Slaveboys weren't terribly unusual, as they appeared in a great many places. They were put to work in a number of ways, and one could see them working as anything from a 'stockboy' to the servant of a wealthy individual. One did find teenaged girls who would drool over an attractive one, but they were owned by both males and females. Despite some being owned due to their appearance, having a boy who would do one's work for them was clearly a plus for a number of individuals. And like with any other person, be they free or slave, there were plenty of personalities to go with them.
This one seemed to be a bit... odd, and that didn't have to do with his odd coloring. Rather than the expected show of respect, or measuring of a new owner, he seemed to be almost... amused by something.
That had Ranma feeling a little unsettled, though he wasn't quite sure why. "Whaddya mean?"
"We haven't exactly been raised to have the same reactions that you would, Master," the grey haired slaveboy replied, easily letting a smile of chagrin lightly curve his lips. "It can make it hard for us to recognize certain problems in dealing with our owners, other slaves, and other people. But I do hope that it won't make our relationship troubled."
"Ya sound like ya wanna be close ta me."
"If I was honest... having things go that way wouldn't be all that bad. Would it bother you?"
"Uh.... no, I don't think so...." the pigtailed boy murmured, rubbing the back of his head.
"I hoped that you'd say that. You see, it wouldn't be all that fun to have my master and I have trouble between us."
Genma gave off a small snort, and crossed his arms over his chest. "What does it matter if the boy gets along with you or not?"
"It means a lot. If we can get along, it'd be so much nicer. Too much effort and energy is wasted when you're busy insulting or fighting with each other. Don't you think?"
"Of course wasting time is bad. But if prodding the boy will get him to work, then it'd be worth it."
"I see...."
"Dunno if ya do," Ranma grunted, warming to the idea of having someone who wanted to be nice to him, even if he was still sensing something odd going on. "He ain't 'xactly the sorta guy who thinks that bein' polite's a good idea."
"Then he isn't a help?"
"Pheh. More like a big idiot pretendin' ta think."
"Stupid boy!" barked the elder Saotome male.
"It's true. Ya've gotta know that ya get in enough trouble...."
The slaveboy cocked his head to the side and gave off a pleased smile. "Well then, it's nice to know that I can be useful. I can even wash your back."
"Eh?" Ranma said, blinking at his slave boy. "How could ya think of doin' somethin' like that?"
"It's not like you have another male slave. I can go in with you to public baths, and even help you with what you want to do. Really, I'd be happy to do everything that I can."
"I guess that'd be good," Ranma answered, frowning in thought. 'Why am I thinkin' that I should be noticin' somethin'?'
Kaede simply sighed, and wondered if the young master would notice what might happen before it happened, while:
(Posted Mon, 02 Jul 2007 03:43)
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