My skin prickles like it did last time, the feeling of the moon sand's magic lingering upon me as I step out into a large corridor-like space. I hear rather than see Ake step up behind me. I refuse to turn around and see him holding that poor fox's form.
Instead, I glance around the corridor. It's large and spacious, with the ceiling higher than any other building I have been inside, which isn't many considering how long I have been alive.
A large chandelier hangs directly above us, casting the room in a soft golden glow. Large stain windows line the walls and stretch up toward the ceiling. Each stained glass window depicts one of the many protectors of Earth and its' humans.
Starting above the main entrance, has Vita, the keeper of Life, standing with their hands holding up the Earth. Their long gold and white hair flow out around their form while their dark purple robe nearly fades into the background.
To Vita's left is Mortem's stained glass window. Much like the keeper of life, the keeper of death is standing behind the Earth, holding it up with only one hand instead of two like Vita is, their long gold and black hair is tied back by a white ribbon that matches their long flowing white with a black-trimmed robe.
The stained glass window next to Mortem's is Cato's, where they are standing in their observatory with Earth in a window behind them and the Aster in a glass case next to them. The keeper of memories is in their usual tan and brown suite and a soft, caring smile gracious their lips.
Next is Ake's window. Much like Cato's window, the Earth is in the background of Ake's image, the moon entity stands on the surface of the moon, staring down at the earth with a fond look upon his face.
The next window following that is Father Time's window. His window is the first to not fully show the Earth in the background, however, there is a globe floating next to him as Father Time holds an hourglass in one hand and a clock in the other. His usual business casual attire is replaced by a long tan-brown robe that almost reminds me of what the humans with the bald heads, monks I think they are called, wear. Something that I almost never see Father Time wear unless absolutely necessary.
Following Father Time is Mother Nature's stained window. In her's, Mother Nature is dressed very similarly to what I saw her in yesterday and her window is the first to not have the earth depicted anywhere but is more of a scene on Earth. She is standing in the center of a large open field with many different animals surrounding her, many animals that are no longer around to wander the Earth, and most I don't even know the names of.
"Snowflake," Ake calls out suddenly causing me to jerk back from my examination. "I know, it's a lot to take in, but we really need to get this little fox up to Cato. She's, uh, well, not to sound insensitive, but she's starting to smell, Snowflake."
Frost spreads across my cheeks as I quickly nod.
"Right, right. Sorry, Ake. Would you like me to freeze her so she doesn't... well you know?"
Ake shakes his head, an amused look gracing his features as steps up next to me.
"That won't be necessary, Snowflake. Let's just get her to Cato."
"And where would Cato be?" I ask, glancing over toward the large spiraling staircase that lines the center of the space that just narrowly bypassing the chandelier.
"They're probably up in their observatory like usual," Ake comments, already walking toward the stairs. "Although, it wouldn't kill them to install a freaking elevator or something. They have more than enough resources on hand to do so!" Ake shouts up the stairs as if Cato is waiting at the top, listening to us talk.
Giggling, I quickly follow the much larger entity as he starts upwards.
Since Cato and the first entities are so much bigger, the steps on the stairs are quite large to accommodate their longer strides and bigger feet. Four of my strides covers each step while a stride and a half works just fine for the moon entity. Mortem and Vita are the largest entities that I know, so I'm pretty sure Cato made the steps to accommodate their strides more than anyone else's. Which, in my opinion, is rather sweet that they were thinking of their older siblings' comfort like that.
The walk is rather quiet between me and Ake.
Each time I look over to say something or possibly point out a cool design on Cato's wall that one couldn't see from the ground, Ake has such a look of hard concentration on his face that I don't want to disturb him or his thoughts.
Maybe he is just trying to think about what humans might be responsible for this. Or maybe, where we can bury her after all of this is done.
I bite my lip.
Personally, I would like to possibly bury her up in the Arctic Circle where she is supposed to be from, but I also know that there is going to be so much snow up there that actually burying her won't be possible and any predatory animals will more than likely be able to sniff her out in the snow.
My nose scrunches at that thought.
