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It was dark and ever so cold. Her horns achingly rattled with every bump in the road with no idea how long she had been wallowing in the dark imagining every possible outcome. She feared the worst. Abruptly the car came to a stop, painfully throwing her against the cold metal walls of the trunk. Tightly she pulled her knees to her chest, coiling her tail as tightly around her malnourished middle as the dark cavernous space was flooded with dim sunlight. A figure roughly grabbed her, huffing and grumbling about wasted time under their breath. Upon natural instincts she curled towards the warmth of their fluffy jacket, the material soft beneath her mottled skin. The frigid temperature outside biting at the tip of her tail as she curled it tighter around herself. After a deep breath she braved looking up at her surroundings for the first time. The haunted wood. Of course she had heard of the haunted wood, who hadn't? It was mostly fearsome tales of woe of poor souls who had entered never to return or at least never return as they were before. Unceremoniously she was dumped on the frost bitten ground, the first dusting of snow wetly pressed against her mottled skin and soaking into the thin layer of fuzz like fur she possessed.
With an exasperated sigh, the figure crouched in front of her scowling like she was a puzzle they couldn't figure out. Fangs chattering, she wrapped her arms around herself wishing the little fur she did have was more than glorified peach fuzz. In a temporary fit of compassion the figure removed the thin scarf they were wearing and dumped it on the ground beside her, compassion not extending far enough to actually wrap it around her. Scrambling Creature quickly wrapped the dropped scarf around herself, grateful for the minimal warmth. The figure shook their head, grumbling under their breath before loudly and frighteningly demanding “go, You're free now. Shoo. Go.” She wasn't what they wanted, sure she purred and she was soft to pet but she wasn't a cat and even she wasn't sure what she actually was. Nobody wants an unidentifiable exotic pet, particularly one that can talk back. She had looked cute in the strange market with a forced purr and her short peach fuzz fur soft and shiny. She'd been shipped in from God knows where and sold to a seller who only cared if lived long enough to make a decent profit. With false promises of an animal who wouldn't scratch the furniture, only required a single tin of wet cat food a day and was friendly with children she was sold quickly to a human family who had once enjoyed the novelty. “Go, shoo” the figure gruffly instructed once more. Feebly she gestured to the bandaged stump where her hoof had once been, the neighbour dog hadn't taken kindly to her. Frustrated the figure sighed, standing over her for a moment like a great mountain before turning and going back to their car.
So she was alone. Quickly she dried her damp eyes with the scarf and exhaled a deep breath; desperately trying to think calmly about what she was going to and where she was going to go. Crawling to the end of the clearing it didn't take her long to find a stick that would make do as a temporary crutch and allow her to put herself completely upright. Glancing back towards the road, she knew there was nothing for her that way even if she did rush back and beg not to be left in a place so cold. Looking deeper into the woods, maybe there's someone out there who would help me, she thought to herself. Plan decided she began her hobble deeper into the foreboding woods. Bare leafless trees reached for an empty sky like skeletal hands curled and grasping at nothing. As she walked the bitter breeze turned to a frightening whistling wind that taunted her with the mostly ghastly sounds that seemingly came from nowhere. The weak winter sun was beginning to slink lower making the shadows grow taller and darker with each step. Snow now fell in great chunks instead of delicate flakes from a dark storming sky. The cold gnawed at her tiny frame making the tips of her horns ache and fangs chatter harder. Still she trudged on; losing feeling in her paw like hands with every step hobbled with the rub of her temporary crutch forming agonising blisters on her palm.
