On The Stage

XXV

For the first few days I could not find myself in the Von Rostovs' house. This place seemed very strange to me, even though I already knew it well. For over half a year it was impossible not to get to know the place where one lived, laughed, cried and got angry. Still, I felt in this house more like in a hotel than in a place where one sleeps, eats or meets "family". So I spent a lot of time outside. I lay on the pontoon that floated on the surface of the crystal clear pool water. I was doing what I had planned to do some time ago. I listened to my favorite music, floated in the pool water and had a drink. Piniakolade, if I have to be precise. I was often joined by Aurelia, although I wasn't very talkative. It's not that I didn't want to talk to her, I just found it hard to get any words out. It required the use of a lot of energy, which I didn't have. I was just recovering, I guess.

Kevin was obviously seeking contact with me through some mundane, random everyday situation. How did he do that? Well, he went out to mow the lawn several times a week, clean the stone floor around the pool, and other such things. For the first few days, whenever the boy would just show up, I would run away. After that, however, I decided that running away was actually not an option, so I started ignoring him. It's not that I didn't want to talk to him either. It's just that I didn't have any strength left for him either. In fact, at that moment I didn't even know if I would ever again find the strength to speak with a wolf. Was I sorry about that? Perhaps. In fact, I don't really know. I knew that I was completely drained of emotion. Completely devoid of them. All I needed right now was the sun, sunglasses and a drink in my hand. Yes... life can be fun though, something I had almost forgotten for the past six months.

Of the more interesting things going on at home, I actually don't have much to say. Nothing was going on, nothing. Absolutely zero interesting news. Ever since Apolonia came home and dethroned Gregory as head of the family, the table was quiet. No one even dared to start touchy subjects and the household kept all comments to themselves. Even Bobby was glad to see Apolonia Von Rostov back, who immediately started criticizing his way of cooking. You will think this rather curious, perhaps it was, but I am not particularly surprised. We all longed for relative stability and the rule of Apolonia's firm hand.

This is how day after day passed. No wars, no shouting, no crying and no laughing. There was pure, undisturbed peace. This situation was perfect for my shattered nerves, which could now rest. Sometimes I wondered whether this peaceful atmosphere was not also dictated by the decision I had made. Perhaps the household wanted to "celebrate" or "honor" the coming changes in some way? It wasn't important what prompted them all to calm down. All that mattered was that I finally had the peace and quiet I craved.

Although time seemed to pass slowly, day after day fled. I lived from sunrise to sunset enjoying the beauty of the mountains in Hight Water. Sometimes I also took a walk in the fruit orchard around the house. I liked this place, because on hot days the trees gave really nice shade. One could hide among them, away from the scorching rays of the sun and sometimes from Kevin's gaze. It was funny to me when one day, walking aimlessly through the orchard, I found a champagne bottle lying under a tree. It was the same bottle that Aurelia had dropped when she fell from the tree during Gregory and Catleyn's memorable wedding. It was so long ago and I remember everything as if it happened yesterday. Admittedly, the scenery was different, for the trees were no longer pink and white but green. Nor were the silk canopies and lights strung across the orchard. If it weren't for that one bottle you might think this wedding never happened.

Days passed until finally one beautiful afternoon my carefree and lazy sunbathing lying on a pontoon in the pool was interrupted by Luna.

- I'm going to vote in the referendum. - A woman said. - Do you want to come with me?

- I didn't make myself an official citizen. - I stated.

- All you have to do is take the badge from the king with you. - She said, then quickly added. - I'm waiting with Buck in the car.