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The Collar of The Two Skies Chapter 14

  





Chapter 14



The study of world mythology and feline transformations in the house of winds was loudly interrupted by energetic knocks on the door from the distinguished Daisy Queen.




"Her Highness Daisy has arrived with Lady Bell!" Mistral announced from the windowsill.




"I’m not home! I don’t have time for her snobbery right now," Anemo said without looking up from his computer.




"Don’t be like that, Anemo! Maybe the woman has something important to say. Maybe her information will actually be useful to us!" the white cat scolded him gently.




"No, not today! It’s already too much for a single day, and it’s pretty late."




"8:00 pm isn’t really that late, Anemo, especially on a summer day!"




"It’s still Sunday! There should be a law against... against these unannounced visits on Sundays."




But Daisy Queen wouldn't take no for an answer. She backed up her knocking with the metal door knocker, then the doorbell, and to help her out, Lady Bell started barking nervously.




"Elles sont incroyables! What could it be? ...Look, Anemo, at what this person who claims to be educated is doing!"




Daisy had now pressed her forehead against the window glass, using her left hand, which was gloved in lace, to shade her eyes so she could peer inside.




Anemo shut his laptop with a loud snap, stood up with a fake calmness, straightened his back, and stretched his legs (after sitting cross-legged on the carpet). He took a deep breath exactly three times and then opened the door for his "distinguished" guest.




"Hello... I mean, good evening, kiddo! Anemo, I have extraordinary news! I’m going to host the book club this time! Isn't that just wonderful?"




Daisy wasn't just speaking with her mouth, but with her entire plump body, her coppery curls shaking all over, causing poor Lady Bell, who was cradled in her arms, to jiggle right along with them.




"That is extraordinary, distinguished lady! Please, come in, take a seat, and leave Lady Bell to my fur balls. You know they are well-behaved. Tea, coffee?"




"Tea, please, with milk!"




Daisy flopped with all her weight onto one of the black leather recliners and let the little dog go so she could socialize with the household pets.




With a motherly gentleness in his voice this time, completely forgetting his earlier "Parisian attitude," Mistral took charge of Lady Bell.




"How are you doing, pup? Look at you, all dressed up and smelling like perfume, you poor thing. Do you want to play with us?"




"Mommy won't let me get dirty; she says young ladies must behave delicately."




"Oh, ma chérie! But you're just a pup! Look at that wild Sirocco over there. He does whatever pops into his head and claims he’s learning."




"That’s unfair, Mistral! I really am learning more and more every single day, and I am polite."




Bise immediately remembered the ball of pink mohair yarn that someone (Anemo) had rolled back together. With two agile, cat-like movements, she safely dropped the yarn right at the little ones' feet.




"Are we allowed to play with this?" the little Cavapoo asked hesitantly. "We won't get dirty?"




"Of course you're allowed, mon petit brownie, you won't get dirty," the black cat replied, but he couldn't help himself and whispered into Bise's ear: "I really want to scratch that distinguished lady. Look at her, she looks exactly like a crashed parachute on our armchair in that beige silk dress."




*




The distinguished Daisy Queen sipped her tea noisily, but with her pinky finger raised high in the air from an authentic porcelain cup, blabbing away at a lightning-fast speed about her book club.




"We will read and discuss 'The War of the Garden Gnomes.' It's a recently published book written by Tanagra Boilld. She is a mysterious figure; I don't think anyone has ever met her in the flesh. Or maybe you know her, kiddo?"




"No..."




"Maybe our dear Remi knows her then. I thought about inviting her too, but... I haven't been able to reach her..."




Anemo’s phone gave a short beep.




"You have a message, Anemo! Read it, I don't want to keep you. Is it Miss Remi by any chance?"




Anemo turned on his phone screen and skimmed it quickly.




"It's from my neighbor Fleur; she always sends me a 'Good night' text. Please go on, Mrs. Queen!"




But Anemo’s phone beeped again.




"You are very popular, Mr. Writer! Is that one from Remi?"




"This time it's from Archibald. You know Archibald too. He's just reminding me that we have a meeting tomorrow."




Daisy’s face started turning red, and she began to sweat. She pulled a silk handkerchief with her monogram out of her purse and started dabbing furiously at her forehead and neckline, all while talking about how much she appreciates Anemo and our dear Remi, when the phone chimed yet again.




"It seems everyone is looking for you today, kiddo! Is it Remi?"




"It's my dad; he's reminding me that we have a FaceTime call in ten minutes. My dad is in London, esteemed lady!"




Daisy finally got up from the recliner with her "parachute" wrinkled to absolute bits. Once she reached the door with the little dog on her leash, she held out a hand like any self-respecting, distinguished lady would.




"I hope you’ll come to the book club, Anemo! I won’t keep you any longer. Give my regards to Simoon and to our dear Remi... if you see her."







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