The Man in the Shadows Arc: A Bit of Sand
It was that shadow-man again. The Sand often ran into him throughout the years, though he disappeared as soon as he saw The Sand. Each time he tried to do something with the dream sand.
The shadow-man sat slumped against a wall now, holding a small bit of sand in his hands as he cried. Why was he even crying? The shadow-man always looked rather depressed, but he had never cried before.
A small cloud of sand circled around him, curious. Why do you cry shadow-man?
The shadow-man looked up, startled. He tried to back away from the sand, only to hit his head on the wall.
The Sand giggled. Silly shadow-man!
The man scowled. "My name is not shadow-man, Sandman! You know this, why do you mock me so?"
The Sand bristled. I am not the Sandman! I am a Spirit of Old, The Sand, the one who protects him.
The shadow-man blinded. "I- what? Are you saying that you are literally the sand of the Sandman? That makes no sense- bah! I am talking with sand! What is wrong with me?"
The Sand huffed. And you are a man of shadow. What of it?
"I will not sit here and be mocked by sand! Bygone, dust cloud!"
The Sand reeled back, socked. How dare he! How dare he! I AM NOT DUST!
With an angered huff, The Sand smacked the shadow-man in the face, and speed towards the window. The nerve of some people!
The shadow-man scrambled to his feet, not quite wanting The Sand to leave, despite his words. This was the first person (spirit, thing, whatever) he had interacted with in a while.
"W-wait! Don't go!"
The Sand ignored him.
He tried again. "Don't you at least want your sand back?"
The Sand whirled around, furious with the shadow-man, ready to tear it's self right out of his hands- but stopped short.
He looked so miserable.
Was he really so lonely?
The Sand hovered uneasily near the window, before deciding on what to do.
No, The Sand finally whispered. Keep it. It is just a small bit, it shall not be missed. And perhaps, when you are ready to talk without insult, you can call on me. Be safe, shadow-man, embodiment of fear.
And with that, The Sand flew out the window, off to rejoin it's child.
Back in the room, the tall, pale figure of Pitch Black looked at the sand in his hands and smiled.
The next chapter will either be about Sandy's reaction to The Sand asking to help the Wind, or The Wind and The Sand first meeting. Maybe. Possibly. Meh, will see.
Anyway, do you guys like the interactions between The Sand and Pitch?
