Indecipherable Looks

Chapter 3

She didn't think it was possible to sleep. After a long struggle, Maxi was able to remove her corset and just breath, wiping her tears with her hands. Then Daphne came and licked at her face, and that made her tears slow. For so long, she wished for someone to comfort her after she cried. It wouldn't be the same as another person, but the kitten did make her feel substantially better than before.

Maxi eyed her cold bed, thinking the last thing she wanted to do was get in it. Right now, she couldn't stand the idea of another lonely end to another lonely day. Underneath the deep abyss of sadness she felt was anger, such pure rage it was hard to hold herself back from going insane. Why did her father hate her so much? And why did Rosetta have to insult Calypse so terribly, and call him such disgusting names? His lineage didn't make a difference to her, it was his gentleness, a care she had never seen in man before, regardless of how he looked. No, she didn't know him but- well, her being made fun of or called names made sense. A freckled, stuttering girl was little use in the eyes of anyone. But he didn't deserve that treatment.

The fact that Rosetta called one of the only people who had been kind to her a 'half-breed' as if he were some sort of dirty farm animal made her blood boil. More frustrated tears rose into her eyes, but she brushed them away, extremely bothered by her own emotional response.

She needed a distraction.

So...the library it was. As long as she avoided being seen going there, she would most likely be safe. The Duke rarely visited the library, which was one of the reasons she liked it so much. It was her safe haven. Besides that it was so huge and grand, the complete opposite of her bare, cage of a room. She went so many places there, lived so many different lives curled up by the fireplace in perfect, blissful escape. If anything would make her feel better, that would. Besides; Maxi wanted to find some books on cats so she would know if she was taking care of Daphne properly.

After a moment of debating if she should bring him along, she decided against leaving him. Perhaps it was more of a risk, but she was more scared of Daphne being alone- especially now that he was more active, spazzing around the tiny space like a ball of pent up energy.

Maxi put the dress back on after kicking the corset into the corner of the room- she knew it would be fine if she wore it correctly, but it was just too much for now- and dawned a shawl. Then she looked for something to hold Daphne in, but was coming up short each time she looked around the small room. Then a light bulb hit, and she grabbed the pillowcase from her pillow, gently putting him inside and holding the bundle in her arms. If anyone saw her, she could say she was holding a bag of books. Though the lump in her arms looked nothing like books, most would accept the easy explanation and not think twice of her.

She inwardly applauded herself before leaving the room. Creeping around like a smuggler in the night, it was almost as if she was an adventurer.

When she was safe in the library, with the fire roaring, she lit her own candle and made her way to the Cs, the kitten following at her heels. There she found a great variety of cat books, all dusty from disuse. She lugged the huge pile over to a table close to the fire, satisfied at the way the dust flew away when she blew on the covers.

The hot light from the fire warmed her face, lighting the words on the paper as well. It was so comforting; if only she could be as warm as this forever, that would be truly wonderful. Tracing the lines as she read, she was able to focus. The worries and anger of today slowly receded into the background even if they were still there. In fleeting thought, Maxi wondered if anyone had ever read to her before.

She bent down to pet Daphne who sat at her feet, pulling the shawl tighter around her body. Probably not. As much as she tried, she couldn't recall a single instance. It was stupid to try so hard to remember, anyways.