Any being that passed her merely sneered for they had never seen something like her before. Distressingly quickly an eerie darkness blanketed the woods, cloud cover so thick it obscured any chance of guiding starlight and with that a strange sense of hopelessness began to settle over her like a blanket that was too heavy to shift. Exhausted she plonked herself on the freezing wet ground, tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. The wet snow seeped deeper into the damp scarf that was snugly wrapped around her, matting her short fur and making her shiver harder. She was ready to give up, the only plan coming to mind was to find a hiding place but there was no certainty that she would survive the night particularly if the storm got any worse. Suddenly spotted something in the corner of her eye. Turning completely she finally saw something that gave her just the briefest glimmer of hope, chimney smoke. With sudden strength and renewed effort she raced towards it, each step forward shoved back with a terrifying gust of wind. Eventually she saw something through the swirling snowstorm, a small cottage with thick billowing smoke from a crooked chimney that had once been a tree. Lanterns flickered in the windows creating a soft orange glow. Not caring for her safety or who resided there she rushed for the enclosed porch, if nothing else the porch would offer some shelter from the storm but now she hoped more than anything that she'd been allowed in even just for the night. Hastily she knocked.
Abruptly the door was flung open and a rough commanding voice demanded answers “who disturbs me? And in the middle of a storm no less.” Pitifully Creature sneezed, the cold finally nestled completely in her weary bones. Clearing her throat she said “excuse me, I'm lost.” Glancing down, the owner of the cottage finally saw who had knocked and disturbed her peaceful evening reading. The poor thing was scarcely over two feet tall, wrapped in nothing but an old scarf and shivering ever so fiercely with the cold. Her ears twitched as she listened for any signs of trouble but she heard nothing except the sniffly creature on her doorstep. Kneeling, she got a better look at who was on her doorstep as she softly asked “I'm Willamina. Where have you come from?” With Willamina kneeling she could clearly make out the friendly cottage owner. Her neat as a pin clothes hung from the bones of her body but still managed to look crisp and smart. A thick plum coloured cardigan covered a ruffled blouse with a matching plum coloured velvet skirt that hung to her bare skeleton paws. The bones of her paws didn't feel the cold. Creature had never seen an alive skeleton before much less one that was part wolf with a great snout filled with razor sharp fangs and wolf like ears on the top of her skull.
“I was left” Creature told her as she gestured back out into the woods and the vague direction she had come from. Frustratingly Willamina muttered about the stupidity of humanies. “Do you want to come inside?” Willamina asked “better yet, can I pick you up?” Weakly Creature nodded, she didn't feel right any more. With skeletal hands, Willamina scooped her up and cuddled her close to ribs so the poor exhausted creature could rest her head against her shoulder. Willamina pretended not to notice when Creature nuzzled into her soft warm cardigan. The front door closed, she deposited Creature on the kitchen table atop a feather pillow in a kitchen looking room. Swiftly she grabbed a warm blanket from beside the fireplace. Carefully she draped the thick blanket over Creatures horns, taking the sodden scarf away. Quickly Willamina poured a glass of water which Creature only took timid sips from as she tightly clasped the glass with both paws. She wasn't sure what the little shivering being on her kitchen table was, maybe this was something she should take to her witch neighbour. With an ah ha she found a jar of cornichons that she had been gifted and never needed.
“I don't have much in the way of food but you should eat something” Willamina stated as she used a long claw to pull the cork out of the jar and placed it beside Creature. Gingerly she took a pickle from the jar and nibbled on the sweet crunchy morsel. Nervously Willamina perched on the edge of the chair in front of Creature.
“You're more than welcome to stay here but first we need to visit my friend. She's a witch and she'll help you. I don't keep food here or any remedies either and I wouldn't want you getting sick and not be able to help” Willamina explained. Glancing out of the window, a sharp gust of snow raced past the window making it minutely rattle. Willamina didn't seem bothered by it despite her ear twitching as it creaked. Sniffling a little, she shivered just thinking about the horrid temperatures outside the warm cosy cottage. Glancing back at Willamina she meekly questioned “how would we get there?”
“Walk but I can carry you or maybe even bundle you up in a basket if you have no objections. It would offer protection from the storm” Willamina softly offered, not knowing what else she could. Creature knew she needed to be looked at, she couldn't warm up despite the thick woollen blanket cocooned around her and as much as she was loving the little pickle she was chewing on, her belly felt so incredibly empty. Reaching into the jar, she tentatively pulled out a third little pickle, looking to Willamina who only nodded in silent permission. Glancing back out at the window, the storm felt ever so frightening but she knew logically she couldn't refuse to be seen by the neighbour witch and a nice warm basket sounded much better than walking. Mind made up, she quietly said “basket please.”
