Episode One Hundred and Sixty-Six: Broken Dreams

I held the pen above the paper in my journal, trying to figure out how to direct my dreams for the night. Professor Eira said it could work, and this felt like the easier way to start using my Fate abilities in a more active manner, versus just letting it flicker into existence.

Indigo chirped from her cat tree under the heated blanket I’d already turned on.

“Dream of food!”

I chuckled. “I’m thinking of something a little more important than food.”

There were two majorly important things weighing on me at the moment, and one I wasn’t ready to touch.

My pen flowed across the page, and I quickly scribbled down my thoughts.

How do I free the Cat from his bound existence to Betty?

I snapped the book closed before I could second guess myself, and set the journal on my bedside table. A bright pink bud on the magical cutting potted there caught my attention.

“Oh, you’re finally blooming,” I whispered as I lightly touched a petal. It vibrated as my skin made contact. “You are so pretty.”

“Flower soon?” asked Indigo.

“I think so. At least, I assume it will, because of the bud.” I knew I hadn’t been watering it, and I hoped Betty took care of it like the other plants on the other side of the balcony. 

“Hey, Betty, do you water the plants?” I asked softly.

A feeling of warmth and affirmation came from the floorboards.

“Good to know, and thank you. I’m terrible at keeping plants alive.”

“But good with dragons,” said Indigo, before she laid her head on the opening and closed her eyes. 

This time I kept my thoughts to myself. I could only hope I was doing all right with keeping her alive and teaching her. 

I snuggled into my fuzzy blankets and stared up through the skylights. The lights dimmed automatically.

“Good night, Betty,” I whispered into the silent room.

It didn’t take long for the soft snores from Indigo to fill the room. I smiled and rolled over before falling asleep myself.

#

Next thing I knew, sunlight streamed down from above. I stretched, only slightly confused as the experiment didn’t feel like a success. I couldn’t remember anything from my dreams at all.

Indigo continued snoring as I dressed and headed out to the balcony, leaving the door barely cracked. 

Golden sunlight filled the space, and I smiled at the coffee shop layout down below. Days like this weren’t the Cat’s favorite, but I loved them. All it needed was an archway and a bookshop off to one side. That’d be the perfect situation.

It took a moment to make it to Betty and start grinding some beans. I hummed to myself as I drizzled maple syrup into the milk before I steamed it. My mug waited for me on the counter, and I quickly pulled the drink together, making a flower design with the steamed milk.

The humming continued as I entered the kitchen, fully prepared to make some oatmeal and toss some berries on top. Something warm and comforting. 

The Cat leaped up to the counter and sat in his normal spot as I dished the berries out, along with a little heavy cream. He got a bit more of the cream than the rest of us, but he was a cat, after all. I stirred his up and set it down in front of him.

“Thank you.” His head tilted to one side. “You’re in a good mood.”

“I am. I slept great. Indigo is still out.” I sat and took a spoonful of my oatmeal. Somehow, it tasted better than normal. “The dream thing didn’t work though.”

The Cat didn’t respond, but continued eating his breakfast. Yet, his tail shot up at my comment.

“Yeah, I tried writing a suggestion to direct my dreams, but nothing happened. At least I slept well.” 

The Cat paused his breakfast and glanced at me. Bits of oatmeal stuck to his chin. “What did you ask?”

For once, I laid it all out. “I wanted to know more about how to free you.”

The Cat blinked twice.

“You shouldn’t be digging into that. I cannot be freed.”

I rolled my eyes at the comment, stirring my oatmeal together. “I don’t believe that.”

We both went back to our food without speaking. Indigo’s bowl sat on the island untouched, but it stayed warm.

“Do you want any coffee?” I asked, as I got up and headed to the front.

Yet, he didn’t respond as the bells on the front door jingled. 

In walked a college student with bright purple hair. It stuck up in a spiky do, drawing my attention away from the fact that we weren’t open yet.

“I love your hair!”

“Thanks,” she said, glancing around the coffee shop. “I haven’t seen this place before, but I’d love to get some caffeine.”

“You found the perfect place. For here, or to go?” I asked as I started grinding some beans.

“To go, I only have a quick break before more work.” She approached the counter with a soft grin. “I’d like a latte, if you could. Do you have any maple?”

“Of course! One maple latte, coming up.” I quickly got to work pulling out a to-go cup with a new design on it. Oak leaves dotted one side, while a paw print was on the other. “So, what do you do for work?”

“I work for a museum. I collect all sorts of things. Right now, I’m hunting for a couple of old books about curses and redemption.”

“Please, tell me the curses get broken in the end?” I asked with a smile as I steamed the milk.

“I think it depends on the curse, and if the cursed being deserves redemption.”

“I mean, everyone deserves redemption.” I couldn’t help but think of the Cat. “Especially when they’ve been trying so hard, and making better choices. It doesn’t wash away the pain they’ve caused, but if they have become a better person, for sure.”

The shot finished, and I drizzled it into the to-go cup, trying to keep my hand steady. I’d already made one flower today, I wanted to make another.

“What would you do to help free the Cat?”

I didn’t even pause at the absurdity of the question. “Whatever I could, he is family.”

“Even fix what he broke?”

“Of course!”

Then it dawned on me what I’d just said.

I snapped my head around to look at the college student, but she was gone. Then I realized that the floor felt strange, and everything around me wobbled.

I gasped, sitting up in bed, sweat dripping down my back. Starlight made the room glow, and Indigo's snores came from her cat tree.

“What the heck was that?” I said to the room.

Yet, I knew. I’d asked for it, after all. That was the answer to my question about how to free the Cat.