One shot! Came to me while hanging up clothes! Burn me if you want!
Clockwork sat in his tower with loneliness as his shadow. He remembered the happy after life he had once before. Gardenia. His heart whispered.
Sulking would have to wait. He could feel Danny getting in trouble, that's what happens when you take in a ghost. Many ghosts take in other ghosts, even if the ghosts don't know it.
He made his way down the steps of his large ghostly manor. Once inside his Observation Room (OR), he waved his staff to get the image he desired. An image of Danny running from Dash down the hallway of Casper flooded the circular screen. He knew Danny could handle that.
Just to prove his point, Danny became invisible and let a confused Dash run in to the wall and land at the feet of a giggling Daniel.
Clockwork chuckled to himself at the cleverness of the boy.
"Quite clever, isn't he?"
Clockwork spun around to see a feminine ghost in a long green gown with red rosettes poking through at random points. Long black hair cascaded down her back and flowed like a wedding vial. Her eyes were piercing green orbs with no pupils. Her face reminded him of Desiree, and of the woman herself. Her skin tone could pass her for a human, if weren't for her eyes. Her beautiful eyes.
"Mother Nature?" he whispered, just as his heart did moments ago.
She cocked her head to the side and smiled. "Father Tyme."
"What are you doing here?" Clockwork said in a tensed voice. His body became brick as she walked across the floor and stopped half way, her elegant form waiting for him meet her the other half.
"Why, you would know," she answered, letting her dresses train flow.
Clockwork inhaled deeply as he said, "You have no reason for being here."
"That is where you are wrong, my friend," she said with a smile.
"You are not my friend."
"I suppose you are correct." She regain her body composure, "The reason I am here is simple."
"Are you here for..." Clockwork trailed off. Truly not knowing what the mysterious woman wanted. Then it dawned on him.
"I miss you, Clockwork, but I have also felt the awakening and slumber of Pariah. What have the Elders done to lull him this time?"
"It was not the Elders' bidding, the Elders are gone."
"What? Who could have completed such a feat?" The woman stepped back in horror. Who could be strong enough, it was a difficult task for the Elders.
Clockwork smiled. "The clever boy," he said, gesturing to the screen, which showed Daniel walking to class, late as ever.
"Could not be, he is so weak, I feel it. And he looks so... human."
"You, as well, look human. But the reason being, Daniel is part human. He is in his human form currently, thus he is weaker than he would be."
"But if I can feel his strength... Oh my! He is stronger than thought!" Mother looked at Clockwork. "I know you miss me, too," she said with a smile.
"Gardenia," he started.
"No, you care for your Fabric of Time more than I," she said.
"You have your job, and I have mine."
"Speaking of my job," she said, placing a scroll on the floor. "Meet me halfway."
Clockwork smiled and shifted from elderly to young man. He floated to her and stopped, halfway.
"I have a son, as you know. Undergrowth."
Clockwork froze. "Who father's him?"
"Silly man, plants do not need mates, but I would like your company."
"Gardenia."
"Fine, but for once I am gone, you will be here, wishing I stayed." She flew out the door with a single glance back.
Why did I ever let you go? Gardenia was right. Once again she was right.
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