0058 Welcome Back, Red

New Years came and went like a flash. I had one week after that before I would be picked up by none other than Denny to take me back to Madam Odette's manor. I was dreading leaving home again, but this time around it was more on my terms. Or I'm fooling myself? I feel better knowing that my parents are doing fine. They have something new coming into their lives that will keep them busy for years to come. I'm excited along with them. It'll be something else to come to visit now and again.

We all get our last goodbyes in before I am ushered off to the limousine. Denny is as punctual as ever. I watched as my timepiece rolled over to 9 am. His wheels stopped on the dot. He emerged with a smile to come around and open the door for me. Again, like before, he tried to take my bags but there was no need for that. He still took the suit but I trust him with that more than myself.

One more hug before I sit inside and go away once again. We turn the corner and once again, I am back to my straight-laced self to be presentable to Madam Odette. I send her a message letting her know that Denny was on time and that we are on our way back. I don't get a response but I know she's seen it.

The hours pass as we drive through the nothing between towns. I see the sign for Ammay. We roll through the town and right back into the tree-lined roads that go all the way to the manor. The turn into the driveway snaps me awake. I kept dozing off.

It was game time once again! I step out grabbing my bags. Denny brings the suit over to me, handing it over with a very careful paw. I give him a nod as I begin to make my way around the side bath to the backyard. The trail I take is still beaten down. I should do something about that. It's just dirt where the grass has been trampled. Maybe some stone that matches what they already have in the garden. That would be good to do when the ground unfreezes in the spring.

The cabin is cold from no one being there. The windows look frosted from the inside. There must have been more weather while I was away. The snow is just in patches right now. I feel with the season and what I've seen so far that there will be more. I'd better make sure that I'm stocked up on firewood.

I get my stuff packed away again. The suit is away in its special place. And my butt is in the chair after getting the fire started. I make sure it's roaring to get the heat going. Once it starts to warm up I'll be able to feed it at a more regular pace. It starts to feel like it should. The smell of the wood is comforting. The sound of the wind is starting to become white noise that only helps me relax. It's not home, but it's close. There is still someone I need to make sure I check in with though.

I sent out a ping to check the surrounding area just to see. Nothing comes back but that doesn't mean anything. It's almost like I can feel her presence. My ping is an unreliable tool for finding her. She knows about it. She knows how to avoid it as well. Might as well surrender the idea of finding her with it. "Come on in!"

There wasn't even a knock. Again, I can feel it when she's near. The door opened with the cold gust of air pushing itself in. She's covered in her signature red and gold color with a coat that looks like it was specially designed to fight the cold out here. She knows how to make herself at home as well. Her coat gets hung up by the door before walking towards the warmth of the fire. "Your senses are getting sharper, Red. I know I can block that sonar spell you try to invade my privacy with."

"I've learned that your absence means you are around."

She comes into the light of the fire with a box in her possession. "It's late, but I didn't feel comfortable shipping it. Merry Christmas, Red." It's a dark blue box that has a very odd texture to it. The top seems to come off about a quarter of the way down. I have a feeling I know what's inside of it. And I know that it was expensive. I slide the top of it off to find the cap of a bottle. Just looking at the etching on the glass tells me that this is something that you won't find anywhere. You have to custom order this.

The label border is shimmering from the reflective material that they used. I couldn't pronounce the brand if I tried. The only words that I managed to glean from it is that it's a spiced rum. Aged rum, 17 years, single barrel. Knowing Madam Odette, she bought the whole barrel and had it shipped to give to all her people. "I'm scared to open this." She chuckled as she turned back to face me, "Everyone tells me that. I bought it to be enjoyed but no one ever wants to."

My eyes must have told her everything that she needed to know. I didn't have to say anything. "Yes, it was pricey. Even for me. But I would rather share it than have it just for myself." She's trying to defend herself and it's rather cute. It's not often that I get to this side of her. It brings a breath of fresh air that she is just a normal person.

The bottle gets placed on the stand next to the chair. I need to grab glasses from the main house. I don't have a kitchen here thus nowhere to store them or any reason for having them. "Madam Odette, I do appreciate the gift. I think it would be better if I had someone to enjoy it with though."

"I figured you might."

She goes back to her coat pulling a small glass from each pocket. She came prepared. She knows me a bit too well. I start working on the cork while she magics up some ice from outside. I watch as the brown liquor pours over the cold cubes. It almost looks thick. It smells… well it smells like rum. There's a hint of spice with the harsh alcohol smell behind it. My butt hits the chair again, shaking the ice in the glass. Madam Odette raises her glass to try and cheer me but I'm not going to have that. I scoot myself off to the side patting the now open space next to me.

I honestly thought about getting a loveseat versus just the recliner. Right now I wish I had. But the advantage to this is that we're close. She tried to avoid it but it was inevitable. She takes a seat next to me. Now we can enjoy ourselves. The glasses clink together as both of us take a sip. It hits my nose again. My mouth can taste the spice but my throat and gut can feel the alcohol. I stifle the cough, "*cough* Smooth." Oh, my eyes are watering. The second sip is much better. I know what to expect now.

The hour passes while we get caught up with one another from our time apart. Madam Odette was a rather busy bee while I was gone. She owns and operates a lot of shipping. During the holidays, those portions of the business are scrambling trying to keep up with everything. The stores have to stay stocked. Orders have to be sent out and get to where they need to on time. It's a logistical nightmare that she somehow handles with grace. She also has great people working for her. They know their stuff so she can trust them and be hands-off.

I was just a lazy pile. I spent time with my family at the order of Madam Odette. I objected at the beginning as I was focused on what was going on here at the time. Looking back now, it was a good idea. I should have done it a while ago but the push was what I needed. She's a lot smarter than I think and I already think that she's pretty smart.

Another hour passes and a few more glasses are emptied. Madam Odette has to get more ice as it's starting to melt. She has a bit more of a sway in her step than usual. It might be starting to get to her. She comes back with the glasses and fresh ice, "Do you always have to watch me when I walk away from you?" Ooh, busted! "I just wanted to make sure that you're OK. We've had quite a bit."

She plopped herself back into her spot with force. I pour us both another glass. Another clink, and another drink. The night goes on as the two of us work on that bottle.