Over the course of the next few days, Cerene didn't seem to learn her lesson. She continued to plot her escape plans, failing at every turn. Until one day, she just gave up. Escaping wasn't in the plan, she could see that now. Before either one of the girls realized it, a few weeks had passed by. Zyneil and Vay' Len were very good at catching their children. They adjusted to the role of mother and father fairly well, or at least she thought so.
"Girls, breakfast!" Heather called. Heather made the finishing touches to the breakfast table before the girls came downstairs. "Are you excited?"
"Excited for what, breakfast?" Cerene asked.
"No, Rene, that wouldn't make sense." Sharrie responded.
"Speak for yourself Shar, I love breakfast." Cerene said as she began to sit down.
"Why, school young Miss. Do you not remember? You mother gave you a clear explanation along with instructions on what to do tomorrow." Heather did some light cleaning as the girls ate.
"Sch-school? Are you kidding? Like actual school?"
Yes, young Miss." Heather replied
"AHHH!" The girls yelled in unison
They had never been to an actual school with actual teachers and school lunches before. Usually it was just the nuns and porridge. It's the modern day, no one eats porridge. There isn't even a reason to have it in this day and age. Yet, it was always there, thick, gross and horrific. They screamed with joy. Heather thought it was adorable. She had never had children herself, but she always loved their reactions and how they processed things. She sat back and watched as the girls cheered.
"Where's the lady that adopted us?" Cerene asked.
"The Madam is currently at work. She was called in quite early this morning." Heather replied
"What does she do?" The girls asked in unison.
"I think it would be better suited to ask your guardians about their occupations. It would make it easier to get to know them and make for interesting conversation" Heather remarked.
"That would be great! Right Cerene?" Sharrie said excitedly.
"You see, I would, but I'm kind of avoiding conversation. I don't want to get attached." Cerene sadly commented
"Well, take some time to think about it young Miss. I'm sure you will find that your parents are quite interesting. I will take my leave now. If you need anything, call my name, or summon me through that button." She says as she points to the left. "There is an intercom in every room. Feel free to summon me. Enjoy your meal" Heather says turning and walking away.
After the girls finished eating, they gathered their clutter and began to wash the dishes at the sink. They put everything away neatly and called for Heather.
"Ms. Heather." The girls both yelled out.
"You rang young Misses." Heather came out of the doorway.
"How did you get there?" Cerene asked confused.
"Heather don't scare us like that!" Sharrie exclaimed.
"Little Misses, you didn't have to do the dishes, this is our job."
"Speaking of your job, where is everyone else?"
"Well, we all have different jobs. My job is to tend to the pets."
"Why are you here then?" Sharrie asked.
"Yeah, I mean we are kinda like pets though." Cerene giggled.
"Take that back Rene."
Heather chuckled. "No, silly bean. You are not the pets. I am filling in for someone else. They are in charge of keeping you entertained throughout the day. You should be meeting them, along with the others soon. So what was it that I can help you with?"
"We wanted to know if we could go and watch television?"
"Of course, no need to ask." If that is all I will take my leave. Heather turned around and left the kitchen.
"Come on Rene, let's go."
The girls headed upstairs to their rooms and watched television. About two hours passed by before the girls were called down for a snack.
"Little and littler Miss, please come down stairs. It's snack time."
Cerene and Sharrie walked down the long spiral staircase and headed to the kitchen.
"What's for snack Ms. Heather?" Sharrie said
"Oh no, I'm not Heather, I'm her twin sister Hannah. I cook all of the meals for the household."
"Wow that's going to be confusing."
"Rene! Don't be rude. It's nice to meet you Hannah."
"I get it all the time. The Master still calls me thing 2. Sometimes I feel like he never bothered to learn my name, but I know he knows it. He's just.... Himself."
I've left a note with all of the information you should need on who to call. All you need to do is call one of our names, and we will be there. Heather likes the intercom because she is old fashioned. But calling us works just as well."
"How will you hear us?" Cerene asked
"You have a very special house full of very special secrets. You should learn some of them."
"Why can't you tell us Ms. Hannah?"
"Sweetie, that would take away the joy of exploring." Hannah gave the girls a big smile.
After the girls ate, they looked over and became accustomed to the different names they would need to call.
"I'm going to go take a nap Rene." Sharrie walked back upstair and laid down.
For the first time in awhile, Cerene didn't have her bestfriend. She was going to have to be alone for awhile... Unless she called one of the maids and butlers. What would she do? Who would she call? Such a big house, so many possibilities. After taking some time to figure out what she wanted, she finally made her decision. She made it, but couldn't go through with it. Maybe she didn't feel comfortable yet asking them for help. Just as Cerene turned around to hed up the steps, the sound of jingling keys and a door opening were heard behind her.
"Cerene." Zyneil called out.
"Oh, hey... Ma'am. What do you need?" Cerene still didn't know how to address her mother properly.
"Cerene honey, what's wrong? Where is Sharrie? Zyn asked concerningly.
"She's taking a nap." Cerene turned to face her mother as she watched her take her coat and heels off at the door. "How was your day?"
"It was good sweetie. What about yours?" Zyn finally finishing up at the door and heading Cerene's way.
"It was okay, thank you."
"You sound sad sweets, what's wrong?"
"Nothing." Cerene replied
"Okay, well I won't pry, but I'm here if you need me." Zyn headed to the kitchen and washed her hands.
Cerene walked in behind her. "What are you doing? If I may ask."
"Oh, well I'm about to get started on dinner."
"I thought the maids cooked."
"They do when I'm not home. Usually your father or I cook."
"Oh... What are you making?"
"What would you like?" Zyn turned around and looked at Cerene.
"I'm not sure. Are you busy? Would like some company." Cerene shyly asked. She was known to be a handful, but she was still a kid.
"Why of course not. What would you like to do?"
"Can I help you get started on dinner."
"Interesting. Well, I don't see why not little one. Go and wash your hands and we can begin now. That way we have time to perfect the dish."
Cerene and Zyneil spent the entire evening cooking together. Zyn wasn't expecting for Cerene to know what she did about cooking, but it was a great refeshing aspect to their new dynamic. They shared laughs, food fights and moments that would live in Cerene's heart forever. But this was also when IT started. It was silent and deadly and brewed for many a decade. But Cerene was happy and for the first time, she felt like someone wanted her. She felt like she had a mother.