The Seasons Change

Morning comes again. I manage to wake myself up for once. I sit up to see Anne sleeping in the comfy rocking chair with a book open on her lap. Her head is cocked over resting back in the groove of the padded back. I shift myself over getting my paws on the floor. There's still a slight tinge from my muscles but I know I can fight against it this time to stand. The pain quickly fades to nothing. With a light foot, I sneak my way outside. The weather is starting to get to the chilly part of the season. The breeze that rushes through almost cuts to the bone.

It feels oddly refreshing at first quickly turning uncomfortable. One more open stretch before heading back inside gets the blood flowing again. Anne is unaware that I am up. She's tucked her head in the top of the chair sleeping peacefully still. I'm not sure if I should wake her up. I know she'll want to know that I'm up as she has been tasked with caring for me however, I don't want to disturb her. She's sleeping so peacefully.

I try to rummage around my dresser looking for a warmer shirt but I can't seem to find any. When I left did I bring warm clothes or just for the season? Crap. I may have to go clothes shopping. Would Madam Odette let me do that? I may have to ask. With a proper shirt on I can at least brave the cold better. I step out leaving Anne to sleep in my chair. I just don't have the heart to wake her. She's been working so hard for me and I don't even remember it.

With the sun up the garden is starting to come to life. A few people are already out and about starting their day. My curiosity gets the best of my thoughts. I want to see what the damage from the fire did. I have to go all the way to the main garden to take the other path towards the other homes. A few people are still getting ready for the day and leaving. It's rather strange to see this place begin to come to life. I've been held up in my own living space for so long that seeing this is kind of unnerving. Kind of like I shouldn't be over here.

I keep my nose forward and just keep walking back. Home after home until I get to a spot that's been cordoned off. There are a few people beyond it working diligently. This must be where the line stopped. I try and look past but I can't see anything. With a quick exhale I ping a small bit of the area in front of me. I didn't seem to hit the end but I can tell a few of the houses are missing chunks of wall and roofing that collapsed in. A stronger pulse reaches out to the tree line, or where it used to be, showing the damage that was done. The fire spread a lot further than I thought it did. About a dozen cabins were affected and nine of them are going to need a lot more than just basic repairs to get them back up. The forest seemed to have been cut back as well.

The wood can't be used for building. At best, maybe charcoal. I turn to walk away giving one last pulse of the area. A few people are heading to bed from the night shift. The gardening crew is getting ready for the cold weather that's coming in. A few of their heavier pieces of equipment are getting winterized. The guards at the door are doing their job of being at the door. Inside the workers are bustling around getting ready and working already. A few are cleaning. I can reach the kitchen and they're getting breakfast ready. Madam Odette's driver is near the front door in case she needs to leave.

I don't see Madam Odette though. I send out one more wave and she's not there. She's not in her room. She's not in her office. I can't seem to pinpoint where she is. Another wave goes out bouncing back. I can see everyone else moving around but she is just not there. Something bothers me though. I hear a breath behind me before I can put together what it is, "What is it you are looking for, Red?"

I was too focused on looking forward that I didn't look all around me. I'm sure that even when it's directional there is some magic dispensed all around me. I'm also pretty sure that she can sense magic. I'm almost certain of it. Even though she always seems to be able to come up behind me to where I should expect it, I don't. I always jump out of my fur when she does this too. This time is a little less severe. I just twitch before looking over my shoulder to make sure that it is her. I already know it is. I can recognize her voice at the slightest sound.

I turn to her trying to hide the fact she scared me, "I was looking for you, Madam Odette." She's been affected by the cold weather as well. She has a thick coat that trails all the way to her ankles. It looks fleece lined and warm. It's her signature red too. Bright, demanding, and visible except to me for some reason. Some of the fleece is rolled over the hems giving it a rather ritzy look. To wrap it all up, she has that face that shows she is not amused by what I am doing. I know I am in the wrong here. Using my radar to search her home is probably not the best way to find her.

With her gaze set on me, she's ready to take me on, "There are better ways of finding me. You can ask the guards at the door to find me or let you in."

"Yes, Madam Odette."

"You say this but I went over this with you yesterday. While impressive, it's invasive."

I just nod, "Yes, Madam Odette."

"Look at me!"

This was new. She never got this authoritative before. "Red, stop. You can use it down by the woods but do not use that around my home. Do you understand me?" I flashback to when I first arrived. She would treat me like this with that stern tone to make sure I understood and that this was not a game. I know it struck deep because I didn't address her. I just nod at her tightening my mouth. "Red." I have to answer! "Yes! Madam Odette, I understand."

