I was talking with a dear friend in the Commons Room, a small lounge made for meeting friends and visitors. A bookshelf spanned one wall. A cold fireplace held a rock display in another. Our conversation was about to conclude and we had stood to make our way towards the exit. We were finalizing plans and I was expressing concern about whether or not I could keep to the schedule.
I shuffled the papers in my hands and read the unchanging words and diagrams. I already knew I was dreaming, such was the nature of the meeting, so I was expecting the marks on the paper to change while the meaning remained consistent. Instead, both marks and meanings remained static no matter how often I shuffled the papers. This did not give me peace, because the agreed-upon plan was one that I had been attempting since the beginning of last year, but I have consistently failed to make any progress on, time and time again.
My friend was trying to encourage me, as they were not present the first time I had attempted this work. They were pointing out all that had changed since I first wrote down the plan and that I have more help available than I did before. I was too busy treating past experience as promise of future failures while pointing out that the increase in assistance has not resulted in any increase in progression. My frustration expressed itself as my hand slipped and I dropped the papers.
“Ah, Master. Please continue your conversation, I will get this for you.”
I recognized the voice and felt comfortable yielding the recovery of the plans to them so I turned my attention back to my friend. They smiled as they continued our conversation but turned their head towards the source of the voice. I could tell they were amused but was not sure at what and why.
“Here, Master. I have your papers.”
“Thank you, Adiutor.” Wait… Adiutor? I looked down as I took the papers from the child-sized entity standing next to me. Black glittering orbs bright with mirth stared up at me as she gave a quick curtsy. Her plain, white, long dress had a simple fall to it and the long sleeves of that dress ended with simple ribbon-cinched cuffs. Over it, she wore a sleeveless vivid red tabard-frock that fell over the front and rear of the dress down to the bottom hem.
But what made me stand still with surprised curiosity was the thin pair of light brown and leathery wings that emerged from her back. “Wings, Adiutor?”
She grinned, showing her teeth, and reminded me that there is nothing human about her. “Wings, Master! I don’t have to jump to get to places now!”
My friend looked at her with deepening mirth. “Ah, your familiar. She seems much more lively than you’ve described. Has something changed?”
I looked back at my friend with an accusatory look because I know that they know that things have changed. They looked back at me with even more mirth because they know that I know that things have changed but they also know that I’m being a little shit about it all.
I looked to the wall so I could dramatically sigh with proper gravitas and realize where I am. Adiutor shouldn’t be here. Not this dwelling. I turn back to her. She appears very solid. I search for the tell that identifies her no matter what appearance she is wearing. The tell is present and reflects my attention back to me.
Adiutor stands beside me with her hands clasped behind her back as she turns in that swinging motion that eight-year-olds do when they are up to some shit but know they’re still cute enough to get away with it.
It has only been a week since Walpurgisnacht. It has only been six months since All Hallows’ Eve. The summer of 2024 resulted in a complete change of my worldview that caused her to become distant and reserved. It has been eight months since I last saw that shit-eating, felonious, premeditated, baiting grin and I never thought that I would be so relieved to see it again.
I replied to my friend without turning away. “Aye, something has changed. Several somethings have changed. And some of those things are going to change further.”
Adiutor’s grin spread uncomfortably wider when I addressed her directly. “So. You’re mine until my death, untimely or no. No takebacks.” She nodded with glee. “I take that to mean that wherever I can go, you could possibly go, though I’m quite sure that there are certain areas that you will not go, even if I were to make it an order.” She nodded again. “But wherever I am… home… that area is available to you.” She nodded with increasing joy. I had not yet figured out what she already knew.
“You’re at my side, no matter what.”
She curtsied and giggled. My friend bubbled with laughter. I gave them both side-eye which only increased the sounds of mirth.
“Ugh. Fine.” I let myself have a moment of relief. I know what was told to me on Walpurgisnacht, but I had not permitted myself to take it at face value. Adiutor being in this place, dressed in that way, and with the addition of wings meant that there was no other way to interpret it.
“Adiutor.”
“Master.” She replied with the same level of seriousness as I now addressed her.
“What is your role to me?”
The mirth had cooled but the glittering in her eyes remained a constant warning. She curtsied. “I am your familiar, Master. I am your servant at your beck and call. I am your herald and your messenger, should you want such. I am your attendant and your assistant, should you want such. I fetch. I deliver. I run ahead. I watch behind. I serve you as you want to be served, Master.”
“Hmm.” As I considered her answer, my friend silently took a step away from us to give us formal space. “And how am I to pay you for your service, Adiutor?”
“Ah, Master, there is no payment due for you have already met my lord’s terms. You made for me a precious body and gave it a home and those things that I have requested. As long as you have my casket, I will attend you. Should ever you wish to dismiss me, destroy the casket and its contents and never more will I be available to you.”
I looked at the papers in my hands and reread the plans that have been simplified to almost nothing. “What I need right now, Adiutor, is a secretary.” I held the papers out to her. “Attend me, Adiutor, by helping me implement this plan.”
She took the papers and read the plan. When she looked back up at me, it was with feral glee. “Master, if I do so, I will annoy you. Will you dismiss me for annoying you, Master?”
My friend made no attempt to hide their laughter. “Well, Magister, would you dismiss someone for annoying you when you asked for it?”
I took a deep breath and reminded myself just how much I love my dear friend, and how much I missed Adiutor’s presence and assistance. “No, I would not dismiss someone for annoying me when I asked for it. I’m not making any headway being left to my own devices. So, you’re safe, and Adiutor’s safe. Any further questions from either of you?”
“No, Magister.” “No, Master.” They both giggled conspiratorially.
“Adiutor, attend me.” She curtsied.
“[My friend], would you help me?” They took my hand and promised their assistance in my plans.
Adiutor silently excused herself and moved into the interior of the chambers. My friend laughed one last time and left the home. I sat down in a high-backed chair next to the decoratively-filled fireplace. Accepting my fate, I let myself slip into a deeper sleep in preparation for the actual day to come.
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