Without hesitation Willamina got to work, picking out the large willow basket she had. Carrying it into her bedchambers, she carefully picked out the softest and warmest feather pillows and woollen blankets from her bed and lined the bottom of the basket. Once the basket was suitably lined, she grabbed an old navy jumper that was now too small for her and headed back out into the kitchen where Creature was still working her way through the jar of cornichons.
“Here, this should keep you warm,” Willamina said as she placed the thick winter jumper beside her. Licking her paws clean from pickle juice she picked up the warm offering and awkwardly scrabbled into the garment, nearly catching the neck hole on the point of her curved horns. Thankfully due to the size of it, it hung like a dress on Creature and almost instantly made her feel warmer. Quietly Willamina chuckled to herself, Creature was truly adorable in the oversized jumper although she did feel a tad bad. Quickly she tried to reassure her it was only a temporary measure “we'll get some clothes that fit once the weather has cleared up.” Gingerly Creature nodded, unsure she really believed it but more than grateful to not be strutting around bare in just her minimal fur any more. Nervously Willamina patted the basket with a bony hand as she said “I hope it's comfortable. I put in as many pillows as would fit. I hate it when my bones touch furniture with proper padding.” It looked comfortable enough and Creature was touched that Willamina would think of such a thing. Tentatively she climbed in, the plump pillows soft against her cold aching joints. The basket was just big enough for her to stretch out completely with her horns resting on the edge of the basket but she quickly settled into a comfortable curled up position as she rested her head on her little hands and curled her white tail around her body.
“Sleep if you need to little one, you must be exhausted” Willamina softly said as she tucked a folded quilt around Creature to keep any warmth in.
“Creature” she replied, letting her eyes close.
“Pardon?” Willamina quickly replied.
“My name is Creature” she sleepily replied, nuzzling into the luxurious pillow with a quiet contented sigh. Gently she stroked Creatures back hoping to settle her into a restfuller state considering the mad dash they were about to make through the storm, if Creature could sleep through it even better. Beneath the bones of her hand, Creatures tiny frame still trembled. “I'm going to get more blankets” she thought out loud before disappearing back into her bedchambers to pick more blankets. With great care she made a little nest covering Creature in half a dozen oversized blankets until it looked like a basket of blankets rather than safe transport for a little suffering creature. Adorably a little snout poked out of the blanket pile, nostrils flaring just a little when she took a sleepy huffed breath. “I'm going to put a blanket over the top, make a little tent and keep the snow out” Willamina narrated, despite being sure that Creature had successfully nodded off. Slipping on her own wool bonnet that tied under her chin with a thick ribbon, she made sure her ears were covered so they wouldn't get snow logged. Once her own cloak was thrown over her bony shoulders, she laid one last thick wool blanket over the handle of the basket creating a cosy cave like space for Creature and hopefully it would be enough to keep the storm out.
Gathering up the basket, she wrapped her own cloak around it so everything was secure and headed out into the night. The storm still raged. Snow dangerously swirled around them, refusing to settle on the ground for more than a mere second before it was windswept once more. Luckily Willamina and the neighbour witch had already prepared for a storm emergency with a touch of enchanted paint that glowed during emergencies to guide the way to each other’s homes if something terrible were to happen. And this was definitely something terrible. The walk on a sunny morning would only take Willamina thirty minutes, sometimes a little more if she dawdled to look at the blossoming flowers and flittering butterflies as she pottered along. But this wasn't a sunny morning filled with pretty blooms and flittering nature; every step forward was met with forceful winds trying to shove her back. And each step in the thick snow was like trudging though tar with her long skirts wetly whipping behind her or catching on hidden tree roots. An hour and half had passed by the time the lights of the witches cabin came into view. With a sigh of relief that she hadn't gotten turned around, she approached the porch and only managed a single knock before awkwardly letting herself in. “Celeste” she called out “I have a bit of an emergency.” Carefully she placed the basket on the table, her arms aching from the long walk over carrying it. The quiet patter of feet approached from behind as Celeste gently scolded her “there's a storm, you know better than to go out in such weather. This had better be more than a bit of an emergency.” Cautiously Celeste approached the basket, tucked a stray black curl behind a pointed ear only to find a stubby pencil still tucked there from earlier in the day. Without hesitation Willamina peeled back the top blanket and pushed back the blankets just enough to show Celeste Creature's dozing face. Eyes peacefully shut as small puffs of air left her parted lips.
