Morning Routine

When you wake up, it's to a quiet house. The few moments before everyone starts moving, beginning with you. Your Mistress is asleep. Her other pets haven't woken up yet – or have recently closed their eyes for the day.

You take a few moments to reflect before you open your eyes. You have a lot to do in the mornings, so it's not a long one. You touch the collar around your neck for a moment, silently thanking your Mistress for taking care of you. You will thank her later properly, let her know how much her hard work is appreciated, but this moment is for you.

There is work to be done. You groan softly as you stretch, then crawl out of bed. Putting the coffee on comes first. It's fine. You're still at peace. Clothes come next, and then the lead and treats. The dog is as happy as you are as you go for your morning walk. You and your friend, exploring together... far too early for anyone else to be around, so you can stay calm, relaxed, even when you have to call him back for wandering too far. It's still dark, this time of year, when you walk together.

You consider going on forever, just you and your Mistress' dog, to explore the world... but there is work to do at home, and a Mistress to serve and love. She needs you, too, after all, and for everything she gives you, you return it with affection and interest.

There are people moving as you return to the house. You have to wear it for a second as you pass them, the mask, but there's no chatter today. It's too cold to stand around. You smile in relief as you return home. There is time yet, before... there is time.

You have coffee. Breakfast. Feed the dog and feed the cats. You wake your Mistress, help her with her morning preparations. The time is drawing close when you'll have to put the mask on, and the stress starts to edge in... she can tell. She pulls you down onto her level, making you kneel, and strokes your hair gently. Reminds you that you're her Good Girl, her Kitten, and gives you a kiss.

You prepare her lunch and her snacks for the day, lined up in the fridge. You push away the reminder, you will not be here. You will be Someone Else.

She reminds you sharply of the time. You'll be late. You're dragging your feet. The day is looming, getting closer, getting heavier. You pause to touch your collar, and then... as with every morning, she calls you to her. You kneel before her, and she strokes your hair again... and then her hands go around your neck.

You hate this moment... every day, you hate this moment, and it's the only time you hate her as she unlocks your collar and pulls it away... she takes your face away, and suddenly you aren't hers any more. You have to be yours.

You put on your mask. It fits badly, even though it looks just like your face... but it's not you. Without your Mistress' collar, you're just playing a part.

The part of a rational, competent, outgoing human being. Maybe not the most likable person in the world, but you try. It's the you that 'everyone' knows, after all... and it is so tiring. You feel more trapped, more enslaved out here in the 'real' world than you ever do on your knees with a collar about your neck, a hand on your hair to reassure or to control...

“Annabel?” Your Mistress calls as you're about to leave, and you look back. “Knock 'em dead, Kitten.” You smile, the last real smile of the day until you get home, and lock the door behind you.