I would much rather not think about how she's more than likely gonna be eaten, even if I know that's just the order of things. An arm bumps my shoulder and I look up at Ake.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Ake asks, lightheartedly, his eyes sparkling with mirth. I chuckle as I drop my chin to my chest.
"Well, it's not really all that important. I was just thinking of what we can do with the little fox after we speak with Cato."
Ake hums in response, slowing his stride just a little. I mentally sigh with relief as my legs are beginning to burn from all this walking. I'm used to flying around, not just walking up a bazillion flights of stairs.
"Well," Ake starts slowly, turning to face forward. "What would you like to do with your little friend?"
Sheepishly, I tug at my sweatshirt sleeve, suddenly feeling rather foolish.
"Well, uh, I was kinda hoping we could... I mean, I could bury her up at the Arctic Circle, since that's where she's from, ya know?"
Ake nods with another hum, motioning for me to continue. I wet my lips and keep my gaze on the pearly white marble stairs under our feet.
"Well, then I realized that the Arctic Circle is going to be covered in snow. It's always one of the first places I go to make sure winter is starting on the right path."
"And you don't want to just bury her in the snow?"
A frown tugs on my lips as I shrug.
"I mean, I wouldn't really have a problem with it too much. But I also know that Mother Nature prefers if things don't interfere with the natural pecking order of things."
Ake nudges me again causing me to stagger with a slight giggle.
"I don't think that's why you pulled that face earlier."
I sigh and nearly pout.
"No, it's not. I just realized that if I buried her in the snow, she will more than likely be found by another predator who won't hesitate to dig her up and, well, ya know..." I gesture vaguely, not being able to bring myself to even say what I thought.
Luckily, the moon entity seems to understand completely what I am trying to get across and he nods.
"Ah, okay, that makes a lot more sense now, Snowflake." Ake glances over at me and I quickly avert my gaze. "Why don't we worry about that once all of this is figured out, hmm? Who knows, maybe we can contact Ela and see if she has any thoughts on what we can do to put your little friend to rest finally."
My shoulders slump a little as I nod.
Yeah, honestly, that would probably be for the best. I don't make her mad by screwing up the natural order of things.
We lapse into another bout of silence and part of me is tempted to just fly the three of us up to the top as my feet start to drag behind me.
"I think, I agree with you," I mutter bitterly. "I think Cato really needs an elevator or even an escalator put in instead of this mile-high staircase."
Ake breathes out a laugh.
"I heard that."
Both Ake and I jump as a teasing voice filters down toward us. Looking up, a smile splits my face as I see Cato leaning against the railing three more flights above us.
"Cato!" I call up, a weight leaving my shoulder as the older being waves down at us.
"Hello, Dears," Cato calls down. "What brings the two of you into my domain today?" I wince and glance over at Ake.
The moon entity shakes his head.
"We'll explain once we get up to you, okay? I would prefer not having to shout this entire conversation."
Cato nods, pulling off their glasses before waving their hand at us.
Suddenly, a cloud of light green dust falls over the two of us and we start to shift upwards. I giggle as I somersault in the air.
"Cato! I can fly," I say once I appear directly in front of the older being. "If you would have asked, I could have brought us up here."
"I know, Frost-dear," Cato states, patting my cheek with a cheeky smile. "But let me spoil you every once in a while, hmm?"
Ake doesn't look as enthused by the random flying, squinting at the keeper as he appears next to me.
"Was that really necessary, Cato?"
The keeper of memories beams at the moon entity as they help me over the railing.
"I think so. You poor dears looked so tuckered out and Zaman is currently making some tea, so I thought if we hurry we can make the two of you dears some as well."
My ears perk up at the mention of tea. It's been a really long time since the last time I had tea, let alone Father Time's tea. Ake waves Cato's hands away when the keeper tries to reach for him and elegantly floats over the railing. He frowns at the slightly shorter entity.
"Is that really a good idea? Giving a winter sprite hot tea?"
It's Cato's turn to frown as I glance over at the moon entity. Why on earth wouldn't I be able to have tea? Yeah, I have to let it cool to a temperature that others might find too cold, but it doesn't mean I can't have warm things.
