. This is because most of the altercations went on entirely or mostly in Chinese, which is a language I regretfully, do not know. All I know of all visitors but one is their names, and for some of the guests I know not even their names." She looked relieved at this, and assured me she also didn't know Chinese, and therefore was of little better position in the matter.
"But you know more of one visitor?" She asked, leaning closer, interest sparkling in her big green eyes, yet I could not help but pose them as a little boring in formality when compared to the mismatched fire in Master's.
"Yes," I replied, "One visitor spoke in english, a very powerful man who goes by the title, Count Clock, and brought along his slave."
"Count Clock?" Heather exclaimed, "You mean China's leader, the famous world council member whom keeps only one slave at a time and is rumored to run his country through paper alone?"
"Count Clock was his name and I know him to be a member of the world council, but I know little of all else about him that I did not learn from him myself. He was prestigious surely, and it did seem that his slave was particularly loyal and favored." I replied, slightly relieved to hear more about him from another source.
"He is a mysterious character indeed, he often arrives for our balls and disappears moments afterward, often only sustaining cordial conversation with the Princess before taking quick and quiet leave. They say he refuses to touch technological advances beyond typewriters, and keeps only one slave, despite having the money to sustain millions."
"I wouldn't say any of that seemed false from what experience I had with him, and I saw clearly that him and Master were both unretained and amiable in nature." I replied, watching closely as I saw her bristle slightly at the term master.
"Did you see his slave?" She asked, "I heard he got a new one a year back after the previous one he grew to dislike, and named this one Venastras, after beauty and charm, but no one had seen the boy as of yet."
"Yes," I replied, "Venastras is what the boy was called. He seemed very loyal and well deserving of the title. He wore dangly earrings and had blond hair that traced his shoulders and piercing green eyes." I disregarded that I knew Venastras before as I thought it might be troublesome for him if I told, and Master may dislike others knowing too.
"It is a shame," Heather said suddenly, a little caution in her voice, "that so many dominant people get wrapped up in being slaves. Like you, isn't it troublesome to have to be submissive? Arn't you, more dominant when allowed?" She spoke slowly as if treading some unknown waters.
"What do you mean?" I asked, "If it's to please my Master I'll do anything, and none of it causes me pain." I realized I had in some ways been presenting as dominant because I figured I was supposed to, before pretty and youthful Heather, a guest, I supposed I should in some ways be the caretaker of the conversation, but now I saw some mistake.
"Well isn't it a little, dreadful, to have such an overpowering Master?" She asked, pausing, her thumbs tearing at the fabric of her white cloak nervously, a sliver of even anger in her eyes.
"Of course not," I replied, "She's my master, I have not will but her bidding and I would never think of her as overpowering. We're in different positions, it's a reality, not a personal sercomstance."
"But you must say that because you are owned," She said, desperation starting to show in her pale face, she leaned forward further, getting close to my face and said quieter, "What do you really think, honestly I mean."
"I'm sorry," I replied, scooting back in my chair and disregarding my etiquette for a moment. "I really don't," I began, but just at that moment I heard the door swing open behind me and Heather shot back into her seat almost in horror. I turned to see Master standing in the doorway, a sly smirk on her red lips. She stalked forward, her hips swaying slightly as she walked.
"Good day Heather Morbum," She said coldly, and I turned again to see Heather stand on wobbly legs, almost as though she was scarred for her life, "I suggest you exit in silent if you don't expect me to have any words with your parents about this, and proceed to interact with my slaves only as public gatherings. Thank you for your company." She opened her pink lips as though to say something but shut them quickly, and hurried out with a smir of anger on her frustrated face, shutting the door behind her.
"What are you doing in the Slave quarters, Master?" I asked, standing to meet her as she approached. I saw still slightly hurt and the request of only being able to call her Master, instead of the more trusting and less formal Illy, but I complied because I understood it meant she was erecting defenses, and had little to do with me, besides that I had to try harder to break them. I had decided I knew she was in some manner interested in me, and more so than a typical slave, but knowing her questionable background I decided I would resolve never to break my shell if I could not witness her's crack also.
