Back Into The Swing of Things

I'm glad that Madam Odette gave me this cabin. Something about it being built from my own work makes it so much more enjoyable. The wood is still fresh and smells like the tree it came from. The books from Delula that she left for me are amazing for what I've been doing. I'm really happy that I'm here and I'm safe but recently, after the whole hospital exchange, I wonder if I can stay here. I still want to know what's happening to me.

As I roll over on the bed I can feel it still there, sitting right next to the other one, my second tail. I can't tell if it's magically created or just physically grown. I feel weird about it and am still scared of what it could mean for me. There's a genetic deformity that causes split growth and sometimes perfect split growth but this just appeared whereas the deformity is almost always from the beginning and grows at a steady pace. The more I think about it the more it worries me that I may be something that I cannot control.

There's a knock followed by the door creaking open slightly, "Red, are you there?" I recognize that voice. "Yes, come in." It's Anne that walks around the corner dressed for the day. "Good morning, Red. Madam Odette sent me to check on you and see how you are doing."

I know that Madam Odette has her eyes everywhere and can see everything that happens all the time but even so the fact that she sends a physical body to check on me is reassuring, even if it's not herself. "I'm fine Anne. Just rather tired."

"That's good to hear."

She goes to turn away but I catch her, "Are you ready to get started?" She turns back around puzzled at my question. I clarify, "We're working together today right? I know I was gone but I can still help right?" I still promised to help her so she can learn to cook. I'm not sure if Penny was able to while I was gone yet I can still help now that I'm back. Even with the smile and offer, she seems reluctant, "Are you ok too?"

"I feel like I am. A bit stiff but moving will work that out."

"Then you may follow me."

I get up snapping a few joints. I don't change clothes because they're already nasty. The two of us leave, Anne going first, while I close up behind us. I turn to make sure the door shuts when I hear her yip. I lock onto the noise and sure enough, it was her. She's covering her mouth and looking behind me and it clicked. I turned to the side when shutting the door and she got to see the new change. No one has seen it yet so I have a feeling that this will be a strange day.

Anne gets over the initial shock of me having a second tail but I catch her looking often. It moves independently which is throwing off my balance a lot. It slows me down but with time I feel I'll get the hang of it. The lunch rush comes around when Anne and I pull out our signature tag team carry to get food out. Or so we started.

The door to the kitchen is not heavy but it is rather large. Anne went out first and I followed behind but I slid past the door instead of opening it again. Without thinking I hug my tail to my forward leg to make sure that it does not get caught but I'm only used to the one. The second ended up twitching out and the door caught the near end of it where the nerves cluster. The best way to describe it is like hitting the funny bone spot on the elbow. It numbs the area but you feel the pain. The entire kitchen went quiet when they heard the crashing sounds of the plates. I dropped the tray immediately hitting the floor on all fours. With one foot I kicked the door back as hard as I could causing it to swing and slam against the inside wall while I moved out of the way again. When I can move I roll over grabbing the one that got smashed in the door hoping that it didn't break the skin. It didn't but it's still very tender. A couple of the people from the kitchen came out looking and that was when they noticed the sudden change in me.

Anne made the first run of plates while I tried to recover. By the time she returned I was able to stand again but now it was a pulsing pain. It was going to sting for a while but I still had work to do. The next time we returned through had been propped open for me so it would not happen again. I got to see the real relationship I had with the kitchen staff at that time. They went out of their way to make sure I was ok. They replaced the broken plates with no fuss. They even made sure that the work environment was safe.

Anne's day continued without me for about two hours while Madam Odette called me for another job that needed help. She wanted me to use my magic to water a few plants. She told me that "giving your magic practical application will make sure that your skills don't dull". I think the plan is to have me do one or two things a day that requires magic. I'm ok with it as I could use the practice. Her chore is simple and quickly finished. I find Anne in the main foyer talking to one of the other maids. She catches me looking over so she waves me to join them.

As I approach them the other skunk smiles and giggles off to wherever she needs to go. Anne turns her attention back to me, "She's strange. Did you finish what you needed to?"

"I did, ready for dinner?"

"I am."

Both of us head back to the kitchen where they are ready for us with a few trays ready to go already. Anne and I start grabbing and get moving back to the garden. Everyone is always glad to see the plates come out and take a seat where they can. By the time we get the last ones out we begin picking up the empty plates so we're busy the whole way through. At the end of it though, we're done for the day. We are on our own time which we will be spending with Penny this evening.

With me being gone everyone seems rather happy to see me again. I was gone for only three days. However, it is nice to know that I'm cared about. Tonight's menu is a fluffy angel food cake. Together they make just a small one that the three splits topped with crème and a strawberry. The crème started to melt from the heat but it was just perfect all the way through. After the lesson, Anne walks out to head home for the evening while I help Penny clean up.

"Red, we missed you. What happened?" I'm not sure how to answer this, "Well, you heard about what happened at the house right?"

"Yea, it was rough on everyone."

"Just a lot more time for me but it just wasn't here."

"We didn't get to hear fully what happened so we don't know about you."

"I'm not sure I can tell you, Penny. I don't want you all to worry and I'm not sure if that should be spread around here."

"Was it that bad? I mean, I saw the scorch mark on the floor but…"

I cut her off, "Yes, it was that bad. And I feel terrible for what I did and I feel terrible that I could not do more."

I didn't have time to decompress over what had taken place. I was unconscious for most of the hospital visit. Then I had some time but not a lot before I panicked. Then I just kept my mind busy burying it in books soaking up anything that I could to know more about what happened and then just to distract myself. I just killed my own happy mood. Damn, I suck at this.

Penny saw the change and started her counter to it. "Even if you don't tell me I'm still glad your back because I would have been pissed if you skipped out on our agreement." She got me to laugh which I'm impressed she did. "You have a one-track mind."

"Just trying to make even on debts, which you still need to do."

"You are going to make me aren't you?"

"At least once a week until Anne's lessons are completed."

OK, she wants to play. Let's play! I put the bowl I'm drying down with a forceful clank against the metal counter grabbing her attention. I look her dead in the eyes with a serious look. I'm going to call her bluff and see what she does. She seems rather nervous now. I'm starting to get there myself but I want to see just how far she'll go before she breaks. "OK, let me show you. But you know this is a two-person thing right?" She seems rather hesitant now that I'm playing her game, "Sure, yea."

"Good, come over here."

I lean against one of the counters with my arms crossed. She seems reluctant now but I wonder how far she'll push herself. I wonder how far I'll be able to push her. This could be interesting. Penny follows me over and stands in front of me. I don't forget the last time she tried this on me and how soft she was even with her work uniform on. It's a thick chef's coat so I have a feeling about this. "Now, do you want to see or do you want to know?"

"I would like to know."

"Ok, then I will show you. Strip."

Already caught her off guard. She kind of hesitated but before I could stop the situation she nodded and began undoing the buttons. She laid the coat on a counter leaving her in her work pants and light blue undershirt. She starts fiddling with her belt and I can tell she's nervous at this point. "Ok Penny, that's enough." She's stunned. "I can tell you're uncomfortable so this will just have to pass."

"But, but…"

"No buts. Enjoy the rest of your day. I'll bring Anne tomorrow."

I try to keep a cheery tone in my voice so she knows that I'm not mad or upset or even displeased. I can just tell that she's not ok with it so I'm not going to force it. We're both able to leave with a smile but I can tell she was hoping for something yet didn't know she would have to as well.