Uri - The Diary of a 'Pet'

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I am Uri. I am sixteen. I am owned by a Master. I am his and no one elses.

This is my story

My record of the House life

My diary as a pet

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The Twelth day of the Third month :

This is my first diary, a gift from the youngest Master. He smiled when he gave it to me, so I knew I did not need to be scared. But in truth, these smooth pale pages terrify me. These pages give me a certain freedom, according to Master, they give me a place to say my thoughts.

As a Pet, my thoughts should be suppressed, kept under control as should my body. As a Pet I am inferior, and knowledge in an Inferi is dangerous to the Masters, young and old. But the youngest Master granted me knowledge. He called me special, unique. At first I did not know what these words meant. They have never before been applied to anyone of my people. We are bred to serve and to entertain, to stay by our Master's side as a loyal Pet should do. We are Pets, not meant to be special or unique.

Not all Inferi become Pets. We are chosen. I was given to the youngest Master as a gift at birth, chosen from the Newlings as soon as I left my bearer's womb. My Master was but a few years old at the time, and even then he was said to be a bit hesitant at accepting the gift of a Pet offered to him. I was lucky. My Master is a kind man, not like some of the other Masters in the House.

I have heard many times from the old cook, Banra, that Master used to question his father about us Pets. He wanted to know why we were kept as House Pets, why we were not 'free'. This angered the Big Master, Banra says, she told me his eyes turned flame yellow and he told Young Master to leave.

I asked Banra once what it was to be free. She told me not to be foolish, that the House life was better than the life of other Inferi's. Here in the House we are fed and cared for, and in turn, we care for the Masters, Mastresses and Mistresses.

Some of us tend gardens, like Jeno, the newest Pet. He has some elven blood in him from long back, and he cares for the plants with great tenderness. Others cook or clean, like Banra and Rele, two of the oldest Pets in the house. And then there are Pets like me, such as Cayu, assigned to a Master to keep him company, care for him and entertain him.

The life of a Pet is difficult, but I thank the gods for the protection it gives. I do not think I would like the life of an Inferi outside. The Roamers lives are never certain. Here I know my place, I know my duties, and I know where I sleep and where my loyalties lie. Here I am certain. Here I am Uri, Pet to the Youngest Master.

Speaking of duties, the sun is near fully risen, I must awaken Master soon and help him ready for the day. I will try to get a candle from the kitchen if Banra will allow me, or maybe a bit of spare oil for my small lantern so I can write later. I must remember to thank Master for this book... It does not seem so scary now, but I know I cannot allow anyone to see within its pages.

The Twelth day of the Third month - Later same evening - Late at night :

The day was long and tiring. Master is in bed now, and the House is silent for everyone has retired to their chambers. Rele slipped me a candle for my small quarters. One candle is enough, for all my 'room' contains is a sleeping mat, a small chest that holds my clothing and a bowl and pitcher of water for washing. This is all I need really.

The little door that leads out to Masters room is open always, unless I am dressing, then I close it a bit for privacys sake, though Master would not do anything inappropriate. Not like Kanta's Master, who pulled her out of her straight out of her quarters once when she was half-dressed... I will not describe in detail what he did, except Kanta has been very teary-eyed and red-faced ever since. I am not supposed to know this, it is dangerous to know that a Master did wrong. But I cannot keep that solely to myself, so I will write it here.

But I know my Master is not like that. My Master is laying quietly asleep in his bed, curled up in the dark of his chambers. No bad thoughts on his mind, I am sure. Master is tired after today. There have been a great many ordeals in the House to deal with. There was a Meeting of the Masters early this morning, and he left in a bad mood. I can tell he does not look forward to those meetings. They talk of the Pets, and obtaining new one, releasing old ones and so many other things. To be released is a terrifying thought, for you are turned out without food or money, and left to fend for yourself with the Roamers. Master does not like this thought either, which I think is the reason why he did not release me before.

Masters mother wanted to speak with him today, so he went to her quarters for an hour or so. I am not allowed there, but I know that whatever his mother said took away some of his anger. The Mastress is a kind woman, she and the youngest Master get along well. Much better than some of the others. His mother is one of the few people who can raise the frown from his lips. I am glad to see him smile after he is with her.

There were many other things that happened today, but it all seemed to be a blur. Master only settled down about an hour ago. His mood had darkened a bit, and I tried to cheer him up, but I dont think I did all that good. I rubbed his shoulders and head and sang to him, but her barely relaxed. When he laid down, his body seemed to radiate tension as I put out his lantern and shut the curtains.

I wish I knew what I could do to help Master feel better...

Same night - some time after Midnight :

I heard Master cry out my name sometime after I stopped writing. I stumbled in the dark till I got to his bedside. I could hear him breathing heavily and a low groan peirced the darkness. I fumbled to light the lantern again, and I found Master flat on his back, gripping the sheets in his fists. His breathing was short and labored, and his eyes were wide. A cold sweat had beaded on his forehead, and the scar on his chest was hot and red. It looked almost like it was burning.

This frightened me, but I ran back to my quarters and soaked a cloth in cool water. I wiped his forehead with the cloth, then applied it to the heated flesh of his chest. His breathing slowly went back to normal. He coughed slightly and shut his eyes again, taking deep breaths as his fists slowly unclenched from the blankets. It worries me when he's like this. Master is having Nightmares again.

He placed his hand lightly on mine where it lay upon the cloth, and I wrapped my small damp fingers around his cold long ones in response. His skin was chilled, but he seemed fevered. I wonder sometimes what causes this, they seem to be like spells, coming and going at random. They make the linear scar on his chest flame up, and his heart pound like mad, but he never tells me what the nightmares are about.

I heard him once say something about feeling afraid. I dont know what it meant, but he cried out about being alone and lost. It made my heart sink. I dont want Master to feel lost or alone. I promised that I would remain by his side like a loyal Pet should, but he just squeezed my shoulder and rolled over, tucking himself into a ball.

But just now his yellowish eyes stared fearfully into mine, and I could feel his heart beating quickly beneath my fingers. Just from his eyes I could tell his mind would not still. I have never felt so helpless as I do after his Nightmares. There are times when I fight the urge to wrap my arms around him, for I know that is not allowed in the House. There should be no relations among Masters and Pets beyond those two titles.

My Master is a good man... He deserves a good woman. Someone who can hold him when his Nightmares come. Calm him when he is angered. Make him smile when he is upset. I can only do so little, but I hope he finds someone who can do more. Master gave me freedom in writing, I want him to know freedom from problems.... But I am a Pet, I have no power to help.

I only wish I could...