“Oh, isn't she precious?” Celeste quietly cooed. Gently she reached out and stroked between Creature's mismatched horns feeling the short velvety fur. The poor thing felt cold despite the pile of blankets she was buried under. Quietly Celeste exclaimed “oh she's so soft, it's like peach fuzz.”
“I didn't get a good look but I think it's matted in places” Willamina quietly pointed out. Meanwhile Creature made a quiet rusty noise of her own, a little purr long out of practice but happily rumbling in her chest. Celeste made another cooing noise but didn't stop her petting as she asked “what happened then? Besides you rescuing little wayward creatures.”
“She showed up on my doorstep; after the storm had started and wrapped in only a humanie scarf. She said she's called Creature and that she'd been left in the woods. I didn't know what else to do and you at least have food” she began explaining “and then there's this.” Gently Willamina moved the blankets around enough to show Celeste the filthy bandages wrapped around Creature's stump and the remainder of her leg. Hastily she returned the blankets to how they were making sure she was properly tucked in. “Real emergency then” Celeste muttered as she tried to come up with a suitable plan. Creature wasn't something she'd ever seen before which meant she had to be more careful than usual.
“Like I'd go out in this storm without a genuine emergency” Willamina sarcastically quipped with a little huff as she glared at her best friend.
“I know Wills but this is severe even for us. I think a bath is the best place to start, get warm and clean and then I can assess any damage” Celeste said, thinking logically. Creature had woken up only briefly when Willamina had called out for Celeste but remained pleasantly dozing as she was so toasty warm and ever so tired. The petting was even enjoyable; the humans had been so grabby and constantly yanking on her tail but Celeste had been so gentle. Rather abruptly her peace was disturbed by the word bath, instantly she remembered all the horrid cold baths she'd been forced to endure. A horrible icy feeling raced around her veins making her feel like she'd been suddenly dunked in cold icy water, her heart fearfully pounding and the blood rushing around her ears deafening. Bolting up right, surprising Celeste and Willamina she scrambled to gauge the strange new surroundings before making the split second decision to launch herself at the thick heavy curtains and ungracefully clawed her way up to the curtain pole. Panting heavily and her tail frightfully lashing behind her, she surveyed the large cabin. There was only one obvious room but the door in the corner might lead somewhere else she realised as she looked around. A high vaulted ceiling stretched above her with the ceiling joists giving plenty of hiding nooks and crannies. A large fireplace sat at one end of the cabin with a thick spacious bed at the other end and the space was divided with a large table that works as both dining and working space.
There weren't many hiding spots Creature noted as she tried to calm her breathing. Large bookshelves and cupboards lined the walls and were overflowing with potions, spell ingredients and ancient books. It only took her a minute to decide that up was better than down as she crawled across the curtain pole and hoisted herself up onto the ceiling joist, digging her unclipped claws into the dark wood as she did so. Scurrying across as quickly as she could, which wasn't all that quick in the grand scheme of things, she wedged herself between the wall and a joist reaching for the height point of the roof. Fat fearful tears like marbles rolled down her cheeks as she trembled; desperately trying not to make a single sound. Agonisingly she coiled her tail around herself making her nausea worse and her tail ache as she tried to disappear into the little space she'd found.