She can still rattle me to the core. It keeps me on my toes I guess. Her face softens slightly. She's still clearly annoyed to where it comes out in her voice as well, "What is it you needed to see me for?" I have to clear the crap from my throat now. I cough a little too clearly trying not to stutter out my words, "The weather is changing and I did not bring winter clothes with me when we left. I would like to request a day to go get some. If I may!"

Her eyes tell me she's mulling it over. "How much have you saved up right now?"

"I have $400 in cash and another $236,500-and-some saved from playing poker and work."

Money isn't the problem here. I just need her permission to leave. This will be the first time in a while that she and I will have gone out somewhere other than Madam Marie's estate. There's always an odd feeling when asking Madam Odette for something. She just emits this air of tension. I'm supposed to be here for as long as she thinks I have to be. Until then I follow her rules. Her upper body moves as she breathes in deeply. She exhales in a sigh, "I can't go with you so I will have Anne accompany you. She will be there to help and keep you in line."

She's trusting me to go without her? This is new. I'm not sure what to do with this. "Thank you, Madam Odette." I nod just a little bit to show some respect. She didn't seem to take to it though, "My only requirement is that you find a coat that will fit over your suit. Anything else you want is up to you." It's as close to full freedom as I will ever get for now. "My driver will be ready in half an hour. Go inform Anne."

"Yes, Madam Odette."

In the usual fashion, I stand still watching her as she walks around me heading back inside. The badgers open the door for her. As the doors close and she disappears, I start moving again. The walk back to my cabin feels weird. It's like I'm still being watched. I look back towards Madam Odette's room to see the windows closed and the curtains shut. Looking around, there's no one who would want to pay me any mind. It's probably paranoia and I don't appreciate it.

I knock before I enter my own home to alert Anne. It was enough to stir her awake. She rubbed her eyes trying to get herself awake. "Red? Is there something you need?" Even in her half-asleep state, she knows how to serve. I crouch next to her taking her book. It's one of my magical texts books on controlling water. That's rather odd but I see no problem with it. "Madam Odette permitted me to get myself some winter clothing. She can't go so she instructed me to tell you that you are going to be going with me."

That little bit seemed to wake her up quickly. She sat up with her eyes wide open, "When do we leave?" She's attentive now. "Uh, she said 30 minutes and that was about four minutes ago."

"Ok, I have plenty of time to get changed. I will meet you by the front door."

She got herself up quickly making her way outside with a bow to me before she left. Am I not the only one who doesn't get to leave often? Do the others get to leave if they need to? How does that work? That's the trouble with being a special case. I just don't know the normal around here. It's hard for me to ask. I'd feel like an asshole walking up to someone asking if they have the freedom to walk out when they need to. This is probably not something I should dwell on too much.

I watch my timepiece keeping an eye on when Anne and I should leave. I look through the book she was reading. This was one of the ones that Madam Delula had me read at the very beginning. Just basic control and focal points. I think about how far I've come since I started here and it just seems like a big blur now. How long has it been? A couple of months no doubt. Maybe four or five? Have I been here for half a year? It's become so much like home that I haven't noticed.

Home… I wonder how mom and dad are doing. I haven't been able to contact them since I got here. I know dad knows the family well enough that he might be ok but mom's probably worried sick. I just made myself homesick…

I'll have to address that later. I have a chore I need to do first. Walking out is a blast in the face. That cold wall gets you if you're not ready. I walk up to the back doors where the badgers stop me. "I need to meet with Anne at the front door. Madam Odette instructed us to go shopping." They both seem skeptical but I've never lied to them yet. One moves aside getting the door for me. I avoid eye contact but thank them anyway. The hallways are familiar at this point. They stretch out glittered with Madam Odette's signature red and gold pattern. I remember it used to throw me on the floor but now I walk in and it's expected.

I pass the many doors leading to the various rooms. I pass by a pillar stopping myself to look down. I look around me and see no sign of the scorch marks I had left there. Did they replace the tiles entirely? I don't even remember his name. I just remember the anger, the hate. I never wanted to kill someone. I hope that I never have to again.

"Sir Red, are you ready?" A familiar voice brings me back. Anne is waiting by the front door in a very different outfit than what I'm used to. Her choice is rather normal. I'm so used to seeing her in her usual maid outfit that the light blue dress with a matching jacket. She has the jacket zipped up most of the way with a purse in her hand. Seeing Anne in a regular setting was something to see.

Madam Odette's front door guards escort us to the car waiting in the driveway. In classic fashion, they open the doors to the vehicle for us closing them behind us. Shortly after the two of us settle in the wheels begin to roll and we are on our way. For the first time in a long time, I am out without Madam Odette pulling my figurative leash. Anne seems a little apprehensive as well. We'll only be making two stops today so it should be easy and simple.