"Sometimes I think the whole world is making advances on my things, but I can honestly say it's never upset me so." She replied, ignoring my question entirely.
"But you said the cage door was open, didn't you?" I asked, letting her slip around me like an oncoming fog.
"Of course it is, but I also know you're too desperate to run."
"But what if I know you're too porous to deal if I do?" I asked, watching as her face hardened like ice. Her eyes became glassy and bitter, and I felt a sudden pang in my heart. Both statements were true, I couldn't bear to leave for both my and her sake, but I also knew that if I didn't act like my escape was a possibility, she would simply become bored and cast me aside on her own, never looking deeper into the matter. Betrayal was all I could do to get her attention, but too much would be fatal, and too little, would only serve to maintain current standings, and therefore become boring.
"So what?" She asked, her grip tightening around my arm subconsciously.
"You might have fastened a chain around my neck, but that doesn't mean my hands were so tied as to prevent me doing the same," I replied, "Tell me what isn't in the books," I said, making my voice a little more demanding.
"Why should I?" She asked, "I'de like to remind you where you stand, beneath my feet, and I know you love to talk about it when it's helpful to you, but you cannot just disregard it when it's useless. You are my slave and for all intensive prepossesses you have neither the right to disobey nor do you have the right to betray me nor do you have the right do you have the right to question me." I was slightly hurt by the cold tone of her voice, and let off for a moment to turn away, ensuring sadness was ample on my face.
"I'm sorry Master," I replied, "I'll try harder in the future, but I can tell you honestly that if all I do displeases you, it is not my intent, as I intend honestly to help you and bring you joy, and nothing else." I could see this only made her more angered though, and now she pressed me upon the wall, her hair seemed to splay out above her shoulders, as if hovering in the air about her. In fact her whole body seemed to blur slightly into the surroundings, as though emanating some dim white light, tarnished with a red glow and the pale quality of her skin. Great, I thought, now I'm hallucinating.
"Sweetheart, I'm perfectly happy with your shivery, but if there is one thing I cannot stand to receive from you, it is a lie." She said harshly, almost bellowing down my ear.
"I'm not lying," I replied, this time in a more serious tone, "Well, except the nothing else." I said, rethinking my statement. "I know how shells work too, they're wonderful when you're in danger, but as soon as the threat is gone they only serve to imprison you."
"I think you're missing something Sweetie," She whispered now, her faded glow dissipating back into her skin as though it had never been there."I'm always in danger." And with this she swung around and started towards the door.
"No you're not," I yelled after her, "And if there is one thing I'll do in this world it's ensure you know that."
"Good luck," She called after me, "But in a world with my mother in power, with my enemies as nobles and my secrets buried in their suppressed heads, with my memory burned behind the pillars of their minds, and in a world where the dead can rise and greet me with every step forwards, blocking my path, I am never safe."
The door slammed shut behind her, echoing through the drawing room. I sighed and collapsed in the chair, considering what had just happened, and wondering how it was possible that every second seemed so eventful when those around me were already hundreds to thousands of years old. But it bugged me so much that although I head learned so much, I still knew so little, and wondered what she meant by the dead rising, and whether she simply spoke of the bloodless state of resting creatures, or actual death.
I returned to the hall after a while, and just as I was about to enter my room the door next to mine swung open, revealing Ebony, cheerful and clad in her usual attire."I've been waiting for you," She called to me, running over to hug me, as was her typical greeting.
"Why?" I asked, "Is someone calling me?"
"No, nothing like that. Don't be so serious." She scolded, "Diamonds off at court and the Golden twins have gone along with him, and you know full well how fun Silver is to talk to. I'm bored silly, so I've been waiting for your return."
"Oh," I replied, happy to have some of Ebony's buoyant company instead of the serious or pressure filled environment of others.
"What's under Illy's skin?" She asked, "She was stalking all though here just a moment ago, and she never come in the servant hallway, I haven't seen her in here since," She paused, as if replacing some unknown word, "well, a long time ago."