"Now see here, Ake," Cato says, face tinging pink as they place their hand on their hips and point a finger in the moon entity's face. "If Frost wouldn't be able to have tea, I would make sure to get him something else, but I know for a fact that he can have tea, so do not think I'm being ignorant in offering him something warm to drink. So—"
Cato then trails off as they look down at Ake's hands. Ake, noticing the shift in the keeper's attitude also looks down. I wince as Cato lifts a hand to brush the fox before pausing and looking up at the taller entity.
"Who do we have here?"
I duck my head as Ake glances over at me and I slowly shuffle closer to the two ancient beings.
"Snowflake?" Ake starts. "Would you like to explain a little more?"
I wet my lips, tugging on my sweatshirt sleeve.
"Should...Should we wait until Father Time is present? And see if he has any thoughts too?"
Cato frowns, glancing between me and Ake over the top of his glasses. Ake nods and Cato gestures for us to follow them.
"All right, dears, if you believe it to be this important then I think we should head on up to the observatory. Come." Cato gestures for us to follow them.
Sparing a glance at Ake, I quickly follow after the keeper as they walk through a large arching doorway.
A warm, glowing light casts large shadows over the walls, and a smile tugs on my lips as I spot a glass wall with a humongous telescope slotted into the glass. Most of the walls of the observatory are covered by bookshelves and many different paintings of different periods of time on earth. The real memories that Cato protects are located in the lower levels of the hall, hidden away in massive vaults that Cato created themself many, MANY years ago.
I think they said once that the vaults are older than intelligent life on Earth. Which is, just whoa. That's really hard to wrap even my head around. And I'm pretty old.
A snort escapes me as Cato leads us into a small kitchen nook.
Clinking echoes around the kitchen and Father Time's back is toward us as he starts pouring two mugs full of steaming hot water. Cato drifts up to the taller being and gently taps his forearm.
"Did you figure out who you heard downstairs?" Father Time asks, tilting his head toward the keeper.
Cato hums.
"Oh, yes, we will need two more mugs, darling. We have guests."
Pausing in his pouring, Father Time looks at Cato, before glancing over his shoulder. I offer him a sheepish smile as Ake grins at his sibling.
"Hey, Z, fancy meeting you here. Heard you had some great tea and came to try it."
Father Time's eyes narrow over his silver frames as his sibling smirks at him before his gaze drifts over to me.
"H-Hello," I say, a little softer. "We, uh, came to talk with you and Cato about-about something."
A frown tugs on Father Time's lips as Cato pulls down two mugs, a silver mug with feathered wings and a deep red with little horns and a black tail. They reach over and grab the kettle from the timekeeper and starts pouring water into the two new mugs.
"Is everything all right?" Father Time's eyes glance down to Ake's arms. "What do you have there?"
I wince as Father Time starts to approach, only pausing when Ake holds up his free hand.
"I really wouldn't come any closer, Zaman. We'll explain over the tea but I know what a sensitive stomach you can have when it's empty."
Father Time's face pinches as he eyes the fox in Ake's hands.
"What did you bring into the observatory if you don't want me near that white blob of fur?"
My hands twitch at my sides as I duck my head, biting my bottom lip. Maybe we should just tell them right now?
"Would you like some milk in your tea, Frost-dear? Ake?"
My head perks up as Cato starts adding five spoonfuls of sugar into the silver mug.
"Oh. Yes, please, Cato."
The keeper smiles at me over their shoulder before glancing at Ake.
"Ake?"
"Huh?" Ake shakes his head, looking over to his left, shrugging. "Oh, uh, no thanks, Cato. You know how dairy doesn't sit well with me. No sugar either, thanks."
Cato nods, stirring the contents in the silver mug, allowing the tea to seep. After a beat, Cato shakes off the spoon and hands me and Ake our tea while Father Time finishes up with their tea.
"Ready to talk now?" Father Time asks as he follows Cato to the small dark brown table with four chairs around it. I smile in thanks as Cato hands me the silver mug. I fight back a sigh as I feel the warmth spread across my palms. Oh, it has been a really long time since I've had something this warm near me. I forgot what it feels like.
