Yes, Master

A Bruising Reality

"When Raven was a child his behavior was so uneven. At one time, he seemed to be extremely mental. Another time he would quickly and quietly do something that indicated he might even have superior intelligence. If he thought anyone was watching him, he quickly withdrew into his room. He had temper tantrums sometimes when someone tried to force him to do something he did not want to do." "Was this before he fell into the Abyss with Master Vincent?" I ask. "Yes, as you may know his behavior was different when he became a servant under Oz after he was released from the Abyss." "Break, can I tell you something?" Break nods, sipping his tea, "Of course, my dear." "Sometimes I lay face down on the floor, never moving away—but never looking up or showing interest. Master talked about many things. He talked about anything he hoped might spark an interest. He often said he felt like a fool as he were sitting there talking to me about his prone position. Other times I was wary and would not let him come near. I would back up against the wall and run away if he tried to advance. He's strange, Break, psychotic even." Break is silent for a moment. "Rain," sounds a stern voice from the doorway.

"Master, you're home!" He turns his attention to Break who is glaring at him. "What's the matter Xerxes? Perhaps I did not make myself clear when I told you that you are not to speak to Rain today." I give Break a questioning look. "It's her birthday, you will not stop me from doing as I please. I made you who you are now the least you can do is treat Miss Rain here with the utmost respect in my favor." Master clenches his teeth and takes several steps toward me, reaching out to grab my arm,"You're coming with me, Rain." Before I could blink, Break had unsheathed his sword and was threatening to behead Master. "Of you lay another harmful hand on her I, personally, will see to it that you are stripped of your title and caged in the Abyss for eternity. How's that, little birdie?" "Tch, fine, have it your way," Master retorts. Break sheathes is sword, "I have spoken to Rain about the changes and I expect you to obey them as well. Here is a list containing the things you must and mustn't do. It will of course take time to adjust to them, but as you will see they are just simple things and should not be difficult to follow." Break hands Master the list and ushers him to sit next to me. "Indeed they do not seem so hard to follow, but how am I to go about my day if I slip up?" Asks Master, engrossed in the idea of change. "Simply take responsibility for what you have done and apologize. If you don't, well you know what happens." Master nods his head, his golden eyes appearing more understanding than before. "Apologize to Rain for hurting her, Raven." I look at Master for a few seconds before his eyes meet mine. He opens his mouth to speak, but suddenly looks away. "You've failed, Raven. I'm afraid I have to take action against you," says Break. "Wait, give him time!" I scream, panicked.  Master looks at me almost shocked. "Rain, you've been waiting for an apology for over two years now, this situation is unfair to let drag on." " I do not care how unfair it is, you're not doing this to my master! I have no grudges against Master, all is forgiven. I only wish for Master's behavior to improve." "As you wish, my dear."

Break leaves, leaving Master and I sitting in silence in the tearoom. I slowly lean my head on Master's shoulder, thinking if I made the right choice. Could he really be aware of everything and keep it all locked inside? Could he not express himself verbally? Was he living in a world of his own creation? Was he out of contact with reality? More often it seemed that his world was a bruising reality—a torment of unhappiness. I could only hope that he'd come out of his shell in time.