“Oh the poor thing” Celeste muttered as she and Willamina had watched mildly impressed. Reaching under the bed, Celeste pulled out a small ladder which she stood against the bookcase beneath the joist. Slowly Celeste climbed, keeping her eyes on Creature rather than her feet. Eventually she was within reaching distance as she said “come on darling. Wouldn't you rather be down here with us?” Reaching out her hand, Creature reacted instinctually as she sunk her fangs in the meat of Celeste's hand, she didn't cry out, only mildly gasped and held very still. Eventually Creature let go so Celeste could make a hasty retreat back to ground level. Willamina was already pulling a healing balm and some cloth bandages from a familiar cupboard. Balmed and bandaged, her hand was fine as Creature hadn't stuck her fangs in too deeply. Celeste realised that it was merely a warning bite, she hadn't expected Creature to be so fearful.
Standing beneath the joist with zero move to get closer she held out her hand and told Creature “see it's fine. My hand is fine.” But Creature was only trembling harder than before, her claws digging into the dark wooden joist as she pressed her face against the cool wood. She was going to get punished now, sent outside to succumb to the horrible bitter cold and it was her own fault, rationally she knew Celeste only wanted to help. Unable to control her sobs any more, she noisily hiccuped before weeping into her sleeve hoping that would muffle it. Gingerly Willamina reached up just enough to place a jar of cornichons on the top of the bookcase for when felt ready to come down. Celeste had already decided on another approach as she glanced at Willamina, familiar enough with her best friend to recognise the agonising worry holding the tension in her jaw. If she had eye brows they'd furrowed as she anxiously chewed on a clawed finger and stared up at the space Creature had wedged herself in. Gently she pulled Willamina away, knowing that watching was only going to make it worse.
“Was it the bath that frightened you so?” Celeste asked out loud, not truly expecting a response but a brief glance at Creature revealed the little being frantically nodding. “That's a shame” Celeste said as she set a pan of water over the fire to warm “I love nothing more than a hot relaxing bath when the weather is so bad.” Turning to her potion cupboard she knew she kept on hand soaps and bath lotions for all manner of being as they sold exceptionally well.
“Now let's see what I have here” Celeste said. Rummaging through her cupboards looking for just the right bottle of bubble bath, “doesn't this smell just lovely Wills?” Holding out the bottle of pink bubble bath, Willamina gave a quick nod of agreement before helping her look through her cupboard.
“Oh Celeste, I didn't know you had soap here specifically for fur” Willamina narrated out loud as she pulled out the lavender scented bar of soap. With a heavy sigh, she shook her head “it must have not sold at the last market. Unless of course there's someone here who could make use of it.” Tentatively Creature uncurled, sniffling a little as she needed to blow her nostrils. Sticking her tongue out a little she carefully sniffed and noted the slightly sweet scent in the air. Celeste was still being nice even after she'd been bitten Creature thought as she looked down at the two of them. It couldn't hurt to at least get the cornichons she thought to herself as she eyed the jar on the top of the bookcase. Silently she lowered herself to the bookcase and continued watching them mill around the cupboards and preparing the little tin bath in front of the fireplace.
After a few cornichons she felt a little more settled so she held onto the jar with her tail as she cautiously lowered herself one rung at a time down the ladder. Eventually she landed on the floor with a quiet oomph. Clutching the cornichons jar to her chest, she scurried underneath the kitchen table to continue watching them as they narrated the items they were pulling out of the cupboards and whether or not they'd be suitable. Silently she watched them, hoping more than anything she could trust them. Fearfully she crawled out, jar held up in the air by her tail as she came to sit beside Celeste's bare feet. Timidly she reached out, only to pull her hand back at the last moment. Nervously she chewed on the inside of her cheek, the humans had never made this much effort when it came to baths. Usually it was a quick dunk in cold water but this looked inviting. Trying again, she gently tugged on the bottom of Celeste's long blue housecoat. Looking down like she hadn't known Creature had been sitting there for the last few minutes she greeted her with a bright smile and a surprised hello.
