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.
