1 Purchase

<p>Antonio walked through the streets with a curious expression on his face until he found a slave market. Unlike most of the elite, he did not flaunt his status. Antonio was only a member of the upper caste because he happened to be among the first turned and he did well in the Revolution. Wandering over to the stage where the auction was taking place, he waited until someone captured his interest then he simply waved his gold card identifying him as a Duke. Everyone froze until the auctioneer said, "He's all yours, sir."<br/>Antonio walked up on stage and tapped his watch to the auctioneers, paying him the starting bid electronically then looked at the boy he just bought. "Wrists." The boy held them up and Tony grasped either side of the left shackle, pulling it apart with his bare hands. He repeated the process with all of the boy's restraints before resting a hand on his shoulder and asking the auctioneer, "Is he trained to a name?"<br/>"Jack."<br/>Antonio guided Jack out of the market, keeping a hand on him and stopped at a street corner. "Jack." The boy turned around. "I don't care what you do as long as you obey me. I will tell you what rules I expect you to follow when we get home. I know you have been trained to assume several things about yourself, to do and not do certain things. With me, if I don't tell you something then it doesn't matter. Ignore all of those assumptions you have, they don't matter. Am I understood?"<br/>"Yes?" He sounded unsure, probably having been taught not to speak unless ordered to.<br/>"Good." Antonio turned him to continue walking. "I am going to let go of your shoulder and you are going to maintain this pace. Only stop at intersections." He did as he said and appreciated how Jack responded with only slight apprehension. The only status symbol Jack still wore was his ratty pants as his master was no longer making a show of guiding him. Arriving at the Duke's home, Jack stopped and Antonio asked, "Was I not clear enough with my last set of instructions?" Jack resumed walking, turning as directed at intersecting hallways. He was taken to a bathroom with a warm bath already waiting. "When I ask a question, I expect a verbal answer, yes or no whenever possible. Am I clear?"<br/>"Yes."<br/>"Do you know how to wash?"<br/>"Yes."<br/>"Wait until I finish issuing instructions to carry them out. Take your clothes off and wash yourself. When you are done, exit the room and turn right. Enter the room three doors down. Your clothes will be dealt with as will the bathwater. I expect you to do no more or less than instructed. You will be as clean as possible when you exit the bath." He left the room and waited for Jack in the other room. Antonio was pleased to find he already had clothes that would fit Jack well. He sat down with a selected outfit beside him and waited. A moment later, he realized that the room was too dark for humans to see and lit a few candles.<br/>Jack was clearly uncomfortable after losing what little he had. Antonio ordered him to move around so he could better see what he had bought before drying him and directing him to get dressed. "Sit down in that chair when you are done." Jack was also uncomfortable in his master's empty chair. Antonio efficiently cut his hair then guided him to leave the room. "Let's resume what we were doing before your bath." Jack walked at a steady pace and followed directions at each intersection. He was taken to a room upstairs and failed to notice it locked from the outside. "This room is yours. There is food in the cupboards and water will arrive via pitcher everyday. You may do as you wish in this room."<br/>Jack looked at him and seemed to wrestle with himself before speaking up. "You said you would tell me the rules once we got here."<br/>"Right. You are expected to stay in this room for the time being. Until you adjust to having your own space, the door will be locked from the outside so that you are not tempted to seek out work. I expect you to keep yourself as clean as possible." Antonio added, "I would also like you to stand up when I enter this room but if I catch you asleep, I won't bother you."<br/>"That's it?"<br/>"Keep the room and yourself clean, don't leave, and stand to face me when I enter. I already told you that I expect obedience."<br/>Jack swallowed. "What if I fail to do one of those things?"<br/>"You want to know how punishment works?"<br/>"Yes."<br/>"I won't hurt you. I mean, I'll discourage repeat offenses but you won't be injured by me. I have a thing about physical ages. Once you grow up, you will understand but for now, I need to keep you healthy." Seeing Jack was unlikely to ask another question, Anotnio left and locked him in his room.</p>