Wordcount: 1774

A/n: hello! I'm back again with episode 3 :) And some pretty cover art. Yasss I have uploaded an episode and artwork in quarantine while physically leaving my house to go to work every day! I consider this an absolute win. And a fabulous kickstart to my holiday caravanning in the lovely TCR fandom. Admittedly this is a bit fillery but let the grim foreshadowing make up for it.

I've borrowed the Monster from Heirverse (that as of posting this is on hold in favour of tcr content), as well as my original novel series I'm working on for this episode so I can gather some ideas for that. Especially for book 2. So I thought "why not unleash my pet upon the Cat Returns fandom and be really edgy?" Have to say the voice lines hit SO much harder when it's a female protagonist... close to home is that.

But anyway, enjoy the episode, and much like the last time: reviews do mean more episodes! And also bribe me to make this my home fandom (not that I need bribes as Cat already cut the wheels off my caravan so I can't leave anyway but the bribes are nice XD) I will seriously even take "Cool story bro. Needs more unicorns." Stay safe out there folks. -Wolfie.

(Episode 3)

Can't Sleep

Baron sighed softly as he sank into the sofa with his book. It had been a good while since he'd had enough peace and quiet to actually sit and read. Especially with Toto and Muta's near constant bickering. But since everyone was fast asleep and silence reigned in the sanctuary, he could finally take a little time for out himself. So he breathed in deeply and let his body sink just that little bit deeper into the sofa, turning to the first page. A fresh cup of tea already on the table beside him in his favourite red and white polka dot china.

He enjoyed these little peaceful interludes. Perhaps because they occurred so rarely. Running the Bureau took a lot of work. Even if he was a mage. And then there were the tasks of keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table. Keeping Muta and Toto in check. Planning out how to teach Haru to control her magic. And then helping anyone who required the Bureau's assistance... or as Muta liked to call it, 'Baron sticking his nose in other people's business.'

Well, it didn't exactly leave the cat mage with much free time. So when an opportunity to have some presented itself, Baron always took full advantage of it.

Much like right now.

He reached over to the table and lifted his teacup to his lips to take a sip of tea. Eyes quietly devouring the words, never once leaving the page or the story even as his hands moved. A skill telling of an avid reader, built from years of practice over many quiet nights spent with the company of a good book. Often until three in the morning. Or five in the morning, if the book was really good. He'd lost count of the number of mornings Muta or Toto had found him just turning the final pages, utterly lost in another world.

This night, he felt, would be one of the latter. He'd been meaning to get around to reading this particular tome for years. And finally, that time had come. So Baron spent several midnight hours lost in Wonderland with Alice, while the rain pelted against the windows. Thankfully the side that was outside the house this time.

. . .

Outside her room, Haru could hear the rain and the occasional crack of thunder, and tossed fitfully in her sleep. Her dreams haunted. Plagued by memories of her brush with the fae. And something else much more sinister.

The Monster in the woods. The big, black bear with a skull stripped bare of all flesh in place of a face. Its whiteness stark in the night. Dark fur blending into the shadows. Yet it seemed right at home in the dark forest.

You should just leave, he said. Voice permeating her thoughts just as it permeated the air. She was face to face with the beast now. This wretched creature of the night. A Thing of Nightmares.

They don't want you here. You're just in their way.

It lumbered towards her, forcing her to take a step back. Cold terror licking up her spine and filling her completely. With every step the Monster took, it felt as if she'd been dropped in icy water, lungs filling with every word it spoke.

They're not your friends, it continued. They don't care about you. The only reason you're even with them is because the Baron felt sorry for you.

She took another step away from it, and again it closed the gap between them.

"That's..." she stammered. "That's not true."

The Monster laughed then. Dark and evil and sinister. Isn't it? he asked, and another step back made Haru's back meet the rough bark of a large poplar tree. She gasped and risked a glance up at it. She recognised it immediately. Knowing its meaning well enough from her years of studying the Victorian flower language.

White poplar. Time.

A thing she was rapidly running out of, with the Monster so close.

So close that its voice seemed to echo inside her head. What is this thing? She thought, panicked.

Haru opened her mouth to speak, to show defiance, but quickly found she could not speak. The Monster – the voice in her head – had robbed her of even that.

The beast loomed over her, red eyes alight. The only light in the dark.

He bought you for a reason, it told her. For a purpose. And once you've served that purpose, he'll discard you. Just like everyone else who's ever known you.

Haru tried to speak again - no, he wouldn't. But again the words died in her throat. The voice must have known what she was thinking though, because it seemed to grin and grow amused.

