His upside-down, smiling face was trying REALLY hard to not laugh. "Pleasant day, Lady Greengrass. You may be pleased to know that you and I are currently guests of the great Queen Davis, ruler of Sandcropolis."
Dignity was shot anyway. She sighed. "Well, as long as you're here, could you please help me not be so... upside-down, or whatever we are right now?"
Harry waved a hand, lifting both Daphne and a LOUDLY grumbling queen. "Daph, next time I want to snuggle in a bed. Hammock's are just too dangerous."
Daphne's head jerked. "Snuggle?"
Harry rested a hand on her shoulder. "You bumped into some... harsh emotions while building. I thought you would rather recover here, even if the issue itself has been dealt with."
She leaned slightly into his hand, memories returning. In a small voice he could barely hear, she whispered. "Thank you for coming, Harry. I felt... so alone."
He wrapped her in another hug from behind, giving a soft whisper. "Whenever you need to, you can call me and I will help."
She squeezed his hand as she stood, watching Tracey try to straiten some sort of sand crown around her sand robes. "So... she's a sand queen?" Harry grinned. "Nope."
Tracey looked up sharply. "I am too! Got a castle!"
Harry's grin expanded. "You are a sand witch."
Daphne groaned while Tracey got a huge smile. "Oh not you too, Harry. Please no puns."
Tracey waved a hand. "Ignore the commoner, Sir. Harry. She can't handle the pun-ishment."
Daphne followed a sand-armored Harry who was yelling something about the glory of small rocks, a small smile on her face. She recognized who's arms had helped her, when she was trapped in her own darkness... and she felt so safe knowing he would do it again for her.
Tracey leaned toward her Sand Knight. "Is it working?"
Harry leaned back. "Easily 12 percent smile, my queen." Her regal nod had them back to bantering as they led the bemused girl through confusing sand streets and buildings.
Harry was relaxing in a sand lounge chair when Daphne and Tracey came up and stood in his sun. Lazily looking up he raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
Tracey leaned in. "Harry, how long have been here?" She looked concerned. "We can't be late for dinner, it could... there could be rumors and such."
Harry stretched and yawned. "Wrath, how long have we been in each others minds so far?"
Both girls gave a tiny scream seeing the tall skeletal man step out from behind Harry's chair. "Sir, it has been 12 minutes and 48 seconds since the three of you began your journey." He reached forward, handing Harry a hot cup of tea. Turning to the other two stunned children, he gave a smile. "Would Master's guests enjoy some tea as well? It is quite a fine blend, if I do say so."
Daphne, raised for society, gave a small nod. "If it would not be a bother, Mr. Wrath."
A dark chuckle made the two girls squirm a little. "Please Miss, just Wrath." Two fine crystal tea cups on golden saucers were placed on a sand table... where did the table come from?
Daphne took a cautious sip, not letting her hand shake... it soothed her, flowing through her like a breeze. "That was... this is amazing Wrath, thank you."
The man bowed and vanished. Tracey hesitantly took a sip... oh that was calming.
Harry chuckled. "He has known me longest, and has always supported me... but my favorite ability of his is the tea. I have actually been tasting raw tea leaves and different ingredients so he can make new blends in here." Tracey seemed to have mentally recovered from seeing a skeletal man just... exist like that. "Did he say... 12 minutes?"
He shrugged. "Longer than that, almost 13 minutes. Time passes faster in here. Not as fast as in my world, thankfully... that place can get old."
He stood, gently moving his tired muscles. "Well, I have a project to complete. I have found a strong need to keep watch over all my friends now, so I need a new Aspect." He grinned at the girls. "Care to watch? It should be interesting. Not sure how advisable it is to do, really, but without Jim, Wisdom, and Wrath... well, life would be a little boring."
He walked towards his door as two interested girls followed. Tracey was thinking that having an actual army would make her sand castle awesome, while Daphne was imagining bats to keep her mind well documented and watched. She never wanted to be surprised like that again.
When they caught up, they saw Harry standing in a pit, one with a pile of orbs in the middle. Tracey poked Daphne, "Hey, are those ducks?"
Surrounding the pit filled with sand were a LOT of ducks. Some dressed like ninjas, some like burglars, and one with... a snail helmet? "Harry, one of your ducks has a snail on its head."
He nodded. "Hey Jim!"
"Quack."
Harry shrugged. "They are nice, you should give them a chance."
"Quack?"
Tracey and Daphne watched the boy turn red. "Look, for now we are just friends, Ok? Sheesh Jim, I am busy now." Tracey grinned and nudged Daphne who rolled her eyes... with a small smile. Her friend waved at Jim, who gave a one winged salute.
Harry focused on the pile, but spoke over his shoulder. "So for this, I am creating an aspect to watch my networks, my friends, and my surroundings. Nothing else. It will be aware at all times, even when I am asleep or unconscious." He grimaced. "I may have to have Wrath take over if I am hurt or unconscious... that could cause issues."
He pointed at the pile. "These are copies of many of my memories and emotions. The fear of those I treasure being hurt, my determination to protect them from all harm, the times I used to watch families and wish I had one..." His voice faded slightly. "I find that including my painful and dear memories helps. I can cope better with the... the past." He gave a slightly sad smile at the two wide eyed girls. Turning back to the pile, he raised both hands. "Now that we have the heart, we need the body. With Jim I got lucky, he evolved really to become what he is. This one though..."
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