“Will it be warm?” Creature nervously asked as she gestured to the little tub. It would be a tight squeeze for Celeste to sit but filled only a third of the way with warm water it was perfect for Creature.
“Yes, it'll be warm. It can be whatever temperature you like best” Celeste patiently told her “any other questions? Would you like some bubble bath?” Kneeling beside the tub, Celeste picked one of the bottles she had laid out.
“Bubble bath?” Creature quietly asked. Popping the cork in the bottle, she held it out for Creature to take a sniff as she explained “it smells sweet and makes bubbles in the water. Many find it relaxing.” Cautiously Creature gave it a sniff, she was right it was a nice pleasant scent that made her think of flowers as she gave a timid nod. Gleefully Celeste added a great dollop before swirling the water with her hand as Creature watched in fascination as the bubbles sweetly foamed. Curiously she reached out for a bubble with her claw making a little surprised hum when it popped. Maybe this won't be so bad she thought to herself.
“Why don't you see if it's the right temperature for you?” Willamina kindly suggested as she knelt on the other side of Creature, hoping her presence was helpful. Gingerly she rolled up her loose overhanging sleeve and sunk her hand into the warm water, it felt so lovely. She'd never had a warm bath before. Placing the jar of cornichons next to the other jars Celeste had laid out, she threw off her jumper and hauled herself over the rim of the tub to drop with a little splash into the warm water. Pleasantly she sighed, not realising how cold she'd been and how awful that had been making her feel since she had first knocked on Willamina's door. When she opened her eyes again, she suddenly spotted a high shelf overflowing with more food than she'd ever seen. Despite the cornichons, her stomach quietly complained about being left empty for so long. Would she be ungrateful if she asked for more than she had been given. Curling up a little around her empty stomach, she sighed and rested her head against the warmth that was the side of the bathtub, longingly staring at the food cupboard and wishing she could try it all. Celeste glanced at Willamina and they both glanced at where Creature was staring off to and came to the grave realisation they hadn't offered her more than a few miniature pickles.
“Oh I had entirely forgotten” Celeste suddenly dramatically exclaimed “I'm glad you arrived when you did Willamina, I made enough soup to feed an ogres tea party. Can you help me finish it?” Rushing to her feet, she grabbed the cool cast iron pot from the kitchen table and hung it back over the fire to warm through once more.
“Well Celeste that is a shame but I don't eat. Maybe our new friend would like some?” Willamina replied, realising pretty quickly that Creature wasn't going to ask for the food she clearly needed. What had those humans fed her? Whatever it was, it clearly wasn't enough. Creature had been of course watching the cast iron pan ever since Celeste had mentioned there was hot food in it, forked tongue peeking out as she tried to get a better whiff of rich tomato soup. Hungrily her stomach growled, it hurt. Meanwhile Celeste was searching through her crockery for something that would be the right size for Creature before settling on a large pottery mug. Filling it with creamy tomato soup, she quickly handed it to Creature who wearily gave it a sniff before taking the smallest suspicious sip. It was delicious. Hungrily she chugged the soup like she'd never been fed before and once it was empty Celeste refilled it without a single word.
“Can I look at your bandaged leg please?” Celeste gently asked as she knelt beside the tub once more. Well fed and now more exhausted than before, Creature couldn't find it in herself to fight or argue. They would have done something horrible by now if they were inclined to do so and instead they had looked after her. Laying back, she rested her bandaged stump on the rim of the tin bath. Attentively Celeste unwrapped the now soggy but still disgustingly filthy bandage from Creature's poor leg. Exhaling a deep sigh of relief she pleased to see that everything had entirely healed, only scars remained no signs of infection or fresh wound. Gently she pressed against the scars, doubly checking they were actually healed and didn't appear to be causing her any pain.