Oh, trust me. He will. The Monster smirked. Thick, black tar dripping from its jaws. Its teeth inching closer to her skin, ready to take a bite.

Just. You. Wait.

Haru woke with a start, gasping and panting. Drenched in sweat. Quietly checking herself for any bitemarks and sighing in relief when she found none.

She took several deep breaths until the panic subsided and her heart stopped trying to escape her ribcage. A little calmer now, she let her hand slowly reach up and draw out the amulet Baron had given her. Fingers clasping the smooth jade and finding the stone cool against her clammy skin. Proof if she ever needed it that Baron did indeed care for her.

The voice was lying. It had to be. The Monster wouldn't...

She shook her head quickly to rid it of the thought. No, it was just a bad dream. Her overactive imagination playing cruel tricks on her. That's all.

She told herself that over and over. "Just a dream," she whispered. "Just a dream."

But the thought still nagged at her. "It was just a bad dream..." she whispered softly. The faintest of terrors present in her trembling voice. "It can't be here."

And yet... she swallowed, unable to believe her own words. And yet, she'd seen it with her own eyes, right there in the forest. It was here. It'd followed her. All this way.

A cold shiver rolled over her, as though someone had stepped on her grave. There was no getting back to sleep now, knowing this.

She pulled her dressing gown on to keep the chill away and quietly crept downstairs. Careful not to wake the others. She'd just go down to make herself a cup of tea and take a good book – a non magical one – back to bed to read. Although in Haru's opinion all stories held their own special kind of magic.

She moved steadily and quietly, her bare feet padding silently across the carpet. She was admittedly a little surprised to find one of the living room lights on. Did someone forget to turn it off before bedtime? She wondered. But when she walked in, she found Baron sitting quite comfortably on the sofa, thoroughly invested in a good book. ~A pot of tea and an empty teacup on the table beside him. Truly a cat after her own heart.

"Oh," she smiled, "Baron. I didn't realise you were still up."

The feline mage looked up at her, his surprise quickly melting into a smile at the sight of her. "Ah, Miss Haru. Shouldn't you be in bed? It is..." he glanced at his pocketwatch and frowned. "Four o' clock."

Haru shrugged. "Can't sleep."

Baron's brow creased in thought. "Bad dreams?"

She nodded. "Mind if I sit with you?"

Baron smiled at that. "Only on the condition that you share a cup of tea with me."

"I think I can manage that," Haru answered with a smile of her own. "You can tell me all about your book while we have tea."

Baron nodded. "Pour yourself a mug and have a seat. We can read it together."

. . .

"Comfortable?" Baron asked, once Haru was curled up next to him on the sofa. A mug of tea in her hands.

"Oh yes," she answered, "I'm ready for the story. I love Alice in Wonderland."

Baron smiled softly, quietly approving of his young apprentice's taste in books, and cleared his throat ready to begin the story. Haru listening eagerly and drinking her tea. He read with the ease of a practiced storyteller. His voice smooth and soothing, and just the thing Haru needed after her restless night.

She sighed softly as he read to her. It was her favourite story. Where the heroine, little Alice, escapes from her dull dreary life in search of an adventure.

How often had she wished she could do the same to escape her own loneliness?

When her mug was empty and placed back on the table beside Baron's teacup, she sighed again and closed her eyes, just to rest them and let that thought drift away. Things were different now. She had a home now. She had a family now. People who cared about her.

Well, she had a crow, a fat white cat, and an anthropomorphic feline mage who cared. Not quite 'people', but she wasn't going to complain. And they still counted.

No matter what the voice said.

She let her whole body relax, sinking further into the story and Baron's warmth beside her. Slowly letting his words pull her back into a peaceful sleep.

. . .

Baron finished the chapter he was reading and smiled. Beside him, Haru snored softly, fast asleep and far away in dreamland. As she should be. He shook his head slowly and quietly nuzzled her forehead, closing the book and setting it on the table with her now empty mug of tea.

A big part of him wished they could stay here like this forever. But the smaller, more rational part of him won out. It would be both impractical and bad for Haru's health if she slept in her awkward position. And no doubt she'd have a lot of aches and the most awful crick in her neck if his own experiences of falling asleep reading on the sofa were anything to go by.

So it was with a soft sigh of his own that he carefully stood and lifted Haru into his arms. Carrying her back up the stairs and tucking her back into her own bed again. Softly stroking her head and smiling warmly down at her, even though she couldn't see it.

"Goodnight, Miss Haru," he murmured softly. Quietly shutting the door and turning out the lights on his way out.