"Really?" I asked, "Heather Morbum came to visit me, but she seemed a little off, and said some things that seemed to irk Master greatly."
"Heather?" Ebony asked, "Of yes, Illy was talking about her to me a while back, said she was crushing on you, and not doing a great job hiding it either."
"What?" I asked.
"Didn't you notice, she was all over you at the ball, and even came over unannounced as soon as you returned, desperate to speak with you." I thought back and realized I had been an idiot. It was entirely possible she had liked me, perhaps I was trying too hard to impress and fit and ended up acting like someone I wasn't, someone Heather had turned out to like. But that didn't explain why Master had been so mad about it. I could see her being upset because she knew Heather wouldn't like her because of it, but not as mad as she was, and it didn't explain what she had said. Was she jealous, over me?
"Anyway, how was your trip?" She asked.
"Good," I replied, "They talked in Chinese the whole time so I could hardly understand much of anything, but I did get to meet Count Clock and his slave and talk with them, turns out I know his slave, Venastras, from childhood, as we used to be good friends but lost touch after he was sold."
"Really, you met Count Clock's new slave?" Ebony asked, "He's quite the character, always shows up here announced and stays short. They say he flies in a little plane with only three seats, and goes all around the world in it. That's quite the coincidence. How was he?"
"Defiantly a character, but he seems like a good person at heart regardless of his questionable behaviors." I replied, "Is he human?"
"He says he is but people debate it often, because he's so smart and strange, but there doesn't seem much else he could be, and there'd be no reason to hide it if he wasn't. Do you think he'll come to the ball?"
"What ball?" I asked.
"The ball in two days, has no one told you?" She asked.
"No," I replied.
"Well, you know now," She replied, rising to her tip toes to see over my shoulder and to the clock at the end of the hall. "Diamond will be back any moment."
"Why is he at court anyway?" I asked.
"He acts as Illy's secretary sometimes, and generally likes that sort of execution every once in a while. I'll be off as you probably want back to your reading or sometime." I nodded and bid her good day before retiring to my room, rather exhausted by the day's excursion. But I got little rest as though I planned to go to bed early I got a message just before sunrise calling me to sleep upstairs with Master, so given no other choice I begrudgingly changed and went to her bedroom finding her already there when I arrived.
"Come," She said, patting the spot next to her without looking up from her book. I settled in beside her. and she set down the book on the bed, slipping it's bookmark between the pages where she had left off.
"Do you want me to put it back?" I asked, picking it up and glancing around at the shelves.
"No," She replied, "I can do it myself." But without any movement on her part, she raised her hand towards it and I felt the weight lifted from my hand. I let go in astonishment to see it glide swiftly across the room and slip effortlessly into it's empty place, as if carried by a gust of carful wind.
"How did?" I asked, turning back just in time to see her sullen hand return to it's normal state, like a withered plant regains it's plump green when watered.
"I'm easy enough," She replied, "the world is a malleable place, and anything that can be done fully can also be done partially."
"What does that mean?" I asked, still confused.
"If I can dissipate completely and reform into a bat, I can also dissipate and stay in the air as fog, and therefore I can also just dissipate a little bit of myself, and use it as air to move stuff I've never touched." She replied, "Truth be told, as far as pureblooded transformers go, there is little one with great power cannot do."
"But how can that be?" I asked.
"No one really knows, but pure-bloods of great discipline can do almost anything besides change material into something it simply isn't, powerful ones that is." She slid down into the cover and grabbed hold of my thigh, yanking me down with her in a jolt, before laying her arm across my side and letting out a big yawn. "You'll sleep here from now one," She said through a yawn, "I ought to keep an eye on you."
"Am I really that much of a threat?" I asked, "really I think you just want me here." But she was already asleep, her red lips still and parted, and her glossy eyelids relaxed. I slipped a little closer and closed my eyes too, waiting to sleep, but it didn't come nearly as fast as I would have liked.