“This appears to be fully healed” she stated thinking out loud “but they look like bite marks.” Soothingly she ran her warm hand over the still deep pink scars, Creature minimal fur stubbornly refusing to grow back where teeth had sunk into her flesh. The bites were huge; Celeste dreaded to think what had caused such a horrid wound and they obviously hadn't been tended to properly either, not with how prolific the scaring had remained. Trying not to show her nervousness or anger Celeste gently asked “can you tell me what did this?” Looking up from her mug of soup, she glanced at Willamina who gave a little nod letting her know it was okay to share whatever she liked. Nervously she swallowed, trying to ignore the lump in throat. What if they thought it was all her fault like the humans had?
Clearing her throat, she quietly explained “a Great Dane. It escaped the neighbours garden and when the humans let me out, it pounced.”
“Did they take you for proper medical care?” Celeste desperately asked, despite having an adequate guess for how shoddy the medical care had been. Leaning over the edge of the tub, she put the mug down and grabbed the jar of cornichons with her tail before anything else could be said about it. Once she was settled once more in the warm water, she replied “they took me to a veterinarian.”
“Oh good Goddess” Celeste angrily muttered “I should curse them. I really should.” Gently Willamina took her hand as she carefully replied “you'd never find them. Are they really worth that effort?”
“She was lucky this wasn't worse and then to be dumped out here when winter is just beginning, what were they expecting? I should make their home perpetually wet and cold” Celeste snarled, her eyes momentarily flashing turquoise as her magic angrily flared before returning to their usual magical blue that looked like tropical tide pools. Looking to Willamina she hoped that she shared in frustrations, they all put up with too much from the humans and even though she could pass for human, she'd never been welcome with them.
“I feel the same but it's not going to help” Willamina replied as she glanced down at Creature who was using her long forked tongue to get the littlest pickles from near the bottom of the rather large jar. They were going to have stock up on cornichons if Creature kept eating them like that. Exhaling a deep breath Celeste logically knew that Willamina was right.
“You're right” she agreed as she knelt back beside the tub “can I see your other leg Creature?” Without taking her snout out of the jar, she propped her hoof on the rim of the tin bath. Quietly she cursed under her breath again. Pitifully, Creature's remaining hoof had been left to become gnarly and overgrown, curling underneath itself. “Creature, would you permit us to take care of you?” Celeste asked, having spent enough time with centaurs and horses to know a little about proper hoof care. Although Creatures hoof was a split hoof with a little claw coming from her heel so it looked like she was wearing a high heeled shoe. Pulling her face free of the jar, she looked to Celeste who looked concerned and Willamina was carrying the same tension. Quietly she nodded, muttering out a quiet “yes please.” So Celeste got to work, carefully narrating everything she was doing beginning with the overgrown hoof. With great care she trimmed the curling edges before setting to work cautiously filing it to the perfect degree. Once that was complete she methodically worked conditioner into Creature short fur until it was carefully and completely de-tangled and after that came the specialist fur soap, to keep the little fur she did have nice and soft. Finally she filed the sharp points off Creature's large curled horns so she wouldn't hurt herself or anyone else for that matter. A dollop of horn balm was gently massaged in, Creature had never felt so well cared for before. It was a rather strange feeling but she found she was enjoying it.
Belly finally full as she finished the last little pickle from the jar and used to tail to place the near empty jar beside the other's Celeste had laid out and the surrounding warmth was beginning to make her feel sleepy. The water was beginning to grow cold while Celeste pottered around gathering all the hand towels she could possibly find in case she had accidentally picked out the wrong size ones. Kneeling beside the tub, she laid a thick towel on the floor and remained nearby should Creature ask for help but Creature just flopped herself over the side like she was used to throwing herself over things that were clearly too big for her to safely use. Looking away, she held out the pile of towels so she could pick one. Swiftly Creature bundled herself up in cosy soft towels.
“Miss Celeste” Creature timidly caught her attention “I need to go outside.”
“Whatever for? The storm is truly awful” she pointed out.
“But I” Creature protested, beginning to think arguing was a bad idea. Squirming a little she looked longing at the front door, maybe just off the porch was safe enough. “Oh, oh” Celeste gasped as she noticed her squirming “can I pick you up? We'll deal with this. There's a special room inside so there's no going outside.”
