With the master gone it was easier for me to creep around the base. Although for some reason I could never find the highest floor that led out of this place. ever since he came back after his strange transformation I haven't been able to see through any of his illusions or mind games. What the hell is going on? I resisted the urge to bite my thumb for fear it would make me look nervous in front of the maids. It had been a while since I was last able to make it out of this place and pass on information; would my family come looking for me or be suspicious? Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if I had been abandoned.
"Looking for something?" Said Lilly; backed by Betty and Sue. I'm not sure when it happened but ever since Gail became a monster it was as if there was a weird shift in power between us maids. Gail was no longer around all the time and with how proactive Lilly was it's as if she took over Gail's place. I wanted to shrink into nothingness right then and there; How was I supposed to explain skimping on my choirs?
"You've been acting really weird." Said Lilly in a casual tone; her voice was full of sunshine. I frowned knowing that meant nothing at all. What was she up to?
"Oh really? I'm sorry if I've made anyone uneasy." I said quickly with a smile, trying to defuse the situation as much as possible. There was no telling where she was going with this or what she would do next. All I knew was that she was a bomb and the slightest thing could set her off.
"Why would we be uneasy?" I could feel the edge of my own fake smile twitch a little. What excuse could I make? Come on Andorra you are a spy with the [Divine eye]! think of something!
"B-because master isn't here." It was an on the spot thought but a part of it felt true to me; I hated to admit it but I did miss him a little. I wanted to shake my head in retaliation but I refrained. This comment seemed to resonate with them and even Lilly put her hands over her chest and clenched her fists. seeing this pushed forwards my own feelings again and I looked down trying to resist. None of this was real! These emotions It was all that damn curse's doing.
"It's gonna be okay Andorra." Said Sue putting her hand on my shoulder trying to console me. She pet my back and gave me a hug. I relaxed a little; was I in the clear?
"Well let's go then. Nothing a bit of cleaning couldn't fix." Said Lilly followed by Betty's enthusiastic,
"Yes Ma'm!" We all followed Lilly's orders and began to clean the already spotless catacombes again this time going further into it than before. all the while I felt like I somehow narrowly escaped death.
In a ruined Village in the middle of a forest...
"Finally!" I said after burying the last remains and planting a tree over it. I wiped the sweat from my forehead and wondered how many days until winter would begin. It was already in the midst of Fall and I was longing for the coolness of winter's wind.
I trudged over to a large log I had moved closer for convenience and sat down. Rise hopped into my lap and made itself comfortable. Ever since I had arrived here I have had nothing but time to think about things. My mind often wondered what Don was doing and if he was safe; Or if Amos was ever going to show himself again. Scarily enough there hasn't been a single trader or merchant by so I've had to go hunting for food and resources regularly. This meant people knew this place had been attacked.
How long had my kinsman been dead for? I realized I was staring off into space when Rise pawed at my face. I could hear it's stomach growling and I gave it a tired look.
"What a glutton you are" With a withering smile I lifted it as I stood up and made my way back to the refurbished hut. Inside I noticed Rise begin to hiss as it looked out of the window. using my heightened perception I noticed something shift quickly behind the tree line. Someone or something was definitely out there. I went back to preparing me and Rise's meal knowing full well Rise wouldn't stop hissing and being on alert until they left. We remained on edge for at least an hour before Rise finally calmed down and ate its food; At which Rise looked displeased; with it's mane half ruffled and eyes of disdain.
"I'll reheat it for you." I said giggling a bit from It's cuteness. This wasn't the first time this had happened. I wasn't sure if whatever or whomever was just watching us or if they had meant harm; I wasn't planning on being friends either way though. they had to have a purpose for keeping an eye on us. Surely by now they knew we didn't have any valuables; however if their goal was Rise...
I nearly dropped the plate I was holding as I came to that conclusion. as I heated it's food I looked over at Rise with eyes of worry. It looked back at me with joy then concern as if reading my mood it let out a confused noise; Which was so odd in accent I laughed.
Having been drawn out of my daze I put it's food back onto it's plate and sat the plate down in front of it.
"Was that supposed to be a meow or a growl?" I said teasing it as I pulled gently on one of it's ears. Rise let out a low warning growl as it munched moodily on it's chunk of deer venison. I watched lovingly at it. Rise has brought me so much joy; the fact someone could take it away from me stirred crippling feelings of panic and anxiety inside me. Rise was all I had left..
"Mommy won't let anyone take you away." I said softly as I pet it's head. Rise stopped eating, seeming startled by my comment; it just looked up at me for a moment; it's eyes unreadable. After a short silence it went back to eating normally.
Could Rise understand me or not? The question left me bemused.