The Fox, Red

032 - 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.