“Yes please” Creature eagerly replied. Gently Celeste scooped her up, still bundled in multiple towels and walked towards the strange door in the corner of the cabin, just past the end of the bed. Opening the door there was a small cupboard-like space with a dark wood chair sat opposite the door and underneath was a carefully positioned chamber pot painted in a floral pattern. Beside that was a wooden stand with a large porcelain bowl and jug on top with fresh clean water. Above the washbasin was a large ornate mirror with a fancy gold frame.
“Use the chamber pot, my little darling and you're welcome to use it whenever you feel the need. It is self cleaning so there's nothing to fret about” Celeste explained. With a brief wave of her hands and a slight turquoise sparkle in the air a step stool appeared from elsewhere in the cabin so Creature would properly reach what she needed. Swiftly she sat Creature on the top step of the stool right next to the chamber potted seat before making a hasty retreat and giving her her privacy.
“You're going to have to put one of those in my cottage” Willamina plainly stated as she returned bottles to their original places and moved the tub out of the way so it could properly emptied in the morning once the storm had come to an end. Heavily Celeste sighed, “I can't believe she wanted to go outside. I thought humanies had that fancy indoor plumbing.” Picking out some soft brushed cotton pyjamas she hoped Creature would like them. Rummaging in her potions cupboard, she pulled a resizing potion and sprinkled a little on the pyjamas she was gifting Creature so they would actually fit her comfortably. Thoughtfully Willamina replied to her “I believe it's what humanies do with their pets. I'd imagine it to be rather humiliating so thank you for explaining that to her.”
“We'll teach her everything she needs to know” Celeste reassured her as she pulled on her own brushed cotton nightgown over her head and let the fabric artfully drape to the floor. Without hesitation she offered one to Willamina who accepted even though she didn't require sleep. Shuffling out of her own clothes, she let the nightgown hang from her shoulder bones but it didn't look nearly as graceful as Celeste.
Suddenly there was a quiet knock on the bathroom door, Celeste rushed to open it. Without a sound Creature tiredly held up their arms wordless asking to be picked up so she didn't have to clamber to whatever spot Celeste had decided she could sleep in. Scooping her up, Creature yawned as she rested her head on Celeste's warm shoulder. Softly she deposited Creature on the bed and handed her the comfy pyjamas. Hastily Creature wiggled into them, glad when they suddenly shrunk to her size elsewise she would be wearing the striped pyjama shirt as a nightgown instead.
“Alright, everyone in the bed” Celeste announced as she turned down the thick squishy quilt and smooth sheets beneath it. Turning to Willamina she gestured for her to climb in already. “I'll go against the wall” Willamina volunteered, knowing that she was only going to be reading all night. Curiously Creature watched as the two of them settled in the large squishy bed. Celeste reached under the bed at one point to put out a long six foot pillow so Willamina's bones wouldn't touch the cold wall if she shifted in the night. Once the two of them were sitting on their respective sides of the cushy bed Celeste looked to her and asked “do you want the middle, the wall, or the edge?”
“Pardon?” Creature nervously asked.
“Well you're the smallest so you've got more choices” she replied like it was obvious what she was talking about “come, come lay between us and you can move later if you're uncomfortable.”
Timidly she crawled forward until she could drop to the squishy mattress that carefully enveloped her as she sank into it. Her head nestled on the softest feather pillows she'd every felt and everything was ever so warm, only getting toastier when Celeste pulled the sheets and thick quilt up to gently tuck her in.
“Upon the morrow when the storm has settled, we'll get Willamina's cottage set up for you and I'll send a message to Olive about getting a prosthetic made. You'll see, everything will be as right as a marigold in spring” Celeste reassured her. Handing a book over to Willamina she began reading out loud, her voice soothing as Creature and Celeste drifted off. And for the first time Creature was warm, comfortable, and full as she snuggled into Willamina's hip.