Catherine

The wind was a cutting cold, and as much as Catherine wanted to ignore it; she had to acknowledge it’s persistence. Yet she had to push into it, despite rather populous nature of Marksgrad the wind had forced all but the brave and insufferable indoors. Leaving her as one of the few battling agaisnt this evening’s wind. It was some small favor that the snow was late this year, meaning that the wind was only armed with frigid temperature rather than the icy projectiles one would expect for this part of the year. Yet even without it’s ammunition the cold still cut into her like the chief’s knife. One of these days I’ll be able to move somewhere with warmer winters. Less wind would also be nice, perhaps I should take one of the offers of those better vetted gentlemen wishing to have a wife in the new world.

It had been a few days since her discovery, and the transformation was seemingly complete, and irreversible. Eleanor seemed quite taken with the changes, although Catherine wouldn’t wish them on her dearest of sisters. Lucy on the other hand was quite deserving of the misery as she had a far more rational response. Yet it was Bernice who had suggested the old hermit up on the top of the cliffs. With no other ideas, Catherine was battling this accursed wind heading up to the cliffs.

Despite being three quarters frozen she made it to what could pass for a dwelling; the house was all wrong. New, run down, collapsing, and yet standing firm as if it wasn’t even bothered by the wind. A warm glow emitted though both window and crack alike. Catherine fumbled with the cast iron knocker, her fingers on strike due to the cold, yet it seemingly made enough noise as a response came from inside although it was so garbled by the house and the wind that Catherine simply took a half step back from the door hoping that if nothing else the occupant would take enough pity to let her warm up before telling her to return to the city below.

The door opened carefully yet quickly, and standing in the door way wasn’t the crotchety hunchbacked geezer that everyone suspected lived in the house. Rather a well put together and smartly dressed young gentleman, his dark hair and icy blue eyes surprising Catherine much more than anything else she’d suffered though this evening. “Hello there, what brings you all the way out here?” His voice was a comforting mix of warm and masculine.

“I have many questions I’ve been told the master of this house could help answer.” Catherine said, the man’s focus on her lips sending a new shiver though her body.

“I see. Please come in. If you give me a moment I can get you something to warm you up. Would you prefer tea or coffee, or as it is rather late I could mull some of the wine.” He shut the door just as precisely as he had opened it behind her. Catherine took a moment to take in the entryway she found herself in. It was a charming mix of the older style and the newer style, grand and yet it did not feel over sized.

“Some wine would be lovely. Perhaps some snacks as well, I believe in my trek up here I managed to miss supper.” Catherine admitted, not wanting to be more indebted to the hermit then she had to be; the stories were something awful. Yet as she was lead into a well stocked, study more fit for that of the higher aristocracy than an old trickster.

“Please wait here, feel free to browse I will be back in a few moments with not only the wine but also some fitting snacks. Apologies for not having more prepared I was not expecting any guests this evening.” The young gentleman said as he left, closing the door behind him.

Catherine, never one to give up an invitation to snoop, decided to give her self a tour of the library on offer in this study. It was generally text books, slightly disordered to her taste, ranging form geography and agriculture to philosophy and historical wisdom. Her legs deciding that movement was painful, now that they were no longer freezing solid invited her to take a seat which she did. Catherine perched herself on a couch. She was comfortable enough yet she yearned for a few weeks ago when she could have sunken into the wing-backed chair next to the fire. As if on queue the young gentleman returned tray in hand with a pair of steaming mugs, and a platter of sandwiches.

“Now what brings you up to my home today Ms.?” He said taking one of the chairs opposite Catherine.

Catherine pulled off her hat, and took off her coat. Revealing a pair of cat ears covered in a fur as dark as her raven hair, and a cat’s tail sporting the same color that was finally freed. “A few days ago I awoke to find myself in this state. I was told the old man who lives up here could help me. However I take it you are now the old man?”

“I am not exactly elderly, my grandfather left me this place when he retired a few years ago.” The young gentleman paused for a moment, “Forgive my manners I am Robert Hudson current master of this house. I do believe I can assist you my dear.”

“Catherine.” Catherine said before drafting from her mug, the wine was sweet and had just enough left in it to still be called wine.

“Yes miss Catherine, I do believe I can help you with this transformation. It wouldn’t be the first magics I’ve dealt with.” Robert said, turning to grab a book.