Although, the last time I held something this warm, I burned myself, so I guess that would be why I haven't done it since. But, I was alone that time, unlike now, so I think I should be all right this time around. I watch the steam rise from the mug, and I have to hold myself back from trying to drink the hot liquid right now. Cato just defended me on having hot liquids, I'm not going to ruin it by burning my tongue.
"Care to start talking?" Father Time says, sitting down to my right, sipping his tea with his eyes trained on the fox in Ake's hands. "Why are you holding a dead fox, Ake?"
I flinch and lower my mug to the tabletop.
"That's-That's actually my fault, Father Time," I state, shrinking back when the older being looks at me. "I, uh, found the fox in the forest and brought her back to my house."
Father Time frowns at me, the space between his eyebrows creasing.
"You brought a dead fox back to your home? But why?"
I drop my gaze to the glossy tabletop.
"Well, I didn't know she was dead at the time. She was moving her ears and her head whenever I would move or talk to her. So I thought maybe she was injured, having traveled so far from where she is supposed to be. So, I brought her back home, hoping to feed her, give her shelter 'cause she felt kinda cold." I slide down in my chair, my stomach turning over as I fight to not glance at the little white bundle of fur next to me. "I didn't realize that the coolness of her body meant that she, uh, that she..." I swallow thickly and tighten my hold on the hot mug, allowing the sting and slight burn to ground myself.
Cato places their mug down, green eyes studying me.
"You didn't realize she was dead when you picked her up."
I nod at the statement. Cato frowns and lifts their drink to their lips.
"But you said that she was moving her head and ears?"
"That's what he told me, too," Ake states, lifting his drink with one hand. "But then, I also found him crying over the little fox's body because he thought he killed her."
Frost spreads across my cheeks and I glance off to my right. Father Time leans forward and I peek at him from the corner of my eye.
"Why did you think that you killed her, Frost?" Father Time asks, his eyebrows furrowing.
My fingers drum on the ceramic.
"I-I accidentally threw her when Wind tackled me. I found this small lump on her back and was looking it over, so I didn't realize Wind had arrived home from traveling around Canada before they collided with me. And when I hurried over to the little fox, she wasn't moving and she wasn't breathing and her eyes seemed so glassy and-and..."
My breath hitches as heat prickles behind my eyes. Father Time reaches over and rubs my forearm as Cato watches me with concerned green eyes.
"Breathe, Snowflake," Ake says softly, reaching over and rubbing my back with his free hand. "You didn't do anything wrong."
My face pinches, dragging in a shaky deep breath, as I fight not to start crying like I did back at the house. Partially because it would be very embarrassing to cry in front of Ake again and Cato and Father Time, and because I'm sure I will burn my face if I start crying again.
"Do you want me to take over?" Ake asks softly, and I nod sheepishly, rubbing at my eyes. "All right, Snowflake. As he was saying, he thought the little fox was dead, so when I arrived, he was holding the little thing. I took the fox, going to check that lump on her back that Snowflake thought was an injury. That's when I realized that the little fox has been dead for at least 30 days. That there was no way that Snowflake throwing her was the result of her sudden death. So, I took a closer look at that lump. Well, it didn't look right. It was this squarish shape, something Snowflake noted, so I cut open her back and found this." Ake reaches into his front pocket and pulls out the small black chip. He places it on the table. Father Time and Cato's eyes widen.
Ake continues.
"And that wasn't all that we found. Look at this."
Ake lifts the fox to the table, laying her down in the middle so that her back is facing up. Both Cato and Father Time wrinkle their nose at the smell but stand to look closer.
Cato gasps.
"Are-Are those wires?"
The moon entity nods.
"Yes. I think that a human, or group of humans, were using this little fox's body as a way to gain footage they normally wouldn't have been able to by themselves."
Carefully, Father Time reaches down and grasps the fox's head, turning her glossy eyes toward him. Father Time stiffens, his lips pursing into a thin line.
"Cato, what do these look like to you?"
The keeper tugs their glasses from their pocket and leans down. Cato takes the fox's eyelid, lifting it and studying the eyeball.
"That's not an eyeball," Cato states tersely. "That's a camera."